Time

Two weeks have shot by and already it is the end of February in this year of 2016.  Time - the hours, minutes and seconds that tick by in our daily lives,  leave us breathless and often bewildered.  Breathless, since there doesn't seem enough time in the cycle of keeping up.  Bewildered, as to where did time go in the passage of years that flew by.  I have written in the past about the seasons of life and many of us find ourselves in the winter season, wondering... what happened!  It was just yesterday, that a younger face stared back at me from the mirror.  It was just yesterday, a young Marine and a Canadian girl became man and wife.  It was just yesterday, two beautiful daughters were toddlers exploring the new world around them.  It was just yesterday, so many happenings defining our world in this rhythm of time that ebbs and flows around us.  Changes are constant - some can be subtle and not immediately obvious and some can scream for immediate attention in this engagement called a lifetime.  

This is a hillside view of the mountains we are privileged to see where we live.  If you look closely,  the scenery really isn't black and white but edited in an infrared filter.   The infrared made the ordinary into extraordinary using the accents of black and white - of dark and light.  The field you see below the mountains are being prepared for spring and the hills themselves are showing zebra stripes of  bare ground and snow.  These same hills and fields will soon be changed into shades of green and brown heralding spring.  These are familiar changes to us and to be expected in the season of time.  And so it goes with our lives.

A quote from N. Maria Kwami..."But time soon passes.  Even the deepest pain eventually loses its edge in the more vivid reality of the present; then, what once was unbearable becomes strangely familiar.  And after much familiarity, it assumes the insignificance of just another milestone, ever marking the journey to higher ground."

A popular Bible quote on time out of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8  "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing..."

In closing, click on this link and listen to "Clocks".  It is one of my favorite tunes - less on words and more of an instrumental in this particular arrangement.  Clocks was originally composed in music and lyrics by a group called Coldplay.  This rendition was performed by "The Red Hot Chili Peppers", a band from Scotland and those bagpipes do a great job with Clocks...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGYh4g_ekiQ 

Until we meet again at The Turn-Up Patch on Monday, March 14....

   

The Valentine of Agape

As the year 2016 moves along, we presently just celebrated Valentine's Day - a day set apart to honor love and romance, typically celebrated on February 14th and named after a Christian martyr, Valentinus.

There is a quote by Lao Tzu that says, "Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage."  This brings to mind how 1st Corinthians in chapter 13 describes love - being patient, kind, not jealous nor brags.  It is not proud, rude or selfish.  It does not get upset with others nor hold grudges.  It takes no pleasure in wrong doings but rejoices over truth.  Love accepts, hopes, trusts and endures and never ends.

It does give you strength to know that you are loved by such a Divine wholeness having these qualities interwoven into His character of Love.  Agape, a Greek word that describes the highest form of Love that wipes away guilt, condemnation, fear.  When such a reality happens, a veil is removed to catch a glimpse of this Agape that wraps and raptures you into God's holy presence.  You taste heaven and this taste propels you to fall in love with the Divine.  Such a deep love is exhibited in courage as we continue our journey in this life, carrying the eternal within... our perfect Valentine!

There is an amount of love,

An amount of grace,

beyond all meaning,

beyond all measure.

If we could even grasp it

there would be more pleasure.

There is no greater love than

laying your life down for a friend

if we loved God to a teaspoon

Of His overflowing cup.

What would this world then see?

Our land of sorrow and turmoil,

would swirl to a community of joy.

What would the world then see?

Open our eyes to glisten!

Open our hearts to receive!

And open your mouth to resist

the smile that no one can fathom!

(For Today Agape Lyrics)

Join me at The Turn-Up Patch where we will meet again on Monday, February 29....

 

Color of Gray

Today's post begins with a quote that I used in one of my recent messages on The Turn-Up Patch written by Steve Maraboli... "There is beauty laced within this day... be courageous enough to find it, be kind enough to share it, and at the end of the day, be wise enough to let it go."

This quote resonated with some of my readers who contacted me to let me know how much they liked it.  Truly, some days are less than glorious and contain the ups and downs of life ranging from happiness to despair.  A day can be colored within a spectrum of circumstances and emotions and some days have no color at all.... the gray days.  But there can be beauty laced into a gray day as well - we just need to look for it.  

To illustrate this point, I used these photographs that can represent a gray day.  Photography is a wonderful tool to express a thought.  The other day, we took a drive over a mountain pass in the middle of a snow storm.  I managed to take a few shots through the window as my husband maneuvered the pickup truck through the snowy road.  The first two photos are edited through the infrared filter, which made a more interesting contrast in dark and light of snow and trees.  Infrared, shortly defined, is an invisible light that exists in the spectrum of color.  How often does our great God use His infrared Light to cast a beauty to the sometimes gray of our day.  

Occasionally, a splash of color will appear bringing a touch of brightness to an otherwise dull day.  It can come in the form of a friend's phone call or email; a cat's purr or a dog's lick on your hand; a fragrant smell or a cherished memory.  It can be a smile or a hug or the smell of fresh rain or the crunch of snow beneath your feet.  It can be a lifting of heart in knowing that God is present and cares.  Sometimes, a splash of color will hold direction and caution in finding your way.....

Usually during a winter storm, there is a quietness that settles down along with the multitude of snowflakes blanketing the ground.  A silence is heard and peace is found.  If we would take time to quiet our minds and hearts and listen during times of gray, peace is found beyond the shadows.  A popular scripture and one that is used many times never loses it's power in its simplicity.... "Be still and know that I am God"  - Psalm 46:10

Look for the beauty in your day.  Yes, sometimes it takes courage to find it - to rise up out of your bed of gray and reach beyond into the experience of discovery to take and to share and to move on.

Check out the attached link and listen to the beautiful words in this song "Be Still And Know" by Steve Chapman....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcX5106rJLY
There is another wonderful song by Steve Chapman, "You Are My Hiding Place", which directly follows the above song on the same You Tube link.  Listen to both and be blessed!

See you next time, same place at The Turn-Up Patch on Monday, February 15.... 

Identity

Identity!... One small word with a powerful meaning.  The dictionary has several descriptions for it but this particular one stood out - "oneness, unity, quality of being united into one".  We are part of the human race - that much we can identify with.  Within the human race lies a multitude of variables within the realm of identity.  This can range from a country origin, family, race, religion, vocation, politics, to name a few.  This identification can unify within that particular entity.  However, it also has the power to destroy when it comes in conflict when identity is not the same.  

Tolerance  is the capacity for recognizing and respecting the beliefs and practices of others.  Within tolerance lies charity and has the ability in understanding  the diverseness of human nature. There are many opposites of tolerance that cause not only disunity but destruction, among them discrimination and bigotry.  An extreme example is annihilation, which seeks to obliterate those who are not "like them in their ideology".  We have present world fanaticism that illustrates this point.  Obviously,  lessons have not been learned from world history in annihilation attempts.

If we turn our eyes to a higher realm, we also find out that we are spiritual beings, made in the image of God and having free will.  We are imprinted with God-like characteristics.... we create - we make things according to our gifts and abilities from the provision of the earth.  We are spirit as God is spirit - we are more than our physical nature.    We are relational beings because our God is relational built for intimacy between the Divine and the human spirit.  As we become awakened to the Presence of God, the scripture John 17:20-26, shows identity in the most ultimate form.  Captioned, Jesus prayed that we would all be one in the identity of Agape Love.

As we are fashioned to be part of a whole in oneness, we are also fashioned to be individual in identity.  As it is with a snowflake, there are no duplicates; you are the only you there ever has been or will be.  Psalm 139:1-3 says  "Lord, you have searched me and known me.  You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar.  You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways"......

Join  me at The Turn-Up Patch on Monday, February 1.   Until then, here is a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson to ponder on....  "What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you."

 

"Today is the First Day...."

"Today is the first day of the rest of our lives!"  What a true statement this is as we roll into 2016.  January 1st brings the usual resolutions that are either set up for success or failure in any given situation.  I like to think that each day we wake up to is the beginning of a fresh start.  Here in eastern Oregon, we are privileged to witness some beautiful sunrises and sunsets; each can give off different hues of colored treasures.  What transpires in between accounts for our day and night of 24 hours in living experience -  moment by moment, hour by hour, each in its own hue of color. 

Recently I found the following poem entitled "Today is the Very First Day of the Rest of My Life".  

                                                      This is the Beginning of a New Day.
                                                       I Can Waste It... or Use It For Good.
                                                       But What I Do Today is Important,
                                                       Because I am Exchanging a Day of My Life For It.
                                                       When Tomorrow Comes, This Day Will be Gone Forever,
                                                       Leaving in It's Place Something That I have Traded For It.
                                                       I Want It to Be Gain and Not Loss, Good and Not Evil,
                                                       Success and Not Failure, in Order That I Not Regret the Price
                                                       I Have Paid For It.
                                                       I Will Give 100% of Myself Just For Today, For You Never Fail
                                                       Unless You Stop Trying.
                                                       I Will Be the Kind of Person I have Always Wanted To Be...
                                                       I Have Been Given This Day to Use as I Will.  - Author Unknown
     

This is a great song by Matt Maher called  "Hold Us Together".  The song compliments the above reflection in the reminder of the Invisible Lover who is ever present with us in each new day.  I hope you will take time out to listen....  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2PJBoN2VLE

Join me in two weeks on Monday, January 18th at The Turn-Up Patch.  Until then, here is a meaningful quote by Steve Maraboli... "There is beauty laced within this day... be courageous enough to find it, be kind enough to share it, and at the end of the day, be wise enough to let it go."

Swans And Christmas Gifts

The swans are back!   What a delight to see them once again.  They first appeared earlier this year in February and I wrote about them in this reference link: http://www.turn-uppatch.blogspot.com/2015/02/of-swans-and-sunsets.html    Please check it out for the background story.
I hope to capture more swan photos for better clarity and composition as they get used to me creeping up on them for a photo shoot.  For the time being, I use my camera zoom to watch them and snap the shutter without disturbing my feathered friends.  I don't know how long the swans will stay this time.  As mentioned, these water-birds showed up with a flock of geese back in February and left after a months' visitation.  What a Christmas gift to have them return.  I'll enjoy the graceful presence of these swans until they decide to continue their journey elsewhere.

Christmas can be everyday - the gifts of God in His marvelous creations are all around us to enjoy.  They can be from the spectacular to the simple.  All we need to do is to become aware of the beauty in sight and sound around us and take it in, which is called receiving..........

Since we are created beings, we take after our heavenly Father in creativity that is built inside of us.  There is demonstration all around us.  One such sight this Christmas season is a home on Highway 26 in Mt. Vernon that delights residents and travelers alike.  Lights animate in sparkle to express Christmas themes from Angels on high to Santa's reindeer.   Words such as Joy and Merry Christmas, Peace on Earth, send out greetings to all those who pass by.   A beautiful piece of artwork, which began in heart and mind, becomes a physical expression for others to enjoy.

Mt. Vernon home with Christmas light display

Sight!  Sometimes called illumination....  I wrote a post in December, 2014 which spoke about the visible and the invisible and Christmas.  It is a message close to my heart and I pray the doors and windows of our spirit will continue to open for further illumination. The link below:
http://www.turn-uppatch.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-visible-invisible-and-christmas.html

I wish you all a   MERRY CHRISTMAS!   And even more....  that the Christ within be your constant  illumination.   Wrap yourself within the robe of the Light of His Presence and exchange the Gift of Love.

  

You are invited to return to The Turn-Up Patch in the brand new year of 2016.  See you on Monday, January 4th....

Friendship and Jack Fisher, RIP

Friendships and memories!  A time to hold on to and a time to let go!....  but the memories will stay on in our hearts.  

Salute!....  to a friend who was and is the epitomy of friendship in the life of my husband, Jim and to us as family.  Part of the definition of epitomy is a "class act".  Our time with Jack in friendship was exactly that... a class act, which came to include our families as a blended experience in the ups and downs of life.  Jack lived his life in quiet courage. He wasn't one to bemoan his health issues but "pulled up his bootstraps" and determined to meet and conquer whatever ailments would try to befall his body.  He had a lung transplant 13 years ago and outlived the predictions of extended life of 5 to 6 years by seven more.  He saw his daughter, Kim and his son, John, marry their sweethearts and became a grandfather to four grandchildren, all within a span of the past four years.  Jack's daughter describes him as her best friend and hero.  That's quite a compliment and attests to the kind of father he was to his children throughout the years.  His love and partner in life is wife, Niki, who became his cheerleader and championed him on to live.  I can't imagine that Jack would have lived as long as he did without the loving care given under the watchful eye of Niki.  We are blessed to have witnessed the spirit of this family in their encouragement and enthusiastic support that would uplift Jack in attitude and strength.

Jack had compassion for animals and always had a pet dog following him around.  However, the photo below shows that cats were not completely excluded.  On one particular visit, our Turnup cat found a place to groom herself, which happened to be on top of Jack's head and included grooming his hair!  Jack, being good-natured, took it all in stride and this became a favorite photo.....

Jack and Jim had a unique friendship - they understood each other and knew where each other stood, if that makes any sense.  Jack told Jim that he was more like a brother to him then a friend. They respected each others' boundaries and enjoyed their 'bull-shit' sessions (guy talk for conversation) that covered a broad spectrum of current affairs, ranching, horses and life in general.  They occasionally would go on a 'walk-about', taking a break from routine and attend an event tailored for their interests, such as a farm auction or firearm show.  Before Jack had his own grandkids, he became a surrogate grandad to our own grandchild and spent some pleasant times helping and encouraging.  The photo below illustrates such a time when both men were showing off their skills in the instruction of the fine art of fishing....

There is a poem written by  Dale Wimbrow Sr. that befits these two men as it is the creed that Jack aspired to and Jim continues to do so.  Perhaps this is why they understood each other so well....

The Man in the Glass

When you get what you want in your struggle for gain

And the world makes you king for a day

Just go to the mirror and look at yourself

And see what the man has to say.

It isn't your mother or father or wife

Whose judgement upon you must pass

The one whose verdict counts most in your life

Is the one staring back in the glass.

You may be one who got a good break

Then think you're a wonderful guy

But the man in the glass says you're only a fake

If you can't look him straight in the eye.

He's the one you must satisfy above all the rest

For he's with you right up til the end

And you know you have passed your most difficult test

If the man in the glass is your friend.

You may fool the whole world down your pathway of years

And get pats on the back as you pass,

But your final reward will be heartache and tears

If you've cheated the man in the glass.

Jack Fisher -  Jan. 19, 1940 to Nov. 29, 2015

Jack, you didn't cheat the man in the glass.  We will miss you but the memories go on in our hearts for family and friends alike.   We are richer for knowing you and comforted that we will meet again on the other side of this veil into the realm of Light.


See you next time at The Turn-Up Patch on Monday, December 21.....