2015...A New Pace of Faith

2015...A New Pace of Faith:

One of Festivities blessings is getting to meet loads of people you might rarely bump into during the whole year, not only friends of your age but as well their kids, parents, relatives and so on.Last week during Christmas mass, sitting on one of the benches, I saw one of my friend's father walking down the church aisle sooo slow, with a painful looking curved back, shoulders and arms pulled down and eyes to the ground. I was saddened and shocked how time passes and hit hard. This man last year was standing tall, walking with full confidence, and a relatively fast paced..yes, nothing stays the same! Suddenly he stopped walking, went down further...I felt he was about to fall.. but no...Up again, his posture changed...Back Straightened..Head up high...and started walking big steps..but this time lifting a baby boy..his grandson! A mystery revealed. He was deliberately slow-walking curved-down as he was holding His 2 years old grandson hands walking him down that aisle..He was walking his grandson's baby steps...up to the moment he picked him up and started his Grown up Pace..taking bigger leaps around the place.

On the last day of the year, I have been always fascinated by the mood and mindset swings that one can have between a day and another. From a 31st of December full of hope, dreams, joy welcoming with open arms a new year to a 1st of Jan bringing Worries, doubts, fears of the unknown the new year will bring. From a confident fast paced step towards a new beginning into doubting shy baby steps as the year unfolds.

In 2015, I am inviting you to stop limiting His mighty powers by your baby steps, sometimes we think He is slow but in fact we are the ones limiting the speed. Jesus wants your hungry big faith to take you to a deeper than you feet can walk or your arms can swim. Remember the two blind men in Matthew 9. They believed He can Liberate them from darkness, they had a plan and didn't limit it to baby steps. They Planned according to HIS Powers not their capabilities. When they came to Him, He asked them, 

“Do you believe that I am able to make you see again?” They answered, “Yes, Lord, we believe.” Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; and their sight was restored. (Matthew 9:29-30 NIV)
ولَمّا جاءَ إلَى البَيتِ تقَدَّمَ إليهِ الأعمَيانِ، فقالَ لهُما يَسوعُ: «أتؤمِنانِ أنّي أقدِرُ أنْ أفعَلَ هذا؟». قالا لهُ: «نَعَمْ، يا سيِّدُ!». حينَئذٍ لَمَسَ أعيُنَهُما قائلًا: «بحَسَبِ إيمانِكُما ليَكُنْ لكُما». فانفَتَحَتْ أعيُنُهُما. (9 مَتَّى:28-30 )

In this new year, I pray that we all can Dream His Dreams, Plan His Plans, and Walk big Steps..in His Arms. In 2015, Do not Limit God's love and powers into your small box...just Open your Heart to His Spirit..to His Borderless Flow of Grace.

Let your faith meet His Pace!

Happy Blessed New Year 2015 and Keep Shining my friends!

Grown ups Santa

No one can deny the importance of Santa Claus Figure in the festivities of Christmas. Looking from afar you can guess whose name is leading the Billboard of this Season...It is Santa. Kids, as a matter of fact, become so attached to the figure knowing that he is the one bringing them the "icing on the cake" and the ultimate "joy" of the season...The Gifts under the tree. We, grown ups, look at their enthusiasm with a sense of pity not looking forward to that moment of truth when they discover who do really receive their "Dear Santa" Letters and bring these toys. Our kids are getting older, and we know that this inevitable truth is knocking their doors. The good thing is that once this truth is revealed to anyone, the whole "Santa Concept" changes and gratitude starts taking a different form, or better said, gratitude gets directed to the right people, to the parents, family and friends offering them this small act of love wrapped in a gift paper under the tree.

We, grown ups, seem liking this Santa idea and keep holding to it with nails and teeth. The only difference is that our Santa takes different shapes: Santa Work, Santa Promotion, Santa Dollar, Santa Outing, Santa Sport, and may Santas we believe are the source of the true happiness we seek in life. How many letters have we written with our wish list to each of these santas...and how many times have we felt our letter did not reach that santa..or may be the gift is less satisfying than we thought! I did fail seeing who truly was behind these Santas until I read:

"Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1:16-17 NIV)
لا تضِلّوا يا إخوَتي الأحِبّاءَ. كُلُّ عَطيَّةٍ صالِحَةٍ وكُلُّ مَوْهِبَةٍ تامَّةٍ هي مِنْ فوقُ، نازِلَةٌ مِنْ عِندِ أبي الأنوارِ، الّذي ليس عِندَهُ تغييرٌ ولا ظِلُّ دَوَرانٍ. (1 يعقوبَ:16-17)

Christmas seems to be a good time of reflection who your Santa really is..and what gift are you seeking? Not talking about earthly gifts, but referring to an eternal gift no one else could bring..only One Whose name meant what Gift He brings..a Deliverance from Sin...a Break from Bondage..a Sight to the Blind...a Savior named Jesus.

Who's your Santa my friend?

Have a Blessed Merry Christmas...

The Anchor

Presentation skills...The most abused "corporate course" ever! I believe you agree with me. Just mention the needs for training courses in the company and this will surely pop up on the top of the list. Frankly, it is quite true as everyone feels vulnerable and weak standing there alone to tell a story and do it right. One of the most impactful tips is the Eye contact with your audience, not only a generic contact but I find myself always having one or two main persons in the audience to refer to in this "eye contact" trick. This person is whom I call "The Anchor"...and usually he is your boss or someone knowledgeable and influential enough in this session. This Anchor person eye contact might signal to speed up, slow down, raise your voice, or just nod with a smile confirming you are on the right track! Take care as the rest of the audience might be amused with your talk, or just sending you fake smiles and head nods "out of courtesy" regardless your message is clear or not...yet on the other hand, the anchor knows the message you need to get through and will make sure that you deliver it. This Trick is a must have for me!

What about our "Presentation of life"? Don't you believe that we are living a non-stop on stage moments...where we are exposed each and every second, being watched, being assessed, and receiving confusing signals about how our performance is developing. Do we pose for that moment and seek an eye contact with our one and only "Anchor" or just go on based on the applauds we receive from the generic audience? Do we check if our message is reaching a goal or we are just sending words with no consistent meaning..empty words leaving the audience confused.

David knew His Anchor..knew this Presentation Skill Tip when he wrote:

I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (Psalm 16:8, 11 NIV)
جَعَلتُ الرَّبَّ أمامي في كُلِّ حينٍ، لأنَّهُ عن يَميني فلا أتَزَعزَعُ.
تُعَرِّفُني سبيلَ الحياةِ. أمامَكَ شِبَعُ سُرورٍ. في يَمينِكَ نِعَمٌ إلَى الأبدِ. (16 المَزاميرُ:8, 11)

Dear Lord, Let us seek our Eye contact with your Ever Righteous ways..Let us sit and reflect if we are riding the right path..if we are sending the right message..Your eyes O Lord shall keep our feet free from falling and we shall sing again "My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for He will pluck my feet out of the net. (Psalm 25:15) for You only have the Power I need when I feel LONELY out there, lost, on the Stage of life.

Presenting throughout your day, Remember your ANCHOR!

Check - Up

Health is definitely one of the few possessions any person would cherish dearly in life and care for with utter attention. No one can feel your pain, ache or problem except you...and it is you, once feeling any unease, who decide it is time for a close check up...time for a doctor visit. It still amazes me is when some people recognize the pain, yet decide NOT to go to the doctor. You see them not feeling well, and they might even talk about the "not in shape mode", but still they resist the idea of a check up. Their reasoning in 90% most of the time "I know what I have, and I know what the doctor will tell me...he tells me the same every time..stop this and that, eat well, sleep well, change your lifestyle...I know it all!...Don't worry I ll do it myself." That's the moment they realize how a doctor visit induces a Reality check and a CALL for Commitment that some try avoiding under the pretentious reasoning of knowing it all...and a run-away from a sooner than later intervention...where a later intervention...might be just a little bit TOO late!

I admit I do the same with my heavenly Doctor...I shy away from sitting closely one to one with Him, allowing a needed check up. I might know what is going wrong in my veins of faith or my muscular tissues of inner peace, but still I prefer not to ask for this check up..as I just fear commitment, I fear Change I can't handle, I fear failing to follow His prescriptions......and to avoid it...I simply act "normal" and don't tell Him about it...Better keep it for myself..I know what He will tell me...!!

David knew the Heart of His creator..and knew that only Him, the Doctor of it all, can work His healing and show the way...He calls Him to test his heart..and thought:

 "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-24 NIV)
اختَبِرني يا اللهُ واعرِفْ قَلبي. امتَحِنّي واعرِفْ أفكاري. وانظُرْ إنْ كانَ فيَّ طَريقٌ باطِلٌ، واهدِني طَريقًا أبديًّا. (139 المَزاميرُ:23-24 AVDDV)

Only then I realized a big difference: when one leaves the doctor clinic, he faces the change alone...and is asked to commit alone..a road that might seem tough..and better to avoid. While with HIM, we are never left alone...we leave His clinic with the promise and fact that He walks with us and talks with us..."You know when I sit down and when I get up. You know my thoughts from far away. You know where I go and where I lie down. You know everything I do. Lord, you know what I want to say, even before the words leave my mouth. Your Spirit is everywhere I go. I cannot escape your presence.You will take my hand and lead me. Your strong right hand will protect me". (Psalms 139:2-4, 7, 10 ERV) I thank you For showing me the way...for Saying I AM THE WAY..and FOR YOUR SPIRIT who makes my walk to healing a commitment..it makes it YOUR Commitment..and Unfailing commitment..and that's THE big difference!

Did you do your check-up lately? May be December is a good month...

Soul Scars

We human beings like to communicate, chat and tell stories. Nothing beats a nice story-telling "dating back to childhood days" among some friends, and preferably if it has some humor in it. I found that we use, even scars, yes Scars and wounds, to tell stories. Funny enough, I can put "scars" stories into categories. There are these "Pride Scars" that hold behind them an heroic act, where you probably got it jumping off the roof to save your little brother who was about to put his hand in a 2 meters tall hungry dog. There are the "Comedy Scars" leaving their mark on you after "smartly" walking into a glass window thinking it was just not there. And then...there are the "Painful Scars", the ones you wish they didn't leave that mark to remind you of an incident painful to your heart, or shameful to share. These are the ones you neglect, try to hide and never give an answer back when asked about them...the one reminding of a loss, a fight, a hatred, or an haunting past.

But most of all there are the "Soul Scars" and these are unseen to the eyes of your surrounding, yet they haunt you down and THEY are the one that keep telling you their stories over and over again. You know, these inner scars don't have a surgical solution but have a God who He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds, curing their pains and their sorrows. (Psalm 147:3), a God who says, “I live in a high and holy place, but I also live with people who are humble and sorry for their sins. I will give new life to those who are humble in spirit. I will give new life to those who are sorry for their sins. (Isaiah 57:15)

Jesus encounter with the Leper in Matthew 8 is an undeniable incidence of hope in His Healing Touch..a touch reaching out the soul before the body..the soul that comes kneeling and asking His will...receiving a touch full of might..the only real touch that could contact such an infested body:

Then a man sick with leprosy came to him. The man bowed down before Jesus and said, 

“Lord, you have the power to heal me if you want.” Jesus touched the man. He said, “I want to heal you. Be healed!” Immediately the man was healed from his leprosy. (Matthew 8:2-3 ERV)

وإذا أبرَصُ قد جاءَ وسَجَدَ لهُ قائلًا: «يا سيِّدُ، إنْ أرَدتَ تقدِرْ أنْ تُطَهِّرَني». فمَدَّ يَسوعُ يَدَهُ ولَمَسَهُ قائلًا: «أُريدُ، فاطهُرْ!». ولِلوقتِ طَهُرَ بَرَصُهُ. (8 مَتَّى:2-3 )

Here I Kneel...for YOU to Heal!

Change of Seasons

Change of seasons has its rituals here in Europe. Welcoming winter requires some life adjustments to the city and its inhabitants, not only referring to some Christmas decoration on the streets, earlier hour for turning on the light posts and Anti Slippery snow ready tires, but also about the preparations put in place to receive such a harsh season. what was truly catching my attention is how they dealt with greenery and trees, the beautiful sight of "dead" colorful tree leaves displaying a splendid array of red to orange colors will soon all fall to leave naked thick "scary" branches. They know end of Autumn comes with heavy winds to bring down the leaves, but also shake off the dead branches. For that, they go around trimming and cutting off loose branches to avoid that this beautiful autonomy looking tree doesn't turn into a life threatening block falling on the heads of pedestrians or crushing down cars. Cutting away and Trimming the tree to Make it safe and ready for the trials of Blowing winds and loads of Snow!

You know that you and I are branches hanging to the Tree of Life, Branches extending from our Lord. I love tis passage in John 15, where Jesus talks to us about the power of abiding in Him, Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine/tree, neither can we bear fruit unless we abide in Him. But the second verse of this passage might be shocking to some:

"Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit." (John 15:2 AMP)
«أنا الكَرمَةُ الحَقيقيَّةُ وأبي الكَرّامُ. كُلُّ غُصنٍ فيَّ لا يأتي بثَمَرٍ يَنزِعُهُ، وكُلُّ ما يأتي بثَمَرٍ يُنَقّيهِ ليأتيَ بثَمَرٍ أكثَرَ. (15 يوحَنا:1-2 )

Yes, We will be cleansed and trimmed to bear more fruits, we will go through tough cutting to be ready for the winds to come and for the snow to carry. God, Through His loving Hands, knows how our dead branches can crush the ones around us, how falling leaves can leave a mess and slippery grounds on our path of life. It is tough yet His caring hands and Holy Spirit will allow and take us through to bring us to make you and I bear richer, and more excellent fruits. 

Heavenly Father, Here I am..Make me ready for the change of seasons...ready to stand firm and strong abiding in You when the wind blows and winter tests..for in Spring by your glory I shall flourish your Love to the world and bring shade to the ones in need.

Let the trimming begin my friends!

Red Riding Hood

Red Riding Hood (Chaperon Rouge) next to the fact that it is quite a "scary" tale, it gave me a chance to learn another lesson from Farida. Watching the story, specifically when little red riding hood arrived at her grandma who just got devoured by the wolf, Farida jumped out of her seat yelling at the little girl "Take care...you do not need to ask about her ears or nose, stop talking with her...just listen to her voice...It is NOT your grandma sleeping there, surely not her sweet voice...It is clearly a villain one, it's the WOLF...Run Now..RUN!" She looked at me with that worried gaze in her eyes and told me "you know pa, when I go to answer the door I ask who is there, if it is you or mami, I recognize right away your voice and open...but if it is another voice...I literally run to whoever is in the house and ask them to come and check. It gets me scared sometimes!"...and THAT was Enough for me to get my lesson of the day!

Reading through John 10 in the famous sermon of Jesus about the Good Shepherd, the following verse kept me hanging there in awe:

When he has brought his own sheep outside, he walks on before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will never [on any account] follow a stranger, but will run away from him because they do not know the voice of strangers or recognize their call. (John 10:4-5 AMP)
ومَتَى أخرَجَ خِرافَهُ الخاصَّةَ يَذهَبُ أمامَها، والخِرافُ تتبَعُهُ، لأنَّها تعرِفُ صوتَهُ. وأمّا الغَريبُ فلا تتبَعُهُ بل تهرُبُ مِنهُ، لأنَّها لا تعرِفُ صوتَ الغُرَباءِ». (10 يوحَنا:4-5 )

I always knew about the sheep who recognize the voice of the care taker, food provider and shelter provider, their shepherd...but caught by surprise seeing that they not only refuse to follow a strange voice, yet Run Away...run back to the one they know PERSONALLY. How many times have we heard and followed strange voices, sometimes we listen and start negotiating, while we know safety lies in fleeing..specially when this strange voice knows your weaknesses. Our Shepherd knows us by Name, and we are invited to sit at His feet and feel His presence, cherish His guidance and receive His abundant blessings for the Shepherd said "My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give my sheep eternal life. They will never die, and no one can take them out of my hand. My Father is the one who gave them to me, and he is greater than all. No one can steal my sheep out of his hand. (John 10:27-29 ERV)" AMEN!

Do not fall in the trap of the wolf, Red Riding Hood listened to the strange voice!

Peer Pressure

“Pa, can we please get a dog PLEASE..just like the one Amy has! or a smaller one like the one of Sara. Ok?” After few weeks at school, you start realizing the impact of peer pressure your kids go through. I know you parents out there are not surprised when your kids start asking for what their friends own starting from toys, pets up to houses with several swimming pools. Suddenly back to school or kids birthday turned into a burden on the parents who have to manage their kids needs seeing what others are enjoying or bragging about. I love how kids are so transparent in their emotions, they do not need to hide or mask the influence they get from their peers at school. They will absorb and reflect that at home in a simple question format a need captured from their friends…yes, Peer pressure is a reality starting this early age.

We, sophisticated adults, seem to be more clever in hiding our needs, yet we know for sure that we are equally impacted-if not more-by that peer pressure. We pretend being immune to what our surrounding brings on our plate everyday, to the way our close circle acts and reacts. “Show me your friends, I will tell you who you are” is a true and wise statement. We know that deep down we start copying the attitudes of our surrounding, we absorb and reflect the need in acting it rather than speaking it out loud like our innocent kids. This goes specially to attitudes and way of life we believe we lack and dream of having. We like those Go-Getters yet give a deaf ear to the wrong doings on the way to get the goal, we like having this trendy look yet neglect the border line flirty side it brings, we yearn for this over empowering “charismatic" presence yet accept its side effect selfish attitude. Actions and attitudes do make an impact, specially if they get copied…they are contagious in a peer pressure way.

No wonder in proverbs, influence of peers and societal pressure was clearly stated:

He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm. (Proverbs 13:20)
20المُسايِرُ الحُكَماءَ يَصيرُ حَكيمًا، ورَفيقُ الجُهّالِ يُضَرُّ. (امثال ٢٠:١٣)

I am not seeking to open your eyes on the choice of your surrounding (You are mature enough to chose)..but rather I am asking each one of us to reflect on who we are to our friends and society..Are we the wise or the fools? Do we realise the power God has created in us to impact, influence and change…do we realise that we are created to Shine and Keep shining His Light?

What type of “Peer Pressure" you are spreading today? I hope the Up-lifting one!

Big Black Cloud.. Again

Here comes again the big "Black Cloud-السحابة السودة"..Isn't it a pity that such a perfect weather month like October is ruined by such an unexplained phenomenon! I remember enjoying outdoor activities as Summer heat fades away and winter (the bit we have back home) didn't yet crawl its way into the streets of Cairo. You can not be around a group of people these days without hearing their endless complaints of such horrific pollution and how disastrous it is to their overall health and moods. Just a thought hit me...what about the ones who are producing this pollution, the ones starting the fires and burning the so called "قش الرز". Are they feeling guilty with such wrong doing? Are they realizing the suffering they are creating to millions around them? Do they even still smell or see the same smoke the way we do? I guess they got used to it, or so embedded in their ways that in fact they like it! Their personal benefit in such an act BLINDS their eyes and gives them a fictitious peace of consciousness.

I just reflected on the Black Clouds you and I do create in our lives. Numerous sins and wrong doings found their way to pollute our soul, yet I guess we are blinded exactly as the "black cloud producers". The personal benefits we get from a lie, a cheat, a treason, or a look sedates our consciousness and makes us co-exist in a Smoke filled inner-self. My fear that this black cloud can (and will) hit the ones around you, they will smell it and eventually bear the consequences with you, yes, the consequences are one sin's most terrifying realities.

I love David for the man of God he was, yet he committed adultery and sinned. He knew he could blindly accept it and find excuses, yet he Prayed with tears asking God to fetch his soul and open his eyes, showing him what to clean:

"Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23-24)
اختَبِرني يا اللهُ واعرِفْ قَلبي. امتَحِنّي واعرِفْ أفكاري. وانظُرْ إنْ كانَ فيَّ طَريقٌ باطِلٌ، واهدِني طَريقًا أبديًّا. (139 المَزاميرُ:23-24 )

Dear Lord, I had enough starting fires, seeing smokes and accepting it. How far do we need to go to realize the pain we are creating to our selves and the disgrace we bring to the ones around us. Till when will we keep our eyes on the cloud of others yet accept the fumes we spread around. Open the eyes of our heart Lord to the blind spots we let go and the accepted failures we nurture within. I want to scream out loud with the born-blind healed by Jesus "“But I do know this: I was blind, and now I can see.” (John 9:25) 
In Your Glorious name, Amen.

When you see the black cloud, remember your own.

Open Space Office

"Open Space" Office is a phenomenon that most of us have encountered at work. It is something that defies our normal notion of "Focus and Deliver" specially if you grew up in house where "Khosh oddatak, e2efel el bab, Rakez w zaker" was on the top list of the most said phrases in the house. On the first days in Open Space, a piece of advice was very much needed facing the unbelievable flow of noise, chats, movements, calls, passers by, watching who works or plays solitaire (now browsing the net) and many more; and I am happy that I received it. "Youssef, do not make your agenda be managed by what comes from outside, chats will happen in the cubicle next to you, gatherings and laughs will be loud and grabbing your attention, invasions of your desk with endless question will . If you answer all, you will kill your productivity and obviously fail. Build filtering walls, Focus on one topic at a time, Manage your own agenda rather than be moved by all outside factors...and the others, seeing you productive, will respect that!" and yes, it was hard to follow, yet could not imagine surviving without this technique.

I guess We live these days in the "Social Open Space" Lives. The notion of your time and privacy has changed drastically, no longer your life is immune to external factors, chats, laughs, outings, rumors, comparisons and more. The distraction is attacking everywhere, just at the tips of your fingers. Try to have a decent conversation in group, in few minutes, half will be already checking their phones! Your days goes fine, then a message in wattsapp turns it around, or a photo on Facebook gets you in scenarios of thinking, or a late email at evening while with family kills the night. All this shakes your faith and peace from-within. They invade even your quality time spent with yourself and and your Creator, these few minutes are always full of distractions, right? Jesus expressed it beautifully in the parable of the seeds in different soils:

"And He told them many things in parables (stories by way of illustration and comparison), saying, A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them out". (Matthew 13:3-4, 7)

فكلَّمَهُمْ كثيرًا بأمثالٍ قائلًا: «هوذا الزّارِعُ قد خرجَ ليَزرَعَ، وفيما هو يَزرَعُ سقَطَ بَعضٌ علَى الطريقِ، فجاءَتِ الطُّيورُ وأكلَتهُ...وسَقَطَ آخَرُ علَى الشَّوْكِ، فطَلَعَ الشَّوْكُ وخَنَقَهُ. (13 مَتَّى:3-4, 7 )

Yes we have to admit, our lives now are getting chocked and strangled by distractions killing our productivity and ability to let grow the seed of His words in us, we just lead our lives responding to what happens into our "Social Open Space" allowing it to shape our thoughts, reactions and overall mood.

Dear Lord, We Thank you for the days of connection we live into, yet We pray today for a defined and focused heart in each one of us, a heart that can live with barriers to distractions, a heart that will lead from within rather than react to the outside, a mind that will stay focused on what matters in that wide Open Space..a Soul seeking you to bear Fruits and grow in the light of Your love. Amen!

Keep focused my friends!

Chicken or Fries?!

Aline: Leila, eat your food first before finishing all your fries. Chicken is very good for your growth.
Leila: But mom, I LOVE fries!
Me: and you love chicken as well, right?
Leila: Yes I do love chicken, but I love fries even more and if I eat chicken first, I will be full and won't enjoy my Fries anymore!
Aline and I: ......

I am sure lots you have encountered this in your life time, being the kid or the parent. I can't deny that Leila was straight forward honest. WE all do have preferences that shape our choices, hence our lives on a global scale. Look at your day at work or at home, you might start by the task you love, then the less enjoyable. Your wattsapp groups, checking first the closest to you then moving to the rest. Your music..your food..your channels and so on! We surely enjoy loads of things, yet some are loved more than others.

When it comes to faith and our relation with our Heavenly Father, I always pictured it more of a Black and White choice. I thought once I love Him I must be hating evil, that's it, that's enough, I am safe! But then got hit by this awakening passage in John 3:

"The Light has come into the world, and people have loved the darkness rather than and more than the Light, for their works (deeds) were evil." (John 3:19 AMP)

وهذِهِ هي الدَّينونَةُ: إنَّ النّورَ قد جاءَ إلَى العالَمِ، وأحَبَّ النّاسُ الظُّلمَةَ أكثَرَ مِنَ النّورِ، لأنَّ أعمالهُمْ كانتْ شِرّيرَةً. (3 يوحَنا:19 )

People loved Darkness more than light...They loved Light, but darkness was a preference, their first choice. Oh Lord, Can it be true, I was soothing myself saying I love you, yet I ignored the fact that Darkness was preferred in MANY times..too many I would say. Darkness satisfied my appetite, my hunger seemed temporarily filled, deceptively leaving no space for Light, just like the chicken and fries of Leila. I was getting in peace with myself, accepting I can love both as long as you are in the formula. But no, they do not mix. We do good, yet accept the dark to co-exist. You have set before us life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore told us to choose life, but we don't, quite too often.

Lord, It is a mysterious choice, a choice so much tarnished by grey shadows, a choice where room temperature seems fine..where cold is too cold and hot is burning...a choice we would prefer not making, but rather live and let live...yes i know this "dancing on the stairs" life and surely it wearies me more than an uphill steady growth. Holy Spirit, help us through our struggles, make our choices clear..guide us choosing LIFE!

Choose what fills your hunger...Choose LIFE!

طاطس و فراخ.
آلين : ليلة ، كُلي الأكل الأول قبل ما تخلصي البطاطس المحمرة ، الفراخ مهمة و مفيدة جداً علشان تكبري
ليلة : لكن يا ماما ، أنا بحب البطاطس
أنا : ولكن بتحبي الفراخ كمان يا ليلة ، مش كدة ؟
ليلة : أيوة بحب الفراخ ، لكن بحب البطاطس أكتر ، ولو أكلت الفراخ الاول هشبع و مش حتبسط و انا باكل البطاطس  
......آلين و أنا 

لا أنكر إن ليلة كانت أمينة و صريحة جداً . كلنا لنا أشياء مفضلة من خلالها تتشكل إختياراتنا ، و بالتالي حياتنا كلها على شكل أشمل
أنظر إلى يومك في العمل أو البيت ، غالباً ما تبدأ بالمهمة التي تستمتع بها قبل تلك التي لا تفضلها
حتى في ال watsapp ، بتلقائية تختار المقربين الى قلبك أولاً، ثم الباقيين :)
في الموسيقى ، الفنون ، الأطعمة ، قنوات التليڤزيون و هكذا
نحن نستمتع بأمور كثيرة ، و لكن بعضها أحب لقلوبنا من البعض الآخر 

و عندما يقترب الامر من الإيمان و علاقتنا بإلهنا السماوي ، أرى الامر أقرب إلى الأبيض و الأسود في الخيارات . اعتقدت في وقت ما أنني إن كنت أحب الله فأنا بالضرورة أكره إبليس ، و هكذا إطمأنيت للفكرة و أنا بذلك في أمان ما دمت أحب الله ! إلى ان إنتبهت على تلك الآيات 
وهذِهِ هي الدَّينونَةُ: إنَّ النّورَ قد جاءَ إلَى العالَمِ، وأحَبَّ النّاسُ الظُّلمَةَ أكثَرَ مِنَ النّورِ، لأنَّ أعمالهُمْ كانتْ شِرّيرَةً. (3 يوحَنا:19 )
أن الناس يحبون الظلمة أكثر من النور ، لقد أحبوا النور ، ولكن الظلمة كانت مفضلة ، كانت إختيارهم الأول

سيدي ، هل يمكن أن تكون تلك حقيقتي ؟! هل كنت أُهَوِّنُ الأمر على نفسي ، أقول أني " أحبك " ، مع هذا أتجاهل أن الظلمة كانت و ما زالت إختياري الأول في كثير من الأوقات
الظلمة ، أرضتني ، أشبعت شهيتي ، جوعي بدا و كأنه " إمتلأ " ! وبخداع شديد .. تنتزع الظلمة أماكن النور في حياتي
تماماً كالفراخ و البطاطس في نظرة ليلة
كنت في سلام مع نفسي ، متقبلاً أن أحب الاثنين " النور و الظلمة " و أتعايش مع كلاهما ، مادام الله موجود في المعادلة ، على كل حال

ولكن .. لا ! إنهما لا يمتزجان معاً ! أن نقوم بالخير ، و معه .. نقبل و جود الشر في نفس الوقت ! لقد وضع أمامنا الحياة و الموت ، البركة و اللعنة ، و من ثم طلب الله منَّا ، أن نختار الحياة ، و لكننا لا نختارها .. في غالبية المرات لا نختارها 

..سيدي
!أنه إختيار غامض ، إختيار مشوه بالدرجات الرمادية ، إختيار .. كدرجة حرارة الغرفة ، فاتر ، و محتمل
!إختيار ، فيه ، الحار حارق ، و البارد ثلجي
!إختيار ، لا نرغب أن نقوم به ، بل نعيش و نتعايش
!نعم أعلم تلك الحياة " الرقص على السلم " ، التي في النهاية تتعبني أكثر بكثير من النمو و الصعود المستمر 

!الروح القدس ، يعيننا خلال هذا الصراع ، يجعل إختياراتنا واضحة ، يقودنا .. فنختار الحياة

!إختر ما يشبع جوعك فعلاً .. إختر الحياة 

!خلينا منورين

A WOW Effect!

Who on earth can just not love this moment of Gift Giving (specially to the kids). The reactions, that glittering happiness in the eyes, this big smile and the hug afterwards are unmatchable joy inducers of life. However, Leila and Farida's happiness manifestations are dis proportionally stronger when the gift comes at unexpected time or even more...in an unexpected way, and bigger than their wish..asking that same wondering question every time "WOW..How and when did you do that?". They showed me that a surprise WOW effect always lasts longer than the Gift-Giving act itself, it brings a story-to-tell and a memory-to-cherish, and That's why the smallest unexpected acts are just invaluable (even for us adults).

How many times our Loving Heavenly father surprised you a with such a WOW effect? It is amazing the number of times He answers prayers beyond our expectations, in size or in timing. I love these verses showing how God works in ways that seem mysterious, ways that we only understand when we start drawing the dots and seeing the plan that have been slowly brewing to deliver this WOW surprise:

- For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9 AMP)

«لأنَّ أفكاري لَيسَتْ أفكارَكُمْ، ولا طُرُقُكُمْ طُرُقي، يقولُ الرَّبُّ. لأنَّهُ كما عَلَتِ السماواتُ عن الأرضِ، هكذا عَلَتْ طُرُقي عن طُرُقِكُمْ وأفكاري عن أفكارِكُمْ. (55 إشَعياءَ:8-9
- Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” (John 13:7 NIV)
أجابَ يَسوعُ وقالَ لهُ: «لَستَ تعلَمُ أنتَ الآنَ ما أنا أصنَعُ، ولكنكَ ستَفهَمُ فيما بَعدُ». (13 يوحَنا:7 )
- Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. (Romans 11:33, 36 NIV)
يا لَعُمقِ غِنَى اللهِ وحِكمَتِهِ وعِلمِهِ! ما أبعَدَ أحكامَهُ عن الفَحصِ وطُرُقَهُ عن الِاستِقصاءِ لأنَّ مِنهُ وبهِ ولهُ كُلَّ الأشياءِ. لهُ المَجدُ إلَى الأبدِ. آمينَ. (11 روميَةَ:33, 36 )

Dear Loving Father, Keeping a steadfast faith in your ways, believing that your Goodness stands ALL the way, makes us look forward unveiling your unexpected ways, your surprising gifts and Your abundant blessings into our lives. I pray that our hearts and minds read beyond the WOW moment and see, in hindsight, your Hand throughout that time weaving a tapestry of unexpected blessings into our own daily lives. Amen!

Keep the faith, Embrace the WOW moments, God has plenty of them for you and me!

PLEASE share with us a "WOW moment" in which God surprised you! I d love to read it 

Back to School ... Again

"Back to School" will be the topic these days (next to electricity cuts of course)! Leila and Farida started their school year this week, and obviously as all proud parents like you, we joined them on the first morning after a series on endless photos  To my surprise, taking them through the list of students in their class to as a mean of encouragement, I still saw their concerned looks, they missed an important piece of info: Who's their teacher? Knowing it will be "Marc", a sigh of relief and glitter of content flashed in their eyes pushing them to admit "Papi, he plays guitar, we will learn a lot by singing, it will surely be fun coming everyday". An eye opener on how crucial is the knowledge seeder in the way they preview their year...and they are 100% right!

Dear friends, our life does not cease needing a teacher, a coach or a counselor. Unfortunately, we believe we stop learning once studies are over, but just a review or check of your first morning minutes thoughts will tell you how desperately you wish you had a teacher to guide you and tell you what to do when you are clueless (which I am in many many circumstances). We are created creative, smart and with a free will to seek learning, growth and guidance. Sometimes, we search so far to get advice, yet we forget that THE teacher is available, is as near as your breath to you...How many times, we decide skipping the class just to chat with a friend or whoever can help us through..before even checking what the teacher has to say. Our heavenly Father says it loud and clear: 

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. (Psalm 32:8 NIV)
«أُعَلِّمُكَ وأُرشِدُكَ الطريقَ الّتي تسلُكُها. أنصَحُكَ. عَيني علَيكَ. (32 المَزاميرُ:8 )

I pray today that we set our chairs toward the podium, towards the teacher. If you believe that He is a promise keeper, if you believe that He has got the whole world in His hands, then just believe that as He said, He is the teacher we need to listen to every morning..or better said, every minute of the day..and I am sure He wont let us down. Just sit down close, get focused and listen!

Have a blessed "Life" school year my friends...

Sand Castle on a Salty Sea

Learning by experience is a powerful tool and my daughter Leila proved it right. This summer, on hot beach day, our parents, Aline and I were laying in the sun talking how "salty" the Red Sea is...you feel it sticking to your skin. Over hearing our discussion, Leila suddenly left the sand castle she was building and turned to us sharing this following simple fact "You know, The sea is made of Water and Salt..This is why it is salty..Papi showed it to me last year at home, where we poured in salt into water, it just disappeared but turned it into Sea water. So this is how they make it!".....turned her head and went back to her Sand Castle! I was just surprised that she kept this simple experience stored in the back of her head feeling so proud, leaving totally her play time, and sharing it in such a simple confident way. This scene confirmed a statement beautifully written about the concept of "experience" that you can hear an idea one hundred times and fail to make it a piece of who you are until you actually experience it, it rises from being just a CONCEPT to a TRUTH to you.

That is why I prefer the term relationship over the term religion. In a relationship, you need to go through a state of experiencing someone to build what you can call a relationship. No relation exists without experience, and our Book is filled with events in which people had the blessing to Experience Jesus and His love. Out of these I can never forget the Samaritan woman at the well...She has done what Leila have demonstrated perfectly. She met Him, experienced His encounter, The Messiah turned from a concept to Truth, and went to her village sharing Her story..She even left her most dear item she carried, she left her Jar at the well and went back without earthly water:

"Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did....Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” (John 4:28-29, 39 NIV)
فترَكَتِ المَرأةُ جَرَّتَها ومَضَتْ إلَى المدينةِ وقالَتْ للنّاسِ: «هَلُمّوا انظُروا إنسانًا قالَ لي كُلَّ ما فعَلتُ.
فآمَنَ بهِ مِنْ تِلكَ المدينةِ كثيرونَ مِنَ السّامِريّينَ بسَبَبِ كلامِ المَرأةِ الّتي كانتْ تشهَدُ أنَّهُ: «قالَ لي كُلَّ ما فعَلتُ » (4 يوحَنا:28-29, 39 )

Dear Lord, I do not want a RELIGION...I want an Experience-filled life with you, a life in which I encounter your presence, and hear your whispers, see your eyes watching over, and know that you are there closer than my breath to me. I know that this relationship I seek is the only way I will let go of my earthly breakable Jar, seeking Your ever flowing well of water, your Holy Spirit as you said. I pray for a relationship that shall make me strong and faithful in times of trial and tests, in times of standing on shacking knees...only then My life's experience with you will linger in my head and Raise me up to stand not just on concepts but on a Solid truth..on Solid grounds. In Jesus name, Amen!

Seek an experience, a relationship not a just religion my friends!

Power Cut!

"Power cut..It's Ok, no one moves, I will go, I know the way around the house, I have the candles ready in one of the kitchen's drawers" Then I walk around, waving my hands in the air to avoid hitting a wall..small baby steps to avoid knocking my toes into a table...and here I got the candle..but oops can't find the matches to light it! Sorry guys.."We will wait a bit in the dark". Obviously this is what I recall from the good old days reaction when power cut hit us, do you remember it too? 

My last visit back home showed me how the 21st century changed that moment. Nowadays, no one panics when it gets dark..why, because Once it hit us, an army of mobile phones light up their LED lights turning the place into an almost dance floor lighting mood, no need to move or to search for the matches..Light is at the tip of your fingers. So far so good, However, after couple of minutes some shut down their phone lights, why, because the battery will drain soon. It can not sustain long hours lighting up. It is good for a small period of time. Then you realize that it can not replace the real "sustainable" electricity that you dearly wait for to come back and Light up the room!

That change of reaction opened my eyes to the way we humans sometimes seek temporary solution to fill a long lasting darkness growing in us. Nowadays, everything is at our fingertips, we believe that we can light up our life with so many outside influences, methods, new teachings, that surely have their impact, yet very short living effect, shorter than you think. Many have come to the realization that Light is from within, handed to you from Above, created with care and love, all other sources have a battery life and die sooner than you think. The only "sustainable" light is the Eternal Light, the one that Said in John 8 "I am THE light of the World", In him there was life, and that life was a light for the people of the world. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not defeated it. (John 1:4-5). And yes, He called you and me to be as well His reflection in the midst of this world's darkness: 

“You are the light that shines for the world to see. You are like a city built on a hill that cannot be hidden. (Matthew 5:14).
أنتُمْ نورُ العالَمِ. لا يُمكِنُ أنْ تُخفَى مدينةٌ مَوْضوعَةٌ علَى جَبَلٍ،
فليُضِئْ نورُكُمْ هكذا قُدّامَ النّاسِ، لكَيْ يَرَوْا أعمالكُمُ الحَسَنَةَ، ويُمَجِّدوا أباكُمُ الّذي في السماواتِ. (5 مَتَّى:14, 16 AVDDV)

Me, I am Light? Thank you Lord for the Greatness you see in me..for the Power you bless me with through your Spirit..Thank you for making me believe that I am and I can light this world. We all have a call to Light and Shine!

My friend, Don't Settle for a mobile phone, when you can have a Never-Cut Electricity current shining through you!

Floaters

Vacations with Kids has its undeniable benefits. Next to the joy they bring of just being there, Leila and Farida add another dimension to the excitement of the days. They just want to live each day to the fullest, they are ready mentally and physically to enjoy since the minute they open their eyes, specially if it's a summer destination where the beach or pool is as-if calling them since the first hour of the day. This enthusiasm touched me deep when on the first morning at our beach destination, we woke up, got dressed for breakfast, and here they are fully ready...putting on their swimming goggles (نظارات الغطس), hahaha, it was hilarious, not even seeing the pool yet, we went walking to breakfast with their goggles on, they were receiving the day with open arms and a WIDER open heart to enjoy.

Their enthusiasm and readiness reminded me of The feeding the multitude great miracle performed by Jesus. Just imagine a huge gathering of at least 5000 sitting all day listening to our Lord's teachings, not thinking about their next meal. There was obviously no catering tents, nor a feast set up for them, it was Only Jesus teaching. When hunger stroke in, they followed Jesus orders and Sat down to receive their dinner. Some of them must have noticed that He only had 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish, but still sat down to receive. If I were there, not seeing that the sermon was "food included", I might have have left to catch up the "grocery store" before it closes its doors, I am sure some of the multitude did so. But others Believed and Stayed as in Matthew 14:

The followers answered, “But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish.” Jesus said, “Bring the bread and the fish to me.” Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. (Matthew 14:17-19)
فقالوا لهُ: «ليس عِندَنا ههنا إلّا خَمسَةُ أرغِفَةٍ وسَمَكَتانِ». فقالَ: «ائتوني بها إلَى هنا». فأمَرَ الجُموعَ أنْ يتَّكِئوا علَى العُشبِ. ( مَتَّى ١٤: ١٧-١٩)

Dear Lord, I come to you today at this first hour with a open heart hungry to receive. Even if my eyes do not see the feeding and blessings you have prepared, but my heart kneels on the grass to receive the meal you put forth in front of me...and I know as with the multitudes, your meal is sufficient and abundant with leftovers for me to feed the ones in need. I bring my heart to you today with my Goggles on even before seeing the Pool of your blessings!

Dear friends, Put on your Goggles and Dive in His blessings!

A Room with a View

One of the mysteries in the world of hotel reservations is the "Room View" Concept...I always considered it over-rated. Until a week ago, I booked a room with City view that literally had zero views (or in fact the view of our neighboring building balcony)..being in a city on the sea side, missing most of the day light and a bit of sea-blue was strange! We agreed to do something different and broke out concept of functionality to move to a Room with a View...WOW! The room was EXACTLY the same except for the view, the background, the backdrop of our stay in the room...We then rejoiced the scenery and the beauty of God's creation. Despite obviously we were not sticking our face to the window all day, yet filling your soul with it the first minutes of the day , even the rest of the day, with that backdrop, was a mood lifter bringing us to another state of indulging appreciation for the gifts of His Hands.

Despite it was the same room with all its benefits and carefully crafted touches, just living with this backdrop made our days happier, sunnier and more upbeat. Same for our days living with Him as a Backdrop, filling all your ground and surrounding you and your thoughts. God will bring another dimension to your life's fulfillment, to the purpose of your stay and the enjoyment of your goals. I always believe that that the minutes or the hour at the morning with Him are not ending there...yet it is setting the scene for the day to go with His presence. We can not limit God in our Khelwa (or prayer time), He is worthy Taking the Whole scene of your room, your Life.

Dear God, I come today putting in your hands the hours of my life, surrendering all to you, seeking to live consciously knowing your presence filling my days, and I know that you are bringing purpose to the cause and flavor to the tasteless. Lord, take away from my heart all fears of living in the sight of your eyes, I am not fearing you anymore, in fact I feel safe and comfort knowing you are watching me and over me all day. You are the Backdrop of our Lives...You are the Scene to make it full! In your hands, I place all that I am, AMEN!

Choose your life to be with a View, don't settle for side walk!

Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth! (Psalm 46:10 AMP)

كُفّوا واعلَموا أنّي أنا اللهُ. أتَعالَى بَينَ الأُمَمِ، أتَعالَى في الأرضِ. (46 المَزاميرُ:10)

A Train Ride!

Did you travel by train before? I do personally believe that IT is the best means of travel, quite convenient and Fast (No long check-in processes), Reliable (delays are not that common), and comfortable (usually you have more leg space and walkways than in planes) and Yes...you do not need to choose "Chicken or Beef", there is a whole cafeteria if needed. However, what tops it all is the Scenery you get to enjoy while on a train ride, specially here in spain, we cross through God's amazing nature, from Green pastures, Farming lands, Mountains, valleys and Olive tree fields. I am usual passenger on the 6:45 am train, I can tell you nothing compensates this early wake up but filling my eyes and soul with these beautiful scenes enrobed in the background of a Golden shining sunrise, giving it a dreamy paradise look and feel..but suddenly, all this beauty just disappears, brutally cut and replaced by a total Loud and Black Darkness...We are going through a Tunnel!

 That's the inconvenience about diving in these scenes, you do not know when the tunnel comes, you can't see it from the train windows, you are Just suddenly INTO it, surrounded and captured. What keeps my breath in place is that I know it lasts for few seconds or minutes, then we are out to the green pastures again!. Despite the Darkness I thank God for the Tunnel, It was needed anyhow to get us through this big mountain on our way...otherwise we would have crashed into it!

Our life on earth is a Train Ride! We live in The light and enjoy all its beauties, we look around and thank Him for the gifts He pours in our lives then suddenly, trial comes and all the green turns to black, we lose sight and sense of time not knowing when we'll see the light again. Our Lord Jesus did not promise a Green scene all the way, we are never told our lives will be free from tunnels, storms, hurt or disappointments but He told this graceful fact :

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] (‭John‬ ‭16‬:‭33‬ AMP)

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

It is this trust in Him, driving the train that keeps my head above water when flood surrounds, when darkness of a tunnel shuts the light and when all around us seems losing the essence of Love.. when all the news are filled with blood, bombs and death. I know He has conquered it all and I would go back to green fields or to an even Far greater beauty beyond what one have ever seen, heard or imagined as the scriptures says.

Dear God, Today I say a special prayer for all the souls going through war and violence, the souls seeking THE Light at the end of the tunnel, the souls that wonder where you are...and seek Your Peace within. For those I pray today so that they know You have Conquered the World, through you and your spirit they shall pass and they shall see green pastures again. In Jesus Name, AMEN!

Life is a Train ride...with tunnels on the way..just Keep His peace!

Summer, Swimming and a Lesson

Summer and Swimming are two eternally inseparable words (Specially if you live in a 40 something degrees country). Going to the pool or the beach with my girls added a lot of fun to it, bringing great moments of bonding and fun missed by a working father. I am happy that they finally learned how to swim confidently without floaters (عوامات), it just gives them another level of enjoyment as well for us as parents an additional sense of security. Couple of weeks ago, we went for a weekend along the sea shores to soak the sun and welcome summer. Here we are digging our feet in the hot sand, standing at the beach, I saw in their eyes a sense of freedom and pride looking at their "floaters-free" arms, ready to jump in the water..and Splash! It only took them 5 minutes and some waves to realize that this is not a pool, this is a way lesser stable environment, where they felt pushed, pulled, dragged, splashed-in-the-face by waves and...surely at risk! They both held my arms with one request: Can we wear the floaters please!

So many lessons I get from them! I just realized that no matter how big, independent, knowledgeable and powerful we become, we still need our "floaters" too. This world is more of a roaring Sea than a silent wave less blue swimming pool where a green flag at sea might turn to Red anytime. NO matter how stable my life is, waves keep coming whether I like it or not, and then only then, I will not worry as I have my floating rescue ring keeping my head above water. David the Psalmist knew perfectly who and what to hold on to when the current pulls and the waves are restless:

Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me. (‭Psalm‬ ‭23‬:‭4‬ AMP)
أيضًا إذا سِرتُ في وادي ظِلِّ الموتِ لا أخافُ شَرًّا، لأنَّكَ أنتَ مَعي. عَصاكَ وعُكّازُكَ هُما يُعَزّيانِني‭‬ ‮ (المزامير ٣٢:٧)

Dear Lord, I thank you that You are there watching like a father, keeping your eyes on us in this roaring sea. I want to live my life knowing that I am holding strong to the One that keeps my head up high, and my heart praises thanks when I know that 
"The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him sincerely and in truth." (‭Psalm‬ ‭145‬:‭18‬). 
I thank you for the Rescue Ring you have put in me! In Jesus Name, Amen!

Life is not a swimming pool, keep you Rescue Ring ready!

Devoirs de Vacances

Do you remember these so-called Devoirs de Vacances-Literally translated "Vacations' Homework"-Here I face them again with my kids..but this time with a lesson. On the last week of school, Aline and I went to meet our daughters' teachers to get a feedback about this year's progress. The interesting thing in our meeting is that, next to the focus on the past year, the teachers spent a handful amount of time talking about summer, Yes, SUMMER! They talked so passionately about the importance of keeping the kids happy and enjoying the skills they crafted throughout the year..the reading, calculating, writing and more. Quoting one of them "Leila needs to feel connected to school even being physically not there..her connection is through keep doing what she enjoys at school..this will not only develop her..but make her ready and hungry to come back and learn more..she will start back school, fitting in, and hit the ground running as she, in summer, lived the school before it starts"!

WOW..That was an eye opener for the eternity we are getting ready for. It made me reflect on the life I am leading on earth, and whether the "Summer" I am living into shall lead smoothly and willingly "Back to School" or not. Same for Heaven, Am I living "Heaven" on "Earth" by acknowledging and cherishing the Love and Companionship of my Creator throughout all my days?! If Heaven is living eternally with Him, would I still want to be there...despite that I struggle sitting and enjoying His presence at least on a daily basis for few minutes? As for my kids, what if Reading, writing or maths don't move them at all..Would they wanna be back to school? I see their hunger to learn more makes them ready to embrace the days to come and the joy school will bring..They are living it before it starts.

I pray today that the short life you and I are living become a true opportunity to experience HIS Love, and taste every day the Kingdom of God that is WITHIN us as Jesus Said 
"For behold, the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you]. (‭Luke‬ ‭17‬:‭21‬)" 
ولَمّا سألهُ الفَرّيسيّونَ: «مَتَى يأتي ملكوتُ اللهِ؟». أجابَهُمْ وقالَ: «لا يأتي ملكوتُ اللهِ بمُراقَبَةٍ، ولا يقولونَ: هوذا ههنا،أو: هوذا هناكَ! لأنْ ها ملكوتُ اللهِ داخِلكُمْ». (‭17‬ ‮لوقا‬:‭20-21‬ AVDDV)

Let's Live Heaven on earth and That Love so big that shall grow into us and shared outwards to all the world around us. Allow me to quote these expressive words from Pope Francis talking about our readiness "We must let him prepare our hearts, our eyes, our ears for our homeland. Being prepared for heaven means starting to see it from afar," he said, and that requires prayer, courage and the humility to allow the Lord to work in one's life.

Enjoy your Summer prepared my friends!