Valentine's Day! One of the most ancient official Christian holidays. (And you thought it was about chocolate!)

So here's our church's blog. Actually, more of an occasional news feed than a blog. But everyone tells me nobody ever tells them anything, so this is a place to start when you want to find out more about First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale.

This Tuesday is Mardi Gras. Party day. We won't be celebrating in Fort Lauderdale (except for the lame chain restaurant specials), but it will be crazy in New Orleans (and Mobile, one of my adopted hometowns.)

Did you know Pastor Thompson's older daughter, Taylor, lives in New Orleans with her husband, Martin? She's communications director for Brad Pitt's organization, Make It Right, which is rebuilding the Lower Ninth Ward which was flooded by Katrina.

But back to Mardi Gras....the day AFTER Mardi Gras is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. That's when things get serious about devoting yourself more fully to God. Read Pastor Thompson's Watchman message about the Lenten season at http://www.WatchmanPrayer.com.