40 Days

Today is Ash Wendesday, and while I usually do not celebrate this holiday in the typical Lenten fashion, I have decided this year to do so. I get frustrated over cavalier attitudes to give up something just for the heck of it. So I really started thinking about what the time before Easter and leading up to that life-changing holiday means - and the thing I've really been dwelling on is sacrifice. Christ on the cross was the ultimate sacrifice, and what am I doing to radically obey him and carry my own cross?

Time - my time is one of the greatest things I can give to the Lord. 1) in not serving myself, and 2) in learning more about Him through prayer, bible studying, and listening to his voice. Soooooo, I'm committing to cutting back my hours of sleep (something I treasure dearly) or at least going to bed earlier (so maybe I can't watch reruns of Project Runway) so that I can wake up "early" (6:00 am is really not that bad I am telling myself) so that I can go the gym and read and use the time to just be quiet and talk to the Lord.

Day 1 - I was able to get up and get to the gym by 7:00 am, despite a late night activity that kept me up till midnight. My flesh was fighting hard, but the Holy Spirit definitely helped me! I'm not sharing this to get a pat on the back about how great I am - it's the opposite! This is something I have always struggled with, and I think it will be even harder these next couple weeks because I am committing this to God. We will see how this goes as the Potter continues his work!

2 Year "Anniversary"

"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!"Galatians 5:22

Had a great conversation with a friend last night about joy and contentment, and doing my job/living my life day in and day out with these characteristics. That's what I am striving for TODAY. This is particularly pertinent to me because in 2 days it will be the 2-year mark since I have been an employee in Congress. WOW! It's disheartening to think of the many times when I have NOT shown the Fruit of the Spirit. However, I think that Satan tries to bring us down and doesn't want me to remember the times that I have. PLUS, because of the amazing grace of our God, think how many opportunities lay ahead of me for the Holy Spirit to work through me!

5 years later

My favorite devotional My Utmost for His Highest has been getting a little dusty on my shelf. However, the Holy Spirit prompted me to open it this morning, and the entry for September 1st is one that I last marked as read in 2004. That would have been my first fall semester in college at Grove City. Wow - 5 years ago. On one hand that seems like a long time ago, on the other hand it seems like just yesterday. But, it's amazing to think how much I have changed since then! Praise the Lord, I think it's all for the better - although I'll be the first to admit that the Lord has a long way to go in molding me. Well, I know he's being faithful, it's just a matter of me being open to his molding!

This is what Oswald Chambers says:

"We are not destined to happiness, nor to health, but to holiness."

"God is not some eternal blessing-machine for people to use, and He did not come to save us out of pity - He came to save us because He created us to be holy."

And the real challenge - "Never tolerate, because of sympathy for yourself or for otheres, any practice that is not in keeping with a holy God. Holiness means absolute purity of your walk before God, the words coming from your mouth, and every thought in your mind."

6 months later...

I'm back in the political realm after my amazing, final semester at Grove City. I'm at the National Republican Congressional Committee, and even though they have a challenging year coming up, they can't seem to find much work for their Political Department Intern. Oh well, it has enabled me to job-search and interview, and get back to blogging!