This is the first day of Lent. It seemed to spring up out of nowhere and I have been scrambling to find something to give up. I'm not Catholic, but I don't believe that means that I can't participate in Lent. Every year I've given up something for Lent, people have asked me confusedly, "Are you Catholic?" No. I just love God. And, it's something I want to do.
In years past I've given up sweets, pop, facebook. To be honest each thing was much easier to do than I had originally thought. They weren't easy tasks, but I succeeded. In my mind, Lent was about making some sort of sacrifice (no matter how superficial) with the help of God. I'm a human being, so I tend to lack will power and motivation from time to time. I love sweets. I love pop. I am admittedly addicted to facebook. So, no matter how insignificant those sacrifices sound, they were difficult. But the minute I put it in my mind that I was doing this to strengthen myself with God's help, they became less challenging tasks. Now, if only I could apply that mentality to the big things in life all year round.
I read an article today that spurred this blog, which looks to Lent as a reminder of our weakness. A reminder that we are sinners. That we are imperfect and that Jesus has to do the work for us. So, that is what I will focus on this Lent season: thanking God that He is perfect because there would be no hope if I had to be.
Today I am thankful for: sunny days, early days off from work, opportunities to learn
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
Thinking ahead
I'm back to hanging out with my old friend, procrastination, again. We're back in classes now for about the third week since we had such a cozy month break in between semesters. The books are (THANKFULLY) much more interesting and easier to read that last semester's, so there's a praise. Yet, here I find myself dawdling.
There are four weeks (including this) until Spring Break, but I'm not really counting down the days yet :-) I'm anticipating that break and hoping to get back to that unseasonably warm weather. I miss it! Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and I sent off little goodies for my nephews, which only remind me how much I miss their sweet faces. I dream of the day my sis-sis and her family will move back home.
Blake and I are in the process of getting involved with a FLOCK at church. We've been there nearly two years and are finally putting our feet forward. We're going to meet with a couple or a few groups to see if there's a good fit. Prayers and encouraging thoughts are welcome. Being involved with a group of Christians for the sole purpose of fellowship and study would be so wonderful.
We're also looking forward to the next step in our lives- home ownership! It's been a bumpy and anxious road already. We have gotten ahead of ourselves and been let down a few times already, and we keep praying that God will guide us and put us just where He wants (which He would do even if we didn't ask). We're going to keep saving and wait until we're closer to the end of our lease. We're faithful that things will work out just the way they are intended.
A while back I was reading 1 Peter and really enjoyed it up. There's a passage that reminded me of something our pastor shared with us on Sunday. The verse is 1 Peter 2:10.
"Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received
mercy, but now you have received mercy."
Our pastor shared with us a story of a man who committed unspeakable crimes and upon serving his time prior to execution, came to know our Savior. He repented and spoke that he came to know the amazing grace of Jesus Christ. People were naturally outraged and despised this thought. But, friends, where in the Bible is there an indicator of sins in rank of worst to least worst in the eyes of our beloved? Jesus came to save those of us in the worst conditions. He views your "minor" sin as the same as this man's "major" sin. There is no difference to Him. God's grace has no limitations. Remember, "once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."
Today, I'm thankful for: God's unending mercy and amazing grace, my husband who listens, loves, and cares, a steady job, health, and family & friends who continue to love me for me
What are you thankful for?
There are four weeks (including this) until Spring Break, but I'm not really counting down the days yet :-) I'm anticipating that break and hoping to get back to that unseasonably warm weather. I miss it! Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and I sent off little goodies for my nephews, which only remind me how much I miss their sweet faces. I dream of the day my sis-sis and her family will move back home.
Blake and I are in the process of getting involved with a FLOCK at church. We've been there nearly two years and are finally putting our feet forward. We're going to meet with a couple or a few groups to see if there's a good fit. Prayers and encouraging thoughts are welcome. Being involved with a group of Christians for the sole purpose of fellowship and study would be so wonderful.
We're also looking forward to the next step in our lives- home ownership! It's been a bumpy and anxious road already. We have gotten ahead of ourselves and been let down a few times already, and we keep praying that God will guide us and put us just where He wants (which He would do even if we didn't ask). We're going to keep saving and wait until we're closer to the end of our lease. We're faithful that things will work out just the way they are intended.
A while back I was reading 1 Peter and really enjoyed it up. There's a passage that reminded me of something our pastor shared with us on Sunday. The verse is 1 Peter 2:10.
"Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received
mercy, but now you have received mercy."
Our pastor shared with us a story of a man who committed unspeakable crimes and upon serving his time prior to execution, came to know our Savior. He repented and spoke that he came to know the amazing grace of Jesus Christ. People were naturally outraged and despised this thought. But, friends, where in the Bible is there an indicator of sins in rank of worst to least worst in the eyes of our beloved? Jesus came to save those of us in the worst conditions. He views your "minor" sin as the same as this man's "major" sin. There is no difference to Him. God's grace has no limitations. Remember, "once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."
Today, I'm thankful for: God's unending mercy and amazing grace, my husband who listens, loves, and cares, a steady job, health, and family & friends who continue to love me for me
What are you thankful for?
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