Ash Wednesday

How many of you really lived it up yesterday (Fat Tuesday) because you knew today started your Lenten journey? I have never understood the concept, I'm going to party like there is no tomorrow, because for the next 40 days of Lent I need to be really good.

I want to take a look at the comment, " I need to be really good" throughout this reflection today. Today along with other Christians from all over the world, I will observe Ash Wednesday by going to church. As part of the service, I will go forward and kneel at the altar. The Pastor will make a sign of the cross on my forehead and say, "Remember from dust you came and to dust you shall return."

I could get bogged down with the dust comment and for 40 days remind myself of how unworthy I am and that I do not deserve God's love. I could become depressed over the realization I can never be good enough. I would encourage you instead of just reflecting upon yourself, reflect upon what God has done for you.

I do think we need to realize we are poor miserable sinners and there is nothing we can do to earn God's favor. It's when we get to that point we realize we need a Savior, because we can not do it on our own.

In our Lenten Journey we remember, Jesus has all ready walked the road to calvary. He walked for you and for me. Our sins nailed Him to the cross. If you would have been the only person on earth, Jesus would have died on the cross, just for you.

Beneath the cross of dust on my forehead, is a permanent cross that was made at my baptism. I have been made a child of God forever. There is nothing I did to deserve it, God gave it to me as a gift, the gift of being His child forever. Through Him, I will have eternal life. It doesn't matter to me if my physical body returns to the dust, because my spiritual body, will be with Jesus forever.

Romans 8: 38-39 "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

I would like to share with you one of my favorite songs, In Christ Alone. As you take the time to watch it may you be reminded of how much Jesus loves you. May God fill you with His perfect peace today and always.

In the opening scenes of this youtube clip. You will see Jesus drawing a line in the dust/sand. It is the story of the woman caught in adultery. You will see the men lined up to stone her....watch how she approaches Jesus and how He treats her.

Here are the words to this song if you are not familiar with it.

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost it's grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand