Shepherd of the Hills UMC Mission Viejo Campus

Think of those situations you have been in. The situations where the only words you could use were no or yes, before you get a chance to explain. In Genesis, Adam and Eve are tempted by the serpent. But they get it wrong. They give a yes answer. In Matthew, Jesus is tempted by the devil, after getting an assurance of being the Son of God. Jesus gets it right, with a no answer. I am fascinated by these two sides. Many times in our lives we have followed the rules, do...ne the right things, and said no. But what happens next is not what we think was meant to happen. So, we feel something is missing. In this void we find no wholeness, no feeling of integrity, nor passion. We may have values and principles, but when we get to the outside world, what we do and express contradicts what we hold inside. A disconnect between the intra and inter. What is this disconnect? Temptation? Self -denial or lack of knowing oneself? After being tempted, Adam and Eve acquire a new level of consciousness. Although life becomes hard and complex, it is more real and maybe more beautiful. The same goes for Jesus. The connection between these two discordant Biblical events is that they both represent a time of gaining self-knowledge. During this Lenten season, God is inviting us to a point of no/yes. A point of new awareness! A point of new awakening! A point of new consciousness! It is not a point of falling or of hiding away from God, ourselves or another. God invites us toturn pain into beauty. Deformation into wholeness. Division into integrity. Hopes into realities. Because our lives are made of the two sides. And we are called to bring healing and create new lives. Prayer: Dear Loving and Merciful God help us to have divine self-knowledge. Self-awareness that will help us understand and love You, ourselves and our neighbors. Let not temptation and self-denial supersede our self-knowledge.

We are taught to be self-sufficient in our lives. But sometimes we have to let go of doing everything ourselves and let God's love meet us. And often it happens through the love and care of other people. We see God by loving one another.

Get your sneakers ready! Lent hikes are back! This year’s Lenten Hikes are a bit unusual. We might describe them as virtual, but perhaps "hiking in your bubble might be more descriptive. Each week we will give you a suggested hiking trail for you and your family or bubble to try out. Then send us your pictures and we’ll post them on Facebook and Instagram. So dust off your tennis shoes and let’s hit the trails safely. Details will be posted to Facebook on Fridays, or sign... up on MyShepherd (Groups: In Motion - Hiking) Week 1 Suggestion: O’Neill Park (RSM)

Let this Lent be a time of turning around toward Goda time of rediscovering the great and marvelous things that God has done in your life. If we truly desire to draw closer to the Lord, that whole journey begins in one special place with prayer. Every day try to take a moment or two to speak, listen to and be still with God. Take a stroll and ask God to show you through the activity of plants, insects, birds, animals, wind, and sun His closeness and strength. Prayer: Lord you come into my life in so many ways. This Lent give me a new Psense ya special sense of Your presence.

Lent started yesterday on Ash Wednesday. Did you get your family ministry lent bags?? Inside is a devotional guide to follow each Sunday, coloring pages and tools to help you. If you haven't picked up your bag yet they are still at the church office waiting for you!