June 30

It was so sad when Paul said goodbye to his friends, they all wept because they knew they would not see each other again. He warned them to take care, because leaders like wolves would come in and distort the truth. Even from their own number there would be deception.

June 29

In USA Today, there was an interesting article about reality TV shows conditioning people to think that it's OK to be over reactive because this is what they are constantly seeing. The more over the top the program — the more exposure to advertising of course. I have a difficult time understanding evil spirits — well maybe not.

June 28

June 27

Paul was a tent maker, which made me think of Abraham who lived in tents. Tents are strong symbols of shelter, rescue and recreation and they have been around for generations.  I feel secure today knowing that my God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.

June 26

One of the reasons Jezebel died in such a horrible way because of the obvious idols in her life. Paul helped the Athenians, who "spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas" figure out, that one of their no-name, beautifully, designed idols was real. Am I in denial when I think that the idols in my life are not as obvious?

June 25

According to Father de Souza, Conrad Black made himself "a productive, serene prisoner...He could have given into despair, but he kept the faith." Paul and Silas didn't give into despair either, instead they were rowdy in prison which lead to some astounding results.

June 24

Famine. Cannibalism. Murder. Leprosy. Death. Dissension. Dismissal. Earthquake. Arrests. Deception. Banned, Censorship.

Because of the word time-line I always imagined history to look linear. After today, I think it's more circular and repetitive. Events seem to overlap and touch each other and impact other events. Most powerful symbol of a circle though, is the empty tomb. What a relief that it has touched all of time.

June 23

Was U.S. General Stanley McChrystal just "shooting off his mouth" during his interview with Rolling Stone, or was he being honest? All of us need to have a guard over our mouths.

June 22

Even though a Catholic school in Quebec is covering the full spectrum of world religions in one of their classes, they are being criticized because their emphasis is on Christianity. I imagined all religions piled into a box, with an eternal red cord wrapped around it. My NT reading was about Paul and Barnabas who risked life to talk about a good God who wants to fill hearts with joy.

June 21

I'm treading on dangerous ground here by even mentioning something I know so little about, like the "black hole". Stephen Hawking, says that "they emit no light at all and swallow everything that comes their way, leak radiation and eventually disappear." I just thought it was an absolutely, delightful juxtaposition with my reading from Psalm 139 — "the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you".

June 20

Your love endures forever, just like the colour green.

June 19

Imagine if the world leaders spent some time praying and fasting before they tried to solve some of the world's problems.

June 18

I read three astonishing, sensational, fantastic and unbelievable stories today. The first was when God came to Elijah in a gentle whisper and the second was when angels sprung Peter from prison. The third was how the Air India crash, which killed 331 people in 1985 should never have happened. Lord, be with those whose lives are changed forever because of mistakes.

June 17

Is re-writing a visual history any different than re-writing a verbal one? NP had a story about visually altering a photo of Churchill smoking a cigar. But, why stop at the cigar? Why not use the pucker filter to help him lose some wrinkles. Forgive us Lord for a false security in what we think should be the truth. Imagine if some details were edited out of the story about Elijah and the prophets of Baal.

June 16

Aqsa was killed by her family because she was an insult to her father. I have no words for this, only tears. I take comfort in knowing that God used a raven, some oil and flour to take care of Elijah during horrible times when other families were killing each other.

June 15

What an important hurdle for Peter to cross, when he was invited to eat exotic food that wasn't kosher. It made me think about the Muslim woman who stabbed her daughter, because she had presumably shamed the family. Intense strict rules and prejudices in any religion frighten me. What would God put in front of me on the large sheet with 4 corners?

June 14

Many people die so senselessly. I'm praying for families today that are suffering because of death. Tabatha's friends must have been ecstatic and overjoyed when she was made alive again.

June 13

Something like scales fell from his eyes, and he could see again. Lord, open my eyes so that I can see more clearly.

June 12

Mexican artist, Gustavo Monroy paints decapitation, death and the terror of the drug world in Mexico, which is realty in his life. O Lord, if you kept a record of sins, not one of us could stand.

June 11

I feel practically blasphemous comparing texts today because one is reverently inspiring and the other is ridiculously self-important. The poignantly beautiful story of Stephen forgiving his murderers while he is dying, gives me chills. The description of the National Gallery’s provocative and explicit show called Pop Life leaves me cold. What does freedom of expression really mean?

June 10

Solomon designed some of the pillars for the temple using pomegranates. South Africa's new Green Point Stadium is described as the spiritual home of South African soccer. Can this unite a nation?

June 9

I read today about the incredibly detailed and magnificent plans that Solomon had for building the temple for the God that he loved. In exchange the Lord promised to live among the people and to never abandon Israel. Our bodies are temples.
The word body kept leaping off the newsprint today as I read about 55 bodies dumped in an old Mexican mine and the detailed descriptions of cruelty in the life of a Muslim turned-atheist.

June 8

Solomon's baby story is a powerful example not only of just behavior, but also a concern for peace and a genuine respect for people. I'm praying today for the suffering child who was fed cocaine by his mother when he was a baby. I'm also praying for the people who are actually debating whether or not to demolish a stretch of historic buildings in Brantford, ON. We could all use a dose of pure wisdom.

June 7

Christianity seems to conjure up fear, prejudice, hate and misunderstanding, but once again if the purpose is of human origin it will fail, but you can't stop what's from God.

June 6

They spoke the truth boldly... can I?


"Symbol of Truth", oil on canvas, 36 " X 12". Commission for Andrew Zantingh. Slate at the top of the work represents the physical roof at First church, Hamilton. The white cloth in the background points to the Resurrection. The plumb line, is a tool used in construction to discover a true line. The red cord points to life.

June 5

Gulf Coast oil spill made me think of a plague — a human one. Could it be stopped if we repented and sent up a burnt offering?

June 4

Canada is hosting the excessively expensive G8/G20 summit. Apparently I wasn't the only one to suggest a Skye date. A letter published in the NP this morning says that participants may get more work done if they aren't all in the same place. When the day of Pentecost came, Jesus disciples were all together, but without heightened security.

June 3

Today I mourn and pray for people in England and the Middle East who woke up today thinking that Akeldama was just a terrible dream — when in fact their own field of blood is a terrible reality.

June 2

Louise Bourgeois died at the age of 98, she was an inspiration to me because her career as an artist began later in life. Her work is painfully gritty. In the obituary I read that her "sculptures...centered on the human body and its need for nurture and protection in a frightening world". In the Psalms I read how God answers me in my distress.

June 1

I read about more conflict and killing in the middle East today. Then I read about the death of Absalom, and how his hair, which was his crowning glory, killed him in the end. The photograph of the soldiers on a pro-Palestinian aid flotilla looked like someone hanging from a tree.

May 31

The definition of the word, translucent according to Canwest/Canspell, (a small daily nugget found on the crossword and horoscope page in the Arts & Life section) is "not transparent but clear enough to allow light to pass through". My niece's skin was translucent, the night she died. Am I translucent, allowing the light to pass through me to others?

"But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus side with a spear... these things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled.

May 30

How strangely powerful and meaningful it has been to reflect on the death of Christ at this time of year. Thanks be to God that His kingdom is not of this world.

May 29

Two front page stories on prisons and wrongful incarcerations. The headline read: "Accused". Then I read about the night that Jesus was betrayed. "On the other side there was an olive grove, and he and his disciples went in it", (like a prison).

May 28

Today I read about a nun who made a very fateful choice — to terminate a pregnancy in order to save a young mother's life and she got sacked for it. In conjunction with this sad article, I read about the rape of Tamar and prayed for so many women who suffer injustices.

May 27

Today I read the story of David and Bathsheba and a story of Canadian youth not being as over-sexed as we thought. Apparently teen pregnancy is down, but abortion isn't. Hmmmm, would having an abortion even crossed the minds of David and Bathsheba?

May 26

The embankments on the Vistula River in Tezew, northern Poland is causing problems, so many volunteers were helping to stop the water. It was a beautiful example of people helping each other. Then I read about King David being very kind to Saul's grandson, who was disabled.

May 25

http://pikto.ca/gallery/inline/erin.jpg

What kind of chair does God sit on? I imagine that it's circular so that He can see us all. Bringing the ark home and building a house for God was what I read today.

May 24

Victoria Day — no paper.

There are many rooms in God's house.

May 23

No paper today, because it's Sunday. Probably a good time to reflect on how this project is progressing. There is a an incredible amount of potential ideas and parallels to make from one text to another, which is very overwhelming. So, I'm simplifying.

Would I have let Jesus wash my feet?

May 22

Two aliens, two nameless men, but the Amalekite admitted to his crime, which was killing King Saul. What is this man afraid of? Today I'm praying for those in prison.

May 21

Do the math.

Today I read about how Jesus made Lazarus come back from death and how a U.S. scientist has created artificial life.

May 20

I liked the line by Gerry Nicholls, in the National Post today, when he was speaking about Stephen Harper and how he (Harper) never speaks about religion but rather the intersection of religion and politics. It made me think about how David stole King Saul's water jug and spear while he slept.