Recognizing A Stroke

Stroke has a new indicator! Blood clots or stroke; they now have a Fourth Indicator, the TONGUE.


REAL STORY
During a BBQ, a woman stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered  to call paramedics), she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her hew shoes. They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. while she appeared a bit shaken up, Jane went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening.

Jane's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital and Jane passed away at 6.00pm. She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Jane would be with us today. Some don't die; they end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.

a neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke.. totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

Sometimes symptoms of stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S = Ask the individual to SMILE

T = Ask the person to TALK ( simple sentence, i.e Chicken Soup)

R = Ask him or her to RAISE both arms.

If he or she has trouble with any one of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

Note: New Sign of a STROKE - Stick out your TONGUE. Ask the person to stick out his tongue. if the tongue is crooked and if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke.

God's Miraculous Deeds

Lord Jesus has blessed me with beautiful life. I'm experiencing His love and presence everyday in everything I do. He has blessed me with wonderful people around me, good health, wisdom (as I asked for in my everyday prayer) and lots more. I would like to share one of His miraculous deed in my life.

Since I was a little girl, I have passion to study and the curiosity to gain knowledge. By God's grace, I've got a place to study in University Malaya, which is Malaysia's oldest and best institute. I completed my first degree in the year of 2009 and have got a job the week after my last exam. I wanted to pursue my further studies in Corporate Communication field and He created the opportunity at the right time (2010) with all the necessary sources (finance, time etc).

Practically, it's not easy to study while working. I worked as a Press Translator when I started my Masters studies, which required me to work from 4.30am to 1.30pm. After that, I joined different MSC company as Marketing Coordinator, where I worked from 8.30am to 5.30pm. My classes are from 6pm to 9pm on weekdays. It was difficult for me but God made it possible. (These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. John 16:33). He gave me energy and concentration and blessed me with good grades and CGPA. It's God's amazing grace and love saved me from all the impossibilities.

I chose to write Project Paper in my final year. My head of department Dr.Nizam Osman selected my supervisor for me; Dr.M-A-Y. I've heard a lot about him and most of it was not positive. I went through many hurdles througout the year but God guided and motivated me in many ways and gave me success. Dr.M-A-Y has failed students previously and he didn't help me much with my writings. The only place I chose to complaint was, GOD alone. He listened to my prayer every moment and answered to it as well. (Delight yourself in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart ...Psalm 37:4)

99% people discouraged me when I went through struggles and bad time. My answer to all of them was; "My God is bigger than Dr.M-A-Y and I put my trust on Him alone. I know that God will bless me with experiences and also successes." Some called me crazy when I replied them and asked me to be practical; not to live in fantasy. Some of them suggested me to buy expensive gift for my Dr.M-A-Y in order to get an A for my project paper. Literally, it means 'BRIBE', which I was not agree. I had sleepless nights two weeks before my results was out. And I remained in my prayer with faith. (Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Mark 11:24)  His word is truth and I've experienced it in my life. I asked Him in prayer with faith and I've received it with joy and smile on my face. I'm serving the living God, who answers my prayer and made me walk in faith to win the success. 

Human said, 'No, it's impossible' but my Lord Jesus said 'Yes, you can'. I listened to God and walk towards Him. (When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7) God blessed me with success. I've got an A- for my project paper. God did not forsake me but He blessed me. I graduated with 3.6 pointer (CGPA) in the end. God made it happen, not me. All the Glory to the God alone. 

Praise To God for His mercy and Grace!

Hallelujah! 

Psalm 73:26 - My flesh and my heart may fail,  but God is the strength of my heart  and my portion forever.

Psalm 46 - "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."

A Worthy Walk – The Same Place

Bible Verse: Genesis 5:24 - “And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” 

Enoch is a great character in the Old Testament portion of The Bible that not a whole lot is said about in words, but in substance, well that’s another story!  Enoch, by name, takes up on 11 verses in the entire Bible.  Do you know how many verses there are in The Bible?  There are 31,173 verses in your Bible.  That means that Enoch takes up less than one third of one percent of The Bible!

The statement I want you to notice first about Enoch this week is, ‘Enoch walked with God’.  I don’t know about you, but I can remember as a child, growing up, almost every evening, as the sun was going down, the entire Family would go for a walk.  It usually lasted for around a hour or so.  We’d head off one direction, come back another.  Many different things would happen on our walks.  We’d see things of interest; discover items, places we didn't know were there.  We’d meet people.  Sometimes one of us would fall, get hurt. Another time we’d get an ice cream, or end up buying chips for tea.  But more than anything else, we’d talk.  I guess that it was just the relaxed atmosphere, enjoying and soaking up God’s creation, the closeness of family, but we’d begin to talk.  And we’d talk about life, stuff that was of concern, actions and reactions…and somehow, Dad would always wind up – what we called – preaching a sermon!

And you know, I read this Verse, “And Enoch walked with God…” and that’s what I picture.  I can see Enoch heading out early in the Morning, down a dirt track, heading into some lush vegetation, and it’s not long before he starts talking to God.  Walked AND TALKED!  Let me ask you…do you have time in your life set aside for God?  A time when it’s just you and God alone?  Do you commune with Him, as friend with friend?  Father to son?  Father to daughter?  Guardian to guarded?  Do you take the time to ‘walk with God’.

The more I ponder such a question, the more I am convinced that the prayer of every Christian today ought to be: ‘Lord, teach us to pray’!  I think it’s not so such the matter that we don’t know HOW to pray…as to how much we VALUE our time of prayer!

Has ‘Prayer Time’ turned into a list you run through, like a Baptist Rosary right before you go to sleep?  “Bless him, Bless him, bless her and, pray for him, pray for them…, I need this, and I need that…Gimme, gimme, gimme?”

‘Enoch walked with God’  Did you ever wonder where they went?  You know, I can bet you I know where they DIDN’T walk!

You don’t ‘Walk with God’ to the Pub!
You don’t ‘Walk with God’ and have a cigarette in your hands!
You don’t ‘Walk with God’ watching three-quarters of what you watch on TV!
You don’t ‘Walk wit God’ when you’re in a location where people are wearing not much more, and many times LESS than what you wear for underwear!
You don’t ‘Walk with God’ when you lose your temper and ‘explode’!
You don’t ‘Walk with God’ when you rebel and disobey your parents!
You don’t ‘Walk with God’ when you rebel against The Bible!

Do you have a longing, a sadness when you miss, or shorten your time of Prayer?  I’m not bragging, but EVERY SINGLE DAY I set apart one hour to spend with God – it took me awhile to build up to it – and I need to guard it, as the devil likes to try and stir something up to take that time away – but I strive to keep an hour aside a day JUST TO WALK AND TALK with my Lord!  Do you have a time like this were, not reading your Bible or anything else, you just pray?

I don’t say this so that folks will come up and pat me on the back, or suddenly decide I’m a better Christian now because I’ve said that!  The fact of the matter is, compared to Christians just 60 – 100 years ago, an HOUR was what a busy mother would pray!  Spurgeon cautioned new ministers from allowing acongregational prayer going longer that 15 MINUTES, because he considered the Church in his day was becoming Laodicea-cal and could no longer handle that kind of praying!!!  That was back in the early 1800’s!

The early Puritans in England would START their services with a THREE-HOUR PRAYER Meeting!  And we just, “Thank you Lord for today, bless the music, preaching and offering – Amen!” and we’re done!  So much for ‘Independent’, ‘Bible Believing’ and ‘Fundamental’!

‘Enoch walked with God’…‘Enoch walked with God’.  Let me ask you again…do you have time in your life set aside for God?  A time when it’s just you and God alone?  DO you walk with God?  To that same place, everyday?

Here is a song titled,"Enoch Walked With God" sung by Jack Marti. It's an awesome unplugged... Enjoy the music and also listen to the lyrics and ask God to guide you in your journey of life. 

God Bless Ya!

Faithful Servants of God

Bible Verse : 

Daniel 3:25

He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods." 

Thoughts on the Bible Verse:

I love the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from Daniel 3. Their faith is solid whether God chooses to save them from the fire, or not. God not only saves them, but those who intended to execute them become the key witnesses of their faith and God's miraculous deliverance. They are not only sons of the One True God, but they are also examples to all of us who are tempted to compromise our faith to get along in a society that has lost all respect for the Almighty God.

53 Blessings That One Receive After Accept Jesus Christ As Savior

Jesus Christ is the only one, who came to this world to sacrifice himself to  protect people from their sins and blessed the world with salvation. No one else have done such a great sacrificial.
All Glory To GOD ; Jesus is the living GOD!

When a Man, woman, boy, or girl, believes on the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior the following list of attributes is granted to them instantly. The new Believer will not be aware of many of these things until gaining some spiritual maturity and growth in the word of God, but these  blessings are theirs regardless of their knowledge about them.

1.) Access to God's Grace (Ephesians 2:8-18) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

2.) We are adopted by God (Ephesians 1:5) having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, (Galatians 4:5) To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

3.) We get an Inheritance (Ephesians 1:11) In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worked all things after the counsel of his own will:

4.) We are elected (saved) (1 Peter 1:2) Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

5.) We become a child of God (John 1:12) But as many as received him, to them gave him power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

6.) We get a heavenly citizenship (2 Timothy 4:18) and the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to who is glory forever and ever. Amen.

7.) We become a servant (Romans 6:22) But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

8.) We are heirs of God, joint heirs with Jesus...(Romans 8:17) And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Galatians 3:29) And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

9.) We become a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new. (Galatians 6:15) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availed anything, nor uncircumcised, but a new creature.

10.) We become priests (1 Peter 2:9) But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: (Revelation 1:6) And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

 11.) We are reconciled to God (Romans 5:10) For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

12.) We are Sanctified (1 Corinthians 6:11) And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

13.) We are accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6) To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

14.) We are Baptized into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13) For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

15. ) We are buried with him (Romans 6:4) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

16. ) We have put on Christ (Galatians 3:27) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

17. ) We have eternal life (John 10:28) And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

18. ) We have peace with God (John 14:27) Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

19. ) We became a friend of God (John 15:15) Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

20. ) We get in the Lamb's book of life  (Revelation 21:27) And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defiled, neither whatsoever works abomination, or makes a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

21. ) We receive imputed righteousness (Romans 4:6) Even as David also described the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputed righteousness without works,

22. ) Our names are written in heaven.....(Luke 10:20) Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

 23. ) We are given a blessed hope of Christ's returning (Titus 2:13) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;

24. ) We are seated in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

25. ) We have fellowship with the trinity (1 John 1:3) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. (Philippians 2:1) If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

26. ) We have a mansion in heaven (John 14:2) In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

27. ) We are born again with a spiritual re-birth (John 3:3-6) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus said unto him, how can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

28. ) We have received an anointing (1 John 2:27) But the anointing which ye have received of him abides in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

29. ) The Holy Spirit will live with us now and forever (John 14:16) And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it see him not, neither know him: but ye know him; for the dwell with you, and shall be in you.

30. ) We've been sealed by the Holy spirit unto the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30) And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

31. ) Our bodies become the temple of the Holy Ghost (1 Corinthians 6:19) What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

32. ) We are forever forgiven (Luke 7:48) And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.(1 John 2:12) I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.

33. ) We are justified in God's sight (Romans 5:1) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

34. ) We are redeemed (Revelation 5:9) And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou was slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

35. ) Indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man has not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

36. ) We have an advocate with Christ (1st John 2:1) My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

37. ) We now have the possibility to have victory over sin (Romans 6:14) For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

38. ) We become Christ's ambassadors (2nd Corinthians 5:20) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

39. ) We are blessed with spiritual blessings  (Ephesians 1:3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ:

40. ) Our every need will be supplied by God (Philippians 4:19) But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

41. ) Given an inner strength to accomplish necessary things (Philippians 4:13) I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me.

42. ) A good work has been done in us (Philippians 1:6) Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

 43. ) The Lord becomes our helper instead of our judge (Hebrews 13:6) So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

44. ) We get abounding grace (2 Corinthians 9:8) And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

45. ) We get eternal love (Romans 8:38-39) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

46. ) Everything that happens to us will be for our own good (Romans 8:28) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

47. ) A promised faithfulness regardless of our faithlessness (2 Timothy 2:13) If we believe not, yet he abides faithful: he cannot deny himself

48. ) A promise given to be able to resist temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13) There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

49. ) We are made kings (Revelation 1:6) And had made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

50. ) We became saints (1 Corinthians 1:2) Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

51. ) We have been delivered from the power of darkness (Colossians 1:12-13) Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who had delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

52. ) Our hearts are unblame-able (1 Thessalonians 3:13) To the end he may stables your hearts unblame-able in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

53. ) We get the power of a sound mind ( (2 Timothy 1:7) For God had not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. -John:3:16-

Live As God Wants Us To Live

Ephesians : 5:1-2

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

These verses tell us how we are supposed to live. God wants us to love one another as He loves us.  John 3:16, For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Ephesians : 5:3-5

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

These three verses talk about sexual sins, bad language, and dirty jokes that we are to stay away from, which many of us fail to do today. Especially, the younger generation are so attracted to the world’s unfaithful conditions, and neglects God’s way.

Ephesians : 5:6

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.

It explains what is going to happen to people that do not obey God. It’s not threat but a warning so that we could stay away from deception.

Ephesians : 5:7

Therefore do not be partners with them.

Those who follow and obey God’s commandments are not to be like the world. They do live in the world, but they are not to do the things of the world. They walk in God’s path with holiness.

Ephesians : 5:8

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light

God’s mercy and grace is so wonderful that He forgives all our sins and accepts us as His children. God made our old life as a history and promises us a new life with peace, joy and blessings.

Ephesians : 5:9-11

(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

We are not to fellowship with the world, but we are to correct them and show them where they are doing wrong.  Now do not misunderstand this is not meaning we are to judge the world.  How we show them what they are doing wrong is by us living the way God wants us to live.  We show by example, not only words.

Those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their savior should correct error, oppose wrong, and set an example of holiness. God wants us to be holy and obey all His commandments. He will bless us and give us the best of best, which we have never dream/think of. 

DO WHAT IS RIGHT IN GOD'S EYES!

LIVE IN THE WORLD BUT NOT WITH THE WORLD!

WALK IN HIS PATH!

Ash Wednesday 2012

What's ON February?

Ash Wednesday falls on 22 February 2012 this year. The 40-days is a significance of the 40-days of fasting and prayer, which Jesus Christ observed before he began His ministry. For us, it's a month of remember His sacrificial for our sins. It is also our time to renew our spirit and life. Some of my friends (Non-Christians) have wished me "Happy Ash Wednesday", without knowing that it's not a celebration. So, I would like to write about "Ash Wednesday" for them.

Before get into the main topic, I would like to share this words, which touched my heart this afternoon. Let's learn something from this.

Bible Verse : I Chronicles 16 : 11-12 : 

“Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, His miracles, and the judgements he pronounced.

Message : How do we worship God? Most of the time, we only pray to God, demanding for our needs and desires. We do not remember the good things He has done for us; We do not remember His wonders and miracles; We forget to praise His name and thank Him for His grace and mercy on us; The right way to worship God is, to be grateful to Him, thank Him for all what you have received already and then, let Him know your needs and desires.

What is Ash Wednesday?

Ash Wednesday marks the first day, or the start of the season of Lent, which begins 40 days prior to Easter (Sundays are not included in the count). Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline. Not all Christian churches observe Ash Wednesday or Lent. They are mostly observed by the Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian and Anglican denominations, and also by Roman Catholics. Eastern Orthodox churches observe Lent or Great Lent, during the 6 weeks or 40 days preceding Palm Sunday with fasting continuing during the Holy Week of Orthodox Easter. The Bible does not mention Ash Wednesday or the custom of Lent, however, the practice of repentance and mourning in ashes is found in 2 Samuel 13:19 (Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the ornate robe she was wearing. She put her hands on her head and went away, weeping aloud as she went.) ;Esther 4:1 (When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly.) ; Job 2:8 ( Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes.) ; Daniel 9:3 ( So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.) ; and Matthew 11:21 (“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.).

What is LENT?

In the Christian liturgical calendar, Lent is the penitential period of 40 days from Ash Wednesday to Easter. Traditional Christian’s observances of Lent include fasting and penitence, both in preparation for Easter and as a way of spiritually “joining” Jesus with the fasting and meditation he did in the wilderness. For early Christians and for Eastern Orthodox Christians today the rules of fasting are strict: just one meal a day, in the evening, and no meat, fish, eggs, or butter is permitted. 

Origin of the word, Lent

The name lent is a Germanic word originally used to refer to the spring season generally. Over time, it replaced the Latin quadragesima, which means “forty days.” Lent lasts forty days because, according to biblical accounts, Jesus went into the wilderness for forty days of fasting, meditation and reflection before beginning his ministry. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.

What is the season of Lent REALLY about?

For many Christians, the season of Lent typically includes some kind of fasting.  These fasts usually take the form of abstaining from all food throughout a given day or certain kinds of food for the duration of the forty-day season.  In place of a food fast, some Christians commit to give up a pleasurable activity or dedicate themselves to charitable giving.  Focus on prayer and devotions are also especially emphasized during Lent.  But even though our Lord recommends and comments on the Lenten disciplines of fasting, alms-giving, and prayer in His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:1-18), these practices can become legalistic rituals that are centred inwardly on the self rather than outwardly on Christ.  If during Lent Christians choose to give up something or rededicate themselves to helping those in need as a way to proclaim the salvation Christ has won for all by His suffering and death, then such activities are sacrifices that glorify God.  However, it is essential to remember that nothing we do through self-denial or good works can ever earn the Lord's forgiveness or repay Him for what He accomplished for us.  Lent is not about our giving up something to please God.  Lent is about what Jesus Christ gave up to pay the penalty for the sins of the world -- His holy and innocent life. 

                                         The sinless Son of God must die in sadness;

The sinful child of man may live in gladness;

Man forfeited his life and is acquitted; 

God is committed!