Monthly Archives: September 2011

Sep29

Evil Forebodings

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Woah, that’s a heavy title to dance into the weekend Michelle! Stick with me this might just help your weekend, and the days following.  I read a verse this week, it was an ‘aha’ moment for me, shedding light on many conversations I have, giving a voice to a common experience.

Proverbs 15:15 in the Amplified Bible says this ‘All the days of the desponding and afflicted are made evil [by anxious thoughts and forebodings], but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of circumstances].”

What is a foreboding? The dictionary definition describes ‘a feeling that evil is impending or that something bad is going to happen’

It’s a constant, an irritation, a dripping tap of what if’s and dread – of waiting… a familiar subtle presence hovering over and gnawing at your everyday existence, Song of Solomon 2:15 ‘Catch the little foxes that are ruining your vineyard’. Catch them, Fight them, Seize them. To do so we must first recognize them and name them.

It has a name. An evil foreboding.

The next verse goes on to say ‘he who has a glad hard has a continual feast (regardless of circumstances) You might feel like it would be easier to paddle board across Niagra Falls than get to a glad heart status and if this resonates with you and the ‘evil forebodings’ are something you experience ask someone to pray with you, to speak life over you and remind yourself of God’s word for your life. We were not meant to handle life alone, I love the power of community.

I’m not going to give you  ’10 steps to a glad heart’ but I know scripture is so full of promises like this one in Psalm 27:13, David writes: “What would have become of me had I not believed that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living!”

I’ll leave you to find your own promises…and if you can’t. Get back to me. I’m loving this book too which challenges you to live a life of gratitude. Thanksgiving. Eucharisteo. It changes everything.

You need to know I am not one to give pat Christian answers here, I have known the reality of sickness, mental illness, alcoholism and depression in my family and still do and I know this is often no quick fix – but I do know the freedom of God’s promises.

My Mom is a great example of not allowing forebodings to rule, whilst having many reasons to let her soul be downcast  – she has learned to live a glad heart, to allow her soul to prosper, to ‘take thoughts captive’ – focusing above.

To feast!

On that note – Praying you know God’s best for your weekend!

“I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened.” Mark Twain

Sep26

The List

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One of the first things I did when I turned 40 was try out an afternoon nap. I had heard about them and was often advised to take them, especially when I had twins. But no, they didn’t come.

I realize now after relinquishing afternoon control just once, that naps should be made compulsory for all mankind.

Proverbs 3:24 ‘You’ll take afternoon naps without a worry, you’ll enjoy a good night’s sleep.’ The Message.

It’s official.

I like numbers and this month I’m liking 40. I look around and 40 is everywhere – 40 winks, Top 40, Life begins at… and not forgetting this little number

Then there is the bible.

Full of fortiness – it rained for 40 days and nights, Moses was on the mountain top for 40 days, it took the spies 40 days to search out the promised land, Elijah was in Horeb for 40 days.

That’s a lot you say… there’s more, Goliath came for 40 days before being killed by David, Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness and Jesus was seen in the earth for 40 days after His resurrection.

With all of this mind I have written my 40for40 list.

Why? For me, 40 demands a time of revaluation. A time to consider. It’s like 40 has taken me by the scruff of the neck and among other things said ‘let’s have some fun girl’ this isn’t ‘things to do before I die’ this is ‘things to do in the next while’.

It involves people – my family and friends. I’m not doing these alone. Choose one if you like…except 25 – that’s an exclusive.

So here it is, the never done by me before list, I will aim to post a 40for40 update monthly!

1: Play 9 holes of golf – ‘I regard golf as an expensive way of playing marbles~G.K. Chesterton’ I’ll give it a shot

2: Go SUP boarding – hoping it’s not SDP or FOP boarding

3: Travel to Rome

4: Go to a spa in October – never been in October!

5: Run the Birmingham half marathon, now known as the Great Birmingham Run – October 23rd 2011

6: Drive from Seattle to San Diego – 2600 miles round trip

7: High tea at the Ritz – because it’s a British institution and it costs…wait for it… 40 pounds

8: Dine at Jamie Oliver’s restaurant – I like a revolution

9: Design new website for my Blog – michellecollins.org

10: Ski a black – to make my Auntie Steph proud

11: Grow own veggies – because it’s good and I live in the Okanagan

12: Join a Flashmob

13: Try Zumba

14: XC skiing – I’ve heard it’s better in small countries but I’ll give it a try

15: Go panning for gold – there’s a rush for this one

16: Go indoor climbing

17: Go on a famous winery tour – again. I live in the Okanagan

18: Home make a curry – confessions of a Sharwoods user

19: Have a family pillow fight

20: Go whale watching – I’m thinking Tofino

21: See a Shakespearean play – I’m thinking Stratford – to be or not be

22: Go fly a kite – I like a natural high

23: Go indoor skydiving – looks like fun, thanks Chan

24: Attend a monastic retreat

25: Sunset meal on the beach with Phil Collins – in the air tonight?

26: Watch Mama Mia live show – I love cheese

27: Make Sushi

28: Get a photo published

29: Try Planking – shows my kids just how very cool I am

30: Watch all of the Harry Potter movies – sorry, I haven’t seen them

31: Try a new recipe every month ongoing – ‘hooray’ say the Collins clan

32: Lazy morning in bed until 12 – one of the hardest on the list for me

33: Go on Daniel fast for 40 days – I cannot wait for this one – really

34: Take Emily and Jessica on a mission’s trip to Africa

35: Attend a laughter therapy session – with my Momma, I’m laughing at the thought

36: Clay Pigeon shooting

37: Walk a glacier – always helpful to achieve something that may not be possible for the great grandkids

38: Visit Ground Zero

39: Go to U2 concert – I’ve been told it’s compulsory

40: Holiday in Brisbane – also compulsory

Thanks for reading. What’s on your list?

Sep20

Peace Be With You

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During this month, the tenth anniversary of 911 our media is full of stories of courage, bravery, resilience, stories of hatred and bitterness.

I’m compelled to understand more – to understand the responses of those who have searched the truth, who have fasted and prayed and who have sought wisdom.

In reading ‘Peace Be With You, Monastic Wisdom for a Terror-Filled World’ I joined David Carlson on a pilgrimage to understand peace and gain deeper understanding of the monastic response.

‘Peace Be With You’ journeys to monastic communities to gain the thoughts and wisdom of more than 30 monks, nuns, abbots, artists and a Mennonite pastor searching for a ‘word of life’ in this age.  He clearly paints a picture of the various characters and also the monasteries, the buildings, and the environment in varying locations from, St. Michael’s Skete, New Mexico to Gethsemani, Kentucky with many in between. He describes that rather than a disconnection with the world, these are a group of people who are called to fast, pray and take their calling seriously. I find it inspiring that these monasteries exist in this age and have a voice in the big picture.

The ‘words of life’ were varied and diverse – confusion, forgiveness, resolve and obstinate hope with views on hatred, radical forgiveness, a broken world and extremism, with the thread of Christ’s response throughout.

Also woven throughout was the epiphany of Trappist monk Thomas Merton and his vision of radical unity, of Christ in all, this vision helping Carlson through his own dark time in the midst of writing. I am challenged by this epiphany as I go around my busy life in Kelowna, that I respond to all who cross my path seeing ‘Christ in all’ – this makes sense in this world.

Carlson says ‘I began this journey with a sense of a divided works, the “them” whom we wish to annihilate on one side, and the “us” whom we wish to protect on the other. By the end of the journey, my own divided heart was beginning to heal. The process was painful, but I eventually and gradually found myself waking to a new reality, where the divided worlds of enemy and friend have been replaced by only one category – the neighbor who has sacred value ‘

The ‘contemplation tanks’ of the monastic communities offered challenge after challenge, leaving me to question, contemplate and no doubt revisit the book.

   Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


Sep14

The Boy

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I hit the BIG 4′oh’ last week and my youngest boy started school this week, I sense seasons changing.

Josiah’s observations after 2 full days. He had not learned to read yet and he should be allowed a day off when tired. He also asked me how many more days until he was done with school.’4 days until the weekend I said’ ‘No Mom, finished school for good’

It’s very quiet around here. 12 years of children at home is all consuming. I’m not sure whether to dance wildly or tiptoe into this next season. I could try tiptoeing wildly maybe? Imagine that.

As we enjoy our extended Summer here in Kelowna – I’m sure I will work it out

Here are a few questions I asked Josiah on his first day.

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