Just yesterday, our Sunday morning sermon topic was eyesight (spiritual, that is). Are we aware of the spirit world and angels present among us? Just because we can't see them, doesn't mean that they are not there.
Returning from Vancouver, going east (three lanes) onto the Alex Fraser Bridge, I was following the speeding traffic. The large semi in front of me was slow, so I passed in the left lane and proceeded to merge back into the center lane in front of him. A lady, driving a white van, passing the truck on the right, also began merging in front of him towards me. We both noticed this just a split second before our side-view mirrors touched and we pulled away. Had we side-swiped each other, God only knows what could have happened.
I'm convinced that my guardian angel was sitting in that passenger seat beside me.
I said, "Thank You Lord! Thank You Lord!" all the way home.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Friday, August 3, 2007
Trapped
We just returned from a wonderful time at the lake with kids and friends. Most of our cooking was done on BBQ's and campstoves. But when it came time to sit down to a delicious meal, we had univited guests joining us. It was the year for wasps. People were swatting and running and getting stung all over the campsite.
A sympathetic friend brought an insect trap and set it on our table and it worked. It was also very fascinating to watch....just a jar with a bit of pop in the bottom and a few holes under the sides of the lid which led to a small tube to the inside. It was like a wasp magnet.
If those wasps could speak & think, I imagine it would be something like this.
"Hmm, something in there sure smells good and sweet. Gotta get me some of that. Oh, here's a little opening. Yeah, I'm in. Oh boy, it's kinda tight and hot in here. Help, I can't get out! Forget the pop, I gotta get out of here. Buzz,buzz,bzzzz. Oh dear, here comes my brother, and my cousin, and my friends...Stop you guys! Don't get sucked in too. It's a trap! Too late. Buzz,buzz, bzzzz. It's so hot and I can't breathe. I can't fly anymore, I'm getting tired, I'm goin' down. Help! I'm drowning in this awful warm pop."
Outside more come to investigate. " Wow, there must be something really great going on in there. Listen to all that humming. This is where the action is! Let's join them, everybody's doin' it!"
Several lessons and observations come to mind, but I will let you draw your own conclusions to my little story.
A sympathetic friend brought an insect trap and set it on our table and it worked. It was also very fascinating to watch....just a jar with a bit of pop in the bottom and a few holes under the sides of the lid which led to a small tube to the inside. It was like a wasp magnet.
If those wasps could speak & think, I imagine it would be something like this.
"Hmm, something in there sure smells good and sweet. Gotta get me some of that. Oh, here's a little opening. Yeah, I'm in. Oh boy, it's kinda tight and hot in here. Help, I can't get out! Forget the pop, I gotta get out of here. Buzz,buzz,bzzzz. Oh dear, here comes my brother, and my cousin, and my friends...Stop you guys! Don't get sucked in too. It's a trap! Too late. Buzz,buzz, bzzzz. It's so hot and I can't breathe. I can't fly anymore, I'm getting tired, I'm goin' down. Help! I'm drowning in this awful warm pop."
Outside more come to investigate. " Wow, there must be something really great going on in there. Listen to all that humming. This is where the action is! Let's join them, everybody's doin' it!"
Several lessons and observations come to mind, but I will let you draw your own conclusions to my little story.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
SMILE
"Candid Camera" was a wonderful show, because it made people smile, laugh and forget about their problems for the moment. Every show ended with "Somewhere, when you least expect it, someone might walk up to and say, Smile! You're on Candid Camera."
Sometimes I smile for no apparent reason as I walk through the mall and people look at me with a quizzical "do I know you?" look and usually they smile back.
At the restaurant table next to me, one day, was a group of "special" people communicating with strange odd sounds. I admired how patient and kind their caregivers were with them. As they left, I said "Hi" to one of them and was rewarded with a very loud laugh right next to my face. She was so pleased and excited that someone smiled at her and noticed her as a person.
Elementary school joke. What's the longest word in the dictionary? Answer - SMILES
'Cause there's a mile between the two SS.
Sometimes I smile for no apparent reason as I walk through the mall and people look at me with a quizzical "do I know you?" look and usually they smile back.
At the restaurant table next to me, one day, was a group of "special" people communicating with strange odd sounds. I admired how patient and kind their caregivers were with them. As they left, I said "Hi" to one of them and was rewarded with a very loud laugh right next to my face. She was so pleased and excited that someone smiled at her and noticed her as a person.
Elementary school joke. What's the longest word in the dictionary? Answer - SMILES
'Cause there's a mile between the two SS.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Harmony
The story is... that when I was just a little girl, my mom and dad set me on a chair between them as we sang as a trio in the little country church. Mom sang alto and dad sang tenor and I was taught to sing the melody, so I learned to harmonize at an early age. I have been blessed to be part of a heritage that can sing four part harmony easily.
As teenagers, my sister & I and two of our friends formed a ladies quartet. Every week we got together to practice. However these "practices" were often filled with so much giggling, laughing & talking, that we often got a reminder from our parents to get back to singing. We learned a lot of songs and were often asked to sing at evening services. I was reminded of one of those songs a few days ago when I read Psalm 103.
I can still hear the rich 4-part harmony as we sang....
"From everlasting, to everlasting.
God's mercy falls where'er we be.
Oh soul forget not, His boundless blessings
Our father e'er remembers thee."
HARMONY....what a beautiful word! It can be a blend of colors, a family living together in unity, a delicious mix of herbs and spices, sights and sounds of nature, a marriage of minds, the restoration of broken relationships, an orchestra in symphony, or the blended voices of a chorus.
Harmony only happens with togetherness... No Solo acts. One single person, one voice, one color, one note, one thing, cannot produce harmony unless it joins with another.
I miss the choirs, octets, and trios. It takes much more time and effort to pull together a group than sing a solo, but the rewards and blessings are much greater as we work and practice together. I hope and pray that the next generation would see its tremendous value.
"Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers and sisters, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because you were called to this, so that you may inherit a blessing." 1 Peter 3:8&9
What a wonderful world it would be if harmony reigned!
As teenagers, my sister & I and two of our friends formed a ladies quartet. Every week we got together to practice. However these "practices" were often filled with so much giggling, laughing & talking, that we often got a reminder from our parents to get back to singing. We learned a lot of songs and were often asked to sing at evening services. I was reminded of one of those songs a few days ago when I read Psalm 103.
I can still hear the rich 4-part harmony as we sang....
"From everlasting, to everlasting.
God's mercy falls where'er we be.
Oh soul forget not, His boundless blessings
Our father e'er remembers thee."
HARMONY....what a beautiful word! It can be a blend of colors, a family living together in unity, a delicious mix of herbs and spices, sights and sounds of nature, a marriage of minds, the restoration of broken relationships, an orchestra in symphony, or the blended voices of a chorus.
Harmony only happens with togetherness... No Solo acts. One single person, one voice, one color, one note, one thing, cannot produce harmony unless it joins with another.
I miss the choirs, octets, and trios. It takes much more time and effort to pull together a group than sing a solo, but the rewards and blessings are much greater as we work and practice together. I hope and pray that the next generation would see its tremendous value.
"Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers and sisters, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because you were called to this, so that you may inherit a blessing." 1 Peter 3:8&9
What a wonderful world it would be if harmony reigned!
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Giving..a Blessing
I was paying for my groceries when a rather distraught young lady approached the clerk saying, "I was just here and I lost a ten dollar bill. Did you find it or did someone turn it in?" She got a short reply, "No".
As I was unloading my groceries, I noticed this same lady rummaging through her trunk, frantically searching for the money. As I drove out of the parking lot, a voice said to me, "Go give her ten bucks."
I turned around and pulled over while saying to the Lord, "If there's a ten in my wallet, I'll give it to her." But there were just two twenties and a five. "Oh well... Too bad. She'll probably be gone anyway by now." But I drove there and she was still searching her car. I pulled in the spot beside her and said, "Are you OK?" She answered, "No. I just lost ten dollars." You should have seen her face when I handed her a twenty. Tearfully, she said, "You just made my day!"
It sure is more blessed to give than to receive. I was blessed more than she was!
As I was unloading my groceries, I noticed this same lady rummaging through her trunk, frantically searching for the money. As I drove out of the parking lot, a voice said to me, "Go give her ten bucks."
I turned around and pulled over while saying to the Lord, "If there's a ten in my wallet, I'll give it to her." But there were just two twenties and a five. "Oh well... Too bad. She'll probably be gone anyway by now." But I drove there and she was still searching her car. I pulled in the spot beside her and said, "Are you OK?" She answered, "No. I just lost ten dollars." You should have seen her face when I handed her a twenty. Tearfully, she said, "You just made my day!"
It sure is more blessed to give than to receive. I was blessed more than she was!
Friday, July 6, 2007
Celebrate Life
My last week consisted of a bridal shower, a wedding, a 60th birthday party and two funerals.
At each event, I met wonderful friends & relatives. (like a reunion) Each celebration was very different with a wide gamut of emotions.
The bride-to-be was showered with gifts and blessings...eagerly awaiting her big day.
The bride was gorgeous in all her finery...nervously awaiting the walk down the aisle.
My cousin enjoyed her birthday party immensely with lots of laughter & fun.
Then there were the funerals.....
I must say, I enjoyed them too. There were many tears but there was also celebration for two very different persons, because we knew that they are in the presence of their Saviour and at rest & peace. No more sickness, no more struggles.
My friend, Carol (I feel) was too young to die. She was a most open, honest person with no pretentiousness. She was real. Her love for God was so evident.
This was reflected in her choice of simple songs when she sang solos with that beautiful clear soprano voice. What a blessing she was to so many people!
My Uncle John, at 93, had a long good life. He was spared physical suffering and died peacefully. He was quiet, had a sly sense of humor, and had a sure, steady faith in God.
He openly loved his wife of 60 years and patiently spent hours with her in the care home.
When we reflect on memories shared, after all the anecdotes and funny stories, in the end all that really matters and is of eternal value is our relationships with people and God. After each funeral, I renew my resolve to remember this.
At each event, I met wonderful friends & relatives. (like a reunion) Each celebration was very different with a wide gamut of emotions.
The bride-to-be was showered with gifts and blessings...eagerly awaiting her big day.
The bride was gorgeous in all her finery...nervously awaiting the walk down the aisle.
My cousin enjoyed her birthday party immensely with lots of laughter & fun.
Then there were the funerals.....
I must say, I enjoyed them too. There were many tears but there was also celebration for two very different persons, because we knew that they are in the presence of their Saviour and at rest & peace. No more sickness, no more struggles.
My friend, Carol (I feel) was too young to die. She was a most open, honest person with no pretentiousness. She was real. Her love for God was so evident.
This was reflected in her choice of simple songs when she sang solos with that beautiful clear soprano voice. What a blessing she was to so many people!
My Uncle John, at 93, had a long good life. He was spared physical suffering and died peacefully. He was quiet, had a sly sense of humor, and had a sure, steady faith in God.
He openly loved his wife of 60 years and patiently spent hours with her in the care home.
When we reflect on memories shared, after all the anecdotes and funny stories, in the end all that really matters and is of eternal value is our relationships with people and God. After each funeral, I renew my resolve to remember this.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
I'm Sad
Today I feel sad, not for me, but for friends and family members that are so dear to me.
We just returned from a trip to visit relatives. My sister-in-law has dementia and didn't know who we were and her husband is in rehab after a stroke. This aging thing is no fun.
My neighbour and some good friends are battling for their lives against that Cancer monster.
Some of my siblings are struggling with constant pain and debilitating disease.
My Aunt is very sick and frail and could be breathing her last any day.
My Grandson was so very sick yesterday.
I'm reminded of a song..."Everybody want's to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die".
It's the process of getting there that is so difficult.
Again, I cry out to God for all these people and I read Psalm 23. Thank God, our shepherd is always there to comfort and guide.
We just returned from a trip to visit relatives. My sister-in-law has dementia and didn't know who we were and her husband is in rehab after a stroke. This aging thing is no fun.
My neighbour and some good friends are battling for their lives against that Cancer monster.
Some of my siblings are struggling with constant pain and debilitating disease.
My Aunt is very sick and frail and could be breathing her last any day.
My Grandson was so very sick yesterday.
I'm reminded of a song..."Everybody want's to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die".
It's the process of getting there that is so difficult.
Again, I cry out to God for all these people and I read Psalm 23. Thank God, our shepherd is always there to comfort and guide.
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