So Good!

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Hebrews 11:32-40

Chew on this for a while. It's so good!!!!

Lenten Sacrifices

So...I know I'm a bit behind, seeing as Lent started yesterday and all, but I really want to do something this year to celebrate the Lenten season.

Tuesday night in my Social Theories class we got on the topic of what life would be like if there were no more entertainers to "enrich" our lives. A friend of mine freely admitted to watching Lifetime in her spare time so my professor asked her if she would feel a hole in her life if she no longer had that "luxury". Everybody laughed about it and she answered very honestly that no, her life would not be "impoverished" if Lifetime no longer existed. This was about the time that I started to zone out and not pay attention, partially because we had already been sitting there for over an hour, but mostly because I started to think about how different life would be if I wasn't so focused on other people entertaining me and actually shifted my focus to things that really matter.

Right before this class as we were walking from the BCM my friends and I were discussing Lent and the things that people give up for that season. I made the statement that if you can't come up with something to give up, it is just as effective to add something into your life that helps you to focus on God. And I do believe that Lent is about making time to spend with God in a manner that allows you to reflect on and prepare for the Easter season. Lent is not about what we give up just to "do Lent". But really, there are so many things that clutter our lives that it should not be that difficult to come up with one thing we can do without. Especially if we make a commitment to fill that void with God. So what if Lifetime leaves a hole in somebody's life, God can fill that hole. If I'm going to make the commitment to give something up, I want it to be coupled with a desire to grow closer to God. What good is giving up television if my time isn't spent being more purposeful in my relationships and growing in Christ? Does giving up sweets really remind me of who my Savior is?

I still don't know exactly what I'm going to be doing for Lent - but I want to be sure it includes a commitment to my relationship with Christ. If I come up with something, I'll try to let you know. In the mean time - how do you celebrate Lent?

Stream of Semi-Consciousness

When I seek comfort in solitude, am I looking for You?

When I celebrate with friends, do I rejoice in You?

When I sit in a classroom, am I growing in You?

When I sing at the top of my lungs, am I singing Your praise?

When I help those around me, am I serving in Your name?

When I speak "words of wisdom", are they filled with Your love?

When I cry myself to sleep, do I cry out to You?

When I desire forgiveness, do I think about Your sacrifice?

When I revel in the beauty of this world, am I standing in awe of You?

When I long to be home, do I dream of Your outstretched arms?

When I argue or anger, do I remember Your grace?

When I think of my ordinary days, do I see Your hand?

When I live my life, am I living for You?