Island Potpourri

My Vote Has Been Cast

2011-12-07T17:30:00.001-05:00

Jamaicans will go out to choose new Members of Parliament (and ultimately a Prime Minister) on December 29, 2011.

I should really say some Jamaicans, because I will not be among them.

O_O

As a Christian, I have a problem with the idea that the need to perform my civic duty somehow trumps Bible-based principle.

"We need to participate in the process, so just go with the best of the worst." *shrugs*

No. I don't get that kind of reasoning...... I really don't.

As follower of Christ, I cannot 'settle', because to choose an ungodly/unprincipled individual to represent me in Parliament is to become a partaker in his/her sins when he/she (inevitably) promotes ideas that go against my principles.

I refuse to be an enabler.

The reality of the Jamaican (and, dare I say... global?) situation is that - for all their fancy speeches and political rhetoric - unconsecrated politicians do not have the answer to all that ails us. Their degree programmes did not cover 'end-time debt management', so all they can reasonably offer is a steaming helping of uncertainty, a hearty dose of trial-and-error, with a side of keep-your-fingers-crossed-and-pray-to-anyone-who-will-listen.

I have lived through many general elections and seen numerous changes of government, and - regardless of who rises when the dust (and maybe a little blood) settles - I can always count on one thing.

Always.

Things get progressively worse in one way or another.

However, the voting population is guaranteed to forget this very thing whenever elections roll around again, and so we keep switching from one to the other..... doing exactly the same thing in the same way every single time, but expecting different results. O_o

*yawn*

Well, come to think of it, I need to modify that statement..... the flavour IS a little different this time around! I cannot recall any politician ever claiming to be guided by his dead grandmother before now. Hmmm.....

This may be our most interesting election yet, but - unless I die or am hospitalised - I will be working in the garden. Trust and believe that backyard (or front yard) gardening will become even more vital after December 29.

Psst..... I already cast my vote. I vote JESUS.

One Step Back

2011-11-21T10:30:00.001-05:00

Sometimes we need to take a step back, because there are things in life that are best examined from that vantage point.

'Up close' can often be all a blur, and a step back may be all the perspective you need before moving forward..... or not.

Seriously.

* * *

That relationship or partnership - business or otherwise - that you jumped into with both feet before taking enough time to prayerfully consider?

Step back.

Yes. Before you invest time, money, energy..... before heart strings get entangled and you start thinking that it is too late to call a halt. Fall on your knees, and get a healthy dose of perspective before the Throne of Grace. You may find your great idea was not in tune with God's best for you.

That trial with no end in sight? The one that you feel is elevating your stress levels unnecessarily and driving you up every available wall?

Step back.

Remember, that you are not seeing the full picture..... and - if you could see the end from the beginning - you would agree that God's timing and choices for you were perfect.

That loan you thought of taking out, because you 'knew' there was no other way to solve your 'unique' problems?

Step back.

You may find that accepting indebtedness was not the only way after all. Maybe you will discover that God has a multiplicity of ways in which He can deliver His people.

That seemingly harmless subscription that you rejoice to see in your inbox, because it makes you laugh..... and laughter is good for the soul, right?

Step back.

You may be surprised to find that it really does not mesh with 'whatsoever things are..... true, honest, pure, lovely, praiseworthy' (Philippians 4:8).

That 'pet topic' that you so ardently promote every chance you get..... where your mind ends up whenever it wanders?

Step back.

Maybe we should have a 'heart talk' for a hot second..... Is your heart in the right place? What motivates you? Does your 'passion' glorify God and bless others?

That Scripture passage you always thought was just what the doctor ordered..... for everyone else? You know the one.....

Step back.

Maybe - just maybe - it will start rubbing 'self' the wrong way (the right way, really) because the Holy Spirit has shifted the spotlight?

* * *

Stepping back, whenever I needed to, has always done me a world of good, because - although my love for organisation borders on OCD - I sometimes find myself flying by the seat of my figurative pants, spontaneously jumping in with both feet and whispering the forgotten prayer somewhere mid-flight. So - ever so often - my Heavenly Father has had to remind me to take a step back and 'take stock'. You see, the journey is just as important as the destination, and I cannot savour the moments if I refuse to be still..... to pause long enough to lay all on the altar of sacrifice..... to offer up my plans, my acquaintances, my dreams, my preconceived notions, so that He can replace my 'good' with His Best.

Proper perspective is a necessary ingredient for the best photographs, so maybe you want to consider taking that one step back as well, and take a look at the view that you have been missing. I promise you that God's plans for your life will put your best plans to shame.

So, go ahead..... take that step back, and may God continually bless your Journey.

My Son, The Self-appointed Ant Advocate

2011-07-29T15:06:00.003-05:00

I am sure that you have all seen our ant hills.

And the way I see it..... ant hills come, and ant hills go. This is just the way things are.

I am sure there is a perfectly good place for ants in the ecosystem, but it is neither in the middle of our yard nor in our herb garden. So here is how it works: if they build without a permit, their buildings get demolished, and they are forced to move further away.

I consider that sound reasoning on my part, but SJ apparently disagrees with my logic.

After witnessing the eviction of numerous ant squatters, he concocts a plan to buy them time:

"No, Mommy! Don't turn the hose on them! The Bible says to consider the ant!"

Nice try, buddy. They are out of here.

"It does, son... but I am sure it will be perfectly okay to consider them from a distance." ;)

His scepticism showed all over his face, but the garden hose was already doing its work.

I just know that he is already dreaming up a way to halt future evictions, but I will be ready. Those ants are not going to set up a permanent residence here.

You have got to hand it to him though.... that was some creative advocacy right there.

More Than A Label ?

2011-07-27T15:50:00.004-05:00

I happen to own a large mug that sports the Los Angeles Dodgers' logo on the side. I use the term 'mug' rather loosely, because I have never been quite sure of what to call it.

At 6.5 inches tall, measuring 14 inches around the rim, it has served me well for more than a decade... toting hot or cold drinks, soup, or porridge whenever I needed to head out in a hurry. It keeps contents hot or cold for a few hours, but it is not a thermos. It has a huge handle, so I would not call it a cup. It also has a lid with openings - one for pouring and one for inserting a straw - so it does not really qualify as a regular mug either. Nevertheless, the point is that it exists and it belongs to me... huge 'cu-mug-ermos' that it is.

Several years ago, this mug became mine because it was 'married' to a package that I was interested in purchasing, and it appeared to be useful enough for me not to take issue with this strange marriage.

Every single time that I need to wash this mug, I look at the logo and smile. You see... I have never visited the United States of America, so I have never been up close and personal with a baseball diamond. I have never watched a game of American baseball, and I have zero interest in the game, so I am not a Dodgers fan by any stretch of the imagination.

But here I am, going from place to place with a mug that boasts their logo.

Have you ever wondered about the bumper stickers that scream 'Jesus is Lord', while questionable music blares from the speakers? (Yes... I usually conclude the vehicle was borrowed too.) ;)

Or the lovely T-shirts with Christian catchphrases that are worn with skirts that barely cover the derrière, or pants that tell you if the owner has been circumcised or not (in the case of the men)?

I try not to wonder, but the truth is that I sometimes do.

In my defence... I usually wonder more about me than about them, because I would not want my Christian experience to mimic my Dodgers' mug scenario... all label and no experience.

When I say I am a Christian, I want it to mean something. Something more than belonging an exclusive club of nicely-dressed folk who do nothing but sit in pews and talk about religion for one day each week.

Christianity is nothing if not walking as Christ walked... seven days per week.

One songwriter refers to that kind of Christian as a sermon in shoes, but I have seen a few living sermons shod with nothing but the 'preparation of the gospel of peace' (Ephesians 6:15), in order to fill someone else's need. The point is, however, that Christians do more than 'talk the talk'. True Christians walk the walk... following Christ closely while He leads.

My label means nothing if it is not backed by an experiential knowledge of the Saviour, and - when the rubber hits the road - that will be all that matters.

Am I daily seeking His face in His Word, communing with Him in prayer, and living in accordance with His precepts?
Am I still compartmentalizing my life, or am I living the one life that He intended for me?
Do I see my fellow travellers (including my detractors) in light of the Cross, or is self still holding sway?
Am I more comfortable in the pew than I am in serving others?

..... just a few things that ran through my mind as I rinsed my Dodgers' mug.

If we truly want to spend eternity with Christ, would it not make complete sense for us practise for that life now by following Him closely in this life?

Today, may we purpose in our hearts to be much more than a label "..... forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, [let us] press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Phillipians 3:13-14, emphasis mine)

Pressing.....

It's A Mystery To Me

2011-07-18T20:32:00.000-05:00

Those who are closest to me will tell you that I am not easily shocked.

There are not many things in the world that would surprise me, and the reason for that is fairly simple: I believe anything is possible.... unless God says that it is not.

However, there are some things that I just find plain confusing.

{contemplative pause}

Like the conversation initiated by a church-attending-acquaintance this afternoon when she asked me if I believed in dreams and visions.

Am I the only one who gets uncomfortable when these questions pop out of nowhere?

Anyway, if you have been hanging around here for some time, you already know that I believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, so it should come as no surprise that I proceeded to list a few of the many dreams and visions included in the Scriptures... all of which I believe were God-given.

And since I believe in the Creator God of the universe, it would make sense that I would believe in His Word. Yes?

But there was a problem... she declared that she was a New Testament Christian and I had started in the Old Testament. She read the Old Testament only for the history.

Okay, that is fine by me. All Christians are New Testament Christians because "... the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." (Acts 11:26)

So on to the New Testament..... but before I could recount the a few of the dreams and visions of the New Testament, the conversation took an interesting turn.

"Those were inspired men, not laymen. I don't believe in dreams and visions in our times."

There you have it. The Old Testament is nothing but a history lesson..... but it is inspired.

Joel 2:28 came to mind, in regard to her final declaration, but - since it would have to be found in the Old Testament - I held my tongue as she moved on.

She told me of a woman she knew who had built a church on the basis of what she thought was a vision from God, and then she asked me: "Do you believe the vision was from God?"

Please understand that I am not acquainted with the woman in question, I have no knowledge of her belief system or her lifestyle, so I had nothing to compare against the Word. I absolutely refused to pass judgement.

We are admonished in Scripture to "Prove all things, hold fast to that which is good", and my only standard for proving dreamers, visionaries, prophets or spirits is the undiluted Word of God.

If you tell me that my eyes are blue, I will measure that by the mirror..... but if you tell me that God told you - in a vision - that he will come next week, I have an obligation to measure your vision by the Scriptures.

For me, it is just that simple.

Jesus declared that false prophets would arise, so all prophetic messages that land in my lap get picked apart for examination, and I do mean all.

He even said there would be some like wolves in sheep's clothing, so all that have the appearance of sheep and 'bleat' in my hearing will be scrutinised.

And if the Holy Spirit inspired Joel to prophesy of dreams and visions in the last days, who am I to say otherwise? If God says it, I believe it, and that settles it.

It is my considered opinion, that we should refrain from disposing of the baby with the proverbial bath water..... but that is just my opinion, and not the opinion of the general public.

I disembarked this particular train of conversation when I realised that there was no definite destination, and common courtesies were not being extended to me, but I am always a bit bemused when people ask me what I believe and then refuse to listen when I begin outlining what I believe and why. :-?

Alas it is a mystery that I may never live long enough to unravel. *sigh*

Hoping you are less confused than I am,

A Poem from my Childhood

2011-07-13T06:00:00.006-05:00

NATURE

We have neither Summer nor Winter

Neither Autumn nor Spring.

We have instead the days

When the gold sun shines on the lush green canefields --

Magnificently.

Image source

The days when the rain beats like bullet on the roofs,

And there is no sound but the swish of water in the gullies,

And trees struggling in the high Jamaica winds.

Also there are the days when leaves fade from off guango trees,

And the reaped canefields lie bare and fallow to the sun.

Image source

But best of all there are the days when the mango and the logwood blossom,

When bushes are full of the sound of bees and the scent of honey,

When the tall grass sways and shivers to the slightest breath of air,

When the buttercups have paved the earth with yellow stars,

And beauty comes suddenly, and the rains have gone.

- H.D. Carberry

Opening rosebud in my front yard, after a torrential downpour

Blessings,

Jamaica . . . Land I Love - Part 2

2011-07-12T08:30:00.361-05:00

If variety is the spice of life, then Jamaica must be the 'isle of spice', because variety abounds here... and not just among the fruits and ground provisions.

Jamaicans are 'colourful' in skin tone and personality, and there is probably no other adjective that could encompass us all, so I will stick to colourful.

Our motto is "Out of many, one people" and we do not complicate things with labelling such as... 'African Jamaican', 'Chinese Jamaican', 'Indian Jamaican', etcetera. A Jamaican is Jamaican, irrespective of ancestry or skin tone.

Where skin tone is concerned, we have far more variety packed into our 4,111 square miles than you would find in a similarly-sized area anywhere else..... pale with a hint of pink, pale with a hint of yellow, and a multiplicity of earth tones that would mesmerise the most diligent art student. But the truly beautiful thing about this place is that it is all normal.

All of it.

Every. single. shade.

Normal.

This is the reason I dream in colour, because... what else is there really?

Then there is the 'language of the people'. We cannot discuss colour without addressing the colourful language...

English is our first language and is considered 'proper'. It is what we teach in our schools, sing in our churches, and write in our newspapers. As citizens of this former British colony, we use the English of our former colonists, so my colour may be different from your color, my favourites may be different from your favorites, and so on.

However, the 'language of the people' - which only Jamaicans (or those taught by them) will understand - is Patois {pat-wah} which is sometimes referred to as Jamaican creole. It is a spoken language that has no rules, so there is no proper Patois, and you will find variations from one end of the island to another. As a consequence, most attempts at translation will fall woefully short, and I will wrap this up with two brief 'case studies' for you (translation in brackets).

Did I mention that Patois is never spoken slowly? I don't believe I did... so keep that in mind as you read, and since there are no rules governing Patois, my spelling gets a pass. ;)

In response to his mother's query about the broken vase...
James: "Ah nuh mi!" (I did not do it)
Mother: "Yuh too lie!" (accusation: You are lying)

Counsellor tells Susan that her 10 year old daughter is pregnant with twins...
Susan: "Yuh too lie!"
(Expression of incredulity, not an accusation: That can't be true or I can't believe it.)
Counsellor: "Mi dead serious." (Not death-related: I am very serious)
Susan: "Woiee! Mi dead now!" (Expression of grief: Susan is not literally unto death)

One phrase may have a variety meanings, because - with Patois - context is everything. (And you thought the English language was complex? :D )

Colourfully contextual or contextually colourful.... Jamaica, land I love.

Read Part 1 if you want to know what I am rambling about and why, or click here for all my previous posts on island life.

On Behalf of the Humble Ackee

2011-07-11T18:01:00.003-05:00

The next instalment of 'Jamaica... Land I Love' will be up tomorrow, but there is something that I need to get squared away before we move away from food and get to talking about the 'colourful' nature of our people. (Yes. That is where I am going next) :)

* * *

Source

Since the majority of known readers of this weblog do not reside in Jamaica, I totally understand that there could be a bit of confusion when I declare the image to the right to be a meatloaf.

In Jamaica, meat that is encased in a thin pocket of bread dough is called a meatloaf not 'meat et al' that has been shaped to resemble a loaf of bread.

This may be strange to some... but - alas - 'tis true.

Source

I also understand that there are those who may be more than a bit puzzled when I declare the image on the left to be a patty.

You see... in Jamaica, highly-seasoned meat (sometimes vegetable or ackees) encased in flaky pastry - not a burger - equals a patty.

This may be a strange new thing to you (or not)... but it is - nevertheless - very true.

What I do not understand is why any self-respecting cooking show host or food blogger would liken the taste of our national fruit to scrambled eggs and proceed to teach others how to 'make a healthy version' out of tofu.

I think something in my brain popped when I heard it for the first time; and - when I saw it in black letters on my computer screen - I may have hung my head for a moment of silence.

Here is the much-maligned and misunderstood ackee - Jamaica's national fruit - and this is the 'skinny' on ackee from the goodly lecturers at the University of the West Indies.

Please allow me to set the record straight for those who may have seen 'mock ackee' recipes floating around:

Ackee does not taste even slightly like scrambled eggs (although the colour is similar). If you have seen ackee that looks that much like mush, the ackee is not at fault... the cook is.
There is no more a need for a 'mock ackee' than there is for a 'imitation avocado'... the fat content is in the same ballpark.

So, for the sake of all that is noble and good, do not degrade our national dish in the name of health. Feel free to omit the codfish - as I do - and enjoy the ackee on its own merit, or eat your scrambled tofu and call it what it is..... scrambled tofu.

But please do not, under any circumstances, malign a perfectly fine specimen of God's creation. Amen.

On behalf of the humble ackee, and every ackee-loving Jamaican out there, I thank you in advance from the bottom of my heart.

Grateful . . . In Five Minutes

2011-07-08T11:47:00.002-05:00

It's Friday! So I am linking up with Lisa-Jo, The Gypsy Mama, for Five Minute Friday.

Every Friday, she selects a prompt and encourages us to take five minutes with her to 'just write without worrying if it’s just right or not.'

Just five minutes... "5 minutes flat with no editing, tweaking or self critiquing."

This week's prompt is Grateful...

It is easy to be grateful, but without the expression of that heartfelt gratitude, it tends to fall flat. Gifts forgotten amid the 'busy-ness' of life.

But when I articulate my gratitude, something happens, but I was never sure what exactly until I read her words that inspired me to start writing out gifts: "Eucharisteo (thanksgiving) precedes the miracle." Thanksgiving, the expression of gratitude to a Father who gives all things good.

I started writing... how grateful I was for a godly husband, running water, fluffy white clouds, exuberant son, storms and sunshine... and the world seemed brighter somehow.

A grateful heart... hallmark of a Christ-follower.

In gratitude, I smile... and the world smiles with me.

STOP

**(Link and italics added belatedly)

Fluffy, white clouds (as seen from my corner of the globe) :)

Jamaica . . . Land I Love - Part 1

2011-07-07T18:11:00.002-05:00

In the heat of the global economic crisis - which has impacted the Third World in a way we have never experienced before - we sometimes forget all the good stuff.

We zoom in on all the things that have gone wrong, are going wrong, and may go wrong in the unforeseeable future, and we often overlook the innumerable blessings we still enjoy.

Recently, in conversation with a friend, I was listing the things I would miss if I ever had to leave this little island to take up permanent residence elsewhere, and the list was longer than I had imagined that it would be. Even then, there were others that came to mind after the conversation ended, and I will recount a few of them for you here... just for the fun of it. :)

Mangoes (Mangifera indica)

When a Jamaican says mango..... please understand that it is not the same thing as when an American or European says mango. When a Jamaican says mango (usually pronounced 'man-guh'), you may need to ask: 'What kind?'.

In my lifetime, I have eaten... Blackie, Stringy, Turp'ntime (Turpentine), Julie (St. Julian), Hayden, Bombay, Number 11, Guinea Hen, East Indian, Tommy Atkins and Sweetie mangoes. I probably left one or two off the list, but you need to know that each variety has its own distinct flavour and texture. That being said, I have never met a mango that I did not like. I have my preferences... but I do like them all.

In all of the mango consumption that takes place every summer, I have never had to purchase a mango in all the 37 years and 7 months that I have been alive, because no matter where I have lived on this island - and I have lived in 7 of our 14 parishes at some point - it has always been customary for neighbours and friends to offer of their abundance. (Yes. Jamaicans have a generous streak.)

This arrangement works nicely for all concerned - the beneficiaries enjoy the mango season at minimum cost, and the benefactors avoid dealing with rotting mangoes and the flies that would be attracted by the smell. It's a win-win situation. ;)

Mangoes that are native to Jamaica are automatically 'organic'. You do not go to a supermarket in rural Jamaica and ask for 'organic mangoes', because... what Jamaican mango isn't? So organic are our mangoes - in fact - that if you allow some varieties to ripen on the trees for too long, insect larvae (aka worms) will beat you to the draw. Some of us will pare away those sections and consume the rest, while others just prefer to enjoy their mangoes in the dark... I don't judge.

* * *

Alas, it seems that I got so carried away by the 'mango discourse' that this post has already become an epistle, but I promise to share some of the other things on my list as time goes by.

Here's to Jamaica... land I love. *raises glass of mango drink*

Recipe for Mango Drink (JA style)

mango puree

water

real lime juice

real brown sugar

I apologise for having no measurements to offer, because - when you are Jamaican - drink ingredients are added 'to taste'... and I am not even trying to joke at this point. I grew hearing up things like... "use yuh judgment!" and I suggest that you just take that instruction and run with it.

One Love,

Ant-ology

2011-06-29T15:48:00.001-05:00

There are places in the world where it sometimes rains for days.

You may even find places on the planet where the torrential rainfall ceases, only to be replaced by a steady drizzle that could take weeks to disappear.

I live in one of those places. (Click on the map to enlarge, and follow the RED arrow)

Adapted from this source

And every single time we have one of these long-lasting torrential downpours, we seem to grow these.....

... in the front yard...

...and in the backyard.

They just spring up out of nowhere!

Not the grass - the anthills - although the grass does grow too.

Is there anyone out there who can explain this phenomenon? Shouldn't torrential rains render this an impossible task?

Befuddled,

When We Say God Is Good . . .

2011-06-29T12:29:00.000-05:00

Abundant goodness is at the core of Who God is, and how He is... all the time.

. . . what do we really mean?

Really.

I caught myself thinking about that this morning, when I greeted SJ: "You're awake!" I said. "God has been really good to us!"

But as I knelt beside his bed to pray with him, I wondered why proclamations about God's goodness fail to roll off my tongue with such alacrity in less-than-stellar moments. Hmmm...

If one (or all) of us had fallen asleep last night to await the Resurrection, would God have been less than really good?

When we say God is good, do we understand it as referencing the very essence of Who He is? Or are we really referring to how He is... sometimes?

Do we - for all practical intents and purposes - believe that He is good, really good, all the time?

We know He says that He is overflowing in goodness:

"And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin..." (Exodus 34:6-7)

But in our daily lives, do we make a practice - by His grace - of resting in that knowledge even when the heavens seem about to shatter and fall? And when they do?

The Almighty God does not change (Malachi 3:6). He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Abundant goodness is at the core of Who God is, and how He is... all the time.

Whether He ordains or He allows... it is all good, because He will be faithful to walk closely with us through every storm if only we would take His hand.

Today, may we seek - by God's grace - to proclaim his abundant goodness, even in the face of our storms.

Our loving Heavenly Father, we give you thanks for Your abundant goodness to us. We are truly thankful for every sunshine-y day and every storm that You have walked us through, and we ask that You will empower us to proclaim Your overflowing goodness to us... even in the dark times. Soften and subdue our hearts, so that we may hear and heed the promptings of your Holy Spirit... today and always. Amen.

Consider . . .

2011-06-27T18:41:00.001-05:00

For the glory of God

and

For the good of humanity...

This is how Christ lived His earthly life..... leading by example.

For the glory of God and the good of the human race.

His sole motivation... should be ours too...

The glory of God.

The good of humanity.

Think about it:

What is the primary motivation behind your 'Things To Do' list?
Do your priorities reflect His?
If He could, physically, take your list from you, would you worry that He might change something?
What might you need to lay down... for His glory?

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Running... slowly... but running.

Will you run with me?

Home -- Where The Heart Is . . .

2011-06-17T07:43:00.002-05:00

While my men sleep through this thunderstorm we are having, I am linking up with Lisa-Jo, The Gypsy Mama, for Five Minute Friday. Here are the rules, in her own words:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word.

2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Get a little crazy with encouragement for the five minuter who linked up before you.

This week's prompt is 'Home...'.

My timer is set, so here we go. :)

There are flashes of lightning, peals of thunder, and it is raining cats and dogs... but I am home.

Home... where imperfect people are perfectly loved in spite of their imperfections. Where love is wrapped around you, kisses soothe, and hurts are healed. It is a safe haven amid the raging storms that threaten my very life, so wherever I go, I must return.

A house is not a home, and for that I am grateful. We have moved many times, and we have spent many hours within the walls of more houses than we would like to remember, but we have never left 'home' behind. Because home is more than a house... it is about relationship. Relationships of the loving variety. The kind of relationships that build up, rather than tear down.

We talk, laugh and cry... but we do it together.

There is no place like it.

Home...

STOP

Do you want to join in? Click the graphic to head on over.

It's That Time of the Year Again

2011-06-17T06:30:00.144-05:00

The start of the hurricane season on June 1, signalled the beginning of unpredictable and all-round wacky weather.

It is the time of year when you try not to complain about heat when it appears, because it could all change in an instant... lightning, thunder, pouring rain, flash floods, chilly temperatures.

Come what may, you take it all... and you learn from it. You learn that:

Any plans that involve outdoor social activities cannot be set in stone. Contingency (indoor) plans are essential.
Poor weather can mean limited to no Internet access, but you will not die. Believe it or not, this is true. :)
Intermittent power outages are inevitable.
The electric stove in the store should be admired... not purchased. Refer to 3.
In the event that you are now the proud owner of said stove, a backup plan would be a good idea. (For the record, I use LPG for cooking... not electricity)
Updating blogs may not always be possible. Refer to 2 and 3.
Outdoor onion-related experiments will not like the heavy rainfall and will collectively perish, although escallions will attempt to hang on for dear life.
During prolonged spells of wacky weather, humans under the age of 6 will tend to develop 'cabin fever', which may or may not cause them to take temporary leave of their senses. There may be running, jumping, screaming, and other such activities in areas where they were thought inappropriate heretofore. Make sure to have a good supply of puzzles, connect-the-dots, colouring pages, modelling clay, soft balls - in short, fun - in stock. This is vital in order for you to maintain any semblance of sanity. I just happen to know this... okay? ;)

Have a great weekend, wherever you are, and may the Almighty God give you peace... even in the midst of your storms.

Saying goodbye before I get shut down for the umpteenth time,

Five Minute Friday: Backwards

2011-06-10T09:44:00.001-05:00

Today - for the first time - I am linking up with Lisa-Jo, The Gypsy Mama, for Five Minute Friday. Here are the rules, in her own words:

"Got five minutes? Let’s write. Let’s write in shades of real and brave and unscripted. Let’s just write and not worry if it’s just right or not.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word.

2. Link back here and invite others to join in.

3. Get a little crazy with encouragement for the five minuter who linked up before you."

This week's prompt is 'Backwards...'.

The 'Backspace' key on my keyboard is probably one of the most used keys. The arrow is all rubbed off, while the gleaming white 'Enter' glares at me... daring me to move forward.

Do I go backwards more than I move forward?

Maybe the keyboard is miniature reflection of my life, and this week that statement felt particularly true.

Backwards...

I grumbled... Those lemons can be way too tart. Ugh!

But I am thankful that I serve a God who specialises in backwards....

If we confess, He is faithful to forgive and point us in the right direction.

STOP

Spy Cam - Who Is Watching?

2011-06-05T07:01:00.009-05:00

From the Archives: Originally posted on June 30, 2009

On my way in to the city this morning, I met a young lady.

Well... not exactly.

She was not near enough for me to speak to her, but her actions provoked such prolonged contemplation on my part that I would have sworn that I had actually met her.

I was on the inside looking out, while she was on the outside of the parked bus... staring at her reflection in the tinted window. We were on opposite sides of the same window, and I could see her, but she had no idea I was there. I rested my head against the back of the seat and watched as she checked herself, fixed the front of her blouse and fussed with her hair. Apparently satisfied with her efforts, she stepped off with a pep in her step.

I wanted to stop her, but I was now too far away. Everything in the back was a hot mess but... hey - if it does not cost a life, it cost nothing.

She will probably never know, on this side of the eternal world..... but she got me thinking about how we sometimes treat our Christian walk in a similar fashion. As long as everything looks good to the people we come face-to-face with (the ones whose opinions matter), it's all good, and the small number of people who may be perceptive enough to notice the 'mess at the back' are usually left behind at the drop of a hat, because - of course - they do not mean us well/they want to tear us down/they are overly critical and judgmental (pick one).

In the midst of our complaints, we even sometimes neglect to ask our Heavenly Father what HE thinks. Since He is not concerned with how we look on the outside but with the condition of our hearts (1 Samuel 16:7), we ought to be very concerned about His perspective.

Today, let us take some time to think.... Is there an unresolved 'mess at the back' that needs attention? Maybe a bit of hypocrisy still hanging around? A bit of class/racial prejudice? How about an unforgiving spirit? Whatever it is - big or small - our Heavenly Father wants to heal all that ails us and give us a peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

Here is His promise...

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." - 2 Chronicles 7:14

I need to have that promise fulfilled in my life daily, don't you?

May God continually bless you

Blessed Are They That Hunger

2011-06-02T20:08:00.001-05:00

It was this past Wednesday morning that she came.

I might have glimpsed her before in the nearby town where I attend church, but I had never really seen her... slight frame; skin... the colour of dark chocolate; short, loose, kinky hair that had not felt the caress of a wide tooth comb in ages...

She was the picture of a woman on a mission as she strode purposefully down the street, lean legs propelled swiftly forward by bare feet... dark chocolate on asphalt.

I have already forgotten what she wore, but she has left her mark on me and she will not soon be forgotten.

Our eyes met, and she moved toward the wall that separated us articulating her desire as she came: "Miss, beg yuh piece o' bread nuh?"

DH had his back turned to her, as he awaited his ride to work, and she eyed him with suspicion. That made me wonder... Had she been hurt by a man in her recent history?

I turned mechanically toward the steps leading in, and - at that moment - I could not remember if I had responded audibly. My brain was a whir of activity as I grabbed the remnant of a whole wheat loaf that had been resting on the counter wrapped in clingfilm.

I rushed back on to the verandah to ask: "It's whole wheat. Do you still want it?" Yes, I believe beggars have a God-given freedom to choose, and I wanted to give her room to utilise it.

She nodded furiously, eyes all alight, and her soundless 'yes!' resounded in the atmosphere as I hurried to transfer the small package from my clean hands to her not-so-clean hands. She looked right into my eyes when she expressed her thanks, and I realised then that insanity and homelessness had not stolen everything. She must have been quite a gracious woman. I would have wanted to know that woman.

As she turned away from me, tearing through clingfilm and sinking her teeth into home-made bread, I wished I had given her something more... but a piece of bread was what she had asked for, and sometimes bread is all that satisfies.

That she came to make a request was not unusual, but the fact that she was specific beyond the usual blanket request for food was very unusual. Extremely unusual, however, is the fact that she returned the way she came...

In retrospect, I am convinced that she was sent by Someone who knows all, so she could afford to be specific. Having received that which her soul desired, she could return the way she came.

You see, that bread was baked on Tuesday afternoon, so it would not have been available to her on Monday or Tuesday morning. My men would probably not leave much (if any) behind by Thursday morning... so Wednesday morning was just right.

For both of us.

She taught me much by her approach to bread - unashamed petitioning, patient waiting, heartfelt gratitude, eager devouring, purposeful stride - and I was left to ponder:

Do I seek the Bread of Life with such fervour and wait patiently for blessings from the hand of Him who has promised?
Do I live consistently a life of gratitude? Is a gracious spirit something that all my acquaintances would remember me by?
Do I take the time to devour the Bread of Life (the Word of God) at times when the road before me seems long and winding.
Do I consistently live my life with an intention and purpose that is evident to all who I encounter?

My hands are maybe not as clean as I thought... it seems that 'Madame Dark Chocolate' might have had the cleaner hands after all.

I do believe I needed her more than she needed me... on Wednesday. No later.

Grace!

Three-In-One

2011-05-30T16:34:00.031-05:00

Caution: Less-than-stellar webcam photos ahead. Sorry!

DH harvested a bunch of plantains yesterday, and the gem below was a part of the package. We have had 'twins' before, but this was our first 'triplet'!

Front

Back

Bottom (I broke the dried stuff off so that you could have a clear view)

It brought to mind another 'three-in-one'. A 'three-in-one' of Divine origin... the members of the Divine Council (Godhead) who have been working together since the beginning of time for our salvation, and who are working all things out for our good.

'Hear' the Apostle Paul set them in proper perspective in Romans 8.....

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27)

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:31-32)

Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (Romans 8:34)

I keep saying this, because it is true..... His grace still amazes me! I stand in awe of His faithfulness.

Whatever your lot today, remember this one thing... our God is faithful.

For The Next Generation . . .

2011-05-26T12:07:00.000-05:00

"Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;" (Romans 12:9-10, NKJV)

'Hurting people hurt others'... 'Misery loves company'.... Clichés we have heard again and again, the world over...

And true though they may seem to be, there is no conceivable reason why they should define our existence.

When will we call a halt to this vicious cycle? How long will it take before we can acknowledge the worth of another without regard to social status, ethnicity or..... skin tone.

The video below is the preview of an upcoming documentary which shares the stories of women... dark-skinned women, more specifically... who have felt the pangs of prejudice, and who have struggled with self-acceptance as a result.

Whether you choose to watch or not.... please make a decision today to be an intentional agent of change within your sphere of influence.

Everyone has influence, and we must use it wisely.

The resilience and moral excellence of the next generation depends on it!

Dark Girls: Preview from Bradinn French on Vimeo.

Just So You Know . . .

2011-05-18T17:17:00.001-05:00

. . . unless I die before then, I plan to be here on Sunday, May 22, 2011.

It could have been about two months ago that DH told me that he encountered a woman distributing brochures that 'advertised' the Second Coming of Jesus. The date for this event had been set for May 21, 2011.

I really did not realise how widespread this idea was until this article was brought to my attention -- Atheist offering post-Rapture care for pets left behind. At a base rate of US$135 - with US$20 added on for each additional pet - he already had (as at the date of publication) a whopping 250... Two Hundred And Fifty... paying customers!

The video below - from the Amazing Facts Ministry's YouTube channel - is a compilation of snippets from interviews with the proponents of this (doctrine?), as well as a promo for their new website:

Amazing Facts has developed a website for seekers who desire to take another look at the prophecies relating to the final events before Jesus' Second Advent. It has been appropriately named After May 21, but is already open for service.

Find out about the Ministry, and sign up for free resources. (No computer viruses in sight)

Throw them your toughest Bible questions, or watch full-length videos on Bible prophecy.

They will not ask for your money..... they know you will need it after May 21. :)

Enjoy!

In Honour of my Mother -- while she is yet alive

2011-05-17T12:11:00.002-05:00

I am a 70s baby, and when I was growing up, we always had more than enough. My mother would purchase things in bulk, and when one bottle/jar/packet (you get the idea) was emptied, another took its place.

But - even in the face of abundance - anything that could be interpreted as wastefulness was frowned upon, and she would hasten to remind us that money did not grow on trees.

That reminder never quite made sense to me at the time, because I knew - for sure - that it did not grow on trees... it grew in her purse. :)

Nevertheless, I am almost sure that the verb 'economise' was among my first words, and in honour of my mother who is very much alive... here is a pictorial representation of a practice she passed down to me:

Disclaimer: This is not an advertisement for the brand. It is what I happen to have available.

I swear I hear Mom's voice if I even think of using one whole: "You need to learn to economise!"

What tips (if any) on economy did your mother pass down to you?

A Great Find, and a Gluten-Free Update

2011-05-16T11:25:00.002-05:00

There is a whole host of tried, tested and proven vegan recipes to be found on the worldwide web, and the same may be said of gluten-free recipes. They provide great starting points for newbies and I am glad they exist.

However, if you are vegan AND gluten-free.... Google search will not always be your loyal and friendly assistant, and there may be days when you would rather not experiment with converting your favourite gluten-filled recipe.

Enter... xgfx.org.

I found the site yesterday, and - as so often is the case - I do not remember how I got there. You - on the other hand - may click the graphic below to head right on over. Be sure to hit the 'Recipes' tab and bookmark the page if you (or someone you know) might need the resource.

My Update:

Since this post, my symptoms had decreased considerably, but I was not fully convinced that just taking soy and wheat out of my diet could have made that much of a difference. Yes, I tend to be a bit skeptical where such things are concerned.

Anyway, within an hour or so of consuming something with relatively high gluten content, I started feeling a few twinges in my abdomen but I figured it would not last. No biggie... right? Wrong! The pain kept building until it felt like someone had a vice grip clamped in the centre of my abdomen!

I was right back where I started, and it was all my fault. *sigh*

Ah well! At least I now know for sure where my problem lies.

That experience cured me of my curiosity for a while until I started thinking: 'Maybe a lower gluten content would work for me?'. I tried having a whole wheat burger bun and the pain was terrible, but it was not off-the-chart-excruciating.

Experiments with soy produced no discernible effect on my symptoms, so maybe I can keep my beloved tofu around for a while longer. :)

All in all, I did not die from being my own test subject, but I do believe that I will just learn to be content with the gluten-free diet.

One Hundred Percent Natural - Huh?!

2011-05-15T16:14:00.001-05:00

When I see a label like this:

I tend to think... 'not artificial', 'in its original state', and all that good stuff... but these days I am at a loss as to what 100% natural really is.

There are things that I consume that are not natural, and I would not expect them to be.

Case in point... canola oil.

Canola oil is highly processed, and it needs to be in order to ensure that all toxins from its point of origin (rapeseed plants) have been removed. It is a neutral-tasting oil that I happen to use from time to time and I am fine with it.

There is no '100% natural' label attached to it.

Incidentally, the 100% natural label above was on a product - purchased from a health food store - which boasts an ingredient list which includes canola oil.....

..... as well as high maltose corn syrup, sugar (in the rice crisps + more added otherwise), malt extract, fructose, maltodextrin, soy lecithin and baking soda.... none of which are natural as far as I know.

Yes... fructose comes from fruit, but extracting fructose from fruit is not quite as easy as removing the peel from a tangerine. There is a quite a process involved.

As for malt extract, let me allow the Malt Products Corporation to speak:

"Malt is the product obtained from germinated barley. Barley is first softened after cleaning by steeping with water and then allowed to germinate under controlled conditions. The germinated grain then undergoes the stages of drying, grinding, extracting, filtering, and evaporating, to produce Malt Extract with 78 to 80% solids content." -- Source

I have no problem with the manufacturer's choice of ingredients. Really. It is their right to use whatever they deem best to keep their customers satisfied.

At the end of the day, I will refrain from eating the granola bar in question because of the sheer number of sweeteners (SIX?! Really?) and not because of the highly processed ingredients.

But when they dishonestly put forward this '100% natural' nonsense, I am then left to wonder what on earth constitutes the 'natural flavor' near the bottom of the ingredient list. :-O

Anyone out there with a good granola bar recipe?

Examine. Question. Choose.

2011-05-12T12:12:00.005-05:00

Wagonist.

More often pronounced without the 't', the term is 'Jamaican speak' and is used to refer to individuals who make a practice of hopping on to bandwagons (popular trends) without so much a passing thought as to the possible consequences of such a decision.

I learned early on that wagonist is not written into my genetic code.... and no amount of bullying and teasing during my primary school years would make it so.

Upon stepping into adulthood, labels multiplied... resident skeptic, rebel, radical... but none of them ever really captured who I was.

Pausing to assess pros and cons does not automatically make one a skeptic.

Daring to question does not make one a rebel.

And a stand for truth should not be interpreted as a trailblazing attempt to be radical.

* * * * *

Believe me, there is a very good reason for that preface.

assume: v. suppose to be the case, without proof. (Oxford Dictionaries Online)

There is a 'clever' saying that involves the word assume - and the definition above, in particular - that I find slightly annoying. More to the point, I find it annoying when it pops up among Christ-followers.....

'When you assume, you make an ass out of u (you) and me.'

Obviously, someone, somewhere - back in the day - had way too much time on their hands, and I am going to go out on a limb and assume that the ass under consideration is not of the equine variety, but is used in reference the perceived asinine [stupid, foolish]qualities of one who assumes, as well as the one who is making the statement.

Already I have had to make an assumption, but - since it works in favour of the unknown author - I assume there will be no repercussions.

Assumption is inherently subjective since it depends on one's thinking, and one's thinking is the result of numerous variables. Subjectivity is not the equivalent of stupidity or foolishness.

An assumption may be proven to be correct or incorrect, but its 'incorrect-ness' does not give automatic fool status to any individual any more than its correctness would bestow automatic genius status.

As Christ-followers, we have an obligation to guard against generalisations of this nature, and it is important to recognise that popular clichés and trends are hardly ever invented with the Biblical worldview as a frame of reference.

As God's precious children - bought back at great cost to Himself - we are called to love our fellow-men. To be respectful and courteous... and statements such as the one that prompted this post boast no virtue at all.

I am not here asking 'What would Jesus do?' ... a question that inclines toward speculation and subjectivity. I am challenging the Christ-followers among us to take an objective look at the popular sayings and practices that we hold dear.....

Hold them up to the brilliant light of God's word.....

Ask yourself whether they stand up to scrutiny beyond any shadow of doubt.....

Then make a choice.

To follow or not to follow? That is the question.

A Fitting Quote

2011-05-08T18:12:00.000-05:00

"The king upon his throne has no higher work than has the mother. The mother is queen of her household. She has in her power the molding of her children's characters, that they may be fitted for the higher, immortal life. An angel could not ask for a higher mission; for in doing this work she is doing service for God. Let her only realize the high character of her task, and it will inspire her with courage. Let her realize the worth of her work and put on the whole armor of God, that she may resist the temptation to conform to the world's standard. Her work is for time and for eternity."

-- Adventist Home, p.231

To every mother who seeks to mold characters for time and eternity . . .

Mystery Solved . . . A Believe-It-Or-Not Moment

2011-05-06T13:37:00.002-05:00

Ann's comment on yesterday's post got me thinking about where I ought to be looking for seed. A Google search for 'location of onion seeds' confirmed that we were in fact looking in the right place. However, since we were silent observers and total novices, some seeds had fallen by the way. The ones that did not, germinated right where they were because of the heavy rainfall that we have been having here.....

Yes, those are small onions, and we are now officially at a loss as to how to proceed.

Any and all nuggets of gardening wisdom are welcome. :)

Onion Experiment

2011-05-05T17:53:00.001-05:00

One month ago I posted a photo here of what happens when you take a full grown onion from your kitchen and stick it in the dirt. (Yes, I'm guilty of playing with Tumblr) :)

When hubby stuck the 'sprouting' onion in our garden, neither of us knew what to expect... and any expectation we dreamed up ran along the lines of 'onion morphing into green onions'. :D

At any rate, we were prepared to wait it out.

And since I know at least one gardening enthusiast who will be interested in this experiment, I thought I would share a progress report of sorts here. :)

Here we go:

March 2011

For two weeks before this photo (in February) there was what appeared to be a scab on this 'leaf'. Hubby and I concluded that our onion had contracted a disease and we both tried removing the scab in question. For some strange reason, this turned out to be an exercise in futility.

God pitied us in our ignorance. Ooooh boy! Look at the beauty we would have missed!

April

So, by now we had formulated a theory.... the flowering portion would give way to seed pods which we could then plant.

The onion apparently has other ideas, because this what I saw at the beginning of this week when the flowers dried up and fell away.

May 2011

Hmmm... those do not look like any seed pods I have ever seen. Surely it is not going to put out small oinions on top of that stalk?!

Could someone dispense some knowledge here? Google has failed me. :)

'Low-Fly Zone' in Rural Jamaica

2011-04-27T17:19:00.001-05:00

There is no driveway or parking spot in the direction of the red arrow. What lies beneath that car is actually a set of steps.

The driver was apparently attempting to avoid collision with another vehicle whose driver mistook our humble two-way street for a highway. At any rate, that was the essence of what I gathered from all the animated discussion. ;-)

For all my international friends who have never seen a Jamaican 'wrecker service' at work... here you go:

The car was actually driven away from the site of the accident by the driver himself, and we are truly thankful for all the lives spared.... especially since the car landed at a regular 'liming' spot for the occupants of the house below, as well as their friends.

If that sounds even slightly familiar... this is why.

"It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23)

God is amazing!

Yes, He is. :-)

Beautiful . . . Forever!

2011-04-12T14:51:00.002-05:00

(Our Internet service did another of its disappearing acts.... aaaaand we're back! Whew!)

* * * * *

"Mommy! We found a pupa!" SJ shouted.

The little creature had burrowed down as far as he could into the thick grass, in an attempt to die to live... but he had not bargained on a weed whacker coming through and hurling him out of his comfort zone.

SJ was all bent over to examine this new-found curiosity, when he declared...

"Isn't it beautiful, Mommy? Look at the beautiful colours!"

There was a chocolate brown and burgundy streak down its side (not visible in the photo), and he regarded it with wide-eyed wonder.

But I struggled to see beauty in this dark, twitching, contorting fellow.

Really... I am as curious about life in the great outdoors as any other nature-loving individual, and I like burgundy streaks as much as the next girl, but... beautiful?

Where my wide-eyed wonder go?

The pupa twitched some more while I contemplated this.

I was the girl who would lie on her tummy - in front of any available ant hill - sprinkling bits of coconut that had been chewed to bits with sugar, and watching 'ant evangelism' in action. Each one reaching one (or more) with the gospel of sweet bits to be stored. I would watch them for as long as I could..... and it was a beautiful sight.

What happened? The jury is still out.

Once again, I turned my attention to the caterpillar-turned-pupa, and contemplated the life within that was intended to burst forth as wide-winged moth. Ahhh! God is amazing!

The mystery of life goes far beyond my feeble attempts to comprehend it, but this one thing I know for sure.....

LIFE is beautiful.

"Maybe we should put him back, cover him up and see what happens," I suggested.

SJ agreed and I gently nudged him - using a small stick, FYI ;) - back to his original spot.

We covered him up with grass clippings and hoped for the best, but it was not to be. Ant evangelism had already been set in motion, and within minutes it was clear what the outcome would be. :(

It is true that nothing lasts forever on this side of the eternal world - not even the beautiful - but while pupas and moths fade into nothingness, we live in hope of a Resurrection Day still future.

Hear Paul preaching hope:

"For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17)

He speaks with certainty of a change that defies the power of carnivorous ants...

"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)

In Christ, there is hope of a change that will last and a beauty that will not be fleeting.

I look forward to the time when the definition of life will make no mention of a progression toward the grave.

A time when He that sits upon the throne will make all things new (Revelation 21:5)

... and all life - absolutely all life - will be beautiful... forever!

When Fools Come Out To Play - Part 3

2011-04-03T12:15:00.006-05:00

Read Part 1 and Part 2

"Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left." (Isaiah 30:21)

I stepped out of the vehicle with no knowledge of why I was even attempting to leave my comfort zone, and I moved among the group of women, and my ear caught snippets of animated discussion as I went. They were en route to a beach party in another parish, and they were as confused as I was about how this event could take place where it did.

The man in black stayed in my peripheral vision, and he was assessing me as intently as I had assessed him earlier... but I had an edge, because I had the privilege of knowing that he was watching.

I heard Dad say that he was a retired cop in response to a question from the driver about who he was, and the man in black drifted slowly out of my line of vision. I did not give it much thought at the time because I was focused on a more immediate impression... Mingle.

I zoomed in on a young woman with excessive cleavage exposure and a beach wrap who looked vaguely familiar to me. I travel a lot by public transportation, so anything is possible. I chit-chatted to gain her confidence because they all seemed strangely unsettled by my sudden appearance. She pointed at my dad and asked if he was my husband (read: sugar-daddy). I laughed and assured her that he was not. The other young ladies giggled and relaxed considerably.

The man in black returned from the direction of the minivan and I noticed that the pistol was missing. My suspicions were confirmed... that was no licensed firearm and he was no upstanding citizen. I sighed in relief at its absence, but far too soon, because as soon as he steps up to the discussion between the men, tempers flared.

My dad had smelled a figurative rat and this man was grating on his nerves. Sensing a threat, and lacking any visible strength in numbers, my dad reaches into the car for his licensed firearm and all the ladies screamed and ran toward the minivan.

All the ladies... except me.

I found myself between Dad and the group of men, and - to this day - I have no idea how I got there. I held his face in my hands and spoke peace, praying all the time in my heart. He has a heart condition, and he is not supposed to get agitated. Doctor's orders.

He calmed down and I stepped back, but now the group behind me - egged on by the man in black (now identified as the driver's elder brother) - declared that he had threatened them and demanded that he let the whole thing go.

The ladies had returned and my buxom acquaintance whispers to me that he should not have done that because all the men were armed. They could have retaliated, but they didn't want any trouble. If she was right, I had not one but five potentially dangerous men on my plate... Dad included.

I could not afford to risk fanning the flames.

I had a husband and child waiting at home.

Turning to the man in black who has had the tag 'Troublemaker' pinned to his person by my father, I tried to reason. There was no point in going back and forth as we were wasting valuable time that could be used to get us all to our intended destinations. I was fighting a losing battle because he kept bickering with my dad who was off to the side.

But my Heavenly Father had made me woman for a reason and I felt compelled to find the charm that my father had so recently abandoned. I raised my hands slowly and rested my palms on the cheeks of this hulk of a man, gently turned his face toward me, smiled and begged him to hear me out. He relaxed visibly and I said all I had to say before removing my hands.

He agreed, and his little brother handed his driver's licence to me and I wrote down his information and verified his mobile number. Dad would be in touch to get the damage repaired at a garage in the city and they would pay the bill. They went to great lengths to ensure that incident stayed out of the limelight, and we had a fair idea why, but we were glad to be on our way.

I was emotionally drained, but oh so happy to be alive and heading home... and when DH asked about how the day went, I responded...

"Dad got through okay, we went to assist [sister and husband] with car trouble and ran into [sister and husband] at the [mega-store] before heading out. Oh, and we almost got caught in a gunfight, but everything worked out fine." ;-)

I did give him the full story afterwards, but the look on his face at that point could have made him the poster child for Kodak moments.

As I reflect on an April Fool's Day that has fast faded into eternity, I am truly thankful that God's grace has no 'off-season' to facilitate tomfoolery. I stand in awe of the fact that - undeserving though we are - He takes the care and protection of His children very seriously..... every day of the year.

When Fools Come Out To Play - Part 2

2011-04-02T22:14:00.008-05:00

Read Part 1

Dad's car is American-made, so the driver sits on the left.

We drive on the left of the roadway, and - for some reason - I am always a bit rattled by this strange arrangement, but my dad hugs the corners so lovingly that I relax as we cruise toward home.

And now this.

I was speechless, so I sat there and listened to my father's rant about the sheer stupidity of anyone that could hit his vehicle on a roadway like that in the total absence of oncoming traffic.

Honestly? Assessing the intelligence (or lack thereof) of the mystery driver was the farthest thing from my mind at that point. I was just glad that he drove a minivan and not a truck... because he did hit the passenger side after all. My side! Hmph!

After what seemed like eternity, the door on the driver's side of the minivan opened and a young man hopped down. I could tell he was younger than I was by at least ten years, and he seemed really nervous. I studied his face until it was etched in my mind.

My dad stepped out of the car - still ranting - but for some reason I was rooted to the spot, and my gaze shifted to the grey minivan once again. It had stickers on the sides and back that suggested that it was the property of a charitable organisation, but I doubt that the official business of any charitable organisation would require the kind of speed I just witnessed.

The front passenger door flew open, followed by the sliding door, and - one by one - young adults disembarked. There were 12 (3 more men + 9 young ladies). The door of the trunk flew up to reveal a few younger girls who completed the group.

They were an odd bunch, and they did not look very charitable.

The windshield and windows on Dad's car look very dark from the outside, but not from the inside, so they were not yet aware of my presence.

I enjoy watching people when they think they are not being watched... don't you?

Unperceived, like a fly on a dark wall, I observed faces, clothing and mannerisms, but one in particular held my interest.

None of his male companions looked like him. Clothed in black jeans and matching merino, he was of muscular build and stood no less than 5' 10" tall. He carried himself like a man who was 'worldly-wise', and he walked around (why?) looking the car over with eyes set in a face that seemed hardened by a life of crime.

I wanted to be wrong about him.

I needed to be wrong about him.

But as he rounded the corner to assess my side of the vehicle, I saw the pistol tucked into the front of his waist and I knew in my heart that my spontaneous assessment could not be far from the truth.

Right at that moment, I felt impressed to leave the vehicle. Say what?!

My brain recoiled at the thought, but - apparently - neither my legs nor my right hand got the memo, so I was stepping out and into the fray before I knew it.

Could someone... anyone... shout "April Fool!" and hit rewind?

Read Part 3 (final)

When Fools Come Out To Play - Part 1

2011-04-01T15:53:00.006-05:00

Thursday, April 1, 2010, started out not unlike any other 'fair-weather' day in April... clear skies, moderate temperature, gentle breeze, and countless possibilities in the air.

I hit the ground running. This was going to be a great day!

Devotion, shower, hair cleansing ritual, make breakfast...

Well... not quite so fast.

Halfway through putting twists into freshly washed and conditioned hair, a familiar black sedan pulled up to our gate and my father hopped out.

(I am using the word, hopped, rather loosely here)

That he stopped at all en route to somewhere was an unusual occurrence all by itself, but what was even more unusual was the unstable gait and - up close - the weak eyes.

He was on his way in to the city to have blood work done... blood work that he had already gone in for, but the medical technologist (MT) had failed to pull enough blood for the tests that were to be done. So now he had to drive all 30+ miles again to have it done. And he was not happy about it.

I gave voice to my thoughts, as I studied his face intently, "You don't look too well. Maybe I should come with you."

His eyes addressed my half-finished 'do, "How long is that going to take you?"

"I already showered... ten minutes." I replied.

He nodded and headed back to the car, while I did the fastest two-strand twists known to mankind. DH rushed me off... SJ would stay with him, and breakfast would be taken care of.

We made it in without incident - my father and I - and he made sure to ask the MT if she was sure she had enough this time. His smile never lost its charm when he quizzed her. I know mine would have. I wonder how he does that?

After detouring to assist one sister (my sister, his daughter) and her husband with car trouble, making a few purchases at the 'mega-store' - where we encountered and chit-chatted with another sister and her husband - we eventually headed out of the hot, dusty city toward the welcoming cool of rural Jamaica.

It was then that it happened.

On the widest roadway leading out - with no oncoming traffic in sight - a grey minivan swung out from behind, attempted to overtake, came in far too quickly and hit (albeit lightly) the front fender of Dad's car.

The driver over-corrected and screeched loudly to a halt a little distance away. The windows of the minivan were heavily tinted, and there was no movement for what seemed like a very long time.

No opening of doors.

Nothing.

But the fun was only just beginning.....

Read Part 2

Thankful on Thursday

2011-03-24T18:33:00.001-05:00

"We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history." - Last Day Events, p.72

Whatever comes my way, I want to remember the way He has led.

In good times and bad.

In sickness and health.

* * * * *

Well, how has He led? you ask.

He has been my Rock... never absent from my bedside while I recovered post-surgery. All of four times, He never tired of just being there, even when conversation lagged.

He has been Faithful to provide for my needs... even the ones that I neglected to lay before Him because I thought my plan was foolproof.

He has been my Sustainer and constant Guide through 'strait' places when I needed the stability of hinds' feet. (2 Samuel 22: 33-34)

Amazing growth in 'strait' places

So - because we cannot simultaneously fear and give thanks - I will thank God for His unparalleled goodness toward me in the past.

For new mercies every morning that I do not deserve.

For the provisions He will make... in His time. On time, all the time. ;)

For the miracles that I have had the privilege of witnessing in my life, and in the lives of others.

For the growth that will result from seeing my current challenges through to the end... because there will be an end.

For just being... even when the conversation lags.

Because He lives, there is nothing to fear.

Don't you just love Him?

Be blessed.

Featured!

2011-03-18T08:28:00.000-05:00

It may have been more than a month ago that LV Burns, author of Naturalness: A Journey Through the Lengths, suggested that I send her my information.

But that idea got lost in the mire of everything else that I was processing and dealing with at the time.

After my last post, I decided that I could use a respite, so off I went to fill in the information and submit headshots for a 'Global Natural-ness' feature on her site.

If you are curious about how natural afro-textured hair is viewed in my little corner of the globe, hop on over to LV's blog to read Global Natural-ness in Jamaica.

Blessings,

Changes for Better Health

2011-03-16T17:52:00.000-05:00

If you have been visiting this space for a while, you might remember this post... and you would already know that I have endometriosis.

If you just read that and did a double-take (huh?), please go to this link - scroll down a bit to read - and then hurry right back.

(I'll wait for ya!)

Welcome back...

Having done laparoscopic surgery in 1996 - and given the instruction to have a child in the next two years or lower my expectations - I never really gave the disease itself much thought beyond that. Really.

Source: iHeart.gifs

Leaving out the very lengthy story in between for now, allow me to fast forward a bit. Okay, maybe more than a bit...

Recently, my symptoms have gotten to be more than a little annoying... and that is saying a lot for someone with an unusually high pain threshold. In addition, the sluggish feeling that would normally come after my menses - and leave after a few days of boosted iron intake - has apparently decided to pitch a tent and set up camp in spite of very pink fingertips.

So I started digging for more information on the disease. I was especially interested in what dietary practices had been proven to help (or worsen) the symptoms, and I really thought any changes that I would need to make would be minimal.

Why?

Because I am already on a vegan diet - except on the extremely rare occasions when I have sardines. I have zero interest in the colourfully-packaged over-processed 'natural' foods in the stores, so how much more restrictive than that can you possibly get and still keep breathing... right?

Apparently, quite a bit, as I discovered this week... no soy (okay), no wheat, no sugar, honey or 'concentrated' carbohydrates (most flours just flew out the window).

You know what? As crazy as it sounds to me right now, I am going to give it my best shot... only by God's grace.

I am coveting your prayers as I continue to bake goodies for the men in my life, and attempt to keep my hands off the final product.

And if you are sitting there shaking your head and thinking it cannot be that hard, I understand. You do not know me very well. :)

For me, this could very well be more challenging than dealing with the symptoms of the disease, but - if my energy levels go up, my mind gets clearer and the other symptoms are gradually reduced - it will be totally worth it.

Eating to live,

Don't Miss It

2011-02-23T12:23:00.001-05:00

I enjoy being a bearer of glad tidings.

'Grief-inducing' tidings... not so much.

Which is a part of why I have been silent for the past week.

Last week - while I was on my way in to have my wisdom tooth extracted surgically - my niece called to let me know that my sister (her mother) was on her way to the University Hospital of the West indies.

Our family doctor had sent her off speedily with a letter of referral.

That was all she knew.

So there I was headed in one direction for 'surgery', with my sister - who has a history of heart trouble - headed in another direction (possibly for surgery), and all I have are sketchy details at best.

Needless to say, it was no surprise to me that my blood pressure was slightly elevated upon arrival. Thankfully, it was not bad enough for them to dispense medication to correct it. Whew!

The entire procedure went relatively well, and the only hiccup was when the dental surgeon realised that I was actually feeling something, and had to stick me again. Grrrr!

I had been trying to avoid that.

Nevertheless, I praised God for the ability to spell - as I wrote all my questions or responses for the rest of the evening - and for my husband, son and friends who can all read. I thanked him for the friends who made sure I got home through the pouring rain, and I definitely praised Him for the frozen bottle that the surgeon provided for my jaw ("The more you do that, the better you will look and feel in the morning," he said. He was right).

But I wondered about my sister, and now I had been rendered 'speechless'.

The following morning, I would learn that she had also had surgery... to retrieve a portion of her colon that had somehow gotten stuck in scar tissue from an appendectomy several years ago, and had been giving grief ever since, but not one doctor figured it out until it was almost too late.

One week, numerous injections and regurgitations later, she is recovering at home.

This morning I called her to sing a rousing rendition of the Birthday Song. We talked about life, and how neither of us knew we would have made it this far... her to 45 years, me to 37 years-2 months-6 days. She told me that she had another scare last night, but she told God she wanted to thank Him anyway... for life. So much of it too... against all odds.

The conversation had to end prematurely so that she could hurry downstairs, and we both thanked Him for bowel movements... taking nothing for granted.

Only God does these things... joy amid suffering, thankfulness in pain.

I have often thought about this very thing... What is more important? That we are spared all pain, sorrow and grief... or that our Father walks with us at every turn, though the heavens fall?

I will take the latter.

Sara is right...

May I never miss another one.

Take time today to acknowledge all the 'silver' that lines your path...

Enjoy the Company and Conversation...

And always... always... choose joy. :)

Be blessed,

He Is Still God

2011-02-14T12:50:00.001-05:00

"The God on the mountain is still God in the valley..."

I need to remember this at 4pm, when I sit in the chair at the dental surgeon's office to have a wisdom tooth extracted surgically.

Thank you - in advance - for praying.

Blessings,

Mega Memory Month 2011 . . .

2011-01-31T21:17:00.000-05:00

. . . has drawn to a close.

Last week, I had almost completed my original MMM project (Colossians 3) when I made a decision to add the first six verses of Colossian 4 to the mix.

Of the additional verses, I am only able to recall verse 6.... "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."

But I am celebrating the fact that...

It is a worthy (much-needed) reminder to have hidden in my heart,
Any portion of the Word tucked away has to be a very good thing. The psalmist declared, "Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee." (Psalm 119:11)
The original goal was met - with SJ memorizing (and questioning) alongside me - so I am giving God all the praise for that; and
Although Mega Memory Month has come to an end, Scripture memorization does not have to, and my aim is to see the entire project through to the end.

** I will be sure to update this post with a video at a later date, but - right now - I am doing battle with the flu and my limbs are feeling the pangs.

A big 'thank you' to Ann for providing a great opportunity to start 2011 off 'on the right foot'. May God continually bless you.

Click the graphic to head over to Ann's place for more MMM updates.

Battling the flu,

I 'Kid' You Not...

2011-01-28T13:24:00.003-05:00

In an unusually lengthy conversation with SJ today - while I put twists in freshly washed hair - the matter of Samson's wife came up.

Believe me... I have absolutely no recollection of how we got to that point.

It happens.

At any rate, SJ was adamant that Samson had no wife; so I sent him to retrieve his Bible, and we turned to the chapter 14 of the book of Judges to begin taking turns through the text.

We covered much ground, with me doing the necessary explanations as we went along.

Verse 1 of chapter 15 was his, and so he began --

"But it came to pass within a while after, in the time of the wheat harvest, that Samson visited his wife with a kid....."

"Mommy." [very serious voice; expressionless face]

If the roles were reversed I would think I was in trouble.

"A kid?! Where did he get a kid? He didn't live with his wife."

That last part is the clue that lets you know he is not talking about the animal kingdom.

Parenting... never a dull moment.

Have a great weekend!

For me? Grace...

2011-01-27T19:44:00.000-05:00

Kimvan, the girl from Dumfries in Japan, nominated my little slice of the blogsphere for a 'Stylish and Versatile Blog' award, and - to her - I say...

"Thank you! I am humbled by our generosity." :)

I am asked to share seven things about myself, and I will do my best to avoid repeating what you may have already read here and here:

I like taking some 'downtime' toward the end of each day (sans cellphone and human 'sound effects') to reflect on - and process - the day's events, take an introspective look, talk to God, and just... be.
I cannot remember ever being disturbed by consequences, which is how I know for sure that it is the goodness of God that leads to true repentance... not a fear of hell. ;)
As a child, I had settled it in my mind that Santa was either fake... or a very rotund prejudicial white male. After all, we had neither snow nor chimney... and those were apparently the main prerequisites that ensured his visit. Thankfully, he was not real or I would probably have to don sackcloth and ashes for all my scheming against the rosy-cheeked fellow.
I am an avid reader. If it is truthful, edifying and uplifting, I am all over it.
I have never met a fruit that I did not like... nor a slice of cheesecake, but now I eat the fruit and admire the cheesecake (Cheesecake + sinusitis = dangerous combination).
I find disorder a bit unsettling. Okay... maybe more than a bit. I just breathe a whole lot better in more organised space. Just know that 'more organised' is not the equivalent of 'perfectly neat'... I thought you would want to know that. ;)
Sleep does not come easily to me, and if I am disturbed by anything once it hits, that is the end of it. End result? I am awake a lot, and - at those times - my brain goes into overdrive and I become very curious about the strangest things... I wonder...

Oh yes.

Now... this is where I pass on the award to.....

Thandi @ Imperfect Mom of Two

Mimi @ Really.Truly

Ann @ His Grace to Me

Tia @ Her Best Hair

Blessings,

He Still Speaks

2011-01-26T10:21:00.000-05:00

"You may not be able to control their actions," I told her, "but - no matter what - you cannot allow this steal your joy. You control that."

As I spoke to a friend who is also family, I felt my own anger rising as the tale unfolded. She told a story - stranger than fiction - of an act of generosity gone awry.

Dissension, lies, theft... all interwoven with the spitting of venom that would be enough to kill a 300-pound mammal had it come from the fangs of a snake.

She is distressed, burdened, and I wanted to rewrite the script.

To wake up to the reality that it was all a bad dream.

But, alas... this was reality.

My own thoughts were more tuned toward giving the ingrate in question the right hand... not of fellowship, but I heard my voice say what I myself needed to hear.

"You cannot allow this to steal your joy. You control that."

"But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, filthy communication out of your mouth... Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye... And let the peace of God reign in your hearts..." (Colossians 3:8, 13)

*Huge sigh*

Lord...

Can we talk about this later?

"Vengeance is mine, I will repay..." (Romans 12:19)

He still speaks.

He does not let go, in spite of my foolish attempts to wriggle away.

Finally, I get it, and I begin to speak words of peace... life... truth to our frustrations.

The words I heard from my Father.

He still speaks.

Still... and I am thankful.

I want to live life with my ears consistently tuned to His Divine leading, and He promises peace even in the face of our storms.

A peace that defies any attempt to explain it.

Listen.

Can you hear Him?

Blessings,

Let's 'Disqus'!

2011-01-25T17:38:00.000-05:00

In July of 2010, I began making changes to this little slice of the blogosphere in an effort to build a space that felt more in tune with my personality.

In keeping with that idea, the Caribbean Wordkeeper blog that was started merely to keep me accountable with 'Wordkeeping' - hiding God's word in my heart - became Island Potpourri in order to more fully reflect the (hopefully, fragrant) mix of thoughts that I tap out in this space.

The other major modification - and the motivation behind this post - is the new commenting system, DISQUS. I did not want to share anything about the new system until I was absolutely sure that I wanted to keep it... and now I am, so here goes...

Disqus has some really great features that can make the commenting area more interactive, and I thought I would tell you all about them in the event that you wanted to try it out in your own space:

Once you register, it links all of your online information together (Facebook, Twitter, etc.), and all your comments on blogs that use the system can be managed from your dashboard. So, if - after a few (or many) months - someone finally replies to that long-forgotten comment you left on a blog out there in the blogosphere, it shows up in your Disqus Dashboard as well as your e-mail inbox!
When I visit blogs that use Disqus, I have no need to 'subscribe to comments' or bookmark the page just to figure out if the answer to my one tiny question has been answered... it will show up in my e-mail inbox when there is a response.
You can respond to comment right from your inbox. Absolutely, no need to switch programs!
There are no anonymous commenters, because everyone needs an ID of some kind in order to comment (Facebook, Twitter, e-mail, etc.). It feels good to be able to respond to 'real people'! Yes!
It imported all Blogger comments that were on my earlier posts, so I lost nothing.

It would be really nice if you decide to try it, because then I could really be sure when I respond to you (and I do!) in the comments here, that I am not just shooting at the breeze. Of course, I could shoot you an e-mail (one more thing Disqus makes possible), but there is nothing quite like 'real-time' commenting... is there? ;)

First, you will need to set up a profile on Disqus, which is really, really easy. It will make commenting here and on any other blogs that use Disqus a really great experience. In addition, it will help me and others get to know you and your blog (if you have one).

How absolutely fabulous is that?

And if you try it out, and decide that it is just not for you? You can switch right back... but - take my word for it - you will love it! :)

There you have it. Make the switch... and let's 'Disqus'!

Important Note:

This is not a paid advertisement. The goodly folk over at Disqus have no idea who I am, nor would they know where to find me if I disappeared from the blogosphere tomorrow. I am simply sharing something that has given me one more reason to smile. Amen.

MMM Progress Report #4

2011-01-25T10:11:00.001-05:00

My computer is at it again - doing its own thing. I have been told that the mainboard needs to be replaced because one of the channels is going bad.

All Greek to me... but it will be done at some point.

Right now - since it is going, but not yet gone - I shall focus on seeing Mega Memory Month through to the end.

With only one week left in Mega Memory Month, I am going to attempt to type out the portion of the Word that has been tucked away in my memory so far.

(*Corrections in red)

COLOSSIANS 3 (KJV)

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Chist sitteth on the right hand of God.
Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence [desire for that which is forbidden], and covetousness, which is idolatry.
For which things sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience;
In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.
Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free, but Christ is all, and in all.
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any, even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
And above all these, put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
And let the peace of God reign in your hearts ~~in all wisdom~~, to the which also ye are called in one body, and be ye thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
Servants, obey in all things your masters according to flesh, not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God.
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as ~~unto God~~ to the Lord, and not unto men.
Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
~~And~~ But he that doeth wrong, shall receive for the wrong which he has done and there is no respect of persons.

Amen.

Only..... Paul takes this train of thought all the way down to verse 6 of chapter 4 in his letter to the Colossians (and Laodiceans - vs. 16).

That being the case, my efforts - this week - will be geared towards solidifying the verses (above) in my mind and seeing whether it is possible to tuck away those six verses as well.

After all... isn't Mega Memory Month about the S-T-R-E-T-C-H we all need to keep those synapses firing at peak? ;)

Beyond that, Mega Memory Month is another opportunity to dream big...

To give those dying brain cells to the Life-Giver...

And watch Him work to bring them to life.

Abundant life.

Dream with me, and together we will finish well... because our Father is cheering us on from the finish line. :)

Blessings,

N.B. For some reason, Blogger is not allowing links today :-?, so I will add them at a later date.

MMM Progress Report #3

2011-01-17T15:43:00.000-05:00

Early on in Mega Memory Month, I had some issues with accessing my audio (computer decided to take a hiatus) and I had to go for a while without it.

I realised then that no one method works effectively for me.

No disrespect to my trusty notebook...

... but my brain apparently needs visual and audio input.

I know that reciting aloud counts as audio, but technology can keep going when vocal cords fail. :)

I still use the King James version when memorising Scripture because I find the poetic nature of the text to be easier on my brain. There is a pattern in the KJV that - alas - I cannot seem to articulate satisfactorily, so I will move right along. ;)

This week, notebook in hand and audio in ear, finds me at verse 22 of Colossians (albeit with a few glitches here and there)... all for His glory.

Until my next update...

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." (vs. 16-17)

Blessings,

*Please remember to click on the MMM graphic to head over to Ann K. for updates!

Related:
MMM Progress Report #1
MMM Progress Report #2

One Thousand Gifts by Ann V.

2011-01-17T13:08:00.001-05:00

The humble host of the Gratitude Community, Ann Voskamp, has birthed a book that inspires us to be more intentional about giving thank in all things...

Finding joy...

Even in strait places.

Read the entire first chapter here, and watch the trailer below:

Update: The book is on sale at the moment, but I just discovered - while putting up this post - that if you require international shipping (like I do), the cost of shipping might be prohibitive... 3 times the cost of the book itself. :(

It promises to be a good read, but my budget cannot support the US$30 shipping costs for a book at this time.

E-book please?

MMM Progress Report #2

2011-01-11T10:33:00.004-05:00

My journey through Colossians 3 has been slow.

Nevertheless, I have been moving forward, attempting to internalise these vital truths.

I have the first ten verses memorised, but while drifting down through the remaining verses, I kept pondering...

Is it possible to put off the things associated with the old man without truly committing to the new?

Have you ever been acquainted with an 'unchurched' individual who was so soft-spoken and principled you wondered why they remained on the 'outside'?

I sure have.

But putting off the things associated with the old man is not all Paul is suggesting. Rather, he admonishing us to "put off the old man with his deeds"... to put off the old man, as well as the things associated with him.

Since the old man produces works out of the evil treasure of his heart (Matthew 12:35), a total change of heart and transformation of nature becomes necessary in order to truly put off the old.

From my favourite book on the life of Christ.....

"The Christian's life is not a modification or improvement of the old, but a transformation of nature. There is a death to sin and self, and a new life altogether. This change can be brought about only by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit."

- Desire of Ages, page 179 (emphasis supplied)

Oh, wow.

Death to self, transformation of nature, a whole new life. A tall order... right? I am truly thankful that "...with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26)

How would we fare without Him?

As I continue to take baby steps through Colossians 3, I pray for a closer walk with my Saviour and that the end of Mega Memory Month may find us all in peak spiritual health.

[Click the graphic to head over to Ann's blog for other updates... or to sign up. It is not to late!]

Blessings,

MMM Update #1

2011-01-03T06:17:00.005-05:00

I cannot conceive of a more appropriate way to begin a day... a week... a year than to begin with Bread, for which of us would embark on a journey into the unknown without first seeking strength for the journey?

Really.

It is this very thought that has motivated me to join Ann K. - once again - for Mega Memory Month, and the portion of Scripture that I have chosen is Colossians chapter 3. Twenty-five verses to hide in my heart to the glory of God. Powerful words that admonish us to put off the old and put on the new.

Do we not need to keep this at the fore?

I do.

My usual method of memorization involves the use of first-letter prompts, MP3 audio (free download).... and a lot of repetition.

Aloud.

With flourish. Ahem.

(Don't knock it until you have tried it) :)

Here are the two verses that I have tucked away so far, only by His grace...

"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."

Like Ann, I pray that the Holy Spirit will help us to finish as we have begun, because - while new beginnings are great - what good are beginnings if we never finish well?

May 2011 be a year of making God's word as important to us as it is to Him.

"I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; for You have magnified Your word above all Your name."
(Psalm 138:2, NKJV - emphasis supplied)

Blessings and peace to you,

A New Start

2010-12-31T22:32:00.002-05:00

With the exception of those born less than a year ago, each 'Yesterday' represents the end of a year... each 'Today', the beginning of another.

But there is something a little special about the beginning of a new calendar year, and my love affair with the 'smell of the new' has been well-documented.

The year 2010 was an 'interesting' one, but I am more than ready to leave it behind in order to embrace 2011 with both hands.

In the 'curve balls' that will inevitably come, but that cannot be planned for, I smell the potential for a more consistent prayer life and a closer walk with God.

When I tapped out these words in December 2009, I had no idea how fast and furious the 'curve balls' would come, but come they did... and I can hardly claim that they left 'consistency' in their wake. But I am committed to moving forward - baby steps or not - because I know the best is still yet to come, and I refuse to remain grounded, breathing the miasma of this earth, when I know I was born to soar.

With this in mind, I will be joining Ann Kroeker for Mega Memory Month in an effort to get 2011 off to a good start, and you are more than welcome to come along for the journey. :)

Click the image below to head off to MMM headquarters for all the information you will need.

HAVE A HAPPY, PROSPEROUS

AND SPIRIT-FILLED 2011

Blessed . . . More Than We Know!

2010-11-24T13:01:00.000-05:00

I once heard a story about a man who was so frustrated with his lot in life, that he decided to end it all... for good.

Armed with a good length of thick rope - and a ripe banana (his last meal) - he headed for a wooded area and climbed a tree that appeared to be capable of handling his weight. He sat on one of its sturdy branches near the top, removed the peel from the ripe banana, threw it to the ground and started munching.

But then... he heard a shuffling noise!

Not wanting to be discovered and be swayed from his 'mission', he held his breath and waited. Stumbling through the bushes was another man, whose appearance revealed the fact that he had not seen a meal in day... possibly weeks. He stumbled toward the tree that had been marked out for a gallows, and paused.

His eyes lit up at the sight of the banana peel, and he pounced upon it and partook with relish! He went off with a pep in his step, while the first man watched in awe.

After much contemplation, he rolled up his rope, climbed down and headed home... leaving his suicidal inclinations behind. Maybe his lot was not quite as hard as he thought? :)

Is our lot in life ever as hard as we think?

Oftentimes... not.

But there are those of us who have gotten so used to using 'depressing' terminology, that we can hardly realise how blessed we truly are!

Funds a bit low after paying the bills? "I'm broke!"

Feeling a little 'off-kilter'? "I'm depressed!"

Dealing with a toddler meltdown? "I am just flush out of ideas... I'm at the end of my rope!"

The list goes on..... but, my word! It looks even more horrible in writing, and - more often than not - we are not even contemplating the real meaning of these phrases.

But, since we speak out of the abundance of our hearts (Luke 6:45).... maybe we should take of Jesus' offer of heart surgery (Ezekiel 36:26), at no cost to us, huh?

Now if you will excuse me, I do believe I have some repentance to do.

Blessings,

Knitting 'Woes'

2010-11-15T15:30:00.001-05:00

I took quite a leap...

In order to truly 'break in' my DPNs, I decided to take on this free pattern from Knitting Girl's Lovely Knitting. I used DPNs for the entire project - starting with 5 and ending with 3 - since I am not yet the owner of circular needles.

What can I say?

It was an 'interesting' journey. :)

Look very carefully at the two photos on top....

The one to the right (taken later) exists, because the one to the left seemed blurry to me, but... can you see the stitch marker?

Why is it on the inside in the later photo?

I'll tell you why... the project - by some strange twist of fate - was turned inside out.

I cannot tell you how this came to be, but I will say that - novice that I am - I did not notice it until later. Much later. (Although I am sure that I would have had to be going the wrong direction) :-O

So instead of the smooth, stretchy finish that invariably comes from knitting in stockinette with acrylic yarn, the portion of the hat above the ribbing wound up a bit 'textured' (see bottom left/right photos) and not quite as stretchy.

For your sakes, I will keep the story of the 'forgotten decreases' to myself.

All things considered.... the finished product was not as bad as it could have been.... and neither the recipient nor 'Mr. Rabbit' had any complaints.

Amen.

Gearing up to try again :)

Bittersweet

2010-11-05T11:50:00.000-05:00

I am thankful today for a downgraded storm, every prayer prayed on our behalf, spared lives - my own and those of my countrymen - and undisturbed electricity supply through it all.....

But I am saddened because Tomas upgraded on his way out, and my Haitian neighbours are in his path. Displacement, fear and confusion abounds..... Will they make it?

I wonder.....

Bittersweet. *sigh*

Haiti on my mind, and in my prayers,

Tomas and Randomness

2010-11-03T15:49:00.000-05:00

Across the already water-soaked island, people are waiting with bated breath and praying that Tomas will chart a course elsewhere, and take the downpours with him.

Source: NASA Earth Science Office

In some places, there are houses that are already perched precariously because of erosion that occurred during the passage of Tropical Storm Nicole, and my heart aches when I pray, because - even if Tomas passes us by - there are laws of nature that will eventually be allowed to run their course.

And what then?

The folks who live in these areas say they have no choice... nowhere else to go...

Some refuse to leave, because - they say - the thieves will take their belongings if they leave...

We can call it stupidity if we wish... but if we have never had to start all over 'from scratch' with very limited education and minimum bank balances... who are we to sit in judgment?

Really. *sigh*

* * * * *

Totally Random

The mini-plaits that made their debut in this post only made it as far as the fifth week. My 2005/06 plaits probably lasted longer because they were bogged down by petroleum-based products and were washed FAR LESS (Don't picket! I was in my last trimester and I was HUGE!). Anyway, I am back to my normal curly styles... I do believe I missed it.

(I'm not very good at photographing my own head... as I'm sure you can tell from this pic)

Some time ago, I started learning to knit, but I was never able to take on circular knitting because I lacked the necessary tools and they could not be sourced in Jamaica. Well... I finally got the double-pointed needles that I ordered from KnitPicks, and I am in practice mode! I found the advanced techniques page on KnittingHelp.com very helpful, but all their videos are great, so - if you have ever thought of taking up knitting as a hobby - go check them all out. Here is the practice piece I did with the video:

Where Scripture memorisation is concerned, SJ and I are currently working on 'hiding away' Genesis 1 (Yes... I know I need to change my 'Memory Work' widget to reflect that). I had fallen off the wagon for a bit, so to speak, and I have absolutely no excuse... so here's to settling into the Word once again.

I have no idea how bad the weather will get, and whether our electricity supply will be disrupted, but if you visit this space after the passage of Tomas and there is no update... you will know for sure that we were hit real hard.

Please keep us in your prayers.

Over and out!

Deliverance!

2010-10-14T14:15:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, we exhaled collectively - across the globe - when the 33rd Chilean miner survived the 2,000 mile trip to the surface.

Image source: BBC

We had been praying and hoping in the face of terrible odds to hear God say a resounding "Yes!"

And He did not disappoint.

Unbridled joy filled our hearts as we rejoiced for brothers we had never met, and as the one-woman escort service led each set of family members to the waiting area, our eyes leaked just a little as we watched the nervous longing on the faces of family members awaiting the return of the capsule marked 'Fenix'.

Deliverance had come at last!

* * * * *

The whole scenario brought into sharp focus another Rescue. The Ultimate Rescue... for which the planning/preparation stage has exceeded two months by far.

Image source

No one-woman escort service will suffice for this Rescue, so heaven will be emptied for the event... millions of celestial beings flying at the speed of light to rescue the Christ-followers from the abyss of a planet blackened by sin.

No anxiety will be evident on the face of those who wait - only eager anticipation - as the angels wing their way to reunite loved ones who had fallen asleep with their living relatives who remained faithful.

No restrictive capsule will be needed, because all the saints will rise in joyful abandon... pulled upward by the power of Him who had paid the ransom with His own blood.

The words 'temporary', 'transient', 'fleeting' - and others like them - will fade from the vocabulary. Only to embrace 'permanent', 'eternal', 'everlasting'..... and such the like.

There need be no uncertainty about whether everything will be executed according to the Plan, because He that promised is faithful....

"For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry." - Hebrews 10:37

The Ultimate Rescue is not far hence, and I fully intend - by His grace - to be numbered among the saints. I hope to sing with you on the sea of glass.... 'the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb' in 7-part harmony, if you will. ;)

Don't you dare miss it!

Blessings and peace to you,

Desperate Times . . .

2010-09-21T12:45:00.002-05:00

... call for desperate measures.

So I have been told... and exploring the logic behind that saying has never been high on my list of priorities, because - let's face it - attempting to gain experiential knowledge in some areas can turn out to be more trouble than it is worth.

Just ask Eve.

* * * * *

Why is it that some things only happen when husbands are away from home?

Really.

This is the question I asked myself this morning when I heard the loud sound of a washing machine gone awry midway through the spin cycle. I already guessed the source of its distress, and I literally flew to the laundry room to find the prop that had come loose initiating the horrible vibrations.

It was nowhere to be found, and - in retrospect - even if I had found it, I would never have been able to lift the loaded washer in order to put it back into position.

The washer was still running while I processed all of this, because I had planned to get these things on the line so they could benefit from all that lovely sunshine outside.

And . I . was . not . about . to . change . that . plan.

Period.

Not in the height of the hurricane season when the weather - at best - is 'iffy'.

Then it dawned on me... an 'Aha!' moment like no other!

Not one to sleep on a perfectly good idea, I climbed up, sat on the washer and subdued it.

Yep.

Just like that.

The washer - having been adequately subdued - completed the cycle without incident, and our clothes are now gratefully waving in the wind and soaking up rays

After all.... if those extra pounds insist on hanging around for a bit, they need to pull their weight while I work on kicking them to the curb.

Don't ya think? ;)

Sorrowful -- but not unto death

2010-09-08T13:13:00.000-05:00

I have been thoroughly rebuked.

By an inanimate object... no less.

And my repentance is deep.

Over a year ago, I put up this post in an attempt to prod myself into action... more for health than for fulfilling any grand weight loss goals...

It changed nothing.

Here's the thing... I am just not motivated by any form of exercise that requires me to be in one place (give or take a few yards) with zero change in scenery. Period.

My bubble of enthusiasm went flat.... and my clothing started shrinking. (Don't nitpick... 'shrinking' is the word... Okaaaay.) ;)

This morning - while it was yet dark - I hit the road with two newfound walking buddies, starry-eyed and bushy-tailed.... wearing the same pair of sneakers that I had 'parked'... Ahem... three years ago.

(Can you already tell that this is going end horribly?)

Somewhere around the quarter-mile mark, I started hearing a click on the surface of the roadway, and I figured that I had picked up a pebble in one of the grooves so I stopped to check, but I saw nothing.

Once again, I picked up speed - totally ignoring the clicking at this point - and, after approximately five minutes, the clicking changed to flapping.... and I knew I was in serious trouble. I looked down, and my right sneaker flapped its jaws and spewed rebuke.

Rebuke about the inactivity that had brought us both to this pivotal moment.

There was no shutting it up.

Thoroughly rebuked, and in need of a new pair of walking shoes, I ripped off the bottom that was already hanging by a thread and headed toward home before the rapidly rising sun could deepen my shame.

I made it.

Barely.

To top it all off, the Parable of the Talents keeps ringing in my ears, except that verse 29 of Matthew 25 sounds a little like this:

'.....from him that hath not [exercised] shall be taken away even that [sneakers] which he hath.'

Why on earth is that?!

I am still smarting... so please be gentle in the comments.

Count the Cost!

2010-08-17T13:41:00.000-05:00

Changes, changes, changes... that is what I has been happening in my neck of the woods (more on that later), and it has become increasingly difficult to update this space.

Do I dare ask for yet another serving of grace?

Can I distract you with a photo?

I promise there is a story behind it. :)

* * * * *

Until things settle down around here, I had this done in order to keep my strands out of the way to some extent....

There are no extensions (as evidenced by my curly ends), and I have been known to keep my hair like this for up to 5 months... but I probably will not take it that far this time around. We will see...

At any rate, I thought I would share with you since this is the very last time I will have my hair done like this.

"Why?" you say?

The last time I had this done (over a year ago), it took maybe 3 hours... but my longest strands were about shoulder length, and I failed to take that into account before making the decision.

The result?

Almost EIGHT hours on my derrière!

My coccyx is still smarting from the experience... and I am now distributing my weight elsewhere as I type. (Don't guess... you'd probably be wrong) ;)

"For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it..." - Luke 14:28

Was it worth it?

Hmmm... I'm still assessing the damage to my rear....

What If You Could . . . ?

2010-08-01T19:30:00.001-05:00

Image source: Here

Recently, I contributed to an online conversation that went something like this....

Friend (musing): "What if I could turn back the hands of time? Would I change anything in my life?"

Me: "I certainly wouldn't. Every single experience contributed to making me who I am today... and I kinda like it." ;)

Friend: "How about making a decision that changed your life for the better.... and regretting not making that decision earlier?"

Me: "No... I wouldn't know the 'better' was better if it wasn't for the bad that came before. Heightened appreciation for blessings gained is always a good thing... especially in an age where people take too much for granted. The past acts as a 'reality check'. It keeps you humble and reminds you of what is truly important."

What's your take?

Weigh in!

Birdies or Bananas?

2010-07-30T16:19:00.017-05:00

"We have a challenge," he said.

DH had come back inside empty-handed... but he had previously stepped out purposefully to harvest a bunch of green bananas.

"How much of a challenge?" I asked.

If a picture is worth more than a thousand words; then, three must be worth more than three thousand. Right?

Ah well.... I guess we'll have to wait for those bananas after all.....

Another photo..... for good measure. :)

All for the preservation of wildlife,

When You Vow . . .

2010-07-27T07:00:00.001-05:00

An Open Letter to my Jamaican Friends

There was a time when being 'Jamaican' meant something..... when every child who attended school (public or private) knew the words of our National Pledge and had to stand quietly while the school principal elaborated on the lofty ideals we religiously chanted from memory.....

Before God and All mankind, I pledge
The love and loyalty of my heart,
The wisdom and courage of my mind,
The strength and vigour of my body
In the service of my fellow citizens.
I promise to stand up for justice,
brotherhood and peace,
To work diligently and creatively,
To think generously and honestly,
So that, Jamaica may - under God -
Increase in beauty, fellowship and prosperity,
And play her part in advancing the welfare
of the whole human race.

Remember?

I never paid much attention then..... but now, it is hard to miss the solemnity of the vow we made.

We were acknowledging - before God - our stewardship of the island nation upon which He chose (Yes, He chose) to stage our entrance into the world.

We promised to uphold Christian values... to immerse ourselves in other-centered service, and to focus our physical and mental powers on protecting that which has been placed under our stewardship......

Not just for our own good, but for the welfare of the entire human race.....

A vow before God for which we will - no doubt - be called into account.

"When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it." (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 NIV)

My fellow Jamaicans.... you who made the vow in your childhood.... now is as good a time as any for 'stocktaking'.... and so, we we need to ask ourselves....

Have we consistently done all we could to improve on our stewardship?

The question deserves an honest answer.

While there is still time.

One Love,

It Will Come!

2010-07-26T07:27:00.001-05:00

After more than a week of this...

We were more than ready to wake up to a brighter day... and eventually...

God said 'Yes'!

To a clear sky at 5:30 a.m.....

A few of these.....

And on my way in, I noticed the bonus.....

Amaryllis blooms! Beautiful tokens of His grace. :)

Are you experiencing what you think may be a bit more than your fair share of 'cloudy skies'?

Hang in there.... Rest in Him. 'Breakthroughs' come on His schedule... not ours.

But they DO come!

Be ever so blessed!

Photos: Snapshots by Ruth

Default

2010-07-15T06:09:00.000-05:00

Head on over and read this post by Indian Lake Papa, who blogs at Choices R Mine. He asks some thought-provoking questions toward the end that are worthy of consideration by every individual who professes Christianity...

Are you a Christian? Do you claim to be putting Christ first in your life? Is it fair to assume then that when your mouth opens up with conversation that your conversation "defaults" to Christ? When you are sitting with friends or family - where does your conversation go to? Does it default to a Christ-centered conversation? (italics supplied)

Another call to housecleaning.

What's your default mode?

HIV and Theology

2010-07-11T10:27:00.002-05:00

I cannot forget the day he came.

The young man who could have been the poster child for HIV awareness, if only he had Magic's fame and widespread influence.

He had his blood test results on hand, encased in plastic.... just in case I disbelieved his story. He was right to have done that, because I have had enough run-ins with con artists of both genders to know to be skeptical.

Unemployed.

A word that may describe his state of being until his inevitable death, because employers will not fall over themselves to employ anyone who may potentially need more time off than the average Joe.

He comes seeking help, but he wants to know...

"You're a Christian." I was not sure from his tone if he was asking a question or making a statement, but he did not stop there....

"Do you go to that church?" He pointed down the road from my front gate, and I did not need to turn and look... he was looking at my hair.

He was attempting to put two and two together, and he wanted to know if I was Pentecostal.

Because - in my neck of the woods - hair is sometimes more than just hair... it is often seen as a statement of belief.

I responded, "Yes" to the first, and "No, I don't" to the second... and he looked confused, but I made no attempt to clarify my response, because - in the grand scheme of things - my theology is secondary. His need was my only concern.

"How may I help you?" I ask.

He recovers enough to let me know he needs food. A pair of shoes... if I could find one.

I realised then that he only wanted assurance of my Christianity, because Christians are known to be generous, and he was dependent on that generosity for his survival. He was not particularly concerned about my theology, but he did want to make sure that he would not be yelled at or otherwise abused.

However, with the world and his wife going natural these days, I was more than a little concerned about his inclination to measure Christianity by hair strands. Righteousness by hair, if you will.... but, alas, I digress.

I hurried in to fill a 3-part lunch container, and grabbed a fork on my way out because DH declared that God would replace it... and I knew this to be true, but I made a mental note to stock up on disposables anyway.

His eyes lit up like floodlights in a dark stadium, and I felt humbled to used by God. He headed down the road - blissfully ignorant of my theology or religious persuasion - but the world seemed brighter somehow, and heaven seemed touchable.

I think we received the greater blessing.

God is amazing!

Breathe Again!

2010-07-10T20:43:00.003-05:00

Negativity stifles.

It works like second-hand smoke too... if you breathe it in long enough, it will destroy you.

I am sure of it.

I think I have always known that - in theory - but I realise now that there have been times when I have made decisions at a subconscious level to tolerate negativity that did not spring forth from my own heart. After all, maybe if I just wait it out, the offender will taper off into more positive thoughts, I will avoid offending anyone, and then everyone wins..... right?

Wrong.

No one wins. Breathing in miasma of any kind disturbs your equilibrium. What more could we expect anyway? Negativity does not come from above..... and isn't that where all good things come from?

So now I have to make a conscious decision.....

To excuse myself from any and all conversations - outside my home - that take a downward trend, and over which I can have no positive influence.

To stand up and speak out when the critical and fault-finding spirit has been nicely packaged and bow-tied in 'friendship' and delivered to my door.... because I'm territorial and fiercely protective of my family like that. Grrrr.

To do otherwise is to risk spiritual asphyxiation.

I am well aware that the world is not all peaches and cream, and that human interactions are often fraught with unpleasantness. I also realise that any attempt to view the world through rose-coloured lens would be akin to tomfoolery.

But, as Christ-followers, we must be careful to place even the unpleasantness of this life in its proper context.

We are called to work as our Saviour did... for the good of humankind and the ultimate glory of God. Against that background, our conversations ought to tend upward, not downward.

To edify not tear down.

To bring joy not steal joy.

To uplift not drag down.

I want to breathe the sweet influence of the Holy Spirit... unhindered, and I refuse to be smothered by the foul atmosphere that is born of hell. Enough!

Breathe with me.

YES!

Au Naturel = Undone?

2010-07-09T11:21:00.001-05:00

"Doing your hair today, nice lady?"

Nice lady.

I can be nice, I thought... and so I turned toward the voice with a quizzical look on my face.

"Me?" I asked.

She nodded. "Yes... doing your hair today?"

I smiled. "No dear", I responded... and waved goodbye.

She was one of many hairdressers who lined the corridor that led to the beauty supply store. On the hunt for clients, it is clear that business is no longer what it used to be for them. I have walked past them before, but I never really paid attention to their beckoning before yesterday, because that is when it dawned on me that - in their eyes - my hair is undone.

'Doing' hair typically refers to the process of getting one's hair straightened (chemically or with heat), or otherwise masking the natural look of hair through the addition of weaves... sewn in or glued on. It implies that any other option is an undoing of hair... an implication which fails to amuse me.

Image source

Within minutes, however, I had followed that thinking to its logical conclusion... if my hair seems undone, then I must appear to be undone... because - although I am not my hair - the hair on my head is a vital part of what makes me... me.

You see... I was born bald, but once my hair grew in, I became accustomed to having a curly/coily mass atop my head... and I have always thought my hair was as it ought to be. But now - after 36 years - there still exists individuals who consider the curly hair bestowed by my Maker.....

Undone. Unfinished. Incomplete.

Ignorance perpetuated.

Generation after generation.

When will it all end?

The answer to that question eludes me, but I will continue to hold my head high and exude confidence... because the Creator (Who makes no mistakes) is my personal Friend, and it is in Him that I live, and move, and have my being.

In Him - I am.... complete.

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. (Psalm 139:14)

Daybreak

2010-07-06T08:20:00.001-05:00

God is so good!

Odour... Be Gone!

2010-07-05T19:28:00.000-05:00

In April, Yolanda over at Mocha Moments posted a recipe for a homemade natural deodorant, and I thought the idea was interesting but I made no move to try it, because....

I have no idea why, actually... maybe it had something to do with the fact that I has always rolled or sprayed deodorant on for three decades, and I was being a stubborn old goat.... stuck in my 'roll-on rut'.

Yeah...that probably was what it was. :)

Anyway, not too long after that DH developed an odour issue from taking antibiotics for an ear infection, and nothing worked. Nothing! He even started showering at work before heading home... and then showering again once he got here... and in less time than it takes to sneeze, we were right back at square one! *sigh*

Ok... I thought... now I need to find that video... why, oh why, did I not bookmark it? So, I went searching, finding, and stirring, and... it has been over a month now, so I can tell you conclusively.... It works! We love it, and we will keep it!

Here's her video (just in case you want to try it yourself):

(N.B. I used rosemary EO instead of lavender, to make it a little more 'male-friendly') ;)

Blessings,

Housecleaning

2010-06-28T12:10:00.001-05:00

Today, I am doing battle with the remnants of the flu... and it is a battle I intend to win, for life awaits.

But you know how it is when you have just a little too much time on your hands, because your limbs refuse to do your bidding with efficiency?

Yes... I thought you might.

When that happens, my brain seems to - of its own volition - harness every stray thought I have ever had, and a cohesion previously unknown in 'Thought Land' takes place.

Suddenly things dawn on me....

And I am forced to sit up and do a bit of stocktaking.

Today, in the midst of all this mental activity, I tapped out words to a friend that alluded to our need to contemplate the underlying motives for what we do as Christians, and - further - the effects of those actions on those we seek to influence for good.

I had not fully thought out those words before they sprang forth... and as I hit send, and stepped away from the keyboard, the activity in my brain went into overdrive.

Scenes from our Saviour's life on earth flashed past, and I marvelled at how He did everything....

Absolutely everything...

For the good of men and the ultimate glory of God.

Christ-follower though I am, my motives sometimes lack that purity. Prideful self-love is never far off (because I have a birth defect)... and only active service - for His glory alone - helps to keep it at bay.

The activity slows, and I realise then that my brain was not doing any of this 'of its own volition'. The Holy Spirit speaks, convicts... and I have to make a decision.

To follow wholeheartedly or not all... that is the question?

I am a Christ-follower.

The choice is clear.

Now is the acceptable time for housecleaning - from wardrobe to hair styling kit - always for His glory.

"Let this mind be in [me], which was also in Christ Jesus:" (Philippians 2:5)

Roasting... Creatively

2010-06-24T17:15:00.002-05:00

For better or for worse, Jamaicans tend to be a rather creative bunch....

We come in various colours, shapes and sizes, but there are a few things upon which we tend to agree....

'When trouble tek yuh, pickney shut fit yuh!' (Translation: When you are in trouble, even a child's shirt will fit - you make-do)
'Sometime yuh affi tun yuh han' mek fash'n!' (Translation: Sometimes you just have to improvise)

You see, 'making do' is the Jamaican way.

* * * * * * *

It happened a while back, but as I revelled in the sights and sounds of the today's torrential downpour, and looked out at the overloaded breadfruit tree across the street....

I remembered.

It is coming down to that time of the year again.

A time when Jamaican breadfruit lovers everywhere shun most other starchy foods (yam, etc.), in favour of breadfruit - roasted or boiled. In this household, however, we prefer to have our breadfruit roasted...on an open flame.

No firepit necessary... just a pile of wood or dried coconut husks set alight.

So - against that background - good weather is preferred. But since the atmospheric elements have not been placed under our control, we must find a way to work with whatever is handed to us.

And, so it was, that - during the last breadfruit crop when torrential downpours knew no bounds - DH decided that he would not be 'licked'... and he whirled into motion and devised a strategy.

An empty garage, a garden fork, a length of rusty 'angle iron' (I think), a stray brick (I know not of its origins), and.....

Well... I will let you figure the rest out by yourself. ;)

Have you figured out the 'firepit' yet?

(If - after all of that - you are still wondering..... then you must be pretty young.) :)

Yes... a discarded computer case was commissioned for higher service...

Just when you thought you had seen it all.... huh?

Don't laugh too hard... the roasted 'breshe' (breadfruit) was really good... and - just in case you wondered - we kept the 'firepit'... just in case. ;)

Blessings,

Jehovah-jireh... A Pictorial

2010-06-24T12:50:00.003-05:00

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? (Matthew 6:25)

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? (vs. 26)

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek): for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. (vss. 31-32)

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (Matthew 6:34)

And all the saints say... Amen.

Blessings,

Photos: Nightingale family in our friends bean arbor

Lessons From the Pimento Berry

2010-06-15T11:40:00.004-05:00

"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Romans 5:3-5)

Appearance can be deceptive... and that is a fact.

There are things of value that just never look..... well..... valuable.

Enter Exhibit A.....

Image source

They really do not look like much more than a pile of rubble.... do they?

If you are of Caribbean descent, you already know what that 'pile of rubble' can amount to.... but if you are not.... I will hasten to fill you in.

Those are dried pimento berries. They appear on supermarket shelves, the world over, labelled as allspice... so dubbed, because the pimento berry is believed to embody the flavor and aroma of cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and pepper.... and if you have become accustomed to the store-bought version, what I am about to say will seem a bit strange....

This is the equivalent of Caribbean 'kitchen gold'..... and it is only one of the reasons why - vegan, though you may be - your tofu, gluten/lentil burgers, fill-in-the-protein-blank will never be the same as the ones you have sampled from those of Caribbean descent.

So, this morning - having already sifted through my rubble to ensure that only the best berries made it into my blender - I dumped in those that made the cut, and ground them down to gold dust.....

And, even then, it still may not look like much.... but the fragrance that permeated my working space was out of this world! (Nothing like the store-bought variety!)

Sometimes we find ourselves in circumstances that seem to crush or grind.... when everything seems to sit on your last nerve, with no end in sight.

Our fuses seem shorter.

Our levels of tolerance depleted.

And we want to jump clear.

To skip the part of the process that does us the most good.

Because crushing or grinding is never comfortable (thankfully, pimento berries feel nothing)... but nothing else will call forth the fragrance of heaven more effectively.

The Master wants to seal us by His grace, but we must first become willing to submit to the crucible so that He may complete the work in us. Then, and only then, will we be fitted to exude His fragrance the world over.

Lord, give us the strength to endure the trials that You allow. Make us willing to submit to Your divine wisdom, and fit us for Your work... to exude the fragrance of heaven in every nook and cranny of the globe, for Your glory alone.

Review: Entrusted With Arrows

2010-06-09T12:25:00.004-05:00

When I give my word to anyone, I never like to be behind on delivering on my promises.... but - sadly - time waits for no man (or woman).

The preview link for the Entrusted With Arrows documentary was forwarded to me a few weeks ago, on the understanding that DH and I would view the documentary and post a review. So, without further ado.....

Summary:

Set in North America, Entrusted With Arrows is an hour-long documentary film that challenges Christian men to be the fathers God designed them to be (spiritual leaders at home..... responsible, God-led, husbands and fathers). The overarching theme is one of recovery... the willingness to take even drastic steps to recover from the family leadership crisis that seems to be prevalent the world over.

The six fathers interviewed share their stories - each different from the one before it, but having one thing in common... an adherence to a Christian worldview... a desire to accomplish what God has set before them in Deuteronomy 6:5-9... by any means necessary. In the cases presented, that desire led them to develop businesses that kept them close to home and in constant reach of their children.

Their wives contribute their thoughts on what the journey felt like for them, and when the credits start rolling, it is still not time to tune out, because that is when the children speak up.

Statistics and searchable references are provided throughout the film that buttress the basic point being made... that the world is in need of godly men who will do what it takes to revive and restore familial values in the society as we know it.

The Good

The issues addressed in the film were dealt with from a Biblical perspective.

Although the film addressed the role of the fathers, primarily, the contribution of the wives and children bring a nice balance to the conversation about the changes in child training/homeschooling when Dad suddenly becomes more available.
The inclusion of current statistics, references and biblical instruction, adds meat to the film and makes it much more than a mere collection of thoughts and experiences from families unknown to us.
The narration by Greg Lanniman made it clear that he was not detached from the ideas he is attempting to convey. It is obvious that he is a father speaking to fathers about something very near and dear to his heart.

The 'Not-so-good'

The length... One father mentioned the concept of an exit strategy for leaving the regular workforce, and we would have loved for the concept to have been developed beyond the two seconds in which it was mentioned. Not a definition really... more of a discussion about what that looked like for him. Another 15 to 30 minutes would probably do it.

Really... that was our only issue. :)

Here is the trailer:

The DVD (with special bonus features) is available here.

It's A Bird! It's A Plane! It's Supermom . . . Not

2010-06-07T19:17:00.003-05:00

A funeral is not one of my favourite places to be.... even in spite of its secondary function as a grand reunion or homecoming (minus the printed invitations).

The name of the service - in some circles - has evolved over the years to reflect a more Bible-based understanding of the state of the dead.... but the 'goings-on' have generally appeared the same to a large extent.... at least, to me.

Yesterday, however, as I attended the Thanksgiving Service for the life of a friend's mother, I was struck by the fact that all the presenters and singers seemed to understand that the dear woman had not flown off early to her reward, but would be sleeping in the dust until the Life-Giver returned.

[Well.... there was that one woman who decided to serenade the casket.... but still...]

As I sat there listening to the many tributes and remembrances by family and community members, it struck me that this woman had been what I only aspired to.

An entire community mourned because she was no more... not just her children. I listened to stories told by children she had taken into her small home... children she fed, clothed, sheltered... nurtured without complaint. Her biological children acknowledged them as brothers and sisters, whether they had stayed for a month or year.

Her unparalleled generosity, even in the face of hardship... her Job-like patience with every child that crossed her path.... her superabundance of stamina, rivaling even that of the unnamed woman in Proverbs 31.

I knew the family... the stories had no frills... and it hit me at my core.

I am not that woman.

I have off-days - more often than I care to admit - when the crucible seems more than I can take. Days when patience is an elusive thing, and a superabundance of stamina comes only in my dreams. On those days, I sometimes wonder what they will say about me when I inevitably die.

Image credit: More4kids.info

No... I am not Supermom.

But I know the Faithful One who surpasses all expectations, and He promised that He would complete the work He started.... so I will cast my cares upon Him, knowing how much He cares for me. I will hold on to His promise that - if I wait upon Him - I will soar!

Do you ever wonder what will be said of you?

Life-giving Grace!

2010-06-03T19:44:00.001-05:00

"...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)

Today, I was awakened by a call in the wee hours of morning.

At the other end, a familiar voice spoke of the possibility of circumstances gone awry... and I forced myself to shake off the remnants of slumber, in order to seek clarity at the Throne of Grace. Minutes later, DH - having been brought up to speed - rolled out of bed (literally) to add his voice to the petitions going up on behalf of mother and child.

We went about our morning with confidence that - whatever happened - Jehovah had it covered.

But two more hours would pass before we knew of the final verdict.

Here it is...

DH and I are 'grand-relatives', and SJ has a new baby cousin... Talia-Jade! :)

Grace!

Mother and child are doing well so far, and we would like to register our gratitude to those of you who took the time to hold them up in prayer... Isn't it just great when our Father can say 'Yes'?

A new birth is always an amazing thing, and the miracle of it all never seems to fade - even when when you have witnessed it a hundred times over.

But the Life-Giver is not merely interested in having living, breathing creatures roaming the planet. He wants to give us abundant life.

Life....

That reaches beyond the ordinary to grasp the extraordinary by faith...

That takes hold of the Divine and resolves only to glorify...

That eyeballs 'stumbling blocks' and sees only possibilities!

Can you stand to have a little more abundance? ;)

The Life-Giver stands ready... it's yours for the asking.

Be ever so abundantly blessed!

Could You Pray?

2010-05-31T11:53:00.007-05:00

The Stevens family needs our earnest prayers. Mama Stevens goes into surgery to remove cancer tomorrow, June 1, 2010 (Her beloved blogged about it here).... and we covet your earnest prayers in her behalf.

Please pop over to Papa Stevens' blog and show him some love and strengthen his arm as he stands by his wife of 45 years.

Yep! You read that right.... 45 years.

News just in ...

My niece has been hospitalised and is being treated for an infection in her kidney(s). She is also due to give birth any time now, so your prayers for mother and child would be greatly appreciated.

Please add them all to your prayer journals/lists and hold them up in prayer at every opportunity.

Blessings,

Update on Mama Stevens' surgery - SUCCESS! Read Papa's praise report.

You Are in the Right Place

2010-05-31T11:50:00.000-05:00

I have been attempting to make some changes around here - as time allows - to truly reflect what this space has become. I started the blog in May 2008 in an attempt to chronicle my 'wordkeeping' journey as I participated in the 21 days of Spiritual Renewal at http://wordkeeping.com.

Yes... it was intended to be a short-term experiment that lasted..... you got it..... 21 days. It never dawned on me at the time that anyone would actually be interested in reading what I wrote, especially since my posts tended to come in fits and spasms.

Browsing the archive, I thought of one word that could truly encompass it all.... potpourri (not the archaic form)..... and I will be pottering about around here until I get the feel I am aiming for, since I have neither the time or the resources to take a giant leap all at once.

So, if you stop by and things are not quite what you have become accustomed to... do not run off! Your computer does not have a virus! It will all get better with time... I promise. :)

Blessings,

Longing For Home

2010-05-24T07:15:00.000-05:00

It only takes a mere glance around this space to know that whoever blogs here loves the sunny isle of Jamaica.

The fabulous water features.

The verdant shrubbery.

The black, green and gold.... carried by every Jamaican athlete and flown high from every building owned by the State.

Image from: Icon Bazaar

I love my country... and I praise God for choosing this tiny isle for my entrance into the world. But, that being said, I would have had to be blind not to have seen it coming.

You may recall my reminiscing... remembering when...

I still remember.

So my heart aches as I watch the infrastructure being destroyed in our already fragile economy.... Jamaicans plucking down the work of their forebears with their own hands.

In defense of a man too cowardly to stand tall and face the music.

A man whose own father forgot to teach him that for every choice, there is a consequence.... and that real men face consequences and look them squarely in the 'eye'. So, while his messianic qualities are being touted by his ~~brainwashed~~ cohorts, I search and find only a member of the male species who has forgotten that he has been blessed (for better or worse) with a sturdy spinal column.

To say that I am annoyed would be an understatement. I would be extremely grateful if the infamous Mr. Coke would do us all a favour and stand like a man, call off the goons, and accept his extradition..... thus, allowing our sunny island nation to get back to the business of rebuilding. But, alas, he is in hiding, and so the ~~mayhem~~ unrest continues.

Lord, help us!

I long for the day... Oh! I long for the day! When the One whose Messianic qualities are no farce shall set up His kingdom where no drug runners or gunmen will hold sway, and His subjects will sing His praises out of hearts flowing with genuine love for Him... the One who loved them enough to die for them.

Heavenly Father - You who see no difference between developed and developing countries, First World and Third World - I implore You... beat back the forces of evil, strengthen the arm of those who fight for the right, and bring deliverance to this nation, I pray. Above all things, give us peace in the midst of this storm as we yield to Your Divine Wisdom, come what may.

Seeking His face,

Oddities

2010-05-23T13:20:00.003-05:00

We, Jamaicans, have quite a few sayings that may sound a bit odd to non-natives, but we generally assume that our children 'get it' by virtue of being born and bred in homes where they are frequently used.

Case in point....

Religious Jamaicans 'say grace' at mealtimes.... non-natives 'give thanks for food'. Same end result, different terminology. And, no, I have no idea how it came to be that 'unmerited favor' now equals 'prayer'. It is just the way it has always been.

Then there is the the matter of freewill offerings....

Most people 'give' offerings, but I grew up hearing Jamaicans 'throw' offerings.... not literally, but that is the way it is said. Until yesterday though, I had not realised how odd that really sounded.

Imagine my surprise when SJ came back from his Sabbath School class, and we had this little exchange:

Ruth: "Did you remember to throw your offering?"

SJ: [Face serious, voice loud enough for everyone in the benches ahead of us to hear] "No, Mommy! I didn't throw away my offering! I put it in the offering bag!"

*Insert any version of the 'game ended' sound here.*

Yes, the resulting 'giggle-fest' by those around us in the house of the Lord was my own fault.

I repent and will earnestly resolve to do better in the future.

Blessings,

The Slump... Deconstructed

2010-05-20T13:29:00.007-05:00

I have been in a slump that lasted longer than I imagined it would.....

And I do not even have a decent explanation to offer in my defense, since I have failed to finger a particular culprit.

It is not as though my life had gone into sleep mode and I was lacking good fodder for blog posts... what with me finding myself in the midst of a potentially explosive situation (literally) and living to talk about it.

Grace!

And who could forget the flock of black birds - not blackbirds, but they were black - that came in answer to prayer, ridding our tomato plants of tiny bugs and caterpillars and reviving our amateur gardening dreams?

Grace!

Then there is the discovery that kids really do say the darnest things.

All on their own.

No prompts necessary.
(So, those folk on television may not have been making things up after all.... ahem!)

Add to that the very 'colourful' nature of current events in this sunny island..... I'm at a loss to explain why upon sitting to pen blog post after blog post, my mind just went blank around the 25% mark. (So much for 'deconstruction')

Not even a reminder to "update your blog!" from one of my fave blogging buddies could dig me out of the slump.

Age?

Hormones gone awry?

I have no idea... but since I have gotten this far with this post... I 'spect I'm all dug out.

God is amazing!

Thanks for sticking around. :)

Voices Touch

2010-03-04T17:55:00.003-05:00

One week ago from today, it was drawing to its close..... the telethon inspired by DH and spurred on by a knowledge that my once-in-a-blue-moon 'international minutes' would soon expire.

As I caught up with folks who I had never physically touched, it confirmed in my mind something that I already knew.

Touching is so much more than physical contact.

I punched in simple number combinations on my tiny mobile phone and was touched by every voice that responded. Each one was new to me, but familiar somehow... because in reading their words, I had become somewhat acquainted with them and theirs.

It was a race against time as we shared thoughts and encouragement for the Journey. Prayer lists/journals were updated and prayers offered... but no one felt rushed and the touches lingered.

I was blessed.

There is Another with whom I have become familiar because in reading His Word - I have become acquainted with Him and His. His sharing is limitless and His mercies are new every morning. If we abide in Him, there need be no expiry date.

Do you know Him?

He is faithful even when we struggle to be, and we have all been touched by His Voice, at some point.

You know the One. The One that whispers "This is the way, walk in it" (Isaiah 30:21)

No rush.

Still..... share..... listen..... be touched.

The friendship only gets better.

Blessings and peace to you,

Hope Amid Chaos: My MMM Journey

2010-02-02T08:15:00.007-05:00

I should have done my final MMM post on Sunday, January 31... but here I am on Tuesday, February 2 apologising for my tardiness and seeking forgiveness.

There's the good news though! I did complete my memorisation of the passage I chose - John 3 (36 verses) - and a friend loaned me a camera for the purpose of recording my progress for the final celebration, but I was unable to settle down sufficiently for it.

Nevertheless, this post would be useless if I neglected to tell you.....

Last month's MMM challenge was quite a journey for me. As I dug deep into the third chapter of John, contemplated rebirth and faith, came to grips with my own spiritual inadequacies... I prayed for patience and was presented with opportunities in abundance to practice same.

[sheepishly looks away and clears throat]

How do I tell you that verse 30 can be a struggle for someone who has a bit of 'Type-A-ness'?

I hear the promptings of the Holy Spirit as he brings Scripture promises to the fore, but sometimes He gets drowned out by everything else that is buzzing in my brain...

And I realise too late that I have forgotten.

I still struggle to be still.

Last Thursday - as MMM was nearing the end - I stood with SJ on the verandah contemplating the heavens and wondering if the sun would break through at all... not just above, but in my heart as well.

That is when I saw it.

Amid rain clouds and utility poles, He sent me his symbol of love and hope when I needed it most. A light drizzle began right after I took this photo, and His bow faded, but that brief moment was worth more than a thousand words to me.

There is hope... and hope "maketh not ashamed" (Romans 5:5).

And so I put my shoulder back to the wheel.

I practise slowing... to hear Him.

Ask Him to baptise me anew.

That I may die daily... to live in Him.

"He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30)

N.B. Don't forget to click the MMM graphic to head over to Ann's place and read about the adventures of the other participants.

Be ever so blessed!

Praying, hoping, living for Him,

A Tad Distracted: MMM Progress Report

2010-01-18T10:02:00.005-05:00

I have been a bit distracted. Well.... maybe more than a bit.

The January 12th earthquake that brought untold devastation for my neighbours to the northeast gave me pause. It came two days before the anniversary of the 1907 earthquake that practically demolished Kingston, Jamaica, leaving more than 800 Jamaicans dead in its wake... and that little fact reminds me that Haiti's plight could just have easily been ours.

Our donations - only a drop in an enormous bucket - seems so... well... impersonal. I look at the images of the living among the dead and I feel helpless....

So, while I did manage to add a few more verses to last week's portion - via audio - my progress is not what I originally thought it would be. Nevertheless, I will keep plugging away. The important thing, after all, is to form a habit of chewing. Slowly. Intentionally. Until the Bread becomes a part of us.

If - like me - you feel you are accomplishing less than you thought you would... hang in there. God's word never returns to Him empty, but accomplishes what He intends. (Isaiah 55:11)

Behold.

Be changed.

Be abundantly blessed.

Click the graphic to head on over to Ann's blog, join the fun (we're only halfway there), or view the progress of the other participants.