I have always been interested in Lent.  It is not something that I have ever observed before.  Upon doing some reading I realized that it is not all about giving up food, fasting and/or stopping a specific behavior (smoking, drinking, gambling, etc.).  It can also be about adding things to your life.  Things like journaling, solitude time with God, prayer, volunteering, any number of things.

To me Lent will be about being more conscious of my relationship with God.  I am going to use this time to celebrate in the sadness of the time leading up to Easter.  “In the Orthodox Church, Lent is called the season of Bright Sadness, because it is a time of both celebration and mourning.”*

Easter is my holiday.  More than Christmas, Thanksgiving and any of the others combined.  It isn’t about the Bunny or the Chocolate.  It isn’t about the baskets of goodies or the pretty new dresses.  It isn’t even about the church building.  It is about celebrating the most amazingly precious Gift that I have ever received.  It is about a Gift that rose from the grave after enduring the most painful of deaths.  A death that was suppose to be mine.  It is All about Jesus and His love for me.

When I consider the Joy of the Resurrection, how can I not think about the 40 days of temptation that Jesus endured.  Or the painful events of not only being betrayed by a “friend” but being tortured for my sins.

Here are a couple of links that offer some information and devotions regarding Lent.

Bright Sadness by David Maddalena *Quoted from this Source
66 Love Letters by Dr. Crabb

Whether you observe Lent or not. I pray that your relationship with our Loving Heavenly Father grows during this time. Also consider this scripture if you chose to fast. I am so looking forward to having a secret with God. For he is the only one that will know if I am fasting or adding….

16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. 17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. -Matthew 6:16-19 NLT

I spent a big chuck of the day in your word, Lord.
It removed the Darkness.
It replaced it with tiredness.
Tiredness from the battle.

I am figuring out that if I stay with you, Lord.
That the struggles are easier or non-existent.
If I read your word, the enemy won’t to get me,
If put you first, there will be no Foothold for him.

Lord, continue to show me your will.
Continue to work with me, on me.
Please don’t let me wiggle away from you.

Thank You for your Love, Lord!
Thank You for not leaving me Alone!
Thank You for letting me know that I matter!!
Amen

Can you Turn Down the Sound?
Can you Quiet the Busyness?
Can you Hear the Sound of Silence?

It isn’t Silence…
It is Stillness…
That is where He is…
He really is there….

He is just waiting for you to Hear the Sound…
The Sound of His Whisper.

His Power is Great!
He wants us to put him First!
But He isn’t going to Beg.

When was the last time you heard
…His Whisper?
…His Direction?
…His Desire?
for You, His Beloved Child?

It is so much more then “Be Still and Know I am God!”
It is more about having
PEACE in your Relationship
with the one that Loves you the Most.

Do You Hear the Stillness?