Today is Ash Wednesday. Normally, this is when I invite you to come to worship with me at my church’s Ash Wednesday Service. And none of you take me up on the offer, but I’m not bitter about it. I’m not going to invite you this year though because of the blizzard we have cancelled our Ash Wednesday Service tonight. If you come to our normal worship service on Sunday though, you can still get your ashes.
Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent, which is also known as Fish Fry Season around my house and on those days, I like to share a devotional to start this post. This Ash Wednesday is no different, but this Ash Wednesday devotional really speaks to me. You will figure out why shortly.
Lent Photo-a-Day 2025
Do you generally give something up during Lent? Would you consider adding in a practice?
Lent, the season of the Christian Year that is typically observed as a time of simple living, prayer and fasting leading up to Easter, begins on Ash Wednesday [March 5, 2025]. But what is Lent REALLY about?
Many spend the time in self-examination and reflection as modeled by Jesus in Matthew 4: 1-11 where he prayed and fasted for 40 days before beginning his ministry.
What happened during those 40 days of fasting and praying in the wilderness? Our friends at the Upper Room say that maybe Jesus needed some time with God to sort through the major changes happening in his life. Maybe he needed a break from family, friends and his regular routine in order to see God [and himself] more clearly. Maybe he sought more time with God as he searched for direction and answers to the question that we, too have from time to time: “Who am I called to be?”
We, too are invited into this time of introspection.
Will you join this photo-a-day challenge and share with the community how you perceive each word of the day? No explanation needed. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words.
In years past, we’ve posted the day’s word each day on social media. We won’t be doing that this year. But we’re still keeping track of what everyone is posting–and you can too by looking at the grid below! As you’re posting each day, you may want to mention that your participating in this daily challenge and invite others to join in! Tag us on your Instagram, Facebook or TikTok with #LentPhotoADay
https://www.umc.org/en/content/lent-photo-a-day-2025
I think this is the best Lent Devotional idea I’ve ever seen! And don’t worry, I will also be hitting up plenty of fish fries!
I still have so many more pictures to share from my trip to the Des Moines Downtown Farmer’s Market with Jesse from last year.
No reason to dally around, let’s get to it:
There still are plenty of images left to share from this awesome day in downtown Des Moines!