Colour my World

The page turns...”A butterfly!” On the colouring-in page is the usual outline: a central
cylinder of a body, with four wings – a smaller pair and a larger pair. The butterfly has a
smile on its face. The page is black and white.
What if this was the only butterfly the child ever knew?
Now imagine the same picture after the attentions of an enthusiastic five-year-old with a
box of crayons: there is red and black on the wings, purple in the spots, a yellow body,
and green edging. What a transformation!
The bible tells us we are “here to bring light, bringing out the God-colours in the world.”
We are not to leave our neighbours in a black-and-white, colourless world, but we are to
“colour in” life for those around us, because “God is not a secret to be kept..." (Matthew
5:14 The Message)
A wonderful aid to bringing God’s colour into our lives is the new God Speaks Bible, with
its colour-coded highlighting of God’s words, miracles, and much more. Previously black-
and-white pages are now splashed with colour: blocks of green, or strips of purple and
yellow and then purple again… Hearing God is now aided by “seeing” God.
Want to help promote the reading of God's Word and encourage people to learn how to
hear God's voice? Imagine a color coded study Bible and multi-media application
highlighting when God speaks to you. Operation Light Force (OLF) is a ministry devoted
to equipping people to do what Jesus did, setting captives free, healing and preaching.
Richard Mull is the President and Founder of OLF and the General Editor of the God
Speaks Bible and many other books and was featured on TV and media. Help us spread
the word.

"We were at school together..."

When last did you speak of someone, or introduce them to a friend, with the words, "We were at school together!"? Did it bring you the same pleasure it brings me? Perhaps you are surrounded by old school friends because you all still live in the same town or area; meeting one is no great event. For me, having moved many years ago to a different area of the country, it is a rare occurrence to meet an old school-mate; hence the pleasure.
There is also something of the glow of reflected glory: the friend I met just yesterday is a medical doctor, mum of four, an occasional preacher, in church eldership...and the same age as me! I can boast in her accomplishments, and somehow our school link reflects well on me, too...
Then of course there are the compliments: "You haven't changed!" and "I would have recognized you anywhere!" I experienced this quite unexpectedly, recently, when someone recognized ME before I recognized HER. She swore that I hadn't changed a bit - so I got her to repeat it several times, so I could almost believe it!
This year so far has brought TWO meetings with old school friends - what wonderful and unexpected blessings.

Trampolines

No bounce! Our trampoline is useless, it just gets in the way, has to be moved in high winds or when watering the grass...We have to keep small boys off it, so they don't fall through the gap or damage it further. Our trampoline, you see, has lost quite a few springs. The material holding springs and mat together has failed, and the springs now lie in a box, waiting. The whole mat must come off, so that the springs can be reattached. We know where to take it for repairs, we have collected the springs...but we can't find the spring-puller. Yes, dear readers, there is such a thing in this world as a "spring-puller". And in our little Penny Lane world, it remains hidden in a dark recess, refusing to come to light either in memory (Where DID we put it?) or in reality (Have you tried the blue trunk?)

I am tempted to draw a number of anaolgies between our trampoline and its unrepaired state, and our own lives; but most of them break down sooner rather than later, so I will spare you any philosophical comparisons for now. Happy bouncing, if you have a trampoline!

Sensible shoes for sensitive feet

I thought "Aha!" moments were supposed to happen in your head; but mine just happened in my feet...

I have been reading a book called "Sensible Shoes: A Story about the Spiritual Journey" by Sharon Garlough Brown. She follows four characters as they meet at a "Spiritual Journey" seminar, taking readers into a lovely story, and a spiritual journey of their own. I will definitely re-read the book, taking time to try out the various spiritual disciplines/ exercises described, as well as reflecting on each character's journey and how it resonates with my own.

What about the sensitive feet, you may ask? Well, a few weeks ago I walked (to church!) in what I thought were comfortable shoes; then next day wore a succession of shoes, including a too-big pair that hurt my feet. Now, as I sit at my desk, my left foot is still sore, feeling as if the ball has been bruised. It has affected so many things over the past weeks, including the buying of new shoes. A pair I bought last week feel, on re-trying, too tight and sore; tomorrow I must try and change them.

Tonight, letting my thoughts roam, the Holy Spirit made the connection for me: my poor sore feet are reminding me of my need for sensible shoes, and providing a metaphor for my need for a spiritual journey in "sensisble shoes"...I will try and turn every twinge into a prayer, looking to "journey deeper into God's heart" as Sharon puts it.

Another "feet" connection: last Sunday one of our pastors, Wesley, prayed for my friend Pam's arthritic feet. He was being obedient to what he had heard God tell him to do. This week, Pam stood up in church to tell us that her feet are indeed better. Wow!

So get out those sensible shoes, and continue to walk this year's journey with me. I so value your company along the way!

 http://sensibleshoesclub.com/blog

Trading words for seeds

How many radio-talks have you heard that really inspired you? - where you thought, "I really must follow this up!" This past week I took time to look up a business I'd heard about, "Reel Gardening". A young South African has developed a system of packaging seeds, so that you simply plant them: the package contains all the necessary nutrients and growing medium for the seed. The information on the site was in need of a proofreader's care, so I contacted the owner with a cheeky offer of words-for-seeds...and she accepted! In this "Year of the Tortoise" I'm in, nothing happens fast, so that is as far as we've got with the idea. Watch this space! - oh, and visit www.reelgardening.co.za.
I'm looking forward to some lettuce for my tortoise, so to speak...

Magical memories

Steve wore a leather farmer's hat, which he soon changed for a smart pork-pie with a feather; I wore a straw hat which made my head itch; Alexander had a black top hat with blue band; and William wore a sherriff's hat, with its badge freshly glued back on. (Both boys later tried on almost all the hats in the two large hat-boxes provided.) We also carried a plant. All this, in response to an invitation to a 65th birthday party, and the promise of MAGIC! And indeed, magic there was, of varying kinds: from balloon-animals, to card tricks, to mind games. There was also the more special, lasting magic of meeting new people; learning more about acquaintances; and seeing the delight of our children as they drank it all in. As parents, we are called to create memories with and for our children; and that party was such a time. Happy Birthday, Cynthia.

An aside: the party reminded me of a line I once heard, "I've been to a marvellous party..." It was recited by a fellow school-girl, in a tipsy voice, at an Eisteddfod or concert...
When I searched for the words, I found a rather drawn-out song by Noel Coward; but this particular part is the verse I recall:

I've been to a marvellous party
I must say the fun was intense;
We all had to do
What the people we knew
Might be doing a hundred years hence...
We talked about growing old gracefully,
And Elsie - who's seventy-four -
Said, "A) It's a question of being sincere,
And B) If you're supple you've got nothing to fear” -
Then she swung upside-down from a chandelier!

And I couldn't have liked it more!

From: http://www.metrolyrics.com/ive-been-to-a-marvellous-party-nol-coward-lyrics-divine-comedy.html ]

Winning

A small but beautiful bottle of flowery perfume; a pair of shoes; a box of eye-shadow...I can count on one hand the things I have ever won. And now I can add one more: a story-competition. I can't put this win on a shelf, or wear it; but I can feast off it, off the encouragement and inspiration and fresh determination it serves up.
The story was about "My Writing Journey"; and right now that journey has brought me to a very creative place. A key part of this place is that there is time: time to write, and time to read. I am learning to take time, and use the time, and save time... I have also been reminded of just how powerful encouragement can be. When last did you encourage someone, or say "Well done!"? I have resolved to do it far more often. Won't you take the time to join me?