Hmmm, not quite sure what happened to the last month. I'd like to say normal service will be resumed shortly but looking at my post intervals it would probably be better to say a better service will be along shortly!
Anyway, it was only after cooking and consuming the pancakes for the family last night that I remembered that the whole point of Shrove Tuesday is that Ash Wednesday follows it. Just incidentally these were definitely the best pancakes I've ever made. The secret to success seems to be an extra egg, some caster sugar, and a non-stick pan. Also, for any Americans out there, instead of pancake think 'slightly thicker than normal crepe'.
So what's Ash Wednesday about?
This article on the bbc website gives some explanation of what it's all about. Mainly for me it brings back memories of a special chapel service at school where the priest would pray and rub some dirt on your forehead but, apart from that, Ash Wednesday is a day of penitence and repentance to mark the beginning of Lent. It is a time to remember that we're sinful and need Jesus. The modern catholic tradition is apparently for the priest to say something like 'Turn away from sin and believe the gospel'. Now there's much about the catholic tradition I don't agree with, but I'm fully with them on this one.
And worship encounters?
So what does this really have to do with worship, or encountering God? Well as you've probably realized, I believe worship is far more than singing some songs to a remote God. Worship involves an intimacy with God, and a knowledge of His presence with us, as we worship Him. What is the foundation for this to happen? Surely it's to 'Turn away from sin and believe the gospel'! Or, as the author of Hebrews puts it:
Anyway, it was only after cooking and consuming the pancakes for the family last night that I remembered that the whole point of Shrove Tuesday is that Ash Wednesday follows it. Just incidentally these were definitely the best pancakes I've ever made. The secret to success seems to be an extra egg, some caster sugar, and a non-stick pan. Also, for any Americans out there, instead of pancake think 'slightly thicker than normal crepe'.
So what's Ash Wednesday about?
This article on the bbc website gives some explanation of what it's all about. Mainly for me it brings back memories of a special chapel service at school where the priest would pray and rub some dirt on your forehead but, apart from that, Ash Wednesday is a day of penitence and repentance to mark the beginning of Lent. It is a time to remember that we're sinful and need Jesus. The modern catholic tradition is apparently for the priest to say something like 'Turn away from sin and believe the gospel'. Now there's much about the catholic tradition I don't agree with, but I'm fully with them on this one.
And worship encounters?
So what does this really have to do with worship, or encountering God? Well as you've probably realized, I believe worship is far more than singing some songs to a remote God. Worship involves an intimacy with God, and a knowledge of His presence with us, as we worship Him. What is the foundation for this to happen? Surely it's to 'Turn away from sin and believe the gospel'! Or, as the author of Hebrews puts it:
'Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.' Heb. 10:19-22
So, if you want to know more of God's presence, why not spend some time with Him and ask Him to 'search my heart and see if there is any wicked way in me'. After all, Jesus said Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God' (Matthew 5:8).
I pray you will have some awesome encounters with an awesome God.
I pray you will have some awesome encounters with an awesome God.
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