See you after Easter!

Last night I was discussing Lent with my wife. I was thinking through what I might choose to fast for the next 40 days [beginning tomorrow]. And, she made a suggestion.

“Why don’t you stop Twittering and Facebook-ing all of the time?”

That may not be a verbatim quote, but it is definitely the big idea of what she said.

Keeping up with blogging, Twitter, and Facebook does take a lot of my time…even when I am at home.

So…

I have decided that part of my fast for Lent will involve the technology that takes up such a huge chunk of my time.

That’s right. As of tomorrow:

No Twitter.

No Facebook.

No blogging.

Not until after April 12…which is Easter.

I will not post or check any of my social networking accounts until April 12.

I will miss getting to communicate with friends in this way…but I am excited to spend that extra time with God and family and friends.

I am going to work on being fully present with the people in my life.

So, if you are participating in Lent, whatever you choose to fast, I will be praying for you on this journey.

Check back April 13 for a new post here at Intersections!

josh.

Ashes and Wednesday

Well, it’s officially Monday again, and Monday’s kick my butt.  I’m not sure why, but the only remedy for my Monday morning funk is a cup of extra-strong java.

But enough about Monday…what I really want to talk about is Wednesday. This Wednesday is an important day on the Christian calendar, because it is “Ash Wednesday.”

“Ash Wednesday” marks the beginning of 40 days of fasting leading up to Easter Sunday, which is known as “Lent”. This is not the kind of “lint” you find in your pockets or in your dryer. This is a season of repentance and reflection. The “ash” part of “Ash Wednesday” is a symbol of sorrow and repentance for all the ways we have chosen to live outside of God’s intention for us.

On Wednesday, Christians all over the globe will begin this 40 day period of self-denial…as a way of focusing and preparing for Resurrection Sunday.

I have been thinking a lot about what I am going to fast for Lent. It could be a type of food or drink…but it could be something totally different. It could be Twitter or Facebook or TV.

So, I was wondering…are you planning on participating in Lent this year?

For more info about Ash Wednesday or Lent, click here,  here, and here.

For daily Bible readings during Lent, click here.

Have a great Monday….

josh

What does God want for me?

This past Sunday at MCC we wrapped up the series “Life Revolution” by talking about God’s goal for our lives. We read Jesus’ words in John 10v5,10 TNIV:

“…his [the Shepherd, aka Jesus] sheep follow him because they know his voice.  But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice…The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

There are two voices, Jesus says, that are in competition for our ears and hearts…the voice of the stranger/thief, and the voice of the Shepherd.

One speaks truth. The other lies. One is full of hope and peace and joy. The other is negative and drains you of joy and peace. One offers life to the full. The other comes only to steal, kill, and destroy.

Which voice are you listening to right now?

To download this teaching…click here.

Who do you need to deal in?

Yesterday at MCC, we continued the series, “Life Revolution” by talking about the truth that we were created for relationships.

Many people spend their lives playing solitaire, refusing to deal people into their lives.

When we choose to live outside of healthy relationships we miss opportunities to grow, to bless/be blessed, and to encourage/be encouraged by others.

So…who so you need to deal in to your life?

If you would like to listen to the teaching, click here.

The Revolution continues…

Yesterday at MCC we continued the “Life Revolution” series by talking about our priorities. With all of our responsibilities and commitments, we can easily put our relationship with God on the back burner.

We looked at a passage from Matthew 6 where Jesus challenges us to focus, not on the temporary things that we can’t control, but instead to “seek first his [God's] kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

God doesn’t want to be part of our lives…he wants to be the center of our lives, so that every relationship, every obligation, everything flows through him!

If you would like to listen to the message click here.