Friday, December 23, 2011

Pohutukawa vs Bottle Brush

Some people contend that the New Zealand Pohutukawa is the same as the California Bottle Brush. not so - they are completely different - check it out...

Pohutukawa up close:




The flower "puffs" up and out.

The Bottle Brush up close:




More akin to the kitchen tool - a longer flower.

The Pohutukawa is a large tree giving off a very impressive display at Christmas time, (which is summer time in New Zealand as it is in the southern hemisphere). The flowers can be seen from November to January - peaking in late December:




...whereas the Bottle Brush is more of a bush or smaller tree:



The Pohutukawa is also known as Metrosideros Excelsa (from the Myrtle family) and is native to New Zealand. Other trees such as guavas, feijoas (a magnificent fruit!) and eucalyptus are also in the Myrtle family. There are actually twelve Metrosideros species endemic to New Zealand. It is an evergreen - found mostly in the coastal regions of the North Island. It is drought resistant and smog tolerant. Even though the Pohutukawa can grow quite large, it is often found along rocky cliffs - sometimes holding an almost vertical position in seemingly impossible barren, dry, soils and whipped by salt-laden winds.

The largest Pohutukawa is found at Te Araroa on the East Coast. It is 20 meters high (65 feet), and spreads out to 38 meters (124 feet). The Pohutukawa can also be trimmed and used as a beautiful hedge shrub.

The Pohutukawa has been successfully introduced in Australia, South Africa and parts of California, but the roots can be rather invasive and it has been known to cause damage. At one time, the durable Pohutukawa timber, leaves and bark were used for ship building and a variety of medicinal purposes (such as a cure for dysentery).

The Bottle Brush is the Callistemon Viminalis - native to Australia, but also found in California. It can grow up to 15 meters (49 feet). The Bottle Brush is also a drought tolerant, evergreen species. It attracts bees, butterflies and a variety of birds. The leaves of the Lemon Bottlebrush can be soaked in hot water and made into a tea - it has a slight citrus fragrance.

I believe that the Pohutukawa Is the perfect "Christmas Tree." A stunning sight during the hot summer days of the Southern Hemisphere Christmas season. Just one more way that New Zealand is unique and beautiful.






A reader from California - Hilarie Kelly, has sent a couple of pictures of her ōhiʻa lehua. This is another species from the Myrtaceae family of trees (Metrosideros polymorpha). This tree is from Hawaii. Well done Hilarie!! It is wonderful to see this cousin thriving in the USA.





Thursday, December 22, 2011

Meri Kirihimete

"Meri Kirihimete" is "Merry Christmas in Maori -
the language of the Maori people of New Zealand.


We grew up celebrating Christmas holidays at the beach, as this is the middle of the Summer Down Unda. We had to spray fake snow on our windows to get some sort of "Christmas feeling." Santa is known as 


Father Christmas:




I remember seeing Santa arrive at our water ski club on two skis - he fell off and his beard floated on top of the water. At that moment, I had my big revelation that Santa was a fake...Oh well, it comes to the best of us.


A most beautiful native tree flowers in December, and is known as the New Zealand Christmas tree - 
Pohutukawa:



Favorite Christmas meals include Turkey or ham, but the dessert is the crowning jewel of NZ cuisine (named after the famed Russian ballet dancer Anna Pavlova) -

The PAVLOVA:


Both Christmas Day and Boxing Day are celebrated as National holidays. It gives more time for celebrations, cricket:



Surfing:


...and swimming with dolphins that like to hang out with my family who live in Papamoa



Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Bethlehem - The House of Bread - 7 Things

Here are 7 things that describe Bethlehem - the city where Jesus was born. When Mary, Joseph, the Wise Men and the Shepherds came to Bethlehem, this was the third significant journey to Bethlehem that is recorded in the Bible for us. I am including facts from the first two journeys in this list:

Come to Bethlehem:

• To The City Of God's Praise - (Judah = Praise) Judges 17:9; Ruth 1:1 It is called Bethlehem Judah. Bethlehem was the place where the Lord was honored and exalted.

There was praise before Jesus was conceived – Lu. 1
There was praise before Jesus came – Lu. 1:46-55 (Mary’s song); Lu. 1:64-79)
There was praise right after He was born – Lu. 2:8-14, 20
There was praise 8 days after He was born (Simeon) – Lu. 2:29-32; Anna the prophetess – Lu. 2:38

The Wise Men came to worship Him – they praised God on the journey (Matt. 2:10) and when they saw Him (Matt. 2:11)
Matt. 2:8 Herod Said he wanted to come and worship Him


• To The City Of God's Presence -  Emmanuel Matt. 1:23 Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us; (Is 7:14; 8:8) – God with us.

His name is Emmanuel  - an expression of the incarnation – for He is “God with us.” (Is. 9:6)

The Old Testament begins with man in the image of God – Gen. 1:26
The New Testament begins with God in the image of man – John 1:14


• To The City Of God's Provision - (Bethlehem = "House Of Bread")

Ruth and Naomi left Bethlehem for Moab because of a famine in the place of bread – they returned to Bethlehem during the time of supernatural provision of the Lord.

John 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world."


• To The City Of All God's People –  He makes Himself known in the exact way for the heart that needs Him

• Matt. 1:18-24 He came to the poor (Mary and Joseph) He made His coming known in Nazareth (John 1:46 And Nathanael said to him, can anything good come out of Nazareth?) - A little Babe of wonderful destiny was born there in a stable and cradled in a manger.  His Father chose the poor to bring Him into the world, the poor to nurture and care for Him – the poor place as His first home
• Matt. 2:3-8 He came for Kings (Herod) – He made His coming known in the palace - Herod thought Jesus was a threat as King over him. (one man) Matt. 2:8
• Matt. 2:1-2 He came to the Wise MenHe made His coming known in the stars - These thought He was a King for the Jews. (a small group of people) Matt. 2:2
• Lu. 2:8 He came for the working people - ShepherdsHe made His coming known in the open fields - The shepherds heard that Jesus  was King for all the earth. (All people)
Lu. 2:10; 14

God chose Ruth (of child-bearing age) – a Gentile – she became a wealthy wife and faithful daughter-in-law
God chose David (about 20 years old) – the youngest – he became the greatest and most remembered King of Israel
God chose Mary (between 14 and 17 years old) – a young, innocent, poor girl – she became the mother of the Messiah

God's choices are not determined by what anyone can measure, see or comprehend. He does not always choose who, or what seems obvious. God often chooses the ordinary so that He can make it extraordinary, and so we might understand that He will use willing and surrendered vessels. He will choose and use the life that is tender and obedient to him. Often His choices seem unreasonable to us.

Lu. 1:38 Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.


• To The City Of God’s Promises - Ephratah (Ephrath means fruitful) Micah 5:2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting."
Bethlehem’s population was probably 100 to 200 people when Christ was born – about 30,000 today – this is a startling prophecy and promise for such an "insignificant" little town.

Lu. 1:32-33 – …God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end.

V 37 – for with God nothing is impossible

John 7:42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?"

Titus 1:2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,

You might seem like an insignificant person, but the promises of God pay no respect to your status. Whatever He has promised over your life - He will do.


• To The City Of God’s Peace: Is. 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given: and the government shall be on his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Lu. 2:14 The angels sang “Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace and goodwill toward men.”

Receive the peace of God for your life and circumstances this Christmas.


• To The City Of God’s Purposes – future/destiny. Every journey to Bethlehem had such a significant impact on the future of God's people all over the world. Ruth became the great-grandmother  of David the greatest King of Israel; Samuel (who made the 2nd journey to Bethlehem) anointed young David as the future King. His actions in obedience to God's choice for His people effected the whole world at that time; and, of course, the greatest event in Bethlehem gives purpose to all mankind: 

 Christ the Savior is born!



Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Friday, December 16, 2011

The Road Not Taken

This is such a fabulous poem - long a favorite of mine. It reminds me so much of Psalm 1 which starts with the word "Blessed" and ends with the word "perish." Two roads are offered - one for the righteous and one for the ungodly man. I have not always been successful in my journey towards holiness, but I join the psalmist in meditating on God's ways and planting myself by rivers of water so that I might become established along His paths of righteousness. Hopefully, this path is not such a "narrow" way, and not too difficult:

Matt. 7:13-14 Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
14


The Road not Taken
Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
and sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood
and looked down one as far as I could
to where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
and having perhaps the better claim
because it was grassy and wanted wear;
though as for that,
the passing there had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay in leaves
no feet had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I --
I took the one less travelled by,
and that has made all the difference

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Praise The Lord

• Muslims are required to pray five times a day: First time between the first light and sunrise. Second after mid day. Third is at mid-afternoon. Fourth is at sunset, and then finally the fifth time is about one and a half hours after sunset. 

• Buddhists chant and meditate in the morning and evening, although there is no schedule or requirement.

• Hindus pray three times a day, although there are so many branches of Hinduism that it is impossible to give a hard and fast answer. Praying at dusk is given special significance.


How often should Christians praise the Lord?


Ps. 72:5             Praise Him as long as the sun and moon endure

Ps. 119:147       Praise Him before the dawning of the morning
Ps. 57:8             Praise Him when you waken the dawn
Ps. 108:2           Praise Him when it is dawn
1Chr. 23:30       Praise Him when it is morning (Ps. 59:16)
Ps. 113:3           Praise Him when the sun comes up
Ps. 55:17           Praise Him when it is noon
Ps. 42:8             Praise Him when it is evening (Ps. 92:2)
Ps. 141:2           Praise Him when you bring the evening sacrifice
Ps. 113:3           Praise Him when the sun goes down (Mal. 1:11)
Ps. 119:62         Praise Him when it is midnight (Acts 16:25)

Ps. 61:8             Praise Him daily
Dan. 6:10           Praise Him three times a day
Ps. 119:164       Praise Him seven times a day
Ps. 44:8             Praise Him all day (Ps. 71:8; 89:16)
Ps. 145:2           Praise Him every day (2Chr. 30:21)
Is. 66:23             Praise Him from month to month
Is. 66:23             Praise Him from week to week
Ps. 34:1              Praise Him continually (Ps. 35:27; Heb. 13:15)
1Thess. 2:13      Praise Him without ceasing
Phil. 4:4              Praise Him always (Eph. 5:20; 1Thess. 5:16)

Ps. 34:1             Praise Him whenever (Rev. 4:9)
1Tim. 2:8            Praise Him wherever (2Cor. 2:14)
1Cor. 10:31        Praise Him whatever (Phil. 4:8; Col. 3:17)
Ps. 50:23           Praise Him whoever (2Cor. 10:17; 1Jo. 4:15)
Ps. 52:9             Praise Him forever (Ps. 61:8; 75:9)

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Funny Kitties

If you are having a bad day, here is a bunch of funny cats that will make you smile:


Monday, December 12, 2011

Spencer

Our delightful wee dog, Spencer (actually he's not really a dog) has just been diagnosed with intervertebral disk disease. In short, this is a problem with the area surrounding the spinal cord and causes severe pain and possible paralysis.

We took Spencer to the E.R. last night and he is on pain meds, anti-inflammatory drugs and bed rest for the next 4 weeks. Hopefully the disc will heal itself, otherwise surgery is the only option.

Please pray for Spencer - he is the cutest and most lovable wee dog you could ever meet.

Spencer as a baby - This is the first day we had him:



Spencer hanging out:


Recent Spencie photo:


Spencer is a Maltipoo - Maltese and Toy Poodle

Sunday, December 11, 2011

When Things Need Fixing

Here are some ingenious ways to fix things:

The plug needs grounding

A new stereo for the car:

The latest GPS:

Ice cooler when the fridge goes out:

Don't you hate it when the rain disrupts the satellite service:

An ingenious way to heat the water for tea...

The wiper engine is shot


You can't have the exhaust pip dragging on the ground:

A baby feeder patent is pending:

Those darn cords keep falling down behind the desk:

Friday, December 9, 2011

7 Living Things

In the New Testament, there are 7 things that are “living” that we would not ordinarily consider as living:



—Water: Jn. 4:10; 7:38     Jesus our Living Water; He also flows out of us
—Bread: Jn. 6:51              Jesus is our Living Bread
—Oracles: Acts 7:38        Moses received living oracles
—Word: Heb. 4:12            The Word of God is living
—Way: Heb. 10:20            We come near Him by a new and living way
—Hope: 1Pet. 1:3              Jesus has given us a living hope
—Stones: 2Pet. 2:5           We are His living stones

We are only fully "alive" when we turn our whole life over to Him and allow His life to flow into us and through us.




Thursday, December 8, 2011

Optical Illusions

Sometimes things are not quite as they seem...






Wednesday, December 7, 2011

7 Unchangeable Things

The Lord has made 7 Unchangeable Things for us:

1. Numbers 18:19 (Message) The Lord has made unchangeable covenant promises with His people
All the holy offerings that the People of Israel set aside for God, I'm turning over to you and your children. That's the standard rule and includes both you and your children - a Covenant-of-Salt, eternal and unchangeable before God."

2.  Malachi 3:6 (NKJV) God Himself doesn’t change – ever.
"For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.” (Also Job 23:13)

3. Hebrews 6:17 (WNT) God’s plans and purposes are unchangeable
In the same way, since it was God's desire to display more convincingly to the heirs of the promise how unchangeable His purpose was,

4. Hebrews 6:18 (MSG) God’s Word is unchangeable
God can't break his word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable

5. Hebrews 6:18 (NLT) God’s promises are unchangeable
So God has given us both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can take new courage, for we can hold on to his promise with confidence.

6. Hebrews 6:18 (NLT) God’s oath is unchangeable – He cannot lie
So God has given us both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can take new courage, for we can hold on to his promise with confidence.

7. Hebrews 7:24 (NKJV) The Lord has made His people into an unchangeable priesthood
But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Left To Die - An Amazing Testimony


 Tuesday, July 26, 2011
By: Dr. Nasir Siddiki




By age 34, Nasir Siddiki, a successful businessman, had made his first million, but money meant nothing to him on his deathbed. Diagnosed with the worst case of shingles ever admitted to Toronto General Hospital, his immune system shut down and doctors left him to die. Here is His testimony:

"The next morning I woke in a sterile room on the eighth floor of the hospital. My skin was burning as though someone had doused me in gasoline and lit a match. I felt on fire from the inside out. 

My doctor arrived and looked at me in wonder. 'The blisters are multiplying so fast I can literally watch them grow,' he said. 'Your body isn’t fighting back.'

The next morning, in addition to shingles, I had chicken pox from head to toe. I was put in strict isolation. That evening my temperature soared to 107.6 degrees — hot enough to leave my brain permanently scrambled.

For days I continued to deteriorate. My nerve endings became so inflamed that a hair drifting across my skin sent shock waves of fire rippling through my body. By week’s end, I was listed in critical condition. 



My Last Hope
In life, I’d been bold, self confident, a risk taker. But facing death, I was terrified. I had no idea what might await me on the other side. I’d been raised as a Muslim in London, England, and I understood Allah was not a god who heals. 

My only hope was in medicine.

I eventually slipped so close to death that the doctors didn’t know I could hear them when they examined me. “His immune system has simply shut down,” one of them said. 

“He’s dying,” the other confirmed. “His immune system must be compromised by AIDS.” 

I don’t have AIDS! I wanted to shout, but I couldn’t form the words.

Then it hit me. He said I’m dying! 

The doctors spoke quietly to my co-worker, Anita. “In a few hours he’ll be dead,” they said. “If by some miracle he lives, he’ll probably be blind in his right eye, deaf in his right ear, paralyzed on his right side and he may be severely brain damaged from the high fever.” 

Then they left. 

They left me here to die! I felt like a drowning man going down for the third time. Gathering my strength I whispered a prayer. “God, if you’re real, don’t let me die!”

In His Presence

During the darkest hour of the night, I woke and saw a man at the foot of my bed. Rays of light emanated from him, allowing me to see his outline. I couldn’t see his face, it was too bright. No one had to tell me, I knew it was Jesus. 



The Koran mentions Jesus; Muslims believe He existed, not as the son of God, but as a good man and a prophet. I knew this wasn’t Mohammed. I knew it wasn’t Allah. Jesus was in my room. There was no fear, only peace. 

“Why would You come to a Muslim when everyone else has left me to die?” I wondered. 
Without words, he spoke to me. “I Am the God of the Christians. I Am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”

That’s all He said. He didn’t mention my illness. He didn’t mention my impending death. As suddenly as He appeared, He was gone.



The next morning, the same two doctors arrived to examine me. “The blisters have stopped growing!” 

“We don’t know what happened, but the shingles virus has gone into remission!” 

The following day, still in pain and covered with blisters, I was discharged from the hospital with a suitcase full of drugs. “Don’t leave home,” the doctor cautioned. “It will be months before the blisters go away, and when they do you’ll be left with white patches of skin and scars. The pain could last for years.” 


Stepping outside into the morning sun, I looked like a cross between a leper and the Elephant Man. When people saw me, they crossed to the other side of the street. However, my mind was not on my looks; my thoughts were on Jesus. There was no doubt in my mind that Jesus’ presence in my room had stopped the shingles virus. Whatever else Jesus may be, I realized that in His presence miracles happened. 

That fact left me with one consuming question: Is Jesus the Son of God as the Christians claim, or is He just a prophet as I was taught? 

At home that evening, in spite of the drugs, the pain and itching was so severe I almost had to tie my hands. Even so, I fell into a restless sleep wondering about Jesus.

Learning to Live

The next morning, I woke early and turned on the television. Flipping through the channels, I froze when I saw the following words across the screen: Is Jesus the Son of God? 

I listened intently as two men spent the entire program discussing this topic — answering all of my questions. Before the show went off the air, one of the men led the television audience in a prayer. My body was aflame with pain but I knelt on my living room floor anyway. Tears streaming down my face, I repeated the prayer and invited Jesus into my heart.

Immediately a voracious spiritual hunger sprang up within me. I had to know more about Jesus. In spite of my doctor’s orders to stay inside, the next day I went out and bought a Bible. First I read the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Still ravenous, I started in Genesis and read through the Bible during my sleepless nights.

Meanwhile, Anita brought me books and teaching tapes explaining the Gospel. I devoured them while continuing to study the Word of God. As my understanding of faith began to grow, I dug out a picture of how I looked before shingles. I prayed and asked God to make me look that way again.

Jesus, My Healer

One week after my discharge from the hospital, I woke and found my pillow covered in blisters. I must have clawed them in my sleep, I thought. I crawled out of bed and stepped into the shower. What had started on my pillow was finished in the shower: Every blister fell off my body! 



Instead of being covered with patches of white and scar tissue, my skin was simply red and raw. It slowly healed, returning to its pre-shingles condition. When it did, I not only looked human, I looked like I did before I got sick, except for the scars that I still carry on my chest. 


None of the doctor’s dire predictions came true. My eyesight was 20/20. My hearing was normal. My speech was unimpaired. I suffered no brain damage. 



My healing was miraculous, swift and complete. I never suffered from lingering pain or any other complication. Not only did I have the worst case of shingles ever admitted to Toronto General Hospital , I also had the most miraculous recovery. 



Jesus, the God of the Christians, showed up in the hospital room of a dying Muslim and healed me. But that wasn’t the greatest miracle He performed. The transformation that occurred in my heart was even more dramatic than the one that occurred in my body.

Dr. Nasir Siddiki with his Wife Anita:

An international teacher and evangelist, Dr. Nasir Siddiki is the founder of Wisdom Ministries (WisdomMinistries.org). He lives in Tulsa , OK with his wife Anita and their two sons.