Thoughts on the heart of the season

As many of you know, Ash Wednesday is a special day on the historical church calendar when the church has marked the realization that we are mortal and sinful.  While emphasis in many traditions is placed upon rituals and the act of placing ashes on the forehead in the sign of the cross, the real essence of the day is about repentance.  As the first day of Lent it is a time to be mindful of our sinfulness and to repent and turn away from the sins that so easily creep into our lives.

I want to encourage each of you to prayerfully consider your response to this day.  Will you take time to consider with others around the world where you are in your walk with Jesus?  Will you take the time to ask yourselves the hard questions regarding faith, obedience, idolatry, and living and dying in light of the gospel?  I trust that you will see beyond the ritual and look at the heart of this day to remember, reflect and repent.

I would write more, but have found a very well stated ongoing series of posts on the entire Lenten season from Elliott Grudem at Christ the King Church. You can find it here http://www.ctkraleigh.org/article/why-bother-with-lent-part-one/ . This is part one of a three part series to come. I encourage you to follow it.