Off to A Good Start

In line with "not being lazy" for lent, I've taken on my next task...I'll be teaching CCD the next 2 weeks while the teacher is away.  This is my chance to see if I've got what it takes to teach.  (I've mulled it over in my head for several years now, but can't seem to muster up the courage.)

Here's the million dollar question, though:  "Who will take the children to the bathroom????"  See, I'm the teacher's aide in that class.  That's a glorified way of saying "she who takes children to potty room!"

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." -James 1:12

Singing is fun

I asked our choir director if I could sing during Lent. (This requires that my son sit with me in the choir pit, so I wasn't sure it would be allowed).  The director said it was fine.  He then commented, "So instead of giving something up for Lent, you've decided to take something up (singing)?"

"No," I replied.  "I decided to give up being LAZY for Lent and start giving of myself by singing."

LOL!

C'mon, that was funny.  You'd better laugh because part of my Lenten offering is to write every day.  So you're stuck with me for at least 39 more days....(pause)....(blink)...(blank stare)...
.
..I see by the traffic reports that there are zero viewers on this blog.  So who am I talking to?!?!?!

"Then he said to them all: 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.'"  -Luke 9:23-24

Today is Ash Wednesday

It's Ash Wednesday.  Are you just giving up chocolate?  Why? How is that preparing you to be closer to Jesus on Good Friday?  How about just doing acts of random kindness during Lent?  That's what our world needs these days.

Got palms?  I learned something new this morning...the palms from LAST year's palm Sunday were burned and will be used as the ashes to be placed on the foreheads of Catholics today.  I did not realize I was supposed to bring my old palms back to the church for recycling. 
"By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” - Genesis 3:19


Got love? By the way, this is a good time to remind ourselves that Jesus went to his death freely.  So, no finger-pointing at other cultures on Good Friday.  Love everyone - it was Jesus' command:
“A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another. -John 13:34

Hooray for Coffee!

You may agree that coffee seems to be a guilty pleasure.  I was enlightened by this article by the editors of "Eating Well" Magazine.  Read it!
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/5-health-reasons-to-not-quit-coffee-2460820/

The Floods are Here

It was inevitable that Spring Thaw would bring with it rain...with the rain comes water creeping into the basement.  There's also a leak on the porch.  Thank goodness for shop vacs to suck up the water (we only have so many towels). 

At least the basement windows are now fixed.  A couple of them broke from the weight of the snow.  The cats thought it was their personal in-out door.  Cute. Funny.  But dangerous since there was still sharp glass lingering in the windows.  All fixed now!  So back to the meow-method for the in-out cats.

"O Lord, be gracious to us,we long for you. 
Be our strength every morning, our slavation in time of distress."

-Isaiah 33:2

Dear Blog

Dear Blog,

I am so sorry I have neglected you.  I have not fed you words in more than a year! 

Please forgive me.  I have been sick.  I have been weak.

But you'll be happy to know I have picked up the pieces of my pathetic self, and God made me new.

So here I am....a whole new me!

This morning, I am reveling in the beauty of God's earth.  The spring thaw has finally arrived.  As I stood outside with my morning cup of coffee, I could see the steam rising off the deep snow.  It is going to be 50 degrees today.  Yes, overcast and rainy, but the warm temperatures and the singing birds are what makes this experience so comforting at this time.

The smell of fresh brewed coffee, the sound of a distant train - why would anyone want to leave New England????  It is a fantastic place.  Sure, some of the people are selfish and rude, but we're working on that aren't we New Englanders?

"I will not forget you.  Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands." - Isaiah 49:15-16 (nasb)

Here's What's Wrong With the World

My good friend, Nancy, was waiting for her mom at the hospital.  Instead of worrying about the situation, she took comfort in working on her bible study (Beth Moore's "Believing God").  A man sitting near her was apparently so disgusted with the fact that my friend had a bible with her, that he got up and moved away.

Were I in that situation, I may have suggested one of the following statements to the man:

1. "A good thing you moved, sir. Apparently, this spirituality stuff is contagious."

2. "Don't worry sir, you have a better chance of catching H1N1 than to be open-minded enough to read the bible yourself."

 3. "Sir, next time you watch the news and wonder 'what's wrong with the world,' remember this moment."

4."Honey, you can move as far away from me as you want, but Jesus is still sitting in your lap waiting for you to acknowledge Him!"

5.  Stick out your hand and scream, "God is who he says he is; God can do what he says he can do; I am who God says I am; I can do all things through Christ, God's word is alive and active in me.  I'm believing God...punk!"

...and that's all I  have to say about that.