Do You Make These Mistakes?

We do it all the time, either unintentionally through speedy fingers creating typos, or we simply don't know the correct spelling of a certain word. Whatever the problem, there are some words that are constantly misspelled. Here are a few and their correct spellings.

• Weather - Use this when you are talking about rain, snow, tornadoes -  you know - weather!

• Whether - Yes, it does have an 'h' after the 'w' and no it is not used when talking about the weather.

• Witch - Use only when talking about Samantha Stephens or ugly old hags with powers.

• Which - Use this when you are wondering which word to use.

• Four - This is the number.

• Fore - You yell this when you are on the golf course. I guess screaming, "Watch out!" takes too long.

• For - What do you use this one for? Everything else!

• Principle - It's the principle of the thing - you know that thing!

• Principal - My Principal gave me a book to doodle in when I was a kid. I kid you not! He really did!

• Two - The number.

• Too - Use this when you have too many choices.

• To - Use this when you don't have a choice. I'm kidding - you know when to use this.

• Scent - Use this when referring to smells.

• Sense - Use this when you are trying to make sense of something.

• Cents - Use this when you go on a shopping spree.

• One - This is the number.

• Won - Use this when you tell someone they have won a copy of your book!

• Hour - This is in reference to time.

• Our - This is not.

• Their - This is possessive. Use it when you want to show ownership. "Their house was beautiful."

• There - The opposite of possessive. "Their house is over there." Or "There is no reason to continue this conversation."

• They're - This is a contraction of "they" and "are".

This was a bit "tongue and cheek" but you get the idea. I hope it helps.

Until next time!

Idle No More - Meyer

In recent days, we have heard a lot about the Idle No More movement.

There is a lot of information out there for people who want to learn more, and I would invite you to do so.

As a non-Aboriginal person who has lived in Aboriginal communities and who has also tried to keep educated about Aboriginal issues, I offer my personal opinion.

I believe that the Idle No More movement is a good thing for two reasons. The first is that it has united First Nations (and to a lesser extent Metis and Inuit) people across Canada, giving them a renewed sense of purpose and of hope for the future. The other good that I see coming out of this is that it is creating a conversation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people of Canada. True, it is currently a shouting match, but still it is a conversation. Prior to this, there seemed to be just about zero amount of interaction between the average “grassroots” Aboriginal and the average “grassroots” non-Aboriginal Canadian.

What I don’t like about way things are currently going with this movement is that they are being joined, and are in danger of being overshadowed, by people whose primary concern is the environment. This movement is not about the environment; it is about the concerns of Aboriginal people across Canada. There is a problem and it is time for everyone to get on board and start talking about it. There has been this huge fixed wall between the average non-Aboriginal Canadian and the average Aboriginal Canadian. We (as non-Aboriginals) have occasionally thrown things over that wall in a non-educated attempt to help. Boxes of books sent to a community with no attempt to communicate with an actual person in that community would be an example of that.

What I am hoping for (and as a Christian, praying for) is that the Idle No More movement will begin to break down the wall that has been between us. People are people are people. There is no us and them. We are all human beings – mothers, fathers, wives and husbands – yes, with some cultural differences which must be respected but not to the extent that it separates us to the point of noncommunication.

The problems that exist are not easily resolved – they are centuries old. No one – not Chief Spence or Prime Minister Harper – are going to be able to wave a magic wand and solve all the problems with one meeting or with a hundred.

The problems that exist are not getting worse – they are getting much better. Overall, there are many more Aboriginal people who are living better lives than there were fifty years ago. There is less prejudice. There are more people achieving better education. There are, in general, better living conditions. But, we still have a long, long way to go. Fact: The standard of living for the average Aboriginal person is much lower than for the average non-Aboriginal. The Solution to the Problem: not so simple.  And trying to point a finger at any one group or person is not helpful. We all need to start talking and working together towards a solution. And that really, I believe is what Idle No More will achieve – a long over-due dialogue between all Canadians: Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal.  

Other related posts are: http://twgauthors.blogspot.ca/2008/06/legacy-continues-part-1-meyer.html http://twgauthors.blogspot.ca/2008/07/legacy-continues-part-2-meyer.html  http://twgauthors.blogspot.ca/2008/08/legacy-continues-part-3-meyer.html http://twgauthors.blogspot.ca/2009/10/sleeping-giant-awakens.html http://twgauthors.blogspot.ca/2009/12/sleeping-giant-awakens-part-2.html

Dorene Meyer

www.dorenemeyer.com

Publisher at Goldrock Press: www.goldrockpress.com

 

Final Triumph by Ruth Smith Meyer

“Oh, I’m sorry!” —a perfectly normal response to someone who just told you her father has died.  It happened over and over when my 100 year-old dad died two days before Christmas—and still does. 

It is hard to know how to reply to these dear people.  I usually say, “Oh no, don’t be sorry!  This is what we’ve been praying for and we’re rejoicing!”

Callous, you may think, but let me explain.  He was a good father in many ways. Throughout his life, his central focus and burning passion was to follow Christ and live for him. He was an avid reader and enthusiastic learner all his life.  He encouraged his children and young people in the churches he pastored to do the same and think for themselves. His children weren’t handed everything on a silver platter.  Seldom did he buy small treats for his offspring, but if we asked for a book, he did his best to provide one. 

He had his flaws and limitations, too.  Among them: I longed to hear him express his love, but he was unable to do so.  That inability left a gaping hole in my own life.

As we neared adulthood and began to act on his advice to think for ourselves, he sometimes found it difficult if we didn’t reach the same conclusions he did. He and I had some heated discussions that resulted in us hurting each other. Our visits became filled with tension and intense debates as we differed on how to live our lives in Christ. 

At one point, God revealed to me that I should begin expressing my love for him.  At first it felt almost phony, but as I obediently continued, I recognized that his inability to express his love was an impediment in his life, stemming from his own experiences.  My attitude shifted to empathy and then greater love.

Each time we visited, I gave him a hug and told  him, “I love you.”  Each letter I wrote, I finished with a few happy memories of him or expressed thankfulness for one of his traits.  For a long time, it seemed it had no effect on him, but subtlety it was changing me!

He was already in his nineties when he began to ask when I was coming to visit.  The next time I did, he exclaimed with great joy, “Ruth!” when I walked through the door.  That time, my hug was returned and he assured me, “I love you too!”  Those were words I had given up ever hearing from his lips.

In the years since then, each time I visited, I spent a lot of time sitting, holding his hand, talking to him and singing some of his beloved hymns.  What joy as his strong bass voice joined mine.  What beautiful fellowship we enjoyed.  We had both lost our mates and that, too provided a mutual understanding of the emotions such loss brings.  When I found another dear man to be my husband, he rejoiced with me and expressed it often—“I’m so glad for you!”

When his slowing heart and lack of oxygen reduced the ability of his mind, he still prayed and preached and planned for meetings where he could proclaim the gospel and bring other souls into the fold.  He often voiced his longing to go to heaven.  In the last months that wish became his hearts dearest desire. We longed for his release from his earthly fetters. The morning of my mother’s birthday, he quietly let go and his face relaxed in utmost peace, while his spirit returned to his Maker.

So, yes!  Don’t be sorry!  We rejoice for that final triumph for the dear man who gave his life in God’s service and parented us well. 

Is There a Message from God in your Inbox? by Rose McCormick Brandon

My present journey through the Bible has landed me in the book of Jonah, a good place to land in January. When Jonah opened his in-box he found a message from God. "Go to Nineveh and warn them to repent of their sins."
"Forget it," replied Jonah. He refused to make an investment in the useless people of Nineveh. Nobody wanted that assignment.
Jonah hopped on a ship and headed for the bright lights of Tarshish, an exotic place like Las Vegas, teeming with famous faces. Money flowed in and out of the ports of Tarshish. Anybody who wanted to make it big in the world went there.
Cool people went to Tarshish. Losers went to Nineveh.
You and I have assignments from God. We are alive and breathing on planet Earth in 2013 for a reason - to serve Him in a divinely appointed way.
Like Jonah, sometimes we get sidetracked by the appeal of bright lights. Our divine project appears meaningless when compared to the important things others are doing. We say things like 'anyone can do what I'm doing. God doesn't need me.'
Or, are you one of those who is diligently pursuing your God calling and receiving little response for your efforts? Few encouraging words come your way. You plod on but discouragement presses you from every side.
Has your calling taken you to the cold outback of Nineveh when you really wanted to go to a be-dazzled Tarshish?
Today, let's commit the days we have left on this earth to Jesus. Let's refuse to see the world from a winner/loser viewpoint. In Him, there are no losers, only ordinary people like you and me opening our in-boxes and finding divine assignments.

Psalm 37:5 Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass.

Jonah took the scenic route to Nineveh. But eventually he got there and much to his surprise the people listened to his God message.

Rose McCormick Brandon’s most recent book is He Loves Me Not . . . He Loves Me. Her articles and essays are published in magazines, books, newspapers and devotionals in Canada and the U.S. She is an award-winning writer who specializes in personal experience, faith, life stories and the British Home Child Immigration period of Canadian history. Rose is married to Doug and lives in Caledonia, Ontario. She has three adult children and two grandchildren. Visit her blogs: The Promise of Home and Listening to My Hair Grow. Contact her at: rosembrandon@yahoo.ca. 

Les Miserables - Eleanor Shepherd

            When I was in the seventh grade, our class was required to read a book called Jean Val Jean.  As I got into it, I loved the story.  At the time, I had no idea that it was an English translation of the classic by Victor Hugo, Les Miserables.  One scene burned itself on my memory as I read of the kindness of the priest, Father Bienvenue.  Instead of choosing to condemn Jean Val Jean when the gendarme brought him back to the priest’s house with the bag of silver that he had stolen, the priest chose to offer grace.  He told the lawman that he had given the silver to Jean Val Jean.  Then to give veracity to his story he mentioned to the former prisoner that he had left behind the silver candle holders and he should take them as well.  I was knocked over by this example of grace. It clearly became the turning point in the life of Jean Val Jean.

            All my life, I had been a part of the church and while I had heard about a God of grace, He always seemed to be overshadowed by the requirements of the law.  In the story of this priest’s kindness to the undeserving thief, I saw someone choosing to respond with grace rather than with law.  A new beginning was offered to Jean Val Jean. I knew that was the message of the Christian faith, but I could not imagine what it looked like until I saw such a graphic illustration of it in the transformation of the life of this French convict.  Something clicked inside me as understanding of faith began to dawn and I knew that was the kind of faith that I wanted.  I saw how through the passing years, the life of Jean Val Jean was transformed by an act of grace.  He became a person who was motivated by grace.  In response, I wanted to become someone who understood such transformation. Today, I still long for that kind of a grace filled life. The flame that was ignited by the book still burns.

            When I was in my forties, I saw the story of Jean Val Jean brought to the stage through the musical Les Miserables.  This marvellous tale was brought to life to me again and the desire to know and share grace was rekindled in me anew.  The flame burned higher as the powerful songs of the musical echoed in my heart and reaffirmed a truth I could not deny.  There is a God of grace who is still in the business of transforming our evil natures and making us good.  By now, I had lived long enough to experience some of that transformation myself and see it taking place in people around me. I had also become even more aware of our need for such transformation, as I had seen those whose lives were hopeless and could never change without such a transformation. I was confronted by the evidence that grace is true and powerful enough to change lives and love is the most powerful dynamite in our world.

            Then, last week, I went into the theatre with my popcorn and soft drink and sat down ready to enjoy the story once again.  The years have a way of taking something that we once found powerful and dulling our senses to it.  I remembered it as a story I loved.  Les Miserables has now been released as a movie.  Having lived in France for several years, the scenes were familiar to me.  As the tale began, I sat there with eyes glued to the screen, unable to focus my attention on my snacks. I was not prepared for another confrontation with the power of grace.  I did not realize that transforming love would grip my heart once more. Just as I had been when I was twelve, I was overwhelmed as I witnessed the power of the story of a grace that chooses the way of forgiveness rather than retribution.  Now I have lived long enough to understand a little more about the cost of such grace.  Yet still it overwhelms me and again calls me to open myself to surrender to the power of such transforming love. It is my reason for hope at the beginning of another year.   

Word Guild Award
2011

Word Guild Award
2009

Seasons of Tradition/MANN

My first thought when I awoke this morning was . . . bread. Did I have the right ingredients and, as I glanced at the bedside clock, did I have enough time to prepare the dough and bake it before we left for the day? Assuring myself that all was well, my feet hit the floor. Yearly seasons of traditions sometimes go together with the seasons of the heart.

At our house, we have let some customs go over the years and created new ones. One constant tradition is the Christmas tree: set up in the same place on a specific day with the same festive ornaments. And when the crèche, holly, garland and plants are in place: bring on the season. Although I‘ve replaced some of these over the years, the decorations have remained much the same now as our adult children would remember them.

Bread is another tradition. We have it for most meals. This is a culinary tradition from my childhood. Peanut Butter and Jam on homemade bread every day after school. Grandma’s rolls pulled out of the oven on Sunday after church. Homemade jellies spread on warm freshly baked bread. Such good memories.

My bread recipe is very stained with drops of molasses, honey and other ingredients, and I have trouble reading some of the fine print. This is good – it shows a well-tried and tested recipe for favourite bread. There are not many ingredients in my bread recipe, probably eight along with a particular temperature and time frame—each with its own task within the larger purpose. If I should miss one of them, or for some reason change the measure or degree, the texture might change, or perhaps the size and colour.

I liken this in some ways to traditional and time-honoured values of living out one’s faith. Certainly the traditional ingredients in the recipe for a faithful Christ-centred life of study, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer still remains trustworthy over the centuries. And people tend to come to these in ways that meet their particular needs.

Tradition is not a nasty word. Too often I’ve heard that tradition limits our growth and willingness to change. Perhaps it’s when we limit ourselves to a particular tradition without the freedom to include variations, that corner us.

Later today, I will wrap my bread in cloths and place it in a wooden basket - it will have much the same appearance as my bread has had over the years. I will tuck my knitting into a bag along with a hostess gift and Doug and I will make our way to a Grey County farm to spend New Year’s Day with friends. Again a beloved tradition that only altering the ingredients of life such as relationships, health, or age will change this blessing.

Blessings in this new year,
Donna

http://www.donnamann.org

Turn over a new leaf—Carolyn Wilker

After an upset, some unkind behaviour for which we [children] had been scolded, my mother would say, “Let’s start over.” Maybe there had been tears and feeling sorry for saying mean words in anger or hurting a sibling in some way.  After some time apart, there’d been a hand extended with an invitation to come back and try again. How glad my sad heart was that my mother could forgive my behaviour and provide the chance to dry my tears and go back to play.

This was my early understanding of starting over. It could come in a new morning, in the middle of the day, or even at the end of a day before bedtime.

Starting over can happen any time. How glad my heart that my friends love me still, in spite of mistakes I’ve made.

 In L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, red-haired Anne, the orphan, talks a lot, acts without thinking of the outcome, and is challenged to better behaviour by her benefactor, Marilla. Picture young Anne after such an episode, sighing. Then she says, “Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?” 

Montgomery expressed that so well in her character. Who has never been in such a place and wishes a fresh start, as Anne did?

In the Oxford Dictionary of Idioms, there are several entries under the title of “leaf.” There’s shake or tremble like a leaf that represents an element of fear; take a leaf out of someone’s book, meaning “ to closely imitate or emulate someone in a particular way;” and turn over a new leaf, to “improve your conduct or performance.”

A fresh start, starting over, turning over a new leaf are all terms that mean the same thing—the desire to try again.

At this time each year, many people set New Year’s resolutions. Perhaps they want to do better and leave mistakes behind—except that some of the resolutions are made in the moment without a lot of thought or direction on how to accomplish them.

A plan of achieving better fitness or losing weight—two common goals after turkey dinners and holiday treats—will have a stronger chance of success if there are built-in supports than a statement made on the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve.

Make changes for the better any time of year, not just at New Years. In fact too many changes at once are invitations to failure, since humans are creatures of habit and habits are hard to break.

Sarah Hilton, a professional speaker and coach who has studied human behaviour and communications styles, quotes Craig Valentine when she says, "Change small, change often." That means to make small changes often, ones that we’re more likely to remember and put into practice. It’s true of life as well as learning to speak professionally.

There’s another path to new life. It’s not just at New Year’s, nor just the beginning or end of a day. Jesus Christ invites you to start over with him. Invites you to be forgiven, extending the hand that accepts you with all your mistakes and imperfections. He invites you to mend your ways and to accept him as Saviour. And if you’ve already done that, to continue travelling with him along the road of your life.

 Whatever your motive or need for change, think on these words: Change often, change small; forgiveness; and “Let’s start over.”

May 2013 be a year of new adventures for you. Most of all, I wish you joy and peace. Happy New Year!