The Season of Lent

What am I going to give up?  What is my plan for lent?  I am excited about the Lent season, to move in a closer relationship with God, to experience the Holy. I am anticipating walking forward with the Lord. Lent gives us the opportunity to rebuild, reconnect, and renew our relationship with God.

I have been researching Lent for the past month, trying to figure out what it means to Christians, and how it should be observed. Read on and see what I have discovered.

The joyful news that He is risen does not change the contemporary world.  Still before us lie work, discipline, sacrifice.  But the fact of Easter gives us the spiritual power to do the work, accept the discipline, and make the sacrifice.  ~Henry Knox Sherrill

• This liturgical season is all about asking for directions-going into the dryness so that we can show up transformed at the spring of new life. I pray many different ways during this time of preparation, and most of them are quite fun. For me Lent isn't about being somber or morose. I have enough of that in my life. It's about using everything in my life to better connect me with God.

Read more: http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/2008/09/12-Ways-to-Pray-During-Lent.aspx#ixzz1EuWmynSw

A Lenten Reflection

Give up complaining——focus on gratitude.

Give up pessimism——become an optimist.

Give up harsh judgments——think kindly thoughts.

Give up worry——trust Divine Providence.

Give up discouragement——be full of hope.

Give up bitterness——turn to forgiveness.

Give up hatred——return good for evil.

Give up negativism——be positive.

Give up anger——be more patient.

Give up pettiness——become mature.

Give up gloom——enjoy the beauty that is all around you.

Give up jealousy——pray for trust.

Give up gossiping——control your tongue.

Give up sin——turn to virtue.

Give up giving up——hang in there!

I am inspired by this Lenten Reflection, I have many character flaws, that I need to continue to go to the Lord on humbled knee, in prayer, to guide me through -- all year long.

Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in spring-time.  
~Martin Luther

• Lent is about regaining self-control, especially in those areas that damage others. We don't admire those whose appetites or habits lead them by the nose. A pure heart create for me, O God. Put a steadfast spirit within me.

Read more: http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/Lent/Lent-Bible-Verses.aspx?p=2#ixzz1EuVqiaMj

 We live and die; Christ died and lived!  ~John Stott

I wanted to have wreath or something that represented Lent, that would guide me through Lent.  Wreaths and candles are just not for Advent, we need to be reminded of God's greatest sacrifice, for us. Humbled and low.....

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.  John 17:17

My Lenten reminder as I travel through the season. 

• Burning candles is a reminder to me that Jesus is the light of the world.  "... I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12
• The rocks represent the wilderness or desert that Jesus was led into to be tempted by Satan for 40 days and 40 nights.
• The six "purple" candles are to represent repentance and to be lit each Sunday on the renewal days. The white candle is for Easter Sunday, representing Christ who has risen.
• The verse "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth." John 17:17 written on the side as a reminder that amongst all the lies and half-truths out there, Yours is reliable. Because of Your truth, temptation can be overcome.

So what am I giving up for Lent?  -- Potato chips, when I am tempted, I will have to go to Jesus because I do not have the willpower on my own.  I know you must be thinking, "really potato chips". Yes I have 10am cravings for them, and if a bag is in the house, it is not safe.

I am also giving up some TV time, I say "some" because I am making room for devotional time and prayer.  All is not realistic, I would watch some and then feel guilty and feel like a failure, and I would not be achieving my true objective, which is to walk closer with Christ. 

Instead of beating ourselves up, we are called to be encouraged, to rely on, and to turn to the Lord.  We are setting aside our own "idols" and learning to trust in God.