The Matter of Lent and Why It Matters

By Pr. Rich Futrell Such a strange time Lent can be.  For the non-Christian, all kinds of religious activities are taking place, which few can explain.  For Christians, unless they […]

Our Life with God, Lesson 12: Fasting

In part of these lessons, we’ve used Matthew 6 as a template for the Christian life.  In that chapter, Jesus describes (not commands) what the life of being a disciple […]

Augsburg Confession, Articles 26-27: Compulsory Fasting and Monastic Vows

These articles are too long for a one-hour class, if we were to read through them in their entirety. Because these topics do not loom large in the Church today, […]

Genesis 3:1-21: Addicted to Sin

We began our 40-day journey to Easter this past Wednesday.  On that night, we heard solemn words from the Prophet Joel, calling all to repent.  Joel said, “Sound the horn […]

The Didache, Lesson 12: Prayer and Fasting

After the Didache goes over what brings someone into the New Covenant of Christ, it immediately moves into the spiritual disciplines for someone who is in the covenant: Prayer and […]

Ash Wednesday: Joel 2:12-19

We heard it at the start of today’s liturgy: Dust you are, and to dust you will return.  The ashes, which give this day its name, have nothing to do […]

Lent–What’s with the Season Anyway?

Lent is almost here.  Yes, the days of ashes and sackcloth, fasting, and mourning are almost here.  As the ashes of Ash Wednesday remind us: “Remember that you are dust […]

Dealing with Our Spiritual Bullies

In this study, we find the spiritual and physical are not as separated as many of us assume.  So it comes as no surprise that God uses physical aspects in […]