lent – Page 12 – 300 words a day

An experiment in bite-sized spiritual life changes.

I was talking with a friend about how often we know more about how to live than we actual live out. I asked him how I could help him. I asked because I’ve been trying to understand how I can be more practical, more focused in my counsel. After we talked, I decided to try bite-sized […]

by Jon Swanson

When we need help

I asked Nancy for help. “For 300,” I said. “Ask me a question.” Instead of a question, she sent me a coded message. “Proverbs 18:1. In the Holman.” It’s a kind of code we understand. We understand Bible speak. So I looked up the sentence she was pointing to, in the book of Proverbs, in […]

by Jon Swanson

A habit of listening to God

(Continuing our conversation from yesterday) “Yes,” I said. “Part of the value of Lent is the time it gives to cultivate habits of listening.” “Habits of listening?” I decided to find out whether he remembered something we had covered once before. “You know how I’ve talked about routine before.” “Yep,” he said. “You said, ‘For […]

by Jon Swanson

Listening for Lent.

[This continues a conversation started yesterday] “That’s a great summary,” I said. “Lent is about talking and listening to God.” “But isn’t there more?” he asked. “Why do we always hear about Lent as a time for giving things up? When I was growing up, my friend always gave up watermelon and black licorice. Of […]

by Jon Swanson

Are you satisfied with your relationship with God?

We hadn’t talked for awhile. We met for coffee. We placed our orders and went to the end of the counter to wait. “Should I celebrate Lent?” he said. “I don’t know,” I answered. “Are you satisfied with your relationship with God?” He looked startled. I felt a little queasy. “Who is? But what’s that […]