Lenten Experiment - Day 8

Welcome to Day 8 of Lent & a very special day indeed - Leap Day (February 29, 2012). I'm thinking it's time for something a bit lighter today - fluff is important too!

The word "leap" conjures up lots of thoughts in my mind.

Leap of faith

Just like this little boy has to trust his father or grandfather to catch him, so I have to trust that someone will catch me when I step out of my comfort zone or when I venture too far afield. We all need protection sometimes or someone to help us up when we stumble. Go ahead, take that leap of faith and see what happens!

Leap for joy

For those of you who know me well, you know I adore all things "sheepy." And, this photo exhibits the wondrous "leap for joy" that sheep seem to be known for in every pasture. Sheep, like us frail humans, enjoy a romp in lush green pastures every now and then. We like to kick up our hoofs and get down to the business of munching on tasty greens from time to time. Sheep do have pretty simple needs and limited intelligence, but they sure can leap!

Leap year

Leap frog

Take a leap

Flying leap

Leap and the net will appear

Quantum Leap (an old TV show)

Leap Year (that cute new romantic comedy set in Ireland)

I love this image of the polar bear - his body fully extended in a mighty jump or leap - probably straining for his latest meal. Leaping takes effort and skill - something sometimes I lack in large portions. I'm a bit lazy when it comes to physical endeavors. (yawn) Like right now when I'd much rather be nestled in my cozy warm covers. I guess if I had to hunt for my food, though, I'd be a bit more industrious.

I think that's my cue to leap into bed! Night night. (yawn)

Lenten Experiment - Day 7 (Kansas High Winds)

I know some of you out there reading this post will relate to the fact that life is not without heartache and pain. God has not promised us an easy way. Whether it be chronic health issues, pain, broken relationships, financial struggles, workplace challenges, anger, most of us have experienced some type of struggle, pain, or trial. It is an inevitable part of the broken world we live in--part of the broken people we live among. Yes, even part of our own--my own--brokenness.

Ten years ago I moved from the bulging metropolis of Kansas City and set up camp out among the tallgrass prairies of Northeast Kansas. Wagons west! And what an adventure it has been. While our two older daughters were not thrilled with the move to small town America, I have found that living on the prairie has brought with it a reverence, an awe, a wonder of creation itself. I don't miss the over-indulgence that some cities bring. I don't miss the crime. I don't miss the traffic. And, as strange as this may sound, I don't miss the shopping malls!

Instead, I love the tallgrass prairie and the roar of the wind. I love the ethnically diverse landscape that comes with a university community. I love my church. I love the open spaces and the constellations that light up my outdoor ceiling.

Depite the surrounding beauty and joy, our journey as a family has been fraught with heartaches and challenges the last several years. Much like the strong high plains winds that move across this part of the world, challenges blow hard across our paths, straining to force us off course.

It all came to me tonight on my 30 minute drive home from work. The skies were still clear, but the wind was viscious along I-70. As I drove my 3/4 ton pick-up home, it became increasingly difficult to keep it lined up straight on the road. Even with 600 pounds of sandbags in the back it wasn't enough to totally tame that prairie wind. I kept both hands on the wheel and kept my focus straight ahead--down the interstate. I determined not to deviate from my course.

Now three hours later it is evident what all the wind was about--driving rain and a laser light show of lightning entertains us across the charcoal sky.

Much like the crazy prairie high winds, the challenges in my life strain and push to move me off course and away from my ultimate purpose. I'm learning that as long as I keep both hands on the wheel and my eyes straight ahead--aimed at the end goal--I'll make it home safely.

Lenten Experiment - Day 6

Well, welcome to February 27, 2012 - Day 6 of Lent.

I have to admit that when I went to bed last night or really early this morning, I had no idea what God would put on my heart to write about today.

However, this morning when I got on the computer and went to my Facebook page, I saw in the newsfeed photos and stories from K-Love's partnership with Cure International, in particular the trip to Afghanistan to deliver handknitted hats to children in the Cure Hospital in Kabul as well as help to little Ali who is receiving corrective surgery today for his cleft palate. Thanks to lots of K-Love listeners, Ali and his family will be truly blessed.

Cure International posted on its page that they received so many hats it will take them a year to distribute all of them across the world and to lots of hospitals & lots of kids! Wow, isn't that awesome? I feel so humbled to be such a small part of that outreach. And, isn't that what Lent is all about--serving, being reminded that each and every one of us is a part of something much, much grander that we can even imagine.

My challenge each day is to look outside my own limited skin for some opportunity to make a difference. And, realizing that God has gifted me with skills, I'm reminded that He gifted me for a purpose--to love, to serve, to encourage, to share what I have. I just hope I'm up to the challenge not just during these 40 days of Lent but for the rest of my brief life on this earth. Our lives are but a vapor. Ashes to ashes . . . dust to dust.

Lenten Experiment - Day 5

Between the Rains -

As I mentioned a couple of days ago, my latest foray into Bible study with Beth Moore and a group of precious ladies at my church has once again opened up my mind to what is actually going on in my life--not just what I think is going on.

Many times no matter how hard I try I simply can't figure out what God's trying to say for all the static I hear or the fog that clouds my vision.

So with all that said, I really need to share today about my life right here, right now because I'm "between the rains."

Lent itself is a condition of being "between the rains"--between the haphazard hullabaloo of Mardi Gras and the rejoicing of Resurrection Sunday. The sermon in church this morning, though, looked at Lent a different way as getting increasingly darker and darker until Good Friday when the whole world darkens upon Christ's death on the cross, then of course brightens full force on Easter morning when He rises from the dead.

I'm seeing it right now as a time of dryness within a large patch of parched ground. Deep down buried within the ground, my land is seeded and prepared for growth. Deep, rugged furrows of trials clawed their way across my land. The seeds are dormant, awaiting spring, awaiting the end of this season, waiting for the glory of a wondrous rain. Patiently waiting for water.

Now--I know it's my responsibility to look for the rain, to wait expecting a refreshing rain. The rainy season is coming. I just know it!

Are you ready for the rain?

"So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; and He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth." (Hosea 6:3 NASB)

Lenten Experiment - Day 4

The winter of 2011-2012 has been unusual throughout the world. Extreme weather patterns seem to the be the norm. Whether it is the excessive cold and snows in Europe or the parching dryness we have experienced here in Kansas and throughout the upper Midwest. Even into Canada snowfalls have been practically non-existant. And while most of the adult population are thankful for the lack of snow, I'm not in that majority.

Even at my advanced age, I still revel in the frigid winds and marvel at the wonder of billions of microscopic ice crystals clinging together in the web called "snow." It really is amazing to me to watch a fluffy snowfall and to hear its crunch beneath my feet as I walk out into the prairie grasses.

And, that's what I have missed this winter--the wonder and beauty of a world wrapped in white - a world pure and clean. The chill of air filled with ice crystals refreshing, cleansing the earth.

And then I have to step back today and remember the words of Isaiah the prophet:

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth, and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it." (Is 55:8-10 (NASB))

Sometimes I get ahead of myself before I realize that God's thoughts and ways are higher than mine - His purposes and plans are true--He knows when the earth needs rain and snow. He waters the earth in His time, not mine. And, while I miss the snow this winter, I'm learning patience.

Well, it's not yet March - there is still hope for some snow before the spring blooms. Ever hopeful, ever watchful - I'll sit out here on the prairie and wait on the snow; wait on God to accomplish His desires. His timing is perfect.

Lenten Experiment - Day 3

As some of you may know today, February 24, is my dad's birthday. It suddenly hit me today that he's been gone now for 20 years. It feels like a lifetime. My oldest daughter was only three and my second daughter was only 6 months old when he died. Daughter #3 wasn't even born yet. His 82 years were full, rich with adventures, friends and family.

Many times I wish my daughters could have known him as a grandfather and friend. But they didn't and that can never be changed. Instead we can remember him through stories, photos, and passing on memories of joys experienced with him. Even this little blog can be a tribute to the loving father I knew for but a fraction of my life.

While he was not outwardly a man of faith, and I don't pretend to know the man's heart, he possessed faith - faith in people and circumstances. He had that "never give up" attitude so characteristic of his generation and those who lived through The Great Depression. I learned determination, perseverence, hard work, loyalty, and optimism from him. And, probably a host of other things.

I inherited my love of learning and reading from him as well. It always amazed me that the man, the farmer, who never went to college was a voracious reader. His library included a daily diet of The Wall Street Journal and The Kansas City Star. Then it expanded to every known farm magazine of the day - the Missouri Ruralist, Successful Farming, Farm Journal - and National Geographic and Arizona Highways. He also read every book he could on the Civil War and World War II.

He was a complicated man in the sense that he was a deep thinker, but his tastes were simple so indicative of the hill-top farmhouse where he was born along with ten other children. I can't remember him ever coveting a new car or the latest gadget. His whole focus was always to provide for my mom and I no matter the personal cost. Christmas mornings saw him unceremoniously opening present after present from my mom who thought lavish gifts could solve the world's problems. It always took a lot of persuasion to get him to participate in the annual ritual of receiving new clothes he didn't really need or want. Poor mom, she was well meaning and gifting was one of her love languages--I'm just sure of it. LOL

So, Day 3 this Lent has been an exercise in memories--recounting where I've come from, who shaped my early days, life lessons learned and applied. Thanks Dad - I'm a better person for knowing you, for being loved by you. Happy Birthday!

Lenten Experiment - Day 2

While I committed myself to this writing/reflection goal for Lent, no real, heavy thoughts went into the whys or the hows or the "what was I thinking?" when I embarked on this journey yesterday.

It is now Day 2 and as I look back over the last several weeks, I have been encouraged in so many ways through Beth Moore's study of the Book of James. It is a powerful, yet small book of the Bible that is veritably bursting with conviction.

James was a man who didn't mince words--he spoke to his reader directly and with a forcefulness that the people of our culture would probably find offensive. I, on the other hand, have always felt secure with those who speak plainly, who speak the truth in love--directly. Personally, I appreciate those who are honest with me.

So, I'm going to be honest with you today. The Lenten journey is not an easy one-- it's a dark journey sometimes, and really must be if we are to fully benefit. Not dark in the sense of evil or negative, just challenging, maybe even mysterious as we navigate through the waters of self-denial and penance.

However, it all begins with communion. That sacred sharing of thoughts and feelings with the one who created us. Think about it. Only through this sacred act can we truly understand Him and His ways. It opens up a way for forgiveness, brings healing and growth and empathy for others. While prayer is the beginning of the journey, sacrifice, giving, self-denial all evolve as I give myself over to the journey.

Prayer - Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. (James 5:16, NASB)

Penitence - For Thou does not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; Thou art not pleased with burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise. (Ps. 51:16-17, NASB)

Almsgiving - If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of your says to them, "go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. (James 2:15-17 NASB)

Self-Denial - And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life shall lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake shall find it. (Matthew 10:38-39, NASB) Be encouraged today, dear friends! The journey is just beginning and God has so much to tell us.

Lenten Experiment - Day 1 (Ash Wednesday)

Day 1 of Lent – Ash Wednesday

As I reflect upon the first day of the new beginning of Lent, I am reminded that for many people Lent is simply a time “to give up something.” It is superficial, at best, just a way to go with the crowd, to follow a time-honored tradition, to exhibit a holiness that may or may not be living down in the deepest wellspring of our heart.

My intention is not to be critical--it is simply an observation and I am just as guilty of a hypocritical nature that is not very attractive.

While to deny the selfishness that enchains all of our hearts is a noble task, what does it truly accomplish in the space of a mere 40 days? For many, it does not become a habit—we simply look forward to Easter morning when we can be released from the burden of the denial and return to our selfish ways. I’m told that it takes 30 days to establish a habit. But does it really?

So what are you giving up this Lenten season? Social media? Chocolate? Fast food? Cussing? Drinking?

Or, will you--like me--think “outside of the box” and step out of your comfort zone and do something out of the ordinary? Serve someone each day, love in extraordinary ways or begin the journey of healing for your own heart? Maybe take a risk like none other. Our life on this earth is so very, very short--don't waste it.

My challenge to myself this Lent is to write a reflection each day focused on these thoughts and many more than consume my brain cells – all in hopes that I am well prepared to meet my Savior this Easter—face-to-face; mind-to-mind; heart-to-heart. Honestly, I’m not sure I’m up for the challenge. I need help each and every day, minute-by-ugly minute to process through the inadequacies of this life.

This is my Lenten Experiment.

I hope you will join me from time to time whether it be for a short read, encouragement, or to help me maneuver through the richness of the Scriptures and the vastness that is our Lord.