Lent Day 46, Saturday, April 4, 2026

“30 Minutes Alone in Silence.”

On this final day of Lent 2026, our challenge is to spend at least 30 minutes alone in silence. No television. No streaming. No distractions. Just you and God, wherever you may be.

The purpose of today’s challenge is to reflect on God’s work in your life. What have you experienced over the past 46 days? What have you learned about yourself? What have you learned about God?

Our theme this Lenten season has been “Dream Again.” We have focused on letting go of what holds us back, nurturing what is good within us, while paying attention to God’s work around us. Has anything begun to change? Have you started to see your future with renewed hope?  If not, do not worry. This is not a perfect formula for instant transformation. 

If you have participated at all, even in small ways, it is likely that something has shifted within you. When we make space for God, it is difficult to avoid growth.  This is the interesting part: In the day-to-day moments, we may not always feel anything is shifting, but days or weeks later, we look back and begin to recognize that God was at work all along.  This is not us doing something extraordinary. Rather, this is God moving in our lives! 

Like you, I am simply trying to follow where God leads. Sometimes the blessings are immediate, but more often they reveal themselves over time.  Take time with the Lord today. Sit in silence for at least thirty minutes. You can be inside or outside, but remain present. 

Today is Holy Saturday, the final day of Lent. In the story of Jesus, the tomb is closed. It is quiet. It is still… But not for long.  The stone will be rolled away, and the world will be invited to receive God’s greatest gift.

“Be still, and know that I am God.”  (Psalm 46:10a, NIV)

 Lent Day 45, Good Friday, April 3, 2026

“24-Hour Fast”

It’s back! The 24-hour fast returns!  It’s fitting for Good Friday, the day we remember Jesus’ death on the cross.

We call this day “Good Friday” because of what Jesus accomplished for us. But for Jesus, and for those who loved Him, this day was anything but good. It was a day of suffering, grief, and loss. For the next two days, His followers would witness the reality of His death and the silence of the tomb. And yet, through that suffering comes something extraordinary.  

Jesus’ sacrifice is a one-time act that opens the door for reconciliation between God and humanity. Because of Him, we are offered forgiveness. Because of Him, we are not left to carry the full weight of our sin alone. Jesus takes on that burden for us. This is a profound and humbling truth.  

Today, as we honor Good Friday and reach the final Friday of Lent, the challenge is to fast for 24 hours.  If you completed this challenge last week, do it again.  You know how powerful it was.  If you tried and didn’t make it, today is another opportunity.

The guideline is simple. Refrain from food for 24 hours. Drink fluids as needed and be wise in how you approach it. If you have any medical reason not to fast, please do not attempt it. Instead, read Matthew chapters 26 and 27, and spend ten minutes in prayer.

Today is Good Friday. Pause. Reflect. Give thanks.

And if you are able, join us at the Chapel for our Good Friday service at 6:00 pm EDT, in person or online with me, Alyssa, Brian, and a special three-piece string trio.  Be a part as we gather, remember, and worship together.  

https://longboatislandchapel.org/streaming/

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”  (Isaiah 53:5, NIV)

 Lent Day 44, Thursday, April 2, 2026

“Focus on Humility”

Today is Maundy Thursday, a day that recalls two important moments in the life of the Church.

First, Maundy Thursday marks the Last Supper, when Jesus shared a final meal with His disciples. Since that moment, the Church continues to celebrate Holy Communion, also known as the Eucharist and the Lord’s Supper. This is a pivotal event that remains central to Christian worship around the world.

Second, Maundy Thursday also reminds us of the moment when Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. At one of the most vulnerable points in His ministry, Jesus chose to focus not on Himself, but on others. Though He is Lord, He humbled Himself and served in one of the most personal and unexpected ways. Because of this, many churches remember the day by participating in foot washing as part of their worship.  

You may find yourself drawn more to one of these moments than the other, but both point to the same essential truth: humility.  Holy Week calls us to focus on humility because these are not events we could create or accomplish on our own. These are moments in which God enters the world in powerful and personal ways.

Just as we began Lent with Ash Wednesday, where the ashes remind us of our humility before God, Maundy Thursday brings us back to that same truth. God is great, and we are called to approach Him with humble hearts.

What does that look like today?  Take time to practice humility in whatever setting you find yourself. If you are in a position to lead, lead with humility. If you are in a position to serve, serve with joy. If you are given the opportunity to put someone else first, take it.  It may not always be the easiest path, but it is the way of Christ.

“Don't be jealous or proud, but be humble and consider others more important than yourselves.  Care about them as much as you care about yourselves.”  (Philippians 2:3-4, CEV)

 Lent Day 43, Wednesday, April 1, 2026

“Clean Your Beach, Street, or Park”

No, this is not an April Fool’s joke. Today’s Lenten challenge is to clean up your outdoor environment, whatever that may be.

For those of us who live in the tropics, the beach is a great place to start. Our community depends on visitors, and we want our beaches to reflect the beauty we are blessed to enjoy.

If you do not live near the coast, no problem. Your street is a great place to begin, and your local parks can always use a little extra care. Even apartment complexes and parking areas offer opportunities to make a difference.

Here on Longboat Key, Gulf of Mexico Drive is always in need of attention. In fact, in a couple of weeks, local churches will be working together to clean a two-mile stretch of the roadway. If you would like to join us, we will gather on Saturday, April 18, at 8:30 am at Temple Beth Israel on Bay Isles Road.  That may sound like a bit of a commercial plug, but it is a meaningful opportunity. We are blessed to live in this country, and taking care of our communities is one small way we can give back.

If you have physical limitations that prevent you from picking up trash, that is completely fine. Instead, take a few minutes to quietly reflect on the many ways God has blessed you. Giving thanks for those blessings is just as meaningful.

What will you do today?  There are plenty of opportunities around you. Choose one, step outside, and make a difference.

“The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.”  Genesis 2:15, NLT)