ASHES

Christian Lenten Traditions

Good morning to you my dear friend,
So good to have you here with me this day that the Lord has made. Shall we rejoice and be glad in it? Yes, we should.

This will be one of those busy and stressful days for me with so much to do. But I know this:
I can do all things through 
Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13

That scripture gives me much peace about the busyness. But the best part of it all is that I am going on a two day women's retreat and I leave at noon tomorrow. I will return late Saturday morning. I am really looking forward to it. But that is probably why I have so much to do because I have to do it all today instead of tomorrow and Friday. But that is okay. Just getting away for a short time helps to renew and refresh. And we do need that sometimes. 

Today is Ash Wednesday. The beginning of Lent. Do you plan to give up something for Lent? Lent is the 40 days in preparation for Easter. Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline in giving and praying. The purpose is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ - his suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial and resurrection. We start that time of fast with a service of ashes. They are put on our forehead in prayer in memorial of the fact that we came from ashes and will return to ashes.

Then I set my face toward the Lord God to 
make request by prayer and supplications, 
with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. 
Daniel 9:3

The Bible does not mention the custom of Lent, however, the practice of repentance and mourning in ashes is found in 2 Samuel 13:19; Esther 4:1; Job 2:8; Daniel 9:3; and Matthew 11:21.

Lent is not in the Bible. Lent is not something that you have to do. But it is a good time to prepare yourself, with God's help, to focus on Jesus Christ, to give yourself to Him by sacrificing something of ourselves, since God sacrificed His Son for us. A certain food, snack, or habit. And I can tell you  that it is hard for me to do that. It can be just a little thing but it also tells me how carnal or fleshly we are.

So, do it or don't do it but if you do it, give your heart and some time to Jesus who gave His whole life for us.

Have a memorable day!

Lesbear

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