Winter Storms, Ice Melt, and Again With the Quarters

Good morning on Ash Wednesday!

Lent begins today and I have a story to tell. It amounts to an unexpected "Part 2" to Sunday's "A Quarter Will Do" article.

Winter weather is about to deliver a punch to many of us today. Some, not so very far away, are anticipating up to 24 inches of snow. Blizzard warnings are in effect for many and here, in NE Iowa, we have an Ice Storm Warming with up to 0.6 of an inch of ice and winds up to 45 mph.

All of this is dangerous, so if you are out and about, be very careful, please.

A Quarter Will Do

Lent begins Wednesday.
Easter falls on April 9.
We have the in-between to prepare.

Growing up, I was told that in preparation for Easter, I should give up something for Lent that I really love. This was meant to prove my sacrificial love for God. The information supplied stipulated that it could not be something like well, Asparagus. Chocolate would do, and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups would be OK, but the Brussels Sprouts are off the table - well, literally, at least in my house.

In later years, I was hearing things like making a pledge for some kind of self-improvement.  This would, of course, start with a spiritual aspect, but it would also be good if there was some personal benefit as well. I guess some were thinking that a new Gym-membership would be financially sacrificial and would take up valuable time, but hey, the abs would be awesome! 

And come to think of it, perhaps the Brussels Sprouts might work if the idea was to EAT them - sacrificial for certain, maybe even beneficial. 

Post-it Ponderings

This week is over.  Thank you, God!

When the work-week is particularly long or frustrating, I will sometimes lose the ambition to write. I am tempted to say, "Forget it this week."  Sometime later, however, a semblance of resolve can be found.  Even then, my heart might not be in it as much as I'd like.

So here we are then!

Until There's No Me Left...

It's time!  It's here!!

I won't be in New Orleans for Fat Tuesday - probably ever.  Who needs to be reminded that I live in Fat Tuesday.  Evidence abounds.

But Lent follows this day of excess and so it's time to be serious. 

Isaiah 40 tells us to prepare a way for the Lord.  I started out listening to the Michael Joncas worship song,  A Voice Cries Out.  I like when I can center one of these talks around music.  It seems to speak to my soul.  I was headed in that direction.

But then, something else got my attention.  There will be lots of Lenten messages today.  Preparation for Easter takes many forms.  Some give up things like chocolate, liquor, eating in restaurants and general fasting.  Some are more called to volunteer.  Some focus on praying or reading the bible or any number of other spiritual disciplines.

But I kept thinking, "Spoken Word".

Amena Brown is a spectacular artist.  When volunteering, I was hoping to make arrangements to bring her to Cincinnati for a fundraiser.  Sadly, it did not work out for so very many reasons.  But I spent a good deal of time on her YouTube channel. I ended up with a lot of 'favorite videos'.

This one spoke to me today.  I think it will be my focus for lent this year.  

Amena Brown:  You