Lenten Sacrifice, Zen, Minimalism, Its all Good

The Catholic penitential season of Lent will soon be here. By prayer, fasting, meditation, we seek to imitate Christ's suffering and passion. Those acts give back, too, in physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. They're the deepest Christian expression, but they aren't exclusively Christian. Most major religions have similar elements. No human could really imitate the divine. But it shouldn't prevent us trying. Here's how our family observes lent.   Lenten Sacrifice, Zen, Minimalism, Its all Very Good

Catholic Saint Valentine Lesson Plans and Activities

The story of St. Valentine has nothing to do with flowers and candy. It has nothing in common with romance as we know it. But Valentine's story is spiritually romantic. Valentinius was a Roman Christian priest. In those days, this was not popular. In fact, it was illegal.

Then Emperor Claudius II decided he'd make marriage illegal too--so men would give up women go fight his battles. Not exactly an even quid pro quo. Valentine understood human nature better and performed underground marriages to keep people from burning in lust. And was jailed for his pains. Here are lessons and activities to celebrate the real Valentine.  Catholic Saint Valentine Lesson Plans, Activities

The Lenten Kitchen Egg Foo Young and Skinny

 I'm on a mission to lose 100 pounds and I only have seven pounds left. I'm always asked +How-I-lost-weight and I say, it's not a few big things (drugs, surgery) but a lot of little things. One is tweaking recipes with low-calorie food swaps. Here's today's dinner, made at the especial request of my youngest for her after-school power snack. This recipe makes a great meatless Friday lent treat. See my Lenten Kitchen link for more. Egg Foo Young and Skinny--My Diet Recipe that Everyone Likes!

Suggestions for Lenten Food Pantry Donations

Do you donate to food banks? It's a great form of lenten almsgiving for Catholic Christians. Food makes good zakat donations for Muslims, too. So what kind of things do you give? I have issues with some items our church food pantry requests: Hamburger Helper, Tuna Helper, boxed macaroni and cheese, boxed potatoes. I don't buy these products and I'm doing people a service not buying it for them. This "food" isn't food at all. It's full of fat and sodium and just convenience junk. If food is going to homeless people, I see why packaged is essential. They have no place to cook. But presumably the recipients of our food pantry do, ergo the Hamburger Helper request. Here's a list of better donations for food pantry donations this lent.   Do You Give to Food Pantries? What Food do You Donate?

Should Articles on Religious Be Banned

Should religious posts be banned on Bubblews? Now wait, before you scream "NOOO! Freedom of Speech! Duh!" or "YESS, Freedom of Religion. Separation of Church and Bubblews! Thank you!" hear me out. I am not seriously suggesting gagging religion. I share about faith, my higher power whom I choose to call God, Catholicism, etc. But some people have suggested that articles on writing sites be banned. And after a discussion on gay marriage turned septic yesterday, I can see why. Read on.  Should Religious Posts Be Banned on Bubblews? - News - Bubblews

Printable Feast of the Immaculate Conception Lesson Plans and Crafts

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception falls on Dec. 8 or 9. It's one of the Catholic Church's six recognized Holy Days of Obligation in the liturgical calendar. For 2013, it's not an obligatory day, but here are Free Printable Feast of the Immaculate Conception Activities: Lessons and Crafts

Free printable Jesse Tree Advent Devotional Craft

'And a shoot shall spring forth from the stump of Jesse: a branch out of his roots.' Isaiah 11:1. This Biblical passage from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah is foretelling the coming of a new branch in the family tree of King David. Jesse was the father of David. David was the king of Israel during her Golden Age. After Solomon, David's son died, the kingdom fell to quarreling and heathen practices. The two kingdoms finally split and ultimately were carried off into slavery by a succession of eastern rulers from Assyria, Babylon, Media and Persia.  Jesse Tree Advent Devotional Craft