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1 The Season of Lent

2 WELCOME to Remember the 3 R s of school: Reading, Riting and Rithmetic? We may not be in school anymore, but we are still students of our Master Teacher, Jesus, especially during Lent. The lessons he has to teach us are many, but to help us narrow it down a bit, think of the 3 R s of Lent s lesson plan: Repent: Lent is a time for us to turn around, to focus on confessing our sins to God and to receive forgiveness. Remember: Our time in Lent is spent reviewing the story of our Savior Jesus, recalling the many steps he took on our behalf on the way to Jerusalem to suffer and die on the cross for us. Reflect: We spend time during Lent meditating on the meaning behind the events of Christ s last days on earth, knowing all along that we will rejoice at his resurrection on Easter. Blessings to you as you experience Lent s 3 R s. Dr. Rich Bimler Honorary Editor Ambassador of Health, Hope and Aging rbimler@lutheranlifecommunities.org

3 Ash Wednesday Lenten Math Return to me with all your heart... rend your hearts and not your garments. Joel 2:12-13 How do we best observe Lent? Do the math. Many choose to subtract something: skip a meal, give up chocolates and forgo other pleasures to remind them of Christ s sacrifice. Others often like to add something: more worship services, or undertake a special service project. Still others choose to multiply their offerings to church and charity. Few choose the ancient tradition of dividing, especially when it comes to rending garments. All these can be fine outward disciplines to drive home the meaning of Lent. But what God desires is wholehearted repentance, returning to the ways of genuine discipleship and embracing his promise of forgiveness for Jesus sake. Lord, help us do the Lenten math with a sincere heart, and grow in our devotion to you. Amen. Practice: So what are you freely choosing to add, subtract, multiply or divide this Lenten season? Read: Joel 2:12-32 Ted Zimmerman Napa, CA

4 Thursday after Ash Wednesday Caring For Servants He arose and... went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights. 1 Kings 19:8 Fleeing for his life from Queen Jezebel, Elijah collapsed and prayed, Lord, please take me. I ve had it. Twice he was awakened from his exhaustion and given some special bread and water. In the strength of that food he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, where God gave him the task of anointing his successor, Elisha. Can you identify with Elijah? Do you ever feel you ve had it with endless trials coming your way? In your Baptism, God adopted you as his child. He cares for you. Lifting us up, we find that God opens new doors of service to those around us: perhaps caring for a spouse, encouraging a neighbor or visiting a church member. Jesus is the Bread of Life, strengthening us for the way ahead. Feed me, Lord, and strengthen me for your service. Amen. Consider: Reflect on your down times and how God brought you through them. Read: 1 Kings 19:3-9 Fred Boettcher Menomonee Falls, WI

5 Friday after Ash Wednesday See Thee More Clearly And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. Matthew 17:8 For Lent this year we remember the well-known song from Godspell, Day by Day. The first prayer request, to see thee more clearly, focuses on Jesus life, death and resurrection for us. The three disciples coming down from the Transfiguration Mount lifted up their eyes and saw no one but Jesus only. Dazzled by his glory with Moses and Elijah, now they see him alone, their Master on his way to suffering and death. They need to see him more clearly as their Savior from sin. In a muddled and confusing world with many gods or no gods, we need to see Jesus more clearly day by day through the Lenten and Easter stories so that by grace we might in faith love him more dearly. Lord, help us this Lent to see you more clearly day by day for a life of service and witness. Amen. See: Focus your eyes on Jesus only and tell someone what you see. Read: Matthew 17:1-9 Stephen J. Carter Oakville, MO

6 Saturday after Ash Wednesday Lent s Message What we see will last only a short time, but what we cannot see will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:18 Lent is a time to reflect on our earthly pilgrimage and our heavenly home. For some of us the journey has been long tiresome, troublesome and turbulent. At times we have experienced losses and difficulties and wondered about our faith. But God has always been there to comfort us. He never said that our journey would be easy. There would be trials, temptations and tribulation. But he did say that he is traveling with us to help us. He did say that he is preparing a place for us in his heavenly home. Our lives and our destiny depend not on what we do or what happens to us, but on what God has done for us in Jesus Christ his life, his cross and open tomb. That is Lent s message. Lord Jesus, draw our eyes to your cross and open tomb during these Lenten days. Amen. Time out: Make Lent count for your spiritual growth praying, meditating, worshiping and witnessing. Read: Job 23:1-10 Walter M. Schoedel Webster Groves, MO

7 Sunday, the First Week of Lent Come! Follow Me! Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12 Come, follow me, says Jesus. But my heart responds, Where to, Jesus? To the sea too deep to cross? To the mountain too steep to climb? To the enemy that scorns my friendship? To the son who needs my love but doesn t seem to want it? To the cross that has your blood on it? Yes! says Jesus. Follow me to the life that I give to those who follow me out of the darkness of this life and walk in the light of my Father in heaven. The Hebrew word that means, to be righteous, is a word that literally means to walk in the footsteps of God. Lent is that holy time in the church year when God s people prayerfully ponder and follow the path Jesus walked to the cross, the path of our salvation. Lord Jesus, teach me to walk faithfully in your footsteps all the days of my life. Amen. Help: Lead others to know they do not walk alone in this life. Read: Matthew 16:24-28 Edward Arle St. Charles, MO

8 Monday, the First Week of Lent Waiting Rooms And he said to them, My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch. Mark 14:34 When we get to a certain age, waiting rooms become a way of life. Waiting rooms in doctors offices or on surgical floors in hospitals often have an eerie feel. These are places to wait and watch. The electronic board in the surgery waiting room reports when your loved one enters surgery. It is there that you wait for the report from the doctor on the outcome of the surgery. A feeling of uncomfortable tension is in the air. Jesus told his disciples to wait in the Garden of Gethsemane while he went to pray. They did not understand what was happening. The Gospel of Mark tells us they fell asleep. Maybe it was depression, denial or despair that overtook them as they waited. What a gift we have in knowing that Jesus died and rose for us in those next three days! Lord, help us to wait faithfully for you as we anticipate your Second Coming and our resurrection. Amen. Think: Remember times in your life when you have been anxiously waiting. Read: Matthew 26-27; Mark 14 Margaret Rickers Hinchey Denver, CO

9 Tuesday, the First Week of Lent Medicine With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26 Maybe you are as I am. I have read enough descriptions that come with prescriptions, heard enough about possible side effects, seen enough about lawsuits that... I can smile. Maybe you are as I am. We have seen the comfort that is Jesus, the unconditional love of the cross, and believe the promise of heaven that is ours without human interference. We may smile (maybe not) at the efforts of this world s religions to climb the ladder of human morality to heaven. There is always a 100% breakdown when humans attempt what only God can do. We would gladly share an effective medical treat- ment. Let us tell others of this Jesus who has taken our spiritual sickness and made us whole. No disclaimers. Spirit, you are the ultimate Curegiver. Thank you. Amen. Talk: Talk with someone about physical and spiritual ailments. Read: Matthew 19:16-30 Harry Edenfield Brownstown, MI

10 Wednesday, the First Week of Lent Reflection Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful... abounding in steadfast love. Joel 2:13 As a child, I dreaded the season of Lent. Midweek services meant a hurried evening meal between farm chores and bedtime. It meant a sub-zero ride to a dark church and somber music. Bible readings told of mocking soldiers, conniving leaders and the horror of nails piercing Jesus hands and feet. Like disciples in Gethsemane, I often fell into guilty sleep during the sermon. I knew I was a sinner. But this recognition of sin s ugliness and my unworthiness also served to highlight God s amazing grace! Even as a child, I saw the enormity of Jesus love, and it filled me with wonder and peace. Cherish the Lenten season as a time of reflection, repentance and renewal! Rejoice in knowing the outcome, and share it freely: Easter victory! Lord, remind me once again of your sacrificial love and incredible grace. Amen. Reflect: Remember past Lenten experiences and their value in your faith journey. Read: Ephesians 2:1-10 Sharolyn Sander Lincoln, NE

11 The daily devotions in Hope-Full Living help to inspire seniors with the assurance that This very day, I have a body, a mind, a spirit and a message God s rejuvenating Gospel message to and through me to share with my world, my friends and my Lord. Daily Devotions for Living Life to the Fullest January February March 2017 Hope-Full Living is not just a daily devotional. It also includes suggestions for putting hope into action each and every day. As low as $6.76 per year * To subscribe, call toll-free: Outside U.S. please call Order online at: *When you order 20 or more copies. This book, along with many other for the Parish products, is available on and Edited by Rich Bimler, Mark Zimmermann and Carol Geisler. Cover image: Shutterstock by for the Parish, a division of Bayard, Inc Fencorp Drive, Fenton, MO 63026, (800) Printed in the USA. All rights reserved. HF4