I attended my first Ash Wednesday service when a sorority sister invited me. I saw things in Karen's life that drew me to her - patience, confidence, humility, and an overarching sense of peace in the face of all the usual college conundrums. I went to church that night as a self-proclaimed agnostic. By Easter Sunday (after faithfully attending weekly Lenten services) I believed Jesus when he said "I am the way, and the truth and the life." I asked to be baptized.

Nearly 40 years have passed, and the Lenten season remains a special time for me - because I met my Lord and Savior during those weekly gatherings. It is my deepest prayer that your relationship with Jesus will be initiated - or strengthened - during this year's Lenten season as we walk through these weeks together.

Join with me in allowing the Lord to transform and renew our hearts as we take the following steps together:

• DAILY devotional reading using The Upper Room. As we allow believers from around the world to share their experiences with the Lord and his Word, may our own hearts and lives be sanctified. (And may daily devotional reading become a lifelong spiritual discipline, if it isn't already.)
• WEEKLY drawing near to Jesus as we study his seven "I AM" statements (found in the Gospel of John). As we seek to increase our understanding of - and love for - our Lord, may our praises deepen and our joy on Resurrection Sunday be greater than ever. May we truly grasp his incredible sacrifice!
• REGULARLY remembering Who Jesus is and what he did for us - "from the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky," as the familiar chorus says ("Lord I Lift Your Name On High" by Donnie McClurkin). Lent is a time for recalling and meditating. Simple craft projects (created together at our Wednesday gatherings) will help us remember who Jesus is, and what he came to do, as we prepare our hearts for Easter.
• PRAYERFULLY lifting one another up and coming boldly to the throne of grace. Regular prayer for, and with, a "Lenten Prayer Partner" (from our group) will allow us - two by two - to uphold each other in our desire (through repentance and self-denial) to put away the sins that so easily entangle us, and to share the joy of a new and renewed commitment to walking with Jesus. To God be the glory!

As we read, meditate, gather, study, create, and pray, may this Lenten season become a blessed time of remembering and refocusing, renewal and regeneration so that we grow in holiness and Christ-likeness in every way.

If you are leading a group in this Lenten study, begin by reviewing the Leader's Guide, which will help alert you to handouts and options for the sessions.