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Ash Wednesday - the First Day of Lent














Today is Ash Wednesday - the first day of Lent. 
The word "Lent" comes from the word LENCTEN, and old Saxon word used for Spring. 
The season of Lent lasts 40 days and it's dedicated to a time of spiritual reflection and meditation on the Cross of Christ.  Why 40 days?  The number 40 appears many times in Scripture and is often attached to times of testing and even judgment.  These 40 days of Lent lead up to the Saturday before Palm Sunday and therefore they celebrate all that lead up to Christ Jesus' march to Jerusalem to die for us on the cross.
As Christians, we see the cross as the ultimate proof of God's love for a lost creation. Lent gives us a time to think about what God has done for us in sending His Son, Jesus, our Savior who came to bear our sins. 
1 Peter 2:21-25
21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
I would love to have you join me in and think, ponder, pray, and let God's word "soak" in us during this great season.
Last year I published a book - which is available on Amazon Kindle - I called "A Lenten Sojourn".  If you would like a daily devotional to read during this season I'd love to have you take a look at it.  You can purchase it and begin reading it right away at:  



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