We’ve just completed the first week of this year’s Lenten season. I didn’t know, until I read it in Wikipedia, that the word derives from the Old English word “lencten” meaning spring season. Here are a few things worth sharing this week:
- This Lent album that I stumbled upon by Liturgical Folk is the bomb! On constant Spotify replay right now.
- While I’m talking about music, last year I did a deep dive into the Weepies catalog. This year, I’m listening to the entire catalog of the Oh Hellos, which isn’t as long, but it’s just as good! I’m thinking there’s a subliminal connection with C.S. Lewis, since last year while reading the Ransom trilogy, I ran across the Gray Havens Blue Flower album, and this year I’ve been working through the collected essays of C S Lewis, which you can now get on Audible for 1 credit.
- Also, this Lenten season, I’m greatly edified by the Biola University Center for Christianity, Culture, and the Arts 2023 Lent Project. Their Advent Project las fall was so good and I’ve been so looking forward to this one!
- This is “Missions Conference” week at a church we attend. 30+ missionaries from around the world converge in Birmingham for a week of encouragement, presentations, and fellowship. Many of them are also raising support. So it’s interesting that I ran across this list from Ministry Watch of ministries that have a 100% Donor Confidence Score. While the list in and of itself is interesting, what I think is even more interesting and helpful is this article on how to evaluate the ministries that you donate to. In the article is a link to the actual 75 questions which strike me as a good list not only for ministries, but also for evaluating any kind of organization with a Kingdom impact mission.
- This year I’ve designated February as garden prep month on my annual project calendar (which is something I just created this year and am trying out for the first time). While prepping my raised beds and deciding what to plant in a few weeks, I ran across Grow, Cook, Eat on Amazon Prime. Granted, it’s a little cheezy, but it’s getting me pretty excited about the growing season!
- And continuing on the agricultural theme, The Pollinators is one of the best documentaries about sustainable agriculture that I’ve seen this year. Not quite as good as The Biggest Little Farm, but definitely comparable to Kiss The Ground.
- I’m re-reading Jonathan Tjark’s essay, “Does my son know you?” Jonathan, who wrote for the sports media website, The Ringer, died of metastatic Ewing’s sarcoma in September 2022 at 35. His essay is both convicting and inspiring at the same time, about the importance of community.
- Roasted my 2nd batch of espresso with my new Fresh Roast SR800. Both batches have been good so far, but I haven’t quite dialed it in yet.
