Off to New Orleans

No new posts for a bit. We are off to New Orleans for a few days. I must confess that it feels a bit odd to leave the parish during Lent (for a place associated with Mardi Gras, no less), but I'm looking forward to it.

Interesting travel notes to follow.

Lenten Quotes: Watts

The Lord can clear the darkest skies
Can give us day for night.
Make drops of sacred sorrow rise
To rivers of delight.

--Isaac Watts

Lenten Quotes: Christenson

Why do I offer quotes from other people and various saints of the church? Well, let me offer a quote (!) from Marlene Dietrich: "I love quotations because it is a joy to find thoughts one might have, beautifully expressed with much authority by someone recognized wiser than oneself."

Now you know.

Lenten Quotes: German Proverb

"To change and to change for the better are two different things."
-- German proverb

(Let's pray that our Lenten discipline changes us for the better.)

It's a Good Day for U.S. Hockey!

I'm just going to savor the moment. (USA 5, Canada 3)

Lenten Quotes: Jesus (via St. Matthew)

Go and learn what the Scriptures mean when they say, `Instead of offering sacrifices to me, I want you to be merciful to others.' I didn't come to invite good people to be my followers. I came to invite sinners.
--Matthew 9:13

Lenten Quotes: Solomon

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.

--Proverbs 3:7

February 18th: The Heavenly Birthday of Martin Luther

On the evening of  February 17th, 1546, Martin Luther experienced chest pains. When he went to his bed, he prayed, "Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God" (Ps. 31:5), the common prayer of the dying. At 1:00 a.m. he awoke with more chest pain and was warmed with hot towels. He thanked God for revealing his Son to him in whom he had believed. His companions, Justus Jonas and Michael Coelius, asked him, "Reverend father, are you ready to die trusting in your Lord Jesus Christ and to confess the doctrine which you have taught in his name?" A distinct "Yes" was Luther's reply.

Almighty God, the sender in every age of faithful men and women to recall the Church to its task, and to renew its life: raise up, in this our day, prophetic heralds and evangelists, whose voices, like that of your servant Martin, will give strength to your Church, that your will may be done and your name be glorified, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever.

Behold, Lord

An empty vessel that needs
to be filled.
My Lord, fill it.
I am weak in the faith;
Strengthen me.
I am cold in love;
Warm me and make me fervent,
That my love may go out
to my neighbor...
O Lord, help me.
Strengthen my faith and
trust in you...

With me, there is an
abundance of sin;
In You is the fullness of
righteousness.
Therefore I will remain
with You,
O whom I can receive,
But to Whom I may not give.

-Martin Luther (1483-1546)

Lenten Quotes: Martin Luther

"There is no justification without sanctification, no forgiveness without renewal of life, no real faith from which the fruits of new obedience do not grow." --Martin Luther

Snow Track for Greyhounds!

Not everyone is enjoying a beautiful Spring day like we are in Bakersfield (feels a bit odd on this Ash Wednesday). Katy shared this with me and I have to post it.

A Visual Meditation for Ash Wednesday

"Remember that thou art dust and to dust thou shalt return."

Lenten Quotes: Oswald Chambers

"It is not repentance that saves me; repentance is the sign that I realise what God has done in Christ Jesus."
--Oswald Chambers