Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. Look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. Think only of the best, work only for the best, and expect only the best. Forget the mistatkes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. Give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticise others. Live in the faith that the whole world is on your side so long as you are true to the best that is in you! Christian D. Larson

Ash Wednesday...

Brought up in a small town in Ohio, and raised by a Russian Orthodox father, and a Roman Catholic mother was quite the adventure. Go ahead, ask me, was I confused? The answer is yes and no. I was young and loved both my parents. My father made the sign of the cross from right to left, while my mother crossed left to right. The churches so similar in many ways, but worlds apart for my parents. As a child I was innocent enough to embrace both, and I learned much about the religion of religion.

What I did eventually find was the best of both worlds. I can still go to either church and respect both for their own traditions and enjoy both. I think God would like that. I don't think He is ever worried about the church, religion or traditions. These are all man made rules and traditions, and I don't think they represent the true heart of my God.

Celebrating and observing Ash Wednesday, Lent, and Almsgiving day seems like the right thing to do. I currently go to a Bible based church that doesn't observe either one. Go figure!! Even though the Word about Lent, and the 40 days in the desert is so very biblical, it escapes me why it is not observed.

Let me speak for a moment about the sign of the cross traced in ashes on the forehead. It reminds us to ask for forgiveness and to continue to strive to draw nearer to the Lord.

Lent...a personal sacrifice that can encompass fasting and or abstinence. Fasting refers to the amount of food taken in on a particular day. Fasting goes hand in hand with prayer and honoring the 40 day fast of Christ. It is a good reminder and supports prayer. Abstinence refers to giving up a favorite treat during these days that we are to consider Holy.

Whether or not you believe in any of the above traditions, they are a thought to ponder and consider. When we are fasting and remembering to pray life becomes more pure and real. Almsgiving a time to give to those in need should be remembered all year long. If we only remember during the Lenten period we have missed the mission of Christ.

Celebrate none or all. Just remember to remember God and what Easter is truly about.

Prayer is a gift to all, it costs you nothing but your time and your heart.
Pray for someone today.

Transplant Team Arizona, Inc.

We are a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose members are organ transplant recipients, living donors and donor family members. Our purpose is to raise money to take recipients and donor family members to the transplant games, encourage organ and tissue donation, and to provide support for donor family members.

The world is watching the Winter Olympic Games this week and I want to share a story of Olympic Gold and how it affects the world of organ donation and its recipients.

This past Sunday I volunteered at the Firebird International Raceway for the afternoon. I volunteer my time to raise awareness for organ donation and take donations for Team Arizona. This event is sponsored by the National Kidney Foundation to pay honor to the recipients, donor families, both living and deceased. It is an awe inspiring event. To see a child as young as 1 or 2 or an adult as old as 85 complete the event they entered is uplifting and gives one pause to think about how blessed we recipients really are. It has and always will be a humbling experience for me.

I want to thank those who come through the gate and give so generously. I am always amazed at how touched I am to see people care about our cause. Some give what they can, and some hand out $100 bills without batting an eye. It matters not the amount, it is the spirit of giving that touches me. When someone hands you all the change in their pocket, it touches me as deeply as the $100 bill, because that may be all they had. It is the heart of the giver that God sees and honors.

So I will be participating in Madison, Wisconsin from July 30th-August 4th. I will be swimming the 50m freestyle and the 50m backstroke. My object is to finish the race I have started. I have already won the prize of good health and a new life.I will attend the Donor Day event, as I meet many who gave with so much unconditional love during a very difficult time in their lives. It is a day to be thankful, reflective, and give honor to those very special organ or tissues recipients and the donors who make a second chance at life possible.

I have received the humility of Christ, and the fear of the Lord has brought me wealth and honor and life. (Prov.22:4)

Valentine's Day...

Ah, the day! This week we even have a movie opening called "Valentine's Day." It has an all star cast and appears to have a few laughs and a serious moment or two.

I must admit I am the true romantic, but my romantic mood is not clouded by "things". I think flowers are beautiful, chocolate is delicious, and a 5 star dinner filling. These are all things I can do for myself. But the heart of romance for me is someone that gives me a thought all year round. I am touched while talking to other wives and mothers that a gesture as simple as changing a diaper, cooking a meal, helping with the dishes is romantic and shows what deep love is. A person who stays by your side when you are at your worst or when an illness changes who you are both physically and emotionally says volumes about the kind of man or woman you are. It speaks to true commitment and promised vows. To see into the heart of a person is one of God's most special gifts.

To spend time just in the quiet of an afternoon or evening and share being with each other is my idea of a romantic day. And, the best part of that kind of day is that it can be anytime you want to make that happen. I can't imagine anything as surreal as being with someone, holding hands or embracing and not having to talk or say a word, you just get to be. No expectations, no trying to make an impression, just the knowing that love is present between the two of you. An uninterrupted day of uninterrupted love is the ultimate Valentine's Day. May you find someone that sees and hears your heart and touches the being of you. May you find somone in your life that wants more of YOU than just a box of chocolates. Happy Valentine's Day.

I walk in love, so I am patient, I am kind, I do not envy, I do not boast, I am not proud. I am not rude, I am not self-seeking, I am not easily angered, I keep no record of wrongs. I do not delight in evil, I do rejoice with the truth. Love in my life always trusts. Love in my life always hopes. Love in my life always perseveres.
(1Cor. 13:4-7)

Fragrance of the Flower...

A Note to Frank:

One day my love came to me and said, "I think it's time for me to experience the joy of loving God." I knew then he had the fragrance of the flower. As time went by he prepared to be one with God. The flower blossomed and the fragrance grew stronger. The more he went to church, the better he felt. It became home for him, and he went everyday. I knew then that he wanted more and was experiencing more than just the fragrance. It wasn't easy for him, but he loved it. He fell in love not only with God, but with the church family. He really felt he was where he was suppose to be. On a special Easter Vigil he walked from the darkness into the light and he not only had the fragrance of the flower, he had the whole bouquet. We had more than 53 years of marriage and yet it just wasn't long enough. He is always with me, I feel His presence near and the fragrance surrounds me.

Angelina


Thank you Angie for sharing such a very personal part of your life with me, I am honored you allowed me to share it with others. Keep writing. You are a blessing and I am glad our paths have crossed in this lifetime.

I follow the way of God's love. (1 Cor.14:1)