Thursday, April 3, 2014

Lenten Learnings

We are in the season of Lent.  Often, Christians give something up during the season of Lent to enable them to better grasp how Christ suffered when He died.  For Lent this year, I gave up electronic games. I have a series of games that I like to pass the time playing.  Honestly, I pass too much time, so I felt challenged to set aside my "little" distraction so that I would focus more on the intent of the season.

Since Lent began, I have not played electronic games except on Sunday, which is a day of celebration.  I have spent time in God's Word, learned more about Him, and how He longs to have a deeper relationship with me. I have enjoyed the time I have spent, studying in my front room, first thing in the morning. God has challenged me, revealed truth to me, and blessed the moments we have shared together.

I have also spent more time shopping online.  

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Good . . . Bad . . .

It's raining today.  There's no big storm, the rain isn't pounding against my window; it's just a grey day.  Most of us would classify this day as dreary, gloomy and/or a little depressing.  We long for the sun; we ache for blue skies and radiating warmth.  I have a friend that loves this weather and that's stating it mildly.  The dark skies bring a brightness to her face and a twinkle to her eye.  

Isn't it interesting that what draws one, does not draw another.  What one of us finds enchanting, others of us would find boring, or perhaps difficult.  There are so many things that we classify in life as good or bad, when it is neither.  The weather today is not bad weather.  It is just weather.  When it is sunny and warm, it isn't necessarily good weather, it is just weather.

Why do we feel the need to classify things as good or bad?  I believe we call something "good," because it is something we want.  We call something "bad," because we wanted something else.  Think about a toddler. We describe some behavior as good, some as bad. Perhaps it is more a matter of appropriateness or acceptableness.  

The Bible says, in Mark 10:18, "...No one is good --except God alone."  My line of thought says that those elements, actions and attitudes that reflect who God is can be classified, or described, as "good."  The thing I find most fascinating is that God longs to draw each of us to Himself. He wants us to know Him, be in relationship with Him and experience His Good (oh so Good!) life.  I have learned that when I focus on God and His definition of "good," I begin to see the good in things that I have previously perceived as "not so good."  The closer I become to God, the greater and deeper I know Him, the greater the Good I see around me -- in me -- for me.  It doesn't always seem to make sense, but my heart understands what my mind can't comprehend.  

It's raining today.  Life is good --God is good.