Welcome to Lent…the 2023 edition! It seems that I have taken a web journal writing break since Lent of last year…something I seem to do quite often, regardless of how many times I promise myself I will write more often. Oh well…Lent is the season to put our failings aside, dust ourselves off, and try again…so, here we go. This year, I will be following Max Vincent’s book, “Because of This I Rejoice.” Vincent’s book is designed as a Lenten study, so it lends itself to the season, and contains reflection questions, etc., which will help our spiritual journey throughout the season. I am hoping this makes your experience a bit more straightforward, as the chapters and sections align with the weeks and days of Lent, and Vincent helpfully provides some additional Scripture passages if you would like to engage in some additional reflections throughout the week.

Throughout our Lenten book study, I will be posting a separate entry for each Sunday in Lent, which corresponds to each chapter within his book. I will also post some mid-week reflections which follow the Scripture passages he outlines at the end of each chapter. Vincent is not very specific how he intends these mid-week reflections to be done (which is probably a good thing), but I will follow the format here: Each chapter will be for the Sunday of Lent (for example, Chapter One will be the First Sunday in Lent), and then each of the additional Scripture passages will follow for the Monday through Saturday after that Sunday. I hope that makes sense, but if not, please read the Scripture as your schedule allows, and create your own Lenten practice of prayer and reflection.

I pray you will have a holy and blessed season of Lent, however you may choose to spend your time finding God in your life. If you choose to join us in our Lenten book study, please know a few hard copies of the book are available from the church, but this book is also available from Amazon as an e-copy book. The link is here: Because of This I Rejoice.

Blessings on your Lenten journey!!