- Mar 9, 2019Day 5: Sunday, March 10th, 2019
Day 5: Sunday, March 10th, 2019Contributed by Carolyn Dugger
- Mar 9, 2019Day 4: Saturday, March 9th, 2019
Day 4: Saturday, March 9th, 2019Contributed by Sue Boudreaux
- Mar 8, 2019Day 3: Friday, March 8th, 2019
Day 3: Friday, March 8th, 2019Contributed by Nessa Austin
- Mar 7, 2019Day 2: Thursday, March 7th, 2019
Day 2: Thursday, March 7th, 2019Contributed by Laura Dungan
- Mar 6, 2019Day 1: Ash Wednesday, March 6th, 2019
Day 1: Ash Wednesday, March 6th, 2019Contributed by Rebecca Caldwell
- Mar 5, 2019What is Lent?
What is Lent?
What is Lent?
Lent is the 40 days that precede Easter (excluding the Sundays).
In the Christian Scriptures, the number 40 relates to the period spent in the ark by Noah, the period spent by Israel seeking the Promised Land after the Exodus, and the amount of time Jesus was in the wilderness after His baptism and prior to the beginning of his ministry. For us, the season of Lent is an invitation to 40 days of renewal (“Lent” means “spring”) and 40 days to prepare ourselves to take in the Good News of Easter through deeper disciplines of prayer, fasting, and sacrifice.
Lent begins on what is called “Ash Wednesday.” Part of the tradition of Ash Wednesday is to receive a mark of ashes on your forehead.
Receiving the ashes reminds us that God’s love is triumphant over sin and death, and that God remains “in communion” with us, that in Christ, our mortality is overcome.
Another important tradition in Lent is to sacrifice something or give up something for Lent. For example, some people will give up television, others will give up eating meat, some will give up beer or coffee, others may even give up social media.
This year, instead of making a commitment to sacrifice, I encourage you to make a commitment to one of the ministries in the church this Lenten season. Maybe you will commit to helping with Children on Wednesday night or Sunday morning, maybe you will commit to going with Youth on their summer mission trip or maybe you will commit to serving on the Methodist Park committee or any other committee that is currently looking for additional volunteers.
- Mar 31, 2018Day 46: Saturday, March 31st, 2018 (Holy Saturday)
Day 46: Saturday, March 31st, 2018 (Holy Saturday)
“Jesus said to her, “‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though they die. Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believer this?’”
John 11:25-26
In only a handful of hours, we will finally gather together to shout, “He is Risen!” The church will claim death defeated as Jesus rose from the grave. Resurrection will win the day as it has for over 2,000 years.
In the 1960s, archeologists worked an excavation site at Masada in Israel. One of the finds included a jar of seeds from an extinct Judean Date Palm. Biblical scholars believe this was a palm mentioned at several points in the Old Testament (see Psalm 92:12).
The jar of seeds had remained on an old dusty shelf as it was unclear what to do with them. In 2005, an inquisitive botanical researcher gave the seeds a shot and planted one. To his surprise, it grew! A Judean Date Palm had not been seen growing since 500 A.D.! Today, this tree, nicknamed “Methuselah” from the oldest person named in the Bible, has flowered and produces dates. What was long lost is now back and alive!
For me, Easter is a time to remember the power of resurrection in our own lives. As people of faith, Resurrection claims any hope remains available. We declare that what looks dead CAN actually come back to life. Broken relationships can be healed. The struggle isn’t over because God never gives up.
This year, I wonder if we have the courage to investigate the old dusty shelves of our lives. What hopes or dreams have we set aside long ago, thinking they were extinct? Could this be the year that the power of resurrection surrounds your hopes and dreams and creates a place for growth and new life?
Tomorrow will be my first Sunday to join FUMC in a resurrection celebration. I can’t wait to stand with you as we continue the tradition of celebrating new life through Christ!
Prayer:
God of life, as I rise in the morning, may my life sing of resurrection. Help me claim hope as the overwhelming power in my life. Though struggles persist, may I never forget the gift of new life through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Contributed by Alan McGrath
Senior Pastor – FUMC Killeen - Mar 30, 2018Day 45: Friday, March 30th, 2018 (Good Friday)
Day 45: Friday, March 30th, 2018 (Good Friday)
Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Oh… sometimes it causes me to tremble... Were you there when they crucified my Lord?”
Of all the songs we sang at Glen Lake Camp, I was always taken aback by this song. After walking the silent reflection trail and seeing the cross up on the hill, singing the words, “Were you there when they crucified my Lord,” was only made palatable by the last verse, “Were you there when he rose up from the grave?”
We often like to skip over the brutal reality of the crucifixion and rush right to the empty tomb. We don’t want to linger in grief or fear. In response to the song’s question, I’ve often asked myself if I could I have stood at the cross and witnessed such cruelty, hatred, apathy and even excitement for those who died in such a horrible way. Would I have been hiding in fear as many of Christ’s followers did or denied even knowing Jesus when my own life might have been at stake? Would I have been among the stoic women at the foot of the cross offering the only support they still could? I don’t know.
What I do know is that we still get the opportunity to stand at the cross today. We do this when we no longer disappear into the hateful crowds and allow injustices to happen without speaking up… or worse, join in their jeering. We do this when we recognize the humanity in every person and show empathy for those who face crosses of their own. We do this when we sit with someone in the midst of their worst days and offer prayers, or just be there.
I still flinch at the cinematic interpretations of the crucifixion, knowing the reality of what Christ faced was so much worse. However, in the darkest of days, when we see those Jesus loves in pain, fear, grief, and suffering injustices, let us ask ourselves, “Are we there when those that Christ loves face crosses of their own?”
“Were you there when they crucified my Lord?”
Prayer:
Holy and loving God, help us to be there as Your people face their own darkest days. Give us the strength, courage, and faith to stand up against injustices, and the love of Christ to pour into those that need comfort and care. And as we carry crosses of our own, remind us that You are always with us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Contributed by Pastor Alison Zollinger
Associate Pastor, FUMC Killeen
- Mar 29, 2018Day 44: Thursday, March 29th, 2018 (Maundy Thursday)
Day 44: Thursday, March 29th, 2018 (Maundy Thursday)
14 If I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you too must wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example: Just as I have done, you also must do. 16 I assure you, servants aren’t greater than their master, nor are those who are sent greater than the one who sent them.17 Since you know these things, you will be happy if you do them. (John 13:14-17)
34 “I give you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other. 35 This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other.” (John 13:34-35)
16 In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
I have only been coming to the Methodist church for a few years, and only this year as I sat down to write this devotional did I learn what Maundy Thursday means. In Latin, the word “maunday” originates from “mandatum,” or commandment. The night Jesus sat down to the Last Supper with his disciples He gave them a “New Commandment.” He told them that they should love each other like He loved us, and this would be the way other people knew we were His disciples. He also showed the disciples that no one man was greater than another: He served them in love by washing their feet.
I know Jesus calls us to serve one another in love. I try to let people see Jesus’ light in me by letting them hear me, see me helping other people, and showing Jesus’ love to everyone. We don’t always pay attention to the things we say or the places we frequent, but we can be sure other people do. Unbelievers will judge us by the things we say and the places we go, as well as how we carry ourselves and how well we treat others. By treating others the way we want to be treated and helping those in need (even if it is something we perceive as small like saying a prayer or being there when you said you would), you are showing others Jesus’ love, and you are glorifying God through your good works. Let people see us and know that we are children of God by our actions. Try to treat other people the way Jesus would.
Let us be the salt of the Earth and the light of the world as we follow the new commandment to love one another.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, Please help me to be Your light in this world. Put me where You want me and let me be Your hand and feet as I go about my day. Let others see You through my actions, and let my actions be pleasing to You. Amen.
Contributed by Christine Tagoai
- Mar 28, 2018Day 43: Wednesday, March 28th, 2018
Day 43: Wednesday, March 28th, 2018
"Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore, the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin."
John 19:10-11
The desire to be validated is a powerful motivator. So much of the world today is about being recognized and validated. On social media in particular, every like, share, or re-tweet gives that sense of being accepted and acknowledged by others. Success is often defined by the number of followers. As a Roman governor, Pontius Pilate was used to being recognized and validated. His words might not have been liked by everyone, but they were shared and followed. Then he stood face to face with Jesus. When Jesus refused to answer his questions, Pilate was frustrated. He wanted to be recognized and have his authority validated.
Little did Pilate know his true legacy. The name recognition he sought as governor doesn't compare to his name recognition for his participation in the crucifixion of Christ. He stood before Jesus. He could have accepted and shared the Truth of Christ's identity. Instead he asked, "What is truth" (John 18:38)? When he didn't get enough "likes" for his decision to release Jesus, he walked away from the situation (Matthew 27:24). His desire for earthly validation cost him eternal recognition from the true King of Kings.
Where are you seeking validation?
Prayer:
Holy Father, remind me of the Source of my true validation. My identity in Christ means more that any "likes" on this earth. Use me to share this Truth for Your glory. Amen.
Contributed by Stacie Carrico
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