Lent is quickly approaching. This Wednesday, many of us will go to church, receive the imposition of ashes, and give up something for Lent.
Last year I gave up alcohol, the year before that sweets of any kind, and so on... And while "giving these things up" made going to the bar or dessert a little less enjoyable, I realize, for me at least, there was nothing in them that actually worked on my relationship with the Divine.
This year, I'm giving up one thing and taking on another.
I'm giving up negative self-talk. So, when I jokingly say negative things about myself or when I say negative things about myself and mean it, or when I catch myself thinking negative things about myself... I'm going to stop myself and say a short prayer/affirmation.
I'm taking on the practice of simplifying my own life - speaking in material terms - and of giving to those in need. I will make at least one run to Goodwill each week. I will not buy any shoes/clothes/etc. during Lent. Basically, if it's not food or school supplies, I don't really need to have it. And too much stuff, materially, tends to make me feel claustraphobic and cluttered emotionally, so we'll work on that this Lent by trying to trim it out of the material in an effort to help out on the emotional side as well.
What are you doing for Lent?
Monday, February 20, 2012
Friday, February 3, 2012
Spring Semester Begins
And thus the spring semester begins!
My courses this semester are Church Music, Parables, Early Christian History, and Intro to Christian Ethics. I am eager, in different ways, for each of these classes.
Church Music strikes a chord with me (bad pun very much intended) because I love music and I think it is such a key part of worship. Often times, for me personally, my worship is entirely music. It is playing my guitar or listening to an album or to people play. Music is my prayer and my praise and my lamentation. I'm excited to learn more ways to bring music, in its many forms, into the worship setting.
Sidenote: my favorite part of my history class this past fall was uncovering that my home church, back in the 17/1800s, placed such an emphasis on music in worship. It made me inexplicably happy to see that I had found a home whose spiritual DNA was very much like my own when it came to the importance of music in/as worship.
Parables should be an interesting class. It is my New Testament class and we look at what makes up a parable. One of the big projects is to prepare a sermon told entirely in parable form.
Early Christian History is going to be amazing because my favorite professor is teaching it. I had classes on Wednesday but it wasn't 'til I sat down in her class this morning that I felt like the semester had actually started - and that I was excited for it.
Ethics is going to be a great class, mostly because I am interested in the subject matter. It's always been one of those things I didn't really consider myself "smart enough" to discuss... But I am, actually, smart enough - there are just some things I need to learn in order to fully participate in the conversation. I am excited to do that.
In addition to classes, I've also begun the process to find a Field Education church for next year. That is exciting. I'm hoping to do something very different from my home church setting, where I served as the youth leader for the past five years.
Lots of new stuff is going on! And it is good stuff!
My courses this semester are Church Music, Parables, Early Christian History, and Intro to Christian Ethics. I am eager, in different ways, for each of these classes.
Church Music strikes a chord with me (bad pun very much intended) because I love music and I think it is such a key part of worship. Often times, for me personally, my worship is entirely music. It is playing my guitar or listening to an album or to people play. Music is my prayer and my praise and my lamentation. I'm excited to learn more ways to bring music, in its many forms, into the worship setting.
Sidenote: my favorite part of my history class this past fall was uncovering that my home church, back in the 17/1800s, placed such an emphasis on music in worship. It made me inexplicably happy to see that I had found a home whose spiritual DNA was very much like my own when it came to the importance of music in/as worship.
Parables should be an interesting class. It is my New Testament class and we look at what makes up a parable. One of the big projects is to prepare a sermon told entirely in parable form.
Early Christian History is going to be amazing because my favorite professor is teaching it. I had classes on Wednesday but it wasn't 'til I sat down in her class this morning that I felt like the semester had actually started - and that I was excited for it.
Ethics is going to be a great class, mostly because I am interested in the subject matter. It's always been one of those things I didn't really consider myself "smart enough" to discuss... But I am, actually, smart enough - there are just some things I need to learn in order to fully participate in the conversation. I am excited to do that.
In addition to classes, I've also begun the process to find a Field Education church for next year. That is exciting. I'm hoping to do something very different from my home church setting, where I served as the youth leader for the past five years.
Lots of new stuff is going on! And it is good stuff!
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