Lenten Prep

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Life is full of preparations.
Preparing to put on my daughter's bridal veil.
Preparing her child to be christened.
 Our son preparing to change his first diaper.
Preparing to enter fatherhood,
Another son and daughter in law preparing my Daddy to enter heaven.
March 3
I prayed fervently for a friend who had his colonoscopy last week.  Having endured this process twice, I know the prep is the worst part.  Our system has to eliminate anything that can obstruct the doctor's view.  In order for us to see what God is up to, to experience the thrill of hearing God's directive voice and be able to live with a peace that passes understanding we have to eliminate "stuff" from our lives.

The beginning of the Lenten season is two days away.  Every year I think about giving up sugar and my prep probably consisted of baking a huge dessert to indulge in the days before!  :-)  Just did a cheesecake  and my favorite hazelnut tortes!

Instead of focusing on cutting some "thing" out for lent, I'm diving into John Bevere's book, The Bait of Satan,Living Free From the Deadly Trap of Offense.  The book includes a 30 day devotional supplement to take you deeper into Bibilical truths related to resisting an offense and repenting of and getting rid of offenses which may have impacted your life in the past.  I think it's going to be a great way to approach the Easter season with appreciation for the depth of what Christ has done for us.
I encourage you to order the book and read along! It is out of stock through Lifeway, but I was able to purchase it on Amazon.

Here are some wonderful verses related to Christ and preparations.

This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'"  Matthew 3:3

The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.  Matthew 22:2

When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.  Matthew 26:12

So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.  Matthew 26:19

Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read:  "Jesus of  Nazareth, King of the Jews.
John 19:19

Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes.   Luke 23:56

 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.   Luke 24:1

However, as it is written: "What no eye had seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived"-the things God has prepared for those who love him-  1 Corinthians 2:9

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.   Ephesians 2:10

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.  1 Peter 3:15

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