First sunday in Lent

Indeed we are here again. I love that we have seasons in the Church to guide my focus on the right things at the right time. In Lent we reflect, read scripture and pray. This morning I put on my purple ( colour of Lent) blouse, along with my husband and mother-in-law, i went to worship at Grace Presbyterian Church in Houston. The gospel Mark is always my favorite and I had done a great deal of research and studies on it. But today the pastor, Doug Ferguson, preaches on Mark and I heard something totally new. The sermon series theme was "healing." The sermon was on the story of this paralyzed man whose friends carried him to the house of Jesus where Jesus was. They climb on to the roof, break the roof open and lower the friend down for Jesus to heal. Jesus did heal the man. The preacher said, " our faith does not heal us. Our faith takes us to Jesus. JESUS is the only one who HEALS us. How true. I have read this story so many times but never heard this before. He talked about faith being dead without action also. How true that is as well. He invites his congregation to bring together 5000 pairs of shoes for the people of Haiti. What a great action caused by faith. Lent- it is a time to be quietly listening to what the Lord might be saying to me and to you. Listen, reflect and pray. Live out the faith. Feel free to send shoes to Haiti via Grace Presbyterian church. I think I am going to do just that.