Array-ne Sure, Ben Sheets’ complete-game two-hitter was nice, but Opening Day marked the return to prominence of a much more integral piece to the Brewers franchise: Chorizo!You see, Chorizo burst on the seen last July during Klement’s Sausage Race on Cerveceros Day.
link
-ne
[PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A MENU FROM WHICH TO PICK AND CHOOSE ONE OR MORE MEDITATIONS. PLEASE DO NOT THINK YOU HAVE TO PRAY ALL OF IT. PLEASE THINK OF IT AS A BUFFET OF THE DIFFERENT FLAVORS OF CHRISTIANITY. IT IS HOPED THAT ALL WILL PRAY THE COLLECT, REFLECT ON THE DAY'S SCRIPTURES AND PRAY THE ANGLICAN CYCLE OF PRAYER. AFTER THAT, YOUR CHOICE. THANK YOU]If you would like these meditations to come directly to your in box, please click here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KnitternunMeditation/Blessed are those for whom Easter is… not a hunt, but a find; not a greeting, but a proclamation; not outward fashions, but inward grace; not a day, but an eternity.(anonymous)CollectAlmighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Today’s Scripture http://www.satucket.com/lectionary/ Psalm 102; PM Psalm 142, 143 Jer. 20:7-11; 1 Cor. 10:14-17, 11:27-32; John 17:1-11(12-26) From Forward Day by Day: http://www.forwardmovement.org/todaysreading.cfmJohn 13:1-15. Simon Peter said to him, Lord, not only my feet, but also my hands and my head!Peter and the others had expected Jesus to take the lead role as Passover celebrant, to sit at the head of the table and wait for a server to come with a pitcher of water and a towel for the ritual hand-washing. Instead, Jesus takes the role of the lowliest, foot-washing servant. Lord, youll never wash my feet!” Peter exclaims. Then Jesus says, “If I dont, youre not mine.” Impulsive Peter exclaims, “Wash all of me, Lord!”Jesus gives us a living parable: were to serve one another. What never hit me–until I heard our new parish does a foot washing service–is that Peter has something to teach us here, too. Am I horrified at getting my feet washed? Peter has nothing on me.I like serving others, being the helper. I dont like the thought of being “done to,” of needing anybodys help. I never have. Do I want a friend to wash my feet? No, thank you. Ill wash yours instead.Peter may have gotten the pride knocked out of him when the cock crowed. But he got his first lesson in humility right here, when Jesus, towel in hand, said, “Accept that you need me, or youll never be mine.Pray for love and reconciliation among all the peoples of the world. Morning Resolve, http://www.forwardmovement.org/morningresolve.cfmA Morning ResolveI will try this day to live a simple, sincere and serene life, repelling promptly every thought of discontent, anxiety, discouragement, impurity, and self-seeking; cultivating cheerfulness, magnanimity, charity, and the habit of holy silence; exercising economy in expenditure, generosity in giving, carefulness in conversation, diligence in appointed service, fidelity to every trust, and a childlike faith in God.In particular I will try to be faithful in those habits of prayer, work, study, physical exercise, eating, and sleep which I believe the Holy Spirit has shown me to be right.And as I cannot in my own strength do this, nor even with a hope of success attempt it, I look to thee, O Lord God my Father, in Jesus my Savior, and ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Today in the Anglican Cycle of Prayer we pray for Religious Communities.http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acp/index.cfm 40 Ideas for Lent: A Lenten calendar http://ship-of-fools.com/lent/index.html38. EMPTY YOUR WALLETTHURS 5 APRThe next time you see a chance to give money… the homeless guy on the corner, the tip jar at Starbucks, the pennies for the blind display at the 7-11… just dump all the contents of your wallet into the container.Lent quote: There is your brother, naked, crying, and you stand there, confused over the choice of an attractive floor covering. â St Ambrose A Celtic lenten Calendarhttp://www.oursanctuary.net/celticlent.htmlWhen the going gets toughthe tough get going.It is easy to say ‘No’to take the easy way outEasy to play safeand live to fight another day.Like Peter, who loved youwith such a passion, Lordfilled with such energyso impetuousready to speak firstand ask questions later.Except when askedif he was with you, LordExcept when his faithwas seriously challengedwhen the road to the crossbecame dangerous.You knew Peterknew the calibre of the manand what would happenbefore the cock crowed twiceBut it didn’t stop you choosing himthe rock upon whichyour Church would be built.There is comfort for us, Lordin Peter’s frailtyreassurance that your loveand confidence extendsto both strong and frailas you look to our potentialand in your love forgetour momentary weakness Carmelite.com: Reflections http://www.carmelite.com/spirituality/reflection.phpThe spirit of God, insofar as it is hidden in the veins of the soul, is like soft refreshing water which satisfies the thirst of the spirit.St John of the CrossLiving Flame, 3.8 Reading from the Desert Christians http://www.cin.org/dsrtftin.html(Abba Isidore of Pelusia) said, ‘Prize virtues and do not be the slave of glory; for the former are immortal, while the latter soon fades.’ Sayings of the Jewish Fathers (Pirqe Aboth)http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/sjf/index.htm R. Chananiah ben Thradyon said, Two that sit together without words of Thorah are a session of scorners, for it is said, Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful; but two that sit together and are occupied in words of Thorah have the Shekinah among them, for it is said, Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another. One that sits and studies, the Scripture imputes to him as if he fulfilled the whole Thorah, for it is said, He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him. Daily Meditation (Henri Nouwen) http://www.henrinouwen.org/home/free_eletters/Deeply Rooted in GodTrees that grow tall have deep roots. Great height without great depth is dangerous. The great leaders of this world - like St. Francis, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King, Jr., - were all people who could live with public notoriety, influence, and power in a humble way because of their deep spiritual rootedness.Without deep roots we easily let others determine who we are. But as we cling to our popularity, we may lose our true sense of self. Our clinging to the opinion of others reveals how superficial we are. We have little to stand on. We have to be kept alive by adulation and praise. Those who are deeply rooted in the love of God can enjoy human praise without being attached to it. The Almost Daily eMo from GeraniumFarm.orgMAUNDY THURSDAYOn this night of Jesus’ last supper with his friends, he instituted what we would come to call the Holy Eucharist and also washed the disciples’ feet, as if he were not their master, but their servant. These things, he said, were dramatic examples of a new commandment, that we should love one another as he has loved us. Unstinting. Self-giving.But isn’t that an old commandment? Don’t we already know something about it? You are up in the night again with a sick child — not the sick child you were up with last night, but her sister. The family is passing the same germ from person to person, and you yourself feel heachache-y and a bit limp as you set up the vaporizer in her room and prop an extra pillow behind her, so she’s all but sitting up. You sit down on the floor by the bed, rub some eucalyptus on her chest and a little on your own, and then you pull an extra tee shirt over her head and her pajama top over that. She takes another drink of water and asks you to sing Shadabee. It’s three in the morning, but you rest your head on her mattress and quietly begin to sing the nonsense syllables your mother set to the tune Long, Long Ago. Just a few rounds is all it takes; your little one’s cough quiets down and she is asleep. You pad back to bed and pull the covers up to your chin. You drift back to sleep, smelling the eucalyptus.Your wife wakes you in the night. She calls for her mother first, and then for you; her mother has been dead for thirty years. Your wife has soiled herself again; she is weeping tears of shame. She tells you she is sorry several times, and you tell her it’s okay. You weren’t a dad who managed dirty diapers very well back when your kids were little, but you are different now. You get up and turn on the lamp. You go to the bathroom for the washbasin and fill it water and with a squirt of the special soap the nurse gave you. You get two more quilted pads out of the closet, and a clean towel. Expertly, you lift your wife’s legs, slide the soiled pad out and one of the clean pads under, and begin to wash her. Then you pat her dry with the towel; and finally you change pads again. You move the lamp a little closer to look for sores, as the nurse taught you to do, and there aren’t any, which is good. You carry the soiled pad to the bathroom and rinse it in the tub so you don’t have to deal with it in the morning. You lie back down and fall asleep immediately, because you are really tired, but not before you wonder for the thousandth time how much longer you’re going to be able to keep this up. If it doesn’t get any worse than this, you think, I’ll be all right. But it’s going to get worse than this. Just when, is the question. You decide to think about that tomorrow.Love transforms service, teaching us that there’s no such thing as a menial task. Love teaches us that, if nothing is beneath us, nothing will be beyond us. Love remains with us after our unstinting efforts have all failed — it doesn’t conquer all, as the old saying goes, but it bears all things without turning away from any of them.Copyright © 2007 Barbara Crafton - http://www.geraniumfarm.org From the Principles of the Third Society of St. Francis:Day Five - The First Aim of the OrderTo make our Lord known and loved everywhere.The Order is founded on the conviction that Jesus Christ is the perfect revelation of God; that true life has been made available to us through his Incarnation and Ministry, by his Cross and Resurrection, and by the sending of his Holy Spirit. The Order believes that it is the commission of the church to make the gospel known to all, and therefore accepts the duty of bringing others to know Christ, and of praying and working for the coming of the of the Kingdom of God. Upper Room Daily Reflection http://www.upperroom.org/reflections/IN THE PASSOVER MEAL we have come to call the Last Supper, Jesus chooses to share himself â his very body and blood â with his dearest friends. Christ gives not only bread and wine to his disciples present in that moment, but he also gives them a ritual of remembrance. ⦠His intimate, self-giving gesture meant they had something to hold on to, something they could touch and taste, something to keep Christ close. In the Last Supper, Jesus gives the gift of himself not only in that moment but for all generations to come, promising his intimate presence to all who reenact this supper.- Sarah ParsonsA Clearing SeasonFrom pages 80-81 of A Clearing Season by Sarah Parsons. Copyright © 2006 by Sarah Parsons. Richard Rohr’s Daily Reflectionhttp://cacradicalgrace.org/getconnected/getconnected_index.htmlThe Breaking of the Bread There’s no real story of the Last supper in the Gospel of John as we find it in the other Gospels. There is no passing of the bread or passing of the cup. Instead we come upon the story of Jesus on his knees washing the Apostles’ feet. Perhaps John realized that after seventy years the other Gospels had been read. He wanted to give a theology of the Eucharist that revealed the meaning behind the breaking the bread. Peter symbolizes all of us as he protests, You will never wash my feet! (John 13:8). But Jesus answers, If I do not wash you, you can have nothing in common with me. Sometimes we think we are being heroic in no letting God love us. We want to do the loving thing ourselves. Yet only when Peter capitulates and allows Jesus to minister to him does he experience the meaning of Jesus. He has to let Jesus get down before him as a servant. John is saying Jesus wants to do that for all of us. Eucharist is John’s Gospel is not ritual or liturgy but suffering service.from The Great Themes of Scripture From John E. Rotelle, O.S.A., Tradition Day by Day: Readings from Church Writers. Augustinian Press. Villanova, PA, 1994.http://www.artsci.villanova.edu/dsteelman/tradition/sources.htmI am your forgivenessAlthough he was the Lord, Christ clothed himself in human nature. He suffered for the sake of those who suffer, he was bound for those in bonds, condemned for the guilty, buried for those who lie in the grave; but he rose from the dead, and cried aloud: Who will contend with me? Let him confront me. I have freed the condemned, brought the dead back to life, raised those who were buried. Who has anything to say against me? I, he said, am the Christ; I have destroyed death, triumphed over the enemy, trampled hell underfoot, bound the strong one, and snatched human beings up to the heights of heaven: I am the Christ.Come, then, people of every nation, receive forgiveness for the sins that defile you. I am your forgiveness. I am the Passover that brings salvation. I am the lamb who was immolated for you. I am your ransom, your life, your resurrection, your light, I am your salvation and your king. I will lead you to the heights of heaven. I will show you the eternal Father. With my right hand I will raise you up.Melito of Sardis, (~190) was a highly respected bishop of that church in Lydia, and a prolific writer. Daily Readings From My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambershttp://www.myutmost.org/HIS AGONY AND OUR FELLOWSHIP Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, tarry ye here, and watch with Me. Matthew 26:36, 38We can never fathom the agony in Gethsemane, but at least we need not misunderstand it. It is the agony of God and Man in one, face to face with sin. We know nothing about Gethsemane in personal experience. Gethsemane and Calvary stand for something unique; they are the gateway into Life for us.It was not the death on the cross that Jesus feared in Gethsemane; He stated most emphatically that He came on purpose to die. In Gethsemane He feared lest He might not get through as Son of Man. He would get through as Son of God - Satan could not touch Him there; but Satan’s onslaught was that He would get through as an isolated Figure only; and that would mean that He could be no Saviour. Read the record of the agony in the light of the temptation: Then the devil leaveth Him for a season. In Gethsemane Satan came back and was again overthrown. Satan’s final onslaught against our Lord as Son of Man is in Gethsemane.The agony in Gethsemane is the agony of the Son of God in fulfilling His destiny as the Saviour of the world. The veil is drawn aside to reveal all it cost Him to make it possible for us to become sons of God. His agony is the basis of the simplicity of our salvation. The Cross of Christ is a triumph for the Son of Man. It was not only a sign that Our Lord had triumphed, but that He had triumphed to save the human race. Every human being can get through into the presence of God now because of what the Son of Man went through. Today’s reading from the Rule of St. Benedict http://www.osb.org/rb/Chapter 53: On the Reception of Guests Let there be a separate kitchen for the Abbot and guests, that the brethren may not be disturbed when guests, who are never lacking in a monastery, arrive at irregular hours. Let two brethren capable of filling the office well be appointed for a year to have charge of this kitchen. Let them be given such help as they need, that they may serve without murmuring. And on the other hand, when they have less to occupy them, let them go out to whatever work is assigned them. And not only in their case but in all the offices of the monastery let this arrangement be observed, that when help is needed it be supplied, and again when the workers are unoccupied they do whatever they are bidden. The guest house also shall be assigned to a brother whose soul is possessed by the fear of God. Let there be a sufficient number of beds made up in it; and let the house of God be managed by prudent men and in a prudent manner. On no account shall anyone who is not so ordered associate or converse with guests. But if he should meet them or see them, let him greet them humbly, as we have said, ask their blessing and pass on, saying that he is not allowed to converse with a guest. Commentary: http://www.eriebenedictines.org/Pages/INSPIRATION/insights.htmlWith the fall of the Roman Empire, travel through Europe on unguarded and unkept roads through hostile territory and at the prey of marauding bands became both difficult and dangerous. Benedictine monasteries became the hospice system of Europe. There, anyone was received at any time. Rich and poor alike were accepted as equals and given the same service: food, bedding, immediate attention day or night. Yet, so that the monastery could remain a monastery in the midst of a steadily growing need for this monastic service, a special kitchen and special workers were assigned to provide the necessary care. It’s an important addition to a chapter that could otherwise be read to mean that the monastic life itself was at the mercy of meandering peasants. The fact is that we all have to learn to provide for others while maintaining the values and structures, the balance and depth, of our own lives. The community that is to greet the guest is not to barter its own identity in the name of the guest. On the contrary, if we become less than we must be then we will be no gift for the guest at all. Parents must parent and all the good work in the world will not substitute for that. Wives and husbands must be present to the other and all the needs in the world will not forgive that. Balance and order and prayer in the life of those who practice Benedictine spirituality is key to being a genuine support in the lives of others. Somehow we must take on the needs of the world with a humble heart. As Hale said, I cannot do everything but I can do something and what I can do I will do, so help me God. Church Fathers Lenten Reading PlanRead Excerpts from the Church Fathers during Lenthttp://www.churchyear.net/lentfathers.html St. Leo the Great: Sermon XXI (On the Feast of the Nativity I): complete Great and Holy Thursday, April 5, 2007 Wine & OilVen. Theodora of Thessalonika6th Hour: Isaiah 50:4-11 Epistle: 1 Corinthians 11:23-32Gospel: St. Matthew 26:2-27:2To Follow to Salvation: Isaiah 50:4-11 LXX, especially vs. 10: Who isamong you that fears the Lord. Let him hearken to the voice of HisServant: you that walk in darkness, and have no light, trust in the Nameof the Lord, and stay upon God. The well-read Christian who knows theFaith and reads this passage will hear the account of the Passion of ourSavior, the Lord Jesus Christ. The words fire devotion. We are amazedat the foresight of the Prophet. In this vein, St. Nikolai of Zicaencourages us to examine, my brethren, how exact this prophecy is, wordfor word. Examine with amazement how the discerning man of God foresawthrough the barrier of several hundred years more clearly than theordinary eye sees the clear bottom in shallow water. Yes, the Prophettruly was used of God to foretell what would be.However, after further reflection, Isaiah’s words prompt the obedientson to go into the vineyard, himself and labor for his salvation as theFather has bidden (Mt. 21:29). Thus, let us read Isaiah’s words, grasphow the Lord Jesus obeyed, and follow Him. He turned not away [His]face from the shame….but set [His] face as a solid rock(Is. 50:6,7).The Holy Fathers, being good teachers and pastors, valued applicationmost of all. Let us likewise learn from our Lord and follow in faith,not merely observing Christ’s saving acts as an awesome Divine gift, butfollowing Him in His Passion and taking up our own cross.The first two verses of the lesson reveal the inner mindfulness of theLord Jesus during the Passion. St. Justin Martyr observed about theMaster that always before He had confuted the Pharisees and scribes, butin the Passion He kept silence, and chose to return no answer to anyone in the presence of Pilate…. What was the reason for Hissilence? Was Christ silent to prove that Isaiah was a true Prophet? Ofcourse not! The Lord Jesus challenges us to seek composure in Him. AsSt. Ambrose says, How many have I seen fall into sin by speaking, butscarcely one by keeping silent
link
-ne Neuroscientists have found that brain cells fire not just upon action, but immediately upon formation of an intention. You can use them for your yoga practice: pick a gem at random for your focus, pick one before you walk a labyrinth, or meditate, etc. This next box is at Yoga East: Sharon Cameron and I will be doing an Intention workshop next Saturday at Yoga East. We’ll be doing a meditation and then a make-and-take Intention Gems (just the gems, not the box).
link
-ne Thursday- 6 miles- 46minFri-AM- 4miles- 33min easyPM- 4miles- easy with 6 x stridersWell technology can be a great thing. Tonight I attempted to download my first songs off ITunes….despite having owned an IPOD for a year now I never had downloaded anything…..just listened to my own CD’s I burned onto my computer hardrive. It did take about an hour per song to download but I now have (and am listening to on the run) the great album: Depeche Mode Remixes 81-04
link
Seemed to be a fun time! I had fun talking to the other mommies, anyway. 
We then went and bought Easter basket goodies. I had SO much fun picking out the goodies. So, I bought little fun goodies as well. I got him a coloring book, a board book, a new tooth brush a package of teddy grahams and a few eggs filled with pennies (he likes pennies…lol).
link
I would love to have a list like this written by my grandmas or mom. I love country music and it often makes me cry. I went to BYU for six years and loved it.11. Now I want to be an orthodontist or make wedding cakes.16. I love to sing loudly in the car, including the echoes and back-ups.19. I would LOVE to be a dancer in MJ’s THRILLER video.20. I wanted to be younger than that, but now I think that was a good age. I don’t think marriage is hard, but I think it’s important to make it your first priority.30. I love holidays and decorating for them.32. I feel an obligation to make sure there is flowing conversation in every group I’m in.37. I often make a buffoon of myself trying to keep the conversation flowing and go home regretting. I love America very much.39. I knew I would have a son first and I wanted it that way.47. I love laughing my guts out.52. I love creative projects like Halloween costumes, gingerbread houses, and the like. I am in love with being a mom. Moving to California was a hard adjustment for me, but I am happy here now.55. The thing I love the most about my husband is that he is kind. They are my worst fear besides losing a loved one.62. I love memories of my childhood and high school and college and law school.64. I hardly ever make the bed.67. I love girlfriends and don’t understand girls who only want to be friends with guys.72. Having Charlie has made me a more loving and compassionate human.75. I fell in love with poetry in my AP English class senior year but my literature now usually consists of People and In Touch.76. I enjoy simple scrapbooking and am making Charlie a baby book. I love Mexican food. When Tyler retires, I want to take trips to orphanages and hold babies.89. I have a hard time being completely honest when I think it will hurt someone or make things unnecessarily complicated.97. I fell in and out of love easily before I met Tyler and often imagined weddings after first dates.99. I knew I wanted to marry Tyler right away, and married him within 6 months of our first date.100. I enjoy stuff like making this list and would love to read yours.
link
Read the rest of this entry »