The person who walks with God,

always gets to their destination.

-anon

telephones and holidays

what a wonderful invention the telephone has been ... well, most of the time anyway! *grin*

over the holidays, we stayed at home ... we didn't even venture out to my aunt's on Christmas eve because leo was having a fever/nausea thing happening - poor guy! so we enjoyed our cozy condo (God's Christmas present of last year! the gift that we continue to love!) ... but we didn't feel out of the loop at all ... there were many phone visits to enjoy ... in fact, i was starting to get "phone ear" ... and i'm sure leo got a krik in his neck from his chatting with folks too ... but it was super to listen to the voices of family and friends - sharing Christmas greetings with them ...

of the many many things that we take for granted in our high tec world, the simple telephone is one that has helped many a shut-in keep communication lines open ...

a new thing ...

God promises to do a new thing ... and i believe Him ... oh yes, i believe Him ...

of course, the way of the world continues in sadness ... look at the assassination of mrs. bhutto today ... sadness and tragedy ... nervousness added to that already volitile area of the world ...

without Jesus - everything would be scary and tragic ...

with Jesus, we can lay our burdens and fears at His feet ... and He gives the weary pilgrim rest ...

may you be at rest in Him too ...

Christmas Day!

may Jesus be the centre of your Christmas celebration ... a reminder of the greatest gift humanity could receive ...

dear blog buds - be blessed today ... as you have continually encouraged and blessed me ...

Christmas 2007

may you experience Jesus - who truly embodies all that is good and right about this time of year ... blessings on you and yours!

* * * * * * * * * * *

Jesus Christ is to me the outstanding personality of all time, all history, both as Son of God and as Son of Man. Everything he ever said or did has value for us today and that is something you can say of no other man, dead or alive. There is no easy middle ground to stroll upon. You either accept Jesus or reject him. --Sholem Asch

Christmas scene

snow is falling ... there are carolers singing ... and the aroma of baking still lingers in the air ... those are familiar Christmas sights, sounds and smells ...

and that peace that Christ brings ... i'm so glad that He is my Saviour and that this Season's Reason is my richest treasure ...

baking

even though i am thoroughly starting to enjoy this Christmas time in our own odd way ... i am confused with my lack of "doing" ... i haven't even baked a single thing! nothing!

leo is trying to lose weight ... and i'm trying to help him by not baking ... but visions of sugar plums are starting to dance in my head ... i may have to break out the baking gear and make some goodies ...

i do have a stash of home made fudge in the freezer ... however, pies are my specialty and i enjoy making them ...

and as of tonight, i am officially on holiday until the 27th ... :o) ... it has been a really grand time in the library ... i've so enjoyed it ... but i won't mind the time at home either!

blessings on ya!

It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.
— W.T. Ellis

anti social ...

this time of year can make me a little anti-social ... i would just as soon NOT have contact with "normal" folks until AFTER the holiday ... and why is that? you might wonder? i guess it's because leo and i are about as far from normal as you can get! ... well as it pertains to gatherings, family and the expected norm of Christmas holidays ...

my friend Debra over at As I See It Now, is a real kindred spirit when it comes to obeying and listening to that quiet inner Voice during these times of extra seasonal stress ... i appreciate her blogging honesty, because it has helped me to deal with the guilt i used to carry ... guilt added onto by each well meaning soul who would innocently suggest i do this or that ... always with a "you should" ...

ok - i'll elaborate just a wee bit ... leo doesn't feel well ... yes, i know that most of you realize this ... but i mean, he really feels YUCKY (excuse the medical term i threw in!) ... that is the stress of our day in and day out living ... during these times when people get together and invite us to functions (well usually they know it's just me who would be coming), i politely say "no thank you" ... i mean i could be out quite a bit if i wanted too ... but i don't ...

some argue that it would be good for me to get out ... yes, i agree ... and i do go out ... but Christmas tends to be in overdrive for gatherings ... and mostly they are social, eating & drinking type of affairs ... not the spiritual feeding type of activity ...

and did i mention that leo doesn't feel well? i become more sensitive to his needs at this time of year ... especially when i watch other families ... folks doing things together ... even simple things like a walk to see the Christmas lights ... leo can't do any of this ... the pain becomes far to unmanageable ...

i do get out ... you all know that ... but at Christmas, when families around me are doing "normal" family stuff ... it can hurt to see what we have lost ... not that i feel a pity party coming on - it's just that the magnifying glass of the seasonal expectations seems more obvious ...

so i like to be with my man ... in our little oddball, definitely not normal, world ... 'cause it works for us ... the real meaning of Christmas still rings true in our home ... and ONE DAY Leo wil have a body that doesn't hurt and i will have a heart that doesn't ache ...

one more week ...

yes, that time has flown by ... only one more week and it will be Christmas Day ... thank you Jesus for your unspeakable Gift of salvation to us!

While shepherds kept their watching
O'er silent flocks by night,
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light

chorus:
Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born.

The shepherds deared and trembled
When lo! above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Savour's birth;

chorus

Down in a lowly manger
Our humble Christ was born;
And God sent us salvation
that blessed Christmas morn

chorus

When I was a seeker
I sought both night and day
I sought the Lord to help me
And He showed me the way.

chorus

He made me a watchman
Upon the city wall
And If I am a Christian
I am the least of all.

chorus

christmas cheer

"Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to
the delusions of our childhood days, recall to the
old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport
the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home!"
~Charles Dickens

season of snow

as you can see, the season of snow is well upon us!! this is where i ride my bike in the warmer months ... but now it's just a place for a brisk walk, with the snow crunching underfoot ...

the snow is so clean at this time of year ... there are millions of diamond like flakes that glitter as the winter sun's cool rays touch the white banks ... quite lovely ...

Snowflakes are kisses from heaven. ~Author Unknown

old fashioned Christmas

there should be enough ice to skate on this year! it seems that everyone in north america is getting a wintery blast ... hope you have all found your woolies & scarves & mitts ... :o) ... stay warm ...

just wanted to change the pic ... sending warm thoughts & blessings your way!

joy is possible

joy is possible ... even IF we do listen to the daily news ... or have our expectations not met by loved ones ... or worse yet - believe the materialistic hype of the commercials bombarding the airwaves at every turn ...

joy is possible by spending time with Jesus ... He calms all stormy seas, and restores peace ... especially at this time of year, it is so crucial to stay close by His side ... giving him our cares and worries ... our anxieties ...

joy is possible ... may you experience Jesus at every turn ...

take the journey ...

No one else holds or has held the place in the heart of the world which Jesus holds. Other gods have been as devoutly worshipped; no other man has been so devoutly loved. --John Knox

Fundamentally, our Lord's message was Himself. He did not come merely to preach a Gospel; He himself is that Gospel. He did not come merely to give bread; He said, "I am the bread." He did not come merely to shed light; He said, "I am the light." He did not come merely to show the door; He said, "I am the door." He did not come merely to name a shepherd; He said, "I am the shepherd." He did not come merely to point the way; He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." --J. Sidlow Baxter

foster parents

this little pic made me think of squeaks ... as i've already shared with some of you, it turns out that we were only squeaks foster parents ... 3 weeks ago he went to live on a farm, with another cat and a lady our age ... she will have grandkids over for him to play with ... and he has 3 floors to call his own, as well as the great outdoors ...

he was a loveable charactor who was ruling the roost here at our condo - which was too small for his active antics ... i think we were just there to rescue him from where he was at and save him for where he is now ...

sometimes that's the way of life ... nothing is permanent, yet if there is something positive that comes out of it ... it's a blessing ...

chilly manitoba

it was -29C here this morning! brrrrrrrrrrrr ... i'm glad there are Christmas decorations around to take the sting out of the cold ... :o)

baking

Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity. ~Voltaire

i heard the bells on Christmas Day

after hearing of the latest mall shooting, i thought of this Christmas song ....

I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY

(Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along th' unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men."

Till ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Jesus, there's just something about that name ...

Despite our efforts to keep him out, God intrudes. The life of Jesus is bracketed by two impossibilities: "a virgin's womb and an empty tomb". Jesus entered our world through a door marked,"No Entrance" and left through a door marked "No Exit."

--Peter Larson

His Gift

i received this e-mail from a sweet friend this afternoon and it blessed my heart ... she said i could share it with you guys ... so here it is:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I wanted to share this with you because it helped me to know God better.

This morning at church, a mother with 2 kids in tow (about 4 years old and under 2), climbed up to the balcony where I was sitting. I had purposely chosen that area to sit in. The service was long for the children, and the 2 year old started knocking on chairs, and jumping in that tight little space. Usually, I would have told the mother that we have really great child care, and that she would hear better and the kids would enjoy getting to play in our wonderful nursery area. (I know, because I work in it once a month). However,…. I had this “PERFECT” peace on me that kept me from saying anything. Believe me, I would’ve been on her like white on rice if that peace had lifted….

So…at the end of the service the pastor invites “all who will” to accept a personal relationship with Jesus, raise their hand and come down for prayer. I had closed my eyes, but when I opened them, this lady's hand was raised! She did not go down, however. I went over and asked if she’d raised her hand. She said “Yes…but she didn’t want to go down with her children.” I said I’d carry the little one, or go with her and help her. She asked her young son (about 4-5) did he want to go down? He nodded yes! So they went!!!!

The moral and grace revealed in this story is, “God kept my mouth shut”. I did not ruin the awesome work He was doing by talking! So… He who shut the mouth of the lions in Daniel’s den, is also shutting ours (sometimes)!

December 1st, 2007

there is a cheery fire on in the living room ... only it's in my tv set! *laughing* ... but that particular "yule log station" is playing Christmas music too ... it's all very pleasant - really it is!

the one year anniversary of our condo living, has gone ever so pleasantly ... the Lord has been faithful and answered even prayers that i didn't know to pray at the time ...

this morning i dug out the Christmas ornaments and started to decorate our living area ... i only used about half of what i put up at our cottage - there isn't quite as much space here, but that is just fine with me ... there are enough decorations around to evoke memories of times past ... *fond smile* ...

i hope you had a peaceful 1st of December too ... blessings on ya!