Choose

May 20 2016

Can You Hear the Music?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

Can You Hear the Music?

ols-man-singing1I guess you could say he’s a fixture ’round town they all knew his name. And every time the church bells rang Uncle Jesse, he up and came.

He always sat in the very same pew humming in a voice loud and rough, when it came to the Antioch Church House Choir Uncle Jesse never heard enough.

You see, he always wanted to sing in the choir, but he couldn’t sing a lick don’t you know, he tried out for the Antioch Church House choir 34 years in a row

He always got to the try-outs early he wanted to try out first, but instead of his singing getting any better every year it just got a little worse.

And he’d say, Please let me sing in the choir in the choir, Please let me sing in the choir. I can lift my voice just as high as yours… maybe just a little higher…  Please let me sing in the choir, in the choir, please let me sing in the choir. One old man can’t be all that bad, won’t you please let me sing in the choir.

One cloudy Sunday morning, I remember it was raining some… The church bells rang, and everybody came except Jesse, He didn’t come. Everybody started getting worried, but the figured they’d start anyhow.

Just as they did Jesse’s voice came booming down from Heaven, and I don’t know how… He said I’ve found me a choir that’ll let me sing; now I’m singing in the choir. I can lift my voice just as high as yours, maybe just a little higher.

I’ve found me a choir that’ll let me sing now I’m singing in the choir… You folks down there can’t hold me a light because I’m singing in the heavenly choir…      Words and music by Darrel Holt


clip_image001.gif

 

menion 151
clip_image001.gif

 

Reflections:

Every time I hear the song sung above, I get tears in my eyes. I think about my voice that is a little off-key.  I remember at one time Lyle, and I were asked to sing for an evening event, I was scared to death. 

scared-woman-revMy husband comes from a musical family and has a wonderful voice.  We practiced for weeks.  But when we stood on stage in front of all those people I froze, and couldn’t remember the words or even find my note. 

My dear husband tried to encouragement after our song, but I knew it didn’t go well.  As we were leaving a lady rushed up to encourage me and said, “ Well after you went up and down the scale a few times to find your note, I think it was OK.” So much for my singing career! LOL

Although I am not as a singer, I do love to sing. I like to sing out loud, and I’m sure others wish I would stop. But hey, the Bible says let us make a joyful noise, and I want to do my part.

I was born to sing the song God placed in my heart.  I think each of us has a special song given to us to share. Sometimes I struggle to sing my song joyfully, feeling like it might not be good enough.  Or I look at others and wish I could be like them and sing their song.

There have even been times I could not sing my hearts song at all. Those are times I need God, and another’s to wrap their wings of love around me and hold me tight. We all are born to sing our special songs

Like a small bird needing to fly and feel the wind lift me higher, I know God has placed a special song in my heart that I must sing to a hurting world… Jesus Loves You!  That is my song©

 

desktop-bird-flying-wallpaper

Psalm 100
A psalm of thanksgiving.

1 Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.


clip_image001.gif

Thank you for dropping by and sharing your time with me.

Do you have a song to sing? I would love to hear the song God has given you.

Have a great week! Hugs

Lovingly, Karan

May 13 2016

You Know You’ve Been Gardening too Long When . . .

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

 

You Know You’ve Been Gardening too Long When . . .

GARDENER 2** When someone steps on your lawn and alarms go off, and a voice says,”Please step away from the grass.”
** When you visit a friend’s home and start pulling their weeds.
** When you butt in & correct the staff at the nursery when they give incorrect advice to customers.
** When looking at your compost pile makes you feel all warm inside.
** When “multiculturalism” means planting flowers among your vegetable.
** When you say hello to your garden before you go into the house after a vacation.
** When the local garden centre sends you Christmas and Birthday cards.
** When the ER doctor comes in with your X-rays, and you ask him how poorly the daisies were hurt when you fell into them.
** When you prefer seed catalogues to Victoria’s Secret catalogue.
** When your friends and neighbours all hide as soon as the zucchini appear.
clip_image001.gif
 IMG_2126
clip_image001.gif
Reflections :

Spring has finally come to Alberta, although the evenings and mornings are cool, everyone is starting to plant their gardens. So this year I decided to plant a few vegetables. Many years ago I did try to grow a small garden and despite my lack of knowledge, some plants did grow. Lol. My mother was so talented and loved flowers and could grow any plant. I always loved my plants too much, I either watered them to death or not enough.

0004776-R1-013-5They say that talents often skip a generation, and I’m sure that must be the case because my daughters each have their grandmother’s green thumb.

Last Friday we worked all afternoon planting. By evening I could hardly walk, I had used muscles I didn’t remember I had, everything hurt. It’s an actual reality check when you suddenly realize not as young and agile as I use to be. In fact, I don’t even bounce like I use to either! My backside was so painful, the only satisfaction for me was the thought I might get a little lift from the exercise. At my age, any lift is good since everything else is moving south. LOL

When life gets so busy, it is a comfort to be able to take the time to spend in God’s creation enjoying the peacefulness of each day. When I am quiet and listen, I can hear God whisper his plans for me. But so many times I feel I need to remind God, I’ve made my plans for my day. “God can you see my busy agenda,” Sometimes I have so many plans and goals I don’t want to have my day interrupted. Have you ever felt like that?

Do I choose my plans which are essential to my business and ministry? Or choose God’s plan for me, stepping out in faith to trust Him. Serving Him is to enjoy the great adventures He has planned for me and knowing I have obeyed his call gives me great happiness.

He is my peace and safe place, the one who loves and protects me. Could I offer him anything less than my obedience choosing to follow Him? Each new day gives us a reason to love and praise God.©

clip_image001.gif

Thank you for dropping by and sharing your time with me. Do you ever have your plans sidetracked or interrupted?

How have you learned to cope, I would love to hear from you.

Have a great week! Hugs

Lovingly, Karan

Apr 29 2016

Mammogram Practice Anyone?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

It must be spring; the doctor just made an appointment for me to have my annual mammogram. Now, I don’t know about you, but it is not my preferred procedure. I thought you might enjoy these mammogram preparations. Have you tried them?

Practice For Your Mammogram

rollerMany women are afraid of their first mammogram, but there’s no need to worry. By taking a few minutes each day for a week preceding the exam, and doing the following practice exercises, you will be totally prepared. And you can do this right in your home!

Exercise 1: Open your refrigerator door and insert one breast between the door and the main box. Have one of your strongest friends slam the door shut and lean on the door for good measure. Hold that position for five seconds (while you hold your breath). Repeat, in case the first time wasn’t effective enough.

Exercise 2: Locate a pasta maker or old wringer washer. Feed the breast into the machine and start cranking. Repeat twice a day

Exercise 3: Situate yourself comfortably on your side on the garage floor. Place one of your breasts snugly behind the rear tire of the family van. When you give the signal, hubby will slowly ease the car into reverse. Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat on the other side.

Congratulations!
Now you have nothing at all to worry about when you go for your Mammogram

clip_image001.gif

minion 158

clip_image001.gif

Reflections:

I have been in California for almost a month, and have been appreciating the warm weather, and admiring the beautiful flowers. I love to look at and smell all the different flowering plants. And delight at how each one is unique, beautiful and special. Do you know how special you are?

images (52)For years, I was desperately trying to bloom where I was planted to gain love and acceptance from others. In my world things were never as they might have appeared, I was afraid if people saw the real me, they would not love or accept me. I hide behind a mask, which I called a smile, and become whatever I thought other people wanted me to be.

Although I had a husband and family who loved me, my concept of love was flawed. I thought it had to be earned: If you were good, drove the right car, had the right friends, or joined the right country club, you were loved. If you did not have all those things or were not in the right social group, you were not loved. I thought love and acceptance could be given and taken at a moment’s notice.

Do you step into life’s arena everyday wearing masks, striving for the right appearance and performing your best for love, acceptance, and approval? I have news for you.

God sees us without the masks and thinks we are beautiful, he loves and accepts us just the way we are, no conditions.©

The Bible says:

Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can’t even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don’t fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it?

If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? Luke 12: 25-28, the Message-

His love is forever, unchanging, and constant, it is unconditional!

Lovingly, Karan

clip_image001.gif

Thank you for sharing your time with me today dear friend. What brings delight and Joy to your life?

I would love to hear your thoughts as we share our journey.

Hugs

Apr 22 2016

Looking for A Job?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

house Looking for A Job?

A blonde, wanting to earn some money, decided to hire herself out as a handyman-type and started canvassing a wealthy neighborhood. She went to the front door of the first house and asked the owner if he had any jobs for her to do. “Well, you can paint my porch.

How much do you charge?” The blonde said “How about 50 dollars? “The man agreed and told her that the paint and other materials that she might need were in the garage.

The man’s wife, inside the house, heard the conversation and said to her husband, “does she realize that the porch goes all around the house?” The man replied, “She should, she was standing on it.”

A short time later, the blonde came to the door to collect her money. “You’ve finished already?” he asked.awesome-car-ferrari-girl-Favim.com-1918433

” georgiaYes,” the blonde answered, “and I had paint left over, so I gave it two coats.” Impressed, the man reached into his pocket for the 50 dollars. “And by the way,” the blonde added, “it’s not a porch, it’s a Ferrari.”

 

 

clip_image001.gif

acid

clip_image001.gif

 

Reflections

Have you ever had days when your mouth engages before your brain does? I will admit I do. I was thinking back when I had stopped at fast food restaurant with my teenagers, and a young man was taking my order. He had trouble remembering my order and getting it put into the computer. In my mind, I was sure he was a few French fries short of the order.

linesThe line was getting longer and the people behind me we were getting restless with this never-ending comedy of errors. I was on my last nerve. I was almost ready to tell the kid what an idiot I thought he was; I definitely thought it.

Looking up at me from his register with a big smile of recognition on his face, he said, “I like your necklace, I have one too.” In shock, I remembered I had my “WWJD” (What Would Jesus Do) dog tag on, and he pulled his out too. I stood with my mouth open as he related to me that his youth group at church were all wearing “WWJD” tags to remind them to be kind and loving to others. He also told me how excited he was about getting his new job.

As I left, with my order I weakly smiled and thanked my young server, and felt guilty about my bad attitude. I thanked God for keeping me from saying what I was thinking. I am sure I would not have pleased Him at all. Have you ever felt like God has just slapped you across the face with a rebuke so strong and hard that you will never forget that moment or how you felt?

I remembered the day I bought that necklace, it reminded me to watch my words and actions to honor the God I love. I haven’t worn that necklace in a while, I need to find it, put it back on and remind myself God cares how I represent Him, and I should too.

We live in a world where people need desperately see God’s love. If we were the only Bible people read, I wonder what their opinion of Him would be.©

Thank you, dear friends for sharing your time with me today,

Wishing you a wonderful weekend with your friends and family.

Hugs to all!

Lovingly, Karan

Apr 18 2016

Would You Like Twenty Dollars?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

 

Would You Like Twenty Dollars?

crumpled-20-dollar-noteA well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked. “Who would like this $20 bill?”

Hands started going up. He said, “I am going to give this $20 to one of you – but first, let me do this.”

He continued to crumble the 20 dollar note up. He then asked. “Who still wants it?” Still the hands went up.

“Well,” he replied, “what if I do this?” He dropped the $20 on the ground and started grinding it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. “Now, who still wants it?”

Still the hands went into the air.

“My friends, we have learned a valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.

Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless; but no matter what happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value.

Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who love you. The worth of our lives comes, not in what we do or who we know, but by …who we are! Author Unknown

You are special – don’t ever forget it.”

clip_image001.gif

lady 4

dotted-lines

Reflections

It was wonderful to be away in beautiful California and spend time with family and friends. I was able to sightsee a bit, shop and enjoy the San Diego Bsan 2ay.

Seeing familiar places and remembering the moments and places where my mother taught me to dream and laugh. She always saw beauty in everything.

I loved the times we spent at San Diego Bay, having shrimp sandwiches or fish tacos with a blanket on the grass at Shelter Island. We would watch the naval ships come home with grand display after being deployed from home for months at a time.

I loved the smell of the ocean and watching the small fishing, and sail boats glide peacefully by, as we visited and just enjoyed each other’s company. We often shared our thoughts, dreams and hopes, and occasionally funny stories, along with our secret hurts. But most of all we would speak of our blessings.

How I miss her laughter, her warm smile, and beautiful green eyes. I admired her strength and accomplishments against insurmountable3fe0ab12-a49a-42f4-ac32-cfeacc95092c odds. Mother often said, “With God nothing is impossible.”

How true it is, even on those days when we feel worthless, crumpled, and broken by life’s circumstance God cares.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God

and are called according to his purpose for them.

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these?

If God is for us, who can ever be against us.

Romans 8:28 & 31

You are special – don’t ever forget it.

 

 

Thank you, dear friends for spending your time with me, The newsletter will be back in your mailboxes every Saturday morning again.

If you know anyone who might enjoy it please pass it on.

I loved being away, but my pillow feels wonderful. lol.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Hugs to all.
Lovingly, Karan