Steven WedgeworthO Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you...
Guest Author“Is this something we do?” I remember asking when I first heard the word “Lent.” Even though my father is Catholic, I grew up in a Protestant house where Lent, Ash Wednesday, and fasting were as exotic as Rome, the pope, and crucifixes. It wasn’t...
Karen EngleToday is Ash Wednesday. Also called Day of Ashes, Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent—the 40 weekdays before Easter for Catholic, Orthodox, and some Protestant believers. Many Protestants in less liturgical churches or people outside the...
Mary JahnkeMark Twain said, “The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter—’tis the difference between the lightning-bug and the lightning.” The same could be said for your church media. The right image can stop the...
paul-burkhartUsing the Christian Church Calendar can be an incredibly meaningful way of engaging God, and the tradition of the Community of Faith. It’s also a way of sharing one’s spirituality with the global church, both past and present. Here, I...
Taylor BlomquistAsh Wednesday marks the first of 40 days that many in the church spend praying, reflecting, and fasting, culminating in the celebration of the risen Christ on Easter. Here are four selections from Faithlife staff to encourage you as you...
Jessi StrongFor your Lent devotional readings, pick up a copy of 40 Days to the Cross: Reflections from Great Thinkers for just $4.95. The Gospel writers of the New Testament show Jesus spending 40 days in the wilderness, fasting, and being tempted by Satan...
Ray Deck IIIObserve Lent this year with 40 Days to the Cross: Reflections from Great Thinkers—a devotional prepared by the Lexham Press editorial team. Lent is a 40-day period of prayer, reflection, and preparation for Easter. Traditionally, it runs from Ash...
Marking seasons and holidays can be a meaningful spiritual exercise in the life of a church. Some of the holy days on the traditional church calendar are familiar to us, like Christmas and Easter, but some of the lesser-known seasons can be just as...
Amanda OlsonIn many Christian traditions (Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Anglican and Presbyterian), this Wednesday marks the first day of Lent. For 40 days, observers everywhere will be forsaking things like meat, chocolate, or television—all in preparation...