RAIN RAIN RAIN

Today in my region of the United States it is raining.  Many regions are experiencing flooding and loss of electricity.  Rain is nature's way of creating balance by providing moisture that promotes growth.  Unfortunately, too much rain in a short amount of time can leading to flooding and unwanted destruction.

The rain cycle begins when warm air rises and cold air rushes in to replace it.  This lifting of the warm air creates an area of low pressure causing the moisture in the air to condense and form clouds.  As the clouds grow larger, they can no longer support the weight of the water droplets and the rain falls to the ground.

The water then flows into rivers and lakes, eventually returning to the ocean.  This cycle begins again as the sun evaporates water from the surface creating more moist air that will eventually rise and form new clouds.

The end-product of liquid precipitation from the sky that falls down to the Earth is a vital part of life on earth, from the water we drink to preserve our bodies, to its cooling effect and providing the water and nutrients necessary to grow our food.  Regardless of how we feel about it, rain is an integral part of our lives and will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Although rain may seem like a destructive force, rain is essential for life on earth.  Rain is the primary source of fresh water for all living things.  It helps to replenish the groundwater supply that plants and animals' use.  It also helps to keep the air clean and refreshed washing away dust and pollutants from the atmosphere.  Rain helps to moderate the earth's surface temperature making it suitable for all life forms.

We can see rain as a sign of hope, love, happiness, loneliness, sadness, despair, blessedness, warmth and comfort.  Others might find rain to be calming and reassuring providing a sense of comfort during stressful times.  Then there are some who simply enjoy the physical sensation of raindrops falling on their skin, making them happy, especially on those hot and sunny days.

"And when it rains on your parade, look up rather than down.                                                      Without the rain, there would b no rainbow."

 

The Season of Lent

 This week we was Ash Wednesday which begins Lent season.  It is a holy day of prayer and fasting in preparation for Easter Sunday. By observing the 40 days of Lent, Christians replicate Jesus Christ's sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days. Lent is marked by fasting, both from food and festivities.  Abstinence from meat, which represents flesh, on this day, honors the sacrifice Jesus made in the cross for our sins.

The three traditional pillars of Lent are prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Through the three pillars of Lent we journey to develop a closer relationship to God. The 40 days of Lent should be filled with reflection, service and prayer.

Some United Methodist churches refrain from singing "alleluia," "hallelujah" and/or "gloria" during Lent. This practice, sometimes called "Burying the Alleluia," is a way of recognizing the solemnity of the season and anticipating the glorious praise to be sung in celebration of Jesus' Resurrection on Easter Sunday!

During Lent the only alcohol allowed is Wine.  As we know, it is our spiritual food, which symbolizes the blood of the Lord. That is why often on our Christian dinners – the so-called agapia, the consumption of wine is allowed. So, wine is allowed during Lent, and all other drinks are forbidden

Passion Week, or Holy Week, is the week between Psalm Sunday and Easter Sunday.  It is referred to as Passion Week because Jesus Christ truly revealed His passion for us in the suffering He willingly went through on our behalf. What should our attitude be during Passion Week? We should be passionate in our worship of Jesus and in our proclamation of His Gospel! As He suffered for us, so should we be willing to suffer for the cause of following Him and proclaiming the message of His death and resurrection.

During Passion Week we observe:

Holy Monday - the day Jesus cleansed the temple and began the triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey

Holy Tuesday - when Jesus was issued various challenges by the Pharisees and Sadducees 

Holy Wednesday - or Spy Wednesday when Judas conspired to betrayJesus

Maundy Thursday, which commemorates the Last Supper between Jesus and his disciples. Maundy Thursday is the last day of Lent. 

Good Friday - the sacrifice of the Lamb of God on the cross for our sins

Easter Sunday - the day of resurrection of Jesus

Hallelujah! He is risen!! He is risen indeed❤️🙏✝️

NUMEROLOGY

Oftentimes a quick glance at a clock may cause one to pause, especially when noticing a pattern of the time - 7:11, 9:11, and 3:11.  We may notice the same number pattern when looking elsewhere - perhaps on license plates, telephones, appliances, or commercials over a period of hours or even days.  Once we accept that these are not coincidences, we are open to the realization that there is a message in the numbers for us, and we know to pay attention to the repeating patterns and search for their true meaning

Numerology’s origin dates back to the Ancient Greek world and teaches us that each number carries its own vibration and symbolic significance. The stages of our soul’s evolution can be marked numerlogically as we move from one stage to the next. Repeating number patterns in our daily lives may cause us to focus on certain aspects of our lives and approach them from deep within us. Once we recognize there is something we need to look more deeply into, we can then trust that we will be guided to the correct people and places that holding the answers for us.

Numbers, as symbols, can carry personal meanings as well. We may have our own lucky number that has served us well throughout our lives and another that reminds us of certain events of significance. My daughter's significant number is 4:44, the time of her firstborn and the same time of the arrival at the hospital for her second born.  If these lucky numbers are the numbers that are currently appearing, it may be a push from the universe to delve into the past for clues about how to handle a present situation. 

Many people indicate they are seeing 11:11 right now, which can indicate an energetic gateway has opened for you and is available to manifest your thoughts into reality. Whatever explanations you receive about the numbers that are appearing everywhere you look; the most important aspect is to trust your own guidance as to what the numbers are telling you. 

For me, my Spirit Number is 4 (adding up my birthday digits to a single digit).  My Master Number is 22, which is believed to possess great potential for manifesting positive change in the world, which I haven't knowingly tapped.  Perhaps I have limited my brain by keeping it tethered to my samskara.  I had a beautiful sister-n-law, Judi Scanlon, whose personal moto was always "whatever will be, will be" (Que sera, sera)!  I often envied her refreshing and spiritual freedom in acceptance of life.

Every culture attaches different meaning to the numbers, so a Chinese interpretation may be different than a Kabbalah interpretation. It is up to each of us to use our own intuition to see which is the best fit for us. If someone has an explanation that just doesn’t feel right, then this is not the answer for you but may be just a clue to keep you moving on your path. By giving our attention to the numbers around us, we are able to use them as tools to improve our connection to the universe and our awareness of our choices in life.