Lessons from the lady in a wheelchair

Sitting on a bench, just taking in all the sights, the sounds and the smells. The sun isn't really out, or maybe she is shining in all her glory ... but too many clouds are hiding away her glorious warmth and colour. For now though ... I'm just sitting on this bench, watching (as they say) the world go by, whilst wave after wave washes over the shingle, almost singing its own song.

Rollerblades roll pass, strollers stroll their prams and dogs on leashes wag their tails, all whilst seagulls fly overhead, singing songs in their own formidable ways. 

Than my mind wanders off, thinking what it is that brings these people here ... how about that couple that were clearly discussing the dinner party of the night before, or what about the elderly gentleman, all suited up ... but wearing open toe sandals ... maybe he needed someone to tell him it's still winter (never mind the fact that one doesn't really wear sandals with a suit) or the little ones' learning to ride their bikes. 

And than there was 'the wheelchair lady'. Obviously used to her life in the rolling chair - the way she maneuvers that thing around is quite incredible. I start asking myself questions as to how and when ... were you born this way ? Was it an accident that caused you to have to make this drastic change ? And yet ... from her face came this sense of peace, not a 'having to accept this' but a real sense of peace. Peace with the way life had treated her, the hand she was dealt ... she seemed so at peace.

I was sitting on this bench because I was feeling far from 'at peace with meself'. A row at home, a job dissatisfaction and a general: Why is I alive kinda feeling. But you ... in your chair ... at peace ...

Thanks for the lesson.

Lessons from a Bible Coffee Drinker

There’s no way around it.  I am addicted to coffee.  It’s not what you think.  Yes, I have a few cups of the brown liquid during the day, to get a little caffeine into the system.  But, the lure of java isn’t so much a chemical dependency.  Within the sealed aluminum canister on my kitchen counter lies an emotional connection to something warm, dark, and fragrant.
Coffee is one of the simple pleasures in life that I’ll never tire of and will always quietly keep me company.  It’s fresh brewed every morning and whenever something soothing or happy is in order.  Not only that, it goes great with conversation and seems to bring a smile when it’s offered.  

So, I’m sure it’s no surprise that I associate coffee with the Word of God.   I’m curious today…  What kind of Bible coffee drinker are you?  

Black Coffee – Likes the Word plain and straight.  You are a hard core Berean, who enjoys printing out the text without paragraph breaks, line by line. Your Bible is clean from notes or commentaries, just the Scriptures and maybe a concordance. You hold a separate collection of Bible dictionaries and commentaries for reference and stuff your notes in 3-ring binders that cause your shelves to sag.  

Cappuccino – Likes the Word like a shot of espresso, indulged with frothy foam.  You enjoy digging into the Word with notes and commentaries readily available, inserted alongside the text.  Your Bible is a Study Bible, and it’s most likely the Amplified Version, although you switch between that and NIV.  You underline and make notes in the margin.  The Good Book is covered in either (faux) leather or in a canvas Bible cover.  

Latte – Likes the Word, rich and creamy, and enjoys a foamy mustache.  You love walking through the Word with companions of devotional thoughts or inspirational questions.  Your bookshelf is never short of a fave devotional or Bible Study series. Your Bible might be a Life Application Bible, or it’s simply paired with your favorite “Daily Bread” or stacked on top of a study book.  

Mocha – Likes the Word, like a chocolaty treat, a rich confectionery splurge.  You love journaling in the Word, reflecting on Christian writing, meditations or even art, music and photography.  The Word comes alive in a mosaic of artistic expressions.  Your Bible might be a Journaling Bible where you weave whatever prompts your heart into God’s words.  You are an artist who takes in the Word and sees it reflected in unexpected places.

Really .... just hope you love the Word, however it comes.

(from www.faithbarista.com)

Lessons from / for another year

May your hair, your teeth, your face-lift, your abs and your stocks not fall; and may your blood pressure, your cholesterol, your white blood count and your mortgage interest not rise.   
May you get a clean bill of health from your dentist, your cardiologist, your gastro-enterologist, your urologist, your podiatrist, your psychiatrist and your plumber.   


May what you see in the mirror delight you, and what others see in you delight them. May someone love you enough to forgive your faults, be blind to your blemishes, and tell the world about your virtues. 
  
May New Year's Eve find you seated around the table, together with your beloved family and cherished friends. May you find the food better, the environment quieter, the cost much cheaper, and the pleasure much more fulfilling than anything else you might ordinarily do that night. 
  
May the telemarketers wait to make their sales calls until you finish dinner, may the commercials on TV not be louder than the program you have been watching, and may your check book and your budget balance - and include generous amounts for charity.  


May you remember to say "I love you" at least once a day to your spouse, your child, your parent, your siblings; but not to your secretary, your nurse, your masseuse, your hairdresser or your tennis instructor. 


Above all, may God enrich you with His wisdom, overwhelm you with His love and comfort you with His peace in all you do in 2011 - Happy New Year