Anything for you cupcake!

As the above advert tag line suggests the expression of a pet name and a commitment to do 'anything' are easily linked together - they epitomise love!

Here's the ad http://youtu.be/U_b9r6Q2Ifc

It seems, at first thought, a quantum leap from a hotel advert to the deep theological truth behind Easter. But the truth is this: Jesus said he would do the ultimate thing for us because he loves us. That's the truth.

He would do the ultimate, for us His beloved.

#40acts challenge today is to make cupcakes and give them away. I'm happy to do that. It won't take long and they might even be edible! But am I prepared to do anything for those I care about: the least, the last and the lost?

As I bake today, as I consider the deep message here, I'll re-evaluate whether I really am prepared...

Lean into Lent

I joined a mailing list on shrove Tuesday (www.40acts.org.uk) - no pancake for me as I was travelling.

A mailing list that promoted forty days of action throughout this traditional season of abstinence. 

Of course the world has forgotten the purpose of the forty days of fasting from the rush and the sweet: that we should focus on the spiritual, not the physical, for this season, and, securing the benefits, we approach Easter Day better people to receive the grace of forgiveness and new life through Christ.

These days the Lenten fast seems to be more about wallowing in our own virtue ("how will I manage without chocolate for 40 days" answer: quite easily if you stopped thinking about yourself), rather than focussing inwardly and become deeper indiviuals as a result.

So this 'do something' 'fast' is really an antidote to the self indulgence of the literal fast: do something everyday for the next forty days that is not required of you but is an act from a generous spirit and see how that has a lasting impact.

Finally, these are not random acts of kindness, they are deliberate, intentional acts of generosity. Rake a few moments at the conclusion of each day to consider if you gave brought light into someone else's life.

Join me, please, on this journey towards Easter by leaning into Lent.