With memories of Christmas drifting into thin air, and the weather of January acting more like Spring, believe it or not, it’s almost time for Lent.  Of course, “Lent” actually means ‘spring.”  

There’s good chance—with the way things seem to be going—that when Lent/Spring comes, it’ll probably snow!  I figure that if I say it now, maybe it won’t happen!

Lent is a special time of the year, not like Christmas or Thanksgiving, but special nonetheless.  It is a time for each Christian to begin to consider the center of one’s life—Jesus Christ—centered in life and death.  We begin Lent with a deep reminder of our mortality and of death; the end of Lent comes with new life and resurrection!  Somewhere in the middle, or should I say, in the center of it all, is Jesus.

Lent is a good time to get re-centered with Christ.  There are extra worship services and other forms of discipline that one can take on—prayer—fasting—good works.  Many people like to go on diets, and, there’s nothing really wrong with doing that as long as you understand what all the fasting is all about.  Fasting helps clear the heart and mind (and the conscience); it can help one focus on a given thought or issue or idea.  During Lent it should be about Jesus Christ and all that He did to give us life.

What did He do to give us life?  Well, that’s what the lessons and Gospels for Lent are all about.  Listen to them; read them over and over, and see just what did Jesus of Nazareth do to give us life?

Respond to the Word with prayer; and then, as Luther says in the Small Catechism, sing a hymn and quickly go to work for the day.  You will be surprised how much better your day will be if you would do this on a regular basis!  As you go to work, you will have plenty of opportunities to do good works.  Why? Because you began this Lenten morning with the reading of Scripture and prayer.  You have put the right foot forward to begin the day, laid the good foundation for the faithful action of good works!

Do it for forty days, the length of Lent.  Come and worship, come to Bible Study.  Listen to God’s Word.  Then go and share the goodness God proclaims.  Your Lenten journey will be full and fulfilling!

Read through this newsletter and see what opportunities are there for you to grow in faith and be a disciple!  I hope to see you there!

Your friend in Christ,

Pastor Jim