Feb 22 Ghramm Cracker Crumbs

Dear Gateway West,

As I'm sure you've realized, today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, the 40 Days leading up Easter.  Obviously, this should be a special time for us as followers of Jesus.  The Resurrection of Jesus is central to God's great plan of redemption.  Everything we do hinges upon that one powerful event.

However, Lent and even Easter won't be a special time if you aren't intentional about it.  The last two Sundays, I told you about the 4G40 Challenge - read the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) at least one time during the 40 days of Lent.  So, I went to youversion.com to see if they had a Bible reading plan like that.  They do.  Sort of.  More on that in a moment.

On their blog, here is what I found:

During Lent, traditionally observed for the 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday, followers of Christ all around the world sacrifice things important to them, intentionally drawing themselves away from desires driven by their five senses. Lent helps us become more focused on the spiritual part of ourselves, preparing our hearts to genuinely experience the passion of Jesus’ sacrifice for us on the Cross. Lent draws us closer to God through purposeful prayer, self-denial, repentance, giving, and time in the Bible:

1. Prayer. We thank God for reaching out to transform us, and we ask for direction and insight. Consider asking God to help you see people the way He sees them.
2. Self-denial. Fasting means food, but we may also give up certain activities we enjoy. What things do you think about most? Food? Coffee? Sweets? Social media? Television and entertainment? Commit to go without at least one between now and Easter.
3. Repentance. When our thoughts drift to ourselves, that’s our cue to connect with God, asking Him to show us our weaknesses and sins. We ask Him to forgive us and change our hearts.
4. Giving. We freely offer whatever we have to those in need. It could be money contributed to worthy charities, our time, our talents. Volunteer at a soup kitchen or shelter. Visit the elderly. Write letters of prayer and encouragement to orphans. Give intentionally to people who can’t repay you.
5. Scripture Reading. YouVersion has 5 Reading Plans specifically designed to help you center your life on God and His Word during this special time of reflection and purpose.

You can read more using the link above but I encourage you to go here and use their The Gospels in 30 days reading plan.  Yes, it's 30 days and I encouraged you to do it in 40.  I wish they had the option of adjusting it but they don't, so go ahead and use the 30 days plan and either you will be ahead or you'll have some wiggle room if your schedule gets crazy.

Pastor Steve will be finishing up our series on Ruth this Sunday and on March 4, I will begin a series on the Life of Jesus that will take us up to Easter.

Please let me know what you are learning through your reading.  Feel free to shoot me questions and I can point you in the right direction.

I'm praying for a special Lent season for each of you.  Love ya!

Pastor Dan