The Bride and the Bridegroom

I remember it well - my wedding day. The photographer was at our house taking pictures as my bridesmaids and I were getting ready for the big day. I remember the excitement of doing my hair. I remember the flash of the camera as my mom arranged the veil on my head. I was the bride. The pulse of my heartbeat began to increase in anticipation. We had arranged for the groom - my husband...oh that sounded sweet! - and the groomsmen to pick me and my bridesmaids up after they were finished washing and decorating the cars, and getting themselves dressed and ready.

The most memorable moment of that day took place after we had finished taking all of the indoor and outdoor pictures. The girls and I had come back into the house for refreshments. I had taken a sip or two from the cold glass of orange juice I held in my hand as I stood in the kitchen. That's when I heard the honking in the distance. My heart skipped a beat. Then I heard the sound of the cars coming down our long driveway. He was coming for me! This is what I had been waiting for. The moment had finally come...and I was ready.

This can be your story too. It's not exclusive to women on their wedding day. You have read my experience as a bride on her wedding day, but you know what? I'm looking forward to experiencing this again. No, I'm not planning on remarrying. I'm still smitten with the husband I married 28+ years ago. Praise God! What I'm looking forward to is the day when the Lord Jesus Christ - The Bridegroom - returns for His bride the church. And sisters - brothers too! - that means you and me. We who know the love of God and have embraced His love through faith in Jesus Christ are the church...His body...the bride of Christ.

Just like I knew the arrangement as a young bride on my wedding day, we too have been told the plan for that great day.

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

Are you ready? Are you waiting?

A Sacrifice of Praise

October holds many special memories in my mind of thanksgiving and praise. To tell the truth, because my heart is in two countries, it seems that I celebrate Thanksgiving Day for almost two months. And of course, October 31st falls between the two. I will always remember on that particular day in 1964... I awoke with an excitement and peace in my heart. It had begun the day before.

"I will pick you up after school," Preacher Merritt had told me. "Be sure and wear warm clothing, and bring an extra coat." I had been excited at school all day and couldn't wait to get home. But along with that excitement, I was also a little anxious. My Mother had been upset with me for almost two weeks after having put my trust in the Lord at a small church I had been attending. We were hardly on speaking terms. I had listened almost daily to her anger and frustration that I would go against her wishes. But I had determined in my heart to follow God and being baptized was an important part of that decision.

True to his word, Preacher Merritt was waiting for me when I got off the school bus. It was a sunny day, but cold and windy. He came to the front door and waited for me as I got my clothing together. My Mama was watching my every move, though she did not say anything. I knew that I had stepped across a line in my family that had never been stepped across. I had defied something deeper than simply disobeying a time frame or doing chores.

Both of my parents had deep seated anger and resentment against a church that had hurt them deeply when I was a child. Just days before, Mama had lashed out at Preacher Merritt after he had stopped by to see why I had left church after Sunday School. He had planned to announce my decision to follow Jesus to the congregation that morning, but as he was speaking, he noticed that I was no longer there. Mama had told me I had better come home or she would come and get me. I knew she would and I didn't want the embarrassment of her coming in and dragging me out or making a scene. I had experienced her irrational behavior before. As I listened to Preacher Merritt speak to my Mama in his age-old voice filled with wisdom and kindness... her facial expression changed. Her anger settled and she just stood there looking at the two of us. I think she resolved in her heart that this was one battle that she could not win. Reluctantly she agreed to my baptism. But she would have no part of it.

As I got into the car with Preacher Merritt, he explained to me what would happen when we got to the lake. I kept thinking about how cold the water was going to be and the sacrifice he was making to go into that cold lake with me. I'm not sure how old he was at the time but he had white hair and had been the pastor of the church for many, many years. At least one of my high school friends was at the lake waiting for us. As we walked down to the lake and began venturing into the water, it felt ice cold to me. Preacher Merritt was a little unstable on his feet as I was. Neither of us had ever been in this lake before and were not sure of what it was like under our feet. We slowly walked out, testing the bottom of the lake with each step. Finally having reached a place that seemed appropriate enough, in waist deep water... we turned around. As we did, I saw my Mother's car pull up and she and my younger sister got out and walked down to the lake. I don't know if she just came out of curiosity or if she felt compelled to witness this event... but she came. Though her expression was solemn and she said nothing to me before or after... it was a blessing I did not expect.

As I professed my faith in Christ, and felt the chill of the cold water take my breath, I was excited! God had chosen me. Preacher Merritt wrapped a towel around me and put his coat over my soaking wet body. He had left his car running with the heater on. I watched Mama get into her car and leave as we followed behind her down the dirt road. Yet it was a time of peace in my life that settled deep into my soul.

Fall brings a time of thanksgiving and praise into my life for what God has done and continues to do. I praise Him for the seasons in our life of growth and renewal.

Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song. Psalm 95:2

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise... the fruit of lips that confess His name. Hebrews 13:15

Take me to the Pumpkin Patch

One of my favorite things this time of year is to take a walk in the pumpkin patch. I love to look at all of their different shapes and sizes. I love watching my children and even my husband walking through the field looking for just the right ones for us to bring home.

And I must admit, I get a little sentimental when I open the pages of a well worn story book...one that I have been reading to my family every October for about 12 years. It is the story of a farmer and how that farmer takes each one of his unique pumpkins at harvest time and carefully washes it off. Then he cuts it open and cleans out all of the slimy mess inside, throwing it away to never be seen again. He tenderly carves a friendly face into his pumpkin before putting a candle deep down inside. When the farmer lights that candle, the pumpkin glows from the inside out letting all the neighbors know that the farmer has transformed an ordinary pumpkin into something beautiful.

This story has worked itself into a meaningful family tradition for me and hopefully for my children as well. Each year we have a little pumpkin party after visiting the pumpkin patch. We read our book, "The Pumpkin Patch Parable", by Lizz Curtis Higgs, eat pumpkin snacks and then carve our pumpkins. We talk about how God (the farmer) has picked us and how he cleans us up from the inside out and then puts his light inside of us so that we can shine like stars in a dark world.

I love what John says about Jesus here:

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:4

Thank you Jesus! Thank you for Harvest and for choosing us! Thank you for washing us and taking the sin from inside us and making us clean. Thank you for putting your life and light inside of us and giving us joy! May we be lights that shine a reflection of you to all that see us.

Don't You Know?

As I was reading my Bible one day, this question struck me, mostly because it was repeated often, and primarily by the apostle Paul in his letters to the churches in Rome and Corinth. Apparently, according to Paul, there were some things that he assumed that they should know. Issues had come up that wouldn`t have been issues if they were behaving according to what they should have known to be true.

Listen to his words:

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Romans 6:3

Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? Romans 6:16

Or do you not know, brothers —for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives? Romans 7:1

God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? Romans 11:2

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16

Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 1 Corinthians 5:6

Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? 1 Corinthians 6:2

Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! 1 Corinthians 6:3

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? 6:9

Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? 6:15

Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? 6:16

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? 6:9

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? 9:24

I can almost hear Paul saying out of his deep desire for them to know the truth, "Hello!? Don`t you get it? Haven`t you learned this? Please know this!"

Isaiah said the same thing to the people of Israel:

Do you not know? Do you not hear?
Has it not been told you from the beginning? Isaiah 40.21

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. Isaiah 40:28

There is a saying that goes: What they don't know can't hurt them. Pretty dumb saying. What we don't know matters.

What is there to know
that you don't know
that you should know
so that if you did know
it would change your life?

You will know the truth and the truth will set you free. - Jesus

He loves you, don't you know?

It's the time of year once again for Halloween and once again I struggle with where we as Christians fit into the whole picture and what do we as a family do. Being at a new school this is the first time ever that my children will be allowed to dress up for Halloween and participate in a Halloween parade. We're used to a school that only allowed children to dress up in orange and/or black, not costumes. Should be an easy solution.... we don't dress up. There's the peer pressure to participate and each day my one daughter comes home worried about what she's going to be and what others are going to be. She's quite consumed with this whole Halloween dress up idea that it doesn't leave her mind. Wanting my children to fit in and not be left out we ventured out to the costume section to see what innocent ideas they had there. I was actually mortified to see the amount of awful costumes out there! Witches, demons, etc. For her age there was nothing to choose from that would allow the fun of dressing up to remain innocent. We ended up choosing a 60's wig and will put an outfit together from her closet at home. For our family we have chosen that dressing up in itself is not wrong... it's the Satanic things that people make Halloween into that we take a stand against.

A couple nights ago she woke up in the middle of the night scared and came to me. I had never felt her so stiff and rigid. I had never experienced anything like this. She told me that she had scary faces coming towards her over and over again and that she was so scared that her body was frozen. She couldn't call out my name or she couldn't move. At 3:00 am I must say I wasn't too thrilled to be having a spiritual warfare talk but God gave me the strength to do it. I laid my hands on her and prayed over her. As I prayed I felt her body ease and relax. It was quite amazing! We prayed in her room to speak against the enemy there and asked in Jesus Name that she have a hedge of protection over her and for Satan to leave her alone. It was quite an amazing Jesus time that I will never forget.

Satan does that....he finds those weakest to attach himself to and in this case he used my daughter and this consuming idea of Halloween to make her fearful.

Satan is a defeated enemy, but he is still an enemy. His attacks are usually unannounced, usually disguised. “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness” (2 Corinthians 11:14-15).

Paul describes the devil as a lion on the prowl. “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). So what do we do? “Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." (1 Peter 5:9 & 10)

Jesus defeated Satan not through aggression, but by resisting him with the Word of God and then by dying on a cross. Satan's greatest battlefield is the mind. If God lives in our heart, Satan cannot control our heart, but he does put thoughts and evil in our minds. Satan must have someone to work in and through.

What did Jesus say when tempted by Satan? "It is written..." He quoted scripture.

Spiritual warfare is real. What my daughter experienced is real. Fear gripped her so badly she couldn't move. I've experienced that to in my lifetime. The best weapon is God's Word. Let's walk and respond as Jesus did... quoting scripture to Satan.

Joy

The joy of the Lord,
The joy of the Lord,
The joy of the Lord is my strength.

I made up a little tune with these words. I sing it to myself sometimes. It's the truth. (not that I sing it to myself, rather, the words are truth)

Not coffee, nor vitamins; not the absence of stress and problems, nor a long good night's sleep - it's the JOY! The joy that comes from recognizing,acknowledging and celebrating the goodness and greatness of God's kindness and provision for us. But sometimes we have to be reminded to look for it - not that it's hard to see, but we're looking at the small instead of the GREAT. We're looking at my problems instead of the great I AM.

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. Philippians 3:1

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4

And just in case you need extra reminding like me...

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

And you will find strength.

How then... shall we live?

The other day I was watching a kids program on television with my grand daughter. A couple of teen girls were featured. One carried a cell phone and was constantly texting friends, and the other girl was a teen who struggled to say a kind word about anyone else. They challenged each other to see who could go the longest without texting or saying something derogatory to someone else.

We watched as the girl with empty hands would start texting with her fingers, but no phone. We also watched as the other girl continually stopped mid-sentence every time she opened her mouth to speak. Just about everything she said to someone else was of a sarcastic nature.

It is interesting how our minds become so programmed to our thinking that we don't even realize what we are doing sometimes. It just happens... And sadly, our most obvious negative patterns are what we reveal to people without realizing it. You see it everywhere... "the crude and rude." People are often shocked when a stranger extends a kindness to them.

Recently, while driving to Burnaby to a meeting, the traffic was getting congested near the Port Mann Bridge. You've been there... always, another car trying to edge into your lane. As I approached the bridge, a car needed to get into my lane... so I slowed down and let the person in. As the person moved into my lane, I couldn't see their face but I could see their hand waving back and forth with gratefulness and thankfulness. They were so exuberant, it made me chuckle and I laughed all the way across the bridge. It actually lightened my day and made me feel good. It was such a simple thing but I felt blessed.

As we live our daily lives, we become imitators of the one who holds the key to our hearts. The book of Ephesians says a lot about how we should live. But we can't live the way God wants us to, unless he holds that key. And it's not just, that God holds the key, but that He has unlocked the door and came inside.

Thank goodness, God is a forgiving God because we all mess up sometime or another. But He does admonish us to live our lives carefully, and to determine what pleases Him. He wants us to be an encouragement to other people, to be kind, tenderhearted toward one another and forgiving as He forgave us. He wants us to...

Imitate God, therefore in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Ephesians 5:1

So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Ephesians 5:15-17

He Knows X 2

I have asked the Lord over and over what He wanted me to write today and I just keep going back to one thing....

He Knows....

So I have been thinking.

When there are things in scripture that the Lord really wanted us to get, He repeated Himself.

John 8:32 says,

"...and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Go back to yesterday's post that Satisfied wrote. Even if you already read it yesterday.

Read it again.

Know the truth of who God is. Let that truth wash over you and set your heart and your mind free.

He Knows

I have written about this before, but I keep going back to it. God knows. He knows. Knowing that he knows brings me great comfort and peace. Hopefully, that truth brings you comfort as well, although I suppose that it wouldn't matter so much that he knows all our happiness, struggles, confusions, dilemmas, hopes, dreams, sorrows, etc. if he wasn't who he is.

If he was aloof and far off, it wouldn't be so great for him to know, because it may mean that he is complacent and lackadaisical and isn't going to do anything about it anyway. So... big deal if he knows. I'm on my own.

The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:5-7
I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

If he wasn't compassionate and merciful, he wouldn't even care about the things that hurt me. I would have to fight to protect myself from more pain.

And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." Luke 7.13

If he wasn't gracious and forgiving, his knowing all about me, the things I think, and the things I do, would be kinda scary. I would wish he didn't know, or I would quit caring that he sees and do things my way anyway, 'cause, what would it matter? I could never be good enough.

For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. Psalm 86:5
And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. John 1:16

If he didn't want good things for me, but held out on me and held back all the things that make life worth living, then I wouldn't trust him with my future, nor with my heart.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10

If he wasn't interested in working in me to direct and guide me into his specific plan, then it wouldn't matter what I did, who I talked to, where I went.

...for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

If he is not able to keep his bride, the church, pure and blameless until he returns, then I will live in fear of falsehood and evil intent.

...so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:27

If he is not for me, then I must be for myself, either feeling helpless and hopeless, trying to make it in a mean world, or driven and determined to get what I can out of life.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31

Oh, but he is all these things and more! It matters who your God is - to you and to him.

I'm so thankful that this God knows. He knows. Cool.

It's the time of year once again for churches and schools to start with the boxes for Operation Christmas child. Our family enjoys doing this each year and we talk about the kids these boxes will touch. I thought about these children on the receiving end. How exciting it must be to be presented with a box and not know what is going to be inside.... the gift that is handed to them is specially for them.

Jesus Christ is our gift and it's the best gift you can ever have. I've had the priviledge of growing up in a Christian home but even though I've known who God was my whole life I still had a day come when I had to choose Christ and make my parent's faith my own. I still needed to remove the layers of wrapping paper to see and accept the gift inside.

John 3:16 says. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV)

God loved ME so much that He sent His Son to die FOR ME so that I could LIVE FOREVER in eternity WITH HIM. That is pretty profound and not something that is easy to grasp.

As exciting as it is to open a gift, it's more exciting when we walk with Jesus and know He lives in our heart.... when we ask Him to be Lord of our life.... that's the best gift you'll ever have.

What do we give up to put this gift together for these children as we fill up shoeboxes? Time to shop for the items and money we could be putting towards our families. For us it's just a small "sacrifice." God gave up so much more than we ever will experience in our lifetime. I know this is extreme but would we be willing to surrender our child to let these children have the greatest gift of all? God did that for us. He surrended His Son so we could have the best gift ever - eternal life!

I am so excited when I think about my life's journey and if I had to have done it alone - without Christ. Christ is my rock and my strength. He can be yours too if you ask Him. He's waiting... ask Him today! You won't regret ripping all the layers off to receive the best gift ever - the gift of life. Allow Jesus to change you today.

I will keep you in My keeping

I am the good shepherd;
I know my sheep and my sheep know me -
just as the Father knows me and I know the Father -
and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:14

Jesus, my Shepherd, I want to know you like this. Here you make it sound like this is the obvious normal way to know you - You knowing us and our knowing you like you and the Father know each other - an intimacy of knowing that comes from being one with you.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish;
no one can snatch them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me is greater than all;
no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.
I and the Father are one. John 10:27-30

To know you and follow you - that's my desire. You lay down your life so I can have eternal life and never really die. You keep me. Forever. I am safe in your hand and the Father's hand. Nothing can nor will ever seperate me from the security of your love!

Think on These Things...

Sometimes, as I read God's Word, I will spend days reading the same Scripture over and over again. All of God's Word is wonderful to read but at times I need to be encouraged to keep on keeping on. God's Word gives us direction and brings peace to our lives.

These Words in Philippians have always encouraged me...

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable... if anything is excellent or praiseworthy... think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me... put it into practice. And the peace of God will be with you.

Philippians 4: 4-9

True Love

By day the Lord commands his steadfast love,

and at night his song is with me.

Psalm 42:8

This verse is a love letter that I have read over and over. I never tire of reading its words.

It is a promise from the One who loves my heart deeper than any human ever could.

He sees me for who I am....knows my thoughts....my weaknesses...my imperfections...and loves me still.

How could anyone not want a love like that?

Some of you reading this today have known who Jesus is for a long, long time...but you have forgotten what it feels like to be in love with Him. You serve Him faithfully. You are committed to Him....but you need a little romance.

Ask Jesus to reveal Himself to you as the deep Love of your heart. Surrender yourself to Him and tell Him you want to fall in love with Him again. Ask yourself how you can reciprocate that love back to Him....not as an act of 'service' but as an expression of deep love.

Repeat his promise and meditate on his words.

By Day the Lord commands his steadfast love,

and at night his song is with me.

Thanksgiving

Be thankful for what you have
Trust Jesus for what you need
(seen on a church sign)

Happy Thanksgiving!
Blessings to you and your family as you reflect on all you've been blessed with.

Give Thanks!

We Canadians are entering the Thanksgiving weekend. I love this time of year. I love how the leaves changing colour glow and sparkle in the sunlight. It's harvest time, the fields have yielded their produce, and it's time to celebrate and give thanks.

At this time of year, I often think of the incredible history recap Moses gives to the people of Israel just before he dies. This is recorded in Deuteronomy. I have so many places underlined in Deuteronomy that have shaped the way I think and convicted me in how I live. We in the west experience an abundance of beauty and resources, peace and prosperity. We are wise to apply the principles that Moses lays out before the people of Israel to our own lives.

Even though this passage is kind of long, try to get into reading it and ask God to make it come alive to you.

When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
He led you through the vast and dreadful desert, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock! He gave you manna to eat in the desert, something your fathers had never known, to humble and to test you so that in the end it might go well with you. You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me."
But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. Deuteronomy 8:10-18

Thankfulness is such an incredibly important characteristic to cultivate in our lives! God tells us over and over to be thankful. It's imperative for our mental and emotional and spiritual health. I believe it's also imperative for our physical health.

In Romans chapter one, Paul writes about the demise of mankind. Do you know where our demise begins?

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Romans 1:21

And it goes from bad to worse.

This Thanksgiving, give thanks! Every day, give thanks. God is concerned for our well-being. When He created us, He made us to be in relationship with Him. That's His desire; that's our design. That's how we operate best.

In my Bible, I've highlighted Deuteronomy 5:29 in bright pink. This verse shows God's heart towards us.
Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever! Deuteronomy 5:29

That's God talking. That's Him being so expressive about His desire for us. He wants life to go well for us. He loves us and is lavish in His love and provision for us. Let's love Him back and give thanks to Him. For He is good!

The Power of God's Love

I sat on the hard, wooden bench, with my legs and feet dangling down but not touching the floor... trying to sort through in my mind what was happening in my little ten year old world. There was a somber, sad feeling, among all who sat around me. I kept thinking of the beautiful woman, wife and new mother who would never grace the doors of our church again. I thought of her smile, her love for Jesus, the excitement of a new baby girl and even her love for me. I thought of her compassion and the many things that she had taught me. I saw the sadness in her husband's eyes, and I thought of how lost we were going to be without her. But as the days and weeks wore on, we lost the daddy and the baby as well. He was the pastor of our little church and he moved back to his hometown to be with his family. I couldn't blame him... there were too many sorrowful memories of her tragic death.

It is a time and place that I will never forget... though, there was much pain and deep sorrow, it was the beginning of a love story for me. Before this beautiful woman died, she passed on to me an expression of love in my young life of who Jesus is spiritually. In a sense, she passed the torch to me before the flame died. I would hold on to that flicker of light as over the years, God would keep it burning in my heart. When I think of her... I know that through her life a seed was planted in my heart to know God. Just as I looked up to her in my child-like faith and later went on to live a life of commitment to Jesus Christ.... His Word through the years has assured me...

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3

I am always amazed when I think back of how God used this family in my life. They were such examples of God's love and faithfulness. You could always smell the sweet aroma of the fruits of the spirit when you were around them.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22

So... fifty one years later, I am living in the grace of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Still looking to him daily for guidance and wisdom. And God's Word gives us strong encouragement to grow stronger... to be all that we can be for Him.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being in-effective and unproductive. 2 Peter 1:5-8

Sweet Dreams

Ever have trouble sleeping? Have you ever found yourself laying in bed, worrying about all the things you didn't get done that day and all the things you have to get done tomorrow? Or worse yet, what about mulling over past conversations and thinking about what they said and what you said and what you wish you'd said....or wish you hadn't said...(that's a total waste of time). Have you ever laid in bed with anxious thoughts and concerns for the people you love in your life, going over and over in your mind, asking God to help you figure out how to help them?

And we wonder why we feel so tired when we wake up....some people go to bed every night stuffing all their worries into an uncomfortable lumpy pillow that they toss and turn with all night long and they wake up with it in the morning still worrying and wondering why they feel like they didn't sleep at all.

Well...I got something for you. Listen to this:

Psalm 63:5-8

My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,

and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,

when I remember you upon my bed,

and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

for you have been my help,

and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.

My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

Tonight when you go to bed....remember Jesus. Lay there and remember his faithfulness. Thank him for all that he has done for you and start naming them one by one. Acknowledge his works in your life. Meditate on his truth, take it to bed with you and let each line or phrase soak into your mind. Ask Him to lay down with you and rest your spirit in his arms.

I'm telling you the truth...you'll sleep better than a baby..('cause we all know babies don't sleep that good).

This is my rock for today:

He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. (Psalm 23.3)

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for leading me. I don't have to know where I am going. You will put my feet in places that are good, right and true. Thank you that our walking together will result in the praise of your sweet, yet powerful, name. And thanks for holding my hand. I love you.

Reality Check

This week I had a reality check. I really don't like it when the truth hurts but this one dug deep.

It all started with a visit to the dr. For the past couple months (approx a year) I've been extremely exhausted and had no idea why. It was driving me to tears and this past month it has been catching up with me. I've never cried so much this past month as I have in all my years. The dr had done some blood works and finally determined that my iron levels were so low that I'm border-line anemic. For my age, my levels should be a 40 but they were a 7. That's a huge difference.

I was having a conversation with my friend about taking medication. I have never been good at taking medication and now need to take iron every day. These low irons levels are the source of so many of my health issues that had never been looked at before. My daily struggle with depression could be the result of such low iron levels. The need to sleep constantly is a result. Constantly being cold is another result.

My friend has had fertility issues and when she was pregnant had to take a medication or her baby would die. She was trying to encourage me and help me find something to grasp so that I would remember to take them and want to take them, no matter how awful they make me feel. She told me that I needed to take these iron pills and make it something that was a matter of my health for my family. If I don't take these every day it is something that will affect my entire family. With low iron levels I am not going to be at my best for my family and it's unhealthy to continue on the way I have been.

What struck really deep was at night when I was laying in bed thinking about this whole conversation. I realized that I need to apply my friend's advice to my daily walk with God. If my friend didn't take her medication, her baby would die in her womb. What am I doing about my relationship with Jesus and to what extent am I making him a priority.... it's a matter of life and death in eternity. To what extent will I go to fill myself with more of Him? My friend suggested that I put iron in my purse so I always have it. She suggested I put it on my bedside table so I don't forget it. She suggested all these places where I could be reminded of it's importance. What is something I can do to remind me that Jesus is my priority?

I used to write out scripture on sticky notes and put them on my mirror or cupboards. I used to carry some verse cards with me in my purse so that I could meditate on scripture anywhere. I pulled them out all the time. Because of how tired I've been I've really struggled with the strength and drive to open my Bible and read it.... much less fill my mind with His Words. My life has been so empty and dry.

Last week I used Joshua 1:8. This week God used my life issues to come alive in me and renew my committment to Him.

"Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."
~ Joshua 1:8

I want to challenge you and myself to plaster scriptures in all the places where we won't forget the reason we live and breathe each day. Write verses out and put them in places where you will be surrounded with great promises from God's Word. The fridge, the mirror, the toilet paper roll, the kitchen window, your speedometer, your wallet, etc.

Tell us how you're doing in this area. If you have suggestions for anyone else, use the comments to encourage us with what you do to fill your mind.

How do you take time for Jesus? What verse is your lifeline?

Truth = Trust

And those who know your name put their trust in you,
for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 (ESV)

O LORD, You are worthy of my trust. Reveal to me where I have believed the world's view of you, rather than what you say about yourself. Show me where I have agreed with the enemy's accusations against you. Where the enemy has accused you of doing wrong against me -whispering these things to my mind. Show me when and in what situations I've believed that you aren't who you say you are and that I can't and shouldn't trust you.

Now just stop and listen to God's Spirit speak to you. He wants to free you from these things. As I've said before, what we know in our head doesn't necessarily line up with what we deep down in our hearts actually believe. God wants to bring truth to those hidden places where we don't believe the truth. You know those areas where we have to work hard to stand in the truth of Scripture that we know in our minds. He wants to bring both - our hearts and minds - to line up with the truth of who He is.

for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.

Precious friends, God loves you completely. He is good in every way and sees you through eyes of love. When He looks at you, He sees His beloved one - His chosen one. Just the way you are.

As you walk through this day and weekend, may God speak truth to your hearts and minds. May you see things from His perspective and be amazed by His tender love for you. May it take your breath away and cause you to know His name and put your trust in Him.

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:8&9 (NIV)

I'm in a Hurry to Get Things Done

"I'm in a hurry to get things done,

I just rush and rush until life's no fun...

All I've got to do is just live and die,

But I'm in a hurry and don't know why."

This is a song by the country music group, "Alabama."

I know the feeling... even if I am not jumping out of bed to get things done, my thoughts will not leave me alone. Even before I open my eyes, my mind is racing from one thing to the other. Sometimes, I am so afraid I will forget something really important I keep a pen and writing paper by my bed.

My grand daughter is a good example of the value of time. Her Mother wakes her up every morning at 7 o'clock and from then until 7:30, they sit on the sofa and snuggle. I'm not sure what they talk about, if anything but they just sit, side by side with my grand daughter resting her head against her Mothers chest... arms around each other...

What would it be like... if we did that with Jesus... just a quiet unspoken time with Him. Could we concentrate on Him without the world trying to force its way through the door? Could we keep our minds from racing to what is next on our agenda? Oh, to be like a little child, soaking in the love and warmth of our Heavenly Father. I believe God would love to have our undivided attention, just as my daughter cherishes this time with her daughter. They are not solving the world's problems but trusting the Lord for the day ahead.

Rest in Him today... listen to His heart...

God promises us rest for our weary souls.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High;

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress,

my God in whom I trust."

Psalm 91:1