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Repent! And believe (Mark 1:15)

Scripture of the Day: Mark 1:15

Repent and believe in the gospel.

Tonight at our Ash Wednesday service I found myself paying closer attention than usual.  I was really pondering lent and as I was deciding yet again that giving up something for 40 days wouldn't really bring me closer to Jesus (note, if you give something up for lent I think that is wonderful! It just doesn't work for me  because I give up things up for the wrong reason). I felt convicted that rather than give anything up, I need to really take these days and get closer to God and learn more about His Son. To do that, I am going to write a post every day through Easter. I am sure some will be long and some short and some will post bright and early in the morning and others at 11:59 pm...but they will be there! I would love it if you would join me on this journey (but also promise not to be offended if you don't read every day)!

Each time my pastor placed the sign of the cross in ashes on foreheads tonight he said the words from Mark 1. Repent and believe in the gospel. Those words are so important! I believe in the gospel, but if I am being honest, the bible isn't as exciting to me as it once was. I used to thirst for it daily and now it is sometimes a struggle. I would like that thirst back. The only way for that to happen is for me to repent and start over - looking with new eyes and anticipating that what I read be refreshing and inspirational, just as it was when I first started this walk.

On this first day, I close with the prayer we said tonight at church. It put my heart in the exact right spot this evening and is preparing me for what I hope will be an amazing 40 days! If you are in a quiet spot, and able, I encourage you to read this out loud...sometimes there is power in the spoken word!

Forgive those things we have done
which have caused you sadness,
and those things we should have done
that would have brought you joy.
In both we have failed
ourselves,
and you.
Bring us back to that place
where our journey began,
when we said that we would follow
the way that you first trod.
Lead us to the Cross
and meet us there.


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