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!

School performance..and a Father

Fist of all, I would like to wish all my friends and dear ones "Ramadan Kareem"! May it bring the warmth and love we always share together during its days and long nights!

This year Ramadan coincides with the last days of school for many of our children. The excitement it brings to my kids is not caused by the vacation to start soon, but rather by the end of "year closing event" they will perform in front of all the parents, showcasing what they learned and put their efforts in perfecting. Leila and Farida kept rehearsing their songs and plays, thinking about the surprising effect they will leave on us.
Here comes the BIG day of the show, they went to school and with a big kiss on my face they told me "See you today Papi, don't be late." I went as promised since I missed it last year, and sat among all the parents that came to watch their kids glowing and growing as a year passed by by. All the kids looked amazing, with the biggest proud smiles on their faces, looking with confidence into the eyes of their parents with a posture of "Look at me...I am a super star". They got their confidence by the applause and kisses sent in the air from their moms and dads. ALL so cheerful except one, who had her eyes wet, her head turning around, every second and another, standing on the tips of her toes, searching desperately for her parents...who didn't show up, despite the promise to be there. I was really sad, you could see her confidence shaken, her hopes crashed and her interest lost. She knew that no one is there to cheer for her. At the end show, her mother came in running, and as soon as the girl's eyes fell on her, she broke into unstoppable tears...in fact both of them.
So small of an incident, so Big of emotions!

In that moment, I thanked God for always having His eyes over me. How comfortable and peace inducing is the confidence we have in His presence throughout our days. I know that all my works are in front of His eyes, to rejoice and to save. I know that nothing can separate me of His love..no distance, darkness, sleep, traffic, work nothing...He is watching all over me. I Love this verse in Psalm 34:

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry (Psalm 34:15 NIV)
عَينا الرَّبِّ نَحوَ الصِّدّيقينَ، وأُذُناهُ إلَى صُراخِهِمْ. (المَزاميرُ ١٥:٣٤)

I pray today that our walk in life would bring Him joy and pride as my kids did brought to my heart that day. Yet I know, that no matter what mistake I do on stage, He will be there helping, correcting and cheering me up as He promised saying "and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. (Matthew 28:20 AMP)". AMEN!

Keep your peace my friends...He is ALWAYS there!

!إرفعوا الستار

آخر ايام العام الدراسي
 الاثارة التي تملأ عيون الاطفال بإقتراب الاجازه ، ويفوقها اثارة و حماس ( حفلة نهاية السنة الدراسية ) .. الاستعدادات للعرض الكبير الذي سيقدمونه امام الاباء و الامهات و الذي يجمعون فيه كل ما تعلموه طوال العام ويستجمعون كل قدراتهم الصغيرة علي الإبهار
 ظلت بناتي يتدربن بكل حماس علي الاغنيات و يراجعن الادوار ..في انتظار اللحظة التي فيها ستلتقي أعيننا وهم علي المسرح و نحن ننظر ونستمع بإنبهار شديد ، و نفكر كيف يكبر الاطفال بسرعه 
ثم جاء اليوم الكبير و قبلتني ابنتي بسرعه قبل المدرسه وقالت " هشوفك النهارده .. متتأخرش "
 وعدتها وذهبت تماماً كما وعدتها ( فمازال ضميري يؤنبني لاني لم احضر حفل العام الماضي ) وجلست بين الاباء والامهات في انتظار أطفالنا في أبهي لحظاتهم.
صعد الاطفال علي المسرح بعيون تلمع بالسعاده والفخر..عيون تنطق بكلمه واحده " انا نجمة
يستجمعون ثقتهم بنظرات في اعين اباءهم ويتلقون السند والشجاعه وقبلات في الهواء هنا وهناك
 كلهم سعداء إلا واحدة .. ظلت تبحث بعينها الصغيره الدامعة... تلتفت كل دقيقه .. تقف علي اطراف اصابعها بحثاً عن ابيها او امها .. احزنني ان اري ثقتها تهتز .. و املها يتحطم .. وببساطة فقدت حماسها للحفل ، فلم يكن هناك من يسعد طفولتها
 في نهايه الحفل دخلت ام الطفله تجري و جرت الطفله نحوها في بكاء و حسرة... و بكت الام ايضاً.. موقف بسيط جداً .. و مؤثر جداً
و لكني في هذه اللحظة شكرت الله الذي لم يرفع عينه عني ابدا
وكم هو احساس مريح و يبعث علي السلام.

!تلك الثقه بوجوده... بحضوره... بملازمته لنا كل ايام حياتنا

!وأعلم ان كل أعمالي امام عينيه ، فأفرح قلبه .. وفي وقت الحاجة... يحميني
 و انا أدرك انه لا شئ ...لا شئ ...يمكن ان يفصلني عن محبته...لا يعوقه شئ عن ملاحظتي و الاعتناء بي .. المسافات لا تعوقه .. و لا ظلمه !تحجبه و لا زحام يضلله .. الهي لا ينعس و لا ينام

يقول عنه داود النبي في المزمور
عَينا الرَّبِّ نَحوَ الصِّدّيقينَ، وأُذُناهُ إلَى صُراخِهِمْ. (المَزاميرُ ١٥:٣٤)

..أصلي ان تكون حياتي ( و حياتكم ) لمسرة قلب الله و سبب فخره .. تماماً كما يجلب أولادي السعادة الي قلبي كل يوم 
نعم أدرك انه اياً كانت اخطائي علي مسرح الحياة .. سيكون الهي هناك .. مسانداً .. مقوماً .. مفرحاً 
كوعده الامين ... وَهَا أَنَا مَعَكُمْ كُلَّ ٱلْأَيَّامِ إِلَى ٱنْقِضَاءِ ٱلدَّهْرِ». آمِينَ

!اصدقائي ..احتفظوا بالسلام .. فالله دائماً هنا
! خلينا منورين

Hotel Bedrooms..and beds!

Hotel bedrooms...and most of all the "all-over the bed" fluffy cushions that just seem to hug you once you lay down your head..who cant resist that? Include my family in! We have been travelling lately across different places and spent some nights in hotels. As you know, during holidays, your days are packed, literally you stuff each and every minute with action and don't want to miss a thing..and the kids walk along through your plan..enjoying but at the end of a long day, probably later than their sleeping time, they do long for a good deep sleep. What a nice site seeing them in bed...yet Obviously the challenge is waking them up again quite early to catch a bus or start a tour. I have been trying different techniques and none worked, tickling, shaking, uncovering, pushing, lifting, you name it..nothing effective, except one...I turn on the TV on a cartoon channel...and boom..all alone, without a word from me, they open their eyes, lift their heads and come out of bed to watch what they love properly (an option only allowed in holidays hotel mode)!!! Wow!

Just wondered what puts you out of bed? Waking up for something you love, for a purpose? That igniting start of the day needs a call..some just do it because they have to..otherwise, you miss your school, work, classes, forced to wake up, while others do it with a loving longing heart for a purpose. Jesus showed us what kicked off His days on earth, the day as it should start:

And in the morning, long before daylight, He got up and went out to a deserted place, and there He prayed. (Mark 1:35 AMP)

وفي الصُّبحِ باكِرًا جِدًّا قامَ وخرجَ ومَضَى إلَى مَوْضِعٍ خَلاءٍ، وكانَ يُصَلّي هناكَ، (مَرقُسَ 1:3 )

Just realizing what you can get out of these moments..the blessings, peace, comfort, guidance, and wisdom. These are some of the fruits you will have for breakfast! Yes, I deeply desire that wake up mode..like my kids, open my eyes, lift my head and come out of bed to receive His Love!

Don't know what wakes you up? Remember the cartoon channel trick!

Smells Like Spring

Who gets moved by scents and aroma? I do big time. I admit I am a person that gets affected by the smell of the environment around me...as I always tell Aline God took a bit of my hearing powers and added them to my nose-not sure she really likes that option :) Let me invite you to close your eyes and just think of the scents and smells that tickle this deep part in your soul...you will probably get a smile on your face while doing that..you know why? Because while you are remembering the smell, you memory is recalling the mood, the surrounding, memories and links that you keep deep in your hearts. 

Let me share some of mine:

Smell of a Starbucks coffee shop...doesn't remind me of coffee only..but reminds me of the kitchen morning (bonjour papi) hugs I get from my kids while preparing my coffee!

Smell of roasted lamb just brings me back home at my mother's kitchen, holding her in my arm while celebrating Christmas meal with the family waiting in the dining room for lunch to be served!

Smell of burning wood reminds me of the fun we had around camp fires we did during scout days or the laid back nights in basata!

This lemony Smell of Off Spray (mosquito repellent) brings back to the late night gatherings of my summer vacations next to the beach!

Smell of underground garage, Smell of McNuggets, new tennis balls, sweet batata..

And for sure some perfumes instantly brings some people so vividly to your mind!

All these smells are just bringing me back to something or someone..that's why now we see all these marketed candles named "summertime break" or "day in the forest" and so on. 

Couldn't help but think in the precision of what is written in the 2nd letter to Corinthians

ولكن شُكرًا للهِ الّذي يَقودُنا في مَوْكِبِ نُصرَتِهِ في المَسيحِ كُلَّ حينٍ، ويُظهِرُ بنا رائحَةَ مَعرِفَتِهِ في كُلِّ مَكانٍ. لأنَّنا رائحَةُ المَسيحِ الذَّكيَّةُ للهِ، في الّذينَ يَخلُصونَ وفي الّذينَ يَهلِكونَ. لهؤُلاءِ رائحَةُ موتٍ لموتٍ، ولأولئكَ رائحَةُ حياةٍ لحياةٍ. (كورِنثوس الثّانيةُ 2:14-16 AVDDV)

But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. (2 Corinthians 2:14, 15 NLT)

Yes, you and I are invited to be The Smell of Christ Everywhere.. You are called to be the candle that brings your friends back to the source..back to Christ. I have met persons that did spread this fragrance..you could just sense it even from a far. The Holy spirit in them is burning the essence of Love and guess what, like I mentioned Off Spray (or citronella candle or tree) smelling nice for some yet repellent to the evil "mosquito" powers trying to have a bite of your life! 

Dear Lord, I pray today that we bring back the Glory to you..and that we spread to our world this sweet smell of faith, hope and love through the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus name. Amen!

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!

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!

King-size Bed!

A King size bed is a blessing all parents know..or a queen size too..or a prince size (doesn't exist i guess so)..el mohem, serir kebir! You surely know why..it is just to fit the kids when they decide to come sleeping next to you in the middle of the night! Feeling about to fall out of bed at 3am is something usual in a life of a parent..being kicked, waking up with a foot in your face, or without a cover cause some little one took it all...that's what my lovely Leila and Farida do at times..and they are getting bigger and bigger every year..but the bed is not!

It seems that i never get the lesson cause i always ask them the same question and get the same answer!
Me: why did you come ya banat into our bed?
Them: because we felt (uncomfortable..afraid...cold..anxious..etc) and we felt safer next to you..so We Run to your bed!

They know exactly where their comfort, safety and peace is! They love lots of things in the house and loads of other room to go to..yOu can guess..living room=TV , kitchen=FRIDGE, plaroom=TOYS..but at times of need, they know where to head to..they head to their parents room!

Made me wonder, when I am feeling (uncomfortable..afraid...cold..anxious..etc), to whom or where do I run? With these feelings, i know that i used to run to people and to things, or even actions..some of us run to a friend, others to the fridge, others to smoking, to sports, to drinks, a relationship..loads of options! Wish i could learn from my kids...in the darkest hour of night, to run to the right room..to where my Father is..and guess what..His room is NEVER locked!

Dear God, on this special day I pray from the deep of my heart to always know where to go to..to choose the right option..to come closer and closer to You..like wrote in proverbs (امثال) The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the [consistently] righteous man [upright and in right standing with God] runs into it and is safe, high [above evil] and strong. (Proverbs 18:10 AMP)

Knowing that in You we find our real selves again..like You said loud and clear

تعالَوْا إلَيَّ يا جميعَ المُتعَبينَ والثَّقيلي الأحمالِ، وأنا أُريحُكُمْ. اِحمِلوا نيري علَيكُمْ وتعَلَّموا مِنّي، لأنّي وديعٌ ومُتَواضِعُ القَلبِ، فتجِدوا راحَةً لنُفوسِكُمْ. لأنَّ نيري هَيِّنٌ وحِملي خَفيفٌ». (مَتَّى 11:28-30

Let me in this year LIVE THESE WORDS! In Jesus name, Amen!