March 1, 2012 Lenten Retreat - “Rend Your Hearts”

Question: How have my beliefs, my decisions, and my actions affected me this year? How have they affected others?

• My beliefs have encouraged others to make positive changes in their lives. My decisions have found strength and courage to speak up and to not sit back. I have seen through my actions that I am capable of things I didn’t think possible.

Question: What is the quality of “energy” I have contributed to the world?

• I see things through a positive lens.

1st Week of Lent - Spirit sent Jesus out into the desert to be alone but not alone…Question: Am I willing to be alone to face my strengths and limitations?

• On my to-do list but it hasn’t happened yet. I am anxious to do this.

2nd Week of Lent - Jesus’ passion for life…Question: How would people know I was Christian in the way I live my life?

• Hard question since I work at a church but yes. My words show my love and kindness, even when criticizing.

3rd Week of Lent - Zeal for life consumes me…Question: When was the last time I observed my “zeal for life…zeal that consumes me?”

• Dancing around, shouting and cheering out loud - expressing happiness

4th Week of Lent - Light in the world but people preferred the dark…Question: Are there times I wish to stay in the dark as to not draw attention to the things I do that I know are less than moral or contrary to Christian values?

• I am a sinner and know it. I welcome God’s light to shine on me!

5th Week of Lent - Whoever serves me must follow me & be vulnerable…Question: Do I honestly choose to serve God and follow?

• Hard to serve and follow in our world today, it becomes another task.

Question: “Has my heart hardened? Is it possible that I lack interest or compassion for God’s people…the very people that Jesus’ asks us to love…and I not even realize it? Has apathy set in, in the midst of my own crises or survival? What do you suppose breaks God’s heart?

• Though we do not live in a poverty stricken area…it doesn’t mean we do not have people who are poor or needy in our midst. What do I do about it? Not much. I focus in more often on those who are poor in life in general. Those whose life has dealt them negatives, sometimes because of poor choices they have made or bad circumstances or even because of the lack of understanding. For me it has been more compassion in the little everyday situations of holding a door or letting someone pass me on the road or allowing someone in line in front of me.

Question: What is my purpose in life? OR Who am I, really? OR Why am I here? OR How am I living responsibly as a member of the body of Christ? (These are all the same question)

• My vocation is to be the best person I can be. To be a good wife to my husband and for us to raise our girls to be good people. My purpose right now is to keep close to my parents and to be supportive of them. To be close to other family in times of joy and of sorrow. To stay connected to others who share similar values and to let them know how much they mean to me. My purpose is to love God with all my heart, mind and spirit; and to love my neighbor. This purpose is not easy to follow. This purpose though very clear is difficult to navigate. I cannot always see the good I do or have done. I wonder if I should be doing more or perhaps be doing something else. Am I satisfied? Yes. Am I happy? Yes. Do I desire more? No.