Ash Wednesday

You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?'
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.
"You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer Me.'
My ears had heard of You but now my eyes have seen You. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes."

Job 42:3-6

I'm from a relatively non-liturgical background. Yet, I like to mark the seasons and remember the passing of Lent. It seems to me to be a fitting way to prepare for the joyous celebration of Easter. It is important! Sometimes in the moment, in the rush, in the desire to get papers written, songs learned, talks given, and studies led, I forget. I forget that without God's Gift I would be hopelessly on my own.

I have a double-edged discipline for Lent. I give up and I add on.

I am giving up chocolate. Sounds childish. But for a chocoholic, it is a good self-discipline. And my waistline won't really miss it.

I am adding on two disciplines...

1. I am memorizing Colossians 3 (enough procrastinating! I need to DO it!)
2. I am adding a weekly fast to my routine. (I am not going to tell you which day because I want to do it without drawing attention to it.)

Holy Fire....
burn away my desire for anything
That is not of You
and is of me
I want more of You
and less of me.
Empty me...
[Jeremy Camp]

Deb