I have ambivalent feelings about Lent. I grew up Episcopalian, in which Lent was a BIG DEAL. I interpreted it as a time of sadness, where our responsibility was to feel sorry for all the wrongs I have done. Given the fact that I was extremely introverted, overly self-conscious about how people saw me, and given to the depressive side, Easter Sunday couldn't come too soon.
In my years as a pastor, I gradually pulled away from any emphasis on Lent. There were people in almost all my churches who spoke of what they were giving up for Lent. I never chided anyone for their decisions and personal practices. But I've always felt that I should not impose on a church body any tradition or practice which Scripture does not demand. No one should believe that they must mount some heroic feat of spiritual achievement to be pleasing to God. Jesus is not recruiting some Mission Impossible team to do what the rest of the church can't.
The Christian life is steady journey toward the end for which we were redeemed. We are given ordinary means of grace as a church to pursue this end - Scripture, the Sacraments, and Prayer. It's not rocket science. It's not a climb to Mount Everest. The message of the gospel is that the climb was made which we could not make.
So yes, weakness is a huge factor for the Christian to grasp; but it's not a season. It's built into the journey of following Jesus. According to Paul, it was the fine print of the apostolic "contract" (2 Corinthians is so good a this point).
Okay, so this is WAAAAY too long and probably sounds like the scoldings of a Russian Babushka. Apologies!
I hear you and totally get what you mean! In response to your well-put thoughts, I keep thinking of the song "The Love of God" where it talks about how writing about it all would drain the ocean dry...my 10 minutes (aka 1466 words) didn't even put a dent in it, nor did it cover all the different facets of weakness, that's for sure! I grew up in a denomination that emphasized Lent, but my adult denomination does not. There are some years I DO fast from something -- social media anyone? But there are years when I don't. I think what's so striking about this year is...my body WANTS to give a lot of things up, but I actually can't. Ha! There are a lot of reasons I still appreciate the Church calendar, but it definitely shouldn't be used as some sort of litmus test. I really hope I didn't allude to that, as I definitely don't believe that, and totally support what you said: "No one should believe that they must mount some heroic feat of spiritual achievement to be pleasing to God. Jesus is not recruiting some Mission Impossible team to do what the rest of the church can't." (PS, your phrase "scoldings of a Russian Babushka" made me chuckle :D )
Wow! Is there any reason that you have to do track? I mean, when it makes you so exhausted it doesn't make any sense to push yourself. What does family think? I loved your "lights in the window". Such a neat way to celebrate and remind oneself of our God! Today is so cold again and track will be even more tiresome. Maybe it will be done indoors. Hang in there!!
I am fulfilling a request of my youngest...he wanted me to be his coach at least once. To be honest, I'm 99% sure this will be my last season -- but a certain AD won't accept my resignation until after the season ;) There is still much I like about it, and I truly love working with the kids, but I think it's time! Luckily, we're on spring break, so no official practice...I can stay inside!
Did you record direct into Substack? I find that the sound is better if I record using an audio recorder app (I use Audacity) and then import the file into Substack. I'm not sure why but it might be to do with the fact that recording to Substack happens over the internet rather than locally. Oh, and I gave into the temptation to buy a podcast mic!
I treated myself to the Blue Yeti, simply because it's got a good reputation and kidding myself that I might someday add a podcast to my 'stack (not at all likely but I made a very persuasive case to myself at the time...)
I have ambivalent feelings about Lent. I grew up Episcopalian, in which Lent was a BIG DEAL. I interpreted it as a time of sadness, where our responsibility was to feel sorry for all the wrongs I have done. Given the fact that I was extremely introverted, overly self-conscious about how people saw me, and given to the depressive side, Easter Sunday couldn't come too soon.
In my years as a pastor, I gradually pulled away from any emphasis on Lent. There were people in almost all my churches who spoke of what they were giving up for Lent. I never chided anyone for their decisions and personal practices. But I've always felt that I should not impose on a church body any tradition or practice which Scripture does not demand. No one should believe that they must mount some heroic feat of spiritual achievement to be pleasing to God. Jesus is not recruiting some Mission Impossible team to do what the rest of the church can't.
The Christian life is steady journey toward the end for which we were redeemed. We are given ordinary means of grace as a church to pursue this end - Scripture, the Sacraments, and Prayer. It's not rocket science. It's not a climb to Mount Everest. The message of the gospel is that the climb was made which we could not make.
So yes, weakness is a huge factor for the Christian to grasp; but it's not a season. It's built into the journey of following Jesus. According to Paul, it was the fine print of the apostolic "contract" (2 Corinthians is so good a this point).
Okay, so this is WAAAAY too long and probably sounds like the scoldings of a Russian Babushka. Apologies!
Blessings and well-wishes.
I hear you and totally get what you mean! In response to your well-put thoughts, I keep thinking of the song "The Love of God" where it talks about how writing about it all would drain the ocean dry...my 10 minutes (aka 1466 words) didn't even put a dent in it, nor did it cover all the different facets of weakness, that's for sure! I grew up in a denomination that emphasized Lent, but my adult denomination does not. There are some years I DO fast from something -- social media anyone? But there are years when I don't. I think what's so striking about this year is...my body WANTS to give a lot of things up, but I actually can't. Ha! There are a lot of reasons I still appreciate the Church calendar, but it definitely shouldn't be used as some sort of litmus test. I really hope I didn't allude to that, as I definitely don't believe that, and totally support what you said: "No one should believe that they must mount some heroic feat of spiritual achievement to be pleasing to God. Jesus is not recruiting some Mission Impossible team to do what the rest of the church can't." (PS, your phrase "scoldings of a Russian Babushka" made me chuckle :D )
Yay!!
Wow! Is there any reason that you have to do track? I mean, when it makes you so exhausted it doesn't make any sense to push yourself. What does family think? I loved your "lights in the window". Such a neat way to celebrate and remind oneself of our God! Today is so cold again and track will be even more tiresome. Maybe it will be done indoors. Hang in there!!
I am fulfilling a request of my youngest...he wanted me to be his coach at least once. To be honest, I'm 99% sure this will be my last season -- but a certain AD won't accept my resignation until after the season ;) There is still much I like about it, and I truly love working with the kids, but I think it's time! Luckily, we're on spring break, so no official practice...I can stay inside!
I love the idea of Advent stars. Also loved hearing your audio!
Does it come through OK? I'm just using my computer mic right now, but thinking I might invest in a podcast mic or something? I don't know!
Did you record direct into Substack? I find that the sound is better if I record using an audio recorder app (I use Audacity) and then import the file into Substack. I'm not sure why but it might be to do with the fact that recording to Substack happens over the internet rather than locally. Oh, and I gave into the temptation to buy a podcast mic!
I did just use the Substack recorder and the mic on my desktop. Never thought about using a different app though. What mic did you get?
I treated myself to the Blue Yeti, simply because it's got a good reputation and kidding myself that I might someday add a podcast to my 'stack (not at all likely but I made a very persuasive case to myself at the time...)
Thanks! I'll have to look into it :) And your last line made me laugh!
Yes! It comes through fine!
Haha, so I guess I don’t NEED to invest in something new :D
I mean but.....
exxxaaaaaccccttttlllyyy
(and why do podcast mics look so cool? and why do I want to be cool?)