lent is upon us...

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday... Morgen ist Aschermittwoch.

First, I gotta' say, I had the best of intentions to collect thoughts/prayers/questions that would follow the journey through the Church calendar this year, beginning of course with Advent, but that didn't happen for one reason or another.

So now Lent is upon us, and really, this is still a fitting time to begin sharing the journey. A new season. Lent means "spring". And there are a few small signs -- little reminders of spring's inevitable return -- popping up around this new place that I'm calling "home" for the next six months. Little yellow buds are curiously poking their heads through the patch of soil that I pass each day on my walk to and from work -- and when I walk by, I just smile to myself. Literally. I can't help but smile when I see the new growth each day. It's like this little secret I share with the earth... something to treasure when the signs of winter are much more obvious than those of spring. Even when the snow comes, and it does grace us a few days each week, those little buds (pun intended) keep at it.

And Lent, too, is about growth.
A commitment to growth, even? Yes, I suppose so.

So let us journey together... and grow into spring.

Please share your thoughts on here too... let's make it a true dialogue for the next 40 days.

walking the streets

More and more, the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water, and be known as someone who wants to live with them. It is a privilege to have the time to practice this simple ministry of presence. Still, it is not as simple as it seems.

My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my time is taken up by meetings, conferences, study groups, and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets. It is difficult not to have plans, not to organize people around an urgent cause, and not to feel that you are working directly for social progress.

But I wonder more and more if the first thing shouldn’t be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them, but truly love them.

-- Henri Nouwen
(taken from Missional Church Network)

lavatory-lovestory

Alles Liebe zum Valentinstag...

The Deutsch greeting for Valentine's Day is so much better (yes, better) than the English greeting on this day. It basically translates to, "All love at Valentine's Day". Nice, huh? I sure like it.

I've been in Europe for over two weeks now (photos & posts concerning both Taize and Büsingen are pending... I need to get on that), and it feels like home. It really does; I'm not just saying that. A new home for the next six months... It feels pretty natural to be here, but at the same time, I have to remind myself that I'm actually living here – and not just passing through.

For those who have traveled a bit in Europe (henceforth to be referred to as Europa -- the Deutsch spelling) you've no doubt experienced the "pay to pee" policy in public restrooms.

It often costs a couple Euros to use the facilities -- especially at big train stations and various tourists’ attractions. So, you always have to be prepared... because when you gotta' go, you gotta' go. Am I right? While you might think this is an absurd policy, think again.

In most of Europa, higher education is virtually free or close to free. While traveling in Deutschland this past summer, a friend asked me, "Would you rather pay for your entire college education or have to pay to use the toilet now and then?" Umm, yeah. That's not a hard question for me; no deliberating there -- especially as student loans are already staring me down and will be for the next 10 years... eek. I opt to paying for die Toilette.

So, in honor of both love and lavatories today, I present my new favorite short film for your viewing pleasure. It's a Russian film (by Konstantin Bronzit), but not to worry -- there's no dialogue. Instead it uses all non-verbals to convey the story, quite brilliantly actually. Also, take note, Lavotory Lovestory is in the running for an Oscar right now (in the Short Film category). The Academy Awards are on February 22nd -- one week away. There are a lot of good short films this year (nytimes: Oscar Shorts, Low-Hype and Sweet), but I think I'll be rooting for this one.

You can't help but smile... It is simply de-lightful.



All love to you and yours today!
{Because pouting on Valentine's Day is soo overrated. Get over it (this is me talking to myself); celebrate life; and love people. But, remember, you (still talking to myself) should celebrate life and love people every day of the year... I guess we might as well emphasize the fact of the matter today though. Right? Sure; why not.} ♥