Communicate!

I have been watching the way we bring up our kids and noticed that it is all about Communication! Yes, even if they are 6 years old, we need to communicate to educate. I like it when Aline wants to give them a message, lesson of life, behavior or attitude, she just takes them aside, away from people, and have a face to face conversation grabbing their full attention. While our comments told to them when they're busy eating, watching tv or playing don't settle there or simply not taken seriously..too much distraction around them. They need to be fully attentive in a direct one to one conversation when they need to know how to act and behave. I guess you all do the same with your kids! Equally in corporate world, going into a new year and new objective setting phase, we look forward to sit with our manager, communicate face to face and start planning the year, set the goals to achieve and what attitudes or competency we need to develop. If you set your own targets alone without your boss..you might be doing what is not needed of you, end up being useless or even a burden to your company! To add value aligned to the bigger plan, you need to KNOW YOUR ROLE, DO IT and fulfill your purpose.

With 2014 about to start in few hours, I know that lots of you are preparing your famous New year's resolution, putting the goals and objectives of your personal life in 2014. When thinking about spirituality resolution, many face the same question "but i dont know what God wants from me throughout this new year? I am puzzled..what do you think i need to do?" My first question back is "At work, do you just wait until year end to sit with your boss and set your goals of 2014' or you dedicate the time needed and align early in the year? Same with God, did you sit with Him one to one meetings (personal praying hour) to read His emails (His Words), seek His Guidance and Coaching (through the Holy Spirit), and align your vision to the company's vision (God's Will in your life). Like at work where each has a role and purpose, God created YOU for a purpose to fulfill through your life"

So dear friends, if I have one thing To seek doing in 2014 it is to continue with all seriousness my One to One time with my Heavenly Father. These moments that opened my eyes for what I am doing now, and for sharing with you my thoughts about His Running Hugs, His daily gifts, His Coaching and much more! Before complaining that 2014 went fast as 2013...no changes..ma7alak ser..Do something different..because if you do what you did, you ll get what you got! Decide that it will be the year of Communication..the year you will not only know about God..but Know God..and His purpose through you..He is waiting for you every morning!

Even Jesus was connecting daily with His Father and the Holy spirit through Early rising prayer:

وفي الصُّبحِ باكِرًا جِدًّا قامَ وخرجَ ومَضَى إلَى مَوْضِعٍ خلاءٍ، وكانَ يُصَلّي هناكَ، (مَرقُسَ 1:35 AVDDV)

The next morning Jesus woke up very early. He left the house while it was still dark and went to a place where he could be alone and pray. (Mark 1:35 ERV)
Make 2014 a year of change..and start by your Hourly meeting...Just give Him a chance..a week, you ll be amazed...just 30 minutes at the beginning of your day..but doing with passion, hunger seeking change and impact..seeking a connection..a relationship!

Come on...join the Early Risers team! Are you in?
Have a blessed Communicative 2014 my friends!

Santa's Gifts...Everyday!

Since the beginning of December, my daughters have been preparing and reviewing their gifts wish list daily to be sent to Santa Claus..yes, we even have a template letter for that! They have been talking about their wish gift, it became a daily routine, specially the last week before Christmas, imagining what they will do with this toy, this puzzle, or this painting board...they dream it, live it, visualize it and want it more and more. And here comes the day, the gifts under the tree, thanks Santa ;). Naturally during the following two weeks, all they want to do is play with it, talk about it, show it to friends, but sooner than later, these gifts become no longer new and by time...they join the rest of "last years" gifts and become part of the normal play room pieces!

Dont think to yourself that it is only لعب عيال dont blame the kids, we adults are no different, except that our gifts might be much much more expensive...think of how much you were excited about your new car, or the long hours you spent discovering your new phone, or putting on this new bag, pair of shoes or clothing..it all stayed Super Valuable until the car lost its new smell, the phone became an old model or the piece you are wearing is just out of fashion. Simply The gift lost the joy, the excitment, the value it used to give you on its first couple of weeks! It is the natural value-diminishing fact of life!

Thought to myself There must be something different...something lasting..specially when we talk about the divine joy we should receive from Above! I am seeking a gift, a relation, a joy that doesnt follow our earthly depreciating value...i know that God, the abundant source of all offers us something different..something that stays NEW and yes, I just realize that knowing Him and enjoying His daily Blessings is THE loving gift we should accept with open arms!

As written in Lamentations, God's blessing is NEW EVERY DAY...yes, the value does not diminish..it stays NEW:

إنَّهُ مِنْ إحساناتِ الرَّبِّ أنَّنا لَمْ نَفنَ، لأنَّ مَراحِمَهُ لا تزولُ. هي جديدَةٌ في كُلِّ صباحٍ. كثيرَةٌ أمانَتُكَ. (مَراثي إرميا 3:22, 23 AVDDV)

We are still alive because the Lord’S faithful love never ends. Every morning he shows it in new ways! You are so very true and loyal! (Lamentations 3:22, 23 ERV)
Dear Lord, How great is your Gift to us...a New Love every day...new blessings every morning..with every sun shine...I had enough depending on temporary joy, short living value that fades away by time..I want this love..And I will seek my morning time with you and unwrap this new gift Every day and i ll thank you for the divine joy it brings! In Jesus name, Amen.

Just try it..and Unwrap the gift my friends..EVERYDAY!

An EVERYDAY Christmas!

IT is THE most wonderful time of the year..so says the famous song ! It is somehow RIGHT! I just love the way that suddenly seems the whole world is celebrating, decorating, carols singing, waiting for THE Christmas day. Amazing how almost in all the shops you feel, see (sometimes smell) and hear the Christmas mood! I remember our special trip to Prague during that period few years ago, the city was vibrant with Christmas markets, colourful lights everywhere..choirs in each square, crowds filling the streets, warming big smiles on the faces, shopping for gifts, food stands, the snow was charming and the mood was so...CHRISTMASSY! 
All went fine until the 2nd of Jan...we just woke up in a totally different city...silent, cold, strict...and GREY! Strangely, we were still in the same city..the same hotel..on the same street..but just the lights were taken out, small markets dismantled, no more jinglling bells on radio...back to the SERIOUS world, the holly jolly ho-ho-ho mood just disappeared.. poooof..Christmas is Gone!!! Only then, we felt how cold the snow is, how strict the people seem, and how Gloomy we were deep down! And by the way..you dont need to be in Prague to know Christmas is gone! In your own home..you will just feel it when your lovely christmas tree sleeps back in its box waiting for next December!

That's exactly what happens when we depend on the Christmas "from outside"...when all it represents is the mood rather than a deep down rooted source of joy. Strangely enough, this mood cant be recreated anytime of the year....imagine being invited to someone's house on a hot August day..and suddenly over hear "We wish you a merry christmas" in the background, to find out that his living room is fully decorated with a tree and lights! You will probably run out of that place thinking this person is totally out of place, time..and may be mental balance! And the lovely carols will be rather creepy than heart warming! Thats the outside chritmas! Quite seasonal!

I am 100% sure God has a different plan for this great time of the year. It just cant be so temporary! Back to basics, I checkef the original first Christmas and realized that it was all about one thing "Spreading THE good news that a Saviour is born". Just read again this part of the nativity story in Luke 2, you will find that the "kick-off" of celebrations was when the angel said to the shepherds, 
“Don't be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy. (Luke 2:10)" 

Yes, all the prophecies were about about this piece of great news..receiving a heavenly gift, a Son, a King, a Deliverer. Prophet Isaiah 800 years before Christ wrote it with the Spirit perfectly:

لأنَّهُ يولَدُ لنا ولَدٌ ونُعطَى ابنًا، وتكونُ الرّياسَةُ علَى كتِفِهِ، ويُدعَى اسمُهُ عَجيبًا، مُشيرًا، إلهًا قديرًا، أبًا أبديًّا، رَئيسَ السّلامِ. (إشَعياءَ 9:6 AVDDV)
This will happen when the special child is born. God will give us a son who will be responsible for leading the people. His name will be “Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God, Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6 ERV)

Despite how charming it is, I then realized that I dont need the "outside mood" to bring me back to Christmas. I know that I can live my "Everyday Christmas" every morning..when i read about This celebrated Born King..about His deliverance, His Love, His Power, His Peace..and much more! I just relive this moment of Original Christmas in me when I read and live the Good news all over again..same Joy the Shepherds felt, i do feel..yet I am even luckier knowing the whole story and seeing it revealed from thousands of years till our day..what a Joy to know that THE real gift IS year-round not only under the tree!

Live your "Everyday Christmas" in you, my Friends!

Snowing...in Cairo!

Dreaming of White Christmas in Cairo..became now a reality! El donia bard and i am sure 3am khalil battal yes2i el ward...at least fel gaw dah!

Well..Just browsing the social networks these days, despite all the cold weather photos, my heart got warm seeing how compassionate we are as a society! We have a duty call towards the needy when times get tough..we feel the urge of service and acting to change. We don't wait for orders, but do it! I was so proud seeing many of my friends taking the streets covering, warming one person at a time, giving away blankets, old jackets or just simple hot cups of tea! Thank you Bosh Gobran, Kegham, hoda abdelwarith, and many more. Keep your love shining!

But What will happen when winter is gone? Will we just forget the ones we served..may be! Let me share with you a thought...that even in the hottest August days, some of your friends, family, or colleagues will be still living a Cold winter deep inside..a winter caused by past pain or disrespect, a shivering cold heart of missing parent or partner that left us to a better place, a harsh snow storm of a failing relationship, or a gloomy fog of doubt, betrayal, despair and sense of loneliness. They might sweat, sun tan, and smile from outside, but they are freezing inside waiting for your warm blanket of love to surround them, your heavy jacket of faith to strengthen them or just a cup of hope to melt this snow inside. This is when LOVE comes in! Open your eyes to the ones around you..you don't need to hit the streets to find them..they ARE there next to you..in your home, in your office, college or even outings..they need YOU! A cold lonely heart needs that amazing love that Apostle Paul wrote about in 1 corinthians13 through the Holy Spirit:

وإنْ أطعَمتُ كُلَّ أموالي، وإنْ سلَّمتُ جَسَدي حتَّى أحتَرِقَ، ولكن ليس لي مَحَبَّةٌ، فلا أنتَفِعُ شَيئًا. المَحَبَّةُ تتأنَّى وترفُقُ. المَحَبَّةُ لا تحسِدُ. المَحَبَّةُ لا تتفاخَرُ، ولا تنتَفِخُ، ولا تُقَبِّحُ، ولا تطلُبُ ما لنَفسِها، ولا تحتَدُّ، ولا تظُنُّ السّؤَ، ولا تفرَحُ بالإثمِ بل تفرَحُ بالحَقِّ، وتحتَمِلُ كُلَّ شَيءٍ، وتُصَدِّقُ كُلَّ شَيءٍ، وترجو كُلَّ شَيءٍ، وتصبِرُ علَى كُلِّ شَيءٍ. المَحَبَّةُ لا تسقُطُ أبدًا. (كورِنثوس الأولَى 13:3-8 AVDDV)A Love that Never Fails! Our only way to get that SUSTAINABLE love is to go to THE source of love, to THE ONE who tells us to love even our enemy..we need to be connected to the eternal flow that will run through us..so before going out and serving, we need to stay close to Him, to be One with his Spirit..to have His spirit "But the person who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him. Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? (1 Corinthians 6:17, 19)

Lord, fill our hearts with Your Spirit of love, to reach the ones in need so we can make their days be "merry and bright" and may we turn all their "Darkness to White"! Amen.

A Travelling Father

Some of my weeks are full of constant travelling...where each of your breakfast, lunch and dinner of that same day are in 3 different cities. Amazing how travel opens our eyes and hearts to new experiences, but funny enough, this time my experience was here..at home..in between the travels!

Coming back home after 3 days away, I was welcomed with big running hugs and kisses from my girls, whom I missed a lot.. I wanted to enjoy the few hours I have back home with them before hitting the road and continue my travelling. After a quick family lunch, I started getting ready for leaving to my next destination..and then suddenly I saw Farida running to our room..not knowing why, I followed her to check, may be she prepared me a drawing to take as a reminder on my next trip..but It was far from that! There she was lying on our bed, her head down between 2 pillows and..crying..crying her heart out..I went and took her in my arms and told her that I am sorry but i have to travel, just for few days..and started explaining why i cant cancel my trip..but she stopped me with her eyes full of tears and told me "papi, i am not asking you to stay as i know you have to go, i am just crying because we spent so little time together now..it went fast and I miss you and wanted a little bit more time with you..." I was Silenced and her tears made their way to my eyes!

Isn't it strange that whenever we think of our life with God, we always see the relation reversed, we talk about how loving He is as a Father, how He seeks us daily and keeps looking and caring for His children..but rarely we look to that relation like Farida just made me see it..a relation where as sons and daughters do miss their Father. I always read this verse in psalm and it made me wonder if I will ever get that feeling too

كما يَشتاقُ الإيَّلُ إلَى جَداوِلِ المياهِ، هكذا تشتاقُ نَفسي إلَيكَ يا اللهُ. عَطِشَتْ نَفسي إلَى اللهِ، إلَى الإلهِ الحَيِّ. (المَزاميرُ 42:1, 2 AVDDV)

AS THE deer pants and longs for the water brooks, so I pant and long for You, O God. My inner self thirsts for God, for the living God. (Psalm 42:1, 2 AMP)

At that moment, hearing her comment, i know that there is a great relation i am still looking forward to, a relationship where my heart will seek the living water..and feel thirsty being away..and I know that His waters will quench my thirst for any other. I wait for the day I cry for not coming and sitting there with Him every morning...tell Him like she told me "I want a little bit more time with you...!"

Imagine if Farida didn't miss me that much..I would surely doubt if I mean a lot to her as a father. Right?

Get thirsty my friends!

The "Wanting" to Change

"Coaching" is the big thing now in the world of human development. Who ever is in the business world knows what "coaching" means. Most of the time, it is a one to one tailor made form of training made for executives, that unlike traditional therapy, which often focuses on the past, on who you got to where you are now, coaching focus on the present and future, on where you want to go (in life or business) and the most effective way to get there.

I am reading these days a book by one of the top business coaches in our days "Marshall Goldsmith" with an interesting title and topic "What Got You Here Wont Get You There". He was talking about his role as a coach and his ability to make success with his clients who with, a big ego, tend to resist a needed change. He wrote a statement that caught my attention "I have now made peace with the fact that I can not 'make' people change. I can only help them get better at what they 'choose' to change". This "wanting to change" is the key. Boom! This is so simple..yet powerfully true!

Same in the spiritual world, our Loving god has created us with the free will to "choose and want". I guess that the most amazing changes happened to the ones wanting to go the extra mile..wanting to reject their reality and embrace a new world...the ones that made God's might meet their heart's desire. Their boldness and courage melt my heart. Every time I read the story of Bartimaeus, the blind beggar at the wall of Jericho, I see this boldness that I pray having one day. Those 6 lines in Mark 10:46-52 are worth reading..every letter of it. The scene is great to imagine and allow me to quote these three verses:

فلَمّا سمِعَ أنَّهُ يَسوعُ النّاصِريُّ، ابتَدأَ يَصرُخُ ويقولُ: «يا يَسوعُ ابنَ داوُدَ، ارحَمني!» فانتَهَرَهُ كثيرونَ ليَسكُتَ، فصَرَخَ أكثَرَ كثيرًا: «يا ابنَ داوُدَ، ارحَمني!». فوَقَفَ يَسوعُ وأمَرَ أنْ يُنادَى. فنادَوْا الأعمَى قائلينَ لهُ: «ثِقْ! قُمْ! هوذا يُناديكَ». (مَرقُسَ.  10:47-49)

He heard that Jesus from Nazareth was walking by. So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, please help me!” Many people criticized the blind man and told him to be quiet. But he shouted more and more, “Son of David, please help me!” Jesus stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.”” (Mark 10:47-49 ERV)

The blind Bartimaeus's deep manifested desire caught the attention of Jesus and literally stopped Him! This is a person that took 4 crucial decisions: He knew he was blind...He didnt accept his situation...wanted deep down to change..and finally he knew in Whose hands to put his faith! I am sure if Marshall Goldsmith had Bartimaeus as an executive under coaching..He would have written about his success story of change!

God, i pray to have this faith..I pray to have the listening soul for the "coaching" of your Holy Spirit. Amen

May the blind open the eyes of our heart, Lord!

So tell me, how did you do it?

"Wow..is this...no way! How did he change like that? بيلعب ايه رياضة عشان يتغير كدة؟ olli ya captain..eih elli khalak keda..T25 p90x instanity..gym we khalas..oh, that Trainer..i know him..ok i ll talk to him!..thanks for telling me ya man!"
"Just a minute...are you telling me that this lady there lost all that weight and became what we see now...esta7ala..i really need to know the secret!!! Hi ezayek..sou2al..meen doctor el Regime beta3ek..momken nemreto..Wow thanks..i ll call tomorrow to book an appointment!"

Nothing speaks louder than results! We all look around us and keep asking for referrals when we see outstanding results. We as human beings love the comfort of asking and getting to know the experience others went through and proved successful (and we invented this..3ala ra2y el masal es2al megarrab wala tes2alsh tabib!).. Ask anyone using Booking dot com check on a certain hotel reviews and experiences of travelers who have been there before booking that hotel..or anyone reading reviews of a movie before watching it! And lately the revival of health awareness made all men seek the most effective sports and women seek the breakthrough in nutrition. In a way, these people are walking examples of successful change. Thank God for our social interests of sharing the "recipe of our success". personally, i do promote whatever brought the positive result i experience..if Running changed my fitness, i would simply tell you to put on your shoes, open the door and Run if you want to be fit..because i know what it did to me!

Do you know that this curiosity and need for referral was there as well 2000 years ago! Saint Peter told the believers that accepting the Lord in these days will bring them change..will bring them hope..and peace despite all the persecution and fight they will go through..despite their hard times..he told them that this world's fear wont reach them..wont impact them..and asked them TO ANSWER ALL who ask about the change they went through..about refer them to the ONE who made them the new Hopeful persons they are..

بل قَدِّسوا الرَّبَّ الإلهَ في قُلوبكُمْ، مُستَعِدّينَ دائمًا لمُجاوَبَةِ كُلِّ مَنْ يَسألُكُمْ عن سبَبِ الرَّجاءِ الّذي فيكُم، بوَداعَةٍ وخَوْفٍ، (بُطرُسَ الأولَى 3:15 AVDDV)

But keep the Lord Christ holy in your hearts. Always be ready to answer everyone who asks you to explain about the hope you have. (1 Peter 3:15 ERV)

In this unstable world, specially in our beloved county these days, will people come ask you how are you keeping your peace? Will you be ready to share this great love you receive from above and tell them why you have no fear when even you walk in the valley of the shadow of death?

Will your faith be a referral to Him? I am sure you can..just ask and you will be given!

Intimacy

"Diane is my intime".."NO..she is MY intime"..."NO, MINE!".."MINE!" And here we go..another long argument of whose intime Diane is! Leila and Farida are growing fast and naturally the "Intime" concept enters our world!

Seeing that debate, I took them aside for a father-daughters talk and started sharing with them the magnificent concept of "Intimacy".
"You know girls..An "intime" friend is not a day and night relationship, it is found through heart warming close walk of life built through cosy talks and one to one moments. My intimacy was built with my "intimes" during the one to one trip to basata and the morning prayers on that small hill, my one to one trips to sokhna and long sleeples nights of chatting in the balcony eating the left overs of the afternoon's mashway we grilled together..my ups and downs emotions at the beginning of adulthood at university shared with a friend on the ahwa in kasr el 3eini or just long walks in these silent (back then) downtown streets at 2am...even the chats in the car after an early morning run or an intense session at the gym..or sharing a snack in the kitchen makes it all. These are the moments that built that relationship..that made us "Intimes". Those intime are there for you whenever you want them..they will change their schedule for you and make sure your comfort and peace is back...the ones loving what You love and hating what you hate; the ones that know your deepest desires and struggles! When it comes to the joy of intimacy, it surely takes two to be Intime...you shall do the same to them. You can go out to big parties, birthdays, camps, and make 100s of new friends, but the intime ones are those you invest intimate one to one times, those who will share with you the hot cup of chocolate under a blanket in a cold night sleep over."

I just realized that Our fellowship with God is not far from what we experience with our intime friends, in fact, it follows the same dynamics..this heart warming relationship will never be built solely through crowded encouters but rather through close intimate one to one moments drawing yourself close to His arms and pouring it all at His feets..opening the door when you hear Him knocking and calling Him inside for this hot cup of tea and a needed healing chat!

Didnt He say..

أنا أُحِبُّ الّذينَ يُحِبّونَني، والّذينَ يُبَكِّرونَ إلَيَّ يَجِدونَني. (أمثالٌ 8:17)

I love those who love me, and those who seek me early and diligently shall find me. (Proverbs 8:17 AMP)
And He wants to speak to us like close friends:

ويُكلِّمُ الرَّبُّ موسَى وجهًا لوَجهٍ، كما يُكلِّمُ الرَّجُلُ صاحِبَهُ. (الخُروجُ 33:11

In this way the Lord spoke to Moses face to face like a man speaks with his friend. (Exodus 33:11 ERV)

Just close your eyes now and recall the joy and comfort these moments with your intime brought to your heart..and imagine this "face to face talk" with the one who loves you to death. He seeks His intimate time with you. Are you ready to cultivate this great intimacy..or you are just satisfied being occasional friends!

What a friend we have in Him!

Promise Keeper

"But you PROMISED!" followed by a heart felt dropping tears of disappointment!

I am sure that every mother and every father, every friend, every manager, every person hates the feeling this statement creates in him. Yes, I can say out loud that my toughest moments in parenting arewhen I am confronted with an undelivered promise to Leila or Farida. Even my simple promises of playing with them a game of "Uno" or dancing together on the LOUD tunes of "Gangam Style" mean A LOT to them...because they come from their Mr. know-it-all, No-wrong doing, tall muscled fighter DADDY! Yes, it is that simple, they trust blindly that I will keep my promise..! Failing their trust..brings ME instantly a moment of silence coming along with a heavy swallow of that bitter taste in my mouth..a moment of weakness i would say! We have all done it to our kids, friends, colleagues, family..you name it! And we still keep breaking promises every day!

That brought me to realize that I failed my promises not only to people..but I failed them even to GOD! How many times I said I will "Stand my Ground", start the change and i dont, how many times i cry and scream that this moment is a turning point, but I fail again! How many mornings. I promised to wake up earlier and sit with Him but I "Snoozed" too long!

Thank you Lord for not treating us the same when we fail You..thank you that Your love to us is not based on our love to You..thank you for Your words that stated clearly

ليس اللهُ إنسانًا فيَكذِبَ، ولا ابنَ إنسانٍ فيَندَمَ. هل يقولُ ولا يَفعَلُ؟ أو يتَكلَّمُ ولا يَفي؟ (العَدَد 23:19 AVDDV)

"God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? (Numbers 23:19 ESV)

And thank you for comforting me when you said:

لا أنقُضُ عَهدي، ولا أُغَيِّرُ ما خرجَ مِنْ شَفَتَيَّ. (المَزاميرُ 89:34 AVDDV)

I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips. (Psalm 89:34 ESV)

I pray for my faith to keep hanging to your promises.. And I Thank you for being THE PROMISE KEEPER! Amen.

Recruiting Talents

Recruiting services, interviews, head hunting, Linked-in, panels, tests, CVs..Those who have been applying for a job know quite well what I am talking about. But this time, I speak to the ones (the managers out there) who want to fill a vacancy (تعيين) in their teams and just can NOT find the good caliber, the good quality potential employees that you would be proud joining your team.
Every time I think about it, The whole concept of Head Hunting or recruitring services still amazes me..we pay professional companies (which i do respect a lot) to find out for us someone good enough to take the job. In markets like Egypt or even here in Spain (with an unemployment of 26%), you would expect loads of high potential workers are there knocking on the door to fill that vacant job, but no it is not the case, seems you can not find easily the serious high quality dedicated ones to help you drive the company further..you need to depend on such HR companies to find for you the right ones....because basically the market is FULL of workers but VERY FEW are equipped, dedicated and willing to walk the extra mile with you!

Don't worry,nothing new..Here is the comforting news..Even Jesus 2000 years ago said exactly the same (after a long day of "work" among the most needing)..

حينَئذٍ قالَ لتلاميذِهِ: «الحَصادُ كثيرٌ ولكن الفَعَلَةَ قَليلونَ. (مَتَّى 9:37 AVDDV)

Jesus said to his followers, “There is such a big harvest of people to bring in. But there are only a few workers to help harvest them. (Matthew 9:37 ERV)

It just made me wonder with the billions out there, How can this statement be still relevant..and yes, the above recruitment story confirmed it to me. Then got that moment of shock, realizing that I might be on that "poor quality" worker among the mass, or am I up to the Challenge taking a role and making a difference on the the field? I know that God created EACH one of us with great potential, yet we need to apply for the job and show our seriousness! Did you lately check your worth in the market..let me tell you..you are priceless, just head to the fields and Start!

Dear God, I thank you for opening our eyes that there is a big harvest..i thank you for choosing each of us with a call and purpose in life..amazing after such a day full of your works, you said this statement showing us we have to continue what you have started. I pray that our hearts and eyes are open to the work we have a head of us..and i wait for the day we celebrate achieving your work..all together! In Jesus name, Amen.

Note: just read the full chapter Matthew 9, i was Amazed by the amount of work needed out there!

Stand your Ground!

"Stand your ground-اثبت مكانك" ...a statement (and a song) that keeps going in mind everytime I negotiate and discuss with...my 6 years old twins!
Leila (or Farida): Can i play with the ball here..please!
Me: No, no ball inside the house!
She: Pleazzzzeeee!
Me: No is No..خلاص
She: Mwah (بوسة و حضون عميق)
Me: Ok..just 2 minutes
She: Heeeeiihh..merci Pa.."another mwah (بوسة تانية في السريع)"
..(5 minutes later)...
TRAKHHH..اتكسرت الفازة..and even صمغ امير cant fix the vase anymore!
Me: see..That s why I said you should not do this in this the house! Next time just obey!
She (with tears in the eyes): ..But at the end you said OK just for 2 minutes!
Me:.....(silence)

If you are parenting (or managing), you know this moment when you give a direction/order and they start pushing against it and win..you just lose your ground, and as a parent, your words lose their strength and impact..so dont expect them to listen to your directions easily.

This reminds of the times i lost my ground to fighting wrong doings..i say no..but then open the door of negotiation with sin! I lost almost every battle when i decided to keep the door slighly open..because part of me was accepting who I am negotiating with and wanting what i m refusing. Feels so bitter, makes you feel like a loser..and that is exactly the intention of falling, is to get you broken and useless. I read lately the stories of two great names in the bible (Daniel and Joseph) who stood their ground and said no..i encourage you to read them..i selected two verses, that I keep in front of me in times of trial:

أمّا دانيآلُ فجَعَلَ في قَلبِهِ أنَّهُ لا يتنَجَّسُ بأطايِبِ المَلِكِ (دانيآل 1:8 AVDDV)
فأمسَكَتهُ بثَوْبِهِ قائلَةً: «اضطَجِعْ مَعي!». فترَكَ ثَوْبَهُ في يَدِها وهَرَبَ وخرجَ إلَى خارِجٍ. (التَّكوينُ 39:12 AVDDV)

Daniel Just deciding in his heart (not his mind..that tends to negotiate), refusing the great food of the king (and its political implications).. Joseph fleeing a beautiful queen (imagine nefertiti like) wanting him...(or any type of temptation that you know is not correct)...is SO powerful..and yes they got into problems later..but these problems were the turning point to a great life of faith..they got blessed beyond imagination!..just thinking what if they accepted..and negotiated?!

Dear God...i come to you today with all the shameful falls i went through, asking you to pick me up..get into your loving Hug and knowing that I am not alone..I thank you that Your grace is sufficient for me, for Your power is made perfect in my weakness.(2 Corinthians 12:9) ..I thank you for the Holy spirit lifting me up through trials..my strength is in You..I need your Peace! Amen

Do not negotiate..Stand your grounds my friends!

 !!إثبت مكانك
كلمات أغنية تظل تتردد في عقلي كل مرة أدخل في مفاوضات هامة مع .. بناتي التوأم ( عمرهما ٩ سنوات)
ليلة ( أو فريده ) : بابا ، ممكن ألعب بالكرة هنا .. Pleaaase !
!أنا : لأ .. مفيش كرة في البيت
ليلة : pleaaazzzzze !
أنا : لأ يعني لأ .. خلاص
ليلة : موووواه " بوسة و حضن عميق "
أنا : خلاص دقيقتين و بس
ليلة : هييييييه ، Merci Pa ، مواه ( بوسة تانية في السريع)
!بعد خمس دقايق ، دششششش ، الڤازة إتكسرت
حتى صمغ أمير مش هينفع يصلح الڤازة تاني
أنا : شوفتي ! علشان كده أنا قلت مينفعش كرة في البيت ! المرة الجاية إبقي إسمعي الكلام
!!ليلة و عينيها مدمعة : لكن في الآخر إنت وافقت و قلت لي إلعبي دقيقتين
أنا : ..... ( صمت )

لو إنت أب ( أم ) أو مدير تنظم سير العمل ، تعرف جيداً تلك اللحظات حين توجه أو تعطي أمر ثم يبدأ نقاش وجدال و مفاوضات بغرض تعديل رأيك ، يدفعونك لتغير موقفك ، و يكسبون
أنت عندها تفقد " أرضك " ، و كأب .. كلامك سيفقد قوته و سيضعف تأثيره .. فلا تتوقع أن ينفذوا كلامك فيما بعد بسهولة
!وهذا يذكرني بالأوقات التي فقدتُ فيها " أرضاً " في معارك ضد الخطية ، أبدأُ بكلمة " لا " .. ثم أفتح باباً للنقاش
أخسر كل المعارك عندما أترك الأبواب " مواربة " ، لأن جزء مني يرحب بما أتفاوض حوله ، و جزء مني يرغب بشدة ما أحاول أن أرفضه
إحساس مرير ، شعورك بالفشل ! و هذا هو الغرض من السقوط ، أن تنكسر فتصبح عديم القيمة

قرأت مؤخراً عن رجلين عظيمين في الكتاب المقدس
عن دانيال و عن يوسف . اللذين ثبتا مكانهما و قالا " لا " أشجعك أن تقرأ عنهما ، إخترت آيتين لأجعلهما أمامي في كل مرة أمر بتجربة من هذا النوع ..

أمّا دانيآلُ فجَعَلَ في قَلبِهِ أنَّهُ لا يتنَجَّسُ بأطايِبِ المَلِكِ (دانيآل 1:8 )
فأمسَكَتهُ بثَوْبِهِ قائلَةً: «اضطَجِعْ مَعي!». فترَكَ ثَوْبَهُ في يَدِها وهَرَبَ وخرجَ إلَى خارِجٍ. (التَّكوينُ 39:12 )

دانيال .. قرر في قلبه ( وليس عقله الذي ربما يفتح باباً للنقاش ) أن يرفض " أطايب الملك " طعامه الشهي
و يوسف يهرب من ملكة جميلة ( تخيل نفرتيتي مثلاً ) ترغب فيه أو لك أن تتخيل أي تجربة أو إغراء تعرف في داخلك أنه خاطئ
إحساس عنيف ، نزاع صعب ، و نعم بالطبع واجه كلاهما ( دانيال و يوسف ) مشاكل كثيرة نتيجة قراراتهما الصارمة ، و لكن هذه المشاكل لم تكن سوى نقطة تحول عظيمة في حياة و إيمان كل منهما ..ملأت البركة حياتهما بما يفوق التخيل و التصورات
و تخيل معي .. ماذا لو قبل أي منهما النقاش و ترك باب المفاوضات موارباً 

..إلهي الحبيب
!آتي نحوك الآن ، بكل سقطاتي المخجلة ، أتضرع إليك أن تقيمني ، تنتشلني ، أرتمي في أحضان حبك ، و أعلم أني لست وحدي
!أشكرك لأن نعمتك تكفيني ، و أن قوتك تكمل في ضعفي
!أشكرك لأجل الروح القدس الذي يقيمني وقت التجربة و الإختبارات ، قوتي فيك ، لأني بشدة أحتاج سلامك
.آمين

!صديقي .. لا تتفاوض .. إثبت مكانك 

!خلينا منورين ️

Zzzz...Snooze...Zzzz

"Ttrrreenn...Snooze...zzzz..ttrreenn..snooze..zzzz..trrrnn...snooze..OH MY GOD I M VERY LATE!" I personally know this cycle of event quite well..been through it several times. Alarm clock (or the mobile nowadays)..most of us use this great invention coming niw with a great option called "Snooze"..where u can tell ur alaram litereally

"سيبني انام كمان خمس دقايق ابوس ايدك..و كمان خمسة...طب اخر خمسة"

I read lately an article about the first 5 emotional mistakes you do before 9am..and guess what "snoozing" was one of them. You just get the sign that it is time to wake up..but you just prefer a bit of laziness..silencing it..ignoring..deciding that you still have time..and you probably wake up late with some half guilt feeling, failing your fist task of the day, which is get out of bed at whatever time you set the alarm for. Snooze is nice..but dangerous if you get used to it!

Funny enough, our minds and hearts function the same when we get the Alarms of life, we just snooze knowing that there is another "5 minutes"..another tomorrow..and I experience so many alarms lately..yes, one of these is the moment of truth when you meet a school friend after long time..and you see how older he got..he is not that same energetic person..some wrinkles, grey hair..fatter..slower..and yes, only realizing that time goes so Fast..and , it is a reflection of YOU..you are growing as well!

How many things you want to do and you keep "snoozing" your mind and heart alarms, you want to start that sport, learn that cake, get a new language, do good to your community, get closer to Him and start knowing Him truly..but you always snooze ignoring so many signs..My fear is that some time, i snooze till i miss the meeting I should go to, I snooze until it is too late..the shocking thing is that in life, i dont know when "late" exactly is..no one knows the "meeting time" but Him.

Dont get lazy, delay your plans to start something new..something great..whatever it is, put it in His hands and..stop snoozing your life!

نَفسُ الكَسلانِ تشتَهي ولا شَيءَ لها، ونَفسُ المُجتَهِدينَ تسمَنُ. (أمثالٌ 13:4 AVDDV)

Dear Lord, I pray for the strength of your Holy spirit filling me to do what I can do TODAY, to know that the present is what you gave me to live and make the day the fullest. I pray for strength to start now! Amen.

Hola, hablo español

"Vamos a la playa...يلا نروح البلاج" was probably the most complex sentence I could say in spanish:-) and suddenly i had to move my life to Madrid where only with one sentence, I wont go anywhere (!ثم مدريد ما فيهاش بحر اساساً). I started studying Spanish..since we are not in Amsterdam anymore where 105% of the population speaks English..in Spain..it is Spanish..even in every single moment at work! Friends, i can confirm that statement..Language is Practicing! Learning the verbs, studying the vocab, listening to the radio/tv wont get you any where if you dont practice it and put it to action!

I want to share with you an observation, Leila and Farida after 3 years in Amsterdam school, they went out with almost zero dutch words..their entourage didnt require it..almost all kids were french! BUT here in a school where 90% of the kids are Spanish..they had to face the tough moments in their playground الفسحة when all their surrounding was only interacting and playing in Spanish..was very tough change...but they had a choice..either practice their languange, face their world and blend in..or decide to keep their spanish only for the classroom and get broken, hopeless facing their outside real world (being their playground). Thank God they decided to put their learning to action!

Same is our faith, we can not just decide to read about it, or know about it, have someone read it to us, keep it for church time only...if we want to live a strong faith and have flexy spiritual muscles..we have to train and train hard..accept the tests you go through as training field, go out and practice what you believe is your faith..and most of all, speak about it, live it, talk it, sing it...Bring it to life..Make it a Life!

St. Paul wrote it perfectly in his letter to Philippeans (فيلبي)..Even him with all the spiritual strength he owned..he knew what training meant for his faith..

ليس أنّي أقولُ مِنْ جِهَةِ احتياجٍ، فإنّي قد تعَلَّمتُ أنْ أكونَ مُكتَفيًا بما أنا فيهِ. أعرِفُ أنْ أتَّضِعَ وأعرِفُ أيضًا أنْ أستَفضِلَ. في كُلِّ شَيءٍ وفي جميعِ الأشياءِ قد تدَرَّبتُ أنْ أشبَعَ وأنْ أجوعَ، وأنْ أستَفضِلَ وأنْ أنقُصَ. (فيلِبّي 4:11, 12)

And guess what..these verses come just before the famous verse of "i can do all things through Christ who strengthen me"..so throughout our training..we do have a great Coach!

Dear God, I thank you that you asked us to go out to the world and live our faith, thank you for being our strength and for the Holy Spirit that guides us daily..to put a faith in action. Amen.

Friends, may i ask you to pray for my aunt who is, in this moment, going through a critical operation..she as well as us are thrown in the training field. Your Cheers "prayers" will help us through it.

An Autumn Lesson

Orange and Halloween! This color correlation reminds me of the orange, brown, and yellow leaves that we see falling and filling the streets in Autumn..those who went living in Canada those days (and they are a lot) know how magnificent and pituresque the colouring of trees in autumn is...a delight to the eyes of photographers!

Looking closer at these leaves, you realize that this beauty is just a dead cover, a beautiful life-less clothing, which the tree has to let go to receive soon its new magnificent filling green shiny cover of young full of life leaves. Amazing how the winds just blow when the trees are the weakest, to make sure they can shake off the useless. Thank God mr. and mrs. Tree are not selfish enough to keep holding strong to these dead leaves..they hand in willingly what they have, to receive what's more alive..even if it means waiting few months!

The letting-go of the trees reminded me of this innocent young boy "the hero of the day" in the famous miracle of 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes. He was there in the right place, at the right moment, but I guess he had to willingly accept letting go what he had when Andew saw him in the midst of the crowd (5000 men at least). If he calculated it correctly, he surely would be running away holding tight to his bread and fish..and you all know that it is so easy for a young kid to escape وسط الزحمة! But he knew in Whose Hands he was putting his food..and though the Book doesnt mention it, but I believe this boy after beeing greeted by all around him, went back home woth Loads of bread and Fish worth a monthly value of shopping!

«هنا غُلامٌ معهُ خَمسَةُ أرغِفَةِ شَعيرٍ وسمَكَتانِ، ولكن ما هذا لمِثلِ هؤُلاءِ؟». (يوحَنا 6:9 AVDDV)
“Here is a boy with five loaves of barley bread and two little fish. But that is not enough for so many people.” (John 6:9 ERV)

Dear God, I pray today asking you to open the eyes of my faith to the blessings of letting go..letting go all in your hands, not looking back to what I have lost, be it dead leaves or the very valuable bread, but willingly accept it in your hands, knowing that You only bless back beyond what I think or imagine...You know it is hard to let go for me, but Revive in me that tree, that young boy that wont think it over but happily trust your abundance! Amen.

God bless Egypt today!

مش قادر أسيب الموضوع دة...

الغطاء الذي يكسو الطرقات في الخريف ، الاوراق البنية و الصفراء ، ثم هذا المشهد الرائع المبدع للأشجار البرتقالية ، متعة للعيون التي تهوى التصوير .

ولكن إقترب أكثر فتلاحظ أن هذة الاوراق ، ما هي إلا غطاء مائت ، رداء خال من الحياة ، أوراق يجب على الأشجار أن "تتخلى" عنها و تتركها للرياح لكيما تمتلئ حياة جديدة عن قريب تكسوها بغطاء لامع نضر من الأوراق الخضراء !
عجيب كيف تهب الرياح ، عندما تكون الأشجار ضعيفة ، كأنما لتتأكد إنها ستنتزع الأوراق الجافة بسرعة و كفاءة !
وكأنما الأشجار بكرم و إخلاء ، بلا أنانية أو ذات ، تستسلم للرياح و تترك الأوراق الجافة بلا تمسك .
تتركها برغبة كاملة و إرادة حرة ، لتستقبل ما هو أكثر حياة و نضارة .. حتى و إن إستدعى الامر بعض الإنتظار لشهور قادمة أخرى بلا أوراق .

و هذا " التنازل " الذي تمارسة الأشجار كل خريف ، يذكرني بهذا الولد الصغير " بطل اليوم " في المعجزة الشهيرة "الخمس خبزات و السمكتين " .
كان هناك ، في الوقت المناسب و المكان المناسب و لكنني أعتقد أن كان عليه طواعية و بكل إرادته أن يتنازل عن تلك الخبزات الخمس و السمكتين ، كل ما يملكه في هذه اللحظة ، يتركهما لأندراوس الذي ذهب اليه بين الخمسة ألاف رجل( على أقل تقدير ) المجتمعين في هذا اليوم حين طلبهما ليسلمهما للرب يسوع .

لو كان الولد الصغير حسبها بعقله الصغير " أيضا" لإحتضن خبزاته و سمكاته و جرى بعيداً مستكفياً بما عنده ،
وكان سهلاً عليه أن يختفي وسط الزحام !
و لكنه .. و عجباً أنه كان يعلم بين يدي من يترك كل ما يملك !
إنها يد الرب يسوع !
وأظن ، و إن لم يكن مذكوراً في الانجيل ، و بعدما تلقى كل الشكر و التحيات من الجموع ، أنه عاد الى بيته محملاً بكميات من الخبز و السمك ما يكفيه شهراً :) .

هنا غُلامٌ معهُ خَمسَةُ أرغِفَةِ شَعيرٍ وسمَكَتانِ، ولكن ما هذا لمِثلِ هؤُلاءِ؟». (يوحَنا 6:9 AVDDV)

إلهي الحبيب ،

أصلي اليوم طالباً أن تجعلني أرى بعين الايمان بركات التنازل ، التخلي عن كل شئ بين يديك ، دون أن أنظر للخلف متحسراً على ما تركت أو فقدت، أكان أوراقاً جافة أو قليل من الخبز والسمك ، بل واثقاً في إن بركاتك تفوق تصوري أو خيالي !
أنت تعلم أنه صعب علي أن أترك و أن أتخلى و أن أتنازل ، ولكن تظل تلك الاشجار حية أمام عيني ، وذلك الولد يحيا في داخلي ، لا يفكر في الامر مرتين ، بل بكل سعادة يثق في خيراتك !
آمين .

خلينا منورين!

The "Black" Cloud

If I am not mistaken, these days we should be welcoming in Cairo our famous "Black Cloud" as known as السحابة السودة. I think the cause (and solution) of this heavy black smoke is and will remain one of the great mysteries of Egypt, next to لعنة الفراعنة and why we "never" make it to the world cup!?

Talking about clouds, It reminded me of the very special time I spend with Leila and Farida, lying on our back on the ground, in the open air, looking up to the blue sky and Playing the never-boring game of "What shape is this cloud?"...Dabdoub, Batta, Dora, La vache qui rit :-) My kids always amaze me with their imagination, they can see things much better than my already-shaped realistic closed mind..the excitment of the game is so high because they jump around to show me quickly what they see in this cloud above them..before it is gone..before it disappears! Will never forget when they asked me how amazingly such big fluffy cotton-like clouds disappear and leave the sky without any traces, and the sky is clearly blue even after the thoughest foggy or stormy days (specially in Amsterdam)!

Suddenly I got a totally new perspective of what Isaiah wrote about clouds:

قد مَحَوْتُ كغَيمٍ ذُنوبَكَ وكسَحابَةٍ خطاياكَ. اِرجِعْ إلَيَّ لأنّي فدَيتُكَ». (إشَعياءَ 44:22

Your sins were like a big cloud, but I wiped them all away. Your sins are gone, like a cloud that disappeared into thin air. I rescued and protected you, so come back to me.” (Isaiah 44:22 ERV)
What a strong description he wrote through the Holy spirit, declaring the love of our Heavenly Father who calls us to come back to Him. Not only He is going to give us the "Running Hug" like we talked about in the last post..but He confirms that our sins and transgressions are erased like clouds disappear from the sky...with no traces..Just Gone away from His sight..because He took it all away..He redeemed us..no matter how big the cloud is! Wow..not only a running hug, but a clear Sky..all new..all Blue!

Heavenly Father, I thank you with tears in my eyes, that you are calling me back in your arms to take away my sins, my skies from black clouds, without a mark in your sight, no mater how big or small my sin can be, you just erased it..I pray that I never forget this promise..and i live believing it..always running back to You..knowing You cleared it all! Amen.

A Running Hug!

AIRPORTS...one of the most "true emotions filled" places on earth (next to hospitals!). In my past 5 years, I have gone in and out of many airports..and twice, we as a family have left a whole life, a whole country, behind us to start a new one in a new world. My eyes saw 2 extreme ends in the same airport...Arrival and Departure halls! same airport, yet with totally different sensations.

Departure halls are more of a drama movie, where true tears are hard to hide. When leaving back a life behind us, I was always able to hold myself in one piece until that moment at the departure hall..where every true sensation blows its way on my face or the faces of my loved ones! So genuine!

The Arrival hall at the other extreme, like a happy tune..a musical movie..a "Sound of Music/Mamma mia/or any movie of فرقة رضا". Joy is filling the air, family friends waiting with big smiles, banners, flowers, balloons, waving from afar (من ورا الازاز) and in Egypt, you ll find easily 20 loved ones coming to pick you up fighting whom takes your luggage and drives u home.

These Arrival halls are know for phenomenon I call "The Running Hug"..it is the act of running towards the person arriving, colliding, jumping into his arms with a deep unifying hug..to the extent that your kisses are reaching deep his neck. Always getting this same hug from my father in Cairo's Arrival Hall made me understand what Jesus told about the Prodigal son الابن الضال coming back to His Father, after willingly leaving Him:

فقامَ وجاءَ إلَى أبيهِ. وإذ كانَ لَمْ يَزَلْ بَعيدًا رآهُ أبوهُ، فتحَنَّنَ ورَكَضَ ووقَعَ علَى عُنُقِهِ وقَبَّلهُ. (لوقا 15:20

"And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him." (Luke 15:20 KJV)

Experiencing these emotional hugs explained why Jesus said that the father ran & fell on "His son's neck"...an expression I never understood until I experienced it myself!

Thank you God for your great love..for you always waiting, looking even from afar to see us coming back..and Running..yes..i cant even imagine it, you running towards us... Not to blame or ask us why but to give us this hug, kiss on our neck and much more blessings! Amen.

Next time at the airport, when your loved ones give you a "Running Hug", Remember Him, waiting your return, doing just the same to YOU!

حضن المطار

المطارات هي من أكثر الأماكن المتكدسة " بالمشاعر الحقيقية " على وجه الارض ،( الى جانب المستشفيات بالطبع )
في الخمس سنوات الماضية دخلت من و إلى العديد من المطارات ، و ثلاث مرات .. أنا و أسرتي تركنا حياتنا كلها خلفنا من بيت لبيت و من بلد لبلد ، لنبدأ حياة جديدة كل مرة في بلد مختلف بعالم مختلف
رأت عيناي أقصي النهايتين لنفس المطار ، في صالة الرحيل و صالة الاستقبال ! نفس المطار ولكن بمشاعر و أحاسيس مختلفة تماماً 

صالة الرحيل .. هي تقترب كثيراً من الفيلم الدرامي ، يصعب إخفاء الدموع الحقيقية . و حين تركت خلفي حياة كاملة ، كنت دائماً أستطيع التحكم في نفسي حتى أصل الى تلك اللحظة ، في صالة الرحيل .. عندها تتفجر المشاعر و تشق لنفسها طريقاً الى وجهي أو وجوه أحبائي
مشاعر صافية صادقة 

أما صالة الوصول في أقصى الطرف الآخر ، كالنغم السعيد ، كالأفلام الموسيقية .. Sound of music , Mamma Mia أو أحد أفلام فرقة رضا :) الفرح يتطاير في الهواء ، الأهل و الأصحاب في المطار لإستقبالنا بإبتسامات من القلب و باقات الورد و البالونات ، يلوحون من خلف الزجاج وفي مصر عشرون من الاحباب يتجادلون حول من سيأخذ حقائبنا ومن سيوصلنا للبيت
في صالات الوصول ظاهرة أسميها" The Running Hug " .. إنها .. أن تجري نحو الشخص الذي وصل للتو و تصطدم به و تلقي بنفسك بين ذراعيه في حضن واحد عميق
و تقع قبلاتك على عنقه
وفي كل مرة أتلقى هذا الحضن العميق من أبي عندما أخطو في صالة الوصول بمطار القاهرة ، أتفهم جيداً ما قاله يسوع عن الإبن الضال عائداً إلى أبوه ، بعد أن غادره و تركه في إصرار 

" فقامَ وجاءَ إلَى أبيهِ. وإذ كانَ لَمْ يَزَلْ بَعيدًا رآهُ أبوهُ، فتحَنَّنَ ورَكَضَ ووقَعَ علَى عُنُقِهِ وقَبَّلهُ. (لوقا 15:20 )"
هذه الأحضان المؤثرة ( التي إختبرتها بنفسي ) فسرت لي تماماً ما قصده يسوع ، أن الآب ركض ، و إنه وقع على عنقه " على عنق إبنه " وقبَّله. 

إنه تعبير لم أكن لأفهمه حتى إختبرته بنفسي 

أشكرك يا إلهي من أجل حبك العظيم .. لأنك دائماً تنتظر ، تنظر بعيداً ومن بعيد ، لترانا حين نعود .. و تركض .. نعم .. و إن كان يصعب أن نتخيل هذا .. ولكنك حقاً تركض نحونا
لا لتلقي علينا اللوم ، أو تسألنا عن السبب ، و لكن لكي تمنحنا هذا الحضن ، و قبلة على العنق ، و بركات أخرى كثيرة ! آمين
و في المرة القادمة ، في المطار ، عندما يستقبلك أحباءك بهذا الحضن The Running Hug
تذكره ، منتظراً عودتك ، ليمنحك نفس الحضن العميق 

!خلينا منورين

There is No Bad Weather .. Only Bad Clothing!

"It is freezing outside!!" Moving to Amsterdam few years ago gave us loads of NEW surprises, and guess what, the weather is on the top of the list! We are now in the middle of season change, like these days, winter knocking on the doors, and a very anxious "Egyptian Family" whose cold winters were 20 degrees, is getting ready to face the -15 freezing cold.

One day at a parents school meeting, we started talking with a professor about how bad the weather is and how worried we are for the kids's first winter here...and he commented back unexpectedly-in a "cold" way:
"There is nothing called bad weather...there is only Bad Clothing!"
Boom..this was enough to silence and put us in thinking mode..it is quite true isn't?!

Same for life, this sentence fits perfectly. God did not promise an all-Spring life time on earth..i didn't read about الدنيا ربيع in the bible..in fact i read much more about thunder storms, tornadoes, hurricane...knowing that wearing our heavy warming Coat of FAITH is what will help us go through these tough times, the times of loss, of pain, of anger and rage..the time we seek revenge for someone taking away the life of our kids like happened yesterday in وراق church..i build my faith on the One who said:

قد كلَّمتُكُمْ بهذا ليكونَ لكُمْ فيَّ سلامٌ. في العالَمِ سيكونُ لكُمْ ضيقٌ، ولكن ثِقوا: أنا قد غَلَبتُ العالَمَ». (يوحَنا 16:33)

“I have told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have defeated the world!” (John 16:33 ERV)

Dear God, I pray today with heart full of faith, asking you to fill us up and the ones who lost yesterday dear ones, with your Holy Spirit, the comforter, who will guide us in times of trials..yes, i am afraid, but i know that wearing faith in You..You are bigger than any fear and with you, we shall conquer the valley of death and return back love to the ones who offense us! In Jesus name, Amen.

اما  فيش حاجة اسمها الجو وحش

عندما إنتقلنا للحياة في أمستردام لأول مرة منذ سنوات ، صادفتنا كثير من المفاجات الجديدة ، وتخيل .. الطقس كان من أول المفاجات في القائمة
نحن الان في منتصف موسم التغيير ، وفي مثل هذه الايام ، كان الشتاء يدق على أبوابنا، "عائلة مصرية" تعودنا إن أقل إنخفاض في درجة الحرارة يصل الى ٢٠ درجة مئوية ، و نحن الان نفس العائلة المصرية ، نستعد لمواجهة -١٥ درجة
!نستعد لمواجهة الثلج 
وفي إجتماع أولياء الأمور بالمدرسة ، كنت أتحدث مع أحد المدرسين عن برودة الجو و عن قلقي على بناتي الصغيرات من أول شتاء لهم في هذا الطقس السئ
 :فأجابني على غير توقع ، و بطريقة تماثل الجو " ببرودة "
" لا يوجد ما يسمى بالطقس السئ .. توجد فقط ملابس سيئة "

كان رده صادم ، كاف لنسكت تماماً و نفكر
!!أنه على حق ، أليس كذلك ؟

وبالمثل حياتنا ، نجد أن هذا القول مناسب تماماً
فالله لم يعدنا بربيع طوال أيامنا على الارض .. فلم أقرأ عن "الدنيا ربيع " في أي صفحة من صفحات الكتاب المقدس
بل عن عواصف رعدية و أعاصير
و نعلم إن إرتداءنا لمعاطف ثقيلة دافئة من " الايمان " هو ما يعبر بنا خلال الأوقات الباردة العصيبة
تمر بنا عواصف من الخسارة و الألم ، براكين من الغضب و الثورة .. أعاصير تسعى بنا للإنتقام
.. تمر بنا إضطهادات و ضيقات و تجارب
 : عندها أحتمي و أبني إيماني على من قال

"قد كلَّمتُكُمْ بهذا ليكونَ لكُمْ فيَّ سلامٌ. في العالَمِ سيكونُ لكُمْ ضيقٌ، ولكن ثِقوا: أنا قد غَلَبتُ العالَمَ». (يوحَنا 16:33 )

إلهي الحبيب
أصلي اليوم بقلب ملئ بالإيمان ، أن تسكب فينا ، نحن و كل إنسان فقد عزيزاً ، أو يسعى لإنتقام ، أو يملأه الغضب و الحزن ، أن تسكب الروح القدس في قلوبنا ، الروح المعزي ، الذي يقودنا في وقت التجارب
نعم ، أحياناً أخاف ، و لكن أستعد جيداً و أرتدي الايمان بك ، أنت أكبر من كل خوف ، بك نهزم وادي الموت و نعيد الحب الى قلوب من يكرهنا
في إسم يسوع آمين 

!خلينا منورين