Lenten thoughts

Ok, so I really wanted to write about Lent on Ash Wednesday.  I understand I'm a day behind, but Audrey has this new 'I'm only going to poop every 3 days and be a fussy baby for a whole day before I actually poop' thing going on.  So, needless to say, here I am on Thursday, and you just gotta deal with that.  Plus I can link up to Mothering the Mother's Thoughtful Thursday!

 I love the Lenten season at church.  It is a time to stop and really take a look at your walk with Christ.  It is a time to give up something you really enjoy so that everytime you are tempted, you think about Jesus and his sacrifice for us.  Lent is also just not about giving something up.  You can also add to your life.  This is what I am doing this year:
-Giving up:  candy chocolate (not all chocolate b/c I eat fiber bars with chocolate), fast food, fried food, and alcohol
-Adding:  a daily time spent to mediate and pray everyday, and a special promise with the hubby (kinda the opposite of the movie 40 Days and 40 Nights)

I am also going to start a page on my blog with a daily mediation.  If you feel moved to read along with my thoughts, please do.  If you would like to help me out, I would love that!  I would absolutely love any and all guest posts.

For today, I'd just like to share the story of Jesus being tested by the Devil in the desert.

Matthew 4:1-11 (NIV)

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.  After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.  The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: " 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone."  Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test."
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.  "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."  Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only."  Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

**cartoon from Cartoon Church**