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.

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)

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!

The World Cup at Sight!

The World cup fever just reminds me of all the great sports events we enjoy throughout the year. Most of the final games, the trophy or cup is displayed at the entrance of the field...What a sight for the teams entering the arena, seeing this precious prize standing in front of their eyes (I mostly get in mind the Champions League Cup with its big Ears) calling them to give their utmost for that goal..to live the moment they fought for so far...to go the extra mile before lifting this cup in the air and writing history in glory. What a magical motivation and focus power, seeing their goal (cup), can bring. I specially like it when the coaches say: "We take every game as a new challenge, as a new chance to write the future, we do not get distracted by the past, as we look towards what awaits us...towards the cup we want to hold dearly. It is better to look ahead and prepare than look back and regret!" That's a spirit of seeing your Goal and marching on!

Believe me, our spiritual life is not different than those players on the field. Our souls need to see the prize, we need to know what are we marching towards and why we take that journey (a Tough Journey) of faith in our 21st Century. St. Paul wrote it perfectly in his letter to the Philippians:

"..but now I think that all things are worth nothing compared with the greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Christ, I lost all these things, and now I know that they are all worthless trash. All I want now is Christ. All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him from death. I want to share in his sufferings and be like him even in his death. (Philippians 3:8, 10 ERV)

بل إنّي أحسِبُ كُلَّ شَيءٍ أيضًا خَسارَةً مِنْ أجلِ فضلِ مَعرِفَةِ المَسيحِ يَسوعَ رَبّي، الّذي مِنْ أجلِهِ خَسِرتُ كُلَّ الأشياءِ، وأنا أحسِبُها نُفايَةً لكَيْ أربَحَ المَسيحَ، لأعرِفَهُ، وقوَّةَ قيامَتِهِ، وشَرِكَةَ آلامِهِ، مُتَشَبِّهًا بموتِهِ، (فيلِبّي ٨،١٠:٣)

Did you ever deeply think what is the prize you are going after? Did you realize what is your faith useful for? Did you seek, focus, train, and dedicate your time to win the prize CLEARLY defined by the apostle Paul..The prize of Knowing Him PERSONALLY the way he was seeking in saying "Christ MY Lord"..Making it a PERSONAL relationship goal. I believe the prize of knowing Him is extending beyond a personal glory, it is a prize that will reflect on you, shine through you and extend its power to the world around you. As the family and friends of any sports champion live as well his prize-winning pride, fame and glory, so will the ones around you.

I urge you today in your personal time of prayer (if you didn't block it in your busy agenda, plz do it now) to reflect on the goal of you faith..to check if you can say with Paul "All I want now is Christ. All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him from death."

GO onto the Field, the World is watching, the World is Needing Goal-Seeking Players like you!

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!

Sting like a bee

Spring is finally coming in and bringing all the joyful sensation of a "winter left behind". Spring comes in with its warming up sun, blooming flowers, green back to the scene. Naturally, spring brings in some visitors as well: bees and wasps (دبٓور). Now, I just want you to recall what happens when a "visiting" bee enters your house, office or meeting room! I see you smiling already! I have always been fascinated how such a small creature can literally stop everyone from doing whatever they do and get ALL the attention with EXTREME FOCUS. You will find people extremely alert, heart beating, turning their heads left to right (sometimes jumping off their seat or dodging..in fact doing funny crazy moves but who cares at that moment), silencing every body to try to localize it, tip toeing carefully until one opens the window..and YES..it is finally Kicked out of the house..YEAHHH...only then, a big relief is felt and we feel peace and and order in place after some dedicated minutes of one-goal-focus!

It is normal, isn't it? The stings of most of these species can be quite painful, and are therefore keenly avoided by many people. I can't recall ever seeing a group of people just being indifferent about it, some even decide to avoid it and change their location. Sin is no stranger to this wasp...we know its sting can be quite painful..and surely more painful that the wasp as it reaches deep where no insect can go. I just want you to think with me how life would receive back its peace and order if we truly with extreme dedication, using The sensitive Holy Spirit in us to localize sin and Kick it out of your own life..OUT. To be practical, in prayer look inside your house (soul), listen with the ears of faith (the Holy Spirit), localize and focus on what is holding you down (sin), Open the Windows (in prayer) and remove it..then feel peace again..and don't open this window right away..you know exactly what can jump back in! Not easy, i know...but He promised to be there..granting us His victorious Holy Spirit to win this battle. Just Trust in prayer.

I pray today through St. Paul's words clearly showing how sin would slow us down from reaching the goals set before us.

لنَطرَحْ كُلَّ ثِقلٍ، والخَطيَّةَ المُحيطَةَ بنا بسُهولَةٍ، ولنُحاضِرْ بالصَّبرِ في الجِهادِ المَوْضوعِ أمامَنا، (العِبرانيّينَ 12:1

So we, too, should run the race that is before us and never quit. We should remove from our lives anything that would slow us down and the sin that so often makes us fall. (Hebrews 12:1 ERV)

Localize, pray, remove and resist..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!

To-Do List

Back to "real life" after a long break..الاجازة طارت كالعادة..I also hate that feeling, suddenly your mood changes even physically:
حواجبك يضموا على بعض، السرحان يزيد، تبتدي تكلم نفسك و مش بعيد كام شعراية بيضة يزيدوا في راس سعادتك
and probably this starts happening on your last day of holiday..your grey brain cells wake up again..and you start planning your first day at the office (or even at home which needs a lot of work too!).

You all know your fist hour back to work..TAWAHAN..you are like اكلك منين يا بطة
Usually the most efficient trick is to write down your "TO-DO list", putting down all the activities/tasks/problems to solve and attack one by one..frankly, it hepls controlling this tawahan in the midst of the load of tasks to handle!

A lot of us, including myself, feel this mood of tawahan when it comes to prayer..what to pray, what to say, don't have much to pray about..I prayed my usual words..and that's it!. Inspired by the real life "to-do list", I found it extremely efficient to create my own "TO-PRAY list"..yes, it is list of topics and MORE importantly friends to pray for..we all are used to this sentence "pray for me..صليلي ..محتاج صلاوتك..اذكرني في صلاتك" and these "Prayer requests" are becoming more and more these days..i found out that I took them lightly and almost forget them all..though they are VERY IMPORTANT to the ones who asked them! Starting this list, i believe it made me feel connected to them, i see them in my mind and feel that when this person and myself unite together in prayer..we believe we make change happen! Yes Jesus said it:

وأقولُ لكُمْ أيضًا: إنِ اتَّفَقَ اثنانِ مِنكُمْ علَى الأرضِ في أيِّ شَيءٍ يَطلُبانِهِ فإنَّهُ يكونُ لهُما مِنْ قِبَلِ أبي الّذي في السماواتِ، لأنَّهُ حَيثُما اجتَمَعَ اثنانِ أو ثلاثَةٌ باسمي فهناكَ أكونُ في وسطِهِمْ». (مَتَّى 18:19, 20
Just try it..and please include me on your list! Thanks :)Have a blessed week!

The Garbage Bag

"Can you take the garbage bags out please?" That's a request 'order' i get quite often from Aline..well you can guess these are heavy bags full of....garbage and seems logic for a man to do...but i always didnt like it..probably because i am not that good in tying the knot and closing well these black plastic bags! 

When we moved to amsterdam, we got our fitst culture shock! Garabage collection happens only TWICE a week, bet2oulou eih ya wlad..twice a week! Not only that, you have to get out the garbage yourself (no matter rain, snow, storm, -15c.) to a specific designated spot (بلاطة محددة على الرصيف..ده بجد) few meters away from home on Tusday and Friday morning between 7:00 and 7:45 in a black well sealed plastic bag!! يا حلاوة!!What if i miss the garbage truck? Hard luck, youll keep your trash with you until the next collection day! And you can imagine what does it mean to keep some garbage for a week..happened once..and i can tell..only once was enough to make me not miss it again! At that moment, i missed back home عم ابراهيم البواب the porter who passed by everymorning at our doorstep to collect the garbage daily..what a great option and a great sensation!

This made me think, are we doing it the dutch way when it comes to cleaning out our heart and pouring out all our Garbage "in prayer" at His feet? Are we keeping these plastic bags inside until it starts stinking..and becomes painful and only then we decide to clean it out? Do people around me notice this smell of not taking my garbage out..as probably it shows..sooner or later? We have the option to do it DAILY EVERY MORNING EVERY MINUTE...not on a specific balata or sealed bag..but are we using it? Are making use of some breaks/days off to do that cleaning or we r just piling up more and more?

Dear God, I thank you that you are a God abundance, a God of daily presence, reaching out to us and asking us to come and pour our hearts at your feet..i thank that you said clearly

أَنَا أُحِبُّ ٱلَّذِينَ يُحِبُّونَنِي، وَٱلَّذِينَ يُبَكِّرُونَ إِلَيَّ يَجِدُونَنِي. لِأَنَّهُ مَنْ يَجِدُنِي يَجِدُ ٱلْحَيَاةَ، وَيَنَالُ رِضًى مِنَ ٱلرَّبِّ، (أَمْثَالٌ 8:17, 35)

And you told us to come to you

تعالَوْا إلَيَّ يا جميعَ المُتعَبينَ والثَّقيلي الأحمالِ، وأنا أُريحُكُمْ. (مَتَّى 11:28

I want to come to you every morning and ask you to give me a clean heart like David prayed to you..i want it to be a Daily Option!

Thank you!

Bring your garbage out daily..and He ll bring you a new House daily!

Pray Big!

We have been busy this past week working on budgets for the coming years..and as human beings we tend to be conservative when it comes our expectations. We all hate feeling disappointed..we put it in a nice way saying "that we neeed to manage expectations" to avoid being hit by a different result (ba3d el shar)!
Even with my kids, when i ask them to swim, read, draw, run..i tend to simplify it and make it doable..i love the feeling that they make it and surely they do too..i cover up for them to make sure they wont fail..!
Thinking about it, i found that this is happening in our spiritual life too(at least mine). How many times we have Held ourselves from BOLD BIG PRAYERS...how many times, we put barriers for what we can bring to Him. I think the fear that our prayers wont be answered leads us to "manage expectations" with God. This means we ask for less, expect less, and satisfied with less because we are afraid to be disappointed and lose our faith in Him!

BuT JESUS said loud and clear in Luke 
"What father among you, if his son asks for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone; or if he asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent? If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good gifts [gifts that are to their advantage] to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him! (Luke 11:11, 13)

This leads to a question we can not escape: Does God really give His children what He promised? Does He keep His promises or not? Do my prayers and actions give evidence to my belief?

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray today for faith..i pray for the Holy Spirit to guide my words and prayers, align them to your will, make me live knowing that i can bring EVERYTHING TO YOU in prayer..and believe these words "Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. (فيلبي Philippians 4:6)". Amen

Be BOLD my friends!

New Operating System

Yes..finally..#iOS7..again, time line flooded with extra hyped happy people waiting to download the new operating system. Can't hide that i also do get excited whenever something new is launched..cause i expect it to be better..and specially when it comes from great developpers.

What about our OWN operating system #iME1.0..are we that excited to download it and show its interface to everyone around? It surely eliminates lots of bugs from your old system..gives you speed, agility, and definitely endless apps beyond what

I trust The Developper that during His Launch event Said out loud:

"A new heart will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. (حزقيال Ezekiel 36:26 AMP)" and "You must be made new in your hearts and in your thinking. Be that new person who was made to be like God, truly good and pleasing to him. (افسس Ephesians 4:23, 24 ERV)"

And i guess what, I trust this developper with my Life...at least He lives in a cooler place than California..imagine that! So go ahead YOUR new version is there..just a prayer away, no connection needed, nor wifi:)

Your Schedule Doesn't Lie

"I literally have no time..i barely make it through the day..tab a3mel el mawdou3 dah emta..aywa 3amalt (to do list)..bas bardo mesh hases enni masek youmi we msaytar 3ala w2ati..tab bos 3al schedule beta3i keda"

I just read such an amazing insight "your schedule doesnt lie"..in fact your daily/weekly life schedule is a barometer for what you truly value and believe to be important! Dont tell me you value fitness and you work out only once a week, or you value family and kids, and all they get is couple of hours in the weekend on your way back and forth to city stars before meeting the rest of the group. Even at work, just a look at your schedule will show what are your key priorities/targets serving your long term strategy! If not, dont expect to get close to acheiving your targets..if you dont invest time in them...we ensa el bonus ya helw!

Ah, and you value your relationship with God..and want it to grow deeper...show me your schedule "oops, it was there in my schedule, ah eftakart, asl kan 3andena mashaweer..we khalty gat, wel zahma, mesh ader a2olak 3al osbou3dah fel shoghl...wel devoirat..wel dorous..yes, i admit, it has only 1 hour weekly in my schedule"

I believe you can guess it by now..Your schedule doesn't lie! You ARE your schedule!

"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also". (Luke 12:34 AMP) 

And let me say..where your heart is, there your schedule will also be!

A One Way Relationship?

Terrerren terrerren...(phone ringing...i know it is no longer the phone ring tone..i wonder in the world of this technology, how would one write the sound of phone ringing).

"Yaaah ya Aline..bossy meen bikalemni..men zaman awy...allo akhabarak..wenta kaman waheshny..feinak men zaman...i hope edert asa3dak akher marra? ...hayel, la shokr 3ala wageb mon beih..kwayes..aywa lessa bashtaghal henak...(then lots of talk from the other side)...7ader hashouf momeken asa3dak ezzay..Ya mousahel..khalas ma tshelsh hamm..mashy..tab 3awzeen net2abel..mashghoul awy!..tayeb mesh lazem net2abel..neb2a netkalem ba2a law 3andak wa2t..bye"

call ended!!!

Surely you have all been through such a call...and surely you wonder at the end of it..how can some people be so obviously CALLING YOU only in times of needs..only to ask for something, and never to see you in person..seek to know you closer..hear your news and wonder is they lift you up in a way or another..i hate to be judgmental, but these people we call in our society "masla7geya...مصلحجية.beta3 masla7to we bas" and what a bad title it is!

Imagine yourself getting this title one day..yes I deserve this title 3an gadara! How many times, i just knocked on His doors just to ask, do you remember the early rise up to pray a special prayer before the exam..or to go to the early oddas, or just to pass by church to light up a candle before the operation..how many times, i said "ok, i have done everything possible..all i have now is to pray (as if it s your last resort and not a daily relation)". How many time we promised to change at times of need..and just drop it when we get what we want!

If you give masla7a a bad name..Don't be one..REFUSE being one...and start to be a friend..as He wants to be your friend..in fact he called you His friend..imagine a friend as powerful as Jesus.."You are my friends if you do what I tell you to do. I no longer call you servants, because servants don’t know what their master is doing. But now I call you friends, because I have told you everything that my Father told me". (John 15:14, 15 ERV)

Do you want this friendship..or just content with being مصلحجي beta3 masla7a? You choose!

Mondays

Monday, first day of the week, at least here..i know first day after the weekend has a heavy weight on our hearts..we just feel like "is it Monday already?! Le7e2na? Da lessa bn2oul ya Hady!" With Mondays, comes back the heavy weight of problems at work, week days mashaweer, school and studying, tests, difficulties...lots of things we dont wanna go through...
This brings me to think about God and his way of dealing with us..it makes us wonder where is He in the midst of the roaring sea we go through? Meanwhile, we pray in our daily prayers, for Him to look into us, clean, reshape and mold us in the creation He made us for! Bythw way...do we Really Really mean what we pray.."Beware what you wish for" (mesh faker men ay film el gomla dih..Aladin?)
This reminds of a very nice eye opener event I went through, but you knwo what..I will keep it for later for another morning...and this time, i wont talk much, though i feel i did already  I will leave you with this video..a bit longer than usual..but watch it till the last minute and pray it, act it, live it!

Just remember these verses "A new heart will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you shall heed My ordinances and do them. (حزقيال Ezekiel 36:26, 27 AMP)"

Enjoy your blessings today, all the day!

Where is My Hug?

You men (and women) travelling for business will know what I am talking about! You know this moment at the end of your trip when you are at the airport's free shop searching for a gift for your little ones that are waiting for you back home..the little ones that you miss so much. At that moment, at the airport, i only dream about this simple loving act..THE RUN in my arms and THE HUG welcoming me back home..And me giving the girls their little gift! You all surely love this moment...we akid the hug and kiss of the wife too :)

However, one of these times, things did not go as i always loved it to be...i came back after 3 days away, opened the door, shouted HELLO and went on my knees waiting for that run and amazing hug...but i waited for longer than usual, i felt something was wrong..ran to their room, to find them playing normally (Thank God)..but they gave a normal 'hi'..one i sometimes get during the week back from work ..but not after travelling for 3 days! And then the LESSON HIT ME I knew what happened, i told aline to manage their expectations as i ran late and couldn't get them anything..i just felt that the RUN and the HUG were for the love of what I got, not for the love of who I am! What a painful moment for a loving Father!

I might be dramatizing it a bit...i know my kids love me so much..i love the moments when they just come to caress and kiss me and sit on my lap and they know that i adore them, i would do all the good for them ALWAYS, i would die for them. BUT this story above doesnt ring a bell...doesnt it remind you of a relationship you know...i had the same relation with my heavenly Father..till that moment when showed me the (No Hug) lesson.

Friends, praying has always been linked in my mind with demands, needs, and wants...till i realized that praying is much bigger..it s creating a relationship..a bond..knowing Him more..he is a living God with a living Holy spirit inside me! And i knew if i want to know Him, i d better sit with Him and read what He has to say.. only then prayer moments got a much much richer taste! Try it..let me know if i can help with some start ups!

"Don’t worry, because your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things. What you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what he wants you to do. Then he will give you all these other things you need." (Matthew Matta 6:32, 33 ERV) "Your Father knows what you need before you ask him." (Matthew Matta 6:8 ERV)

Just Do It!

Is it really really important to sit everyday and have my time of prayer..sit with Him everyday? Tab youm wa7ed kefaya?..youmein tayeb? La2? Tab nos sa3a fel marra? Tab abl el akl ba3d el akl?! Everyone asked himself these questions one day..and I say, it depends what do you want out of this relationship. Before any of you decide to embark and commit to something, you know exactly what you are aiming for and the size of your desire defines the size of your prize and impact..just ask the ones who lost 10s of kilos in diet and what it did to their life, ask the ones who wake up everyday to go to the gym and see their shape and health trun for the better, the ones that quit smoking, ask the ones who commit to their studies ans make it through to the university..and yes, the ones that always get promted and grow in their carrers. Just ask yourself, in what were you committed and what did you get out of it. 

Your commitment is fuelled by what you will get at the end...let me ask you one thing: do you really want to see all God's promises turned to reality in your lives..do you the amazing fullfilment He promised..His promises are beyond any imagination..but for those who seek Him and really Love Him...those who come to HimI love those who love me, and those who look for me will find me. Those who find me find life, and the Lord will reward them. (Proverbs 8:17, 35 ERV)..and he is waiting with Open arms..in fact, He will Run to you just seeing there in the horizon coming to Him..yes he wil run to you as He did to "el ebn el dal" 

So he got up and came to his [own] father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity and tenderness [for him]; and he ran and embraced him and kissed him [fervently]. (Luke 15:20 AMP). 

Just decide today..and Commit..and be amazed! Are you ready? Or will you just accept the minimal outcome that "yadobak" keeps you going. Decide and commit! You have done it somtime in your life before...Just Do it!

Wake me Up!

Good morning friends...yes i know these tough minutes fighting in bed, your mind saying no, keep sleeping, your body pulling you down, and a secret magnet (yet scientist are trying to discover) is sticking you to bed! Talking about mornings, how many times, you ve heard the phrase 'you should start your day with Him, with prayers'...a lot i guess...well, i did..and i wNt to do wake up everyday and have my few minutes but surely need you to encourage me.

I searched the bible for some inspiration to see what 'the role model does'..and got HIT BY SURPRISE...do you know how Jesus starts his day or when even?! Read Mark 1...which I call 'a day in the life of Jesus'..he walked by galilee to 'recruit some disciples' then went to kafrna7oum where he teached the crowd and yes..get some demons out of a poor man..then went to Simon to find that his mother in law sick..he dealt with it and healed her..hope it didn't angry simon  then Now when it was evening, after the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those under the power of demons, Until the whole town was gathered together about the door. (Mark 1:32, 33 AMP)..yes the whole town..so guess ehen this day ended..FINALLY COMING TO MY POINT, what did Jesus do after this loong, hectic day? 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) WOW...did He need that..after such a day and night? 

Well..i guess i Do need it much more...this surprise made me take the decision, that i will wake up every morning and seek my time with Him..but who of you will encourage me..Who is with me? Let's wake up, share our thoughts and remember each other in prayer..i am sure we ll create a virtual group of vitamin souls to each others..not easy? 

But are you willing to join this challenge?

He Speaks in Small voice

I just read this part this morning from 1Kings 19:11-12 "And He said, Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord. And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire [a sound of gentle stillness and] a still, small voice. (1 Kings 19:11, 12 AMP)" 

Yes, God comes not only in roaring thunders like we imagine, but in still small voice. I pray i can get to listen to this voice daily in the silence of the morning before jumping into my day..it will set my GPS properly and bring a much needed calmness!

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Kgs%2019:11-1Kgs%2019:12