I just passed a Clown in a Volvo

So the other day we were on the way back from the North Carolina Coast from my parents house.  On the return trip we were driving west on I-40.  We approached a early model Volvo driving a little erratic.  Of course, every time I see an older Volvo I think Hippie-granola.  They always seem to be the kind of people who are always talking about "going green."  Only in this case they really were green, the ugliest color of puke green you can imagine: Yuck!  As I got closer I noticed that they had a University of Virginia sticker in the back window.  My brother in law and sister in law are graduates of the University of Virginia.  As I got closer they continued to weave back and forth.  "It figures" I thought, thinking about that rear window sticker.  Finally I accelerated to pass, making sure to look over at the driver and give him or her my "You shouldn't be allowed to drive" stare.   This is where things got interesting.  When I looked over I realized he was wearing Mime makeup.  Yeah, that's right, Mime makeup, or maybe it was clown makeup.  Who knows which it was.  All I could think to myself was "I just passed a mime in a volvo down I-40."

Pastor Chris' Lent Challenge

Ok Baptists, Tar Heels  and well, everybody else.
Lent starts soon.  Now I realize that as baptists we are not supposed to know what in the heck Lent is.  Unless, that is, you grew up Methodist, Presbyterian, Anglican or soon other more liturgical denomination.  I know, Baptists aren't in  to that kind of thing.  Well, for those of you baptists who are saying "What is Lent?"  Lent is the season on the church calendar that immediately preceding Easter.  This is a time for the Christian of prayer, repentance and self denial.

One of the traditional ways of observing Lent is to refrain form eating Meat during the season of Lent.  This is how I am going to observe Lent this year.  I challenge you to observe Lent with me.  Join with me by denying yourself something.  Give up Coffee, or sweets or meat or, well whatever, something that you love.  Give up something that you long for, that you experience every day.

Lent starts on with Wednesday March 9, commonly known as Ash Wednesday.  It ends on April 24 on Easter.  I encourage you to join me in observing Lent this year.