Thursday, July 26, 2012
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Thank you Mr Chambers!
Oswald Chambers author of My Uttmost for His Highest... has a strong message for creative people, like me... and you smile, he titles it "Imagination verses Vision" and Chambers suggests that we must "bring our imagination into captivity" (easier said then done)! According to Chambers we can think our way out of practical problems (that would be my specialty) but if we try to do so in spiritual matters we will think our selves into "Cotton wool" ...yikes I have visions of me in a jar of cotton batton! lol! Yes I've been there and done that! In conclusion: Chambers states that to have clear vision we need the Holy Spirit to reveal the area (or areas) that we need to bring into obedience and then things will be "simplified and clear". Sigh. It catapults me back to my childhood and the song ..."Trust and obey for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey." How elementary is that? How simple? I will carry that melody with me, as I start my day with humility and prayer.
My desire today is to live this verse, and so I "pull focus" (a media term used in filming)...
John 17:4 "I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you have given me to do."
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Today on a devotional site called The Catch of the Day I was inspired by the following...
God doesn't want your ability as much as he wants your availability.
We shine in our abilities; God shines in our availability.
Our ability makes us strong; our availability makes us vulnerable.
People are impressed with our abilities; God is impressed with our availability.
Practice improves our ability; faith improves our availability.
God doesn't want your ability as much as he wants your availability.
We shine in our abilities; God shines in our availability.
Our ability makes us strong; our availability makes us vulnerable.
People are impressed with our abilities; God is impressed with our availability.
Practice improves our ability; faith improves our availability.
I am vulnerable and ready for the Lord to use me. I am now stepping out in faith into a new arena as I welcome two foster youth into my home next week. A little jittery, but full of "availablity". Big smile. Can't wait to see what God will do... with me.
Do you sense the challenge in your own life too?
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
2010...starting the year with ...love
God has sent us His love through Jesus...his one and only son. I was corresponding with a friend and
penned the following...
John 21:15..."Jesus said...Do you love me....? "Yes Lord, he said, "You know that I love you" Jesus said "Feed my lambs."
I read several chapters in John today but these are the verses that jumped iinto my soul...what a priviledge, what joy that He could use broken people like me (and you) what incredible grace. I am so blessed, highly favored and greatly loved!
And so are you...have a great day, and may His presense be your daily reward.
And my friend responded with...
Good morning, or should I say Good Dawn (Maralee Dawn) ?
Maralee, this is one of my favourite passages.
Did you know that the word agape used in the first two questions is the word used to translate the Hebrew word hesed. Hesed means covenant love.
So for Peter, who had failed at covenant love, was still being asked by Jesus to love him with the best love that Peter could love him with. And, although Peter had failed in his commitment of covenant love to Jesus, Peter was still worthy to feed his lambs.
This passage just overwhelms me every time I read it.
Maralee, this is one of my favourite passages.
Did you know that the word agape used in the first two questions is the word used to translate the Hebrew word hesed. Hesed means covenant love.
So for Peter, who had failed at covenant love, was still being asked by Jesus to love him with the best love that Peter could love him with. And, although Peter had failed in his commitment of covenant love to Jesus, Peter was still worthy to feed his lambs.
This passage just overwhelms me every time I read it.
I pray that these two letters will ... bless and encourage you today!
In Jesus name...warmly Maralee
Starting 2010 with... Love
penned the following...
I am so thrilled to be here and to see the snow fall today. It changed the ambience overnight! Now the back gas lanterns with the green wreaths and big red bows look so nostalgic...like England...after all this is called New England (Boston well Massachusetts, Main, Vermont, New Hamshire, and Conneticut) ... smile, I think I have them all. It is a pretty picture perfect setting, tomorrow I will try to post a photo. And one of the twins too, and their big sister! We are having so much fun with 1 yr old twins and a 3 yr old...the nights are long with babies waking up though! One soon forgets what sleep depervation is like...how these Mom's manage is beyond me. I can go home and catch up on my sleep!
In our life there are times that are like driving through the Rockie Mountains on winter roads. Poor visibility and lurking danger. Intense times of uncertainty and questioning. At those times, when it seems too difficult to press on, when inwardly I am desperate and feel I do not have the fortitude to move forward and all I want to do is pause or perhaps quit. But the Lord has a road sign that reads ..."Avalanche area do not stop" I must press on. Sigh. I must trust that this directional sign is for my good. There is more danger if I stop... I must keep going no matter how slow the pace. And then, and then there is the euphoric rush when I have made it through the pass, gone further then I thought possible, and I am on the other side...thanking God!
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When i pulled out of Gplden the roads looked clear but in just 10 short min that all changed. The visibility dropped drastically and the snow blinded my wind shield. I sighed and clenched the wheel. I did not want to drive on these wintery roads and mt shoulders rose slightly and my back stiffened, I whispered a prayer and clung to the wheel of the car praying for safety. God has been good and now I am safely home and very,very blessed.
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Tonight I fell on my knees beside my bed to petition the Lord, once again on behalf of Marty. Being as I am a visual person...in my minds eye I could picture him lying in the hospital bed, the eight medication bags hanging from chrome hooks on tall stands to my left, and the connecting tubes running to Marts jugular on the right side of his throat. His dark, wavy, silver threaded hair, drenched from the perspiration as he rested unconsciously against the bleached white pillows. His arms and shoulders propped up with towels his daughter rolled and tenderly tucked around him for comfort. His month gaped open with white adhesive strapped across three tubes, adhering them to his beard and upper lip, which was blistered with dried blood. The large tube wedged between his lips was the respirator and it had a vacuum cleaner like hose that billowed gently in and out with each life sustaining breath. Then there was the small one with the cream colored "liquid dinner' going straight to his stomach... and the third, the ugliest, was sucking the poison from his lungs and filling the clear glass bottles, tucked behind the humming and colorfully blinking machines, filling up with gross brownish blood-stained gunk from his lungs... I think.
It hurt as I prayed...then the transformation happened. I saw him as this delightful little boy, his eyes were dancing with life and mischief, he was smiling..and laughting I saw him as "my little brother" and I wanted to hold him, protect him and most of all I was over whelmed with a strong, powerful love for him. With those wonderful pictures I forged into the realm of supernatural prayer, I entered the courts of the Lord as a warrior, a big sister doing battle, relentless battle and so I continue...I had to get up and come into my office and type this, it is so real tonight. I feel a sense, like when I was there in his room, and now over 1000 miles away I pray...and the miles evaporate. The spirit know no distance no barriors...and I thank God for this miracle.
Get a great deal on Windows 7 and see how it works the way you want. See the Windows 7 offers now.
Tonight I fell on my knees beside my bed to petition the Lord, once again on behalf of Marty. Being as I am a visual person...in my minds eye I could picture him lying in the hospital bed, the eight medication bags hanging from chrome hooks on tall stands to my left, and the connecting tubes running to Marts jugular on the right side of his throat. His dark, wavy, silver threaded hair, drenched from the perspiration as he rested unconsciously against the bleached white pillows. His arms and shoulders propped up with towels his daughter rolled and tenderly tucked around him for comfort. His month gaped open with white adhesive strapped across three tubes, adhering them to his beard and upper lip, which was blistered with dried blood. The large tube wedged between his lips was the respirator and it had a vacuum cleaner like hose that billowed gently in and out with each life sustaining breath. Then there was the small one with the cream colored "liquid dinner' going straight to his stomach... and the third, the ugliest, was sucking the poison from his lungs and filling the clear glass bottles, tucked behind the humming and colorfully blinking machines, filling up with gross brownish blood-stained gunk from his lungs... I think.
It hurt as I prayed...then the transformation happened. I saw him as this delightful little boy, his eyes were dancing with life and mischief, he was smiling..and laughting I saw him as "my little brother" and I wanted to hold him, protect him and most of all I was over whelmed with a strong, powerful love for him. With those wonderful pictures I forged into the realm of supernatural prayer, I entered the courts of the Lord as a warrior, a big sister doing battle, relentless battle and so I continue...I had to get up and come into my office and type this, it is so real tonight. I feel a sense, like when I was there in his room, and now over 1000 miles away I pray...and the miles evaporate. The spirit know no distance no barriors...and I thank God for this miracle.
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My friend Daryl told the story about a mother who used her fine china every day. His illustration included how one day that mother became a grandma and shared with her grand daughter why some of her china had chips and one plate in particular had been broken to pieces and the salvage was glued back together. It happened when the little girls mother was 7 years of age and was so excited because guests were coming to see her new baby brother, she dropped the plate! Together,mother and daughter, with painstaking effort, patch the plate like gluing a puzzle. The beauty in this scenario was that the mother never "lost her temper" but focused on the "journey of repairing it" and now with the precious memory of that journey, she held the treasured... fractured and mended plate and recited the story to her grand child. The morale of the story is that I will continue to use my 'inherited china', every day. But I still display it in the cabinet where Mom kept it locked up for years. I think she is applauding my transitioning her china...to my daily dishes.
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It was such a great wedding, I was thinking it was going to be too much of a stretch for me...to do it with a vent figure and all...but it went VERY well. Christine, the bride, lost two husbands to cancer and she wanted a "light hearted" wedding ceremony. Both her and David, the groom, have a great sense of humor so I reluctantly agreed to comply with their wishes. And what a marvelous and extraordinary wedding it was ...and oh sooo much fun!
Butch and I stood in our tuxedo's (did you see a photo?) it was on the front page of the Vancouver Sun, Wednesday Sept 16, and that is what initiated the media stir... the Globe and Mail called as well as the New York times. It was on the news too (City TV, CBC and Global) I wore 3 mics so that every one could film it. Big smile. We will soon have it on youtube.
The wedding began with me extending a warm welcome to the guests (most had traveled from the States) and then prepare them for a "unique and joyful" wedding. Including a chat about how Jesus did his first miracle at a wedding and that wine represents "joy" and that Jesus was today looking down with great joy at the wedding of David and Christine...and perhaps he may even be laughing along with us.
Then turning to Butch I inquired "I believe you were in charge of arranging the music?" Butch pulls out a card from his vest pocket and the brides maid (Laura Lynn Tyler Thompson, a comedian herself) opened it and held it to the mic, the card plays the wedding march and in came the bride on the arm of a friend...the ceremony continued. Butch banters a little and then when they say "I do" he says "I couldn't hear you" and he asks the groom repeats it louder, and then for the bride, because she had declined for 5 years to marry David, Butch had her say"I do" five times! It was priceless. In conclusion Butch had some interactive audience banter and then asked every one present to say "they do"!! People were shouting and laughing and it was great.
Next came the exchanging of the rings and the ring bearer, Butch, pulls out a ring, a gaudy 5" plastic diamond and announced that he took the ring the bride had entrusted to him to a local Pawn shop and "exchanged" it for the "bigger rock". Little chuckles. Then after a struggle and search of his many pockets we find the right ring. Next comes a 'bright red flashing ring"...the grooms ring for the bride and again we have a few laughs and then Butch finds the authentic ring. The exchange was sweet and more serious but immediately followed by more kibitzing. Then the more serious vows, Butch read I Corinthians 13, the verses on love, and I prayed a very touching serious prayer. In closing I introduced the newly married couple and said "what God has joined together let no man divide". And the brides maid said "or dummy" There was also a light hearted response when I said "It gives me great pleasure to introduce Dr David Balsger and Dr Christine strong, husband and wife, under the autority of God, and the Province of British Columbia, Canada...Butch added "and the International Association of Marriage by Dummies". Concluding with hilarious laughter, whistles, cheers and lots and lots of bubbles. Big smile. It was quite the celebration!
So many of my friends, and myself included, are writing their stories, or books. Psalm 107:2 says " Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story" TNIV
I was in Medicine Hat at Eagles nest ranch a few days ago and met a new friend, Katie, who shared with me her story. Prior to her sharing I looked across the camp fire and listened to her talk about "Papa Daddy" in reference to our Lord...and I was uncomfortable with her terminology.Perhaps even a little judgmental. Later that night, alone in my car, she shared her story...her son Joshua, 19 yrs old has been missing for the past 12 weeks and I was stunned to tears. This strong, courageous prophetess continued to say... he went missing on a canoe trip with his dog on lake Huron in Ontario. The rescuers who are now saying it is not a rescue mission but a recovery mission, have found the dog (who died shortly after being found) they had been missing a week at the point the search began... due to a fumbled alert (someone alerted authorities that there was a canoe in distress but after a brief search they abandoned the mission for 6 days) they now have the canoe, but not the body of her son.
Katie had her phone on and was "on alert" each time it rang, longing for closure. She also shared how she went up to the cabin and crawled into Josh's sleeping bag, the last place he was, to get as close as she could.
Oh how I long to move into a place of intimacy with Jesus ...to move as close as I can to him. This morning I was up early and re reading one of Joshua's journal entries (Katie was so kind to give me a copy) His last line was a trigger for me, calling for a response. " The door that requires the most sacrifce will take you to the highest level."
Lord give me the courage today to move to the highest level in you. I will tell my story...thank you "Papa Daddy", for bringing Katie into my life and for her courage ... hearing her story has challenged me.
Hey friends when you look closely at the photo do you wonder what it could be? It looks like a piece of art right? It is not art ..please read on.
My two friends and I were standing chatting in the cool of the evening in front of our apartment when an unusual sight caught my eye. I brought their attention to the little bird hoping on the lawn in front of us with his head poking out from under, what appeared to be, a piece of news print or a flyer of some sort. I commented. "How is it possible that the little bird is carrying such a large piece of paper with its foot ...its strange that its not using its beak". We stood oberving as he continued to amuse us hopping ackwardly across the grass. "Well, said Hazel, "I've never seen anything like that!" Then Alice piped up "Maybe its tangled by some string or thing under the paper?"
I quickly slipped up to the bird and cautiously crouched down as the ladies watched me. I was speaking in soft comforting tones, "Hey... little fellow... let me take a look"...he paused and I gently reached for the wee sparrow and discovered he was "glued" to a 4"X6" piece of cardboard! He cocked his little head and looked at me with pleading eyes. Cautiously I tugged at the wing that was adhered and could see much of the "downy feathers" had been completly torn off his body and were stuck all over the card board, he must have been struggeling for a very long time.There were bits of twigs, flower petals, and plastic artifical grass stuck fast to the card too. On close examination I deducted that there was not choice I would have to tear out a couple of very strong feathers in order to free my liittle friend. Holding him gently tight, like getting a knot out of a toddlers hair, so as not to hurt the little one. I snapped the two feathers while cooing the words "Your OK, here let me help you" ...and he did let me help. With in seconds he took to the air, he was free!
The three of us were in awe; he had a wee struggle and a gimped flutter but he gracefully landed in a near by tree. We looked at the card board "trap" and wondered if any other animals, such as our little bunnies, get caught unintentionally in these sticky haszardous cockroach things. Who would have thought they could be such a risk? How would any of God's creatures ever get unglued with out human help?
Since then, every morning, and in the cool of the evening, I hear one little bird who seems to sing a little sweeter ...perphaps a little shriller, than the others. And some times a sparrow lands on my patio railing...I am pretty sure it must be the little fellow that I set free, sigh, he is just wanting to thank me. Smile. Or is it his mother?
"And not one sparrow will fall to the ground without your Father knowing" Math 10:29
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Is it possible to grow a garden on a balcony? Yes! Why not? The last few years I have limited myself to flowers but this year I planted peas (they are already 2" tall in just one week), dill, tomatoes, and strawberries! I have just picked my first strawberry, and my how sweet to eat the fruit of my own planting. When you think of it, what a miracle to grow things...I was watering dirt for several days, and now there are green sprouts everywhere. I believe in the miracle of a garden growing under the soil where I can not see it, and I believe in God when I can not see him. I know he is there, he is here, right beside me and he is applauding as I enjoy the fruit, that ultimately He blessed me with. Big smile. In the beginning God created...
Kananaskis, Alberta is one of the most breath taking places I have ever been. After completing my first semester of classes there, for the CREST coarse I am taking, we were committed to journal. I was certain that I would "journal every day"..NOT happening. Sigh. In fact I wrote in my journal more before the course then I do now, go figure.
I left that amazing setting in the foothills rented a car and drove to Lethbridge where I began producing wrap a rounds (TV lingo for the threads that tie a show together) for the interviews which I had previously filmed in Thailand. Fortunately for me, Becky is my producer. She is both Thai and Canadian, and multi talented. We fought through pouring rain, cold winds, snow and hail. By the end of day two we had only managed to get one show in the can and called it quits, which gave us a total of 3 shows and we needed 10. We all knew it would take a miracle to complete them all, and that is exactly what happened. So today I 'blog' a thank you to all who were praying, and to the Lord for His faithfulness. Tomorrow I journal. Smile. How about you?.
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John 21:15..."Jesus said...Do you love me....? "Yes Lord, he said, "You know that I love you" Jesus said "Feed my lambs."
I read several chapters in John today but these are the verses that jumped iinto my soul...what a priviledge, what joy that He could use broken people like me (and you) what incredible grace. I am so blessed, highly favored and greatly loved!
And so are you...have a great day, and may His presense be your daily reward.
And my friend responded with...
Good morning, or should I say Good Dawn (Maralee Dawn) ?
Maralee, this is one of my favourite passages.
Did you know that the word agape used in the first two questions is the word used to translate the Hebrew word hesed. Hesed means covenant love.
So for Peter, who had failed at covenant love, was still being asked by Jesus to love him with the best love that Peter could love him with. And, although Peter had failed in his commitment of covenant love to Jesus, Peter was still worthy to feed his lambs.
This passage just overwhelms me every time I read it.
Maralee, this is one of my favourite passages.
Did you know that the word agape used in the first two questions is the word used to translate the Hebrew word hesed. Hesed means covenant love.
So for Peter, who had failed at covenant love, was still being asked by Jesus to love him with the best love that Peter could love him with. And, although Peter had failed in his commitment of covenant love to Jesus, Peter was still worthy to feed his lambs.
This passage just overwhelms me every time I read it.
I pray that these two letters will ... bless and encourage you today!
In Jesus name...warmly Maralee
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Boston is so pretty wrapped in a Blanket of Snow
I am so thrilled to be here and to see the snow fall today. It changed the ambience overnight! Now the back gas lanterns with the green wreaths and big red bows look so nostalgic...like England...after all this is called New England (Boston well Massachusetts, Main, Vermont, New Hamshire, and Conneticut) ... smile, I think I have them all. It is a pretty picture perfect setting, tomorrow I will try to post a photo. And one of the twins too, and their big sister! We are having so much fun with 1 yr old twins and a 3 yr old...the nights are long with babies waking up though! One soon forgets what sleep depervation is like...how these Mom's manage is beyond me. I can go home and catch up on my sleep!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Can you hear, or can 'your Spirit' hear when you are in a coma?
My brother Marty and I chatted on the phone a couple of days ago from his home where he is convalescing. Now I am convinced that while he was in hospital in a coma his Spirit was connecting with me and this is why;
I was by his side for 4-5 days, he tells me he did not know I was there until his family told him so after he came out of the coma. At the time I had anointed him with oil, whispered in his ear, prayed intensely, sang to him ...and quoted scripture every day for hours (I could not take my Bible in because he had H1N1) I told him to "fight and to cry out to God". And he did. He now tells me that on at least three occasions while in the coma he called to me and said; "Maralee pray for me... pray as hard as you can". When we spoke the other day he said "thanks for doing what I told you to do"...big smile. I love him. What do you think ...was his "Spirit Man" connecting with me? Beyond his intellect while in a coma? Is it possible that there is more to the Spirit realm that we can not see and do not understand?
I was by his side for 4-5 days, he tells me he did not know I was there until his family told him so after he came out of the coma. At the time I had anointed him with oil, whispered in his ear, prayed intensely, sang to him ...and quoted scripture every day for hours (I could not take my Bible in because he had H1N1) I told him to "fight and to cry out to God". And he did. He now tells me that on at least three occasions while in the coma he called to me and said; "Maralee pray for me... pray as hard as you can". When we spoke the other day he said "thanks for doing what I told you to do"...big smile. I love him. What do you think ...was his "Spirit Man" connecting with me? Beyond his intellect while in a coma? Is it possible that there is more to the Spirit realm that we can not see and do not understand?
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Avalanche Area Do Not Stop (part two)
In our life there are times that are like driving through the Rockie Mountains on winter roads. Poor visibility and lurking danger. Intense times of uncertainty and questioning. At those times, when it seems too difficult to press on, when inwardly I am desperate and feel I do not have the fortitude to move forward and all I want to do is pause or perhaps quit. But the Lord has a road sign that reads ..."Avalanche area do not stop" I must press on. Sigh. I must trust that this directional sign is for my good. There is more danger if I stop... I must keep going no matter how slow the pace. And then, and then there is the euphoric rush when I have made it through the pass, gone further then I thought possible, and I am on the other side...thanking God!
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Monday, November 23, 2009
Avalache Area Do Not Stop
When i pulled out of Gplden the roads looked clear but in just 10 short min that all changed. The visibility dropped drastically and the snow blinded my wind shield. I sighed and clenched the wheel. I did not want to drive on these wintery roads and mt shoulders rose slightly and my back stiffened, I whispered a prayer and clung to the wheel of the car praying for safety. God has been good and now I am safely home and very,very blessed.
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Friday, November 13, 2009
He will Always be my Little Brother
Tonight I fell on my knees beside my bed to petition the Lord, once again on behalf of Marty. Being as I am a visual person...in my minds eye I could picture him lying in the hospital bed, the eight medication bags hanging from chrome hooks on tall stands to my left, and the connecting tubes running to Marts jugular on the right side of his throat. His dark, wavy, silver threaded hair, drenched from the perspiration as he rested unconsciously against the bleached white pillows. His arms and shoulders propped up with towels his daughter rolled and tenderly tucked around him for comfort. His month gaped open with white adhesive strapped across three tubes, adhering them to his beard and upper lip, which was blistered with dried blood. The large tube wedged between his lips was the respirator and it had a vacuum cleaner like hose that billowed gently in and out with each life sustaining breath. Then there was the small one with the cream colored "liquid dinner' going straight to his stomach... and the third, the ugliest, was sucking the poison from his lungs and filling the clear glass bottles, tucked behind the humming and colorfully blinking machines, filling up with gross brownish blood-stained gunk from his lungs... I think.
It hurt as I prayed...then the transformation happened. I saw him as this delightful little boy, his eyes were dancing with life and mischief, he was smiling..and laughting I saw him as "my little brother" and I wanted to hold him, protect him and most of all I was over whelmed with a strong, powerful love for him. With those wonderful pictures I forged into the realm of supernatural prayer, I entered the courts of the Lord as a warrior, a big sister doing battle, relentless battle and so I continue...I had to get up and come into my office and type this, it is so real tonight. I feel a sense, like when I was there in his room, and now over 1000 miles away I pray...and the miles evaporate. The spirit know no distance no barriors...and I thank God for this miracle.
Get a great deal on Windows 7 and see how it works the way you want. See the Windows 7 offers now.
He will Always be ...my Little Brother
Tonight I fell on my knees beside my bed to petition the Lord, once again on behalf of Marty. Being as I am a visual person...in my minds eye I could picture him lying in the hospital bed, the eight medication bags hanging from chrome hooks on tall stands to my left, and the connecting tubes running to Marts jugular on the right side of his throat. His dark, wavy, silver threaded hair, drenched from the perspiration as he rested unconsciously against the bleached white pillows. His arms and shoulders propped up with towels his daughter rolled and tenderly tucked around him for comfort. His month gaped open with white adhesive strapped across three tubes, adhering them to his beard and upper lip, which was blistered with dried blood. The large tube wedged between his lips was the respirator and it had a vacuum cleaner like hose that billowed gently in and out with each life sustaining breath. Then there was the small one with the cream colored "liquid dinner' going straight to his stomach... and the third, the ugliest, was sucking the poison from his lungs and filling the clear glass bottles, tucked behind the humming and colorfully blinking machines, filling up with gross brownish blood-stained gunk from his lungs... I think.
It hurt as I prayed...then the transformation happened. I saw him as this delightful little boy, his eyes were dancing with life and mischief, he was smiling..and laughting I saw him as "my little brother" and I wanted to hold him, protect him and most of all I was over whelmed with a strong, powerful love for him. With those wonderful pictures I forged into the realm of supernatural prayer, I entered the courts of the Lord as a warrior, a big sister doing battle, relentless battle and so I continue...I had to get up and come into my office and type this, it is so real tonight. I feel a sense, like when I was there in his room, and now over 1000 miles away I pray...and the miles evaporate. The spirit know no distance no barriors...and I thank God for this miracle.
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Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Every day Crystal
This is a continuation of the Fine China...
I will use crystal glasses every day.
I'll wear new clothes to go to the supermarket, if I feel like.
I won't save my special perfume for special occasions, I use it whenever I want to.
The words 'Someday...' and ' One Day...' are fading away from my dictionary.
If it's worth seeing, listening to or doing, I want to see, listen or do it... now!!
My niece Nikki sent this to me today (part of a much longer e mail) and I love it. Smile. In just a minute I am going to leave my computer to change into my Sunday clothes, put on my gold heirloom necklace from my mom, and splash on the exquisite perfume gift that I have been using sparingly, for special occasions. Sigh. Just thinking about it makes my heart skip. And then I will go and sip a glass of Mona Vie from my crystal goblet. Let this be a new beginning...that I would live each day as not just saying... "I am blessed and highly favored" but living it out. Big smile. I shall walk my talk. How about you? Any changes in sight?
I will use crystal glasses every day.
I'll wear new clothes to go to the supermarket, if I feel like.
I won't save my special perfume for special occasions, I use it whenever I want to.
The words 'Someday...' and ' One Day...' are fading away from my dictionary.
If it's worth seeing, listening to or doing, I want to see, listen or do it... now!!
My niece Nikki sent this to me today (part of a much longer e mail) and I love it. Smile. In just a minute I am going to leave my computer to change into my Sunday clothes, put on my gold heirloom necklace from my mom, and splash on the exquisite perfume gift that I have been using sparingly, for special occasions. Sigh. Just thinking about it makes my heart skip. And then I will go and sip a glass of Mona Vie from my crystal goblet. Let this be a new beginning...that I would live each day as not just saying... "I am blessed and highly favored" but living it out. Big smile. I shall walk my talk. How about you? Any changes in sight?
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Fine China..mine is Royal Albert Celebration
My friend Daryl told the story about a mother who used her fine china every day. His illustration included how one day that mother became a grandma and shared with her grand daughter why some of her china had chips and one plate in particular had been broken to pieces and the salvage was glued back together. It happened when the little girls mother was 7 years of age and was so excited because guests were coming to see her new baby brother, she dropped the plate! Together,mother and daughter, with painstaking effort, patch the plate like gluing a puzzle. The beauty in this scenario was that the mother never "lost her temper" but focused on the "journey of repairing it" and now with the precious memory of that journey, she held the treasured... fractured and mended plate and recited the story to her grand child. The morale of the story is that I will continue to use my 'inherited china', every day. But I still display it in the cabinet where Mom kept it locked up for years. I think she is applauding my transitioning her china...to my daily dishes.
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Monday, September 28, 2009
Head lines; Americans Come to Canada for Wedding Officated by a Dummie
It was such a great wedding, I was thinking it was going to be too much of a stretch for me...to do it with a vent figure and all...but it went VERY well. Christine, the bride, lost two husbands to cancer and she wanted a "light hearted" wedding ceremony. Both her and David, the groom, have a great sense of humor so I reluctantly agreed to comply with their wishes. And what a marvelous and extraordinary wedding it was ...and oh sooo much fun!
Butch and I stood in our tuxedo's (did you see a photo?) it was on the front page of the Vancouver Sun, Wednesday Sept 16, and that is what initiated the media stir... the Globe and Mail called as well as the New York times. It was on the news too (City TV, CBC and Global) I wore 3 mics so that every one could film it. Big smile. We will soon have it on youtube.
The wedding began with me extending a warm welcome to the guests (most had traveled from the States) and then prepare them for a "unique and joyful" wedding. Including a chat about how Jesus did his first miracle at a wedding and that wine represents "joy" and that Jesus was today looking down with great joy at the wedding of David and Christine...and perhaps he may even be laughing along with us.
Then turning to Butch I inquired "I believe you were in charge of arranging the music?" Butch pulls out a card from his vest pocket and the brides maid (Laura Lynn Tyler Thompson, a comedian herself) opened it and held it to the mic, the card plays the wedding march and in came the bride on the arm of a friend...the ceremony continued. Butch banters a little and then when they say "I do" he says "I couldn't hear you" and he asks the groom repeats it louder, and then for the bride, because she had declined for 5 years to marry David, Butch had her say"I do" five times! It was priceless. In conclusion Butch had some interactive audience banter and then asked every one present to say "they do"!! People were shouting and laughing and it was great.
Next came the exchanging of the rings and the ring bearer, Butch, pulls out a ring, a gaudy 5" plastic diamond and announced that he took the ring the bride had entrusted to him to a local Pawn shop and "exchanged" it for the "bigger rock". Little chuckles. Then after a struggle and search of his many pockets we find the right ring. Next comes a 'bright red flashing ring"...the grooms ring for the bride and again we have a few laughs and then Butch finds the authentic ring. The exchange was sweet and more serious but immediately followed by more kibitzing. Then the more serious vows, Butch read I Corinthians 13, the verses on love, and I prayed a very touching serious prayer. In closing I introduced the newly married couple and said "what God has joined together let no man divide". And the brides maid said "or dummy" There was also a light hearted response when I said "It gives me great pleasure to introduce Dr David Balsger and Dr Christine strong, husband and wife, under the autority of God, and the Province of British Columbia, Canada...Butch added "and the International Association of Marriage by Dummies". Concluding with hilarious laughter, whistles, cheers and lots and lots of bubbles. Big smile. It was quite the celebration!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Right Hand or Left Hand...Whats the Difference?
And God will lead you by his right hand ....and he will take your right hand. I remember reading that in scripture and after pondering it for a little while I recognized the significance, his right hand enfolding my right hand. Hmm, I am convinced that sometimes when he heads us he wants to do so looking in our eyes, you can read so much by gazing deep into someones eyes, into their very soul. In conclusion; leading in that style is an expression of God's deep love, he leads while walking backwards. He is taking the most difficult steps, because he wants us to look into his face, and with our eyes fixed on his we feel the intimate connection the amazing security and with His passionate love we can there fore confidently move forward and loose our carnal anxiety. A beautiful picture of a compassionate father and his favored child don't you think? Warm blessings, Maralee.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Let Them Tell Their Story
So many of my friends, and myself included, are writing their stories, or books. Psalm 107:2 says " Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story" TNIV
I was in Medicine Hat at Eagles nest ranch a few days ago and met a new friend, Katie, who shared with me her story. Prior to her sharing I looked across the camp fire and listened to her talk about "Papa Daddy" in reference to our Lord...and I was uncomfortable with her terminology.Perhaps even a little judgmental. Later that night, alone in my car, she shared her story...her son Joshua, 19 yrs old has been missing for the past 12 weeks and I was stunned to tears. This strong, courageous prophetess continued to say... he went missing on a canoe trip with his dog on lake Huron in Ontario. The rescuers who are now saying it is not a rescue mission but a recovery mission, have found the dog (who died shortly after being found) they had been missing a week at the point the search began... due to a fumbled alert (someone alerted authorities that there was a canoe in distress but after a brief search they abandoned the mission for 6 days) they now have the canoe, but not the body of her son.
Katie had her phone on and was "on alert" each time it rang, longing for closure. She also shared how she went up to the cabin and crawled into Josh's sleeping bag, the last place he was, to get as close as she could.
Oh how I long to move into a place of intimacy with Jesus ...to move as close as I can to him. This morning I was up early and re reading one of Joshua's journal entries (Katie was so kind to give me a copy) His last line was a trigger for me, calling for a response. " The door that requires the most sacrifce will take you to the highest level."
Lord give me the courage today to move to the highest level in you. I will tell my story...thank you "Papa Daddy", for bringing Katie into my life and for her courage ... hearing her story has challenged me.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Near Accident...
I arrived an hour ago in Calgary and leave for Denver in the morning, oops it is morning now...well later in the morn. The trip up here was long with many construction delays, a one hour delay for a serious accident near Crazy Creek and then just prior to Golden a big 18 wheeler that I was following had a load shift and lost a piece of lumber which splintered on the road and on my car...no injuries to me or the car...just left me "all shook up" after doing the dodge ball swerve to avoid all the flying wood! I passed the trucker asap and then reported it to a Mountie (who happened to be doing a radar set up on the highway) right where I was. He radioed his colleague to catch up with the trucker in the next town. The concern was for the 10 foot concrete slabs that were standing up like tee pees top on top of the lumber... least they should shift and cause a serious accident!
I had a great visit with my grandma in Penticton yesterday on the way here. I took her out for dinner, did a little shopping (to replenish her "junk food stash"), then whet back to The Hamlet (where she lives now) and they had a little out door music concert with a accordion player. It was so precious to me, grandma and I sat under a little canopy/tent and they served us lemonade and chocolate chip cookies, which we made room for even thought we had just had a chocolate malt at Wendy's! Grandma reached over and took my hand clutching it in both of her hands and then she kissed my hand and smiled a large warm smile and said "thank you so much for coming and sitting with me, and for connecting me with my past." We both cried when I left. Sigh. Tell you more later. It is hard to believe that we too will move to that stage in our life. Sooner then we care to imagine. When grandma was moving from her wheelchair to the car (for the third time on our excursion) she was getting weaker and had a little difficulty, she moaned and then said 'when did this happen...I mean when did my body get like this? I don't really remember how my body quit working for me".
Big smile. Only one life will soon be past only whats done for Christ will last. We have the gift of today.
I had a great visit with my grandma in Penticton yesterday on the way here. I took her out for dinner, did a little shopping (to replenish her "junk food stash"), then whet back to The Hamlet (where she lives now) and they had a little out door music concert with a accordion player. It was so precious to me, grandma and I sat under a little canopy/tent and they served us lemonade and chocolate chip cookies, which we made room for even thought we had just had a chocolate malt at Wendy's! Grandma reached over and took my hand clutching it in both of her hands and then she kissed my hand and smiled a large warm smile and said "thank you so much for coming and sitting with me, and for connecting me with my past." We both cried when I left. Sigh. Tell you more later. It is hard to believe that we too will move to that stage in our life. Sooner then we care to imagine. When grandma was moving from her wheelchair to the car (for the third time on our excursion) she was getting weaker and had a little difficulty, she moaned and then said 'when did this happen...I mean when did my body get like this? I don't really remember how my body quit working for me".
Big smile. Only one life will soon be past only whats done for Christ will last. We have the gift of today.
Monday, June 29, 2009
His eye is on the sparrow...and I know He is watching you
Hey friends when you look closely at the photo do you wonder what it could be? It looks like a piece of art right? It is not art ..please read on.
My two friends and I were standing chatting in the cool of the evening in front of our apartment when an unusual sight caught my eye. I brought their attention to the little bird hoping on the lawn in front of us with his head poking out from under, what appeared to be, a piece of news print or a flyer of some sort. I commented. "How is it possible that the little bird is carrying such a large piece of paper with its foot ...its strange that its not using its beak". We stood oberving as he continued to amuse us hopping ackwardly across the grass. "Well, said Hazel, "I've never seen anything like that!" Then Alice piped up "Maybe its tangled by some string or thing under the paper?"
I quickly slipped up to the bird and cautiously crouched down as the ladies watched me. I was speaking in soft comforting tones, "Hey... little fellow... let me take a look"...he paused and I gently reached for the wee sparrow and discovered he was "glued" to a 4"X6" piece of cardboard! He cocked his little head and looked at me with pleading eyes. Cautiously I tugged at the wing that was adhered and could see much of the "downy feathers" had been completly torn off his body and were stuck all over the card board, he must have been struggeling for a very long time.There were bits of twigs, flower petals, and plastic artifical grass stuck fast to the card too. On close examination I deducted that there was not choice I would have to tear out a couple of very strong feathers in order to free my liittle friend. Holding him gently tight, like getting a knot out of a toddlers hair, so as not to hurt the little one. I snapped the two feathers while cooing the words "Your OK, here let me help you" ...and he did let me help. With in seconds he took to the air, he was free!
The three of us were in awe; he had a wee struggle and a gimped flutter but he gracefully landed in a near by tree. We looked at the card board "trap" and wondered if any other animals, such as our little bunnies, get caught unintentionally in these sticky haszardous cockroach things. Who would have thought they could be such a risk? How would any of God's creatures ever get unglued with out human help?
Since then, every morning, and in the cool of the evening, I hear one little bird who seems to sing a little sweeter ...perphaps a little shriller, than the others. And some times a sparrow lands on my patio railing...I am pretty sure it must be the little fellow that I set free, sigh, he is just wanting to thank me. Smile. Or is it his mother?
"And not one sparrow will fall to the ground without your Father knowing" Math 10:29
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Saturday, June 20, 2009
My Little Balcony Garden
Is it possible to grow a garden on a balcony? Yes! Why not? The last few years I have limited myself to flowers but this year I planted peas (they are already 2" tall in just one week), dill, tomatoes, and strawberries! I have just picked my first strawberry, and my how sweet to eat the fruit of my own planting. When you think of it, what a miracle to grow things...I was watering dirt for several days, and now there are green sprouts everywhere. I believe in the miracle of a garden growing under the soil where I can not see it, and I believe in God when I can not see him. I know he is there, he is here, right beside me and he is applauding as I enjoy the fruit, that ultimately He blessed me with. Big smile. In the beginning God created...
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Commitment to Journal...
Kananaskis, Alberta is one of the most breath taking places I have ever been. After completing my first semester of classes there, for the CREST coarse I am taking, we were committed to journal. I was certain that I would "journal every day"..NOT happening. Sigh. In fact I wrote in my journal more before the course then I do now, go figure.
I left that amazing setting in the foothills rented a car and drove to Lethbridge where I began producing wrap a rounds (TV lingo for the threads that tie a show together) for the interviews which I had previously filmed in Thailand. Fortunately for me, Becky is my producer. She is both Thai and Canadian, and multi talented. We fought through pouring rain, cold winds, snow and hail. By the end of day two we had only managed to get one show in the can and called it quits, which gave us a total of 3 shows and we needed 10. We all knew it would take a miracle to complete them all, and that is exactly what happened. So today I 'blog' a thank you to all who were praying, and to the Lord for His faithfulness. Tomorrow I journal. Smile. How about you?.
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