As we approach the months of February and March, I am reminded in my personal devotions how God our Father as a parent loves us (Valentine’s Day), and wants us to mature (Lent) in order to receive spiritual freedom (Easter).  We know in our Christian faith, that God loves us so much that He gave us His only Son, Jesus Christ, to be the final sacrifice for our sins and to be the conqueror of spiritual death for us to have eternal life.  We know in our Christian faith, that God loves us so much that He gave us His Holy Spirit to be our spiritual comforter, our spiritual teacher, and our spiritual guide when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior.  And God in His love wants us “to grow up.”

Richard Foster in his book, Celebration of Discipline, believes “superficiality is the curse of our age.”  Biblical scholars and theologians are concerned that there is a shallowness rather than a depth to our Christian faith today.  It has become easy to say “I believe” and not to explore “what we believe.”

The early Christian Church (before Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism) had the season of Lent for the preparation for new converts and members for initiation at Easter.  In doing so, the whole church engages in self-searching, in self-disciplining,  and in self-growth through the encouragement of corporate worship.

I encourage the church family at LaGrange UMC to explore spiritual disciplines for Lent beginning with the Service of Ashes on Sunday, 14 February through Easter Sunday, 04 April.  What are our spiritual disciplines?  They are:

Meditation:  To take one Biblical verse each day and spend at least five minutes praying, pondering, or listening to God for its meaning to you.

Fasting:  To ask God for what item should you deny yourself as it has become more important than God.  Do you focus on food, television, recreation, electronics more than God?  Start out with a simple item such as pastries, a television show, or reduce texting so many minutes a day.

Prayer:  Communicating intently with God each day from ten minutes to more.  Praise Him!  Confess your weaknesses!  Thank Him!  And listen to Him!  Be quiet before Him!  He wants to talk to you!

Study:  Get into an existing Bible Study or create one at your home with some friends.  Just read a Book of the Bible together and share what each verse means.  Don’t forget that the Holy Spirit is there to guide you into God’s truth.

(cont’d from pg. 1)

God wants a more intimate relationship with you because He is your Creator and He loves you.  I won’t say this will be easy trying these spiritual disciplines as the world demands much from you.  But isn’t God greater than the world!

Wanting us to grow with Christ -

Pastor Ralph