Give up and Give out

Did you know that Lent began this past week on Ash Wednesday?

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent directly following Shrove Tuesday or better know to some as Pancake Tuesday.  So why pancakes?

Lent is a time of fasting, moderation, and giving things up traditionally observed by Catholics and some Protestant denominations. So Shrove Tuesday is the last chance to “indulge” and to use up the foods that aren't typically allowed in Lent. Pancakes are eaten on this day because they contain fat, butter and eggs which were forbidden during Lent.

Lent begins 46 days before Easter (40 days not counting Sundays).

During this season of Lent you may decide to fast, eat sparingly or give up a particular food or habit. It’s not uncommon for people to give up smoking during Lent, or to swear off watching television or Facebook or eating candy or telling lies. It’s six weeks of self-discipline.

How about this?  Sure give up something but how about give out - give something in return?

Many of us at Amberlea in years passed have participated in 40 acts of generosity during Lent.  You can go to the website 40Acts and sign up, it’s certainly not too late.

As we live life generously, I want to challenge you each day to remember God’s faithfulness to you. It is in the remembering that we find the encouragement to trust God today (regardless of what’s going on) and trust God with our tomorrows.

Loss and hope.

I was recently with someone who was grieving the loss of a loved one.  Though years had passed, the grief, pain and sense of loss they felt was as raw that day as they had when their love one first passed. My heart ached for them.

As I reflected on my time with this dear soul, I was reminded of a time when Jesus Himself grieved. In the gospel of John we are told the story of Lazarus. There are so many facets to the story of Lazarus. Jesus knew him — this wasn’t just someone who pursued Him in a crowd or heard of His miracles. This was a friend Jesus spent time with. We know Jesus loved everyone, but the Bible specifically says, “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus” (John 11:5).

Jesus had dinner with Lazarus. Jesus even found Himself in the middle of sister drama with Martha and Mary. He knew this family, and they knew Him. Personally.

That was one of the many reasons why the death of Lazarus was such a shock. It was hard to understand why.

You may recall how the story ends — Lazarus didn’t stay dead long. Jesus displayed what He proclaimed: He is the resurrection and the life.

But in the middle, between death and life, something else happened. “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). This is scripture’s shortest verse—and one of its most profound. Imagine the Son of God, who would defeat death forever, weeping with mourners at the grave of the man he was about to resurrect.

This begs the question … why? Jesus knew Lazarus would live again. Why weep? He could have started with “Lazarus, come out!” but He chose to shed tears with Mary and Martha instead.

Why?

Because God is present.  God is with us in the midst of our grieving and grieves with us in our pain. It is all about this incredible love that God has for humanity — for you and for me.

Ash Wednesday (March 5th) marks the beginning of the Lenten season. Lent (find out more here) is a time that invites us to grieve as Jesus grieved, and to glory as he gloried—in the death of death. There is HOPE!

You are Loved!

Love and Faith

On Sunday, we had the privilege of welcoming Mike Gordon to Amberlea. Mike is a gifted communicator, and his message was both simple and profound: Jesus calls us to love others.

Yes, we are called to love—but do those who receive our love understand why? Do they know that we love because God first loved us (1 John 4:19)? Do they see that love is not just a kind act but a reflection of our faith in Christ? As we extend kindness, generosity, and compassion—which I believe we do well—do people recognize that we are followers of Jesus?

An old hymn declares, They will know we are Christians by our love. But let’s be honest—Christians don’t have a monopoly on love. Many atheists and people of other faiths love deeply and serve their communities in remarkable ways. Love, in itself, is not uniquely Christian. So what sets us apart?

This past Saturday, our Amberlea Session (church leadership team) gathered for a retreat—a time to seek Scripture, pray, and reflect on our calling as a church. As the elders described Amberlea, words like loving, generous, and welcoming came up again and again. I pray that has been your experience, and I wholeheartedly agree—this body of believers truly embodies those qualities. But I have to ask: what makes us different from the Lions Club or the Rotary Club? They also do incredible work for their communities.

The difference, my friends, is the why behind what we do.

Jesus said, By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another (John 13:35). Our love should not just be evident—it should be unmistakably tied to Christ. We don’t love simply because it’s the right thing to do; we love because He first loved us. That is what makes our love different. It carries the power of the Gospel.

But let’s be real—this is the hard part. Acts of kindness are easy: shoveling a neighbor’s driveway, picking up groceries for a shut-in, making a meal for a grieving family. What’s challenging is explaining why we do it. In a world where people are quick to take offense, we often hesitate to share our faith, hoping that our actions will speak for themselves. But do they? Do people truly understand that our love comes from Jesus? Or are we assuming they’ll just figure it out?

So let me ask you the same question Mike asked us on Sunday:

Do people know about your relationship with God? And do they know that you love them because God first loved you?

May we be a church that not only loves well but boldly proclaims why we love. May our kindness not just bless others but point them to the One who is Love itself. Amen.