 An Irish Diet Coke I don't usually "give something up" for Lent. I've just always been more interested in doing positive things for others instead of making small sacrifices. This time around, to even my own surprise, I decided to give up diet soda. I didn't realize how much I needed it. I don't drink it a lot... but often at lunch and dinner it's what I reach for.
It's not about the caffeine. It's about he bubbles. So... this Lent... as the unopened case from Costco sat on the back porch... I thought I'd try and do without. This simple sacrifice is having a real positive spiritual effect. I didn't realize this until someone I know asked, "Do you really think giving up diet soda is gonna get you to heaven? Do you think God really cares about what you drink?" My answer was simple and true. "I'm not doing without diet soda because I think it will get me to Heaven. Doing without diet soda just makes me think more about God." My interrogator responded, "Oh. That makes sense." Anything that makes us think more about God is a good thing. On this the eighth day of Lent... I am thankful. Scripturally Speaking: Ephesians 5:2 NASB 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
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I Trust in You
Even though it's Lent... the drought is over.
Hello Everyone! It’s been ten years since I released a full length CD of original music. In January I was inspired to call Wavelength Studio and just ask, "Is there any chance you guys have time in January for me to record a new CD?" By some miracle, the studio had time. There was a two week window of opportunity and I took it. Some of the best musicians in the land "just happened" to have time available also and a beautiful thing happened. I Trust In You, a collection of seventeen spirit-filled songs of faith, was born. This project continues in the contemporary gospel way that is me. It’s been said, “This CD is like a box of chocolates. You never know what your gonna get and each piece is wonderful in it’s own way.” Click Here to listen to sound samples. I am so very thankful to my friends, the band. They have brought this batch of music to life with their incredible gifts. The respect and love they have for me shines through the every track. As Roger and I have prayed for every project since the release of Faith In His Will in 1996... May God be in this music and may every CD get where it needs to go. May those who listen be blessed in just the way God knows they need to be blessed. - Amen. This is a really good one. I hope you enjoy! Love, Julie www.juliehoy.com julie@juliehoy.com 
Joyful Desert Cactus, Fountain Hills, Arizona
Ash Wednesday - And so... Lent begins.
A friend asked if I go through Lent with spiritual direction or guts it out till Passion week? Here is my response... Gutsing it out is part of my everyday life! No matter what the season, the Catholic Church offers PLENTY of guidance. Going to Mass helps me... no matter what the season... because of the consistency in the routine, the Liturgy of the Word and the most beautiful reminder of God's greatest gift; Christ's life and death for our sake through the Eucharist (Holy Communion). I'm sure there are plenty of programs, daily walk kind of things, out there to follow for the forty days of Lent. It's worth a Google! Really though... as with anything... you get out of Lent what you put into it. "Turn from sin and believe in the good news." are the words I'll hear when the ashes (burned and blessed palm leaves from Easter) are placed on my forehead today. Made with the sign of the cross... those ashes remind me of my humanity and failings. More importantly... they remind me of God's gift and great love for us all. Scripturally Speaking: Matthew 6:16-18 NASB “Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. |
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