Seymour Sycamore

Posted on November 7, 2013 by lyonsroarforgod

Seymour Sycamore is big, really big. Some might call him a giant. He’s not really a sycamore tree, but that’s beside the point. That’s what we called him when we bought our house, and any other name for him just seems wrong now. He is old, older than our 1927 house, and he stands guard closely. He provides shade in the hot summer and a sturdy branch for our children’s swing. He could be a she; not really sure about these tree kind of things. You arborists out there might say he’s an “it”, but he is too much a part of our everyday lives for me to do that.

The point? None really, except to enjoy those little (or big) things that are around you. Blessings from God that are all around us, if we look. Slainte, Lisa

Music, Concocted With Joy

Posted on November 5, 2013 by lyonsroarforgod

I’m a pretty simple person when it comes to music I like. It makes me happy. Super serious music (usually accompanied by somber faces set in stone whilst playing) leaves me cold. My soul remains unmoved. But give me a happy musician, who is obviously having fun while he/she plays, anytime. And while I enjoy someone who is skilled musically, they don’t have to be the “best”. Because sometimes in the quest to be the best, they forget why they started playing in the first place. “Where morning dawns and evening fades, You call forth songs of joy.” (Psalm 65:8b)

Here is a guy who shows immense joy to me when he plays. Tim Edey is very good at the guitar, yes….but watch his face. He’s happy; he’s loving what he’s doing. And there’s nothing better. (And Mike McGoldrick is totally amazing on the whistle; no need to breathe apparently!) Enjoy the music and your day. Slainte, Lisa

Running the Race

Posted on November 4, 2013 by lyonsroarforgod

Running on a field at Trinity College

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” ~Philippians 3:13b-14

There are always hard things in life. Things to face, things to conquer, things to forget. So this verse always helps me a lot in trying to forget, in helping me to face challenges. Life is a race, and I’m so excited that I’m heading towards Jesus at the finish line. He’s standing there behind the ribbon, waiting, loving, helping me along all the way. And as I run (walk, limp, hop) towards that finish, I am so hopeful. Because this world sees things as winning versus losing, but Jesus sees my heart. 🙂 Blessings, Lisa

A Day in the Life of a Town

Posted on October 31, 2013 by lyonsroarforgod

This is Cahir, Ireland, as seen from a bridge by Cahir Castle. (which just happens to be my very, very favorite castle in Ireland) An ordinary day in the life of a town, except that it happened to be a day that we stumbled upon the bridge, gazed down and took a picture. Given the advantage of height and distance, we could see most of the street, the small cars, the delivery truck, the pedestrians on the sidewalks, the contrasting colors of the shops. (I’ll give you one guess as to which is the souvenir shop!)

Time, distance, perspective can make things seem charming that are sometimes irritating when you are right in the middle of it. 🙂 The challenge is trying to remember that when I’m in the midst of the irritation. Eventually, with enough space and time, it might end up being a good story and I will appreciate it better. Blessings on your day, Lisa