A game my kids loved to play when they were young was 'hide and seek'. It gave them hours of fun. It was a good game for developing patience and searching skills. This weekend I read an article in our paper entitled "The Search for God" that tried to explain why some people put faith into a god that no one can see. It stated some schools of thought believe some people may be hardwired to believe in God. They might have what is called a God spot on the brain. It also mentioned Dr. Richard Dawkins, an atheist and author of 'The God Delusion' who had spoken at Oxford University on why there is no God. At the end of his talk he was asked "What if you're wrong?" by a young student. Instead of giving an answer he gave the same question in reply. Not the most brilliant answer from a brilliant man.
One thing I know is that life hold many mysteries we can't fully understand. It also appears that the higher a person climbs the academic ladder of success the more prideful they become in themselves. But if God is who He said He is then their achievements are small potatoes in comparison. It must be frustrating for those exceptionally bright people to compete with God. It's interesting that humbleness has been the formula God uses in revealing Himself to us. He first appeared as a babe in a cow's feeding troth. Then he grew up as a carpenter's son making wooden tables and chairs. After wandering around the country side with a motley crew of simple and rough men as followers, he died a criminals death in front of his enemies while they mocked Him.
I got to thinking. I have a God spot on my brain. It was built in when God designed me. God wanted me to search for and to find Him. And He gave a lot of clues to help in the search. But the amazing thing is He did the same for Richard Dawkins. For all of us really. It's just too bad Richard Dawkin's Pride spot grew larger than his God spot.
Jesus claimed to the Son of God
Yet, they nailed Him to a tree.
Then flower blossoms of love and hope
Grew from the blood He shed for me.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Make Butter
I came across a story or a fable about two frogs that had fallen into a barrel of cream. They both struggled awhile trying to get out, but the cream was thick and soon one frog gave up. "Good bye cruel world," he said as he sank into the creamy ocean. The other frog kept on swimming. "Maybe a miracle will happen and I'll find a way out," he said to himself. Can you guess what happened? As the frog churned his arms and legs the cream became thicker and thicker until butter was formed. The frog climbed onto a lump of butter and jumped out of the barrel. He was free at last.
I thought of how our lives are a lot like these frogs. Sometimes it's easier to give up as the first frog had done when we are confronted with a problem. From the frogs point of view it sure looked like his situation was hopeless. The second frog looked at things differently though, and he never gave up trying to get out. He didn't even know if he'd receive a miracle, but thankfully his efforts were rewarded. He kept on trying until his circumstances changed. I liked this story and I hope you do too.
Two little frogs in a barrel of cream
Swimming with all their might.
One stopped swimming and so he sank
Into the cream, out of sight.
The other little frog said to himself,
"A miracle might pass my way."
He churned his legs til' butter was formed
And he jumped out to freedom that day.
I thought of how our lives are a lot like these frogs. Sometimes it's easier to give up as the first frog had done when we are confronted with a problem. From the frogs point of view it sure looked like his situation was hopeless. The second frog looked at things differently though, and he never gave up trying to get out. He didn't even know if he'd receive a miracle, but thankfully his efforts were rewarded. He kept on trying until his circumstances changed. I liked this story and I hope you do too.
Two little frogs in a barrel of cream
Swimming with all their might.
One stopped swimming and so he sank
Into the cream, out of sight.
The other little frog said to himself,
"A miracle might pass my way."
He churned his legs til' butter was formed
And he jumped out to freedom that day.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
The Wind
In the town I live there's an atheist trying to end the public school's policy of allowing the distribution of Bibles to children in grade 5. The children only receive the Bible if their parents sign a permission paper. This has been a policy for over 50 years. The atheist doesn't like this and feels it should be stopped. He has even issued a human rights complaint. He also wishes to distribute a book called "Just Pretend" to the children in retaliation. I haven't read the book, but the school board is considering it.
My thoughts on this are that the Bible is not only a historical book, but offers great literary writing and therefore has great educational value. The parables Jesus told are powerful and often repeated in films we watch or even Shakespeare. Although the Bible is regarded by many as a theology book it also offers practical advice on how to live a wise life. Many of our laws in our country are based on Judeo-Christian principles which comes from the Bible. If we didn't have the Bible who would have come up with the these wise principles that King Solomon wrote:
A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, but the resentment caused by a fool is heavier than both. Prov. 27: 3
A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor as a lion or bear attacking them. Prov. 28: 15
If you assist a thief, you are only hurting yourself. Prov. 29: 24
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength. Prov. 17: 22
Where does an atheist get their wisdom from. If it's history then they need to remember that religion has always been part of the human experience. When God gave Moses the Ten Commandments there was a lot of selfish activity going on. No one thought to say "Hey let's not kill anyone. Let's not steal or lie. Someone had to state the right way to live first, and I believe it was our Creator. Today, instead of posting a poem that I wrote, I would like to give you a poem written by Christina Rossetti called 'The Wind".
Who has seen the wind?
Neither I nor you:
But when the leaves hang trembling,
The wind is passing through.
Who has seen the wind?
Neither you nor I:
But when the trees bow down their heads,
The wind is passing by.
My thoughts on this are that the Bible is not only a historical book, but offers great literary writing and therefore has great educational value. The parables Jesus told are powerful and often repeated in films we watch or even Shakespeare. Although the Bible is regarded by many as a theology book it also offers practical advice on how to live a wise life. Many of our laws in our country are based on Judeo-Christian principles which comes from the Bible. If we didn't have the Bible who would have come up with the these wise principles that King Solomon wrote:
A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, but the resentment caused by a fool is heavier than both. Prov. 27: 3
A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor as a lion or bear attacking them. Prov. 28: 15
If you assist a thief, you are only hurting yourself. Prov. 29: 24
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength. Prov. 17: 22
Where does an atheist get their wisdom from. If it's history then they need to remember that religion has always been part of the human experience. When God gave Moses the Ten Commandments there was a lot of selfish activity going on. No one thought to say "Hey let's not kill anyone. Let's not steal or lie. Someone had to state the right way to live first, and I believe it was our Creator. Today, instead of posting a poem that I wrote, I would like to give you a poem written by Christina Rossetti called 'The Wind".
Who has seen the wind?
Neither I nor you:
But when the leaves hang trembling,
The wind is passing through.
Who has seen the wind?
Neither you nor I:
But when the trees bow down their heads,
The wind is passing by.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Taking Turns
This year I have a lot of kindergarten kids on my bus and half of them want to be first in line. This made me think about leadership. Not everyone can be first or be blessed with the gift of leadership, but there is a way one can lead and that is by example. When we dare to do things differently than others around us people will notice. And that is a good thing. Not everyone will want to follow, but some might. Of course, if we do something that's anti-social, meaning it's destructive or not for anyone's benefit but ourselves we might not get a lot of followers.
In I Corinthians: 1 it reads, "If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth but didn't love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal." NLT.
This week I am going to challenge myself to seriously think about the language I'm using with my friends and family. Then I'm going to change what needs to be changed. How about you?
The school bus comes to a stop.
Cole hurries to the front.
Being first is what Cole likes best.
He’s a charging elephant.
Nick's standing out in front
He jumps into Coles way.
And he hollers to the driver,
“Hey, he’s first everyday.”
The driver gives a speech.
“You need to take your turn.
“When you grow up you can’t be first
Of this you all must learn.”
Cole shoves Nick to the back.
He tries to look real tough.
“Taking turns isn’t fun for me
I think I’ve had enough.”
The bus driver looks sad.
Her face is turning blue.
“Everyone must take a turn
And that includes you.”
Then Peyton gives a smile.
“Being last is so much better.”
He’s a mighty roaring lion,
A brave trend setter.
The kids walk out the bus.
And Peyton’s last in line.
But now the kids want to be last.
Being last is rather fine.
In I Corinthians: 1 it reads, "If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth but didn't love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal." NLT.
This week I am going to challenge myself to seriously think about the language I'm using with my friends and family. Then I'm going to change what needs to be changed. How about you?
The school bus comes to a stop.
Cole hurries to the front.
Being first is what Cole likes best.
He’s a charging elephant.
Nick's standing out in front
He jumps into Coles way.
And he hollers to the driver,
“Hey, he’s first everyday.”
The driver gives a speech.
“You need to take your turn.
“When you grow up you can’t be first
Of this you all must learn.”
Cole shoves Nick to the back.
He tries to look real tough.
“Taking turns isn’t fun for me
I think I’ve had enough.”
The bus driver looks sad.
Her face is turning blue.
“Everyone must take a turn
And that includes you.”
Then Peyton gives a smile.
“Being last is so much better.”
He’s a mighty roaring lion,
A brave trend setter.
The kids walk out the bus.
And Peyton’s last in line.
But now the kids want to be last.
Being last is rather fine.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Maintenance Love
In the hum of everyday life there's a chance something might go wrong in our day. But isn't it nice when someone loves you enough to increase the chances you'll have a wonderful day. Think about love and what it means for a moment. Sure there's the tender side when we snuggle with and read to our kids and the romantic side we share with our special someone. And of course there's friendship love, but maintenance love is like oil in the hinges and keeps everything running smooth. I sure like maintenance love. It's sensible.
There's a kind of love called maintenance,
Which makes sure there's gas in the car-
Which shovels the walk before any one's up
And saves parking money in a jar.
Maintenance prepares for emergencies,
By checking the atlas to find the right way,
And tells funny jokes so all feel at ease
When traffic is packed the third time that day.
For maintenance is the sensible side of love
And checks important dates so not to forget
To pay the insurance before it expires
And researches flyers so none will fret.
Maintenance checks for the need to grout
Before waters drips through the floor at night.
For love can be found in mortar and brick
And safeguards it with all its might.
There's a kind of love called maintenance,
Which makes sure there's gas in the car-
Which shovels the walk before any one's up
And saves parking money in a jar.
Maintenance prepares for emergencies,
By checking the atlas to find the right way,
And tells funny jokes so all feel at ease
When traffic is packed the third time that day.
For maintenance is the sensible side of love
And checks important dates so not to forget
To pay the insurance before it expires
And researches flyers so none will fret.
Maintenance checks for the need to grout
Before waters drips through the floor at night.
For love can be found in mortar and brick
And safeguards it with all its might.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Dreaming
I haven't been writing as much as I'd like lately. Too busy dreaming, designing, and making sewing projects. I'm also trying to guide (not tell) my daughter into a vocation that suits her. Now I think dreaming is a good thing. We need to imagine and recreate ideas inside our head. But then we also have to take the brave step and act upon it. What are your dreams? And what have you done to fulfill them. If nothing, ask God for guidance. You might get the answer you've been looking for. And the best part is, your dreams just might come true.
I like it in the morning
when the sun is waking up.
It a perfect time to think
and pour tea inside my cup.
I like it in the evening
when the world heads off to bed.
It's a perfect time to make believe
and write of things inside my head.
I like it in the morning
when the sun is waking up.
It a perfect time to think
and pour tea inside my cup.
I like it in the evening
when the world heads off to bed.
It's a perfect time to make believe
and write of things inside my head.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
The wind and the lion
It's very cold once again in Ontario. We've experienced a few spring like days but winter is back. I felt the winds blow through the cracks of our house and feel thankful for shelter. There are open fields behind our house and as I watched the white snow blow about like steam coming off the ocean I put together this poem. If you're looking forward to spring as I am, remember that God has given us the earth and the sky, the sun and the wind, the snow and the rain. Let's enjoy all he has given us in the moment.
I look out onto the fields and see a lion.
He's roaring with a mighty blast.
I watch him lean back and crouch
And jump through the air smooth and fast.
Suddenly, the lion slaps the air and laughs.
He sees me hiding inside.
I shiver and feel exhilarated with his speed
And the strength and width of his stride.
As his snowy mane whips about his face
His giant paws, makes not a sound.
Swiftly, he tramples the grass so it lays flat
All the while whistling a tune deep and profound.
Then just as icicles form on the branches
Of trees that bow as he passes by,
The silvery sky opens and the sun begins to shine
Causing the lion to run away with a sigh.
I look out onto the fields and see a lion.
He's roaring with a mighty blast.
I watch him lean back and crouch
And jump through the air smooth and fast.
Suddenly, the lion slaps the air and laughs.
He sees me hiding inside.
I shiver and feel exhilarated with his speed
And the strength and width of his stride.
As his snowy mane whips about his face
His giant paws, makes not a sound.
Swiftly, he tramples the grass so it lays flat
All the while whistling a tune deep and profound.
Then just as icicles form on the branches
Of trees that bow as he passes by,
The silvery sky opens and the sun begins to shine
Causing the lion to run away with a sigh.
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