Fridays In The Desert - I've Got A Plan
Friday, January 13, 2012 at 5:00AM I haven't forgotten about my plan for Lent, I've just been mulling over the details. Here's what I've come up with:
From now until Easter, Friday blog posts will be devoted to this experiment, that way those who are interested know when to tune in, and those who are not know when to tune out.
I feel like I need to do some mental and spiritual prep work before Lent starts, but I'm not a terribly deep person so I googled "biblical significance of the number 40" and came up with a reading plan.
- For January 20th I'm going to read Exodus (bleh), concentrating on Chapter 24 which is the account of Moses' 40 days on the mount.
- For January 27th, I'll read 1Kings (better) which includes the story of the forty days of Elijah in Horeb.
- By February 3rd, I need to read Jonah (only 4 chapters!) who spent 40 days in Ninevah
- I'll move to the New Testament on February 10th and try to get through all of Matthew, making sure to focus on chapter 4 when Jesus spent 40 days in the desert.
- Finishing up on February 17th is the book of Acts which includes the 40 days Jesus spent with his disciples after his resurrection.
That's a lot of reading.
Ash Wednesday is February 22nd and that's when I'll start my Lenten Adventure. I have a list of 28 "sacrifices" and 11 "things I need to add" which I will very scientifically write down on 39 slips of paper and will draw one a day throughout Lent.
I am desperately hoping that snooze alarm and coffee are not both drawn in the same week.
So as not to bore everyone to death, on the days I write normal blog posts, I'll just put my drawing of the day at the bottom of the post and give full updates on Fridays.
Clear as mud?
Good.
I don't really expect that anyone wants to joing me on this journey. When I asked Rich, he said "No, because I'm not crazy." But I'm just going to put it out there that if you'd like to join me, you're welcome to. Just leave a note in the comments section of this post. If there's enough interest, I'll look into doing a Linky type situation on Fridays.
I am scared about this whole plan. Scared I won't be able to do it, and scared about what may happen if I do. But hey - nothing ventured, nothing gained and all that, right?
Right?
Hello?
Is anyone still there?
Oh dear.
Fridays In The Desert, God, Lenten Adventure
Reader Comments (20)
I know you can do this! I'm going to the readings with you to try to get in the right frame of mind for lent. I don't know if I could survive doing a whole plan like you. I feel I can't add anything else right now. Living apart from my husband due to work has been a real sacrifice and has added a boatload of responsibilities to my life. I don't think anyone would want to be around me if I took more of my joy-givers away, but I'm still contemplating Lent.
Persevere! You are an encouragement!
Lorrie - since I don't know if I can do it either, I totally understand. Do as you're led. :)
Missy D - Now that's a scary thought!
Ooh, I'm tempted to join you on your journey, but it somehow seems sadder to try and inevitably fail than to not try at all. (I don't think I have a future as an inspirational poster writer. Which is sad, 'cause I feel that's a solid industry.)
this is a fabulous idea and i know god will honor it in your life. can't wait to hear more.
I like your reading plan idea...great way to get into the right frame of mind. BTW Sundays aren't included as part of 40 days of Lent so technically you could have a cup of coffee or a bite of chocolate - just saying :-) Good luck with this journey!
I am praying for you that you will indeed do what you set out to do, grow from it, and that God will honor you for honoring him. (I am sure that most people are sick of Tim Tebow, but I do think he's a good example) ( :) ) Anyway, I will definitely be thinking about all of these things. There is no doubt that my whole life would benefit from spiritual attention and growth.
I will say that if this doesn't work out you could try "Fridays in the Dessert"...I will definitely join you on that journey.
I hope you read that with a lot of humor, because I totally expect you to carry this through; he will help you. :)
I'm so excited for you! I'm excited to follow along. Don't think I'll join you because I feel like I've given up a lot and changed my life a lot this year with being pregnant, birthing a baby, and nursing a baby (7mo currently) for a year. But you have given me the idea to start thinking about lent more than a day or so in advance. Good luck!! I hope during this you grow closer to God and that you get that spark back!
Good luck! I will look forward to following your journey -
we're here! can't wait to read how it goes!!
I'm slow...are you giving up one item on your list each day of Lent? I'm sure you can do it and will learn something in the doing.
Missy- "fabulous" may be overstating. We'll see . . .
Peggy - Really? I though that was a myth. I'll have to check on that.
Christina - I read that with MUCH humor. "Fridays in the Dessert" is much more my style!
Sarah H. - You're right. You have quite enough on your plate right now. Enjoy. :)
Mom and sarah - thanks!
Joyce - Sort of. I'm adding one item from my list each day of Lent so by the end I'll be doing the whole list at once. Let's hope I learn something more than never to do it again!
Good luck! Remember nobody's perfect and God forgives. So if you have a slip up it will be ok. :)
I think what you are doing is very admirable and I hope you accomplish the goal that you are seeking. In these types of things, I find we learn what we need to know, not what we want to know.
I am not a Christian or even a religious person although I believe in my heart in a higher power (who I talk to, often), and as an English major in college, I took a class on the Bible as Literature. And even if you throw in all the Sunday School classes my parents dragged me to in my childhood, I just realized that I have never read the Bible from cover to cover. I think that's a huge gap in my knowledge. I'm going to start. Thanks for the inspiration!
Jules
Call me crazy but I'm going to do this too. Most of my list consists of cleaning tasks and organizing things (but these are all things I'm very inconsistent on and this would be a great motivator). I also have no chocolate and no sugar on my list and good things like keeping a prayer list, reading a chapter of the bible everyday and taking my mom and dad out for a movie or dinner during Lent. I still have spaces to fill as I'm not up to forty yet, but give me a few days and I'll have them. My church doesn't actually observe Lent but I think it's just a great way to get rid of the bad and bring in some good!
Peggy is right. Sundays are NOT included in the 40 days. Do the math. You have to eliminate Sunday to come up with 40 days. Plus, our priest reminded us last year that Sundays are not part of the 40 days.
I think doing or giving instead of giving up is a great option. Jesus gave to us. He is our example. I'm going to try to give more this Lenten season of my time, help, a kind word, whatever I can. Reading HIs Word is really the way to get the relationship back again.
Amy- thank you
SJ - It's a great book - if you can get through Leviticus.
Kristen - I like your list items. Thanks for joining me!
JM - obviously math is not my strong point. Sundays off - noted.
Martha - agreed. I've made sure to incorporate those ideas in.
Mindee- I've been late in commenting but Reuben and I are doing something similar. We're adding more than taking away, and focusing specifically on family spiritual goals. I haven't been blogging so I can't link with you, but know that I am doing this, too! Thanks for the inspiration! I'm excited for you!