stop, drop, and LENT??

i don't observe lent. furthermore, i am pretty sure it's not biblical.

the only correct response to the sacrifice of the cross is to offer our WHOLE lives to Jesus. EVERYDAY, not just for 40 days near Easter.. every part of our body, mind, soul, and strength.. not just the part that craves sweets. the cross and the Resurrection should consume us every day of our lives. and if there comes a time in our life when we are convicted to give something up in order to pray or refocus our minds, then we are to follow what scriptures says about it, and "our right hand should not know what our left hand is doing."  we shouldn't have to announce our attempt at holiness and restraint on facebook or in public. that is completely contrary to a meek spirit and a humble heart.

i believe the cross eliminated the need for sacrifices on the altar. Our Jesus WAS the sacrifice. Hebrews 13:15 tells us that we are now,  "to bring sacrifices of PRAISE-the fruit of the lips that openly praise His name".. WOW, i would MUCH rather bring a sacrifice of praise instead of sacrifice of no face book, no sugar, or no soda. to me that's like saying, "God, thank you for paying the ultimate cost of allowing your Son to become our filth, to the point you were unable to look at Him. Thank you for sacrificing your flesh and blood, so that all could be redeemed... i am so grateful for your sacrifice that that in return for the next forty days i will not watch TV. isn't that so good of me God?!" to me that is a mockery of the cross and the sacrifice.

if you want to focus on Christ and Easter... then FOCUS ON CHRIST AND EASTER.. stop conjuring up religious ways to present your "goodness" before Him and others. you will never be good enough.

He came so that we could have life... NOT, a to-do list of things that we must "give up" in order to be presentable. don't make a game out of the beautiful cross on which our Savior died. don't taint the season by trying to be "good". wallow in your unworthiness, repent of your ugliness, see your intense lack of self control, beg for forgiveness, and then PRAISE HIM for rising up from the dead to give you and me LIFE.... NOT LENT!!!

We are a redeemed people living on THIS side of the cross. we are to be celebrating the life of victory that we have been giving. we KNOW the end of the story and it's a good one...

now let's celebrate!

~s