Taking Time ...

A cool little piece to share on a beautiful Sonday ...

Take time to think;
It is the source of power.

Take time to read;
It is the foundation of wisdom.

Take time to play;
It is the secret of staying young.

Take time to be quiet;
It is the opportunity to seek God.

Take time to be aware;
It is the opportunity to help others.

Take time to love and be loved;
It is God’s greatest gift.

Take time to laugh;
It is the music of the soul.

Take time to be friendly;
It is the road to happiness.

Take time to dream;
It is what the future is made of.

Take time to pray;
It is the greatest power on earth.

–Author Unknown

joy a liquid

The fact is always obvious much too late, but the most singular difference between happiness and joy is that happiness is a solid and joy a liquid.
~J.D. Salinger

I think that this quote rocks! Happiness breaks when something falls on it, but joy fits in whatever container you put it in. There is a distinction between joy and happiness I have usually thought of it as happiness being a sort of worldly emotion that comes from some worldly satisfaction - not worldly in a bad way, but in a mortal human earthly way and joy as being something God given that doesn't necessarily make us happy but gives us hope and inner peace . Just some thoughts... Tim

Nice Things ...

I found this rather extensive list of "nice things" on a blog. Most of them are really cool ... then I got to thinking (a dangerous thing at times for sure!) There would have to be a lot more! Feel free to add ...

1. Falling in love.

2. Laughing so hard your face hurts.

3. A hot shower.

4. No lines at the supermarket

5. A special glance.

6. Getting mail

7. Taking a drive on a pretty road.

8. Hearing your favorite song on the radio.

9. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.

10. Hot towels fresh out of the dryer.

11. Finding the sweater you want is on sale for half price.

12. Chocolate milkshake. (or vanilla!) (or strawberry)

13. A long distance phone call.

14. A bubble bath.

15. Giggling.

16. A good conversation.

17 The beach

18. Finding a 20 note in your coat from last winter.

19. Laughing at yourself.

20. Midnight phone calls that last for hours.

21. Running through sprinklers.

22. Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.

23. Having someone tell you that you're beautiful.

24. Laughing at an inside joke.

25. Friends.

26. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.

27. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to
sleep.

28. Your first kiss (either the very first or with a new partner).

29. Making new friends or spending time with old ones.

30. Playing with a new puppy.

31. Having someone play with your hair.

32. Sweet dreams.

33. Hot chocolate.

34. Road trips with friends.

35. Swinging on swings.

36. Wrapping presents under the Christmas tree while eating cookies
and drinking your favorite tipple.

37. Song lyrics printed inside your new CD so you can sing along
without feeling stupid.

38. Going to a really good concert.

39. Making eye contact with a cute stranger

40. Winning a really competitive game.

41. Making chocolate chip cookies.

42. Having your friends send you homemade cookies.

43. Spending time with close friends.

44. Seeing smiles and hearing laughter from your friends.

45. Holding hands with someone you care about.

46. Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good
or bad) never change

47. Riding the best roller coasters over and over.

48. Watching the expression on someone's face as they open a much
desired present from you.

49. Watching the sunrise.

50. Getting out of bed every morning and being grateful for another
beautiful day.

There are people who do not want us to be free. They don't want us to be free before God, accepted just as we are by his grace. They don't want us to be free to express our faith originally and creatively in the world. They want to control us; they want to use us for their own purposes. They themselves refuse to live arduously and openly in faith, but huddle together with a few others and try to get a sense of approval by insisting that all look alike, talk alike and act alike, thus validating one another's worth. They try to enlarge their numbers only on the condition that new members act and talk and behave the way they do. These people infiltrate communities of faith "to spy out our freedom which we have in Christ Jesus" and not infrequently find ways to control, restrict and reduce the lives of free Christians. Without being aware of it, we become anxious about what others will say about us, obsessively concerned about what others think we should do. We no longer live the good news but anxiously try to memorize and recite the script that someone else has assigned to us. In such a event we may be secure, but we will not be free. We may survive as a religious community, but we will not experience what it means to be human, alive in love and faith, expansive in hope. Conforming and self-congratulatory behavior is not free. But Paul "did not yield in submission even for a moment, that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you." Every free person who benefits from Paul's courage will continue vigilant in the resistance movement he formed.

~Eugene Peterson

mystical law of nature

There is a wonderful, mystical law of nature that the three things we crave most in life ...-happiness, freedom, and peace of mind are always attained by giving them to someone else. --

Unknown Author

Prayer of A Clown

A little bit different prayer ...

As I stumble through this life,

help me to create more laughter than tears,

dispense more cheer than gloom,

spread more cheer than despair.

Never let me become so indifferent,

that I will fail to see

the wonders in the eyes of a child,

or the twinkle in the eyes of the aged.

Never let me forget that my total effort is to cheer people,

make them happy,

and forget momentarily,

all the unpleasantness in their lives.

And in my final moment,

may I hear You whisper:

"When you made My people smile,

you made Me smile."

-Anonymous-

Have a blessed evening everyone! Tim

Susan Boyle - Britains Got Talent 2009

OK .... I'm sitting here bawling in front of my computer! *sniff* You have GOT to see this video ... it is so amazing! If a person doesn't get watery eyes after see this they might as well be dead. I couldn't believe that voice came from that woman. Wow! I've been quite chastised yet again for judging on appearances! What a fantastic triumph!

Click here: YouTube - Susan Boyle - Britains Got Talent 2009 Episode 1 - Saturday 11th April

Here is an article from the nydailynews.com:

Susan Boyle on Britain Got Talent

by dwarthy

Meet the frumpy, unemployed, 47-year-old woman who shocked Simon Cowell.

During auditions for "Britain's Got Talent" this week, Susan Boyle of the village West Lothian walked on to the stage to snickers from the audience and an eye-roll from Cowell. After she unleashed a perfect rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" from the musical "Les Miserables," she left with the crowd on its feet.

"Without a doubt, that is the biggest surprise I've had in three years of the show," said one of Cowell's co-judges, Piers Morgan.

Boyle received three perfect scores and is the early favorite to win on the hit reality TV series.

"I know the minute you walked out on that stage that we were going to hear something extraordinary and I was right," quipped Cowell.

In just three days, the clip of Boyle's stunning performance has notched 2,605,000 views on YouTube.

"I've always wanted to play before a large audience," Boyle said before hitting the stage. "I'm going to make that audience watch."

An Irony in the Tapestry of Recession

Last week, on my trip to Coquille, Oregon, I was checking out the TV and a local TV affiliate is broadcasting a commercial for a ministry, one that has a reputation for "deliverance" -- showing scene after scene of unemployment lines, people frustrated over desks of household paperwork, crying people, people holding their head in their hands in total angst. The pitchman exhorts viewers that "There's no problem God can't handle!" and urges us to come to this church and get all our problems solved. Sending in a "seed tithe" would be a major step in the right direction ....Several minutes later I'm watching CSI and on comes the latest commercial of a notoriously ambulance-chasing plaintiffs' law firm. More talk and imagery related to "these tough economic times," more angst, and the suggestion that if life isn't treating us right it may be because we haven't sued someone who deserves it: "Call the offices of ________!"Ironic.

Of course there isn't a problem God can't handle. But perhaps our comfort isn't His #1 concern! From where we stand, we see the underside of the tapestry...and it is a work in progress. The Master Weaver, sees the final pattern, the master plan, and the "right" side of the tapestry as it is woven. What may seem to be a giant flub or cosmic knot to us may truly be an ingenious and lovely design from the view of our Creator.

There have been so many times in my life when I have been creating something, and in the midst of the project wondered, "did I do that right? Doesn't seem to fit there very well, or suit the final project very well." Only to discover that the piece I had cut or the seam I had sewn worked out simply as the ONLY POSSIBLE WAY to achieve the desired end results. Now if I just "sued someone" or passed on the blame elsewhere, the work of art would have never been completed! Our prayer should stem from our hearts ... not our wallet!

Some thoughts on a Saturday ...

You're Blessed!!! ~ Matthew 5

I just love this version of the Beatitudes from Matthew 5 ...

You're Blessed

1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:

3 "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

4 "You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

5 "You're blessed when you're content with just who you, no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.

6 "You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.

7 "You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.

8 "You're blessed when you get your inside world, your mind and heart, put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

9 "You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.

10 "You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.

11-12 "Not only that, count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens, give a cheer, even, for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

~The Message Bible

Amen! Kind of puts it all in perspective doesn't it?

http://bleuzcattstudio.com/greeting_cards_butterflies_and_wildflowers

Liquid Joy

"The fact is always obvious much too late, but the most singular difference between happiness and joy is that happiness is a solid and joy a liquid." ~J.D. Salinger

I think that this quote rocks! Happiness breaks when something falls on it, but joy fits in whatever container you put it in. There is a distinction between joy and happiness I have usually thought of it as happiness being a sort of worldly emotion that comes from some worldly satisfaction - not worldly in a bad way, but in a mortal human earthly way and joy as being something God given that doesn't necessarily make us happy but gives us hope and inner peace .

Just some thoughts...

We're Going to Feast!!!

I have a question about a quote that appears in at least 2 of Brennan Mannings books that I have read. He writes about imagining these words coming from our loving Lord Jesus:

"Do not be afraid I am with you. I expect more failure from you than you expect from yourself."

Every time I come across this it makes me stop and wonder.

What I hear in that line is "my grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in...weakness. My whole living sacrifice to Him is based in this truth. Cannot thank Him enough! I have not found a verse in God's word where it says we can disappoint Him. We can grieve Him most certainly, but there is a difference, I think the best example of grieving the Father, as opposed to disappointing Him is portrayed in the parable of the prodigal son. I am pretty sure when we stand before God, each and every one of us will have reason to believe that He is disappointed, the prodigal son most certainly did, but look at the Father's response to him. We're going to feast! We're going to have a wonderful time! ( Luke 15 : 11 - 32)

If we hear of revival somewhere, let us not go and try to find the faults that may exist in their doctrines or positions. "Well, Lord, they didn't follow us so we told them not to do it." Jesus said, "You should not have done that. If they are out there doing it in My name, they can't very well be against us. Don't stop them." God deliver us from narrow sectarianism, from an attitude of the Pharisee, but to the same heart of Jesus. Let us rejoice that the Lord receives sinners and eats with them.

So while some people down here are saying, "When are they going to clean up their act?" The angels are up having a whoopee time rejoicing that the lost has been found. Joy in heaven ... We're gonna feast!!!

Any thoughts?

Its about transformation!

“Beneath the surface of everyone’s life, especially the more mature, is an ache that will not go away. It can be ignored, disguised, mislabeled, or submerged by a torrent of activity, but it will not disappear. We were designed to enjoy a better world than this. And until that better world comes along, we will groan for what we do not have. An aching soul is evidence not of neurosis or spiritual immaturity, but of realism.”

~Larry Crabb

Our Christian journey must be rooted in reality not escapism. There is a strong appeal to provide our own relief, to provide our own happiness, but it is only God himself that can bring us rest for the soul. Its not even about relief! The Christian journey must be rooted in reality not escapism. The appeal is strong to provide our own relief, but it is only God himself that can bring us rest for the soul. Its not even about relief! It is about transformation!

From Water to Wine

Most of us know this story right? It was a spectacular miracle: he changed water into wine, so he must have the power of God. This miracle becomes like "proof" that Jesus is God's representative, and that He is as He said He was.

Here's the story:

John 2

From Water to Wine
1-3 Three days later there was a wedding in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there. Jesus and his disciples were guests also. When they started running low on wine at the wedding banquet, Jesus' mother told him, "They're just about out of wine."

4Jesus said, "Is that any of our business, Mother—yours or mine? This isn't my time. Don't push me."

5She went ahead anyway, telling the servants, "Whatever he tells you, do it."

6-7Six stoneware water pots were there, used by the Jews for ritual washings. Each held twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus ordered the servants, "Fill the pots with water." And they filled them to the brim.

8"Now fill your pitchers and take them to the host," Jesus said, and they did.

9-10When the host tasted the water that had become wine (he didn't know what had just happened but the servants, of course, knew), he called out to the bridegroom, "Everybody I know begins with their finest wines and after the guests have had their fill brings in the cheap stuff. But you've saved the best till now!"

11This act in Cana of Galilee was the first sign Jesus gave, the first glimpse of his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

~The Message

I guess what I've wondered is why did John basically start off his book with this story? This is pretty much what I've come up with. There is the marriage metaphore which comes up in many different places in the Bible. God as lover, and us as betrothed. Marriage of heaven and earth for example. A marriage back then was a way festive Jewish ritual. It a festival that lasted for days (!), and had lots of good things that in the average peasant life were not filled with! A flat out celebration!!

Its also the Gospel story in a nutshell really. The story of Jesus is the story of a wedding and a resurrection. It is a story about a wedding where the wine never runs out, and God's love never fails, even after death! It is a story about a wedding where the best is saved for last, and where the last are chosen before the first. It is a story about the man Jesus ... and us!

I've skimmed over this story really for years but now have come to the conclusion ... it really is a great way for John to kick off his book.

Just thought I would share that ...

Heavenly Haiku

light pierces sunshine

hope becomes reality

snuggling at His feet

~Joanne Tolles

Short and straight to the point isn't it?

Joy

How about this quote ....

"If you can say: 'it's good to be alive,' then you know you are in the midst of joy."

~The Ever Amazing Author Unknown ....

To be a Christian you have to be a little bit well crazy ...

"If I acted crazy, I did it for God; if I acted overly serious, I did it for you. Christ's love has moved me to such extremes. His love has the first and last word in everything we do." 2 Corinthians 5: 13-14 The Message

Author John Updike observes that the entire Gospel narratives about Jesus are where "Two worlds collide and Jesus overthrows common sense."

I think Updike really nailed it. In the Gospel, common sense is overthrown. Jesus said the last comes first, the meek and lowly overthrow the rich and powerful. Everything about the Christian faith goes against the grain. In this world, most things that seems right are probably wrong, and most everything that is attested to by social wisdom really misses the point. It is all craziness. It is all foolishness from beginning to end I'd say! From Genesis to Revelation ... But that's what makes it so special. That's why I love being a Christian! This stuff isn't the stuff of ordinary craziness. All these people they were not just any old lunatics. These people were crazy for God and in return God was crazy for them. Sure enough it is all foolishness, but as Paul says it is all God's foolishness. To be a Christian you have to be a little bit well crazy ...

John 3:8, "The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

Thoughts on a Monday ....

happy being unhappy?

Why do some people have to live with so much drama in their lives.... You know we all know at least one person like this....the one who every time you see or talk to them something "big" is going on in their lives......

I don't mind helping and listening to others but then that one person comes into your life and they make you want to pull your hair out...its always one thing after another...and to make it worse they aren't even trying to change it they thrive on the attention the drama gives them!

Maybe what I need is prayer for dealing with people like this in my life ... I find that with these people you just end up smiling and try to stay out of as much as you can. there is no point in sounding like a broken record if they don't want to listen. But it amazes me that people would rather be unhappy than actually try and work through things. Could it be that some people are happy being unhappy?

Tim, with a vent from work yesterday ...

Happiness

Another quote ...

"Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory।" Albert Schweitzer (1875 - 1965)

LOL Kinda true even! lol