I learned from my friend on Instagram that you can rent art from the library. It’s true. See a librarian for details.

 

Speaking of the Library, have you been keeping up with the Tour de Wichita Reading Program? You only have a couple weeks left to finish the challenge.

Come experience the COrTen Building Ribbon Cutting ceremony today, March 3rd beginning at 11:00 am. This newly-renovated commercial space downtown is almost 100 percent full. Come and celebrate, then head across the way to the Pop-Up Urban Park for lunch with food trucks.

 

The Friends University Spring Ballet begins this Friday. Order your tickets here.

 

On Tuesday March 8th, Watermark Books is hosting students and parents from Hyde Elementary for a poetry celebration beginning at 5:00 pm.

Did you know the electric guitar originally launched from Wichita? Come to the Tallgrass Film Festival Guitar Fest this Sunday March 6th from 2-4 at the Sedgwick County Historical Museum. See films celebrating the instrument as well as Wichita’s role in its history.

 

Enjoy the WSU Jazz Series at Reverie Roasters every Wednesday through April 11th from 6-8 pm. Playing March 9th is Luke Young Group.

 

Library:

Preschool Picassos will be held at Rockwell on Friday the 4th from 10:30-11:15. Get your budding artist registered here.

Come make Beaded Windchimes Saturday the 5th at Central from 2:30-3:30. Family fun ages 5 and up.

Come to Rockwell to learn some basic photo editing skills on Monday the 7th from 2:30-4:00. Register here or call 688-9361.

And don’t forget to check out all the different Story Times available.

 

Have a great weekend!

Tried Espresso To Go Go (wonderful)

Plus: the tip jars

New favorite Girl Scout Cookie ad

When you have computer work + laundry to catch up on. He is one delightful companion for days like that.

Friends

Our nearby neighbors raise birds

Beautiful

Catching up with more friends

Black Bean and Butternut Squash Enchilada Casserole for Meatless Monday

Rock throwing

Glory

 

Your 7 Days?

 

Humility.

 

Can we agree who we are and Who we aren’t?

 

Can we think about the ocean and know we have nothing to do with controlling the tides?

 

Could we contemplate the galaxies and know nothing is missing – and it has nothing to do with our power?

Could we come together and realize an astounding Creator made us like we are – every color, all our stories?

 

I think humility – a right understanding of ourselves – could help us in this discussion.

 

What do you think?

Zechariah is having a busy night.

Fourth vision:

“Then the angel showed me Jeshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord. The Accuser, Satan, was there at the angel’s right hand, making accusations against Jeshua. And the Lord said to Satan, “I, the Lord, reject your accusations, Satan. Yes, the Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you. This man is like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire.”

 Jeshua’s clothing was filthy as he stood there before the angel.  So the angel said to the others standing there, “Take off his filthy clothes.” And turning to Jeshua he said, “See, I have taken away your sins, and now I am giving you these fine new clothes.”

Then I said, “They should also place a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean priestly turban on his head and dressed him in new clothes while the angel of the Lord stood by.

 Then the angel of the Lord spoke very solemnly to Jeshua and said, “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: If you follow my ways and carefully serve me, then you will be given authority over my Temple and its courtyards. I will let you walk among these others standing here.

 “Listen to me, O Jeshua the high priest, and all you other priests. You are symbols of things to come. Soon I am going to bring my servant, the Branch.  Now look at the jewel I have set before Jeshua, a single stone with seven facets. I will engrave an inscription on it, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, and I will remove the sins of this land in a single day.

 “And on that day, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, each of you will invite your neighbor to sit with you peacefully under your own grapevine and fig tree.”

 

(Zechariah 3:1-10 NLT)

We were first introduced to Jeshua back in Ezra. We learned he is the son of the high priest Jehozadak and served as the priest for our exiles, offering sacrifices and intercession on behalf of the people. God shows Zechariah a vision of him being accused and in filthy clothes, as the nation was when in exile. But, because of His faithfulness, God is removing the filth and preparing his people to again worship in the Temple.

 

As with anything in the Old Covenant, we get to see how Jesus perfectly fulfilled it in the New.

Jesus is our Great High Priest. Any other priests were symbols of what was to come.

Only One Savior can make our scarlet stains white as snow.

Only One Branch can remove the sins of a land in a single day.

And only One Shepherd can give us peace in our hearts and with our neighbors.

It’s Final Friday time. See a list of participating venues and featured artwork here, and the trolley route map here.

Are you 18 or over and curious about what it would take to become a firefighter? The Citizens’ Fire Academy is coming up in April and you can register now for this free course. It is one class once a week from April 19 – June 28. See more info and register here.

 

There is one more Friday for you to bring a friend for free in February to the Wichita YMCA.

 

The Wichita Art Museum is having a Mini Used Book Sale this Saturday the 27th from 10 – 3.

You know Watermark is a Cafe as well, yes? If not, you should check out their menu.

 

We just got a gift card in the mail from our area ACE Hardware. Three cheers for local stores.

 

Library:

Several Academy Award Nominated Documentary Screenings coming up: Rockwell, Evergreen, and the 21st Street Warren Theater.

Come to Rockwell tonight from 6-7 to complete their Lego challenge.

Also tonight there is a Puppet Show at Westlink from 6:30 – 7:00.

Saturday at Central from 1-2:30, come learn how to develop your own business plan. (Registration required.)

Saturday from 2:30-3:30 enjoy Minion Madness at Angelou.

Saturday head to Westlink to discover ways to use an old t-shirt. Registration required for this one.

Do those cookies have you curious about Girl Scouts? Register here to come to Central on Saturday from 4:30-5:30 to learn more about joining.

Then Tuesday March 1st, come to Evergreen from 4-5:30 to learn how to use Overdrive, the library’s free digital e-book service. Register here.

And on Wednesday March 2nd, come to Evergreen any time from 2:00 – 5:00 to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday and make a trufalla tree.

 

Have a great weekend!

Book Fair

Self Portrait

Color Scheming

Thinking Putty

When it’s 70 degrees in February

The moon, though

Glory

 

Your 7 Days?

Conversation.

 

I’m serious. It seems like what could be most useful in our real life communities is honest conversation. Mostly where the powerful majority is quiet and lets others be heard.

 

There are so many areas this applies, but since God seems to be taking me on this carefree stroll of racial reconciliation, we shall apply it here today.

What if the majority did that? If, when we recognize our privilege, we do something to hear the perspective of someone in our actual life that it affects? Without getting defensive?

 

That’s it. There are online resources for this if you need them. I think if you’re reading this and you fall into the majority camp, what we need is simply awareness.

 

Then to listen.

We need the Contemporary English Version for today’s Word.

 

Same night, third vision for our prophet, Zechariah:

This time I saw someone holding a measuring line, and I asked, “Where are you going?”

“To measure Jerusalem,” was the answer. “To find out how wide and long it is.”

The angel who had spoken to me was leaving, when another angel came up to him and said, “Hurry! Tell that man with the measuring line that Jerusalem won’t have any boundaries. It will be too full of people and animals even to have a wall.  The Lord himself has promised to be a protective wall of fire surrounding Jerusalem, and he will be its shining glory in the heart of the city.”

(Zechariah 2:1-5)

 

Do you not love verses 4 & 5? “…Jerusalem won’t have any boundaries. It will be too full of people and animals to even have a wall…”

 

Oh, oh. Yes it will. Too full because His goodness will spread among all nations.

 

“And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,” declares the LORD, “and I will be its glory within.” (NIV)

“And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the Lord, and I will be the glory in her midst.” (ESV)

Fiery passion for His Bride. His incendiary presence the glory in our midst.

No one is like Him. Nothing is worth compromising our relationship with Him.

The Lord says to his people, “Run! Escape from the land in the north, where I scattered you to the four winds.  Leave Babylonia and hurry back to Zion.”

Then the glorious Lord All-Powerful ordered me to say to the nations that had raided and robbed Zion:

(Zechariah 2:6-13 CEV)

God disciplines us carefully and with a Father’s heart. And when others attack without that Fatherly love? Well, what they do to us, they do to Him.

And He won’t tolerate it.

“For thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘After glory He has sent me against the nations which plunder you, for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye.’ (NASB)

For thus said the Lord of hosts, after his glory sent me to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye: “Behold, I will shake my hand over them, and they shall become plunder for those who served them. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me. (ESV)

Whoever touches you touches His pupil, the most tender part. We are His cherished treasure. Others should have holy fear of messing with us.

 

Why?

 

What you do to her, you do to Me.

I will be to her a wall of fire all around.

And we will know He is the LORD All-Powerful.

Do you know about the Easter Sun Run? This premier 10k and 2 mile race benefits Youth Horizons‘ mission to break the cycle of fatherlessness through mentoring and residential programs. Door prizes, musical entertainment, and homemade BBQ. Basically the best. Register here to join the fun.

 

Twisted Java is offering 16 oz coffees for 99 cents every weekday morning from 6-7:30 a.m. They also offer delights such as S’mores and Snickerdoodle Lattes. Be still my heart.

 

From February 20-22, Shutterfly is offering 101 free 4×6 prints! We have ordered and been pleased with prints and cards from this company, and they are an affiliate link to help support this site (at zero cost to you). Just enter promo code WINTERGIFT at check out.

 

My friend alerted me to Friends University’s Jazz Festival this Friday and Saturday February 19th & 20th. Come hear world-class guest artists accompany Friends’ big band and jazz combos. Get tickets here.

 

Have you ever been to Bella Vita Bistro? Friends introduced me to it several years back, and it remains one of our favorite local date spots. So charming.

Have you ever read the sweet book Dragons Love Tacos? Our friends pretty much have it memorized and have even thrown a dragon taco party. (Borrow it here.)

Do you know about the 2016 Engineering Expo? Presented by the Wichita section of the Society of Women Engineers, this free event shows kids grades K-8 how cool engineering can be with hands-on activities. This Saturday the 20th from 9-2 at Century II. See you there.

 

Reverie Roasters has been hosting Adult Coloring Book Socials. The next one is Tuesday the 23rd from 6-8 pm.

 

Enjoy this warmer weather with extended hours at O.J. Watson Park this weekend. Picnics, fishing, paddle boats.

 

This Saturday is Brew Day at the Johnson’s Garden West 13th Street Store. I don’t know what that means, but I want to find out.

 

This is the 30th year the Wichita Public Library is hosting a free screening of Academy Award films. Come to the historic Orpheum Theatre this Saturday, doors opening at 9:30 am. Get more info and see the film nominees here.

 

Do you know about Startup Wichita? You should.

 

Library:

This Saturday at Alford from 1 -3, come hear about Brown vs Board of Education and the events that led to desegregation of public schools.

Also Saturday from 2:30-3:30 at Central, come to Family Fun: Draw This Story. Experience the role of illustrator as you listen to a narrative and capture the scene on paper.

Then Monday at Central, come from 3-4 to learn about the Kansas Expungement Law.

At 6 pm Monday, Linwood is hosting Mermaids and Silly Fish. Enjoy stories and make your own tail.

Any time from 11-5 on Tuesday, come to Comotara Branch to Make a Ladybug.

Also Tuesday at noon, stop by Central to hear about Infant Mortality from a representative of Sedgwick County Health Department.

And at Rockwell on Tuesday evening from 6-7:30, Jennifer Allen from Natural Grocers will present Chocolate for Your Health. This is why I love the library.

 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Waiting

Citrus

Party

Food

Great project

Caleb’s Picasso

Coffee

Can’t stop talking about the $3.99 bouquets from Aldi. They even gave me the bucket.

Marriage can be hard. But we love to soak in its sweetness, too.

President’s Day

Using up energy

Daredevil

8 Week Old beauty

 

Your 7 Days?