Reflections

Some (lighted hearted) Observations Made On OurTrip – So Far

1. On our journeys we have come to the conclusion that it was an EU directive that every Pole acquire a semi trailer. Why else would there be on many on European roads?
2. It is a rule, it seems, that every Norwegian must own a tractor. If he or she can’t afford a tractor, a small digger will have to suffice. If you see the amount of snow in Norway, this rule explains itself.
3. In Spain, every male over 70 must drive a Max car. This 2stroke machine has a top speed of 35 kph. It may only be driven on bike tracks, back roads, suburban streets, highways – in fact wherever they wish, especially during peak hours.
4. Another rule seems to be that every Dutchman must have two bikes – one for home and the other to strap on the back of the camper ( not a prerequisite but highly encouraged).
5. The traffic lights in France are only suggestions. Often they don’t work, so why bother to obey them anyway. The local councils also have a programme to make them as inconspicuous as possible.
6. Indicator lights on Saabs do not work in Sweden. Amazing as it may seem, I have only seen a slight flicker from one light – and that may have been the sun’s reflection.
7. You know it’s cold when the skidoos are parked next to the house and the trailers have skis.

You may have “observations” to add.

Categories: Life, Reflections, Travel | 1 Comment

Wandering Through Black and White Photos

 

Photos and Memories 2

I wander through
a trail of black and white photos.
Recalling the past:
Old emotions, family
friends and celebrations.
 
Some images are blurry and grey,
hidden in the fogs of time,
others clear and bright
as if today.
 
But none can bring back
the people, the time,
the days.
The decisions and mistakes
are still etched
in black, white and
its many shades.
 
Yet today,
the photos are coloured,
but even then, at times,
the colours seem grey.
 

Photos and Memories (1)

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Two Messages Exploring Our Humanity

Recently two videos have been recommended to me. Both (with the usual caveat that we read and watch material critically) are well worth watching and being challenged by.

The first was recommended by one of my daughters (an introvert) and she found this to be very affirming of her own character and traits. Teachers and pastors, I believe, will be challenged by this.

Susan Cain speaks about the power of introverts

The second is also a TED video and speaks of vulnerability. Brene Brown speaks of her own journey. Christians, I believe have a chapter to add to this story about the one who made himself totally vulnerable for us, but even by itself, it is a powerful image  of our humanity.

Brene Brown speaks about vulnerability

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Youth

“Youth is wasted on the young” George Bernard Shaw

Energy to spend
on chasing, running and childishness.
To have passions that ignite.
Intoxicating dreams that abound
of worlds and hopes, futures
and possibilities.
To be young again!
To have time to wonder
and aspire,
fall and rise
without broken bones –
or bruised hearts.
To be a Jeremiah
– set apart,
Josiah
– doing what is right
David
– with a youthful love of God
or Mary
– with a humble heart.
The priceless, momentary
gift of being young
must not be chained or bound
in our past mistakes.
Free the young
to prophesy and envision,
thrive and grow
so our jaded hearts are gladdened
and God rejoices.
Categories: christian, Christianity, Devotional, Faith, Poem, poetry, Reflections | Tags: , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Warning Signs

Yesterday we were showing a friend along the Great Ocean Road and the 12 Apostles. There were signs alerting people to the dangers: steep cliffs, falling rocks and so forth. But many people blithely ignored the warnings. Some climbed on the fences to scream at friends way below. Others went to crumbly cliff faces to take a better picture.

What is it about human nature that we disregard clear warnings? We see it in all aspects of life: foolish driving, dangerous work practices, crazy stunts and more.

The saddest area of deafness is in human spirituality. The Bible has many warnings about foolishness. Eccl 4:13 “Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning” is just one. We think we can thumb our nose at our Creator.

The unique attribute of Scripture is that it both warns and guides. It tells us about the danger of human foolishness and blindness but it also gives us the antidote – the solution, and that is a relationship with God through Christ. This deals with the biggest danger – death. Eternal death.

Next time we see a warning sign, just remember that it is important. Past experience has been put to good use. More importantly, you can also see it as a metaphor for God’s warning and God’s solution.

Categories: christian, Christianity, Devotional, Faith, Reflections | Tags: , , , | 1 Comment

I’ve heard about Jesus …

A reflection on Matt 8:5-13 by Hetty:

I’ve heard about Jesus: Water, evil spirits, diseases, they all obey his word. So when he said he would come and heal my servant, I told him plainly, “That’s not necessary. Just say the word and I know he will be cured.” I knew he would have made the journey for me and the young man, but he is the “Chief Officer” and what he says goes. But I wasn’t expecting his amazement at my reply. And those comments about my faith – surely I’m not as good as all those pious Jews?!

Jesus comes for each of us. He makes no distinction between masters and servants, Jews or Gentiles. He only requires our faith in him.
“Remind me that you are
the Way,
the Truth
and the Life
and apart from you there is no life.”
Categories: Bible, christian, Christianity, Devotional, Faith, Hetty's Devotions, Reflections | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Sorting Through Memories

My brother and I 
sorted through our mother’s things today.
The big things,
not that there were many after years in a home,
were irrelevant.
The brooch I fiddled with as a child,
the picture that had always been
on the wall at home,
the tapestry sewn with arthritic fingers,
made me take notice.
 
My brother,
six years younger.
had memories with a different skew,
but memories all the same,
of times, events, words and warmth.
 
The photos and cards were carefully kept,
of birthdays, anniversaries and 
other people’s holidays.
The precious letters
set aside, revealed so much,
about mum
… and us.
 
 
Categories: Family, Poem, poetry, Reflections, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , | 2 Comments

As the Year Winds Down

As the year winds down
memories flutter in the breeze
like forgotten leaves 
darting and spinning
along the park grass.
 
The hopeful start has met
reality.
The aspirations have,
once again,
collided with human frailty. 
 
The daily news has regurgitated
another 12 months
of human foolishness,
vanity, greed, lust and anger,
with only the odd spark of hope
leaping momentarily –
a glow of life in a dark morass.
A kindly gesture,
a noble deed,
a generous gift have been witnessed
here and there;
Alerting hope and future.
 
As each year passes,
a certainty grows,
whether in my life or death
the Messiah will come again.
The cycle will stop.
Eternity will begin.
 
 
 
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Snails: They Creep Up On You!

Snails: They Creep Up On You!

Snails! This morning I was planting some flowers. I had a tray of them sitting on the ground and while I was taking one plant out of its pot and putting it into the soil I noticed a snail slowly slithering up the side of the tray. I made a mental note to deal with it when I had an opportunity. However, I forgot about my house toting friend. A long while later I came back to the tray and noticed that he had made his way up the side of the tray to one of the flower pots and was having brunch -being about 10:30 am. I won’t mention what I did next in case I am reported to the RSPCS.

I continued planting (like the snail I am doing it slowly as my back is complaining) and I started reflecting. My lack of initial action is often the way we deal with problems and other issues in our lives. We think to ourselves the issue isn’t big and as I have other things to deal with I will leave it on the back burner until later, only to find that before we know it, it has become a large issue and impacts our lives in a considerable way. Depending on where our weaknesses are, it could be anything from white lies, to pornography or petty theft at work to gambling, procrastination(oops) to gossip. At this point you can insert what trips you up …

Experience tells us that dealing with our foibles early is the wisest path. It saves us from greater pain, embarrassment or struggles further on. Seeking forgiveness, actively putting behaviours or actions behind us, is the healthiest action. If we are not careful, initial foolishness can become an addiction or a pattern of behaviour that is hard to shift. What “snails” are creeping up in your life? Excuse me now I’m off to get some more snail bait.

Categories: Devotional, Faith, Life, Reflections, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | 1 Comment

The Already and Not Yet – The Beauty and the Pain

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Ps 32:7

On this Sunday morning my reflection is simple. Every time I am gardening I am reminded of the “Already” and not yet”. Beautiful flowers bursting forth, and vegetables sprouting and growing remind me the Christian is already seated in heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6 – Already seat with Christ). This is an important reminder because in the garden you are also surrounded by weeds and bugs – the opportunists who take any and every opportunity to destroy that which is good. That is the “Not Yet”. There is still a struggle, in this life, against sin and its pervasive results. Objectively we may be seated with Christ, but subjectively we struggle with the present.

Categories: Bible, christian, Christianity, Devotional, Faith, Reflections | Tags: , , , , | 1 Comment

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