Pastor Matt’s February Reflection
(Here is my Reflection from this months newsletter.)
Lent is coming! Ash Wednesday is Feb. 14th The season of Lent is used by Christians as a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is also utilized as a time of self-examination and reflection.
How do you hold yourself accountable in your relationship with God? Have you ever seen John Wesley’s Accountability questions that Wesley would use with his Holy Clubs? John would use these questions with his Holy Club over 200 years ago. I find them very helpful in centering my relationship with God. (www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/everyday-disciples-john-wesleys-22-questions)
Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?
Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?
Do I confidentially pass on to another what was told to me in confidence?
Can I be trusted?
Am I a slave to dress, friends, work, or habits?
Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?
Did the Bible live in me today?
Do I give it time to speak to me everyday?
Am I enjoying prayer?
When did I last speak to someone else about my faith?
Do I pray about the money I spend?
Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?
Do I disobey God in anything?
Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?
Am I defeated in any part of my life?
Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy, or distrustful?
How do I spend my spare time?
Am I proud?
Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the Pharisees who despised the publican?
Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold a resentment toward or disregard? If so, what am I doing about it?
Do I grumble or complain constantly?
Is Christ real to me?
I want to invite you this Lent to consider these accountability questions and see where they lead you.
Lent is coming, Easter is coming. But it will all be ok, just breathe and open yourself up to the nudges and whispers that God is presenting you.
Peace be with you,
Pastor Matt Franks
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