I don't have a long drive to work, but as I drive I like to listen to music.  It lifts me up and creates a more worshipful atmosphere as I start my day.  Often the words are just background, even as I sing along mindlessly (being very watchful and cautious in my driving, however!).  On other occassions, a lyric or two leaps out and gets my attention.  This happened just the other day, when I knew the day would hold the potential of many distractions.

A young woman looked at me quizzically. "I've seen a lot of people with those marks on their forehead today," she asked. "Is it some kind of sorority hazing thing?" 

Christian History magazine has a nice piece on the history of Ash Wednesday.  My own personal take on Ash Wednesday (and the church year in general) is that such practices are helpful when filled with meaning.  It’s the lack of understanding and personal appropriation that leads to dead ritual.

Back in the late afternoon of January 12th, the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince was rocked, swayed and pummeled by a massive 7.0 earthquake.  The earthquake destroyed most of the city leaving the survivors in rubble trying to find the rest of their families, fighting for food, and sleeping in city parks.  The reports and images coming out of Haiti are graphic, tragic, and unbelievable.  There are the stories of miracles like the little boy who was rescued alive after 8 days in the rubble.  There are stories of utter pain as children lost parents and parents lost children.

February has just one holiday since Lincoln's and Washington's birthdays were combined.  And that special day devoted to love - Valentine's Day.  So men, don't forget to do something romantic for your sweetie, because she deserves it... and she probably already has something special for you.