Tuesday Musings # 60

Happy Tuesday everyone

I'm usually a patient person. I am not a patient patient. I get frustrated with the lack of progress if I am in a medical situation. I want to get better now, if not sooner. I have known this for some time and yet the key to changing is the issue itself.

I have spent 8 or 9 days on this sick train. Certainly no party. It seems that whatever this "thing" is , it rips the energy out of you after very little activity. I discovered it again yesterday. I planned a day off with my daughter to celebrate her birthday. Thinking I was off on a day like any normal day off, we did the following: we got the car washed (by someone else), we went for a coffee (I still prefer timmies) and bought a book and a video. By the end of this two hour tour, I was done in.

Today and any day if you get this thing, take the time to rest, get better, rest again and then maybe recovery will come. If not, abandon hope all ye who enter here. No rest, no recovery.

Tuesday Musings # 59

Happy Tuesday everyone

I have remained cloistered from between my bathroom, bedroom and office for the past few days. You see, I have the flu, don't know which one, but I have all the symptoms and am now taking the requisite medications(and a few more) to try to quell this storm that is brewing in my lungs. I have all the things I need, my bible, paper to write on, lots of fluids, rest, computer, TV and even more time than I usually get with my beloved during the day, but besides being sick I am missing something.

I guess that's what I am musing about. I miss my freedom. My ability to get up and go. o set my schedule and accomplish it. When on a sick bed, I feel like something else has control of my agenda and more so my life. And you know what? I don't like it. I hate being sick and having already weakened lungs makes the spectre of this thing even more scary. I also miss just being out there doing what I do well and what I love, my job.

Makes me think about those who are infirm on a regular basis. Those confined to world of constant cloister of illness and those who are behind bars. What is it like to lose all freedoms, to have no choice as to when to rise or when to rest, what about those who are so ill that they're concerns remain at the beck and call of someone else? On another plane, there are the days of silence that I choose to take usually on a quarterly basis. But they too are different because I have a choice to attend and be silent, these days are not by choice ever.

What does this all mean in the big picture? Did this happen to teach me something? If so, what shall I learn from these two days (or more if I am not well)? I have taken time to rest, to drink, to study and prepare for lessons to be given, but not much time has been invested into what I can learn from this shelving. I wonder what there is? Oh well, time for more rest.

Happy Tuesday everyone

Tuesday Musing #58

Happy Tuesday everyone

I read the scriptures every morning. I have been reading through the bible this year again and this time it is chronological. It's a very interesting was to read through the bible because it reads more like a story than anything else. It certainly has made the completion of the task easier this year. It's more than just a task to check off at the end of a day though. I believe that the words are alive and God breathed. They then provide me with a life infusion so that I can go about my daily living.

One short verse stood out for me today. Jesus is quoted by Matthew, Mark and Luke as saying "don't let anyone mislead you". The quote is referencing His return and the rise of false messiahs prior to that event. I wonder if those 5 little words mean anything else besides the reference to the second coming.

Are there are people in your life who use you and mislead you? What happens when manipulation occurs? The more I study people and particularly the marriage relationship, I see that spouses can be selfish and will do things for their spouse only to to gain something for themselves. It's more than manipulation, it's self absorbed behaviour. At what point do we hearken back to the days when we were courting, what a great word. Those were the days when we did everything to catch the eye of the person we were smitten with. What will it take to restore the love? Don't be mislead, it doesn't come from self serving behaviour, it comes from self sacrificing behaviour.

I challenge you to go and serve your spouse as if you were dating again. Treat them as they should be treated, love, forgive and accept apologies. Don't be mislead by this selfish and vile generation. Love for the sake of loving and giving, not for the sake of getting.

Happy Tuesday everyone

Tuesday Musing #57

Happy Tuesday everyone

I listened to someone talk about social justice a few days ago. It was an interesting talk and I know that much guilt was attempted in his speech to move the people in the audience. I'm not sure where we were being moved to, but I know the intent was to move us.

Why does an angry generation exist? This person is clearly part of an angry generation that sees the injustices of our world and then deigns to know all and subsequently spews their venom on the next unlucky audience?

I believe that one of the most important things to know when speaking, is your audience. Now, having said that, I don't know my audience in this blog. I know there are some who read this, but I don't know how many and I rarely know who is reading. Back to my point, a speaker should "know their audience" certainly not intimately, but at least have some working knowledge of the people being spoken to. Unfortunately, this speaker did not know the audience, and if he did, then his angry, ignorant outbursts were intentional.

To contrast this, I also heard a person working for social justice in the same time frame (last weekend) speak about the cause that she is most familiar with. The difference was the tenor of the communication. One was anger, incorrect and directional. The other was gentle, expressive and graceful. Guess which one I got more from? I did learn from the angry presentation, but not what was intended.

I wonder why we need to display the angry side of things to get the attention of people? I do know this, there are too many wealthy people out there who could do something to assist a child or even a whole village, but they are not and in the words of Dr. John (the physician not the musician), someday there will be a reckoning. I can't make a difference with regards to all the ills in our society. I can however do something about it, one child at a time. I can provide for education, clothing, health care and love for children as they struggle for an existence so much different from mine.

I am not wealthy, I can do something. I can speak out against the things that are unacceptable. I can work for peace and support children. I won't go about my attempts to change society with an angry approach, I may be angry, but I will do this in love, which is defines as: patience, kindness, not envious, not boastful, not proud, not rude, not self seeking, not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs, does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth, always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves.

So, on this Tuesday, what moves you?

Happy Tuesday everyone

Tuesday Musing # 56

Happy Tuesday Everyone

"This is my beloved son, listen to him." In the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke after what is referred to as "The Transfiguration" Peter, James and John were given this command. How appropriate that they were told to listen to him. But, what does listening really entail?

I look at people when I speak with them and often know whether or not they are listening. But not always. All of us, with the exception of the hearing impaired, hear us, but really not everyone listens. There are people that I regularly interact with who clearly do not listen. They are so quick to respond that I can almost see that they are formulating their answers as I speak. So, who cares, right? We all have so much to do and so little time to get it done, that we refuse to respect the other person and "listen" to them.

In my world, it always returns to respect. You see, having experienced the complete lack of respect in some situations, I realize very quickly when someone begins to walk down that road. I know it and I hate it. It takes many forms: faces, attitudes, patronization, words, absence, abuse and sometimes even presence.

What's the relationship between listening and respect. People demonstrate disrespect by hearing, but not listening. On the contrary people demonstrate respect by hearing and then listening. Too many times I have been disrespected and unfortunately, I remember the times. I try to be forgiving, that's part of the listening to His son, but I remember and then forgive. I try not to hold grudges, sometimes though, action beyond cheek turning is required.

Where is the musing going today? If we listen to Him, then we will respect His direction. In a non faith environment, if we listen to, hear, respect and put value into others, our lives will be filled with deeper relationships that will grant us opportunities to walk this life with respect and being respect. Does this post make sense? I'm not so sure it does. I do know that without listening, without hearing and without respecting, life will be/is shallow, self serving and ego centric. If you read this and know it's for you, congratulations, maybe this will be the genesis of a new you.

If you read this and know it is not for/about you, continue to live your life, serve with great abandon. Mark Twain that American writer said: "Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. Love like you've never been hurt and live like it's heaven on earth." I'm not sure why that is important here, but I know this I am tired of the masks, there are so many, so when I think you are listening, I will call you on it(respectfully of course).

When I feel disrespected, I will call you on it, if that's my way of dancing, sing, loving and living, then get ready for a new me and a new life, full of listening first to Him, then being honest with you, or at the very least calling you on the things that need to be called. You too may call me out if I am not listening, hearing, respecting or loving you: I expect it and I need it to grow as a lover, father, person and man.

Happy Tuesday Everyone

Tuesday Musing #55

Happy Tuesday everyone

In Monday's music post I talked a little about a friend named Nikki. I don't have permission to use her name yet, so we will call her N for now. She is a missionary in Ecuador and she works in an area that no one goes to visit (except other missionaries and people who are called to help) and no one is willing to say they are from that part of the country. They live on the edge on society, so many are penniless and given the two tier medical system in that country, those who have little or no money find themselves in the lower (in most usages of the word) tier of the medical system. Today's post is not about the loss, depravity, gangs, kidnappings, theft and all the other things that might and have already happened to her, today's post is about the hope that she and others bring to the people and children of Bastion Popular Guyaquil.

Nikki told us about the very difficult results of illness, poorly funded medical care and the subsequent losses that come because of those issues and others. But she also spoke of the hope. The hope that she and the others do make a difference in the lives of children and adults. When permitted, I will post some pictures from Bastion. The hope is also in the name of Jesus. Not all of you who read this agree with my personal position with regards to faith and that's ok. I know this, the hope that people of faith have, is real. These good people: Nikki, her family and others bring that hope to those living and dying.

People do things to support them. There is an opportunity for supporting a child or family where for little money(in our accounting) would pay for school, clothes, medical care and some food for a child. That being spread around can make a huge difference in the lives of family members. When one has hope, then there is hope for others. I know that there are many of you who read this who can afford $50.00 a month to support a child and their family. That is about 60% of a timmies if you have one every work day in a twenty day month. I mean no guilt here, I mean to present you with an opportunity.

Maybe it's one less itunes card a month that pays for the remainder of the fee to support a child's in need. If you want more information about this opportunity to serve someone, many people in fact, in great need then please contact me and I will hook you up with Nikki or some of the others who can explain the benefits of child sponsorship.

And yes, these are not just empty words, our family sponsors a child. We just received a letter from her and she refers to us as the "god parents". When our daughter spent 11 days helping at a camp for some of the kids in February, they had a chance to meet, I think it blessed my daughter more to meet, see and spend time with someone who has so much less from a possession perspective, but who also has much from a happiness perspective.

Happy Tuesday everyone

Tuesday Musing #54

Happy Tuesday everyone

In my through the bible reading I have finally reached the new testament. While I don't understand all that I have read, I have read everything from Genesis to where I am now, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. I have been reading the bible from a chronological perspective as opposed to the standard book after book process.

As I finished the old testament last week, I realized again that the message of all those book was for the people of Israel to be obedient. I've been thinking about obedience a lot based on my reading. David, the shepherd boy, giant slayer, murderer, King, writer, adulterer and man after God's own heart wrote, "to obey is better than sacrifice".

Why does the word obey have such a negative connotation these days. It used to be part of a marriage covenant, but due to the homogenization of our language and behaviour and the political correct movement it is no longer acceptable for people to honour and obey each other.

I have also be reading a lot about marriage as I am facilitating a large group Sunday school in a study entitled: "Love and Respect". I can hear a few people seeing the word respect and having some difficulty with the notion. The premise for the study is found in the new testament letter from Paul to the people of Ephesus (the Ephesians). Paul writes (and I paraphrase) "submit one another to Christ, husbands love your wives as Christ loves the church and gave himself up for her, and wives respect your husbands".

The portion of the letter here calls for mutual submission to God and each other and then with that approach to life, love and respect and expected. Apparently, the Greek language used here refers to the "agape" love, or unconditional love and respect is not based on performance ie. the husband does not have to earn the respect.

Why is this so important to me on this rainy cold Tuesday morning? I have learned much as I have prepared to lead this study again (I previously lead it with a small group of 10-12 people). I have learned that I need to love my beloved more. That doesn't mean that love is to do more things:

"it means to to love is to be patient, kind, not jealous, boastful, proud or rude, love does not demand it's own way, it is not irritable and does not keep a record of being wronged, it does not rejoice about an injustice, but rejoices when the truth wins out, love never gives up, never loses faith, love is always hopeful and endures though every circumstance". 1 Cor:13, 4-7

Is it possible to love as is described above? I have serious doubts about my ability to achieve that standard, but it is a standard that I am called to. I am told to obey and if my obedience to the standard causes my beloved to be loved, then what's wrong with obedience? Nothing of course, except one thing, me! To accomplish this, I must put her first, not me. I must make my wishes second and hers first, so that I demonstrate my love for her unconditionally (agape).

I never know where this Tuesday post is going to go, kinda makes you want to go hmmmmmm, doesn't it?

Happy Tuesday everyone

Tuesday Musing #53

Happy Tuesday everyone

Today is Bilbo and Frodo's birthday. If you don't know who they are, then feel free to wait for another post. I have been a huge fan of Tolkien and some of his works since the mid 70's when I was introduced to The Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings. I was subsequently introduced to other works and now have gather three copies of the Silmarillion, and I have no idea why.

What strikes me about these two fine hobbits is their love for home and simple things. By the way, I do know that they are not real and that the stories were not written as allegorical. However, the great JRRT wrote these stories for a reason and I am trying to determine what reason they are there for me.

There is much to take from these stories that would benefit all of us. It's just like everything else, I have to decide what I will take from them, as in the words of Gandalf when he says, "so do many at these times, all we have to do is decide what to do with the time we've been given".

I have morte to say, but work beckons, I will wish you a happy Tuesday and a greater Happy Birthday to Bilbo and Frodo.

Happy Tuesday everyone

Tuesday Musings # 51

Happy Tuesday everyone

Much of my thought life this week has already been shadowed by Sept.11, 2001. I have no idea why, but I have been haunted by the images that I saw 8 years ago. I knew no one, I know no one and I have never met anyone who was related to anyone in those attacks. I have been afraid much of my life, I think I have to unwrap that little sentence sometime, but the attacks that day made me more afraid. Afraid of what? That is the question (sorry Bill).

That day is etched in my mind (and we're not talking etch a sketch. I remember where I was when I first heard the initial news, I remember what customers I was visiting, I remember the day and I remember vividly the discussions on the radio as I travelled back to the office. I recall the tv in the office and Bob trying to attach "rabbit ears" so we could see. My primary thought that day was I need to be at home with my family and I wanted to hug my wife and kids. Josh was 14 and Alex was 10.

Why do some zealots determine it "right" to kill innocent people? Are we not all innocent, with the exception of the Manson's of the world and others who we know are guilty of murder? Does anyone deserve death via suicide bomber? Before you take umbrage with my "one sided" rant yes, I am aware of atrocities committed by so called christians in the past. Did people deserve death by "inquisition" and the crusades? No, of course not. And what about the feuding parties in Northern Ireland that I was a child of that hatred does not escape me, ever.

When does it stop? When do we stop? When do I stop? It is up to me, to love my neighbour even though I may not like him or her (or them).

And who is my neighbour?

Jesus, in response to a question from a religion scholar about getting eternal life said:

"what is written in God's law"

and the scholar said

"That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence-and that you love your neighbour as yourself"

the scholar trying to trick Jesus said:

"and just how would you define neighbour"

and Jesus proceeded to tell the parable about the Good Samaritan:

"There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man.

"A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I'll pay you on my way back.' "

"What do you think?" Jesus said, "Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?"

"The one who treated him kindly," the religion scholar responded.

Jesus said, "Go and do the same."

The message is for all of us. The Samaritans were hated by the Jewish people and yet this man treated those who hated him with kindness. The question of eternal life is not to be answered by the number of virgins that await us at Martyrdom, all people particularly women should be offended by that. Beyond anything it is selfish. Rather the question is what and how will we treat those we do not like now.

I am not a fan of war (have never been) or war movies (anymore). I have tired of any real life depiction of violence in the last few years and significantly more since April 2008. I recall listening to this piece of music at the end of Platoon in 1986 and being transfixed by it. The sadness expressed by the writer and the platform from which it is being played leaves me with tears at the horror and beauty of the world that we live in. Until we all see each other as neighbours, the dissonant notes of terrorism will remain.

Happy Tuesday everyone

Tuesday Musings # 50

Happy Tuesday everyone

We've been on the road today since early a.m. My beloved had an appointment at Sunnybrook and with the lovely Toronto traffic, it took us almost 2.5 hrs to get from our home to the hospital, a distance of 124 kms. Talk about bad drivers. Don't get me started. I was so happy to get closer to home, however, when I flashed (my lights) at a driver to tell him he could pull in front of me from a two lane to a one lane and he proceeded to flip me the bird. I guess they're not all in Toronto, what a joke. I am going to rant today, why, because there is so much to rant about and there are so many issues that frustrate me right now.

I am so tired of listening to people not be happy for someone else when they (the someone else) has something to be happy for (a sudden windfall, a win of some kind, a blessing). I'm tired of selfishness and childish behaviour that comes from a lack of maturity. I am tired of egotistical people who focus on their own issues and have no place for the concerns of others. I'm tired of listening to Democrats and Republicans, Liberals and Conservatives and even Independents and NDP'ers slam each other and then go and perform the same "sins".

I would guess that most of these so called "leaders" of our society are primarily made of of rich people. They have no idea what it means to be in want. They have never likely been down to their last few dollars and had to decide between roof or food. They deem to determine what is best for us, because we were foolish enough to vote for them. Where is the integrity? Yesterday it was "e-health", today it is OLG (Ontario's Lottery ?) and now the government is going to investigate it's own. That's like having the mice guard the cheese.

We raise our kids and teach them the 10 Commandments, although they too are no longer politically correct, however that's a post for another Tuesday and we expect them to not steal. Yet on a daily basis we see members of our esteemed "upper class" pilfering the pockets of the public and what do they get, life time pensions at an annual rate that is more than most people make in several years.

Dr. John (the physician not the musician) often said at our coffee breaks, someday there will be a reckoning. There will be and maybe not in the near future, but someday all of us will have to account for all of our behaviours. Saying us makes me think about how I should be acting. It always comes to that, self responsibility and the willingness to look in the mirror, assess and then change what needs to be changed, hmm!

Happy Tuesday everyone

Tuesday Musings # 49

Happy Tuesday everyone

I had an early morning appointment today and as often as I can, I listen to the satellite radio in the car particularly to hear a preacher/speaker by the name of Chuck Swindoll. Since I was in and out of the car I was only able to listen to some of hat he said.

One quote, regarding maturity, went something like this: "we need to move from thin skinned and hard hearts to thick skinned and soft hearts". The path to maturity is more than just the passage of years. It is more than just an external experience, it includes the changes that are required in the heart of every person, including me and you.

I was raised to respect my elders for they have had more life experiences than I have and when I was a youngster. Those elders remembered the first and second world wars as well as the Irish civil war and the English occupation. They had many shared memories but were they mature?

I recall the vitriolic hatred of anything British or related to the crown because of the behaviour of the members of the occupying forces which included the death of my grandfather and other atrocities. I still see no forgiveness and that too is a lack of maturity.

The wonderful thing about "Tuesday musing" is that I never plan where I will go , I hear or think something and I "allow" the keys to take me where my thoughts are to go. Maturity is eternally linked with forgiveness. If we cannot forgive, then no matter how much we posture about our so called intelligence, we are not mature and if the definition above is correct then our existence remains of thin skins and hard hearts. Now where is the love in all that?

Happy Tuesday everyone

Tuesday Musings # 48

Happy Tuesday everyone

A short one today. I am in the middle of driving back and forth to Hamilton as my beloved was supposed to have surgery yesterday, but it was postponed and "may" happen today.

This is a day that I better not say what I think because the truth will really come out. I am finishing this much later in the day happy to say that my beloved has had her surgery, she is well and everything that was planned has been accomplished.

Sometimes little diversions are placed before us so we can watch the bigger picture unfold. Others benefited and lived as we were experiencing a small level of discomfort. Rhetorically speaking, would I rather have the absence of my discomfort at the expense of significant loss and even death to another, of course not! A woman and mother of two small boys and a new infant is alive today because she was in a position to be treated in the operating room that was set aside for my beloved

And so, the big picture rules, as always. We have learned more lessons again, we have learned to wait and trust, to place others before ourselves and to manage our own fears in the light of the One who loves us and asks us to "cast your cares upon Me".

Come unto me and I will give you rest, and we did and He did!

Happy Tuesday everyone. and Peace to all of you!

Tuesday Musing (#47)

Happy Tuesday everyone

It was a dark and stormy night, sounds like the beginning of a children's story, but it's just the way the weather has been now that summer has arrived. Sometimes things arrive as they were expected, some things arrive unexpectedly and some come right out of the blue, which is an appropriate colour, since it is supposed to be summer and the sky is supposed to be blue.

I sent an e-mail yesterday to an old friend on the occasion of his birthday. We don't see each other nearly as often as we should and we are trying to remedy that. In fact, there were years of famine in our friendship, no one knows the reason for the famine, but it was there. And all of a sudden, he called and said that he heard a song that was from a time when we travelled together and felt he needed to reconnect. Since then we have remained in contact usually by e-mail, and I think that we have gathered with the entirety of both of our families on at least one occasion.

What came out of the blue was his response to my e-mail. I will spare you the details but generally he spoke of the depth of our friendship even though it has been rare in the last 20-25 years that we have been together physically. What an encouragement he provided to me in that short missal, or is it epistle?

I wonder why we don't invest in friends enough, or maybe it's me. I have few people that I would consider friends and I have not taken the time to visit upon them the blessings of appreciation that were visited upon me yesterday. I need to spend some time thinking and more than that doing some things with the people I consider friends. One in particular needs to apologised to as I had hoped to spend time with him a couple of weeks ago and my "schedule" got in the way.

How about you. Have many friends? If so, consider yourself blessed. I believe that most of us don't have many that we are completely open to. And if we have any, we have probably have not developed real intimacy (you know what I mean) where we have been transparent and open in those deep friendships. Once again, the words of Harry ring in my head, "we'll get together then "friend" you know we'll have a good time then. Don't have any friends? You are not alone, although this is probably closest to what and how you may feel. If you are reading this because you know me, write me and we can chat, if you don't know me and want someone to chat with send a comment and I will reach out to you. If you are female, my wife will do the reaching.

Thanks Reg, you made my day, and it was your birthday, now that's a friend!

Happy Tuesday everyone

Tuesday musing # 47

Happy Tuesday everyone

Man it feels like a Monday. I've been off since Friday and feel like I've been away for a while, that's a good thing. Certainly didn't miss the grind for many reasons.

Harry Chapin, in Cats in the Cradle, says: "I want to be like you Dad". It's a song that haunts me because being a Dad is not the easiest thing in the world. It is an amazing opportunity to be a Dad and to watch your kids grow, but it's not easy because kids take on the good and bad qualities that we have and I know more than most of you that I am not perfect and never will be.

My kids are pretty well grown up now and the eldest is pretty much on his own and my youngest is just about to leave the nest and fly on her own. In Chapin's song, he bemoans the fact that he didn't make time for his son when he needed to and now his son has no time for his Dad.

I made the time for my kids, saw almost all their games in every sport that they participated in, went with them on grade 8 trips, got involved in their activities as much as I could and yet I am scared that maybe I missed something. I lead them to the paths and then they must choose which one to follow. Both my (I should say our) kids have decided that they will be of service to others in some way and I guess that's my answer. They want to serve God as best as they can given the gifts and skills that they have.

If that's being like me, I guess I did alright and that's a pretty good deal. I am not perfect, I did what I have always expected from them in everything they did: I did my best.

Happy Tuesday everyone

Tuesday Musing (#46)

Happy Tuesday everyone

So much to say and so few words to use. This will be the shortest Tuesday musing yet as I cannot formulate into words what I want to say. Oh well, at least I won't agonize over what I should and should not say and that's a good thing.

Happy Tuesday everyone

Tuesday Musings #45 on a Saturday morning after the cottage

I was at the cottage this week. We had outstanding sunny weather from Monday to Wednesday, incredibly rainy weather on Thursday and a mixed bag of mostly sunshine on Friday for our drive home. There you have the weather report for last week from Haliburton, specifically Wenona Lake. Above is a picture from the floating dock where we spent many hours reading and "killing worms" although my beloved caught the only fish (a perch) of the week.

I was thinking about the beauty of our place of residence, the lake, the area, our province, country and our amazingly beautiful earth this week while I sat and rested. The "Planet Earth Series" is nice to watch, and I enjoyed just being here this past week. My beloved suggested that next year we bring the telescope.

I wondered as I sat there how many people do not have the opportunity to do the things I and my family have been able to do. How many people can have the privilege to sit on a deck at night and really see the stars in sky with no light pollution. Yes the mosquito's were annoying, but the sky was amazing. Watching the cars going north yesterday and we travelled south told me that loads of people have the chance to see the sky as we did but many cannot have ever had the pleasure of this.

So I though as the week progressed, how blessed am I? I live in the best country in the world. I have a great job, I am surrounded by family who love me, I have many acquaintances that I occasionally spend time with and I have and do so much more. In addition to that I believe that all of this was created (you knew I was going there didn't you?) and did not arise out of a "big bang", I did not come from primordial slime and neither did I come from a monkey (and no we are not distant cousins). I believe in a Creator who did this "and it was very good".

So, all this was created for me (and you) to have the pleasure of viewing it when we can (and sometimes when we wish). But, what about those who cannot view this beauty because of financial or other reasons, was it not created for them too? I have a responsibility as a member of this "family" to see to it that I do all I can so that others can too sit and wonder at a night sky and enjoy it.

In my musing I have enjoyed what I have the pleasure of seeing and challenged to think of others who may have access to less than I have and to do something about it.

Happy Saturday everyone

Tuesday Musings (#44)

Happy Tuesday everyone

Day two of summer vacation and so far it's gone pretty well. The weather has been good, at least I think so. There has been enough sun, some heat to stay warm on the deck and little rain, so far. We have had house guests for almost the last two weeks. The first half was a guest of Josh's and the second was the sister of my beloved. I like both of them and enjoyed being with them, although Josh's friend may not return, but that"s a story for another post in another time.

I know that in the past I have blogged about house guests. I do not particularly like having overnight guests in my home for prolonged periods of time. Don't get me wrong, I think I am quite hospitable and I love to entertain, I just get tired of people being in my space (another type of social networking) on an ongoing basis. Our little abode is not that big, well to be honest it's not big at all so invariably, I retreat to my bedroom or to my office(where the computer and itunes are) for some peace, quiet and personal time.

Thankfully, the weather has been good and most activities have been outside. Maybe I need to look inside and see why I don't share so much when it comes to my home. I love cooking for guests and enjoy the pleasure that they receive from the meals that I prepare. I usually play nice in the sandbox, so to speak, and I am looking forward to the next few days of just my beloved and I (well Josh is still around too, but Alex is at camp) spending some time together without interruption and ceaseless additional noises.

I love family and friends and just like medicine I take them in small doses and only when prescribed. I guess I just like my own little family and my little bungalow and the simplicity of our existence. I hope I don't sound rude or small minded, but this is who I am and what I experience. I'm not usually rude intentionally so I'm sure they didn't even notice my forays in privacy as they did their thing.

Just so you know, next Tuesday I will be at the cottage, so there may not be any musing online until I get home. I will probably just sit on the dock with pen and pad and write it out, ahhh serenity .....pretty tough to handle eh?

Happy Tuesday everyone

Tuesday Musings # 43

Happy Tuesday everyone

I was driving to Hanover this morning and heard someone on the radio talk about endurance. They were not talking about running a race (or maybe they were) but rather about making a decision in the midst of opposition and then having the internal fortitude to keep going, sometimes against the grain.


How many times have there been when you have made a decision to do something and in the midst of the situation, opposition came and you changed your mind to take the easier road, the road less travelled some say. I have a difference of opinion with someone and I need to express myself (in some ways challenge that person). This is not someone close to me, we have rarely spoken, but "rub shoulders" in a number of arenas and I just can't get the issue off my mind. So to my family, friends work colleagues and others who read this, relax, I won't be calling you anytime soon for a chat. The old "we need to talk" chat.


So, do I have the endurance to call and speak and express my opinion or do I take the easier (or not) road and not say anything and let the issue die. It's all about communication you see. In my less than humble opinion, poor communication and choices lead to a situation where I felt that I could not do my best in a situation where I try to present my best always. Did anyone notice? My wife did and my kids did, they knew that something was up and that I was projecting something less than usual.


The question I need to ask is will my "endurance" in completing this task cause greater harm than if I do nothing. We have been taught to take our issues directly to the one who we have the issue with, so to do an "end around" to the person in charge just doesn't work, although I am sure that this path (end around) is much easier and more often used, or is it? I am not sure that I have the endurance to keep thinking about it (a common practice) so maybe I'll just avoid it and them. Wow, who would have thought that a simple word about something else heard on the radio would cause such consternation? I know this, I will keep thinking, listening and do what is right, sometime soon. I am on holidays for the next two Tuesdays, I may not have anything to muse about and then again, I may.

Happy Tuesday everyone

Tuesday Musings # 42

I saw a rainbow this morning as I drove to work. The rainbow, as a symbol, means a lot to me. I don't think about the legend of the pot of gold, or that a leprechaun will be waiting there to greet me. The symbol is of hope. In recent years members of the gay community have used the rainbow to symbolize something for them, I prefer to think of it as a gift from God as a reminder of His promise. That promise is that He will never flood the earth again.

There is a lot of evil in the world. and if you don't believe in evil, then what do you call Darfur, Sudan, Rwanda, Northern Ireland, Slavery and so on? It's not just bad decisions, I do not believe that we are inherently good, I believe that daily I have to choose to do what is right as I struggle with my inner darkness.

A favourite musician of mine paraphrased Saint Paul in the following way:

the very things I hate, I end up doing

the things I want to do, I just don't do

Why is there such a battle going on between doing what is good (read right) and what I want (read wrong). I have no plans to do anything that would either break the ten commandments or even any of current societal laws, I just know that within my hearts resides the possibility to do wrong.

And then I see a rainbow. There is hope because with the recognition of my inner evil, comes the hope of redemption. I believe that there is no one beyond redemption, including myself, because we all have fallen short of perfection, therefore we all can come to the place of reconciliation. It's that simple, it's just a choice as to whether or not I choose to live in the darkness of my evil or see the beauty and hope of the rainbow and live in the light.

Happy Tuesday everyone

Tuesday Musings (#41)

Happy Tuesday everyone.

I usually write this blog before I start work on Tuesdays, but have changed my work hours somewhat, so I do not have time to write before I start at 7:00. The good thing is that I no longer arrive at work at 6:10 a.m. The demands have slowed somewhat and I have decided that whatever gets done in the allotted time is all that gets done, especially since this is the summer.

I was sitting and thinking (a rare duet for me) on fathers day and took stock of the existence that I try to manage and realized that in the midst of typical life trials, I am doing very well. Sure, there are issues of health for one of my children and lack of ongoing employment for both of my children, but I have never been happier. I am in a great place emotionally and spiritually. I think I may have come to that place of contentment in my existence.

One just needs to have a look at the tv ( a rare occurrence for me these days) to see the lack of respect for people around this globe. I live in the best country in the world. I am so thankful that my parents chose this country and that I have been able to raise my family here. Does this mean that I am lucky (if you believe in luck) or blessed (if you believe in being blessed)? From my perspective, I believe in blessings, I also believe that the difficulties that I experience are blessings waiting to be explored.

It's now Tuesday evening, I am tired and thankful. I have peace and safety as well as freedom. What more can one ask for?

Happy Tuesday everyone!