what did Lent mean to you?

sabbath rest was pumped up by God after creation occurred. i try to get rest every day when i get home from work. i cool down before i consider what needs to be done before i turn in. on Friday's after work, i rest for 3 hours before going to Friday night prayer at church. on Sunday's, after church, i rest for the entire afternoon/evening. a few months ago, i resorted to the behavior my grandmother instilled in me as a toddler, cook on Saturday's and heat up the food when you get home on Sunday after church.

during this Lenten season, i have really been more reflective of my time. time with God. time with work. time in rest. time with self. time with ministry. time with everything else. i learned several things about myself:
it is better to do bible study and prayer at home. there is no intimacy with God, especially when you forget where you are, on new york city subway system.
i love going to bed at 930pm. my body appreciates it also.
i can exercise and do bible study before work.
i can exercise and journal when i get home.
whole grains, whole wheat, are an acquired taste that adds health and life to your body.
praying 3 times a day, like Daniel did, is just as important as praying without ceasing.
when i feel tired or not so tired, it is okay to ask people to pray for and with me.
when i am angry with some one, i need to tell them and i need to apologize if i yell to loudly, on text or in their ears.
obedience to God is better than not obeying God.
God's ways are not my ways and God's thoughts are not my thoughts.

In Psalm 23:1-2, the amplified version reads as follows:
1. THE LORD is my Shepherd (to feed, guide, and shield me), I shall not lack. 2. He make me lie down in (fresh, tender) green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters (Rev 7:17).

God, we are grateful for this Holy Week. God we are grateful for the fast from people, places and things that we have endured during this Lenten season. God we are grateful for the time that we have spent with You each day in prayer, in worship, in bible study, and in Your presence. God even as Resurrection Sunday approaches and Pentecost looms near, we pray that we would continue to seek Your face, Your Word, Your will, and Your presence. Abba, You are our Shepherd. in Jesus' name, we thank You that You continue to perfect those things which concern us, amen.

what behaviors did i practice or abstain from during this Lenten season that i can practice or abstain from for life?

i do not want to embarass God.

last Sunday, we had our culmination services for the women's season. at the end of the sermon, of the afternoon service, the minister asked the question, 'how many of you have been praying the prayer, 'God i do not want to embarrass you.'' internally, i thought 'okay the whole altar is about to be full.' yet i can only recall one or two people moving. i did not worry though. i had already prayed that people obeyed the voice of Holy Spirit, in terms of how they respond to God throughout the service. so i went up for prayer and returned to my seat.

i am not sure about how you feel about prayer and the altar. it is a constant battle with me. each time i enter in the sanctuary, whether it is for leading Friday night prayer, attending a meeting, attending Sunday school, attending bible study, or for a worship service, wherever i sit, Holy Spirit asks me the same question, 'is, there anything, anyone, or any unconfessed sin, that is going to prevent you from worshipping Me in spirit and in truth?' After I talk to and listen to Holy Spirit's counsel, I am usually good. if i operate in arrogance, i usually have to bow at the pew, bow on the floor, or make my way to the altar during service. you know how the lepers had to cry out, 'unclean, unclean' when they went into town. i feel dirty spiritually when i do not listen and talk to God about everything that concerns me.

in Matthew 7:3-5 states: 3"why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your sister's / brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4. how can you say to your sister/brother, 'let me take the speck out of your eye,; when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5. you hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your sister's / brother's eye.

God, i know that i am not the wo/man that You have called me to be. God forgive me for taking advantage of Your grace and Your mercy which is new every morning. Lord, You said if we confess our sins that You are faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Father, forgive me for be a hypocrite. Father, forgive me for being arrogant. God, i receive Your love. Abba, i love you. Thank You, for loving me. Thank You for delivering me. Thank You for removing my specks and my planks through repentance, confession, deliverance, mercy and grace. in Jesus' name, amen