Lent

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday. Through most of my years as a Christian, I thought of Ash Wednesday as a Catholic thing. I didn't understand the purpose of the ashes on peoples' foreheads. In my heart, I thought of Lent as just another meaningless ritual. However, in the past several years, Lent has become a season in my life that gives me time to reflect on all that Christ did for us leading up to the cross and while on the cross. As our pastor put ashes on our foreheads last night and said, "From dust you came and from dust you shall return", it made me realize once again the brevity of life. What can I do differently in the next forty days leading up to Easter to learn more of God. Yes, I have given up chocolate, much like many others during this period of time. What else? Then God planned a thought in my mind during the service last night. I have spent a lot of time, precious time, on Facebook this past year. I play scrabble with my cousin, which I enjoy, even though I continue to lose:) I like to eavesdrop on other facebookers as they post their "what's happening" posts. Wouldn't it be better for me to seek the FACE of God and spend more time in His BOOK? That really isn't a question, just a simple observation. There are no thoughts in my head that are not brought to mind on my own. They are all a result of God's sovereignty. So, so long facebook for this lenten season. "Oh Lord, You're Beautiful" by Keith Green, will be my lenten theme for the next forty days.


Oh Lord, you're beautiful,
Your face is all I seek,
For when your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.

Oh Lord, you're beautiful,
Your face is all I seek,
For when your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.

I want to take your word and shine it all around.
But first help me to just, live it Lord.
And when I'm doing well, help me to never seek a crown.
For my reward is giving glory to you.

Oh Lord, please light the fire,
That once burned bright and clear.
Replace the lamp of my first love,
That burns with Holy fear.

I want to take your word and shine it all around.
But first help me to just, live it Lord.
And when I'm doing well, help me to never seek a crown.
For my reward is giving glory to you.

Oh Lord, you're beautiful,
Your face is all I seek,
For when your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.
Oh Lord, you're beautiful,
Your face is all I seek,
For when your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.

Loaves and Fishes

Just before Christmas our "beginner" church was just that. We are renting a lovely sanctuary from a Seventh Day Adventist Church that does not use the sanctuary on Sundays. We are very grateful to have a such a beautiful place to worship. However, on most Sunday mornings the group of us numbered about 20 or so and the sanctuary can seat about 200. Then sometime in mid-December, more people began to come. Several people from another denomination had started to come before the pews began to fill up. Those several people liked what they heard and saw and they encouraged more families to try our church. The sanctuary has a center aisle and once you have found the pew and side you like, you pretty much stay planted there. Well, my husband and I are left-sided sitters as you would look at the sides from the back of the church. The newcomers clumped on the left side too. So, we were a bit lop-sided for a few weeks. Then the snow descended upon our area and church services were cancelled for 2 weeks in a row. Yesterday, which I will call "The Loaves and the Fishes Sunday", more people came and we are lop-sided no longer. The head count was just over 100!!! Before church started yesterday, a friend who sits on the other side, asked me, "Were you a former ________ (the name of the denomination that has joined us)?" I said,"No." Shortly after my friend said this, I looked back and saw many more filling in the right side. I am just amazed at how God is growing us. I am not one to stand up and shout Hallelujah or Amen, but with the loaves and the fishes He is giving us, I might just surprise myself and shout out a word of praise.
As we prepare for Lent on Wednesday, may the ashes remind us of the season between February 17 and Easter. A time to reflect and contemplate what God has done for us. Thank you, God, for the loaves and the fishes and many other blessings that You will reveal to me during this time.

So Much Snow

This weekend, we had around 18" of snow. It is very pretty! In many ways, it is nice to be snowed in. Our neighbor began shoveling our street with his tractor/plow on Friday evening. If it weren't for him, our street would be impassable each time we get a heavy snow. So thank you, Charlie and son and son-in-law for the terrific service for our street. The county plows have not been seen on the side streets, but I am sure there are many main roads occupying their time. We lost our power for about 6 hours yesterday. It came back on around 6 PM yesterday, then out again from 8:30 through the night and back on again mid-afternoon today. My husband cooked breakfast and made coffee on our gas grill. Love that man!! He started a fire in the fireplace and then when breakfast was ready and the house was as "cozy-ozy" (my daughter's lingo), as possible without power,he called me to come and get it. I do think I will keep him.
I have often said if I were a pilgrim, I would be one of the dead ones in that first winter in America. That's a fact.
Since we didn't go to church, our pastor encouraged us to worship at home and to use Psalm 19 as a focal point. Even though we were without the kind of power I have grown accustom to, I am never without the power of God as He reveals Himself to me, especially in a snowstorm.
Psalm 19
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.

3 There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard. [a]

4 Their voice [b] goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,

5 which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

6 It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is hidden from its heat.

7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.

8 The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.

9 The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.

10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.

11 By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.

12 Who can discern his errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.

13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then will I be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.

14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Groundhog Day

When I was teaching, I taught the children this little ditty about Groundhog Day. I had heard it when my own kiddos were little.

"I'm a walkin' weather station. I only work one day a year. It's the perfect occupation, because on February 2, I say what the weather's gonna do!"

Phil the Groundhog saw his shadow this morning. Spring is not just around the corner. I think he sees that shadow more times than not. Keep on keeping on, but also pray for no more snow. We have had more than enough of the pretty white stuff for a while. Oh, and Happy Groundhog Day!