Blog:FOREST LAKE TALKS

Years ago, someone asked me if a time came when I was to be tried on the charge of being a Christian, did I think that there would be enough evidence to convict me? From time to time, I have thought about that challenge. With all my heart, I believe:

• That I know that God IS LOVE because I know Jesus
• That the Love of God changes me, over time and as I surrender my will to God’s Will.
• That God’s work in me changes how I spend my time, my energy, my money, my
attention and my influence.

Our faith is political, although not partisan. So, the question of Lent is “are we working with God or against God as God works to change us and the world?” What is it about our lives that looks, sounds and acts like Jesus Christ?! As always, the creative, thoughtful and smart staff that I work with spent a lot of time working on how to invite us all to observe the Christian season of Lent. And this Lenten Season we have chosen the theme of Core Behaviors. How does our faith change our behavior? And if someone evaluated how we live, spend our money, time and influence would they see in us the love of God?

This Lenten Season, I invite you to consider what Core Behaviors you believe a follower of Jesus should embody, and to double down on your efforts to embody those attributes. Pick a couple for intentional practice over the next six weeks. Ed and I have chosen a few to focus on in worship during Lent. But there are so many more that deserve close attention. Ed Black and Ruth Roberts will be leading a discussion during Faith Formation on Rev. Desmond Tutu’s book, The Book of Forgiving. I entreat you to pick some faith practices to focus on throughout the season of Lent.

Quaker author, Richard Foster, once wrote: “Mother Teresa of Calcutta said, ‘Pray for me that I might not loosen my grip on the hands of Jesus even under the guise of serving the poor.’ That is our first task: to grip the hands of Jesus with such tenacity that we are obliged to follow his lead, to seek first his Kingdom. The [next] step is so simple I am almost embarrassed to mention it, and yet it is so important that I must. Begin now to obey him in every way you can.” From Freedom of Simplicity by Richard J. Foster.

Come and follow Jesus with us.

See you in worship.
Ellen F. Skidmore