Goodbye, carrot cake!

Your life, like mine, tends to fill up with ‘stuff.’  Some of what we do is important; going to work, maintaining our home, caring for our health, serving others in Christ’s Name … and some is not; like scrolling through social media, for example. IF we hope to find the life for which we are created, we will need times of refocus, liking hitting the reset button!

Regular commitment to a day of worship and being ‘in church’ each week is one way that happens. Another is observing Church’s calendar. Tomorrow, we enter the 40-day season called Lent. It is a time of renewal that is intended to prepare us to celebrate the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, our Savior.

The neglected spiritual discipline of fasting is encouraged during this time of year.
Fasting is about abstaining from food, pleasure, comfort, entertainment.
We can fast by setting aside some pleasurable pursuit, time on social media, or some special food.
We can fast by generously giving away our time in selfless service.
It is a positive way to practice obedience subjecting our body to the Spirit in a way that allows us a renewed experience of His Presence!

God made us with a spirit-body connection!
What we do in our physical body influences our spiritual state- both positively and negatively. The Holy Word says "So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified." (1 Corinthians 9:26-27, NLT) A literal translation of the NT Greek would read “I pound my body into submission!” 

Careful here! God is not demanding ascetic self-denial that comes to self-abuse. There is a real spiritual maturity to be found in the reminder that life is more than food, clothes, or comfort.

Whatever our choice, fasting is not about proving anything to God.

Jesus taught us to practice spiritual disciplines like fasting, giving, and prayer without telling anyone. He said, "when you fast, don't make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, who try to look pale and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I assure you, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will suspect you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in secret. And your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you." (Matthew 6:16-18 NLT) If we 'show off' with our ‘discipline’ it becomes nothing more than a means of making ourselves feel better, self-focused, the very thing of which we desire to be free.

Will you fast in some way this season of Lent? Perhaps you’ll give up your sugary desserts or your latte addiction. Goodbye, carrot cake!

Whatever your choice, keep the focus on humble worship. Personally, I think we might be better served by giving up some TV time for prayer, meditation or reading Scripture than giving up some incidental food item.

Are you serious about spiritual growth? Then, ask the Lord if you need to discipline your body to provide freedom for the Spirit, to allow for a reset.

Here’s a word from the Word about living in the Spirit. Think deeply and prayerfully on the promise of this passage. “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. … But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”  (Galatians 5)

Lent! May it be a season of renewal of joy and growth in the Spirit, for the glory of God.

__________________

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Love Day Tomorrow

I celebrated Valentine’s Day with abandon when my wife was still at my side. I spent a silly amount on Hallmark cards and overpriced roses throughout our 41 years of marriage. I would do it all again! I do not think that there is such a thing as 'too much' when it comes to celebrating love and marriage.

I remember one Valentine's card I bought (just for fun) that was the size of a framed picture! The picture of the rose printed on the front was frighteningly large, almost grotesque. When Bev opened it, she laughed - "What am I supposed to do with this?" Her reaction was priceless, momentarily her surprise overcame her general disposition to be kind in her words.

Valentine’s Day is important even though it is commercialized and trivialized because love must be nurtured. It is a foolish spouse who neglects tender words and gentle caresses because “we said our vows and nothing’s changed.”  Love that is assumed easily dies. To the men particularly I say this; those who are really 'in love' are never too sophisticated for Valentine's Day. Romance is not about careful calculation or sophistication. It is a heart thing!

Of course, there will be plenty of fake love spread around tomorrow. Cards, chocolate, and flowers will be purchased to make an impression, to manipulate, or to just meet expectations. The symbols must rest on the reality if they are to be meaningful. Without genuine affection and esteem in daily words and actions, the roses or cards can become an offense.

Real love is not often portrayed in our pop songs and movies. In 2026 love and sex are all tangled up, a ‘hook-up’ supposedly the same as an intimate commitment of mind and body. Do not get me wrong about that. Sexual attraction is a part of love. The Bible is quite clear about that. There is an entire book devoted to it in the Old Testament. (Song of Solomon.)

Paul tells Christian couples "Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again. . .." (1 Corinthians 7:5, NLT)

I’m sure you know that but I will say it anyway. Love is more than pleasure and intimacy. This passage is a call to the best kind of Valentine celebration. We are taught that "Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. Love isn’t selfish or quick tempered. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do. Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting. .... For now there are faith, hope, and love. But of these three, the greatest is love." (1 Corinthians 13:7-11, 13, CEV)

The card, those red roses are nice, but they can never replace selfless giving of one’s self and time. We must seek to know the other person deeply, to understand and accept them even when their ways and ideas are challenging. The love described above will survive long after the hormones that spark sexual passions have diminished with age. It gives a beauty that really is more than 'skin deep.'

A final thought – Love is not just for spouse, family, or friend.

Real love is the very essence of the nature of God. Think deeply about these inspired words – “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”  (1 John 4)

Jesus said that all the commandments are summed up in just two –
1. “Love God whole-heartedly.”
2. “Love others in the same way that you love yourself.”

Even if you are not romantically tied to anyone - celebrate love! Love, like Christ loved you! It will change your world; yes, that love will come back to change you!

Here is a word from the Word- “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even the godless do that.” (Matthew 5:45-47)

Happy Valentine's Day.

__________________

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Just a speck in the universe?

Do you ever wake up in the morning and wonder if you matter if you really are more than just a passing speck of life in the universe? Sure, you are important to your family, perhaps to a small circle of friends, but are you truly valuable; do you matter?

We may not say it out loud, but we all tend to think about our worth. We look for value for ourselves in all kinds of things. Some seek physical attractiveness. Some accumulate wealth or symbols of it. Some pursue awards and titles. Some crave to be known. Yet we wonder – ‘do I matter?’  Age comes and beauty fades. Economies fail and wealth disappears. In time another takes our place.

Solomon, a king of Israel, enjoyed it all and yet in his old age he cynically wrote – “I came to hate life because everything done here under the sun is so troubling. Everything is meaningless—like chasing the wind.” (Ecclesiastes 2)

There is a lasting way to find purpose and significance in this world, one that endures time and change, which cannot be stolen or erased. We need not become cynical with time and age if we know what God says about us and our value!

Jesus teaches us that God knows the smallest detail about you and me! He said – “Not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. And you are worth more than a whole flock of sparrows.” (Matthew 10)

The Psalmist says of God. “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!”  (139)

Yes, we are known, valued, treasured, and made for His love, not just as a group, but each one of us individually.

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, my favorite book of the Bible because of the truth of grace and purpose of which he writes, includes this passage. “God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2)

In spite of our failures and our frailties, He loves you and me and gifts us with life, valuing us as living examples of His “incredible wealth of grace and kindness.”  That’s something worth living for and truly a reason to know that we matter. We are part of the Divine Plan.

I was touched and inspired by the testimony of Jelly Roll, a country artist, at last week’s Grammy awards. He offered a powerful testimony crediting Jesus and his wife for saving him from an awful past of addiction, drug-dealing, and prison. "Jesus is for everybody," he said, asserting faith belongs to the broken, not just the polished. A life once worthless by all accounts was made new by faith and from that loving grace he found, a new value and way of living emerged!

When we accept the grace of God, by faith, we are both humbled and made noble in the same moment. We realize that our worth can never be attained by any effort we make and yet we know that we are “royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. … Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.” (1 Peter 2)

Yes, our lives are short, and our earthly accomplishments are soon eclipsed. But, in Christ Jesus, we are of great worth – now and for eternity. Believe it, friend. This truth will change your life. It provides freedom from pride and fear, and it is a reason for joy.

I close with yet another amazing passage from God’s Word, our word for today. BE encouraged, called to higher purpose by the Truth. “See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.”  (1 John 3)

Believe it. Live it. Find new joy.

__________________

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