The church season of Lent has historically been a time of introspection and devotion.  In order to highlight our dependence on our selves and our earthly desires, many Christians choose to forgo something during Lent as a way to sharpen their faith.  The concept is to replace a dependence or desire for something earthly with a dependence or desire for Christ.  Recently, some have also taken spiritual disciplines on during Lent – adding to their spiritual growth regiment either in addition or instead of choosing to give something up.  As you approach Lent (which starts tomorrow!) here is a list of 12 things to either give up or take on to grow your soul this Lent.

Things to give up

1. Coffee or Chocolate – These are traditional for many, but also very good at pointing out our desires & dependence on ourselves and the world.
2. TV or Internet – While you may not be able to give these up completely (particularly if you need to email for work) but you can vastly limit your time.
3. Going out to eat – Has a two part effect – easier on your pocketbook as well as helping you see a dependence.
4. Radio – Use the silence of your commute as a time of prayer
5. Excessive sports – No, I’m not saying to stop exercising, but if it is filling your schedule, this might be a place to look at to give that time to God.
6. Video games – These can take up a lot of time and energy – what could you do for God in that time instead?

Things to take on

1. Scripture reading – I’m a big proponent of learning about God and about yourself through scripture.  It’s never too late to start.  If you want to read along we me use this guide. We are on week 7.
2. Exercise – If you are not in shape, how can you be ready when God calls you to serve?  Take Lent as a time to start an exercise regiment and begin to get your body right.
3. Scripture memorization – “Thy Word I have hidden in my heart that I may not sin against Thee.” – Psalm 119:11 – true words and a great Lenten discipline.
4. Fasting – Nothing shows dependence stronger than fasting.  Try starting with one meal a week and then move on to one day a week.
5. Sacrificial giving – Best when used in conjunction with giving something up.  Give the money that you would have used to fulfill your earthly desires for God.
6. Silence – Turn everything off and learn to enjoy stillness and silence.  Sometimes God’s whispers can only be heard when we are still and quiet.

To balance things out – here are 6 great gifts for women and 6 great gifts for men for valentine’s day.

Gifts for men:

1. Tool – No, not the band.  PLEASE, not the band.  Any guy can use a new tool, be it screwdrivers or a joiner/planer.  Yes, guys think this is romantic.
2. Fishing gear – Particularly on the coast, always a good choice.  What?  Your man doesn’t fish?  You know what they say “Give a man a fish, he eats once.  Teach a man to fish and he’ll spend his weekends with his buddies making up stories of the one that got away.”
3. Bacon – Nothing says I love you down to your cholesterol clogged arteries than bacon.  Did you know there’s a bacon of the month club?
4. Dark chocolate – Real men don’t want their chocolate all sweet and silky with fancy centers and delicate designs on top.  They want it dark, bitter, and in a plain wrapper.  Here’s an example.  Want some flavor?  Fine, add some chili powder.  That’s a man’s chocolate!
   Have to make a substitute for chocolate – after further review, the replay booth says “whole bean coffee and a good coffee grinder” is a better gift.  Or green coffee beans and popcorn popper, if your man is man enough to handle it.
5. Tongs – Any man who cooks (and by cooking, I mean grilling or BBQing mainly) needs tongs.  You only grab a hot steak off a fire with your hands once before you realize that tongs are a good thing.
6. Anything to make a fire with – A creme brule torch.  A propane burner.  An outdoor fire pit.  Man’s best friend may be his dog, but fire is his favorite toy.

Gifts for women

1. Time – Best gift of all.  She wants to spend time with you.  I don’t understand it, but that’s why she loves you!
2. Hand written love note – It doesn’t have to be long, but it does need to be sincere.  Think about the day you met.  Think about how much your love has grown.  Think about the little things she does for you.  Tell her you love her forever.  (But don’t steal from a song.  No one wants to read their note and hear a song in their head.)
3. A day away – With you is best.  Alone or with friends works.  As long as the kids aren’t there you’re good.
4. Chocolate – Good stuff.  Not that cheap stuff you get at Walgreens.  Something to be savored, not devoured.
5. Her favorite flower – If it’s roses, fine.  But think hard – is there some other flower she likes?  Maybe a different color?  Maybe a different scent?  Look at her perfume and see if it has any flower scent to it – that’s a good hint.
6. A snuggie – Ok, that’s only partly a joke.  Really – something warm, soft, and comfortable for her to wear is always a good choice.  Think cashmere.  Yes, it’s a lot for a sweater, but she’ll love it.
   Again, another substitute.  After consultation with my fairer half, she suggested this.  I think she may have been joking, but I’m not one to chance it.  It must be popular, because it’s already out of stock!

In honor of my favorite useless holiday, I present these – my favorite 12 quotes from the Bill Murray 1993 classic – Groundhog Day.

1. You wanna throw up here, or you wanna throw up in the car?  I think… both.
2. Do you ever have déjà vu, Mrs. Lancaster? I don’t think so, but I could check with the kitchen.
3. It’s the same thing your whole life: “Clean up your room. Stand up straight. Pick up your feet. Take it like a man. Be nice to your sister. Don’t mix beer and wine, ever.” Oh yeah: “Don’t drive on the railroad track.” Well, Phil, that’s one I happen to agree with.
4. Come on, *all* the long distance lines are down? What about the satellite? Is it snowing in space? Don’t you have some kind of a line that you keep open for emergencies or for celebrities? I’m both. I’m a celebrity in an emergency.
5. This is one time where television really fails to capture the true excitement of a large squirrel predicting the weather.
6. This is pitiful. A thousand people freezing their butts off waiting to worship a rat. What a hype. Groundhog Day used to mean something in this town. They used to pull the hog out, and they used to eat it. You’re hypocrites, all of you!
7. He… might be okay. [the truck explodes in a fireball] Well, no. Probably not now.
8. If you gotta shoot, aim high. I don’t wanna hit the groundhog.
9. You want a prediction about the weather, you’re asking the wrong Phil. I’ll give you a winter prediction: It’s gonna be cold, it’s gonna be grey, and it’s gonna last you for the rest of your life.
10. What would you do if you were stuck in one place and every day was exactly the same, and nothing that you did mattered?
    Ralph: That about sums it up for me.
11. Not bad… Mr. Connors, you say this is your first lesson? Phil: Yes, but my father was a piano *mover*, so…
12. Well maybe the *real* God uses tricks, you know? Maybe he’s not omnipotent. He’s just been around so long he knows everything.

A member who is on medical leave asked me recently to suggest some books to read to pass the daytime hours (when TV consists of news, talk shows, soap operas, or bad re-runs).  I thought I would answer his question and share 12 books that I have found that have helped me grow in faith and how to live that faith out in a positive way.

1. The Call by Os Guinness – A great book for understanding that we are all called and how to fulfill our calling to serve Christ.
2. Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster – The best and most approachable book on spiritual disciplines.
3. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis – A classic that still speaks to the essentials of faith.
4. Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell – Cutting edge and gets you thinking.  Will get you mad and make you think.
5. The Jesus I Never Knew by Phillip Yancey – A great book about recapturing the biblical Jesus.
6. Why I’m Not a Calvinist by Walls and Dongell – Written by two of my seminary professors.  A great philosophical answer to the prevailing Calvinist theology of the day.
7. The Universe Next Door by Sire – Perfect for understanding the root differences between Christianity and other religions/philosophies.
8. Jim and Casper go to Church by Henderson & Casper – A telling book of a journalist and and atheist who visit various churches.  Challenges us to ask if we are really reaching those we are called to reach.
9. Lessons from a Sheepdog by Keller – Another classic that gives a shepherd’s insight into the Psalms.
10. Wild at Heart by John Eldridge – Perfect for reviving the heart of a man for Christ.
11. Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts by Parrott & Parrott – A great pre-marital resource, but also a good tune-up resource to see how you are living in relationship with your spouse.
12. Hearing God by Dallas Willard – A great book on understanding God’s will.  Will transform your understanding of what God’s will is and how to seek it.