You can read a summary of Frank's message here.
The daily devotional pattern that we are providing as part of the Lent Experience is an opportunity to create space for God to get your Inside Straight. It’s a simple rhythm with the same basic activity set for each day. If you miss one, don’t stress – leave it and move on or try it another day – the most important thing is that we seek God’s presence this day (rather than beat ourselves up for yesterday’s omissions). Keeping a journal in hard copy or on the media device of your choice is a great way of keeping track of your Lent Experience.
REFLECT|MONDAY
REFLECT offers an opportunity to process and decide what this week will look like following on from our time together on Sunday and the week that has been. Take some time to reflect on whether sloth and lust are a part of your life - Frank unpacked the surprising connection between these 2 states of mind - these are tough mindsets to put down. What help might you need to do this well? What opportunities do you have this week to pick up diligence and purity?
READ|TUESDAY
READ is a chance to engage with the scriptures. Take the scripture into your day. Maybe a key phrase or print it out and reflect on it when you have some down time at the lights, in a queue, feeding the baby etc. This week’s scripture is Psalm 51...this is King David praying in the aftermath of the mess he made with Bathsheba and Uriah...
RESTRAIN|WEDNESDAY
RESTRAIN is a day of fasting. Today we're fasting from allowing desire to blossom into lust. Some specific ways you can do this: avoid taking the second look (guys you know what I mean), question fantasy day dreaming, watch your boundaries, burn your copy of Fifty Shades of Grey (only partly joking), don't flirt with people you shouldn't - either because they are off limits or you are(!). Work with it - be creative and I'm sure you'll find other temptations in your day. The key here is to catch yourself in the behaviour and ask God for His purity - that you might be washed, that you might possess a singleness of mind on the issue of appropriately expressed desire and that you might replace whatever need you are filling...
RESPOND|THURSDAY
RESPOND is taking up the challenge to notice the needs of another and to respond with action. This week’s RESPOND is to challenge apathy to the others, especially others who need help or support.
RECALL|FRIDAY
RECALL FRIDAY is a call to pray the events, experiences and emotions of the past week. To recall and to offer them to God. Being real about the disappointments and thankful for the positives. Setting aside 5-10 minutes of quiet for this special TGIF will likely help you make this happen.
RESTORE|SATURDAY
Take some time out to do something that is personally refreshing to you. It doesn’t have to be long or expensive. But treat yourself to the gift of a little personal down time or attention. Allow the moment to RESTORE you.
