Lenten Journey 2014: The Monday of the fourth week of Lent

Good evening, internet. Today began the Lenten struggle yet again. But today, it felt different. It was a struggle that I embraced wholeheartedly. Realizing that there is no magic formula, no brownie point you get for fasting, but simply spending extra time with the One who built the earth's foundation, is reward enough for me. As Holy Week draws closer and closer, so does the cross. The cross, which has become a universal sign for the Christian faith, didn't start out that way. But Jesus redefined the cross. And am I glad that He did. 

God bless,

Manny Tovar

Lenten Journey 2014: The Sunday in the fourth week of Lent

Good evening, internet. Today was a wonderful day, indeed. Spent some time with my parents, and ate some empanadas for dinner. That constitutes a great end for any day, in my opinion. This is fixing to be a great week, and I can't wait to see what the Lord has to teach me this week. Please pray for me, dear reader, for continued perseverance. 

God bless,

Manny Tovar

Lenten Journey 2014: The Saturday of the fourth week of Lent

As I lay here writing this, I find myself reflecting on my Lenten journey thus far. Having reached the halfway point of this season, I realize the work God has done so far and will continue to do in this penitential season. With three weeks remaining until the Feast of the Resurrection of the Lord, I find myself being more and more directed toward the cross of Christ and finding relief and comfort in this cross. This cross, in a sense, becomes the new tree of life, and those who partake of its Fruit receive eternal life. These beautiful anti types are truly one of the most beautiful images in scripture. The fruit that Adam and Eve partook of brought death and sin to all, so the Fruit on the cross offer life and salvation to all. And with this I shall leave you tonight. 

God bless,

Manny Tovar

Lenten Journey 2014: The Friday of the fourth week of Lent

Good afternoon, Internet. Today marks 4 weeks until the end of my spring semester. It is so exciting, yet bittersweet. I have made many friends here and three and a half months away from them seems impossible for me to handle at the moment. But absence makes the heart grow fonder, as they say. Today also marks two weeks until Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday on April 13th. That will be quite a week for me, one that I am anticipating with utmost joy. This post will be short, but my thoughts today are short indeed.

In Christ,
Manny Tovar

Lenten Journey 2014: The Thursday of the fourth week of Lent

Good evening, Internet. Today has been a marvelous day. I wanted to share with you all a quote by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a great man of God. "Suffering must be borne, so that it will pass. Either the world must bear it and go down because of it, or it falls on Christ and is overcome in Him. So Christ suffers vicariously for the world. The Son of God bore our flesh, and for that reason He bore the cross; He bore all our sins and through His bearing achieved reconciliation. So too are disciples called to be bearers. Being a Christian consists in bearing." Christ has experienced suffering. This is something that brings nothing but hope to my life. When I stumble and experience temptation, Christ understands. Whenever I feel betrayed by a close friend, Christ understands. When I lose a loved one, Christ understands. Christ understands what makes humans human. And I'm sure He saw the fallen side of humanity during His sojourn here on this earth. He must have seen how brother can betray brother and friend defraud friend. He saw the absolute evil in people. But what blows my mind is that Christ, on the cross, took that evil He saw and placed it upon Himself. He died for those who didn't even give Him a second look. If you're a sinner like me, then do I have good news for you. You are exactly the person that Christ died for.

" For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous." (Romans 5:19, ESV)


God Bless,

Manny Tovar

Lenten Journey 2014: The Wednesday of the fourth week of Lent

Good evening, internet. Today was a wonderful day all around. I learned some interesting things in my New Testament Survey class. I went to a midday Lent service and got to hear one of my pastor friends preach, so that was pretty sweet. And now I am in bed, ready to shut my eyes and sleep, thankful for all the Lord has given to me today. 

God bless,

Manny Tovar

Lenten Journey 2014: The Tuesday of the third week of Lent

Good evening, internet. Please forgive me for not updating you all these past three days. This weekend was extremely busy as well as yesterday. But I'm back now, and I am here to catch you all up. Saturday was a glorious day. I did absolutely nothing school-related, and hung out at the pool with some friends and then hung out with some more friends in the evening. Sunday was equally glorious, in which I went to church, heard a very good sermon, then hung out with my parents almost all afternoon since they came to visit me. Yesterday began the torture yet again as classes began with a boom. I've been meditating on Christ's temptation lately, and how He was able to resist it. Christ is the example for how humanity originally was supposed to be. It helps to have an example, but what's more is that Jesus understands me at all! In my theology class, we are discussing the various misunderstandings about the natures of Jesus. The fact that Jesus is both divine and human takes a huge burden off my shoulder. I don't have to do anything. Jesus has done it all for me. That, my friends, is good news indeed.

In Christ,
Manny Tovar

Lenten Journey 2014: The Friday of the third week of Lent

Good evening, internet. I am sitting outside of my campus coffeeshop while I am writing this. I wish you were here. There's a wonderful breeze here in Lakeland. It truly is beautiful, and just reminds me of the creativity of God in creation. I have recently discovered the wonderful world of Lutheran podcasts. There certainly are a plethora of good, sound doctrine and witty humor of Lutheran podcasters. (I'm actually listening to the Boars in the Vineyard podcast while I'm writing this!) I'll give some links to some of my favorite Lutheran podcasters. But today, I wanted to talk to you about something that I have been reflecting on this week of Lent: the crucifix. I have heard many objections about the use of a crucifix either in churches or for personal use in the home. One of the biggest objections is that because the Roman Catholic Church uses crucifixes, we shouldn't use them. I, as a Lutheran, cannot jump on that bandwagon. I actually thank the Roman church for many things. First of all, they preserved the historic liturgy of the Church. Second, they also preserved the ancient writings of the Church Fathers and some early Christians. Thirdly, they have shown me what a church should look like. Does the Roman church have some errors in their theology? Absolutely. But am I going to throw out something simply because it is used in the Roman Church? Of course not! The second objection I hear is "The cross is empty, so we shouldn't use the crucifix." I'm sorry, but this is not a good argument. If you're going to argue that because Jesus is not on the cross we should refrain from using crucifixes, then we have to apply that logic to our dear, dear nativity scenes with the infant Jesus because Jesus is not an infant anymore. The third argument used is that the use of a crucifix is contrary to one of the Ten Commandments. The only response I have to that is: context. The prohibition of graven images is affiliated with making graven images in order to worship them. No Lutheran that has a crucifix would ever worship it. We may be similar to our Catholic brothers and sisters, but there is a reason why we're Lutherans. I've probably bored you with this, but I feel like its something that needs to be addressed. If you have comments, questions, or concerns, feel free to email me or leave me a comment. In closing, I shall leave you with this image.
God bless,
Manny

Lenten Journey 2014: The Thursday of the third week of Lent

Good evening, internet. I'm sitting in bed reading Luther's Small Catechism on the Apostles' Creed. This part just stuck out to me: "All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him. This is most certainly true." I leave that with you tonight. 

God bless you,

Manny Tovar

Lenten Journey 2014: The Wednesday of the third week of Lent

I am a sinner. This is something that God has shown me many times as of late. I think that I'm not as bad as others. This is not true. I'm just as worse as that guy down the street being unfaithful to his wife. But that's not the end of the story. I'm just the kind of person that Christ died for. "For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:6-8) Simul iustus et peccator. Latin for "At the same time just and sinner." Martin Luther said that. I'm a sinner, but before God through the work of Christ I am a saint. It truly is a paradox. But that's usually how God works. Just look at the death of Jesus. The cross was meant to be an act of torture for victims. But the apostle John refers to the cross as the hour of Christ's glorification.

God bless,
Manny Tovar

Lenten Journey 2014: The Tuesday of the second week of Lent

Good evening, internet. Tomorrow marks the third week of Lent. It has been three weeks since I have begun my Lenten journey, and it has been something truly amazing. God has shown me that I am nothing but a wretched, miserable sinner in need of the grace of God. And I'm fine with that. 

In Christ,

Manny Tovar

Lenten Journey 2014: The Monday of the second week of Lent

Good evening, internet. The first day of this week has come to an end. I'm a bit hungry, I'm not going to lie. I spent most of my day in the library, finishing some papers for my religious classes. I got some books from my school library, so I'm looking forward to reading those soon. Today was St. Patrick's day, so naturally the cafeteria had an Irish themed lunch today. They did have shamrock shakes, which were quite delicious. I've been reading my Lenten devotional book by Bonhöffer, and it's truly something remarkable. I know you probably expected more, but I'm sorry. This is all that I have for today. Hope you have a wonderful morning/afternoon/evening, whoever and wherever you are. 

God bless,

Manny Tovar

Lenten Journey 2014: The Sunday of the second Sunday in Lent

Good evening, internet. Today has been a glorious beginning to this week. I went with my parents to a friend of my dad's church then went to eat out for lunch. I had a great time. And of course, today is the Lord's Day, so there is joy simply because of that. Tomorrow begins another week of struggle with the evil one, so I would appreciate your prayers. If any of you are also trekking through Lenten journeys, hope all is going well and that you are learning more of our Lord and about yourself. 

God bless,

Manny Tovar

Lenten Journey 2014: The Saturday of the second week of Lent

Good evening, internet. I hope you had a wonderful week. Today was a wonderful day. Me and my parents went out and took our dogs out for a bit to get some fresh air. Then we got some sundaes and watched a movie together. The perfect end to a good week. I'm so excited for tomorrow, because it's the Lord's Day. I'm not that hungry today, and that is something that I'm happy about. This fasting thing is growing on me. God continues to show me things about myself and about Him that are just astonishing. This will be a shorter post than usually, since not much happened today. I hope that you are doing well, dear reader, and hope that you have a wonderful evening/morning, wherever and whoever you are.

God bless,
Manny Tovar

Lenten Journey 2014: The Friday of the second week of Lent

Hello, internet. My apologies for not posting yesterday. It was a busy day. I had a midterm yesterday and just completely lost track of time. Yesterday was a good day. Temptation, as always, but thanks to God, I did not succumb. Today has been a good end to the school week. I got a 97% on one of my midterms, so that was a great way to end the week! I'm home for the weekend, and I was finally able to start reading the Lenten devotional that I ordered last weekend, "God is on the cross: Reflections on Lent and Easter" by Dietrich Bonhöffer! Now I'm just listening to some music and trying to set before me Christ crucified for me this wonderful Friday evening. I hope your week has been well. I'm grateful for you, whoever you are, dear reader, that you take time to read what a simple college boy has to say. Thank you for listening to me. I truly appreciate it. And if you're going through some rough patches, remember that Christ understands. Go to Him and tell Him what's going on.

Grateful for Jesus,

Manny Tovar

Lenten Journey 2014: The Wednesday of the second week of Lent

"Go to dark Gethsemane,
Ye who feel the tempter's pow'r;
Your Redeemer's conflict see;
Watch with Him one bitter hour;
Turn not from His griefs away;
Learn of Jesus Christ to pray." (Lutheran Service Book #436)
 

 This was the first hymn we sang tonight at our Lenten midweek service. This has now become one of my favorite hymns for Lent. I've recently been introduced to the Church's plethora of hymns for this most solemn season, and almost all of them bring me to the verge of tears. I faced the temptation today of giving up the time I spent with the Lord in prayer and reading of the word to indulge myself in abundance with food. Christ swooped in and saved the day, thanks be to God. But singing this hymn tonight helped me to realize that when I face similar temptations to remember that Christ Himself was also tempted, and He can identify with my struggles. What's a little hunger, anyway? Dear reader, Christ comes for sinners, and what's even better is that He understands you. I call that good news.

In awe,
Manny Tovar

Lenten Journey 2014: The Tuesday of the first week of Lent

Tomorrow marks a week since I began my Lenten journey. Just the fact that I've almost survived a week is laudable, but in reality it is only the beginning. What I have learned about myself these past six days would be enough to make anyone feel like a piece of dung, but somehow this is different. I feel..... aware. Aware of the fact that I'm nothing but a wretched sinner that justly deserves the wrath of God. But also aware of the fact that Jesus died so that I could be a wretched sinner who receives the grace of God. The fact that I'm a sinner doesn't change in both situations. Simply because Christ is my Lord does not mean I've stopped being a sinner. It simply means that what I receive has changed; in place of wrath, I receive mercy and grace. Martin Luther had a phrase that has been something of utmost wealth to me: Simul iustus et peccator. At the same time just and a sinner. Luther recognized that even in a state of regeneration the believer still lives in the world and still in fact does commit acts of sin. That is something that will never be resolved in this world. While I have this body of flesh, I will still sin. But because of Christ and His sacrifice, I am a saint. In fact, all who are Christian are saints before God. So I am a saint and a sinner. Of course, I don't want to sin. But the realization that when I do fall, Christ is right there to pick me up is something that I absolutely adore with all my heart. It does not give me a license to sin, but the assurance that when I do sin, Christ will not leave me. As always, I ask for you, dear reader, to pray for perseverance for the remainder of these forty days. I want to thank you for putting up with me, and for making it to the end of this post. Whoever you are, and wherever you are, I want to thank you for taking time out of your day to listen to what I have to say.

 Sincerely, a saint and a sinner,

Manny Tovar

Lenten Journey 2014: The Monday of the first week of Lent

Good evening, Internet. The days after Ash Wednesday were simply a quiz to see if I could handle the true challenge: Week after week without my evening meal. But these past days have taught me something about myself: I go to food whenever I have a problem, and frankly, that's a problem. Food was given to us by God as a means of sustainment and enjoyment. But like all gifts that God gives us, food too can be abused and be taken away from its original intent.

It is in this situation that I find myself reflecting on today. Going without dinner these couple of days has brought new meaning to Matthew 4:4: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." Also, since Ash Wednesday, I've been reflecting on my mortality, something that has really come into focus lately for me. To realize that I'm not promised tomorrow, and that at any moment I could very well die and the world would go on without me is very humbling. I think we all would like to think that we're somewhat important to the people around us, and in a sense we are.

But the contribution that we have brought to this world will die along with us, and the world will continue as it has been for millenia. I am not as important as I think myself to be. It truly is a sobering realization. As I trek with Jesus during my journey through my own wilderness, I have, like our Lord, been tempted by the devil. Many temptations I have overcome with the grace of God; other battles have left me spiritually wounded. But all in all, it has made me rely on Christ all the more, and that always is a good thing. But that won't stop the ancient serpent from trying to tempt me once again.

During Lent, the Church enters into a time of sorrow and contrition for our sins which we have commited, and with them incur the righteous wrath of God. But bringing to memory the sacrifice that Christ made for us makes the discipline of our heavenly Father something not to fear but to embrace with complete submission of will, recognizing that He indeed knows best. He is God, after all. Something that I must remember about Lent is that it always points to the cross. The paradoxical cross. where sins are atoned for, true love is shown, and suffering is glorified.

Although the hymns sung throughout these coming days speak especially of Christ's Passion, they all point to the light of the Resurrection that is approaching, which gives a spark of joy during these days of repentance. Lent, like the season of Advent, is a time to prepare our hearts, not for the coming of our Lord (though that is something that should always be in our minds), but to realize the somber truth that it was YOUR sins that put Christ on the cross.

I've gone on too long, so I'm going to end it here. Have a wonderful day/night, wherever and whoever you are.

God bless,

Manny Tovar

Lenten Journey 2014: The First Sunday in Lent

I'm sorry I didn't post yesterday, but things got kind of busy. But today is the first Sunday in Lent, which means that I get to relax (for today) from my fast. Each Sunday is a mini-celebration of the Resurrection, so if we're fasting, we get to let up temporarily on our fast on Sundays, which makes me happy. I'm happy that it's Sunday for other reasons, but being able to let up from my fast is good. So the first couple days of fasting have been positive. They have helped me  to realize how much I've relied on food, and is slowly giving me a renewed (and healthy) appreciation for food. Let's hope said appreciation just keeps growing during these forty days. Continue praying for me, if you would be so kind for perseverance. I shall see you all tomorrow. Thank you for joining me on my journey. 

God bless,

Manny Tovar

Lenten Journey 2014: The Friday after Ash Wednesday

I'm hungry. Really hungry. And to top it all of, my mom and her friends bought pizza. I'll be honest, I wanted a slice (or 10) SO bad. But I resolved to spend the time I would be feasting to feast on God's word, and that's exactly what I did. I read a Psalm, listened to a couple of Lenten hymns, read some of the New Testament, and prayed to God for perseverance. The hunger pangs haven't gone away, but it's fine. It forces me to reflect on Christ and on His tempting in the wilderness. I'm just fasting from dinner, but He did an all-day fast. For 40 days. And He did it for me. That's the crazy thing. These temptations were not not willed by the devil but by God, whose eternal plan called for the Savior to be tempted and to triumph. Jesus met the test as Israel had not (see Ex. 15:25; 20:20). As true man, Jesus experienced genuine temptation. And as true God, He could overcome temptation. This fasting thing is not easy. Even abstaining from one meal is really testing where my loyalty lies. But I'm determined to persevere the entire 40 days. For that to happen, I ask you, dear reader, to pray for me. But of this I'm sure: that although I abstain from physical food, the Lord will sustain me with the spiritual meal of His word. I can honestly say that I cannot wait for Sunday to come, the Lord's Day, for not only the opportunity to let up temporarily on my fast, but for the wonderful privilege to partake of Christ's true Body and Blood for the good of my soul.

Anxiously awaiting Sunday,

Manny Tovar

Lenten Journey 2014: The Thursday after Ash Wednesday

I will be reflecting on my first day of my Lenten journey from yesterday, Ash Wednesday. I have decided to fast from my evening meal in order to draw closer to God in prayer and reading of the word of God. It went better than I had thought in my mind. When dinner came, I wasn't that hungry, to my surprise. I spent that time with a devotional for Lent, and I truly was able to reflect a bit on the Passion of Christ. It was something absolutely marvelous that I desire to do again. I know that yesterday was given to me by the Lord, but I know that every day won't be like this, but nonetheless I am prepared for whatever may come. But I ask your for your prayers, my brothers and sisters in the faith, for perseverance in the faith. See you tomorrow.

Blessed Lent,

Manny Tovar

Ash Wednesday: My Lenten journey begins

"All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return." (Ecclesiastes 3:20)

That verse pretty much sums up the season of Lent to me. I went to my church's Ash Wednesday service and received the imposition of ashes on my forehead. As I look at them occasionally, I am reminded of that statement that God spoke to Adam and Eve, "You are dust, and to dust you shall return", and it makes me absolutely shattered. I'm not immortal, no matter how long I'm blessed to live. I can't act like nothing can hurt me, or that I'm better than some people. In God's eyes, I'm just as worse as those people who are "sinning" greater than I. But my pastor, as he traced the ashes on my forehead in the sign of the cross, said something that I wasn't expecting: "Emmanuel, Christ has died for you and forgiven all your sins". What a relief that is! Christ has done for ME and forgive all MY sins! Yet, how often I forget this. But this is the whole point of this Lenten journey, to realize that I am not as good as I think I am, that I am nothing but a wretched sinner destined for eternal punishment, but not to stay there in that wallowing, but to realize Christ has suffered in my place simply because He wanted to, that through the Holy Spirit has called me to faith in Him, and to carry my own cross with Him on the via dolorosa. It's a mouthful but I hope that this journey will lead to a greater understanding of Christ and Him crucified. Pray for me, my brothers and sisters, that my heart be opened to what Christ has to show me about myself these forty days.

Blessed Lententide,

Manny Tovar

Lent: What is it, and why you should consider observing it too!

Hello, Internet. I'm back (well, on Spring Break, so I actually have time to post)! I want to talk about Lent. If you have Roman Catholic friends or other liturgical churchgoing friends, you've probably heard these past couple of weeks the word "Lent" or "Ash Wednesday". Maybe you're wondering what that means. I'm here to answer those and many other questions today.

Lent is a season of the liturgical year dedicated to self-examination and repentance of the faithful. Lent this year begins this upcoming Wednesday, March 5, Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, in which Lutherans (and other Christians) go to a special service where ashes are placed on their forehead (usually in the sign of the cross, but it varies from place to place), with the words, "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return" or, "Repent, and believe in the gospel". The practice of using ashes in regards to contrition and repentance is quite biblical, with many saints of the Old Testament using ashes; for example, Job. But what is more important is the journey one makes during Lent: the forty days of Lent is meant to mirror the forty days that our Lord was tempted in the desert by the devil. (The Sundays in Lent, are part of Lent but not "in" Lent, and since each Sunday is a mini-celebration of the Resurrection, those of us who have abstained from something are to indulge (with moderation) in that which we have abstained from. These forty days are a time of serious self-examination, repentance, and conversion. Many people will "give up" something for Lent in order to replace it with something that will help them focus more on God. Some people will take up a habit, usually praying more or reading their Bible more. Some people will take this time to do something they normally wouldn't do, such as doing charitable deeds to others. None of these things score brownie points with God, but they do force us to look outside of ourselves and toward others and God, who is the Source of all we have.

So, is Lent something required? No, it's not. This year is my first time observing Lent, and I'm excited and nervous for what will transpire during these forty days, and being forced to confront my sinfulness and being forced to realize that I can do absolutely nothing without the grace of God. It will be a time of growth, for sure. Lent prepares our heart for Eastertime, when the Church all over the world comes together to celebrate the fulcrum of the Christian faith. Lent makes the observance of Easter a bit more enjoyable in my opinion.

As I said before, I will chronicle my Lenten journey with you all here, and based on what you see these coming weeks, perhaps you will take a Lenten journey with me next year. As always, if you have any questions about Lent or anything else related to the Christian faith, feel free to email me at: Etovar1991@gmail.com

God bless,
Manny Tovar

Postponing "Liturgy" series

This is partly my fault, so I want to apologize right off the bat. I've been super busy studying for midterms that I lost track of keeping up with this series, so I'm going to continue with the series on liturgy until after Lent. This Wednesday, Ash Wednesday, is my first one, so I want to share my Lenten journey with all of you. I will begin with my Ash Wednesday experience, and summarize my journey that week during the Sundays in Lent. For those of you observing Lent, I pray that this time may be a fruitful time of self-examination, the will to do better, and most of all, a deeper understanding of the Lord as we journey with Him these upcoming 40 days. For those of you who do not observe Lent or have any questions, feel free to comment with your questions and I will try to answer them to the best of my knowledge. See you all on Wednesday.

God bless,

Manny Tovar