Feeling like an Acorn

There are those times when I just feel like an acorn. Times like these.
I do see the growth that is occurring within me. But as many have said recently in my job groups, the process of networking and personal growth takes so long!!!!

what I find amazing is that within that little acorn which has a compact octagonal shape is great storehouse of potential just ready to crack open and set down that first root and then from there grow a strong trunk and wide reaching boughs and onto those boughs form little arms with leaves sprouting from them. It can take 50 to 100 years to grow such a tree. All from a tiny acorn.

Lord, help me have the patience that I need to nurture my oak sapling and the other saplings that are in the forest of job or personal transformation. Let me water them with kind words and appreciative deeds so that a great canopy can cover us in this life.

Living in Advent

This is the time of year for the advent season. Churches celebrate advent for the 4 sundays prior to Christmas and then celebrate the fifth week on Christmas day or Christmas weekend.

As each candle is lit, we are being reminded of the importance of the four symbols that the wreath represents. The 4 four candles represent hope, peace, joy and love.
What a special way for us to remember this very special holiday for us as believers.
The warmth and the arrival of the aromas, flavors, and sounds of the season are very special and bring many people from all over the world together.

As we await for the Lord to come and whatever lens we look through this truth: from the Old Testament prophet or to the New Testament believer, may we approach Christmas day with that exciting anticipation.
As 2 Cor. 9:15 states, "Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift." In Him benefits spring forth from the eternal life that we are seeking.
Jesus has been called the light of the world. For one gentle flicker of his light and the sound of His Word transforms the depths of darkness into a spring of everlasting life.

From the first century wisemen that traveled from afar in the East to grant the new King Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Let us rejoice and be glad. That He has been given to us.
For that eternal life and that hope, joy, peace, and love often missing in our world.

Sustaining the weary voices and hearts of His visitors.
To stroll in that eternal dance of life.
Warmly embracing the King of Kings.

For just as God touched the shepherds, angels, and wisemen, let us do likewise on our advent journeys.

For Christmastime is more than a day to light candles, sing songs, and unwrap presents. It is a time to present our lives to Jesus and for Him to unwrap us as well.

Treasure it with your families.
Remember that God is with us!!

Incarnate.
Emmanuel.
Let us celebrate the eternal life of our servant King.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.


Struggling to open that door to Jesus as in Rev. 3:20.

Does the tide fight life

When I look at the ebb and flow of our human relationships, I think back to the tide coming in from the ocean. The gentle flow of the ripples upon the waters approaches the shore and the water crests over.

The journey

Life begins with small steps. Mine began in such a way. Life has a series of wanderings with those first steps becoming giant ones. Some announced on the air with Neil Armstrong's first imprint on the moon and others subtle changes.
In our world, the first step is often the hardest. Some more difficult than others.
For me it was this way.

For I was wired in a unique manner, in that of a mystery to be entangled of how I was to operate in this world. For I was born with a portion of my brain not developed at birth and the self=starting mechanism was not there. A little more involved than replacing a spark plug on a car. For the human is a very complex person. But that stubborn spark did come to life and thus my personality and personhood was born. (anew)

For we all face handicaps and hardships in our lives, and what makes me unique to others is not really a matter of being different per se but created and designed for a purpose.

To give one a better view, glance back at the Christmas story told throughout the last two centuries.
We have Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem. Mary is found to be pregnant with God's son.
For when Jesus was born, they had to flee to Egypt to avoid Herod and his gang. For hardship was facing Him and His family at that very moment. Making him very handicapoed by the surroundings and dependent on others for his well being.
Yet, the family did all they could by making the alternate route to Egypt.
And followed through with the various struggles with the temptation in the desert and other thwarts along the way. What kept Jesus on track was the knowledge of his identity.

My hardships while not like those of our King were still hardships. When I look back at my journey for these forty plus years, I have hit some mines that seemed steep to climb up and down. But each of these has made me stronger as I will illustrate. And helped me to form my identity as well.

When I was born, I had arrested hydrocephalus and a series of defects that made it harder for me to learn and grow. Yet, these did not stop me at all. I kept moving forward and did not give in for a moment. I learned through speech therapy in the phonetic approach where I dissected the way words were constructed and became in love with the English language and learning.

For I can understand the hardships that one can face in life and I am not afraid to take on the challenges that it does offer. These indeed have made me stronger. As that saying goes, what does not kill me will indeed make me stronger!!

In our lives, it is always important to have moments of recess in our lives where we can reflect and think on what our lives have to offer. It is important to slow down and savor what life has to offer. Just as a great sauce takes a long time to flavor or a great hot dog to become crisp and tasty, so it is with life.

Maine has been such a place to me as I have gone to the edge of the Shore as many famous people such as Rachel Carson have done to reflect on what is important in life. Maine has been a sanctuary for me in that I have been able to recharge my batteries so I am not so taken aback from what has assaulted me through this life.

For this is what the apostle Peter had happen to him when he faced a crossroads in his life as he was about to go fishing yet Jesus invited him back to a hot cooked buffet of fish for breakfast and an assurance that his love has never left at all.

And what has indeed happened that Christmas morning when the shepherds and angels announced his birth. A new and welcome beginning. Let us remember that we have those new starts all the time. Let us look at the wow factor.

When I look back on my journey through this life, I have these wow moments as I describe some of what I have been through. For I can say, I actually have lived this or that scenario in my life. Especially as I have shared my journeys of three consecutive buses and a brief 5 to 25 minute hike to get to some of my destinations.
We all need to do this for we all have those wow moments in our lives.

We are heroes who can celebrate life.
When I was recently at the grand opening of the Easter Seals Autsim and Developmentally delayed center in Stamford, I recalled to those there that I was a poster child for the agency some 46 years ago. I overcame a lot and I applauded the heroes of the caregivers and parents and clients in the room who have done the very same theme.
When we realize how far we have overcome, we can indeed reach out to others and not be ashamed of what we have actually accomplished. It is actually a miracle as we take the small steps which are actually giant leaps for mankind. For as we branch out of our comfort zone, we are actually building bridges into one another's lives.
That is key and essential. That is the value of transparency to our souls so we don't become stagnant at all.

Now stand up and take pride in how we all are making those advances for mankind and watch for those who are following close behind you in this journey called life.
Live it to the fullest.

The Advent Path

Walk with me through the woods of time.
The forest of those trees of which we can cling to and enjoy their presence.
From which presidential palaces are built
And mangers made of wood
to House royalty
awaited from dawn.

Not recognized
Yet revered from afar.

May we take those gentle steps towards
the manger land.
that path which our hearts direct.

Blessings as we are drawn to one another!!

Happy Advent!! to the Advent..ure of it all!!

Land of Entrapment

For so many years, Maine has had the same slogan and nickname. I think as the perennial mayor of this state, we should call it the land of the many fingers. I have looked at the map of the state of Maine and have seen so many little islands jutting out from the coast. For the shore extends for miles.
In the hand of the fingers, Detective Cousleau holds the crown jewel and must be careful not to lose it. Often he bungled the capers that he investigated. This is what has sometimes happened with the state bungling the beauty of the land.
I know that the state has had long standing nicknames of the pine tree state or vacation land, but why not change it to give it the flair of attraction. It deserves that fresh new coat of paint.
As one drives along the coast of Maine towards Canada, it is called going DownEast. When I look at the map of the state of Maine, it looks like someone holding a trophy up and capturing the beauty asking the beholder to view and be raptured by its beauty.

Imagine going only 300 to 400 miles from anywhere in the NorthEast and enjoying the land of the many fingers. It would greatly save on the airfare to Bermuda or St. Croix. There are many reasons besides the money to be saved to go to Maine as your get-a-way. First, there is the natural beauty that it offers. Where else can you go in the world where you can see the rugger Mainers working on the coast pulling their lobster traps and the boat builders working on the skiffs and yachts to go down the gangplank into the water for their maiden voyages. For many such people do such a thing. Tourism is a big business for the state accounting for 7% of the gross state product. It contributes $2.5 billion. One article treated this industry as an export industry. This happens through the visitation of the tourists to our state. As the potential mayor, I would educate the visitors of the importance of living on the land and enjoying the quaint aspects of it. Taking the time to sit on the porches to enjoy the slowing down of the traffic on the Sheepscot River and the gulls returning home to their nightly rock.

For the youth at summer time, they sail the bays and inlets that are outlined by these little fingers. When one goes to the shore, the young adults form regattas at the local yacht club and sail in front of the summer rental cottages. Our family saw many of these races up close in front of our cottage and it was always an exciting time to see what they learned at the time.
These 5 fingers can fit perfectly in the glove of your hand. The land of the perfect fit.

There are the stops along the way of the blueberries that people can pick from the side of the road. I saw many a car as my dad drove along the country lane of Route 27 towards Boothbay Harbor, and occasionally, there were stands at the side of the road of people selling their wares.

Yet, if one wanted to go to the casino, they can always escape to and gamble and enjoy the limelight of gambling. Yet that does not reflect the true character of Maine. There should be a law that protects the beauty of Maine. Just as there are laws that protect the sanctity of animals, why not protect the beauty. Many areas have lost the general nature of Maine.
Our rural vacation spot at Pratt's Island at the tip of Southport Island on the western side was compromised recently by the building of mcmansions. One such one is 17,884 square feet for a summer enclave for artists on almost six acres of shorefront. The Pratt's Island that I know gets accessed by a rickety one lane bridge that creeks when the car goes over it-requiring one to hold their breath on the journey. To get a glance of this new devlelopment all you need to do is to look at the recent October issue of Down East magazine and read about this creation.

While there is a beauty still from my memories of the seven summers on the island, the beginning of my first romance, progress can take away from the rustic beauty that our family was so used to. Being used to five rooms is fine that get heated by the evening fire. The draft that blows through the cracked doorways is part of the charm of a rustic Maine cottage.

These kinds of tourism are gentle and can be found apart from the large tour bus crowds. While a more elaborate casino may be great, there are moments to enjoy that I have remembered from so long ago.

So, I would definitely petition the state legislature and congress to change the designation of Maine as the Finger State. For she definitely has many of them and each one can lure you into an adventure close to her lap. Come sit down and enjoy the story of being entrapped in the splendor of Maine.

Advanced Drawing.

When I was a child, I made attempts at drawing. I remember being in Mr. Lambert's art class in junior high and getting assistance with drawing a cat on a big tan piece of paper. I drew with crayon or colored pencil and colored the image. I had it in my art portfolio which I shared at that time with some of the people that I knew at the time. Not something that I was tremendously proud of. Kept the portrait of the cat for a while. She may still be rolled up in a ball somehow to be discovered later and maybe to auctioned off for millions of dollars.

Drawing has many meanings in life. Tomorrow, I am off to have a vial of blood drawn for the basic cholesterol testing. At least not the full drawn testing for the pituitary tests in the past.
Then there are times when we get older and we may draw some blanks. Imagine how that gets done. I can barely draw that straight line. I surely could be an expert in drawing a blank, but it is not something that I would be very proud of though. So I will keep thinking hard--to draw out those neurons and those connections. And when I have another 20 years of work ahead of me, that may be one of those rewards to look forward to.

Drawing Conclusions is what we are to do when we make decisions. I wonder what a conclusion would look like on a canvas. For they can be rather lengthy and as my professor , Dr. John D, in Science and Faith at the New England School of Theology says, "Scott, try to keep it brief and simple and to the point."
Yet, I do like to make the connections and can be rather exhaustive, even to the teacher. But I like to keep the neurons firing away in the chamber of my mind as long as it remains active.
Now I better try to be exhaustive before I exhaust myself out!!!!

For another time, there is that play on the word, "exhaust."

one half century of Blogging!!!

Here I am. At the amazing 500th post. Hard to imagine from the very nascent beginnings of 2003 from my old HP computer that I have come this far!!!
Life has its twists and turns from the very beginnings of Triumph. Many moments of victory and moments of defeat. Of the exhilerating highs and the lows that accompany our lives.
It is tough at times to open up the soul and reveal what is inside of it. I regard it sometimes as very fragile and delicate. That which has happened to it needs to be kept in the shell. Secluded and safe.

But here I am on the precipice to climb into another 500 posts to bless and encourage and express frustrations and challenges as I seek to find the way everlasting each and every day. Inching closer to the cross of Christ. Where there is no suffering or shame at all. Since He went ahead of us and I need to march in that direction and not in the direction of anyone else!!!

The Amazing all One day!!

Today is a rare day in the calendar. The digits for today are 11-1-11. All ones. Definitely signifying Victory. A great attitude and one of never giving up in life!!!!!

Let us celebrate as we have 5 minutes left of this historic day!!!
How did you celebrate?

Weather forgot its daytimer

Here we are in the middle of the fall season, and part of Connecticut receives a foot and a half of snow and church services are being cancelled a day ahead and the governor is declaring a state of emergency. And not even December 21st.

Possibly a confusion in the spinning department of the earth. Or maybe in not ordering enough day timers for the weather Gods. Whatever, it is a funny take on how the world spins.
Yet, even with these jabs, I do know that all is under His control. Especially how the whole earth is held together by His great love for us. Thank you Lord for that!!!