How to celebrate Lent

Buy The Way to the Savior by Jeff & Abbey Land

What is Lent? Hear what it means to me and how I am remembering Jesus during these few days before Easter.

Show notes:
• Lent: I will remember Jesus
• 4-part series on Lent

How to fill your Hope Tank

Listen to my latest podcast:

A crisis is the best way to know what is the level of our hope tank.

We've all heard of the "love tank." Well, this latest crisis in the world has revealed the level and the content of our hope tank. 

Much like a love tank, our hope tank needs to be filled for such days as the ones you and I are living. 

Without a decent level of hope, we might as well perish. 

Hope gives life meaning and endurance. Meaning because we all need to live for something greater than ourselves. Endurance because life is difficult and unpredictable. Hope can help us with both things. 

Last week, while reading a book about leadership, I learned an interesting concept. The author said that hope needs to be cultivated. Apparently, the thing just doesn't fall in your help. You need to cultivate the hope you have and therefore, get the level or your hope tank high. 

My hope today, and every day, is found in my Lord and Savior Jesus. I know that God, in His infinite wisdom, will get us through the other side of this crisis. 

The way I cultivate my hope in God these days is through prayer, Bible reading (the book itself, not a devotional or a second-hand source) and worship.

I also cultivate my hope in God by using the mind God has given me. I love God with my mind. I use my mind and actually think about the words of the Bible and the faith I believe. 

Friend, I don't know how full your hope tank is. I'm here to tell you that God is willing and able to fill it until you bubble over with hope. 

Ask me Anything

Notes:

• Brazilian rice and beans recipe
• How to wake up early to exercise
• A playlist with Zeke's songs
• "I will follow" by Vertical Worship

Hacks for times of uncertainty the Podcast!

Times are different friends. Here is a Podcast to help you cope with the stress that is present in our current life. Enjoy!

Hacks for times of massive uncertainty

Times are different for a lot of us in the developed world. I find that in the midst of massive uncertainty, the prominent messages (outside of government official) I hear are:

• Spend and consume more; 

• Follow your feelings;

• Live without hope;

I’ve always encouraged my readers to use their brains. I’m here to remind you to use the marvelous mind God gave you. Here are some hacks that will help you maximize the current season of life God is graciously allowing us to live. 

1. Decrease screen time 

Replace it with activities that will bring growth, family unity and peace.

Growth • reading, learning a new skill, polishing an old skill.  

Family unity • technology free activities (as in, you don't interrupt the activity to tell the Internet what y'all are doing through a video or photo). Allow your collective faith to grow. Pray together. Study the Bible together. Practice movement as a family. 

Peace • take your phone out of your room so you can sleep better. Take a deep breath if you are feeling tense and find ways to relax naturally. When you find out what works for you, write it down so you can remember later. 

2. Decrease news consumption

But increase your good news consumption - decide to read your Bible more than watch or read the news. Now is the time to dive deep and learn about the faith you practice. 

Increase the amount of reading for pleasure. There are many resources where you can find books. Start in your own library. Enjoy this time to reset your mind with positive things. Readers are leaders and leaders are readers.

3. Decide not to repeat a painful history 

Basically, don't discriminate against people from other nationalities. Let’s learn from history. Mostly, let's learn from God Himself. Do not become prejudious. Become a person who loves as God does.

4. Don't trust everything you read 

I recently read a prominent person on Instagram misquote a Scripture from  the Old Testament by comparing it to the times we are living in. I realize that person was scared. She did not know that a lot of her followers might not ask “what does this Scripture say? What does it mean? This is clearly a prophetic book but was this already fulfilled? How does this Scripture apply to me?” When I found the answer to these questions, I unfollowed the person. People are using Scripture to insight fear and despair. Don’t fall for that. I refuse to drink from the spirit of fear because someone who needs “Likes” is doing it by misusing the Bible. Use your brain my friend. Refuse to surrender to fear, especially when a person of faith is the instrument. 

This is the time I have to tell you that God gave us our feelings for a reason. It is okay to feel fear. It is not okay to let it paralyze us and make us decay from the inside out. Here is a good question to ask when you are overwhelmed: who is God for me right now? 

The answer will amaze you. 

I believe that God has a plan for humanity. You know what it  is? Redemption. I find that He has been gracious enough to give us guidelines for best living. I can have access to those guidelines as I read and live the Bible. I can read the Bible and think about what I read as I refuse to surrender to the spirit of fear. 

Always remember: 

God is for you.

You will growth through this season. 

Faith is the evidence of things not seen. 

Use your marvelous mind to think as God does.