Why lent?

So, let me ask you all my friends. Why do you do lent?

It's entertaining (to me) because I always ask people what they are doing for lent. Is this really the right thing to be doing? Isn't the 40 days of lent truly fasting?

People who are reading may not be Christian, maybe you are, but I love this Bible verse from Matthew 6v16 - 18

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

Do I give things up for lent for my own glory? Do I do it to make me look good? To make me FEEL good?


Well, let's look to why people fast first. People fast because it's a big thing in their life. I love food. I think about food a lot.


If I fast food, I will think about food. BUT, if I am fasting, I want to be praying to God. Let's say I am about to take some sort of test. I have revised but want God to be present while I do this test. When I think of food, I will pray.


Couldn't that be the same for lent for people who follow God? 40 days of being reminded to pray when we think about the thing we've given up instead of trying to get people to feel bad for us because we've given up something like bacon or coffee.


Here's the challenge: Don't talk about what you are giving up. I am trying to do this. I am trying to do it in secret so that God gets the glory.


Dan

Counts Your Blessings

I don't know if you are anything like me, but I have quite a big issue in my life. I always seem to focus on the negative.

Like, imagine you've had a wicked day, about 20 different amazing things happen but that one bad thing (Maybe someone saying you didn't clean the church oven well enough? Just an example from the back of my head) is the one thing you dwell on? This is the story of my life.

But there have been a lot of amazing things happening recently too. And I guess it's now time to count my blessings.

So I remember saying to a few friends recently that God took music away from me and now has given it back in full swing. I've never considered myself and still don't consider myself an amazing musician, but I love it. I love to listen to it, I love to write it and flipping well love to play it. I also have a passion for teaching too.

This last year, there are some big things happening. I run with other people two camps (one that is successful and the other we'll find out what it's like at the end of the month) I've just launched a music group for young people eager to learn an instrument and learn skills of working in a band and just having a good time.

I believe God has given me some songs to play for people too (you can hear them on www.myspace.com/dansoloproject but please don't think I'm blogging to force you to listen to my music) and in April, I should be recording an EP to give to people. I also have a few shows lined up and a few places to lead worship for Christians.

I mean, that's saying something. God has blessed me with some wonderful friends, a lovely place to live, finance, clothes, enough food (Sometimes maybe too much)

It's time I count my blessings more.

Bible verse for this blog is Joshua 1v9 as God is commisioning him:

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Dan