Christmas

This year I was blessed to spend Christmas in Ottawa with Jason and Yvonne and the girls . Zoey and I drove down on the 23rd. for three days.



Aila had made some decorations.
The reindeer was on the back of the door in my room.



The girls were so excited when the time for opening the gifts finally became a reality as they had been so patient in the days before, and didn't peek, but only counted how many each had under the tree.


A hug for Yvonne.







A wonderful memory preserved in my heart. I am grateful for my children, all of my children , and thankful for the restoration that Jesus has given me.

Just a Moment

It all happened in a moment, a most remarkable moment.

As moments go, that one appeared no different than any other. If you could somehow pick it up off the timeline and examine it, it would look exactly like the ones that have passed while you have read these words.

It came and it went. It was preceded and succeeded by others just like it. It was one of the countless moments that have marked time since eternity became measurable.

But in reality, that particular moment was like none other. For through that segment of time a spectacular thing occurred. God became a man. While the creatures of earth walked unaware, Divinity arrived. Heaven opened herself and placed her most precious one in a human womb.

The omnipotent, in one instant, made himself breakable. He who had been spirit became pierceable. He who was larger than the universe became an embryo. And he who sustains the world with a word chose to be dependent upon the nourishment of a young girl.

God as a fetus. Holiness sleeping in a womb. The creator of life being created.

God was given eyebrows, elbows, two kidneys, and a spleen. He stretched against the walls and floated in the amniotic fluids of his mother.

God had come near.

He came, not as a flash of light or as an unapproachable conqueror, but as one whose first cries were heard by a peasant girl and a sleepy carpenter. The hands that first held him were unmanicured, calloused, and dirty.

For thirty-three years he would feel everything you and I have ever felt. He felt weak. He grew weary. He was afraid of failure. He was susceptible to wooing women. He got colds, burped, and had body odor. His feelings got hurt. His feet got tired. And his head ached.

To think of Jesus in such a light is—well, it seems almost irreverent, doesn’t it? It’s not something we like to do; it’s uncomfortable. It is much easier to keep the humanity out of the incarnation. Clean the manure from around the manger. Wipe the sweat out of his eyes. Pretend he never snored or blew his nose or hit his thumb with a hammer.

He’s easier to stomach that way. There is something about keeping him divine that keeps him distant, packaged, predictable.

But don’t do it. For heaven’s sake, don’t. Let him be as human as he intended to be. Let him into the mire and muck of our world. For only if we let him in can he pull us out.

It all happened in a moment. In one moment … a most remarkable moment. The Word became flesh.

There will be another. The world will see another instantaneous transformation. You see, in becoming man, God made it possible for man to see God. When Jesus went home he left the back door open. As a result, “we will all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.” (1 Corinthians 15:51–52)

The first moment of transformation went unnoticed by the world. But you can bet your sweet September that the second one won’t. The next time you use the phrase “just a moment, … ” remember that’s all the time it will take to change this world.

Grace for the Moment

Grace for the Moment:
Volume 2 by Max Lucado

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
John 1:14 NKJV

Don’t we love the word “with”? “Will you go with me?” we ask. “To the store, to the hospital, through my life?” God says he will.

“I am with you always,” Jesus said before he ascended to heaven, “to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20 NIV).

Search for restrictions on the promise; you’ll find none.

You won’t find “I’ll be with you if you behave…when you believe. I’ll be with you on Sundays in worship…at mass.” No, none of that. There’s no withholding tax on God’s “with” promise. He is with us.

God is with us.

Prophets weren’t enough. Apostles wouldn’t do. Angels won’t suffice. God sent more than miracles and messages.

He sent Himself; He sent his Son. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”

My Dad

This is a link to a web site that features my father reading a bit of poetry.
He had a great radio 'voice '.

He was a local radio and television personality .
He has been in heaven for over thirty years, and this picture below was the last time I was with him. I was thirty two years old and he died eight weeks later. During this hug, the Lord told me this would be the last time .



He was a good dad, and loved his grandchildren, though he always insisted they call him Grampa Del. Today is my son Tim's birthday, and in the photo below he was maybe four years old. Where has the time gone ? Happy Birthday Tim .

The Word Became Flesh

"The LORD brought Me forth as the First of His works, before His deeds of old;
I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began.

When there were no oceans, I was given birth. When there were no springs abounding with water; before the mountains were settled in place,

Before the hills, I was given birth, before He made the earth or its fields
or any of the dust of the world.

I was there when He set the heavens in place, when He marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,

When He established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,
from the beginning, before the world began.

When He gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep His command,
and when He marked out the foundations of the earth.



Then I was the craftsman at his side. I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in His Presence rejoicing in His whole world and delighting in mankind. (Proverbs 8)
_________________________________________
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.He was with God in the beginning.

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.


For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given,
and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

The Master Plan

The cross was no accident.

Jesus’ death was not the result of a panicking, cosmological engineer. The cross wasn’t a tragic surprise. Calvary was not a knee-jerk response to a world plummeting towards destruction. It wasn’t a patch-job or a stop-gap measure. The death of the Son of God was anything but an unexpected peril.

No, it was part of a plan. It was a calculated choice. “It was the Lord’s will to crush him.” The cross was drawn into the original blueprint. It was written into the script. The moment the forbidden fruit touched the lips of Eve, the shadow of a cross appeared on the horizon. And between that moment and the moment the man with the mallet placed the spike against the wrist of God, a master plan was fulfilled.

“It was the LORD’s will to crush him.”
Isaiah 53:10 NIV

1 of 365 devotionals in Grace for the Moment, Volume 2
Originally printed in God Came Near /Max Lucado

Remembering

Four years ago today December 4th. that my little Aunt T. passed away and relocated to heaven. Where has the time gone ? Remembering is a very good thing.

God is Eternal

God Is Eternal
Thursday, December 04, 2008 : Max Lucado
“God is…greater than we can understand! No one knows how old he is.”
Job 36:26

Scripture says that the number of God’s years is unsearchable. We may search out the moment the first wave slapped on a shore or the first star burst in the sky, but we’ll never find the first moment when God was God, for there is no moment when God was not God. He has never not been, for he is eternal. God is not bound by time.

But when Jesus came to the earth, all this changed. He heard for the first time a phrase never used in heaven: “Your time is up.” As a child, he had to leave the Temple because his time was up. As a man, he had to leave Nazareth because his time was up. And as a Savior, he had to die because his time was up. For thirty-three years, the stallion of heaven lived on the corral of time.

Tribute to Courage

I have been thinking about courage and the many different faces this particular type of bravery wears in public.
In the environment of working for a Prosthestist I have the privilege of meeting a diverse array of amazing and courageous human beings.



There is an insidious disease out there going by the name of Diabetes. I remember as a youth hearing about it, but never really it gave much thought .

Now , as my generation enters that time of life these things are once again brought to our attention as we get our regular check ups or we notice certain symptoms beginning.

In this business, lately I have been in contact with new amputees. Most are Below the Knee, but it started with a sore on the foot or toe.

There is a doc here who does most of the amputations and they call him 'toe at a time so and so ....' (of course I cannot name him,) but before you know it the leg below the knee is gone, sometimes above the knee. Gangrene can set in and since diabetics don't heal properly it's very dangerous.

Anyway, most of our patients that I have met have diabetes, or peripheral vascular disease, where there is no blood flow to the veins etc. to the feet.

One lovely lady has had both legs amputated below the knees and her attitude is so amazing and upbeat. She has had her car modified, rides her bike, and walks everywhere when needed. When I think of courage , her face comes to mind.

Then the other day, a fellow was in who's amputation was just very recent and he is getting his very first 'leg' as we say.

He was in the hospital and after his surgery tried to get up in the night to use the bathroom, forgetting that he did not have his leg any longer. You see, it feels like it is still there, so he just hopped out of bed, and ended up back in surgery. The stories are incredible,and most folks I have met have a good attitude.

I always ask, how was it trying to process the fact that you are loosing a part of your body ? (since it's not like tonsils right?) Sometimes, they have very little time to even think about it depending on the situation.

Another recent amputee from diabetes, says she can still feel her toes, and has been told to wiggle them even though they are not there , since it will help the muscles in her upper leg.

I cannot even imagine what it must be like.

Another fellow more elderly, and a tad on the 'crusty' side, came in with his family recently, and his daughter reported that the only reason he was alive and survived the surgery was because he is afraid to die. So very sad....No wonder he's crusty !

These people are only one small face of courage and bravery. The ones I come in contact with nearly every day.

Then there are the child amputees....but that's another story.

Fun and Games

I found a fabulous site for amusing myself at home and at work when particularly bored. It helps to keep the brain from slipping into that numb place.

Discovery Channel

There are all sorts of fun Interactives , and Puzzles are my favorites.

I even went to the Kids site where there are even more things to keep the mind from stalling on a quiet day.

National Geographic is another very interesting place to visit. No games, but lots of lovely and amazing photography.

Make Me Alive

I dream that my voice is heard in the Secret Place, where I bare my face;
Come wash over me, Come wash over me, till I can't take any more.

My heart and my flesh cry out for You the Living God.
This is the prayer raging inside of me and I am not ashamed .
You light up my life Jesus !

Most people who know me know that I am not a 'cat person' though I make exceptions for my sisters , especially Big (the main man), Gabe , Cloud and Ashes.

I LOVE DOGS ! Especially little Shih-Zhu's .

Anyway, last week as I waited for a very long time once again at the vet's , a fellow came in with his big orange cat to get it's shots.

Well !!! let me tell you the pictures below do not due justice to the commotion that went on behind the closed door of the little examining room.

First of all there was a very loud YOWL!!!Then some crashing noises , voices in distress and a lot more Yowling.

Suddenly the owner comes rushing out holding his bleeding arm, looking frantically about ....
Then out runs the vet himself...don't know what he was looking frantically for.

Then along comes a young lady assistant with the big Cat Gloves on.
You should never try to give a needle to a cat without the Big Cat Gloves!

More crashing about.... they could not catch this poor terrified beast.





At the same time, a lady brought in her litter of puppies,(very smelly indeed).

Then there was the poor old Jack Russell who had been attacked by a German Shepherd. Riley was limping and bleeding and shaking....and his owner was complaining that the owner of the attacking dog would be paying the bill. Yea right !

The owner of Tuffy the other Jack Russell I mentioned in a previous post, was there again, and looked very distressed as the Vet. Secretary told him they would need another 500.00 just to keep treating poor Tuffy for his kidney problems.

It seems to me that becoming a vet would be a very lucrative business in these days, when we pet lovers will go to great lengths to maintain the health and well being of our beloved pets.

I think the Lord wouldn't mind if we prayed for healing first .... Zoey needs eye surgery to correct something called Entropion of the eyelid .

Entropion is inward turning of the lower eyelid, resulting in the eyelashes directing towards the surface of the eye, causing discomfort. The skin of the eyelid and the eyelashes may rub against the cornea (front part of the eye) and the conjunctiva (the white mucous membrane that protects the surface of the eye). Rubbing of the eyelid skin and lashes against the eye can result in excess tearing, crusting of the eyelid, mucous discharge, foreign body sensation, irritation of the cornea and impaired vision from keratitis.

It seems very necessary, so I just may have to get myself another job to pay these vet bills. Lord have mercy !

It's Friday

T.G.I.F...and we are once again off to the vets.

My frisky little puppy was recovering so nicely from her surgery of two weeks ago, when yesterday I noticed a large blood filled lump on her tummy, thus precipitating another visit to Cavan Veterinary Clinic today. While I was at work Zoey worked on her wound and to my horror she had worked away at that bump and made a hole right through to the stitch underneath. Yuk!

So now she has to wear her new 'collar' and I have to take her back every two days for infection control. He did not want to stitch it up. I suggested that super glue stuff that is so popular today with humans , but he did not agree. Poor Zoe!


Puppies are resilient and once she discovered that I was bribing her with shaved roast beef to sneak her antibiotic in , things didn't seem so bad for awhile.


Most pet lovers know that vet visits are not only costly, but usually we end up having to wait , just like in a regular doctors office.

Tonight was no different except my experience was amazing.

When I arrived, there was a lady standing at the counter paying her bill and weeping. In the crate at her feet was her departed pet. My heart went out to her and so I touched her and told her I was sorry for her loss. That's ok she said, thanks. No.. I responded softly, it's not ok, I know what it's like.

Then there was a lady named Sandy holding her beautiful white cat while he had an intravenous line going into his leg. We were having a nice chat when in came some folks with Trillium a lovely golden lab.

Trillium had been playing with a stick a few days ago and ate some which left her with some kind of splinter in her somewhere that was making her throw up a lot . Trillium looked like she had been having just that kind of day.

(Here I just had to tell folks about a dog I know named Oliver(Maggie's friend) who has been known to ingest panty hose, bounce fabric softener and enough chocolate at Christmas a year ago and his subsequent vet encounter that in no way hindered his Christmas dinner.)

The fellow that broke my heart was a funny looking dog named Pete. He was 14 years old and was having a rough time. He had such a sad look on his face.
Before I even overheard the conversation at the counter, I knew Pete was here for the dreaded euthanasia. Pete was going to the Rainbow bridge.
I am sure he knew too you could just tell by his eyes, the way he looked at me.
Flash back to my last moments with my Sam.
As his owner took him to a private room to spend some alone time , tears were impossible to hold back.

Then there was Tuffy a five year old Jack Russel with his intravenous in his leg because his kidneys were not functioning properly, being comforted by his owner. Most of these owners were men. I can only imagine families at home grieving their beloved pet while dad had to do the deed.

I have come to the conclusion that pet lovers/ owners are very peculiar people. There is a special feeling when one can sit and talk with another pet owner, not even knowing their name and feel a bond of compassion beyond words empathizing with them and their animal.

There was the parenting season when this was true for me when raising my children. Again as a caregiver in serving and loving the elderly.

The thing about loving my pet is it's totally selfish. My pet likes this too and thinks it's all about her, which it is really as well.

Actually it's just for my own well being and satisfaction that I will spend my wages on dog food, puppy treats and medicine ;
pick up a lot of doggy doo doo during our life together;
laugh with delight as she takes off with my slippers just to smell my scent.

The hours of love and cuddles that are innocent and delicious and the many car outings and adventures. There is also the criticism from some who don't understand us and our affections for all things furry and sweet.

Then after many more years of unconditional love and companionship, I will once again know the sorrow of losing another great friend. It's all part of the journey.

I am sure that the folks I encountered tonight at the vet's would feel the same. We are a strange and wonderful breed ourselves and for that I am very grateful to the Lord.

Last Week

It has been one week today since Zoey had her surgery (spaying). In female puppies it is major surgery since they remove the uterus and ovaries. Something I learned is that spaying really helps prevent mammary cancer in dogs. Still, I felt very sorry for her.

BUT.....one week later , actually after only a few days she was back to her playful little personality.



Today at noon hour we took advantage of the beautiful weather and had a nice walk , the longest since her surgery.

This puppy has become such a blessing and she is so very affectionate. She just loves to hug and cuddle...and so do I !



When I get home from work we take a few minutes to enjoy each other.



The Lord sure knew what I needed when He gave me Zoey....we rescued each other.

Safely Home

The Lady is Home. She fought a courageous battle against a vicious enemy. Her life and her battle was a beautiful testimony to the grace and presence of Jesus as He walked with her through the valley of the shadow of death .

In a strange way, I am always a little envious of someone who is now gazing into the Face I long to behold.

The other evening I was thinking to the Lord, 'I wonder what Lana is doing?' I heard the Lord say...'She is smiling ! She can't stop smiling ! I wept with joy and gratitude at the Goodness of our Savior.

2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God an eternal house in heaven not built by human hands.

Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling....

Invitation to Beauty

Sometimes there are no words to express my gratitude for the blessing of being surrounded by the beauty that declares the Truth : He is very much Alive !

Even as I post this little note, there is a friend who is lying in her hospital bed even now waiting for her Savior and Beloved to make His entrance and take her Home.

I hear The Voice singing....Prepare the Way of the Lord...Behold your God !

Smile

Sometimes, the humor of the Lord just jumps right out at me. Today while checking out the National Geographic web site, I found this picture of this little smiling spider guarding her eggs.

What an incredible and amazing Creator we have ! Just makes me smile.

Well Rebecca, I don't love spiders but I have to say I am so impressed with their perseverence and determination in creating and restoring their lovely web.

I used to clean the windows in my Lakefield job, and almost immediately those little things were back spinning like crazy to re-establish their web.

I am always happy to be amazed at the intricacy of our Creator, and how He is so into the finest detail no matter how seemingly insignificant and sometimes disgusting it may seem to some humans, myself being primarily disgusted with bugs of all sorts.

Happy Thanksgiving

I have so very much to be thankful for everyday and Thanksgiving is another opportunity to tell the Lord how much He means to me... and so I surrender my heart all over again.

Princess Lion Dog

Zoey has had a nice grooming, and seems to have been set free by her many new relationships with other canine friends.

Last evening after our last walk of the day, I was relaxing in a nice bath, when there was a knock on my door. Now, my building has the security system where if one has a visitor they are buzzed in.

This system does not protect one from those already living in the building, some who are placed here and paid for by the Mental Health Organization and then the normal not so pleasant types , as well as the rest of us , whatever category we slide ourselves into.

Anyway, I did not answer the door, but just asked 'who is there ?'
Your 'friend' from 4....??? I didn't hear the rest.
By the way, I do not have any 'friends' in the building let alone on my floor.

Meanwhile, Zoey, this little lady who never barks, started into the barking in a big way, so much so that she worked herself into an actual howl.

I was impressed !

So I have dubbed her "Princess Zoe" of the Royal Lion-Dog Tribe.... that should keep the unseemly types from bothering us I think, at least while we are safely behind locked doors.

As for when we take our nightly walk, I will trust Jesus and His Angels to be our Guard .

Seasons Change

Recently while on our noon hour walk I was compelled to record the beauty of the changing season which was so vibrantly on display all around us.









As I walked, the amazing fragrance that only autumn leaves in their dying can display, arose, bringing memories of school days flooding through me with joy. It was like I couldn't get enough....the next day on the same walk, the fragrance had dissipated.





At the end of the day, this lovely sight greeted me from my window , a reminder full of promise.... I will never leave you .....

Taking time to get back to the Safety of the Secret Place.

You're Beautiful

This is an amazing worship song by Phil Wickham .
I heard it on the IHOP webstream recently. So fresh and anointed.

He's Waiting In the Midst of the Storm

Peter knows he is in trouble.

That is why, when he sees Jesus walking on the water toward the boat, he is the first to say, “Lord, if it’s you … tell me to come to you on the water.” (Matthew 14:28)

He is aware of two facts: He’s going down, and Jesus is staying up. And it doesn’t take him too long to decide where he would rather be.
Perhaps a better interpretation of his request would be, “Jeeeeeeeesus. If that is you, then get me out of here!”

“Come on” is the invitation.

Read the rest here.

This man has a way of creating such an amazingly real moment.

Return

You find me in the night
hold me in the night
open up my eyes
and the Son will Rise.
(Misty Edwards)

I had a dream the other night and I was riding my bike down a familiar but very dark street. I was not afraid, but was very aware of the darkness of the night.

I was almost to the corner, when someone jumped onto the back of my bike. At first I was terrified, but then a little later, once through the intersection, I turned see who it was, and it turned out to be someone I knew.This person had the same name as the street I was riding on.
We were all sitting in a kind of tent around a fire, and the person who had been on my bike looked very wounded and distressed.

The next day I actually met the person who had jumped on my bike . Strange.....but maybe not really so strange after all.

Stunning Image

From Astromomy Picture of the Day