O' Humble Lord

O’ Lord, you taught humility by becoming man
O’ Lord, you taught humility by enduring and suffering on the Cross
O’ Lord, you taught humility by forgiving your persecutors
O’ Lord, grant to me the courage to be humble

O’ Lord, you taught humility by washing the feet of your disciples
O’ Lord, you taught humility by doing your work in a quiet way
O’ Lord, your taught humility by praying to your Father
O’ Lord, grant to me the fruits of humility; peace and freedom.


James

Written on Good Friday April 25, 2008
Toronto Ontario

My Special Wife

Her heart is pure
I know for sure
An angel on earth
Is my Joanne.

Daily she faces pain
Without complaint
For the Lord is near
Helping with her fears.

She has no career
No university degree
Yet her wisdom inspires
Angela, Peter and me.

James
Written on March 29, 2008
Toronto Ontario

Me The Crucifier

If I were present at the Creator’s crucifixion what would I do? Would I be part of the crowd yelling, “Crucify Him, and crucify Him”? Would I be like Peter and pretend that I don’t know Him? Would I be like the Virgin Mary, supporting Him with unwavering faith at the foot of the Cross?

With shame I admit that I would be like Peter and a crucifier. For every day I hurt Christ: Every day I ignore His presence in me and in others. Every day I pretend that He can’t see me. Every day I knowingly sin. Yet every day, He welcomes me with open arms saying, “son come home I love you”.

Lord Jesus Christ Son of God have mercy on me a sinner.


Written on March 21, 2008

Toronto Ontario

No Escaping Winter

I returned home this morning at 4:00am and was met by the worst snow storm of the year. It took me over an hour to shovel the snow! The lesson for me is that one can't escape from reality: One must face it! Even if that reality comes with howling winds. Dealing with reality will bring benefits. I appreciated the opportunity to burn calories in the quiet darkness.

On the flight I read, "Befriending the Stanger", by Jean Vanier. The book created in me a peaceful state of mind as it demonstrated the infinite love that our humble God has for me and for you. No matter how difficult our reality may be, we are not alone, for He is with us: If only we call His name.

Escaping Winter Blahs

When feeling blue
I blow blue bubbles
And watch my troubles
Rise and fly away

When feeling blue
I think of Bugs Bunny
Foiling the Wile E Coyote
Escaping being Elmer Fudd’s stew

When feeling blue
I dream of me and you
Secluded beach-hand in hand
Kissing and kicking sand


James
Toronto Ontario
Written on Feb 25,2008

Confronting Fear

I go where I fear
Confronting it
Face to face
Thought for thought

I call on the Lord
For His might
As I engage
In this fight

Wearing my cross
With Bible in hand
I bury fear in sand
And loudly declare

Fear be gone
Through the Son
I do it all
Never to fall

I am free
To be
For faith
Is again in me


Written between February 22
and February 24, 2008

James

Toronto Ontario

I Love You

Forever together
You and me
Two special persons
United in love.

It was meant to be
An example for all
That in perfect love
Everything is possible.

For twenty-something years
Our love has endured
Through ups and downs
Remaining very sound.

Living under the Light
Tomorrow will be bright
For I love you
And this love is forever.

Smile

James
Toronto Ontario
Written On February 10, 2008

Home Alone

Going on a business trip
Thousand miles from home
Worrying about my wife
For she will be alone

Facing challenges every day
Can she cope with me away?
What if, What if, Questions
Cloud my mind

Lord, Joanne is in your care
Keep her safe and healthy
Lord, shield me from temptation
That may come my way

Smile

James
Toronto Ontario
Written January 26, 2008

Smile

Smile

A smile has power
To transform
Smile every hour
To withstand any storm

Smile and laughter and joy
Will permeate hearts
Smile and positive thoughts
Will dominate minds

Smile to give strength
To those in need
Smile to disarm
A stranger’s fear

My love, Smile, Smile again
Life will no longer have pain

James
Toronto Ontario

Composed on January 19, 2008

Yes You Can

Yes you can
All is possible
Ignore the other voice
It is your choice

Climb the mountain
Carry your cross
Engage in this fight
Victory is within sight

When you fall
Endure it all
Get up, keep going
Finish the race

Focus on the Light
For power and might
You can do it all

Yes you can, my love

James

Toronto Ontario

January 12, 2008

The Holy Theophany of Our Lord

‘When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Mathew 3-16).

Imagine being on the banks of the river Jordan and witnessing this awesome and marvellous scene. How would we react? Would we walk away? Would we kneel in prayer? Would we jump into the river and be baptized?

Suppose CNN was present at the Baptism and the correspondent asked Jesus to show the Father. Jesus reply would be; “He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say show us the Father.” (John 14:9)

Through this event God has directly revealed to us His triune nature. God is the Holy Trinity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit: One God, One undivided being, and three distinct divine persons.

Our minds cannot grasp this true nature of God, yet is understood by our hearts. St. Patrick used a shamrock to describe the Holy Trinity: for a shamrock is one clover with 3 leaves.

Saint Basil of Caesarea described the relationship of the three divine persons in this way: “Everything subsists by the will of the Father, comes into being through the action of the Son, and reaches its perfection through the Holy Spirit.”

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit now and ever and unto the ages amen!

On January 6th, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Holy Theophany of Lord God.