Finally, it is Lent season. Every year during this time Christians, including the protestants, make a commitment to sacrificially give up something that is important—such as desserts or burger or pizza or soft drinks or ice cream or coffee or even chocolate—as an exercise in self-denial and spiritual discipline.

But the questions are?

Why not select something that spiritually I would be a whole lot better off without?

Why not choose certain acts, attitudes habits or sins that have the power to contaminate, infect, or poison my soul?

Why not give up one of those for Lent?

It’s a good idea for all of us, isn’t it?

Why not intentionally decide, with the help of God, to put our energy and efforts into ridding ourselves of something that is destructive in our lives, something like envy or jealousy or self-pity or apathy or procrastination or gossip or resentment or blame-shifting or negative thinking or prejudice or discrimination or bias?

Why not give up something bad for Lent in the hope and with the prayer that if we can give up a bad thing for the forty days of Lent this year then maybe, just maybe, God can give us strength to give it up forever?

In order to help us with this spiritual exercise, the Adult Sunday School class will do a six-week Lenten study on giving something up bad in our Christian lives, beginning February 22.

Please join our Adult Sunday school class at 9:15 a.m.

Following the study, we will congregate for worship, which begins at 10:30 a.m.

Scripture reading for the worship is Mark 1:9-15. Based on the Gospel reading—we will learn about Jesus’ wilderness experience—and what they can teach us about our own spiritual wilderness wandering, examining the darkness of our lives, and reclaiming God’s call on our lives.

Please read: Mark 1:9-15

9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” 12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, 13 and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. 14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”