Do You Observe Lent?

I've been in church most all my life, but I've never observed the season of Lent.

Not really sure why, but my family didn't talk about it. And my church didn't teach about it. And so I certainly didn't think much about it. That is...until recently.

First, a brief explanation: Lent, in some Christian denominations, is the forty-day-long season of fasting and prayer before Easter. The forty days represent the time Jesus spent in the desert, where according to the Bible he endured temptation by Satan. Different churches calculate the forty days differently. The purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer—through prayer, penitence, sacrificial giving, and self-denial--for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, which recalls the events linked to the Passion of Christ and culminates in Easter, the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

So, in other words, this is a season of self-denial for the purpose of reflection and eventually celebration. But I wonder, do any of you in the Bridge Family observe this "holiday?" I've heard the phrase, "I'm giving up such and such for lent," but I've never really taken the time to personalize a response from my heart to the Lord.

This year, I want to.

Mark Batterson, pastor of National Community Church in Washington D.C., describes the Lent observance (or for that matter, FASTING in general) as being a two-fold process: SUBTRACTION and ADDITION. The following is an excerpt from his blog (http://www.evotional.com/):

"What do you need to subtract from you life? It might be a bad habit or waste of time or something that is permissible but not beneficial. Last year I gave up television for forty days. This year I'm giving up soda and candy. I know that doesn't sound super spiritual, but if you knew how much I love vanilla coke and gummy bears... What do you need to add to your life? You can't just subtract something. You've got to add something to your spiritual routine. I'm going to add an hour to my day. How? I'm setting my alarm clock an hour earlier than I normally do. I want to give God more of my most precious resource: time. I'm believing that subtraction and addition will result in multiplication. "

As part of our 10-week challenge (which of course lasts longer than 40 days), I would invite you to join me in the observance of Lent. Spend some time praying about your response, and then go for it! And whatever you do, remember it is a two-fold process--subtraction and addition. To put it another way, we need both fasting and feasting!

I'll let you know what I decide--but in the meantime, I would love to hear from the rest of you.

P.S. -- The "official" start of Lent is Ash Wednesday, which is February 25th. (So you'd better hurry!)

Give Me 10 Weeks

This past Sunday, I issued a challenge to the Bridge Church family: Give me 10 weeks, and I'll promise you growth. Sounds easy huh? The thought originates in some real-life experience...some real-life weight loss experience, to be exact. Here's the story... (OK, just pretend that you care & keep reading!)

About 10 years ago, I needed to lose some weight. (Actually, I still do...but that's not the point here.) A health-conscious fitness-nut friend challenged me to devote 10 weeks to a dramatic, but reasonable, lifestyle change. He promised that if I would follow his instructions, I would see significant weight loss and improved overall fitness. I agreed. (I pretty much had to, because I was running out of clothes that fit...and I couldn't afford any new ones! Can I get a witness?)

The plan was simple:

1) No sugar (or soft drinks, candy bars, cookies, ice cream, or anything else that tasted sweet).

2) Exercise a minimum of 5 days/week, including both cardio and weight training. (I had never done either one.)

3) Make "better bad choices" (for example: pretzels instead of chips; carrot sticks instead of candy bars; diet drinks instead of regular; skim milk instead of whole; regular Cheerios instead of Honey Nut; need I go on?) And Numero Quatro... (This was the big one)

4) Keep a JOURNAL of it all! (every bite I ate, every mile I ran, every pound I shed, every notch in my belt...EVERYTHING!) He knew something that I didn't, but was about to learn: Journaling produces accountability, which is the key to discipline, which is the key to success.

So, I started right away. I was so desperate for change that I was ready for anything! So, I crossed my fingers, closed my eyes, and climbed on the scale to find out exactly where "ground zero" was. It was scary! But I was not to be deterred. Starting that day, I ate better, exercised more, journaled regularly, and felt more healthy. I was sure that the results would be great, and I couldn't wait to see how much weight I had lost in just 2 days!

But there was one more piece of advice that my "trainer-friend" shared: You can't get back on the scale for at least 4 weeks. What?!? Why couldn't I weigh after a few days, or even after a couple of weeks? Because my friend knew it would take time to see results--and he didn't want me to become discouraged by slow progress, and end up quitting in frustration. So I agreed (reluctantly).

Four (long) weeks later, I climbed on the scale and was shocked to realize I had lost 16 pounds! It was really working! Now that I had seen some results, I knew I could go the distance. I was ready for the long haul. Before long, people started to notice I was slimming down. Then my clothes started fitting better. Then I even started feeling stronger. Then I started posing in front of the mirror without my shirt on... (OK, I better stop there before you start having disturbing mental images. What's that? Too late? Sorry about that.)

The point is this: I was GROWING! (or in this case, shrinking--but you get the idea.) I believe the key to it all was the JOURNAL.

So, I started thinking... How many of us are frustrated by our lack of spiritual growth? We want to be spiritually "fit," but often seem to fall back "out of shape." We wish God felt closer to us. We feel lethargic at church. We wonder why our prayers aren't answered. We confess that the Bible seems dull, if we even try to read it at all. But if we could just STOP and LOOK at ourselves, we might see the true problem: SPIRITUAL LAZINESS.

Now, back to where we started, here's the challenge: Give me 10 weeks, and I'll promise you growth! I could give a list of simple steps to be followed (like the example above), but we're all at different levels in our spiritual maturity, and we all have different needs. Anyway, here's a few ideas:

1. Read the Bible for _____ minutes each day. (fill in the blank...but make sure it stretches you)
2. Pray for ____ minutes three times each day. (you eat 3 meals a day, right?)
3. Listen to a worship CD, or worship music from your ipod.
4. Turn off the TV 30 mins earlier at night, and spend some time reflecting on the day.
5. Try to memorize a verse of Scripture. (something that strengthens your faith)
6. Listen to a sermon from your favorite pastor while driving, instead of the radio.
7. Create a Top 10 List of the most urgent prayer needs (but don't include any needs of your own--only others!)

(I could go on and on making suggestions, but you need something that's personally tailored to your needs and "fitness level.")

And don't forget the most important part: KEEP A JOURNAL of it all. By keeping a record of your "exercises," you will be more likely to hold yourself accountable.

Thanks for taking the challenge. Let's see what God can do in your life--and in our church--in 10 exciting weeks!

Facts About Flipper's Family

I'm not exactly a marine biologist (in case you didn't know), but recently I learned some fascinating facts about dolphins. OK, in the spirit of full disclosure, I should tell you that my "research" consisted of listening while my 8-year-old daughter, Macy, read a library book to me for her homework. I digress...

Just listen to this stuff, and take from it whatever you will:

1. Dolphins are mammals. (Don't worry, it gets better.)

2. They live in the water. (OK, I'm just joking about this one!)

3. Once they give birth, the parents continue to nurture their young for life. In other words, they stay together as a family unit, and demonstrate many "human" characteristics regarding relationships.

4. Although they live exclusively in water, they require oxygen to survive. (Just seeing if you're still with me...) Therefore, they have to return to the surface regularly for air. This fact is very important, because it leads into the last one. Are you ready?

5. When a dolphin is injured, the other dolphins in it's school (or family) do something incredible: they gather underneath the wounded dolphin and lift it to the surface so it can breathe. Think about that! The dolphins instinctively know that they must join together, work together, lift together in order to help their fallen friend. I can't think of a better picture of what the church is supposed to be about.

And let's take it one step further. Although the healthy dolphins want to help the wounded one, not one of them can do it alone. It would be too hard for one dolphin to singlehandedly support the weight of another, no matter how "willing to help" he was. The burden is just too great for one to bear--or even two to bear. It takes the whole group. Does any of this sound biblical? You be the judge.

"We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not just please ourselves." (Romans 15:1)

"Consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4)

Bear one another's burdens. Love your neighbor as yourself. I could go on and on, but you get the idea. God's desire is for us to love one another deeply--even sacrificially--so that His Glory may be revealed in us. This is what the church is supposed to be. One family. One body. One school of dolphins! So, when you are wounded, I will be here to help. And when I am wounded, thank you all in advance for lifting me up, and giving me some fresh air! I love you guys. Thanks, Flipper...

Thoughts on Fear and Friendship

The thought occurred to me today that fear is worse when experienced alone. It's true. Fear about your health problems. Fear about your financial struggles. Fear about your future plans. All three of these fears are real, and they are being experienced by some dear friends of mine at the present time. In each case, the fear is so real...it almost takes on a life of its own. Fear begins to overtake faith. It crowds out hope. It erodes peace. It triumphs over trust.

But think with me for a moment. Is fear as intimidating when shared with a friend?

Consider these terms: Loneliness. Isolation. Depression. Rejection. Discouragement. These words have a lot in common, don't they? Like birds of a feather, peas in a pod. Now, consider another list: Laughter. Warmth. Encouragement. Community. Acceptance. Sounds better, huh? When you think about it, these words are totally incompatible with the former list. Their worlds cannot coexist.

In other words: It's hard to be lonely when you're laughing. It hard to feel rejected when you're watching a game with the guys. It's hard to be depressed on the golf course (OK, well actually, that's not so unusual...) It's hard to be discouraged when your friends believe in you so stinking much!

Psalm 23:4 says, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil , for you are with me." That last phrase is the key. Why shouldn't I fear? Because You, O Lord, are with me. You are my Friend--a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Listen, for any child of God, the truth is you are never alone. That's a given. He is always with you...yes, even in the valley of death. But just in case His love feels too distant to make a difference, here's an idea: Call a friend. (yeah, like an earthly one!) Pour some coffee. Share your hurts. Open up a little. Let them love you, and you'll soon find out that fear has to flee, because true godly friendship wins every time.

Recommended Reading

What is God "calling" me to do?

For the past few weeks, the messages on Sundays have been focused on the WORK that we are supposed to do, as believers in Jesus. 1 Corinthians chapter 3 teaches that every person will one day stand before God to have his/her "work" judged. Verse 13 says, "his work will be shown for what it is," and verse 14 says, "it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work." (Heavy stuff, huh?) One more thing: only if your work survives will you receive a reward.

So, the questions start rolling in like waves at the beach: What is my work? Am I doing it? Will my work survive the fire of God's judgment? Will I receive a reward? What if I'm not exactly sure? Can I know for certain that God is pleased with my work? The answer to the last question is YES! You CAN know what pleases the Lord. (Ephesians 5:10 says, "find out what pleases the Lord.")

So, let's take it one step further... Ephesians 4:1 says, "Live a life worthy of the calling you have received." Ask yourself an important question: "Do I have a CALLING?" You're thinking that stuff only applies to pastors and missionaries, right? Wrong. Every follower of Jesus is called to do something unique for Him. So what is your calling? Your purpose? Your job to do?

I encourage you to spend some time TODAY asking God these questions. Then, ask again tomorrow. And the next day. And the next. And keep asking, keep praying, keep searching...and God will begin to show you things. I promise He will, because He is a "rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)

And for those of you who are interested in further study, I would like to recommend a few resources that have greatly inspired and challenged me. You can pick them up at Barnes & Noble, or order them online from Amazon.com. Here they are: Visioneering, by Andy Stanley; The Dream Giver, by Bruce Wilkinson; and What On Earth Am I Here For?, by Rick Warren. Any of these would be helpful on your journey. Enjoy the search!

Duty or Delight?

I've been thinking a lot lately about how God must view my "relationship" with Him. I've heard all the analogies about parenthood...you know, how a loving parent could never stop loving their kids, even if the only reason they ever call is when they need something. "Hey Dad, I love you...and by the way, can I have $20 bucks?" or..."Hey Mom, love your hair...and by the way, can I spend the night at a Jamie's house?" or..."Mom, Dad, you guys are the greatest! Can I borrow the car Friday night?"

You get the idea...

But I want my relationship with Jesus to be more than that. And sometimes it is, but sometimes it isn't. The whole idea of prayer should be more about knowing Him, and less about getting something from Him. Psalm 37:4 offers an incredible promise to all those who know God, "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Encouraging, isn't it? But in an effort to claim the latter part of that verse (giving us the desires of our heart), I often skip right past the first part (delighting in Him).

Which brings me back to this simple question: Is my prayer time a DELIGHT or a DUTY? Do I pray because I want friendship with Him, or because I want something from Him? The cool thing is that Psalm 37:4 tells us that one leads to the other--as long as we keep the right perspective. It ends up something like this: "God I love you, and you already know what I need, so let's just talk a while and I know you'll take care of that other stuff later."

Sounds more like a true relationship, huh? Of course, the alternative is always an option: "Hey Jesus, you look great today...and by the way, can I have $20 bucks?"