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True Lenten Fasting |
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Location: Blogs Brad's BlogMid-Week Missive |
 | | Posted by: Brad Miller | 2/25/2009 12:50 PM | Greetings on this wonderful Ash Wednesday morning,
Yes, it is hard to believe but Ash Wednesday is here and that means that we are now at the start of our Lenten journey for 2009. It is a journey we take every year, and our sincere hope is that each time we focus on our Lenten disciplines of introspection, prayer and study, we come closer and closer to being who God would have us be while strengthening our relationship with Jesus Christ. It says something about our humanness that we NEED to do this over and over again, year after year, Lent after Lent. It also says something about our grace filled God that we GET to do this over and over again, year after year, Lent after Lent.
Several years ago I came across an anonymous piece called “True Lenten Fasting” which I have used as a guide ever since. I have shared it with you before, but I would like to do so again so that you might put it on your refrigerator, or inside your Bible, or somewhere where you’ll see it often (and I’d be a lot better off if I went to the Bible as often as I go to the refrigerator!) Use it as a reminder that Lent is a season of fasting and self-denial, but the things that we really need to deny ourselves are not simply material things we, but attitudes and actions that pull us away from God. So, as we begin our Lenten journey, here it is:
True Lenten Fasting
FAST from judging others;
FEAST on Christ dwelling in them.
FAST from fear of illness;
FEAST on the healing power of God.
FAST from words that pollute;
FEAST on speech that purifies.
FAST from discontent;
FEAST on gratitude.
FAST from anger;
FEAST on patience.
FAST from pessimism.
FEAST on optimism.
FAST from negatives;
FEAST on affirmatives.
FAST from bitterness;
FEAST on forgiveness.
FAST from self-concern;
FEAST on compassion.
FAST from suspicion;
FEAST on truth.
FAST from gossip;
FEAST on purposeful silence.
FAST from problems that overwhelm;
FEAST on prayer that sustains.
FAST from worry;
FEAST in faith.
And don’t forget about our Ash Wednesday Service this evening at 7:00 in the BCC Sanctuary. In this brief service that we share with our brothers and sisters from Oglethorpe Presbyterian Church, we will take time to hear Scripture, celebrate Communion together, allow ourselves to be marked as one of God’s own with the sign of the cross in ashes on our forehead, and most importantly, take some time in silence to prepare ourselves for “Letting Go and Letting God”.
For an updated prayer list and an updated list of upcoming events please go to www.brookhavenchristian.org
For your prayer list:
David Daunch, Chuck Daunch’s brother is making progress in his battle with health problems. Please continue to keep them all in your prayers.
Please keep a dear friend of Carol and mine, Beth Luton, in your prayers as she begins treatment for a recurrence of cancer while at the same time prepares to celebrate her upcoming marriage.
Please keep all our leaders in Washington, Georgia, and everywhere in your prayers, as they work to help right the economy and restore health to our markets. Also, keep all those who have been so adversely affected by the downturn in the economy in your prayers: those who have lost jobs, income and in some cases, even their homes.
Upcoming Events
If you weren’t at the Board meeting this past week you missed a great presentation about how to best work toward renovations in the sanctuary and narthex. We had a record turnout, so I know that there aren’t a lot of you out there! If you would like to talk with some of the folks who have been working so hard at figuring out what we can do, in terms of both finances and renovations, there will be an informational meeting in the fellowship hall this Saturday at 11:30. You will hear what the board approved and is recommending to the congregation. If you plan on coming, please contact Charles Kinney at clkinney@comcast.net so he can know how many to expect. And related to that, don’t forget the Congregational Meeting immediately following worship this Sunday March 1st. We will consider the board’s recommendation of how to move forward with sanctuary and narthex renovations. Don’t miss it!
Don’t forget that the Annual Spring Tea takes place on Saturday March 7th at 2:00 p.m.. See any of the table hostesses for tickets. If you have any questions, please contact Crystal Evans or Evelyn Lester.
And, in an announcement from Tom Chipman (that I forgot to announce on Sunday – sorry Tom!), he can use some help from the men of the congregation to serve as valet’s to park cars for the Spring Tea. If you can help out, please contact Tom.
And mark your calendars NOW….we will be taking pictures for a new pictorial directory on Friday May 1st and Saturday May 2nd. More details will come when they are available.
We hope you can join us for worship this Sunday. It is the first Sunday of the month, which means that we will be worshipping in the fellowship hall with “Praise on Peachtree”. The First Sunday of Lent we will focus on “Repentance”. Have a great rest of the week!
Be peaceful,
Brad | | | Permalink | Trackback |
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