Much of the church globally observes 40 days before Easter known as Lent. This is not a history of, an admonishment to, or a workshop on Lent, so take a sigh of relief. Just some thoughts. My family observes Lent and for us, we put just a little more effort and focus on spiritual reflection--asking God to look into our lives, which is a scary thing for me if I'm honest about it. And many people I know also give up some luxury of the flesh, to go without something for a period in hopes that we might be able to further understand Christ's sufferings, and also to humble ourselves and reel in our excesive lifestyles. Many give up caffeine or nicotene (and in a week or so you'll begin to notice who they are, so have patience and mercy, and learn to duck quickly from flying objects/words); some give up chocolate or buffets or carbs or TV or FB or something in hopes that they will commit that time and energy to the Lord.
This year I am giving up all secular music, which I really enjoy. So I'll be praying for you Aerosmith, Tom Petty, Collective Soul, Varucca Salt, Boston and Cheap Trick--I love you all! But not only am I giving up listening to my fave's on those long weekly roadtrips and during my workouts, etc., but I am making a commitment to listen only to Christian music. Yesterday on my way back from Tulsa I slipped in some old-school Vineyard worship from the Psalms and had CHURCH on northbound I-35! There's something powerful about music that can move us into a deeper fellowship with God.
In addition, I have made a commitment to focus my devotional Bible reading on the Gospels and the Psalms. For anyone interested, that's only about 4-5 Psalms each day and about 3-4 chapters from a Gospel book (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John) each day until Easter. My motto if you want to grow in your faith: Read the Red and pray for power! You can also get a Bible app for your smart phone that will have both the text and audio of the Bible, so you can listen on the go. I use You Version and Bible.is apps on my android.
I have to admit that after only a couple of days into this I feel a renewed spirit within me, as I figured I would. This morning, in devotion and preparation for my sermon this Sunday, I spent time in Psalm 51 and found some powerful dynamics at work in that passage.
I'll spare you the sermon notes, but hope you'll take a look at it to see how the Lord can work in us and through us if we'll simply humble ourselves and pray. I've narrowed the chapter down to three basic things: Confessin', Forgivin' and Spirit-filled livin'! Please forgive my OKabulary. For believers, Psalm 51 also encourages us to live actively with the discipline of confession and repentance. So who really says, Woo Hoo! Give me more discipline! But if you see what I see, you might discover that in this simple, but not-so-easy at times discipline, we have more reason to let out a big Woo Hoo! Let me know what you think. Let me know if you observe Lent and where you feel the presence of God at work in your life.
And if you're in the Wichita area and do not have a place where you can experience God with others, we'd love to have you with us any time. Come and check out our new series, Psalms, Words from the Heart.
In His Grip,
Todd
Great Thoughts Todd! I am excited that you are blogging again! I am trying to to do the Modern Celtic Prayers to pray when you do things. Easy to do in the when starting to the shower, harder to remember when starting the coffee or doing the laundry! Prayers that your spirit is renewed every day and that God blesses your endeavors toward the furthering of the Kin-dom :)
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