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Interviewing God

 

Interviewing God

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“So you would like to interview me?” God asked. “If you have the time” I said. 

God smiled. “My time is eternity and it is enough for me.” “What questions do you have in mind for me?” 

“What surprises you most about human kind?” 

God answered… 
“That they get bored with childhood, they rush to grow up, and then long to be children again.” 

“That they lose their health to make money… and then lose their money to restore their health.” 

“That by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, and they live in neither 
the present nor the future.” 

“That they live as if they will never die, and die as though they had never lived.” 

God’s hand took mine and we were silent for a while. 

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And then I asked… 

“As a parent, what are some of life’s lessons you want your children to learn?” 

“To learn that true happiness is not to achieve their goals but to learn to be satisfied with what they already have achieved.

“To learn they cannot make anyone love them. All they can do is let themselves be loved.” 

“To learn that it is not good to compare themselves to others.” 

“To learn to forgive by practicing forgiveness.” 

“To learn that it only takes a few seconds to open deep wounds in those they love, 
and it can take many years to heal them.” 

“To learn that a rich person is not one who has the most, 
but is one who needs the least.” 

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“To learn there are people who love them dearly, 
but simply have not yet learned how to express or show their feelings.” 

“To learn that two people can look at the same thing and see it differently.” 

“To learn that it is not enough that they forgive each other, but they must also forgive themselves.” 

“To learn that they can never do something extraordinary for me to love them; I simply do.

“Thank you for your time,” I said humbly.

“Is there anything else you would like your children to know?” 

God smiled and said, 
“Just know that I am here… always.” 
-author unknown

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***  Karan’s Update:  Thank you for your love, prayers, wonderful notes and cards. I have been trying to do some walking everyday to regain my strength.
         
 hairFunny how fast I fizzle out. Lol   

Thank you dear friends for sharing your time with me, I love connecting with you each week.  Have a great week!

Lovingly, Karan

Discussion Question:  If you could ask God one question, what would it be?

Do Diamonds Last Forever?

Lost and Found

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My dear friend Kathy, a beautiful brunette, was racing around her bedroom trying to get ready to go swimming with a friend in the lake behind her house. She took out her diamond earrings, a treasured anniversary gift from her husband, and carefully laid them on the bathroom counter.

When she was almost out the door, she realized she had not taken her vitamins for the day. She hurried back to the bathroom, dumped them out on the counter, scooped them up, and gulped them down with a glass of water.

Her husband, watching in horror, tried to warn her. But he was one swallow too late. The diamonds were gone. Trying to keep a straight face he said, “It looks like you are going to have a “number two priority.”

Two days later, looking at the diamonds in a glass of disinfectant, Kathy knew she would never look at those diamonds in the same way. Something had changed:  they were more precious than ever. She had lost her diamonds, and now found them. And it did not matter one bit to her the search had been embarrassingly unpleasant and inconvenient.

Over the years when I think about Kathy’s diamonds I often get the giggles. She went to a lot of effort get salvage those gems, and in the end she was rewarded.

The story of those diamonds refresh my memory constantly, of God’s great love for me. His love is unconditional, constant and forever, even when I make mistakes. I even think he must laugh out loud when he sees the predicaments I get into. How about you?

I am reminded by Kathy’s story that God feels the same way about each me too. Do Diamonds last forever? I don’t think so but I know that God’s love does! He loved and searched for me no matter where I have been, what I had done or how far I had gone. In Luke 19:9-10 New Living Translation He says:

Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today…

 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

 I was lost, but now I have been found.

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*** Karan’s Update: Thank you for all your love and prayers, I did see the wonderful surgeon in Calgary, yesterday I had all the final testing and pre-surgery, Lab and x-rays done.  I admit it has been a long, discouraging procedure for me. My surgery will be in Calgary, Alberta on June 23rd.  I am thankful I now have a final date to look forward too.  I am praying the pain will be gone at the same time.

I will have either a partial or all the kidney removed, I would ask that you remember me in your prayers. For the surgery and recuperation time, and the discouragement I feel because of the prolonged process of waiting. It seems when you hear the word Cancer you want everything to move fast. But this is a time of waiting and patience learning for me. I know God’s grace is all I need at this time

Above all I want to honor the God  I love in all I do and say, that is my greatest desire.

Thank you sweet friends, for sharing your time with me.

Have a great weekend,

Lovingly Karan

I Am a Soldier

The Soldiers Heart

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What do you want me to send you?  “Anything you need tell me and I’ll send it.”  I told my son-in-law, who was on the phone from the Middle East.  “Baby food” he replied without hesitation.  Now that is not the answer you would expect to hear from an American soldier serving his country so far away.  Or would you?

All over the world, our soldiers are not only sacrificing, but also serving honorably in acts of kindness and compassion.  They are showing people a better way of life. 

Some people say we fight for oil, money, and power.  In our country, we are split with various opinions on how our government and military should be run, and how things should be done in countries that are far away and remote from our everyday lives.  Have we forgotten what life would be like for us if this war were fought here in America?

However, something happens when our soldiers leave that will outlast the fear, killings, and the submission that insurgents demand of their people. American soldiers give them something better, kindness instead of selfishness, hope instead of despair, and laughter instead of sorrow.

The enemy may beat, blow-up, and torture people to push their evil agenda, but those people have seen something else.  When our soldiers were out on patrols, or on their days off they give away their food, water, candy, and friendship.  Some even spent their time off helping the people to rebuild their lives, homes, and schools.  These acts of kindness, hope, and compassion are qualities that people of the Middle East will not soon forget!

May God bless the men and women of the military who serve quietly, unselfishly, giving their time and extras to bringing a better life for someone else?  To allow the people to see what real freedom looks like.  

Every Country, even our own has had to pay a large price for freedom, and our Middle East friends are learning what that cost is with their own suffering.  Freedom has a high price, but once you have had a taste of freedom you cannot stop until you have it for yourself, your families, and your country.  As they are finding out now for themselves.

In addition, yes, it means our soldiers will continue writing letters for sponsors on their time off, asking people to help in different ways.  Trying to find “baby food” for the littlest children and letting their parents know that someone does care their needs.

       Aesop said many years ago, “No act of kindness, no matter how small is ever wasted”

This is the American spirit, which is the heart and soul of our soldiers, and the people of in these countries will not be able to ever forget them.©

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       I Am a Soldier

I Am Soldier, a neighbor, a friend, a husband, lover and America’s son.

I Am a Soldier, wanting to serve with a patriot’s heart beating inside.  I will faithfully stand on the wall, willing to give my all.

I Am a Soldier, a brother, a daughter, uncle or son fighting for the freedom of all I love. Dreaming of a day when we all are freely at peace and calm.  

My dreams are like yours, hopes for the future, for my family and the ones I love.  A good job, education and someday a home where safely I can peacefully reside.

I am a Soldier©

It is a privilege to salute our soldiers and remember them,  God bless them and their families.  Thank you for sharing with me, Hugs

Lovingly, Karan

Do You Have Your Bloom On?

Do You Have Your Bloom On?

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Two mature ladies were sitting on a park bench outside the local town hall where a flower show was in progress. One leaned over and said, “Life is so boring. We never have any fun anymore. For $5.00 I’d take my clothes off right now and streak through that stupid flower show!”   

“You’re on!” said the other old lady, holding up a $5.00 bill. 

As fast as she could, the first little old lady fumbled her way out of her clothes and, completely naked, streaked through the front door of the flower show. 

Waiting outside, her friend soon heard a huge commotion inside the hall, followed by loud applause. The naked lady burst out through the door surrounded by a cheering crowd. 

                                    “What happened?” asked her waiting friend. 
                               “Why, I won first prize for Best Dried Arrangement.” 

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Reflecting:

I love beautiful flower beds, and have long admired people who have a creative eye for designing them.  I use to read garden books and how-to books trying to learn the proper care of plants and how to grow them.

My mother could make anything grow, however the growing and gardening gene missed me somehow.  I either loved my flowering plants too much with water, fertilizer and conversation, or dried them out with not enough. I have a hard time keeping anything alive but a cactus!  

Because of my lack of talent in the floral department, when we built our home I chose evergreen plants that wouldn’t lose their leaves. They looked wonderful but not much color or contrast.  So one spring I went to Michael’s, a craft and hobby superstore to buy some beautiful tall silk flowers in pinks and reds.  My conditions were large flowers with extra-long stems and they needed to look real. I was so excited about this bright idea, I couldn’t wait to get home.  After arranging them in the evergreen bushes and flowerpots, I felt satisfied with my little touch of creativity.

When people drove by they would comment on my beautiful flowers, I was glad they noticed but hoped they wouldn’t get too close and learn my secret to success!

As summer turned to fall, my flowers were still in full bloom, however one evening we had an early winter storm blow in with heavy sleet, snow and wind.  It lasted for two days, it was so cold I forgot about my flowers outside.  After the storm was over and the snow melted, my flowers were still standing and blooming, my secret was out!

I have learned there are over 230,000 to 270,000 species of flowering plants according to David Bramwell, and each one beautiful and special in its own way. I think God looks at each one of us like a beautiful flower too, made perfect, beautiful and special. He loves and accepts us just the way we are, no conditions!

Luke 12: 25-28, the Message- 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?  

Do you know how special you are to Him?

Lovingly, Karan

Thank you for stopping by and sharing you time with me. Have a great weekend dear friends.   Much Love and Hugs

Why Parents Drink?

Why parents drink

shavingThe boss wondered why one of his most dependable and valued employees had not phoned in sick one day. Having an urgent problem with one of the main computers, he dialed the employee’s home phone number and was greeted with a child’s whisper.  ” Hello ? “

“Is your daddy home?” he asked. ” Yes ,” whispered the small voice. May I talk with him?”   The child whispered, ” No .”

Surprised and still wanting to talk with an adult, the boss asked, “Is your Mommy there?” ” Yes .””May I talk with her?” Again the small voice whispered, ” No .”

Hoping there was somebody with whom he could leave a message, the boss asked, “Is anybody else there?” ” Yes ,” whispered the child, ” a policeman “.

Wondering what a cop would be doing at his employee’s home, the boss asked, “May I speak with the policeman?”

” No, he’s busy “, whispered the child.   “Busy doing what?” ” Talking to Daddy and Mommy and the Fireman ,” came the whispered answer.

Growing more worried as he heard a loud noise in the background through the earpiece on the phone, the boss asked, “What is that noise?”    A helicopter ” answered the whispering voice.

“What is going on there?” demanded the boss, now truly apprehensive.  Again, whispering, the child answered, ” The search team just landed a helicopter .”

Alarmed, concerned and a little frustrated the boss asked, “What are they searching for?  Still whispering, the young voice replied with a muffled giggle..”ME.”

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As the snow ebbs on the plains here in Alberta, and spring is starting to show its colors. I see the trees starting to bud, grass with a tinge of green, and I know the earth is coming alive once again.

The wonder of the seasons, has always thrilled and amazed me. As I eagerly anticipate the flocks of swans, Canadian geese and other familiar birds flying home rosefrom their distant winter homes in the south. I love this time of year.  It give me hope, thankfulness and courage the world is right and God’s big picture sees a much wider view then my own small vision.

Sometimes when there has been discouragement, illness or difficult times the struggles our lives need a new perspective.  And spring does that for me.

When I have time to sit quietly and listen, I can hear God whisper his plans for me. But I feel I need to remind God, I’ve made my own plans for the day. Some days 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 important to my life and service? 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 Him gives me great happiness.

Father, I choose your strength, love and promise,

I will not fear as long as you walk with me lighting my way.

I choose to trust you.

Lovingly, Karan 

Have a great week, hugs to each of you!