All joy…emphasizes our pilgrim status; always reminds, beckons, awakens desire. Our best havings are wantings. — CS Lewis

Sometimes Mondays for sharing music.

Sometimes Tuesdays are for questions, such as today.

Currently, what is your go-to record?

You know, the one that you instinctively grab out of habit because you haven’t grown tired of it yet.

It doesn’t have to be a new recording, of course.

Fire away, folks.

We may discover something new to listen to, and that’s exciting.

Today is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the 2011 Lenten season.

Christians will, for the next forty days, follow Jesus through his suffering and ultimately his death.

Why do this?

I believe personally that we cannot fully embrace the resurrection of Christ for what it is without first experiencing in his suffering. Lent is not just a season to give up something for ritual’s sake.  That’s just plain silly.  The life and work of Christ is far greater than you or I giving up the internet or texting for a month, for sure.

Last year I did a series of posts during the Lenten season (you can read them all via the links below).  I tried to authentically describe my experience in participating in Christ’s death and ultimately his resurrection.  It was a difficult time, as I believe God revealed many things in my life that needed to die.

I’d be lying if I said that none of those things reared their heads since last year.

That being said, it’s back to it again this year.  I invite you to join with me in this season of asking God to search and examine.  God loves us exactly where we’re at, but he loves us too much for us to stay the same.  Ask him to begin peeling back the layers.  It may hurt…

but it’s worth it.

Today’s music is from Matthew Perryman Jones.

Not a new song, but one that I listen to often.

“Beneath the Silver Moon” is a song MPJ wrote about his father.  My ears find it quite pleasing, and I hope yours do to.

What are you listening to lately?

The single greatest cause of atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle.  - Brennan Manning