The biggest advantage new variants have on us is our behaviour. The real Kraken is no longer the virus – it’s our monstrous level of indifference to the pandemic’s ongoing, and inequitable, carnage.
Category: Grab Bag
Stuff about stuff
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Kraken
The Kraken -
Faith
Every once in a while I’ll post something from one of the devotions I’m reading that takes on some extra special meaning at the moment. Sometimes I’ll try to explain the significance of the words that spoke to my heart, sometimes not, sometimes there are no words. But, at the moment, all these verses, thoughts, words, quotes etc. had some special meaning to me on the day. Enough that I thought I’d try to capture them for future reference. Most likely just for me like most of this blog.
- Psalm 121:1-2My mom said this verse sustained her on the long drive back from her brother Ken’s funeral in Montreal. My Uncle Ken was young (37 – September 11, 1961) when he died and since he was away from Winnipeg in Montreal I rarely saw him. I only remember bits and pieces here and there. We… Read more: Psalm 121:1-2
- Psalm 40He turned to me…. ❤️
- Nothing is impossible
- Being renewed
- He is near
Call on him in truth is praying in God’s will - What to think about…Think of the things that make you happy. Create the fuel that destroys depression. Do not think of things that make you sad; think of things that make you happy. · Think of the blessings that surround you. · Think of your friendships, people who love you, who care about you, who are there for… Read more: What to think about…
- Mystery Versebible.com/bible/111/php.2.3.NIV I saved this and it must have resonated with me at the time but now I’m not sure. Hmmm. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,”Philippians 2:3 NIVhttps://bible.com/bible/111/php.2.3.NIV The helpful AI Assistant says I should: Some good ideas to pursue one day.
- Keep Praying“Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.”Romans 12:12 NLT bible.com/bible/116/rom.12.12.NLT
- TrustJesus, I trust You. I don’t need to understand everything that’s happening—I just need to be still, and know You. You fight for me. You died for me. You are for me. Thank You. You are enough for me, and so I will place my hope, trust, joy, and future in You. I believe in… Read more: Trust
- Do not fear …“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”Isaiah 41:10 NIVhttps://bible.com/bible/111/isa.41.10.NIV
- No greater lovebible.com/bible/116/jhn.15.13.NLT
- ChoicesTaken from WHOSE CHOICE IS IT? When sitting in a stillness before God, I often ponder my choices. · My choice to be quiet and choose rest. · My choice to live a life of faith. · My choice to forgive others leads to my freedom. · My choice to let go of the things… Read more: Choices
- Who is like the Lord?Who is like the Lord Jesus reigns, Jesus reigns.
- Psalm 118A lot of highlights in this chapter. “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.”Psalms 118:1 NLThttps://bible.com/bible/116/psa.118.1.NLT “In my distress I prayed to the Lord, and the Lord answered me and set me free.”Psalms 118:5 NLThttps://bible.com/bible/116/psa.118.5.NLT “I will not die; instead, I will live to tell what the Lord… Read more: Psalm 118
- Even there…bible.com/bible/116/psa.139.10.NLT Where ever my “even there” is, God is there, He will guide me and support me.
- I’m scaredWow. What a great and honest prayer from today’s devotion. “God, I’m scared and I feel so alone. I don’t know how I’m going to make it through this. Please be with me and silence my fear. Remind me of your strength and power in my life, and comfort me with your presence. Amen.”
- DecisionsThe truth is that God wants to talk with you about your decisions, and is waiting for you to bring these decisions to Him.
- Facing a storm?www.instagram.com/p/C2XCmTqrfKF/ Find this post on Instagram Follow @aussiedave Always worth the read ?
- Cling to God’s PromisesCling to God’s Promises What do you think about? The thoughts you fill your mind with are crucial because what you cling to influences your worldview. If you choose to dwell on God’s promises, you start to recognize God’s blessings during uncertain times. Trusting that God will redeem your present pain equips you to walk… Read more: Cling to God’s Promises
- Where does my help come from?
A reminder form today’s devotions. - He has already come to youCome… If you’re feeling overwhelmed or exhausted, come. If you’re feeling grateful or expectant, come. If you’re feeling joyful or grievous, confident or doubtful, encouraged or frustrated, come. “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!” Psalm 95:6 There’s something about falling on our faces before the… Read more: He has already come to you
- God hears meWow, God is listening to me. I saved the verse image and I’m sure I had some more profound insight and thoughts. I should have added my thoughts right then and there. Note to self ? Waiting seems to be a big theme in a lot of the Bible. The challenge I think is to… Read more: God hears me
- Relationship JourneySurrendering our lives to Jesus is not an oath of perfection; it’s a statement of allegiance. It’s not just one moment in our lives. It’s a reorientation and alignment of our hearts to bring our minds, emotions, and wills into daily submission to his plan and purpose for us. Life is a journey in relationship… Read more: Relationship Journey
- Take a moment
That’s all it takes, a moment, to change your destiny for all eternity. John 10:10 - He is mighty to save…when I need saving. When I enter into the arena of anxiety about a possible issue, it’s as if I’m going into battle alone against that issue. His strength and power is available to us as we need it. I have seen Him provide peace, strength, and help so many times in my life when… Read more: He is mighty to save…
- Thanksgiving: ThankfulI’m happy to be Yours. That closing sentence really resonated with me this morning during devotions when this prayer came up from the list. Thank you I’m grateful Jesus, thank You for Your life on earth—for the time You spent teaching us, loving us, and suffering on our behalf. I’m grateful You made a way… Read more: Thanksgiving: Thankful
- Help me live a life that reflects who you are
“God, I know your desires and plans for my life are much better than what I could come up with on my own. Show me the best way to live, and give me a genuine desire to follow your ways. Help me live a life that reflects who you are. Amen.” From Pray Through the… Read more: Help me live a life that reflects who you are - My MomEvery time I come to this verse I think about my Mom. On one of the rare times we talked about faith, it was just the two of us and she shared about driving home from the funeral of her brother Ken in Montreal. She said this verse got her through some tough time. “I… Read more: My Mom
- Resurrection needs deaththis is the paradoxical way Ezekiel’s story unfolds. Maybe that’s how it goes for all of us. We hold in tension the beauty of resurrection against a backdrop of death. Because resurrection is only necessary if we go through death. We must face the weight and terror of death to behold the beauty of resurrection.… Read more: Resurrection needs death
- Eternity
Where will you spend it? Today’s devotion also lead to reading about Arthur Stace, Mr. Eternity. I highly recommend giving it a read. And as things do on the web it lead to a look at Copperplate Script which lead to a calligraphy course which I might try. - RememberingToday’s verse of the day devotion in the YouVersion bible app prompted me to remember. The verse had this as the question. I related to the last answer in the list. While I was in hospital and things were at their lowest at least from what the doctors were seeing in the test results and… Read more: Remembering
- He is near usThere’s never a place we can go where His presence won’t be there first. He’s in our yesterday, He’s in our today, and He’s in our tomorrow all at the same time. He rejoices over us, rewards us, blesses us, and smothers us with His forgiveness and grace every day, throughout the day. In addition… Read more: He is near us
- Jesus and The Old TestamentFrom today’s devotion, the prophesy of Jesus in the old testament. — God over the seemingly impossible It might feel unlikely that God will show up in your impossible situation: your diagnosis, your infertility, your broken relationship, your disobedient kid, your inconsistent character, your anxiety, your financial struggles, your grief. Thankfully, God is not limited… Read more: Jesus and The Old Testament
- Be gratefulSuch an awesome devotion today. https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/34090/day/4?
- In this world…
- Difficult ChallengesGod will fill us with His love and hope and with His Spirit. Our Almighty God uses difficult times. He leads us to Jesus and conforms us to be greater than any challenge. “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance… Read more: Difficult Challenges
- Thankful
- Mercy
- What you leave behind
People are watching. It’s hard to believe, but we may find ourselves leaving behind springs of water when we pass through the desert (Psalm 84:6.) Imagine that. You’re in a low spot, tired and weary, walking through a desert season in life, but you look behind you and notice that every place you have stepped… Read more: What you leave behind - Greater
- Peace in the storm
- GratitudeAn opportunity to receive more. Shape Of Your Heart: Discover The Building Blocks Of Great Relationships: Day 2 • Devotional As the one leper came back to thank Jesus for what He’d done, Jesus told him that his faith had made him “well.” The word “well” translated here is the Greek word “sozo.” It’s a… Read more: Gratitude
- All things are possible.
- Psalm 121:1-2
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Free at last!
Our car has been set free and returned home after just over a five month absence.
We got a call from the dealership and they have decided to install a “refurbished” fuel pump and return our car directly to our house and pick up their loaner car. When the new OEM part arrives they will install that part. So far, there has been no discussion on exactly how much this repair will cost.
It’s great having the car back and we really appreciate the larger size, quieter ride and so much more. Welcome back old friend.
The car arrived with the snow tires installed and the VIN engraved on the catalytic converter to hopefully deter thieves. I hear it can take months to get that part replaced too!
After reading a couple of articles it makes our story seem like a walk in the park. Apparently, cars don’t like to be neglected will they are sitting around waiting for parts and it way more that a Hyundai/Kia issue.
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Is Amazon less expensive?
Apparently, not always and as the saying goes “It pays to shop around.”.
So, I’m looking for something simple, a v-belt for the aquarobic air pump at the lake. You used to be able to just pop over to Canadian Tire and pick one up from an extensive collection, not any more, they don’t have any!
The V-belt in question S.W.R. Industries a nice Canadian company with good products. Where are your local distributors now?
The company sells on Amazon and direct from their website as well. I like to buy three at a time to have some backups on hand. Here is the breakdown.
Description
Cost
Shipping
GST
PST
Total
Amazon (SWR)
$14.95, 3 for $44.85
$6.95
$2.37
$3.31
$52.99
SWR Website Direct
$4.46, 3 for 13.38
$22.62
1.80
$0.00
$37.80
Same product, same company, big difference. Hmmmm. ?
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I’m a Supply Chain Hostage
BREAKING NEWS!
Negotiations have resolved the situation and provided a release of our car!Hostage for 5 months and 8 days waiting for a fuel pump.
Back on June 15, 2022 our 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe experienced a fuel pump failure. OK, things happen. the big surprise was the dealer informing me that there were no parts in North America and the wait for a part was 3-4 weeks! This is not good. It’s the start of the summer and for us that means lots of time at the cottage on Lake of the Woods, lots of driving, lots of hauling stuff in the car.
We bit the bullet and rent a car but a month later and $3,500 poorer, the rental car must go. Fortunately, a family member loans us a car so we’re not stranded at home.
Over this time there are many calls to the dealer, emails to Hyundai Canada and finally to the Hyundai dealer President and GM. The dealer calls were pretty much all the same, “next week but no guarantees”. Weeks would come and go, but still no part. The reason? The Supply Chain. Things are messed up, it may or not be manufactured, it may or may not be on a boat, it may or may not be on a dock, it may or may not be on a truck. End result, it’s not on my car.
On September 13, 2022 I get a response to my email to the Hyundai dealer GM. He explains all the steps he’s taken to get my fuel pump, explained the issues, expresses understanding of my frustration and handles the situation very professionally, I’m glad somebody has heard me and understands. He also offers to deliver a loaner car to our house and says the Service Manager will call and arrange it. About a minute after I get off the phone with the GM the Service Manager calls and asks if he can deliver the car now. Fifteen minutes later a brand new red Hyundai Venue with only 1,000kms is in my driveway.
Also, on the call with the GM he says the information he has now indicates the fuel pump will arrive September 19th and that either way he will call me back on the 19th. Well, no part and no call on the 19th but I got a call from my Service Rep today (21st) and he updates me that now the part might arrive in Toronto on September 28 and might be at the dealer on October 4, 2022. Again, no guarantees
Still frustrating but now I have my own hostage. ?
My Hostage – A new Hyundai Venue -
Car Part Delays
Still waiting for my fuel pump. ☹️. It’s been over 60 days since it was ordered on June 17, 2022. No ETA.
Supply chain delays are the supposed issue.
www.cbc.ca/news/business/consumer-prices-supply-chain-delays-1.6558371
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Pause
Pause in His presence.
These words really impacted me this morning as I’m reading Psalm 44, right between v8 and v9 in The Passion Translation, “Pause in His Presence”, and I did!
Time stopped for a few minutes. I just stared and the words and took the time to pause and really feel His presence. It’s quiet here in the basement as I sip coffee and read devotions and scripture. Always a special time of the day and sometimes an extra special moment with God.
His is always present but sometimes I really just need to pause to make it more of a reality in my life.
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200 Tuesday – Yes!
Well, today it happened. 200 or less on Tuesday!
As I posted a week ago I set a goal earlier in the year. And, in spite of Domino’s pizza and a couple of glasses of wine last night, the goal was achieved this morning at 198.4. I know nobody but me cares about this but goal achieved. Feels good.
Now the new goal is to hold between 195 and 200 and make this my new normal.
Goal Achieved! -
Catchy Phrases
Why do phrases like these seem to immediately resonate? Is it simple the alliteration or is there more to it? Many authors, especially leadership authors, seem to use this technique to reinforce their points. What makes them memorable phrases?
The breaking is necessary for the breakthrough.
When I commit…
Craig Groeschel – life.church
… I don’t quiteGod created you on purpose for a purpose
Christine Caine