Much of the church in the U.S., including my own, needs change, change, and more change. Even a quick glance at what is happening around and among us should be enough to convince us that the church simply must change. In the U.S., most denominations are in decline and some of them must “pull up” …
Tag Archives: Repentance
Why and How Jesus’ Kingdom Requires “Lent”
What kind of a kingdom begins with Lent? Well, a good and godly one. In fact, the gospel story begins with Jesus announcing the presence of God’s kingdom, and then proposing our proper response in “Lenten terms.” “The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The kingdom of God is near! Repent …
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WHY I NEED LENT
“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). This urgent invitation of Jesus is the focus of Lent, and the reason I confess my need of it. I need Lent. That time of year when the mind’s eye and the heart’s …
Lent Brings Kingdom Blessing!?
The Kingdom that begins with Lent also begins with blessing. There is the call to turn—repent!—which is Lent. There then comes a pronouncement: “Blessed!” Consider how stunning this is. When Jesus begins to teach about the Kingdom of God, the first word is “Blessed!” This is not what we expected, not from God almighty in …
WHY I NEED LENT
We are in the season of Lent, made sacred by Jesus’ urgent invitation: “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). I confess my need of Lent—that time of the year when the mind’s eye and the heart’s ear give acute …