Day 7 - The Twelve Creches of Christmas

This Crèche stands in front of our parish church – St. Christopher’s Burlington – which we joined when we moved from Toronto nearly five years ago.

The Magi or astrologers are travelling from stage left and will eventually arrive to present their gifts, but I focused my photo here so we could concentrate on the shepherds.  

The shepherds, who heard the angels’ message and responded, seem to always represent the commonality of humanity – those who feel they have no place in the more rigid, highly regulated structures of organized religious institutions.

The presence of the shepherds at the first Christmas is a powerful message… to them, and to likeminded individuals that they were not forgotten by their creator. We need to compare God sending Moses to God’s people in Egypt  to assure them that God had heard their years of praying and soon they would be freed from their slavery in that foreign land.

The cross, towering above St. Christopher’s physical building (similar to most if not all Christian churches) acts as a constant reminder that God loved us so much that Jesus came into this world to die on a cross and rise from the dead so we might receive forgiveness of all our sins. That shows the power of God’s love for each of us.

I included the flag to show that wherever we are in the universe we are standing on our “holy land” – created by God. Canada is our Holy Land.

Today, think of all the shepherds who care for us in our daily lives. Pray for them.

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The Crèche is a nativity set depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. Since St. Francis built the first Crèche in the 13^th century, the idea has expanded around the world. Even though people frame their Crèches to reflect their local customs, traditions, cultures and materials, the central focus is always the same – the birth of the Saviour. During the 12 days of Christmas, I will share 12 Crèches and their messages. Hope you enjoy them.  

     Love to hear your thoughts on the Creches in COMMENTS below.

Day 6 -The Twelve Creches of Christmas

As we travel the globe for business or pleasure and come across a familiar scene or someone we know, we feel more at home and more secure.

Perhaps Nancy felt that way when she went on vacation to Cozumel, Mexico and discovered this Crèche in the lobby of the resort where she was staying.

All the characters associated with the first Christmas are present in this scene. Nancy sent me a second photo which shows a Caribbean stable (slate roof and no walls), maybe not dissimilar to the one where Jesus was born.

There they are – the animals, the shepherds, the astrologers, the parents and the angel – all focusing on the baby Jesus – the Incarnation of God (God becoming a human being in Jesus Christ).

But the reason I selected this photo, rather than the other one, is someone you can see, if you look closely, peeking out from the tree in the left upper quadrant –  a young boy is looking at the Crèche to see what is happening.

No doubt curious children, probably awakened from their sound sleep when they heard the commotion in the little town of Bethlehem, outran their parents and other elders and came first to the stable. They most likely climbed into the rafters to have a better viewing advantage. The child in Mexico is just as inquisitive as his counterpart in any other culture or generation. That is good.

But the young boy also symbolizes a curious world on the outside looking in to see what the excitement is all about. They are seeking answers to the perennial question, “what is Christmas all about?”

The 12 days following Christmas Day enable us to spend more quiet and alone time to reflect upon that question and what it means in our individual lives.

Today, take a few minutes to reflect upon your answer to that question, and when you encounter a curious seeker, invite them in so they can know what it is like to be in the presence of the living God. Pray for this to happen.

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The Crèche is a nativity set depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. Since St. Francis built the first Crèche in the 13^th century, the idea has expanded around the world. Even though people frame their Crèches to reflect their local customs, traditions, cultures and materials, the central focus is always the same – the birth of the Saviour. During the 12 days of Christmas, I will share 12 Crèches and their messages. Hope you enjoy them.  

Love to hear your thoughts on the Creches in COMMENTS below.

    

Day 5 - The Twelve Creches of Christmas

On quiet Spruce Street in Burlington, Ontario, the owners of this house must spend thousands of hours and dollars planning and decorating for Christmas.

Each year, they come from far and wide – families, couples and individuals – to bask in the electrical glow of this magnificent masterpiece.

Not only are the house and front lawn aglow in neon lighted figures, so is the back yard – adorned with colourful displays and appropriate music to heighten one’s emotions and awe on a cold winter night. There is constant movement as the lights rotate from brightness to darkness and skip around.

There is so much going on that one could easily get lost in the chaos and fervent activity. In some ways it mirrors life in our hectic and uncertain world. And yet, in the midst of it all is a Crèche, where Mary and Joseph are tenderly and protectively caring for their infant boy, as the rest of the world skips merrily by.

The baby – the one who later would call himself ‘the prince of peace” - is bringing  God’s peace to all people of good will.

In a prominent place on the front lawn is a motorcycle with the name – Cam – inscribed in lights. I don’t really know the story behind this display, but I have heard that Cam died in a motorcycle accident. If that is true, then his legacy lives on in a splendour of flashing lights, which is an annual tribute to him and his contribution to life on this earth. 

It also jogs our memory, reminding us that tragedies are never far from the Crèche, and the Crèche is there to console, soothe and bring peace to  troubled persons, households, communities, countries or nations.

Today, think about those who grieve this Christmas and to whom the Crèche can bring comfort and relief. Pray for them.

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The Crèche is a nativity set depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. Since St. Francis built the first Crèche in the 13^th century, the idea has expanded around the world. Even though people frame their Crèches to reflect their local customs, traditions, cultures and materials, the central focus is always the same – the birth of the Saviour. During the 12 days of Christmas, I will share 12 Crèches and their messages. Hope you enjoy them.  

     Love to hear your thoughts on the Creches in COMMENTS below.

Day 4 - The Twelve Creches of Christmas

I turned the corner, heading to the street address where I had to deliver a package, and my eyes and heart did a somersault!

When I saw this Charlie Brown Nativity Set for the first time … on a lawn ... in front of a private dwelling, my first reaction was, “where can I buy one?” and my second was, “my family must see this”.

I could not find one to buy, but some family members came to view it.

Being an avid Peanuts fan, watching the television special “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is a valued annual tradition. In fact, I decided this year to read the book accounting its making as part of my Advent preparation for Christmas. It debuted in 1965, and places the birth of Jesus Christ in the midst of a commercialized and secularized society. Today our society needs to hear the real story of Christmas more than in 1965.

It’s true that the real meaning of Christmas may get smothered under the clouds of commercialism or political correctiveness or multiculturalism,  or even sedated religiosity, but as long as the “Linuses” of the world courageously step forward, and read Luke’s (2:8-20) account – or another Gospel writer’s description - of the true meaning of Christmas, then we can be hopeful and optimistic that Christmas and its message of God’s love, peace, hope and joy for all people will continue to shine brightly in our world and beyond.  

“That” said Linus to Charlie Brown, “is what Christmas is all about.”

Today think about how we can use technology, social media, front lawns, etc to keep the birth of Jesus in Christmas, and pray for courage to bring it about.

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The Crèche is a nativity set depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. Since St. Francis built the first Crèche in the 13^th century, the idea has expanded around the world. Even though people frame their Crèches to reflect their local customs, traditions, cultures and materials, the central focus is always the same – the birth of the Saviour. During the 12 days of Christmas, I will share 12 Crèches and their messages. Hope you enjoy them.  

     Love to hear your thoughts on the Creches in COMMENTS below.

Day 3 - The Twelve Chreches of Christmas

 

One Christmas Eve in a sermon I suggested that every Christian home should have a Nativity Set or Crèche, since it is the best symbol of Christmas.

After the service, one young family tirelessly searched Toronto until they found a store still open and purchased a Crèche for their family Christmas.

Imagine my pleasure when I saw the above Crèche on the lawn of this house on Guelph Line, where thousands of travellers whiz by in their vehicles daily.

This Crèche is eye catching in its simplicity, and catches the attention of passersby, regardless of their driving speed.

Carved from a piece of plywood and painted white, it enables the viewer to take in the whole picture, in one quick glance. Sometimes in life, we are presented with an opportunity, which if not grasped immediately, is gone forever. Christmas is not like that; the benefits of Jesus/God coming into this world are available to people every day of the year... all we need to do is respond.

Each time I passed this Crèche on my way to minister in Rockwood, I thought about what its public presence portrayed for others, and then I would reflect on what tremendous gifts God had loaned to me in my personal and professional life. Perhaps, as the shepherds returned to caring for their sheep and the astrologers journeyed back to their homeland to continue their studies of the stars, they too realized anew what God had given to them in their encounter with the new born messiah or saviour.

Today think about what gifts God has presented to you in your life – give thanks for them and pray that you will have an opportunity to share them with others. 

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The Crèche is a nativity set depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. Since St. Francis built the first Crèche in the 13^th century, the idea has expanded around the world. Even though people frame their Crèches to reflect their local customs, traditions, cultures and materials, the central focus is always the same – the birth of the Saviour. During the 12 days of Christmas, I will share 12 Crèches and their messages. Hope you enjoy them.  

    Love to hear your thoughts on the Creches in COMMENTS below.

Day 2 - the Twelve Creches of Christmas

Susan, an accomplished artist, among her other artistic endeavours, creates altar frontals. Last year, while she was working on an altar frontal depicting the Church season of Epiphany, she also found time to read my blog on the “Twelve days of Christmas” (see earlier blogs).

The above Crèche was a painting Susan did for the Reed family in Rockwood. The three Reed children are wearing costumes Susan made for her children. The costumes have been used in Christmas productions at St. John’s Church, Rockwood. This painting became the cover for Susan’s Christmas card in 2005.

The donkey is Hillary, who lives at Sunrise Equestrian Centre for the Disabled.

The doll, representing the Christ child, has outstretched arms, indicating the love of God reaching out to all people.

A donkey carried Jesus - in Mary’s womb - from Nazareth to Bethlehem; another donkey transported the infant Jesus from there to Egypt and back to Nazareth. Later, Jesus would choose a donkey for his triumphant entry into the holy city of Jerusalem ( Palm Sunday), and, I think given the choice, Jesus would have ridden on a donkey to the cross on Good Friday and to the Resurrected Life on Easter Day.

The donkey – the beast of burden and the symbol of peace – carried the “Prince of Peace” to proclaim a message of peace and hope to troubled people then and throughout the ages.

Think today of those weighed down by their “burdens of life”, and who still convey a message of hope and peace to the individuals they meet along the way. Thank God for their contribution to  humanity.

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The Crèche is a nativity set depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. Since St. Francis built the first Crèche in the 13^th century, the idea has expanded around the world. Even though people frame their Crèches to reflect their local customs, traditions, cultures and materials, the central focus is always the same – the birth of the Saviour. During the 12 days of Christmas, I will share 12 Crèches and their messages. Hope you enjoy them.  

     Love to hear your thoughts on the Creches in COMMENTS below.

Christmas Day - The Twelve Creches of Christmas

Margery wanted to leave a legacy to the parish where she served her Lord for nearly a half a century. She thought a Crèche or Nativity Set would be a fitting gift.She commissioned her friend Diana, a wood carver, to bring her idea to fruition. Diana invited her young relatives to be models for Mary and Joseph. She wanted to portray Mary and Joseph as young and vibrant people. She succeeded.

Later Allison commissioned another woodcarver to fashion an angel - tall enough to symbolize the angel watching over the holy family, close enough to be the personal conveyor of messages from God to individuals and strong enough to be the protector and guide of  all God’s people as well as God’s son – the  ‘new born Saviour’.

This Crèche, displayed annually at St. John’s York Mills Church, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, reminds us of the place of angels in the events of history, as well as their presence to care for, guide and protect us as we encounter the daily situations of life.

On this Christmas day, think about the place of angels in the universe, and particularly in your own life – give thanks for God’s gifts and legacy, including angels and especially the importance of the birth of Jesus Christ.                            

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The Crèche is a nativity set depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. Since St. Francis built the first Crèche in the 13^th century, the idea has expanded around the world. Even though people frame their Crèches to reflect their local customs, traditions, cultures and materials, yet the central focus is always the same – the birth of the Saviour. During12 days of Christmas, I will share 12 Crèches and their messages. Hope you enjoy them.  

Love to hear your thoughts on the Creches in COMMENTS below.

    

Ascension Greeting

This year Ascension Day is June 2.

In the first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, we read that after Jesus said His farewells to His disciples, even as they were watching, He was lifted up.

Years ago I sent my first (and only) Ascension email card. I wrote .....

'My message is ... Ascension is the seal which changes the words of Jesus on the cross from "it is finished" to "it is completed". Have an ascending Ascension.'

B responded, 'the final completion will be when we all ascend to be together in glory'.

P and E replied, 'thank you for the beautiful cards and message. It has made our day. What an awesome God we serve. He has risen and ascended - PRAISE GOD.

Hope you feel the same.

Book Review: Max on Life

Book Review: Max on Life by Max Lucado

Many sections of the letters St. Paul wrote to the various Churches in New Testament times were responses to questions raised by the early Christians as they attempted to work out the relationship between their new found faith and their individual or community practices. They asked the questions and Paul provided the answers.

Max Lucado applies a similar format in this new book. He has compiled 172 questions posed to him throughout his ministry, and provides answers, based not only on scriptural foundations, but also as these relate to his own experiences and observations.

You can read this book thoroughly in several sittings, but its lasting value will be for those who place it prominently on their book shelf or some other obvious place, where it can be readily available as a resource when questions need an immediate reply.

It can be utilized effectively by Church leaders, but, I suspect that those who keeps it handy as a ‘quick reference’ or a ‘do it yourself’ resource will enrich not only their own spiritual journey, but also that of others who raise questions about their Christian Faith, providing directions, tips and advice for the various situations and circumstances encountered in every day living.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Spiritual Fitness Plan for Lent - Holy Week and Easter

SPIRITUAL FITNESS PLAN FOR LENT.
(An exercise program to enhance your spiritual life)

Holy Week – Beginning April 18, 2011

‘Without the resurrection what I believe is in vain’, words of Canada’s former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, as quoted by Margaret Trudeau in her most recent book ‘Changing my Mind’.

He was expressing the sentiments and belief of St. Paul, who while answering the questions raised by the Christians in Corinth (1 Corinthians, chapter 15) about the authenticity of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, said, ‘if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith’. Paul goes on to conclude that Jesus DID come back to life from the dead and the Christian Faith is founded on His Resurrection.

In his 2011 Holy Week-Easter message, Archbishop Fred Hiltz – Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada – expressed it this way, when he wrote, ‘we place our hope and our trust in our Lord Jesus Christ, hanging on the cross, rising from the grave, drawing near to His disciples, making Himself known to them in the breaking of the bread and the opening of the scriptures’.

Keeping our Lenten theme intact, we can see what Jesus Christ did GIVE UP (His divinity) …. what He did TAKE UP (our humanity) … and how He does HELP us in living and coping with human situations and assures us of our place in the eternal realms of life.

Here are Holy Week daily readings from John’s Gospel.
Monday April 18–John 19:1-22
Tuesday April 19– John 19:23-42
Wednesday April 20– John 20:1-18
Thursday April 21 – John 20:19-31
Friday April 22– John 21:1-14
Saturday April 23– John 21:15-25


There are six suggested spiritual exercises for a HOLY LENT.
Here are this week’s exercises.

1. READING AND MEDITATING ON GOD’S WORDS – this week and the days after Easter Sunday, spend time reading the accounts of the Resurrection of Jesus in all 4 gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.


2. ALMS GIVING – we can serve others by giving our alms (gifts) of TIME, TALENT and TREASURE. What ‘alms’ will you give this Lent?


3. FASTING – maybe you have done this already during Lent. If not, start today. Some years ago during Lent, one day a week, some friends and I ate breakfast and then only drank water or juices until the evening meal ... may not sound like much, but we found it meaningful.

4. PRAYER – Each day, spend at least 5 minutes in prayer. Pray with your paper, newscast, internet browsing, walking, riding …wherever you encounter people and their needs.

5. PENITENCE – confess your sins confident in God’s forgiveness and make amends for any wrong-doing.

6. SELF EXAMINATION – look at yourself, your relationship with God and your relationships with other people. Make improvements as required.

Thank you for your participation and feedback on our SPIRITUAL FITNESS PLAN FOR LENT 2011.

May the Joy and Alleluias of Easter ring constantly in your lives throughout the coming days, or as a friend liked to say, ‘every day is a mini Easter’.

SPIRITUAL FITNESS PLAN FOR LENT

SPIRITUAL FITNESS PLAN FOR LENT.
(An exercise program to enhance your spiritual life)

Week Five– Beginning April 4, 2011
Week Six – Beginning April 11, 2011

‘The purpose of this world is not to have and to hold, but to serve’.

These words are attributed to Sir Wilfred Grenfell (1865-1940), doctor, missionary, legend in northern Newfoundland and Labrador.

He epitomized his words, as he established nursing stations in many communities to bring medical aid to isolated areas, started cottage industries to help people improve their standard of living, built hospitals and recruited doctors and nurses from around the globe to work pro bono, and led worship in many churches and other venues at a time when clergy supply was extremely limited.

In our Lenten practice this year, we are encouraging ourselves and others to GIVE UP, TAKE UP and HELP, or as Wilfred Grenfell worded it, SERVE, DO NOT HAVE OR HOLD.

Each of us has to decide what that means in our individual situation and circumstance.

Here are April 4-9 daily readings from John’s Gospel.
Monday April 4–John 11:1-54
Tuesday April 5 – John 11:55-12:11
Wednesday April 6– John 12:12-36
Thursday April 7 – John 12:37-50
Friday April 8 – John 13:1-20
Saturday April 9– John 13:21-38

Here are April 11-16 daily readings from John’s Gospel.
Monday April 11–John 14:1-31
Tuesday April 12 – John 15:1-27
Wednesday April 13– John 16:1-33
Thursday April 14 – John 17:1-26
Friday April 15 – John 18:1-27
Saturday April 16– John 18:28-40


There are six suggested spiritual exercises for a HOLY LENT.
Here are this week’s exercises.

1. ALMS GIVING – we can serve others by giving our alms (gifts) of TIME, TALENT and TREASURE. What ‘alms’ will you give this Lent?


2. FASTING – maybe you have done this already during Lent. If not, start today. Some years ago during Lent, one day a week, some friends and I ate breakfast and then only drank water or juices until the evening meal ... may not sound like much, but we found it meaningful.

3. PRAYER – Each day, spend at least 5 minutes in prayer. Pray with your paper, newscast, internet browsing, walking, riding …wherever you encounter people and their needs.

4. PENITENCE – confess your sins confident in God’s forgiveness and make amends for any wrong-doing.

5. SELF EXAMINATION – look at yourself, your relationship with God and your relationships with other people. Make improvements as required.

Invite a friend to read this blog. Post a comment.

Spiritual Fitness Plan for Lent Week 4

SPIRITUAL FITNESS PLAN FOR LENT.
(An exercise program to enhance your spiritual life)

Week Four– Beginning March 28, 2011

‘We are not yet where we shall be, but we are growing towards it; the process is not yet finished, but it is going on; this is not the end, but it is the road’.

So spoke Martin Luther King Jr., the iconic leader of the civil rights movement in the United States and one of the youngest people to receive the Nobel Peace prize.

He could have been talking about our annual journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter.

The Christian life, from birth to eternity, is always forward looking, always in motion and always heading towards a richer and more personal relationship with God.

Along the Christian Road, there are things to GIVE UP (erroneous attitudes, beliefs and practices), things to TAKE UP (compassion, a forgiving nature and a hopeful outlook) and things to do to HELP (encouragement, listening ear and practical assistance to those less fortunate).

Lent is a good time to remember and adopt the words from Martin Luther King Jr., and how they are reflected in John’s Gospel.

Here are this week’s daily readings from John’s Gospel.
Monday March 28–John 7:53-8:11
Tuesday March 29 – John 8:12-30
Wednesday March 30– John 8:31-59
Thursday March 31 – John 9:1-41
Friday April 1 – John 10:1-21
Saturday April 2– John 10:22-42

There are six suggested spiritual exercises for a HOLY LENT.
Here are this week’s exercises.

1. FASTING – maybe you have done this already during Lent. If not, start today. Some years ago during Lent, one day a week, some friends and I ate breakfast and then only drank water or juices until the evening meal ... may not sound like much, but we found it meaningful.

2. PRAYER – Each day, spend at least 5 minutes in prayer. Pray with your paper, newscast, internet browsing, walking, riding …wherever you encounter people and their needs.

3. PENITENCE – confess your sins confident in God’s forgiveness and make amends for any wrong-doing.

4. SELF EXAMINATION – look at yourself, your relationship with God and your relationships with other people. Make improvements as required.

Post a comment.

SPIRITUAL FITNESS PLAN FOR LENT - WEEK 3

SPIRITUAL FITNESS PLAN FOR LENT.
(An exercise program to enhance your spiritual life)

Week Three– Beginning March 21, 2011

St. Augustine (358-430 AD) was Bishop of Hippo and one of the most influential figures of his day. He had a profound impact on the beliefs and thinking of people even to today.
Augustine concluded that we are born with a ‘God shaped space’, reserved for God alone. Unfortunately, most people fill the space with non God like stuff, e.g., possessions, activities, busyness, negative things, etc. It is like trying to put a square peg into a round hole. Nothing will fit there properly, except God. Augustine struggled with this and concluded that he was restless until he found his rest in God.
At that moment he invited God to COME and DWELL in his ‘God shaped space.
He said he did not know what he was doing, nor what it meant, nor what it would lead to … he just did it.
It appears Augustine decided to GIVE UP or clean out the ‘junk’ from his ‘God shaped space’; then he was able to TAKE UP other interests and things to fill and grow his understanding of and relationship with God. And through the transformation of his total being, he was able to HELP others come to the same actualization of self, not only in his own time, but for generations of strangers yet to come.
Maybe Augustine is asking us to invite God to COME and DWELL in us, and John’s Gospel may be the vehicle we need to achieve this goal.

Here are this week’s daily readings from John’s Gospel.
Monday March 21–John 5:19-47
Tuesday March 22 – John 6:1-15
Wednesday March 23– John 6:16-21
Thursday March 24 – John 6:22-59
Friday March 25– John 6:60-71
Saturday March 26– John 7:1-52

There are six suggested spiritual exercises for a HOLY LENT.
Here are this week’s exercises.

1. PRAYER – Each day, spend at least 5 minutes in prayer. Pray with your paper, newscast, internet browsing, walking, riding .. wherever you encounter people and their needs.

2. PENITENCE – confess your sins confident in God’s forgiveness and make amends for any wrong-doing.

3. SELF EXAMINATION – look at yourself, your relationship with God and your relationships with other people. Make improvements as required.

Tell others about this blog ... post a comment.

SPIRITUAL FITNESS PLAN FOR LENT - WEEK 2

SPIRITUAL FITNESS PLAN FOR LENT - WEEK 2
(An exercise program to enhance your spiritual life)

Week Two– Beginning March 14, 2011
1. a devastating earthquake and numerous aftershocks;
2. a tsunami causing untold deaths and destruction with 10 metre high waves;
3. a possible meltdown of nuclear reactors spewing deadly radiation into the atmosphere.

All happening within hours, not weeks! How much can one nation endure?
Japan may provide us with a definite answer.

The photos and reports confront our total beings with images of Biblical proportions.

How can our goals of Lent – GIVE UP, TAKE UP, HELP - spur us to respond as once more the global village is being shaken at its very foundations?
1. We can PRAY for the victims, the rescuers and for global response;
2. We can HELP by donating financially through our church or charity;
3. And as we read the Gospel of John this week, we can ask ourselves what application the readings have for us and our world situation this week.

Here are this week’s daily readings from John’s Gospel.
Each day, spend at least 5 minutes in prayer and with the Gospel.
Monday March 14 –John 2:13-25
Tuesday March 15 – John 3:1-21
Wednesday March 16 – John 3:22-36
Thursday March 17 – John 4:1-42
Friday March 18 – John 4:43-54
Saturday March 19 – John 5:1-18

There are six suggested spiritual exercises for a HOLY LENT.
Here is this week’s exercise.

1. PENITENCE – confess your sins confident in God’s forgiveness and make amends for any wrong-doing.
2. SELF EXAMINATION – look at yourself, your relationship with God and your relationships with other people. Make improvements as required.

Invite a friend to read this BLOG ... write a comment.

SPIRITUAL FITNESS PLAN FOR LENT.

SPIRITUAL FITNESS PLAN FOR LENT.
(An exercise program to enhance your spiritual life)

Week One – Ash Wednesday, March 9, 2011

In his latest book, CONVERSATION WITH MYSELF, Nelson Mandela states, ‘never forget that a saint is a sinner who keeps on trying’.

Lent is the Church’s reminder to ‘keep on trying’. Maybe some day we will reach the space where we are striving to be, but for now, we are sojourners traversing the pages of our own existence.

During Lent this year I am concentrating on GIVE UP … TAKE UP … HELP.

GIVE UP – food, drink, certain behaviour, particular attitude, etc.

TAKE UP – do something positive, read a book, etc.

HELP – decide how much you would like to contribute daily during Lent (say $1.00), multiply by 40 and donate the amount to a church, charity, individual, special need, etc.

READING – the Gospel of John is our recommended Bible reading for this Lent.
Daily Schedule –
Ash Wednesday – John 1:1-18
Thursday – John 1:19-34
Friday – John 1:35-51
Saturday – John 2:1-12


There are six suggested spiritual exercises for a HOLY LENT.
Here is this week’s exercise.

1. SELF EXAMINATION – spend 5 minutes taking a close look at yourself, your relationship with God and your relationships with other people. Make improvements as required.

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