Jason's Blog

Foree was preaching in growing in our discernment on Sunday. This is an important topic because we are either drifting or searching.  There’s really not much middle ground.

So what are the characteristics of searchers?

• Searchers are hungry – for a better way of life
• Searchers are dissatisfied or have certain amount of restlessness (or anxiety)
• Searchers are uncomfortable
• Searchers are looking for guidance
• Searchers are asking questions
• Searchers are ready to face fears
• Searchers take responsibility

Have I been a searcher today?
Are you willing to take a long look at where you are with God?
Do you need to turn the TV off for a little while?
Do you need to unplug from the net so that you can plug back into God?
Are there some habits that you have formed that need to change?
How many of your habits take you into communion with God?

Scriptures on Seeking

Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always (Psalm 105:4).

Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you (Hosea 10:12).

Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you (Amos 5:14).

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well  (Matthew 6:33).

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him (Hebrews 11:6).

Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others (1 Corinthians 10:24).

Prayer

Lord,

Make me a seeker today—someone who loves Truth, who loves questions, who desires to grow, who loves You and wants to know more of You in all Your glory. – Amen

If you want to read some other thoughts on drifiting, check out this older blog post.

“No, you shouldn’t!!!”  That’s the dominant message that I heard for years.

However, I have found that keeping a Lenten season can be valuable.  I would not hold this opinion over anyone, but I find that celebrating Lent– in one form or another– has helped me.

Before you become overly critical, ask yourself these 2 questions:

1) How many of the Consumerist Holidays do I celebrate and why?

It’s holidays include  New Year’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, the 4th of July, Father’s Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Halloween, and Thanksgiving, (and perhaps Christmas).

2) What exactly is Lent?

A Definition:  Lent is a forty day period of preparation leading up to Easter and the Resurrection of Jesus.   The number of days seems to have been drawn from biblical sources.  For example, Jesus and Elijah were in the desert 40 days (1 Kings 19:8, Luke4:2).  Moses was on Mount Sinai 40 days (Exo. 24:18).

Historical Notes:

• It’s an old practice.   We find a mention of  40 day Lent in Canon 5 of the Ecumenical Council of Nicea (318 AD).  At this point, the practice is  as an established church tradition.  Irenaeus (a second century figure) mentions a short term (2 day) Lenten-type fast before the celebration of Easter.
• Daniel Sahas notes that the word Lent itself is drawn from an Anglo-Saxon term lencten, meaning Spring (Encyclopedia of Early Christianity (Garland, 1990): 533.

How can I practice Lent?

There are many creative ways to celebrate Lent.  John Marks Hicks has given ten suggestions at his blog.  It is a period of time for self-examination and self-denial.  Should you choose to give up food or some activity– the purpose should be to create a space where you can be close to God.

So be creative and seek after the Lord as fully as you are able.