Lent...what it is to me!

Lent: Lent is the span of time in the church calendar that starts with Ash Wednesday and ends with Easter Sunday. Ash Wednesday commemorates the beginning of Jesus’ 40-day fasting and temptation in the desert, and Easter Sunday commemorates Jesus’ resurrection from the grave after his crucifixion.

Read all about it here: Bible Gateway blog

Also a great way to relate it to kids: http://whatsinthebible.com/2012/02/22/what-is-lent/

Growing up Catholic my family practiced Lent.  We would each pick something to give up for those forty days and we were also not allowed to eat meat on Friday’s.  I can remember giving up sweets, chocolate, my brother’s chips or sausage.  My parents always picked something too…I remember one year my Mom giving up coffee, I could never!  I just developed the taste for it after 32 years, not giving it up just yet!  LOL!! 

After we got married we started going to the Baptist church my husband had attended a good portion of his youth years.  They didn’t/don’t do Lent like I was accustomed to.  I remember for a long while thinking I don’t have to do it anymore, sorry you guys are giving stuff up!  What a naïve concept on my part.  It doesn’t matter what if you are Catholic or not, all Christians can benefit from it. 

So, for the last few years I’ve picked something to give up…never really going much further than that, not until the last year.  I know it is so much more than just giving something up for those forty days.  It should be something you invest in and get something out of, growth in your walk.   We are given this time as a special opportunity to grow in our relationship with God. 

I encourage you to spend the next 40 days preparing your heart to receive with thanks the gift that Jesus gave by dying on the cross for our sins. 

I came across this podcast, offering a daily cast to go through the next 40 days…if you are into that kind of thing!! They are from England, but it’s pretty good!

http://www.24-7prayer.com/podcasts/category/spaces

So in addition to giving up chocolate candy this Lent, I am also going to make a commitment to exercise, P90X, at least 4 days a week and stick to Weight Watchers.  Also, I will be in God’s word daily to stop and breathe, reflect and re-orientate around Jesus. 

Lord, I ask that you can work in my heart over these next 40 days to speak up for your truths to people in darkness.  Give me the courage, I know that God gives my life light and I want to spread it around to people in the dark. 

Amen

Be in prayer for our Mission Team

   Please be in prayer for our Mission Team!

Matt, Kylie, Wil, Mark, Erin, Josh, Christin, Richard, Gail, Brian, Matthew, Cathie, Jessie, Tiffany, Megan, Chole and myself, Bridget

   I look forward to coming back next week and sharing all the stories with you all.  I pray God uses me in ways I never can imagine and that he opens my heart and mind to whatever he wants to use me for. I can’t wait to build relationships with the people on our trip and have some fun too!  I will have my camera so pictures to follow…

God has also given each of us different gifts to use. If we can prophesy, we should do it according to the amount of faith we have. If we can serve others, we should serve. If we can teach, we should teach. If we can encourage others, we should encourage them. If we can give, we should be generous. If we are leaders, we should do our best. If we are good to others, we should do it cheerfully.

Romans 12: 6-9

Monday Meditation

“The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. 
  You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.”

(Psalm 51:17)

(my new coffee/tea mug, from Anthropologie ! I love it!)

I am preparing for my first mission trip next month!  It’s July 2-9, in Eleuthera, Bahamas.  I am currently waiting for my passport, fingers crossed!

I found a little devotional study to do daily before I go.  This verse is about renewing your Spirit.  I so needed to read this, there’s a reason they prepared the material in the order they did.  I decided I would keep a journal about it all too, but I will only spare you on Monday’s or when the mood strikes me J

I am usually a very quiet, private person when it comes to my faith.  I will explain why…I am going to open my self and expose my heart. 

Preparing for a mission trip to Eleuthera.  I’ve always wanted to go and this year I am able to go!  I’m going alone, meaning without hubby.  I’m going with 20 or so other people from church.  We are going to be working on a health clinic.  I’m very excited to see what God has in store for me, but also extremely nervous.  I feel like I will be the ‘weakest link’.  I feel like I don’t have the right words to say and I get really fumblely and my face turns bright red.  I pray that God can work in me and through me, giving me the right words to say when needed. 

“Lord, I am broken and I know you will not reject me.  Please make me clean and renew the loyal spirit in me.  I know all that I do is for you, so continue teaching me your ways everyday.” ~Amen