Abba's Girl

 You know when your day is sailing along, it's pretty outside, you enjoy time with your friend over lunch, you pick up groceries, you arrive home and discover someone has accidentally locked you out of your house and left town for the weekend.  For a few seconds I wanted to yell, after all I'm wearing nice clothes, it's hot, and my groceries are thawing rapidly.  I called him, no answer, he was mowing grass and his phone was in his truck. I then left the following message: you locked the bottom lock. The lock that can't be opened with a key from the outside because the lock is broken.  Then the words from Ephesians 4:26 entered my mind: Be angry and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath.  I had a choice to make. Why become angry? Why have a fit? I'm still outside, I'm still hot, and we won't discuss the state of my groceries. After all, I make mistakes, I am not perfect. Anger would not change my situation. I broke a window pane, unlocked the ...

  I committed to reading the New Testament during Lent this year. I took many notes as passages jumped out at me, I also discovered highlighter tape and transparent sticky notes. How have I lived all these years without them?  I also took a break from social media during Lent. I deactivated my Instagram account, I haven't decided if I will deactivate my Facebook account. Social media isn't the friendly, amusing, fun place it used to be. As we remember Jesus' last week: the triumphant entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper with His disciples including the man who betrayed Him and His arrest and Crucifixion, let us endeavor to let go of offense, anger, self-righteousness, and casting stones at people. Turn off the news, walk away from your devices. Go outdoors, enjoy His creation, visit with neighbors.  Jesus died for You, He died for me, He died for the very people who offend you.  Remember His prayer:    Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your...

 How can Lent arrive in 2 days? New Year's doesn't seem that long ago.  This year I plan to celebrate Lent the way I did when I was younger - plain food - nothing fancy or fun and more time in the Word. I will also take a break from social media. I doubt my "absence" will be noticed.  I will find out if I can read the New Testament in 40 days. I am sure I will survive 40 days eating plain food, (I'll probably eat Tex Mex for breakfast Easter Sunday.) I'm looking forward to being completely uninformed by removing social media from my phone.  I pray O Lord that the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight. O Lord,  my strength and my Redeemer.