tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10765506104057575832024-02-19T06:25:14.393-04:00Who's leading this dance?Thanks for the visit. Y'all are welcome here.Francoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320401058155352017noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076550610405757583.post-10314300446571126172015-02-03T20:19:00.000-04:002015-02-03T20:19:05.981-04:00It's all in the way we view life.
I've been hesitating to write this post long enough. The week before Christmas 2014 was for my family a very difficult life experience. It was a time of giving of ourselves, receiving from others, hoping beyond hope, despairing when hope was failing us and so many emotions that I cannot put a name to. The week was advent week for the rest of the world around us, a time of expectant Francoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320401058155352017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076550610405757583.post-6560246897464161452015-01-25T02:29:00.002-04:002015-02-03T20:20:57.103-04:00Hell, What is hell?Since my last entry I have been thinking about the image of God that has emerged for me in the past twenty odd years.
It occurred to me that the image of God I had in my youth carried with it a sinister side to it as well. That image of God would rather send me to hell than reconcile when I messed up. So what of this newer image? This image has God appear gentle, compassionate and loving, Francoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320401058155352017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076550610405757583.post-80657953032889890222015-01-13T14:00:00.000-04:002015-01-13T14:04:31.374-04:00what does God look like?
I was reminded of a story about a Sunday school class asked to draw.
As the teacher walked around the room looking at the different artful enterprises she came to little Suzie.
Now little Suzie was fastidiously working at her drawing. The teacher asked Suzie what she was drawing, to which Suzie answered "I'm drawing a picture of God!" The teacher immediately corrected Suzie saying "Suzie no Francoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320401058155352017noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076550610405757583.post-85925560293647922722015-01-12T06:41:00.000-04:002015-01-12T06:41:51.604-04:00Look at what's been found!
A few weeks ago I was informed by a dear friend that she had run across my old blog. I went looking for it out of curiosity and what I found surprised me. As I read the entries in that blog I saw that I had entered into a desert both in my spiritual journey and my posts.
That was four years ago! Now I know that there are going to be times that I will be in that desert experience, but a four Francoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320401058155352017noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076550610405757583.post-22621556658273021292010-12-09T22:11:00.000-04:002015-01-13T09:49:03.423-04:00What is being stuck?Well I see that I haven't posted for five weeks now.
That was not my intention when I began this blog but it seems that I have developed writers block.
So with no post material in mind I am taking this time to offend a small minority that would have us believe that Christmas celebrations are bad for the population.
To all the wonderful people who have contributed to the encouragement of my Francoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320401058155352017noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076550610405757583.post-41953172296642805472010-11-14T21:42:00.000-04:002010-11-14T21:42:08.555-04:00Different art formSince I last posted I seem to have gone to the desert, spiritually.
This isn't so rare for me.
Every day I read the blogs I follow and this week I realized that all these are art related and full of great stuff.
Well since I can't seem to get into a reflective mode I started thinking of the art aspect of my life and so it led me to look through my picture albums. Here is Francoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320401058155352017noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076550610405757583.post-75950019339359507112010-10-29T23:57:00.000-03:002010-10-29T23:57:32.263-03:00Why me Lord?
I had some reflection time, with a little help from Fr.John, on this passage in Luke's gospel; 6:12-16.
It occurred to me that when Jesus chose His followers and took twelve as disciples, He made some rather eronious choices.
On first examination one sees that He has chosen out of all the people in His society the bottom of the barrel, in a manner of speaking.
Sinners, crooks, hotheads, Francoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320401058155352017noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076550610405757583.post-69909325256261682462010-10-25T19:07:00.000-03:002010-10-25T19:07:45.263-03:00Lost in the desertAs I look through my blog I realize that I've been away for a month.
It has been a busy month and my spiritual side has been neglected.
I feel like some of the Old Testament prophets who have taken the high road into the desert to escape.
What am I trying to escape?
Whenever I get to this point, the only answer I can come up with is that I am running from God.
Psalm 139 reminds me that no matterFrancoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320401058155352017noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076550610405757583.post-19670697377612908682010-09-28T21:27:00.000-03:002010-09-28T21:27:50.498-03:00Where is heaven?I read a post on face book yesterday "Heaven is wherever Jesus is."
That got me to thinking. Jesus lives in humanity (you and me).
If heaven is where Jesus is then I am in deep doo doo.
This is because He promised us the Holy Spirit Guide (Himself) would in-dwell us (humanity).
That makes me the dwelling place of Jesus, which means that heaven is in me.
It has occurred to me that my dwelling Francoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320401058155352017noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076550610405757583.post-78806840759628547432010-09-18T21:56:00.008-03:002010-09-18T22:01:49.713-03:00what is a papa?We had our grand daughter and her Cousin over for the weekend. They had planned a surprise for Papa.When they got up this morning they were ready to start on Papa's surprise, even before breakfast! Uh Uh Papa eats breakfast, no ifs, and or buts.This special surprise involved giving me a Shoulder massage, foot massage, facial, manicure, pedicure and of course the wonderful face makeover. I had a Francoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320401058155352017noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076550610405757583.post-41175347628963256542010-09-12T23:36:00.000-03:002010-09-12T23:36:38.373-03:00Suck it up buttercupThis post comes from my reflection experience on Luke's gospel 15:11-32.
I looked at these verses from the perspective of the likely traits of that day's society and from several angles as well and found differing emotions as I imagined myself as the different member participants in the parable.
As the Prodigal I felt the shame and sorrow associated with the insanity of the actions taken by Francoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320401058155352017noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076550610405757583.post-63183038739176205042010-09-05T23:00:00.000-03:002010-09-05T23:00:13.769-03:00Give it up KidAll day long today I've heard reflections on Luke 14:25-33.
All were different and all had the same basic message.
It's a tough gospel passage to swallow, and it's a hard decision to make to follow Jesus at all cost.
So then if I continue on the road I've decided on I have to face the fact that I am going to have to give up the life I want to live in favor of the one Jesus is offering me.
I Francoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320401058155352017noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076550610405757583.post-13741148873508826812010-08-31T21:50:00.000-03:002010-08-31T21:50:07.104-03:00Saying goodbyeThis past week has been a harried one for this neck of the woods.
We lost one of our cherished aunts.
Only fifty nine years old and still so full of life this woman body was ravaged by cancer.
Our daughter was very emotional over this favored aunt and, unable to say what was in her heart, wrote a beautiful piece that reminded me that one never does enough while the living we care so much for Francoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320401058155352017noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076550610405757583.post-78134861562393203942010-08-16T19:24:00.000-03:002010-08-16T19:24:23.862-03:00Decisions, decisions
From the Face book application “Message from God”
“On this day of my life, I believe that God wants me to know that decision is only wishful thinking until I take the first irreversible step.”
“You can tell yourself that you have already decided, that nothing now can stop you, but if that step backwards is so much safer than stepping Francoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320401058155352017noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076550610405757583.post-63173841358827724632010-08-07T15:12:00.001-03:002010-08-07T15:12:52.550-03:00IndependanceThese last couple of days I have had to look seriously at my independently motivated living.
With my right arm totally disabled I am having difficulty just buttoning the waistband on my pants.
I have to depend almost totally on Patricia for the basic needs of my day.
That is so foreign to me because I have been the guy that provides answers and solutions for so many people for years.
My Francoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320401058155352017noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076550610405757583.post-72576650286950435152010-08-02T15:42:00.000-03:002010-08-02T15:42:58.236-03:00Which one is the anchor??This is the same tree that appears on my page top.
It is situated smack in the middle of a stream bed just below the beautiful waterfall you see in the background.
I was looking at it this morning and it occurred to me that it makes a good representation of what a relationship should look like under the care and guidance of God.
When I look at the tree with its roots hugging the rock I wonder; isFrancoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320401058155352017noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076550610405757583.post-31648217624035833272010-07-31T22:42:00.001-03:002010-07-31T22:42:52.259-03:00A wee bit of artI've been looking at all these blogs and the incredible talent that is in them. I was thinking about my lack of artistic endeavoring and was also thinking that I might like to be endowed with this drive(as if I need another time consumer in my life).
Today I realized I have tried my hand at it, but only once.
I was at a eight day retreat in 2002 and this scene presented itself to me. I was drawnFrancoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320401058155352017noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076550610405757583.post-32180664261109903772010-07-28T23:14:00.000-03:002010-07-28T23:14:10.057-03:00Faith?Yep, that's what the title says, faith.
I just watched the PBS special of Paul McCartney's Gershwin award at the congress in Washington.
He sang the song "Let it be".
I just today realized what the subject matter was about in that song.
He was singing about Mary in Luke's Gospel and her "Let it be" response to the Angel Gabriel at the annunciation.
So how much faith does it take to say "Let it beFrancoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320401058155352017noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076550610405757583.post-13849408532411949712010-07-21T21:54:00.000-03:002010-07-21T21:54:28.974-03:00What was I thinking?I came to prayer full of distractions and things that are really of no consequence when I stop and think about it.
Psalm 8 returns my focus on this day to what it I am supposed to be thinking about =>The majesty of God and His creation.
I am reminded that I am regarded by God as worthy of His blessings and I need to accept that.
That isn't always as easy as it might sound.
I am also reminded Francoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320401058155352017noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076550610405757583.post-51103097557658327362010-07-15T22:13:00.002-03:002010-07-15T22:49:26.331-03:00What's really in the garden?I was thinking about the great multitude of things that occupy a person's waking hours and how oblivious I can be about it all.I get a great deal of pleasure walking about the property we have carved our home out of, especially the garden and all the plants that have taken up habitation there. I had mentioned in an earlier post that humanity tends to be tedious about where what should or should Francoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320401058155352017noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076550610405757583.post-61935514350485479572010-07-11T13:54:00.007-03:002010-07-12T21:03:34.914-03:00What's in the garden
Wow a week goes by in a hurry!
This morning I took some quiet time with Luke10:25-37 and the parable of the good Samaritan.
The question that the lawyer asked got me to thinking."Who is my neighbor?"
My mind wandered in several directions for a while.
But it settled in on the way we humans look at and treat our neighbors.
A while back I was thinking about the many cultures, races and creeds Francoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320401058155352017noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076550610405757583.post-17649678813716353242010-07-03T14:28:00.003-03:002010-07-05T22:38:16.531-03:00what's the plan for?Have you ever noticed that some days just won't go the way you've planned.Well this is just one of those days.I have a philosophy on this;If things don't go according to plan maybe it's time to change the plan!Francoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320401058155352017noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076550610405757583.post-23405006455005043042010-06-26T23:06:00.004-03:002010-07-12T22:18:27.913-03:00Grandchildren, what a riotThis weekend has been often times a funny one.
Three of our grandchildren and our daughter are visiting. The oldest is thirteen and spending as much time with a "girl-friend" as mom will allow ;)
The other two are being as close to two ogres as a six and nine year old can.
Too funny.
The youngest is Papa's helper always trying to second quess what I will need next and fetching, always fetchingFrancoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320401058155352017noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076550610405757583.post-81967899325549644502010-06-25T22:39:00.001-03:002010-06-25T23:44:19.552-03:00Well here I am again!I was reading a little of Isaiah's verses 49:1-6.Issiah reminds me that God has spent the effort to create me. He did so for a special purpose and no other can take my place.The puzzle of it I have to unfold as the pieces come together for me day by day.I've been thinking lately about the sharpness of the tongue and the damage it can inflict on others and on me as well. I am Francoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320401058155352017noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076550610405757583.post-60480470011271770142010-06-22T12:08:00.000-03:002010-07-05T22:38:51.599-03:00Who do you say that I am?Here is the first installment to a brand new page in my existence.I was asked to give a short reflection on the scriptures of the day last Sunday.Here is what came to my attention as I progressed into these Scriptures.Psalm 28:8-9, Zechariah 12:10-11, Psalm 63, Galatians 3:26-29 and Luke 9:18-24This has been a huge undertaking for me and a very humbling and rewarding one as well.June 20 2010 12thFrancoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320401058155352017noreply@blogger.com3