I AM

 I had a little extra time this morning so after I read my Jesus Calling I went on to the Bible verse  at the bottom of the reading.  It was Exodus - God talking to Moses and Moses asks basically, hey what is your name?

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

I always wondered - did Moses hear it wrong - was it Ian - maybe God did have a name - maybe it is Iam

I am not sure what God has sent me into this world for and that is part of my Lenten Journey this year. 

My journey is not about giving anything up, it is finding what God wants me to find. Did you find it yet?

40 Days of Lent - Christ is Risen!

Christ is risen indeed!

Happy Easter

Today's Lenten and final thought is:

March 31 - Easter is the ultimate second chance.  Live anew!

Today, Pastor Mike's sermon started with a story about when he came to Salem.  John, the President of Consistory,  showed him the church, in the dark, without turning on the lights and then proceeded to tell him a ghost story.  The funny thing is that ghost story is mine.  A few years ago, the Monday after Easter I went into church to take care of the flowers.  When I walked in the Sanctuary I had walked to the front of the church and then turned and saw a women, dressed in green sitting in the pew in the back.  I can described to you details of what she was wearing.  I was alarmed I thought that this woman might of been confused, thought it was Sunday.  I had never seen her before.  When I quick turned back to talk to her, she was gone.  I went looking for her, even so much as to look under the pews, but she was gone.  She is now referred to as "The Lady in Green".

I don't know if she was a ghost or an angel, but I saw her and I believe.  Other people believe in her, even though they didn't see her.  We didn't see Jesus hang on the cross, nor did we see Him after the resurrection, but we believe! 

Pastor Mike says he sees God and Jesus everywhere, in people, in the congregation.  We carry on God's work and people can see that in us.

I see Jesus in the children and every so often something special happens that makes me believe all over again.  Today, it was a simple hug, from one of the children before he left.  It was full of love, joy and happiness.  That's the best kind of hug.  In that little unexpected moment I felt the Love of Jesus Christ and it was overwhelming.

CHRIST IS RISEN......CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED!!!!  This is not the
end, but just the beginning. 

40 days of Lent - Day 40

Today is the 40th day of Lent - since Sunday's don't count

Today's Lenten thought is a day late - I was going to put this on with yesterday but I forgot.

March 30 - Today's reading, John 18: 1-19:42, is a long one.  It is John's account of Jesus' passion.  On this Good Friday you might want to find a time to read it all through slowly. and to sit with this story.

Today is the day before Easter - I can only imagine how lost the disciples felt.  Jesus was dead, and they didn't understand that He was going to return.  This is a quiet time to pray and think about what this Lenten season meant to you.  Tomorrow will be my last entry in this...the 40 days of Lent.

Have a good evening and tomorrow we will rejoice!

40 days of Lent - Good Friday

Today's Lenten Thought -

March 29 - Jesus dies on the cross.  Think about it.  Why did it happen?  Ask yourself what you truly believe.  Now ask God.

First let me try to answer the question my bff, Cathy asked - why is it called Good Friday.

Some say it is from "God's Friday" (Gottes Freitag); others maintain that it is from the German Gute Freitag, and not specially English." (The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume VI, 1909) However, the historical origins of why Good Friday is called Good Friday remain unclear, but the theological reason is very likely the one expressed by the Baltimore Catechism: Good Friday is good because the death of Christ, as terrible as it was, led to the Resurrection on Easter Sunday, which brought new life to those who believe.  The term "Good Friday" is only used by Western Christians, and not by Eastern Orthodox Christians. The Orthodox refer to this sacred day as "Great and Holy Friday."

(Gee Cathy I hope this helps, even though there is no real answer)

I know what the Bible says about this day,  Jesus had to die for us to live.  But it is still a hard thing to really think about.   I often reflect upon the final words of Jesus, I don't think I truly understand them all.  But I do know what I truly believe and I believe that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and through Him I will have eternal life.

Have a blessed day.

40 days of Lent - If God B4 us

Well, we are winding down to the end of Lent - today is Maundy Thursday and today's Lenten thought is:

March 28 - The days before Easter are a good time to remember always that God is with you, within you, within you, behind you and before you.

Which brings us to the saying - If God be for us - who can be against us!  Which is from Romans 8:31 - What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  And that says it all - I can't think of anything to add but have a great day!

40 Days of Lent - Eggs

Today's Lenten Thought:

March 27  - Dye Easter Eggs even if there are no kids around.  Buy the kit with the garish colors or, if you need to be more serious, use natural dyes - like beets and onions.  Search "natural Easter egg dyes" on google.

I am a PAAS girl myself.  Love solid brightly colored eggs.  But I will be doing this  Saturday when I am not working, so this lenten thought will be put on hold.

I had thought about doing eggs in more of a natural way - my family always did the onion shells, which I didn't like - if I wanted brown eggs I could just buy brown eggs and hard boil them.   But somthing about the fizz of a PAAS tablet I find exciting.

Here is the history of PAAS from there site:

The original PAAS Easter egg dye was invented by an American named William Townley.

"Mr. Townley owned a drug store in Newark, New Jersey, where he concocted recipes for home products. In the late 1800s, he came up with a recipe for Easter egg dye tablets that tinted eggs five cheerful colors.

Neighborhood families started buying Townley’s Easter Egg Dye packets in 1880 for only five cents and mixed them with water and white vinegar to create the perfect egg dye!

Soon, Mr. Townley realized that he had a wonderful product that other families would like to use to brighten their Easter tradition. He renamed his business the PAAS Dye Company. The name PAAS comes from “Passen,” the word that his Pennsylvania Dutch neighbors used for Easter.

Today, Americans purchase more than 10 million PAAS Easter Egg Color Kits during the Easter season, and use them to decorate as many as 180 million eggs!

Now—more than 130 years later—we believe Mr. Townley would be proud of PAAS’ perfect colors. The original is still the best!"

WOW - 130 years of PAAS - I always wonder what PAAS meant - now I know! 

Have a colorful day!

40 days of Lent- Let Go

Today's Lenten Thought

March 26 - Getting ready for Easter involves learning to make room for the power of God beyond your capacity to calculate or control.

Making room for the power of God.  It kind of reminds me of the phrase let go - let God. 

Sometimes we have to let go of what we think is best for us or for someone else.  We think that "mother knows best" attitude when in reality it "The Father knows best"

Jesus prayed “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). We need to let go and let God do what God wills. This submission will lead to peace and joy, even when the way is difficult.

So get ready to make room for the power of God in your life, I know I am trying to.

40 days of Lent - Plant a tree - but not today

Today's Lenten Thought -

March 25 - Express your faith in the future beyond your lifetime.  Make plans to plant a tree, in your yard, at church or in one of the country's forests through the Arbor Day Foundation.

Catty is on the list of Tree Cities in the United States.   You could always contact the Catasauqua Shade Tree Commission's to participate or sponsor a tree.

Through the Arbor Foundation you can also buy trees to plant - I have a friend that gets his trees from them - you can find them at

http://www.arborday.org/

You can also sponsor trees in one of  our Nation's forest at that site.

Another great site is  http://www.plantabillion.org/   Their slogan is One dollar. One Tree. One Planet. And their focus is worldwide,

A couple of years ago I planted a magnolia in our backyard and it is my favorite tree.  There is a large magnolia down the street and when it blooms it is breathtaking. 

Remember God gave us trees, it is only right that we pay it forward.

40 day of Lent - Palm Crosses

Today Lenten Thought

March 24 - Fold your palm fronds into a cross.  You can learn how to do it on YouTube.

Now this one is a little ironic, because of what happened today in Sunday School.  Tammy had instructions on how to make palm crosses.  She had done them in previous years, however, this years instructions were no so clear.  So while Cathy read today's story to the children, Becky and Tammy watched a video they googled  on Tammy's phone for the instructions, just like todays Lenten Thought!

Actually it was  a lot of fun, I have now learned a new skill and you can to!

Happy Palm Sunday

Hosanna!

40 days of Lent - taking stock

OMG - I almost forgot to write today's Lenten Thought

March 23 - Lent is a time for taking stock and taking responsibility.  What burdens and blame have you shifted onto others that really are yours to handle?

Whew, that's a tough one.  Since that would be kind of personal I really won't share my private battles.  Safe to say though, I have them. 

It's been a long day and I am so very very tired, so I will cut this short.  As you contemplate this thought also think about some burdens you have taken on that are not perhaps yours. 

Pray, take stock, Lent is definitely time to do so.

40 days of Lent - Battle the Clutter

Today's Lenten Thought

March 22 - Today is March 22 - Clear out some clutter by finding 22 things in your home to give away, throw away or recycle.

Hey! and I have a great idea - bring those 22 (or less) useable items to Salem UCC tonight after 6:00 PM and I will add it to our Flea Market & Spring Craft Fair that we are having tomorrow, Saturday, March 23 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM  at Third and Walnut Streets  in Catasauqua.  Nothing like a shameless plug!

I myself have a few items to donate - I don't think there are 22 items in the box - maybe 10, but who knows what I could find before I leave to go set up.

Clearing out clutter is always a good idea - clearing space around us also helps us to clear our minds.  Plus, something we might have and not want could be a blessing for someone else.

40 days of Lent - cook?

Today's Lenten Thought

March 21 - Attempt to cook something you've never made before, whether it's basic like scrambled eggs or fancy, like--well, pick something from Julia Child.  Say grace before eating.

Not the day for me on this one.  I am home today make halupkies for Saturday's Craft Fair and Flea Market at Salem UCC, in Catasauqua.

It takes usually most of the day between rolling and cooking the trays - I just started around 9 and I thought I take this break and write today's blog.  The picture you see is the hamburger and rice mixer with the leaves of cabbage, next job is to roll them up.

Another reason I won't be making something different today is I will be weighing in at Weight Watchers later today - maybe after weigh in, lol!

Variety is nice, God gave us so much to work with, so many fruits and veggies, there is always something new to try, so this is not a bad thought, the timing is a little off though for me.

Have a great day - experiment - let me know how it goes, or save me some!!!

40 days of Lent - Balance

Happy First day of Spring

Which leads us to today's Lenten Thought:

March 20:  Today is the Spring Equinox, when we have the same amount of darkness and light in the day--a perfect balance.  Think about what's out of balance for you. Pray for the wisdom to put it right.

I am a little out of balance at the moment, but with a hetic life, sometimes it just happens.

Trying to balance home, work and church can get  exhausting.  I will have to pray more on getting balance.  One good thing, I have learned to say no.  I was just actually asked yesterday to organize an event and I said no.  We can only do so much and we need to learn to relax somewhere in amoungst it all. 

Well, this is easier in theory, but like the Lenten Thought says, pray for the wisdom to put it right.

Here are a few other interesting facts about the first day of spring:

• If you were standing on the equator during either the vernal or autumnal equinox, you would see the sun pass directly overhead, the only two times in the year when that is true.
  
• The two equinoxes are also the only times during the year when the sun rises due east and sets due west.
  
• In spring, the Earth’s axis is tilted toward the sun, increasing the number of daylight hours and bringing warmer weather that causes plants to bring forth new growth

Well, Happy first day of Spring everyone.  Enjoy the day!  Spring is here! 

40 days of Lent - Compliment

First may I say, what a wise person you are for seeking out thoughts to ponder this Lenten Season, it shows me that you are a person of wisdom.  Also, may I say you are looking wonderful.

Now with that being said

March 19 - Hand out at least three heartfelt compliments today.

I only remember handing out one, so please count the above as 2 more.

Seriously, compliment people where  and when you can.  It makes the other person feel better and you also will start feeling better about yourself.  Dwell on the positives and not the negatives!!

And remember - you are looking good.

40 days of Lent - Idol worship

Today's Lenten Thought

Okay - I doubt you have a golden calf

March 18 - What do you spend so much time, energy, and money on that somebody else would think it's the God you worship?  Consider finding a symbol for it, taking it out back, and smashing it.

I don't think I do that with anything really - if you can think of something for me - let me know.  Most of my extra money and time goes into the Church, by helping out with things like the craft fair, flea market and Sunday School.  So I don't think they meant that. 

But I know people who do get obsessed with certain items and spend a lot of money on it.  Some people just worship money.     What ever causes you not to put God first could come in this category.

So if you have something that others might think you worship then try the above and start worshipping God instead.

40 day of Lent - Happy St. Patricks Day

Top of the morning to you - well afternoon

Today's Lenten Thought

March 17 - Sing "When Irish Eyes are smiling"  in the shower today.  Find it on you tube.

I admit I don't know the words to the whole song.  But here is the chorus 

When Irish eyes are smiling, 
Sure, 'tis like the morn in Spring. 
In the lilt of Irish laughter 
You can hear the angels sing. 
When Irish hearts are happy, 
All the world seems bright and gay. 
And when Irish eyes are smiling, 
Sure, they steal your heart away. 

Here is where you can hear the Irish Tenors sing it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHSV8igDiEo

Perhaps you'll want to sing along with them, if not enjoy it anyway!  Today we are all Irish. 

Years ago when I was first working in Allentown  there was a Chinese restaurant that we 

use to go to on our lunch hour, Kenny's and the one year just happen to be St. Patrick's Day 

when we went.  The little Asian man that greeted us at the door was all decked out in green

with a leprechaun  type hat.  He said to us, today we all Irish, in the most Asian accent you 

can imagine.  So I remember that today.  What the heck - a little blarney is good now and then.

Happy St. Patrick's Day. 

40 day of Lent - Putting God first

They shouldn't throw the deep thought ones at me on the weekends...... 

Today's Lenten Thought

March 16 - When you give God priority everything else falls into place.  You'll become hopeful when before you were anxious.

It's all about putting God first.  In our thoughts, hearts and prayers. 

Proverbs says:

In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success." - Proverbs 3:6 

 

I know I am guilty of not always putting God first because I become anxious and try to fix the problems on my own and then I remember to lean on Him more than myself.    I try to think  "God, I want to do this, but I can't do it without You."    He understands when we  make mistakes. So if you mess up, don't give in to discouragement and let it hold you back; confess it and keep going. He will give you grace to do what you need to do. One day at a time you and God together can do anything!

40 days of Lent - HELP!

Today's Lenten Thought

March 15 - Ask others for help.  Consider paying for help you need if possible.  Clear out guilt and martyrdom.

Yeah I am a martyr.  I sometime refuse to ask for help  and then I like to whine about it.  There, I admit it.

But I did breakdown and asked my mom for help with the laundry this week.  It's been a busy week having someone in the hospital for most of it.  I will get her a lottery ticket tonight for helping.  She did a lot this week for me, watched the dog, laundry and dishes.  Maybe I will get her 2 tickets.

Sometimes it is hard to ask for help, pride gets in the way.  We also get the "do it my way" syndrome.  No one can do it right but us.  Sometimes we have to let others do things, even if it makes us squeamish at the way they do it.  I get over it eventually so can you.

It worked for Daniel - 

Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. Daniel 6:11

So sometimes we can ask others for help and sometime we can ask God for help, but either way, it can't hurt.

40 days of Lent - At the car wash

Today's Lenten thought -

March 14 - Wash your car.  Thank God you have a car.  Find out if there's someone who needs a ride to church on Sunday. Or anywhere else, on any day.

Wash my car?  I only do it once a year and it isn't time yet, LOL!!!  I really think they should have posted this one a little later in the month and on the weekend.  But it is not a bad idea to thank God for your car and to be helpful to others.

I will be giving Parke a ride home today from the hospital YEAH!  He has been in the hospital since Saturday. 

But seriously, sometimes we do need to take time to thank God for what we have.  Sometimes we get hung up on what we don't have instead.

40 days of Lent - It's raining

hmmmm

Today's Thought -

March 12 - Delight in the weather, whatever it is.

It's raining, it's pouring, the old man is snoring.  I guess I can delight in it - it's not snow.  That makes me happy.

Then I will give you your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.  - Leviticus 26:4

So rain is a good thing, spring is coming, I see the crocus's blooming, I see the robin in the yard.  All signs that winter is coming to an end and spring is just around the corner.

So okay, I will delight in the rain today, hope you do to.