Scotty Williams

Passage

“The burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrifices and drink offerings required for each day.” (Leviticus 23:37) 

Reflection

Like salvation Lent does not require much of us. In fact, it requires nothing as believers keep observance. Our fasting, repentance, and prayer are not works that God demands, but a means of resting in the One that He has sent on our behalf. When we deny ourselves we rest in the selflessness of Jesus. When we turn from sin we rest in sinlessness of Jesus. And when we speak to God we rest within the promises of Jesus. The only thing to do is find leisure in our Savior.

Prayer

Sovereign Lord, Who requires nothing from the people You have saved, may we not give works that You have not commanded in Your Word. May we simply rest in Christ while keeping the Lenten season. Your Son Whose cross we soon will see with the joys of resurrection. In His name we pray. Amen.

Donut of the Day

Today’s donut is the Chapssal. This Korean confection is made of glutinous rice flour and is often filled with sweet red bean paste or coated in cinnamon sugar.

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Passage

“Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them.” (Psalm 32:6) 

Reflection

During the second half of Lent many feel their resolve weakening, and find temptations rising up like high tide at the sea. Some even fear that all these things might start to drown them, so out of this they abandon ship before reaching the Easter shore. When such moments come it is crucial to not forget the Lord, Who rises higher than the tide that seems to be advancing. Our temptations can never outgrow His changeless grace and mercy. And they can never put out the lighthouse of His steadfast love and joy. God will always stand above what makes us fear and worry, and make us rise to sit with Him in comfort, peace, and safety.

Prayer

Gracious Father, Who sits on high and reigns on low, we praise You that nothing is more powerful than Your grace, mercy, love, and joy. Forgive us for the times where we forget Your constant presence and overlook Your mighty hand which moves to raise us up. And bring us to sit with You above all things that tempt us. You Who live and reign with the Son and the Spirit as one God, both now and forever. Amen.

Donut of the Day

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Today’s donut is the classic Pink Glaze. Since its creations in the United States it has become the universal symbol for donuts, and is often featured on signs and in logos for donut shops and bakeries.

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Passage

“Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people.” Exodus 32:12

Reflection

In addition to 40 days of preparation for Easter, Lent is a time of imitating God’s good work for us. One our behalf He has relented a host of negative things, and cleared the way that we might run to Him and know His love. The Lord has abandoned anger to show us endless mercy, and He has let go of judgement that are might be set free. Like we in the Lenten season He has given up fearful ways and invited us to boldly come before His throne of grace. Indeed our Maker has relented many negative things; therefore, let us follow His example for our good and for His glory.

Prayer

Merciful Father, Who has given up that we might gain, we praise You that You looked beyond our fault and saw our need. And with letting go of things adverse which we deserved, You let go of Your greatest gift which we did not deserve. Out of love You gave Your Son who let go of His life, and through this we have been set free from death to truly live. Blessed be Your name. Amen.

Donut of the Day

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Today’s donut is the Thai Berliner. This pastry, which was inspired by the original Berliner from Germany, has a variety of fillings like fruit and coconut jam.

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Passage

“And tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from right where the priests are standing,” (Joshua 4:3)

Reflection

At the midpoint of the Lenten season many people begin to struggle, and the resolve they had when it began starts to wax and wane. Suddenly, they deeply crave what they are fasting from or they find temptations pull them more and are harder to resist. At this point they begin to ask, “Am I doing this Lent thing right?”, and the answer to this question is a resounding yes and no. The fact that we are keeping the fast to begin with is the yes, and our observances are not all wrong and bumbling mistakes. Yet, as imperfect people relying on God’s grace, our observes are not all right or void of any flaws. We are getting it and not getting, and that is OK. And the same is true for our daily walk with Christ in life and faith.

Prayer

Our Lord Jesus, just as Your Kingdom is already and not yet here, our fasting, prayer, and repentance are already and not yet right. Thank you for the many things that we are doing well, and help us with the many things where we have missed the mark. And as face our imperfections by Your grace, help us to be gracious with ourselves and rest within Your love. Amen.

Donut of the Day

Today’s donut is the Mandazi. This East African fried bread is similar to the Puff puff and Bofrot of West Africa.

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Passage

“Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16)

Reflection

As we give up sins and leave unfitting ways behind, the Lenten season offers us a chance to be renewed. It takes great strength to let go of things that hinder us, but we can gain it back through the disciplines of fasting, prayer, and repentance. While they seem like works they are really places to meet the Lord Who fills us with His Spirit and uplifts us with His Word. Let us not take these precious disciplines for granted, and find in them a solace for the weary heart and soul.

Prayer

O Christ we look to You and hold fast to the promise that those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. We wait in the solaces of fasting, prayer, and repentance and ask that You would replenish us by Your Spirit and Your Word. In Your holy name we pray. Amen.

Donut of the Day

Today’s donut is the Mochi. This chewy pastry, which was first made in Hawaii, is a fusion of the traditional American donut and Japanese mochi.

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Passage

“At the end of forty days they returned from exploring the land.” (Numbers 13:25)

Reflection

In a few weeks the Lenten season will end, and with the coming of Easter we will go back to normality. When the fast is finished we will return to usual rhythms, but we should not back to certain things we have left behind. Along with the things like chocolate we have given up certain sins and ways that no longer serve us and are now a stumbling block. In these forty days we are changing and growing in a host of ways, and hope to emerge as people more conformed to blessed image of Christ.

Prayer

Loving Lord, Who appoints all times and seasons, we thank You for these forty days which You have purposed for our good. In them is a blessed change through exchanging things unfitting for a growth into the people You are making us to people. People conformed to image of the Son You sent for us. Jesus Christ Whose death and resurrection we approach. In His name we pray. Amen.

Donut of the Day

Today’s donut is Frybread. This dish came about through the displacement of Indigenous Americans who were given meagre supplies by those who displaced them.

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Passage

“And He will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; His Kingdom will never end.”” (Luke 1:33)

Reflection

During Lent the Church celebrates a special Feast Day. It is called the Annunciation of the Lord where we remember the visit of Gabriel. After appearing to Mary the angel says she will have a Son. A Son named Jesus Who will be a King and reign for all eternity. And for us today these words are fulfilled and a reality, for the Son of Mary rules over us as King of kings forever.

Prayer

O Christ, Who rules and reigns above, we acknowledge You as King. Enthrone Yourself upon our hearts and reign within us always. To You be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Donut of the Day

Today’s donut is the Chocolate Glazed. Despite its humble American origins, it is now enjoyed around the world.

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