Upper Egypt

I have always been wondering during school days why is it called "Upper" Egypt...even though it is Down there, south...not Up! I thought is it خطأ شائع (common mistake)...so decided to check our own arabic language..and surprised to find it called الصعيد (Al sa3eid) which, after searching, realized it is derived from the verb صعد which means to escalate..to Go up! I am sure some of you-curious ones-had the same question. With all this realization, I then found out that this is what it takes for our dear "Nile" river to flow "down" to Cairo and towards the mediterranean..Flowing from a higher land to a lower platform. When I put all the pieces of the puzzle together..only then, I understood the "Upper" part of this name.

Ok..some of you wonder where I am heading to. The following verse was the reason:

...On that day Jesus stood up and said loudly, “Whoever is thirsty may come to me and drink. If anyone believes in me, rivers of living water will flow out from their heart. That is what the Scriptures say.” Jesus was talking about the Spirit.(John 7:37-39 ERV)
...وقَفَ يَسوعُ ونادَى قائلًا: «إنْ عَطِشَ أحَدٌ فليُقبِلْ إلَيَّ ويَشرَبْ. مَنْ آمَنَ بي، كما قالَ الكِتابُ، تجري مِنْ بَطنِهِ أنهارُ ماءٍ حَيٍّ». قالَ هذا عن الرّوحِ الّذي كانَ المؤمِنونَ بهِ مُزمِعينَ أنْ يَقبَلوهُ (يوحَنا 7:37-39 AVDDV)

What a strong expression our Lord Is using here..Rivers of Living Water flowing from YOUR hearts. The image of the serenity, yet the unstoppable power of the Nile flashed in my mind..the realization that it flows from a higher "Upper" ground helped me understand what prayer does to our hearts! In Prayer, our soul is lifted up to the skies..our hearts elevate to meet God on the mountains..we are brought to Higher grounds looking down to all earthly matters, problems and worries..flooding all our surrounding with the fruits that the flowing river of the Spirit brings: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22, 23 ERV).

Go "Down" on your knees..to be Lifted to "Upper" grounds 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!