Wednesday, May 5, 2010
For real?
I've been stuck at home today trying to shake a fever and aches and feeling bored this afternoon, I followed up on a news report I heard on the radio about a house on the Winnipeg market with a record asking price. Here's part of the description from the MLS website: "From the sweeping suspended staircase and sumptuous main flr Master to the stunning infinity pool-this home IMPRESSES! 13,200 sq ft raised bung w/2nd storey & walkout overlooking a magnificent back yard development & panoramic lake views. 5 Bedrooms & 9baths. Elevator access to all flrs. You'll be wowed w/the amazing huge windows, beautiful wide plank oak flrs,custom mill-work limestone accents,Great rm 24 ft ceiling lamp; THE ULTIMATE GOURMET KITCHEN. The dinning room has a remarkable wet bar w/onyx counter & onyx back lit wall panels..." And it goes on. Also, potential buyers are assured that the house has a "state of the art" security system with 24/7 360 degree video surveillance. If this is a "dream house" do our dreams make sense? And if we need to protect our property with 24/7 360 degree video surveillance is that really a dream come true?
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Spring and stuff collide!
Perhaps I've finally caught the spring cleaning bug? There is something about the warm breeze and sunshine streaming through my dirty windows that makes me long to scrub and clean all the winter grunge out of my home.
(You must understand that I've rarely, if ever, had this urge - I run outside from spring to fall, merrily ignoring all but required house cleaning until I'm confined to the house again come winter. I don't really enjoy house cleaning or get great satisfaction from a gleaming floor. Defective genes I guess!)
But first, I have to get rid of the stuff that has collected! We have a couple extra dressers that have a place but aren't really needed, some clothes that will head to a thrift shop someday soon, a few books that someone else might enjoy. It's all good stuff and it all has a use but it's quickly becoming clutter in my house.
How do I get all this stuff? Why do I hesitate to let it go? Will I really use this stuff some day? Why am I still asking that question after this stuff has sat around for a couple years? Why is it so hard to deal with stuff?
(You must understand that I've rarely, if ever, had this urge - I run outside from spring to fall, merrily ignoring all but required house cleaning until I'm confined to the house again come winter. I don't really enjoy house cleaning or get great satisfaction from a gleaming floor. Defective genes I guess!)
But first, I have to get rid of the stuff that has collected! We have a couple extra dressers that have a place but aren't really needed, some clothes that will head to a thrift shop someday soon, a few books that someone else might enjoy. It's all good stuff and it all has a use but it's quickly becoming clutter in my house.
How do I get all this stuff? Why do I hesitate to let it go? Will I really use this stuff some day? Why am I still asking that question after this stuff has sat around for a couple years? Why is it so hard to deal with stuff?
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
This and That!
Happy Easter Everyone!!! Thank God for letting His one and only son, Jesus die on the cross for our sins!!! We are free because of this! Praise the Lord!!!
At our ladies Bible study we just finished a Beth Moore study on The Patriarchs :) I found it fascinating since I am newer to going to church and reading more serious! We are going to do another one soon!
Melinda M, her husband Jason, their son Gilford and their daughter MacKenzi; from our United Mennonite Church in Black Creek, welcomed their new son/brother, Hudson Thomas to the world on March 31st around 5:30pm at 8lbs 10oz!!! Congrats and blessings!
On my last posting we were on our way to our Annual General Meeting and with prayers it went really well! It was even done by lunch time :) lol
We must continue to pray for the World with the mine cave-ins, earthquakes, tornadoes...Everything that Satan has is being thrown at the World and we need to be putting our armour on every day! Thank God that we know where we're going when it's time, but continue to spread God's Word and praying for those who still need to be saved! Never give up, never forsake! You never know when that little seed of knowledge that you have planted may take root!!!!
At our ladies Bible study we just finished a Beth Moore study on The Patriarchs :) I found it fascinating since I am newer to going to church and reading more serious! We are going to do another one soon!
Melinda M, her husband Jason, their son Gilford and their daughter MacKenzi; from our United Mennonite Church in Black Creek, welcomed their new son/brother, Hudson Thomas to the world on March 31st around 5:30pm at 8lbs 10oz!!! Congrats and blessings!
On my last posting we were on our way to our Annual General Meeting and with prayers it went really well! It was even done by lunch time :) lol
We must continue to pray for the World with the mine cave-ins, earthquakes, tornadoes...Everything that Satan has is being thrown at the World and we need to be putting our armour on every day! Thank God that we know where we're going when it's time, but continue to spread God's Word and praying for those who still need to be saved! Never give up, never forsake! You never know when that little seed of knowledge that you have planted may take root!!!!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
The dawn may take some time
Last night I posted on Facebook that there is a big hole on the street and a deep trench through my front yard where work is going on to connect water and sewer to the new house we're building. I added: "I guess it's progress that things get torn apart to get put back together." One of my friends commented, "Sounds theological to me!" I hadn't really meant it in that way but it is a week that we Christians contemplate things torn apart before they are put back together - that death comes before resurrection.
I'm sad this week that things are torn apart in my friend Carla's family - Carla's big sister Eileen died last week, too soon we would say. I think of the gaping hole in my yard and know that the piles of dirt will fill it up again either today or tomorrow - but I know that it will take longer to put things together for Carla and her family. We need to walk tenderly with those who grieve without rushing them to the Resurrection. The dawn that emerges from this darkness takes time but we can be hopeful. We can hope because the One who walked the path to the cross walks with those for whom things are torn apart.
I'm sad this week that things are torn apart in my friend Carla's family - Carla's big sister Eileen died last week, too soon we would say. I think of the gaping hole in my yard and know that the piles of dirt will fill it up again either today or tomorrow - but I know that it will take longer to put things together for Carla and her family. We need to walk tenderly with those who grieve without rushing them to the Resurrection. The dawn that emerges from this darkness takes time but we can be hopeful. We can hope because the One who walked the path to the cross walks with those for whom things are torn apart.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
21 Days
A friend recently shared the sermon message at her church. The pastor challenged the congregation to consider how their lives might be different if they knew they only had 21 days to live. It made me think. What would change in my life if I knew I only had 21 days? Would I stop doing some things? Would I start doing other things? How would I relate to my family? Friends? Colleagues?
I've been mulling this over for a few days and here's what I've come up with: I would get up earlier and enjoy sunrises that I rarely see. I would stop and enjoy sunsets that I miss by being busy with other things. I would thank God for the many gifts He has given me. I would bless others with the money and possessions that I would no longer need. I would make sure my nephew knew that blowing bubbles is a simple thing that makes nearly everyone smile. And I would make rhubarb pie for my husband.
What about you? What would your 21 days look like?
I've been mulling this over for a few days and here's what I've come up with: I would get up earlier and enjoy sunrises that I rarely see. I would stop and enjoy sunsets that I miss by being busy with other things. I would thank God for the many gifts He has given me. I would bless others with the money and possessions that I would no longer need. I would make sure my nephew knew that blowing bubbles is a simple thing that makes nearly everyone smile. And I would make rhubarb pie for my husband.
What about you? What would your 21 days look like?
Friday, March 5, 2010
ATM
I'm using a devotional book for Lent called, "There's no ATM in the Wilderness." The reflections are written by a variety of people who are active in the United Church of Canada. There is a Scripture passage, a reflection, a prayer and ideas for journalling or action. Last night's text was from Mark 12, especially the first part of verse 17: "Jesus said to them, 'Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's'" One suggestion in the journal reflection part caught my attention: "John Wesley suggested praying before spending money. What if, every time you spent money, you simply asked the question: Remembering it's not really mine, is this how I want to spend God's money?" Something to ponder.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)