Ash Wednesday (March 5 this year) marks the beginning of Lent - the 40 days of preparation for the Easter season when Jesus-followers are called to deepen their spiritual lives through the practices of fasting, prayer, and giving. Like exercise we do for our physical health, practices like these can improve our spiritual well-being. They can help us become more aware of how God is present and working in our lives and loosen the things that hold us back, freeing us to experience more love, connection, freedom...