I often try to give up creative things for Lent.  In school one year i gave up walking on grass (kind of like giving up shortcuts) so that when I had to walk along way along a walkway I would be mindful of the season I was in.  One year I gave up television (pretty obvious).  Still one year I gave up the internet.  But even though I was participating in Lent I never let it fully consume me to focus on my relationship (the sidewalk was the best one I ever had) there was still other stuff to do, other things to take up my time.

This year I decided instead of giving up “one” thing I would start with a goal of doing something for my spiritual life and whatever happened to be given up would be a side bet.  I am going to read at least 10 books over the next forty days and journal about them (take notes, write summaries).  These 10 books will be about my spiritual life or have to do with ministry in some capacity or other.

If you know me you know I can’t read just one book at a time so as I finished two books in the last two days I started three new ones to day!  I hope that you have some sort of Lenten focus and that as we mourn the death and darkness that Christ had to take on, that you can also look forward to the joy of salvation (psalm 51:10-12) that comes with a pure heart and renewed spirit through Easter!  Enjoy your day.

peace to you

current itunes track: The Maker, DMB, Live Trax Vol. 9

currently reading:  The Challenge of Jesus, N.T. Wright – Captivating, John and Stasi Eldredge – Messy Spirituality – Mike Yaconelli

currently watching: the clock tick towards the time I get to be with meagan!

current addiction i need to tone down on: twitter.com