tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73491591013509720032012-02-14T03:00:58.686-06:00Accompany me as I share the journey of my heart as God makes Himself known to me.Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.comBlogger581100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-6429988228763491622009-12-15T22:13:00.003-06:002009-12-15T22:30:28.533-06:00

Lesson From The MothWarmth, dark, tightComfortable in the cocoonBut it's time to come out.Can't stay in the cocoon foreverCool, light, airThere's a world out there.Wiggle, squirm, squeezeThe body bloated, wings foldedStruggle is needed to emerge.The crack widensAnticipation, determination, commitmentThe blue sky and gentle breeze beckon.Weary, tired, weakThe energy is waningSurely there is help

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-16824326327784781182009-09-02T08:45:00.004-05:002009-09-02T09:05:02.814-05:00

I came across a poem the other day which got me thinking (Oh no!). The Olive TreeSaid an ancient hermit bendingHalf in prayer upon his knee,'Oil I need for midnight watching,I desire an olive tree.'Then he took a tender sapling,Planted it before his cave,Spread his trembling hands above it,As his benison he gave.But he thought, the rain it needeth,That the root may drink and swell;'God! I

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I have moved on to reflecting on the phrase "Give us this day our daily bread" in the Lord's Prayer. Albert Haase in "Living the Lord's Prayer" suggests that praying this is to be childlike and admit our dependency, helplessness and need as is how little children are. It is not necessarily just the innocence aspect of children (which is a common interpretation)but also their total trust in and

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-84029787408806469292009-08-23T19:54:00.003-05:002009-08-23T20:35:38.216-05:00

I have had some niggling questions over the past few months. As I drive around Detroit I see the many homeless on the street corners with their signs requesting a hand out (or hand up as I like to consider it). Many of these signs say "God bless you." More often than not, when I give a dollar to them, they say "God bless you." Just yesterday I gave a newcomer to a corner frequented by them a

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-7621123270733549272009-08-03T20:13:00.002-05:002009-08-03T20:49:01.253-05:00

I am reading a fascinating book about the Lord's Prayer. The author takes each phrase and expounds on it in ways I have never heard before. In the liturgy at my church we say the Lord's Prayer before communion. This book has totally changed this well-known prayer for me and I will never take any word of it for granted again and I am only at the "Who art in heaven" chapter!!The chapter discusses

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-63612526664190119402009-06-28T21:12:00.008-05:002009-06-28T21:37:04.869-05:00

Recently I went on a weekend where we did technical tree climbing. Basically you wear a harness which is then clipped to a rope which is suspended very high in a tree. You ascend by pushing up a knot attached to main rope. Then depending on how much weight you are working with you pull yourself up until the harness reaches the knot. Where we were the ropes were 60-90 feet up in the trees. We had

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-64522406878347418012009-06-09T21:37:00.006-05:002009-06-09T22:28:04.299-05:00

I know about it a bit from my nursing classes - respecting one's beliefs and I have read about it in the news - refusing treatment due to religious beliefs. But a few nights ago I experienced it.I had a 46 year old patient in the ER who came in with some vague symptoms of weakness. She did not look very good - her eyes and skin had a yellowish tinge and almost looked pale. Her history was

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-22982622272856909322009-06-08T20:40:00.003-05:002009-06-08T20:51:46.655-05:00

The TrapezeI leave the platformLegs hooked over the barBack archedArms spread wideI flyThe safety net far below meIt is exhilaratingI look aheadAnother trapeze coming towards meIt is GodArms spread wideHe is reachingI am reachingWe long to be oneThe moment is approachingCan I let go and grab on to HimIn a split second I look downIt is a long wayI look again at GodThe moment is nowNo I cannot do

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-69694420617284441882009-05-15T21:02:00.002-05:002009-05-15T21:04:24.995-05:00

The Many Faces of WaterWater has so many faces. It is essential to life. It cuts off the breath in an instant. It makes things clean with a little soap of course. It is the source of sickness. It is the crashing thunderous surf. It is the bubbling brook. It is the cradle for colorful fish. It is the living room for great big whales. It comes in many shades of blue, green and grey.It is soothing,

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-71151022828883192822009-05-06T05:51:00.003-05:002009-05-06T06:17:12.030-05:00

I have tried to avoid getting caught up in all the hype over the swine flu but find it touching home this week. It has not shown itself to be a disease where great numbers will die as of yet. What does not seem to be understood by most people is that far more people die every year of the influenza which is in the same family of viruses - yet few people get the flu vaccine every year. If there

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-83264323452511185462009-04-10T14:52:00.002-05:002009-04-10T15:17:14.457-05:00

Today during the Good Friday service, the whole account of Jesus' last days from Matthew was read. It is not often that such a large chunk of scripture is read and where one gets a feel for the whole flow of the emotions of the events of Jesus' life just before His death on the cross. Also it gives a chance to be "struck" with a new understanding of scriptures which are so familiar.One thing that

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-26919172521633496902009-04-07T16:06:00.002-05:002009-04-07T16:48:53.460-05:00

Today I saw a video that the rapper Eminem made about Detroit as the city hosted the NCAA basketball Final Four tournament this past weekend. You can see it on the following website (unfortunately not the original site) http://community.livejournal.com/ohnotheydidnt/33860460.htmlI have been thinking a lot about Detroit and will continue to do so. I believe it is a very unique city. It is nice to

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-38530194923503781512009-03-09T19:43:00.002-05:002009-03-09T19:57:14.550-05:00

This morning I had to go my university's library to find some books for a paper I was writing. It has been about 19 years since I have been in "The Stacks." In my undergraduate studies, I went to the library often as I needed many references. But now in my graduate studies and the availability of so much on the Internet, I have not needed to go to the library. It was early in the morning, the

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-36084559792544232122009-03-07T09:30:00.003-06:002009-03-07T13:14:29.203-06:00

Hear, hear O Christian AmericaYou sit in your great "cathedrals"Dressed in the finest fashionsYou close your eyes in prayerYou lift your hands in worshipYou fill the offering plates with your tithesYou tell of all the ministries you doYet when the unemployed, undereducated struggling alcoholicComes and sits down beside you in the pewWhat do you do?You wrinkle your noseYou look the other wayYou

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-73580074639407726442009-01-30T21:20:00.002-06:002009-01-30T21:22:02.126-06:00

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-26823404283497282002009-01-30T21:06:00.004-06:002009-01-30T21:24:38.863-06:00

A friend sent me an email with some of these cartoons. This one can be funny in one way but in another way, it makes me think.Maybe it's a good thing that the Bible suggests we give 10% of our income in tithing - it is not affected by inflation! Being that it is a percentage - it would certainly increase if my income increased.In thinking of why I tip a wait person - it is a personal thank-you

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-7344989188623259962009-01-08T06:46:00.004-06:002009-01-08T07:14:57.503-06:00

Every year in January Detroit hosts the International Auto Show. According to the media, this is the biggest show and when "the Big Three" American auto companies present their new models and concept cars. In light of the current recession and the money troubles of the auto industry, I was very surprised by the advertising for the auto show. While I want to see the American auto industry survive,

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-82259844698652027442008-12-13T08:58:00.002-06:002008-12-13T09:23:36.077-06:00

The other day I was struck by a very curious thought. In short, I was stopped by the MI state police out in the boonies for having illegal (in Michigan) tinting on my car. This was news to me after driving my Canadian car in MI for two years already! I had ten days to get the tint off, show the car at a police post and send the verified citation to the court. This was the last thing I needed to

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I was praying the popular Christmas song "Breath of Heaven" today while at a prayer retreat. It is a song about Mary's reflection of her journey of carrying God's Son. We have the encounter of Mary and the angel Gabriel when it was revealed to her that she was the chosen one to bring Jesus into the world in Luke 1. We see that she willingly accepted this call without much question except "how can

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I just finished reading "The Shack." I know it is a controversial book in some Christian circles but personally I found it very interesting when I put the petty controversies aside and read it with anticipation of what God wanted to show me. I was gently amused by one incident and it has brightened my day as well as challenged me.The main character was walking with Jesus and they came to a lake.

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-71849214561639754922008-11-03T21:17:00.003-06:002008-11-03T21:39:07.881-06:00

The first Sunday of every month, communion is "served at the rail" in my church. This means that the congregation participating goes to the front and kneels at the rail where the pastor and others pass out the communion elements. I have always treasured this time - especially to hear the words - "Christ's body given for you." and "The blood of Christ shed for you." which are directly spoken to me

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-87520514761967263742008-10-25T08:36:00.002-05:002008-10-25T08:51:42.122-05:00

Recently I got involved in an exchange on the blog of a Christian ER doctor. I was getting fatigued with his constant berating of the poor, uninsured patients and those patients who have made bad life choices. In one sentence he would claim to love them with the love of God and the next demean them, criticize them, the total opposite of what he had just claimed. I responded in defense of the poor

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-1811555174419317702008-10-16T19:48:00.009-05:002008-10-16T20:41:39.691-05:00

Here's some photos I took during a fall afternoon at the Detroit Zoo.

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-67794825106287273672008-10-13T19:28:00.002-05:002008-10-13T19:58:57.859-05:00

I have been working recently in a school based health clinic in an elementary school in the inner city of Detroit. One thing we do with the students is to have them fill out a "risk assessment" form. They are asked to put down their goals for their lives. One wants to be a lawyer. One a police sergeant. One a pediatric surgeon. One wants to not feel the grief of lost loved ones. One wants to have

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-38159666005170741212008-09-28T10:37:00.003-05:002008-09-28T10:48:03.580-05:00

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 (NIV)Come to me.I want to run the other way.Come to me.I can't hide from You.Come to me. Still I want to run.Come to me.Okay... well, maybeCome to me.Just a little step.Come to me.I open up a little. Come to me.I lay some of my burden.Come to me.How can I trust?Come to me.Your arms are open wide.Come to

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-33108230595135239032008-09-27T07:48:00.004-05:002008-09-28T10:51:15.801-05:00

Last weekend I was given new insight into our beating heart in two encounters. First I was at a retreat called "Prayer In Motion." We meditated on songs using several very simple movements to enhance the experience. One song was based on Psalm 139 - focusing on how wonderfully we are made and how God knows every little thing about us. The refrain said "You made me, You formed me, You kept me

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Here I am back again with my first thoughts in too many months.Is there such a thing as a blog graveyard? I wonder how many people have started blogs but have not written on them for eons. I have certain blogs that I check everyday for new entries. A lot of my favourites - some friends, some missionaries, some people I have found out of the blue - now have dead blogs. I don't know how long an

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Wow, this Easter weekend this year was full of meaningful things for me. One significant thought came from the old spiritual "Were you there when they crucified my Lord?" Can you hear the people singing? I was really struck by my answer - Yes, I was there! You ask, how can I say that? It was over 2000 years ago. I believe I was on Jesus' mind as He bore my sins. He was in His human form but in

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-25946601856738562032008-02-11T08:09:00.001-06:002008-02-11T08:29:08.075-06:00

Have you ever watched "Extreme Home Makeover"? Basically, a family who has suffered some kind of calamity and shown extreme courage throughout it is chosen each week. A team of builders and friends come together and build their dream house. The designers take time to know each person and create rooms - especially the bedrooms - to what they think they would be best for each person. Last night, an

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-90910567812166672212008-01-31T05:53:00.000-06:002008-01-31T06:15:04.066-06:00

The big news in Detroit right now is the "Sex, Lies and Text Messaging" scandal of the city's mayor. Basically he denied he had an affair with his Chief of Staff during a lawsuit brought against him by two police officers whom he fired because they tried to investigate his use of the security force to hide his affair. Now they have uncovered records of his text messages to his Chief of Staff

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-19870430370541208622008-01-21T18:55:00.000-06:002008-01-21T19:37:51.008-06:00

Recently, I had the privilege to travel to the south coast of Texas, drawn by the promised sighting of the tallest and one of the rarest bird in North America. There I met and learned about an amazing story of God's creativity and one of survival. The bird of interest is the WHOOPING CRANE. In 1941, there were only 21 whooping cranes in the world. As of April 2007, there were about 340 whooping

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-39950601259479705602008-01-09T06:09:00.000-06:002008-01-09T11:11:45.780-06:00

Here is a poem that I just wrote as I have encountered the US military in the last week.FacesThe loose wrinkled skin of the World War II vetEach line betraying the yearsThe remnants of a handsome chiseled face lurking belowHe commands great dignity and respect.The scraggly big beard of the Vietnam War vetGreasy looking hair pulled back by a bandannaDeep creases showing an age older than realityHe

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-85742276309852564512007-12-18T20:35:00.000-06:002007-12-18T21:17:19.791-06:00

"Our finest gifts to bring.... so to honor Him....I am a poor boy too.... I played my best for Him."The words from the Christmas song "The Little Drummer Boy" have had a lot of significance for me this Christmas season. I have heard many versions over the years but it was listening to Josh Groban's version this year which made these words really stand out. Most versions start quietly as we catch

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-87798450427473770242007-12-11T06:46:00.000-06:002007-12-12T19:26:58.415-06:00

Lately, through several experiences, I have been thinking a lot about suffering. In fact, I am consumed by it, fascinated with it and overwhelmed by it. Suffering is a very complex thing - pain and beauty and love combined - especially for those who believe in God. How can I reconcile the coming together of these extremes?Usually I have to close my eyes as I watch the last days of Christ played

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-62822294242163034212007-11-07T19:55:00.000-06:002007-11-07T20:50:03.927-06:00

As I watched Blood Diamonds, Hotel Rwanda and Beyond the Gates - all movies which detail some of the war crises that happen in Africa, I find myself angered by comments of North Americans that these movies depict too much graphic violence. Movies, news clips and documentaries cannot even come close to depicting the actual horror, fear and suffering the people of countries like Sierra Leone,

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It's a scary thought to think of the last time I wrote here. Yet, what has been on the tip of my fingertips over the past month is about this very subject - TIME ! And it flew so fast that I hadn't had enough of it to write about it!"If I could turn back time..." (the words of a popular song)"Stop the world, I want to get off." (I think from another song)"Lost, yesterday, somewhere between

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Last night I watched Blood Diamonds which is a movie about the civil war in Sierra Leone when diamonds were discovered there. I will write another blog about the movie but I want to write about the special features. I don't know how many of you take time to watch the special features that the technology of DVDs offer which are not usually on videos. They usually are interviews with the director

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Recently I have been noticing some kind of funny contradicting things and I'd like to share three of them:First, I have been interested in the word "Shalom." My spiritual director uses it to close his emails and asks for it in his prayers for me. I understand it to mean that he is blessing me with God's presence on my whole being. Rob Bell, a prominent pastor and writer states "It is the presence

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Recently on the ABC News website feature called I-Caught there has been a video shot by a tourist on safari in Kruger National Park, South Africa. It shows a herd of water buffalo approaching a water hole and 5 lions crouching ready to spring. The lions manage to separate a baby water buffalo from the herd and they end up in the water. As the lions try to drag the buffalo back to land, a large

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As I wrote in a previous blog, I was reminded of a poem that I wrote in 2003 when I was asked to speak at a Women's Bible Study. A woman, who was like my second mother, made copies of it to hand out to the women. Unbeknownst to me, she had passed it on to other friends. As I was visiting her in the Hospice during her last week on earth, one of her friends came to visit. I was introduced to her by

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A few days ago at breakfast with my parents, we read the story of Jesus walking on the water together in Matthew 14. I was struck by the similarities and differences of the previous story of Jesus asleep in the boat when a storm came up in Matthew 8. Both times the disciples were afraid. They were in large waves on the lake. Jesus was there but not active in preventing the dangers at first. Both

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-65666597345811149112007-07-15T20:06:00.000-05:002007-07-15T20:43:49.389-05:00

I spent this weekend with one of my closest friends from my time in Africa. I was really shocked as we walked through the grocery store at how comfortable I had become with all the options. I also relived many of my memories from my time in Africa as she shared her experiences. Today, I met a lady who reminded me of a poem I had written. As I looked for that poem, I came across this one which I

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While I was in New Brunswick, surrounded by the beauty of God's creation and taking pictures, I found myself looking at the very intricate details of various aspects of God's creations. Once again, as I wrote in a previous blog, I only have to take time to look and there are so many things to see which remind me of the awesomeness of God. Rachel Carson (not sure who she is but she has a great

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-63717003158723726912007-07-06T12:20:00.001-05:002007-07-06T12:32:51.731-05:00

While on a spiritual retreat in New Brunswick, I was sitting on the beach. It was not nice and sandy but was full of very smooth rocks of various shapes and colors brought up by the world's highest tides of the Bay of Fundy. I got the idea to pile them up like the Inuit statues. It was a tough task as you had to find the exact center of the rock to place the next one on it or else the pile would

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-14536963116182743852007-06-12T19:10:00.000-05:002007-06-12T19:42:31.027-05:00

I have been listening to a song recently based on a poem by Joseph M. Plunkett.He led some Irish uprising in the early 1900's and died at age 28, being condemned to death for his activities. One of his poem's verses says,"I see his face in every flower;The thunder and the singing of the birdsAre but his voice -- and carven by his powerRocks are his written words."(I see His blood upon the Rose)It

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-69099671566151925922007-05-19T08:50:00.000-05:002007-05-19T09:05:13.484-05:00

I never cease to be amazed with the fact that so many people cannot live without a cell phone. It makes me chuckle that as soon as the pilot touches down, all these various sounds go off around the plane as people are turning their cell phones back on. I have to admit it would be convenient for curbside pickup to let the person driving you know when you have landed especially with planes being

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-70413848947153852472007-05-15T10:17:00.000-05:002007-05-15T10:37:19.609-05:00

I have been listening to a praise CD as I travel the roads and one song, which I have known for a while, keeps on touching me. It is "Amazing Love" by Billy James Foote. These are the phrases that hit me:"I'm forgiven because You were forsaken.""I'm accepted, You were condemned.""I'm alive and well, Your Spirit is within me because you died and rose again."As I hear this sung over and over again,

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-6737373963554812992007-05-06T21:31:00.000-05:002007-05-06T22:10:06.135-05:00

Wow. How time flies as I look at the last time I have posted. There are so many thoughts developing in my heart - it's so hard to get them together to write!Two weeks ago I attended a joint worship service of the Evangelical Covenant Churches of the greater Detroit area. It was held in an old church in downtown Detroit. The transition phase of my past five years has now really come to a close

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-367948765049748142007-04-10T09:18:00.000-05:002007-04-10T09:49:40.356-05:00

In a few days, I'll be moving to MI and into a new apartment. This move seems different from other moves I made. I recall moving into my first apartment after graduating back in 1990. It was a new beginning - my career and freedom of school - where life was work and play. Then I shared a house with several friends. It was a place of laughter and good friendships, but temporary as I looked to go

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-64873108178684939382007-03-27T22:14:00.000-05:002007-03-27T22:36:58.283-05:00

It has been twice now that I have sat behind the same fellow in church who has worn a bright yellow T-shirt with a kind of bald-headed quirky caricature. Below the face, it says "Live God loud." I have tried to catch him at the end of the service to ask him what this shirt says to him but he leaves in a flash. Meanwhile the phrase has stuck with me and I have asked myself, what does it mean to "

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-7080028015905703022007-03-13T13:25:00.000-05:002007-03-13T13:50:09.616-05:00

A full day of work, non-stop patients, a co-worker who seems to criticize every move, how little time to study, preparing to move - worries, worries and more worries. Laying in bed, trying to fall asleep, scenarios of the day flashing across my eyelids, echoes of mean tones of voices bouncing inside my head, fears of changes ahead flooding my heart, every minute I lay awake; a minute lost of

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-87436137441313925642007-02-25T14:05:00.000-06:002007-02-25T14:33:26.397-06:00

I am currently studying Pharmacology for my Nurse Practitioner Masters Degree. Friday I had a patient named Alicia. She was 19 years old and came in because she had a vaginal discharge. As we do with all the females that come in with this complaint, we did a pregnancy and urinalysis test on the unit. It turned out that she was pregnant. Since the nurses don't necessarily follow a patient through

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-83404240460950898832007-02-18T20:00:00.000-06:002007-02-18T20:30:39.852-06:00

I have been listening to Brian Doerksen's new album "Holy God" many times as I drive back and forth to work. His second song is about The Lord's Prayer. One phrase has struck me deeply. He sings, "Feed us today what we need to live" for the phrase "give us today our daily bread." I just thought that this was a very convicting adaptation to the common phrase of The Lord's Prayer. I tend to ask

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-11479360452939410302007-02-10T13:02:00.000-06:002007-02-10T13:26:47.977-06:00

Makesha came to Express Care the other day. Physically there just wasn't something completely right about her. She walked kind of funny and her arms and hands were a bit askew. She seemed to be quite bright and answered all my questions. She complained of her toe hurting her. Already in the triage area, I felt a link to her.I brought her into an exam room and noticed her thin coat - too thin for

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-36116377066980010272007-02-04T08:43:00.000-06:002007-02-04T08:58:46.927-06:00

It is fall. The sky is a rich blue far above. The yellow leaves carpet the forest floor. The light shines through the trees scattering speckles of light all around. There is a little brook. The water gently runs over the stones. It bubbles and babbles. It is clear, shining water. The bottom so clearly visible. The air is fresh and crisp. Jesus and I are walking slowly along the brook. Pausing

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-34473909464594984782007-01-30T20:34:00.000-06:002007-01-30T21:14:21.039-06:00

During the recent orientation of my new job, customer service was really pushed. In fact, one of the top executives for the system of hospitals, spent at least an hour on detailing its importance. I thought he was overdoing it a bit. But as I continued my orientation at the hospital where I have my job, I immediately saw the effect of good customer service. As I walked down the hallways, almost

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-15369936007827162362007-01-28T12:51:00.000-06:002007-01-28T13:30:59.855-06:00

Last Oct, my car was sideswiped by a semi on the Ambassador bridge as I crossed from Windsor to Detroit on my way to work. Because of God's hand on me I was not injured but my car was totalled. As you can imagine, it was very difficult for me to go back on the bridge. That night, as I listened to some classical music with nature sounds in my bed, the following happened:An open, green expanse. It

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349159101350972003.post-33015046096821341762007-01-27T20:16:00.000-06:002007-01-27T21:06:41.093-06:00

Last night I watched Diane Sawyer on 20/20 telling the stories of 3 kids growing up in the poorest town of the US, Camden, NJ. New Jersey is also the richest state. I was deeply touched by the story of Ivan, a 5yr old, who is homeless and when asked at school, could not even say the names for lunch and dinner. He has rarely eaten three meals a day and sometimes has had nothing to eat. Billy Joe,

Lydia, the Potter's Creationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03845543018757595882noreply@blogger.com0