I want to take time this Lent to invite all of us, especially me, into a reflective time of paying special attention to God.  I am thankful to Larry Thomas, pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Issaquah, WA and leader of a retreat for the Wellspring Colleague Forum, for beginning my reflections on the helpful and humorous practices that shape our lives as fully devoted followers of Jesus.

Now for the spiritual aerobics to accompany our Lenten Luncheon.  “Christian asceticism is not spiritual boot camp, but neither is it effortless.  Learning when and how, to what, and to whom to give our yes or our no is a life long project” (M. Shawn Copeland, “Saying Yes and Saying No” @ PracticingOurFaith.com).

“Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’ But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one (Matthew 5:33-37, NRSV).

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