memories of movies past

Luke started watching LOTR and I was pulled towards the TV.... how I love these flicks. I love Sam and I love watching the relationship between Sam and Frodo. So, unbelievably good to watch.

waiting upon Neil

Twice now I have gone to a music retailer looking for the new Neil Diamond CD produced by
Rick Rubin who did the Johnny Cash American Recordings CD's. But, the young not quite 20 something worker bees look at me like I am crazy. How come this album is nare to be found in Canada? I will let you know once I have found it.

I did buy the new Sarah Harmer CD - I am a Mountain and the new Neil Young - Prairie Wind.

Both are just fine on the ears....

on friends

I love my friends. I love the fact that my friends can come over to my house and can either wait to be served or that they feel comfortable enough to start serving others ... or they will just help themselves. I love the opportunity to talk about our lives together. I love the fact that we can be frank and question each other and call each other home if we start to stray. I feel confident that if I were to start to slide in the faith that there would be numerous people calling me to accountability. I love all the little "orthodorks" that belong to our parish.

the Nativity of our Lord

Christ is Born!
Glorify Him!

Nativity 1 (Benedetto Bonfigli [attrib.], c. 1445)

darfur

How is it that I was unaware of what was happening in Darfur?

I am just learning about this rather horrific situation.

Lord have mercy upon me.

three youths in the furnace

An image made with hands you would not worship, O thrice blessed three; but protected by the ineffable Essence you were glorified in your ordeal by fire. From the midst of the devouring flames you called upon God, crying: Hasten, O compassionate One, in Thy mercy come to our aid, for if Thou willest Thou canst.

Kontakion Dec 17th

I love the fact that these three youths get their own Kontakion. I love this story. It gives me great hope when I feel that I am alone in the furnace....I also love this icon.

the Encounter

I am not a warm and fuzzy christian but more of the piercing nails variety.

I work in a rather rough bit of town. It was cold and wet yesterday as I was walking through the bus exchange. The next few moments of time are etched into my heart. I noticed a man with a hoodie on staring in at an espresso shop. He turned and looked right at me. His eyes pierced my entire being and I stopped. He asked me for 65 cents to buy coffee. I gave him some money and he thanked me. I left with a blessing.

On my new Johnny Cash CD he recites a story about a young man who receives word that the Lord will come and be his house guest on Christmas day. He prepares his house and table to receive the Lord and waits. He then is visited by a man who needs clothing, a woman who needs food and a place to rest, and a child who is lost who needs direction. The day is drawing to a close and he falls on his knees and laments that the Lord did not come. The Lord appears to him and said I did come to visit you. I was the man, woman and child.

It is rather and bold and risky to say but I believe that I had an encounter with our Lord. Even now, I cannot quite believe it; I was given the opportunity to choose God and to say yes. The Holy spirit guided me to make the right choice. So often, I fail. I am flattened, humbled by this experience. And what if I said no, what would that have meant. How many chances do we get to choose Christ?

Sweeter christmas music...

So, I went in search of the Shawn Colvin CD that Matthew Francis recommended... but no luck at the local big store close to where I work; I was tempted by many other CD's, but I remained focused on my mission. Then I cut through my local Zellers on the way back and lo and behold - I found this Christmas CD for a meager $7.99 (tax not included). Yahoo! I thought! Most of the tracks are from the 1960's and it as fabulous as I thought it would be. Johnny sings classic christmas carols and recites a story and you know he is singing with faith. Beautiful.

The Evil One is in my face...

Get behind me Satan.
How can I tell I am in the fast?
When I open my mouth and garbage comes out?
When I crush the one I love?
When I weighed down by events out of my control.
When I had every intention to get to Vespers but somehow didn't make it.

I think I have this linking feature figured out. Happy day/ night. I am taking delight in the little things.

recommendation

I would like to recommend a book/author :

Tomi DePaulo

This particular book is an illustrated Christmas carol. But he, Tomie has many written/ illlustrated over 200 children's books. There are some fantastic reads and the pictures are lovely. Reminds me a bit of Jenny.

Baltimore Consort

This musical group is marvellous. And their website says they are playing in Victoria, BC on Dec. 17th and 18th. I have searched on line for their venue but cannot find it. Will anyone on the island who is reading this keep an eye out for this concert? Let me know the details.