The Awkward Season: Lent

This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. -Romans 3:22-26

It's Lent season (Ash Wednesday to be exact). I haven't made up my mind yet on anything to "give up" or fast. Last year, it was soda. I think by the 14th day I might have drank at least, almost 6 soda cans within the time period :( I've been praying and meditating a lot though upon Lent this year. Something I came across that spoke to me was a piece from this mornings' devotional in the Upper Room:

O GOD, who makes all things new, new stars, new dust, new life; take my heart, every hardened edge and measured beat, and create something new in me. I need your newness, God, the rough parts of me; me made smooth; the stagnant, stirred, the stuck, freed; the unkind, forgiven. And then, by the power of your Spirit, I need to be turned toward Love again. Amen.
- Pamela Hawkins
The Awkward Season: Prayers for Lent

As my day went by, I pondered on how much I needed and how much I wanted in my life this year. In the end,the list seemed to keep going and going like the Energizer bunny. But to me, it didn't really matter what the outcome was because I knew one thing for sure. My heart needs a lot of mending and polishing this year. It needs to give love and accept love whether it be good or bad. It also needs a whole lot of Jesus to come and dwell inside it. Just like this prayer, I hope the power of the Holy Spirit will tune me towards Loving Him more.

Therefore, what am I giving up for Lent this year?... Well, when I think about the heart, I think about love. When I think about love(like literally) of course I think of Jesus. But when I think harder, I think about chocolate. When I think about chocolate, I think about candy. So, what am I thinking to give up for Lent this year? I'm thinking about candy.... But then again, candy gets me thinking, like actually thinking...so we'll see.

"The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" -Mark 1:15

Intro...

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. -Psalm 100

In all things, I give thanks and praises to the Almighty who Reigns forever majestically in His throne on High! All glory, honor and praises belong to Him for His everlasting love. Thank you Jesus for loving me. Thank you for all of your countless blessings upon my life. Thank you for litterally EVERYTHING! Truly without You, I wouldn't be who I am today.

So! For most of you who know me, "Hey!" And for those who are still getting to know me, "Hi!" And for those who don't know me at all, "Hello there!!" =) My name is Anne-Ane. (yes, very real and accurate, (",) sorta) I am a good person!..haha..Ok, that sounds like something a serial killer would write :/ But I am a servant of God. I'm not perfect and still am stumbling in doing His works for His glory. I'm running this race called life, faithfully hoping to one day see Him face to face and jump into His arms and give Him a big hug!

Anyways, I'm starting this blog for many reasons. I would list them since I did write it on paper 2 weeks ago, but I don't want to look for it. One of the reasons on that paper was because I've been persuaded by many of my colleagues to blog. I've never had the "passion" or any "sparks" as some would say, to actually start one...so here I am, blogging away!! :) Don't really know what to blog about, but they keep telling me to just write and share some bits and pieces of whatever goes on in my life. One said I should blog whatever comes to mind and whatever it is I feel like writing/blogging about, I should express it out on this blog. So I thought I'd give it a shot. Through this though, I'm hoping to learn and see some progress not only in my writing (which really really sucks, so thank you for reading this far) but as well as expressing and sharing part of my life with all of you out there.

Happy Blogging! :D