My Meandering Mind

oved over from Six Short of a Dozen…

It’s another A’Muse” Me Monday. I’m going to do the fact here and the fiction on my writing blog. If you want to join in A’Muse’ Me Monday, just click on the banner.

Fact: What is one thing you’d really like to accomplish in 2008? Will you do it?

I’d really like to learn how to play my guitar and then surprise my hubby at the end of the year with a song or two. Will I do it? The end of February is next week and I haven’t picked up my guitar yet. I will commit to starting in March and will practice while my hubby is at work or out snowmobiling.

If I imagine his expression, it will give me the drive to do it!

Okay, now to do the fiction part of this over on Penning Prose with Audra Silva.

By the way, I’m a finalist for the Most Evocative Haiku for the Haiku Buckaroo contest over on My Mommy’s Place. My entries can be found here and here. I had a blast writing these and entering, but I had no idea I’d end up a finalist. Mine starts with ‘As the gray sky weeps…’

Go cast your votes for your favorite Haiku.

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oved over from Six Short of a Dozen…

I was recently asked a question: Why do non-Catholics observe Lent?  I’ve never heard of anyone but Catholics observing Lent until recently.

That is a really good question and here’s my answer:

The reason I chose to observe Lent this year is because I like the basic concept. I have a hard time giving up my computer time in the mornings, so I gave my morning computer time up to the Lord. It’s my gift to Him during these 40 days leading up to Easter.

As Christians, every Sunday is a celebration of the resurrection. Most of us don’t think about that each week. We usually wait until Easter. By setting aside these 40 days from Ash Wednesday (the day to think about our sin and repent) to Easter, it helps me to focus on the fact that I am a sinner saved by grace, that Jesus died for me, and that He rose from the dead.

Each morning, I turn away from my computer, and dwell on His gift to me instead. I’m reminded that everything we do we should do for the Lord. All my hope lies in Him. It’s been wonderful.

Aside from Ash Wednesday, the Lent season also observes Holy Week. The week where they had their last supper, Jesus was betrayed, beaten and crucified.

One cool thing I found out is that it includes Holy Saturday. Have you ever wondered why Jesus died on Friday and arose Sunday? Could it be He rested on the Sabbath day? Friday sundown to Saturday nightfall (about 40 minutes after sunset) is the Jewish Shabbat or Sabbath. Easter ends the Lent season with the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. It really shouldn’t be any different than any other Sunday which should be celebrated, but it’s become the norm to only celebrate the resurrection at Easter.

I can’t speak to why other non-Catholics choose to observe Lent, but I would think it is for similar reasons. I wrote about my decision here.

I’m hoping to continue thinking of every Sunday as resurrection Sunday after these 40 days. I’m also hoping to learn more about the Jewish celebrations, customs, etc. because Jesus is a Jew. God’s chosen people are Jews. I want to know more about Israel and Bible times. As I learn more, I will learn to walk more like those Christians, my brothers and sisters, who went before me.

I’m rambling. Just some thoughts.

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oved over from Six Short of a Dozen…

Today is Ash Wednesday which kicks off the season of Lent. For Christians, Lent is a time of reflection as we examine our spiritual lives. It’s a time of denying ourselves in such a way as to help us identify in some small way with the sacrifice of Jesus. It’s a time of repenting for our sins and allowing Jesus’ blood to cleanse us.

Lent is the 40 days from Ash Wednesday to Easter except for Sundays. Sundays are instead, a day to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, and it culminates with Easter which is our more popular holiday for remembering that Jesus rose again.

I like that for six days of the week, I’m in a humble mindset focused on Jesus’ sacrifice, but each Sunday is a mini celebration of His resurrection. Easter is a perfect way to end Lent with a big celebration.

Traditionally, Christians fasted for Lent and then feasted on Sundays. As a nursing mama and also one who struggles with hypoglycemia, fasting is not an option. In years past, I’ve given up sugary foods, but I made a commitment to not have sugary foods in 2008 unless it’s a special occasion.

What could I give up? Makeup? Scary thought and wouldn’t work because I’m home most days and that would hardly be a sacrifice. But if I’m honest with myself, going out in public without at least a little makeup doesn’t appeal to me. A little character flaw? Maybe.

The other big thing in my life is my computer or more specifically my online activities. I get up in the morning and mosey on down here to my computer and waste quite a bit of time on this machine. I have certain commitments I need to keep online, but I could give up my computer in the mornings.

That is what I will deny myself. My morning computer play time. The only thing I can use the computer for  is writing, homeschooling, or homemaking until noon.

No chat, no email, no blog reading, no commenting, no ‘research’, no surfing, etc. That’s not much of a sacrifice you may say, to which I’d reply, it is when you are addicted. When you forfeit important things to squander your time on what should be a reward AFTER doing what is needed. When you use it to escape rather than face messes you’ve made by having priorities out of order.

But the beautiful thing about this sacrifice, this denial of my fleshly desire is that I will find myself drawn more to God as I think about Him more, as I ponder His ways, and as I humble myself to ask for forgiveness. I will be changed as I reflect on His crucifixion and resurrection, and that he did that for me. And you.

In the natural, I will find that I get more done and those things will be of a higher priority. I will feel satisfied with my efforts by day’s end. I will learn to choose wisely what I spend my time on.

Yes, this Lent season will be a challenge, but it will bring about good fruit in my life. I can’t help, but feel drawn to the simplicity, the humbleness that surrounds Lent. The joy of celebrating Sundays and finishing with Easter.

Will you join me?

For more information, you can check out these links:
The Beginning of Lent
The Season of Lent

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oved over from Six Short of a Dozen…

It’s time for another A’Muse” Me Monday from Four Fantabulous Females. I’m going to play along with both Fact and Fiction this week:
Fact: What’s your favorite way to relax?
I love to relax with some hot tea and a great book under a cozy blanket and my kitty, Lady Muse tucked beside me. Or maybe snuggling with King Dude while we watch a movie.
Fiction: I’m going to write a small part of a story and you have to fill in the blanks!
Susan Parker strolled down the street enjoying the sunshine. The smell of fresh bread wafted out from a nearby bakery and her tummy rumbled reminding her she hadn’t eaten for a couple of hours. She turned to walk into the little shop when Lean on Me rang out. She yanked her cell phone out of her pocket.
“Hey, Lisa, did you get the job?”
“Who’s this?” A man’s voice growled over the line causing the hairs to rise on the nape of her neck.
“Uh, it’s, uh, Susan.” She glanced at her phone displaying Lisa’s goofy grin. It was her phone, but who had it? “Is Lisa there?”
“Lisa? No, she’s been detained. This is Officer Moore. We need to talk to you, Susan. Can you stay where you are?”
Susan glanced around. She couldn’t help feeling like someone was watching her. “Why don’t I come down to the station?”
“No, we’re almost to your location. Stay put!” The voice barked at her and the line went dead.
It didn’t make sense. The whole thing felt off. Should she wait?
A black sedan cruised slowly down the street. Fear snaked through her. She ducked into the bakery and glanced back to see two men get out of the car. A third man pulled away and appeared to be searching for someone. Not someone. Her!
That was fun. If you’d like to play along, find out how to join in on A’Muse’ Me Monday over at Four Fantabulous Females.

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