I am following a daily devotional by C.S. Lewis for Lent, and I think it is worth sharing this season, because it is very thought-provoking. I will start doing this. It has been a busy Thursday, and I am behind already, but I am still holding fast to my fast of posting, and I will continue to do so, with God’s help.
Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.
Happy Ash Wednesday, and welcome to the Lenten season of 2014. It will be a time of renewal, a time of evaluation, and a time of repentance. Seasons are changing, and to everything there is a time for change. It is definitely time for changes in my life, and I’m ready to bring positive vibes with spring back into my presence. Lets start strong, be strong, and hold strong to the lenten promises, and use them to be closer to God. I will share some of my plans so that I can be held accountable to things I plan to do:
– Giving up: I am doing a ‘Daniel Fast’, which is typically a 21-day fast, but I have chosen to participate in it through lent. It is based off of scripture, when Daniel fasts from leavened bread and meat. I will follow a vegan based diet and eat only unleavened bread products.
– Taking on: I have several devotionals to read that will purposely allow me to think of my spirituality more closely, and allow for contemplation during the Lenten season. I plan to follow the Lenten photo challenge posed by the catholic church, which will make me think about Lent in a more tangible fashion. I plan to post a song and write a blog post about things I am thankful for each day.
Hold me accountable.
Today, I am thankful for God in my life, even though it is sometimes hard to reach him and hard to notice if and when he is there. I am ready and willing for a new start and I am praying that God gives me the chance to achieve it. I am very thankful for the opportunities that I have in the world, and to be granted with moments of grace in my life. It is my goal to reach out and find more of them. I am a work in progress.
There before you lies all the world,
Given as a gift.
Go into the world as a work in progress,
Someone who is not yet who you will be,
But someone who is on the way.
The world will be better and blessed
Because you are in it,
Growing, becoming, gleaming with
The light reflected from above.
Was the first year I spent in a total realm of alone time, and I think I learned a lot about myself and took the time to examine my life and world around me a little bit further. I definitely can’t go so far as to so as I’m coming out better or stronger than I did last year, but I’m working on it. It was a rollercoaster of a year, and there were definitely high points, better times than I’ve ever had or experienced, and low points, lower than I ever thought possible. The only thing I can continue to do is take life one day at a time, and give myself credit for the accomplishments that I make, no matter how small they are, or whether they are related to work or personal goals. Here’s to a new chapter, signified by the change of dates, and we’ll see how it turns out. I’m never much for even numbers, but it just might be lucky for me. Here’s to you 2013, and here’s to the possibilities of 2014. I give it to God, fate and chance. Now lets go drink and resolve.
what is really real?
solo. fly on free bird, fly on.
…except music still has the same effect on me. Maybe I’ll never grow up.
Watching a documentary about Pearl Jam…the music has so much passion. Its seriously amazing, powerful, stunning, and awesome, just on television. If I could build a time machine and go back, for just a night, how cool would it be? I just want to feel it. They make it so real. What happened to MTV unplugged? What happened to it being about the music? There are good things about every era I suppose, I just miss epic radio guitar riffs…christine steps off her soapbox.
Nothing is permanent in this wicked world—not even our troubles. Charlie Chaplin
I know but one freedom and that is the freedom of the mind. Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness. Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree, you still believe it to be a beautiful place. Kurt Vonnegut
I’m not really sure why the words aren’t coming. Blame it on the written exams. The music still inspires me. I feel fragile.
Don’t blame me for who I am…please understand. I’ll always be far from perfect, but I’ll always strive to be kind. You hardly know me, I swear.
raspberry Lemonworld 