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General updatesI

 I do not know who reads this blog.  But I feel like some explanations are in order. 

I am retiring in 90 days and this is getting emotionally and physically draining. My writing has suffered as I try to address everything that is happening. I had hoped to blog every day but have gotten behind. I am so tired. I have to get an MRI of my kidneys. 

This week starts Lent, so I will return to my daily posting. 

I am still appalled by the Oval Office "blowup," and for the first time in many years I am truly nervous about international affairs. I am also appalled by what people have posted on Facebook in defense of Trump acting like a Mafia boss trying to shake down an ally. Someone posted on FB that Zelenskyy met with anti-Trump Democrats beforehand. No, it was a bipartisan group of Senators. Trump used misinformation about how much money the U.S. has given them. He lies, big news. We are supposed to overlook that because .... I'm not sure. 

I am proud of my church because at every Sunday service they show a video from one of our missionaries or mission works in the world. Today was scheduled to be Ukraine. They did not change it. We heard from a long-term member who took his family there for several years after the walls came down. He said we would be having a service for Ukrainians to add to our Hispanic, Cambodian, and Arabic services for refugee believers in Chattanooga. I told our pastor I was proud that they showed the video. 

I am continuing to read Mark Vroegop's book on Lament. His section on Lamentations is good and I am glad I stuck with it. 

Lament is greatly needed now. 

Lament is not complaint--they are vastly different but may look the same on the surface. Lament is about recognizing one's sin but even more that of the group. Complaint is about ingratitude and entitlement.

Lent is the perfect time to Lament. Add two letters to it, the first person version of "to be." 

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