The Canvas
(c)08-25-2012

A canvas sets on the edge of greatness and beauty, blank, waiting for the touch of the master’s hand. She takes charge of what is to be. Gentle strokes, broad strokes, strokes that caress the canvas… leaving the marks of imagination, transforming nothing into beauty. The image emerges revealing the thoughts and desires and power of the canvas. It is breath-taking to the beholder. She understands the difference between OK and great. Nothing will do but great. It must emulate the original. It must be the original! So it is with our canvas of life.

We start life as a blank canvas. Brush strokes are made by those around us as we begin to grow. Made by mom, dad, friend and strangers alike. All try to add their image to our canvas. An image of who they think we are. As we grow into the artist we strive to be, we accept or reject the strokes of others and create a portrait we strive to become.

Some strokes by others can leave an off color, covering who we really strive to be. A brush stroke that is not us can be covered by our touch, our color, our imagination of who we are, adding integrity to the texture and hue. Revealing an inner beauty as the artist of our life takes control, guiding our hand, adding the touches that transform the canvas from OK to great.

The Artist chooses the colors, the brushes from which she wants to define her life. The decisions are hers to make as she selects the shades of color, or even black and white, that will define her life. She paints a portrait of peace and joy, of self-less love for family and friends.. All else is unimportant. The things of past are covered. Today and tomorrow are forming a painting that will be great.

Letting the Master’s Hand guide our hand, we find freedom flowing freely onto and into our canvas. In doing His will in our life, we are set free. A freedom indescribable at times as we are lost to the distractions of the past. Caught up in the hope and love of today.

The Master guides our hand, willingly or even unwillingly at times in our artistic endeavor. As we learn to relax and give Him control of our hands, He reveals the beauty that is within us. It is great.

I have heard being an artist and painting described as being easy but living life as being difficult and unsure. Life can be described as a series of brush strokes, choices. Some can destroy the beauty intended for our canvas. Some strokes can create breath-taking beauty which radiates outward, inspiring the ones observing our portrait.

This was inspired by a young friend of mine, she left a few brush strokes on my life. They will not be painted over. They will be treasured, remembered for a long time to come.

When I look into a mirror, I want to see Jesus, the Creator of my portrait.

My heart breaks for those that are looking for someone to save them.
For I use to felt the same way that if I could find that one woman.
But I was sinning against Christ and as Solomon also found out.
People here can not save you only Christ can save you only God.
People leave us wanting, but if any of you need a friend to talk to.
I am here for you as Friend not a savior , not as someone needing saved.
For now I understand no one can save me from my pain or loneliness.
Only Christ, I am getting stronger the Holy Spirit of God is guiding me in truth.
So remember this we can not save one another only Christ can save.

I feel one..
A miracle.
It's coming....
I hope soon.

A BRIGHT STAR OVER BETHLEHEM!
* By Raj Nandy*

“We three kings of Orient are,
Bearing gifts we travel afar;
Field and fountain, moor and mountain, -
Following the yonder star ! “
- A Christmas Carol.

Named Casper, Melchior, and Balthasar, - @
The Three Wise Men came from the East,
Traveling west guided by a bright Star,
To seek out the child born under this lucky
Star ;
And to pay their homage and before him kneel,
For He was to become the Savior and King !
They brought Him precious gifts of Gold,
Frankincense, and Myrrh, -
Which were also symbolic gifts by far!
Precious Gold has been a gift for royalty always,
For the baby Jesus was to become the uncrowned
King one day!
Frankincense as a soothing perfume was really
good ,
Which also symbolized His future priesthood !
Myrrh as an embalming ointment was being used,
By the ancient Egyptians as a preserving perfume! #
This gift of Myrrh was like a breath of new life
in the prevailing gloom;
While symbolizing His sorrowing, suffering, and
crucifixion;
And leading to His final resurrection, -
To save mankind from their sinful affliction!

So Friends, when you celebrate Christmas this
year,
Let us with love bring hope and good cheer!
And help to wipe out those sorrowing tears, -
By giving gifts to those destitute children and
bless,
Since we generally tend to forget them always!
And let our gifts become a true symbol, -
HIS kindness and love let them reflect and
resemble!
………………………………………………………………...........................­...............

A Very Happy Christmas To All My Reader!
NOTES : - @ = One 8th Century AD manuscript says that these three Wise Men were also astrologers, who had known about the Prophecy of the birth of Jesus who was to be the King of the Jews! They were guided by a Bright Star which had shone over the town of Bethlehem in Judea, ruled by the mad King Herod! Their three symbolic Gifts signified the King, the Priest, and the Savior of Mankind respectively! From the ‘Gospel of Matthews’ we learn that
King Herod had told them to inform him about the Baby’s location! But since they had been forewarned by a dream, they returned by a different route! So Herod gave orders to **** all children 2 years and below, fearing this ‘King of the Jews’ will one day take over his throne!
#MYRRH = was being used by the Egyptians during the 5th century BC,
which they had obtained from Africa. It was used in incense, in perfumes , & in holy ointments; mostly for embalming ; - signifying Jesus was to die for mankind ! Thanks for reading, – Raj.
,

maybe i keep
running away from You
because i am afraid
to let You love me,
maybe i keep running
because i don't want to
believe that grace and
mercy are waiting for me
maybe i keep running
because i know i don't
deserve what You
want to give me and maybe
i keep running
because it's not fair
that You keep chasing me
but i don't want to run;
i want to stay trapped
in your heart
and know by heart
the rhythm of your breathing
i want to never escape
the stronghold of your embrace
i want to stay and never leave
and never wander and never run.

O' how they rise above each other,
the descendants of Babel!
Rebels to forefathers.
All as righteous as they seem –
to the law, but not to reality

Towers Among Towers!
unreachable by mere ones
mocking the lowlands
with their heights  
Even dreams could not fathom!

And oh, how Towers fall too,
at the top of their limit.
Catastrophe! Phenomena!
their power too is frail
because there is always
One that stands taller
than any other could avail.

The burning question: What is Christmas and what's the meaning of Christmas?

Christmas is the birth of Jesus Christ, God's only Son. It was the start of forgiveness of sins and a perpetual end to condemnation in the world. It's the sole reason for our celebration although over the years, non-believers have managed to manipulate the Church into believing that the only way to celebrate Christmas is by going out of your path to prove a point to close family members and friends regarding your financial status - or lack of it. Indeed, oftentimes, we Christians result in borrowing money and taking out loans so as to reach up to impossible standards that have been self-imposed. Unfortunately, I don't believe that along the lines of shallow displays of lust for money are we acknowledging the true meaning of Christmas.

On the other hand, some choose to celebrate Christmas by buying extravagant gifts to show deep feelings of love to particular persons. They believe that the centre and emphasis of Christmas is solely based on giving gifts instead of understanding the depth of God's given gift. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognise what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

This Christmas, I would like you to reflect with me on the main reason Christ was born. His birth was a perfect reminder of God's love for us. In addition to that, may we truly accept His Son, Jesus, who personally took on the human condition, entering the disordered mess of struggling humanity in order to set it right once and for all.
To Christians, may this remind us to maintain our salvation with fear and trembling.
To those who haven't already accepted Christ, may this cause you to accept His personal call to you with a willing and humble spirit.
To all, may we return to Christ, our First Love.

With that being said, I would like to conclude by wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year.

Breath* whisper,
*"He is in every single one of me."
Heart murmurs,
"He is tucked cozily in me ,as long as I am beating."
Hope utters,
"Never lose me, this man,one day you'll get to see."
Smile comforts,
"So put me on young lady, get ready for the.  
   meeting."

Heartbeat reveals,
"He brings a new meaning to each thump of mine."
Mind affirms,
"I'm telling you,you can't take him off me."
Eyes mime,
"When you close me, he'll send chills down your
   spine."
Love expresses,
"Trust him, I'm true, he would go down on his.    
   knee."

Test conveys,
"I'm sent down from above, but both of you will
   pass."
Miss admits,
"You feel me so much, you pray so hard for him to be
   closer."
Tears confess,
"I trickle down your cheeks like drops of crystal clear
   glass."
Faith assures, *"Have me, these tough days will
   soon be over."

~~
In touch of you,
one day, thousands of dreams grew on me
after that you left me in halfway
then little by little I have almost forgotten my dreams
forgotten that dreamy highway where there we walked together

Today I'm walking alone,
so alone,
towards an unknown way,
where there I hear my wounded dreams
and my love calling me,
calling me as if they are in a trap
As if they are in a cage
where there I see a narrow way,
I never go through such a way,
very congested,
little bit hazy,
too shadow,
dark,
and a few footsteps that I have seen
where there my dreams calling,
my lost love calling,
calling too loudly

Again I feel my heart has overflowed
floating over my lost dreams,
flooding over my lost love

I'm walking through that narrow way
little by little that sound has seemed strong,
little by little I have heard her voice to grow long
may be I am so close to my love,
so close to my dreams
my right hand moving,
moving through the dark
I try to break the shadow,
try to catch my dreams
I have become tired,
Try to take a little breath
and finally,
I break the shadow,
shatter the dark
and finding her within the dark
seeking my dreams within the shadow
but I can't see anything,

Yet the clock moving on--
still I'm uttering her name
and dreaming within my thousands of daydreams
where I had left one long spring--
~~
@Musfiq us shaleheen


---------------------------------
হাজারো স্বপ্ন ও একটি ভালবাসা
---------------------------------
তোমার স্পর্শে
একদিন যখন হাজারো স্বপ্ন
বুদবুদ করতো--  
তারপর মাঝ রাস্তায় রেখে
চলে গেলে তুমি--
আস্তে আস্তে
ভুলে যেতে থাকলাম সপ্ন গুলোকে,
ভুলে যেতে থাকলাম সেই স্বপ্নের রাজপথ
যে পথে হাটতাম আমরা -

আজ আমি একা
বড় একা-
এক অচেনা রাস্তায় হাটি,
যেখানে শুনতে পাই,
আমার আহত সপ্নেরা,
আমার হারানো ভালবাসা,
আমায় ডাকে-
শুনে যেন মনে হয়
তারা বড় অসহায়,  
মনে হই তারা বন্দী,
সেখানে একটা সরু রাস্তা দেখতে পাই
এমন রাস্তায় আগে কখনো যাই নাই
খুবিই দমবন্ধ করা-
খুবিই দুর্ভেদ্য-
ঘন ছায়া,
অন্ধকার,
ঔইখানে কিছু পদচিন্হ দেখি
সেখানে স্বপ্নরা ডাকে,
হারানো ভালবাসা ডাকে,
উচু স্বরে ডাকে-

আবার হৃদয় প্লাবিত হয়
যা ভাসছে হারানো সপ্নের উপর
প্লাবিত হচ্চে হারানো ভালোবাসের উপর

আমি সেই সংকীর্ণ রাস্তা দিয়া হাটি
আস্তে আস্তে শব্দগুলো স্পষ্ট হয়
আস্তে আস্তে  তার সুর সুনতে পাই
হইত আমি ভালবাসার খুবই কাছে
হইত সপ্নের খুবই কাছে
ডান হাত সরছে
চলছে আধারের মধ্যে দিয়ে
চেষ্টা করি ওই ছায়াকে দূর করতে
চেষ্টা করি স্বপ্নকে ধরতে
দারুন ক্লান্ত,
চেষ্টা করি একটু শ্বাস নিতে
এবং শেষে,
মুছে ফেলি ওই ছায়া
বন্ধ করি ওই আধার
খুজি ওই আধারে ভালোবাসা
খুজি সপ্নকে  ওই ছায়াতে
কিন্তু পাইনা খুঁজে কিছুই-

এখনো ঘড়ির কাটা ঘুরে
প্রতিনিয়ত তার নাম উচার্রণ করি  
সপ্নদেখি শত সহস্র দিবাস্বপ্নের মাঝে  
যেখানে আমি ফেলে এসেছি দীর্ঘ এক বসন্ত--
~~
@মুসফিক উস সালেহীন

On a world in the milky way galaxy..
Shines Ocean sapphire blue from afar..
2 eclipses are seen in its sky..
In 3 years their world will end..
The 2 eclipses in the sky are 2 interstellar masses that belong to another planet that was destroyed long ago..
Our mission has been to observe life in these last three years..
In the beginning it was mass hysteria..
Global panic..
People were killing each other and taking from each other..
The everyday uses of energy were no longer being used..
It was as if they all quit because of the impending doom they were all aware of..

Year 2:
On the second month of year 2 the lights came back on in a small town In the southern state
called Texas..
The people their decided to live out their final year working and helping each other..
Rumor had spread fast of the town with lights again..
Many groups followed all over the world and simply did the same..
The slogan was simple.. " Before it ends lets just all begin again.."
And thus the entire world followed yet again as 2 eclipses could no longer darken their day..

Year 3:
One month until the end.. For 31 days they celebrated! Together they had a one month party.. It was a global togetherness that we have never seen.. Amazing it took the ending of a planet to bring it all together.. I smiled at them before leaving..

Christmas used to be a time of fun
As I age my eyes have opened
I am no longer waiting for a present
I'm waiting for my Saviour to come

In my heart I truly know
I will be the one to go
To meet The Saviour
There will be a day
Until then I must pray

He speaks to me each
And every day
Through His Spirit
If I truly give
Him my all
When I pray

Patience ia a virtue
You see
Give Him your faith
You will be set free

I do not know what I need
God, I bow to You
On my knees and plead
For Your quest in me
To be fullfilled
Your love for me is forever sealed

Human spirit cannot be
Satisfied
Our selfishness, we tend
To justify

Help me Heavenly Father
Give You all control
You are the nourishment
Of my soul

I am not saying Christmas
Cannot be fun
Let us not let go
Of our Father's Son
True happiness it
Will come