Reflections

My holiday has gone quite well and was overwhemled by the gifts I received from both my family and my girlfriend's family. More importantly, I got to spend to spend some quality time with family and got to see a little of area I used to live. I also got to reflect on the reason for the season and to explore more Christian spiritually. I have been studying the Minor Prophets of the Old Testament as well as some New Testament letters.

As the year draws to a close I look back and I feel very blessed. The move was successful and have adjusted quite well. I found a job within six weeks and even though it was very from enjoyable it kept me afloat and helped me explore my "sweet spot". I am also dating a wonderful woman and we heading very close to one year of dating. More importantly, my faith was rejuvenated this year and I seek a greater relationship with the Lord.

What does next year hold for me. I am jobless right now but it is probably for the best as I get to explore some options. I also get to continue my walk with Him and find out His will for my life. I am nervous yet excited to see what 2007 holds in store for me. I will be an interesting road to travel.

Some Poetry

I found this one is Our Daily Bread:

Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming
From tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse's lineage coming
As men of old have sung
It came, a Floweret bright,
Amid the cold of winter
When half-spent was the night

Author Unknown

Remember The Reason For The Season

Here is a couple of verses to remember for this Christmas season:

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, Which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:10-11

My Holidays So Far

I'm back home for the holidays with my girlfriend. We will be going to see her parents on Christmas eve and Christmas day. I already received a couple presents with one being the movie The Passion Of The Christ. The weather has been unseasonal as it feels a lot like spring. Anyways, I'm enjoying myself so far and am loking forward to Christmas.

A Word On Family

This is part of an e-mail I received recently:

FAMILY
Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days. But the family we left behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives. And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than into our own family, an unwise investment indeed, don't you think? So what is behind the story? Do you know what the word


FAMILY means? FAMILY = (F)ATHER (A)ND (M)OTHER (I) (L)OVE (Y)OU

The Latest in Life

I have been busy lately as I went to a wedding last Saturday and went back home last weekend. i also went to my girlfriend's work Christmas party which went well. Work has been boring and I'm waiting for the ax to fall as the season is almost over. In the meantime it looks like it will be a busy time as we get to Christmas with our respective families. There shall be some good times ahead.

This Past Week zZZZZ

This was a rather boring week for me. I work four days and during those four days I had little to do. My girlfriend was out of town as well. I defintely have to find some hobbies to keep myself busy and get out of the winter doldrums as well.

On Global Warming

About a week ago I saw a film on global warming called An Inconvinent Truth with former US vice-president Al Gore. It is a documentary with Gore giving a lecture to a group of College students on global warming and it's effects on the planet. Of course it is filled with news footage and clips showing the effects.

Among some of the findings are the increase in natural disaters such as hurriances,typhoons and cyclones. The polar ice cap is melting and the country of Greenland faces danger of literally dividing and drifting into different parts of the ocean. Bodies of water such as Lake Chad evaporating and mountain areas turning into desert. Not to mention how much green gas are in the air.

I'll admit with it being a political figure giving this lecture I took it with a grain of salt. I also took into account that there is a political agenda involved. However, a lot of statements and facts found made complete sense. I also have to admit I have been somewhat environmentally conscious for some time.

Even if half the stuff in the film is true it serves as a wake-up call. I'm not ready to become a treehugger but it is made me more aware. I also recommend renting the movie as it has some good points and answers quite a few questions especially about weird weather patterns that we get these days.

The Good And Bad

It has been a good few days as we have been getting mild weather up here. I also been busy at work and Christmas is around the corner. I have gotten most of my shopping done. I am nervously awaiting winter but in the meantime I'll enjoy the mild weather.

On the filpside I did a bonehead thing and wrecked my cellphone when I included it in a load of wash. I also had some car problems a while ago but like the saying goes it is bad but it could be a lot worse. It has also known how I have been strength as these would have cause me to be fit for a straight jacket but I took the approach that s@$% happens. At least I'm alive and well.

I hope with reduced hours at work I can keep this blog up more often. Oh well time will tell.

A Few Words To Live By

Never think that God's delays are God's denials.

Hold on ; hold fast ; hold out. Patience is genius.

Count de Buffon

Take A Moment

Today is Rememberance Day where we remember the soldiers who died for our country in war. It seems to become less meaningful to the younger generations as many of our veterans age and pass on. However, we must never forget what they did for us as without their scarifice we would not enjoy the freedoms and lifestyles that we are able to have. We must we thankful that many of us have never and will likely never go to war. Also, we must remember our troops fighting in Afghanistan. Wheter you agree with the war or not they are giving their lives for this great nation. I ask that we take the moment os silence today and remember all this.

The Latest News

There is not much going on other than I'm going to visit my parents this weekend and see my grandmother who is back from the Ukraine after a two month visit. Work is busy again after a slow October. I'm still figuring out the future but with the Lord's guidance I will get there. I'm starting to get ideas about where I'm going. The weather up here has been nice for a change as it is actually comfortable outside. The best part is no white stuff right now. I will hopefully have more to share in the weeks ahead.

Time Is Not An Ally

I'm learning that with trying to update this blog that time is not an ally. I find that even with my work hours being shorter that I can't get to this blog as often as I want. Then again it could just be writer's block. Either way I could make myself a promise to try and up this up to date as much as possible. Anyways, enough rambling on and I will get back on track soon.

A Pea Story

Here's an e-mail I got recently which I found heartwarming:

Babs Miller was bagging some early potatoes for me. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprising a basket of freshly picked green peas.I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller and the ragged boy next to me."Hello Barry, how are you today?""H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. Sure look good.""They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?""Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time.""Good. Anything I can help you with?""No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas.""Would you like to take some home?""No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with.""Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?""All I got's my prize marble here.""Is that right? Let me see it.""Here 'tis. She's a dandy.""I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?""Not zackley, but almost.""Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble.""Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller."Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said, "There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever.When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, perhaps."I left the stand smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering.Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died. They were having his viewing that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts ... all very professional looking.They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket.Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and mentioned the story she had told me about the marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket."Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim "traded" them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size....they came to pay their debt.""We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world," she confided, "but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho "With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.

Moral: We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds.Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

A Word About The Weather

There was more snow on the ground this morning but most of it is gone now. It is hard to guess what kind of winter we will have. It would look like it will be a long one but I have seen it where it hits early than becomes mild halfway through. Granted that is when I lived further south. I just hope winter is not a long one. At least right now it is raining so fall is still here.

Insights From Jonah

I recently read the Book Of Jonah in the Bible and found how much it shows the theme of wrestling with God. The book is a narrative of a man named Jonah who is called upon by God to preach to the people of Nineveh so they would repent of their sin or face His judgment. Jonah refused and instead boarded a ship headed Tarshish which was in the opposite direction. God sent a storm that hindered his trip and he was tossed in the sea to stop the storm. He then is swallowed by a big fish for three days and three nights before being spewed out unto the land. He preaches to the people of Nineveh and they repent and god withholds His judgment from the them. But this doesn't please Jonah as he had an apparent hatred for these people and wanted the city gone. God prepared a gourd for Jonah to rest under when he was in the heat and then got a worm to kill it to show He has the final say of who survives or incurs His wrath.

It is easy to come down on Jonah for running from God but we all have at some point in our lives. We fear we will ask us to go somewhere we don't want to or do something we may feel uncomfortable or overwheling. We may not board a ship and go in the opposite direction but we may tune out His voice or push our own agenda through instead. We often disobey His will for our lives and often miss out on the blessings that go with it.

It also touches on deep seated prejudences that we all have. Jonah didn't like the people of Nineveh and that's why he refused to go. We let our prejudences get in the way of obeying God's will. It may not be limited to skin color or ethnicty. It may be something like not sharing the Gospel with co-workers because we can't stand them or not ministering to others becuse of fear. We also might not what to go where God wants us because it is different.

There is also a picture of Christ as Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the fish just as Jesus sent three days and three nights in the tomb. Also, the belly of the fish can also be seen as a trial we may have to endure in order for God to get our attention. We have to sometimes be in the belly of the fish to grow in our walk with God.

Lastly, there is the gourd which God shows how he can give and take life. Also, how He can provide us shelter when we need us and that He is involved in all our affairs in this life. He gives all who are willing to repent and obey him and a second chance.

There's No Education Like Adversity

The title is actually from a fortune cookie I got awhile back but it rings so true. I can say that you certainly learn what you are made of when you going through trials. You also learn who you can count on and what is important to you. I can also say from my own experience you learn how much you need to depend on God for day to day living.

First Snow Sighting

Well we got our first taste of winter up here. Even though the snow is now gone I still say it is why too early for the white stuff especially since October isn't even halfway over yet. It could be worse though as other parts of Ontario got up to 30 centimeters. I just hope it doesn't make an appearance until much later.

What Are You Thankful For?

Today is Thanksgiving in Canada which is a day we usually take time to remember the things we are thankful for. I personally can name a few such as being thankful for good health and here are some others:

I'm thankful for the great friends and family the God has placed in my life.

I'm especially thankful for the great woman He has placed by my side.

I'm thankful that I live in a country where I'm free to worship God as I please.

I'm thankful for a roof over my head and the food I eat.

I'm thankful for household pets.

I'm thankful for the lessons we learn in life even through they are sometimes painful.

There are many others that I can't think of offhand. As this day closes I will pose the question What are you thankful for?

Another Update

It has been choatic lately. Between the 12 hour shifts and other things going on. I haven't been able to do too much. I'm going away for the long weekend to London for my girlfriend's cousin's wedding. It should be good and I hope I can squezze some much needed rest time in between. I hope to catch up on a few things this weekend as well.