Christmas and the New Year is a wonderful time to celebrate. Then there are numerous times throughout the year when we can find a moment to celebrate.
Of course for the Christian, the birth of Christ is the greatest celebration of them all. Peace on earth good will to men.
God loves celebrations, the Bible particularly in the Old Testament is full celebrations which included feasts and jubilation.
Also, tomorrow is promised to no one. Every day is precious so let's celebrate! Let's enjoy the basic goods of life with wonder. It's a new day and we have been given the gift of life. Celebrate your freedom, your country and the town you live in. Celebrate the first flower of Spring, the first fallen leaf of Fall and the first blanket of snow in the Winter.
In Alberta, we can joyfully celebrate Dec 21, the shortest day of the Year!!
We are constantly bombarded with news that can cause our hearts to skip a beat and our emotions to react in all kinds of ways. If we learn to celebrate, it will help us to move from fear to faith. Just recently, a family lost everything in a house fire. They were a family of seven. They are all, seldom away from home. This particular evening, no one was at home! Their response was that while they have lost so many family memories, they have each other.
Even though I didn't sleep well last night, I woke up with joy in my heart. During aqua-size three mornings a week, as I raise my hand over my head in the last minute stretches, I take the opportunity to present my hands to God and thank him for the opportunity to refresh myself.
So celebrate! Celebrate with yourself, it can be as simple as saying a blessing over the food. Celebrate with others, family, friends, community.
Every day is a special occasion, so Celebrate!
Wednesday 16 December 2015
Tuesday 1 December 2015
A GOOD NAME
There's a lot to be said about a name. Not all artists and writers are embraced by people. Some writers have written exceptional good reads that only maybe read by a few. There are others who will be on the best sellers list, not necessarily because of their writing but because of their well known name.
There is an English definition for a good name that says, he/she comes of a good stock. Another is, he/she is well bred; one who is well mannered and courteous or comes from a good breeding.
The Bible says in Proverbs 22:1 says, A good name is more desirable than great riches.
What constitutes a good name?
A seasoned gentleman gave a talk some time ago on four qualities which constitutes a good name.
- Honesty...This quality does not necessarily evolve because we come from good stock or we have a famous name. I remember on one occasion when our son was around three years old, coming out of the grocery store and while putting him in the car, I noticed both hands were made into a fist. I became suspicious and asked him to show me his hands. Those little hands held all the candy it could manage. This involved going back to the store, and personally returning the candy to a clerk and telling her what he had done was wrong. I am not a famous person but I would consider my name to be of value from good stock and a lesson was learned in honesty that day.
- Integrity...While integrity is linked to honesty it goes a step further. Its the quality of being honest with strong moral principles. C.S. Lewis said Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.
-Generosity...Generosity is more than just giving of monetary and tangible things. Giving can involve nurturing others, forgiveness, courage, respect, loyalty and even celebrating.
-Contentment...Our circumstances should not define our contentment. In spite of our circumstances good or bad, our contentment and happiness depends upon our personal choice. Paul was in prison when he penned those words; "I have learned in whatever state I am in to be content." (Philippians 4:11)
"We may pass violets looking for roses. We may pass contentment looking for victory." Bernard Williams
If my name can contribute to these qualities then I will have passed on a legacy to my children, a name of good stock!
There is an English definition for a good name that says, he/she comes of a good stock. Another is, he/she is well bred; one who is well mannered and courteous or comes from a good breeding.
The Bible says in Proverbs 22:1 says, A good name is more desirable than great riches.
What constitutes a good name?
A seasoned gentleman gave a talk some time ago on four qualities which constitutes a good name.
- Honesty...This quality does not necessarily evolve because we come from good stock or we have a famous name. I remember on one occasion when our son was around three years old, coming out of the grocery store and while putting him in the car, I noticed both hands were made into a fist. I became suspicious and asked him to show me his hands. Those little hands held all the candy it could manage. This involved going back to the store, and personally returning the candy to a clerk and telling her what he had done was wrong. I am not a famous person but I would consider my name to be of value from good stock and a lesson was learned in honesty that day.
- Integrity...While integrity is linked to honesty it goes a step further. Its the quality of being honest with strong moral principles. C.S. Lewis said Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.
-Generosity...Generosity is more than just giving of monetary and tangible things. Giving can involve nurturing others, forgiveness, courage, respect, loyalty and even celebrating.
-Contentment...Our circumstances should not define our contentment. In spite of our circumstances good or bad, our contentment and happiness depends upon our personal choice. Paul was in prison when he penned those words; "I have learned in whatever state I am in to be content." (Philippians 4:11)
"We may pass violets looking for roses. We may pass contentment looking for victory." Bernard Williams
If my name can contribute to these qualities then I will have passed on a legacy to my children, a name of good stock!
Sunday 25 October 2015
COURAGE
Have courage for the great sorrows in life. And when you have laboriously accomplished your daily tasks, go to sleep in peace. God is awake. Victor Hugo
Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. It is also what it takes to sit down and listen. Winston Churchill
Courage is giving people the benefit of the doubt.
Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. It is also what it takes to sit down and listen. Winston Churchill
Courage is giving people the benefit of the doubt.
Monday 5 October 2015
GRATITUDE
Enjoy the Seasons as they come and go.
Wake to every Summer morning with glorious anticipation whether sunshine or rain.
Listen to the birds having their morning conversation.
Enjoy the sounds of lawn mowers indicating the grass has grown.
Let every living plant and flower awaken your sense of wonder.
Listen to the wind rustling through the trees, creating an original melody.
Taste and savor the bounties of the earth as it brings forth its harvest.
Observe the daily change as the earth gives up its time of growth to bring rest to the fields.
Allow the beautiful colours of Autumn to nourish your spirit as if seeing them for the very first time.
Gaze with wonder every snowflake as they blanket the earth reminding us that;
"As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease." Gen 8:22
....Ruth Roberts Johnstone
Wake to every Summer morning with glorious anticipation whether sunshine or rain.
Listen to the birds having their morning conversation.
Enjoy the sounds of lawn mowers indicating the grass has grown.
Let every living plant and flower awaken your sense of wonder.
Listen to the wind rustling through the trees, creating an original melody.
Taste and savor the bounties of the earth as it brings forth its harvest.
Observe the daily change as the earth gives up its time of growth to bring rest to the fields.
Allow the beautiful colours of Autumn to nourish your spirit as if seeing them for the very first time.
Gaze with wonder every snowflake as they blanket the earth reminding us that;
"As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease." Gen 8:22
....Ruth Roberts Johnstone
Wednesday 19 August 2015
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS: LEARN TO DANCE IN THE RAIN
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS: LEARN TO DANCE IN THE RAIN: Tomorrow is promised to no one. Every day is precious.. Gratitude is not just a word. It is a lifestyle where we choose to take life with g...
LEARN TO DANCE IN THE RAIN
Tomorrow is promised to no one. Every day is precious..
Gratitude is not just a word. It is a lifestyle where we choose to take life with gratitude rather than for granted.
Gratitude is strongly linked to emotional and physical health. Having an attitude of gratitude can enrich our lives no matter what the circumstances.
One day I was having a 'be grateful' day, so I wrote in my journal a few of My Be Gratefuls.
-For the beautiful flowers in my garden and the summer breeze.
-For ginger snaps and banana bread.
-For the music of Barbara Streisand, Rita McNeil, Andre Rieu, the Gaithers, Josh Groban and many more.
-For fireworks, hotdogs, and the laughter of children
-For chocolate, which I wouldn't want to live without.
-For a new haircut and a pedicure
-For blueberries, raspberries, cherries and yogurt
-For the beautiful volcanic islands that contain the richest soil producing the most delicious cup of
coffee.
-For fresh water which pours over my head and trickles down my body every morning in the shower.
-For electrical appliances...can you imagine living without them?
-For books, good neighbours, and people who inspire.
-For seasons
-For sight, hearing, taste, smell, and emotions.
-For living in a land of plenty, and enjoying freedom.
.............Excerpts taken from my book 'When Troubles Fall Like Lemon Drops.'
Gratitude is not just a word. It is a lifestyle where we choose to take life with gratitude rather than for granted.
Gratitude is strongly linked to emotional and physical health. Having an attitude of gratitude can enrich our lives no matter what the circumstances.
One day I was having a 'be grateful' day, so I wrote in my journal a few of My Be Gratefuls.
-For the beautiful flowers in my garden and the summer breeze.
-For ginger snaps and banana bread.
-For the music of Barbara Streisand, Rita McNeil, Andre Rieu, the Gaithers, Josh Groban and many more.
-For fireworks, hotdogs, and the laughter of children
-For chocolate, which I wouldn't want to live without.
-For a new haircut and a pedicure
-For blueberries, raspberries, cherries and yogurt
-For the beautiful volcanic islands that contain the richest soil producing the most delicious cup of
coffee.
-For fresh water which pours over my head and trickles down my body every morning in the shower.
-For electrical appliances...can you imagine living without them?
-For books, good neighbours, and people who inspire.
-For seasons
-For sight, hearing, taste, smell, and emotions.
-For living in a land of plenty, and enjoying freedom.
.............Excerpts taken from my book 'When Troubles Fall Like Lemon Drops.'
Monday 27 July 2015
My new book 'When Troubles Fall Like Lemon Drops', is not just about the journey of loss and adversity but mainly of courage, faith, love and triumph. It is about watering your garden, digging out the weeds and making a cool glass of lemonade with your lemons.
There are amazing benefits of lemons. According to Medical News Today; in 1747 James Lind, an early explorer found lemons and oranges extremely effective in treating scurvy.
Lemons have been used to refresh, cleanse, prevent, and heal etc. Life is like that. Treating wounded spirits and disappointing experiences will cause pain but is necessary for the wounds to heal. Triumph in adversity is necessary if we want to master our emotions and multiply our value as human beings. Of all the wonders of creation, we are God's greatest miracle.
There are amazing benefits of lemons. According to Medical News Today; in 1747 James Lind, an early explorer found lemons and oranges extremely effective in treating scurvy.
Lemons have been used to refresh, cleanse, prevent, and heal etc. Life is like that. Treating wounded spirits and disappointing experiences will cause pain but is necessary for the wounds to heal. Triumph in adversity is necessary if we want to master our emotions and multiply our value as human beings. Of all the wonders of creation, we are God's greatest miracle.
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