Today's Task: Make a treat or meal together. "Meanwhile, the disciples were urging Jesus, “Rabbi, eat something.” John 4:31 When my kids were little, I used to have them help me make cookies. I told them they were 'friendship' cookies and if they were not kind while making them, they would turn out bitter. It worked!! They loved to work together on these special treats. Now that they are older, we sometimes work together to create a 'friendship' meal. Each member works on one or two items and the dinner is always delicious. Last Saturday, two of my teenage sons surprised me by making lemon chicken for dinner, this task definitely has fringe benefits.
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How can we continue the challenges of Lent?
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power, love and self-control." 2 Tim 1:7 As we approach Holy Week, we may be saying a small sigh of relief that our time of sacrifice is drawing to a close and the time for celebration is almost here. The tempation to let go of the spiritual strength and discipline we have practiced is strong, but I am reminded of Lazarus. (John 11:46-53) When Jesus raised His dear friend from the dead, did his friend live as he had before?" I imagine, that when Lazarus came out, and the veil was removed his first thought was," How did this happen. He would recognize his friend, Jesus, standing before him and he would be in awe. I don't think Lazarus was ever the same. He would have to live his life in a new way as a new creation. So it should be with our Lenten devotions. We should be transformed and not return to our former way of life. Today's Active Devotion: Do a Family Service Project.
"Faith without works is dead." James 2:20 At one point I felt my children had lost sight of how blessed they were. In keeping with this week's Gospel reading, it was if they had become blind to it and needed to see. I piled them in the van and took them to a poor area of town. They saw poverty,much to their disgust, they even witnessed someone eating out of a trash can. Their eyes were begining to open. Following that, our family volunteered at a food bank . It was not enough to let them see the problem, our family felt called to be part of the solution. We have friends who do mission work all around the world and they are the least selfish, most frugal and most appreciative family we know. Service to others is a good remedy for selfishness. |