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Reflections on Lent, Isaiah 58 and that sermon I heard.

S
Jun 25, 2026 · 15:27

<div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">I believe that we must be discipled to be deeply kind in this divided world. If you do too, subscribe to support this work.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input class="email-input" name="email" tabindex="-1" type="email" /><input class="button primary" type="submit" value="Subscribe" /><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><div class="youtube-wrap" id="youtube2-GVY7hcDX5gk"><div class="youtube-inner"></div></div><div class="pullquote"><p><em><strong>The views and opinions expressed here are solely my own and do not represent those of my employer, any affiliated organization, or any institution with which I am associated.</strong></em></p></div><p>Last Ash Wednesday, this sermon from <span class="mention-wrap"></span> at New Life Fellowship Church was exactly what I was looking for but didn&#8217;t know I needed. I returned to it yesterday and found myself holding the same conclusions more tightly.</p><p>I was thinking, like many others that I need more of God and if I give up something for Him, He&#8217;ll show up for me. Whether conscious or subconscious the dominant cultural narrative is that some sort of spiritual exchange happens with God during this magical 40 days. I give up Twizzlers and get an extra drip from the Holy Spirit, right? </p><p>No, that is just not in scripture at all. Here&#8217;s how that&#8217;s going for me. </p><blockquote><div class="digest-post-embed"></div><p><em><strong>A NOTE ABOUT MY WORK</strong><span>: On June 30, I am leaving my full-time job with InterVarsity USA. If you&#8217;d like to make that more possible, please become a paid subscriber. My new work will be with</span><a href="https://bit.ly/Support-CBR-ArochaUSA"> AROCHA USA // Center for Beauty and Resistance</a><span>. If you </span><a href="https://bit.ly/Support-CBR-ArochaUSA">DONATE</a><span> you will be made a founding member here. Thanks for your prayers, support and generosity.</span></em></p></blockquote>
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