I have a question for you.
How many days in Lent?
If you answered "40", huh-uh. There are 46!
"Are you kiddin' me?" you may be asking.
Would I do that? Of course not!
OK. Let's do the math and you can figure it out for yourself. But let's do it backwards -- it's easier that way.
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday and ends the day before Easter. This year Easter falls on April 12th. Take the preceding 11 days of April, add the 31 days of March and you come up with 42. Ash Wednesday was on Feb. 25th, so add the last four days of February and you have 46 days!
What a predicament, especially when you always thought Lent was 40 days. Is there an explanation for this seeming discrepancy? Yes, there is.
Christ's disciples, being Jewish, observed the Sabbath (our Saturday) as their day of worship and rest, because Genesis tells us that God rested on the seventh day. Christ, however, rose from the dead on Sunday, the first day of the week. So the early Christians (including the original disciples) viewed the Resurrection as a new era and transferred the sabbath from Saturday to Sunday.
Early Christians, however, considered Sunday, the Lord's Day, to be a day of celebration, not fasting, and Lent is primarily a time of fasting and prayer. So Sundays were not included in the count when the Church expanded the period of fasting and prayer in preparation for Easter from a few days, originally, to 40 days.
(Forty days, incidentally, was a reminder of the forty days Christ fasted in the desert prior to beginning his public ministry.)
Consequently, to get a forty-day count for Lent, one must include six weeks of six days each for fasting and prayer (that's 36 days), plus Ash Wednesday and the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday following. Add those 4 days to the 36 and you have the 40 days of Lent -- excluding the six Sundays.
More later. After all, we have 6 extra days to explore the subject of Lent more fully.
Preacher's Kid
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
DUST AND ASHES
Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. I've never paid much attention to Ash Wednesday and never observed it, as I felt it was not a Christian practice and had its origins in heathen culture. However, since I was asked by my church to participate in an Ash Wednesday ceremony this year, I thought maybe I should delve a little further into what Ash Wednesday was all about. I did, and I haven't changed my mind. I just cannot bring myself to participate in the custom.
First of all, Ash Wednesday is not in the Bible. It is of pagan origin and was first admitted into the Catholic church a few hundred years after the time of Christ.
Sprinkling oneself with ashes has always been a mark of sorrow even in Biblical times. It symbolizes deep grief and repentance before God. But those who observe Ash Wednesday add a second meaning to this observance: that of the need to prepare for a holy death. For the person marking the forehead of another with ashes quotes Genesis 3:19: "(D)ust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return." No where in Scripture are we commanded to follow such a procedure.
And how many people put their faith in this practice for forgiveness of sins instead of the shed blood of Christ? This is a man-made tradition. Read Matthew 15:7-9 and note how it speaks about those who make the commandments of men the same as doctrines of God.
Have you ever wondered why the forehead is chosen for ashes? Why not the right ankle, or the left knee? The only Biblical reference about men marking their foreheads (other than the Pharisaical tradition with phylacteries) concerns the mark of the Beast in Revelation. Hindu women often have a mark on their foreheads between their eyes, also made with ashes. As far as similarity goes, Ash Wednesday could very well have originated in Hinduism.
Many faithful adherents of Ash Wednesday fast, or at least abstain from meats on that day. This is in contadiction of Matthew 6:16-18 which tells us not to disfigure our faces when we fast. (Read it for yourself. It's too lengthy to include here. Also read I Timothy 4:1-3 which speaks of the practice of abstaining from certain foods as the doctrine of devils.)
Romans 12:1-2, as well as many other Scriptures, cautions us not to be conformed to this world.
Do I condemn you if you observe Ash Wednesday? No, I don't. Each person must decide for himself what he should do. I'm simply saying I do not wish to go around all day sporting ashes on my forehead. If I did, how could I snuggle my cat without getting him all dirty??? He wouldn't like that one bit!!!
More tomorrow!
Preacher's Kid
P.S. I wonder how many people display the ashes as a mark of sorrow? Could it be pride? And does this practice result in changed lives? As born-again Christians, shouldn't we be examining our lives on a daily basis? Just thinking out loud, as usual.
First of all, Ash Wednesday is not in the Bible. It is of pagan origin and was first admitted into the Catholic church a few hundred years after the time of Christ.
Sprinkling oneself with ashes has always been a mark of sorrow even in Biblical times. It symbolizes deep grief and repentance before God. But those who observe Ash Wednesday add a second meaning to this observance: that of the need to prepare for a holy death. For the person marking the forehead of another with ashes quotes Genesis 3:19: "(D)ust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return." No where in Scripture are we commanded to follow such a procedure.
And how many people put their faith in this practice for forgiveness of sins instead of the shed blood of Christ? This is a man-made tradition. Read Matthew 15:7-9 and note how it speaks about those who make the commandments of men the same as doctrines of God.
Have you ever wondered why the forehead is chosen for ashes? Why not the right ankle, or the left knee? The only Biblical reference about men marking their foreheads (other than the Pharisaical tradition with phylacteries) concerns the mark of the Beast in Revelation. Hindu women often have a mark on their foreheads between their eyes, also made with ashes. As far as similarity goes, Ash Wednesday could very well have originated in Hinduism.
Many faithful adherents of Ash Wednesday fast, or at least abstain from meats on that day. This is in contadiction of Matthew 6:16-18 which tells us not to disfigure our faces when we fast. (Read it for yourself. It's too lengthy to include here. Also read I Timothy 4:1-3 which speaks of the practice of abstaining from certain foods as the doctrine of devils.)
Romans 12:1-2, as well as many other Scriptures, cautions us not to be conformed to this world.
Do I condemn you if you observe Ash Wednesday? No, I don't. Each person must decide for himself what he should do. I'm simply saying I do not wish to go around all day sporting ashes on my forehead. If I did, how could I snuggle my cat without getting him all dirty??? He wouldn't like that one bit!!!
More tomorrow!
Preacher's Kid
P.S. I wonder how many people display the ashes as a mark of sorrow? Could it be pride? And does this practice result in changed lives? As born-again Christians, shouldn't we be examining our lives on a daily basis? Just thinking out loud, as usual.
Monday, February 23, 2009
WORTHY VS DESERVING
We had visitors in our Sunday School class yesterday. That's the only reason I didn't get on my soap box! Although I opened my mouth at one point, I only managed a miniscule squeak before someone cut me off. I figured that was the Lord's way of nudging me to shut up and shut up now! (Hey, did I ever tell you why I like my dentists, no matter who they are? They're the only people who ever tell me I have a small mouth!!!)
But back to yesterday's Sunday School class. At one point the teacher said he wasn't worthy of the Lord's blessing. That's when I gave an unheard squeak. But it was cut short by one of our visitors (a minister, no less) who agreed. And that's when my husband clamped his hand over my mouth -- almost, anyhow! Suddenly class was over. Saved by the bell, I thought. But my mind has been tumbling nonstop ever since!
Had I said what I wanted, I'm afraid it would have been a "slap in the face" for both teacher and visitor! For I wanted to scream out loud and clear, "It's a slap in God's face to say you are unworthy of His love, His blessings, or anything else He wants to bestow upon you!"
"Undeserving," yes. But "unworthy?" no! A thousand times NO!
We're made in the image of God. Genesis 1:26 states, "And God said, let us make man after our image, in our likeness." Did God make something unworthy? Unthinkable. How can you face God and say, "You made me unworthy?"
Undeserving, yes. But unworthy? Never! Think about it. There's a big difference. However undeserving I may be, God has made me worthy, for I'm made in His wonderful, marelous image! Not only that, but II Cor. 5:17 says "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." Aha! That makes me God's daughter!!! Surely that makes me worthy!!!
So as a new Creation,I'm worthy even though I'm undeserving!
Preacher's Kid
But back to yesterday's Sunday School class. At one point the teacher said he wasn't worthy of the Lord's blessing. That's when I gave an unheard squeak. But it was cut short by one of our visitors (a minister, no less) who agreed. And that's when my husband clamped his hand over my mouth -- almost, anyhow! Suddenly class was over. Saved by the bell, I thought. But my mind has been tumbling nonstop ever since!
Had I said what I wanted, I'm afraid it would have been a "slap in the face" for both teacher and visitor! For I wanted to scream out loud and clear, "It's a slap in God's face to say you are unworthy of His love, His blessings, or anything else He wants to bestow upon you!"
"Undeserving," yes. But "unworthy?" no! A thousand times NO!
We're made in the image of God. Genesis 1:26 states, "And God said, let us make man after our image, in our likeness." Did God make something unworthy? Unthinkable. How can you face God and say, "You made me unworthy?"
Undeserving, yes. But unworthy? Never! Think about it. There's a big difference. However undeserving I may be, God has made me worthy, for I'm made in His wonderful, marelous image! Not only that, but II Cor. 5:17 says "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." Aha! That makes me God's daughter!!! Surely that makes me worthy!!!
So as a new Creation,I'm worthy even though I'm undeserving!
Preacher's Kid
Saturday, February 21, 2009
GOD HELPS THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES
Long time no see. Three weeks to be exact.
My excuse? It's just too far to walk the few steps from my La-Z-Boy recliner to my PC! (Most of you know I suffer from severe osteoarthritis and spinal lumbar stenosis.)
I'm praying for Divine healing, of course; but it finally got through my dense gray matter that "God helps those who help themselves!" I know that's not Scripture -- but don't you think it should be???
Eugene, an older gentleman from church who also suffers from physical problems, strongly believes in Divine healing and tells how God led him to follow some simple common-sense practices. One was to chew each bite of food thirty times before swallowing. Betcha mealtime conversation between him and wifey is sparse if he does all that counting! Then he felt he should drink 64-oz. water daily. Wow! Know how much that is? Eight 8-oz. glasses! Daily? I'd need to move my living quarters to the bathroom if I did that! But within a short time, Gene said his digestive problems disappeared!
"'Spose the Lord really DID tell him that?" I wondered. "Guess there's only one way to find out." Secretly I figured I'd prove him wrong and asked the Lord if there was anything I could do to help the healing process in my own life. "Chew your food more thoroughly," was impressed upon my mind loud and clear! At least the thought didn't contain the phrase "thirty times per bite." Of course, when I finish cooking steak, EVERYONE has to chew much MORE than thirty times to be able to swallow it! At least that saves me from counting!
"Drink more water," came another thought. Again I didn't hear anything about 64 ounces, thank goodness! But I'm trying. My physical therapist says I need to drink all the water I can as it helps lubricate the cartilage in my knees.
Hot on the heels of those two instructions came "And don't forget to eliminate salt." I almost gagged on that one. But know what? For two weeks I haven't used salt either in cooking or at the table -- for the most part, anyhow. (I did have to use a little on my pork chops the other evening, and so did my husband who NEVER uses salt, but it wasn't much.) And know what? My doctor was thrilled with how low my blood pressure was the other day!
But the worst was yet to come. Just two words, but oh, how my heart pummeled to the soles of my feet when I heard, "LOSE WEIGHT!" "No," my brain screamed. "I can't."
"How?" I flung back at the Lord. "I've tried unsuccessfully for years, and it's just no use."
I really didn't expect an answer, but the Lord knew I desperately needed one! "As late as you get up in the mornings," He seemed to say, "why not try eating two meals a day? That's what people did in Bible times." Hmmm, not bad, I thought, specially since I often don't eat breakfast until 11:30 am or 12:00 noon.
"Your breakfasts are well balanced," He continued, "with toast, cheese, a boiled egg and 1/2 banana." (Or was that the doctor who confirmed that?)
Did I dare ask God about my evening meal? I decided to chance it. "Chef salad, lots of it," came the answer. I'm talking about a small mixing bowl full, too, a mixing bowl that has anywhere up to sixteen different veggies and stuff in it including meat,a boiled egg, and sunflower seeds.
Before you chide me with YOUR ideas of a proper diet, let me say that my doctor approves of what I'm doing. Why? Because my heartburn has stopped and I don't need Prilosec any longer and also because I've lost ten pounds in just under two weeks!
No, I don't get hungry eating this way. I even sneak in a teensy-weensy piece of chocolate once in a while, too. (I've always been a chocoholic.) Now I'm able to walk more which means I can get back to more regular blogging!
Preacher's Kid
P.S. My research reveals that for every pound a person weighs, it's the same as five pounds every time the knees move. So if I'm fifty pounds overweight, that's 250 pounds extra per knee for every step I take! No wonder I can move more easily. Ten (my weight loss) times five equals fifty pounds less per step per knee! That sure makes walking a litttle easier!!
Hey, think YOU need to lose weight????? (Couldn't resist.)
My excuse? It's just too far to walk the few steps from my La-Z-Boy recliner to my PC! (Most of you know I suffer from severe osteoarthritis and spinal lumbar stenosis.)
I'm praying for Divine healing, of course; but it finally got through my dense gray matter that "God helps those who help themselves!" I know that's not Scripture -- but don't you think it should be???
Eugene, an older gentleman from church who also suffers from physical problems, strongly believes in Divine healing and tells how God led him to follow some simple common-sense practices. One was to chew each bite of food thirty times before swallowing. Betcha mealtime conversation between him and wifey is sparse if he does all that counting! Then he felt he should drink 64-oz. water daily. Wow! Know how much that is? Eight 8-oz. glasses! Daily? I'd need to move my living quarters to the bathroom if I did that! But within a short time, Gene said his digestive problems disappeared!
"'Spose the Lord really DID tell him that?" I wondered. "Guess there's only one way to find out." Secretly I figured I'd prove him wrong and asked the Lord if there was anything I could do to help the healing process in my own life. "Chew your food more thoroughly," was impressed upon my mind loud and clear! At least the thought didn't contain the phrase "thirty times per bite." Of course, when I finish cooking steak, EVERYONE has to chew much MORE than thirty times to be able to swallow it! At least that saves me from counting!
"Drink more water," came another thought. Again I didn't hear anything about 64 ounces, thank goodness! But I'm trying. My physical therapist says I need to drink all the water I can as it helps lubricate the cartilage in my knees.
Hot on the heels of those two instructions came "And don't forget to eliminate salt." I almost gagged on that one. But know what? For two weeks I haven't used salt either in cooking or at the table -- for the most part, anyhow. (I did have to use a little on my pork chops the other evening, and so did my husband who NEVER uses salt, but it wasn't much.) And know what? My doctor was thrilled with how low my blood pressure was the other day!
But the worst was yet to come. Just two words, but oh, how my heart pummeled to the soles of my feet when I heard, "LOSE WEIGHT!" "No," my brain screamed. "I can't."
"How?" I flung back at the Lord. "I've tried unsuccessfully for years, and it's just no use."
I really didn't expect an answer, but the Lord knew I desperately needed one! "As late as you get up in the mornings," He seemed to say, "why not try eating two meals a day? That's what people did in Bible times." Hmmm, not bad, I thought, specially since I often don't eat breakfast until 11:30 am or 12:00 noon.
"Your breakfasts are well balanced," He continued, "with toast, cheese, a boiled egg and 1/2 banana." (Or was that the doctor who confirmed that?)
Did I dare ask God about my evening meal? I decided to chance it. "Chef salad, lots of it," came the answer. I'm talking about a small mixing bowl full, too, a mixing bowl that has anywhere up to sixteen different veggies and stuff in it including meat,a boiled egg, and sunflower seeds.
Before you chide me with YOUR ideas of a proper diet, let me say that my doctor approves of what I'm doing. Why? Because my heartburn has stopped and I don't need Prilosec any longer and also because I've lost ten pounds in just under two weeks!
No, I don't get hungry eating this way. I even sneak in a teensy-weensy piece of chocolate once in a while, too. (I've always been a chocoholic.) Now I'm able to walk more which means I can get back to more regular blogging!
Preacher's Kid
P.S. My research reveals that for every pound a person weighs, it's the same as five pounds every time the knees move. So if I'm fifty pounds overweight, that's 250 pounds extra per knee for every step I take! No wonder I can move more easily. Ten (my weight loss) times five equals fifty pounds less per step per knee! That sure makes walking a litttle easier!!
Hey, think YOU need to lose weight????? (Couldn't resist.)
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