A Rare Treat

Today's view of An Rinn from Lookout Park                                            photo by Kathleen Keegan

He spreads the snow like wool
   and scatters the frost like ashes.

Psalm 147:16 

I awoke today to a flurry filled sight, a rarity for us on this southeast coast of Ireland.  It was so beautiful, and even though it was a small amount, I was breathless for a moment.

The first thing I saw this morning, snowy rooftops.

 After taking this picture barefooted on my balcony, I was really breathless - from the cold!  While it may not compare to such extremes elsewhere, this is dramatic here and when you mix freezing temps with the wind blowing in off the sea it is FIERCE!

I immediately texted my friend Katie to see if she wanted to step out an enjoy the beauty.  We stood at the harbour on which my small town sits, took a few snaps and went for a Saturday lunch out.  We talked about things God is doing in our lives.  Then we went for a short drive to the hills and we took more pictures.  We finished our adventure back in town with mugs of hot chocolate, with plenty of marshmallows of course.

On the hill with my town and the sea behind me.

I have spoken a bit about God's provision and faithfulness in recent posts and it is a motif often repeated in the Bible as well.  God is ever showing us His nature in the nature around us, in the relationships we have formed and especially through His Word.  He is the Creator, the Redeemer, and the Mighty One.  Psalm 147 gives a whole list of things that express the greatness of God.  Let us begin this new week the way David began this Psalm.  Let us praise Him!

Praise the LORD.

   How good it is to sing praises to our God,
   how pleasant and fitting to praise him!

 Psalm 147:1

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Book Review: A Year With God, R.P. Nettelhorst

A Year with God by R.P. Nettelhorst

This daily devotional book is self-described as   "a 365-day revelation of God's divine character through His actual words, along with reflections and insights to increase your understanding."  

The back cover proposes that the book will:

1) Examine Old Testament scripture within its cultural context.

2) Explain the meaning of what God is saying.

3) Reveal the application for our modern lives.

I was very excited to get this book and upon first perusal I noticed some things about the structure I instantly loved.  This book uses Old Testament scripture, which excluding the Psalms, is rarely found in many modern devotionals.  Also I really appreciated how it had blocks of scripture for each day instead of only one verse or a portion of a verse.  Looking at whole passages can help in understanding the context.  This is also useful when trying to understand a larger concept such as the character of God.  This book is divided into sections that allow the reader to carry on with a particular characteristic of God for several weeks, which would presumably help the reader build a more solid foundation of these aspects of God's nature with the various scriptures over time.

Upon reading each selection, however, I found myself underwhelmed.  Although most of the text space was used for explaining context, these explanations felt hesitant, diluted.  The reflections that would bring meaning and application were often reduced to a single sentence at the end.  This may have been a space issue, but it means that the conclusions were very general and rushed.

Because if this, I felt like the book did not fully live up to the purpose it intended.  However, it is an easy read and the brief conclusions are at least encouraging and uplifting.  I would recommend this book to someone who would simply like a supplement to their daily study or to someone who would like to read more of the OT and would find the pre-selected portions convenient.

I give this book 2.5 out of 5 inkspots.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A Reason

Kevin just wanted to know why.  Why would we give tea and coffee for free to people at these odd hours of the night, why we wouldn't discriminate amongst the rowdy crowd from the club, and why we were so patient with folk who maybe had a little more to drink than maybe they had intended.  It was a thought so unbelievable that it kept him in deep conversation with me for hours while we talked and served.  People can't seem to get past the answer, that it is about love, pure and simple.  People assume there must be some catch.  My athiest friend who has been helping serve each week chimes in, "I've been with them for months and still haven't figured it out.  Trust them, it is that simple."

So now it is 5:30 am on Saturday morning and I am just getting into bed, after writing this of course.  My legs feel like the cold is coming from within and radiating out, which makes my blankets feel useless, but they will help block out the light soon enough which makes them important.  My body is aching and my brain is struggling to figure out how few words I can say this all in so I can go on and get to sleep.

Why do I do this?

Because He first loved me.  (I John 4)

It really is that simple.

The truth is that we don't need tea and coffee for this.  Just imagine how much our communities would change if we all started living our faith publicly by simply showing God's love indiscriminately.  We are talking about the transforming power of Christ here.  Just see what He can do through our willing and surrendered hearts.  I dare us all.

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A Story About a Dress and a Divine Appointment

"For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life."

2 Corinthians 2:15-16 

I was desperately looking for a dress for an upcoming event.  With only two weeks remaining, I had searched my small town and even spent a few hours going to all the shops in Waterford City.  Those who know me well know that this is some kind of torture.  I am definitely not a shopper.  My mom finds great humor in the fact that my flat is actually located on the top floor of our town's mall.  In recent years I have become more adept and can actually count a few times where I enjoyed the experience.  This has not been one of those times.  The main challenges have been time, budget, and difficult sizing.

So this week, when my Friday obligations were suddenly removed I decided to go to a mall in Cork.  Since the drive is one hour each way and I didn't come up with the plan until three in the afternoon, I knew time would be tight.  But upon walking into the centre, I felt the Lord say I would leave with my dress.  

The first shop I went into had some gorgeous high quality options, but they all cost up to two times more than my budget.  I asked a saleslady there which shops she would recommend considering this.  After an hour, I had been in every shop with no success.  I decided that if I were to spend more than planned it should at least be high quality so I began to head back to the first shop.  But the conflict about the prices came in my head and I turned to leave altogether.  Finally reminded by the the feeling of the Lord on my way in, I turned back around to the shop again.  Anybody watching me would have for sure wondered what this crazy girl was doing!

I saw the lady who had helped me before back by the fitting rooms so I told her about my shopping frustrations. She took me around the floor pulling dress after dress that might work before going with e to try them on.  It was then that I learned she had already clocked out.  She stayed and chimed in on each dress until I had found the perfect dress.  The ladies on shift stepped away for a moment and she came up to me, whispering.  "The ladies think we are friends so I can give you my employee discount of 25%." 

I was taken back and refused saying I couldn't possibly.  She looked to see if the girls were still out of ear shot.  This time she reached out and touched my arm.  She was trembling.  She said, "You're a Christian, right?"  I said yes.  She replied, "I have to do this.  Let me do this."     

I had not mentioned anything about God so I was a bit surprised.  Knowing many of the churches in Cork I quietly asked her which she attended, but she shook her head, hand still trembling said, "None.  I am a failed Christian." 

In my heart I begged God for the right words, none came so I didn't speak.  The other workers came back.  We bought the dress together, me using her discount.  I wrote my name and church on a paper with a pastor friend's church in Cork on the back.  She almost started to cry.  "That's where my ex-husband goes."  I mentioned some other churches, which she acknowledged as knowing personally, hands still trembling.  We walked out together.

I tried to thank her again and again, but she wouldn't have it.  I told her how she'd saved my life, but she acted like it was the other way around.  With nothing left to say we each turned to go our own ways.  She continued to tremble and then paused just before leaving to say.  "Wait, the final price almost even managed to fit your budget didn't it?"  Actually it had come two quid under budget.  

The scripture in Corinthians reminds us that no matter where we are or what we are doing, people will notice us.  Sometimes God just wants us to be there, living the life.  We carry the presence of God in us by the power of the Holy Spirit, this aroma of Christ that speaks to those in need.  Let us remember this, and move forward with the full confidence of Christ in us.  It is He who transforms lives.  We trust and obey.

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A Good Day

These days I find myself exhausted constantly because of some health problems with which I have been dealing.  So when my morning meeting was canceled and I knew that the day would go at a slower pace, I'll admit I was a little relieved.   I was able to get a good amount done before heading to Harbour Mill House for our Tea and Coffee Drop-in.  I caught this bit of sky on my way there.

 

Here is another view from the quay on which Harbour Mill House sits.

It's beautiful isn't it!  Of course only in Ireland can you have this sunny day with only a few clouds, and still be rained on while standing in a freezing wind!  After running a few errands, I returned home to my kitchen filled with the tempting smells of the morning's labours.  

I had sweated some onions, carrots, celery and a parsnip in a bit of olive oil with salt and garlic.

  I always make sure to use the leafy bits of celery as well as they seem to add a lot of flavor and also look pretty floating in broth.  Of course I had to use some fresh sage from my summer container garden.

Then came the remains of the roasted chicken I had made for company on Sunday.  Irish chickens are amazing, so juicy and full of flavor.   It doesn't look so amazing with most of it gone, but any soup lover knows the potential of such a thing.

Topped off with water and some seasoning and it remained simmering until I left.  Now at home I sit in silence.  It was a calm day, but productive and not rushed.  I am tired, but not broken.  I am thankful.  I am breathing.

I am happy to be in this moment...

in my warm home with this bowl of soup

under this evening sky.

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A Little Love Goes a Long Way

Today we stood in the middle of the shopping centre encouraging folk to participate in the Christmas shoeboxes with Team Hope.  We had pre-wrapped empty boxes to help make it even more convenient for those in these last days of the appeal to participate.  It was so touching to see people ask if they could actually have the bigger boxes since they wanted to pack more!  The thing is that every box represents one child who will have a Christmas gift who otherwise wouldn't.  Each box represents one child who will experience a moment of love.

Can you imagine these precious children in that moment, with a bold revelation of love?  To be in such a place of squalor and have someone stretching across continental borders, giving a piece of themselves just to say, "You are worthwhile and I love you."  The stories that come out of these moments tell of the transforming power of love.

Now imagine yourself.  He stretched across heavenly borders, giving all of Himself just to say "You are worthwhile and loved."  Does time slows a little?  "You are worthwhile and loved."  Can you see hope push out despair?  "You are worthwhile and loved."  It's overwhelming, isn't it?  "You are worthwhile and loved."  We are left transformed.

We can but bow in humble adoration for the One who is love itself.

Oh how He loves us!

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A Nod for the Sibs

We have such a good God. 

Yesterday marked six years since my father died.  I was thinking about this last night and remembering that last week.  The family situation was difficult and the story is too involved for a post such as this.  I note this just to say God does amazing things even in the midst of grief.  With this loss, it felt as if my already damaged family had just irreparably shrunk, but then God surprised me.  God kept a promise to my father from which my sister and I benefited.  The day before he died we were connected with two half-brothers with whom we had not grown up, but we had always longed to know.  Six years ago, my family got bigger.

I am thankful for a fulfilled promise and the joy of having not one, but two big brothers.  I love them both and am proud to be their baby sis. 

I am thankful that I've never known life without my sister.  She is my absolute favorite person in the whole world!

Although I live an ocean away, I am thankful that no distance or time can change the fact that they are family.

Today I am marking a day of thanks for siblings.  Join me.  Say a prayer for your brothers and sisters, and brothers/ sisters - in law, and brothers/ sisters in Christ. May God bless them and protect them.  May He shower them with His love that they may know the fullness of Him.

This picture was taken the first weekend we had ever had all four of us together.

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A Taste of Truth

Okay so this isn't quite what some would expect, so let me explain...

This weekend, I joined a few friends from Dublin for a girl's escape!  We went up to Belfast to attend a worship and prayer evening.  On the way back the next day, we stopped for lunch at a place recommended by someone from the church.  Would you believe it was a garden center?  I knew you wouldn't, which is why we took the photo of me nibbling the seed cone!

Actually the place had a lovely restaurant where I enjoyed a typical carvery lunch, finished off with a Florentine Cookie, one of my favorites, and a good cup of black coffee.  As we gave thanks for our meal, the verse above went through my head.  I was so grateful for the provision God had made for such a weekend.

Indeed God is our provision, our source and our hope.  While His great love endows many blessings, we do not need excess in this natural world to be sure that God is looking out for us.  When I lived in Africa I met many who only had millet, a kind of birdseed, as their food, yet they were overflowing with the joy of the knowledge of Christ.  They knew He could work in all situations as they kept their eyes on Him and they believed Him for it.

Let us today, cast aside our worries and believe God for who He is.  Let us seek first His kingdom and His righteousness for He is good and He is trustworthy.  Let us take a moment to thank Him for all He has done and in His great love continues to do.

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A Song for Sunday

I was at a conference recently where we sang this.  It had been so long since I'd heard it yet I instantly remembered it.  It is simple yet so powerful.  The melody was stuck in my head for weeks.  When it was sung at a meeting I attended last night, I knew I wanted to post it.  I love it and hope you do too.

This post is linked with the lovely folk at Spiritual Sundays!  God bless.