Time to rest

It is nearly Christmas and the advantage of being a teacher is that I get 2 weeks off work! This is an amazing opportunity to go somewhere nice, to spend time with family, to have time for one's self! I have chosen to come to Bali this Christmas, even though I would've loved to spend it somewhere with snow... Bali is wonderful, don't get me wrong, I am enjoying it!

I was talking to Maite last night about rest and we were questioning whether it's a good thing to spend 2 weeks doing nothing too productive in a place like Bali (which seems like heaven on earth). I did point out that our bodies need rest, we need to get away from the busy life at work, from the craziness of the city and that it is important for us to rest; the way I see it is that I am honouring God with my body, by taking care of it (therefore the previous post).

I've been reading a bit about rest this morning and I am going to post it below; these are not my words... they are Jodi Schumm's words.

“Sit down!” I ordered my 2-year-old. He walked across the bathtub and grabbed more toys before obeying me.

I wanted Brock to enjoy playing in the tub; I just didn’t want him hurt trying to get toys on his own. He needed my help.

For a while, he pushed his little boats. Then he stood up again.

“Sit down!” I repeated. “If you stand in the tub again, you’ll have to get out.”

“But,” Brock stated, quite proud of himself, “I’m Jesus, and I’m walking on the water!”

At times we try to do things on our own. Like Brock when he grabbed his toys, we follow our plan without realizing the dangers of our independence.

God, a father who watches over his children, sees our need for his help. And he tells us to “sit down” with the biblical commands to rest.

Resistance to rest

Even as adults, we don’t like to rest. We try to complete our to-do list without God because we think resting will delay our productivity.

Instead of resting, we try harder and work longer. Yet even work we enjoy becomes burdensome when we don’t take time to rest.

God’s people rested one day each week in Old Testament times.

We don’t live under Old Testament laws, since Jesus’ death on the cross offers us the grace of the New Testament.

Some people use that as a reason to resist resting. Yet God’s view of rest is not just an Old Testament command. The New Testament also instructs us to give our burdens to God so we can enjoy rest.

A time of rest is a time to set aside distractions and focus on God. Resting is relying on God’s help to accomplish our task in his time.

When looking at how and why we rest, Keri Wyatt Kent’s book “Breathe” states, “If I gave you three easy steps, you would miss out on experiencing God’s guidance for yourself.”

Keri is right. Our focus shouldn’t be on following someone’s instructions on what rest should look like in our lives.

Our focus should be on what God tells us about rest through his word.

Resting ‘how-to’s

Jesus said that rest is not just a spiritual exercise – it is a gift: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NIV)

Resting in him is not a reward for accomplishing our tasks or something we enjoy when the holiday season is behind us. It’s a gift he wants to give us today.

When we recognize resting is a gift from God, we’re more willing to enjoy it without the guilt of feeling lazy.

Jesus’ discussion on rest revealed that it is not the same as being idle: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29 NIV)

Rest is more than just enjoying a time of relaxation. Taking his yoke means we trust God with our burden so we can enjoy doing what he calls us to do. 2 Thessalonians 1:11b states: “and we pray that God, by his power, will fulfill all your good intentions and faithful deeds.”

Relying on God’s wisdom and power to complete tasks removes the sense that work is a burden. We realize that the results of our efforts are in God’s control.

Finally, resting is learning from Jesus’ example. Jesus was busy with an important to-do list that included healing the sick and feeding the hungry. Yet he rested regularly: “Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place” (Mark 1:35 NIV); “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountain to pray” (Luke 6:12 NIV).

The world didn’t fall apart when Jesus rested, even though he created it. Our world won’t fall apart when we rest, either.

As we obey God’s instruction to rest, our responsibilities will not change but our spirits will be transformed. Like Brock, we can act like “I’m Jesus” and face our responsibilities on our own. Or, we can obey God and become more like Jesus by resting.

HONOR GOD WITH YOUR BODY

The next time you sit down to a thick, juicy steak dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy , white rolls and butter, and homemade apple pie, ask yourself this question: Am I honoring God with my body? When you run to the store late at night for your favorite flavor of Haagen Dazs, ask yourself this question: Am I bringing glory to God with my body? When you get to the bottom of a new bag of Ruffles while watching the tube, ask yourself this question: Am I worshipping God with my body?

What does it mean to honor God with our bodies?

"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." (1 Cor. 6:19,20 NKJ)

Most Christians know and believe that fornication and adultery are out with God. We usually agree that illegal drug use is a sin. Drunkenness and pornography are routinely condemned by the church. Why? Because these things go against Scripture and are harmful to human beings.

Is it possible to sin, or fail to please God in our eating?

A while back, I heard a Christian make this comment: "We don't smoke, drink, or fornicate, so all we have is eating." Since then, I have often heard the same sentiment, usually from overweight believers. Some people even laugh about the way they themselves or other believers eat, thinking it's funny. We, as Christians, proudly put off the heinous sins of the world and think of ourselves as righteous, while in private (and some feel no shame doing it openly) we'll eat an entire box of doughnuts, or whatever, and pack on the pounds. We sit down to meal after meal after meal, snack after snack after snack, eating in ignorance, or to the contrary, in absolute rebellion.

Consider theses tidbits:

• The average American carries 8 pounds of material on the walls of his colon due to the foods he eats.
• Fatty deposits that lead to atherosclerosis are being found today in 3 year olds.
• Many, if not most, sicknesses and diseases, including mental and emotional problems are, directly or indirectly, caused or exacerbated by poor diet.
• Healthy or so-called "diet" foods often contain ingredients more harmful to health than the foods they are meant to replace.

"For you once were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. (Eph. 5:8,9 NIV)

It's up to us as individuals to find out what the best, most healthful way to eat is and then do it. Don't wait until your pastor tells you to change. He might not ever do it. But God has made it plain in His Word.

I've had people tell me that God doesn't care what we eat, so long as we are moderate, so long as we don't get too fat. What is too fat anyway? Ten pounds, 20 pounds, 100 pounds overweight? What is moderation? How can you set the limit, when it takes sometimes years for certain foods to have their full impact on health? Most disease takes long enough to develop that the connection to diet is lost or overlooked.

Why does God care about what and how much we eat? Because He's mean and He doesn't want us to enjoy anything? No, because He has a plan for your life, and you need to be fit and full of energy to perform it. And you need to be alive. You can't serve the Lord on the earth from an early grave. You won't do all you could for Christ from your sickbed or sleeping off the sugar blues. You won't serve the Lord to full capacity if you're too ashamed of yourself to minister to others. Our health is vitally important to God. Christians, more than any other people, need to eat to live, not live to eat.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship." (Rom. 12:1 NIV)

Eating right, like doing anything else right, involves sacrifice. But, as we know, sacrifice is a necessary part of the Christian life. Remember the supreme sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ, who "for the joy set before Him endured the cross." If we will but follow the example of our Savior, and focus on the joy--the joy of a long, healthy life, the joy of the security we can offer our loved ones, the joy of helping others and touching many, many people's lives, and the joy Paul described in 2 Timothy 4:7: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." --then we will find the changes much easier to make and stick with.

Now don't come under condemnation and make a mountain of new rules for yourself that you can't live up to. Some of us know very little about health and good nutrition or have attitudes surrounding eating that need uprooting. Many of us have flesh that has been out of control for a very long time, and it's going to take time and diligence to reign it in. Change is often synonymous with process. First, make a commitment to learn and to grow. Then ask God to show you what you need to do, or stop doing, and to give you the willingness and strength to perform it.

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Cor. 10:31 NIV)

This was taken from http://www.livrite.com/nc/honor.htm;

Qatar 2022

Yesterday became a historical day for Qatar. They have won the bid to host the World Cup in 2022. As I turned my computer on in the morning I was surprised to see that google had this image on!! Well done!!

When I arrived in August there were sign everywhere, big posters with the logo "support Qatar's bid for 2022"; I didn't pay too much attention to it at that point. It wasn't until I actually put a sticker on my car that says: "I support Qatar's bid for 2022" that I got in the spirit of the whole thing.

The emir and his wife, the sheikha were thrilled!!

2022 is in 12 years from now - I asked myself where will I be in 12 years?? Definitely not in Qatar anymore, though it would be fun to experience the world cup here. Who knows, maybe I will come back! :)

Anyway, it is quite amazing that I got to experience history yesterday, even though I was in my flat - I could still hear the honking and the excitement of all the people. The interesting thing was that the people honking and cheering were not Qatari - most of the population here is expats, but we all felt happy for the nation that is hosting us! We all hoped they will win the bid and it was nice to see so many people, from so many countries rejoicing for one thing!

First day in India - Delhi

The journey started at Doha Airport, flying Etihad Airlines which was quite impressive!! It reminded me of Qatar Airways and how I felt like a princess… They treated us well. I tried to watch a movie but was too tired so I used all the other 3 available seats next to me to lay down. I was woken up by Maite saying we’re landing in Delhi!

Getting off the plane and into the airport it already felt like India, it actually smelt like India – a mixture of spices, food and don’t know what else.

We were told a taxi should be around 600-700 rupees; we managed to get one for 450 rupees and that is when the adventure began! The guy drove and drove through dark alleys and through crazy traffic and once we got closer to our destination he kept on stopping asking for directions; he had no idea where to take us!! Why was I not surprised? Well, I lived in Cairo for two years! We ended up at a tourism office and spent some time there figuring out where to go. We took advantage and booked a tour to Agra for our last day to see the Taj Mahal (that turned out to be another adventure!) Even after we left, the guy still didn’t know where to take us; we were taken on a dark alley, behind dodgy buildings and Maite started to freak out! It took us 1 and a half hours to get to our hotel. It was already 6 am when we got in!

Next morning we woke up at 10 in time for breakfast and our tour of Delhi. Breakfast!

This funny Indian man asked us what we want and then he asked: “omlette?” Yes!! Well, I forgot I was in India and expected to get a regular omlette – this one was not!!! It was

SPICY!!!!!! It had chilli in!! Goodness me!! But I ate it all and I realized soon I am getting used to this food; it is surprising how everything they eat is so spicy! I am sure when Indians go abroad and try our food they think it’s not good, and it tastes like nothing to them! J

As we were having breakfast it started to rain! Part of me was excited as it never rains in Doha and I was looking forward to see rain, but not on the day of our tour. Thank God the rain stopped and we were able to enjoy the city. We were taken to different places – most of them temples and tombs! It is required that you take your shoes off whenever you go inside a temple… well, I was wearing trainers, so imagine me having to take my shoes and my socks off at every single temple! Next time I will wear flip flops! I’ve learned my lesson!

The most interesting place was the lotus temple and people made comments on how it was made to resemble the Opera House in Sydney, Australia! Hmm… I am not too sure of that!

This was definitely contemporary architecture and very different than the other temples; while the others had different statues of different gods with offerings and incense burning this one was like a large hall with seats (pretty much like a Catholic church), vases of fresh flowers and big windows. No gods, no images, no nothing! We were welcomed by foreigners who worked or volunteered there and they gave us a little speech about the temple; it is supposed to welcome people from all religions, it encourages peace and EVERYBODY is free to go inside and pray to whatever God they want. I found that concept very modern… Anyway, we prayed there and blessed the people and the country.

The evening tour finished by India gate where a lot of people were hanging out whether families, couples, singles, schools; there was a mixture of ages and of course colours (I love the colours of India! The women dressed in they colourful saris are a delight to my eyes). We tried some food on the streets (actually Maite did – I was too scared I might get sick) and got henna. Sundar, our driver, took us to a nice Indian restaurant to finish the day. We enjoyed the food and I decided I won’t have Indian food for a month when I get back home! J

Delhi is an amazing city – very green and seemed very busy; the traffic is crazy; if I were to compare it to Cairo traffic I’d say it is “similar but different” (a very Arab thing to say). It is hectic and disorganized, people drive in between lanes and when 3 lanes should fit 3 cars, here they fit 5! There’s no concept of using blinkers (they don’t want to tell the “enemy” their next move) and cars move from lane 1 to lane 5 in one go! We define it as disorganized, but there is some structure to it, as there were no accidents when I expected us to crash into the first bike, rickshaw, truck, bus, person! The one way that is common for all drivers is honking! A long honk means “I’m coming, stay in your “lane” do not move to the right or left” and it keeps going until the car has overtaken another. If I were to honk at home, I’d tell the other driver: “Go ahead!”

I cannot say I have experienced Delhi – I just saw it from a car and got off to see the main attractions and that is all I needed! I got to see more of the “real India” in Lucknow, where we were thrown into the cast system, learning about the people and getting a better understanding of the reality of this country!

What should I have for dinner?

Last night Maite and I were having dinner at our hotel and I wanted some pasta; (too much Indian food is not good for you!) so, I asked the waiter if I can have Bolognese pasta (though it wasn't on the menu). He said yes we'll make it for you (and moved his head in the typical Indian style)!!! We waited and waited for 35 minutes... our food was not there yet, when suddenly I had a thought: in this country they don't eat beef (coz cows are holy) and they don't eat pork coz of the Muslims; how on earth are they going to make Bolognese for me? it was stupid of me t ask for it from the beginning anyway!!! So, I went and asked the guy: how are you making it? His English was rubbish, he didn't understand me, he called the manager, he sends somebody to the kitchen.... I said: in my country they make it with beef or pork, but you don't have that here! And I said: I hope you dont make it wt mutton coz I dont eat that! The guy comes back from the kitchen and he says: "Ma'am, we make it wt mutton meatballs!!!" NOOOOO!!! Anyway, I changed the order to Napolitane spaghetti, which wasn't great, but I ate it! I was so hungry coz I only had breakfast that day!
I guess I'll be having some beef as soon as I get back to Doha! :P

Power to ... go on, power to stand and continue

I came across this the other day and it is so interesting how it applies to my life at the moment. I felt very encouraged by it and that is why I am sharing it!

It is so interesting how we want to do so many things, to stand up for what we believe in, to follow our principles and live according to them.

This is from a series called "Unstoppable Life" by John Ortberg.

I think the great need of human beings is for power. I think most people that I know, regardless of background, even religious tradition, most people have really pretty good intentions for the kind of lives that they want to lead. We know the kind of people that we want to be. We think about the kind of relationships that we’d like to have. We want good things. We just seem to lack the power. We just somehow can’t do good stuff that we want to do and life kind of trips us up.

Life has this way of showing us—whatever field or dimension or area it is—we have these dreams, we have these thoughts, we have these plans and they are often quite good, but I find myself not living them out. I lack power to be who I want to be and do what I want to do. That seems to be the human condition.

There is power to go on, there is power for everything; you just need to find it! How? More to come!!

You know you're Arab when....

1. You reply with a NO when you’re asked if you would like more food, and it somehow translates into a YES
2.You refer to your dad's friends as Um-mo ..
3. Your mother has a minor disagreement with her (or your dad's) sister and doesn't talk to her for ten years.
4. You arrive one or two hours late to a party and think it's normal
5. You hug and kiss relatives you have never seen before in your life.
6. You ask your dad a simple question, and he answers by telling the story of how he used to walk miles just to get to school and how we ‘”have life so easy”
7.After a family meal, the women fight to death over who should wash the dishes while the men sit on their behinds and discuss politics, waiting for their Turkish coffee. ..
8.Your parents want you to become a doctor or engineer. ...
9. You still go back home and live with your parents after you graduate
10.Your mother yells at the top of her lungs to call you to dinner even if you're in the next room....
11. You have at least thirty cousins. ...
12. You pity anyone who is not an Arab and think all other cultures are morally corrupt.
13. If you are 25 and unmarried, your parents make you feel that you are getting old.
14. You talk for an hour at the front door when leaving someone's house....which leads to walk to the car and another hour of talk
15.You say bye 17 times on the phone. ...
16. Everyone is a family friend.
17. Your parents don't realize phone connections to foreign countries have improved in the last two decades, and still scream at the top of their lungs when making long distance calls. ..
18. Your mother does everything for you if you are male...
19.You do all the housework and cooking if you are female...
20.Your relatives alone could populate a small city.....
21. You make Turkish coffee before leaving home to work, at the office, before lunch, after lunch, when having guests, before the guest leave, after the guests leave and before you go to bed.
22. You teach Westerners swearwords in Arabic
23. You watch the hell out of Arabic Satellite…or at least your parents do
24. You have to lie to your parents when you go out, even if ur doing nothing wrong.
25. Your mother calls you "Mama" and your father calls you "Baba"
26. You have someone tell you your fortune through your coffee cup.
27. You've seen a sword dance. At a wedding.

28. You've heard Amr Diab's "Habibi ya nour el ein" 764363 times in your life.
29. Your Mum has a creative nickname for you like "Natoosheh," or "Tuntooneh."
30. You play cards till the break of dawn.
31. At weddings it takes the bride and groom 4 hours to kiss all the guests
32. You use Arabic bread as a utensil in every meal
33. There is no such thing as quiet time
34. You get pissed when an Arab is displayed as a Terrorist in a Movie.
35. You pronounce your p's as b's ( bolice and airblane)
36. You get happy when your friends use Arabic (swears especially) in normal speach.
37. You go to Arabic Restaurants, tell the owners your Arab, and think you're going to get free food.
38. You fight over who's going to pay the bill and make the biggest scene!
39. Your family is over your house all the time
40. You put salt, olive oil and garlic in everything
41. You always say “walaw, 3ala rasi wa 3ayne” ….as if you doing a great deed for someone
42. The satellite dish cuts out and everyone is looking for a new code cos it wasn’t a legal one
43. When you wanted fast food you got a shawarma
44. When you're parents call you while you're out with friends screaming:
"You're Late! Its already 12:00am yalla come back home!!” when its actually only 11:00pm
45. If you're a girl, every time you make coffee when your aunts come over, they look at you and say "mashAllah!! sayri 3aroos"
46. Shisha is a social thing…you neva smoke it alone
47. You say “Yalla Bye” after every phone call
48. Your aunt asks when she can dance at your wedding
49. There is NO such thing as Israel. It is Palestine
50. Your standing next to the largest suitcases at the airport

51. You know that 3 people can fit on a motorcycle, 8 people can fit in a 5-seat car, and 20 people can fit in a 12-person minibus

52. You've been to a gold souk.

53. You smoke as if it were your last day on earth…and you only smoke Marlboro. (LOL)

54. Your middle name is your father's first name.

55. If you are male, you're named after your grandfather or great-grandfather.