SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE - Right up front I will tell you that I did not like the movie; actually, that is quite an understatement.  Within the first minute of the movie, I knew that I should leave; but the thoughts of "sucking it up, this is life, and maybe I would learn something" kept me in my seat.  My eyes were closed several times during the movie.   

Later I began to process why the emotion of anger and a broken heart were overwhelming me. 

• No one need to live in such deplorable conditions.  Why?  Because there are enough resources in this world to share.  Lord, how can I effect such a change?  Lord, what can I personally do NOW?
• No child or adult is another human's possession to own and work and sell and abuse as one pleases.  Who are we to possess and control another person?  Who are we to beat and threaten someone else?  The anger that erupts in me regarding abuse and human trafficking is almost unbearable at times.  I really have to use the Fruit of the Spirit at this point.  But why do I fill up with such emotion?  Because I know that each person is made in the image of God and when we misuse and hurt another person, we are doing that exact thing to God Himself.  People have worth; unborn babies, children, teens, adults, senior citizens all have worth.  Lord, there are times when I have been moved to action; but is there something more which you want me to do?
• Children, teens, and adults will work to meet their needs in any way that they can.  Do you remember Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs - physical (survival, food, shelter); safety (body, property); love/belonging (friendship, family); esteem (respect for self and others); self-actualization (potentials actualized and maximized).  Lord, how can I better assist people to step up to the next rung of the ladder in order to reach their full potential in You? 

So my heart is broken.  It is broken for people who steal in order to have something to eat; who have to sleep in a tiny, overcrowded room and then undergo sexual abuse in order to be out of the freezing cold elements; who remain in physically abusive situations because they fear lack of safety for themselves and for family members if they were to leave; who are sold as a commodity when they were promised a better life where their basic needs would be met; who are engaged in prostitution as a source of love and income; who never reach their potential because I have not done my part in helping them.  Lord, please forgive me where I have sinned; show me what You want me to do; give me the strength, courage, and faith to be obedient to Your leading.  Amen

So...go see Slumdog Millionaire if you are willing to be moved to action!

BE PREPARED

I received an email today from a colleague asking, "would you present at Rhythm of Prayer...today...Lectio Divina...?"  I quickly pulled a book from the shelf, which I recently had read.; looked at my "Books Read" list for other possible resources; scanned the ICO library shelves.  I recalled a scripture portion, which was part of  a personal lectio divina exercise.  During this time I asked the Lord to bless my efforts and the time I had to prepare.  After my notes and the delegates' notes were printed, the Snicker bars cut (for illustration), music CD secured, and some readers notified, I made my way to the lecture room. 

Okay...notes on the lectern, CD in the system and cued up, notes written on the board, handouts distributed, basket of candy in place...ready to go.  My colleague entered, looked at the board, and asked if I had written those notes to which I responded, "yes, that is what we are doing today, right?".  She then proceeded to inform me that there were some handouts for the delegates so that they had something in hand.  I asked her if she would assist me with a reading, we all took our places, and the lesson on lectio divina was given. 

After the delegates were engaged in their own practice of this prayer style, my colleague said something like, "thank you for today; I had only wanted you to be present today, but thank you...".  One little word made all the difference!  I read in the email, "would you present at Rhythm of Prayer..."; but she had actually written, "would you be present at...".  We enjoyed a good laugh; actually I am still laughing.  One little word which I did not read in the email...BE, BE, BE!  I was so busy doing, that I forgot to BE!!!

I may not have been a Boy Scout, but as an officer I have learned to prepare in order to BE prepared.

In the midst of all of this, not one mention was made about my mistake.  I could have quickly gathered my stuff and took a place in the lecture room to learn from her.  Talk about a gracious person.  Actually I did learn a huge lesson from her...about being gracious and thinking about other people above myself.  Thanks for those lessons!  My colleague, Janet, is the embodiment of Christ; I have much more to learn from her.  Thank you, Lord.

ISAIAH 43 - Our Sons and Daughters

Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.  I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' and to the south, 'Do not hold them back,'  Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth - everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.  (Isaiah 43:5-7 NIV)

Dear Lord, I pray this prayer over my family; I pray this prayer over relatives and over friends' children; I name each of them by name__________ and I scream, 'GIVE THEM UP; DO NOT HOLD THEM BACK!  GIVE THEM UP; DO NOT HOLD THEM BACK!  GIVE THEM UP; DO NOT HOLD THEM BACK!'  They have been called by You; You continue to call them by name; You have created them for Your glory; You formed and made them.  May they bring You honor and glory.  GIVE THEM UP; DO NOT HOLD THEM BACK!  In the name of Jesus, may the scales fall from their eyes; may they clearly see and accept Your love; may they desire to grow into the God-honoring sons and daughters, which You have created them to be.  As You have called them, may they be willing to be called by Your name.  May the power of the Holy Spirit break what is holding them and keeping them from You...evil forces, negative habits, pride, ignorance, bitterness, apathy, etc.  May You fill them with Your forgiveness, love, guidance, purity, joy, etc.  GIVE THEM UP; DO NOT HOLD THEM BACK!  May each of your sons and daughters not be held back from attaining the fullness to which You have called them.  Bless them, Lord; lavish Your blessings on each of our/Your sons and daughters.  Thank you and amen.

THE REST OF THE STORY

Here are photos of the last four places Mother visited - Windsor, Greenwhich, Brugge, and the Tower of London.

WINDSOR with the delegates and staff

Windsor Castle - one of the Queen's residences

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windsor_castle

St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle where Prince Charles and Camillia were blessed by the Archibishop of Canterbury.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Georges_Chapel

A crooked house in Windsor

GREENWICH with Steve

Greenwich Mean Time Line at the Royal Observatory

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenwich_Mean_Time

The Royal Observatory

Many movies have been made at this location - the Old Royal Naval College

The organ pipes and carved ceiling at the Chapel of St. Peter and St Paul at the Old Royal Naval College

Fresco at St Peter and St Paul

BRUGGE, BELGIUM with Steve

Street entertainers

The main square...not the bicycles in the foreground

One of the many canals

Always time for a parade

I have not yet been able to take a ride on a long boat (canal boat)

Our "poca rohita" made this trip on the ferry from England to France and then up to Belgium.

Beautiful sunset from the ferry

TOWER OF LONDON with me

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tower_of_London

Headsets provide an audio guided tour

Notice the size of these ravens; they are huge.  Legend has it that when the ravens leave the Tower, the monarch will fall.  These birds were beak locked for minutes!

I would not want to get in a fight with this coming at me!

You know what this is!   The drainage was out the side of the building...no pipes, no flushing - yuk!

No photos were permitted, but we did see the Crown Jewels, which are housed at the Tower...gorgeous!

Mother has many photos of her trip to the London and surrounding areas.  God blessed her with many, many wonderful memories and sites.

The staff said farewell...

AN ENGLISH COUNTRY WALK

Following yesterday's day for study and worship, today Steve and I took a 7 mile walk through the English countryside.  These walks allow us to enter into the creation.  I love it!  Enjoy some of my photos from today.

Our drive to the start of the walk...had to pull the car over to let oncoming cars pass.

There were many animals to observe today.

Some were being kept warm.

 I am amazed that we are permitted to walk right through the pastures.

Steve is getting a shot, but at the same time he is shewing it away...too close for comfort for him.

Tons of spider webs

"We are to walk across this field, but with the fog I am having difficulty seeing the house on the other side."

Lunch...Lettuce sandwiches with ham, cheese, cukes, peppers, and herb cream cheese. 

Yum...these apples were quite tasty.  We walked through acres and acres of apple and plum orchards today.

Would you like a bite...just one?

 The corn field was an interesting walk...

...a maize for sure.

Yum...NOT!

A beautiful English country home

Beside the ducks in the water, we also saw pheasants in the tall grass in the fields, but they are too smart to hang around for photos.

Plenty of stiles to cross...sometimes over electric fences...potential ouch!

This structure connected the church cemetary to a prayer labyrinth. 

Our final field...tough walk.

Deep furrows

Proof of the walk

Another enjoyable day in England!  These walks are worshipful for me...the creation, but more than that - the Creator!  Join us for our next walk.