Lent. Apparently last Wed. Feb. 17th, we entered into the annual time of "Lent". I didn't grow up in a church that observed Lent, so I never knew that much about it. Honestly, this is embarassing to admit, but I always thought it was a Jewish ritual. Guess I was WAY off about that! According to the all-knowing Wikipedia, Lent is:
Lent, in Christian tradition, is the period of the liturgical year leading up to Easter. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer — through prayer, penitence, almsgiving and self-denial — for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, which recalls the events linked to the Passion of Christ and culminates in Easter, the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Conventionally, it is described as being forty days long, though different denominations calculate the forty days differently. The forty days represent the time that, according to the Bible, Jesus spent in the desert before the beginning of his public ministry, where he endured temptation by Satan.[1]
This practice was virtually universal in Christendom until the Protestant Reformation.[2] Some Protestant churches do not observe Lent, but most, such as Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, and Anglicans, do.
The last few days, it seems I have heard from everyone what they are giving up for Lent. Some are giving up chocolate, red meat, fast food, sugar, caffeine, soda's... one friend is giving up her computer!! I looked on the calendar this morning, and it's exactly six weeks until Easter, so I feel like God's grace will understand that I know I'm a few days late, but I want to participate in Lent this year.
How do YOU decide what you are going to give up for Lent???? Do you pick something that you feel you can truly do without, so that you can succeed in your self-denial?? Or do you pick something that will really, really be hard to do without, so that it's truly a sacrifice?? But then, if you do THAT, what if you are weak and slip up? Arrggghhhh!! This is hard!!!!
HELP!!! Tell me.. what are you giving up for Lent? .. and how did you decide what it would be???
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
February News
Hey ya'll....
I don't know about you guys, but I'm about ready for some WARMER WEATHER! Everyone that knows me KNOWS that I'm a "winter" girl, but even I am starting to get tired of the cold, snowy days.... I need a few days on a cruise in the bahamas! Can I get an "Amen"??? AMEN!!
Ok...here's the February scoop:
1) Monday, February 22, at The Wildhorse Saloon. I'll be playing a couple of songs at a benefit for the W.O. School of Music here in Nashville. For information on the show, go here: http://www.dustinsgiftofmusic.com/
2) My new EP "Beautifully Lived" is now up for download at CDBABY.COM.... If you come to one of my shows IN PERSON, you can buy a hard copy, but for now, only the download version is available online. I would appreciate you taking the time to write a review for me on that page if you buy it and LIKE it! If you hate it, then please just keep THAT to yourself!! LOL
3) I have a couple of other shows in March too, so please check my "Dates" for upcoming shows.. and....
Don't forget to visit my other sites: www.myspace.com/marciaramirez... AND.... www.marciaramirez.blogspot.com.... and my Facebook page is: http://bit.ly/4FPZZ7
Love you guys!!
Marcia
I don't know about you guys, but I'm about ready for some WARMER WEATHER! Everyone that knows me KNOWS that I'm a "winter" girl, but even I am starting to get tired of the cold, snowy days.... I need a few days on a cruise in the bahamas! Can I get an "Amen"??? AMEN!!
Ok...here's the February scoop:
1) Monday, February 22, at The Wildhorse Saloon. I'll be playing a couple of songs at a benefit for the W.O. School of Music here in Nashville. For information on the show, go here: http://www.dustinsgiftofmusic.com/
2) My new EP "Beautifully Lived" is now up for download at CDBABY.COM.... If you come to one of my shows IN PERSON, you can buy a hard copy, but for now, only the download version is available online. I would appreciate you taking the time to write a review for me on that page if you buy it and LIKE it! If you hate it, then please just keep THAT to yourself!! LOL
3) I have a couple of other shows in March too, so please check my "Dates" for upcoming shows.. and....
Don't forget to visit my other sites: www.myspace.com/marciaramirez... AND.... www.marciaramirez.blogspot.com.... and my Facebook page is: http://bit.ly/4FPZZ7
Love you guys!!
Marcia
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Wanna see a miracle???
My friend Melissa Irwin constantly amazes me. She is in the middle of a BIG leap of faith, that I am SOOOO excited to be a small part of! You see, Melissa is getting out of her comfort zone and making a miracle happen. Here's the story in a nutshell:
Melissa has traveled to Zimbabwe twice to help out a wonderful lady, Mrs. Fatima Maruta, who is in charge of 4 orphanages there. 3 days ago I got a letter from Melissa that just broke my heart and after reading it, I just KNEW I had to help somehow!! Here's the situation in Melissa's own words:
"When I met Mrs. Fatima Maruta this first time in December of 2008, I was
immediately impressed with her organization, the structure, the
teachings,
the love, and the health of all of her orphans. She has 4 orphanages and
is
working to establish a 5th. In the past year, she has even opened a
school...a legitimate one that is serving to properly educate all of her
orphans, as well as other local rural kids. They are very smart and
proper
in uniforms. I recall during that first visit that Mrs. Maruta mentioned
they were in desperate need of a truck for a variety of very serious
reasons. She did not ask me for a truck, she just mentioned that they
were
praying for one. I enjoyed her homes. I was blessed by her beautiful
orphaned children. And then I left. I carried the children in my hearts
with me, but not Mrs. Maruta. Not her needs.
When I returned in November of 2009, as most of you know already, I was
blessed a million ways in all of the time that I got to spend with them
again. But this time, during one of our prayers, Mrs. Maruta prayed for
a
truck again. Something pinched my heart right in that moment. An entire
year had passed and they are still praying for a truck. Not because they
want one, but because they need one. They need one because the only car
they currently have is broken down and has over 250 kilometers on it.
They
have to deliver food to all 4 orphanages which are spread out all over
the
city of Harare. They have to take dozens of kids to the clinics weekly
for
the HIV antiviral medications. Due to a nearly 1 year drought, the food
prices have skyrocketed, so Mrs. Maruta needs to travel longer distances
to
purchase foods at fairer prices. The list of the whys could really
continue
to go on and on. Instead of buying a truck, Mrs. Maruta started a
school.
Instead of buying a truck, Mrs. Maruta made sure the kids had clothes,
uniforms, school supplies, food for 3 meals, and she pays for all of
their
educational testing (way more expensive that what we spend in the U.S.)
And, instead of buying a truck, Mrs. Maruta is founding another orphange
for
babies of women who get pregnant and give birth while they are
incarcerated.
My point is, clearly she has put herself last.
I have formed a beautiful friendship with Fatima. I wish I could share
it
all with you, but I don't know how. When I returned home I was thinking
about that darn needed truck, over and over. If you could have heard me
resisting God, you would have heard, "there is no way God...I'm not
asking
for more money". "No God, really.....i can't do it. A truck costs too
much
money." "Please God, don't ask this of me....I need an easier task". It
embarrasses me that I have waited 86 days.....but here it goes. Guess
what?
Mrs. Maruta needs a truck. Wanna help?"
YES!! I wanna help!! I don't know about YOU, but I think that CLEARLY this woman deserves her TRUCK!!! Let's all bond together and DO something about it!! Yes, truck's are expensive. I believe the total we need to raise is somewhere between $10,000 - $15,000. But Melissa has taken the first and very important step.... she has started this miracle and WE can all make it HAPPEN!! If you can give monetarily, even just $20 will help. It will all add up... OR, if you can simply just help spread the word, and PRAY! Pray for Melissa as she so humbly and faithfully follows God's nudging to help this wonderful woman. Pray for this little miracle to happen sooner rather than later. Pray for Mrs. Maruta and all those orphaned children that depend on her for basic life needs.
For up to date info on this, please check out Melissa's blog: http://www.untilthejasperwalls.blogspot.com/
I for one am so honored to be a small part of this. How COOL will it be when we receive the word from Melissa that because we all chose to jump in and help, Mrs. Maruta and all her "children" will be helped in a way that none of us can ever imagine!!
Wanna see a miracle??? I do.... Let's do it!!!
Melissa has traveled to Zimbabwe twice to help out a wonderful lady, Mrs. Fatima Maruta, who is in charge of 4 orphanages there. 3 days ago I got a letter from Melissa that just broke my heart and after reading it, I just KNEW I had to help somehow!! Here's the situation in Melissa's own words:
"When I met Mrs. Fatima Maruta this first time in December of 2008, I was
immediately impressed with her organization, the structure, the
teachings,
the love, and the health of all of her orphans. She has 4 orphanages and
is
working to establish a 5th. In the past year, she has even opened a
school...a legitimate one that is serving to properly educate all of her
orphans, as well as other local rural kids. They are very smart and
proper
in uniforms. I recall during that first visit that Mrs. Maruta mentioned
they were in desperate need of a truck for a variety of very serious
reasons. She did not ask me for a truck, she just mentioned that they
were
praying for one. I enjoyed her homes. I was blessed by her beautiful
orphaned children. And then I left. I carried the children in my hearts
with me, but not Mrs. Maruta. Not her needs.
When I returned in November of 2009, as most of you know already, I was
blessed a million ways in all of the time that I got to spend with them
again. But this time, during one of our prayers, Mrs. Maruta prayed for
a
truck again. Something pinched my heart right in that moment. An entire
year had passed and they are still praying for a truck. Not because they
want one, but because they need one. They need one because the only car
they currently have is broken down and has over 250 kilometers on it.
They
have to deliver food to all 4 orphanages which are spread out all over
the
city of Harare. They have to take dozens of kids to the clinics weekly
for
the HIV antiviral medications. Due to a nearly 1 year drought, the food
prices have skyrocketed, so Mrs. Maruta needs to travel longer distances
to
purchase foods at fairer prices. The list of the whys could really
continue
to go on and on. Instead of buying a truck, Mrs. Maruta started a
school.
Instead of buying a truck, Mrs. Maruta made sure the kids had clothes,
uniforms, school supplies, food for 3 meals, and she pays for all of
their
educational testing (way more expensive that what we spend in the U.S.)
And, instead of buying a truck, Mrs. Maruta is founding another orphange
for
babies of women who get pregnant and give birth while they are
incarcerated.
My point is, clearly she has put herself last.
I have formed a beautiful friendship with Fatima. I wish I could share
it
all with you, but I don't know how. When I returned home I was thinking
about that darn needed truck, over and over. If you could have heard me
resisting God, you would have heard, "there is no way God...I'm not
asking
for more money". "No God, really.....i can't do it. A truck costs too
much
money." "Please God, don't ask this of me....I need an easier task". It
embarrasses me that I have waited 86 days.....but here it goes. Guess
what?
Mrs. Maruta needs a truck. Wanna help?"
YES!! I wanna help!! I don't know about YOU, but I think that CLEARLY this woman deserves her TRUCK!!! Let's all bond together and DO something about it!! Yes, truck's are expensive. I believe the total we need to raise is somewhere between $10,000 - $15,000. But Melissa has taken the first and very important step.... she has started this miracle and WE can all make it HAPPEN!! If you can give monetarily, even just $20 will help. It will all add up... OR, if you can simply just help spread the word, and PRAY! Pray for Melissa as she so humbly and faithfully follows God's nudging to help this wonderful woman. Pray for this little miracle to happen sooner rather than later. Pray for Mrs. Maruta and all those orphaned children that depend on her for basic life needs.
For up to date info on this, please check out Melissa's blog: http://www.untilthejasperwalls.blogspot.com/
I for one am so honored to be a small part of this. How COOL will it be when we receive the word from Melissa that because we all chose to jump in and help, Mrs. Maruta and all her "children" will be helped in a way that none of us can ever imagine!!
Wanna see a miracle??? I do.... Let's do it!!!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
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