Today’s Lenten lesson was on the charade of control.  It’s not like I had much of a plan.  But even then, I found myself having to do something other than expected.  Most of those circumstances were good.  It is good to take note of how little control we can have, at times.  It is good to know that the earth’s existence does not rely on … Continue reading Lent 16: Out of Hand

Friday was a day off…not a Lenten Sabbath, but just a day off from work.  All of which means it’s time to catch up on house work.  By the time I got to bed, I had put in a day’s worth of effort.  Nevermind that it wasn’t of the getting paid kind. Disciplines Scorecard: 1a)  Driving the speed limit–Was pretty good, but rather too casual … Continue reading Lent 15: Off

Today was a sunny day.  Oh my, how I have needed that.  I began by shoveling, but with a sense that it is close to be done.  I tried again to get an early/on-time start to my day.  It worked well.  When I left early and went to the office, I was quite productive.  I have learned so much about the Scripture passage this week.  … Continue reading Lent 14: Sun

Today, I left early and got home late.  The scripture for the week is about a fig tree that produced no fruit after 3 years.  The gardener gets 1 more year and a steaming pile of manure to make things better, or else. I have reviewed my disciplines scorecard and found that I was often falling below the halfway mark.  I have had a couple … Continue reading Lent 13: Effort

When I drive the speed limit, people behind me have to go slower.  This is a weird element to the disciplines…they can’t be all about me.  “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?”  In what other ways do the disciplines … Continue reading Lent 12: Affect…or is it Effect

It’s not the winter blues, but it is the winter grays.  It’s having a hard time getting the energy I need.  It’s vitamin-D deficiency or whatever.  It’s sleeping okay, but not resting well.  It’s a decline in confidence and a struggle with motivation and direction.  It is a lack of perseverance in dealing with shortcomings or obstacles.  But disciplines aren’t only for days on which … Continue reading Lent 11: Determination

I ended my Lenten Sunday with a marathon game of Civ IV.  Even then, I have tendencies that are part of my character.  I prefer the “Diplomatic Victory” over all others.  I always decline instituting “Slavery” when the option is presented, and I only go to war when attacked. I also tend to think positively about church.  Then there are times when it all seems … Continue reading Lenten Sabbath 2: Stopping

1a on my list of Lenten disciplines is driving the speed limit at all times.  This ought to be a no-brainer, since it’s the law.  But I bought my first car last year and it is a standard transmission and is really fun.  How can I have fun now that I am spiritually mandated to obey the law?  I have had to invent some ways … Continue reading Lent 10: Committing

Day 9 of the Lenten 40 seemed to be about imagery.  Some of this is silly, because I got a new camera.  The new camera is to greet the new bundle of joy and poo when he/she arrives in April/May.  Most of the environment around me is snow-white, snow gray and snow brown.  So there is a dominating hue to everything.  I was hoping we … Continue reading Lent 9: Imagery