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 Dear Church Family

Today marks the start of the 40-day season of Lent. The first day of Lent is known in many traditions as “Ash Wednesday.”   Ash is the aftermath of fire – the remnant of a burning away.

Part of our spiritual journey is learning to “burn away” or let go; it is to subtract sin in our life and make more room for God’s abundance.  This process is a way for us to enter into the death and crucifixion of our Lord Jesus in preparation for celebrating His resurrection.  Romans 6:11  “consider yourself dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.”

If you’re like me the idea of being a “living sacrifice” (Roman 12:1) is a challenging truth.  Death needs to be at work in me yet I am still very much alive.  The idea is also captured in Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  

I’m grateful for a time like Lent.  We can reflect on some of the things that need “burning” or “dying” in our lives: 

Negative beliefs about ourselves.
“I’m not good enough.”
“I’m a mistake.” 
“I’m a failure.” 
What is your label or belief _______________?   

Bitterness and unforgiveness.
Who do we hold grudges against? 
Who do we speak negatively about?

Self-centeredness.
Moving from ‘me’ to ‘we’; from ‘I’ to ‘all of us’.

Material possessions.
What is the “thing” that will complete you. 
“If only I had ______________.”

What is God asking you to give up/crucify during this Lent season? _________________________. 

Fasting is often associated with Lent.  The idea of being “dead” to food can be applied to many things in our lives. 

Last Sunday I shared that during this COVID pandemic I have found myself fusing to all kinds of words, from all kinds of sources.  My favorite news sources, COVID experts, statistics, YouTube clips, social media sites and podcasts.  All words that I’ve spent way too much time consuming.  Words that are often conflicting and dividing.  Who do I believe?  What stance do I take?  Is it any wonder that conflict and division have crept into my life, my church, my world? 

Like Peter, James and John who were with Jesus on the mount of transfiguration, I heard my father say “Listen to Him”.  Listen to Jesus.  When the disciples heard these words, they were terrified and fell to the ground.  Cut to the heart. 

Lent is a time of disruption – a time for confession, mourning, repentance.  To pull away go into the “wilderness” ourselves and fuse with the words of God. 

I challenged us all to engage with God in the period of Lent.  For me, I’m beginning a “fast” from all the clamoring, divisive words for the next 40 days.  Instead, I’m going to “feast” on the words of Jesus and pray for unity among us just as Jesus did. 

Perhaps you want to join in this exact “fast” and “feast”.  Perhaps the Lord is impressing upon you a different kind of “fast” and “feast”.  Listen to Him and discern what He wants you to enter into. 

Maybe you are part of a small group and you want to enter into Lent together.  Life is “better together”.  What is it you want to focus on together? 

"Lent Guide" is a booklet published by Central Community Church in Chilliwack that you could use as a handy resource to follow during the next 40 days.  Printed copies will be available at church or you can find it at this link:  Lent Guide

May God be able to work in us as we commit to “fasting” and “feasting” with Him during this Lent season.  

From the desk of Pastor Phil