"As the deer longs for flowing streams, so longs my soul for you O God." Psalm 42 It is hard to believe that Lent is upon us! This particular year, the way the liturgical calendar falls, it seems we have just visited the manger in Bethlehem, were hurried through a quick visit from Kings of foreign lands, only to be hurdled toward a date with Jesus standing in the wilderness! Liturgically, we have already planned Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter Services. In such a liturgically "busy" calendar, what then of Lent?

Lent, I believe, is a time of re-connection! A time where we recognize our deepest desire to be connected to the source of our being. Lent is a time to be about finding the spaces in our lives that need to be looked at, examined, cleared out, or even reworked so that we may follow the instinct within us to connect deeper with God. The psalmist speaks of this innate yearning for God in Psalm 42. "As the deer longs for flowing streams, so longs my soul for you, O God."

For some of us, we'll find that source of re-connection perhaps through art or drama. For some, through writing or reading. For some we find the path to reconnection through corporate prayer and song. For some we find the path of reconnection through conversations and even play with others. Whatever the path may be, follow that which is already in you, the longing for connection. I share with you an edited list of suggestions from www.explorefaith.org that may be of help on your Lenten journey.

1. Worship weekly. Making regular time to feed your soul is critical to our emotional balance. Giving God thanks for the breath that is in you, holding out your hands in longing for the hope God has for you.

2. Pray daily. Some form of daily recollection is incredibly valuable. It is good to begin the day with some intention that reminds you of your deepest values, your identity and calling. It is helpful to reflect on the past day and to honor it with thanksgiving and with intentions to make amends tomorrow what you can. In a real sense, to pray is to remember.

3. Learn constantly. Education is life long. Books of progress and a subscription to some interesting magazine may be a great Lenten discipline. Mp3's and DVD's are also great tools for expanding our understanding of things.

4. Serve joyfully. Each of us needs to have an outlet for offering ourselves to something beyond our self-interests. Researchers have found a remarkable correlation between happiness and lives of service.

Live generously. The old words, the best way to gain your life is to lose it, still rings true! Your time, your attention, your money, your creativity, your compassion. The list goes on and on! How can you be generous with your very being! Generosity is the antidote to the soul-shrinking temptations of self-centeredness and greed.