A Random Rambling from Pastor Dave
by Pastor Dave Banfield | February 22, 2012
Greetings
Today is Ash Wednesday. You may see people walking around with a black smudge on their forehead. For those of us in a non-liturgical tradition this may seem strange. Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent, a time of preparation for Easter. It occurs 46 days before Easter. It reminds us of the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness before he began his public ministry. The ashes used are made from burning the palms from last Palm Sunday. This is to be a time of reflection and, for some, sacrifice. Many people will "give up something for Lent" as a symbol of their commitment to God. Although we don't celebrate Ash Wednesday, it is a good reminder that we too need to begin to prepare our hearts for Easter. Easter this year is April 8.
As we prepare for Easter we are working our way through the Gospel of John on Sundays. I would encourage you to read through the gospel and fill in the empty spaces that always occur between sermon texts.
Pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training this past weekend. The rest of the team will be arriving soon. Baseball is again on the horizon. At this point everyone has a shot at the pennant. When it comes to baseball, hope springs eternal!
I was just informed that we could get some significant snow tonight. Although it has felt like spring for a while, winter is not yet over.
May God richly bless you today.
Pastor Dave
Check out my blog at daves-randomramblings.blogspot.com.