For too long Lent has been thought of as a season of self-sacrifice and discipline that sounds to many Christians like a list of spiritual chores. Lenten disciplines become the spiritual equivalent of New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, be healthier, or practice better money management. These promises are easily made and often quickly broken, leaving us feeling like we do not measure up to what we should be.
In his letter to the Philippians, the apostle Paul joyfully turns to spiritual practices that draw him closer to God amid persecution and imprisonment. These practices keep Paul connected to a sense of God’s power and presence. Joy flows from Paul and becomes a vital part of his relationship with the Philippians.
Because of This I Rejoice is a 6-week study of Philippians that explores what Paul teaches about joyfully practicing spiritual disciplines. The intent of these disciplines is to help us focus less on ourselves and more on God. This Lenten study invites us to engage in the same spiritual practices as a way to grow closer to God and allow joy to flow through our lives.
عن المؤلف
Max O. Vincent is pastor of Inman Park Church a United Methodist Community in Atlanta. He is married to Kristen Vincent, and they have one son, Matthew. Max and Kristen coauthored Another Bead, Another Prayer, a collection of devotions and prayers to use with Protestant prayer beads.
A Georgia native, Max holds Master of Divinity and Master of Theology degrees from Duke Divinity School and a bachelor’s degree in Religion from Wofford College, Spartanburg, South Carolina. He studied for one year at the University of Bonn in Bonn, Germany.
A member of the North Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church, Max has served as pastor of United Methodist congregations in North Carolina and Georgia. He served for 4 years as a chaplain for the brain injury unit at Shepherd Center in Atlanta. Max enjoys teaching workshops on prayer and spiritual disciplines. He loves reading theology, preaching, golf, college basketball, and Girl Scout cookies.