Articles

Jun 11 2015

Is It Time?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

Is my time up?

A midemergencydle-aged woman was having a heart attack and taken to the hospital. While on the operating table she had a near death experience. Seeing God she asked, “is my time up?” God said, “No, you have another 43 years, 2 months and 8 days to live.”

After her recovery, she decided to stay in the hospital and have a face-lift, liposuction, and a tummy tuck. She even had her hairdresser come in and change her hair color. Since she had so much more time to live, she figured she might as well make the most of it. 

After her last procedure, she was released from the hospital. While crossing the street in front of the hospital, she was ran over by an ambulance and killed.

Arriving in heaven front of God, she demanded, “I thought you said I had another 40 years? Why didn’t you rescue me from the path of the ambulance?” (You’re going to love this!!!)  God replied, “I didn’t recognize you.”  Author unknown

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Thongs

I still call my sandals thongs which really confuses my granddaughters, Lol  

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Occasionally I even toyed with the idea of a major overhaul, from top to bottom.  You know the kind, where they pull everything up, starting at the knees.  (Somehow the image of my navel in the middle of my forehead, has kept me taking the final step)

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I think God has a sense of humor too; after all, He made us.  Have you ever stood naked in front of a mirror and quoted Psalm 139: 14a I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made” Personally, I have not been able to get past the fearful!

Our confidence comes from knowing that God made us in his image, he knew what we would look like before we were ever born and loved us anyway.   

The Bible says: Psalm 139: 13-16a (NLT)

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.  Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!

Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born.

What wonderful security of knowing that I God knew all about me before I was even born, and loved me from the very start. I love that about God!

*** Thank you dear friends for sharing your time with me, I count it a privilege to connect with each one of you.  Thank you for your prayers and notes.  Much Love and Hugs.

Lovingly, Karan         

 

May 24 2015

I Am a Soldier

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

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

May 08 2015

Are You Just Like Your Mother!

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

I Wish…

bear4In this life I’m a woman. In my next life, I’d like to be a bear. When you’re a bear, you get to hibernate. You do nothing be sleep for six months. I could deal with that.

Before you hibernate, you’re supposed to eat yourself stupid. I could deal with that too.

When you’re a girl bear, you birth your children (who are the size of a walnuts) while you’re sleeping and wake up to partially grown, cute, cuddly cubs. I could definitely deal with that.

If you’re mama bear, everyone knows you mean business. You swat anyone who bothers your cubs. If your cubs get out of line, you swat them too. I could deal with that.

If you’re a bear, your mate EXPECTS you to wake up growling. He EXPECTS that you will have hairy legs and excess body fat.  Yup, gonna be bear! Author unknown

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IMG_2657Happy Mother’s Day, Have some Chocolate!

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Are You just like your mother”                                                                       

158d9943-10d8-45e5-b8de-4aa220c0785bPeople would say, “You’re just like your mother” and I would cringe. At the ripe old age of 15, 20 and 28, those were not the words I wanted to hear. I wanted to be a super mom, you know, the woman that did and had it all. I was going to be organized, clever and insightful at life. No traumatic crisis for me.

My mother came from a harsh background; I think she spent her life trying to work through the difficulties she encountered as a child. She strived to be understanding and kind towards others. Unlike her parents, she achieved her goal. There were painful personal and emotional struggles in her life, as well as great highs. Mother was always optimistic no matter what life handed her. Her motto was: “Tomorrow’s a brand new day.”

She worked hard to put a roof over our heads and food on the table, never giving up or expecting handouts. Although others thought we were poor, I can’t say that we ever thought we were. We always had enough, when we outgrew our shoes and clothing; she made sure we had something new to replace the old. I often wondered how she worked her magic with the budget, but as I look back I realize she went without so that my sisters and I would have more opportunities and a few extras.

Mother loved a good deal, so thrift stores, Salvation Army, garage sales and flea markets were thrilling when she found the ultimate bargain.

She loved her flowerbeds and gardening much better than house cleaning and often said she fecloser to God outside. She loved to spend time talking to Him in the quietness of the morning as the sun rose on a new day.

We knew mother loved us, and loved God too. She trusted Him, leaned on Him, and believed His promises would sustain her throughout life. She taught us daily about God’s grace, forgiveness and love. Through her life we were able to see how God faithfully protected and care for our needs. My mother, has given me a lifetime of wonderful memories that are worth more to me than silver and gold. 13

Now when I hear “You’re just like your Mother,” I say thank you. I pray that my children will know how much they are loved, and that they would see the light of God’s love in my life too.©

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 Thank you for sharing your time with me dear friend, what is a special memory of your mother?

Happy Mother’s Day! 

Lovingly, Karan

Apr 24 2015

Been Farming long?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

 Have You Been Farming Long?

fenceA couple is looking to get into farming after moving from the big city and into an old country farmhouse. They had not been farming long when they visited a local feed store there they saw cute baby chicks for sale. Even though they had ZERO KNOWLEDGE about chickens, they immediately, decided to purchase a few to start their very own flock. After getting all the supplies they head home to start their new venture. 

After a week they return to the store with disappointing looks on their faces. The store clerk asks if something is wrong to which they sadly notify the clerk that all of the chicks had died. 

The clerk, astonished that ALL the birds had died so soon, decides to ask a few questions. 

He asks if they fed the birds. Indeed they had fed them every morning 

He asks if they watered the birds. Yes they replied. 

The clerk took a minute to think about it then stated that he didn’t know what the problem could have been. 

Then the wife looked into the eyes of her husband and said “I wonder if we planted them too deep.” 

To which the husband replied ” No, that’s ridiculous! If anything, we planted them too far apart.  Author unknown

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Reflecting:

When I think about a couple who left the city for the rural life, I just laugh out loud.  It makes me think of all the crazy and hilarious things I said and did on the ranch when I came to Alberta.  Growing up in California, all my knowledge of a working ranch and cowboys was learned from the “Dallas” TV show and the beautiful cowgirl “Dolly Parton.” Wow, was my world small!

I came to Alberta in go-go boots and a beehive hair-do and stuck out like a wild turkey at a chicken convention. I knew nothing about farming and ranching, while the women of this rural community could put Laura Ingalls Wilder to shame. They drove tractors and combines at harvest time, rode horses, irrigated crops and cooked meals for their working crews.  They kept well-manicured yards, exquisite flower beds and vegetable gardens and still had time to can everything.

Now my idea of canning is to go to the super market, buy cans of food, take them home, open them and presto, I have a canned dinner!

Even out on the ranch my knowledge and skills were a little askew and I didn’t recognize the dangers of dealing with large animals.  When the gates for the cattle needed to be open, I had them closed.  When the gates needed to be shut to keep then in, I had them open. When the cattle came running, I was no help at all, I RAN TOO!

I can look back on this crazy, wild, fun and extraordinary journey and realize what a wonderfully blessed life it has been.  Isn’t it funny!  Even in the hard and difficult times there have been love lessons learned. Like the country song:

“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world”.

 Ronnie Milsap – I Wouldn’t Have Missed It For The World Lyrics | Metro Lyrics 

To think that God brought a California beach bunny to the prairies of Alberta, Canada to teach me lessons I could never have learned anywhere else. I am humbled by the care of an amazing and loving God who continuously watches over me.

Psalm 139

1 O Lord, you have examined my heart
    and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
    You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
3 You see me when I travel
    and when I rest at home.
    You know everything I do.
4 You know what I am going to say
    even before I say it, Lord.
5 You go before me and follow me.
    You place your hand of blessing on my head.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too great for me to understand!

16 You saw me before I was born.
    Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
    before a single day had passed.

17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
    They cannot be numbered!
18 I can’t even count them;
    they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
    you are still with me!

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

Lovingly, Karan

 *** ~Karan’s Update:  Thank you for all your love and prayers, I was able to see the wonderful surgeon in Calgary, and I am now booked for surgery June 23rd. Please continue to praying for God’s perfect will in this, and my patience.  If I can pray for you please send me an email, it is being able to remember each other that we can touch  the the heart of God through prayer. Much love and Hugs. ~ Karan

 

 

    

Apr 02 2015

Do You Know the Answer?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

Where Did You Learn That?

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I was standing before he window of and art store where a picture of the Crucifixion of our Lord was on exhibition.  As I gazed, I was aware of the approach of another, and turning, beheld a little lad gazing also intently at the picture.  Noticing that this mite of humanity was a street boy, I thought I would speak to him; so I asked, pointing at the picture, “Do you know who He is?”

“Yes,” came a quick response; “That’s our Savior,” with a mingled look of pity and surprise that I should not know what the picture represented.

With an obvious desire to enlighten me further, he continued, after a pause; “Them’s Roman soldiers, the Roman soldiers, and,” with a long drawn sigh, “that woman crying there is His mother.”

He waited, obviously for me to question him further, then thrust his hand in his pockets, and with a reverent and subdued voice and tear-stained face added, “They killed Him, Mister.  Yes, sir, they killed Him.”

I looked at the little dirty, rugged fellow and asked, “where did you learn this?’

At the Mission Sunday school,” was the reply.

Full of thoughts regarding the benefits of the Mission Sunday schools, I turned and resumed my walk, leaving the little lad still looking at the picture, I had not walked a block when I heard his childish voice calling, “Mister! Say, Mister! ” I turned.  He was running toward me but paused;   then up went his little hand, and with a triumphant sound in his voice and now radiant face, he said, “ I want to tell you: HE ROSE AGAIN, HE IS ALIVE!”        R.A. Torrey

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Easter is a time of new life. That which was dead now lives.  Darkness is gone. A warm sun shines.  Life has a new meaning. 

Today we are privileged to celebrate the Easter because of Jesus’ victory over sin and death. The cross of Christ reveals man’s sin at its worst and God’s love at its best! 

Happy Easter Dear Friends, Wishing you much love and blessings.

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

Hugs!

Lovingly, Karan