It Is Preparation Time

Hello, Friends.
We are already beginning the Lenten Season. Today is Ash Wednesday. Many will receive ashes on their foreheads as symbols of their mortality. Some of you will be giving thought to what you will," give up for Lent." It is commonly accepted by many that Lent is the solemn 40 day period between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday and be should be filled with prayer and fasting.
While there is no mention of Lent as a requirement in the Scriptures, there is a spiritual basis for the idea of Lent as a time of preparation for something wonderful to follow.
Noah spent 40 days and nights in the Ark and came out to cleansed earth. Moses spent forty days and nights on Mount Sinai and received the Law. Jesus spent forty days and nights in the wilderness prior to starting his ministry. Other prophets have also spent periods of forty days and nights in fasting and prayer prior to starting an important spiritual mission.
The number forty has come to be understood as a period of completed preparation.
Prayer and fasting are ways of preparing the mind for reception of new thoughts and ideas while releasing negative, non-productive thoughts, ideas, and beliefs.(fasting)
When used in the spirit for which it is intended, Lent becomes a time of powerful renewal and spiritual growth.
Why not fast from thoughts and feelings of hatred and feast on thoughts of love;
fast from gossip and feast on words of love and peace; fast from thoughts of poverty and feast on thoughts of the abundance of good; fast from fear and feast on faith.
"Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are of good report, meditate on these things. " See what a difference forty days will make.


Peace and Blessings

Reverend Earline