Tag Archives: people

Saint So and So

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Last Sunday’s sermon, “The Feast of Saint Jim”, was very inspiring. We learned that as believers, we are all “saints”.

I don’t know about you but I sure don’t feel very saintly; however I do know people who truly deserve that title.

These are people who give of themselves, their time, resources, energy, and never seem to tire of being saintly, although I’m positive that they don’t see themselves as saints.

It was an excellent sermon, “The Feast of Saint Jim”, and offered much food for thought.

If you are wondering who Saint Jim is, just substitute your own name or the names of people you know who not only believe but act on their beliefs. Go ahead…name a few saints you are acquainted with and the next time you are in their company be sure to say, “Hello, Saint So and So.”

 

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More of What People Say

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Here are a few more sayings from my collection of many. It’s interesting how just a few words can make most us sit up and take notice.

Every generation needs regeneration. Charles H. Spurgeon

If it is not right, do not do it; if it is not true, do not say it. Marcus Aurelius

Seek not every quality in one individual. Confucius

Only a fool tests the depth of the water with both feet. African Proverb

We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark. The real tragedy of life is when adults are afraid of the light. Plato

Let us not be known for our knowledge alone but for the love and the caring and kindness we’ve shown. Mary Frances Martin

The tragedy of life is not death, but what we let die inside of us while we live. Norman Cousins

Losing your temper is no way to get rid of it. Our Daily Bread

Those with tunnel vision will eventually see the light. pab

 

 

Reminders

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Seeing this little black capped chickadee being quiet among the blossoms reminds me to also take time out to be still and quiet.

We all need reminders in the ordinariness of life to take time out to reflect on our purpose for being here, our connectedness to each other, our need for compassion and tolerance, and most of all our desire for all things good and our need to combat all things that are not good.

Reminders are important because without them we tend to forget that we are our brothers’ keepers…and our sisters, daughters, sons, parents, grandparents, spouses, neighbors, countrymen and humanity in general.

So, like this little black capped chickadee, let us sit among the blossoms and let it be a reminder to breathe in the scent of life as we would have it be.

Jen O'Donnell's photo.

The Least We Can Do

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We all have our tough times in life, of that there is no doubt, but when something like the following prayer request crosses my life path I have to stop and realize that there really are people worse off than I am. That little phrase was always the answer to my childhood complaints: “There are people worse off than you.”
Please pray for twenty-nine-year-old Andrea, a single mom from Sri Lanka, dying, and leaving her three children aged twelve, eight and six with grandparents in their seventies. Pray for God’s strength, help and comfort for this family in their tragic and difficult situation.
I love being part of our church prayer chain…it not only offers the opportunity to pray for people but it opens my eyes to so much suffering that I would otherwise be unaware of.
Please join me in prayer for these dear people…it is the least we can do.

What is Love?

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Recently a fellow blogger posted a beautiful poem asking the question “What is Love?”.

Today I am attending the wedding of two people who have found love once again in their lives; the bride is eighty years young and the groom ninety-one. In 2014 I wrote this poem, “What is Love?” Happy weekend.

WHAT IS LOVE

What is love

if not the closeness

of every experience

…sharing.

What is love

if not the oneness

of two people

…caring.

What is love

if not the expression

of honest emotion

…feelings.

What is love

if not understanding

the wholeness

…of all of these.

©2014

 

 

 

 

Sharing the Blessings

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Yesterday we shared the grief of the residents of Humboldt and surrounding areas. People around the world have poured out their support in many various ways and continue to do so.

Likewise, there are many ways of sharing our spiritual blessings and I believe my blog and my book, both titled My Precious Life, are the ways God has provided me with this kind of sharing. I don’t know about you, but I appreciate the ways people share their blessings with me and I’m thankful to all of you who do so.

Rev. Matthew Ruttan of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Barrie, Ontario is responsible for this new life lesson this morning. He can be found at https://matthewruttan.com/  

Sharing the Grief

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Last Friday night on the outskirts of Humboldt, Saskatchewan, a horrific bus crash changed the lives of this community and surrounding areas forever.

Toronto’s Globe and Mail reported fifteen people, including 10 players between the ages of 16 and 21, were killed when a semi-trailer crashed into the Broncos’ bus late on Friday afternoon. As of Monday, 12 people remained in hospital: four in critical condition, four serious and four stable, according to Saskatchewan’s health authority.

There has been an outpouring of grief and support from around the world and I among many shed copious tears for the lives lost, those spared who will face ongoing traumatic healing, and those left behind to grieve the loss of their precious loved ones.

There are those who ask where God is at times like these.

The answer is He is with every single person whose life is touched by this tragic event.

The answer is He shares our grief.

The answer lies in John’s gospel, chapter eleven, verse thirty-five…Jesus wept.