Articles

Oct 07 2017

Surprise! And Happy Thanksgiving Canada!

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

 

Surprise! And Happy Thanksgiving Canada!

October 9, 2017

On Monday we were surprised with a big snowstorm, with massive wet piles of snow. It was not my idea of how a winter season, should start. What a Surprise! I prefer adjusting my mind slowly and prepare for the coming winter deep freeze. But who am I kidding, I have never been a snow bunny and a cold weather girl I’m not, no matter how many clothes I put on. Lol

However, being an American living in Canada, I love having two Thanksgivings to celebrate each year. Thanksgiving with all the trimmings, turkey, pumpkin pie, family traditions, and especially taking time to reflect over the years past. 

There have been many blessings as well as enormous loss in our family, loved ones who have left our earthly family circle which has been very painful. In my Thankfulness, as I look back over the year, I have realized, God’s care and promises are as real today as the day he said them to us centuries ago.

He still cares, he still loves, and he weeps with us when we hurt or fall. He also rejoices with us when we put our hope in him and walk a little closer. 

Where do we find eternal hope and rest? Could I stop the world and get off the race that keeps me always spinning. Or is it His rest that I long for in the quietness of the morning.  Sheltered in the word of God as he leads me beside the still waters of his love and offers me his hope.

Calming the turmoil, halting the winds and giving my soul the quiet courage and hope to keep moving forward in the daily tasks and uncertain times. Whatever the day may hold, I know the hope of God’s rest is only a prayer away. He just asks me to live one day at a time for him, because he holds all my tomorrows. ©

The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness, His mercies begin each morning fresh. 
I say to myself,” The Lord is my inheritance; therefore I will hope in him.”
Lamentations 3:22-24

Happy Thanksgiving Canada!

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Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.
Have a wonderful weekend. 

HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan

 

Oct 02 2017

Can I Give You A Smile?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

Can I Give You A Smile?

Some days I find myself in a place of discouragement. Bewildered by the world we live in, with so many hurting people looking for hope, encouragement and a smile. My heart aches for all the families that have gone through the hurricanes the last few months and the massacre in Las Vegas last night. 

Sometimes the way forward seems complicated and challenging, and I’m not even sure I have even enough energy to finish the tasks God had given me.  

I have often heard,” Instruction does much, but encouragement is everything.” Many times a kind word of encouragement, a smile or a simple touch can lift a heart out of sadness, grief, exhaustion or despair.

An act of kindness encouraging others and lets them know you care about them, and they are not alone. It also gives us the opportunity to show God’s love as we touch the lives of others. Encouragement gives hope and inspires determination to keep moving forward when life gets tough, and we become weary of the struggles.

Many times I have asked God to encourage my heart with his love, compassion, and guidance. Asking Him to give me a new perspective and passion for the task He had given me.When I become tired, His promises and love lessons come just in time in sweet ways of encouragement from others. God is not finished with the dreams and goals He has placed in my heart, and he is not finished with me either.

Isaiah 40:31 NLV

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
 

LIFE can be tough, and the struggles of life and ministry can be harsh. With God’s encouragement, we can remember His promises and rely and lean on Him. The journey will be brighter for us and others as we stand together building one another up with encouragement.©

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Have you felt more stressed in the last few months, how have you coped with the daily events?

Attention: ***** If you would like to receive our entire letter please subscribe and have it delivered to your mailbox each week, and don’t miss out on the fun stories, blonde jokes, and encouragement with a dash of warmth. 

Thank you, dear friends for spending your time with me, Have a wonderful weekend. Hugs to all.

Have a great week, HUGS
Lovingly, Karan
Sep 02 2017

Two elderly gentlemen ~ Sew and Sew

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 3 Comments
Two elderly gentlemen were sitting under a tree, watching the sun go down.

One says, “You know, I’m 84 years old and my body is full of aches and pains.

You’re about my age. How do you feel?”

The other guy says, “Oh, I feel like a newborn baby.”

“Really,” says the first guy.

“Yep,” says the second one. “No teeth, no hair and I think I just wet my pants.”

 

 

 

This is definitely me, Is anyone else with me?

 

 

 

Reflections: Sew and Sew

I sewed my first quilt it was many years ago;  it was so simple I never made another one. Lol.

But as time passed, I decided to try again. Cutting, splicing, and sewing blocks all the while trying to keep everything in a perfect square. It was difficult because I didn’t know what I was doing and trying to learn how to quilt from the internet was confusing.

Taking on this endeavor, I talked to quilters in our area which were both encouraging and helpful.  However, after seeing some of their beautiful quilts and pictures, I started to feel a little insecure in my abilities.  I wondered if my quilt would look alright and be acceptable. In my heart I knew it would not win any prizes, all I could see were the flaws.  I worried about everything on that quilt.  Could I do the binding right, would my hand stitches be even, would anyone even notice?

Do you ever doubt your abilities when you look at others and admire their talents and perfection?  Only to find yourself grumbling how your talent doesn’t measure up to their perfection. Instead of thanking God for the privilege that he gave you to serve him in your special way, and enjoying the process. 

When my son-in-law came for a visit, he showed me how to square the quilt preparing it for the binding. He helped me to see a new quilting angle. Pointing out all the flaws and mistakes I had made, he said,” it adds character, everyone will know it is an original homemade quilt made with love.” 

Thank you, Lord, for those words of wisdom to remind me that love can transcend time and eternity because of you.  My son-in-law was right; every stitch began with the love for a particular individual.  And it was fun to see the process unfolded.   I wonder if God loves to see the process of our lives unfold too. ©

Lovingly, Karan

How do you deal with doubting your abilities and comparisons to others? Let me know if you do that too.

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

wishing you a wonderful weekend with your friends and family. Hugs to all!

 

Aug 27 2017

Happy Flying ~ The Plan

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 1 Comment

“Happy Flying”

A plane was taking off from Kennedy Airport. After it reached a comfortable cruising altitude, the captain made an announcement over the intercom, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. Welcome to Flight Number 293, nonstop from New York to Los Angeles. The weather ahead is good and, therefore, we should have a smooth and uneventful flight. Now sit back and relax… OH, MY GOSH!’

Silence followed, and after a few minutes, the captain came back on the intercom and said, ‘Ladies and Gentlemen, I am so sorry if I scared you earlier. While I was talking to you, the flight attendant accidentally spilled a cup of hot coffee in my lap. You should see the front of my pants!’

A passenger in Coach yelled, ‘That’s nothing. You should see the back of mine!’ Author unknown

 

 

 

 

Reflections: The Plan

Restlessness is characteristic of our generation today. In these days of confusion and turmoil from life’s activities, we hardly have time to enjoy our blessings. That has certainly been true of my life.

Some days in the throes of discouragement, I have doubted God’s concern and care for me. Especially when He has so many others to take care of besides me. Do you ever doubt God’s plan?

When life is hectic, we become preoccupied with ourselves, our circumstances and can soon forget about our friends, family, and God.

What a shame, God is the only one who can bring rest and peace in the midst of all the craziness.

Over the years, there have been hard lessons to learn, But God in his great love has shown me that the things I valued most, are not as important as the people in my life or my relationship with Him.

Especially, when faced with the fact there may not be any tomorrows left. It is funny how fast our priorities can change. Suddenly spending time with God and talking to him seems more important than all my busy-ness for him.

Jesus knows about all of the activity in our lives because he made us. He also knows that we need times of rest both—Physically and spiritually.

 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give peace to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. ~ John 14:27

He is the only source for perfect peace and complete rest for our souls, especially at these busy times of the year. You are loved and special to Him. ©

“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”
Smile God Loves You!
 *******************

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.
Have a wonderful weekend. 

HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan
Aug 18 2017

Let Freedom Ring

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 4 Comments
   A Bible Story?

 

  A father was reading Bible stories to his young son.  

  He read, “the man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city,

  but his wife looked back and was turned into salt.”

  His son asked, “What happened to the flea?

Reflections: Let Freedom Ring

Some years ago while we were touring in Germany, we had the opportunity to see Dachau, a prisoner of war camp outside Munich. I was instantly aware of the strange stillness, and how eerily quiet the camp seemed. I was walking in the same steps of so many who had gone before me but only with a much different outcome.

As the prisoners, walked over the small bridge toward the showers, seeing the beautiful flower and sweet music playing, how would these people know that the showers had a deadly consequence for them?

 After spending an afternoon in Dachau, and seeing the displays, films, and pictures I walked away shocked at the evil and cruelty of man towards one another.

As I left Dachau, I read a sign above the door I have never forgotten. The quote said, “If we forget the past, we are condemned to do it again.” or written a little differently, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

I believe those words, and I can look at the past and remember how far we have come. I love history and often watch war movies. Remembering those brave men and women who have fallen because they loved this country more than themselves, and the precious families left behind. Do I love my country the same way? Or do I just want my own way, and care little for others.

As an American, my heart breaks of all the racial and political disarray that are happening now especially after last weekend in Virginia. I lived and witnessed the 60’s and 70’s which was a chaotic time for our country, but we made it.

I think tearing down our past and trying to erase history only deepens our wounds. Those founding fathers who were flawed, just like us, loved this country too, without them, we would never have the opportunity to live in a country as vast and free as America.

We don’t have slavery in this country anymore, and I thank God for a man like Dr. Martin Luther King who stood up for righteousness to make life better for us all. When will we carry our banner for freedom and stand up for what we believe?©

Psalm 119:45 NLT– I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.

“If we forget the past, we are condemned to do it again.”
~ George Santayana ~

Please let me know how you are feeling about all that is happening.  I love you all and am praying. Hugs

Lovingly, Karan