Repent.

Not the most popular word.

But since when did “popular” count in any assessment with true value?

In Matthew 3, John the Baptist is on his preparing-the-way mission when he declares to the gathering masses, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of heaven is near.”

My Bible notes that “is near” could be “is coming soon” or “has come”.  Regardless of the specific phrasing, the point remains untouched.

God’s Kingdom, the realm in which He reigns as supreme over all, is here.

So what is the relation between that pronouncement and the call for repentance?

Here is what I think it isn’t… Continue reading →

For most who observe it, Lent is typically a season of fasting.  People stop eating chocolate or watching TV or using Facebook.

Then there’s Margaret Feinberg.  She’s decided for this Lent season to give up prayer.

Well, that’s  a touch misleading.  I’ll let her clarify… Continue reading →

It’s the first Sunday of Lent ’11.  Here is a prayer from a great resource titled “A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants”:

Almighty God, you who call me to prayer, and who offer yourself to all who seek you face, pour out your Holy Spirit upon me today and deliver me from coldness of heart, a wandering mind, and wrongful desire.  By the power of your spirit place within me steadfast love and devotion, so that today I may worship and serve you with all of my life; through Jesus Christ my Lord.  Amen.

The following post came from Scot McKnight’s great blog…

Jeff Cook, author of Seven: The Deadly Sins and the Beatitudes , has offered some brief meditations for us to ponder during Lent this year. Continue reading →