Source (book): "Making All Things New", 52 Reflections to Challenge the Way You Live, Chapter 26, "A Feast For The Soul", Page 143.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012
PHOTO: The
idea of 40-day events or programmes has become increasingly popular in
churches. Forty-day period of prayer and activity are being used in
various ways, such as setting aside a time of prayer for the nation, or "40 days of purpose"
to bring about church growth. Christians who are being introduced to
various 40-day programmes would do well to be aware of the season of Lent, the original 40-day period.
Lent, which has ancient roots, has long been an important part of the
church's liturgical calendar. As early as the second century, the church
father Irenaeus referred to a season similar to Lent that was observed
in the church, though it lasted fewer than 40 days. By the time the Council of Nicaea met in 325, the church knew of a 40-day Lenten period of fasting, culminating (reach a finale) with Easter.
Since then, Lent has become a significant season in the life of the universal church, though in more recent times, fewer Christians have understood its origins, purpose, and value. That is a great pity, for observing the season of Lent can greatly benefit the spiritual life of churches and individuals alike. It is thus important, amid the many kinds of 40-day initiatives in the church, to rediscover the original 40-day season observed by the church for centuries.
While other 40-day periods may focus on themes such as the national good or church growth, Lent focuses especially on Christ, hence its immense value. The historical church calendar was designed to help us to build our lives on the life of Christ. Whether it is Advent, Christmas, Lent, Good Friday, Easter, or Ascension, the annual liturgical journey of the church is a journey embarked with Christ, as we fix our gaze on Him, the great shepherd of our souls.
Lent is connected to an important period in the life of Christ - His 40 days of fasting in the wilderness following His baptism. During this time, He was tempted by the devil but proved himself to be faithful to His father. Lent is therefore an invitation for us to follow Jesus into the wilderness of our life, to search our heart deeply, to repent, and to seek after purity and single-minded holiness.
Notice that Jesus' wilderness retreat took place between His baptism and the start of His public ministry. It testifies of the danger faced by everyone who wishes to serve God. The devil can use the assurance and confidence we receive at our baptism to seduce us into unholy motives for service. The devil is a master of cosmetic art, enabling Christians to look good on the outside while destroying them from the inside. He tried this vile skill on Jesus but was soundly defeated. As the writer to the Hebrews said, our Lord was "tempted in every way, just as we are - yet he did not sin" (Hebrews 4:15).
The season of Lent is an opportunity to journey with Jesus into our own wilderness - to face our own weaknesses and expose the devil's voice, which we so often entertain in the secret places of our hearts, blindly and foolishly obeying it in life's daily choices. When we are disappointed at our own spiritual weakness and lethargy (sluggishness), we can depend on Jesus. He could not be tempted away from the cross by the devil's tricks in the dry desert air. The silky voice of our enemy did not impress the Lord.
Each Lent is a time to repent, to receive God's forgiveness, to discover the joy of self-denial, to imitate our Lord in His holiness and self-giving love; all this as we gaze at the holy and loving face of Jesus. Each Lent is a time to shed our pretences, to approach God just as we are, and to face the wild animals that roam in the wilderness of our hearts (Mark 1:13).
As Christians, we are called to identify ourselves with Christ. We are baptised into Christ and into His death; therefore, we carry our cross and walk with Him, we die with Him and are raised into new life with Him (Romans 6:3-10; Luke 9:23; Matthew 10:38). Observing Lent helps us to deepen this identification with our Lord, and to return to our first love.
Some practices associated with Lent can help us to this process. Fasting, a key Lenten discipline, can help us come to terms with the forces that drive us from within and without. It fosters deeper prayer and greater reflection on our sinful desires, obsessions, addictions, and ambitions that hinder our spiritual growth and well-being. In this regard, we may fast not only from food, but also from other means of comfort or indulgence.
In the end, Lent does not primarily address the questions of "how" or "what". It is a programme tied to a penultimate (second last) goal, however worthy that goal may be. Instead, Lent addresses the question, "who". It leads us to Jesus, our Saviour and example. It is about our relationship with Christ and goes beyond purposes and goals to the person of our Lord. It informs us of who we are before Christ, as individuals and as a community.
Let us rediscover Jesus as we journey with Him into the wilderness and wastelands of our frenzied and distracted lives. Referring to the discipline of fasting on Friday, Hannah Ball, an early Methodist, declared it to be "a fast-day to my body, but a feast day to my soul". [1a] Lent, indeed, can be a "fastival" (a typing error I once picked up in a church report) of fasting from sin and feasting on Christ. Let us meet Christ afresh, and thus experience the fullness of freedom in our souls. For Christ, the victorious King, the crucified Saviour, and the risen Lord, has shown the way.
Picture posted by Deivid.Aguiar_ - Jesus being tempted in the desert
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnm8iwd_-bG_Ci3TGqlNF2vt7I-eMJ90P5j26p4wFJjlvcIYOwZA6bMkUDdA1N3lCeeGFXBIVm9QbFNZ8Ae8xNilQf1ACepX-nHDridpJgtewt4n1LFtjMsJflVdCuwZK4Xh3pIy8VCVFW74hVgTDVpvj-z98KiWO4VY4CBa8rRhajFJlsf_Iv5uWSi2w/s1024/bc8fbd008f93337fd95e25bfe550dfbd.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/bc/8f/bd/bc8fbd008f93337fd95e25bfe550dfbd.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/104497653847723076/
The idea of 40-day events or programmes has become increasingly popular in churches. Forty-day period of prayer and activity are being used in various ways, such as setting aside a time of prayer for the nation, or "40 days of purpose" to bring about church growth. Christians who are being introduced to various 40-day programmes would do well to be aware of the season of Lent, the original 40-day period. Lent, which has ancient roots, has long been an important part of the church's liturgical calendar. As early as the second century, the church father Irenaeus referred to a season similar to Lent that was observed in the church, though it lasted fewer than 40 days. By the time the Council of Nicaea met in 325, the church knew of a 40-day Lenten period of fasting, culminating (reach a finale) with Easter.
Since then, Lent has become a significant season in the life of the universal church, though in more recent times, fewer Christians have understood its origins, purpose, and value. That is a great pity, for observing the season of Lent can greatly benefit the spiritual life of churches and individuals alike. It is thus important, amid the many kinds of 40-day initiatives in the church, to rediscover the original 40-day season observed by the church for centuries.
While other 40-day periods may focus on themes such as the national good or church growth, Lent focuses especially on Christ, hence its immense value. The historical church calendar was designed to help us to build our lives on the life of Christ. Whether it is Advent, Christmas, Lent, Good Friday, Easter, or Ascension, the annual liturgical journey of the church is a journey embarked with Christ, as we fix our gaze on Him, the great shepherd of our souls.
Lent is connected to an important period in the life of Christ - His 40 days of fasting in the wilderness following His baptism. During this time, He was tempted by the devil but proved himself to be faithful to His father. Lent is therefore an invitation for us to follow Jesus into the wilderness of our life, to search our heart deeply, to repent, and to seek after purity and single-minded holiness.
Notice that Jesus' wilderness retreat took place between His baptism and the start of His public ministry. It testifies of the danger faced by everyone who wishes to serve God. The devil can use the assurance and confidence we receive at our baptism to seduce us into unholy motives for service. The devil is a master of cosmetic art, enabling Christians to look good on the outside while destroying them from the inside. He tried this vile skill on Jesus but was soundly defeated. As the writer to the Hebrews said, our Lord was "tempted in every way, just as we are - yet he did not sin" (Hebrews 4:15).
The season of Lent is an opportunity to journey with Jesus into our own wilderness - to face our own weaknesses and expose the devil's voice, which we so often entertain in the secret places of our hearts, blindly and foolishly obeying it in life's daily choices. When we are disappointed at our own spiritual weakness and lethargy (sluggishness), we can depend on Jesus. He could not be tempted away from the cross by the devil's tricks in the dry desert air. The silky voice of our enemy did not impress the Lord.
Each Lent is a time to repent, to receive God's forgiveness, to discover the joy of self-denial, to imitate our Lord in His holiness and self-giving love; all this as we gaze at the holy and loving face of Jesus. Each Lent is a time to shed our pretences, to approach God just as we are, and to face the wild animals that roam in the wilderness of our hearts (Mark 1:13).
As Christians, we are called to identify ourselves with Christ. We are baptised into Christ and into His death; therefore, we carry our cross and walk with Him, we die with Him and are raised into new life with Him (Romans 6:3-10; Luke 9:23; Matthew 10:38). Observing Lent helps us to deepen this identification with our Lord, and to return to our first love.
Some practices associated with Lent can help us to this process. Fasting, a key Lenten discipline, can help us come to terms with the forces that drive us from within and without. It fosters deeper prayer and greater reflection on our sinful desires, obsessions, addictions, and ambitions that hinder our spiritual growth and well-being. In this regard, we may fast not only from food, but also from other means of comfort or indulgence.
In the end, Lent does not primarily address the questions of "how" or "what". It is a programme tied to a penultimate (second last) goal, however worthy that goal may be. Instead, Lent addresses the question, "who". It leads us to Jesus, our Saviour and example. It is about our relationship with Christ and goes beyond purposes and goals to the person of our Lord. It informs us of who we are before Christ, as individuals and as a community.
Let us rediscover Jesus as we journey with Him into the wilderness and wastelands of our frenzied and distracted lives. Referring to the discipline of fasting on Friday, Hannah Ball, an early Methodist, declared it to be "a fast-day to my body, but a feast day to my soul". [1a] Lent, indeed, can be a "fastival" (a typing error I once picked up in a church report) of fasting from sin and feasting on Christ. Let us meet Christ afresh, and thus experience the fullness of freedom in our souls. For Christ, the victorious King, the crucified Saviour, and the risen Lord, has shown the way.
Picture posted by Deivid.Aguiar_ - Jesus being tempted in the desert
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnm8iwd_-bG_Ci3TGqlNF2vt7I-eMJ90P5j26p4wFJjlvcIYOwZA6bMkUDdA1N3lCeeGFXBIVm9QbFNZ8Ae8xNilQf1ACepX-nHDridpJgtewt4n1LFtjMsJflVdCuwZK4Xh3pIy8VCVFW74hVgTDVpvj-z98KiWO4VY4CBa8rRhajFJlsf_Iv5uWSi2w/s1024/bc8fbd008f93337fd95e25bfe550dfbd.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/bc/8f/bd/bc8fbd008f93337fd95e25bfe550dfbd.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/104497653847723076/
The idea of 40-day events or programmes has become increasingly popular in churches. Forty-day period of prayer and activity are being used in various ways, such as setting aside a time of prayer for the nation, or "40 days of purpose" to bring about church growth. Christians who are being introduced to various 40-day programmes would do well to be aware of the season of Lent, the original 40-day period. Lent, which has ancient roots, has long been an important part of the church's liturgical calendar. As early as the second century, the church father Irenaeus referred to a season similar to Lent that was observed in the church, though it lasted fewer than 40 days. By the time the Council of Nicaea met in 325, the church knew of a 40-day Lenten period of fasting, culminating (reach a finale) with Easter.
PHOTO: Christians who are being introduced to various 40-day programmes would do well to be aware of the season of Lent, the original 40-day period. Lent, which has ancient roots, has long been an important part of the church's liturgical calendar. As early as the second century, the church father Irenaeus referred to a season similar to Lent that was observed in the church, though it lasted fewer than 40 days. By the time the Council of Nicaea met in 325, the church knew of a 40-day Lenten period of fasting, culminating (reach a finale) with Easter.
Picture posted by BibleStudyTools Staff
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBrB9ZYcHrZexJGwrunG226K8UE8f3y83o1nV_g4xQC_TfEo3Dp7-x3mhwEndlTCq_8n90xXOq_E2XtRGnSB6diWzJ4M563MKk-Uik1GULrj_5jUljKfF1P_LApKsoO0AmtClwTS0VvlgM3Ly8I52sTZSrDgXqHjf39SSJNelCn4GWftYX1AswpyehlY/s1600/17719-lent-pray-fast-give.webp
https://i.swncdn.com/media/1600w/via/17719-lent-pray-fast-give.webp
https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-stories/lent-meaning-and-biblical-purpose.html
Since then, Lent has become a significant season in the life of the universal church, though in more recent times, fewer Christians have understood its origins, purpose, and value. That is a great pity, for observing the season of Lent can greatly benefit the spiritual life of churches and individuals alike. It is thus important, amid the many kinds of 40-day initiatives in the church, to rediscover the original 40-day season observed by the church for centuries.
While other 40-day periods may focus on themes such as the national good or church growth, Lent focuses especially on Christ, hence its immense value. The historical church calendar was designed to help us to build our lives on the life of Christ. Whether it is Advent, Christmas, Lent, Good Friday, Easter, or Ascension, the annual liturgical journey of the church is a journey embarked with Christ, as we fix our gaze on Him, the great shepherd of our souls.
PHOTO: Lent focuses especially on Christ, hence its immense value. The historical church calendar was designed to help us to build our lives on the life of Christ. Whether it is Advent, Christmas, Lent, Good Friday, Easter, or Ascension, the annual liturgical journey of the church is a journey embarked with Christ, as we fix our gaze on Him, the great shepherd of our souls.
Picture posted by Christian.net on 27 February 2024
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvvJczlRb6q7tj05Qt2Rdf7nGo26Tb18pDMHqoYjXMQ2Zz5LTa20hNDWMJqub8vL_c0V7tbUwY42arcGUKPIBUeC51Q2ZyNc8AV8-ef7blOfW1c2rZczG9qnGrWq3XGP6yGBqGh9O_kDlape64Ke2ETPcRRuz3vd79DrproMVZ4ydbbCA2PKvJ7KI0SQ/s1200/what-is-lent-for-catholic-church-1708934299.jpg
https://christian.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/what-is-lent-for-catholic-church-1708934299.jpg
https://christian.net/special-themes/what-is-lent-for-catholic-church/
Lent is connected to an important period in the life of Christ - His 40 days of fasting in the wilderness following His baptism. During this time, He was tempted by the devil but proved himself to be faithful to His father. Lent is therefore an invitation for us to follow Jesus into the wilderness of our life, to search our heart deeply, to repent, and to seek after purity and single-minded holiness.
Notice that Jesus' wilderness retreat took place between His baptism and the start of His public ministry. It testifies of the danger faced by everyone who wishes to serve God. The devil can use the assurance and confidence we receive at our baptism to seduce us into unholy motives for service. The devil is a master of cosmetic art, enabling Christians to look good on the outside while destroying them from the inside. He tried this vile skill on Jesus but was soundly defeated. As the writer to the Hebrews said, our Lord was "tempted in every way, just as we are - yet he did not sin" (Hebrews 4:15).
https://christian.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/what-is-lent-for-catholic-church-1708934299.jpg
https://christian.net/special-themes/what-is-lent-for-catholic-church/
Lent is connected to an important period in the life of Christ - His 40 days of fasting in the wilderness following His baptism. During this time, He was tempted by the devil but proved himself to be faithful to His father. Lent is therefore an invitation for us to follow Jesus into the wilderness of our life, to search our heart deeply, to repent, and to seek after purity and single-minded holiness.
Notice that Jesus' wilderness retreat took place between His baptism and the start of His public ministry. It testifies of the danger faced by everyone who wishes to serve God. The devil can use the assurance and confidence we receive at our baptism to seduce us into unholy motives for service. The devil is a master of cosmetic art, enabling Christians to look good on the outside while destroying them from the inside. He tried this vile skill on Jesus but was soundly defeated. As the writer to the Hebrews said, our Lord was "tempted in every way, just as we are - yet he did not sin" (Hebrews 4:15).
PHOTO: Lent is connected to an important period in the life of Christ - His 40 days of fasting in the wilderness following His baptism. During this time, He was tempted by the devil but proved himself to be faithful to His father. Lent is therefore an invitation for us to follow Jesus into the wilderness of our life, to search our heart deeply, to repent, and to seek after purity and single-minded holiness.
Picture posted by Mónica González
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1de_eQtfM-UkRT1K-3bhYPJrmH2SNadia2bqylNV2hTpavPYyoQZhgTXrOCSeA4VYLl7LJZHvFYx0CU5dhaNT747Wk2qKhd0Yr0IKvPsu0A2KenzNDG2MQdRVT7CgDjA11ug4lWP-F8WzNb0c3lRTxa99GoJQGQ0b1ujzF6SGCjNdduwERA2zYeEhACk/s1000/9b28841a8cdab14cd6e87c3e0f2ddea2.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9b/28/84/9b28841a8cdab14cd6e87c3e0f2ddea2.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/19069998416658526/
The season of Lent is an opportunity to journey with Jesus into our own wilderness - to face our own weaknesses and expose the devil's voice, which we so often entertain in the secret places of our hearts, blindly and foolishly obeying it in life's daily choices. When we are disappointed at our own spiritual weakness and lethargy (sluggishness), we can depend on Jesus. He could not be tempted away from the cross by the devil's tricks in the dry desert air. The silky voice of our enemy did not impress the Lord.
PHOTO: The season of Lent is an opportunity to journey with Jesus into our own wilderness - to face our own weaknesses and expose the devil's voice, which we so often entertain in the secret places of our hearts, blindly and foolishly obeying it in life's daily choices. When we are disappointed at our own spiritual weakness and lethargy (sluggishness), we can depend on Jesus. He could not be tempted away from the cross by the devil's tricks in the dry desert air. The silky voice of our enemy did not impress the Lord.
Artwork by Heinrich Hofmann - The temptation of jesus (Luke 4:1-13)
Picture posted by phillipmedhurst on Thursday, 15 June 2017 - Art, Bible, Gospel, Jesus Christ, Life of Christ
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilT4f3lg1Rbh1muy_DldjOuzYhQPcczWNR0Kp86YJImqD9YIYTojb64mXC7QKQC5rtZlPkSPGCCpgUqb9MA5QFURUhZD-T2fuegQBP9zHrkqEzxlR9jeo9YAWs0Hb34VTUGF5-QifiiEQ/s1600/weiche-von-mir-satan.jpg
https://thebowyerbiblegospels.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/03-heinrich-hofmann-weiche-von-mir-satan-kommet-zu-mir-bild-4-original-drawing-in-pencil-luke-4_1-13.jpg - (weiche-von-mir-satan.jpg)
https://thebowyerbiblegospels.wordpress.com/2017/06/15/phillip-medhurst-presents-drawings-of-christ-by-heinrich-hofmann-colourised-03-the-temptation-of-jesus/
https://www.google.com.sg/imgres?imgurl=https://thebowyerbiblegospels.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/03-heinrich-hofmann-weiche-von-mir-satan-kommet-zu-mir-bild-4-original-drawing-in-pencil-luke-4_1-13.jpg&imgrefurl=https://thebowyerbiblegospels.wordpress.com/category/prints/page/21/&h=1097&w=796&tbnid=WPzPa86dnL3EtM&tbnh=264&tbnw=191&usg=K_0qumez6mb6jfDSGsHcvw-oE5L-s=&hl=en-SG&docid=lcxiaQOA2oIvpM
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/12/reflection-joy-to-world.html
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/07/reflection-spiritual-journey-keep-our.html
Each Lent is a time to repent, to receive God's forgiveness, to discover the joy of self-denial, to imitate our Lord in His holiness and self-giving love; all this as we gaze at the holy and loving face of Jesus. Each Lent is a time to shed our pretences, to approach God just as we are, and to face the wild animals that roam in the wilderness of our hearts (Mark 1:13).
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9b/28/84/9b28841a8cdab14cd6e87c3e0f2ddea2.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/19069998416658526/
The season of Lent is an opportunity to journey with Jesus into our own wilderness - to face our own weaknesses and expose the devil's voice, which we so often entertain in the secret places of our hearts, blindly and foolishly obeying it in life's daily choices. When we are disappointed at our own spiritual weakness and lethargy (sluggishness), we can depend on Jesus. He could not be tempted away from the cross by the devil's tricks in the dry desert air. The silky voice of our enemy did not impress the Lord.
PHOTO: The season of Lent is an opportunity to journey with Jesus into our own wilderness - to face our own weaknesses and expose the devil's voice, which we so often entertain in the secret places of our hearts, blindly and foolishly obeying it in life's daily choices. When we are disappointed at our own spiritual weakness and lethargy (sluggishness), we can depend on Jesus. He could not be tempted away from the cross by the devil's tricks in the dry desert air. The silky voice of our enemy did not impress the Lord.
Artwork by Heinrich Hofmann - The temptation of jesus (Luke 4:1-13)
Picture posted by phillipmedhurst on Thursday, 15 June 2017 - Art, Bible, Gospel, Jesus Christ, Life of Christ
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilT4f3lg1Rbh1muy_DldjOuzYhQPcczWNR0Kp86YJImqD9YIYTojb64mXC7QKQC5rtZlPkSPGCCpgUqb9MA5QFURUhZD-T2fuegQBP9zHrkqEzxlR9jeo9YAWs0Hb34VTUGF5-QifiiEQ/s1600/weiche-von-mir-satan.jpg
https://thebowyerbiblegospels.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/03-heinrich-hofmann-weiche-von-mir-satan-kommet-zu-mir-bild-4-original-drawing-in-pencil-luke-4_1-13.jpg - (weiche-von-mir-satan.jpg)
https://thebowyerbiblegospels.wordpress.com/2017/06/15/phillip-medhurst-presents-drawings-of-christ-by-heinrich-hofmann-colourised-03-the-temptation-of-jesus/
https://www.google.com.sg/imgres?imgurl=https://thebowyerbiblegospels.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/03-heinrich-hofmann-weiche-von-mir-satan-kommet-zu-mir-bild-4-original-drawing-in-pencil-luke-4_1-13.jpg&imgrefurl=https://thebowyerbiblegospels.wordpress.com/category/prints/page/21/&h=1097&w=796&tbnid=WPzPa86dnL3EtM&tbnh=264&tbnw=191&usg=K_0qumez6mb6jfDSGsHcvw-oE5L-s=&hl=en-SG&docid=lcxiaQOA2oIvpM
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/12/reflection-joy-to-world.html
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/07/reflection-spiritual-journey-keep-our.html
Each Lent is a time to repent, to receive God's forgiveness, to discover the joy of self-denial, to imitate our Lord in His holiness and self-giving love; all this as we gaze at the holy and loving face of Jesus. Each Lent is a time to shed our pretences, to approach God just as we are, and to face the wild animals that roam in the wilderness of our hearts (Mark 1:13).
Each Lent is a time to repent, to receive God's forgiveness, to discover the joy of self-denial, to imitate our Lord in His holiness and self-giving love; all this as we gaze at the holy and loving face of Jesus. Each Lent is a time to shed our pretences, to approach God just as we are, and to face the wild animals that roam in the wilderness of our hearts (Mark 1:13).
Picture posted by Lekimphuongvn
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_bfLTgyzsvIv86I4r5yshNueAACVnao6-mMrVkmqZ0kSg65J_49E3a3oUinA6lR1fEB9BgvNT8nvC6a4DvZNppO8EDuGLodKk6Bz_5z6CdH6W4A0AB_Fog_Qlnq_gsxvqOdeOjOWqE3PrXFCzCUb9gdkFMFrKi-dms9fKNkwn8gP_XYu1KtbSjmy0wM/s640/d9c82966c7c86d4a38b6d61b8509b3f1.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d9/c8/29/d9c82966c7c86d4a38b6d61b8509b3f1.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/614319205465000728/
As Christians, we are called to identify ourselves with Christ. We are baptised into Christ and into His death; therefore, we carry our cross and walk with Him, we die with Him and are raised into new life with Him (Romans 6:3-10; Luke 9:23; Matthew 10:38). Observing Lent helps us to deepen this identification with our Lord, and to return to our first love.
Some practices associated with Lent can help us to this process. Fasting, a key Lenten discipline, can help us come to terms with the forces that drive us from within and without. It fosters deeper prayer and greater reflection on our sinful desires, obsessions, addictions, and ambitions that hinder our spiritual growth and well-being. In this regard, we may fast not only from food, but also from other means of comfort or indulgence.
PHOTO: Some practices associated with Lent can help us to this process. Fasting, a key Lenten discipline, can help us come to terms with the forces that drive us from within and without. It fosters deeper prayer and greater reflection on our sinful desires, obsessions, addictions, and ambitions that hinder our spiritual growth and well-being. In this regard, we may fast not only from food, but also from other means of comfort or indulgence.
Picture posted by 🩷 Brittany 🩷
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYN8U4V8rifm81RoIEVS8DU0RCIHNag2yKlYCVKofUXoVtIn88bNCrqMZEXqwepxy3sw_iMvECo8XVXkeoAR-PvjEbOAsVdDtMuH5oC5dMals_GQLJ_149K_ofETvW-x9TWAy1hf4QI25RtinA0Sx-O6GaoMM9-3otLMGQ16vTh5BSpxSxx_cemxvrWs8/s1920/15b1a93057132d474b9efb6f54fdf29e.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/15/b1/a9/15b1a93057132d474b9efb6f54fdf29e.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/29906785019539635/
In the end, Lent does not primarily address the questions of "how" or "what". It is a programme tied to a penultimate (second last) goal, however worthy that goal may be. Instead, Lent addresses the question, "who". It leads us to Jesus, our Saviour and example. It is about our relationship with Christ and goes beyond purposes and goals to the person of our Lord. It informs us of who we are before Christ, as individuals and as a community.
PHOTO: In the end, Lent does not primarily address the questions of "how" or "what". It is a programme tied to a penultimate (second last) goal, however worthy that goal may be. Instead, Lent addresses the question, "who". It leads us to Jesus, our Saviour and example. It is about our relationship with Christ and goes beyond purposes and goals to the person of our Lord. It informs us of who we are before Christ, as individuals and as a community.
Picture posted by drae alves
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Let us rediscover Jesus as we journey with Him into the wilderness and wastelands of our frenzied and distracted lives. Referring to the discipline of fasting on Friday, Hannah Ball, an early Methodist, declared it to be "a fast-day to my body, but a feast day to my soul". [1a] Lent, indeed, can be a "fastival" (a typing error I once picked up in a church report) of fasting from sin and feasting on Christ. Let us meet Christ afresh, and thus experience the fullness of freedom in our souls. For Christ, the victorious King, the crucified Saviour, and the risen Lord, has shown the way.
PHOTO: Let us rediscover Jesus as we journey with Him into the wilderness and wastelands of our frenzied and distracted lives. Referring to the discipline of fasting on Friday, Hannah Ball, an early Methodist, declared it to be "a fast-day to my body, but a feast day to my soul". [1a] Lent, indeed, can be a "fastival" (a typing error I once picked up in a church report) of fasting from sin and feasting on Christ. Let us meet Christ afresh, and thus experience the fullness of freedom in our souls. For Christ, the victorious King, the crucified Saviour, and the risen Lord, has shown the way.
Picture posted by Lulu Anggoman
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PHOTO: "Dear Lord, we pray we rediscover Jesus as we journey with Him into the wilderness and wastelands of our frenzied and distracted lives.
May we follow the way of our Lord Jesus Christ, the victorious King, the crucified Saviour, and the risen Lord, who shown us the way.
Let Lent, be the fasting from sin and feasting on Christ. May we accept the invitation to follow Jesus into the wilderness of our life, to search our heart deeply, to repent, and to seek after purity and single-minded holiness. It fosters deeper prayer and greater reflection on our sinful desires, obsessions, addictions, and ambitions that hinder our spiritual growth and well-being.
Help us to shed our pretences, to approach God just as we are, and to face the wild animals that roam in the wilderness of our hearts. May Lent helps us to deepen this identification with our Lord, and to return to our first love.
May we meet Christ afresh, and thus experience the fullness of freedom in our souls. May we have our relationship with Christ that goes beyond purposes and goals to the person of our Lord.
Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen."
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Source (book): "Making All Things New", 52 Reflections to Challenge the Way You Live, Chapter 26, "A Feast For The Soul", Page 143.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012
Other Books (Links)
"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon
Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html
"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html
"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html
"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html
"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, © 2018 by Robert M. Solomon
Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html
Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html
"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html
"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html
"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html
"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, © 2018 by Robert M. Solomon
Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html
"Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon
Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part.html
Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part_9.html
"Teach Us to Number Our Days", © 2008 by David Roper
Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 1 - 40 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 November 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/11/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-1-40.html
Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 41 - 64 (Links), posted on Wednesday, 16 March 2022
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/03/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-41.html
"He Walks with Me - Devotions for Your Caregiving Journey with God", © 2018 by Our Daily Bread Ministries, Shelly Beach
Reflection - He Walks with Me (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 August 2022
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/08/reflection-he-walks-with-me-links.html
Reflection - He Walks with Me (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 August 2022https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/08/reflection-he-walks-with-me-links.html
"Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Copyright © 2021 by Our Daily Bread Ministries
Reflection - Classic Gem, Chapter 1 - 45 (Links), posted on 03 April 2023
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2023/04/reflection-classic-gem-chapter-1-45.html
"Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Copyright © 2021 by Our Daily Bread Ministries
Reflection - Classic Gem, Chapter 46 - 90 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 24 October 2023
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2023/10/reflection-classic-gem-chapter-46-90.html
Reference
[1] From "Making All Things New", 52 Reflections to Challenge the Way You Live, Copyright @ 2022 by Robert M. Solomon, Chapter 26, "A Feast For The Soul", Page 143.
[1a] Hannah Ball, Memoirs of Miss Hannah Ball of High Wycombe, ed. John Parker (London: Mason, 1819), 39-40.
[1a] Hannah Ball, Memoirs of Miss Hannah Ball of High Wycombe, ed. John Parker (London: Mason, 1819), 39-40.
Links
Other Books (Links) - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/10/reflection-books-links.html
New International Version (NIV), Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Hebrews 4:15 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+4%3A15&version=NIV
Luke 4:1-13 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+4%3A1-13&version=NIV
Mark 1:13 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+1%3A13&version=NIV
Matthew 11:28-29 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+11%3A28-29&version=NIV
Romans 6:3-10; Luke 9:23; Matthew 10:38 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6%3A3-10%3B+Luke+9%3A23%3B+Matthew+10%3A38&version=NIV
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- https://thebowyerbiblegospels.wordpress.com/2017/06/15/phillip-medhurst-presents-drawings-of-christ-by-heinrich-hofmann-colourised-03-the-temptation-of-jesus/
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- https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/12/reflection-joy-to-world.html
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