Tag Archives: conversation

Coffee Anyone? or Tea?

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It has been a long time since our last virtual coffee/tea date, and I’m wondering how you are. What is new and interesting in your life; new home? new partner? new baby? new job? new insight into anything?

The world seems to be in a perilous predicament at the moment; do you think we can do anything about that?

What would be your best guess on solving our planet’s problems?

Does it make sense to sit here over coffee or tea and try to work out ways to redeem ourselves?

We all have an answer.

We must all listen.

We must all work together to make it happen.

If this is a wakeup call we must all wake up to the fact that we are in this together, not just certain parts of the planet.

Thanks for joining me on this virtual coffee/tea time today, and thanks for sharing your thoughts with me. I’m sure we will all make a difference when we recognize our differences, and use them for betterment rather than bitterness.

Help is but a collective prayer away.

Until next time.

A Meaningful Conversation

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With all the statistics coming out about how many people are dying from Covid-19, and some thinking it’s the work of the devil, here is a short but meaningful conversation. Devil says, “They’re all mine.” Jesus responds, “Over my dead body.” Happy Easter.

Born Again?

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“Are you a born again Christian?” This was a question posed to me a few months ago and I wasn’t sure how to respond. And so I didn’t. I changed the subject to allow myself time to digest the question and be certain of  my answer.

John 3:1-20 gives us a conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus about this very topic and Jesus tells the man, “You should not be surprised at my saying, `You must be born again.'”

Some of my research on born again turned up phrases such as ,”spiritual renewal” “spiritual transformation” and I have definitely had experiences in both of these. I also found that the Greek meaning is “born from above.”

Here is a point of view from a sermon of years ago: “All those who put their trust in Christ, even though they have times of doubt, have been born from above and have been given the gift of the Spirit.”

So…am I a born again Christian? Most definitely.

 

 

It’s Virtual Coffee Time Again

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Hi! We haven’t met for coffee since July 2017 and we need to catch up.

As always, my opening question is, “What’s new and interesting in your life since we last had a coffee date?”

Ah, you’re recovering from that nasty divorce that set you on your derriere shortly after our last get-together. I’m so sorry you had to go through that but, as you say, it was a learning experience and life goes on. I know there is a great new life for you just around the bend.

Oh no! You’re usually trustworthy old car has let you down for the last time and the mechanic said don’t spend any more money on it and you said, “Now what? I’m 86 years old and not about to buy a new car.” Then the mechanic tells you about a ride program for seniors and there you are…on the road again. There’s an answer to every problem and you not only solved your own but offered the information to other seniors whose transportation problems were solved as well. Good for you!

Hey! You’re back in the music business after a few years out in the work world. I’ve seen some of your gigs online and they are pretty awesome. What a wonderful way to spend your retirement years. Congratulations!

You’re working on publishing your second book? Fantastic! I can’t wait to read it.

What? You’re granddaughter-in-law is expecting a baby after being told she probably never would? That’s a God-send! It’s your eleventh great-grandchild?! Congratulations! Let me know when that baby gets here so I can rejoice with you.

You saw the movie, Book Club, starring four famous divas and laughed so hard you nearly …. …. …..? That’s almost as funny as the movie. Yes, I saw it too with the same reaction. I now have new respect for my aging self, don’t you?

Have you read any good books lately? I just re-read Jonathon Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach. It has been on my book shelf for years and it’s time to let it go. Good old Jonathon..he’s still out there soaring the skies and teaching that there is more to life than the habitual daily grind.

Gee, it’s fun being with all of you again. Let’s not let so much time go by before our next virtual coffee date. I love being in your company and catching up on your lives. Oh, yes, and tea is good too. Until next time…..

 

 

Let the Porter Take Your Baggage

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While talking to a friend yesterday, we touched on the subject of the excess baggage many of us carry through life and how God is our heavenly porter. It prompted today’s post:

How many of us have journeyed through life carrying more baggage than we should?

Everything we need for life can be carried in a carry-on case…wisdom, love, caring, common sense, trust, forgiveness, compassion, helpfulness, and more.

But we are loaded down with bad memories, guilt, revenge, unforgiveness, self-centredness, and other things that weigh a ton and cause life to be a heavy burden rather than the learning experience it is meant to be.

Weights can be good for fitness and toning when used in moderation but when dragged through life in the form of overweight baggage, they can wear us down rather than build us up.

When life becomes overloaded with the weights that drag you down, do yourself a favor…let The Porter take your baggage.

The Woman and the Silversmith

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Last week I received the following email from my sister. I think it is worth sharing…what do you think?

Malachi 3:3 says:

“He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.”

   This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

   One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

   That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.

   As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

   The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says:  “He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.”  She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.

   The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

   The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, “How do you know when the silver is fully refined?” He smiled at her and answered, “Oh, that’s easy — when I see my image in it.”

   If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

 This very moment, someone needs to know that God is watching over them. And, whatever they’re going through, they’ll be a better person in the end.

Pass the polishing cloth, please.

   

 

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What Are We Worth?

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“I can barely tolerate my parents, now.” This from a middle aged woman I met in a supermarket not long ago. I was reaching for an item on a top shelf and she, being much taller, retrieved it for me. She asked if there was anything else I needed. The woman then guided me to the next item I had trouble finding.

“You are a geriatric person. I can tell,” I commented.

“Not really,” she said. And that was when she offered the opening comment, “I can barely tolerate my parents, now.They are in their eighties and showing their age.”

Yesterday, I read a post by Roger Baker, “The Worth of a Man”. It’s a tribute to a man celebrating his eightieth birthday and how some people have shunted him to the back burner of their lives.  https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/24904117

And to those people he wrote a poem where one line stood out for me. “You spurn the soul what made you.”

“You spurn the soul what made you.” There is so much truth in that tiny sentence, as proven by the woman in the supermarket.

Some of us in this age bracket are noticing this phenomenon and wondering…what are we worth?

Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone. Psalm 71:9 NIV

 

Another Virtual Coffee Date

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It’s been a year since our last virtual coffee date and it’s time to catch up. Upon meeting I will still ask, “What’s new and interesting in your life?” Perhaps you will say, “Nothing, really.” But we both know that’s not true. Much has happened in the past year…you just need a moment of recall. Oh, yes! You met someone to share your life with; the relationship is getting serious and you are very happy. And I’m very happy for you.

You are slowly being healed of that debilitating health problem that has plagued you for so long…the one you asked for prayer for. The best part about being sick is getting better.

Your life became a little fuller when you discovered you were unexpectedly expecting a brand new little person to join your family; the family you thought was complete but God knew better. Congratulations!

You have read several good books within the year and can’t wait to share them with me because you know how much I like to read. I can’t wait to dig into them.

You had a heart attack? Oh, no! Ah, but you are on the mend and have changed you lifestyle to add many more years to your life. That’s what I like to hear.

Your marriage came to an end after twenty years and you are trying to pick up the pieces. It’s very difficult but you are determined to put your life on track again, and have learned something about yourself. Good for you!

You had a marvelous spiritual experience a few months back? Oh, wow, I can’t wait to hear all about it.

Well, it’s been nice catching up with all of you. We must do this again…I love coffee and conversation. Tea is good too.

What’s new with me? Nothing, really.

Image result for virtual coffee date

 

 

 

Raining on the Inside

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What a wonderful Wednesday was spent with my cousin Bill and his wife, Arlene. We had a delicious lunch at The Pickle Barrel in North Toronto, a popular restaurant since 1971; friendly ambience, good food, great conversation, and delightful company.

Our server was pleasant and attentive, but somehow my cousin, Bill, detected a note of sadness about her and engaged her in conversation. (He’s so good at that!) After a few minutes he blurted out, “I think you need a hug!”

“Bill, don’t embarrass her,” admonished his wife.

With that, the young lady reached down and accepted my cousin’s hug.

“Thank you for realizing I need a hug,” she said. “I may seem sunny on the outside but I’m raining inside.”

Wow, thought I to myself, what a beautiful blog this will be.