Ricki and the Stone Thunderbird

I hold in my hand, a stone thunderbird. It was carved in soapstone by a fellow named Ricki. Ricki lived on the streets of Toronto. He had a few differant spots he liked to hang out at. He would sit and carve stone. I sat and had lunch with Ricki one time. He asked for money and I told him all I had was lunch in my car. We shared my lunch and talked. Ricki knew God. We talked for hours. I paid him some money to make me a stone carving. A week later, same time same place he gave me this stone thunderbird. I have had it ever since. That was 20 years ago. Ricki did pass away a couple of years later. Life on the streets was hard. Ricki had no real worldly possessions. He does however own a little piece of my memory and I think of him often. Thank You Ricki

Intricate Web of Time and Spirit

Time is interesting. So is circumstance and outcome. One wish, another blessing. Ask for a loonie, get a toonie. Ask for a toonie and lose your wallet. Just when your ahead, your behind. Just when you think youve failed, you are reminded of victory. Life is strange and intricate. Its a weaving of blessings and curses. Anyway, I wont ramble about that.

If I knew then, what I know now, I would have camped at the Scollard Street Gallery to see this exhibition. Not only for the magnificence of the art, but for how powerfully the The Spirit speaks through these pieces of work. This would have been an opportuntiy to be messmerized by artistic beauty and flowing Spirit.

Well I didnt know then, what I know now yet I too was blessed by Spirit. I spent that particular weekend in the Temegami Forest. It was on that weekend, that my soul was moved to seek the way of the Anishinaabe...The First People. On that weekend I was invited to attend a changing of the seasons ceremony in the Temegami Old Growth. On that weekend, the Great Spirit was awakened in me.

While the Spirit was speaking through canvas on Scollard Street in Toronto, Spirit was speaking to my heart through the Temagami Old Growth. I did not know the Great Spirit at that time. Well, of course I did. I knew God and Christ and the Holy Spirit, but I had not yet been liberated or awakened to the fact that the Creator, Alpha, Omega, has many many names. Up until that time, I allowed myself to speak only of what I had been taught culturally.

I was introduced to the Great Spirit of the Anishinaabe by an Ojibway Elder. When I opened my heart and mind to the Great Spirit, I found it to be one and the same God. The Great Spirit was easy to embrace as I already had it within. The Great Spirit and the Holy Spirit are the same, though each has its own cultural background and theological ideas. When you cut out all the mumbojumbo you are left with a God who is manifested on this earth by Spirit. Thats how I know God. Spirit.

Since that weekend, I have devoted much time to the pursuit of this knowledge. To understanding Anishinaabe culture and how that relates to my own. In this time I have come to know God by many other names, through many other cultures. While the names change, the Great Spirit remains, hovering over the waters, yeilding and prompting hearts, directing the magnificent dream of Gitchi Manido.

Great Spirit,

I praise You with all of my heart.

My heart rejoices and You cause me to sing!

You cause me to love

and to seek You, oh God.

You reside in me

 and

give me strength

and

build my character.

You teach me the way of peace

and

cause me to hold out my hand.

You remind me of Your excellence

through the magnificence of Your creation

and

You give me a special place in Your creation.

Humbly I accept that place with gratitude

and lift my hands in adoration.

Remembering Dad

I am often reminded of my father. I have a bunch of little stories and memories that I carry around with me. They bring me joy. Its hard to beleive he's been gone so long.

I used to go and visit dad in the hospital downtown Toronto. I would volunteer for the downtown service route, and that would put me right downtown with a little time to sneak in to see Pa. I would arrive and he would feed me his hospital dinner. I would eat it quietly as per his insistance. The nurse would return and comment on his wonderful appetite and dad and I would smile. He hated nurses ragging at him about not eating. One time when none of the nurses were looking, we snuck out the side door and went to Red Lobster for SeaFood. He said..No thats a meal! He loved Lobster.

One time the Doctor stood him up and left him downtown Toronto Hospital waiting for his turn and for the Doctor to squeeze him in. He put on his street clothes, exited out the side door that I am familiar with, and he stuck out his thumb and hitchhiked home. Home was in Bobcaygeon..several hours away. There were a few unimpressed people, but my father didnt like to wait or be stood up. I think he had to make the return trip in the emergency helicopter.

My dad was 30 minutes early for everything yet he drove like a grampa. He seemed to drive slower and slower and slower to the point where I wanted to scream!

My Dad died a short time after my Grannie...His mom. We had a dual funeral and dual burial. My father always insisted on the family travelling together, so when the funeral director said they would travel in 2 Hursts, we said NO WAY! We explained dads rule about the family travelling together and the funeral guy said..Sorry. So my brother and I said "Fine...We'll drive them...together" John and I rented a U-Haul and backed it up to the funeral home. We loaded my dad and granny aboard and made the several hour trip to Cobden where they lay as a family...Dad and his brother, and my grannie and grampa. My uncle borrowed all the tools and gear for burials, and we did it ourselves.........in the pouring rain.

The pouring rain can be cleansing and liberating and certainly go a long way to hide tears.

blessings
dw

Genuine

At fellowship, we have been studying the Book of James. As I was reflecting on the word Genuine I began to ask myself if I myself was genuine?

In many ways, the Book of James talks about this concept of genuine. James would say, that in order for you to say you are genuine, then your actions need to reflect that statement. Theologically, the Book of James creates or demonstrates the tension between salvation by Grace vs Works. In many ways, the Book of James leads us to have to "put our money where our mouth is" OR " the proof is in the proof is in the proof" as Jean C would say. So if nothing else, this walk through James has caused me to be more reflective of self. So once again I ask myself.

Am I genuine?

So while I want to say Yes, immediately I think of times when I have been deceitful, when I have been misleading, when I have not told the whole truth. So theres that tension again. I say I am genuine yet I have proof of times when I wasnt genuine. It leads me of this little question....Am I a Liar because I told a lie OR did I tell a lie because I am a liar? PLease let it be door number one.

James suggests that you are genuine when your yes' are yes and your no's are no. I dont think he was suggesting that you couldnt change your mind, rather that we would be men and women of our word. So James calls us to be genuine as living testaments. We are what we say we are, we do what we say we do.....TRUTH. Truth is genuine. Truth is as genuine as it gets.

Am I genuine?
Are you genuine?

Genuine Canadian Hero

 Here is a genuine Canadian Hero. His name is Baltej Singh Dhillon. He was the first Canadian RCMP to wear a turban as part of uniform. I remember the controvery. I rememebr also being opposed to the idea. Well time changes and hearts soften and understanding is given time to nurture. Truth is, I admire Baltej. In fact, as I said, I now consider him to be a genuine Canadian hero.

Its bigger than Baltej. I admire the Sikh people. I am happy that they have come to Turtle Island to live with us in harmony. They are an incredible people. We have much to learn from each other and I think thats best done in a spirit of mutual respect and love.

I saw the way you looked at me Mr. Sikh, yesterday when I went to your grocery store. You smiled at me. You had kind genuine eyes. I saw the way you loved your wife too, just the way I love mine.

I saw the way you looked at me Mr. Sikh, when you served me food at the Gardwara. You smiled and served me and when the food hit the plate, you smiled even more. I saw how you returned with more food for me, and then your friend and then your brother. I saw the love and devotion you had to making me welcome, and sharing with me. I also listened when you gently guided me to take the nan with two hands.

I saw the way you treated me Mr Sikh, when you gave generously to my daughters mission trip. I rememebr too, how you offered to pay my flight to the Punjab as your guest at a family wedding. Such extravegant love. It was a gift I couldnt accept, yet with all my heart, wish I did. I saw your motivation Mr. Sikh. You were motivated by brotherhood, not by selfish gain.

Mrs Sikh. You taught me much about your faith. You shared with me and allowed me to share with you. We both learned how much we are alike. You showed me how close we are. You taught me much about the Sikh way and you continue to demonstarte it through your day to day living. You are a blessing.

I saw you beautiful Sikh bride at your wedding. You were so beautiful. And so were all of your lady friends. The vibrant colors. No two dresses were alike. The flowing silk and cloth. All their beauty combined still could not compare to the beauty of you, Sikh bride. The carefully stiched wedding dress and all that family Gold was adorned on you. For a moment, you were the center of the universe. You were even the center of my universe.

I remember Mr. Sekh, how you wanted to carry your holy kirpan because that was part of who you were. I rememebr how it scared me to think about conceiled weapons. I did not understand Mr. Sikh that you would use that dagger to protect me, not to harm me. I know your warrior spirit now. I know your strength in battle for justice and liberty. You are welcome my friend to carry your kirpan for I embrace the complete you.

Mr Sikh. Join with us in unity, that together we would stand stronger. Teach us as we teach you. Our spirits will unite in brotherhood and greater peace will be realized as we travel time together. Oh and there is a bunch of us and we are all really really differant...haha

Bible Study

I have been doing my Bible Study a little differant lately. I use "esword" electronic Bible Program or biblegateway.com. I then do a key word search and read all the scripture references from the search. Often these are little snippits of larger passages. I look through them all and then "classify" them in my mind "topically" or by relevence to each other. I then delve into the broader scripture based on the specific "sub" topic.

For example, I have been facinated by fruits of the spirit and the concept of spiritual fruit. So, I do a search based on "fruit" I read all the passages and find there are differant nuance or "message". I then target the passages that seem to speak to my inquiry the most and read the broader scripture. Its fun and interesting.

I have been enjoying reading my bible "topically". Try it. Type in for example LOVE. That would be a big one. Try TRUTH. Or try JUSTICE or any other word. I have been finding this a great way to study my bible.

peace and blessings to you all
dw

When I Die

When I Die, This is where I want to be. My buddy Mike and I sat on the ledge and joked. I told him that when we were old and grey we would still come and sit here and watch the river. I joked that when I had outlived my usefulness, he had my permission to push me over the ledge. This is a place where I could die.

Evidently, this is a place where at least one person has died. We chuckled that if either of us died here, the other would be responsible for erecting the next cross.

Temagami Thanksgiving

Fall Colours in Temagami

Fun With Cameras

Sunset in Temagami

On The Ledge - Temagami River

She Calls Me Daddio

Hi Hanni.

Thanks for dropping by my site. It always warms my heart to know you are still out there. I love it when you drop me little “popcorns”. Time flies and the distance between us seams to remain great, Yet I love you still. I cherish each and every moment. Jeeessh, here I go again. My love for you is a paternal love, though I am not your father. My love for you is a brotherly love, though I am not your brother. My love for you is real, even though we are virtual. I continue to hold out my hand to you even though you are strong and on your own two feet. So if nothing else, as you journey, remember me fondly and know that I think the world of you. You are precious and don’t ever forget it.

Love Daddio

You Will Know Them By Their Fruits

-

"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. "You will know them by their fruits."

Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? "So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.

"Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. "So then, you will know them by their fruits.

Time to Turn the Light On

.
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things, the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.

But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.(Ephesians 5:6-13)

Wisdom From Above

-
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist,

there is disorder and every evil thing.

But the wisdom from above is

first pure, then peaceable,

gentle,reasonable,

full of mercy

and good fruits,

unwavering,

without hypocrisy.

And the seed whose fruit is righteousness

is sown in peace by those who make peace.

From My Tasteless George Bush Collection