Going to His House...

Lent has started. I know there can be controversy about giving up things for Lent.There are some who think that giving something up is really pointless because we can not possibly even come close to the sacrifice that Christ made for us with His death on the cross. This is true. There is nothing I can do to even come close to what God did for me. I think it really is defined by motive. I do believe that if there is something I can give up during the next forty days that I can do so as a reminder to myself of the idea of His sacrifice.

So, what did I give up? I gave up facebook. For those who may not know, facebook is a "social network" on the internet. It is a wonderful way to connect or reconnect with family and friends. Share pictures, memories, ideas, and even just the everyday funny or even mundane things that happen in your life. I have been enjoying facebook as just that. Posting pictures, updating my status to include bits and pieces of my day. I want to be clear that my giving up facebook is not a comment on facebook itself. It is a comment on my own behavior and attitude. I have spent more time than necessary on facebook and often to the detriment of my family. I have used it as a way to escape from the work that needs to be done. (And no, blogging is not the same!).

All that to say, that I want to use the time I would normally spend on facebook investing in relationships. The relationships that are of highest priority in my home. First, the relationship with my LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. Second, with my family and friends. I want to really connect; in real and tangible ways. I want to delight in the LORD and He in me. I want to bring joy to my family and peace to my home. On that note, Troy and I are also adding to our Lenten season The Love Dare by Stephen and Alex Kendrick. The book is a by-product of the movie Fireproof that is all about the building up of the marriage relationship and relationship with the LORD.

Therefore, I am not only taking away facebook for the next forty days, but we are adding in The Love Dare as a way to enrich our life. That is pleasing to the LORD. Can I truly love the way He does? No, not on this earth. Should that stop me from working on it? No way!

You have been reading my blog and probably wanting to know what does the title of this entry have to do with what you have written thus far??? Admittedly, it may seem like it doesn't fit, but really I think it does. To start our Lenten season off on the right foot, we went to His house. Last night we attended the Ash Wednesday service.

As part of the Wednesday services during Lent the church is using dramatic monologues to portray the disciples. I must confess that I am not always a fan of dramatic interpretation of the Bible. I guess, I just like my Bible in black and white. I sometimes think there is too much creative license taken in portraying Biblical people. That being said, the sight of Pastor Teike dressed as Peter and sharing his own account of Biblical events was enough to make Carson take notice.

I had explained to Carson prior to the start that they would be using drama each week to bring the message. As the monologue was just beginning, Carson says to me, "Mama, can we come every week?". "Of course!" I said. Delighted to see his joy in coming to The LORD's house! I didn't even bother to tell him we would have been coming even without his request. I was glad it Carson's idea "to go to His house". Whether, you choose to give anything up or add something in for Lent, I pray that you will make time "to go to His house". He wants to meet you there and in your home and out in the world. Though, I am pretty sure The Living God doesn't have a page on facebook. If He did, I wouldn't be checking it in the next forty days anyway, because I'm off facebook. I think I'll open His book and see what He has to say to me there instead! If you are one of my facebook friends, give me a call, comment on my blog or even better come see me face to face.