Have you ever wondered at the different types of love?

According to St. Thomas Aquinas, "Love wills the good of the other".  And within our life experience we know of many types of love where we'd do anything, no matter the cost, that's in the best interest of the ones we love. Some would say there are 4 types of love (eros, agape, filial, storge) and I agree but I feel like there are many facets within each type.  And these facets are like beautiful parts of a gem - unique depending on the person I share it with and how the light of love shines through.  That is what is behind my lyrics from "Take Time to Wonder":

"Have you ever wondered at the different types of love, unique like diamonds and pearls?
Have you ever wondered at the love shown on the Cross? God drawing us back to Him, no matter what the cost?" Listen here  

We also know that God IS love. He is the Source of all Love and Light.  For the good of ALL of us, for our eternal happiness and fulfillment, "...He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life". John 3:16

Spending most of my career as an elementary school teacher - Valentine's Day has always been a special time of celebrating friendship and taking the opportunity to offer a little extra kindness to one another.  Plus the sugar, poems, games and excitement are always fun too :)  As Christians and people of good will - we are called to share God's love with the world, all types and facets with those around us. Like I would encourage my young students to see Valentine's as a celebration of more than romantic love, I encourage you to ponder the different facets of love you enjoy in your life now and show your gratitude.  It never hurts to share a little of your heart and be kind, right?

Happy Valentines to all who have touched my heart - especially my family, friends who feel like family and all I have been blessed to both love and be loved by (including students and colleagues!). 

"If you've touched my heart, you have a place to stay".  From my song "You Have A Place" Listen here 

Embracing the New Year and One Another

Merry Christmas (yes, it's still Christmas...we're on Day 8!) and Happy New Year! Today we begin a new decade with a year of new possibilities. Come Holy Spirit and direct our lives and hearts on this journey towards eternity!

Today (January 1, 2020) is also a holy day honouring Mary, the Holy Mother of God. I am always deeply touched when imagining the deep love, care and trust of Mother Mary as she held her infant son, the Son of God. This year I was moved by Pope Francis' Christmas Eve homily where he shared an old legend about a poor shepherd who felt he was extremely poor and felt embarrassed that he had nothing to give to the Christ child when he ran from the fields to see Him whom the Angel announced.

"Seeing that shepherd with empty hands, she [Mary] asked him to draw near. And she put the baby Jesus in his arms. That shepherd, in accepting him, became aware of having received what he did not deserve, of holding in his arms the greatest gift of all time. He looked at his hands, those hands that seemed to him always empty; they had become the cradle of God. He felt himself loved and, overcoming his embarrassment, began to show Jesus to the others, for he could not keep for himself the gift of gifts". 

We too can become the cradle of God - in our hearts when we adore and contemplate Him but also in our actions  when we joyfully share He who abides within us, with others.  Jesus came for ALL of humankind and loves each one of us dearly.

One of the ways we can love others is to lift them up in prayer.  I absolutely love this quote below:

Prayers are God-filled words in which our love and God’s love are joined. That love embraces the people for whom we are praying, and love always changes people and situations. This doesn’t mean that we will always get what we want, but Jesus does promise that we will get what we need." — Rev. Jude Winkler, OFM

While reflecting on the beauty and love of the Baby Jesus through the eyes of His mom, let us embrace our loved ones and the possibilities of the upcoming year in prayer - believing with all our hearts that love truly changes people and situations and all will work out for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28).

Please enjoy this adaptation of a Polish Carol I wrote - my brother Daniel and sister Caitlin are singing along with me. One of my favourite lines is: "In all humility do I rest my head upon your crib and gaze upon you precious King in the radiance of your love".

I send love to and embrace all who are reading this right now in prayer. Peace and blessings to you throughout 2020!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrQTTjQaWWE&list=PLDB4570AA62140964&index=2&t=0s

Fourth Sunday of Advent - Come Emmanuel!

Fourth Sunday of Advent - Come Emmanuel!

Did you know Emmanuel means 'God with us'?  My last song in this 4 part Advent series is called 'Emmanuel' by Steve Angrisano. This is one of my favorites based on the well-known ancient hymn text of "O Come O Come Emmanuel".

May these final days of preparation for the Christmas season of 2019 bring you re-JOY-cing with Heaven and Earth at the birth of our Saviour - God in flesh... God with us for all time, until the end of time.  May we all know the gifts of Love, Light, Beauty, Hope and Joy today and always.

Is your heart ready for His coming?  I can't wait :)  

https://youtu.be/uetnbPo0yLs

Third Sunday of Advent - Come O JOY

Third Sunday of Advent - Come O JOY and Hope for Humankind!

The hymn today is called Maranatha by Gerard Chiusano, and today we light the pink (or rose) candle marking the third Sunday during this time of waiting. We are called to be joyful heralds of what is to come!

  The lyric that stuck with me the most is 'hope for human kind'.  It reminds me of how God's divine work throughout history and still today is for ALL. How do I herald the joy and peace of God's coming kingdom to others?  How can I speak HOPE and peace into the lives of others who are stressed and feeling the burden of their life circumstances?

https://youtu.be/978kouPDjSM 

Second Sunday of Advent - Come Light and Beauty

Second Sunday of Advent - Come Light and Beauty!

*If you're receiving these posts through email - please click on the blog link to see the video*

The hymn today, "The King Shall Come" by Trevor Thomson reminds us that Advent not only points us to the coming of Christ historically and in our hearts  on Christmas Day 2019...but also to the coming He promised at the end of time. At this time of year when we experience the most darkness (sunset at 4:30pm!) how beautiful is it to see Christmas lights everywhere and to be reminded of that glorious day that awaits when our King finally comes. 

Light and beauty are harbingers of God's grace and love - where do you see His light and beauty around you right now?

"The King shall come when morning dawns and light and beauty brings"

First Week of Advent - Come O Love

First Week of Advent - Come O Love and make us whole once more

This Advent I'd like to share a video each week highlighting some of my favourite more contemporary Advent hymns.  Please join in and share your comments/thoughts as we journey during this season of waiting and transformation. 

Have a listen to "Come, Emmanuel" by Trevor Thompson, published by OCP.  A lyric that strikes me is:  Come, O Love - in power revive your people.

What areas of your life need reviving?   It could be something as simple as breaking a little bad habit, trying to be more generous during the holiday season or something more deep/complex such as the healing of a broken heart.  Our Lord wants to come into whatever or wherever it is that we need...individually and as a community.

Sometimes You Gotta Laugh at Yourself

  I'm sure we've all heard someone say - well I just gotta laugh or else I will cry! I find that true and sometimes you just gotta laugh because it's good for you and those around you! And in such a climate of fear, anxiety and anger both politically & economically  lately...we could use something 'light'.  So have a little listen to my "Love is Here Outtakes".  Kenny put it together a bunch of outtakes...some are me fooling around in recording session, tracks I sent him to review by email or captures of my reactions to hilarious mistakes.  I think he was kind and left off the REAL embarrassing ones...I'm still waiting for that shoe to drop ;).

I record my music in lots of different places...sometimes my basement
 is the cheapest and best option!

Love is Here - Outtakes

If you are a reader of my blog you get to check out full tracks for free on Soundcloud - click on this link:

Love is Here - Free Tracks :)



Also just a note - do not despair or be afraid!  We just celebrated the feast of Christ the King - where we are reminded that there is a powerful force beyond any level of government authority, God Himself. Christ is the King of a kingdom of justice, mercy, peace and eternal happiness. Let Thy Kingdom come!