Preparing for Easter

Yes, I know it's still two months away, but after finishing one of the books on my list, Treasuring God in Our Traditions, I was challenged by the wisdom of Noel Piper. Preparing for Easter means preparing our hearts "remembering the lowest points of sin and the highest peaks of what God has done for us through Jesus." (Piper, 91) Yes, Easter is a beautiful celebration of our King Jesus overcoming death. It's a time to worship our living God and our eternal  life with Him. But, in preparation for the celebration there must also be a time remembering that it was me (and you) that put Him on the cross. This Lent season I pray is a time that my dependency on God is renewed, and my life is purged from anything (i.e. sin) that strains the intimacy of our relationship.

I have been known to fast during Lent from facebook, television, sweets, and cokes over the years. Although it brought much discipline in my life during that season, I think I've missed the point. It's not simply turning away from the bad, but running towards what is good, holy, and perfect. It's filling our hearts with the Gospel.

The Lenten season begins this Wednesday (Ash Wednesday), February 22. I'm still praying about what I might fast from, as I celebrate the Creator and not the created. Jeff and I are also discussing how we can prepare our hearts together as a family.

I've read several great things about A Place at the Table and the Village Church Lent guide as devotionals to use during Lent.

I hope you will join us as we prepare our hearts for the risen King!