Lent With Intent
Lent with Intent: The Spiritual Practice of Celebration
March 24, 2024 • Bella Perez
The spiritual practice of celebration concludes our Lent with Intent series. Celebration is intentionally recognizing God's goodness and responding with joy and gratitude, highlighting the resurrection of Jesus as the ultimate cause for celebration. We can practice celebration through gratitude, encouragement, and worship, emphasizing its transformative power in cultivating endurance, character, and hope amidst life's challenges.
Lent with Intent: The Spiritual Practice of Contemplation
March 10, 2024 • T.D. Davis
While meditation is a more rational exercise of the mind, contemplation is a more relational exercise of the heart. But how often do we discipline ourselves to sit and just “be” with Jesus? In Matthew 12, the messiness of life disrupts Jesus’ earthly ministry, yet He responds from a place of secure purpose, grounded patience, and paradoxical power. In the same way Jesus habitually recentered Himself upon His Heavenly Father, we have an opportunity to recenter our life upon our core and secure identity found in Christ for the “gray” journey ahead.
Lent with Intent: The Spiritual Practice of Serving
March 3, 2024 • Kalli Davis
In Matthew 20 we see a distinct contrast between the posture of servanthood displayed from the life of Jesus and the human desire for greatness. Throughout Christ’s ministry we then continue to see greatness redefined, as the least will be the greatest. In this passage we explore the disciple and intentionality it often takes to be a servant of others, as we seek to follow after the life Jesus modeled for us.
Lent with Intent: The Spiritual Practice of Meditation
February 25, 2024
In week two, T.D. Davis (co-lead pastor) introduces our first discipline of engagement — meditation. While a discipline like fasting includes abstaining from something, meditation represents a posture of utilizing time to connect with God through activity. As such a loaded term in our day and age, the topic of “meditation” begs several questions that are addressed in this message: What is meditation? Where did the ancient practice come from? How did Jesus engage with meditation during his life on earth? And how might we build this practice into our lives today?
Lent with Intent: The Spiritual Practice of Fasting
February 18, 2024 • Jon Ritner
This week we launch a new series, Lent with Intent. In week one, we delve into the ancient practice of fasting, not just as a ritual, but as a dynamic catalyst for growth and connection with the Holy Spirit. Discover how intentional fasting during Lent can ignite spiritual renewal, deepen your reliance on God, and cultivate a disciplined life. Just as Jesus fasted to prepare for spiritual battle, learn how fasting can equip you to face life's challenges with strength and clarity.