And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” ~ Luke … Read more
And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. ~ Matthew 9:15 (ESV) Lord God, Jesus sacrificed His life for me and my sins, yet I seldom sacrifice to … Read more
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. ~ Luke 9:23 (ESV) Lord, I want to follow You, but it’s so easy to get caught up in the cares and temptations of the world. Help me to put You first … Read more
Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. In my Ash Wednesday post last year, I shared that growing up in a non-liturgical church, I didn’t understand Ash Wednesday or Lent. Now I appreciate this special season of penitence in preparation for Easter. Often Christians give up something—a favorite food or activity, for example—for Lent. … Read more
I grew up in a non-liturgical church, and I always wondered why Roman Catholics (the only liturgical church in my hometown) got ashes on their forehead on Ash Wednesday. Even after I joined a liturgical church, it took several years for me to really appreciate the Ash Wednesday observance. I wondered if it wasn’t contrary … Read more
Holy Week, which started last Sunday on Palm Sunday, is an intense week of devotion to recall the sacrifice Jesus made to cleanse us of our sins and give us eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but … Read more