No, Not Lint...LENT!

For those of you connected to the East Hills community, you know that we are inviting everyone to observe Lent with us this year. We are hoping to truly focus our lives more on Christ by letting go of things that get in the way. But we are so non-traditional, we're not even starting on the proper date (march 9) but we will begin our Lent practice next weekend (march 19/20). I believe this will be a deeply meaningful time for all of us.

As you prepare yourself for this season (or in case you are a traditionalist and you've already started!), I offer you this prayer by Henri Nouwen to help us focus in:

A Lenten Prayer

The Lenten season begins. It is a time to be with you, Lord, in a special way, a time to pray, to fast, and thus to follow you on your way to Jerusalem, to Golgotha, and to the final victory over death.

I am still so divided. I truly want to follow you, but I also want to follow my own desires and lend an ear to the voices that speak about prestige, success, pleasure, power, and influence. Help me to become deaf to these voices and more attentive to your voice, which calls me to choose the narrow road to life.

I know that Lent is going to be a very hard time for me. The choice for your way has to be made every moment of my life. I have to choose thoughts that are your thoughts, words that are your words, and actions that are your actions. There are not times or places without choices. And I know how deeply I resist choosing you.

Please, Lord, be with me at every moment and in every place. Give me the strength and the courage to live this season faithfully, so that, when Easter comes, I will be able to taste with joy the new life that you have prepared for me.

Amen.

Peace and Joy on your journey-
Nick