Greetings from Rosebud, Texas which is about 92 miles from Austin or a one and a half hour drive.  I’m here with an awesome group of 33 men, women and youth from Rock Church Ministries to help rebuild a Christian youth camp.  More about that next week.

But the critical question this week is:  Did you do it?  Did you make the commitment?  Is this the year that Lent is going to take on a new meaning and change your life forever?  Lent begins tomorrow with Ash Wednesday and continues for 40 days right up to Easter.  Lent is a time of preparation as we get ready to celebrate Easter.  As we shared last week, Christians often give up something for lent like foods, limiting time with TV or social media or other things knowing that after Easter we can once again enjoy what we have given up.  Pastor James W. Moore, author of “Give Up Something Bad for Lent” challenges us to give up something we are better off not doing, to seek God’s help in eliminating one habit or attitude that is destructive in our lives this Lenten season, things like envy, jealousy, self-pity, procrastination, gossip, negative thinking, resentment, pettiness, anger, lusts of the flesh and host of other destructive behaviors.

We read in Mark 1:12-15“After the Spirit immediately drove Jesus out into the wilderness.  He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts; and the angels waiting on Him.  Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the Good News of God and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the Good News.’”

I believe God is calling us to respond this Lenten season.  King Solomon, the wisest person who ever lived, tells us that there is a time for everything.  Sometimes we need is to have the courage to take a leap of faith, to draw closer to God.  I believe Lent is our opportunity to do that.  Tomorrow as we begin Lent, I would encourage all of us – me included – to make a commitment for the next 40 days to draw closer to Christ and I believe that starts with sacrifice – giving up something that is destructive in our lives.  Will you join me in making that commitment this year?

Please continue to keep the Texas Mission Trip in your prayers as they work to hep build Camp Wilderness Ride, a youth camp in Rosebud, Texas.  More about the experience next week.

Please continue to keep the Texas Mission Trip in your prayers as they work to hep build Camp Wilderness Ride, a youth camp in Rosebud, Texas.  More about the experience next week.

See you Sunday as we continue to walk verse by verse through the book of James.

As they say in Texas, “have a great week y’all.”  Just saying.

Pastor Frank

Frank@StMattUMC.org

 

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