sacramental effort

It's Lent, y'all. And many of us will choose at this time to abstain from a practice or consumption of something. Whether it's giving up chocolate, or deciding that Lent is the time to work on fighting an addiction, one of the beautiful things I find about Lent is this broad, global and communal participation in what can be understood as a spiritual practice.  Millions of people fully and simultaneously engaging in spiritual formation is incredible to consider. Let's talk about Fasting. It is interesting what the contemporary version of fasting has become in our Christian culture. Traditionally, fasting quite literally means a time of not eating. Not eating anything, or at least severely mitigating food intake for a period of time. Now I am not here to make value statements regarding giving up Diet Coke for Lent as opposed to more vigorous forms of Fasting. We don't have time to be Lenten hipsters. ("My Lenten practice is totally vintage.") Fasting...

White Rock Lake, Dallas. 2015 Results of heavy spring flooding in Texas. Photography by Rev. Ben David Hensley The Spirit led Jesus to the Wilderness. Sometimes the Spirit leads us to the Wilderness. Where we are tried, trampled on, trapped, and tempted. Sometimes the Spirit leads us to the Wilderness. Where our truest self is exposed. Sometimes the Spirit leads us to the Wilderness. Where we often find fellow travelers. Sometimes the Spirit leads us to the Wilderness. Where we must face our demons. Sometimes the Spirit leads us to the Wilderness. Where we gain wisdom. Sometimes the Spirit leads us to the Wilderness. Where we remember that we are dust, to dust we will return, and that we must repent. Amen.