Time to say adios to February and welcome to March - which seems to be coming in like a lion so far. Hope all of you got enough sleep last night what with the the storms in the middle of the night. It would be much more convenient if the storms only came during the day when we were awake and alert!
And now it's a dreary rainy day. Like the rain I hope this blog can help wash away your frustrations of the day for just a little while, and help clear your skies for joy and peace - not trouble-free joy because that's impossible. But joy despite our troubles, and peace that passes our limited understanding - for we can't see the big picture right in the midst.
The Month of March
March is the third month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, and one of the seven months which are 31 days long. March in the Southern Hemisphere is the seasonal equivalent of September in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Northern hemisphere, the beginning of the meteorological spring is 1 March. In the Southern hemisphere, the beginning of the meteorological autumn is 1 March.
The name of March comes from ancient Rome, when March was the first month of the year and named Martius after Mars, the Roman god of war. In Rome, where the climate is Mediterranean, March was the first month of spring, a logical point for the beginning of the year as well as the start of the military campaign season. January became the first month of the calendar year either under King Numa Pompilius (c. 713 BC) or under the Decemvirs about 450 BC (Roman writers differ). The numbered year began on March 1 in Russia until the end of the 15th century. Great Britain and its colonies continued to use March 25 until 1752, which was when they ultimately adopted the Gregorian calendar. Many other cultures and religions still celebrate the beginning of the New Year in March.In Finnish, the month is called maaliskuu, which originates from maallinen kuu, meaning earthy month, because during maaliskuu, earth finally became visible under the snow. In Ukrainian, the month is called березень, meaning birch tree. Historical names for March include the Saxon Lentmonat, named after the equinox and gradual lengthening of days, and the eventual namesake of Lemt. Saxons also called March Rhed-monat or Hreth-monath (deriving from their goddess Rhedam/Hreth), and Angles called it Hyld-monath.
March starts on the same day of the week as November every year and February in common years only. March ends on the same day of the week as June every year.
Lord, Help us Remember author unknown
Help us to remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night
is a single mother who worked nine hours that day,
that she is rushing home to cook dinner and help with homework,
to do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.
Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man
who takes forever at the checkout stand, is a worried 19-year-old college student, who is balancing his apprehension over final exams
with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.
Remind us that the scary looking bum, begging for money
in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!)
is a slave to addictions
that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.
Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow
through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are
savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got
back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.
Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive.
Let us show patience, empathy and love.
Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us,
but to all humanity.
Let yourself be a kid and have a little giggle
What do you get if you cross poison ivy with a four-leaf clover?
A rash of good luck!
What would you get if you crossed a leprechaun with a Texan?
A pot of chili at the end of the rainbow!
Did you hear about the leprechaun who went to jail?
He was a lepre-con!
And....in case you were wondering...
from HistoryofHolidays.com
History of St. Patricks Day
The first St. Patrick’s Day parade, in 1737, was held in Boston as an expression of ethnic pride by thousands of Irish immigrants. The first parade in New York City in 1763, however, is still the largest, and most celebrated parade today. It is an extravagant display, witnessed by more than two million people. Numerous other parades of marching bands, playing familiar Irish songs and folk music, fife and drum corps, and thousands of marchers in kilts and shamrock green, are held throughout the United States on St. Patrick’s Day.
In the 1820’s the Protestant Ulsters brought their own parade to New York in support of the Orange Order. As a result, the Irish Catholic immigrants sought protection and safety in the Church and its institutions. Perhaps the most famous of these institutions was the Ancient Order of the Hibernians. In addition, to safeguarding the Irish Catholics, the president of the Hibernians, Peter Gaynor, led the Father Matthew Total Abstinence and Benevolent Society in the traditional St. Patrick’s Day parade in 1856. This introduced an atmosphere of peace and restraint and dispelled the belief that the Irish were a loud and boisterous crowd of indolent drinkers. The Order of the Hibernians is credited with increasing the size, number, and significance of the St. Patrick’s Day parades.
Traditions are kept and celebrations are held in Canada, Britain, and Australia, as well. In Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day is a holy day, celebrated in a quieter fashion with religious processions honoring their patron saint. There are various types of food and drink that are traditional in the United States and Ireland. St. Patrick’s Day in the United States means corned beef and cabbage, mulligatawny soup, Irish stew, and soda bread. Ireland celebrates the holiday with colcannon, a dish composed of mashed potatoes with shredded kale, onions, and butter. Popular Irish beer, such as Guinness, Harps, and Smithwicks, Irish whiskey, and Irish coffee are consumed. In many places, the beer, rivers, and streams are often dyed green on St. Patrick’s Day.
St Patrick died in 464 A.D. and it is not known if March 17th was his birth date or the date of his death. However, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated worldwide by parades, processions, and the “wearin’ of the green.” St. Patrick’s Day is a tradition for people of Irish descent and the expatriate Irish in other countries, as well as by many others who choose to be Irish “for a day.” We honor St. Patrick by expressing our devotion and faith and recognizing the heritage of the patron saint of Ireland.
Blogview - Sarah Boles
Sarah’s Family – husband Jeremy, sons Jacob 13 and Samuel 7. They met when they were both seniors in High School (at different schools) and have been married 19 years.
Sarah has one brother and one sister. Her mom is still living, but her dad died January 25, 2008.
Sarah’s faith story in a nutshell: Up until my parents’ divorce, we were in church three times per week. I was baptized at age 13. Because of the divorce, we ended up leaving that church and I had a little time of rebellion. My rebellion consisted of cutting class sometimes, and driving fast cars. I hadn’t really strayed from the Lord in my heart, it was just a matter of finding a place. My sister and I were hired to play in an Easter Service in an orchestra in a Baptist Church downtown. While there I saw a church full of joy, with dancing and singing….and that was the first exposure I had to honest and joyful worship. I think I was fifteen at the time. I had been hungry for that. I had a solid foundation, morally. Then when I met Jeremy and started going to church with him, that’s when I had been away long enough that I could feel God pulling at me hard again.
Kim: How long been coming to SE?
Sarah: Eight years
Kim: What made you decide to become a Teaching Leader?
Sarah: Jeremy was in the first Discipleship Class from Southeast. They didn’t have women’s groups at that time, it was just for men, but enough DC wives were interested in taking it…so when the course came available and it worked in my time schedule, I signed up for that. It was 21 months long. That’s where my faith really got deep where I was making major heart connections and understanding why I believed what I believed. In that class you are given the opportunity to teach discussions, and the leaders at that class saw a gift in me that I couldn’t recognize. So at the conclusion of that class, I was approached to lead a DC group…..and then at Christmas Joy 2009, I was approached to replace Kristin Sauder who was going to another campus. And then finally after much prayer and trepidation, I obeyed God’s call, and so here I am….(and a fine job she is doing).
Kim: What’s standing out to you the most about this study of Acts?
Sarah: I think it is the realness, everything was so new and raw, that they were in such constant communication with the Holy Spirit, and had such a relationship. They could have put it down, but they kept going even after being stoned, thrown in jail and persecuted. They kept going….no matter how devastating the circumstances were, and they continued to preach the saving grace of Christ.
Kim: What do you watch on TV?
Sarah: I like Alias and Lost, but they’re not on anymore.
Kim: What are your hobbies?
Sarah: Reading, camping, spending time with the kids (she’s an excellent firestarter, can do it without a match).
Kim: What are you reading right now?
Sarah: Mostly research material for this study. The last book I read was David Platt’s Radical. (I have been hearing a lot about this book, better pick it up!)
Kim: Favorite restaurant?
Sarah: Limestone
Kim: Is there any particular verse(s) speaking to you right now…..
Sarah: 2 Cor 12:9 – But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Kim: Is there a special place you study?
Sarah: Yes, ATLR 205 – or I have a friend in Oldham County that has a cabin and she lets me use it sometimes. Jeremy works his schedule so I can leave every once in a while. (that Jeremy is a gem, and so is the friend with the cabin)
Kim: Favorite household chore?
Sarah: Vacuuming and yard work. (Oh wow….two!)
Kim: Best advice ever given?
Sarah: We are not asking you to be someone else…..be yourself.
Kim: Early bird or night owl?
Sarah: Whatever it takes to get it done.
Kim: Pet Peeves?
Sarah: Tardiness <noted!>
Kim: Favorite movie?
Sarah: It’s usually the last movie I saw….
Kim: Which biblical woman do you identify with or admire the most at this time in your life?
Sarah: It would probably be Martha because I think I get busy with tasks and I forget sometimes to engage my heart…..and the woman with the Alabaster Jar…..because…..when the jar was broken and she poured it out, it was this expensive perfume that was a sacrifice at Christ’s feet. It was an act of worship that came at a very high price. I think what she did is that she broke the vase and I think the act of breaking it was that this was her final, complete sacrifice, because she couldn’t just go and fill the jar back up and replace it with something else, so breaking the jar and pouring it out and getting every last drop was like pouring herself 100%, completely at His feet……
Thank you, Sarah, for taking the time out of your very busy schedule to sit and chat with me and give us a peek into your heart.
OK here is our game. Two things below are NOT true about Sarah, and ONE thing IS true. Can you guess?
I passed the entry exam to be a contestant on Jeopardy.
I was in an opening act for Pavaratti.
I’ve hiked the Appalachian trail.
Give it your best shot. The last Blogview we did was for Patsy Hynes. Her truth is: She used to be a bartender! Bet she heard some stories!!
Just because it's cute....and you never know who is going to come into your path and make you an odd couple, too.
"No, who are you?", said the father.
