Lent and the Number 40

I keep coming across the number 40 this Lent. Today was another reminder. It's the feast of the 40 martyrs of Sebaste. Since I hate the winter cold, this story strikes me particularly hard. I think of the poor soul who failed to persevere and died in the warm bath. Is he in an even hotter place now? It's hard to imagine that, under such torture, a person gives full consent of the will to the evil act. I'm praying for him today. I hope he is in the company of his fellow soldiers today glorifying God.

What's the Answer to the World's Mess? Don't Ask Me!

This post was inspired by a comment about the bombing in Iran that I didn't approve for two reasons. It was too long and included multiple links. I appreciate all those who comment on the blog, but I've reached the point that I won't post comments that go on and on and include link after link. I don't have time to check all those links for one thing. Sometimes I agree with the person commenting as I mostly did with this one. Nevertheless, it went into my spam folder. 

When You're in the Desert, What Do You Do?

"THE land that was desolate and impassable shall be glad, 

and the wilderness shall rejoice, and shall flourish like the lily." Isaiah 35:1

What do you think of when you hear the word "desert?" What is its connotation for you? Dry, arid, hot, desolate, sandstorms, lonely, thirsty, wilderness....? Are there any positive associations when you think of the word?

The Bible is full of desert experiences, some good, some not so good.