Jamie Lindtner

For many, Lent is a time of giving up..  giving up chocolate or soda.. (both of which I could  do and maybe should   do.)  Giving up TV or facebook or eating out..  coffee..  Something that is a sacrfice.  And sometimes, you make it the 40 days and sometimes..  you don't.  I don't.  So, I generally don't give things up.  Which means, most years, I do nothing during Lent.  nothing more, nothing less..  lent happens and Easter comes and I'm not any closer to Jesus then I was before. This year, I want more.  I want something different.  I want meaning and growth and intention.  So this year, I'm commiting to more time in the Scripture and more time in Worship and more time in intimate prayer with my Savior.  And to hold me accountable to that, and to maybe encourage others as well, more time on this blog..  I'd like to title this all 40 days of blogging, but I don't have 40 days worth of words...

It's Ash Wednesday today.  The first day of Lent, the first steps of a journey towards betrayel, accusation, sentencing, death and ultimately a Resurrection of miracles.  It's an important day in the life of the church as we take on an attitude of preparation and reflection and a pointing to God.  A reminder today that we came from God and we return to God.  Everyday. Everyday we are need of redemption.  And Everyday God so graciously offers it to us.  Redemption. Forgiveness, a making new of our minds and our attitudes and our hearts.  A redemption of words. and thoughts and actions. It's an intentional time to reflect not just on what God, through Jesus Christ has done and will do, but a time for looking inwards, to our own hearts and determining what needs work.  How can I love more?  Where is kindness in my life and with whom do I need to be more kind?  What habits or attitudes are getting in the way of my seeing Christ in my...