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3.01.2006 bullet points for lent

It's Ash Wednesday. That begins Lent - church "season" - 40 days until Easter. I talk about these things every year. Maybe I'm going to be a little more pastorally annoying about it this year. In fact, I may start getting a little more pastorally, or abatially annoying about things in general this year. I feel like God has been calling me, in several ways, to be more of an intentional spiritual director in this community for a while. A lot of what I haven't done in that area has been out of fear - not the best reason for anything. Pray for me that I can be more what I'm supposed to be for this community. And I'll do my best to be a better spiritual father to you. And here are your bullet points for Lent, which I already posted on my blog - this one just has this nice customized introduction. Peace.

It's really all about focus - make this an intentional time of focus on how you fit in the Life of God.
Don't get too caught up in the whole beat yourself up over how sinful you are business. Talk about killing your soul.
Do SOMEthing that's different from your normal routine - give up a lunch once a week (are you gonna starve!?), pray the office more regularly, something.
The Church calendar IS helpful, come on, seriously. Just wandering around not being intentional about how God is woven into the fabric of your life is a good alternative?? oh my.
Refer to #1 - it's really not just about "giving something up," like chocolate or beer. If that's all it is, then eat more and forget about it.
If you do fast, and please do (God all mighty, you'll live), pray when you do it, don't pretend it's some sacrifice you're doing that will make God impressed with you in itself. It's about focus inside of self-denial.
And finally, if Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras was, for you last night, about getting trashed and naked and screwing people beFORE you had to give up cigarettes for Lent, in all honesty, don't bother at all.

technorati tags > lent, ash wednesday, christian calendar, liturgy, focus, mardi gras, church, vine & branches, community

posted by + Alan @ 1:13 PM :: 3 comments