Unveiling Hope

Slideshow from Israel

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Simple Truth

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and and those who don’t mind matter,” Dr. Seuss.

"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them,” Psalm 139:14-16 ESV.

Takes My Breath Away

Every morning, just before 5:00, I sit on my back step while my dog – well, you know – and every morning God shows me something that takes my breath away. The Big Dipper lights up the sky; at this time of the morning the stars seem close enough for me to touch. Sometimes, He’ll shoot a star across the sky, or touch my cheek with a fresh breeze. The moon shines so brightly in the night that the snow in the yard glows.

Yesterday morning, at 4:45, I heard a flock of geese. I’ve never heard or seen geese flying while it was so dark. It wasn’t the flock of geese that amazed me as much as how God showed them to me as they flew over my house. The moon cast its light on them. As they flew across the sky the reflection of the moon made them shimmer. I stared at them, flying beneath the Big Dipper, until they were out of sight and thanked God for starting my day off with such a magnificent gift – something He made just for me.

How do you start your day?

“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all,” 1 Chron. 29:11.

A Child's Song

There is nothing more innocent than to listen to the thoughts and cries of a child’s spirit. This site has posted many poems, written by children, in celebration of Israel’s 60th birthday which was celebrated last year. May God bless Joseph Kotzker, the author of this beautiful poem.

 

TRAGEDIES OF ISRAEL
By Joseph Kotzker

Oh Israel, your tragedies know no ends.
Your rivers flow with the blood of your slain,
And the Palestinians make no amends.
Gunfire rings in your settlements,
Death lingers in the air.
Innocent children’s lives are lost,
While the world continues to stare.
When will all this end, I wonder,
When will this war cease?
When will endless death and bloodshed,
Finally give way to peace?

Out of the Mouths of Babes

 

Do yourself a huge favour right now. Follow this link: to my friend Birgit's blog and read the posts for Jan. 14th (Seeing Heaven) and 15th (Seeing Heaven 2). You will be amazed and your strength renewed by the testimony of these two young children, ages 8 and 10. What are you waiting for??

Gone Ice Fishin

I confess that my blogging has been sporadic this week. I had to make some extra room on my agenda for some priority issues which will all be resolved by this weekend. I am obviously not really gone ice fishing; while the temperature in Ottawa has been a balmy minus 35-40 these last few days (perfect weather for ice fishing) I am not THAT Canadian.

I will return in full force on Monday and back to my regular blogging schedule. Hey, if you feel like following a great mini-series along check out this link to Slice of Life. It just happens to be my new daily hang-out for tidbits of inspiration.

See you Monday. Have a very blessed weekend.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

With all the disputes and political correctness surrounding an individual’s right to celebrate Christmas – the Birth of Christ our Lord – this tidbit and treasure is welcome knowledge and a comfort. A friend sent this to me on Saturday; I don’t know who wrote it or researched it but the credit does not belong to me.

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. This carol was written as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has is based in the religion they practiced in secret.

The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

The three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy,  Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control.

The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.

Eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

Ain't no Sunshine When She's Gone

 

The day after I returned home from Israel my son Alex gave me a ten minute welcome home speech. He missed me. He learned something important ... ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone ...

Yup, I think that was the highlight of my return. He told me that he realized, while I was gone, how nice it is to have me around – not just for what I do but for who I am. He just plain missed me. He missed hearing the pitter-patter of my feet on the floor above his head, the annoying intercom that calls him for supper, the nightly reminder to brush his teeth and the morning greeting that wakes him. He missed me.

I didn’t relish in his experience but I was thrilled beyond belief to hear him tell me that I’m valued, cherished and loved, despite all my parental platitudes and maternal menacing.

It feels great to be told you’re loved without being told you’re loved.

What's Your "Type"?

  I'm so predictable, right down to my personality. I'm so INFP it's not even funny. I remember a time when I was actually insulted by that. Personalities go beyond what is definable - we're so uniquely made - special order - break the mould creations. I appreciate what God has done, what He is doing and what He plans to do with me - how He plans to perfect me in His image. That being said, wherever I'm just a little too much on the scale as an INFP, I know He'll even everything out before a New Beginning. I found this link from Rob Dale's blog. Be sure and check out his blog.  

Dog Free!

  On Saturday my son left to spend the night at his God parents’ home. I went to do groceries. Upon arriving home, I found it strange that the dog wasn’t trying to run me over in his usual quest to sniff through the bags – just one of the annoying little things he does. Stranger than strange, he didn’t even come downstairs when I called. Hmm, I thought, did my son leave and forget him outside??

I called my son. After messing with my head a little, he told me that he took the dog with him. What?! You mean I’m dog-free for the next 18 hours or so? Free??!!

I love Buddy, don’t get me wrong. But sometimes it just feels as if one dog is equal to a dozen kids. He follows me everywhere I go. He presses his head up against my leg whenever I step into the kitchen. He jumps on my bed when I’m trying to change the linen, and tries to steal my Kleenex when I blow my nose. He stands beside the bathtub and tries to lop up my bathwater and leaves clumps of hair behind him everywhere he goes. That’s my Buddy.

It took me all of an hour to realize how much I take him for granted. He loves me no matter how irritating I can be. It doesn’t matter how often I tell him to stop sniffing me, stop barking – basically to stop being a dog – he loves me no matter how unreasonable and demanding I am. He loves me.

I’ll admit, I did enjoy the long soak, but I missed him – a lot!