A "Baptist" During Lent

I've been trying to start this entry for several days now. I just can't seem to put all my thoughts together in a logical progression...even now, this may all come out in jumbled bits. 

I am currently reading two books. I honestly chose them for two different reasons and thought one had nothing to do with the other, but sometimes when God wants to teach us something, he brings things together in ways we could have never imagined. 

The first book, my daughter gave me to read a year ago and I'm just now cracking it open. It's Reshaping It All by Candace Cameron Bure. It's geared more to someone my daughters age as Candace is a mom with children still at home, but I'm getting a lot out of reading it and I recommend it if you're working on making healthier choices for your life. Here are a few quotes from the book that have stood out to me:
 "acting with critical awareness, as in a conscious effort to do better."
"Conscious living involves choice."
"Conscious living involves determination."
"Conscious living involves accountability."
"It takes work, it takes diligence, and it takes commitment, but in order to accomplish everything, I have to keep my priorities in order."

The second book I'm reading is one from my mother's bookshelf. We were/are both big fans of Max Lucado's writings. It's called It's Not About Me. Particularly meaningful during the Lenten season is a story Lucado shares about a European priest who gathered the church for a special service. 
  "in the darkness of the night ...they waited.
Soon the priest arrived. "when he reached the crucifix that hung on the wall, he lit a candle. Saying nothing, he illuminated the pierced feet of Christ, then the side, then one hand, and then the other. Lifting the candle, he shed light on the blood masked face and the crown of thorns. With a puff, he blew out the candle and dismissed the church." pg. 69 "

It's about taking the focus off ourselves and putting the focus on God. On being "mirrors, reflecting God's glory." Everything we do is to bring Him glory. 

Both books talk about purposeful, intentional, committed, determined living....making the most of our time for our time here is "but a moment." 

Both books have mentioned I Corinthians 6:19 "Don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you?" Is it a coincidence that our pastor mentioned that verse in his message this morning? As Jethro Gibbs would say (for you NCIS fans), "I don't believe in coincidence". ;)

During the Lenten season, I recommend that believers pray and find the one thing in their lives upon which they depend the most that keeps them from depending upon Christ the most. It truly may be food, drink, approval of others, social media, or work. Commit to exercising a fast of whatever this "thing" is for the 40 days of Lent. Each time you feel the need to rely upon that "thing," let it be a reminder to you of your absolute dependence upon the Lord. Every time, for example, you feel a hunger pain, let it be a reminder to you of your soul's longing desire for God's presence that can only be filled through Christ.

Lent provides a unique time each year when believers can practice the discipline of self-examination. We examine ourselves and our deepest needs according to God's Word. It is also a time of anticipation as we look toward the promise and hope of Easter. We can practice the discipline of self-examination because we know the power of forgiveness and victory is ours through Jesus Christ.

 Rev. Dr. Page Brooks 

Baptist churches as a general rule don't observe Lent in the traditional way that other churches do. I have always been an "odd duck" as my mentor put it...I am an evangelical with liturgical tendencies. I "observe" Advent and Lent in my own way in my own devotional time, but it's never been touched as such in our church. As I mentioned before, since Gordon's passing I have felt the need to make some changes in my life, to set and accomplish a certain set of goals. Now, because of my readings, God has been showing me He is actually doing the leading in this process. He is showing me without a doubt what needs to change in my life. I don't think that the desires in my heart to make these changes following Gordon's passing are a coincidence with the things I have been reading. The desire was placed in my heart during a time when my heart was open to it and my reading has only confirmed it. What I'm still working on is the how...I'm taking that one day, one step, one moment at a time. Forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness preparing for what he was to face...forty days the Israelites wandered in the wilderness to prepare them for the promised land. 

I am excited about what God is going to teach me. 
Forty days...

I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith
And be closer drawn to Thee.

Draw me nearer, nearer blessèd Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessèd Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the power of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.

O the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
I commune as friend with friend!

There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee.