Operation AXIOM | Urbi et Orbi
I received a text message from my pal Ska Army as I was leaving church this morning. It read, "Happy Ash Wednesday, my friend!" He's a heathen, but respectful towards the faithful. I thanked him in my reply, but could not resist chiding him that "solemn" might be a more appropriate exhortation than "happy." Prayer, fasting, & almsgiving, the manifold splendors of Lent, await us in the weeks ahead. For myself, I hope that I will make proper use of this holy season to lessen the distractions in my life & focus my mind, my heart, & my soul on His Truth.

"Blow the trumpet in Zion!
proclaim a fast,
call an assembly;
Gather the people,
notify the congregation;
Assemble the elders,
gather the children
and the infants at the breast;
Let the bridegroom quit his room,
and the bride her chamber."
—Joel 2:15-16

This Lent, amongst other things, I will strive to read the Bible every day, starting today with the gloomy, doomy, & wrathful Book of Joel.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of Ash Wednesday
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Wanz, "Thrift Shop" courtesy The Watergirl (The Watergirl)

Commentary: I'm neither hip nor with it. I've never been hip nor with it. I'm so uncool that describe being uncool as being "neither hip nor with it." "With it"? What in the high holy heck? Fortunately, I have chums like The Watergirl who take pity on my lack of pop cultural savvy. I'd never heard nor even heard of "Thrift Shop" 'fore this morn, but now I've got my finger on the pulse—or something.

Yes, I know, this is one of those distractions mentioned above. Being Christian isn't about claiming to be perfect, being Christian is about acknowledging one's failing & striving to do better.