Not My Own

If you have not read the Good Samaritan story you MUST to do so before you continue to read this post... http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2010:25-37&version=NIV I used to read the Good Samaritan and simply thought it was a good story. I didn't think much about applying it to life. However, this past Sunday I watched Christ's word unfold into reality. Now, it's not exactly the same, but it's the closest I have ever encountered. My husband and I were in a bit of a rush to church like normal. I was focused on getting my son to the nursery and slipping in the sanctuary in time for worship. When we got near the church door, Andrew and I noticed a man sitting at the picnic tables with a suitcase and his dog. I was so focused on getting into church my first thought was maybe the boyscouts just got back from a retreat because this guy had a suitcase with him. If I was in downtown Nashville I would have known he was homeless. But this was Nolensville and

For years I didn't give anything up for lent because I wasn't familiar with it. I honestly didn't know what the season of Lent was until I was in the cafeteria drink line and a friend of mine asked what I was giving up for Lent. I just stared at her dumbfounded, so then she tried to help me out. "You should give up pop." She told me. "That's what I am doing." "Why? Are you on a diet?" I asked. "No! It's for Lent! Your suppose to give something up." "Sounds like a diet if you ask me." "No!..It's the season of Lent. It's a religious thing to help you grow in your faith by fasting from something for 40 days - you know - like Jesus did." She explained. "I just don't see how giving up pop will help anyone grow closer to Jesus." "Well, it's much harder than you think. It takes serious discipline. You should try it!" "I don't drink pop." "Oh.