Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent–a time in which people traditionally choose to give up an activity or behavior that’s distracting them from God.
Ash Wednesday, the first day of the season of Lent. Throughout Lent, many Christians choose to prepare themselves (through prayer, repentance, and reflection) to celebrate Easter, the commemoration of Christ’s resurrection.
Lent is a quieter event than most other holidays—it calls us to personal reflection rather than to outward celebration. You may have seen people walking around with an ash mark on their foreheads today—many Christians choose to mark Ash Wednesday with a cross-shaped mark of ash. For some people, Lent is also a time of self-denial, in which they choose to give up something (anything from a certain type of food to a personal habit) as a way to help them focus on the meaning of the season.
Ash Wednesday, in the Western Church, the first day of Lent, being the seventh Wednesday before Easter. On this day ashes are placed on the foreheads of the faithful to remind them of death, of the sorrow they should feel for their sins, and of the necessity of changing their lives. The practice, which dates from the early Middle Ages, is common among Roman Catholics, Anglicans and Episcopalians, and many Lutherans; it was also adopted by some Methodists and Presbyterians in the 1990s.
Here is a scripture that is read sometimes when the ash is placed on the forehead in the shape of a cross.
Genesis 3:19 (NIV)
19 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."
Sarah hadn't been to church lately, so her minister thought he'd go pay her a visit and see how the 85 year old church matriarch was doing. He knocked on her door and after a time he heard her spirited voice holler "Hello, who is it?"
"It's Reverend Dave", he answered. "OH Hi-Come in, Come in, how's the church doing?" She said.
"Great! The Smith's had their little baby girl, and Mary and Tom got married- Everything is wonderful. But I just wanted to see how you are doing. We've missed you."
"Well, I haven't been feeling too well lately. I had quite the root canal last week- they are trying to save the few survivors."
Just then the phone rang and she excused herself to get it. The minister sat near a table with an old reader's digest and a bowl of peanuts. After a few minutes passed,he started flipping through the magazine. After another ten minutes or so, he heard his stomach growl and began to get restless,so he started in on the bowl of peanut while he read. After a while,he suddenly realized that he had eaten the whole bowl of peanuts.
Just then Sarah returned and said, "Oh I sure am sorry, that was my sister from Pittsburgh. She only calls once per month so when she does we have to catch up on everything." The minister, feeling a little embarrassed, said "I must also apologize. While you were gone I got hungry and ate all the peanuts in your little bowl there.
Mrs. Jones replied, "Oh that's ok. Since the root canal, the best I can do is suck all the chocolate off of 'em!"
I wanted to bring you something funny this time. I hope you enjoy it, and it brings a smile to your face or hopefully a laugh.
There was a blind girl who hated herself because of her blindness. Not only did she hate herself but she hated everyone else, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She said that if she could only see the world, she would marry her boyfriend.
One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her and then she could see everything, including her boyfriend. Her boyfriend asked her, "now that you can see the world, will you marry me?"
The girl was shocked when she saw that her boyfriend was blind too, and refused to marry him. Her boyfriend walked away in tears, and later wrote a letter to her that simply said. "Just take care of my eyes dear."
This is how the human brain changes when our status changes. Only a few remember what life was like before and even fewer remember who to thank for always being there even when times were painfully unbearable.
Today before you think of saying an unkind word - Think of someone who can't speak.
Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat.
Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's crying out to God for a companion.
Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who went too early to heaven.
Before you complain about your children - Think of someone who desires children but they're barren.
Before you argue about your dirty house, someone didn't clean or sweep - Think of the people who are living in the streets.
Before whining about the distance you drive - Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.
And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled and those who wished they had your job.
But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another - Remember that not one of us are without sin and we all answer to one maker.
And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face and thank God you're alive and still around.
I just found out that my dear friend Doug aka Rabbit has passed on. I am in shock and can't stop crying. Doug was such a sweet and caring man. He would brighten peoples day by his funny blog, and sweet comments, and messages.
I know he is in God's arms now, but it still hurts knowing that he is gone.
This is a poem I wrote awhile ago that I am dedicating to Douglas Osborne and his family.
Gone On
Gone on from this world to a new place, It isn't an end, but a new beginning.
Gone on to forever be surrounded by beauty, constantly showered with Gods love.
Gone on to talk and walk with the Angels, never fearing anything ever again.
Gone on to sing praises to God, in Heaven's glorious choir.
Gone on yet not forgotten, forever in the hearts of loved ones.
I know Doug is now in Heaven with God. I can only Imagine what it is like for him now. No more tears, no more sorrow, no more hunger, pain or worry. I know Heaven is so much better than I can ever imagine. Someday we will be able to see him again in Heaven. I dedicate this song and video to Douglas Osborne.
17. As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
18. "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone.
19. You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother."
20. "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."
21. Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
22. At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!"
24. The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!
25. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
26. The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?"
27. Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."
28. Peter said to him, "We have left everything to follow you!"
29. "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel
30. will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.
31. But many who are first will be last, and the last first."
36. Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table.
37. When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume,
38. and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
39. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner."
40. Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." "Tell me, teacher," he said.
41. "Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.
42. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"
43. Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled." "You have judged correctly," Jesus said.
44. Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
45. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet.
46. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.
47. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."
48. Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
49. The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"
50. Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
Which Jesus do you follow? Which Jesus do you serve? If Ephesians says to imitate Christ Then why do you look so much like the world?
Cause my Jesus bled and died He spent His time with thieves and liars He loved the poor and accosted the arrogant So which one do you want to be?
Blessed are the poor in spirit Or do we pray to be blessed with the wealth of this land Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousness Or do we ache for another taste of this world of shifting sand
Cause my Jesus bled and died for my sins He spent His time with thieves and sluts and liars He loved the poor and accosted the rich So which one do you want to be?
Who is this that you follow This picture of the American dream If Jesus was here would you walk right by on the other side or fall down and worship at His holy feet
Pretty blue eyes and curly brown hair and a clear complexion Is how you see Him as He dies for Your sins But the Word says He was battered and scarred Or did you miss that part Sometimes I doubt we'd recognize Him
Cause my Jesus bled and died He spent His time with thieves and the least of these He loved the poor and accosted the comfortable So which one do you want to be?
Cause my Jesus would never be accepted in my church The blood and dirt on His feet would stain the carpet But He reaches for the hurting and despised the proud I think He'd prefer Beale St. to the stained glass crowd And I know that He can hear me if I cry out loud
I want to be like my Jesus! I want to be like my Jesus!
Not a poster child for American prosperity, but like my Jesus You see I'm tired of living for success and popularity I want to be like my Jesus but I'm not sure what that means to be like You Jesus Cause You said to live like You, love like You but then You died for me
Can I be like You Jesus? I want to be like my Jesus
None of my written thoughts, writings, poems, or stories are to be posted on other blogs, or sites without my permission first. If you wish to use of my poems or a story on your blog or site, e-mail me at E-mail Countess w/valid addy (subject= Countess' Writings) so that I am able to reply. Please wait for a reply and permission before posting anything of mine anywhere. Thank You! Countess
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ABOUT ME...
I am a caring, loving, compassionate, creative,Engaged Christian woman. I pray and read my Bible often. So I have made a new blog "Heavenly Inspirations" so I can share my favorite passages with others. The artistic part of me wanted to share my poetry with others so I have my blog "The Window to my Soul". I keep to myself mostly, and am online most of the time. I have several wonderful friends online that I care about very much. God Bless All My Friends and Family.
