Power for Life

At the close of every year, I think back to the experiences of the year. At the beginning of this year, I had wondered what the year would hold. Now I know - at least as much as I can know from my limited perspective.

In the first chapter of Acts, the disciples were coming to the close of a season in their lives and entering a new one. They wondered, too, what the future would hold. This dialogue between Jesus and His disciples happens just before He ascends into heaven. Check out how He answeres their question.

So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?"

He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:6-8

There you have it. It's not for us to concern ourselves with what the future will hold. What we do need to know, however, is that we have the same promised power of the Holy Spirit available to us... for today... and for whatever the future may hold. 

The question for us is...

Will you again submit your life and future to God? 

Will you welcome the Holy Spirit to have His way in your life throughout this new year? 

Through the power of the Holy Spirit we will be victorious, we will be comforted, and we will have strength. We will have all we need for all the days and all that they hold. 

It's not for us to know

but there's power for us to go

boldly into the unknown

blessed by the One Who knows

Count It All Joy

I read Amity’s blog the other day and was inspired by the things she wrote about asking God for things like wisdom and peace and joy. I love how she encourages us to ask God for things like that and how she delights to tell us that it’s his desire to give those things and that he really does. I was inspired to ask as well.

Particularly on my list that day was joy. Just not feeling it. In fact, while I do have peace, there has been an underlying feeling of sadness in my days which I believe is coming from grieving a recent loss. I wanted to be light-hearted and happy, experiencing joy in the midst of my circumstances.

As I was talking to God about it in the shower (it seems a lot of conversations with God happen there) he reminded me of the place in his word that says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” James 1:2-3

“Count it all joy...”

What I believe the Holy Spirit was telling me is this: I must credit joy to me when I face various trials that produce steadfast faith. I must deem my trials as joy. Therefore, I have joy because I am going through a hard place in life. I have joy. I have it! My suffering is my joy.

So I began to thank God for giving me joy - based on what God says joy is, not on what I think it is or what I want it to be.

I noticed that my outlook began to change as the day went on. The sadness of grieving remains, but I am no longer bemoaning the fact that I don’t have joy in my life. The enemy has no grounds to come at me with the lie that there’s something wrong with me because I am not experiencing light-hearted happiness right now. God has given me true joy. This does not in any way deny the exuberance and delight of the feelings of great joy. Joy does come with emotion attached. It is ALL joy.

Because I knew I was going to write about this for my post today and wanted to make sure I wasn’t going off on my own thinking, and because I love words, I looked up “count” in the Greek. It means to consider, deem, account, think. It “denotes a belief resting not on one's inner feeling or sentiment, but on the due consideration of external grounds, and the weighing and comparing of facts.” (Strong’s Greek Lexicon - blueletterbible.org)

Count it all joy, my sisters...

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! May God bless you this day and give you joy and peace. Remember His ultimate sacrifice.

I just want to leave you with the words to one of my favourite Christmas songs:

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy has come to make you new?
This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will calm the storm with His hand?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little Baby you kissed the face of God?

The blind will see.
The deaf will hear.
The dead will live again.
The lame will leap.
The dumb will speak
The praises of The Lamb.

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
The sleeping Child you're holding is the Great, I Am.

Although a baby, Jesus changed the world by coming down to us. It's His birthday... so let's celebrate HIM!

Top of the List

"He's making a list and checking it twice..."

At this time of year, it seems like we need lists. These are the lists I have:

A gift shopping list. 

Grocery list.

To do list. 

Menu plans. 

We see many lists in Scripture too. One of the most well known ones would be But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Here's another one:

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue (goodness), and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly-affection, and brotherly-affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8

This week I was shopping with my daughter-in-law for her Christmas gifts and also for my son's gifts. We had a great time together, and it turned out to also be a very successful shopping trip. When we were finished shopping, she said that the things we had bought for her were the top three items on her Christmas list.

It seems at any given time in our spiritual lives, we also have something at the top of our list of what we want God to do in our lives. There's one characteristic, gift, or fruit of the Spirit that we focus on and pray for. 

Back to the shopping trip with my daughter-in-law... As we were driving home, we were talking about our husbands and how thankful we are for them and how we admire them. I was relating to her, that a while ago we kept hearing appreciative comments from quite a number of people from different circles, about my husband being wise. As my husband and I talked about it at dinner one night, he said that for many years that was the one thing that he prayed intensely for. God had put a serious desire in his heart for wisdom. Now we are seeing that God has answered and given my husband the gift of wisdom. 

My daughter-in-law then said that the thing she is praying most for is peace - having her heart and mind stay in a place of contentment. 

This morning as I was waking up, I realized that I have JOY! More than a few years now, I've had the fruit of joy at the top of my wish list. I was almost giddy in my bed when I realized that throughout this often stressful time of Christmas prep, I've had joy to sustain me. Joy has become a characteristic in my life. This is really exciting for me because I see that God has done this for me! I was first motivated to ask God for joy because, contrary to my name being Joy (middle name), I wasn't really experiencing joy. 

What are you asking God for? Since God gives good gifts to his children when they ask, be encouraged to keep asking Him for what you have at the top of your list. Ask and you shall receive. It's Christmas after all!

Tidings of Comfort and Joy

May the Lord give rest to your soul my dear sisters....may he fill your home and your own dear heart with his Peace.

May your trust be in the One who loves you soooooo much....don't let the worries of your heart overtake you.  Trust Him with what has yet to be done or what hasn't gotten done.  Let us not become "dismayed" with our preparations for our celebrations.

Give Him your heart this Christmas.  Give Him your heart today.  All of it.

What about the parts of your heart that don't look pretty?   He wants that too.  Give Him your struggles, your worries and your fears.  Are you stressed about money?  Are you going to be spending time with family members that you struggle with, or that have hurt you?  Do you have expectations of what a
"good" Christmas looks like and you're afraid it won't happen?  Talk to Him.

Whatever it is that is on your heart.......You can trust Jesus with it.

He was born to save us from satan's power....He was born to save us from ourselves.
Girl...He was born to save us.  Just think about that.  Say it again.

HE WAS BORN TO SAVE US!!!!

What does that mean for you and for me?

Oh...Tidings of Comfort and Joy....Comfort and Joy....Oh Tidings of Comfort and Joy.

The Gift of Giving

"They were the first people my grandfather saw as he was coming off the battlefield in World War I," the man said. "He was wet, cold and covered in mud. They met him with a cup of steaming hot coffee... I'll never forget it."

I watched as he placed some money in the Salvation Army kettle. This was my first year volunteering. A friend and I had volunteered together but at the last minute, she had gotten too sick to come. As I stood there, I thought of the "gift" of giving. Some lowered their eyes as they passed me, some would look away as though they did not see me... others wished me a Merry Christmas. Most of the shoppers, who slid money into the pot, were older people... a lot of them ten to fifteen years older than me. I wondered where the young people were. By young people, I was thinking... thirties and forties. I can remember as a child being so excited to drop my coins into the kettle and feeling as though I had done something wonderful! Where were the families with children?

As I stood there waiting and observing, I saw a young couple taking a little baby out of a stroller. They looked as though they were searching for something. He was checking his pockets, she was checking her purse. And then I saw the Dad put something into the baby's hand and walk over to where I was standing. She was an adorable baby with curly blonde hair and a beautiful little cherubic face. She held tightly to the coin as her Dad tried to persuade her to put it into the kettle. Her chubby, little fist was clenched tightly, and honestly, there is no way she would have been able to put that coin into the money slot on the kettle by herself. As the coin dropped and she heard the clang... a big smile came over her face and her dad's. As he held her in his arms and walked away, emotions of gratitude filled my heart. I wondered to myself how that could make me so emotional. As I thought on it... I realized it wasn't even about the coin. It was the heart of the Dad and the child that stirred my emotions.

The dad was teaching the child, "the gift of giving." The love and affection displayed brought tears to my eyes. It reminded me of the deep love and affection the Heavenly Father has for us. And how one Christmas, two thousand years ago... God gave the "Ultimate Gift to the world in His Son, Jesus, Christ." Though He came as a little baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger, He left leaving us a gift that out stands the richest billionaire in the world. All we have to do to receive this gift... is to receive Him. Jesus gave His life so that we might have eternal life with Him and live forever in peace, contentment and happiness. There is no greater gift!

A Gift for Jesus

This Christmas, my mom has been talking to us about what gifts we can give to Jesus. Not physical gifts like toys or clothes... but instead, something that we give up to Him. For me, the gift has been giving up my worries and stress to Him. I'm giving Him the gift of my trust, believing that He will help me when I feel overwhelmed. And it's brought me so much peace. Giving a gift has actually helped me :) Jesus wants a gift from each one of us. It could be money, it could be spending time with Him, it could be giving up fear, or pride... anything. So, my question is... what is your gift to Jesus this Christmas?

Doing small things with Great Love

Yesterday we had our Women's Centre Drop In Christmas party at our church. As a lady walked in the door, she gave me a Christmas card. I will share it with you trying to make it look as close to the original as possible.

Women’s Centre drop in. 

   I believe you have touched and left a lasting impression on every lady that has ever come through your door 

                        Wishing you a Christmas season

                      filled with warmth and happiness.

a BIG Thankyou

This is the letter that was folded up inside the card:

I have wanted to write this letter for yearsssssss

Hello Merry Christmas to everyone!

I really wanted to let all of you know what all of you do at the Women’s centre drop in, is exceptional. I had come back there recently and brought my daughter along, she’s 10 now. She said to me, “This is the place we came when we were sleeping in our car.” Really, we lived in our car, short time, she was 3 or 4 maybe, but she had remembered that! You just never know how you are helping?, and really, how you are helping! The food is always a blessing, the kidssss love the straws (of all things!) You just never know how something so small could make someone elses life a wee bit brighter. A straw!

I felt very accepted at the women’s centre. I really enjoy the clothing room, clothes are my thing, getting something new(used) always makes me feel happy. Something different to wear or a muchly needed winter coat. The houseware room was terrific. We had gotten a blanket that we still use today. 7 years ago. A very warm crocheted acrylic wool blanket. We don’t have proper heat so that blanket has kept us warm for yearsssss + in our car 7 years ago. So thankyou for all you do all year for all who walk through your W.C.D.I. door. OXOXO

Here's to each one of us who are doing simple things... small things really... with great love. We probably do more small things for others during this busy Christmas season than at any other time of year. My prayer is that you and I would experience God's love in our hearts and that His great love would fill us to overflowing as we do the small things in His Name.

Peace on Earth

It's something we pray for, dream about and toast to...well, I have never made a toast to peace on earth...but I just had this flashback to the movie "GroundHog Day" where the sweet and beautiful female character (Andie MacDowell) tells Bill Murray who plays a total self absorbed jerk that she always toasts to...you got it, world peace.  Anyway...I nearly lost my train of thought....let's get back to "Peace on Earth".

It's a little hard to imagine.  I can imagine Peace in Heaven...but Peace on Earth...well, it just seems a little far fetched, particularly at Christmas.  Have you been to the mall?

Have you talked to anyone lately that told you they just felt so "Peaceful" about Christmas?  Yeah, the only way I can really imagine it is if I lived out in the woods, like on Little House on the Prairie and there was this huge snowfall and nobody could go anywhere or do anything.  That kind of reminds me of peaceful but...I'd still be worried about all the people that didn't have heat or food or you know...all the stuff we don't know anymore or how to get for ourselves like they did on Little House on the Prairie.

With all that said...I'll tell you what I don't have to imagine....because I get it.  When Jesus was born and the angels declared "Peace on Earth"....it was Him.  He is Peace.  He is Peace in my heart.  Life gets busy. It can even get scary and crazy and feel like it's out of control....but Jesus is Peace, the Prince of Peace to get matter of fact.  He owns it.  He delivers it.  He wants us to have it.  He offers it freely to us.

Can you imagine what life on earth would be like if each one of us lived each day with His Peace flowing through us?  Could it possibly be a little more "Peace on Earth"?

Peace be to your heart sister and Peace be to mine.  Every time you see the word 'Peace', or hear it in these next few crazy days as we prepare to celebrate His birth...remember Him.  Remember that Jesus is your source of Peace.  He will fill your heart with it when you sincerely ask Him.  His peace is not of this world...it doesn't make sense to us sometimes...(if you've ever felt peace in a time of turmoil in your life, then you know what I'm talking about).

It's one of His many, many presents for us.

PEACE.

PEACE IN YOUR HEART.

PEACE IN MINE.

PEACE ON EARTH.

A Time for Everything

Hey all you blog readers. I've got some poetry to share with you today. Some of you may recognize it, and others won't. But I personally think it's a beautiful piece and quite intriguing.
Here it is:

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:

A time to be born and a time to die,
A time to plant and a time to uproot,
A time to kill and a time to heal,
A time to tear down and a time to build,
A time to weep and a time to laugh,
A time to mourn and a time to dance,
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
A time to search and a time to give up,
A time to keep and a time to throw away,
A time to tear and a time to mend,
A time to be silent and a time to speak,
A time to love and a time to hate,
A time for war and a time for peace.

Isn't that great? It really gets you thinking... Well, do you know who wrote it? Do you know where it's from? Probably one of the famous poets like Shakespeare or Oscar Wilde, right? Hate to break it to you, but that's not right. Not right at all.

This poem is assumed to be written by King Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes. And who said the Bible wasn't interesting? :)

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8... This passage has so much to think about, process, study... it says that there is a time for everything in life. But know when the time is right, that's easier said than done. I have to ask God all the time to show me what I should do, who I should talk to, what I should say. God's the best advice and wisdom-giver you can get! There is a time for everything, but only God knows when the time for each thing is. (I hope that makes sense... it made sense to me!)

Anyways, I guess this post is saying two things (because I got a bit sidetracked :) )...

1) The Bible has some really cool stuff in it and is still relevant in today's society

and 2) God knows when the time is right for every activity under the sun, so why not ask Him to show you that?

There is a time for everything...

Gifts, gifts, gifts...

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.. Ephesians 4:8-9

Salvation...Your Ultimate Gift.

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:28

Eternal life... I am held safe in Your Hand!

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper/Comforter/Advocate, to be with you forever. even the Spirit of truth. John 14:16,17

The personal Helper... Who is with me always!

But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Ephesians 4:7

Grace... in full measure.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27

Peace...for every situation.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Rest... because You will carry me. 

"Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32

The Kingdom... because You delight in me and are pleased to give it to me. 

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Good gifts, perfect gifts - every one! ... from You, our unchanging Father.

Nothing tops this Christmas list, for it includes everything! And all because You love me. Thank You Heavenly Father!

Who are you?

I've got a lot to say and not a lot of time before I head off to work...so I'll eat my little bowl of oatmeal and type in between bites!

I have been pondering the last few days on the significance of my identity.  I have also been pondering one of the most beautiful names for Jesus, Immanuel.

This particular name for Jesus is most often heard at Christmas, that beautiful time of year that we celebrate and remember how God came to earth to be with us.

But sisters, listen to me, this one name...this one truth..."God is with us" is sooooooo important to you and to me and to who we think we are, believe we are or know we are.

Does that make sense to you?  On one hand it's so elementary but on the other, it is completely profound.

So my question for you today is.....

Who are you?  And what difference does Immanuel make to you?  Tell me.  I want to know.

The first one to write me back...will get a little treat...

Let's Talk about Christmas

I know, I know... it's early. But I love Christmas, so I start celebrating it as soon as possible! It is only 21 days away, you know :) Well, I just wanted to write a quick reminder about what Christmas is. Christmas is the birthday of a little baby boy, who was born into very dirty, uncomfortable conditions: a barn filled with hay. I don't know about you, but I definitely would not want to have to spend a wintry night in a place like that. But that baby was special. He was God in human flesh... giving up the splendors and glories of Heaven to come down to Earth and be with us. To live among us... and die for us. I imagine it to be kind of like if a human was to give up their normal, comfortable life to become tiny and live with ants. To eventually give up their life to save an anthill. That seems ridiculous, but in a way, that's what Jesus did. And Christmas started it all. So please, I know this season is crazy busy and can be stressful, but remember to take the time to remember God's ultimate gift. Don't let the real meaning of this season be lost. Jesus brought light to our world, and even today we celebrate that fact. Thank you, Jesus, for your gift.

Every Tear

The other day I was listening to the song "The Christmas Shoes" by NewSong, and I just started crying because the story was so touching and sad. Then today, as I was reading in Revelation, God showed me an amazing verse. I had heard it before, but never found it for myself:
"For the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd;
He will lead them to springs of living water.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

- Revelation 7:17

I had been crying because, in the song, a little boy's mother is on the verge of death, and the little boy wants to buy her some nice shoes so she'll look beautiful when she meets Jesus. I felt this aching loss for the little boy and how much hurt he would have once his mom was gone. But this verse reminds me that Heaven is the best place to be. There is no crying, no worry, no stress, no anger... just peace and eternity with our Maker. Life on earth will have troubles and hard times, but we have Heaven to look forward to. It is our final destination, and Jesus is waiting with open arms. I can't wait to one day walk with Him along the streets of Heaven. So let that be an encouragement for you today. Our destination is a heavenly one. Don't forget it.

Ok, so I haven't written on here for...well a really long time. Sorry :S

It's not that I didn't want to write, it was just that I didn't know what to say, and anything that I could have said was too personal or I couldn't believe that someone out there on the big wide web would care about what I had to say. But whatever.

Life hasn't been fun lately. Of myself and my two best friends, there isn't one of us that isn't hurting over something, something we had no control over. For one it was the loss of a loved one, for the other it was abandonment by someone she loved and thought loved her. This world hurts. I know it well.

Through my own personal hurt and struggle this past month and a bit, I've learned a lot. A lot about myself and about God and I've had to trust that God sees the big picture. So when I look at my limited view and I see how much it sucks, I have to remember that God see's the whole puzzle and He knows how we need this piece in order for the whole thing to be complete.

I don't really know where I'm going with this, and this is usually the point when I would read back over what I wrote, sigh and delete it all. I won't this time. I guess I just want to say, that whatever is going on, God knows the big picture. He knows that in order for you to get from point A to point B you've gotta go through some valleys. But, as Rascal Flatts says, "He ain't the leaving kind. He'd never walk away. Even for those who don't believe and want to leave Him behind, He ain't the leaving kind"

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me" Psalm 23:4

Sometimes, life sucks. Sometimes, you can't really see the reason behind what's going on, you can't understand how this is for your good, but God does and, eventually, it all boils down to faith and trust. Do you trust that He knows the plans he has for you? That they are plans to prosper you and not to harm you? Plans to give you a future and a hope? Sometimes that's all you can cling to. That's what I'm clinging to. That and the fact that He loves me. More than I can imagine, more than I deserve.

Lover of my Soul

We've been experiencing some blustery and moderately cold weather here since yesterday. We've had some snow, and the forecast is for more snow.  Snow is fun and beautiful, but I do prefer the warm sunshine. God knows that.

Yesterday morning I was contemplating whether I should go outside for a run before I headed out for the morning,  or if I should jump and dance while listening to some lively worship music in the afternoon when I got back home.  I knew I'd have less time for exercise if I chose the morning option, so I was leaning towards the afternoon option. Then I heard an invitation from the Lord to go for a run now.

I got my runners on and went out the door. It was beautiful outside. The sun was shining and felt warm on my back. My heart just bubbled up inside of me with delight and thankfulness that I was outside experiencing this. I walked and ran and twirled and raised my hands in worship as I made my way down the road. It's a quiet street, so the only ones who may think I'm crazy are the ones who are reading this post. On the way back, the cows were right by the fence with their little calves. Beautiful sight. God knows I love cows.

Then, just as I got back to our driveway, the blanket of dark clouds heading our way, covered the sun. There was only that brief window of warm sunshine, and God had invited me out to enjoy the beauty of the morning with Him. I felt so cherished and loved! He is the ultimate Lover. I'm so glad that I am His and He is mine.

"I am my beloved's, and His desire is for me." Song of Songs 7:10  Amazing thought... amazing fact. The God who made me, wants me and loves me!  May my heart forever respond in love to Him.

Faithful and True

I have a feeling that my little tear jar in heaven has been getting more than it's fair share this week.  I've cried a lot.  I'm still crying and sometimes my face just feels like crying even when I don't have any tears.

I'm not broken.  I'm not depressed.

My heart has sadness in it.  But not despair.  There is a difference.

I have not lost hope.  I have not abandoned my faith.  On the contrary....just saying His precious name in my mind brings a smile to my face.

He is Faithful and True.  He is the Light in the darkness.  He is the deepest Joy of my heart.

I cannot help but think of dear David when I feel this way.  The Psalms are full of his emotion and faith.

I also cannot help but feel homesick for the place I've never seen.  There's a longing in my heart to be with the One who loves me and you more than the life He sacrificed so that we could live.
Not just live....but LIVE...really live.

Be comforted.  Look to the Light.  Look to Jesus.  Rest in his arms.  Breathe in...the life that he offers.  His blood.  His sacrifice.  Our life.  Our gain.  All for love.  All you've been looking for.  Every answer to every question.  Filled with joy in the midst of sadness.  Only Jesus can do that.  Only God.  The Faithful.  The True.  The Living.

And I love Him.

Share the Truth

This past week I got together with a group of friends for a Bible study, and we ended up spending 3 hours sharing and reading scripture and discussing the subject: witnessing and spreading God's love and His story. The girl who lead it really challenged us. She showed us the scene from Titanic where people were dying in the ice cold water, and only 1 out of 20 of the rescue boats came back to help them. She told us, "We as Christians are the ones in the rescue boats. We're saved. Are we going to go back for those who have no rescue?" It really struck me. The people around me - my friends, my teachers, my neighbours - who don't know Jesus are going to hell. That's scary. And yet, I just sit there and don't even think about talking to them about God or sharing my faith.

It's so sad.

We were challenged to ask God to give us five specific people that He wanted us to witness to. Some of the people that God gave me are very scary options. I don't know how they'll react or what they'll think of me once I start to talk to them about God. But I'm praying for the boldness to tell them anyway. And God's already working in amazing ways. I sent a message to one of the people, telling him that I was praying for him. I had no idea if anything rough was going on in his life, but I just wanted to encourage him. I'm not even sure if he's a Christian. But I got a response saying how he was so grateful for my prayers because he's been struggling with his relationship with his dad. And I knew right then and there, that God knows what He's doing. So praise God for the way He works through us to bless others and bring them to Christ. And I encourage you to be bold. Take that step and start a conversation about faith. Be a miracle for someone. And pray all along the way.

In Agreement with my Sister

Yes...Fearless...I agree with you.  And I repeat it again because it is truth.  Worth meditating on anytime but particularly when fears and uncertainties, anxieties and doubts try to cloud our reason and our minds.

May the God of Hope


fill you with ALL joy and peace


AS YOU TRUST IN HIM,


so that

you may OVERFLOW with HOPE


by the power of the Holy Spirit.


Romans 15:13

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace

as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope

by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Romans 15:13

No Make-up Week

At school this week the leadership team put up posters advertising "No Make-up Week" for girls. One of the catch phrases was, "If guys can go without it, so can we!" There were signs saying things like, "You're beautiful" and "Living with joy is a woman's best cosmetic". I thought that was a really neat idea, to help girls feel beautiful without the need to hide their faces under foundation, lipstick, mascara... It reminded me that God made us in His image, and that we don't need to change anything about ourselves. We were made the way we are on purpose... God doesn't make mistakes. Now, I'm not saying makeup is bad... it's nice to put it on and feel extra pretty. I think the key is using make-up to enhance our features, not cover them up. We are beautiful just the way we are. And remember, true beauty comes from the heart and how we live our lives, not from our cosmetics. God thinks we're gorgeous even when we're sick, exhausted, or just rolled out of bed! Just a thought for today :)

Burning questions...

I have just finished teaching a small unit about Flannery O'Connor's short stories to my Advance Placement class. Was she ever an odd duck! One of the things about her, that I think might sum up her personality quite nicely, is that at the tender age of 5, she gained national recognition for teaching her pet chicken to walk backwards!!

Her stories are no less bizarre! They are not for everyone, and many could perhaps be offended by her plot lines and characters. While her stories may not be everyone's "cup of tea", they do offer poignant lessons and are all largely based on the concept of grace and redemption through Christ and our need, as a fallen people, of them both.

O'Connor wrote stories as a response to what she saw as "repugnant" distortions in modern life. However, she realized that she was writing to an audience that saw these distortions as normal or common place. It was her goal to expose the evil that the world had become comfortable with.

I wonder what "distortions" I have become comfortable with. I wonder if there are subtle evils that we have just become tolerant of over time. To offer a "festive" example, among other things, I have wondered what to think about our involvement, as Christians, in Halloween (as of yet, I am still undecided about this and am making no judgement on those who do participate in it). Teaching my O'Connor unit has reminded me of these questions, as they have been burning for some time in my mind.

About six months ago I really began to grapple with what Paul says in Romans about not conforming to this world. The Contacts group that I was part of last year are studying how to live out our faith without compromise. Unfortunately, returning to work this year, meant that I could not be part of this group. It is unfortunate for many reasons, but also because this is the exact topic that I have been trying to work through.

As I type, I realize I have no idea about how I plan on concluding this post. However, leaving it as it is, is indicative of my state of mind. I offer no answers, just my thoughts on a page. Sorry!!

Purpose

My "save now" button just saved all the blank space on my post. Sometimes that is how I feel. It is like I have so much to process... I can't zero in on one thing. And there are other times that I get so focused on one thing that I exclude everything else. I sure am glad that God keeps up with us better than that! How awesome that He is aware of every little detail of our lives and what we need.

Sometimes, we lose sight of the fact that God has a plan and purpose for our lives. We feel defeated, even worthless and of no value to ourselves or anyone else.

Lately, I have been valuing the freedom that I have. I have a niece that was just convicted in September of a crime and was given 23 to 29 years in prison. She was put in solitary confinement for the first 45 days and allowed out of her cell for only 15 minutes a day. She has lead a troubled life beginning from the break up of her parents when she was a child. She was a victim of date rape and has struggled with addictions. For sure, she has made some unwise choices in her life. We visited with her just before her court date and assured her that we were praying for her and loved her. She has four children with the youngest being seven. She has not seen him since he was five years old because she was in jail for two years before her trial. She told us her greatest regret was that she would not be able to see her children until they are adults. She has continually declared her innocence of the crime. We were shocked when she was found guilty and sentenced to such a long sentence.

Over the process of two years we have been writing back and forth and have had the occasion to visit her maybe three times. We write often and send money to help her buy things that she needs. When she does get a job in the prison, she can make one dollar a day. We received a letter from her recently describing the anguish that she felt when the judge handed down her sentence. She had written us the first of the year, excited about receiving Christ as her Lord and Saviour. She said if it had not been for our letters of encouragement in the Lord, she would have given up.

Sometimes we wonder about the purpose God has for us in our lives. How will she fare over the next twenty odd years of her life? Though she will lose the freedom of doing everything that we take for granted... will she find something more valuable? My prayer is that she will, and that she will not lose sight of the fact that God loves her dearly. My prayer is also that godly people will surround her and encourage her.

The Bible tells us that God will fulfill His purpose for us. Maybe you, like myself have been struggling with where you are in life. Maybe you, like me... sometimes feel that you have nothing to offer or give to others. But if you are breathing... God has a purpose for you. There is someone who needs what you have. There is someone that only you can touch and bring encouragement to. There is someone who needs to hear how God reached down and rescued you from a pit of destruction. God needs you!

Psalm 138 has brought encouragement to me in these words...

I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness...

For You have exalted above all things your name and Your Word. When I called, You answered me; You made me bold and stouthearted.

Though the Lord is on high, He looks upon the lowly, but the proud He knows from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve my life; You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand You save me.

The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love, O Lord endures forever... do not abandon the works of your hands.

Psalm 138: 2-3, 6-8

This Fallen World

God's intention for His creation was perfection. When He made Adam and Eve, they were perfect. The Garden of Eden was perfect. Creation had a perfect relationship with the Creator. And then came sin.
Since then, the world has fallen deeper and deeper into that sin. I've been looking through dramatic monologues to perform for a school project, and at least half of the ones I saw talked about sex, homosexuality, had horrible swear words in them, or were just very rude and hurtful. There is a separation between church and state, so now Biblical teachings are taken out of public schools. We used to live in a stated "Christian" country... and now, Christians are mocked or rejected because our beliefs don't accept any other religion. It's all about "accepting everything", and "what's right for you is right for you, and I will accept that". But that's not the way God created us. He is the One and Only God, the I Am, the Saviour of the world. And so many people don't recognize that. Or else they purposely choose to ignore it.

Last night I was at my friend's birthday party and some of the guys built a fire for us to roast marshmallows. There were some issues because the wood was wet, and at one point, my one friend said jokingly to the fire, "I created you! Why are you trying to burn me?" A thought instantly flashed into my head: Imagine how God must feel.

I'm not saying that we should be all depressed and give up on this world because of what it has become. But I wanted to voice some of my thoughts on what's wrong with this picture. We as Christians are called to share Jesus with others. We were created for the glory of God, and I can say personally that I have not been doing my job very well. I think a lot of us might feel that way. So please, take a look at the world around you. It's messed up, I know. But the more we bring God into every moment of every day, the more of a difference God can make through us to the fallen world we live in.

An Exercise for You

A couple of weeks ago, Dianne shared A Personal Psalm and I shared Words in My Heart.  We had been at a retreat where we were given an interesting exercise to invite God to inspire us to write a psalm or song of praise to Him. After this exercise we got back together as a group and shared our songs or psalms with each other. 

As each person shared, their words were accompanied with surprisingly deep emotion. These weren't just pretty poems, but were heart-felt expressions born out of a profound encounter with God during this exercise. As we looked at what we had written, a good number of us felt that what we had written went beyond our own thoughts or writing skills. God had met us personally and was speaking to our hearts as we wrote. Beautiful experience in the end, but a bit intimidating when we heard that this was to be our assignment!

What do you think? Do you want to give this a try this week? God has inspired many a human pen throughout history. He can inspire you to write a song/poem/psalm too. 

I'm often encouraged by the story of Balaam and his donkey and how God opened the mouth of the donkey to speak to his master.  I figure if God can get a donkey to speak, He certainly can move me to do what He wants me to do! The question is, "Am I willing to let Him move me?"

Father, I pray that you would make an opportunity possible for those who read this post to write a song or poem or personal psalm expressing their hearts. May it be a sweet time with You. May this exercise be something that draws them deeper in love with You. I ask this for Your Glory.

(If you're willing, it would be cool if you'd share what you wrote as a comment below. You can do it "anonymous" if you prefer.)

The Joy of Getting

Jesus said, we read in Acts 20:35, that is is more blessed to give than to receive.

This is a well used quote, and is of course, true. Our God is generous and loves to give, so he should know how indeed more blessed it is to give than to receive. And hopefully, we have learned that giving to others can be really, really fun. Our fleshly tendencies toward selfishness have been overcome by experiencing the truth that it really is more blessed to give than to receive.

But Jesus also said something else - about the joy of receiving. Without the fun of receiving, the blessing of giving is diminished. Think about how much more fun it is to give a gift that is received with delight!

Jesus said,
“Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”

There is great joy in asking something from God and then getting it. We’re supposed to love getting from him. This may tweak your Christian sensibilities, because we have been trained to believe that wanting to get is selfish, but that giving comes from a pure heart. But God says himself that our joy will be full when we ask him for something and get what we asked for. The reason we’re supposed to ask is so that we can get. And our getting is supposed to give us joy!

It is good to love receiving as much as it is good to love giving.

And when you really think about it, if it’s more blessed to give than to receive, then our giving means for us blessing, which is something we get. So when we give, we get. And when we get, we get - joy, full joy.

Who is like our God? No one. No one at all.

What’s on your heart to ask him for today?

For I know the plans...

I'm sure this is one of those verses that almost everyone has heard at least once... It's one that's used for encouragement, a promise that brings hope:
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11
Sound familiar? Well, I've been reading through Jeremiah recently, and to be honest, a lot of it I found quite depressing. God uses Jeremiah to warn Israel and Judah that if they don't turn from their sins of idolatry and adultery, they will be severely punished. God sends destruction and captivity to teach His people that what they are doing is wrong. And then, I stumble across Jeremiah 29:11. God has disciplined and corrected His people quite harshly, but He still shows that He loves them and He gives them hope. He tells them that even though they have been punished and sent into captivity, He will renew them and give them fresh start.

God doesn't punish us because He hates us or because He wants to see us suffer. He wants to teach us that His way is best, and sometimes the only way to grab our attention is to discipline us and move us away from the wide, easy path. But He promises to give us a hope and a future in the end, to prosper us and not harm us. I just thought it was cool to find that verse in its context and get the full meaning behind it. I'm not saying that my interpretation of the verse is the final say on what it means... but I just wanted to share what I see in it and use it to encourage you.

Walk with Me

For all the peoples walk each in the name of its god, 

but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God forever and ever. 

Micah 4:5

I saw this verse last night and liked it. What I mean by liking it is that it just settled in my mind and made me ask questions. 

What does it mean to walk in the name of the LORD? I know I want this -  for ever and always - but what does this mean? 

The Message puts it this way:

Meanwhile, all the other people live however they wish, 

   picking and choosing their gods. 

But we live honoring God, 

   and we're loyal to our God forever and ever. 

In this verse we see there are two distinguishable groups of people. There are all the other people and there are we - His people. It's all about belonging.

My greatest joy and fulfillment in life is knowing that I belong to God. He called me to Himself through Jesus Christ and I simply, but wholeheartedly, responded with "yes". As I work in the Women's Centre Drop-in at our church, each week I see how desperately people need to feel that they belong... somewhere. And how much greater it is to belong to the One who loves us with all His Being, and Who is able to keep us belonging to Him forever and ever!

If we belong to God - and know what that really means! - our walk is going to look a lot different from those who don't have that solid foundation of belonging. Oh how I pray that we would grow in knowing how incredibly precious we are to God! I pray that we would know beyond all doubt that God very specifically cares about what we are concerned about and wants to meet us in those places of fear and concern. He is all about being there for us! We are his very own, and He loves us. Let's walk in that awareness, together as sisters, and with Him.

My Prayer

Father I thank you for my job. I thank you for the provision that you have given my family and also for the fact that you placed me there to praise you and serve you.

I lift up to you the 12o students that walk into my room each day. Lord Jesus I pray that you will bless them, encourage them and speak to each one of them. Whisper your words of love to them all, Lord Jesus, especially to those who can not hear your voice.

Lord, I pray that my room will be one of peace, of safety, and of love. Lord use me to give them your peace, your safety and your love. I pray for the love of you to wash over me, so that I may in turn immerse them in it.

Lord, I pray for patience. Give me strength and patience when all of them are talking at once, when half of them didn't complete the homework that today's lessons depends on, and when one of them decides to talk back. Lord, in these times, give me an over abundance of love to see them all as you see them. May your love and joy and peace infiltrate even the smallest of activities we do in class. May they feel your presence as we practice quote integration and re-writing misplaced modifiers!!!

Lord Jesus, may they meet you this year, in my class, in the sanctuary of their houses, in the recesses of their hearts.

Lord, reign in my classroom.

Amenf