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to the stingy spaces I had been dealing with.
After standing for a moment gazing down at the greatest opportunity any one could ever dream of for the imposition of ashes, it became clear that I was free to draw as large as I wished. I was not even limited to the forehead - his whole head was an inviting space. With great abandon, the cross was drawn across that vast expanse - manifold times larger than any that had gone before. Then, triumphantly and with great joy, I turned to the congregation and pointed to the cross I had just drawn. They celebrated with me and broke out in applause. After the congregation had left, I sat for long time in the Sanctuary contemplating the lesson of Avery. It seemed as if God had been showing through the difficulties in finding room for the cross that our lives are so filled up and there are so many barriers to his touching our lives."4 As we saw in that cute story, there are all kinds of barriers in us, including hair, which can keep out the forgiveness of God. Today on the Ash Wednesday, we need to lower those barriers and let the forgiving power of the cross enter our lives. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! Amen Written by Pastor Tim Zingale February 20, 2003
1 Steve Jackson NewSong Community Church Cumming GA 300-40 2 Peter Mazar,A Lent Sourcebook,p.vi 3 A Sermon Preached by The Reverend Gale W.Robb The House of Hope Presbyterian Church Saint Paul,Minnesota 4 Rev. W. T.(Bill) Reynolds, Assistant to the Pastors Fairlington U.M.C.,Alexandria, Va.
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