Lent: Day 12 // #nofilter

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{Lent} Day 11:

40 acts // #nofilter // Young children have no filter a lot of the time: they say the first thing that pops into their heads, without worrying about how it will sound first. They also crucially lack the preconceptions, judgements and assumptions that most adults default to. Over time, they’ll learn discernment; but is there something we can learn from them today? Can we, for one day, try to disentangle our discernment from our small-minded, preconceived ideas about people? Today your challenge is to treat people as equals – to assume nothing about their lives, but to show them love and generosity and friendship regardless.

{photo credit: http://simplymejustbe.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/thanks-for-your-friendship.jpg}

This is so true! I love seeing a child's unspoilt innocence in action- the ones who have
not been corrupted by judging others and forming opinions of their peers based on 
shallow things like weight, wealth or possessions. Conversely, it disturbs and pains
me to see children as young as FOUR (I am a Reception Teacher) making harsh 
snap-judgements of their friends based on these irrelevant qualities. What are they 
being exposed to that has already awakened that awareness in them?? Very 
disturbing indeed...

As a side note to this, I have also realised how quickly and easily we can make
judgements of other's lifestyle choices, even on a professional level. God has
specifically been sharing with me a lot about not judging others without even
knowing their situation or their story. What has led them to this point..? How
have they been abandoned/hurt/disappointed/judged/failed to get to this point..?
You can never see the whole person unless you can know their whole journey,
and for that to happen, you have got to get along side them and actually build
a true friendship. So before you make a snap judgment on the way someone
dresses, speaks, carries themself, provides for their family, or reacts to a
comment / criticism, remember: you have not walked in their shoes and
you will never know what they have suffered to become who they are.

Have grace.

Live Free // Go through your possessions and give the stuff you no longer need to your local charity shop. Furniture, gadgets, DVDs, and books; give those things you’re never going to use again #BeFree #LiveFree.

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Hope your Lent efforts are still going strong!

Blessings!

Ronell x

"“When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself.”

{Wayne W. Dyer}

Lent: Day 11 // Go Green for St Patrick's Day

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{Lent} Day 11:

40 acts // One green thing // Most of us aren’t eco-warriors all of the time, but we can take time to educate ourselves on the best ways to preserve God’s creation, and we can commit to doing one green thing. Change something simple, like switching from plastic bags to reusable ones, or walking to work a few days per week instead of using the car. Today is St Patrick’s Day and green is everywhere, so use that as a reminder! And if you’ve got any other simple green ideas, feel free to post them on the Facebook page.

{photo credit: http://www.abelandcole.co.uk/news/shoes}

I am very much pro living an eco-friendly, green lifestyle, so was thrilled with this challenge! I took the opportunity today to use my reach at the school where I work to send out a letter to parents about this initiative by Abel & Cole in association with Starfish Malawi. From 17th - 28th March, Abel & Cole will be collecting pre-loved (or new) children's shoes at the same time as delivering their local, ethically sourced, organic produce. My Abel & Cole delivery day is a Wednesday, so I have two Wednesdays to collect as many pairs of shoes as possible! Last year, they managed to send 5,000 pairs of shoes to African orphanages and this year, I want to be involved in making that number even more impressive! 

So a few more tips for living green (by no means exhaustive, but just throwing out ideas):

1) Eat as local and as organic as you can: I get an Abel & Cole delivery, which is amazing and very reasonably priced! They even schedule your delivery day in a way that makes it as eco-friendly as possible :) 

2) Use eco-friendly cleaning products: I currently use a lot of Method and Ecover products (also available through Abel & Cole), but there are even more eco-friendly products out there! I also have an amazing cleaning service called Bright & Beautiful that comes in to clean my flat some weeks that only uses eco- friendly products.

3) Use organic beauty products: In my quest to discover new organic, natural beauty products, I came across two brands I love: Dr Organic at Holland and Barrett (I can highly recommend their organic cotton wool), and, my absolute favourite, Neal's Yard Organics. I loved Neal's Yard Organics so much that even became an Independent Consultant for them and now sell their products! 

4) Using reusable bags made of natural fibres, rather than plastic bags is a must!

5) Buying ethically: ignorance is not an excuse! You can now easily identify products that are Fairtrade or through the Rainforest Alliance for example. But everything, including clothing, has the example of making you a part of the slave trade (which is far bigger now than it has ever been!) if you don't do your homework and make wise, ethical choices!

6) Using re-usable packaging: rather than buying a new water bottle daily, get one (preferably glass or BPA free plastic if you must have plastic) that you can wash and reuse. Same goes for lunch boxes, cutlery, etc - reusable, not disposable! The small effort of having to wash something up is far outweighed by the good that you are doing for the environment or so many levels! You can get some great bkr bottles from one of my absolute favourite organisations, Sevenly, which is not only good for the environment, but also donates to the cause of the week! (Also, check out their clothing, etc for point 5 above).

7) Passing on what you know to others: I blog and post through social media a lot, but recently I have also started using my role as a teacher to get people (my class in particular) to be passionate about making a difference in the world that we live in and, I tell you what, it has been incredible to see the ripple effect! I teach 4-5 year olds and people  might think they are too small to do anything, but if you can inspire a child that age to have a heart for changing the world, you are going to end up with a pretty incredible, world-changing adult! Can't wait to see how that turns out! :)

Live Free // Go through your possessions and give the stuff you no longer need to your local charity shop. Furniture, gadgets, DVDs, and books; give those things you’re never going to use again #BeFree #LiveFree.

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Hope your Lent efforts are still going strong!

Blessings!

Ronell x

"Around me when I look, His handiwork I see; This world 
is a picture book to teach His love to me"

{Jane E. Leeson}

Lent: Day 10 // Talent Show

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{Lent} Day 10:

40 acts // Talent Show // Look at that list you made for act #3. Your toolbox will probably include a few skills that you’ve had up your sleeve for a while and never really had the chance to use. Your challenge for today is to TELL SOMEONE about your secret talents. Post your list online as a Facebook status or share it in your 40acts Together group, and then offer to teach someone how to do what you can do. Teaching and mentoring is generosity multiplied, because you give them something they too can give away. What skill will you share today? Share it with us too using #40acts and we'll see if we can match some skills to some needs!

{photo credit: http://startupfashion.startupfashion.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/mentor2.jpg}

I already teach, tutor and mentor, so wasn't sure what to do for this one. The one thing I did feel led to share today, was that God has been impressing on my heart about using the voice He has given me to lead worship, rather than just being a backing vocalist. Honestly, I really don't want to be a worship leader - I don't believe I am good enough! - but I do believe God has a call on my life, so I am trying to step out of my comfort zone... Watch this space...

Live Free // Give up snacking this week. Use the money that you’d have spent on food for those who don’t have that luxury. Donate it to your local foodbank. #BeFree from gluttony #LiveFree.

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Hope your Lent efforts are still going strong!

Blessings!

Ronell x

"I run the path of Your commands, 
for You have set my heart free"

{Psalm 119:32}

Lent: Day 9: Listen, actually

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{Lent} Day 9:

40 acts // Listen, actually // Last year we put a man and a sofa in the middle of a town square with a sign that said ‘I will listen’. You don’t have to make quite such a bold statement, but hold the sentiment in mind. Do people think of you as a good listener? Do you actually give that person your whole attention, and are you non-judgemental? You will be surprised by how many people around you are desperate simply to be heard. Make a mental note of the things the person says, and any needs they mention…it’ll be helpful later on…

{photo credit:http://affinityinsights.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/dogs-listen.jpg}

So I called someone from my list from Day 7 and had a long conversation. It is someone I love, but that I have had a very difficult relationship. Someone who is lonely, when they needn't be, but recently they have really been on my heart and I am really glad I called.. there was no ulterior motive, not tension, no weirdness: just a conversation.. it was a good and needed breakthrough. 

Live Free // Meditate on the Franciscan Prayer of Discomfort. Make a note of the bits that challenge or inspire you http://rth.ms/XkrUGd #BeFree #LiveFree.

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Hope your Lent efforts are still going strong!

Blessings!

Ronell x

"Don't hurry, don't worry. You're only here for a short visit, 
so be sure to smell the flowers along the way"

{Walter Hagen}

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Lent: Day 8 // Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone

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{Lent} Day 8:

40 acts // O.T.T. // Alright, time to step it up a notch - we're headed into the deep-end of generous living. Today’s challenge is to get right out of your comfort zone and do something a little bit wild for someone else. For some, this might be a really extravagant treat or gift for someone who needs cheering up. You might offer free hugs in the high street or buy flowers and give them out to everyone you meet. The point of this one is uncomfortable, over the top generosity. Go for it!

{photo credit:http://thingsweforget.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/1123-kind-word-can-change-someones.html}

This is a challenge I have been setting myself a lot recently anyway, for example, doing things like buying hot drinks, food and gift cards for homeless people; offering a tissue, kind word and help to a crying stranger;  asking people on the bus how their day has been; buying things for people that I know they need/want but can't afford; and just generally randomly talking to strangers (which doesn't seem like a big deal, but if you really think about it, it is!).

Today, I had the opportunity to speak to a coworker whose best friend died abruptly last week. She needed to be encouraged that she had done all that she could and that God had used her (and continues to use her) in a powerful way in this friend's family. I had chance to say the words that God had laid on my heart to say to her and to just give her a hug and say that I would continue to pray for her in this time. It was a sensitive moment and a difficult one to gauge and I am very grateful that God gave me the words and the moment to say what He wanted her to hear.

Live Free // Be content with your identity and don’t wear any of your brand clothes for a week. Break away from consumerism #BeFree #LiveFree.

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Hope your Lent efforts are still going strong!

Blessings!

Ronell x

"Kind words are like honey—
    sweet to the soul and healthy for the body."

{Proverbs 16:24}

Lent: Day 7 // Call Me Maybe

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{Lent} Day 7:

40 acts // Redial // We think the humble telephone may possibly be the most neglected appliance in our households. Almost ornamental, in fact. Your act today is simple: pick up the phone and reconnect with someone you've not spoken to in a while. It might be a best friend, a distant relative, or just someone you've lost contact with. Give the phone call the time and space it needs - devote your attention to reconnecting with someone today.

{photo credit: http://openclipart.org/detail/183631/communication-by-j_iglar-183631}

Unfortunately, I did not manage to do this today because I was literally too busy.. how sad is that?? I'll spare you the mundane details, but it did make me think about how many people there are in my life that I would love to call and absolutely need to just slow down and make the time to make it happen! I will write a list of the people I WANT to call, as opposed to a check list of people/companies I NEED to call. So apologies for lack of results today, but tune in again tomorrow for the next instalment of doing Lent generously. On the plus side, I did do the Live Free challenge below! :)  

Live Free // Go through all your clothes and give away those that you no longer wear or need by either donating them to charity or selling them on eBay and donating the proceeds #BeFree #LiveFree.

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Hope your Lent efforts are still going strong!

Blessings!

Ronell x

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; 
as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 
By this all will know that you are my disciples, 
if you have love for one another."

{John 13: 34 – 35}

Lent: Day 6 // Extend Your Reach

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{Lent} Day 6:

40 acts // Reach // Whether you’re the pastor of a church, a single parent, a Twitter superstar or a self-confessed technophobe, the fact is that to someone, somewhere, YOU are an important voice and what you say and do matters. Consider your 'reach' today, and write a list of the spheres of influence you have in your journal. Pick one sphere (it might be your church, your child’s school, or an online community) and choose a positive message of generosity, love or kindness to share with them today. You might pick a YouTube video, or a story that inspired you. If you share it online, share with us too using #40acts.

Live Free // Read Philippians 4:11-13. Think about everything you own; pray you will be satisfied with what you have and not craving what you don’t have #LiveFree.

{photo credit: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/how-to-live-generously-in-a-fearful-world-tickets-10190842083}

I chose my online sphere of friends and followers to share this message with (both on here and sharing this post, and on http://mandelaproject.com/ronell1984) and luckily my 40acts challenge links nicely with my Live Free challenge! Result! :)  

Philippians 4:11-13 challenges us about the differences between need and want and greed and generosity and refocussing the balance of these things firmly on God, rather than ourselves and our own insecurities.

Here are some ways in which you could choose today to live generously, rather than living selfishly:

- Check out this blog for hard hitting views on our new 
'normal' consumerist culture: http://rth.ms/14drQf5

- Buy Samaritan’s Purse gifts to give that will literally help change 

the world, rather than just filling it with more 'stuff': 

http://www.givingcatalogue.org.uk/

- Or buy Oxfam Unwrapped gifts to give that will also help change 

the world, rather than just filling it with more 'stuff':  

https://www.nectar.com/spend/oxfam-unwrapped.points 

- Set yourself a new year's resolution (any time of the year!) to

be more active in your generosity. Choose a charity (I have chosen

Operation Christmas Child and The A21 Campaign), 

set yourself goals, and get fundraising, 

volunteering or donating!

- Reach out to a neighbour, friend, co worker, etc who you 

know is struggling or has a specific need and be

generous! 

- Start a generosity jar for a specific person or cause and save up

money you would have spent on something frivolous or unnecessary.

Living generously does not have to be a big financial commitment. Generosity can simply be reaching out when you see someone in need or despair, and giving of what you have: time, money,  food, clothing, belongings. 

Don't cling to things, for they have no eternal value! Start seeing all your belongings, including yourself and your time, as being at God's disposal for doing  with as He pleases. The reality is, they are: He has given  each of them to you in the first place! 

So be a faithful and grateful steward, and give them back.. you'll be surprised at the challenges and blessings you will encounter along the way! :)

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Hope your Lent efforts are still going strong!

Blessings!

Ronell x

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,

    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives

    and release from darkness for the prisoners"

{Isaiah 61v1}

Lent: Day 5 // Attitude of Gratitude

After the first Sunday break yesterday, we are back with the next installation of the Lent challenges!

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{Lent} Day 5:

40 acts // An attitude of gratitude // There’s something rather wonderful about genuine gratitude: it impacts both the person who says thank you and the person who hears it. Try this before you do anything else today: grab a pen and write a thank you note to someone. Thank someone who doesn’t usually get thanked: your bus driver, local postman, that one guy that always puts a fresh pot of coffee on or empties the dishwasher at the office. These people need to be appreciated, and being thankful is a great way to start the week! Show us your thank yous using #40acts.

I decided to write a note to my TA and friend, without whom 
I couldn't do what I do at school. Thanks Loubie Loo! :)

Live Free // Swearing, picking your nose, biting your nails; everyone has a bad habit or two. Try to donate £1 every time you (or someone else :/) catch yourself doing it #BeFree #LiveFree. This one could fit in nicely with the Generosity Jar from day 2!

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Hope your Lent efforts are still going strong!

Blessings!

Ronell x

"15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which 
indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and 
admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns 
and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 

17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name 
of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

{Colossians 3:15-17}

Lent: Day 4 // Connecting with Others

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{Lent} Day 4:

40 acts // Connect // We can live on the same road for twenty years and never learn the names of those we share a street address with. We can use the same corner shop every time we buy a newspaper, and still have no idea about the man selling it to us. Today we invite you to become aware: to look up, look around and really notice those you come into contact with. Strike up a conversation in the process, and learn their name. It’ll be important later on…

Today I met a lovely man named Khalil who works at the Sainsbury's mobile car wash. 

We had a brief, but very lovely conversation and he ended up giving me a discount for 

a car wash and wax and offering to take my trolley. He was really sweet :) 

I guess he did this challenge back to me! :)

Live Free // Read and reflect on Isaiah 58. What cords do you have tied around you? What do you need to be free? How could your freedom help to set others free? #BeFree.

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Hope your Lent efforts are still going strong!

Blessings!

Ronell x

"1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, 

I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 

2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, 

and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 

3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, 

but do not have love, I gain nothing."

{1 Corinthians 13:1-3}

Lent: Day 3 // Gift Tool Box

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{Lent} Day 3:

40 acts // Create Your Toolbox // Each of us has a toolbox, and no two are alike. They are full of the things that make us unique: our experiences, our skills, our faith, our resources, our intelligence, our passions, our networks. 

Create a list of the tools you have at your disposal: it might include your creative mind, your enthusiasm, your computer skills, or your savings. Then, use one item on your list to bless someone today, and then tell us which one you used using the #40acts hash tag.

My tool that I used: 

Raising awareness of & giving charitable gifts #40acts #day3 #lent #oxfamunwrapped

Oxfam Unwrapped Gift : see my post on Oxfam Unwrapped Gifts 

using your Nectar points!

Live Free // Choose a regular reminder that prompts you to pray for people living in poverty. It might be a note on your mirror, or your phone background #BeFree #LiveFree.

I opened this gift (soap) this morning.. saw where it was made.. will be using it as a prayer aid/reminder instead #savesyria

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Hope your Lent efforts are still going strong!

Blessings!

Ronell x

"10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: 

bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 

11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might 

so that you may have great endurance and patience, 

12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to 

share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 

13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us 

into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 

14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

{Colossians 1:10-14}

Lent: Day 2 // Generosity Jar

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{Lent} Day 2:

40 acts // Create a generosity jar // This Lent, set aside a generosity jar and commit to putting in a small amount daily or whenever you have spare change. You’ll be invited to use the contents later in the challenge, but if you prefer you could save it up ready for a generous event over the Easter weekend. No change today? Then fill your jar with written ‘generosity promises’ instead, and invite guests to pick one when they visit. Show us what your generosity jar looks like using #40acts on social media. Take a picture of your generosity jar, upload it to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest, and tag it with #40acts.

My change will go towards the 12 boxes I am packing for Operation Christmas Child this December.

My Generosity Jar

Live Free // Read Matthew 16:25. Where do you get your identity from and how does that make you feel? How do you think you can save your life? #LiveFree.

"If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life"

{Matthew 16:25}

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Hope your Lent efforts are still going strong!

Blessings!

Ronell x

"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, 

not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, 

having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 

As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;

    their righteousness endures forever." "

{2 Corinthians 9:7-9}

Lent: Day 1 // What's it all about and what are you doing?

So today was the first day of Lent and you hear the typical 'Lent question': "So, what are you giving up for Lent this year?", usually quickly followed by: "Do you think you'll actually manage the whole 40 days this year??". 

So, what is Lent? Essentially, it is marking the 40 days leading up to Easter, when Jesus was tempted in the desert by the devil, before He finally made the biggest sacrificial gift of all in giving His life to atone for our sins. So now we mark those 40 days by living sacrificially ourselves  in some way or another.

To be honest, I was toying with the idea of giving up something like cake or chocolate or something (with the added benefit of weight loss, right??), but it didn't seem like what I wanted to do for Lent. It didn't seem particularly meaningful for me personally because it didn't really make a difference to anybody else as such.

Now, I am not trying to belittle giving something up for Lent (that is the tradition after all)! I am simply saying that for me, the 2 important parts of observing Lent should be (1) remembering and recognising why we 'celebrate' it, and (2) that what I do to observe Lent, should make a difference to the world around me, not just to myself.

Like I said in my New Years Resolution post for 2014, I want 2014 about being more proactive about actively making a difference to the world I live in and to the lives of the people I interact with and meet every day, as well as those who are suffering far away.  So I decided that instead of giving something up for Lent, I would do something positive for each of the 40 days. 

Isaiah 58 has been on my heart for 2014 so far. It talks of what 'true fasting' is, not for show, but for doing to others what is on God's heart, which is again why I wanted to do something to mark Lent, but something that gave back, rather than just something that looks like I'm observing a tradition or somehow vaguely 'depriving' myself for 40 days. 

So in my research today, I came across some good suggestions of how one might do this:

1) Pledging to join an organisation like Watershed for 40 days in giving up something (like coffee, take away, chocolate) and donating the savings after 40 days to projects that do good.

2) Soul Action's 'Live Free': It sets out a discussion about Lent and gives 40 days worth of challenges and scriptures about how to live free.

3) 40 acts 'DO LENT GENEROUSLY': 40 days of giving back, doing good and living generously. This is an initiative to promote generous living (not necessary to make a financial commitment) through acts of kindness and goodness. Every day for the 40 days, you will get an email with your 'mission' for the day. 

I decided to sign up for 40 acts this Lent. I also decided to incorporate Soul Action's 'Live Free' daily thoughts and readings into my 30:30 Challenge that I happen to be doing with Joyce Meyer Ministries (spending 30mins a day for 30 days studying The Bible, rather than just reading it, to grow in intimacy with and understanding of God through His Word). In terms of donating financially, any extra money will go to my Operation Christmas Child mission of filling at least 12 boxes personally and trying to inspire others to help me fill 100 boxes in total for Christmas 2014.

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{Lent} Day 1:

40 acts // Start a journal // Create a journal, and begin Lent with a gratitude list. What things are you thankful for today? Next, write a wish list – but not the usual kind – this is a list of the people you’d like to specifically bless throughout 40acts. Take a picture of your journal or your gratitude list, upload it to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest, and tag it with #40acts.

my journal

Live Free // Think about what you would like to be free of this Lent. Write it down. Pray that God will set you free from what is holding you back #BeFree #LiveFree

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So for me, I guess Lent 2014 is a mix of creating good, lifelong habits that will grow my heart both spiritually and actively in how I love others and the world that we live in.

Looking forward to seeing what Day 2 holds! 

Blessings!

Ronell x

PS  If anyone has other Lent suggestions, please do share them! 

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:

to loose the chains of injustice

    and untie the cords of the yoke,

to set the oppressed free

    and break every yoke?

Is it not to share your food with the hungry

    and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—

when you see the naked, to clothe them,

    and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?" 

{Isaiah 58v6-7}