Our benediction from today's church service.

Pretzels for Lent

Though the true origin of the pretzel is unknown, legend states that it has Christian and Lenten significance.

Our church bulletin states that the common pretzel was created for Lent during the Middle Ages, when people abstained from meat, eggs, milk, butter and lard.  Some say pretzels originated in Germany, while others say they started with monks in Southern France or Northern Italy.  If you turn a pretzel "upside down" where the two humps are on bottom, it symbolizes the way children used to pray - with their arms crossed and hands resting on opposite shoulders.  Some also say that the three open areas of the pretzel symbolize the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  If you turn the pretzel 180 degrees, it resembles a heart and reminds us of Christ's love and sacrifice.  And breaking the pretzel bread while eating reminds us of the Last Supper, when Jesus broke the bread and passed the cup.  Here's an interesting article about the different histories of the pretzel.

Here is a simple pretzel recipe, even though it still uses dairy.  So, if we're going to cheat, let's go all the way and make the mall pretzel recipe here.  Or, let's just go to the mall and get some of those tasty pretzels...

Ash Wednesday

Have mercy upon us, O God, according to your loving kindness.  According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out our transgressions.  Wash us thoroughly from our iniquities, and cleanse us from our sins.  For we acknowledge our transgressions, and our sin is ever before us.  Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

I found this on Facebook:

On Ash Wednesday, we are reminded that every sinner has a future and every saint has a past.

Joshua 1:9 NIV

Time to go to the Living Proof Ministries Blog and add your verse for memorization.  I'm really enjoying this and am thankful that my dear friend, Betty, invited me to participate. 

Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9 NIV

Wait Upon the Lord

Winter is often a time of waiting.  Life can go through long periods of waiting.  It is important to be waiting on the Lord during these times, because He is the One who delivers.  Nothing or no one else can.

Thankful for My Boys

We've been snowed in since Sunday evening.  We've played in it and had our fun, but now we are mostly inside on the third straight snow day from school.  Both boys have a little cough - so I'm keeping them in.  They are playing together so nicely today.  Here they are in their reindeer shirts (both made at school) and playing with one of their Batman sets.  They've played the Wii and with their DSi's.  And with their Indiana Jones dress up stuff.  They've played Planet Heroes and with their Woody and Buzz dolls.  It has been play play play.  Now, we have our moments of not getting along.  Screaming at one another if someone wins and isn't a very good sport about it.  I'm hoping we have one more snow day tomorrow - so they can get over these colds and go outside and play again.