*Chad Jarnagin

Lent, in Christian tradition, is the period of the liturgical year leading up to Easter.

The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer — through prayer, penitence, and self-denial — for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, which recalls the events linked to the Passion of Christ and culminates in Easter, the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Lent was also traditionally the term used to describe the period leading up to Christmas before the term of advent was officially recognized.

Conventionally it is described as being forty days long, though different denominations calculate the forty days differently. The forty days represent the time that, according to the Bible, Jesus spent in the wilderness before the beginning of his public ministry, where he endured temptation by Satan.

Many have different perspectives on Lent. Check out my new friend David’s thoughts HERE.

This has come to be a very powerful practice of mine. Some say that we should have a spirit of Lent all year long (much like the spirit of Christmas). The reality is, we do not. So, w/ this season of Lent may we see, hear, sense Him more clearly.

Advent (from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming”) is a season of the Christian church, the period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus; in other words, the period immediately before Christmas.

The programs aren’t sacred.

The ministries aren’t sacred.

The service times aren’t sacred.

The communication style isn’t sacred.

The methods aren’t sacred.

The committees aren’t sacred.

The bylaws aren’t sacred.

The denomination isn’t sacred.

The style of music isn’t sacred.

The font that’s used on in the program aren’t sacred.

The only thing that’s sacred is the mission of Jesus.