Shrove Tuesday

Today is Shrove Tuesday, better known as Pancake Day! I assumed this was the case particularly in most Western countries, but I found myself explaining the concept to some American friends who moved over to England at the end of the summer so perhaps not?! Anyway, as my site is called 'Pondering Pancakes' I thought a ponder on the subject was apt.

Hopefully, you've had time to have some for breakfast, my fingers still smell of lemon from squeezing it on ours. We (my housemates and I) were joined by a friend who also brought the milk and the eggs (we were running low after the creation of a (very yummy) bread and butter pudding.) It was good to share the fun of strange and traditional combinations and flipping pancakes with a fairly high level of success. There's still a poll about your favourite pancake toppings, and a simple and adjustable pancake recipe for you to use if you like. For a smooth batter add the milk a little at a time while making a paste with the egg(s) in a well in the flour.

Shrove Tuesday marks the eve of Lent, with Ash Wednesday tomorrow, technically the forty days do not include Sundays as they represent a day of celebration marking Jesus' resurrection and victory. There are a few different traditions and variations including the Ambrosian tradition where it starts on the Sunday (6 weeks before Easter), and involves forty consecutive days. Forty is a fairly symbolic number in the story of Israel and Jesus. The most common association with Lent is when Jesus went into the desert at the start of his ministry where he fasted for forty days and was tempted by satan.

The other key story is when Israel spent 40 years in the wilderness having been rescued out of slavery in Egypt before entering the promised land! I think this is where my ponderings and preparations are wandering this Lent; reflecting on and realising the freedom we have already gained and the freedom we are heading for, and what it is to walk free and be free. You can get Israel out of slavery, but you've still got get the slavery out of Israel! or as someone put it the other day, "sometimes we need freeing from what we are already free from!"

Traditionally, Lent is a time of fasting or giving up luxuries in preparation for Easter when Jesus died on the cross and three days later was raised to life again. Pancakes are suppose to be the time to use up all the luxury items, like sugar and eggs! And so in anticipation, many people will buy more eggs, sugar, syrup and the shops are already stocking easter eggs, which others will buy in a warm up to Easter in addition to those to be given at Easter. Many others will have a second (or third) attempt at their new years resolutions, give up chocolate, cakes, alcohol, tea, meat, smoking, second helpings, or take up going to the gym, running, eating breakfast or start a new hobby. There is also a move towards 'what can I do' rather than 'what can I give up', like helping a neighbour with the shopping, saving energy or getting more involved with the local community. 

Lent is a good opportunity to be a bit more disciplined or focussed in your devotional life, reading the Bible and other inspiring books, getting stuck into prayer, getting outdoors to appreciate God as Creator, playing worship music. There are loads of things on the market and the web to encourage you and help you keep on track this lent, there are even apps for your phone! But, whatever you do; whether you include the Sundays or not; whether you cut back or pick up, it is not about manipulating God, Lent is a time to prepare our hearts. We are now under a new covenant which is about grace, which means that while we can be deliberate, we no longer need to be legalistic, therefore, when you set yourself targets like 'must try harder', stop, and ask God to help you. In our weakness, Jesus is our strength, and as a few wise people have pointed out recently, the word 'radical' means to get to the heart or the root of something, it does not mean being an extremist swinging from one extreme to the other. 

If you are struggling or wondering with discipline without falling into the trap of legalism and 'ought to's, I really recommend Richard Foster's "Celebration of Discipline". It is truelly inspiring and a looks at the spiritual disciplines in a way that gets to the heart of it, and is full of life and joy. In fact, whoever you are- I highly recommend it and DON'T gloss over the first chapter "The Spiritual Disciplines: Door to Liberation", read it, before you look at the specific disciplines it works through.

As for me, I think my Lent will be a bit like my Shrove Tuesdays- using up the chocolate and treats I have without buying loads more and flipping more pancakes, running (mainly because it gives me life and I still have the crazy idea that running a marathon could be possible) and catching up and trying to keep on top of my 'Bible in a year' plan which I've managed to get to day 45 (think I should be on day 50something) but all this is by the grace of God- I've learnt that when I get behind to ask for help and go back to it, rather than beat myself up about it, or put myself down as a failure.

They may resemble belated new years' resolutions, but really at the heart of it all it is feasting on the life and abundance of God, rather than feasting in our consumerist society, it is about realising the freedom we've been given and walking the way of the cross with Jesus-knowing he has already paid the ultimate price, once and for all.

Yellow Snow?!

The sky and the weather forecasts have been threatening snow in the North-East all week.

On Monday there was a short flurry of snow during our youth club, which didn't last long, and it's been very cold ever since, but no snow. Yesterday, the weather forecasters announced a "YELLOW SNOW WARNING", which they later changed to a "Yellow weather warning for snow" with a bit of hindsight!! Brilliant!

I started running again this week. I woke up one morning, with the crazy idea that maybe I could run the Edinburgh Marathon this year! Despite the very cold mornings and minus temperatures ('C), I've managed to get myself up and out on some short mile and a bit runs. (Only 25 more miles to build up... is it possible before the end of May?!) and this morning as I was finishing my short "long run" (2 miles!) this morning, a few stray snowflakes began to fall. The snow then set in and although it's not very deep yet, it's still falling!

I feel compelled to point out that the snow is very white and not a hint of yellow in it! But if you do find any yellow snow; Don't Eat It!

Also, if you're thinking of doing anything crazy like a marathon, give yourself time to train and build up your fitness. Although, I haven't been running in a while, I've done a couple of half-marathons in the past, I run about the football pitch most weeks and I'm healthier than I've ever been... I just need my fitness to catch up now. 

I've no idea if I'll be ready in time, or if I can keep it up, but goals and ideas can help motivate, so it's a bit of a dream but I gotta start somewhere. Watch this space...