Butch's Blog 2/23

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Butch Ritter

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Feb 23, 2012, 1:02:51 PM2/23/12

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And so it begins… Lent, that is. 40 days (not counting Sundays) that lead us to Easter.

Our theme is Journey to Hope. What emotions do you feel just before going on a journey? I know I started a regular routine as a journey began. As I pulled away from home and headed for college (850 miles away) I would offer a short quiet prayer. The practice continued when leaving home for seminary (560 miles). The prayer was for family and friends and safety. I still do it before vacation trips and other extended travel. So, what is the emotion? A little anxiety? A little nervous? A little worry?

When you are going on a journey, what’s the one thing you won’t leave home without? C.S. Lewis wrote, “With the possible exception of the equator, everything begins somewhere.” I have a backpack prepared for our journey. We started at Mile Marker 1 on Ash Wednesday and now we are leaving the city, gaining speed, and picking up those who will be journeying with us. Do you have a traveling companion? On the journey, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” (Hebrews 13:2)

Name a time when a friend lifted you up when you were down. What difference did it make in your life?