Dear friends near and far,
I’m very aware that this coming Monday is March 9th, the last day of devotionals in Advent to Ashes. I had hoped to have Ashes to Fire, Vol.2, (Ash Wednesday to Pentecost) out by this time but it’s still at the publishers. The final editing is done and I’m waiting to get the galley back to sign off on it and then they will do the layout of the pages for the book. We’ll work on the cover with them in the meantime, so hopefully it won’t be too long until it is available on Amazon or Barnes and Noble or any bookstore.. Again, if you’d like a signed copy of either volume, just email me your address. I’ll let you know as soon as Ashes to Fire is available.
The fact that you are reading through March 9th this year won’t happen again until 2038! Normally, you would have switched reading to Vol.2 this year on February 18th, Ash Wednesday. Next year in 2027 Ash Wednesday falls on February 10th, so your last reading in Advent to Ashes will be on February 9th and you’ll start with Ashes to Fire on February 10th which goes all the way to June 13th, the latest possible date for Pentecost. Maybe by then I’ll have Fire to Glory, Vol.3 done! I’m writing on it now.
If you are curious, or not(!), you might wonder if Ash Wednesday has ever fallen on February 29th, a leap year. The answer is no, it never has, but hold on. For you young ones, in 2096 Ash Wednesday will fall on February 29th for the first time (!) in the 1,000 year history of Ash Wednesday! I trust there will be a grand celebration. However, I most likely will not be in attendance. Give my regards!
I trust you are having a meaningful Lenten season. Every year is so different. Think of what was going on in the world last year at this time. I’m curious what the world will be like next year when we read these passages again. We’ll be different, the world will be different still, but the word of the Lord is forever. We worship our God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is truly our Rock through the ages. I pray for you all who read these devotionals every day as I read them. May the Lord continue his work in us day by day.
The Lord be with you,
Dan
One other thing, I’d be most grateful if you’d pass along a word about these books. We all know people who might benefit. The books also make great gifts for baptisms, graduations, birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, weddings, Mother’s or Father’s Day, Thanksgiving, Boxing Day, Ground Hogs Day, Valentines Day, Tax day,… you get the idea!
Daniel Sharp, DMA
4017 Isle Vista Ave
Belle Isle, FL 32812
drdanielsharp.com website
c. 858-357-1686