Lent: Deepening Our Relationship With God

Dear Pali Pres Family,

This past Wednesday, Ash Wednesday, Christians all over the world entered the holy season of Lent. This season is a long-standing tradition of the church, a special time set aside for spiritual preparation in advance of Easter. With our focus being on deepening our relationship with God, we, as followers of Christ, are called to simpler living, reflection, and prayer.

Throughout the next six weeks, Pastor Grace and I will be preaching on Lenten themes and our worship services will reflect the holy and preparatory nature of this season.

That being said, I encourage you to not limit your Lenten spiritual formation to our time together on Sundays. I urge you to think about what you will be seeking after in these 40 days leading up to Easter. How is God calling you to deepen your relationship with him?

I know I’ve shared this with you before, but one helpful exercise that I practice each Lent is to take two pieces of paper, and prayerfully do the following:

· One the first piece of paper, I write down something I want to refrain from because I know it hurts my relationship with God.

· On the second piece of paper, I write down a practice, a devotion, or a new habit that I will commit myself to that will give me joy in my walk of faith.

· Then, I post these pieces of paper in a place where I will see them frequently and be reminded of my Lenten commitments.

I share this practice with you as a possible way for you to deepen your relationship with God during Lent. However you journey through this season, I pray it is one of deep meaning for you as we all look forward to the joy and resurrection power of Easter.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Matt