I was driving through a particularly confusing intersection at which the traffic pattern has recently been changed. I slowed, looked both ways, and pulled ahead. As I did, I saw a large red pick-up truck right next to me, slowing down on my left to let me pass. He had been in my blind spot, but now I saw his face. He did not look very pleased. I waved briefly, acknowledging his care, and we both proceeded through the intersection.
He pulled into the same parking lot where I was headed. I pulled in right beside him, got out of my car, and walked to the driver's side of his vehicle. I motioned for him to please roll down the window. He still didn't look very pleased.
I smiled. "Thank you for being such a careful driver," I said. "I'm sorry I didn't see you. You were in my blind spot."
"That's all right, lady," he said, now looking a little suspicious.
"Well, I just wanted to say thank-you for your care."
We nodded and went about our separate business.
Some people would say I was lucky--lucky perhaps that that other driver hadn't been talking on his cell phone, not paying attention to the road.
Luck? No, I would chalk it up to a Heavenly Father who looks after me. He has no blind spot.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
You're Not Just Whistling Dixie!
Children have a unique perspective on the world. They try to make sense of what they see and hear by using their limited experience, knowledge, and vocabulary. Also, they tell it like it is.
My four-year old granddaughter was riding in the family van, and being able to see out the window from the vantage point of her carseat, noticed a man in another vehicle driving alongside the van.
"Mommy, that man has a whistle in his mouth."
Parents also try their best to make sense, in the midst of traffic and icy roads, of what their children are saying.
"Oh?"
"And . . . there's smoke coming out of the end of the whistle."
The light begins to dawn, on Mommy's face, at least.
Now there is more surprise in the little voice in the backseat: "And he's sucking on the whistle, instead of blowing on it!"
She blew the whistle on him, in no uncertain terms.
My four-year old granddaughter was riding in the family van, and being able to see out the window from the vantage point of her carseat, noticed a man in another vehicle driving alongside the van.
"Mommy, that man has a whistle in his mouth."
Parents also try their best to make sense, in the midst of traffic and icy roads, of what their children are saying.
"Oh?"
"And . . . there's smoke coming out of the end of the whistle."
The light begins to dawn, on Mommy's face, at least.
Now there is more surprise in the little voice in the backseat: "And he's sucking on the whistle, instead of blowing on it!"
She blew the whistle on him, in no uncertain terms.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
A Portrait Made Her Famous
On this day, January 8, in 1962, the Mona Lisa was exhibited for the first time in the United States. More than 2,000 dignitaries, including President John F. Kennedy, gathered for the unveiling at the National Gallery in Washington. The exhibit was opened to the public the next day, and in three weeks, more than half a million people had seen the painting. It was then shown in New York City, where another million people saw it at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and French Minister of Culture André Malraux arranged for the painting to be shown in the United States.
The painting by Leonardo da Vinci was completed in 1504 - do the math: that's 505 years ago! - and depicts the wife of a wealthy Florentine citizen, Francesco del Gioconda (hence, the other name by which the painting is known, La Gioconda).
It's not very big--30 inches by 21 inches (77 cm by 50 cm). The room in which it is exhibited at the Louvre Museum in Paris dwarfs the painting. On the opposite wall, near the entrance to the room, is a huge wall-sized painting, The Wedding Feast at Cana. As you enter the room, your eyes are drawn to this immense painting that is about 1000 cm by 700 cm. You view the cast of characters, the colours, the play of light and shadow, and then you slowly become aware of the other people in the room. They aren't looking at The Wedding Feast. They are captivated by neither the story it depicts--that of the first miracle of Jesus--nor by the colours and expanse of blue sky at the top centre of the painting. That's not what they have come to see.
They've come to see one of the Louvre's three "famous ladies." Perhaps they've already seen the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace. They've saved the best for last: the painting that has been studied and analyzed more than any other piece of art in the world. It is protected by a guard, maybe two. It is covered by a Plexiglas box that keeps the dust off and provides a humidity-controlled environment for the painting.
Hundreds of people are in the room. They move forward slowly in the line, to stare for a few moments at the famous face with its enigmatic smile. Then, knowing the impatience of the those waiting behind in line, each person moves away, their eyes having gazed for a few moments on The Real Thing.
For most people, these kinds of moments don't happen very often. They are special, remembered. It's like being introduced to a famous person. We are awed--whelmed--by the experience.
And that's a wonderful feeling.
The painting by Leonardo da Vinci was completed in 1504 - do the math: that's 505 years ago! - and depicts the wife of a wealthy Florentine citizen, Francesco del Gioconda (hence, the other name by which the painting is known, La Gioconda).
It's not very big--30 inches by 21 inches (77 cm by 50 cm). The room in which it is exhibited at the Louvre Museum in Paris dwarfs the painting. On the opposite wall, near the entrance to the room, is a huge wall-sized painting, The Wedding Feast at Cana. As you enter the room, your eyes are drawn to this immense painting that is about 1000 cm by 700 cm. You view the cast of characters, the colours, the play of light and shadow, and then you slowly become aware of the other people in the room. They aren't looking at The Wedding Feast. They are captivated by neither the story it depicts--that of the first miracle of Jesus--nor by the colours and expanse of blue sky at the top centre of the painting. That's not what they have come to see.
They've come to see one of the Louvre's three "famous ladies." Perhaps they've already seen the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace. They've saved the best for last: the painting that has been studied and analyzed more than any other piece of art in the world. It is protected by a guard, maybe two. It is covered by a Plexiglas box that keeps the dust off and provides a humidity-controlled environment for the painting.
Hundreds of people are in the room. They move forward slowly in the line, to stare for a few moments at the famous face with its enigmatic smile. Then, knowing the impatience of the those waiting behind in line, each person moves away, their eyes having gazed for a few moments on The Real Thing.
For most people, these kinds of moments don't happen very often. They are special, remembered. It's like being introduced to a famous person. We are awed--whelmed--by the experience.
And that's a wonderful feeling.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Some of My Best Friends Are Psalms
Colm Wilkinson, best known for his starring roles in the musical productions of Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables, is also a talented singer-song writer. His latest album is entitled Some of My Best Friends Are Songs.
I'd like to use his title--with a slight change: some of my best friends are Psalms.
Once you get to know the Psalms, you'll visit them often. Like a good friend, they can encourage you when you feel down. Feeling frustrated about how things in your life are going? Dip into the Psalms. You'll find a Heavenly Father who is on your side. Maybe you're feeling especially blessed. The Psalms provide wonderful patterns for praise and prayers of thanksgiving.
In your reading for the New Year, put Psalms on your list. Which is your favourite? Where do you turn in times of trouble or temptation? Which Psalm best expresses your praise in times of victory?
Befriend the Psalms. Climb the heights. Sing the Songs.
I'd like to use his title--with a slight change: some of my best friends are Psalms.Once you get to know the Psalms, you'll visit them often. Like a good friend, they can encourage you when you feel down. Feeling frustrated about how things in your life are going? Dip into the Psalms. You'll find a Heavenly Father who is on your side. Maybe you're feeling especially blessed. The Psalms provide wonderful patterns for praise and prayers of thanksgiving.
In your reading for the New Year, put Psalms on your list. Which is your favourite? Where do you turn in times of trouble or temptation? Which Psalm best expresses your praise in times of victory?
Befriend the Psalms. Climb the heights. Sing the Songs.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Going Green
It's a new year, and that's an opportunity for a new start!
One of the things I received for Christmas from my grandson was a set of six compact fluorescent lightbulbs for the outside of the house. Because of the extremely cold weather since Christmas, these have yet to be installed, but I'm hoping they soon will be, now that it's warmed up to -14 degrees C (there is something fundamentally wrong with that statement--that it's "warmed up" yet it's only -14, but that's another story for another day!)
Yesterday, I replaced other incandescent bulbs in the house with CFLs: my bedroom and the living room lights (except for the single potlight). Those of you who have "gone green" in this way know that slight "hesitation" of perhaps two seconds (or maybe only two microseconds) between the moment you turn on the light at the switch and the moment the lights actually turn on. (I have already been warned by another in my household that under no circumstances am I to replace the lights in the entranceway at the front door because "it would make the entrance dim and unwelcoming."
I protest by saying that soon, we won't be able to buy incandescent bulbs, but I think there is a plan afoot here to begin hoarding those soon-hard-to-find bulbs. Regardless, I carry on.
It does take some getting used to. The light doesn't seem as bright, even though I replaced 60-watt bulbs with 60-watt-equivalent bulbs. For someone who likes bright light and doesn't see so well in dim light, I can't say I'm entirely pleased with the effect. Maybe the technology just isn't there yet. Regardless, I carry on.
Hopefully, this will make a difference, both personally and globally. Personally, because we don't always to remember to turn the lights off when we leave a room. We live where summer is short and winter is dark and so the lights are on a lot in our house. We are two families living on two levels in our house and so that's a lot of lights that go on and off during the day. Personally, because electricity is rising in price and our household use doesn't qualify at the moment for the lower price in the two-tier system recently implemented by the utility company.
Globally . . . well, we all have to do our part. Use less, reuse more, reduce our footprint.
Last year, it was plastic bags. in our household, we made an effort to reduce the number of plastic shopping bags coming in to the house. We set up a system: reusable bags that were stashed in the vehicle, came into the house with the groceries, and then went back to the vehicle to be reused. It took some getting used to, some planning, some remembering. Were we 100% successful? No, but we made an effort and created a new pattern, a new habit.
This year, it's the lights. I carry on.
One of the things I received for Christmas from my grandson was a set of six compact fluorescent lightbulbs for the outside of the house. Because of the extremely cold weather since Christmas, these have yet to be installed, but I'm hoping they soon will be, now that it's warmed up to -14 degrees C (there is something fundamentally wrong with that statement--that it's "warmed up" yet it's only -14, but that's another story for another day!)
Yesterday, I replaced other incandescent bulbs in the house with CFLs: my bedroom and the living room lights (except for the single potlight). Those of you who have "gone green" in this way know that slight "hesitation" of perhaps two seconds (or maybe only two microseconds) between the moment you turn on the light at the switch and the moment the lights actually turn on. (I have already been warned by another in my household that under no circumstances am I to replace the lights in the entranceway at the front door because "it would make the entrance dim and unwelcoming." I protest by saying that soon, we won't be able to buy incandescent bulbs, but I think there is a plan afoot here to begin hoarding those soon-hard-to-find bulbs. Regardless, I carry on.
It does take some getting used to. The light doesn't seem as bright, even though I replaced 60-watt bulbs with 60-watt-equivalent bulbs. For someone who likes bright light and doesn't see so well in dim light, I can't say I'm entirely pleased with the effect. Maybe the technology just isn't there yet. Regardless, I carry on.
Hopefully, this will make a difference, both personally and globally. Personally, because we don't always to remember to turn the lights off when we leave a room. We live where summer is short and winter is dark and so the lights are on a lot in our house. We are two families living on two levels in our house and so that's a lot of lights that go on and off during the day. Personally, because electricity is rising in price and our household use doesn't qualify at the moment for the lower price in the two-tier system recently implemented by the utility company.
Globally . . . well, we all have to do our part. Use less, reuse more, reduce our footprint.
Last year, it was plastic bags. in our household, we made an effort to reduce the number of plastic shopping bags coming in to the house. We set up a system: reusable bags that were stashed in the vehicle, came into the house with the groceries, and then went back to the vehicle to be reused. It took some getting used to, some planning, some remembering. Were we 100% successful? No, but we made an effort and created a new pattern, a new habit.
This year, it's the lights. I carry on.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Definitely Not the Ordinary!
I was listening to the radio today--CBC, of course--and heard an intriguing discussion about gratitude. The host interviewed a writer who undertook a month-long experiment in which he would write a thank-you note to everyone who did something kind for him. At first, he thanked for everything: holding the door open or providing directions or passing a package of Sweet-n-Low in a restaurant. As the month wore on, he began to be a bit more discriminating, and each morning, would look back on the previous day and choose three people to send thank-you cards to.
His conclusion at the end of the month was that gratitude requires humility.
Trying to catch up to religion and philosophy, scientists are now studying gratitude. From the results of his experiments, Dr. Richard Emmons, of the University of California at Davis, explained how gratitude has positive psychological, physical, and social effects.
The host of the radio show then read a thank-you letter that she had written to a friend. The letter mentioned many specific things about the friend and their relationship that the writer was thankful for, but that she felt she had never adequately expressed to her friend.
You can catch the whole Jan. 3, 2009 show at the following site:
www.cbc.ca/dnto
So here's the challenge: to whom would you like to write a thank-you letter, expressing gratitude that perhaps you've never articulated before? Your parents? Your children? A teacher? A friend? A colleague or business associate? An author whose book has influenced you?
Write the letters. Choose the paper and pen. Use your best handwriting (okay, type it, if you must!) Even if these people are from your past, people you've lost touch with, try to find them. Google their names. Use Canada411.ca or another similar online phone directory. Don't give up! Address the envelopes! Buy some stamps and mail the letters. Who wouldn't love to receive a letter like that! It will be a wonderful surprise for the recipients!
You yourself may feel the world is a bit brighter place for having done it.
His conclusion at the end of the month was that gratitude requires humility.
Trying to catch up to religion and philosophy, scientists are now studying gratitude. From the results of his experiments, Dr. Richard Emmons, of the University of California at Davis, explained how gratitude has positive psychological, physical, and social effects.
The host of the radio show then read a thank-you letter that she had written to a friend. The letter mentioned many specific things about the friend and their relationship that the writer was thankful for, but that she felt she had never adequately expressed to her friend.
You can catch the whole Jan. 3, 2009 show at the following site:
www.cbc.ca/dnto
So here's the challenge: to whom would you like to write a thank-you letter, expressing gratitude that perhaps you've never articulated before? Your parents? Your children? A teacher? A friend? A colleague or business associate? An author whose book has influenced you?
Write the letters. Choose the paper and pen. Use your best handwriting (okay, type it, if you must!) Even if these people are from your past, people you've lost touch with, try to find them. Google their names. Use Canada411.ca or another similar online phone directory. Don't give up! Address the envelopes! Buy some stamps and mail the letters. Who wouldn't love to receive a letter like that! It will be a wonderful surprise for the recipients!
You yourself may feel the world is a bit brighter place for having done it.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Who Were those Bible People Who Made Resolutions?
Maybe after reading my entry from yesterday, you're wondering, "Just who were those Bible people who "resolved" to live a certain way?"
Daniel, for one. Daniel 1:8 says:
Purposing in his heart--he was resolved.
Joseph (the supposed father of Jesus),for another. After he found out that Mary was pregnant, he "was minded to put her away privily" (Matt. 1:19).
Was minded--he was resolved.
Paul, too. Acts 19:21 says that "Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Madedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome."
Purposed in the spirit--he was resolved.
Paul, again, advising the Corinthian church. 1 Cor. 10: 14, 31-32:
Flee . . . do all to the glory of God . . . give none offence: resolve to do these things.
Paul instructing the church at Colosse (Col 3:12-17):
All those imperatives--be resolved to do these things.
Paul . . . again. This time, his counsel and heart to the church at Thessalonica:
Every resolve for good--be resolved for good.
So making resolutions is Biblical. There are many more examples that could be cited. Bible men and women have always shown resolve: Joseph, when enticed by Pharaoh's wife, fled from her presence, and was thrown into prison because of her false accusations. Joshua and Caleb, outnumbered by the spies who brought back stories of an enemy that couldn't be defeated, were resolved to stand by the word of God and so encouraged the people to go forward because God had promised them the land. Esther was resolved to speak to the king on behalf of her people, even though she risked her own life in doing so.
There are many more. Search them out for yourself. Hebrews 11 tells about a great cloud of witnesses that surrounds us, men and women of resolve.
Take courage. Live each day to the glory of God. Be resolved.
Daniel, for one. Daniel 1:8 says:
"But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself."
Purposing in his heart--he was resolved.
Joseph (the supposed father of Jesus),for another. After he found out that Mary was pregnant, he "was minded to put her away privily" (Matt. 1:19).
Was minded--he was resolved.
Paul, too. Acts 19:21 says that "Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Madedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome."
Purposed in the spirit--he was resolved.
Paul, again, advising the Corinthian church. 1 Cor. 10: 14, 31-32:
Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. . . . Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God."
Flee . . . do all to the glory of God . . . give none offence: resolve to do these things.
Paul instructing the church at Colosse (Col 3:12-17):
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another, and if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other, as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these, put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
All those imperatives--be resolved to do these things.
Paul . . . again. This time, his counsel and heart to the church at Thessalonica:
"To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus my be glofiried in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thess. 1:11-12).
Every resolve for good--be resolved for good.
So making resolutions is Biblical. There are many more examples that could be cited. Bible men and women have always shown resolve: Joseph, when enticed by Pharaoh's wife, fled from her presence, and was thrown into prison because of her false accusations. Joshua and Caleb, outnumbered by the spies who brought back stories of an enemy that couldn't be defeated, were resolved to stand by the word of God and so encouraged the people to go forward because God had promised them the land. Esther was resolved to speak to the king on behalf of her people, even though she risked her own life in doing so.
There are many more. Search them out for yourself. Hebrews 11 tells about a great cloud of witnesses that surrounds us, men and women of resolve.
Take courage. Live each day to the glory of God. Be resolved.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year! Welcome, 2009!
I've been away from my blog for a while; I've been busy studying. But now I'm set for a new start in the new year. The artwork at the left was done for me today by my grandchildren.
Usually, I make a list of resolutions and present them to myself on New Year's Eve. This year, for some reason, I waffled--I couldn't decide if I should carry on with the tradition. Looking at my list from 2008, I could see that perhaps the value of making such a list was small. For sure, it wasn't because I think I don't have any faults. More likely I just felt overwhelmed, not knowing where to start!
To be resolved to do something is to be determined to do it. To have made up your mind with firmness and conviction. Many people in the Bible resolved to live a certain way, and many of the commands given to us in the Bible could be prefaced with "be resolved to."
In 1722-1723, when Jonathan Edwards, the great American theologian, was 19 years old, he wrote a list of 70 resolutions by which he meant to govern his behaviour and his life. After a brief opening statement (see below), the next sentence was this: Remember to read over these resolutions once a week. (Maybe that's where I've gone wrong!)
His were not resolutions like the ones that might be garnered from a survey of recent blogs: get more exercise, lose 10 pounds, don't buy on credit, don't talk on the cellphone while driving. These resolutions may be useful and even common-sense, but they deal mainly with the outer person and not the inner life.
Edwards' resolutions, on the other hand, go to the heart of his life. For example,
Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God;
Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.
Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.
Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.
You can read all of Edwards' resolutions here:
The Seventy Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards
He prefaced the list with the following brief introductory sentence:
Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God's help, I do humbly entreat Him by His grace to enable me to keep these reolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ's sake.
He first recognizes that without God's help, he will not be able to accomplish any part of the list. He asks for God's help in keeping the resolutions insofar as they are agreeable to the will of God. And finally, it is for Christ's sake that Edwards wishes to keep the resolutions, not for his own sake or glory.
Over the years, many people have compared the resolutions of Jonathan Edwards to those of Benjamin Franklin. Whereas Franklin's resolutions were focused on becoming the model citizen, Edwards' were focused on bringing glory to God through a life dedicated to Christian principles.
So, then, what should my list look like for 2009? As much as I'd like to adopt Edwards' list, I cannot do that. I must take a look at my own life and see my own failings and ask God for help in purging those sins from my life.
1. To redeem the time: use my time wisely.
By this I mean to make more minutes count each day. I am, in my own nature, a time waster and a procrastinator. I know this about myself. I've seen it time and again. I don't make good use of the time I have and therefore, many times, I stay up way too late. Now that I'm taking a course, I have lots of reading, studying, and writing to do. Wasting time affects many things: often I don't make time to read and study the Bible.
2. Be patient.
There are many scripture verses about patience. I think I'd like to think I'm a patient person, but really, I don't think I am. I have little or no patience for little annoyances. I'm often not patient with the little kids. I would like to move forward towards sanctification in this area.
3. 2 Timothy 2:15 says: Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Now that I'm taking a course, I see how much I don't know. Stuff I thought I knew (that means I sort of knew it in my head, but couldn't really explain it out loud in any comprehensive or comprehensible way, with Scripture verses for support) wasn't really solidly a part of me. When I open my mouth to say something, I want to be able to explain what I believe.
Jonathan Edwards stated it this way: "to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same."
4. Read through the Bible in a year.
I tried The Bible in 90 Days last year, but I found that, first, it was really hard to keep up, and second, it didn't leave me time to do any extra study. So I'll go back to another more modest goal.
Maybe part of my trouble in the past has been that I've made too many resolutions. Edwards made seventy. Franklin confined himself to thirteen. For this year, I believe I'll ask God to help me with the four I've stated above.
If you see a lack in my life--a particular sin that needs dealing with--and bring it to my attention, I'll add it to the list.
And "lose 10 pounds"? That's probably not a bad idea, either.
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