Glad You Asked: my column from a current church newsletter

I’ve been asked if I’d mind sharing my Belleville (IL) Union UMC monthly newsletter column here.
Glad you asked!
Here’s the salient parts that might be of interest for all from what dropped Thursday —–

Visitation and Other Good Stuff

March 14, 2024

As We Move on Through Lent: Let’s continue some of our Lenten disciplines. Here are three fabulous ideas from our denominational website —

Apologize to someone. Lent is a season of repentance. Most often we think of asking God for forgiveness from our sin, but that is only half of the story.

Most sins include hurting others, which mattered to Jesus.

He taught that if during worship if you “remember that your brother or sister has something against you…first make things right with your brother or sister and then come back and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24 CEB). Lent is a great time to seek forgiveness from those we have harmed.

Delve into a book of the Bible. Enhance your devotions by getting to know a book of the Bible well. Read it repeatedly, at least once in a single sitting. Find articles about it. Meditate on it with a commentary. Memorize portions of it. Pray through it. Google sermons about it. Find hymns based upon it. In the weeks of Lent, you could develop a deep understanding of a book of the Bible about which you have always been curious.

Say Thank You. Parents, family members, mentors, coaches, teachers, Sunday school teachers, pastors. and others have shaped you into the person you are. Each week during Lent, send a note of gratitude to one of them.

Tell them how much they meant to you and how they inspired you. Even if you do not know that author or speaker personally you can send an email thanking them to a publisher.

— Want more? Plenty more right here — https://www.umc.org/en/content/beyond-fasting-ten-tips-for-a-more-meaningful-lent)%20%20%20

Yours in Christ,

Dr. Joe Scheets