We are very near that season we call Lent. It begins on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 6). You can choose to begin this sacred season with our Ash Wednesday services at 6:00 p.m. in Zephyr and 7:30 p.m. in Early. From now until Easter I encourage each of us to focus on our relationship with Christ Jesus. It is my desire that each of us will be more disciplined in our spiritual lives.

           Henri Nouwen in his devotional book, Bread for the Journey, offers many insights into the spiritual journey. Nouwen writes, "Discipline in the spiritual life is the concentrated effort to create the space and time where God can become our master and where we can respond freely to God's guidance." (February 27) Lent is an excellent time to make that concentrated effort to make that time and space through prayer and study. What are you willing to give up that you might be able to add more disciplined, devotional living to your life.

           I hope and pray that you will be a part of the Sunday afternoon Lenten Study that will begin on February 10 at 4:00 p.m. There will also be a daytime study lead by Diana on the book of Romans. Be watching for a course beginning after Easter that will be an introduction to the Christian faith. Be thinking of someone you know that you can invite.

           May you be richly blessed through your Lenten discipline.