Considering the Rescue: Logistics of Lent, Part 2

A Wall Street broker, a party girl, a student, a homeless man, an addict, a teenage mom, a drug enforcer—all of them spiraling out of control. Each has a reason to despair and a wound that won’t heal. Until something unexpected happens—something that will change their lives forever. The Rescue tells the powerful, true stories of men and women whose lives should have ended badly but didn’t. What happens to each of them will take you by surprise and give you hope. It will restore your sense that no matter what you are facing, Someone good is in control of the universe. Fortunately, that Someone cares about you. If you or people you care about are facing challenges beyond their strength, it may be time to experience The Rescue.
- On the first day of Lent, some Christians mark their foreheads with ashes. This symbolizes sorrow, mourning and repentance for one’s sin. This action stems from the example set forth in Job 42.
- Some Christians attend churches that hold special worship services or rearrange their regular worship services in such a way that they focus specifically on mankind’s need for repentance. This may take the form of extra Scripture readings, prayer and – in contemporary worship environments – plays that engage member participation.
- There is also the individual activity of choosing to give up a habit or behavior during Lent as an exercise in prayerful self-denial. These can range from something as simple as withdrawing from social media to a complicated but medically well-organized plan of fasting.
- Special Lent-driven devotional activities – personal or corporate – like daily Scripture reading, prayer targeted toward a specific person or topic, or volunteer work in within one’s own community – are also popular observances for the season.
I couldn’t believe it. My Bible [the Old Testament] was talking about Jesus. As I read from the Hebrew Scriptures, a clear picture of Jesus began to emerge. Everything [she and her friend] had talked about came together, and I realized that Jesus is the Messiah the Jewish people have always been waiting for (page 86, brackets mine).
No Comments