So, 3/4 the way through Lent and I haven't blogged since Christmas. Oh well, I've got something to say now.
I've tried to be as intentional about my spiritual practices as I can this Lent. Attempted fasting, daily common prayer, and quiet time. Not all success stories but the idea wasn't to tick spiritual disciplines of some sort of "Life List for Christians" (if you're not a birder you won't get it). The purpose was to be purposeful. To that end I've been moderately successful. I have had good and bad "fast days". The good ones bring insight and purpose to a life I have made far to busy. The bad ones just reaffirm my belief that I need to be more purposeful about being purposeful. So, I guess I am learning something.
Daily common prayer and quiet time were a bit easier to accomplish. I'm an early riser and have been in the practice of praying and being still before my day begins for a couple years now. So I guess I was really cheating with those 2. Oh well..
I highly recommend http://www.explorefaith.org/ for anyone seeking to deepen their personal, or corporate, spiritual experience. Many of the tools on that site have helped me.
I'm writing my first official sermon. My Pastor asked me to preach April 19Th. Wrapping my thoughts around forgiveness. Not to give away the ending but, I believe Christ died to provide us forgiveness of our sins and He lives to teach us how to forgive.
Please add comments on forgiveness, especially our call to forgive. I'm off the the Memphis Theological Seminary "Spring Salon." More to come.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
It's good to read your blog, especially about your sermon topic. May you move forward through lent surrounded by grace and peace.
ReplyDelete"Otherwise"
ReplyDeleteI got out of bed
on two strong legs.
It might have been
otherwise. I ate
cereal, sweet
milk, ripe, flawless
peach. It might
have been otherwise.
I took the dog uphill
to the birchwood.
All morning I did
the work I love.
At noon I lay down
with my mate. It might
have been otherwise.
We ate dinner together
at a table with silver
candlesticks. It might
have been otherwise.
I slept in a bed
in a room with paintings
on the walls, and
planned another day
just like this day.
But one day, I know,
it will be otherwise.
By Jane Kenyon