Why pancakes should not have eggshell.

Cook 2 pancakes

This week sees the start of lent.

A time when we remember Jesus time in the wilderness, how he went without food, focused on His Father and has an encounter with satan.

The Lenten period starts with Shrove Tuesday (pancake day) and Ash Wednesday.

I want to start by cooking pancakes.

Cook normal pancakes. - give to someone. This is the sort of pancake that we eat on Shrove Tuesday - mmm tasty - Give to someone.

Life is like this lots of ingredients mixed together, some are wholesome, like the milk, some we just need to have to keep things together, like the flour, some elements are indulgent - I don’t need Butter and syrup, but they are nice.

Let’s make another.

Make second Pancake - Leave the egg shells in.

Offer this one. - add extra sugar and syrup.

Not so nice this one. Even if we add extra nice stuff around the edges. This is what Ash Wednesday is all about. it is a day that reminds us that for life to be better it is not only necessary to keep adding things to it. It is necessary to remove some things. If the eggshells were not in the pancake it would have been better than the first one. Our lives are like that. we keep adding stuff to it, hopefully good stuff, God blesses us adding more stuff but you know what if we don’t remove the bad - the sin, the unhealthy activities and relationships and seek and most importantly accept forgiveness our lives can become like this pancake full of great things but totally undesirable. The focus of Ash Wednesday is repentance, a time to get right with God and accept his forgiveness.

Ash Wednesday is not specifically mentioned in the Bible and It is not something we tend to focus on. it emerged in the early church, but from Biblical times, sprinkling yourself with ashes has been a mark of sorrow for sin. Several times the Bible mentions people repenting in dust and ashes; for example: Mordecai ( ), Job (), ), the inhabitants of Nineveh (), and Daniel ()

), Job (

), the inhabitants of Nineveh (

), and Daniel (

Repentance in dust and ashes often was accompanied with fasting during Bible times. It was a dramatic affair where everyone saw your suffering, your denial. This was about corporate repentance of a whole people group, it served as an example to others to repent as well. For some though especially in the time of Jesus this was more about the person than their repentance and it could be…

). Repentance in dust and ashes often was accompanied with fasting during Bible times.

A: I’ve given up Coffee

B: Well, I’ve given up Coffee and Alcohol

A: Well, that’s nothing, I’ve given up Coffee, and Alcohol and Chocolate.

B: That’s so indulgent, I’ve given up Coffee, and alcohol and Chocolate and oxygen [Holds breath, gets more and more frantic - Takes a massive gulp of air, pants and declares] Well, maybe not Oxygen.

The type of fast Jesus himself endorsed was the following, found in , "Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

The type of fast Jesus himself endorsed was the following, found in ,

Matthew 6:16–18 NIV

16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Jesus promoted a personal focus on fasting, to look to the Father and and Jesus as we repent, remembering the source of our forgiveness and salvation it through the Grace of God and not through how many days we go without a chocolate digestive

Isiah goes even further telling us helping us to understand how we should act in a fast (the context was that teh people had started to act like that little sketch. - says,

Isaiah 58:5–7 NIV

5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? 6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Isaiah 58:5–7 NIV

5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? 6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Jesus is calling us, His followers to avoid making a show when fasting, but rather to help those in need. He is calling each of us to think externally in avenues of service, instead of only thinking internally toward ourselves. The point of that matter is this; Jesus is interested in the condition of the heart and not merely external appearances or show. As you think about your life, repentance, and fasting where is your heart? Are you others focused or self focused? Do you desire to have true repentance and fasting as mentioned in (especially verses 10-13, 17),

Psalm 51:10–19 NIV

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. 14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. 15 Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. 18 May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Are or are your Lent actions merely based on outward tradition? It’s that time of year again to fast, maybe lose a pound or two before we get to eat all that lovely chocolate at Easter to put it on again.

Fasting - Giving up on something impacts on us a little. We may be hungry, we may loose the story line in Coronation Street for a week or two but you can soon pick it up again

Psalm 51 NIV

For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. 1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. 5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. 6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place. 7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. 14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. 15 Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. 18 May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

True fasting impacts on us a little physically, but has a massive impact on us spiritually and has the potential to impact on others.

Even the smallest act of kindness that we do in the name of Christ has the potential to be the seed that grows in something life changing - I never thought that I would quote Spike Milligan in a service but here goes.

Smiling is infectious, you catch it like the flu, When someone smiled at me today, I started smiling too.

I passed around the corner and someone saw my grin. When he smiled I realized I'd passed it on to him.

I thought about that smile, then I realized its worth. A single smile, just like mine could travel round the earth.

So, if you feel a smile begin, don't leave it undetected. Let's start an epidemic quick, and get the world infected!

I bet each of you have experienced this at some point I know I have when I have passed someone in the street or in Tesco with a beaming smile, within moments I am smiling too. If this happens with a simple smile (and I encourage you to do that) how much more can God use the little things we do to bring about Salvation, and restoration of the people we meet and interact with. -

Bridge picture

A Tameside woman - who has struggled with suicidal thoughts - is trying to help people in the same position she was in, with a few words of kindness.

Lisa Barnes has launched 'Bridge the Gap', a campaign to decorate bridges around Greater Manchester with handwritten messages of hope and support.

She started her campaign on the same bridge in Hyde where she found herself a year ago, after battling depression and suicidal thoughts.

We are God’s Ambassadors here in this village, in our schools, workplaces, coffee shops. We are the little messages of ‘Good news’ in peoples lives. We ‘the church’ is the hope for the nations, we are God’s rescue plan.

We are Gods Ambassadors here in this village, in our schools, workplaces, coffee shops. We are the little messages of ‘Good news’ in peoples lives. We ‘the church’ is the hope for the nations, we are God’s rescue plan.

tells us.

2 Corinthians 5:20b–6:2 NIV

20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 1 As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

As mentioned before, the Bible directly talks about repentance and fasting, but doesn’t mention Ash Wednesday specifically. Therefore, Christians are under no obligation to celebrate the holiday. The important fact to remember is that Christians should be ready and willing to repent, fast, and focus on God throughout the year and not just during the Lenten season.

What are the small things we can do that will have a impact - what signs can we paint in peoples lives that are the sign they are loved, appreciated, accepted - that they have a life that is worth living?

40acts.org.uk

This is what our Fasting during the lent period (and anytime really should be)

We do it joyfully, willingly.

Those of you who came on Wednesday heard Bob Goff talking about how he gives up something every Thursday to replace it with something better. What an idea, give up something to focus on God or on what God has commissioned us to do every week, not just in lent. Some things he gives up just for the week, others remain given up and replaced forever. What a great way to look at lent. Not as a time to miss out but at time to explore and to grow as we seek God and recognise that he is the source of our forgiveness and salvation.

We seek God and recognise that he is the source of our forgivness and salvation.

We replace what we give up with something better, something that makes us an ambassador for Christ, something that brings hope to people around us.

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Gods Ambassedors!

2 Corinthians 5:20b–6:10 NIV

20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 1 As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. 3 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

The Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard once sought to describe the incarnation of God in Christ. He used this simple illustrative story: A certain king was very rich. His power was known throughout the world. But he was most unhappy, for he desired a wife. Without a queen, the vast palace was empty.

A certain king was very rich. His power was known throughout the world. But he was most unhappy, for he desired a wife. Without a queen, the vast palace was empty.

One day, while riding through the streets of a small village, he saw a beautiful peasant girl. So lovely was she that the heart of the king was won. He wanted her more than anything he had ever desired. On succeeding days, he would ride by her house on the mere hope of seeing her for a moment in passing. He wondered how he might win her love. He thought, I will draw up a royal decree and require her to be brought before me to become the queen of my land. But, as he considered, he realized that she was a subject and would be forced to obey. He could never be certain that he had won her love.

Then, he said to himself, “I shall call on her in person. I will dress in my finest royal garb, wear my diamond rings, my silver sword, my shiny black boots, and my most colorful tunic. I will overwhelm her and sweep her off her feet to become my bride.” But, as he pondered the idea, he knew that he would always wonder whether she had married him for the riches and power he could give her.

Then, he decided to dress as a peasant, drive to the town, and have his carriage let him off. In disguise, he would approach her house. But, somehow the duplicity of this plan did not appeal to him. At last, he knew what he must do. He would shed his royal robes. He would go to the village and become one of the peasants. He would work and suffer with them. He would actually become a peasant. This he did. And he won his wife.

So did God consider how He might win humankind. God in Christ became one of us. He took upon Him the form of human flesh to dwell among us. Paul says, “God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself.”

As Christs Ambassadors what can we do

Transition

This evening it is my greatest desire that we will be reminded of persuade toward an ever deepening and constant acceptance that today is the day of the salvation; that the reconciliation which Christ has made available between God and man is for today, for now, for all areas of life. The Easter story is about reconciliation.

Exposition

Today is the day of salvation because God, right now, extends to us forgiveness and compels us to embrace that forgiveness for the renovation of our own souls, just as He compels us to share that forgiveness to others for our and their benefit.

Reconciliation is the reciprocal matter of receiving and sharing the overwhelming grace of God in and through our lives; being united with God though faith, according to the sacrifice of Christ, according to God’s grace, and then living a lifestyle of reconciliation; very often through personal sacrifice in identification with our savior.

Reconciliation is not easy. We were reconciled with God through the death of His Son. We are often reconciled with one another through great personal sacrifice. Pope Paul vi said it very well when he stated that “Reconciliation is not weakness or cowardice. It demands courage, nobility, generosity, sometimes heroism, an overcoming of oneself rather than of one’s adversary.”

Very often the wall separating me from reconciliation with someone else is personal pride, personal pain, and or personal sin. Reconciliation is not easy but it is necessary if we are to have the peace of God in our lives.

In order to have peace with God we must be reconciled through Christ, as we accept the free offer of salvation by faith, as we are covered by His blood, washed continually clean and forgiven; reconciled with God our creator.

In order to have peace with others we must then be ambassadors of that very grace with which we have been washed. It’s not enough to stand under the waterfall of grace. It’s not enough to be cleansed.

The cleansing waters of grace cleanse us most thoroughly when we are not stagnant receptacles, but life giving conduits. “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” ( NIV)

This is the plainest definition of what the Cross of Christ is all about.

We focus on repenting of our sins and the source of our salvation and bringing this message of hope and salvation to others as Jesus did.

Jesus, who knew no sin, was sent of God, identified with sin, in order to atone for it, so that you and I might be reconciled to God; that is, restored to our right and intended family relationship as the children of God. It’s that simple.

Jesus died in order to satisfy the wrath of God incurred by human sin. God is just and cannot look upon sin, so He provided the means for atonement, forgiveness for sin. It would have been completely unjust for God, who is holy, to ignore human sin, so, in infinite grace, He provided His own Son as a holy sacrifice, sufficient to give an account for sin.

The depth of the mystery of grace is incomprehensible though, lest we see it through the eyes of faith. So reckless and relentless is the love of God for His creation, so deep His willingness to sacrifice for us to be reconciled, that it can only be known by those who have been reconciled!

The Cross is folly to the world. The sacrifice meaningless to the world:

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate." Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” ( NIV)

Today is the day of salvation. Truth has come. The wisdom of God has been revealed and the foolishness of this world put on display. And for those who have seen the sacrifice of Christ through the eyes of faith, the beauty of grace has descended into human flesh in Christ and into human hearts in us.

“… Having nothing, and yet possessing everything.” ( NIV) In Christ we, who were once lost in darkness have found our way. In Christ, we who were once spiritually poor have gained the riches of God as His adopted children!

Conclusion

Today is the day of reconciliation. Today is the day of salvation. The season of Easter is grand in that we look forward to the resurrection of our Lord. But far be it for us to neglect matters of sin and repentance; these are among the greatest treasures and most sacred of biblical truths.

“Sin is the best news there is … Because with sin, there’s a way out … You can’t repent of confusion or psychological flaws inflicted by your parents—you’re stuck with them. But you can repent of sin. Sin and repentance are the only grounds for hope and joy, the grounds for reconciled, joyful relationships.” – John Alexander in The Other Side, Leadership, Vol. 21, no. 3.

As you depart the sanctuary this evening, go in the fulness of the reality that in Christ, no matter what we do or do not possess in this life, we possess all things!

Amen.

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What implications does Jesus’ death on the Cross have for my lifestyle

In the 4th century AD in Korea a man had two sons.

The elder rose to become Chief Justice in the land and the younger became an infamous bandit.

The elder brother loved his younger brother but was unable to persuade him to change his ways.

Eventually the younger son was caught and brought to Court before his brother, the Chief Justice.

Everyone in the courtroom thought it would be a stitch up and that the younger brother would get off - because it was well known that the Chief Justice loved his younger brother.

But at then end of the trial, the Chief Justice sentenced his brother to the mandatory sentence for murder - death.

People gasped in the courtroom

On the day of the execution, the elder brother came to the prison and said to his brother “Let’s swap places”.

The younger brother agreed - thinking that once they realised that it was the elder brother, the execution would not go forward.

So he went up on the hill overlooking the prison to watch proceedings.

If we are serious in our Fasting and we have a heart to see the people around us impacted by God. Then we need to recognise our Salvation and our place in Gods family. Some people would say we need to be Secure but do you know what, I think that is a barrier to us fulfilling the call of God on our lives.

His brother was brought out at dawn and to his horror executed.

Filled with remorse, the younger brother ran down the hill. Hehammered on the gates of the prison, told the guards his name and that he was the criminal who should have been executed.

The guards however replied:

“There is no sentence outstanding on anyone with that name”

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent when we prepare for the Church’s most important festival – Easter

It is a time for reflection and prayer

And I was intrigued by the epistle reading set for today: .

In it, Paul tells us that - in the same way as there was no longer any sentence outstanding against the younger brother – so it is with us.

In God’s sight - because to the death of Jesus, there is no sentence outstanding. As St Paul puts it so succtinctly:

21God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

But St Paul tells us that there is a responsibility to being a Christian.

The key to the Christian lifestyle can be found in a short verse in : verse 20, where Paul writes:

I am told I am in God’s family. I can read I am a new creation, my security is in the word of God, I recognise it there. My security does not need to be in my mind. If you wait for the day you are secure in my faith through my understanding, free of doubt and without questions you will never be an Ambassador of God. Each of us have to base this on Gods word.

20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Story: There is an ancient legend about Jesus’ ascension into heaven.

He is met by the angel Gabriel who asks him, "Now that your work is finished, what plans have you made to insure that the truth that you brought to earth will spread throughout the world?"

Jesus answered, "I have called some fishermen and tax-collectors to walk along with me as I did my Father’s will."

A certain king was very rich. His power was known throughout the world. But he was most unhappy, for he desired a wife. Without a queen, the vast palace was empty.

"Yes, I know about them," said Gabriel, "but what other plans have you made? "

Jesus replied, "I taught Peter, James and John about the kingdom of God; I taught Thomas about faith; and all of them were with me as I healed and preached to the multitudes."

One day, while riding through the streets of a small village, he saw a beautiful peasant girl. So lovely was she that the heart of the king was won. He wanted her more than anything he had ever desired. On succeeding days, he would ride by her house on the mere hope of seeing her for a moment in passing. He wondered how he might win her love. He thought, I will draw up a royal decree and require her to be brought before me to become the queen of my land. But, as he considered, he realized that she was a subject and would be forced to obey. He could never be certain that he had won her love.

Gabriel replied. "But you know how unreliable that lot was. Surely you must have other plans to make sure your work was not in vain."

Jesus quietly replied to Gabriel "I have no other plans. I am depending on them!! "

Then, he said to himself, “I shall call on her in person. I will dress in my finest royal garb, wear my diamond rings, my silver sword, my shiny black boots, and my most colorful tunic. I will overwhelm her and sweep her off her feet to become my bride.” But, as he pondered the idea, he knew that he would always wonder whether she had married him for the riches and power he could give her.

If we receive the gift of God which is the consequence of Good Friday and Easter Sunday for ourselves – we will be changed people. St Paul put it like this:

17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Then, he decided to dress as a peasant, drive to the town, and have his carriage let him off. In disguise, he would approach her house. But, somehow the duplicity of this plan did not appeal to him. At last, he knew what he must do. He would shed his royal robes. He would go to the village and become one of the peasants. He would work and suffer with them. He would actually become a peasant. This he did. And he won his wife.

( )

We are called to promote the Kingdom of God.

Every Christian has a ministry

So did God consider how He might win humankind. God in Christ became one of us. He took upon Him the form of human flesh to dwell among us. Paul says, “God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself.”

Sometimes, like Paul we are called to minister and there was a cost to it.

St Paul had to endure much:

As Christs Ambassadors what can we do

In we read some of the hardships Paul went through for the Gospel – so that you and me can sit here in church today – worshipping God. Paul writes:

I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.

Transition

24Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.

25Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea,

This evening it is my greatest desire that we will be reminded of persuade toward an ever deepening and constant acceptance that today is the day of the salvation; that the reconciliation which Christ has made available between God and man is for today, for now, for all areas of life. The Easter story is about reconciliation.

26I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers.

27I have laboured and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.

The consequence of the Gospel is costly

It cost Jesus his life on the Cross

Ten of the 11 apostles died proclaiming the Good News of Jesus throughout the world – only St John dying in his own bed in old age.

St Paul himself was executed by the Romans by being beheaded. - Am I selling this life to you?

And we are here today because of the faithfulness of these apostles – because they didn’t count their own comfort as more important than proclaiming the Good News of Jesus to the nations. Each of us is here today because someone took the risk to live life with us, show us love, speak to us about hope or more. They took the risk to bring us to God to repent and accept his forgiveness to receive his, love his restoration his freedom because by your very existence God says you are worth all of those things in Jesus.

May I leave you with a thought for Ash Wednesday and Lent?

What do you need to get right with God this week. You don’t have to wait until Wednesday?

If I you are new creation in Christ – what implications does that have for the way you live? Not just my life in Church but also outside it too.

Not just my life in Church but also outside it too.

If we accept the Security of Christ

This lent Fast joyfully, willingly, discreetly

Seek God and recognise that he is the source of our forgiveness and salvation.

Replace what we give up with something better, something that makes us an ambassador for Christ, something that brings hope to people around us. Live life with your neighbours, bring hope - at the very least Smile.

Last thought - anyone want this pancake? No! That’s right pancakes are best without eggshell and life is best without guilt and sin. Take a moment to get right with God- Don’t wait for Wednesday.

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There is a war raging; and as this war rages people, families and structures are seriously damaged. People are being shot at, grenades being launched. For those who survive there are deep wounds that need attention; and the physical battles being waged in Libya right now might help us to consider the most important of all conflicts – the war that goes on in the hearts and minds of every human being.

Writing to believers James asks, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you” (4:1)?

Let’s be clear. There are righteous, good desires such as the desire for justice, the desire to become more like Jesus, and the desire to do the right thing; but there are so many sinful, evil, wrong desires – and wrong desire can be boiled down to the desire for more; and that might be more money, more pleasure, more fame, more territory or more possessions. When we covet something that is not ours then the desire is wrong; and there is a war raging in each one of us because of our wrong desires.

In the early 1900’s a question was raised in The Times newspaper, “What is wrong with the world?” One writer sent in the following response: “Dear Sir, I am; yours faithfully, G.K. Chesterton.

I have lost count of the number of times that I have been in full agreement with St. Paul when he wrote, “I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do.”

“No, the evil I do not want to do – this I keep on doing” ().

Paul’s solution is that “there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (). He says that “the mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace” ().

The solution offered by James in tonight’s Bible reading is this: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you” (4:7-8).

My friends we are in a battle. There is a battle waging for our own hearts and minds. There is a battle raging for the hearts and minds of people we love, and there’s a battle raging within the Church – the body of believers. There is a battle and we are not told to just throw our hands in the air and admit defeat or think we can never be changed. No. We are called to act!

We actually have to do something ourselves. We can’t simply blame our circumstances or our weaknesses or the temptation served up by others. James, the brother of Jesus asks us to submit to God, flee the devil, and come near or draw near to God. He is the only one who can cleanse us, forgive us, renew us, and change us, but we do need to submit to God, to flee the devil, and to draw near to God.

Instead of trying to avoid or run away from the things, the desires, and the sins that trip us up, I believe we need to confront them head on. That may mean spending time with a Christian friend talking and praying. It will certainly mean honesty with God and will require honesty with ourselves and those we love.

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Why pancakes should not have eggshell.

Pancakes

Why Ash Wednesday

Fasting is not just giving up something

It is about us and God, and us and others.

Small things have big impacts.

Should Christians Celebrate Ash Wednesday?

What Fasting is

Don’t wait until you are perfect before you start

Ending