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 numerologically 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.

ARTICHOKE

 The globe artichoke is the immature flower bud of a thistle, which is part of the sunflower family. They are one of the oldest known foods to man.   An artichoke's blossoms are blue violet in color and can measure up to seven inches in diameter.  One artichoke can produce up to 20 blossoms per year!

Artichokes are ranked number one over all other vegetables for antioxidant levels that help prevent cancer, cardiovascular disease, as well as having a positive effect on the liver and digestive health - not to mention high in vitamin C, A, K and more.  To top it off, artichokes also taste great taste and are versatile in recipes too, including both low-carb, keto and air fryer recipes. Artichokes can be stuffed, grilled, steamed or braised. 

When purchasing fresh artichokes, look for dark green orbs with tightly closed leaves that are heavy for their size.  Artichokes are best eaten right away but can be stored in a plastic bag in the fridge for up to four days.

INGREDIENTS

• ▢2 fresh artichokes

Dipping Sauce:

• ▢1/3 cup mayonnaise
• ▢1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• ▢2 cloves garlic, minced
• ▢1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves or 1/4 teaspoon ground thyme

Optional Toppings:

• ▢olive oil
• ▢ground black pepper and sea salt
• ▢dried thyme leaves

INSTRUCTIONS

• Prepare Artichokes: Rinse artichokes. Snap off and discard any small outer leaves on stems. Snip off any large thorns on leaves using kitchen shears. Cut off and discard top-third of leaves (inedible leaves furthest from stem) using a serrated knife. Cut off and discard lower part of stem, leaving at least 1 inch attached to artichoke.
• Cook Artichokes: Add artichokes to a large pot, add water until they start to float, and cover. Bring to a boil over high heat. Boil covered for 30 minutes, adjusting heat as needed to maintain a medium boil. Uncover, and using tongs transfer artichokes to a colander to drain, stem side up. Check for doneness: artichokes are done when a leaf can easily be pulled out using tongs. Let them cool for about 45 minutes.
• Dipping Sauce: Whisk together all dipping sauce ingredients in a mixing bowl until very smooth. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Serve: Slice cooled artichokes in half, down the stem, handling carefully to avoid breaking off tender leaves. Use a spoon to scoop out and discard fuzzy needle-like white centers and purple leaves from each artichoke half. Arrange artichokes on serving plates. Lightly brush cut surfaces with olive oil, and season with pepper, salt, and thyme. Serve with prepared dipping sauce and extra plates for discarded leaves.

• How to Eat Artichokes: 

  The bottom third of the tough outer leaves can be scraped with the teeth after a good dunk in melted butter or dipping sauce—there’s a fair bit of meat there.  Use a spoon to scoop out the heart or center of the sunflower—less any fuzzy choke. Enjoy!

EASTER ROLLS

 A delicious and easy Easter roll to make with your littles, while teaching the resurrection of Christ are 

                                                    EMPTY TOMB ROLLS

Symbolism of Empty Tomb Rolls:

Large marshmallows - body of Jesus

Crescent roll - the wrapping of Jesus' body or the tomb

Melted Butter - oils of embalming

Cinnamon and sugar mix - spices used to anoint Jesus' body

Oven - the tomb

Cavity in bun - the empty tomb or the empty cloths

How to make Empty Tomb Rolls:

1. Separate the eight crescent triangle rolls.  Combine sugar and cinnamon.  Dip a regular size marshmallow in melted butter and roll in the cinnamon and sugar mixture.

2.  Place the dipped marshmallow at the top of the crescent roll and roll into shape, securing and pinching the sides.  Place on a prepared cookie sheet (greased or parchment paper).

3.  Brush melted butter on top of bun and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar mixture.  Bake in 375 degrees oven for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.

Enjoy a new Easter tradition with your family this year💜☦

HOSANNA

 Palm Sunday, also called Passion Sunday, marks the first day of Holy Week and the fourth and final Sunday of Lent.  Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey and being greeted by the people waving palm branches.  It is a reminder of our welcoming Jesus into our hearts and our willingness to follow Him.

"They took branches of palm trees and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna!  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!"  John 12:13

Jesus ministered tirelessly in the days leading up to his entry into Jerusalem.  Among other righteous acts, our Lord healed the blind, cured ten lepers, ate dinner with Zacchaeus, resurrected Lazarus, and broke bread with His disciples at the Last Supper.

By the time Jesus and his disciples entered Jerusalem a large crowd had formed anxious to see Jesus and the man he had raised from the dead. Their shouts of praise honoring Christ as King infuriated the Pharisees who were trying to catch and kill Jesus. The Pharisees believed only Caesar was king. The crowd was wanting Jesus to be their king as a political and military leader freeing them from the hated Roman government.

Jesus was clear that the Kingdom He had come to establish was not of this world.  The Kingdom of God is eternal - transcending time and space.  King Jesus, Prince of Peace, Lamb of God - is our redeemer - the King of our hearts for eternity.

"Alleluia, how the people cheer and palm leaves rustle as the King draws near."  John Beavis

Deciding The Road You Are Traveling

February - the month of love❗ 💘 A wonderful time to pause and reflect upon the 'beat' of our hearts.  What is your passion or heart's desire for your life legacy. What impact do you want to make on our world.

There are two roads in life - the broad road and the narrow road, or the road more heavily traveled and the road less traveled.  The heavily traveled road is broad because the masses travel its path.  The road less traveled is narrow because few travel that path.

The broad road is crowded and carries with it selfishness, prejudice, hate, lust, intolerance and bigotry.  There are no restrictions, no inhibitions, no rules.  The extremes of humanity are on this wide road - the dictators, the immoral, the murderers.  Some Christians are on this road too - the ones that may 'feel' they are displaying the love of Christ by accepting and supporting everyone.  But perhaps what they are really doing is conforming to broad-minded beliefs and not standing for their own moral beliefs.

The narrow road is less traveled because some view it as being narrow-minded - too many rules, regulations and discipline.  Yet they fail to realize the impact upon their lives and the continuation of society that traffic lights, traffic signs, taxes, regulations and morals valuing life at any stage.  Social morality helps individuals to be law abiding and to treat others in society with dignity and respect.  Morality has a psychological impact upon society.  

Today the psychology of our society is affected directly and indirectly by social media and social networking companies.  These platforms have caused problematic social, political and cultural consequences.  Social media algorithm powered by artificial intelligence can nurture an addiction, manipulate it's use in politics and spread conspiracies.  We need to be vigilant and understand the path/road that our great nation is traveling by following the masses.

Our founding fathers sacrificed their lives, finances, homes and families to build this great nation built upon religious principles and values. We must not destroy our nation and each other by obliterating our country's history so that we do not allow those events to be repeated in future generations.  

Today, on Valentine's Day, I would love to challenge your heart to decide which road you are personally traveling.