I’m not going to try and bore you with knowledge you already know. But, . . . No matter what you call it – the common vernacular is French – Mardi Gras. Translated to common English American, that would be Fat Tuesday. Translated to the old English / Anglican it would be Shrove Tuesday.
At any rate this is the time when we Christian’s celebrate the passing of Epiphany with another excuse to over indulge, . . . Let’s see, there’s Christmas, Easter, Supper Bowl, and Fat Tuesday. And then we become penitent. It’s a practice that dates back to the Celtic monks in Ireland sometime in the 6th Century. Most churches don’t follow the old ritual disciplines and confessions but rather choose to abstain from one or more of our many modern conveniences, for the Lenten Season. Sometimes the penance is in the form of sacrifice, perhaps tithing additionally or for some raising their giving to traditional levels of tithing. Doing without something and/or giving it to those in greater need. Some choose to only eat once every 24 hours, . . . break – fast.
As part of Christ the Servant Lutheran Church’s Lenten season, over 40 parishioners have written devotional passages. One for each of the 40 days of Lent. This project was suggested and compiled by Deaconess April Boyden. At her request, Photos by Martin was asked to illustrate the six weeks that have been themed by Pastor Eric Finsand. Each of the themes are paired with the images submitted for consideration.
To stop and think about what I do as a visual tool to communicate what God, Christ and the Holy Ghost present as my ability to be a creative crafts-person has been an exercise in devotion, contemplation and blessing. Thank you April and Peace. m.
Here’s what was submitted:
Ash Wednesday: Create in Me a Clean Heart
This Brazilian Wedding was filled with spiritual overtones -
There has never been a time when hiking that God's presence has not been felt
Week One: God Has Given and Still Preserves
Church at Chichen Itza - I know, a contradiction, and likely built from some of the Mayan ruins that surround the site proper.
A Bold Symbol among towering giants - Yes, this is the famous Old North Church, Boston Massachusetts, USA. Still visible to Beacon Hill.
Week Two: Though I Do Not Deserve It
Unfolding Beauty - Another Miracle
Without exception - every time I travel I'm overwhelmed with the beauty and grace of the Masters and we who are simply blessed
Week Three: All this . . . So That I May Be God’s Own
Natural Beauty, Strength, Praise and Health - All this is given so I can be God's Own
Sacrifice to become God's Own - Boston's Holocaust Memorial - Numbers, grouped in rectangles of six. Each number a person. Each person killed in WW II - Each to become God's Own.
Week Four: The Holy Spirit Has Called Me
We Discover New Miracles All the Time - One of Our Miracles I Love is the Gift of Flight - Sitting in a Chair 30,000 feet Above the Earth, Traveling at 600 - 700 Miles An Hour. The Spirit Calls To Me!
When you're driving East on Highway 90 out of Washington and into Idaho you run into Mission of the Sacred Heart Church. It is what makes up Old Mission State Park and National Historic Landmark. In the 1850's Antonio Ravalli enjoined the local Indians to build the current church using the wattle and daub method. The church is Idaho's oldest standing building. Aside - The wattle and daub method uses no nails.
Week Five: On the Last Day Christ Will Raise Me and All
All Will Celebrate - Those Leaving and Those Who'll Be Glad We're Gone
Michelangelo's Pietà - St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City - My eyes tear-up with the memory of experiencing the miricle of art, craft, story telling, and passion.
If you pray, pray as your God has taught you. If you don’t pray, wish humanity the goodwill we all deserve. May your Mardi Gras be joyful and your Lenten Season penitent. Peace, m.
