THE LENTEN JOURNEY

We can learn from the dry seasons in our lives. Some think of Lent as a dry season. A time of solemnity. Some think of a desert as a dry place. Truth is-the desert is really full of life and Lenten  season is really full of life. 


If we know where to look- in the desert and in our Lenten heart- we find new creations are being birthed all the time. Many little animals and flowers call the desert their home and in the dry patches of our hearts, we can always have a flowing spiritual desert if we direct our minds the right way.  


Our little grandson responded to my email in which I had wished him a Happy Valentine's Day and his reply fell on Ash Wednesday. He wished me a "Happy Ash Wednesday." I had to chuckle a little for normally, as I said, Lent is a solemn, dry time for some Christians. When we take the ashes on Ash Wednesday, we don't always feel 'happy.' After some reflection, I decided perhaps Gabe was onto something and that Lent was a time I could proclaim happiness.  


The happiest or way coolest thing I could think of about Lent was that Jesus did it for ME. For  YOU. 


Yes!


Jude

Love

Love never gives up
Love cares more for others than for self
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have
Love doesn't strut
Doesn't have a swelled head
Doesn't force itself on others
Isn't always me first
Doesn't fly off the handle
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others
Doesn't revel when others grovel
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth
Puts up with anything
Trusts God always
Always looks for the best
Never looks back
Keeps going to the end.


Love never dies...Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.


Eugene Peterson, The Message Bible  I Cor 13


Happy Day of Love to You!


Jude

I Received the Leibster Award!!

Celia Yeary, romance writer from Texas, bestowed upon me what is called the Leibster Blog Award. In case, you've never heard of this nice award, it's for small blogs (less than 200 members) shouting out with love.


Legend has it that The Liebster Blog Award originated in Germany. Liebster means dearest or beloved, and Liebe is love. The award is meant to encourage readership of small, lovable blogs with fewer than 200 followers. 


In accepting the Liebster Blog Award, the recipient agrees to thank the person who gave them the award and link back to that person’s blog and must reveal five snippets about themselves that readers may not already know.


                                                                
Thanks, friend Celia!  Your blog is always inspiring, full of love and things to read and learn from. Readers, find Celia at celiayeary@blogspot.com


Okay here goes the five things folks are least likely to know about me! You asked for it!
     I sold tombstone markers. (I really did and found it wasn't a bad way to make a living.)
     I was a car hop. (I hopped really fast in those days.)
     I wore high heels and a fancy dress to Disneyland. (Was that a mistake. I was young.)
     I was addicted to microwave popcorn until I spent $5,000 on dental crowns. (Life is sad.)
     I want to go to Siberia. (Sister says I'm crazy, but can't get this out of my mind.)


That's way more than anyone needs to know about me!


The blogs I've listed below all deserve the Liebster Award. They exude love in a million ways. Go blogs.


Crystal L. Miller christianbookscout.blogspot.com Crystal has a way with her blogs. They are nostalgic, they are awesome and they spell love.


Linda McMaken makenwords.blogspot.com You can tell this blog spells love by Linda's projects, her interviews and her interests. She has a wonderfully elegant design to her blog.


Melanie Brashear w/a Joy N. Malik www.ourjourneyhome.net This blog is definitely liebster! Check out family recipes, interviews.


Delia Latham delialatham.blogspot.com "Living the Write Life" Delia hosts so many on her blog, new and established writers, shares her experience and expertise.


Lynette Endicott lynetteendicott.blogspot.com Very deserving of the award.
A writer's writer!


Thanks to each of you for your blogs and all your efforts in our writing world. Let's spread the agape love around this Liebster Day and this Valentine's Day!


Jude