Day Off (Sunday)

A break from the fast - the weekly feast to celebrate the resurrection of the Christ =

hoorah! I took the opportunity to indulge in chocolate through the day; but not in

swearing. I know my staff in work are tickled by this, as they see it, 'reverse sabbath'

(i.e. being better the rest of the week and letting yourself go on Sunday). I rather

like that it challenges their view of Sundays as a time to put on a good show.

Anyway, the Sunday morning meeting got me

thinking. Someone shared, during the worship,

on the time when Elijah was depressed.

Rereading that as a sacred story - I was struck

how the narrative really gets across God's

compassion & care for a man who has 'given up'

and the great revelation of God he had during

this 'dark night of the soul'. It felt like an

encouragement to me too during this time when

the charismatic worship that used to help me feel

closer to God tends to leave me cold. God is

good.

Day 5 (Monday)

Didn't feel too spiritual today, in fact all I managed to do was just still observe my

Lenten fast. However, my preoccupied mindset was changed in a rather surprising

way. Near Euston station in London I discovered a rather wonderful tiny little

restaurant. It is called a West African Kitchen and it really lifted my spirits. The place

itself was tiny, only seating at most 10 people in front of a small open plan kitchen.

But the food was wonderful and the atmosphere so genuine & friendly. As I looked

round the walls at the tribal masks & west african art, I felt the honesty, simplicity &

beauty before God of this place and was really spiritually refreshed.

Day 6 (Tuesday)

A really commercial day in 'the big smoke' working a long day on business. But I

found the PAYG podcast encouraging - the reminder that Jesus looks at what we do

to the least in our society as the measure of our love for him. It made me so aware

during the day how I was treating staff who served me food or cleaners, railway staff

etc etc. God seemed to open my eyes to so many people it is easy to ignore &

devalue when concentrating on the important professional discussions you are

having with business people.

Day 7 (Wednesday)

A more encouraging day as I was able to really ponder on some things I read and

the PAYG podcast as I drove back & forth to Bristol. I am also really pleased to now

have a copy of Power & Passion, which is the Archbishop of Cantebury's

recommended Lenten book this year. I was encouraged to look at these seriously

after I read last year's Lenten recommendation by Rowan Williams (a great work by

Miroslav Volf called Free of Charge). Anyway, Sam Well's 'The Power & the

Passion' is really opening my eyes to see Pilate as the manipulator he was - seems

a good read so far & well researched.

Day 8 (St David's Day)

Hoorah for the Patron Saint of Wales! Today was a chance to work and then enjoy a

home-group where people were really responsive to me introducing them to a

range of social justice needs and sharing the DVD of the Work A Miracle campaign

from Tear  Fund. Which I urge everyone to support. It seems some of these things

now matter more than ever - perhaps that's the fast. I'm also getting slightly better at

not explaining to everyone that I have given things up for Lent (which was a

subconscious way for me to get attention on how spiritual I'm being - how unbiblical

is that!) Sorry Jesus, I guess I'm just slow to obey your guidance.

Day 9 (Friday)

Not listened to the PAYG podcast today, but I am still musing on something I heard

on that a few days ago. That was that the secret of Lent is not to concentrate on

giving something up but to concentrate on enjoying the break from a diet of self

indulgence and other things that get in the way of God. To cultivate a taste for the

simple or austere so you can enjoy Lent, enjoy the important things. I pray this

experience (even though I am not giving up much) really does help me see & feel

more clearly - a taste for the simple (yes please God). Oh and the 'not swearing' is

going well - even when playing badminton today. Thanks for grace God; I really feel

this Lent stuff is his plan.

Day 10 (Saturday)

A busy without much time to think about Lent, although I did seem to be out at more

events being offered chocolate. My wife & I met a couple which seemed like a

'divine appointment' so that helped reconnect me with the reality of God's presence

with me during Lent. So, even on the days when it feels like denial (like missing out

on wine & chocolate dessert during a meal out), still I feel this fast is so right & God

is teaching me to be more aware of his presence.