CALM - starting again

As I was "taking inventory" mid-year, I noticed that I have not shared many blog posts about my 2024 One Word ...

...so it may look like my FOCUS is on every other One Word instead of CALM. Yet with each FOCUS One Word, I still SEEK CALM (after all I have a beautiful night time book, actually a few now, but the main one or nightly one is * "Jesus, CALM my Heart" for this entire year) more than anything. And, I particularly noticed this during that mid-year (July) inventory because I was, as I often am, in the midst of chaos, or anything but a CALM place, except when I enter His Word or His Presence, especially in peaceful worship - the moments I step out of the reality surrounding my life and so many dear ones; until I enter time of prayer, mostly intercession time, and it's then I decided I need more PRAISE time and moments of ADORATION; sometimes just moments outside bring me this, if I am able to leave behind those "troubles" - until like this past week, one of God's creations outdoors (an aggressive one) stings me not once but a few times from a ground nest I mowed over tall grass there, later I find out that once again I was a victim of some yellow jackets. Very painful stings. CALM was the furthest thing from my life at that time, both in doors and outdoors, but within and inside of me, God reminds me of the CALM He can bring to me. 

I turn to my *yearly book and some of the others to find CALM, to "Trade my Cares for Calm", at least with much hope that I can - and I lay down, opening to Chapter 4 in another book, seeking His CALM, with "Keep Calm and Make a Plan" (well, I was too far from that at this point in time) and my, oh, my - this is the half-way mark of 2024) maybe I should try another book; "Less Fret, More Faith" - now that's more like it. But then I remember one of my very favorite somewhat older books, that I frequent often - but clearly not often enough but Julie Gillies only shares 100 "Prayers to Calm ..." (I won't even finish the words of her title because I just don't want to accept that my heart is a------, that word that I fight keeping out of my vocabulary, if and whenever possible). But it's a heartbreaking reality, for me and more than 40 million adults in the United States. I try my best to deny that I wrestle with this, but something truly must be keeping me awake on & off through the nights. Julie's book opens with this startling fact or stat in the Invitation of her book as she calmly bids us "to pause, to breathe, and let our hearts rest in God's CALMING Presence."  My denial just isn't helpful, even if I just try to re-word and use the words that restate this as "I'm just very concerned". 

So I have decided to restart Julie's book, with the first devotional of "Unshaken" and the scripture base for this devotion is Psalm 16:8 (which has come up quite a few times in 2024).

Julie uses the NLT version but I choose to share 2 other versions (neither one uses the word CALM, nor Unshaken) yet I sense God's CALM just reading and re-reading these words:

Because I set you, YAHWEH, always close to me, my confidence will never be weakened, for I experience your wraparound presence every moment. Psalm 16:8 TPT

He is ever present with me; at all times He goes before me. I will not live in fear or abandon my calling because He stands at my right hand.  Psalm 16:8 Voice

I guess I took "taking inventory" too seriously because now I am back with my regular procedure of starting with a definition of the One Word or the WORD, (which I don't think I ever did for my 2024 One Word yet)so it's way overdue:
CALM
according to Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
that Bible Hub uses

"1. (n.) Freedom from motion, agitation, or disturbance; a cessation or absence of that which causes motion or disturbance, as of winds or waves; tranquility; stillness; quiet; serenity. 2. (n.) To make calm; to render still or quiet, as elements; as, to calm the winds. 3. (n.) To deliver from agitation or excitement; to still or soothe, as the mind or passions. 4. (super.) Not stormy; without motion, as of winds or waves; still; quiet; serene; undisturbed. 5. (super.) Undisturbed by passion or emotion; not agitated or excited; tranquil; quiet in act or speech. "

then my next step is to do a Search for my One Word: CALM
{of course, Bible Hub shares verses; but my other dependable source gives various versions}
Verses that contain CALM(229) but that includes variations of CALM, like calmed, calms, calmly, etc.
[I'm not able to link to their site, or app because it just takes you to search of any word only]
180 of the 229 verses are found in the Old Testament (OT)
and
only 49 of the 229 verses are from the New Testament (NT)
I will work my way backwards with sharing these verses starting with:
Revelation 1:4 AMP
John, to the seven churches that are in [the province of] Asia: Grace [be granted] to you and peace [inner CALM and spiritual well-being], from Him Who is [existing forever] and Who was [continually existing in the past] and Who is to come, and from the seven Spirits that are before His throne ...
After having completed a PAUSE (YV) plan on PEACE, I find it soothing to see that the Amplified "amplifies"PEACEas "inner CALM" and "spiritual well-being"
{which really explains much for me, about my personal lack}
It's no wonder that God spoke the One Word
CALM
for me for 2024
associated
with inner and spiritual well-being
without even looking at my outward fears and insecurities
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Since I have done One blog post now for the entire month of August, that publishes at 6 pm Sunday evenings for the entire week, I have reserved that time space for FOCUS. I was thinking that I might consider doing another blog post (if inspired) on the One Word FOCUS later in the week, however I may choose to use this time or Sat. possibly to FOCUS on my 2024 One Word CALM. But I don't want a post on Sat. followed by another on Sun. so don't be surprised if the rest of this year, I begin to share more on CALM and only one on FOCUS (unless I do a midweek blog post on our FOCUS One Word and just a reminder on Sun. of what the One Word is for that Week - linked to the monthly one. As you can tell, I'm shaking up my regular routine a bit of publishing blog posts on Sunday, when my original thought on one monthly post was for lack of time because "life" is limiting my time more but hopefully that will end sooner than later and seriously, I need this blogging time more as a therapeutic place for me; sometimes more than a place for you, the reader. However, I hope that somewhere in my blog posts that the Jesus, I know and love, shines into your own life with some encouragement or inspiration or you find some part that connects to you in your own life. With my shift to CALM (in addition to the 4 FOCUS One Words), I'm hoping that whatever your situation that some of the CALM in my chaos will help you find more CALM. 

In one of the blog posts this year (or possibly 2 blog posts) I shared the acronym that Max Lucado has coined for C.A.L.M. and I'll share it again as a reminder from Philippians 4:4-8

CELEBRATE

(Celebrate God's Goodness, v.4)

ASK

(Ask God for help, v.6)

LEAVE

(Leave your concerns, v.6)

{I think I've gotten to this place often, but you know ... what happens}

Meditate

(Meditate on good things, v.8 NCV)

"Dear Lord, You spoke to storms. (Many of the verses of the gospels & Psalms  that contain CALM are about Jesus & the "storm" with His disciples) Would you speak to ours? You calmed the hearts of the apostles. Would you CALM the chaos within us? You told them to fear not. Say the same to us. We are worry, battered and belittled by the gales of life. Oh, Prince of Peace, bequeath to us a spirit of CALM. ... " Max Lucado ... As I continue to SEEK and search for CALM, "will you turn a new leaf in my life" ...through the pages in my CALM books. "Quench" any sign of "anxiety" in me. "Stir courage. Let us know less fret and more faith. In Your name, I pray. Amen [Less Fret, More Faith - an 11 week action plan to overcome anxiety]

Help me Lord
CALM MY HEART
to fret less and find more faith
in me to deal with life
each day.
I will Celebrate You & Your Goodness,
I will Ask You for help as I start my day and end each night
(or when I'm awakened)
I will really learn to Leave my concerns with You
and Your more than capable hands
as I continue to
Meditate on good things
(and look for a good thing in each day)
to give You thanks & more Praise
for in Your Presence
I soak in the
PEACE
and
cling to You
and Your soothing inner
CALM
as I 
SEEK
MORE of YOU
in me
a spiritual well-being
that
I need, Jesus!
Thank You!

C.A.L.M.

I try to do another blog post each week on the One Word or at least think about it by today, but CLARITY has not given me anything more, so as I enjoy the Peace and CALM of today - in  many ways, I am beginning another one of my books on my 2024 One Word {I bet you thought I had forgotten it, or changed it to FOCUS, but it's still CALM} and for the month of June, the plan is another PAUSE for 30 days of Peace this time with a YV plan. But for today, I will be starting to

TRADE (MY) CARES FOR

CALM

(the word in parenthesis is actually 'your' in the title of the book)

by

Max Lucado

I can't believe that I've had this book (a real book) and have not even begun it, and half the year is just about over. It has 10 Chapters with beautiful scenic pictures and of course, the wisdom and gift of words of Max Lucado never disappoints, yet always teaches us with a unique wit and wonderful woven tales with scriptural insights and even includes short journaling pages. I wanted to jump ahead to Chapter 8 "Catch CALM" but I will pace myself and stay with the chapters in order. It's a good thing I did ... because after the Introduction, Chapter One clearly sets the tone (premise) which includes an acronym with "5 verses and 4 admonitions that lead to one wonderful promise: "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts & minds" (Philippians 4:7)" that acronym is C.A.L.M.

C - Celebrate God's Goodness (Philippians 4:4)  A - Ask God for help (Philippians 4:6)  L - Leave your concerns with Him (Philippians 4:6)  M- Meditate on good things (Philippians 4:8)

As you can tell the main focus is found in the book of
PhilippiansChapter 4 - verses 4-8
I've always known the book of Philippians main theme to be JOY
and with this, I will add Peace and CALM
In fact, this part was included under "God's Words of Peace"
{and skimming through each chapter, I notice there's a section of"God's Words ..." on something for each}
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I noticed on Amazon that an excerpt of the book is included of Chapter 1 (although you are missing out on the beauty of each page, you will catch a glimpse of the wonderful content and also all the chapters are listed there). Part of the book description reads, as follows:

"Bestselling author Max Lucado understands what it's like to feel overwhelmed by anxiety. In Trade Your Cares for Calm, you'll learn how to: Exchange your burdens for an abundance of mercy, gratitude, and trust Replace striving and stress with a faith-filled life, so you can see God's goodness Feel calm in chaos and find peace through prayer Make faith, not fear, your default reaction to circumstances Imagine being able to walk away from worry, conquer the need to control, get rid of guilty, and end if-only thinking." Trade Your Cares for Calm

When I ordered my copy of this book, I didn't need to know any more than that it was written by one of my favorite authors, Max Lucado; and had my One Word: CALMso to find this out and how beautiful this little treasure isI'm all set to "trade" my cares, chaos, and control for God's "Calm"
and it starts today
(*well, maybe - kinda)

Hope you can see these COPING STRATEGIES (I sure need to cope with hope) [if you click on the image I think it becomes larger]
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* I just heard some news on the weather and tornado in Iowaso this is why the hesitation of "maybe" and "kinda"because that report makes me concernedfor some people traveling through that way,when here I thought I was in the clear
JUST
need some more of
God's CLARITY 
and 
leave the worries, etc. in God's hands
He IS in control!
so
"Why Should I Worry or Fret"
but please
🙏
pray still for 
the people in Iowa & other states hitby these powerful tornadoes
devastating & destroyingcommunities
so hard to findCALMin the destruction of astorm
🙏🏼

CHOOSE "CALM" No Matter ...

Sometimes it's not a Choice
(*it's "mind over matter")
but for me in
2024

[image credit]

it's suppose to be my 
One Word

{*oh, no - I used another idiomatic expression, but I will refrain from going off on that tangent}

By now, it might look as if my 2024 One Word is FOCUS, or maybe some other One Word that you have seen often in my blog posts since 2024 began and not so much the One Word CALM. But behind the scenes, I still am seeking CALM, as my One Word. God has really placed CALM as my center FOCUS, and yet as I FOCUS on all the other One Words for each week, or the ones for "Pauses"; I decide to CHOOSE "CALM"; if only it was that easy. That is the same premise that I started with here today and also the other day, however, I am sure that for quite some time I have been choosing "CALM" yet have failed to find it (like other things, too). I know (in my mind & especially my heart) that choosing "CALM" over chaos would be most people's choice, as well as "serenity over stress" and "peace over perfection". I especially like "grace over grit"! But "faith over fear" is really good for many of us too. 

[Sad to say, I did not know Mary Davis when I used her image quote; but when I looked her up, I was a bit hesitant about using her quote. There's good, and not so good in what I discovered, so I'm not endorsing her, but that doesn't mean her thoughts (the quote) are not good & true. If you have a part in Special Olympics, then the good outshines some of the rest. Right?]

My purpose of this post is not the quote, nor the idiomatic expression of "mind over matter", but to begin to share some of my journey into CALM as my One Word. So let's start.

As always, I have to start out with the definition of CALM:

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary: 1. (n.) Freedom from motion, agitation, or disturbance; a cessation or absence of that which causes motion or disturbance, as of winds or waves; tranquility; stillness; quiet; serenity. 2. (n.) To make calm; to render still or quiet, as elements; as, to calm the winds. 3. (n.) To deliver from agitation or excitement; to still or soothe, as the mind or passions. 4. (super.) Not stormy; without motion, as of winds or waves; still; quiet; serene; undisturbed. 5. (super.) Undisturbed by passion or emotion; not agitated or excited; tranquil; quiet in act or speech.

I also enjoy beginning by looking at the Greek and Hebrew words for CALM, but I'll wait until I have a verse with it & check out Strong's then so my next part of my search is looking at the words in the Thesaurus (a synonym dictionary, list of similar words). The list includes: 18 occurrences of CALM in the Bible; Quiet (167 occurrences); waves; lull; still; tranquil; placid; serene; peaceful; hushed; harmonious; untroubled; mild; soothing; ... there's many more given.

Of course, there are many 'worldly' ways to become a calm person, so I looked specifically for Christian ways, which you need to do these days but still be cautious. I also have my own collection of Christian books: one in particular gifted to me from a wonderful sister in Christ 💚 last year: "Jesus, CALM My Heart" to last me all 365 (Nights) {although many seem to be for another person, I find them helpful to direct me toward God before going to sleep} and after doing other YV plans; I got some others too, but last year, I began with Wendy Blight's "Rest for Your Soul". Another one I began this year with was "Sleep Psalms"(also a sample of 14 days in YV). My most recent acquisition is "Give it to God and Go to Bed" after completing the 5 day sample by Laura Harris Smith on You Version (YV), and along with her videos that go with her book (and this has many other products available on amazon from pillows to signs to canvas wall art and even a bedside cross). All of those showed up before I could get to the book. Clearly too many of us have much "to give to God" so we can go to sleep. I also have books by Max Lucado like "Calm Moments..."; "Less Fret ..."; "Anxious ... Calm in a Chaotic"; etc. Another favorite is by Julie K. Gillies, "Prayers to Calm Your Anxious Heart" (sample at YV of 5 days of Heart-Calming Prayer)!💙💙💙 I highly recommend all of these books!

So even though, it might seem that I'm FOCUSed on many other One Words, I am still pursuing my One Word of CALM for 2024. In the background, I really am "surrounding myself (or at least trying to) with more positive influence" which for me means "quiet time with God" morning & night and often times throughout my day & night, seeking to center myself in the CALM that God intends us to have in our lives. A Bible boost can do so much, so filling myself up with uplifting verses from Scriptures, and having them around you in your living environment (such as the products above in wall decor or even simple bookmarks can help). But my most helpful so far, has been to listen to Christian or instrumental music, whenever and wherever I can. 

I will save my Scripture verses for other blog posts except for the 7 following verses to "CALM an anxious heart" starting out with my life verse since the 90s and in my order of 'go-to':

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

"Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 (VOICE)

" So don’t be afraid. I am here, with you;         don’t be dismayed, for I am your God.     I will strengthen you, help you.         I am here with My right hand to make right and to hold you up. " Isaiah 41:10 (VOICE)

"Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours] " Philippians 4:6-7 (AMP)

"I leave the gift of peace with you—my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts—instead, be courageous! " John 14:27 (TPT)

"The Lord is my light and my salvation—     so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,     so why should I tremble? " Psalm 27:1 (NLT)

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart     and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him,     and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

These are mainstay Bible verses to CALM our hearts, but they are notOne Word verses with the One Word: CALM like this:
Psalm 131:2"Instead I have kept my soul CALM and quiet ..."(God's Word Translation)
More will be in future blog posts on CALM. 
But meanwhile,
I want to end with at least one good devotion to go read:
"Learning to CALM and Quiet Your Soul"
by Sarah J. Hauser
Proverbs 31 Ministries

[image credit]

[I went to P31 looking for one by Lysa T. because I had just read one, but this is what I chose]
I was hoping her new book might be & actually I wish that the title was:
CALM Mind, Peaceful Heart
but
it's actually
"Clear Mind, Peaceful Heart"
(perhaps having a clear mind will cause us to be calm, remain calm & live calm)
Today, I CHOOSE 
CALM
Jesus' CALM, no matter what ...
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As I look at the date I chose to publish this before the CHOOSE week is over, I find that it is my older brother's birthday. He would be 75, if he didn't depart from here last August 2023. I still CHOOSE CALM as I remember him today.

[Blog post 3,400]

STILL UNSURE of my ONE WORD for 2024

* "Trade Your Cares for Calm" (2017)
{... that's what I'd like to do (if it was 2022)}
Instead I'll be
CALM
MORE

in 2024
but also I'm thinking that I'm 
Called to be in His
 PRESENCE
MORE in '24
so it looks like
God would like to CALM me in His PRESENCE
but which One Word should I focus on?
CALM or PRESENCE 
or 
perhaps there's another ONE God's speaking and 
I'm just not HEARING Him right
Anyways, I really do hope to "trade my cares for CALM"

When we love others, we know we belong to the truth, and we feel at ease in the Presence of God. 1 John 3:19 CEV the LORD, your God, is in the midst of you, a Mighty One who will save. He will rejoice over you with joy.  He will CALM you in His love. He will rejoice over you with singing Zephaniah 3:17 WEB

[in Zephaniah 3:17 NLT says "CALM all your fears"]
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I recall when I read the following wordsin "THE CALM" - a short 3 day reading plan,that one word CALM just continued to reverberate in my heart & mind 

"...Can we learn to find calm by faith amidst the waves of sin and the storms of emotion within our hearts? It may seem impossible, but there is hope, and there is comfort to be found. First, know that you are not alone and that this is not any surprise to your Lord. He is with you in it all, and He loves you. Second, know that you are not a failure in His sight because you struggle with this. It is an age-old challenge for all of God's people. Even the great. The Lord told Joshua, a valiant leader in Israel who followed the Lord fully, to not be afraid. Finally, remember that with Christ nothing is impossible. He is able. When we understand that we are weak and learn how to look to Christ and cling to Him, we will begin to experience Christ as our calm." "... We must keep our minds fixed on the truth of God's Word. When we do, we will begin to experience the calm of Christ."~Thistlebend

I thought that I was sure this was the Word for me!
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Earlier in 2023, I had read and participated in the best online Bible study of Wendy Blight's newest book, "Rest for Your Soul" and I benefited greatly from the beginning to the end, but even now I go back and reread so many parts & her prayers, making them mine. Through her writings, we joined in a spiritual journey in learning three holy habits ("spiritual disciplines") of solitude, silence and prayer. Without detailing all the wonderful help this excellent teaching of Wendy's does for the reader (me & others), let me just recommend this book highly! So, I was thinking either Rest or Peace might be possible choices for me, but I already had done Peace for a One Word (in 2013) and Rest is beautiful yet at this point, far from reality in my life (maybe some year soon). However, reading "Rest for Your Soul" certainly did bring my soul some much needed rest. It just didn't seem right for me as my One Word, especially since 2023 was filled with too many "rest in peace" for people close that I knew and loved dearly. So not Rest, & not Peace, but possibly some word that was closely related and meaningful that I truly may need as 2024 will close another decade of life for me, so I began thinking of the word "aging" as a possibility. Then I decided that I wasn't quite ready to deal with either "aging" or "resting in peace" so I placed those words on the back burner & waited for Jesus to impress upon me that One Word for me to focus.

It was in those quiet moments with Jesus (since that was my 2023 One Word) that I realized how important His sweet Presence was & is to me! PRESENCE - maybe I needed to be more aware of His Presence every day around me & "Experiencing God's Presence" and finding more of Him in my "Life in His Presence" - from two devotional books I had set aside to read later. Perhaps 2024 was the time for that 'later'... I began with one of these in January. And I am enjoying every moment & every page of reading this one year devotional. It definitely is bringing me closer to Him and a good follow-up from 2023 with Jesus! Yet I still was (& am) not convinced that THIS would be my One Word for 2024. 

There is a need for me to "experience the CALM of Christ" Jesus in me ... and "experience Christ as my CALM" for so many reasons. Because I know Jesus is my Peace, and I need more Peace & more Rest & more Jesus, so I trust that I'll continue to experience the CALM in His Presence!

There were a few other ebooks or reading plans that spoke the one word CALM to me during last year and the holiday season in particular from Rachel Wojo (The Calming Collection) prayers; and of course, one of my favorites and go-to pastor & author Max Lucado "Calm Moments..." and a few others by him. Max's acronym for C.A.L.M. is what began my peace & rest seeking journey by following this format for Philippians 4:4-8 (a powerful passage from Paul and a pathway of prayer) to follow & find CALM. However, it wasn't until Rachel shared her Calming Prayers & somehow led me to a book by Ruth Schwenk with this title: "Jesus, Calm my Heart" that I was drawn to the CALM that I need and hope to have in 2024. My dearest sister & friend gifted me the ebook of this so I have been reading it prayer by prayer & will every day in 2024, rewording many of the prayers for particular people or myself, and experiencing Christ as my CALM (sleeping better at night hopefully). I've also added a few other books to aide in this endeavor, so my next favorite is from Julie K. Guilles that has been on my wish list since 2020: "Prayers to Calm Your Anxious Heart" (YV has a sample of this in their reading plans) & a new one (2023) from Dayspring "Sleep Psalms..." by pray (dot) com

All of these are great if you need help praying or sleeping 😉 or like me (all of the above) and being CALM - experiencing Christ as my CALM, knowing the sweet CALM in His PRESENCE

As you can see, I have much reading to do again for 2024!

"... we know we must silence the chatter in our heads

and trust the One who CALMS our hearts" 

from "Be Still..." by Cleere Cherry

{I definitely needed this part in italics as a reminder }

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I guess for now

I will choose to be

CALM

in His

PRESENCE

{with my emphasis on CALM}

for

2024

[image credit: Good News Mediations for Kids]

SIDENOTE: from the first image 

* I added this book too ... to my reading list,

I couldn't resist the "blues" in Max's book cover of "Trade Your Cares for Calm".

I read that the color blue means CALM, trust, serenity ... and it produces a

CALMING effect. No wonder why blue is my favorite color!

I'm so in need of the CALM, so I surround myself in BLUE

I'm trading my ...

Cares for CALM with Jesus

{maybe I've found my One Word after all}

I plan to focus on CALM in everything in 2024

so in the night, I can sleep peacefully

in God's PRESENCE and live

a Life in His Presence

meanwhile 

I continue AGING & maybe next year

I'll have wisdom on that😏👵

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How about you?

What's your One Word?

or

favorite color?

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IMPORTANT NOTE:

I wrote this ahead because the "If I Will ... then He Will" prayers continue until February 20th and I didn't want to wait to publish this until after that - most churches finished their prayer & fasting in January. I miss all my friends online, but 2024 really needs to be saturated in prayer throughout all 50 states for Revival. The Church and our Nation desperately needs to pray!

And also LENT will be starting on February 14th through March 28th, 2024. Valentine's Day is Ash Wednesday ... no greater LOVE than God's! ... but still seems odd. Michele Cushatt shared a Lenten Experience last year - "Lamenting the Unexpected" (Week 1); and Week 2 "The Purpose of Lament", taken from her new book "A Faith that Will Not Fail"...more HERE