As we begin Lent this year, I would like to do a couple of things.  First, I want to share with you exactly what I am giving up for Lent.  I do this now so that you all can hold me accountable (and so that I don’t back out at the last minute!). 

“Giving something up for Lent” originated with the Catholics centuries ago – but we Presbyterians co-opted it many years back, as we have discovered it is a good way to let go of some of the things that potentially stand in our way to a deeper relationship with God. 

One of my addictions, as most of you know, is sugar – especially desserts.  Try as I may, I have never been very good at moderating my intake of them.  I really, really, really like desserts … to the point that it is unhealthy.  And I think that ultimately it gets in my way of my relationship with God. 

So … with God’s help, I am going to give up desserts for the next six weeks.  Now giving up something for Lent is a good thing – but only if in someway we use that which we give up to bring us closer to God.  One of the things I am going to do every time I have a craving for a dessert (which happens often) is to turn it into a spiritual moment.  I am going to stop and thank God for my life and for my health and for the opportunity to create a healthier and more God focused me.  Instead of focusing on dessert, I am going to focus on God.  I have the feeling I am going to be focusing a lot more on God these next few weeks than I ever have before.

Please feel free to ask me how I am doing.  This is not going to be easy for me -- especially since my Dad’s birthday party is going to be Saturday, March 4^th and there is the promise of spice cake and ice cream.  PRESSURE!!!

The second thing I would like to do in this edition of Coop’s Corner, is to once again shamelessly plug my Lenten Bible Study – which will be held Wednesday evenings 3/8, 3/15, 3/22, 3/29, and 4/5, starting at 7:30 p.m. in the Ember Room.  We will be studying Max Lucado’s book No Wonder They Call Him the Savior, Experiencing the Truth of the Cross. 

Read what the publishers say about the book, “Max Lucado takes you through the drama of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ - bringing to life Peter’s denial, Pilate’s hesitancy, and John’s loyalty.  Relive the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion, from the foggy garden of Gethsemane to the incandescent room of the resurrection. 

“No Wonder They Call Him the Savior leads you up the hill of humankind’s highest hope and reminds you why he deserves to be called our savior.”

Over the five Wednesday nights we will be taking an in depth look at the cross: its words, its witnesses, and its wisdom.  I hope you will join us for what promises to be a spiritually rewarding experience as we walk together the road Jesus walked. 

Be blessed, my friends and I’ll see you on Sunday (and maybe even Wednesday nights!).

Pastor Tom