Polar Plunge
Unless you’ve been dead or living in Edmonton, as my friend Jack likes to say, most Canadians (including Edmontonians) have been experiencing first-hand the unbelievably frigid temperatures Old Man Winter has been dishing out to us this past week.
Now, I know we Canadians are a hearty bunch when it comes to our winters. That limerick by Ogden Nash comes to mind whenever the wind howls and the snow blows here in Canada:
There once was a man from Quebec
Who was buried in snow to his neck.
When asked, “Are you friz?”
He said, “Yes, I is,
But we don’t call this cold in Quebec!”
Of course we Albertans believe that we still hold the title for far harsher and colder temperatures than our Francophone brothers in Quebec, although we must bow to our hearty neighbours in the province of Manitoba for wind chills that even have brass monkeys booking tickets to Florida.
But this week Alberta has experienced what our weatherman likes to call a “Polar Plunge”. Many schools (notice I did not say ‘all schools’) were closed on Wednesday when the ambient temperature outside dipped to – 30 (that’s -22 F for my American friends). Yes, despite the temperature many children still trudged off to school wearing only their hoodies and flip flops. But I did notice that when we factored in the windchill and the mercury dipped to a balmy -40 (that’s -40 F), some kids elected to wear long pants to school rather than their shorts. Can we all say “Brrrrrrrrrrr!” together?
Luckily, Alberta is looking forward to another “snow eating” Chinook coming our way in the next twenty-four hours and our temperatures will soar to +2 C. To all of you who have never experienced what that kind of radical barometric change does to a body just ask my friend Emilie, or my son Brett and all those others who suffer from migraines when the Chinook winds start to blow. If asked, they might even say they like the cold better than the Chinooks.
But for now we’re headache free and still freezing our buns off here in sunny Alberta and so here’s to all of my Canadian friends making the best of a cold situation right now.
50°F – New Yorkers try to turn on the heat. Canadians plant gardens.
40°F – Californians shiver uncontrollably. Canadians sunbathe.
35°F – Italian cars won’t start. Canadians drive with the windows down.
32°F – Distilled water freezes. Canadian water gets thicker.
20°F – Floridians wear coats, gloves & wool hats. Canadians throw on a t-shirt.
15°F – Californians begin to evacuate the state. Canadians go swimming.
0°F – New York landlords finally turn up the heat. Canadians have the last cook-out before it gets cold.
-10°F – People in Miami cease to exist. Canadians lick flag poles to see if their tongue will stick.
-20°F – Californians fly away to Mexico. Canadians throw on a light jacket.
-40°F – Hollywood disintegrates. Canadians rent some videos.
-60°F – Mt. St. Helens freezes. Canadian Girl Guides begin selling cookies door to door.
-80°F – Polar bears begin to evacuate Antarctica. Canadian Boy Scouts postpone “Winter Survival” classes until it gets cold enough.
-100°F – Santa Claus abandons the North Pole. Canadians pull down their ear flaps.
-173°F – Ethyl alcohol freezes. Canadians get frustrated when they can’t thaw the keg.
-297°F – Microbial life survives on dairy products. Canadian cows complain of farmers with cold hands.
-460°F – ALL atomic motion stops. Canadians start saying “Cold ’nuff for ya?”
-500°F – Hell freezes over. The Toronto Maple Leafs win the Stanley Cup.
Courageous Reviews!
Oftentimes I am asked to participate in reviewing and/or participating in a blog tour that promotes some great authors and their books. Regular readers of Journey Thoughts will know of the many Christian authors I have had the pleasure of interviewing over these past two years, and I hope many of you would have read some of their books. Most recently, I had the pleasure of reading and reviewing the “Courageous” books – books that were inspired by the movie, “Courageous”. I gave 5 Star reviews for all the books! I am reposting my reviews of the books here today, but you can read those and many more of my book reviews on my review page. At the end of today’s posting all my readers can print off a coupon to get $5.00 off the “Courageous” movie available on DVD and Blu-Ray on January 17th, 2012. ENJOY!
My review of Courageous Living: Dare to Take a Stand – Michael Catt
“In the new film COURAGEOUS (from the makers of Fireproof), four police officers are confident and focused when it comes tofacing danger on the job. But leading their families at home in a God-honoring way? That takes courage.
Because it is important to take a faithful, fearless stand in so many areas of life, pastor and COURAGEOUS executive producer Michael Catt offers Courageous Living as a closer look at biblical themes and characters that inspired the greatly anticipated movie. Catt brings fresh insight to “stories of people in the Bible who displayed great courage when it would have been easier to play it safe… (who) challenge me to keep moving forward. They demand that I examine my priorities and deal with anything that brings fear to my heart.”
Readers will catch a new wind of bravery in the bold accounts of Abraham (“The Courage to Get Going”), Nehemiah (“The Courage to Face Criticism”), and Ruth (“The Courage to Face an Uncertain Future”). There are also growth opportunities in the stirring stories of Moses, Elijah, Joshua, Daniel, Gideon, Nehemiah, Stephen, and Paul and Timothy.”
I read this book in just a couple of hours. Fast paced and a fast read with a message that hits the reader right between the eyes with its impacting message for today’s parent. Although possibly aimed more towards men (which makes sense since it follows on the heals of the widely popular “Courageous” movie), this book is equally important for women to read.
Although I appreciated the examples Catt used from the Bible and stories about historical figures; great men and women who displayed Godly courage sometimes in the face of great adversity, I also enjoyed the analogy of the “eagle, chicken and ostrich” parenting styles that Catt describes in detail in the book.
It is definitely a book with wise counsel and practical application for all parents and I highly recommend reading it.
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My review of The Resolution for Men – Stephen Kendrick
“A man cannot be passive about what Scripture tells him to do for his family and expect to be found faithful to God in the end. Hemust see with spiritual eyes and realize that future generations are directly impacted by his daily decisions.” –The Resolution for Men
The Resolution for Men is the inspiring book born out of Courageous, a new film by the makers of Fireproof coming to theaters nationwide in fall 2011. The movie, which presents a powerful story of strong male leadership, is an emotionally charged wake-up call to fathers whose influence upon their children and society is immeasurable. The Resolution for Men follows to challenge men of all ages to become as bold and intentional about embracing their responsibilities as leaders of their homes, marriages, and children.
Written by Stephen and Alex Kendrick, screenwriters of Courageous and authors of New York Times No. 1 best seller The Love Dare (five million copies sold), The Resolution for Men strategically inspires men to reconcile with their past, re-engage in the present by taking full responsibility for their wives and children, and then move forward with a bold and clear resolution for the future. Written in partnership with the movie and Priscilla Shirer’s new book, The Resolution for Women, it is designed to inspire a revolution.”
After seeing the widely popular “Courageous” movie, I was determined to follow up by reading the book by Randy Alcorn as well as the “Resolution” books for men and for women.
An important point that is stressed in all of the books is the fact that there is an ongoing attack on the men’s role in the family and in the church. Men are relinquishing their spiritual role in the home and within the church while pursuing career and lifestyle. This is not a new idea. The erosion of the family has been an ongoing attack of the enemy (Satan) since the dawn of man. The result however in a world where divorce is rampant, alternative lifestyles are accepted as normal and children are raised more and more by a single parent, women are fast becoming the spiritual leaders in the home, and while that may not seem bad, (especially in a single parent home) it is not biblical.
The book is meant to inspire, challenge and encourage men pointing them to accept their God-given responsibility to lead by example and be courageous even in the face of great opposition and adversity.
I highly recommend reading this book and the other “Courageous” books. As several of the reviewers have stated, these books are not meant to be read and then shelved. They need to be read, discussed, pondered upon so that the message is ingrained and applied daily.
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My review of The Resolution for Women – Priscilla Evans Shirer
“Written in partnership with Sherwood Pictures’ upcoming film, COURAGEOUS, in The Resolution for Women, popular speaker andauthor Priscilla Shirer challenges all women to be intentional about embracing and thriving in God’s beautiful and eternal calling on their lives.
Like the men in the movie who resolve to fully accept their responsibilities before God, Shirer explains how today’s women can and should live out their own resolution. It is “a defining banner that hangs over your life, written in the ink of your own choices.” A woman’s banner should be an accurate reflection of who she desires to be-someone completely Christ-centered who blesses and changes things in her world for the better.
The Resolution for Women inspires women with intentional, spirit-filled living from three unique angles. Section one, entitled, “This Is Who I Am,” helps a woman define herself as “authentically me, purposefully feminine, surprisingly satisfied, and faithfully His.” Section two, “This Is What I Have,” invites her to value “my best, my blessing, my honor, and my heart.” And Section three, “This Is What Matters To Me,” focuses on joyfully honoring God as a wife, mother, and family member while resolving to live with the grace that leaves a godly legacy. The Resolution for Women is designed to inspire a revolution.”
This book written specifically for women defines the biblical role of the woman in the home by giving practical suggestions on how to support the role of her husband as the spiritual leader and then by being content in her role as wife, mother and follower of Christ.
In a postfeminist culture, this book challenges a woman to be champions for God’s model for womanhood. The message asks women to embrace their femininity, draw on God’s strength and wisdom in raising children and supporting men in their God-given responsibility as spiritual leaders in the home.
Like in the book, The Resolution for Men, where there is a “resolution” (a list) that men are encouraged to print off and sign, there is a similar “resolution” for women that I intend to print off and frame for myself.
A great book for working mothers, stay-at-home moms, newly marrieds and grandmothers. It bridges all age groups giving relevance to women in every “season” of their life.
Like the Resolution for Men, this book is not meant to be read and then shelved. It needs to be read, shared with other women, discussed, and pondered upon so that the message is ingrained and applied in daily living.
“Books were provided courtesy of David C Cook and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from B&H Publishing Group”.
Chocolate Paradise – Guest Post – Kathy Howard
Readers of Journey Thoughts will recognize my friend, Kathy Howard immediately. Her books have been on my “Best 10 Christian Books” the last two years, with “God’s Truth Revealed” and “Unshakeable Faith“, and I had the privilege of interviewing her on Journey Thoughts once before. Kathy is currently leading a Facebook group, Reading the Bible Together(Chronologically) in 2012, and I am thoroughly enjoying it! She will be leading a study of the book of Ephesians beginning Wed. Jan. 18 on her blogsite. I plan on joining her…will you? http://www.kathyhoward.org/why-dont-you-just-grow-up-youre-invited-to-study-ephesians
Chocolate paradise and every spiritual blessing
- Kathy Howard-
Chocolate surrounded me. Left, right, ahead, and behind. Everywhere I turned, chocolate lay in great mounds. Every shape and size, wrapped and unwrapped, with nuts and without, cream-filled and nougat, round and rectangle. I have dreamed of a chocolate paradise such as this many times, but this wasn’t a dream.
This time I stood in an actual chocolate paradise. This was not some average, American chocolate shop. I had the joy of salivating in a European chocolate establishment. (And yes, Hershey, they do it better.) The chocolate aroma overwhelmed me and I had to squash the thought of Eve eyeing the forbidden fruit.
Everything I could have hoped for was here – plus many I could have never imagined. The tantalizing smorgasbord of tastes and textures excited me. Chocolate with coconut for my husband? Three choices! Sugar-free chocolate for my diabetic father-in-law? Oh yes, more than he could ever eat! The experience far surpassed my greatest chocolate fantasy. I left with gifts in one hand and my own personal stash in the other.
This morning I fondly thought about this chocolate shop visit when I read through the Bible book of Ephesians. Here’s a couple of passages that thrilled me:
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:3, NIV
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. Ephesians 3:20, NIV
I know my chocolate experience is a weak analogy for these glorious promises, but no physical comparison can measure up to the spiritual blessing God desires to pour into our lives. (So everything considered, being set loose with an unlimited chocolate selection was a good choice.)
Are you experiencing “every spiritual blessing in Christ?” Have you witnessed God do “immeasurable more than all you can ask or imagine?” I honestly can’t say I have, but I’m growing that direction. Want to come along?
You’re invited to join me in a study of the book of Ephesians. “Growing Up Together – a study of Ephesians,” begins Wednesday, January 18th on my blogsite. You can visit my blog now for a bit more information.
Do you long to experience God’s blessing in your life? In what areas do you feel your faith needs to grow?
Kathy Howard calls herself a “confused southerner.” Raised in Louisiana, she and her husband have lived all over North America. She doesn’t know whether to say “coke” and “ya’ll” or “pop” and “you guys.” But this Southern girl loves to encourage women through teaching and writing about God’s Word. Find out more about Kathy’s Bible studies and speaking ministry and get lots of free resources at www.kathyhoward.org
A Parenting Faux Pas
Regret weighs a person down. Regret, for the most part, cannot be undone. It reminds us of things we should have done, but didn’t. We had the opportunity in front of us, but let it slip away. Regret can haunt us if we dwell on all the “what ifs” in life. It will stop us from moving forward if we carry regret with us like that proverbial monkey on our back.
Certainly all of us have a certain number of regrets in our life. I have a long list, some I won’t share here for obvious reasons, but God is helping me deal with all of them. As a parent, there were times when I have said the wrong thing, or did the wrong thing (sometimes with the best of intentions). Now, when my kids are young adults, they have no problem reminding me about the times I really messed up when they were younger. Luckily, most of my mistakes can be laughed off by my kids and I have become the brunt of some of their more good-natured teasing throughout the years. So we mostly laugh off some of my more comical and less-than-stellar parenting skills and my kids seem to have turned out to be fairly well-adjusted human beings all things considered.
I know that my latest parenting faux pas will likely be remembered for years to come and will no doubt go down in my son’s memory record as the “worst Christmas present Mom ever got for me”. I had no idea that putting a picture of my son on a t-shirt would elicit such a backlash of criticism. Apparently, according to my family, one does not put pictures of oneself on ones t-shirt and then actually wear said t-shirt…ever!
I thought it was a great idea at the time. I found a funny picture of my son, had it printed on a t-shirt thinking he would think it funny and unique. He was more than a little mortified. “When would I ever wear this, Mom?” he demanded.
“I don’t know, maybe to work?”
Yeah, it got the same reaction from my son…”Are you serious, Mom? I can’t wear a picture of “me” to work!”
All my other suggestions like wearing it to church, or around friends, or even use the t-shirt as a rag to polish his car, were met with the same “are you kidding me?” looks. Lesson learned. Do not put pictures of your children on t-shirts and expect them to wear the t-shirt…I wonder if that goes for grandchildren too?
Journey Thoughts Top 10 Blog Posts
Ten days into the New Year and we’ve counted down the Top 10 Blog Posts to date on Journey Thoughts. Today I am offering a special gift of a Dayspring Wall Plaque (see picture) to one of my faithful blog readers with a consolation e-prize to everyone else who chooses to participate. Fill out this {form} for your chance to win! Happy New Year!
Thanks to all those who entered! All of you will be receiving an e-gift by email and I will be sending the plaque out today. (Contest winner has asked that I do not post her name).
#10 “The Parable of the Teacup“ 
#9 “Thanksgiving“
#8 “Resurrection Eggs“
#7 “Graduation“
#6 “O Canada“
#5 “Stumbles“
#4 “Baby Feet“
#3 “Christmas Has Its Cradle, Easter Has Its Cross“
#2 “A Duct Tape Lesson“
In the #1 spot, and viewed by thousands of readers since it was first posted is the very timely and heartfelt plea from me to you, “Help Stop Bullying“
Help Stop Bullying
It was 1996 and my daughter came off the bus for what seemed to me the 100th time, crying. No amount of coaxing would get her to confide to me what was bothering her but I noticed that over a few short months, my vivacious, happy-go-lucky girl had changed in appearance and personality. Always an extrovert, now she barely talked. Always a child who loved to wear bright colours, now she dressed in blacks and greys. She wouldn’t meet our eyes when we talked to her. Her marks at school plummeted. We talked with teachers, we met with the principal, but somehow we couldn’t break through some kind of “code of silence” that prevented her from sharing what was bothering her.
Finally one day I got a disturbing phone call from my daughter’s piano teacher. Not wanting to betray confidences, but still concerned that this was something that could not be kept from us, the piano teacher told me that Laurelle had confided in her that she was the victim of bullying. Laurelle then confessed that she did not know what to do and she was starting to think that the only way out of the bullying nightmare was to take her own life.
I was in a state of shock and panic. I remembered that Laurelle had a diary and I did something I never thought I would ever do…I invaded the privacy of her room and ransacked it to find the diary. Sure enough, on each page, written in her fine hand, were picture words of the torment my child faced just walking down the hallway of her school. Name calling, shunning, books knocked out of her hand, pushing, shoving, ostracizing. She would be tripped, pushed into her locker, laughed at and ridiculed. The bullying didn’t stop at school, it continued on the bus. She was called every known expletive demoralizing her spirit and her character.
I just sat on her bed, reading her words, and I wept. I wept because of what my child was going through and I wept out of guilt not realizing what was happening to her, and rebuking myself that I hadn’t added up all the signs and stepped in much, much sooner to help her.
When my daughter came home from school that afternoon, she was appalled and angry with me for invading her privacy, and reading her personal thoughts, but I did not apologize for that. I wrapped my arms around my child as she wept out of shame, humiliation and fear for her circumstances and then I told her she was “not alone anymore”.
I knew when I began my writing career that I would have to address the topic of bullying in my books. As a teacher and a youth leader and a parent, I have seen what bullying can do to a young person.
Recently I contacted Bill Belsey, President of Bullying.org Canada. Bill happens to live right here in Cochrane, and I thought since my two books, Shoot the Wounded and Heal the Wounded deal at length with the topic of bullying, I wanted to be able to link our two websites so that we might bring even more exposure to this insidious topic. Bill eagerly wrote back, enthusiastically approving of the idea. Since then, both my books have been selected as “Helpful Resources” on what some consider the largest anti-bullying website in the world. I invite my readers (especially parents of teenagers) to go to Bill’s award-winning Web site: www.bullying.org and spread the word: Help STOP Bullying!
Bill Belsey is the father of two teenagers and a classroom teacher. He founded Bullying.org Canada over a decade ago. Mr. Belsey is a winner of the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Technology. He is also a recipient of the Royal Bank Fellowship from the Mathematics, Science and Technology Group at Queen’s University and the Roy C. Hill Fellowship for Innovations in Education from the Canadian Teacher’s Federation. In May 2006, Mr. Belsey received Canada’s National Technology Innovations Award from The Learning Partnership and his presentation “Change the World 101” was given the “Conference Award” as the most outstanding work presented during the entire gathering. In October 2006, Mr. Belsey was named as a Fellow of the World Technology Network in the Education category at a gala event at San Francisco’s City Hall. At this same ceremony, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore was inducted as a Fellow in the Environment category and Tim Burners-Lee, one of the co-creators of the World Wide Web, was honoured in the Internet category.
In November 2007 he was recognized with a nomination for the YMCA Peace Medal. Mr. Belsey was asked to offer his input into the United Nations International Research Study in Bangkok on Violence and Children. His print interviews have appeared in Parenting Magazine, the Globe and Mail, and the Christian Science Monitor. He has appeared numerous times on the CTV and CBC National News. He has been a consultant to “The Dr. Phil Show” and ABC News 20/20 with Diane Sawyer and “Anderson Cooper 360” on CNN. In an interview with Mr. Belsey on CBC TV’s “The National”, Peter Mansbridge referred to www.bullying.org as “One of the best Web sites in the world for children”.
Mr. Belsey, who now lives in Cochrane, Alberta, with his wife, Helene (also a teacher), and two teenage children, decided to return to the classroom. He currently teaches grade five at Springbank Middle School for the Rockyview School Division. To check out his students’ innovative work, do a Google search for “Canada’s Coolest Class” then click on “I’m feeling lucky”, you will be directed to www.coolclass.ca.
He is a much sought-after speaker and presenter on the topics of bullying, cyberbullying, technology integration, innovation, community development and global education. He has presented at many conferences across Canada and around the world.
Let me share Bill’s response to me:
Hello Lynn,
Thank you for your message, for sharing this information about your writing and for your concern about the issue of bullying. I would be pleased to have you make links from your Websites to mine. You can also add your book(s) on www.bullying.org by using the “I Want to Share -Submit a Helpful Resource” option.
FYI, I am a father of two teenagers and a classroom teacher, see www.coolclass.ca and/or http://is.gd/eZfxV. I founded Bullying.org Canada over a decade ago. Bullying.org Canada created www.bullying.org, a multiple award-winning Web site that was developed to help people address the issues of bullying within a safe, positive, moderated international community. www.bullying.org is a supportive online community where people can learn that they are NOT alone in being bullied and teased, that being bullied and teased is NOT their fault and that they CAN do something positive about it. People can contribute their personal stories, poems, images, oral stories (audio files), music and even animations and movies. All of the original submissions and the replies to them are read and moderated by real people to ensure that the Website is a safe and respectful online community. www.bullying.org also has a “Helpful Resources” section that features a huge listing of articles, books, legislation and policies, research and multimedia resources. www.bullying.org also has the worlds first and largest online moderated support groups for adults and youth. The Web site receives nearly one million visitors and contributors from around the world each month and is often listed as the number one “bullying” referenced Web site in the world by Google and many other Internet search engines.
www.bullying.org has been chosen for the ChildNet International Award that goes to project that make the Internet a better place for youth, as well as being a finalist in the Stockholm Challenge Award which has been called the Nobel Prize of the IT (Information Technology) world. In an interview I did on CBC Television’s “The National”, CBC News anchor Peter Mansbridge referred to www.bullying.org as “One of the best Web sites in the world for young people”. www.bullying.org has been featured by other media around the world.
Bullying.org Canada is also the creator of www.cyberbullying.ca, the world’s first Web site specifically dedicated to the emerging issue of cyberbullying, in fact, I have often been cited as the first to use this word and define this new behaviour.
We are also the founders, creators and facilitators of the annual National Bullying Awareness Week. We would like to encourage you, your organization, and your community to participate. Please invite others to visit http://www.bullyingawarenessweek.org for more information.
Middle or high schools in your area, you can encourage them to join the Bullying.org Peer Power Youth Presenters Network. We have a research-based multimedia CD along with an accompanying script they can use to practice with and then make arrangements to come and have these older students present to your younger students. It is very powerful and effective. The cost is only $5, which pays for discs, envelopes and mailing costs. The main commitment is finding a teacher at the local middle or high school who will agree to work with the older students prior to their presentation at your school. Please visit http://www.bullyingawarenessweek.org and click on the “Resources” Web page link for more information.
We are also the creators of the groundbreaking Website, www.bullyingcourse.com. This new educational resource offers affordable online courses and Webinars (online presentations) for educators and parents about bullying and cyberbullying. Here’s what www.bullyingcourse.com offers:
-Webinars: These are online multimedia presentations you can order and include in your next Professional Development Day, conference, Parent-Teacher Association meeting or community gathering. All you need is a computer, access to the Internet, a multimedia projector, projection screen, speakers and you are good to go! They can be paused, played and replayed to meet your schedule throughout the day you have ordered the presentation for.
-Online courses: These non-credit courses are self-directed introductory courses intended for personal and professional learning and growth. You proceed at your own pace. 100 level courses are offered on a continuous basis throughout the year. 100 level courses have no enrolment limit. 100 level courses are assessed as Complete or Incomplete. A certificate is issued upon successful completion of these courses. At the 100 level, we currently offer E101, an introduction to Bullying for Educators, see http://bullyingcourse.com/mod/resource/view.php?id=226 and P101 course for parents, please see http://bullyingcourse.com/mod/resource/view.php?id=225 for more information.
Here is some feedback from a recent E101 course participant:
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“I recently completed the Introduction to Bullying for Educators E101 course and found this to be a very valuable learning, theoretical and practical experience. As a student teacher I have found that this serious social issue has been overlooked in my teaching preparation courses. I highly recommend that teachers, student teachers and other professionals working with children attend this course. This is my first online course and I found the course very easy to navigate. The content provided in the course is appealing to a variety of learners and the use of multimedia enhanced my learning. Most importantly, I found the course assignment to be practical and something that I can use as I begin my teaching career. The assignment of creating my own anti-bullying action plan truly brought the course to life for me. Having completed the assignment, I now understand how I can respond to, prevent and advocate against bullying in the classroom, school, community, workplace and worldwide web environments. Bullying is a topic that every person is faced with at some point in his or her life. As teachers, it is our professional responsibility to understand, prevent and respond to bullying so that supportive, encouraging and caring environments are available to all children at school. This course is a great place to start this understanding and develop our own anti-bullying action plan, which can be implemented in our own schools.”
-Kimberly Dawson
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We have created a free brochure in PDF format that you can download that contains many ideas as to how students, teachers and parents can use www.bullying.org as a safe, supportive, free, non-commercial, and deeply engaging multimedia teaching and learning resource. This can be found online at: http://www.cyberbullying.ca/pdf/Bullying.org_Teaching_Ideas_Pamphlet.pdf
Here is a free copy of our famous “Take the Pledge” anti-bullying poster you may download, print and distribute for non-profit, educational purposes: http://www.cyberbullying.ca/pdf/FC_Bullying_POSTER04.pdf
Here is our video that accompanies our award-winning “Take the (anti-bullying) Pledge” campaign: http://www.cyberbullying.ca/video/pledge.wmv
If you would like to learn more about the presentations we offer, please visit: http://www.cyberbullying.ca/pdf/Bullying-Cyberbullying_Presentations.pdf
You can learn more about Bullying.org Canada at: http://www.cyberbullying.ca/pdf/Bullying.org_Overview.pdf
You can learn more about what people are saying about our work at: http://www.cyberbullying.ca/pdf/Bullying.org_Kudos.pdf
You can read the latest “Friends of Bullying.org Newsletter” online at http://is.gd/gQIzM
Please help us by sharing this information with others.
Most sincerely,
Bill Belsey
President, Bullying.org Canada
I appreciate the opportunity to share these links with my readers today. You may also link to Mr. Belsey’s website through my website: http://www.shootthewounded.org/help_stop_bullying.html
Journey Thoughts Top Ten Blog Posts
We’re nearly there! Counting down the Top Ten Blog Posts on Journey Thoughts!
#10 “The Parable of the Teacup“
#9 “Thanksgiving“
#8 “Resurrection Eggs“
#7 “Graduation“
#6 “O Canada“
#5 “Stumbles“
#4 “Baby Feet“
Coming in at #3 is the seasonal favourite, “Christmas Has Its Cradle, Easter Has Its Cross“
Christmas Has Its Cradle, Easter Has Its Cross
Christmas has its cradle, where a Baby cried; did the lantern’s shadow show him crucified?
Did he foresee darkly His life’s willing loss?
Christmas has its cradle and Easter has its cross.
Christmas has its cradle; shepherds came to see, Little Son of Mary, Lamb of God to be
Had His Father warned Him, none would grant Him room, save in the Christmas cradle and in the Easter tomb?
Christmas has its cradle, wise men came to bring, myrrh and gold and incense, offering for a King;
Myrrh alone stayed with Him, death’s balm for this Boy, from the Christmas cradle and to His Easter joy.
Christmas has its cradle, where that Baby cried; in the Easter garden, Christ lay, crucified;
When death’s power was conquered, God’s life through Him poured;
Christmas has its cradle and Easter has its Lord!
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17
Journey Thoughts Top 10 Blog Posts
Counting down the Top 10 Blog Posts on Journey Thoughts!
#10 “The Parable of the Teacup“
#9 “Thanksgiving“
#8 “Resurrection Eggs“
#7 “Graduation“
#6 “O Canada“
#5 “Stumbles“
At #4 is “Baby Feet“. This one is for all you Grandparents out there!
Baby Feet
My grandson has perfect feet. I know, I know, I’m a biased grandma, I think everything about my grandbaby is perfect 
but truly Jaxon’s feet are perfect. They do not have the calluses or the scuffed heals yet. His toenails are not jagged, there are no “hammer toes” in the bunch. His toes are soft, kissable to me and apparently they must taste good to him. There are no miles traveled on his feet yet, nor has he discovered a like or dislike for brand name footwear. He wears the tiny shoes his mother puts on his perfect feet, but I suspect that he would rather go barefoot…easier to suck on his toes that way!
In the next few months Jaxon will discover that he can stand on his feet. That his feet will bear his weight, and as we have warned his young mother repeatedly, once he discovers how fast his feet can move after that, her life will never be the same again. He’ll put miles and miles on his feet (as will my daughter trying to keep up with him!) He’ll discover that carpets are soft to walk on, but sharp rocks aren’t. He’ll step on his first thistle, and feel the sting of his first stubbed toe, but knowing how determined he is even now as a baby, after the tears stop, he’ll be back on his feet and running again.
His feet won’t be as perfect once he starts using them every day to run, to dance, to climb, to explore, to swim, to play soccer, basketball or hockey. As he grows, he’ll use his feet to walk places I may never see, go to places I may never go, and his feet will crack and bleed at times because even though his designer sneakers may protect his feet somewhat, the roads he might travel may be hard on his feet. He’ll stumble, he’ll fall, and as much as his mother, father and, yes, grandma, might like to protect his perfect feet, sometimes he’ll trip up, and we won’t always be there to catch him.
Then there will come a day when Jaxon and everyone else around him will discover that his feet are beautiful again. Oh sure, his feet may bear the scars, calluses and foot odour that comes from a lifetime of usage but with each footfall I pray his feet will always walk in service to the Lord.
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” (Isaiah 52:7)
Prepare your feet for life’s journey, sweet Jaxon. They are just perfect!
Journey Thoughts Top 10 Blog Posts
Journey Thoughts Top 10 Blog Posts continue…
#10 “The Parable of the Teacup“
#9 “Thanksgiving“
#8 “Resurrection Eggs“
#7 “Graduation“
#6 “O Canada“
#5 is “Stumbles“!
Stumbles
I gave a suggestion to them, knowing how my youngest child Carmen has a propensity to trip over anything and everything, that they should “invent” a pair of shoes that when they wear them they immediately become “graceful”. That seemed to go over extremely well, especially when they started to think about how funny filming the pratfalls would be. Of course it was my Carmen who thought about using the pool as a greatest pratfall prop. She immediately volunteered herself to be filmed “accidentally” falling into the pool because of her extreme clumsiness. I think they had to do at least fifty takes to get the action just right. Poor, poor water-logged Carmen!
They chose a pair of flip flops to be the miraculous transforming shoes to give them grace whenever they put them on. Again, their first choice was a pair of high heels but Carmen vetoed that idea immediately realizing the chances of her appearing “graceful” in heels was slim. She stood more of a chance in flip flops!
And so for the next two hours all I heard was splashing and giggles and on occasion uproarious laughter from the three girls. Kaylee, the videographer capturing the wild antics of Carmen and Breeana as they ”acted” in the commercial. I haven’t seen the final edit, but no doubt it will be a YouTube viral video in a week!
I actually tripped over a pair of Carmen’s flip flops this morning in the front entranceway and I couldn’t help but laugh out loud remembering how these were supposed to be the “magically transforming graceful shoes” from yesterday. As I picked them up and put them safely back in the front closet I was reminded of the many stumbles I have taken in life.
How many times have I tripped up? How often have I tried to go my own way, trying to balance precariously on shaky footing only to trip and do what Carmen likes to call an “epic fail”? My epic fails may not be seen on YouTube, but I am very aware that I have an audience and at times that causes me great shame. God watches me and He sees me when I fall, mess up, and face-plant in the dirt. Yet He does not leave me in the dust. He kindly rebukes me for trying to walk the path of life on my own and then His Love transforms me!
So I stumbled upon this scripture this morning: “See I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Romans 9:33
Journey Thoughts Top Ten Blog Posts
Still counting down Journey Thoughts Top Ten Blog Posts! Hope you are enjoying them!
#10 “The Parable of the Teacup“
#9 “Thanksgiving“
#8 “Resurrection Eggs“
#7 ”Graduation“
#6 is the very patriotic “O Canada“!
O Canada
I thought it interesting as everyone belted out the words to “God Save the Queen” and then “O Canada” (Canada’s National Anthem) that in a country that prides itself on it’s multiculturalism and diversity of religion that at least when we sing our national anthem we remember Who brought us together as a nation. Sure, many have sought to remove “God” from our anthem; the ongoing battle of separating church from state continues, but on Canada Day that is all but forgotten. We sing the words with passion and with national fervour!
As I saw the thousands and thousands of people there singing ‘O Canada’ on Parliament Hill in front of the Peace Tower, I couldn’t help but liken the scene to the one described in Philippians, “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (vs. 9-11). It is a prayer and a promise. One day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
I wonder if we Canadians who sing the National Anthem even realize that we sing a prayer to the Father with these words: “God keep our land glorious and free!” It is impossible to separate church from state when we implore the God of the Universe to “keep” our land glorious and free!
‘O Canada’ was proclaimed Canada’s national anthem on July 1, 1980, 100 years after it was first sung on June 24, 1880. The music was composed by Calixa Lavallee, and French lyrics to accompany the music were written by Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier. Many English versions have appeared over the years in fact in 1901 a Toronto doctor, Dr. Thomas Bedford Richardson penned these lyrics:
“O Canada! Our fathers’ land of old Thy brow is crown’d with leaves of red and gold. Beneath the shade of the Holy Cross Thy children own their birth No stains thy glorious annals gloss Since valour shield thy hearth. Almighty God! On thee we call Defend our rights, forfend this nation’s thrall, Defend our rights, forfend this nation’s thrall.”
(Notice the prayer…)
In 1908 Mercy E Powell McCulloch won a competition with these lyrics to go with Lavallee’s music:
” O Canada! in praise of thee we sing; From echoing hills our anthems proudly ring. With fertile plains and mountains grand With lakes and rivers clear, Eternal beauty, thos dost stand Throughout the changing year. Lord God of Hosts! We now implore Bless our dear land this day and evermore, Bless our dear land this day and evermore.”
(Again, notice the prayer…)
However in 1908, the lyrics by Robert Stanley Weir, a lawyer in Montreal, after a few minor amendments, the first verse of Weir’s poem was finally proclaimed as the official English version of ‘O Canada’ in 1980:
“O Canada! Our home and native land! True patriot love in all thy sons command. With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North, strong and free! From far and wide, O Canada, We stand on guard for thee. God keep our land glorious and free ! O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.”
I don’t know if many Canadians realize that there are several more verses to ‘O Canada’. I particularly want to draw attention to the last verse. It leaves no doubt that ‘O Canada’ is more than a national anthem, it is our nation’s heartfelt prayer to God every time we stand to sing it. Here is the original poem of 1908 by Stanley Weir:
“O Canada! Our home and native land! True patriot love thou dost in us command. We see thee rising fair, dear land, The True North, strong and free; And stand on guard, O Canada, We stand on guard for thee.
Refrain O Canada! O Canada! O Canada! We stand on guard for thee. O Canada! We stand on guard for thee.
O Canada! Where pines and maples grow. Great prairies spread and lordly rivers flow. How dear to us thy broad domain, From East to Western Sea, Thou land of hope for all who toil! Thou True North, strong and free!
Refrain O Canada! O Canada! etc.
O Canada! Beneath thy shining skies May stalwart sons and gentle maidens rise, To keep thee steadfast through the years From East to Western Sea, Our own beloved native land! Our True North, strong and free!
Refrain O Canada! O Canada! etc.
Ruler supreme, who hearest humble prayer, Hold our dominion within thy loving care; Help us to find, O God, in thee A lasting, rich reward, As waiting for the Better Day, We ever stand on guard.
Refrain O Canada! O Canada! etc.”
Amen.
