We talked about Lent yesterday at church. The true meaning, if there can really be one. It was proposed that Lent is a second chance at those New Year resolutions which may not have been so successful. It is forty days to deprive ourselves of something we love. This is to remind ourselves of Jesus' forty days in the desert with no food, no water. Funny, how most of us tend to give up food but not essentials, things like chocolate, and ice cream. It is an attempt to cast off those things that keep us from being the people we are called to be. We sometimes focus to much on material things, which prevent us from living in God's way. We do this for the forty days leading up to Easter.

Easter, the end journey, the pinnacle of the Christian calendar, is also known as the Passion. Often we look at this time of year with solemnity. We embrace spring but see the days leading up to Easter as a time of inner reflection. Our guest speaker this Sunday, John MacDonald, sees Lent as a pathway to Passion. It is forty days  to grow, move and become a more passionate Christian. He asked us what is our passion? What are we most passionate about? How do we know that we are passionate about it? Are we sharing our pasion?

John then challenged us to find our passion, and grow more passionate as a Christian.

I gave up potato chips for Lent. I have also accepted John's challenge. Time will tell, but I know the greater reward will be the latter.

Spirit, spirit of gentleness,
Blow through the wilderness,
Calling and free.
Spirit, spirit of restlessness,
Stir me from placidness,
Wind, wind on the sea.