Preface

A project initiated Board of Worship & Music TRAC Malaysia In partnership with LCMS Education Committee

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let me invite you to eavesdrop on some of our conversations before producing this edition of Nails and Thorns.

… I haven't been very holy/righteous lately, to say the least... still can contribute?

By the way, I notice I've been assigned Heb 12:1-14, one of my favourite Bible passages, and also the letter to Titus, which I've barely touched. This is going to be interesting!

… . I feel totally unqualified, but in the upside-down Kingdom perhaps things are different.

… dear friends, we have only one qualification for this project … sinners saved by the grace of God.

Lent is a season where we can set aside time and space to re-order our lives around the life, death and resurrection of Christ.

Lent is an invitation for us to walk together with others the way of Christ which leads to the Cross on Good Friday.

Lent allows us to have a good look at ourselves once again under the gracious light of God’s word. The Holy Spirit is always ready to illuminate our understandings as we engage with the inspired scriptures once again.

This year it is my great joy to have a big group of younger writers to contribute their meditations Many thanks to the TRAC Board of Worship and Music for initiating this project, and for giving me and our young friends a chance to partner together (and patience to see it all come together!).

We’ve set up this blog to encourage ongoing interaction during the season of lent:

In humility, we trust God to use our efforts as part of the answer to our prayers during these troubled and turbulent times – as we pray and continue to do so … “His kingdom to come here on earth as it is in heaven.”

Rev. Sivin Kit

Chairman, LCMS Education Committee