Firm But Flexible... Full of Good Things For You tag:www.cardboardwhite.com,2006://12 Movable Type 2006-02-28T03:00:12Z 2006-02-28T02:58:34Z http://blog.jeremyscottkillian.com/?p=32

I never realized what a big deal Mardi Gras was for most people until I worked in a secular workplace here on the Gulf Coast. People really are looking for an excuse for fun, and they love their lasciviousness(I know that spelling’s not right). The tradition comes from a melding of the ancient Festival of Dionysis and the wonderful Christian custom of Lent. This weekend, people live it up, because starting Wednesday, they are going to have observe 40 days of penance and self-control. I find it very sad that evangelicals do not typically practice the Christian calendar. I know that many of our Orthodox brothers and sisters have somehow attributed this custom to their sanctification, but I think it is important to realize that the traditional Christian calendar, as well as the Book of Common Prayer have their origins in early “evangelical” churches. Anabaptists penned the original Book of Common Prayer, for example. We are so afraid of adding things to grace that we have laid aside some really great aspects of Christian culture. God gave the children of Israel a system of feasts and celebrations not only to remind them of important Biblical truths, but also to set them apart as a unique culture. Certainly, the Lord has not established the Lenten season, but I do wonder if it does not accomplish some of those same goals. As we begin the season with Ash Wednesday, we are asked to spend a day in fasting and wear the ashes of palm branches on our head as a way to appreciate the humiliation Christ was to suffer as he entered the wilderness. For the next forty days, we lay aside some indulgence (maybe alcohol or in my case, any beverage other than water), so that we may focus on the days that Jesus dwelt without food. This also helps us look forward to Easter and be mindful of the Passion throughout the final week. So, as the secular celebrates Fat Teusday by getting as decimated mentally and physically as they possibly can, I can’t help but think back to the One who was truly decimated and mangled for my sin, and the sins of those who are marching down Bourbon Street. God Bless New Orleans. God bless us all. Any takers? I challenge you to celebrate this season with me; see what you learn!

I never realized what a big deal Mardi Gras was for most people until I worked in a secular workplace here on the Gulf Coast. People really are looking for an excuse for fun, and they love their lasciviousness(I know that spelling’s not right). The tradition comes from a melding of the ancient Festival of Dionysis and the wonderful Christian custom of Lent. This weekend, people live it up, because starting Wednesday, they are going to have observe 40 days of penance and self-control. I find it very sad that evangelicals do not typically practice the Christian calendar. I know that many of our Orthodox brothers and sisters have somehow attributed this custom to their sanctification, but I think it is important to realize that the traditional Christian calendar, as well as the Book of Common Prayer have their origins in early “evangelical” churches. Anabaptists penned the original Book of Common Prayer, for example. We are so afraid of adding things to grace that we have laid aside some really great aspects of Christian culture. God gave the children of Israel a system of feasts and celebrations not only to remind them of important Biblical truths, but also to set them apart as a unique culture. Certainly, the Lord has not established the Lenten season, but I do wonder if it does not accomplish some of those same goals. As we begin the season with Ash Wednesday, we are asked to spend a day in fasting and wear the ashes of palm branches on our head as a way to appreciate the humiliation Christ was to suffer as he entered the wilderness. For the next forty days, we lay aside some indulgence (maybe alcohol or in my case, any beverage other than water), so that we may focus on the days that Jesus dwelt without food. This also helps us look forward to Easter and be mindful of the Passion throughout the final week. So, as the secular celebrates Fat Teusday by getting as decimated mentally and physically as they possibly can, I can’t help but think back to the One who was truly decimated and mangled for my sin, and the sins of those who are marching down Bourbon Street. God Bless New Orleans. God bless us all. Any takers? I challenge you to celebrate this season with me; see what you learn! 2006-02-28T02:33:03Z 2006-02-27T20:42:57Z http://www.xanga.com/CoopDiddy/450240209/come-out-come-out-wherever-you-are.html

2006-02-27T22:00:17Z 2006-02-27T16:56:05Z http://www.xanga.com/JillianC1977/450110166/upon-having-a-trip-planned---.html

2006-02-27T22:00:15Z 2006-02-27T16:37:52Z http://www.xanga.com/Honourrific/450100428/my-housework-as-a-game.html

2006-02-27T20:30:04Z 2006-02-27T15:21:14Z http://www.xanga.com/Xpressionccr/450068010/item.html

2006-02-27T02:30:09Z 2006-02-26T21:17:02Z http://www.xanga.com/marlowho/449729522/on-olympics.html

Did anyone watch the final ceremony? What about the outfits? I think the horde of clowns playing trombones will be popping up sometime overnight in a nightmare. Weird. And does anyone know what the original tune is to "I just want to be a sheep"- cause they were playing this- those aformentioned clowns were. And I only know the song through the singing in prayer group at college. Funny Madeline story- tonight's Bible story before bed was Moses hitting the rock and the water gushing out. She really enjoyed the story and could answer all the questions at the end (Usually she can only answer 1.) Then she looked up in extreme seriousness and said, " Mama- I really want to go hit a rock." I love that girl.

Did anyone watch the final ceremony? What about the outfits? I think the horde of clowns playing trombones will be popping up sometime overnight in a nightmare. Weird. And does anyone know what the original tune is to "I just want to be a sheep"- cause they were playing this- those aformentioned clowns were. And I only know the song through the singing in prayer group at college. Funny Madeline story- tonight's Bible story before bed was Moses hitting the rock and the water gushing out. She really enjoyed the story and could answer all the questions at the end (Usually she can only answer 1.) Then she looked up in extreme seriousness and said, " Mama- I really want to go hit a rock." I love that girl. 2006-02-26T22:00:28Z 2006-02-26T16:58:58Z http://www.xanga.com/JillianC1977/449604807/upon-a-dream-i-had-last-night---.html

2006-02-27T21:33:09Z 2006-02-26T15:23:03Z http://www.xanga.com/seriousbethy/449564212/thinking-about-liam.html

When am I not thinking about Liam? Yesterday Bean and some of her friends came over to hang out and took a bunch of pictures of him. Just sharing their artwork.Liam and Mommy CuddlingMore of the BoysI hope I'm not breaking any laws by putting this up. How cute is this?!KissesLiam's Ready To MoveI just like the way the water looks in this one.Question: Which should I choose for my next profile pic?PS: Still want school stories . . . see post below.

When am I not thinking about Liam? Yesterday Bean and some of her friends came over to hang out and took a bunch of pictures of him. Just sharing their artwork.Liam and Mommy CuddlingMore of the BoysI hope I'm not breaking any laws by putting this up. How cute is this?!KissesLiam's Ready To MoveI just like the way the water looks in this one.Question: Which should I choose for my next profile pic?PS: Still want school stories . . . see post below. 2006-02-26T18:33:09Z 2006-02-26T13:29:02Z http://www.xanga.com/seriousbethy/449516071/thinking-about-things-i-wish-i-wouldnt-think-about.html

Do you remember that time we were having an argument and we typed it out on the computer? That was your idea, so I'm trying it again on my xanga, just for you. You know what makes me feel so bad? I know this day has played itself out exactly as it was meant to. I want to ask why Liam had to wake up at 6:45 this morning instead of 8:30 as I'd hoped. Why didn't we sleep in a little and get up to have breakfast and leisurely make our way to the late service, giving ourselves time to meet with some people and have coffee that would keep up awake? Instead, Liam woke up early and I was mad because I knew I would have to get up and take care of him and you would still be sleeping. You know all about my getting upset over the late morning stuff, so I won't continue on about that. Now onto church.I mentioned this before, but church was very depressing. I felt like we really could have used the message, I know I needed to hear that, but I was very distracted trying to keep you awake. I kept thinking about shepherding group. Maybe it's none of my business, but I was just feeling like you should have been awake for it. I was so excited that you felt like you needed to lead the group this week and today you seem not to care at all. In fact, I know it isn't really my business. I just feel bad about it anyway. Then you started to get that "hard candy" attitude at church and I started to feel worse. That's the part you know about.Then we came home and you laid down on the couch and fell asleep. I tried to fall asleep too, but I couldn't because Liam kept throwing toys at my head. Then he was pulling my recepie books down and reeking all sorts of havoc. And you were still sleeping. And I was mad because you were sleeping and I could not. Then I put Liam to bed and washed the dishes that you ordered me not to wash. And I was mad again. So now I've sat down and my heart rate has gone back to normal, my breathing is regulated, and I'm watching a movie about friendship and not losing it over little things. I'm not mad anymore. I'm just still a little sad. And I'm sleepy. I still love you and hope our afternoon gets better.

Do you remember that time we were having an argument and we typed it out on the computer? That was your idea, so I'm trying it again on my xanga, just for you. You know what makes me feel so bad? I know this day has played itself out exactly as it was meant to. I want to ask why Liam had to wake up at 6:45 this morning instead of 8:30 as I'd hoped. Why didn't we sleep in a little and get up to have breakfast and leisurely make our way to the late service, giving ourselves time to meet with some people and have coffee that would keep up awake? Instead, Liam woke up early and I was mad because I knew I would have to get up and take care of him and you would still be sleeping. You know all about my getting upset over the late morning stuff, so I won't continue on about that. Now onto church.I mentioned this before, but church was very depressing. I felt like we really could have used the message, I know I needed to hear that, but I was very distracted trying to keep you awake. I kept thinking about shepherding group. Maybe it's none of my business, but I was just feeling like you should have been awake for it. I was so excited that you felt like you needed to lead the group this week and today you seem not to care at all. In fact, I know it isn't really my business. I just feel bad about it anyway. Then you started to get that "hard candy" attitude at church and I started to feel worse. That's the part you know about.Then we came home and you laid down on the couch and fell asleep. I tried to fall asleep too, but I couldn't because Liam kept throwing toys at my head. Then he was pulling my recepie books down and reeking all sorts of havoc. And you were still sleeping. And I was mad because you were sleeping and I could not. Then I put Liam to bed and washed the dishes that you ordered me not to wash. And I was mad again. So now I've sat down and my heart rate has gone back to normal, my breathing is regulated, and I'm watching a movie about friendship and not losing it over little things. I'm not mad anymore. I'm just still a little sad. And I'm sleepy. I still love you and hope our afternoon gets better. 2006-02-26T01:30:10Z 2006-02-25T20:01:29Z http://www.xanga.com/Honourrific/449142038/my-husband-as-an-adolescent.html