LogCabin Catholic

Dancing my Life, Dancing my God

2010-10-04T15:20:00.000-07:00

I work with a wonderful lady who also happens to be my spiritual director, she wrote a great book about God as your dance partner in life. This weekend she held a silent retreat with the theme based on her book. I was amazed at the imagery that came from thinking of God in this way.

How was God my dance partner at different times of my life, marriage, birth of a child, death of a loved one and more. Even though I didn't know it, God was dancing with me through it all. He danced me into being and he wants to dance with me through my life.

One verse from an old song came to me during one of the sessions 'May I have this dance, for the rest of your life'. I could hear God asking me that, and picture him standing on the dance floor holding out his hand to dance with me, waiting ever patiently for me to say yes.

We listened to Lord of the Dance, one of my favorite hymns. I did a google search and found a great you tube of it being sung in a very Celtic fashion. The words are so moving, sing them slowly to yourself and imagine God dancing through all of those moments.

I danced in the morning when the world was begun
I danced in the Moon & the Stars & the Sun
I came down from Heaven & I danced on Earth
At Bethlehem I had my birth:

Dance then, wherever you may be
I am the Lord of the Dance, said He!
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said He!
(...lead you all in the Dance, said He!)

I danced for the scribe & the pharisee
But they would not dance & they wouldn't follow me
I danced for fishermen, for James & John
They came with me & the Dance went on:

Dance then, wherever you may be
I am the Lord of the Dance, said He!
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said He!
(...lead you all in the Dance, said He!)

I danced on the Sabbath & I cured the lame
The holy people said it was a shame!
They whipped & they stripped & they hung me high
And they left me there on a cross to die!

Dance then, wherever you may be
I am the Lord of the Dance, said He!
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said He!
(...lead you all in the Dance, said He!)

I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black
It's hard to dance with the devil on your back
They buried my body & they thought I'd gone
But I am the Dance & I still go on!

Dance then, wherever you may be
I am the Lord of the Dance, said He!
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said He!
(...lead you all in the Dance, said He!)

They cut me down and I leapt up high
I am the Life that'll never, never die!
I'll live in you if you'll live in Me -
I am the Lord of the Dance, said He!

Dance then, wherever you may be
I am the Lord of the Dance, said He!
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said He!

I'm going to focus the next little while as God as my dance partner! I came away from the retreat feeling even more closer to God, what a blessing!

Come and be still with me says the Lord

2010-02-12T06:49:00.000-08:00

I had a very touching prayer experience last night. A church nearby was hosting a Taize prayer evening. Brother Emile from Taize, France was in town for the first time ever and he'd heard of the local Taize prayer group that meets regularly in our city. This is the first time anyone from their community has been in Regina.

I was intrigued in knowing that it was a special event, curious about the type of prayer and it was close and I could walk. We are a one car family so that made it really convenient.

You know how the days go though, I was really keen on it in the morning and by mid afternoon I was already starting to doubt whether I would attend. For one thing, I'd be going alone and I'm really introverted. I like to attend things as a couple, I even find it hard to attend Mass by myself.

Finally at 6:30 I got off the computer and quit playing Bejweled Blitz(this is highly addictive) and I got bundled up for the walk. It was a beautiful night, foggy with a bit of light snow falling.

At the church I was greeted warmly by one of the parishioners. She asked if I had attended Taize before. When I told her that I hadn't she quickly explained how the evening would go and handed me a song sheet.

I'll admit I was tucked into the back pew - but I was there!

I loved seeing the presentation on Taize. It's so refreshing to see how many young people flock there from all over the world each year. Some with little to no prayer experience.

As we got started with the music I was immediately at ease, the repetitive nature of the songs was very relaxing. As we got closer to the reading during the prayer I noticed on the sheet that there would be 7 minutes of silence. Silence is hard, hard when you're alone but somehow harder in a group setting. I started to panic - how would that go, I thought to myself.

Finally the reading was done and the silence began. I closed my eyes and tried to start quieting my mind. I think for the first 3 or more minutes it was just the internal battle of quieting all the noises - what was happening at home, thinking of the weekend and other random thoughts that all came running at the chance to have my attention.

Then it happened, I was still and oh so quiet. My breathing was relaxed and I was ready. Ready for the lovely gift that God blessed me with. It was a vision of my dear Granny. She died last January. There she was with the biggest smile I'd ever seen. The vision at first was just of her wonderful smiling face. I concentrated on her smile and soon I heard her speak to me - "I love you, Missy". Only my Granny ever called me Missy my whole life. I was very moved. Then I saw her beautiful hands. Not perfectly manicured hands or ageless hands. No these were my grandmother's hands. Hands that were used to knit numerous socks for my Grandpa, bake wonderful Rhubarb Tortes, all the wonderful holiday meals she prepared, the delicious homemade soups and the garden she so lovingly tended. They were aged hands, they showed the mark of time and a bit of arthritis. They are the most beautiful hands in the world and she held them out to me as she spoke. What a gift!

I got this gift because I allowed myself to become quiet - to sit and still my thoughts. I got this gift because I listened to God calling me to his invitation to an evening of song and prayer. I'm so thankful that I answered the call rather than listening to the other part of my head that encourages me to do other things rather than enter into prayer.

Living Rosary

2007-10-16T07:36:00.000-07:00

Last night I was able to participate in a Living Rosary that our church held. It is quite a wonderful experience. There is a person for every bead on the rosary for all five decades. The congregation responding loudly together the Our Father's, Haily Mary's and Glory Be's were so powerful.

They did a great job in preparing - the church lights were dimmed and each person who was a bead on the rosary had an led candle. A rose was laid by the Blessed Virgin after each decade as a verse was sung.

I am going to try to begin to pray the rosary at home again - I keep wanting to but for some reason I don't - I guess having to learn it has been deterring me, but it is such a wonderful prayer and this past evening reminded me of why I do enjoy to pray it.

If you ever get the chance to participate in a Living Rosary take it - it's a truly wonderful experience.

Questioning God

2007-09-25T16:56:00.000-07:00

Why is it that the times we question God are usually when we are having those hard times? Lately life has been filled with teenage angst driving me to tears at the horrible threats she makes of running away and the constant screaming when she doesn't get her way.

It was so bad this past Sunday I was crying and I felt like God wasn't answering my prayers! I felt bad afterward, but at the time I truly felt alone - like no one was there not even God. If He was there how come he let's her continue.

I'm not quite out of the darkness yet but I know that God hasn't abandoned me - I need to take more time to find quiet prayer moments in my life to help me through all of these emotional roller coasters. I've been thinking of trying to pray the rosary - I like prayers that I can memorize and just say and let God appear in the moments when I am completely still.

Triduum

2007-04-12T16:56:00.000-07:00

Well this has been the best Easter Triduum that I can ever remember! From Palm Sunday when I got to be the Narrator for the Passion...Yay, right through to the Vigil.

I don't know what it was this year but I really felt like I was experiencing the ups and downs of the Easter experience. On Good Friday I was moved to tears just knowing what Jesus did for us on the cross. As the cross was carried over the congregation I couldn't help but feel moved - I wish that I could have helped Jesus with his Cross that day. I just want to cry out 'No God, Jesus doesn't have to die for my sins!'. Being at the foot of the cross is very uncomfortable indeed, but there I was a sinful person sitting there and knowing that it's partly my fault that Jesus had to die on the cross. How can that not make you emotional? Thankfully we are only in that dark place for a short time, I don't think I could take much more of it.

The Easter Vigil was amazing! We had a slide show while readers read and it was very moving - especially when the choir kicked in with the "Let them Come to the water" song. I read the Epistle and I was a nervous ninny - so much so that I switched a line because I realized I had forgotten - guess what, no one noticed. Anyway the baptisms were amazing. We had a mother and daughter baptized together, and that was so meaningful.

Afterward we had a reception and it was a good time to visit with Fr. and the gang over a bit o' vino! Good times, good times! I always love that part of the evening when we sit and visit and relax over some wine and of course comet chocolate eggs...lol! We've got such a good pastor and I love being able to sit and visit with him so casually!

Anyway I'm still around - life has been so hectic leading up to Easter and it's still fairly hectic but I wanted to post how I felt about this Triduum so I don't forget.

Happy Easter!

Palm Sunday

2007-04-01T18:25:00.000-07:00

We now enter into the most Holy Week of the Church year, as we do so a little prayer to help us prepare ourselves to enter into it with our whole hearts!

On this day of great rejoicing, Lord Jesus Christ, when we welcome You as our King and Savior, we also walk in the shadow of Your cross. Hosanna! we cry. Blessed are You who come in God’s name to save us. Hosanna! Strengthen our faith on this Palm Sunday so that when the time comes to carry the cross we might still call out to You with heartfelt praise. Give us the grace and the courage to follow You this Holy Week from death to resurrection, from darkness to the fullness of light.We need You, Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior. Hosanna!

Amen

Peace and God Bless,

TeaMouse

Wordless Wednesday - Trailing Violet begins blooming

2007-03-28T07:44:00.000-07:00

Wordless Wednesday - Crocheter's Delight

2007-03-21T09:11:00.000-07:00

Giving things up for Lent

2007-03-14T13:54:00.000-07:00

I know everyone is well into Lent by now, but every Lent the question comes up 'what am I going to give up for Lent'. I am a bit busy at work about now, but DH wrote a great article on this exact thing. It is very well written and it may just explain a bit about the how's and why's of what we do. Enjoy!
Peace and God Bless
P.S.
The African Violet is almost blooming - I should have a post by next WW!

Wordless Wednesday # 3 - My African Violet - almost ready to bloom

2007-03-07T11:23:00.000-08:00

Wordless Wednesday #2

2007-02-28T12:42:00.001-08:00

Psalm 23

2007-02-27T10:58:00.000-08:00

Yahweh is my shepherd,
I lack nothing.

In meadows of green grass he lets me lie.
To the waters of repose he leads me;
there he revives my soul.

He guides me by paths of virtue
for the sake of his name.

Though I pass through a gloomy valley,
I fear no harm;
beside me your rod and your staff
are there, to hearten me.

You prepare a table before me
under the eyes of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil,
my cup brims over.

Ah, how goodness and kindness pursue me,
every day of my life;
my home, the house of Yahweh,
as long as I live!

This psalm never fails to bring me comfort - it reminds me that always God is with me, even though at the time I may not realize it. There are times in life when it may seem that God has taken a vacation - times when your life seems overflowing with troubles. God hasn't abandoned you, he is the one who is there with you always through everything to help you get through your hard times.

When the hard times pass, you'll clearly see that it was God who enabled you to get through it all.

Peace and God Bless

Praying the Rosary

2007-02-22T13:04:00.000-08:00

I've been fascinated with the Rosary since I was a little child. My grandparents each had one in their bedrooms and it was always on display. They each had a statue of the Virgin Mary and it was delicately placed across her hands. I remember staring at those shiney beads and wondering what great powers they must have.

When I completed my iniation and became a full member of the Catholic Church, I received my own rosary. I remember just holding them in my hands and praying. I had no idea what to do with them, but somehow they always seemed special.

Over the years I've prayed them a few times but I haven't prayed them enough to have memorized them. So that when I do decide to pray them I am always flipping through my little 'how to pray the rosary' book and I feel like something is lost by all this mussing around.

This year through Lent I wanted to do some different things. The first thing I am going to do is learn how to pray the rosary well and to pray it on a regular basis. Secondly I plan on attending morning mass on all the Friday's during Lent. The third thing I am going to incorporate into my prayer life is reading the daily mass readings each day through Lent.

I am hoping that these things will help to enrich my Lenten Journey.

Wordless Wednesday - United in Prayer

2007-02-21T06:40:00.000-08:00

Wordless Wednesday Participants

Shrove Tuesday Thoughts

2007-02-20T16:28:00.000-08:00

Today as we celebrate Shrove Tuesday, we do so knowing that tomorrow is the beginning of our Lenten Journey. We celebrate tonight with a delightful pancake & sausage supper, and we clean up any of those cookies and treats that won't keep the 40 days. We do this because we know that tomorrow is the beginning of a special journey. It's not a journey to be taken too lightly. It's not just a time to give up chips and cookies. No, Lent is a time to take a personal inventory of our spiritual lives.

It's a good time to look at the ways in which we distance ourselves from God, to look at ways that we can forge that relationship. God desires to have an intimate relationship with us. How or what prevents us from being in that loving relationship fully? You may find that today is not only a good day to eat up those last cookies and have some celebration, but it's also a good time to focus on how you want to spend these next 40 days.

So take some time tonight to enter into that sacred space with God. Allow God to help you in discerning your Lenten Journey. It will be a different journey for all of us, as we all have different areas that we need to focus on.

I will continue talking about Lent and what it's about in the upcoming weeks. For now I wish you a joyous Mardi Gras!

Peace and God Bless

Something to Consider

2007-01-02T19:21:00.000-08:00

Today many of us are making New Year's Resolutions - lose weight, learn a new skill, give up a bad habit and the list goes on. Thoughts to keep in mind while doing so may also include aid to those in need. Take time to consider the following.
IF THE WORLD WERE A VILLAGE OF 100 PEOPLE

In the world today, more than 6 billion people live.
If this world were shrunk to the size of a village of 100 people, what would it look like?

59 would be Asian
14 would be American (North, Central and South)
14 would be African
12 would be European
1 would be from the South Pacific

50 would be women, 50 would be men
30 would be children, 70 would be adults.
70 would be nonwhite, 30 would be white
90 would be heterosexual, 10 would be homosexual

33 would be Christians
21 would be Moslems
15 would be Hindus
6 would be Buddhists
5 would be Animists
6 would believe in other religions
14 would be without any religion or atheist.

15 would speak Chinese, Mandarin
7 English
6 Hindi
6 Spanish
5 Russian
4 Arabic
3 Bengali
3 Portuguese
The other would speak Indonesian, Japanese,
German, French, or some other language.

In such a village with so many sorts of folks, it would be very important to learn to understand people different from yourself and to accept others as they are. Of the 100 people in this village:

20 are underonurished
1 is dying of starvation, while 15 are overweight.
Of the wealth in this village, 6 people own 59% (all of them from the United States), 74 people own 39%, and 20 people share the remaining 2%.
Of the energy of this village, 20 people consume 80%, and 80 people share the remaining 20%.
20 have no clean, safe water to drink.
56 have access to sanitation
15 adults are illiterate.
1 has an university degree.
7 have computers.

In one year, 1 person in the village will die, but in the same year, 2 babies will be born, so that at the year's end the number of villagers will be 101.

If you do not live in fear of death by bombardment, armed attack, landmines, or of rape or kidnapping by armed groups, then you are more fortunate than 20, who do.

If you can speak and act according to your faith and your conscience without harassment, imprisonment, torture or death, then you are more fortunate than 48, who can not.

If you have money in the bank, money in your wallet and spare change somewhere around the house, then you are among the richest 8.

If you can read this message, that means you are probably lucky!

(The statistics were derived from Donella Meadows "State of the Village Report" first published in 1990)

If after reading the following you feel compelled to help in some small way consider the options I've stumbled on below:

One of the things I've taken on in the last 6 months is the adoption of a child from India through Christian Childcare International. They are a great organization who relies mainly on Missionaries to distribute goods and to educate the children. They can always use more sponsors...check them out.

Another easy way to help out right from your keyboard...go to the HungerSite, by a simple click of your mouse - you can help with the world's hunger problem.

A Prayer Before Gift Opening

2006-12-14T12:10:00.000-08:00

Look at the gifts, scattered and stacked beneath the tree.
What is their source? Where did they come from?
Aunt Jane? Cousin Fred? Look to the tree. It hold in its
branches the answer. Look where it points.
For, despite what the tags may say, the tree knows.
Its piney finger points to the sky--heaven,
where God reigns as King!
Its needles, ever green, proclaim the lord of LIFE!
And, even as angels, aglow with God's glory, once sang
Christmas praises--"Glory to God in the highest heaven"
--so the tree also glows in echoing refrain.
"Glory to God," the tree whispers.
And we join our voices with trees and angels,
with sheperds and wise men.
"Glory to God!" we shout. "Glory to God,
who gave not only these gifts..but love...and life...
and Christ our Lord!
Amen+

A Time for Reconciliation, Why Do I Need to Confess?

2006-12-13T08:56:00.000-08:00

During Advent we prepare our hearts for the coming of the Lord. It's a time to name and confront our sins. When we do this they have less control of us and we regain our true self.
Jesus died so all our sins would be forgiven - the Sacrament of Reconciliation is the process through which we as Catholics do so.

I once had a conversation with my Granny who has been Catholic her whole life. In her old age she had developed this idea that unless she had commited murder or some other 'serious' sin she was free from sin and proclaimed "what could and old lady like me have to confess about." I'm sure that she truly believed this to be true.

I carried this with me for many years and every time I'd go to reconciliation it would be at the back of my mind and I would feel foolish for going. It was only after listening to an Examination of Conscience at one of our parish Reconciliation services that I realized that there are many other ways that we sin each and every day. They may seem completely mundane, (a bit of gossip for example) but anything that distances one from God is a sinful act.

When we sin, we automatically distance ourselves from God. Sin doesn't just affect yourself it affects the whole community. Before we go to reconciliation we need to truly look at oneself and see where we are doing good and to look at areas where we need improvement.

An examination of conscience for you to use as a guidline for your own reconciliation:

1] I am the Lord your God. You shall not have strange gods before me.

* Do I give God time every day in prayer?
* Do I seek to love Him with my whole heart?
* Have I been involved with superstitious practices or have I been involved with the occult?
* Do I seek to surrender myself to God's Word as taught by the Church?
* Have I ever received Communion in a state of mortal sin?
* Have I ever deliberately told a lie in confession or have I withheld a mortal sin from the priest in confession?

[2] You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

* Have I used God's name in vain: lightly or carelessly?
* Have I been angry with God?
* Have I wished evil upon another person?
* Have I insulted a sacred person?

[3] Remember to keep holy the Lord's Day.

* Have I deliberately missed Mass on Sundays or Holy Days of Obligation?
* Have I tried to observe Sunday as a family day and a day of rest?
* Do I do needless work on Sunday?

[4] Honor your Father and your Mother.

* Do I honor and obey my parents?
* Have I neglected my duties to my spouse and children?
* Have I given my family good religious example?
* Do I try to bring peace into my home life?
* Do I care for my aged and infirm relatives?

[5] You shall not kill.

* Have I had an abortion or encouraged anyone to have an abortion?
* Have I physically harmed anyone?
* have I abused alcohol or drugs?
* Did I give scandal to anyone, thereby leading them into sin?
* Have I been angry or resentful?
* Have I harbored hatred in my heart?
* Have I mutilated myself through any form of sterilization?
* Have I encouraged or condoned sterilization?

[6] You shall not commit adultery.

* Have I been faithful to my marriage vows in thought and action?
* Have I engaged in any sexual activity outside of marriage?
* Has each sexual act in my marriage been open to the transmission of new life?
* Have I sought to control my thoughts?

[7] You shall not steal.

* Have I stolen what is not mine?
* Have I returned or made restitution for what I have stolen?
* Do I waste time at work, school or at home?
* Do I gamble excessively, thereby denying my family of their needs?
* Do I pay my debts promptly?
* Do I seek to share what I have with the poor?

[8] You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

* Have I lied?
* Have I gossiped?
* Have I spoken behind someone else's back?
* Am I sincere in my dealings with others?
* Am I critical, negative or uncharitable in my thoughts of others?
* Do I keep secret what should be kept confidential?

[9] You shall not desire your neighbor's wife.

* Have I consented to impure thoughts?
* Have I caused them by impure reading, movies, conversations or curiosity?
* Do I seek to control my imagination?
* Do I pray at once to banish impure thoughts and temptations?

[10] You shall not desire your neighbor's goods.

* Am I jealous of what other people have?
* Do I envy the families or possessions of others?
* Am I greedy or selfish?
* Are material possessions the purpose of my life?
* Do I trust that God will care for all of my material and spiritual needs?

After reading through this examination it's easy to see that there are a lot of things to consider before reconciling. There is more to it than 'Did I murder anyone?' or 'Did I commit Adultery'. Even having hate in the heart or thinking of comminting adulterous acts are considered a sin as well. I hope this will help this Advent as we all take time to Reconcile before Christmas.

Finding the Silence

2006-12-05T16:52:00.000-08:00

In today's busy world it seems like there is never any silence. From the time I get up in the morning until I lay down at night, there is a constant buzz of noise. From the kids fighting over whose toast is ready to the incessant ringing of the phone at work. When we look at our lives it seems that this is the one thing we can't get enough of.

When I find myself in silence, I am overcome with an irresistible urge to make some noise. The background noise has overtaken my life. From the music on the radio at work to the whir of the fan as I lay fast asleep....(I actually do this).

Ask a group to pause for a moment of silence during a reflection and if the pause is too long, you'll open your eyes to see them staring at you to see if you're still alive. It's true! People are very uncomfortable in silence. We are so used to all the background noises of the world that it just becomes part of our lives. I can't count the times I've walked into the Family Room to find the T.V. blaring and no one around. This all stems from the discomfort in silence.

Over the years I've tried to make time for silence in my life. It's a bit uncomfortable at first, I'll admit. I took it in baby steps - leaving the radio off during a short drive to the mall and later taking times in the day to just 'shut-out' the noise buzz. When I sit absolutely still and in complete silence I then feel like I am actually sitting with God. I found that after I've done this for awhile I crave it. There is no better stress reliever than just 'stopping' and being with God.

I am a knitter and a lot of the time I like to get up early in the morning when the whole house is still asleep. As I sit there knitting and purling I allow myself to be completely quiet and be with God. If I have a concern I can share it at this time or if I have something to be thankful for I will take this time to allow God to hear what is in my heart. But mostly it's just a time to be with God. There are no need for words as who knows my most inner most thoughts better than God himself. The best way to hear God is to enter into this sacred silence.

Often I find that during the day I just need to be with God. A great way I've found this is to go to Sacred Space. It's a Jesuit run website that allows you to take a moment out of your hectic work day and take some time for prayer.

Jesus teaching the value of solitude,
You reserved many moments to reflect.
You often diparted for solitary places,
Withdrawing yourself into the wilderness,
Or going up a mountain to pray.
In loneliness, you spoke to the Father.
Teach me how to pray in seclusion.
To perceive the Father within myself.
Teach me how to welcome solitary moments.
To enjoy the solitude within myself,
While listening to your inspirations.
In solitude, your mysteries are uncovered.

Thanks to CatholicDoors for that lovely prayer.

First Sunday of Avent

2006-11-30T09:47:00.000-08:00

In the first reading we see an image of when the lord will bring justice for the people. 'In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety '. In the second reading we get a clearer picture of what the Lord's plan is. In Paul's letter to the Thessalonians he is calling the people to do even more to please God. He is trying to let the people know that they know what God is expecting of them and although they are doing, yet they should do even more! As so should we. We often begin to think that we are doing exactly what is necessary - attend mass once a week - my duty is over. But God is not asking us for the minimum - he is asking us to love him with our whole heart. Give yourself completely and totally to God and you will receive many blessings.

We begin to also hear from Paul that a savior is coming! And he comes in a way that no one would have ever expected. When Herrod was planning on how to rid the world of this new 'King', he at first expected a man of great power. Never did he expect that such a king would come by the way of a child let alone a mere babe. Not just any babe, a babe who was both human and divine, sent for all humanity.

Knowing that a savior is on the way God is calling us to be prepared for that coming. 'Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that this day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. ' We are being called to free ourselves from earthly desiers and material things and to live a prayerful life. If we are living our lives filled to no end with everything except God, will we even see him when the time comes. Or will we be so focused on our own selfish needs that even in the face of God we have our eyes closed to him.

This Advent take time to renew your relationship with God, take great effort to spend some time each day with God in prayer. This is a season of waiting and preparation. Do not let yourself get caught up with the materialistic demands of our consumer driven society. We are called to a different life. God does not care how many fruitcakes you baked or how many gifts you managed to purchase with your gold card. He is longing for a better relationship with 'you' his chosen people. We have already received the best gift that could have ever been given, Jesus!

This season take time to prepare room for Jesus in your heart. Clear out the cobwebs that have accumulated and free yourself to be truly ready to see God in our midst. Ask yourself where you have seen God today? You may surprise yourself. Remember God doesn't always appear in ways that we expect. Would anyone have expected to find the Son of man in a manger?

This week as we begin this season of waiting and preparation make sure you do take time to look for God in those unexpected places and allow yourself to be still and quiet long enough to have time to 'be with God'.

Amen+