Jim's Fields of Observation

In Deutschland ist heute Buss- und Bettag. That means, today is Day of Repentance and Prayer in Germany. I first learned of this day while I was interning with a small church in northern Germany. (Visit the Website of the German church I interned with at www.christusgemeinde-pe.de.)

Repentance is not a common word nowadays. The Greek verb used in the New Testament means “to change your mind” and carries the idea of reformation, of changing your behavior. Interestingly, a 2006 Christian Science Monitor article cites a few small examples of a burgeoning movement among Germans who are reconsidering religion and “repenting” (if you will) of the rampant secularism widespread in most of northern and western Europe. Interesting that the people to whom I went to minister still teach me a thing or two.

And what of changing? Improving. Making a decision to change the direction one’s life is going?

“God, all too often I go my own way, not even thinking about Your leading. Please forgive me. I want to turn from my own way and follow You. Please lead me. Amen.”