A t my church , Lent began on Ash Wednesday with a reading of Psalm 51.  Lent, the time when we are supposed to prepare, reflect, repent, forgive, actually look at ourselves and feel why we need Jesus.  A time to understand why we need Jesus.  Why we need Jesus.... on the cross,  in the grave,  then triumphantly standing nearby. Read Psalm 51 .  The first words are " Have mercy on me, O God ...." Isn't that a great way to start Lent? Brought me to silent tears. Oh, God, Have mercy on me. Forgive my sins.  Help me forgive and love as You do.  Help me to understand my need for You.  Help me to be thankful, so thankful, that I reflect You and Your love and forgiveness to others. Prepare me to fully accept You in my heart and repent from all of my wickedness, even the wickedness that I have yet to acknowledge.  Help me.  Save me. Thank You for Your sacrifice.  Amen Psalm 51:1-17 1 Have mercy on me, O God,  ...

Mark 1:40 - 45 (NIV, 1984)  A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured. Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere. Look at this act of disobedience and the result.   Jesus told him, with a strong warning, not to tell anyone except the priest of his healing. The man didn't listen. Instead he went out and began to talk freely,.... And the result of this ...

Mark 1:32 - 35   32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.  Jesus had followers, groupies, people who followed because they were curious or because they needed what Jesus offered.  His disciples, at least some of them, knew who Jesus was, the Son of God, part of God Himself. His disciples and some followers knew this because of what they'd witnessed Jesus do and say.  The demons seemed to know before any of that. Jesus prevented them from speaking - " but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was." This appears to be early in Jesus ministry.  Recorded in the first chapter of Mark, He's preventing the demons from speaking because they knew who He was.  Why? Why prevent them from t...

I heard a song this morning called "What Love Really Means" by J. J. Heller.  I got something from the song that was not what the song was about. One line is "who will love me for me, not for what I've done or what I'll become."  The song is about people looking to be loved and of course, Jesus loves them. What occurred to me while listening is do I love Jesus for who He is, or do I love Him for what He's done for me? I would like to say that I have unconditional love for Jesus, but in reality, I don't. My connection with Jesus started when I realized what He did for me on the cross. I continue to love Him, in part because of what He does for me every single day. I hope I get to the point where I love Him just because of who He is. Because He is God, you know. Creator of everything.  He, and He alone, is worth of praise. click here to see the video and hear the song on youtube: What Love Really Means by J.J Heller