The Hey You Lady

probably not comparing the same versions of the $5 bill but you get the gist. I work at a place where quite a bit of money changes hands on a daily basis.   They call me the “money-mama.”   I’m the one responsible for making sure the employees can make change for a $100 bill on a $6 transaction first thing in the morning.   I’m the one who makes sure all the big bucks are accounted for at the end of the day, and I’m the one who gives those same big bucks a send-off to the bank vault on a daily basis.   If there is one thing I’ve learned from handling so many Benjamins, Grants, Jacksons, Hamiltons, Lincolns, and Washingtons, it’s this: I can usually spot a counterfeit at first glance. The authentic bills all have identical characteristics, such as color, feel, and size.   Yet they are all different.   Bills that have been in circulation for a while are more worn, some may be a bit faded, and some may have a birthday greeting or short grocery list ...

Hong Kong's Symphony of Lights "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” - Matthew 5:14-16 A couple of months ago I decided to do an experiment. Not out of boredom, but for a purpose. It was blog writing time. Pastor Chris and I belong to a group where we blog on the same topic every week. His is chrislogan.blogspot.com; mine is heyyoulady.blogspot.com. The topic for that particular week was, “What is seen in the light.” My experiment was to shut off the lights and put on a blindfold, then write my post, typing blindfolded. Here are some of my reflections of my time in the absence of light. ---------------------------- My vision has failed me. I rely solely on my remaining senses ...

Gifts.   We’ve all given some, and we’ve all received some.   Birthday gifts, Christmas gifts, re-gifts.   Some of my favorite gifts to receive – and to give – are the ones given for just cause – “just ‘cause” you are loved by somebody.   Whatever the occasion, the giver usually puts some thought behind what gift he chooses for the recipient.   I know when I give a gift, whether it is a book or clothes or flowers or food, I am particularly blessed to know that the person I give it to will use it to benefit himself and/or others. Not long ago some members of my church went through a study series on Spiritual Gifts.   In one part of the study everybody had the opportunity to take a personal Spiritual Gifts Assessment.   This assessment was a questionnaire designed to reveal some areas where God has blessed each of us individually with strengths that we can use in our lives, such as wisdom, creative ability, teaching, intercession (praying for others), ...