What is the meaning of Christmas?

Merry Christmas

Unless you have been living under a rock for your entire life, you have heard the name of Jesus. For my entire life, I have celebrated Christmas Day and enjoyed the many blessings, gifts and love which seem to naturally embrace us at Christmas. We naturally in return, embrace these blessings poured over us and into our lives.  There is a feeling which comes during this time of year which goes far deeper than the beautiful songs played on the radio or the coloured Christmas lights strung across the rows of houses. Sure we enjoy these things along with the hot apple cider and eggnog and all the traditions past down from one generation to the next. Many of us even get lost under the shopping carts and long line-ups, spending money on presents we can’t really afford. Deep down we know that there is no present or gift or any amount of money spent which will satisfy the longing of our hearts. I’ve seen it year after year. The nicely wrapped present garnished with a beautiful bow which probably cost an extra two dollars plus tax, gets ripped off the gift, crumbled up with the paper, thrown into the wood stove and used for fire starter. On to the next present we go.

I don’t mean to trivialize the wondrous generosity poured out from people at Christmas. I merely want to find that true meaning of Christmas again. I want to find and embrace the Spirit of God in the mist of that wave of commercialism. I think in reality, most people long for the warm fireplace and the days of old when families gathered together, enjoyed a nice family dinner and sang songs like: “Silent Night” “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem” I don’t think rocking around the Christmas tree half snapped, was the original intent or way of honouring the birth of a King who was born to give us the greatest gift of all, eternal life. I look around and witness the blasphemous behaviour that our modern day society accepts and promotes.  We have employers telling their employees what to speak, “You must say Happy Holiday not Merry Christmas”. Last time I checked, I was not going on a holiday.

For the past 1,700 years, a significant portion of the Western world has celebrated the day of December 25th as the birth of the divine Son of God and Saviour Jesus Christ. We have all seen many images of Jesus lying in a manger surrounded by ox and lamb, with the Virgin Mary, Joseph, angels and three Wise Men looking on in wonder at the luminous infant. These are interpretations.

The account of Christ's birth is not a perfectly arranged set on a stage. Jesus was born in a putrid smelling stable, surrounded by farm animals that didn’t have controlled bowels. “The wise men travelled hundreds of miles to see this special child. It would have been an arduous journey and probably took them a couple of years to get there. When they finally arrived to this divine child, they lavished Him with gifts. Their gifts were not for Mary or Joseph. The gifts were a form of worship to God.

It was a hectic and dangerous time. Mary and Joseph had reason to be frightened. By faith, they trusted God even though they may not have fully understood how God was at work in it all. The time came when Joseph and Mary had to go to Egypt, to protect the child or he would have been bludgeoned with a sword like many other male babies. Matthew 2:13 – Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” 16 “Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under.”

The bible does not tell the exact day of Christ’s birth and by most theological accounts it was not on December 25^th. Most of us know this fact. Long ago, December 25^th was the day chosen to recognize the Saviour’s birth. We can pinpoint Christ’s birth to occur just before the death of King Herod. Some believe, his birth was during a time observed as the winter solstice. The exact day of His birth is not known.  

This day of remembering Christ’s birth became known as Christmas. It had nothing to do with wish lists or asking for the most recent Iphone or video game. It had nothing to do with socks and underwear or fine knit sweaters, television commercials; stockings filled with candy canes or red tag specials; although these things do seem to appease our selfish desires.   The birth of Christ Jesus the King was the fulfillment of a long awaited prophecy which took hundreds of years to happen. His birth was spoken of in the days of Isaiah and Jeremiah and also other prophets mentioned in the books of the Old Testament. It was a big event in history, played out exactly how it was prophesied, including the miraculous conception and life of Jesus the Messiah. It was not a surprise.

May we find the original meaning and truth of Christmas, the “reason for the season.” When we seek to find the truth found in Christ Jesus, we will find all we really need. He saved my life when he called my name. He shines His light through the darkest days. He is the perfect gift. Run after Him like a child runs after a kite. In life when we really want something we go after it. We get passionate about the things we want, the people we love. Can you imagine if we ran after a deeper relationship with Christ Jesus with that same kind of love, need, desire and passion? Oh, how much more we would know Him, love Him, hear Him and understand Him. We would learn the depth, the height and the width of His love. It would become personal. The Father God desires to give us this blessing. That is why Jesus was born. The true story of our Saviour didn’t end in a lowly manger. His life continued for thirty three years.  God’s plan unfolded. 

The most important date to recognize is the verified date of  Jesus death on the cross. We know His death was on the Friday during the Passover at a place called Calvary. We even know the exact time of his death. Matthew 27:45 “Now from the sixth hour to the ninth hour (3 o'clock) there was darkness over all the land.” 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.” This is the most important date; the date of our atonement.

Mary stood at the foot of the cross on that Friday and watched as God fulfilled His plan. She watched what the people did to her son. With the love a mother feels toward God and for her child, she watched him suffer. Mary endured the horrible reality of it all, as the people hurled insults, mocked and rejected Him. Her tears soaked the ground beneath her feet as she watched her son, NO!  “GOD’s Son” take his last earthly breath, just after He uttered these words, Luke 23:34 “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” It was God’s way of making atonement for our sinfulness. Prophecy fulfilled. The Father’s gift to us is His Son Jesus. His life for ours.  

Today many people still mock and reject the Father’s perfect gift. Jesus words still echo today, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

As Christmas quickly approaches let each of us take time to reflect about the true meaning of Christmas and ask ourselves, what part does God play in our daily lives, not just at Christmas, but every day of the year? Is this gift that God offers to each of us, something we would like to receive and open and enjoy for the rest of eternity?  

Merry Christmas

Christ’s

Seek and You Will Find

We muddle through each day busying ourselves with many things we believe we must get done. The stresses and events often fill our minds and suck the energy out of us. Many times it feels like the weights around our ankles are pulling us down. We are tired from carrying them each day. Perhaps you have muddled for years and you wonder: Is this all there is to life? Is this the purpose God has for my life? I asked God that question more than once when I was working in a two foot cubical filing patient charts all day and then cleaning speculums at the end of the day. Only God knows what lesson he was teaching me each day when I scrubbed off the blood and scum before sterilization took place. I did that job for two years and never did find any great purpose except that I earned a wage to pay my bills. I’m thankful that particular job ended. I’m sure there were days when I said or did something that made an indent in part of God’s creative process.

Now I’m onto the next journey and still wondering what it is God has for me to do on this day that he has made. Almost every day I feel like I’m on top of the world. I look around and realize how blessed I really am. Daily I praise Him. In doing so, I desire to know God in a deeper way. I find myself not satisfied in knowing who Jesus was and what He did for me, but to go deeper into my relationship with Him and really know him and not just what the bible says about Him. I want to really know Jesus. Isn’t that what a true relationship seeks to find; knowing and understanding the other person in the relationship, so that we can learn to love them even more? We should never be satisfied just reading a line or two. Read the entire book or you miss the main event.

Some people go to church almost every Sunday. I am one of them. I listen intently to the sermon as to glean some wonderful truth from the scripture which will make a difference in my life for the upcoming week. Listening and waiting to receive that one word or maybe an entire chapter of the bible which will turn the light on or open some doorway into heaven which will pour out over me and into me like a rushing cleansing wave; something more from God that will fill the empty air pockets of my soul. During that half hour of worship the songs we sing are meaningful and again the words pierce through my mind, spirit and soul. During that time I feel the closeness of God and the moving of His Spirit amongst us. We sing that song – “Draw me close to you (Jesus). Never let me go. I lay it all down again, just to hear you say that I am your friend. Help me find the way that leads me straight to you.” We sing the words loud and out of tune, yet God only hears the cry of our hearts. God hears our songs of love and it blesses him. It is love reciprocated back to Him for all the love He has shown us. He promises he will never let us go. John 10 25-29 -“Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” Like sheep, sometimes we stray away from him, but God has a long arm and his sheep (children) are never out of His reach. The way back to him is to lay it all down again and again if that is what it takes. God is patient. God would love it if we laid down those sins that pull us away and tempt us to go down paths of unrighteousness. We put down whatever it is that hinders and we cry out to Jesus (receive Him as our Saviour) and return to Him. He pours out His favour onto us. His love is so strong and so pure. The bible says to look for Him. Seek Him (Jesus) and you will find Him. There is a new song I have come to know and love to sing. It is called "The More I Seek You". I have written many songs over the years, but I could not write a song or words anymore meaningful than that song.  The words speak the cry of my heart. They belong to me as much as if I wrote them.

"The more I seek You, the more I find You.

The more I find You, the more I love You.

I want to sit at Your feet, drink from the cup in Your hand.

Lay back against You and breathe, feel Your heartbeat.

This love is so deep, it’s more than I can stand.

I melt in Your peace, it’s overwhelming."

© 1999 Zach Neese/Gateway Create Publishing by Zach Neese Worship Leader Jessica Hall

So, I close my eyes and find myself in the Spirit realm sitting at the feet of Jesus (washing his feet with my tears; not out of sorrow but because my love for Him is so strong, so real, so intense. Luke 7:37-38 – “When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed his feet and poured perfume on them.”

I find the words to the song coming alive as the Holy Spirit fills my living room. I am drinking from the cup of Jesus hand. A new wine and I am the wine skin and He is filling me to overflowing. Matthew 9:17 – “Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” Ft note – In ancient times goatskins were used to hold wine. As the fresh grape juice fermented, the wine would expand, and the new wineskin would stretch. But a used skin, already stretched, would break. Jesus brings a newness that cannot be confined within the old forms.)NIV

At that moment I can feel myself lying back against him; the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings (Jesus). I breathe deep the fragrance of His breathe (Jesus) His presence is so strong that I can feel His heartbeat in mine. Everything I’ve always looked for is right here with me. A love so true, it is more than I can say. Yes it is overwhelming to me; His all encompassing love that flows like a calm serene river deep down into my soul where God rests within me. He is always there waiting for me to talk to Him. God is uncomplaining and He waits for me and for you to seek Him and find Him.

And then the song ends and I want sit a little longer beneath the wind of His Spirit because it is so peaceful there. He says to me, “Let us meet again my child. It was nice spending time with you too. Just remember I am always here anytime of the day. I don’t take coffee breaks. I am with you always even to the ends of the age."

Matthew 28:19 – “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSYQKt5vgVs

Weeds in the Garden

Interrupted

The breath of God brushes along my naked flesh.
I can feel it in the gentle breeze.
The pleasant perfumes from His wild flowers tantalize my senses.
God covers the landscape as one laying a blanket over a loved one.
It is a quilt made of many unique fabrics.
A patch of grass, dark, lush, shadowed.
No one knows I’m here in this secluded meadow.
It is just me, God, and the crickets.
A pond of water, rippling, rhythmic radiant lay at my feet.
Wait . . .
Interruption, barking dogs frolicking in the grass,
buzzing deer fly around my head.
Who is flying that airplane in the middle of my God moment?
Okay . . . where was I?
Blue sky, floating drifting clouds pass by like a ship set sail,
moving forever changing.
Tassels, wild daisies, and purple wild flowers,
interspersed amongst the field of grass.
All intertwined into this perfect quilt.
God, you create such amazing patch work.
Even I am woven into it.
I feel like I’m being bathed in the embrace of your loving arms.
Cuddled in a safe warm place.
It makes me feel like I might have already been raptured into your Kingdom of Heaven.
God, you reach far beyond the barriers of time, gravity and this tiny planet that is hidden amongst the many stars and galaxies.

God, only you can distinguish me from each single blade of grass which you have put in its designated place. You are the creative master behind all that we see and hear, the artist who deliberately uses each stroke of your creative brush to breathe everything into existence. Who can fathom the depth of who you are to each one of us, oh God?

Weeds in the Garden

I have a garden plot at our community church. It is a grey clay soil. When it is dry it becomes clumpy and hard, difficult to cultivate. Nearing the end of May I gathered up my tools: A hoe, a weed puller and a rake. I was dressed for the weather wearing my rubber boots, in case the garden was muddy, a hat to protect my head from the sun. It was a humid and hot day so I wore my favourite shorts. I was all set. So I thought. After three hours of digging and pulling up weeds, I then planted my seeds and a few starter plants. By this time my body was aching, I was very hot and dehydrated. I had had enough. What was I thinking not bringing any water to drink on such a hot day?

Having spent two days planting seeds, watering the garden I was ready to see my crop begin to grow. A week went by and not much growth. However the garden plot beside mine was really flourishing. There was a mass of green covering every inch of that garden. They must be doing something right. I thought. I’ve never once seen anyone watering that garden plot. For that matter I have not seen anyone even plant a seed there. Could I be doing something wrong? I began to wonder.

Well another week went by. I watered my garden when needed and there were plenty of sunny days when the sun shined its selective rays upon the garden soil. Potato plants started to poke their little heads out of the ground. Evidence of some hopes for at the least a fall potato cake. I had to wonder about all the other vegetable seeds I had planted. Were they ever going to grow? It seemed a little odd because I began to notice that the garden plot beside mine seemed to be sharing its abundance. Oh how nice of them to share.

Another week went by and more of those green plants were growing, not only  in my neighbour’s garden but they were taking over my garden too. I tried to pull one of these lush green plants out of the soil to see what it was. When I did, I noticed the root of it went very deep, but there was no fruit or vegetable attached to it. I noticed that when I just broke a piece of this plant off, it would still grow back and spread. Determined little buggers.

Another week went by and now my garden looked like the garden beside mine. I didn’t plant any of those seeds. That lush greenery was everywhere and it was choking out all the seeds I toiled to plant. In such a short time those subtle little green invaders choked the life right out of my garden. I have no fruit and no vegetables growing, just two garden plots filled with these useless green plants. One might as well place a grave stone there because nothing is growing.

Are our lives like that garden? What weeds are choking out your spiritual fruit and vegetables? They may be things which can seem to be genuine. For more information check-out following scripture references. 

http://www.biblegateway.com/

Matthew 13


Parable of the Farmer Scattering Seed

1 Later that same day Jesus left the house and sat beside the lake. 2 A large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat there and taught as the people stood on the shore. 3 He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one:

“Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. 4 As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. 5 Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. 6 But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. 8 Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! 9 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

18 “Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: 19 The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. 20 The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 21 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. 22 The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. 23 The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

Parable of the Wheat and Weeds

24 Here is another story Jesus told: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. 25 But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away. 26 When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew.

27 “The farmer’s workers went to him and said, ‘Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?’

28 “‘An enemy has done this!’ the farmer exclaimed.

“‘Should we pull out the weeds?’ they asked.

29 “‘No,’ he replied, ‘you’ll uproot the wheat if you do. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.’”

Extra Ordinary

My Grandfather
My grandfather was an extra ordinary man,
extra special, extra funny, extra sweet and extra, extra grand.
Some people say John Bull was just an ordinary man.
He liked ice cream, baseball games, both family and friends.
My grandfather may not have been a movie star,
The President, an Astronaut nor travelled very far.
He was witty, very funny, sharp as a tack, never had much money.
When my grandfather was more than ninety nine years old,
He could tell you every detail, of every tale ever told.
It was a joy to see his hazy blue eyes and sincere smile.
I’ve never known a nicer man. He always went that extra mile.
My grandfather was so grand,
even if some people think that he was just an ordinary man.
If you put the extra in front of ordinary, do you know what you get?
You get my grandfather - John Bull, a very extraordinary man.

I was having a deep conversation the other day with a friend. We shared a few heart connectors with one another. A few tidbits of ourselves. Most women know what they are and you don’t get them at Tim Hortons. Tidbits are pieces of the center part of the donuts of our lives; the things dear to our heart. They are moments or events in our lives which mould us into the people we are and into the people we become. I’m sure when I was a child I was a much different person than I am now; perhaps a little more carefree, fun, innocent, with a touch of that Anne of Green Gable quality. Even the imaginations of Anne Shirley could not give a picture of what her or my future would hold. Life experiences do shape our character. I believe they are all a part of that great plan that God has for each individual life, now that I am on the down side of the hill as some may describe one who hits that half century mark. Does that mean that my life will get easier from here on out? After all, climbing the hill is the most difficult and tiring part. Going down the hill is a stroll. My fear is that I just might go a little too fast down that steep grade. It is impossible to put the brakes on time. Running the battery out makes no difference. The clock keeps ticking even though I have all these things I want to get done. Sometimes there seems to be an urgency to live life and get as much done as possible in one day. Dare I strive to the left or the right and get off the path I am on? No time to do that, it seems. The problem with going downhill too fast is sometimes something pulls out in front of you and wham. The brakes are on and we skid right into that obstacle. Repair damage – negotiate a good lawyer and have good medical-care. Not necessarily in that order. It does seem that time is moving much faster now then it did when I was younger. I don’t know if it is just me who feels this way.

I discovered something about myself the other day. I think it is funny and sad at the same time. I guess we must learn to laugh at ourselves and the sad things we discover about ourselves or else we would probably slip into a depressed state. I was almost there the other day. Then I called a friend to pray for me. I thought maybe if someone else prayed for me I would snap out of the funk I felt myself slipping into. Like I said, when you are already speeding down the hill and your life seems to be spinning out of control, sometimes we need a little help, a slap in the head, maybe some prayer, a cup of tea and even a little whine shared with a friend. (To express distress or complain) Well our conversation didn’t solve all the problems of the world, but it did make me stop working, sit down for the afternoon and just take in this friend’s company. Oh yeah, I almost forgot to tell what I learned. Well my day was full like many days seem to be lately. Don’t ask what I am so busy doing? All I know is that I fall into bed exhausted each night, my body aches from painting, gardening, cleaning, yard work and emotional drainage . . . When a friend called me up on this very busy day, I almost cried - feeling so overwhelmed. The last thing I felt I wanted to do on that particular day was drive to my friend’s house for coffee. Can you imagine? Instead of thinking of this gracious invite as a wonderful opportunity and a blessing to have a special time out, the thought of one more thing almost stopped me in the middle of that down hill slide. Then a light came on in my memory. I remembered back to a time when I was so lonely, and board that I only thought of myself and wanted to go out shopping or spend a little time with my friend. I remembered just how devastated I was when my friend told me; no she could not go out for coffee because she was so busy. Do you think at that time I understood her predicament? Not at all. Here I am seven years later trying to bail out my life boat which has that same huge hole in it. The water is coming in faster than I can bail it out. Believe me, I was a good and quick bailer when I was a child. Bailing the water out of our boats had to be done if I wanted the reward of driving down Cooks Bay like my hair was on fire. So the funny part was in me realizing what it must have been like for my friend years back. I love wearing hand-me-downs. Her shoe fits me perfectly. I couldn’t help but think what a jerk I used to be. Now, I realize why she didn’t want my burdened friendship vying for her time.

Don’t we all strive at times to do things we think need to be done? Isn’t there something deep inside all of us that wants things to be better? Do we have a need to do something grand as to give ourselves some kind of self worth? My friend asked me a very good question. I had to really think about it. “Why can’t we be ordinary?” she asked. Actually her question stumped me for a moment. My analytical friend made me think. Is there not something so peaceful about knowing that in our ordinariness, with Christ Jesus that it is enough? The simplicity of our individual lives is extra special and unique. In fact being ordinary can be extraordinary. I looked up into the sky and saw this eagle soaring high above us like it was being carried by the wind. I thought yeah, “Why do we have to try and be the eagle? Why can’t we be satisfied being like a sparrow? There is a song that comes to mind.

His Eye Is On the Sparrow

“Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart be lonely and long for heav’n and home;
when Jesus is my portion?
My constant friend is He.
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.”

Thank you my insightful friend for the flower that sits on my kitchen table.
It is a reminder of the flowers in my life.

Back Door

Step outside my back door.

Walk a few steps

Lilac flowers cover the path like sprinkled lace.
It must be God’s grace.

A hundred more steps before you reach the crest of the hill.

Embrace the moment and be still.

Wild flowers lay amongst the uncultivated grass.

Fields of green shimmer and dash.

Legs tickle with the brush of painted flowers.

The woodwinds symphony of praises empowers.

Birds chirp, frogs whistle a God orchestrated song.

It makes one feel strong.

Trees sway aggressively in majestic praise.

Dancing with a quiver full of leaves.
Birds glide with the wind up and down
In perfect harmony with every quiet sound.

Blue sky reflects off the calm of the pond.
Creating an inimitable bond.
Tiny waves glitter over the water like diamonds enhanced by the sun.
One can almost see the angels dipping their wings and having fun.

Everything is dancing to an eccentric rhythm.

Freedom from bondage to escape like the light from a prism.

A water show of unmistakable magnitude.

Life changing, perspective making, gratitude.

Rustling to a crescendo of a song that never ends

Through the window of our eyes we see a glimpse of Heaven

Standing at the highest place like a queen.

A view untarnished and rarely seen.

Soft, romantic, spontaneous, charismatic, gentle and amazing.

God’s poetic song of love is peaceful, soft, tranquil and capturing.

No words can recreate all that God lavishes on us or the depth of His

amazing love which He generously pours out to each of us every day.

Exult the Lord our God for He is worthy of all our praise.

2011-06-02 – Rebecca Wills Robinson

Gifts - A Reflection of His Love

Gifts

Endless streams of water poured over my children and me as we stood under the waterfalls. Gushing out from between the tightly packed rocks, water flowed with an endless rush down over the boulders with a vibrant force. The sun was shining through the mist making a prism of colours, pink, yellow and green. With hands held high we bathed in the moment of refreshing. Our smiles glowed, cheeks the colour of rose pedals. Refreshing, cleansing, a spiritual awakening, and a moment in time. The sense datum in the air of that day, was a sweet natural scent, lending itself to our pleasure. With eyes closed, our arms artlessly propelled toward the sky cognizant of the fact that we were standing beneath God’s intricately made waterfall which he was pouring out for our enjoyment on that hot summer day. To this day, that waterfall remains secluded deep within the forests of Algonquin. The portage was worth every moment. Oh, how that memory refreshes me even now fifteen years later. The children are grown and living on their own. Yet, I remember that moment in time, the precious memory in our lives, treasured and guarded safe within the expression of my mind and my heart. With a willingness to share one of my life experiences with you, in a hope that in some way I would remind you of a similar time in your life when you felt that there was something special or divine in your life.

We all have these moments. I would like to call them gifts from God. You know they are special because these moments capture the deepest part of whom God has created us to be. God moments. The feeling you get the first time you ride a bike. The awe that takes your breath away when you watch the calm in a morning sunrise. The bond of love felt when a baby is born. That unsettled butterfly in your stomach when you are driving your boat over the waves at such speed that your eyes water and tears stream down your face. Or maybe it is the connection between close friends sharing a picnic basket. Yes, there are many such moments to treasure.


These moments are a part of our lives. Stemmed from opportunities given, chances taken and choices made. There is a wise saying: “Stop and smell the roses”. Did you ever notice that roses don’t last very long? They have a sweet fragrance when they flower. However after about a week or so the pedals fall off. Sometimes all you are left with is a bush of thorns. Even in that state, they have a uniqueness about them. I think there is a message in that saying. I was thinking just the other day that I would really like to have more of those God moments. Moments when we want to see, feel or hear that wow factor. Perhaps they are there, but I don’t recognize them for one reason or another. Life can get to busy that we get caught in that time warp and don't realize that there is so much in life to experience. It is a big world out there. We can have these times of refreshing every day if we choose. The first thing we need to do is stop what we are doing. If it means pulling your car off to the side of a road and looking at the wild flowers, why not take a minute to observe how beautiful wild flowers can be. Shut the television off and take a walk along the road side. Drive to a lake and watch an amazing sunset and notice the colours in the sky. Sit on the front step with a loved one and point out to each other what you see amongst the numerous stars.


Did you like fishing when you were a child? Go fishing, even bait the hook. Take a minute to get away and listen to sounds of the singing frogs, crickets, the swish of the wind. Feel the breeze on your face. Notice it, feel it and praise God for it. Don’t take anything for granted. What if today was your last day on earth? Take snapshots with your mind as you look with new eyes at the fields of green, the budding trees. Spring arrives each year with the newness of life. Everything around us flourishes. Notice the pleasant fragrances in the air after a rainfall. You can even smell the dew worms. Seize the moments when they happen. So soon the moment could be gone. You will have missed out on God’s gifts to you. Breathe in the life around you and at the end of the day, when your head hits that pillow, sleep in peace knowing that life is good. Sing a new song or even an old one. “Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your many blessings and see what God has done. Count your blessings, name them, one by one. Count your many blessings and see what God has done”.


A Reflection of His Love

I Praise You Lord

My trust is in you alone Lord.

You direct my path.

You make complete my soul.

With you Lord, I am forever free.

Your Love sustains me.

Continuously mending my broken heart.

Moulding me, conforming me to Your Perfect Image.

Day to day, You fill my cup with Love, and Hope.

Your gracious love and healing touch soothes my soul.

Like broken pottery restored by a potter's hand,

You restore me. I Praise You Lord.

May the mountains, You have helped me climb,

return to You the pleasant fragrance of Your perfume.

Blend it with the flowers of my love,

so we can be one in Spirit eternally.

Like flowing streams,

which trickle through thick forest glades

eroding through rugged mountains,

You direct my crooked paths, always bringing me back to You.

Your tender mercies flow upon me like a cascade.

Washing me again and again.

Though over 2000 years ago, Your blood was shed for me,

Your blood still flows from that cross today.

Still cleansing me.

Forever lifting my feet upon a solid rock.

Reminding me of the Great Sacrificial Love,

You have always shown me.

No other Love can compare to Your Perfect Love.

Thank - You Jesus.

Poem - by Rebecca Wills Robinson

Snapshots

Snapshots

We take snapshots along our journey.

When we do, it is our internal safe device

to inadvertently protect the moment.

It is our way of saying the picture will always remain

even if time should erode the reality of that moment.

Our fond memories remain including the sad ones

as we flip from page to page.

We smile at the memory, the times shared with close friends.

We feel the serenity for a brief moment

as we look thoughtfully at the pictures.

The special ones even make it into a picture frame

because they remind us of a precious moment.

They remind us of a relationship shared.

If we feel sad or alone on any particular day,

we look at the picture and the memory brings

a moment of comfort to our day.

I’m sure as we get older and continue to look at the snapshots

we appreciate them more and more as time goes on.

Especially as our reflection changes over time.

We realize how great we looked back then.

The tear of time may stain some old photos to see loved ones gone.

But we still have the picture, don’t we? We won.

Our insurance paid off. We still have the memory, that picture.

But it does also bring a pain of sorrow

with that realization of what seems lost.

If we dig deep enough we can still hear the laughter and sense

the quiet breeze of that day spent together with loved ones.

I cherish those moments shared.

Nothing seems to stay the same for a long period of time.

Why is it so?

Only God knows the answers to life’s questions.

I hope you enjoy the snapshots of the time you shared.

Reminisce for a moment, smile at the memory.

Mostly never forget what is true blue.

It easily gets lost in the shadows.

Find the beauty in life.

Sometimes it is nice to sit in the shadows with a close friend.

That is where I wait, in the shadow of God’s Mighty Wings,

I am compelled to stay and wait until we meet again.

Author - Rebecca Wills Robinson