I will be turning 65 this Christmas, can you believe it....(smile)
My sentiments about this big event, a friend shared them with me and I agree a 100%.
I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.
I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.
Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 & 70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love..... I will.
I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the younger jet set. They, too, will get old.
I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.
Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when some ones beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.
I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face.
So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.
As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think.. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.
So, to answer ther question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it).
Young at heart, blessed so much more then I deserve,
Monika
Mosaic Art by Myeuropeantouch
http://www.etsy.com/shop/myeuropeantouch?ref=si_shop
Monday, October 24, 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
The Chrismon's Tree and it's History
THE CHRISMON TREE
Many of you had asked about the Chrismon’s, so here is the History and some pictures.
An evergreen tree, which symbolizes the eternal life, which our savior has won for us, forms the background for tiny white lights. The lights speak of Him who is the light of the world, and the White and Gold (no other colors are used) Chrismon ornaments are an abbreviation of CHRISMON = CHRIST+MONOgram proclaim the name, the life, and the saving acts of Jesus the Christ. Some Chrismon designs are simple Copies of symbols of Christianity .The symbols used are interdenominational and the heritage of all Christians.
A chrismon is a christian symbol and intended to represent aspects of Jesus Christ the Person, his life or ministry, of Jesus Christ and the life, ministry or history of the Church through a single image, emblem or monogram. The term "chrismon" comes from the Latin phrase "Christi Monogramma", meaning "monogram of Christ". By definition, the literal monogram of Christ, which is the Greek letters Χ ("chi") superimposed upon Ρ ("rho"), is the more commonly named Chi Rho or labarum, which is actually the name of an imperial standard, where the chi rho was employed.
Chrismons can be found in all sizes, any sort of construction, and are used in numerous applications. Often, the Ρ is formed to look like a shepherd's crook and the Χ like a cross, symbolizing Jesus Christ as Good Shepherd of his flock, the Church.
Perhaps most commonly, Chrismons are used to adorn liturgical devices and Christmas Trees during Advent and Christmas, where they are made from various materials ranging from needlepoint to beading and more. They can also be found as decorations in and outside of Christian church buildings and homes, and even found on gravestones and personal stationary. A Chrismon is always handmade and should never be sold or commercially made. Many of these symbols have histories dating back to the earliest times of the Church. ("Monogram of Christ") and were used to communicate when Christian’s were persecuted during Roman times.
I headed up a group and taught how to cross stitch and bead these Chrismon Ornaments using all Christian Symbols in January of this year. We made 168 Chrismon Ornaments all beaded and cross stitched.
The designs (Christian Symbols) were hand drawn by me on white felt for the beaded ornaments, we used white and gold beads. The cross stitched ones were done with gold and pearly white small ribbons which cross stitch a lot better then floss on the #14 Aida, it does not fray as much. Every Ornament is framed with gimp or cording to look like a beautiful picture when finished up.
Every single one of these Chrismon's are handmade, every tiny pearl is stitched, every tiny cross stitch made by hand with our ribbons. I must say this group of lady's I met every Wednesday afternoon is just awe inspiring. Our Chrismon Tree this year in our church will be looking breathtakingly beautiful and so, so meaningful.
Blessings to you all
Monika
Mosaic Art by Myeuropeantouch
http://www.etsy.com/shop/myeuropeantouch?ref=si_shop
Many of you had asked about the Chrismon’s, so here is the History and some pictures.
A chrismon is a christian symbol and intended to represent aspects of Jesus Christ the Person, his life or ministry, of Jesus Christ and the life, ministry or history of the Church through a single image, emblem or monogram. The term "chrismon" comes from the Latin phrase "Christi Monogramma", meaning "monogram of Christ". By definition, the literal monogram of Christ, which is the Greek letters Χ ("chi") superimposed upon Ρ ("rho"), is the more commonly named Chi Rho or labarum, which is actually the name of an imperial standard, where the chi rho was employed.
Chrismons can be found in all sizes, any sort of construction, and are used in numerous applications. Often, the Ρ is formed to look like a shepherd's crook and the Χ like a cross, symbolizing Jesus Christ as Good Shepherd of his flock, the Church.
Perhaps most commonly, Chrismons are used to adorn liturgical devices and Christmas Trees during Advent and Christmas, where they are made from various materials ranging from needlepoint to beading and more. They can also be found as decorations in and outside of Christian church buildings and homes, and even found on gravestones and personal stationary. A Chrismon is always handmade and should never be sold or commercially made. Many of these symbols have histories dating back to the earliest times of the Church. ("Monogram of Christ") and were used to communicate when Christian’s were persecuted during Roman times.
The designs (Christian Symbols) were hand drawn by me on white felt for the beaded ornaments, we used white and gold beads. The cross stitched ones were done with gold and pearly white small ribbons which cross stitch a lot better then floss on the #14 Aida, it does not fray as much. Every Ornament is framed with gimp or cording to look like a beautiful picture when finished up.
Every single one of these Chrismon's are handmade, every tiny pearl is stitched, every tiny cross stitch made by hand with our ribbons. I must say this group of lady's I met every Wednesday afternoon is just awe inspiring. Our Chrismon Tree this year in our church will be looking breathtakingly beautiful and so, so meaningful.
Blessings to you all
Monika
Mosaic Art by Myeuropeantouch
http://www.etsy.com/shop/myeuropeantouch?ref=si_shop
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
What Image is in your Pocket?
Matthew 22:15-22
15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said.
16 So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality.
17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?"
18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites?
19 Show me the coin used for the tax." And they brought him a denarius.
20 Then he said to them, "Whose head is this, and whose title?"
21 They answered, "The emperor's." Then he said to them, "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's."
22 When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away. (NRSV)
What Image is in Your Pocket?
A few years ago there was a popular commercial for a credit card company, touting all the advantages of carrying that particular card and how it would serve you well even under the direst of circumstances. The tag line always was, "What card is in YOUR pocket?"
This Gospel text reminded me of that commercial's tagline, as Jesus responds to the trick question of his adversaries with a question of his own. Should one pay the tax to the (oppressive, foreign, occupying army supported, power-greedy, monopolistic and dictatorial) government of Caesar, or not; and Jesus asks for a coin and questions whose image that coin contains. In other words, what card (i.e. Image) is in their pocket? Well, the image of that same Caesar, as it so happens. If the money carries the image of Caesar, than the money falls under Caesar's domain. So give him what is his; but then give God what belongs to God.
And just what is that? What belongs to God?
You do. I do. Jesus' words send us back to the first chapter of Genesis, where as the final act of creation God decides to make a human in God's own image, after his likeness. As the verses say, "And so God created man in His own image; in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them." And regardless of sin's entrance into this world that God made, regardless of the fall and the sad state of human relationship both with God our creator and with one another, we humans still bear that image, enough to be claimed by God as His own.
The problem is, we forget that. We forget whose image is traced on our make-up, on our relationship with other human beings, both male and female, on our relationship with this whole creation, an one our hopes and dreams and disappointments and innate worth. We are claimed by the one Maker whose image can still be discerned on our faces, and in our lives. Even if we cannot see it, cannot believe it, cannot find it, God knows it and that is what carries ultimate worth and value.
We get it mixed up and backwards. We place the greater value, the greater worth, on those shiny coins (and also, now, bills) that we carry in our pockets. They are what matters in this world of ours. Do we have to pay them to anyone else? No one likes taxes! Do we have to give them away to others: the needy, the desperate cause, the offering plate that gets passed around the pews from one Sunday to another? Even without the images, the heads of the current ruler who claims possession not only of our coins but of our present state, our future hopes and dreams, and our very being, we are caught in a tug-of-war over what or who has the authority, the right, to claim ownership of us and that which seems to be of ultimate worth and value in our lives.
But Jesus sees otherwise. It is not the coins, the money, the financial items that are of ultimate worth. Let Caesar have that! What God claims is what is really valuable in this world. And what God claims cannot be bought and sold in the marketplace, cannot be "trafficked" to the highest bidder.
What God claims is that which bears his image, which he created and knows as his own. Even the worst that sin can do, even the worst which we can do to ourselves and to one another, cannot totally erase that image which we bear, the image of the God who knows us and loves us. God will not allow his image to be traded off for some trinket of lesser value. Give your money to Caesar, and be done with it! But know that you, your life and your being, belong not to Caesar, not to any of the competing dictators who wish to use and then discard us. Instead, we belong to God. Our lives are his, and God will have what is his own at the end of the day.
Even if it costs God His own son's life in the process of claiming us.
This was no game of semantics for Jesus. The stakes were high, and the cost would be great. A life for a life, you see. What was made in God's image must be returned to him, no matter what, and not allowed to remain lost or unclaimed. And if it would take going to the cross, and exchanging the righteous image of God's only Son for the tarnished, battered, defiled image of a sin-tainted human creature, then so be it. The price would be paid.
So, whose image is in your pocket? Whose image do you bear on your face, on your life and on your spirit? The cross of Jesus has been traced on you, and marks you for the God who gave himself for you. When will you learn what that means for your life here, and for the future that has been assured for you, a future with a promise and a hope?
Just Food for Thought....
Mosaic Art by Myeuropeantouch
http://www.etsy.com/shop/myeuropeantouch?ref=si_shop
15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said.
16 So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality.
17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?"
18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites?
19 Show me the coin used for the tax." And they brought him a denarius.
20 Then he said to them, "Whose head is this, and whose title?"
21 They answered, "The emperor's." Then he said to them, "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's."
22 When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away. (NRSV)
What Image is in Your Pocket?
A few years ago there was a popular commercial for a credit card company, touting all the advantages of carrying that particular card and how it would serve you well even under the direst of circumstances. The tag line always was, "What card is in YOUR pocket?"
This Gospel text reminded me of that commercial's tagline, as Jesus responds to the trick question of his adversaries with a question of his own. Should one pay the tax to the (oppressive, foreign, occupying army supported, power-greedy, monopolistic and dictatorial) government of Caesar, or not; and Jesus asks for a coin and questions whose image that coin contains. In other words, what card (i.e. Image) is in their pocket? Well, the image of that same Caesar, as it so happens. If the money carries the image of Caesar, than the money falls under Caesar's domain. So give him what is his; but then give God what belongs to God.
And just what is that? What belongs to God?
You do. I do. Jesus' words send us back to the first chapter of Genesis, where as the final act of creation God decides to make a human in God's own image, after his likeness. As the verses say, "And so God created man in His own image; in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them." And regardless of sin's entrance into this world that God made, regardless of the fall and the sad state of human relationship both with God our creator and with one another, we humans still bear that image, enough to be claimed by God as His own.
The problem is, we forget that. We forget whose image is traced on our make-up, on our relationship with other human beings, both male and female, on our relationship with this whole creation, an one our hopes and dreams and disappointments and innate worth. We are claimed by the one Maker whose image can still be discerned on our faces, and in our lives. Even if we cannot see it, cannot believe it, cannot find it, God knows it and that is what carries ultimate worth and value.
We get it mixed up and backwards. We place the greater value, the greater worth, on those shiny coins (and also, now, bills) that we carry in our pockets. They are what matters in this world of ours. Do we have to pay them to anyone else? No one likes taxes! Do we have to give them away to others: the needy, the desperate cause, the offering plate that gets passed around the pews from one Sunday to another? Even without the images, the heads of the current ruler who claims possession not only of our coins but of our present state, our future hopes and dreams, and our very being, we are caught in a tug-of-war over what or who has the authority, the right, to claim ownership of us and that which seems to be of ultimate worth and value in our lives.
But Jesus sees otherwise. It is not the coins, the money, the financial items that are of ultimate worth. Let Caesar have that! What God claims is what is really valuable in this world. And what God claims cannot be bought and sold in the marketplace, cannot be "trafficked" to the highest bidder.
What God claims is that which bears his image, which he created and knows as his own. Even the worst that sin can do, even the worst which we can do to ourselves and to one another, cannot totally erase that image which we bear, the image of the God who knows us and loves us. God will not allow his image to be traded off for some trinket of lesser value. Give your money to Caesar, and be done with it! But know that you, your life and your being, belong not to Caesar, not to any of the competing dictators who wish to use and then discard us. Instead, we belong to God. Our lives are his, and God will have what is his own at the end of the day.
Even if it costs God His own son's life in the process of claiming us.
This was no game of semantics for Jesus. The stakes were high, and the cost would be great. A life for a life, you see. What was made in God's image must be returned to him, no matter what, and not allowed to remain lost or unclaimed. And if it would take going to the cross, and exchanging the righteous image of God's only Son for the tarnished, battered, defiled image of a sin-tainted human creature, then so be it. The price would be paid.
So, whose image is in your pocket? Whose image do you bear on your face, on your life and on your spirit? The cross of Jesus has been traced on you, and marks you for the God who gave himself for you. When will you learn what that means for your life here, and for the future that has been assured for you, a future with a promise and a hope?
Just Food for Thought....
Mosaic Art by Myeuropeantouch
http://www.etsy.com/shop/myeuropeantouch?ref=si_shop
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