Ash Wednesday

This morning I led my first observance of Ash Wednesday. Our student ministry staff likes that idea of making more liturgical strides in our ministry--we believe our teens are curious about such things and that we can teach them to appreciate the ways other denominations within our faith practice their ($0.25 word coming up) sanctification.

We can also enlighten them as to where, if anywhere, some of those other denominations have made mistakes or headed off into "error." At least we can point out some inconsistencies and get them thinking about where they might be off-base--and get them thinking about where WE might be off base, too.

It's a good thing.

And we started with Ash Wednesday observance...you know...sackcloth and ashes. The Old Testament version of repentance?

Read Psalm 51 in your favorite version...that's kind of the tone of the service today.

And our teens are walking around with ash on their foreheads to symoblize their mourning...
They liked the ritual that the adults at our church tend to recoil from (usually from negative experiences when they were younger)...
They chose things they'll go on a 40-day "fast" from...
They chose offerings they'll make as worship to Him during the season...

And they spent the morning in examination of where they are in their walk with Him.

And it was beautiful...

...even if they get strange looks at their foreheads from others today...

...because they're a peculiar people...

...because they follow Christ.

And I maintain this is a good thing.