Lent and the Gospel of Suffering
by Deacon Lyn Baker In the popular mind, Lent is associated with penitence. There is a tradition of “giving up” something we enjoy. In my case, this is definitely food. On Ash Wednesday this year, I decided that I would fast for the noon meal. This is not heroic, I know. By dinnertime I was ravenous. As I ate the chicken noodle soup, my whole body relaxed in gratitude. I was more grateful than ever for the gift of food….
Focusing on Christ’s Victory During Lent: Helpful Tools
by Jason+ Radcliff There are certain tools I have found to be particularly helpful in focusing on Christ’s victory in my own life during the season of Lent. It is important to start small. For example, denying myself a second cup of coffee in the morning reminds me that it is God who gives me strength, not caffeine! Fasting can be a particularly meaningful way to intentionally remind myself that God provides for me. Whether it be the full Lenten…
Relying on Christ’s Victory in Lent
by Jason+ Radcliff In his classic introduction to the “ascetic” or spiritually disciplined life in his book Way of the Ascetics, Tito Colliander says: “The holy Fathers [and Mothers] say with one voice: The first thing to keep in mind is never in any respect to rely on yourself. The warfare that now lies before you is extraordinarily hard, and your own human powers are altogether insufficient to carry it on. If you rely on them you will immediately be…
The Season of Lent and the Practice of Fasting
Some thoughts from Dustin+ Messer of All Saints Dallas on fasting during Lent. Dustin + Messer is Associate Pastor for Faith Formation at All Saints Dallas where he oversees the catechetical ministry of the church: from children’s ministry to adult education. Before starting his doctoral work at La Salle University, he graduated from Boyce College, Covenant Theological Seminary and the National Review Institute. Dustin’s writings have appeared in Christianity Today, World Magazine and The Gospel Coalition. Additionally, Dustin serves on…
Lent Fasting for a Changed Heart
by Ron+ McCrary, All Saints Dallas Lent can be the most spiritually transformative season in the Christian year because of its tight focus on employing powerful spiritual disciplines. Confession, solitude and silence, as well as added devotional practices, are just a few. Fasting has had dramatic effects on my journey of transformation of character into the likeness of Christ. But first, a word of caution:
Advent Reflections 2020
By Nowell+ Copley, Rector of All Saints Church, Spartanburg I love a good story—a tale that draws me in from the very beginning, drops me into the lives of the characters and delivers me to surprising and unexpected ends. A story that inextricably links me to its plot and carries me along as if I were being written into the story as well. I love a good story, but I need a great story.
All the Saints Celebrating the Feast of All Saints
The celebration of All Saints day is just a few weeks away. To remind us of its significance to the Church and to each of us, we are re-posting reflections published previously. by The Rev. Nowell Copley, All Saints Spartanburg This year, as we do each year on November 1, Christians around the world will celebrate the Feast of All Saints. We do this to commemorate the lives and ministries of those saints who have gone before us, particularly those…
On Fasting in Lent
By Lucas Damoff, member of All Saints Dallas Christian discipline is the practice of tangibly inviting the Holy Spirit to change us further and further into the image of Jesus Christ. Fasting is one of many powerful ways we can do this. For centuries Christians have taken the season of Lent as an opportunity to engage in a more concentrated and intentional practice of the Christian disciplines, especially fasting. While we may commonly speak of fasting from things like television…
What is Lent?
By Ryan Flanigan, Worship Director at All Saints Dallas Lent simply means “springtime.” It is the season in the Christian year when followers of Jesus walk with him to his death and burial, so that we can participate fully with him in his resurrection. Lent is the 40 days (not including Sundays) leading up to Easter. It begins Ash Wednesday and ends Holy Saturday (the day before Easter Sunday). When we engage in this season the way faithful Christians have…
Advent Recommended Reading, Part 2
By Caleb+ Miller, pastor of Immanuel Anglican Church We’re asked two of our clergy to share books they’d recommend for the Advent season. Below is the second installment of this two-part series. In the past year, I have read and enjoyed two books that have much to offer us, one relatively new, the other long-established. The first is Remaking a Broken World by Christopher Ash. A Bible overview telling the story of God and his creation though the twin themes…