Another orbit complete


Boom, boom, pow
Arva, ON, July 2010
Click photo to embiggen
Click here for more faves of the year


I couldn't resist the opportunity to post something right at the stroke of midnight. Okay, I lie. I'm not actually posting this in person. I'm not sitting at my computer at this moment. I'm with my wife, kids, in-laws and aunt and uncle and we're probably doing something family-fun to mark the end of one year and the beginning of another.

This entry, then, is being auto-posted to the blog, courtesy of my lovely admin interface. Makes sense to start the year with a little bit of geek-fun, no?

Y'all know I'm not terribly fond of the whole resolution thing. But I am curious as to how you've all chosen to start off the new year. Do tell!

THE HARNESS OF THE LORD - by Bill Britton (1918-1985)

This was written by Bill Britton (1918-1985) in the 1960s.

THE HARNESS OF THE LORD - from Eagle Saints Arise - Bill Britton Ministries

There is a terrific operation of the Spirit going on today to bring the Sons of God into an absolute confinement to the perfect will of God. This is the Day of His Preparation, the day in which He is preparing the channel through which He shall pour forth His Glory for all the world to see. This channel is His Body in the earth, that glorious company of people who are being conformed through much tribulation and fiery tests to the Image of the Son of God. This is His "battle axe and weapons of war" with which He shall subdue kingdoms and overcome all His enemies. This is His "mighty and strong One" to whom He shall commit the work of judging this world. This is His Overcomer, His "great army" with which He shall bring the nations into submission. The weapons of their warfare are not carnal, natural weapons, but they are mighty weapons, mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. These are those who shall "be strong and do exploits."

But before God can commit this great and tremendous ministry into their hands, they must submit themselves to the discipline of the Lord, letting Him truly be the Lord of their entire lives. We have long since dealt with the question of open sin, but now God is dealing with the inward rebellion of our own wills. Some good Christians are not now being so dealt with, for they are not in this Firstfruits Company, but nevertheless there is a real dealing of God going on within those who are called into the High Calling of God. This is a very real thing, and is the work of the Refiner's Fire. To those who are going through it, some of its aspects are horrible, but very necessary, and the end result thereof is glorious as we are brought into absolute and complete submission to the will of our Lord.

It was in a minister's conference and convention in Tulsa, Oklahoma that God gave me a vision which I want to share with you concerning this harnessing of our own wills. There were more than 30 ministers present in this particular Thursday morning service, and God, the Father of spirits, was present to deal with His sons, to correct them and discipline them to absolute obedience to His will. There was such a stern dealing in the Spirit that no one could go to the pulpit and minister, there was a reluctance among the ministers to say anything except that which was directly ordered by the Spirit. And as those men of God sat there in the awesome presence of Almighty God, some of them having many years of ministry, some missionaries, all of them capable of getting up and preaching a powerful sermon, I was impressed by the way they responded to the discipline of the Spirit. And in the midst of this terrific dealing of God with out spirits, the Holy Ghost gave me a vision…

I Saw the King's Carriage

On a dirt road in the middle of a wide field stood a beautiful carriage, something on the order of a stagecoach, but all edged in god, and with beautiful carvings. It was pulled by six large chestnut horses, two in the lead, two in the middle and two in the rear. But they were not moving, they were not pulling the carriage, and I wondered why. Then I saw the driver underneath the carriage, on the ground on his back, just behind the last two horses' heels, working on something between the front wheels of the carriage. I though, "My, he is in a dangerous place; for if one of those horses kicked or stepped back, they could kill him, or if they decided to go forward, or got frightened somehow, they would pull the carriage right over him." But he didn't seem afraid, for he knew that those horses were disciplined and would not move till he told them to move. The horses were not stamping their feet nor acting restless, and though there were bells on their feet, the bells were not tinkling. There were pom-poms on their harness over their heads, but the pom-poms were not moving. They were simply standing still and quiet, waiting for the voice of the Master.

There were Two Young Colts in the Field

As I watched the harnessed horses, I noticed two young colts coming out of the open field, and they approached the carriage and seemed to say to the horses: "Come and play with us, we have many fine games, we will race with you, come catch us…" And with that the colts kicked up their heels, flicked their tails and raced across the open field. But when they looked back and saw the horses were not following, they were puzzled. They knew nothing of harnesses, and could not understand why the horses did not want to play. So they called to them: "Why do you not race with us? Are you tired? Are you too weak? Do you not have strength to run? You are much too solemn, you need more joy in life." But the horses answered not a word, nor did they stamp their feet or toss their heads. But they stood, quiet and still, waiting for the voice of the Master.

Again the colts called to them: "Why do you stand so in the hot sun? Come over here in the shade of this nice tree. See how green the grass is? You must be hungry, come and feed with us, it is so green and so good. You look thirsty, come drink of one of our many streams of cool clear water." But the horses answered them with not so much as a glance, but stood still, waiting for the command to go forward with the King.

Colts in the Master's Corral

And then the scene changed, and I saw lariat nooses fall around the necks of the two colts, and they were led off to the Master's corral for training and discipline. How sad they were as the lovely green fields disappeared, and they were put into the confinement of the Corral with its brown dirt and high fence. The colts ran from fence to fence, seeking freedom, but found that they were confined to this place of training. And then the Trainer began to work on them, with his Whip and His Bridle. What a death for those who had been all their lives accustomed to such a freedom! They could not understand the reason for this torture, this terrible discipline. What great crime had they done to deserve this? Little did they know of the responsibility that was to be theirs when they had submitted to the discipline, learned to perfectly obey the Master, and finished their training. All they knew was that this processing was the most horrible thing they had ever known.

Submission and Rebellion

One of the colts rebelled under the training, and said, "This is not for me. I like my freedom, my green hills, my flowing streams of fresh water. I will not take any more of this confinement, this terrible training." So he found a way out, jumped the fence and ran happily back to the meadows of grass. And I was astonished that the Master let him go, and went not after him. But He devoted His attention to the remaining colt. This colt, though he had the same opportunity to escape, decided to submit his own will, and learn the ways of the Master. And the training got harder than ever, but he was rapidly learning more and more how to obey the slightest wish of the Master, and to respond to even the quietness of His voice. And I saw that had there been no training, no testing, there would have been neither submission nor rebellion from either of the colts. For in the field they did not have the choice to rebel or submit, they were sinless in their innocence. But when brought to the place of testing and training and discipline, then was made manifest the obedience of one and the rebellion that lay hidden in the heart of the other. And though it seemed safer not to come to the place of discipline because of the risk of being found rebellious, yet I saw that without this there could be no sharing of His glory, no Sonship.

Into the Harness

Finally this period of training was over. Was he now rewarded with his freedom, and sent back to the fields? Oh no. But a greater confinement than ever now took place, as a harness dropped about his shoulders. Now he found there was not even the freedom to run about the small corral, for in the harness he could only move where and when his Master spoke. And unless the Master spoke, he stood still.

The scene changed, and I saw the other colt standing on the side of a hill, nibbling at some grass. Then across the fields, down the road came the King's carriage, drawn by six horses. With amazement he saw that in the lead, on the right side, was his brother colt, now made strong and mature on the good corn in the Master's stable. He saw the lovely pom-poms shaking in the wind, noticed the glittering gold bordered harness about his brother, heard the beautiful tinkling of the bells on his feet… and envy came into his heart. Thus he complained to himself: "Why has my brother been so honored, and I am neglected? They have not put bells on my feet, nor pom-poms on my head. The Master has not given me the wonderful responsibility of pulling His carriage, nor put about me the golden harness. Why have they chosen my brother instead of me?" And by the Spirit the answer came back to me as I watched. "Because one submitted to the will and discipline of the Master, and one rebelled, thus has one been chosen and the other set aside."

A Famine in the Land

Then I saw a great drought sweep across the countryside, and the green grass became dead, dry, brown and brittle. The little streams of water dried up, stopped flowing, and there was only a small muddy puddle here and there. I saw the little colt (I was amazed that it never seemed to grow or mature) as he ran here and there, across the fields looking for fresh streams and green pastures, finding none. Still he ran, seemingly in circles, always looking for something to feed his famished spirit. But there was a famine in the land, and the rich green pastures and flowing streams of yesterday were not to be had. And one day the colt stood on the hillside on weak and wobbly legs, wondering where to go next to find food, and how to get strength to go. Seemed like there was no use, for good food and flowing streams were a thing of the past, and all the efforts to find more only taxed his waning strength. Suddenly he saw the King's carriage coming down the road, pulled by six great horses. And he saw his brother, fat and strong, muscles rippling, sleek and beautiful with much grooming. His heart was amazed and perplexed, and he cried out: "My brother, where do you find the food to keep you strong and fat in these days of famine? I have run everywhere in my freedom, searching for food, and I find none. Where do you, in your awful confinement, find food in this time of drought? Tell me, please, for I must know!" And then the answer came back from a voice filled with victory and praise: "In my Master's House, there is a secret place in the confining limitations of His stables where He feeds me by His own hand, and His granaries never run empty, and His well never runs dry." And with this the Lord made me to know that in the day when people are weak and famished in their spirits in the time of spiritual famine, that those who have lost their own wills, and have come into the secret place of the most High, into the utter confinement of His perfect will, shall have plenty of the corn of Heaven, and a never ending flow of fresh streams of revelation by His Spirit. Thus the vision ended.

Interpretation of the Vision

"Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it." (Habakkuk 2:2) "Harness the horses: and get up, ye horsemen" (Jeremiah 46:4). I'm sure that many of you who can hear what the Spirit saith to the Church, have already seen what God was showing in the vision. But let me make it plain. Being born into the Family of God, feeding in the green pastures and drinking of the many streams of the unfolding revelation of His purposes is fine and wonderful. But it is not enough. While we were children, young, undisciplined, limited only by the outer fence of the Law that ran around the limits of the pastures, (that kept us from getting into the dark pastures of poison weeds), He was content to watch us develop and grow into young manhood, spiritually speaking. But the time came to those who fed in His pastures, and drank at His streams, when they were to be brought into discipline or "child-training" for the purpose of making them mature Sons. Many of the children today cannot understand why some of those who have put on the harness of God cannot get excited by the many religious games and the playful antics of the immature. They wonder why the disciplined ones run not after every new revelation or feed on every opportunity to engage in seemingly "good and profitable" religious activities. They wonder why some will not race with them in their frantic efforts to build great works and great and notable ministries. They cannot understand the simple fact that this Company of saints is waiting for the voice of the Master, and they do not hear God in all this outward activity. They will move in their time, when the Master speaks. But not before, though many temptations come from the playful colts. And the colts cannot understand why those who seemingly appear to have great abilities and strength are not putting it to good use. "Get the carriage on the road", they say, but the disciplined ones, those in God's harness, know better than to move before they hear the voice of the Master. They will move in their time, with great purpose, and great responsibility.

And the Lord made me to know that there were many whom He had brought into training who had rebelled against the discipline, the chastising of the Father. And they could not be trusted with the great responsibility of mature Sonship, so he let them go back to their freedom, back to their religious activities and revelations and gifts. They are still His people, still feeding in His pastures, but He has set them aside from the great purposes for the end of the age. So they revel in their freedom, feeling that they are the Chosen ones with the many streams of living water, not knowing that they have been set aside as unfit for His great work in this end of the Age.

And He showed me that though the chastising seemeth grievous for the time, and the discipline hard to endure, yet the result with all the glory of Sonship is worth it all, and the glory to follow far exceeds the suffering we endure. And though some lose even their lives in this training, yet they will share alike in the glory of His eternal purposes. So faint not, saints of God, for it is the Lord that doth bring thee into confinement, and not thine enemy. It is for thy good, and for His glory, so endure all things with praises and thanksgiving that He hath counted thee worthy to share His glory! Fear thou not the whip in His hand, for it is not to punish thee, but to correct and train thee, that thou mightest come into submission to His will, and be found in His likeness in that Hour. Rejoice thou in thy trials, in all thy tribulations, and glory thou in His cross, and in the confining limitations of His harness, for He hath chosen thee, and He hath taken upon Himself the responsibility of keeping thee strong and well fed, so lean thou upon Him, and trust not in thin own ability and thine own understanding. So shalt thou be fed, and His hand shall be upon thee, and His glory shall overshadow thee and shall flow through thee as it goes forth to cover the earth. Glory to God! Bless the Lord, He's wonderful! Let Him be Lord of your life, friends, and complain not at that which He bringeth to pass in your life.

Plenty in the Time of Famine

For in the hour when famine sweeps the land, He shall feed by His own hand those who are submitted to His perfect will, and who dwell in the secret place of the Most High. When terror stalks the land, those in His harness hall not be afraid, for they shall feel His bit and bridle and know the guidance of His Spirit. When others are weak and frail and fearful, there shall be those who shall be strong in the power of His might, and shall lack for no good thing. In the hour when the traditions of the religious systems have proven false, and their streams have dried up, then His Chosen ones shall speak forth with the true Word of the Lord. So rejoice, Sons of God, that you have been chosen by His grace for this great work in this last hour.

The fence which kept the colts in their own meadows and their own pastures mean nothing to the team in the harness, for the gates open to them, and they go forth pulling the king's carriage into many strange and wonderful places. They do not stop to eat the poison weeds of sin, for they feed only in the Master's stable. These fields they trample under their feet as they go forth on the King's business. And so to those who are brought into absolute subjection to His will, there is no Law. For they move in the Grace of God, led only by His Spirit where all things are lawful but not all things are expedient. This is a dangerous realm for the undisciplined, and many have perished in sin as they leaped over the fence without His harness and His bridle. Some have though of themselves as being completely harnessed and submissive to Him, only to find that in some avenue of their life there dwelled rebellion and self-will. Let us wait before Him until He puts His noose around us and draws us to His place of training. And let us learn of the dealings of God and the movings of His Spirit until at last we feel His harness drop about us, and hear His voice guiding us. Then there is safety from the traps and pitfalls of sin, and then shall we abide in His house forever!

The sun sets on another...


...year
Laval, QC, August 2010
About this photo: Thematic Photographic has been sharing our favorite photos of 2010, and we'll be doing this right through January 6th. If you've got some fave shots, click here to get started.
I'm cheating a little, as I featured a similar picture from this same shoot here. But I learned a long time ago that shooting more than one shot of a particular scene reduces the chance of coming home with nothing. Because if all you've got is one frame and it's a dud for whatever reason, you've got nothing.

This photo is quite likely one of my favorites of the year not simply because it reflects a fleetingly spectacular moment that I was privileged to see. No, there's more to it. I took it from my in-laws' balcony. Every time I'm there, I shoot sunsets, usually bolting from the dinner table to grab the moment before it's gone. My mother-in-law often watches through the window and suggests when I might want to head outside. Even if it comes in the middle of dinner. She gets it.

So this pic isn't my favorite simply because it's aesthetically pleasing. It lingers in the happy pile because it illustrates that photography has become so much more than a mechanical process for me. It's a way of connecting with family, friends, and all of you. It starts conversations, gets everyone thinking, inspires them to take the picture and turn it into action. And even if they never touch a camera, the process touches them in some way. Neat.

The seemingly simple process of lifting a box of electronics to my face and pressing a button now goes way beyond the creation of two-dimensional images. It's become a critical part of my narrative - and I strongly suspect of yours, too. That's also neat. I think that thought, coupled with this picture, is a nice way to close out the year.

Your turn: May the coming year bring only goodness to you and your family, and may we all continue to drink in the amazing things this planet has to offer us. I've never been one to make resolutions on arbitrary days of the calendar, but I've got hopes and dreams for the future. What are yours?

Maple leaf's end


Fallen
London, ON, October 2010
About this photo: This is one of my favorite photos of the year. Do you have one lurking in your files, too? How's about two? Or more? Click here if you'd like to share.
It's always sad to see the brilliant colors of autumn give way to crunchy, far-from-perfect leaves underfoot. When the bare trees cast forlorn shadows over endless stretches of leaf-choked lawns, you kind of wish for the color to return.

But that circle of life moves in only one direction, so you've got to work with what you've got. And when this one, withered leaf blew across the hotel parking lot, I knew it made no sense to wait for something brighter or less pockmarked. We had come to this.

So I hung back from my wife and kids, pre-set the camera to manual and tried to guess the necessary settings with my fingers as I sat down cross-legged on the pavement and lined up the shot. Sure, my wife was mortified and the kids tried to disown me. But if I didn't end up with a Michelin tread pattern running diagonally up my back, I figured I stood a pretty decent chance of capturing something worth remembering.

As the year ticks down to its inevitable end, I find myself thinking about what we lose along the way, and whether we're doing enough to hold onto the resulting memories after they're gone.

Your turn:
What does this photo make you feel?

Part 16: Jezebel vs Sarah - Headship and Divine Order

As this series of posts is brought forth, there is a stirring and shaking of what must be stirred and shaken in us. In days to come, and, even today already as judgment has begun in the church, pretenders in the Lord's kingdom will be exposed. On the other hand, those who humble themselves will be exalted. Let's accept and help each other to accept the work that is to fall willingly on The Stone.

42) Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
43) Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
44) And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder

Matthew 21:42-44

At this point in the series the importance of modeling should be understood, recently noting the exalted reality of Christ and His Bride and how a man and woman are intended to correctly model this relationship in marriage. The scriptures make this plain, as read soberly in the Light of Day, so to speak. There is another closely related model for a man and woman that is based upon headship and glory.

Those of us in the Kingdom of the One who is the true Light of the world (John 8:12) may take a lesson from what is manifesting as the counterfeit, letting it speak to us about the importance of earthly representations. Satan's schemes leverage modeling using falsified forms to accomplish his goals and exploit the ignorant. He mimics what the true God does but only ever in forms bent and bending, and we ourselves have been bent by conforming to the bent models and rejecting the true!

The so-called Hermetic maxim, "As above, so below," is the common pagan and mystery tradition acknowledgement of a spiritual reality that is also presented in the scriptures. "As below, so above" is the corollary unspoken proposition of the Hermetic maxim, which means more directly that what we see and hear is more than a reflection and tangible witness of the intangible reality in another realm or realms. It means that what is in the natural influentially involves what is in the supernatural. You will know, if your eyes have been opened to such, that what is presented to the physical eye in logos and visual imagery, and what is presented to the physical ear in the ringing of bells, tonal combinations and rhythms and, yes, words spoken, truly has supernatural influence. Such things are inspired to be made and done to bring forth such influence! The saturation of our environment with Satan's mimicry testifies of the evil behind it as a source, yes, and this modeling of twisted forms in the natural powerfully influences the supernatural realm and its resident angelic agencies.

If you follow me so far, you understand that what model we follow in our life conforms us to one image or another, to Christ or antichrist, Bride or Mystery Babylon, mother of harlots, to Sarah or Jezebel. The model we choose through obedience or rebellion will mold us and influence others around us. What we do and don't do in obedience, and, what we do and don't do in disobedience is behavior that manifests in the natural yet impacts in the supernatural. The marriage relationship is one very important model that we walk out in the earthly in literal shoe leather that bears a powerful testimony in heaven. Another that is also based upon headship order is head covering. These two that relate particularly to headship are primary targets of Jezebel as she leads women and men in rebellion. Friends, the devil is not stupid. He doesn't make three dollar bills and he doesn't invest his efforts where he gets no return.

Consider this revelation of divine authority from the fifth chapter of Ephesians, where the great mystery about the Bride model is set forth.

22) Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23) For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

Ephesians 5:22-23

There, it's explaining why the women are to submit themselves to their own husbands. The divine order of authority is presented in the eleventh chapter of 1 Corinthians as a basis for this related model.

3) and I wish you to know that of every man the head is the Christ, and the head of a woman is the husband, and the head of Christ is God.
4) Every man praying or prophesying, having the head covered, doth dishonour his head,
5) and every woman praying or prophesying with the head uncovered, doth dishonour her own head, for it is one and the same thing with her being shaven,

1 Corinthians 11:3-5 (YLT)

Note that there are two kinds of heads. One is a superior bodily appendage that generally has hair, the other kind has the appointment of relative divine authority. The head that would be covered or not would be the kind of head with hair that may be covered with something akin to a hat. With that simple understanding, the action involved is not hard to understand. I've made a lengthy presentation on the subject already (Headcovering - a highly recommended read) so I won't be duplicating it here, but the point about this as a necessary model for the daughters of Sarah must be made.

Both models are important, submission within marriage and headcovering. These both involve men and women and the right model of headship. One is for married men and women, the other for men and women without regard to marital status. If you understand what I described as an "as below, so above" principle, you should have insight into the marriage model I've been presenting and also into the glory covering and uncovering action of the hat.

Most folk these days think such as hats, bonnets, scarves, burkahs, kippahs and tallis are as empty symbols that are devoid of power. They generally don't get that "symbols rule the world" (Confucius). They don't get that ignoring the second commandment has brought such a curse that they are easy prey when the mark of the Beast is introduced. They don't get that ignoring commands about things that appear to be of no consequence invites curses of demonic deception and possession. Most folk won't get it until too late. I pray that's not you.

Angels are specifically referenced in the passage about headcovering, yet most take no heed.

because of this the woman ought to have [a token of] authority upon the head, because of the messengers; [angels]
1 Corinthians 11:10 (YLT)

Let's make some simple observations. Our response to the Lord's commands is the basis for blessings and curses. The realm of the supernatural engages on our behalf or against us, depending upon our obedience. Jezebel is the spiritual dynamic of our culture, and that of most of the world. She is given particular authority because we most particularly in the church have adopted a "feminist" doctrine and practice that is parallel to antichrist. Husbands and wives who rebel against the Christ/Bride model and men and women who rebel against the head covering model reap unto themselves curses related to headship. These demonic curses counter the very authority of Christ as expressed through His appointed models in the earth.

If I declare that those who reject these models in favor of some variant have mutton on their breath, can any legitimate argument be made to the contrary? Does it offend you that I should even suggest such a thing? Am I your enemy because I tell you the truth? Folks, if you really want to know why Jezebel reigns and spirits of control and sexual perversity are so pervasive, here's your answer.

5) This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6) If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

1 John 1:5-7

Green Lantern revisited


This can't be good for my eyesight
London, ON, October 2010
[Please click here to share your own favorite photos of the year]

Remember this picture? Well, that wasn't the only green laser pic I grabbed that night. I'm not entirely certain why I kept coming back to the brilliant lights, but I tend to do that when I think I have even the most remote chance of capturing something unique. Call me rabid. I don't mind.

In the end, this night served up some neat results. The big one up top is one I can't quite explain - that texture between the two edges must have something to do with the smoke machine. Then again, there is no overriding rule that says every photo must come with a scientific explanation of how the optics came to be. Sometimes, it's simply enough to call it a pretty picture and leave it at that.

The squiggly-lined photo, on the other hand, is a little easier to understand. The light show included a green (no, I'm not sure why everything was green that night) laser that repeatedly swept the dance floor. This pic is the end result of my Hail Mary-ish attempt to capture it in some bizarro-artsy way. My technique was decidedly amateurish as I hadn't brought my tripod with me: I pointed the camera down, held my breath and stood as still as I possibly could while waiting out the long exposure. Yes, I got stares. No, I didn't pay much attention to my anti-fans.

I admit I get a lot of selfish joy from the process of taking edge-of-the-bell-curve pictures. When it's just me, my equipment and a story to tell, I enjoy the Zen-like feeling I get from immersing myself in the process. Nothing else matters, which is a nice way to keep the world at bay, even if it's only for a few minutes.

Your turn: Does photography relax you? How?

Dreaming of fermented grapes



I never knew Manischewitz offered such choice. I seriously need to get out more often.

Your turn: Which one should I choose? Why?

Canadian pride

Red maple
London, ON
November 2010
About this photo: This is another one of my favorite pictures of the year. Coincidentally, Thematic Photographic celebrates our faves of the year, too. So can you: Just go here.
It's easy for Canadians to become jaded by the maple tree. It is, after all, one of our country's core symbols, the kind of thing that instantly reminds us of who we are and why we love this country.

Well, if you're not a Quebec separatist, that is. But that's an issue for another day. For the rest of us, it's an ever-present icon of the everyday.

The maple tree serves up enough natural reminders that the patriotic among us have lots to play with when autumn turns the landscape into an endless Crayola box. I remember this shot well. It was breakfast-time and I had just dropped the kids off at school. The sun was delightfully low, and the backlit leaves almost begged to have their picture taken before they took their final, one-way trip down.

Since I'm not one to disagree with a leaf, I soon found myself reaching into my camera bag. How Canadian of me.

Your turn: Why are national symbols like maple leaves and stars and stripes so important to so many of us?

Part 15: Jezebel vs Sarah - The Refiner's Fire in our Midst

When it comes to perceiving Jezebel and her agents of control, many of us have begun to discern with eyes that see how the land is filled with just such a kind of people, and yes, it can be rather disconcerting. A season of recognition and heightening awareness is necessary for the work of deliverance and sanctification. What I've been engaging in so passionately about logos and symbols is a parallel work. Like as though scales have fallen from our eyes, many of us now see the world in ways that affirm and clarify to us what the Lord has been declaring in the scriptures all along!

The eye-opening revelation insight granted by the Lord informs us of our state of rebellion (even and especially our very OWN) and reveals how we have come under curses that involve blindness, powerful spells of deceit. What is perhaps most shocking is to finally get a glimpse of just how subtle is the working of Satan's wicked devices, just how vast a deception is wrought through an array of behaviors that seemed to us so incredibly trivial and inconsequential.

When I began to draw attention to such a matter as the wearing of braids early in this series, it appeared to some as utter foolishness. A willingness to overlook commands that seem small in our eyes has drawn us so far down a slippery slope that there's nearly no where to look but up! As it has oft been said, "the devil is in the details." This, my friend, is the reason why I am bringing such as this message forward, so you can consider the weightiness of each of the Lord's commands. There is nothing trivial being addressed. When you and I have stood before the Lord and received our due, will these words not ring true? I implore you to mind the little things.

22b) Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
23a) For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.

1 Samuel 15:22b-23a

A fire burns that refines pure gold, and has it not been kindled by the Lord himself? I have become as a servant employed to shovel coal in a late hour. Despite adversity and distraction, the truth must be proclaimed in this hour. Let your life testify of the passionate love of The Bridegroom with His Bride! Forsake the way of liars, of Jezebel and Mystery Babylon. This is the day for the daughters of Sarah to be brought forth as arrayed in her Husband's glory.

Let's focus our attention on practical matters, what some of the little things look like as the Lord constrains us to obedience in the marriage relationship. If you've been a lurker here so far, there's yet been no benefit to you. You cannot be a hearer only, you must be a doer.

Men, what the Lord asks of a husband and father in this day is a very difficult and awkward thing. To appear to rule your wife and children well seems to be acceptable in today's culture, but you have to know that seeking to actually rule well and truly honor the Lord will very likely thrust you into situations that will appear quite unacceptable before neighbors, friends and family, and perhaps a few official government agencies. It may feel like, as a family man, you're in a no-win situation. If you feel that way, that's a sign that you lack faith in God. Brother, when you obey God, you win. Let me encourage you to seek and find His help. If you're waiting for courage it's found along the way but seldom if ever before you start.

Men, if you think you're going to just let your wife (and children) usurp your authority without further consequence, you're not thinking right. If you think you're "keeping peace" by compromise, you are making a bad trade, trading what's extremely valuable for what's absolutely worthless. If you suppose letting women and children rule makes them happy and contented, you could not be further from the truth. Your failure to rule well brings a curse, and they share in it.

Wives, are you ever attentive to and availing yourself of opportunities to "share information" with your husband? If this "guiding light" is unsolicited, you have mutton on your breath, dear sister. No joke. This is not a matter of "worthiness of information." If your advice is not in response to an explicit request from your husband inviting you to offer counsel, you have been deceived into leading and taking authority over your husband. Should your husband foolishly extend something akin to an open invitation for you to proffer counsel, you should recognize that he has been deceived into giving away what is not his to give. Bite your tongue. Hold your peace. If he commands you to give counsel on a specific matter, you must do so, trusting in the Lord. Otherwise, restrain yourself, no matter how intensely you feel the need to share information. The scriptural basis for this has yet to be addressed in the blog, but, Lord willing, that day is coming soon. Many of you will say amen by the spirit of holiness.

Imagine going to a marriage counselor and being told this. Right. If you happen to know any, you might want to give them the courtesy of a gentle challenge to reconsider their standards.

A woman is to be subject to her husband in the same way as a servant/slave is to their master/owner, and, indeed, as to Christ. Woman, be a valuable servant, the most valuable servant your husband could have. Don't be an empty headed "stand around wait until you're told what to do" kind of servant. Bowing your head like you're ashamed of your role or of your master and shuffling along behind is no glory. Hold your head up as one who truly is given an honorable estate, and give your husband the honor due him. Watch your husband closely and trust God to show you how to serve with your whole body and soul as a most valuable and trusted servant, fully invested. If you earn his trust, he will exalt you and richly reward you, yet not so as to become equal "in the throne." Servitude has been denigrated.

Men, help, encourage and let your wife become such a servant, valuable, trustworthy and worthy of being exalted in her estate. Trust God to reveal her need to you, and give yourself fully to her in that regard without reserve. This is how Christ loves the church, is it not?

In closing, beware of The Silent Treatment and withholding sex, as these are common means of abusing a spouse. Let there be forgiveness, and, in that, what action or response to whatever offense may have occurred may be brought forth in love.

31) Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:31-32

Still hitting the bottle


Bright spirits
Laval, QC, November 2010
About this photo: This is one of my favorite photos of the year. Head here to share yours as part of Thematic Photographic's year-end extravaganza.
I wrote about this blue bottle of booze the other day. This is my other favorite bottle from that collection. It's too pretty to open up, too pretty to drink, too pretty do do much more than stick it in a sunlit spot and drink in the reflected light.

Does it make sense that I keep shooting hooch in bright sunshine? Probably not. But as I wiped the dust and fingerprints off the bottle and prepared it for its mini photo session on my mother's dining room table, I wasn't overly concerned about whether it made sense or not. Like the now-famous-to-me blue bottle, this one was also a silent basement sentinel while I was growing up. It sat on a shelf, nearly forgotten, ever since I could remember.

Indeed, that was the neat thing about all of my father's bottles: I don't remember him bringing any of them home. From my perspective, they were always there, fixtures that simply never changed. Which was a good thing for a kid like me who had always craved stability. Knowing that something had always been and would always be was something I held onto. In my naive, child's mind, stores didn't go bankrupt, couples didn't divorce, boo-boos always healed and nobody died.

We all know how the world really works, of course. Indeed, I was here in the first place on this brilliantly sunny afternoon because everything had changed. And those childhood assumptions no longer applied. But watching the brightly reflected color on the table, I felt that at least one touchstone from long ago was still very much the same. Only better, because it was no longer dusty, no longer sitting on a basement shelf.

Your turn: Do you have a memory of childhood that brings you comfort today?

Part 14: Jezebel vs Sarah - The Degree of Submission

I don't expect to be dwelling long before moving beyond the topic of submission within marriage. I may return to the subject, I cannot say, but it's necessary to shortly address other gender role issues relating to Jezebel vs Sarah and the curses and blessings that impact our lives so dramatically in these last days.

I'm not dealing here with hypothetical situations or the so-called marriages (of convenience and mutual exploitation) between unbelievers, whatever profession may be made of faith. Those who truly aspire to be found pleasing to Him do submit, and He will have a Bride whether or not you or I personally rise up to become worthy. If you personally still struggle with matters of braids, gold, pearls and apparel, and struggle with submission as it has been presented even after reading this post, this series may not be for you. I have encouraged folks to be patient with this work, and will ask you, once again, to please be patient with this as it unfolds here and in your life.

In walking out the practical matter of submission in a marriage, I'd like to be very clear about the degree to which the wife is to be in subjection so there is no confusion.

Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Ephesians 5:24

To embellish upon the simplicity of that declaration is to change it. I field arguments to the effect that "every thing" really means "most things." I reject them. You see, the example provided for the wife to follow doesn't allow for the exercise of "better judgment." Granted, the reality of life presents difficult challenges. Please consider how that if one permits oneself to go down the road of rationalizing what extreme conditions might justify a woman's disobedience to her husband, one has departed from the model given. Such a departure takes one off the Rock and places one on the proverbial slippery slope down which a continual series of slides is the prevailing scenario.

I believe those who struggle against this matter of full submission don't yet grasp the magnitude of the importance of correctly modeling the Bride of Christ. Neither do they grasp the value of the experience gained and lessons learned and relationships developed in becoming willing to walk it out, then walking it out. If your faith does not permit acceptance of such a radical consideration as "subject in every thing," you are in the vast majority, if there's any comfort in that. There are many churches and forums and Web sites and blogs where you'll be quite comfortable. Yet, the Bride model stands for those who accept the Bridegroom's radical invitation.

From 1 Peter 3 the direction is given that wives should be as Sarah, who trusted God, being in subjection to her own husband, and who even called him, lord. A comparison is made to illustrate the wife/husband relationship through the example of the servant/master model. That comparison is given a little more attention here for the sake of clarity. The servant/master is not as employee/boss but rather slave/owner. It's also important to note how the wife/husband and servant/master models are different from the citizen/ruler model. The "In like manner" of 1 Peter 3:1 refers in context to 2:18 but not further back to 1 Peter 2:13-14. The wife/husband model matches the servant/master model but, far less so, the citizen/ruler model.

Servants in our culture ARE employees but servants in the New Testament context were typically slaves or bond-servants. Such were therefore not free to quit or act independently of their master's will. Please consider:

1. Onesimus, a servant/slave - from Philemon 1 - Greek word "oiketes" (Strong's G3610)

2. In 1 Peter 2, Peter does not suggest any distinction between servants as slaves or non-slaves, which implicates the cultural norm of servants as slaves and their masters as owners.

"Jesus is recorded as mentioning slaves in one of his parables. It is important to realize that the term "servant" or "maid" in the King James Version of the Bible refers to slaves, not employees like a butler, cook, or maid. Here, a slave which did not follow his owner's will would be beaten with many lashes of a whip. A slave who was unaware of his owner's will, but who did not behave properly, would also be beaten, but with fewer stripes." (Slavery in the Bible)

A wife compares to a slave as owned by her master/husband rather than as an employee. She is not free to quit. Divorce is permissible (with respect to the scriptural constraints), but such a case biblically does not equate to an employee quitting a boss.

The typical marriage vow had long been for a woman to obey her husband until "death do them part," in good times and bad. Such is not the employee/boss model of our culture. Neither is this, of course, the model of citizen/ruler. In our culture, the biblical wife/husband relationship more closely matches that of soldier/commander in the armed forces. It's not an exact model, but soldiers do, for a contract season, vow to obey those in an appointed chain of command even unto death, and they are required to do so under the most severe of conditions. That is, "required" as in "required," not as in "requested as an option." This is not meant to suggest that a wife's insubordination is cause for the equivalent of a season in the brig, courtmartial or summary execution, or that a husband's behavior should resemble that of an abusive drill sergeant, yet, it should be noted that this familiar model is a far better model of the biblical wife/husband relationship than that of employee/boss.

Peter was given to write what he did in 1 Peter 3:5 to present a manner of adornment that is not merely due to wives being in subjection to their own husbands but, as such subjection is in the context of trusting in God. Then, what is given as the example makes sense.

18) Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
19) For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
20) For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
21) For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

1 Peter 2:18-21

It's important for slaves and wives to obey, yet with the reason why fully in mind. While some accuse the Lord of being an evil, unjust and sadistic taskmaster, those who really know Him understand He has something awesomely wonderful in store for those rare and precious few who trust Him, confident in His unfailing love.

If one doesn't trust in God, the temptation to compromise in subjection will be irresistible. Temptation will come when trying to walk this out in practice because the Lord is so kind as to allow us to be challenged and thereby discover our character, proving our love. When you start down that road of compromise where conditions that might justify rebellion are explored, having already taken to yourself the responsibility of knowing "where to draw the line," you are going to walk in darkness as you strive to figure out where that line should be drawn. I'm convinced that all arguments to the contrary are most simply counter to the plain declaration of scripture.

Saul went down that road of compromise and justification by habit. I have briefly presented the Jezebel/Mystery Babylon model as contrasted with the Sarah/Bride of Christ model. Consider a parable from the Older Testament about the church as Babylon typified in Saul, from which a relevant lesson on a very personal level may be ascertained.

18) And the LORD sent thee [Saul] on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.
19) Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?
20) And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.
21) But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.
22) And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
23) For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
24) And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.
25) Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD.
26) And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.
27) And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent.
28) And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.

1 Samuel 15:18-28

Consider, too, the model of Vashti and Esther. Read the book of Esther, comparing how these women honored their husband/king. Let it speak to you about wives drawing lines, setting the limits of subjection. Let it speak to you about consequence and reward.

The Lord is no fool. He commands but knows few will submit willingly. Lord, help us be willing to submit, and help us submit, rendering to you what is your due, because you alone are worthy.

Camelmania



We all have our favorite animal species. Mine? Depends on the day. Or my mood at any given moment. Or the current contents of my uber-cool Windows Phone 7-powered smartphone. Whichever way I'm leaning on any given day, I guess I've got a soft spot for anything that isn't human. Maybe I've got animal DNA mixed in with mine.

Wherever it comes from, it means I find scenes like this to be strangely amusing. And I don't necessarily need to know the full backstory to appreciate the moment.

Your turn: What should this little guy's name be?

Dognap


A sleeping dog lies
London, ON, September 2010
About this photo: This is one of my favorite photos of the year. Coincidentally, that's what Thematic is celebrating, too. Go here to share a fave of your own.
I don't write about our dog, Frasier, as often as I perhaps should. I don't mean to ignore him on the blog. Indeed, he's anything but ignored in the day-to-day life of our house. He's the centre of the kids' world, the object of their constant attention, and their absolute favorite reason for getting up, for coming home or just being themselves on the living room floor.

He's our fixture, our loyal buddy, the sweet-looking being who follows us around the house and never lets us forget how much we need him. I don't have a whole lot to add to this picture because this is him: Rested and content. I wish I could grab a little bit of his spirit for myself.

Your turn: The appeal of a pet dog. Please discuss.

Generation next

You discover many things when you put a camera into the hands of a child. First, you realize cameras are very, very breakable. Which, depending on how much you spent on it and how badly you want to upgrade can be either a good or a bad thing.

But once you get over the whole fragility issue, you realize the advantages far outweigh the risks. They see things we'd miss. They're not encumbered by expectations of what is and is not considered normal. They're inherently more curious than we are, and see the camera as a means of exploring their world.

In many cases, they may not fully understand what they're shooting. But they know it looks neat, so they take the shot, anyway. We hear the "I liked it, so I took it" explanation quite often in our house, and we smile every time, because we don't ever want to crush their growing sense of wonder. Adulthood already does it to so many of us. It beats that childlike curiosity into submission and turns too many folks into scowling, darkened shadows of their former selves.

I'm just naive enough to believe that shoving a camera into my kids' hands and telling them to wander the neighborhood is one way to keep them thinking like kids for a little while longer. It's a lesson I may want to adopt for myself as well.

Your turn: How do you keep curiosity alive in you?

Here at the Palasad


Well waxed
London, ON, July 2010
About this photo: We're sharing our favorite photos of the year, thanks to an extended Thematic Photographic theme. You can, too, by simply clicking here.
First off, if you're celebrating Christmas, I hope the day has dawned merry and happy for you and your family. I hope the spirit of this holiday lasts well into 2011, and that you always look back at this day with a smile.

Second, I've posted this particular picture because the colors sorta reflect the day, and I've loved the warmth of this scene since I first shot it last summer.

It was our youngest son's birthday party, and he had decided to hold it at the Palasad. Our kids love this place, a restaurant/bar/bowling alley/pool hall/party place. Remarkably, it serves its multiple audiences without any overlap. Happy hour takes place right alongside a bunch of 10-year-olds shnarfing birthday cake in between frames. If you ever watched 'Ed', the comfy vibe of this place might seem vaguely familiar.

As the kids did their thing, I wandered around the periphery and looked for opportunities in the dimly lit corners. I didn't have to try too hard to find inspiration. I could probably spend days here finding similar moments (wait, maybe I have.)

Your turn: If the folks who've walked this floor for so many years could talk, what would they be saying?

Can Santa fly?

Six years ago today, I posted a funny little missive outlining the physics of Santa Claus. It used some basic principles of science to debunk the myth of the fat old guy who flies behind reindeer and scoots down your chimney.

It was as funny as heck then, and it's just as funny now. Since I haven't found anything funnier in the ensuing years, I hope you'll pop back in time and get a good laugh out of it.

Just click here.

Your turn: Department store Santas. Yay or nay? Why/why not?

Part 7 - See, it's the "i" of Horus! The Crucial oracle reveals how to gain gnosis

Some may see the computer memory merchant Crucial's comet logo as suggesting that their computer will be fast, like a streaking comet, but there's really far more involved on a deeper level. The Crucial brand is marketing gnosis as attained through the seeing Eye of Horus. Their logo presents Eye of Horus imagery by connecting the "i" to the "c," dotting it with what looks like a comet. It's the c-ing "i"!

The white comet against the blue pictures one of many kinds of celestial bodies in the heavens. Stars and other celestial lights represent angels, and given the second commandment prohibition against graven images, the logo's comet represents a fallen angel. As dotting the "i" of Horus, the fallen angel signified is that very ancient god. The c-ing "i" or seeing eye is the connection to that realm, and, indeed, to Horus himself as an identity of the coming Antichrist Beast. That statement is true on more than one level, with an application pertaining to the symbol itself, to the pineal gland, and, further, to the coming mark of the Beast.

According to popular testimony, it's the awakening or activation of the Eye of Horus that brings illumination and gnosis. Crucial's ad slogan attests to the seeing eye gnosis: "Crucial knows notebook memory."

Consider the icon that appears in your browser tab when you visit Crucial's Web site. It's an eye made with a white "c" inside a blue circle. Meaning? C/See with your illuminated eye the divine heavenly light!

These enlightened folks present themselves as something of an oracle on their home page by making a gimmick out of a pretty common kind of lookup feature. Let's pay attention as the oracle coaches us on how to acquire gnosis. "The Crucial Memory Advisor™ tool is a quick, 3-step process to find guaranteed-compatible memory for computers and motherboards." We are instructed by the c-ing "i" oracle that gnosis is acquired by means of the number three, highlighting the expression "3-step process" in bold to call out an allusion to the third eye and three strand DNA!


Still inside the same graphical space on their home page and underneath a dotted line, another hint is provided to make sure we get it. It's another tool. "Crucial System Scanner tool Or, you can scan your computer to find out what is already inside your system and get recommended upgrades." We are instructed by the c-ing "i" oracle that gnosis may involve scanning "to find out what is already inside your system." They highlight the phrase "what is already inside" in bold. What is already inside? What kind of scanning might be involved?

To respond confidently to those questions, let's take one more clue into consideration. The word "crucial" means, "involving a big decision; of the greatest importance, involving a final or supremely important decision or event." The word is derived from the French, which is from the Latin "crux", or "cross." If you've been following this series, you should realize this feature compares with the letter "t" cross in the Citi logo and the letter "X" cross in Xfinity, two Eye of Horus brands that make similar references to illumination and gnosis. Crucial, as "involving a final or supremely important decision" points to one that everyone will have to make in the not too distant future concerning the mark of the Beast!

When the mark of the Beast is offered, the deal will be almost irresistible. The options will eventually reduce down to two clear choices. Cross 1: The cross of Christ, the son of the one true God. In the season of decision deception will be great but the correct choice will look like accepting the impending threat of death. Cross 2: The cross of antichrist that is the cross-species/kind union of the sons of god with the daughters of men. It's the promise of extending this life that ensures another death.

23) And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
24) Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
25) He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
26) If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

John 12:23-26

The branding elements together with the company identity as "Crucial" also pictures what is known by some as the crossroad. Bob Dylan testified that he went to the crossroad like Robert Johnson had before him. The crossroad is where a bargain is made with the devil, offering your soul in trade. Such a trade is legitimate and binding. The loss of one's soul is no joke. The promise of fame, fortune, influence, the fountain of youth, illumination or gnosis tempts people to make a bad deal. When the time arrives when the mark of the Beast is offered, the most attractive benefit will be the mere persistence of this life of the flesh.

The questions about what is already inside and what kind of scanning might be involved find answers in the context of DNA and the activation of the Eye of Horus and the mark of the Beast. Isn't there a lot of probing and scanning being undertaken to find out what's already inside? That's what 23AndMe and such as deCODE Genetics are doing as they probe your very genes! Also, aren't implanted RFID microchips scanned as a data connection interface to see what's inside the tagged biological entity's system? Search such keywords as barcode DNA project or scanning DNA. If you really want to get carried away with this search eye third horus activation and DNA activation. The implications of Crucial's subtle imagery should become overwhelmingly obvious. The issues here seem to resolve to two, identification and transformation.

Crucial's slogan presents them as the memory experts. When you're aware of the professed memory experts' implicit link to DNA transformation you can confidently connect the dots to the Memory Tower featured during the closing ceremonies of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. The reason that tower was cryptically called a memory tower and designed to model DNA transformation and man's ascension to godhood is because DNA persists the form and nature of its ancestors, "remembering" its ancestors. The mark of the Beast scheme is to rewrite the DNA memory, blotting out the Creator by means of installing a substitute! Crucial signals that they are complicit, and, by their signaling are advancing the scheme through subliminal and supernatural influence.

What was exalted in Beijing will be repeated on an even greater scale in London at the Olympic Park, when the 115 meter high tower named the ArcelorMittal Orbit is finished in advance of the 2012 Olympics!





What the Lord continues to expose is a plan laid out from long ago. The parade of witnesses testifying to how the plan is playing out is very entertaining, in a way, yet the testimony is chilling. The season prophesied from ancient times is unfolding before us and the conclusion is inescapable. The time for judgment has come like a springing trap. Thank you, Lord, for preparing us in advance of these things that have come and are coming in the earth. Thank you for the eyes of our understanding being enlightened, with Truth for salvation.

Morning rituals


Comfort
London, ON, October 2010
About this photo: We're sharing our favorite photos of the year as part of a very special Thematic. Please click here to participate.
To some, it's just a mug of coffee. To me, it's coffee that my wife made. Which makes it uniquely special, because to me, at least, it's far more than percolated beans with a bit of milk and sugar.

It's a little thing that connects us, a moment between sleep-time and our pedal-to-the-metal day that reminds us why our family matters as much as it does. Because before we had kids, before we needed to shuttle them around town, before we tended to their every need before we tended to our own, we sat together over mugs of coffee or tea at our quiet kitchen table.

Even if not a word was said, the conversation was always glorious. Still is.

Your turn: What's your morning ritual? Why does it matter to you?

Alcoholic blues

Would you drink this?
Laval, QC
November 2010
About these photos: We're sharing our favorite photos of the year for the next little while, and this photo is one of my faves. Please click here to share your own.
I grew up with this bottle. It sat on a shelf in the basement of the home where I grew up, slowly gathering a thickening layer of dust over the years. My dad collected all sorts of exotic bottles of liquor. Didn't drink them: Just added them to the collection after picking them up on his travels or receiving them as gifts.

This bottle, in particular, always fascinated me. How couldn't it? It was - and apparently still is - a particular shade of blue that almost seemed to be its own light source. While I played in the dimly lit basement, I'd occasionally glance over at the dusty bottle, wondering how neat it was that someone, somewhere, decided to make something that looked so lovely.

I couldn't imagine that anyone would ever want to drink it, though. Staring at it and appreciating it for its pure aesthetics seemed enough for me.

Fast forward a whole lot of years and I found myself in at my mom's early last month going through some of my dad's things with her. She's been slowly winnowing things down, and on this visit, she made her way to the liquor collection. I helped her distribute what she could to friends - yes, I filled the hatch of my car with booze and, yes, I've included the picture here, too - and ended up bringing a few representative and well-packed bottles back to London with me.

Not because I'll ever drink them, but because they were a part of my childhood and it brought me a certain degree of comfort to know I had held onto these things that had brought my father a certain degree of comfort, too.

That I was able to set up a quick photo shoot on my mother's dining room table and end up with a wicked cool shot that instantly takes me back to my childhood was, and is, a welcome and unexpected bonus. Life and loss still suck, but I'm learning to find snippets of brightness amid the murk.

Your turn: Do you remember a seemingly ordinary object from your childhood?

Bust the glass ceiling


Sunroof
Toronto, ON, July 2010
About this photo: What's your favorite photo of the year? Click here to share yours. We'll be doing this through New Year's and beyond.
The average modern-era shopping mall was built for one primary purpose: To separate you from your hard-earned cash. I'm under no illusions when I walk through the doors of one of these retail temples that every architectural element is there to support that one, bottom-line ideal. No matter how pretty it may seem, there's a profit motive lurking in the shadows.

As cynical as I seem to have become, I still rather enjoy the occasional road trip to a mall. There's a certain energy to these places, a buzz that can be , if not outright infectious, at least a welcome diversion from an otherwise yawn-inducing Sunday afternoon.

On this particular Sunday afternoon, I had come to Yorkdale Mall in Toronto with my brother-in-law. We were Applenauts in search of the Apple Store - he needed a dongle for his iPad, while I needed to simply drink in the atmosphere of the place. Before we even got to the mythical home of Steve Jobs, the atmosphere was already perking our mood. The mall's undergone some serious expansion and renovation in recent years, and the showpiece is a glass-covered walkway along the eastern edge.

On a sunny day, it's little short of spectacular, and it's what attracted me to it in the first place. The resulting curved-geometric shot is one of my favorites from 2010 because it's starkly simple and bright - just the thing to look at on a dark, Canadian-winter afternoon.

I doubt I'll ever fully discard my cynicism, but there's nothing wrong with spending some time in a place that looks like this, feels alive and provides just the kind of backdrop for an adventure with someone who gets it.

Your turn: What's the appeal of glass?

Part 6 - See, it's the "i" of Horus! "Citi never sleeps" - after the third eye is awakened!

Continuing the survey of Eye of Horus imagery, Citi witnesses to the seeing eye enlightenment of the mark of the Beast through their corporate branding and marketing.

The Citibank branding as simply, Citi, is very cleverly concealing and revealing the third eye and dimensional portal, associating it with the union of the sons of god with the daughters of men! It's Horus and Shiva "Trilochana" (three eyed).

Two eyes are presented by calling out two "i"s with dots replaced by a spanning red arch. That arch extends to the "c" to form the third eye, the c-ing eye!

Because the brand's slogan is "Citi never sleeps," the red arch appears as the Sun either rising or setting over the "citi." The Sun is a messianic Bridegroom symbol (Psalm 19). Given that such a representation is prohibited by the second commandment (Exodus 20 - graven images), this instance is a cursed symbol of the antichrist bridegroom aka Apollo and Horus.

Together with the red arch, the verticals of the "i"s are the pillars that present an arched gateway (Masonic Royal Arch), comparing to how the letter "n" is used in the Xfinity logo (see Part 5 in this series). Passing through that dimensional gateway is the way to acquire the third eye enlightenment.

At that portal we find a "t" that is a cross. The sacrifice at this cross is not that which the Bible declares pertains to your salvation and mine, involving the son of the one true God. Citi's "t" represents the union of the sons of god (vertical) with the daughters of men (horizontal), the sacrifice of one's soul that will be counter to salvation at the implementation of the mark of the Beast! Acquiring enlightenment by way of the third eye comes but by taking the wrong path to the wrong door.

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 14:6

On the Citibank North America site, the slogan appears next to the logo: "Citi never sleeps." The eye of Horus activation is also called an awakening. The third eye is identified with the pineal gland, which acts as an interface and dimensional gateway. This gland also produces the hormone called melatonin, known to regulate sleep and waking cycles. The slogan "Citi never sleeps" is signaling us about the pineal gland, the awakened hidden eye, the all-seeing eye that never blinks!


So, with enlightenment comes gnosis, right? What will we know? "I never know where each day will take me," we're told in the primary marketing space on their home page. "But I do know that there's a card that can keep up." One interpretation is that there's a card that can keep up with you, wherever the day might take you. However, in the context of the awakened third eye gnosis, the implication is that there's a card that can keep you up. Citi never sleeps, remember? Unfailing gnosis, the unblinking third eye, awake. Supporting this is the picture of the divers from underneath. We see they are up, towards the light, illuminated. They play on feelings of insecurity, enticing us, drawing us towards the false light. At the far right of the space is the prompt, "Learn more*" - meaning, "Get enlightened."

The little "Registered Trademark" symbol is itself an Eye of Horus, appearing next to the arch like the proverbial pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

It's all so subtle. That's why it's so effective. It's one subtle layer on another, over and over again!

What is it about Citi, or "city" that we should know? The first occurence of the word "city" in the Bible is found in Genesis chapter 4.

16) And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
17) And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.

Genesis 4:16-17

The first murderer was marked by God, and not long afterward, this first man sired by the serpent had offspring to continue the line. He is acclaimed for having built the first city.

Given their signaling logo and Citibank's business as bankers facilitating merchants with their Citi brand, they would do well to note the following about a city.

9) And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
10) Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
11) And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:

Revelation 18:9-11

That's a major 9-11, Revelation 18:9-11!

Annals of parenthood: Eclipse edition

Waking up your kids at 4:30 a.m.: Free.
Watching the lunar eclipse with them before shuffling them back to bed: Priceless.

So I'm apparently a bad dad because I woke the munchkins up in the middle of the night so they could see the lunar eclipse. Make that two of our kids, as our daughter quite clearly did not want to be moved. But the boys trundled out front and saw the spectacle with me.

The wakeup call cut into their sleep and made for some additional grumpiness around the breakfast table. But I think they're glad they made the short trip with me. Somehow, I hope they remember that life's made up of the small moments that you strive to hold onto. Because simply letting them slip by unnoticed seems like a wasted opportunity.

Your turn: Holding onto the small moments. Please discuss.

The fringes of our lives


Hanging around
London, ON, September 2010
[Please click here for more Thematic favorite photos of the year]

Visitors to a synagogue may notice the prayer shawls, known as tallit, that most folks wear here. I've had my own since I was a kid, and the one I now wear my wife bought for me when we got married. There's a huge amount of tradition wrapped up in these otherwise unassuming fabric creations.

My favorite memory? When I was a munchkin attending services with my dad, I'd stand beside him, too short to see over the crowds. It was very claustrophobic down there, and also kinda of boring for a little guy. No Nintendo DS to pass the time.

So I played with the fringes on my father's tallit. I'd wind them between my fingers, playing quietly with them to keep from bothering him. He never told me to stop, and every once in a while he'd look down and smile, so I'm sure he liked it. Our daughter is now 13, and earlier this year she received tallit of her own to mark her Bat Mitzvah. As much of a young lady as she's become, we both still have recent memories of her playing with my fringes to pass the time, occasionally looking up at me to make sure it was still OK. And I'd smile back at her to let her know it absolutely was.

After all, if it connects our generations together, it must be a good thing.

Your turn: What does "from generation to generation" mean to you?
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