Grace 4 U2

Today for Watercooler Wednesday, I steal, er, pay homage to one of my favorite blogs The Doctor Is In. Dr Bob quotes Bono. Bono and Dr Bob...great words.

It’s a mind-blowing concept that the God who created the Universe might be looking for company, a real relationship with people, but the thing that keeps me on my knees is the difference between Grace and Karma. . . .You see, at the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics—in physical laws—every action is met by an equal or an opposite one. It’s clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the Universe. I’m absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that “as you reap, so will you sow” stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I’ve done a lot of stupid stuff. . . .

I’d be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge. I’d be in deep sh-t. It doesn’t excuse my mistakes, but I’m holding out for Grace. I’m holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don’t have to depend on my own religiosity.

I love the idea that God says: Look, you cretins, there are certain results to the way we are, to selfishness, and there’s mortality as part of your very sinful nature, and let’s face it, you’re not living a very good life, are you? There are consequences to actions. The point of the death of Christ is that Christ took on the sins of the world, so that what we put out did not come back to us, and that our sinful nature does not reap the obvious death. That’s the point. It should keep us humbled… It’s not our own good works that get us through the gates of Heaven.

Dr Bob comments...

God’s a very funny guy sometimes, and uses rather peculiar mouthpieces — which gives me great hope indeed.

23rd Psalm: Past, Present...and Future

Past...

I've mentioned the 23rd Psalm in a few posts. It was my late husband John's favorite scripture and lifeline. When he passed I found those prayer cards everywhere. So when I hear those words, I think of him in a special way.

Present...

This is a blog about the words that change me. Words have power. And the 23rd Psalm says exactly what I believe about God and His purpose in my life.

So a few weeks ago, when this Psalm happened to be in the readings at church I could feel a tear gliding down my cheek.

Those words. They speak to my heart. I feel them deeply. This is some of what they mean to me:

Abundance. Protection. Comfort. Purpose. Mercy. Eternity. Love.

And then I saw her. The woman in front of me wiping tears from her eyes too. Her young daughter grabbed her arm and whispered "What's wrong momma? What's wrong?". She just shook her head.

Nothing. Nothing is wrong.

It's just those words.

Future...

I never forced my daughter to visit her dad's grave. And so when she finally went this year she was a little shocked to see my name on the headstone too. What can I say. They said it was cheaper and easier to do it all at once while they had the stone in the shop. And when I had to chose the words there was no question. Under our names, under the words Father and Mother, the cities of our birth, the dates...

The Lord is my shepherd.

(join me at the water cooler at ethos...**edit**no..."join me at the watercooler is NOT on my headstone...I just can't seem to put this line under the embedded video below!! for great techie stuff, that I really have to read, GO TO THE WATERCOOLER!)

Starbucks Rewards

She stepped out of the cab as I turned in to the Starbucks drive thru. I live in the motor city. Everything is drive thru.

She was wearing a black brimmed hat and matching black ensemble. She looked like a fashionable Manhattan socialite. But this wasn't Manhattan. I think she took a wrong turn at this factory laden Southern Ontario city.

I ordered a decaf. The barista said it would take a full minute to brew. Some would balk but that means the freshest possible coffee. Well worth the wait.

And there she was. I could see her sitting at a table by the window, black brimmed hat and all. She even chatted stylishly. I watched her for the full minute. Wondering what brought her to Starbucks in a cab.

I imagined she was here to escape an abusive and controlling husband. She was left at home with no car. He didn't allow her to dress up. So while he was at work, she put on her best clothes and the black brimmed hat that made her feel beautiful, called a cab and met her very best confidant at Starbucks for an expresso. So she could feel real again.

The barista handed me a certificate for a free beverage, any size, to compensate for my wait. That minute had passed by fast as I imagined the story of the Manhattan Socialite.

Well worth the wait.

For more water cooler creativity click here...Ethos.

We love our Arts.

WE LOVE OUR HOCKEY
WE LOVE OUR BEER
WE LOVE OUR ARTS

That pretty much sums up my Canada.

I heard that commercial slogan on TV, well I half heard it...I'm not sure what it was for because I was out of the room...I think it was for the CBC, the Canadian Broadcasting Company. It was definitely on the CBC, our national network. I grew up watching CBC TV and listening to CBC radio. There is something for all ages and all interests. It connects our country. Podcasts, streaming audio and video are available online.

My favorites...

C'est la vie

Vinyl Cafe

Writers and Company

Randy Bachman's Vinyl Tap

For more posts around the watercooler go to ethos...

Fiddle? Fabulous!...meet Scott...

...Scott Woods!


My angel came through again. This time she treated me to a concert. Tracy, one of the angels where I do rehab so I can walk, took me to a Scott Woods concert. He is a fiddle CHAMPION who travels extensively raising money for charities and churches across the country. The concert was full of surprises and diversity with music ranging from country to waltzes, celtic to classical with a few tricks (he did a somersault while playing!) and jokes that kept us laughing. And one of the biggest surprises??? The backup band....his mom, sister and brother! The family that plays together stays together!

My favorite moment was when Scott, his sister(who is classically trained, plays bass and accordion) and his brother (who also played drums and percussion) ALL played fiddle in harmony while mom accompanied on keyboard. Way to make a mom proud! By the way, mom also does missionary work in Haiti. This is an awesome family.

They have 150 concert dates this year!! Chances are they are coming to a city near YOU! They just came back from Florida. Not so coincidentally the title of this tour is ROAD TRIP. And you can see and hear it in the songs with titles that include: Texas, Arkansas, Scotland, Nova Scotia, and places near and far.

This ministry began many years ago by their father who started singing for charity at the age of 11. They lost dad 4 years ago but remembered him musically with a special tribute, playing one of his favorites: When I Survey The Wondrous Cross.

They live here in Ontario in the small town of Fergus. But their show and their ministry is anything but small. So if you get the chance...GO SEE SCOTT WOODS.
And think about booking him for your church fundraiser!

This post is part of Watercooler Wednesday at Ethos.

The Living Camera

Can you imagine taking a 45 minute flight over Rome and being able to recreate an accurate, almost blueprint-like drawing of what you saw? Watch the "living camera" Stephen as he does just that. Stephen has autism.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBQZ9maHXSk


After reading a post about Jeffrey I've been thinking about people who have autism. Jeffrey's mom has a great blog that I read faithfully and...haven't said it in a while....I love her name...Ginger Carter Miller, Ph.D. Ginger talks about how the process of diagnosis has changed. Jeffrey is an adult now. And he sounds like a fine young man. He's gifted with a memory for facts especially Nascar!

I ran into a friend at the bakery who adopted a child from China then as sometimes happens, she became pregnant. Both children developed autism. She went back to school to become a teacher so she could help them. Amazing.

This is International Autism Awareness Month. And I want to be more aware of the challenges for these children, adults and families are facing. And along with awareness....they have my respect, admiration and prayers.

For more Watercooler Wednesday posts see Ethos.

An Artist's Privilege

A few years ago I had a conversation with a local artist. I said it didn't seem right that often it isn't the artist who makes the most money but rather those who buy and resell their work. His answer: Yes but...

I get the privilege of living my life as an artist.
~~ Elio Del Col

I searched around the web and found he is associated with a local winery (we've got some good ones in Essex County). I'll check it out and get back to you!

My friend's daughter has a web site to market her art.

My artwork is a window to the soul of a woman’s love, loss and bliss.

~~Mary Chichkan 2003

I don't mind doing a little blog marketing buzz for local artists!!

Be sure to visit Ethos for more posts on arts and culture for Watercooler Wednesday. Share your post and enter for a chance to win an iPod. Tell Randy I sent you.

Why I love Blogs

Last Canadian Thanksgiving this was a REAL conversation around the REAL water cooler at work:

MC: I'm going to Atlanta for the weekend.
Me: Have you ever heard of Buckhead Church?
MC: Yea it's not too far from where I'm staying!

Keep in mind WE WERE IN ONTARIO CANADA. I was amazed!

I told MC about this blog I've been reading of this worship pastor who moved from California to Atlanta. I had clicked on it from a blog because the word "ragamuffin" caught my eye. It was a word we occasionally used. And I was hooked. From the adoption videos in Korea to the worship confessional (I sang at church for years) to the "fat ragamuffin" inspiration (let's just say "I qualify"). I kid that I watch Ragamuffin TV.

MC said she would go to Buckhead and get a picture with him. And she did.

This week he posted a picture and story about being on stage for Easter and seeing this:

It was a moment that stands out above all else in my 11 years of leading worship.

His wife who has a blog too said she was changed forever by this scene.

Sometimes I wonder why I read blogs. Sometimes I'm annoyed. Sometimes I'm inspired. Sometimes I disagree. Sometimes I agree. I guess it's the inspiration. Seeing someone live in faith, sharing family times, traveling to Uganda with Compassion International...You gotta watch the "Throwing Rocks at my BooDaddy" mini series.

I think this Buckhead Church sounds like a very special place. And that's why I love blogs. They take me places I've never been before.

For more inspiring blogs go to Water Cooler Wednesday at Ethos.

Visit Water Cooler Wednesday next week, link with your own post (see Ethos for guidelines) and you will have a chance to win an iPod Shuffle!! Tell Randy I sent you!!

Artist...I thank you.

I walked in late to church. My head was down. I found a seat, bowed my head in prayer. So many things were heavy on my heart. Today, especially, I had come for solace and comfort. When I put my head up I immediately saw it, leaning humbly, unattached to any wall or structure. It was a painting of Jesus holding a lamb on his shoulders. It seemed to have all the light shining around it. And I began to weep. This work of art immediately brought the words of the Gospel directly to my heart. I was that lamb in need of a Saviour. And it was my Saviour who would wrap me around His loving shoulders in that moment that I needed Him the most.
I still think of that painting and that moment of seeing the visual depiction of the words I love so much. It still gives me comfort and I want to say to the artist...thank you.

For more Biblical Art and Biblical Art of the Day go here.

Take a moment to visit Randy Elrod at Ethos...a cultural watercooler. It's Watercooler Wednesday. Read other posts about art and culture.

Finding My Inner Greek

This is my first Water Cooler Wednesday: A blog event hosted by Randy Elrod at Ethos. Subjects include Art and Culture. My post is about the culture of my heritage: Greece.

My father staunchly said he came to Canada to be Canadian. I am proud of what my family has contributed and achieved in this, their chosen country. But in one generation we have essentially lost most of the culture of our heritage. I don't speak the language, practice the faith, celebrate the holidays or know the customs of those who came before me.

Last week we lost another of the men who came to Canada with little and achieved much. And I was reminded of what I am missing, this rich connection to those I love. Vasilios, or Vasi as we called him was my father's first cousin but was more like a brother. As the family gathered to mourn we reminisced about the life they left and how different it was from the village. It makes what they did seem even more remarkable in my eyes.

It must have been the very definition of culture shock to land in North America in the fifties and sixties when you came from a place with no indoor plumbing and an agricultural way of life. My father learned the electronics business in this new land, translating words in the margins of the books he purchased to study. Someone told me that my father brought them the first TV he had ever seen

I understand why my father loved all the latest technology. Cameras, movie projectors, stereos; we even had a remote control TV when it first came out around 1970. I think it had 3 buttons!

I know he would be amazed by the internet. It is this part of our current culture that is helping me connect with the life they left behind. I found a wonderful Greek blog that is mainly about food and hospitality but includes references to feasts, customs, modern life and life as it was in the villages of various regions.

One day I will experience Greece for myself and take the return trip my father always wanted but never got to make. And I will go as a first generation Canadian.