The Christian Calendar, or, Is It That Time Already?

Our New Year, according to the Christian calendar, began at the end of November with the first day of Advent.  We moved through Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, and now we are moving toward Lent - already! 

The Lenten season begins, this year, on Wednesday, February 22, with Ash Wednesday, and concludes with Easter Sunday on April 8.  This means that it would be a great time to look over some Lent resources with our groups for study and reflection. 

Here are a few resources that you and your group might enjoy - Three Simple Questions by Rueben Job, discusses the questions Who Am I, Who Is God and Who Are We Together by reflecting on our God of Love, Hope and Purpose; 24 Hour That Changed The World by Adam Hamilton, guides us from the Last Supper to the Crucifixion through scripture, study and video, as well as personal reflection; Final Words by Adam Hamilton, is a new study that examines Christ's final words from the cross through the senses of those who witnessed the Crucifixion; Mosaic:  When God Uses All The Pieces by Shane Stanford, looks at the broken pieces of our lives to reframe our purpose and to use all our pieces; Call Him Savior by John Gooch, is based on the Revised Common Lectionary and will cause us to remember the power and the sacrifice of God's love through Jesus' suffering and death on the cross. 

Here are a few resources that you might like to review for your personal Lent journey - Reaching Toward Easter by Derek Maul, is a compliation of devotions that will give Christians time to look closely at the ministry of Jesus and a fuller understanding of the Crucifixion and the Resurrection; Lent for Everyone by N.T. Wright, is a collection of devotions that helps the reader reflect on how the scripture is relevant to life today; Way Words, A Daily Itinerary for Lent, by John Indermark, provides an itinerary of daily readings based on scripture for the journey of Lent.

As we prepare for the journey of Lent as a group of Believers, be reminded that the "ordinary time" of the Christian year is a perfect time for reflection and action on our relationship with Our Savior.