Welcome to my blog, and thank you for visiting the website of FUMC-PSJ! This year, we will be exploring the theme of “Lessons from the Wilderness” during the Lenten seaon. We will be looking at the effects of being in the wilderness in the lives of the Israelites, in the life of Jesus, and in all of our lives. What does the wilderness mean? For some, it means times when we are away from God, either because we are pursuing our own definitions of success, or perhaps because we feel God has abandoned us. It may mean that we are at a time of spiritual, psychological, or emotional drought. We know that God never abandons us, but He also does not force Himself upon us.
I encourage you, as a Lenten practice this year, to read the Old Testament book of Exodus. It has exactly 40 chapters, so it is perfect for Lent. Think about how God taught the Israelites through Moses and Aaron and all of their experiences in the wilderness. What does this tell us about God’s lessons for us? We serve and worship a God who is faithful even when we are not.
Please pray that this year our church will grow in our spiritual depth during Lent, and pray that we learn how to be effective messengers of Christ’s good news for all the world.
May God richly bless you as you seek His kingdom first. Please contact me if I can help you in any manner.
Pastor Steve Hart