Tuesday 30 June 2009

Feathers for Pleasures - "Ruby Tuesday"

It is time to post a Ruby Tuesday contribution again, and I am linking with Mary over at “Work Of The Poet” and her “Ruby Tuesday” Meme.




I'm going to feature a bright red feather fan:


(Click on it to see it full size)

... and No! this is not for a fancy dress party or doing a ‘Can-Can’ dance, even though you could use one like that for those purposes.

No, this particular feather fan I use as a teaching tool in my workshops and private consultancy work and ministry with couples.


I have posted a little article for some food for thought. If you like, check it out here

.... and No! it will not tickle, if done properly (you'll just have to pop over to that article to find out ....)

Have fun,




Saturday 27 June 2009

How He loves us - Woah, how He loves us

Hello Friends, it's time to declare how much He loves us through this beautiful Meme "Then Sings My Soul Saturday", hosted by Amy at "Signs, Miracles & Wonders"



I am adding here "How He Loves Us" with Kim Walker recorded live at a Jesus Culture Conference in Redding, CA.

Wishing you all a very joyous, blessed and loved-up Saturday!







Here are the Lyrics:

He is jealous for me
Love's like a hurricane, I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
and I realize just how beautiful You are and how great your affections are for me.
Oh, how He loves us so
Oh, how He loves us
How He loves us so.

Yeah, He loves us
Woah, how He loves us
Woah, how He loves us
Woah, how He loves.

So we are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes
If grace is an ocean we're all sinking
So heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss and my heart turns violently inside of my chest
I don't have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way

That he loves us,
Woah, how He loves us
Woah, how He loves us
Woah, how He loves

He loves us,
Woah, how He loves us
Woah, how He loves us
Woah, how He loves

My Girly-Feminine Side for a "Pink Saturday"

It's Saturday, and we're in the pink :-)

I am joining Beverly’s Pink Saturday which she hosts at "How Sweet The Sound"

My contribution today is part of my little vanity or dressing table. Such a girly thing to have. One thing I do not like is having all the lotions and potions in the usual plasic containers they come in, if I can at all avoid it.

Throughout my home wherever a cream or other liquid are needed, even the washing up liquids in the kitchen I tend to refill them into more attractive containers.

Here in this picture of part of my dressing table you can see some of the glass bottles I collected for eye make up remover, toner, etc. I found the pretty larger bottles at a flea market in Athens, Greece. (click on pic if you want to see it enlarged).

The pink on the table is a large rose scented potpourri dish. I took this pic a little while ago and added recently a display of large pink feathers and draped some more beads on the mirror ... all deliciously decadent and feminine.

Wishing you a rosy pink Saturday with an opportunity to look for smiles in any situation,

Friday 26 June 2009

The Blond Year

This is my last post re Friday Memes!! I am linking with Alicia at More Than Words for her Friday Photo Flashback

Well, this is my contribution: A photo of me at my previous house in 1995 ... yes I was blond again! (Click on the pic to enlarge to its original size)

Oh dear Lord ... have I changed THAT much????? .... sigh!

Temple Dance

Earlier on, I was reading a great post by Sandy at God Speaks Today who hosts “Fitness Friday”.

OK, I have to admit that I was challenged, and decided to pick up the challenge.

I have been stuck behind the computer all day long way too long, and working on a book does not help. After reading Sandy's post, I am inspired to rekindle an old passion of mine: dance.

I have not danced for longer than I wish it was true. I love partner dance such as ballroom, and seeing that I do not have a dance partner, I have shelved that passion.

With Sandy’s challenge I decided to think differently and embark on happy solo dance movements around the home, stretching, and actually learn belly dancing. Yes, you read correctly!Apparently it is great for better blood circulation and better flexibility especially in the belly and hip region. Being in my 50’s, I think my belly could do with some exercises.

So, I have answered the challenge and have already ordered my belly dancing DVD from Amazon. Meanwhile I shall do some stretching and just general dance moves to music.
As our bodies are a temple of God ... I shall do some temple dances!

Big smiles,


Mr. Bean Goes to Church

The time has come for the Friday Funnies Meme hosted by Kim at Homesteaders Heart.

I love Thursdays and Fridays as I get to look for and post happy stuff. My own Meme: Spread A Smile Thursday is geared towards the feel-good sharing a smile and give others a bit of sunshine; and Fridays I am ready to have a great big happy laugh and giggle.

Anyway, if you like some more hilarious good clean laughs, then join in with the "Friday Funnies"



For today, I decided on quite an old video of Mr. Bean going to church. It still gets me laughing out loud, and feeling thankful that the church I am blessed with does not attract the Mr Beans of this world.

Enjoy,




Thursday 25 June 2009

Mandarin Ducklings First Flight

Well, I decided to share and spread a smile with this delightful little video clip from the David Attenborough's breath-taking series "Planet Earth. It's about Mandarin Ducks nesting in tall trees, and the time has come for the ducklings' first flight. Mother duck is waiting ....



Smile and share,



Tuesday 23 June 2009

... the fiery red hot passionate heritage left to me

I have so much fun with those various Memes here in Blogland. Not only does it cause me to stop and think, reminisce, or journal with an attitude of gratitude, wonder, fun and joy; but I am also meeting some really wonderful new people, plus say hello to those who have become dear friends enriching my life ... and I trust that I do the same for them.

Well, today is Tuesday again, and I am linking with Mary over at “Work Of The Poet” and her “Ruby Tuesday” Meme.


My “Red” contribution this week is from an old picture of my late mother. I decided on that picture for two reasons:

1. As I honoured my father during Father’s Day, I thought, why not honour my mother as well.
2. This picture of her in her red socks and red anorak on top of that mountain is so very typical of her personality and temperament.

She was a very energetic, goal driven, ambitious, intense and competitive lady (how come I did not inherit those wonderful traits .... I am far more laid-back).

She was also very emotional and passionate, which resulted in quite a few fireworks displays between us. As a ‘blue-blood’ Bavarian, Southern German, passion also runs in the veins ... now that I did inherit. They say that those parent-child relationships which are the most similar in temperament are probably the most volatile and fireworks graced ones. Mix that with an ever increasing crowd of Spanish relatives, no wonder people get confused and think I am Latin at times when I snap out of my laid-back demeanour. Yes, and of course my hands are all over the place ....

My mother was in many ways a very impressive lady. She was a first class pharmacist, and nothing but ‘summa cum laude’ would do.

She was also very gregarious. Just sit her next to anyone on a bench somewhere, and for sure we would visit them as a family in their country next time. She would strike up a conversation with absolute ease, poise and dignity of a statesman .... and make friends.

For people to come over for afternoon coffee was never a problem. The freezer was always stacked with the most delicious homemade cakes. She was sooooo organized ... how come that gene transfer did not happen to me??

She was a big reader, both in the field of science and literature. It also totally goes without saying that my parents would not ever be without their annual subscription to the theatre and opera house! Her love for classical music and art shaped me as a child. She was also very artistic herself.

We two ranted and raved, fought and fussed at each other. We caused each other a lot of pain and wounds, to the degree that when she died at the young age of 65, I was very glad that she was gone. Yet, I totally admire her.

In retrospect I realise and know beyond a shadow of doubt that she crazily loved me. She loved me the very best she knew how. She meant well, and I wish we had a chance to actually really get to know one another.

I have forgiven her a long, long time ago. As an adult I have come to understand her baggage and pain with great empathy. She herself was very misunderstood by her nearest and dearest, but hugely loved, and adored by everyone else.

She was a phenomenal lady, she was my mother who gave me life and raised me the best she could. As a mother of two adult children, myself, I have come to understand this often rocky road of parenthood. The tears I have cried over my children when I was a less than perfect mother and hurt them, the many prayers I have prayed, and I am grateful to God the way they have turned out – any mother could be proud of them!

There was another legacy my mother left, she would sing love songs to Jesus, and especially in her darkest hours I would hear her sing psalms, hymns and love songs.

She truly was amazing with her fiery red hot passion and attitude, and love. And I would like to take the opportunity to express my gratitude and honour to a most outstanding lady, my mother!

Wishing you a passionate ruby red love and laughter filled Tuesday!

Sunday 21 June 2009

Love with Knowledge – Loving Smart!


“I’m loving people, show them love but they don’t love me back. Why?”

I was recently challenged by a friend.

“Why! No email, no message, not even a phone call!”

I could hear the frustration and the pain. Actually, this plea is not uncommon, and I hear it quite often in one way or another when I work with couples especially.

1 Peter 3:7 comes to mind:
“... husbands: Be good husbands to your wives. Honour them, delight in them. As women they lack some of your advantages. But in the new life of God's grace, you're equals. Treat your wives, then, as equals so your prayers don't run aground.” (The Message)
“Treat your wife with understanding” (NLT)
or
“according to knowledge” (KJV)

“ ... you married men should live considerately with [your wives], with an intelligent recognition” (Amplified Translation)

Although the Apostle Peter addresses husbands here, the admonishment is relevant for both spouses as well as amongst friends and acquaintances.

To start off with, let me deal with this section in 1 Peter 3:7 “giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel” (KJV) or, “the woman as [physically] the weaker” (Amplified Translation). To many 21st Century women this statement is outdated and in many ways offensive; even trying to make it a bit more palatable by adding the word ‘physically’ as the Amplified Translation, still does not cut it.

Granted there are biological differences, different hormone, testosterone levels, and all that, but in all of history it can be seen that women have often pulled their equal weight to men, sometimes even more, whether it is in the military, professionally, in sport, and in the home front. Women at times can be stronger physically (childbirth ?), mentally and emotionally than men. I do not wish to get into a who’s stronger or weaker debate here, as that is not the issue; and I believe, personally that this was not the issue to Peter when he wrote that admonition. I believe it was typical Bible ‘shorthand’ for we have all our unique strengths and weaknesses.

These strengths and weaknesses are expressed either in character, personality and mind-intellectually or skills traits, or physically, plus there are unique combinations of them in all of us, as well as being accentuated differently in various cultural and societal settings.

Bottom line: We are all uniquely different - where you are strong, I may be weak – where you are weak, I may be strong. We need to learn to complement each other by maximising our strengths and managing our weaknesses. We need to learn to be smart and intelligent in our loving, and the way we express our needs to be loved.

The key word here is: Treat your spouse, your friend, your relative, acquaintance, neighbour, .... with understanding, according to knowledge.

.... And that is the topic for this particular post.

Let’s look at another bit of Bible ‘shorthand’ which will further unpack that mystery of ‘loving and not being loved back’: The so-called ‘Golden Rule’

“Do to others as you would have them do to you” - Luke 6:31 (NIV).

Applying the ‘Golden Rule’ without knowledge and understanding has led to much heartache and frustration.

The notion of what I would love, cherish and dearly desire to have, or be treated, surely would bless and enrich someone else the same way, is one of the biggest misnomers in relationships and friendships.

Think of a classic: could you think of anything less romantic than a husband giving his wife some DIY tools for her birthday? (Now, to some ladies this is genuinely romantic!)

We smile reading that, but actually most of us have been guilty of doing the same thing in our communication with love.

Think about another classic. The woman withdraws; she is licking some wounds or nurturing some hurt. Her man asks, ‘what’s the matter?’, her reply, ‘Nothing!!!’. What is typically his response? He either sighs or grumbles to himself and then leaves her space to sort herself out .... after all, isn’t that they way he would prefer to be treated ... to be given space, be left alone to mull things over, to get a strategy to fix what is bothering him?

Meanwhile she thinks, ‘he just doesn’t care!’ ... ‘if he really loved me he would ....’

What she might need at that moment in time is emotional support. She may not want to be given space nor him stepping into a questioning and problem-solving mode, but rather been shown support by him just listening with empathy, being fully present to her with confidence, humour and love.

But what means love to her ... to him ... to you? Do you know? How well do you know yourself, what makes you tick, what makes you feel loved, treasured or cherished?

Most people I work with think they know, but few have genuinely explored themselves. Even worse I find with Christians who like to hide inside a religious-culture acceptable one-size-fits-all bag of being a nice Christian, who can quote all the relevant scriptures of who they are in Christ, it’s no longer ‘I’ but Him, and then scream blue murder if a fellow Christian steps on their toes (or slip into a martyr victim mode ...).

You see every person is uniquely different as to how they feel loved; everyone has their own uniquely different needs and values. Whether you know them consciously or not, they are there, and you feel it when those needs are not met.

When we don’t know our own needs and values accurately, we then cannot communicate them to others who equally may not know theirs.

It’s like two people talking in different languages and not even be aware of it.

Taking language as an analogy, I have experienced this dilemma many times myself. I am German and I am fluent in both languages, English and German. There are times, especially when I happen to be in the company of people from both nations that I am not conscious which language I am talking in, I am only aware that I am communicating a message.

I recall a humorous incident when we had dinner guests (English speaking) in our home, and I was chatting with a German friend in the kitchen whilst preparing the food. There came a time when I walked into the living room to announce to our guests “Dinner is being served” (in German). The reply was, “Pardon, what??” (in English). Assuming that I may have mumbled, I now said it louder and more pronounced, “Dinner is being served” (still in German).

This is what often happens in relationships when couples shout their unmet needs at each other in a mismatched language tirade.

What is the answer to this dilemma? The Golden Rule, or should I say the Platinum Rule: Do unto others as they want done unto them ..... the way they want to be treated ... in other words, speak their love language.

I mentioned earlier that we need to learn to apply the Golden Rule with knowledge and understanding. Ask yourself. ‘How do I want to be treated? Is that the same as my spouse or whosoever in front of me wants to be treated?

One other thing needs to be understood, apart from knowing the different love languages, needs and values we all have, we also need to understand that there are ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ times when we express them to each other.

Again, I am using an example out of my own life. Being a typical female I thoroughly enjoy marathon chats of several hours with my other female friends. We go on rabbit trails, leaving a thought to jump to a totally different one, only to pick up that original thought half an hour later. One thing sparks off another. Nobody is even aware of the time just spent; we would just be in a flow of communication beyond words.... for hours on end.

However by the same token, especially when I work I like to be undisturbed and can get into a real ‘hermit mode’.

I like focus and to be immersed in what I am doing. The last thing I want to see or hear is one of my friends call in to settle for a chat. The “Hi! Yes, I’m fine, thank you, I am busy” seems cruel and uncaring, especially when we have not talked tor days or weeks.

Added to this is another issue: Working hours. Either they work normal office hours from 9-5, then think everyone else does so too, or they are retired from work. My office is at home, and although I am flexible, I work very odd hours, but I still have to put in the hours and more! As a personal consultant I either work with people at a mutually convenient place, or via the internet or phone on a global scale – meaning the time difference between London UK, USA or Australia will need to be considered. Plus I am working on my book.

There are times when I would want to chat, but because of the workload I chose not to, when I appear very anti social with my friends for longer periods of time, when seemingly I am not returning love to them, or ignoring them. There are times when my friends want to shower me with love, but it feels like they are taking energy from me, because I will have to stop what I am doing and then focus on them.

In this quest to love intelligently – or smart , there are times, when especially our female friends need to realize that they should not take it personally when the other party is focused and engulfed in a mission.

They are not less loved and less treasured when for example their man is in a binary mode, totally focused, absorbed and immersed with a task at hand in his reality of the moment.
What do you do to make your needs known when you need a dose of loving? Well, I shall deal with that in another post. Watch the space.

For now:
Be aware of the timing of the moment, and then apply the Platinum Rule of Love with knowledge and understanding.

Lovingly in Him,



________________________________

© Copyright Angelika Regina Heimann – inStrengths Ministries – The Journey Of Intimacy 2009. All Rights Reserved

Saturday 20 June 2009

Eyes Only For You

Hello, dear blogging friends,

This is a beautiful Meme "Then Sings My Soul Saturday", hosted by Amy at "Signs, Miracles & Wonders" We are sharing with each other heart music to the Lord.

I wanted to share a powerful personal worship song/experience by JoAnn McFatter, "Eyes only for You":





If you want to know more about this Meme, join in or just sing along with the many other participants, just click on the button image below:




Lovingly in Him,

My Pink Orchid - First New Blossom Bud opened today!

It’s surprising what one can find and who one can find in the circle of friends here in Blogland. So, I have come across Beverly’s Pink Saturday.

I like what she wrote:
“Pink Saturday is about all things good that are pink. And, there is a lot of pink in our worlds.”
It's not about the colour 'pink' per se, but the colour here is symbolic to look out for the 'pink' bright side of life!

I immediately thought, wayhey! I have been watching something pink that I am really excited about.

You see, I love orchids; they are my top favourite plants and flowers. I never thought that I would keep one alive if I had one. This was until my daughter gave me a lovely little pink orchid for my birthday two years ago.

It was all in bloom when she gave it to me, and I just adored those little pink faces. Then, one by one those little beautiful faces turned papery and pale and dropped off. I was left with a stem.

I was told to cut it, which I did. Then I just kept watering it at regular but infrequent times, and it was just there, a plant that kept its leaves green, but that was it.

During March / April I noticed a new stem growing, and it steadily grew. Then buds formed. I was so excited!

And now look, the first new bud opened today ... I will be able to adore the little faces again!

Well, as it is Pink Saturday, I just had to report on todays joyful event, a new blossom has opened.

I feel as excited as a kid ... or maybe as excited as a plant mum can be.

Happy Pink Saturday full of wonderful 'pink' things,



P.S. Click on the pictures if you want to see it in the original size.




-----------

Post Script

During the day, my lovely little Pink Orchid opened its little face. So, this morning I took those two photos. Could not decide which one to chose, so I add both ;-)
(again, click on the pics to get them full size).



Friday 19 June 2009

Remembering and Honouring my Father, Dr. Max Heimann - A Father's Day Tribute


I decided to make it a little photo tribute to my precious late father, who left us one month before his 90th birthday in October 2002.

My dad was not a perfect father in terms of that he was an absent and way too busy father. As a scientist, professor, author, etc. lived in our home, but was first and foremost married to science. He was a phytopathologist (plant doctor, I used to call him). He was not perfect by any means, but then which parent is, only our Heavenly Father is perfect .... having said that, he was perfect to me, and I loved him very, very dearly.

He was a godly man with godly principles, and ever so good-natured. He was known as the cheerful smiling man, always with a little song on his lips. No matter how difficult life was, he would go out of his way to cheer people up and encourage them. He was truely a
remarkable man, full of inner joy and faith, and gentleness, a true and trusted friend. In many ways he has become my rolemodel. This is a good time as any to thank God from every fibre of my being for having granted me such a special man as a father.

It is a shame that my brother, Thomas, took the short-cut to heaven at his birth, he, too would have enjoyed him as a father .... well the two of them have the best time ever together now with Jesus!





Dr. Max Heimann

There is another photo which I still have to find, scan and upload (a bit later) and it will fit in here.

This next one was in 1962 (I was 10 years old) at one of his many microscopes at the laboratory ... later he used electronic microscopes. I remember when I came into the lab, and he got me some water from a pond outside the institute, and then stuck the petri dish with the water on the microscope. I sat for hours watching the little strange squiggly things move all over the place .... and of course that gave him peace to work ... ha!


And here he is with his little grandson introducing him to the joys of singing with an ever ready guitar. Oh he would be so proud of his grandson now!


This next picture of my dad and I was taken at his 80th birthday. A year prior he had suffered his first and major stroke. We nearly thought we lost him then. However he pulled through. I never forget when I was sat next to him at the hospital, he could hardly move or speak, and he pointed to a pile of scietific journals asking me to read them to him. He knew, as a scientist, that he had to keep his brain active in order to survive, to build new synapse connections for all those that were distroyed during the stroke.


Finally, this was the last time I saw him alive, just before his 90th birthday. By then he had suffered several strokes and heart attacks, plus pulmonary edema (water in lungs). He was in and out of intensive care. There were these long drives from London, England over to Germany to rush over. His body was failing him, but the mind and brain was as sharp and active as ever.

He is loved and still missed! Thank you daddy for your life!


With deep gratitude,

Geli.

Hilariously funny signs from around the world

Hello Friends! I'm linking up with, Kim, for Friday Funnies.


This is perfect, considering that only yesterday I started my own Meme: Spread A Smile Thursday! (Small beginnings, but hey!)

Anyway, for the Friday Funnies Meme hosted by Kim at Homesteaders Heart I am posting a collection of various Signs from around the world which I found on the Internet. (Click on the pics if you want to see the original size)

Have a good giggle,




Uncivilised airports are not tolerated in Yangshou, China.


Who knew that a lavatory experience could feel magical? (Location: Turkey)


Answers on a postcard, please. (Location: Blenheim, New Zealand)


The wet stairs make sense, but what do they want with our turbans? (Location: Tu Ha Hotel, Beijing)


The zoo keepers made good use of their English thesaurus. (Location: Pune Zoo, India)


We all like a bit of re-usable offal, so please help yourselves. (Location: China)

If Kafka were a park ranger... (Location: Eremo delle Carceri, near Assisi, Italy)


Antiques made to order, and antiquities created on demand. (Location: Bali)



Launching of nuclear misiles is perfectly reasonable in front of the sign, however. (Location: Noosa Heads, Australia)


Perhaps the cream sauce covers up the taste of the questionable meat. (Location: South Korea)


Elifants tak no pris ners. (Location: Tasmania, Australia)


Should I stay or should I go? Welcome to a world of indecision. Location: Kemmerer, WY



Fancy a nibble on the way out? Just don't do it like a vegetarian. Location: Shanghai, China



How cold is it? Normally, when it's so extremely cold that the water turns white we just call it snow. Location: Donner Lake, California


'Crad' anyone? When you get the ovary and the digestive glands, who can resist? Location: Shanghai, China


Killjoys - Although why you would want a lobster in your room is anybody’s guess. Location: Alma, New Brunswick, Canada


A pique nique by any other name
Looks like an entire team of translators was brought in for this task. Or maybe it was just one guy making them up. In which case, he forgot "el picko nicko" and "piazza del pica nica." (Location: Chateau Chenonceau, France)



Better than your average erection company
In case you’re wondering – and I imagine you are – this construction company answers the phone simply by saying “Superior.” (Location: Ohio)


a mind-boggling tirade from the eco warriors in the Darjeeling Police Force.


(Location: Tokyo)


Mystery meat - Always nice to see a little beast on the menu. (Location: Pisac, Peru)


Hazardous noises (Location: Sacremento)


Almost safe haven (Location: San Diego)


No cartwheels or headstands either



get all the caffeine and joy of drinking brownish water without having to endure the taste



Try our delicious steaming socks and underwear, Szechaun-style.


Heavy Traffic? Maybe there could be some major deer migration in the area.