Soul Kitchen

i LOVE ...

2012-01-27T10:42:00.000-08:00

Because I love your commands more than gold,

more than pure gold,

and because I consider all your precepts right,

I hate every wrong path.

Psalm 119:127,128 NIV

Sometimes I value other things more than what You say - what You've called me to, Jesus.

Why is that?

Is it because I don't really trust that you have my best in mind?

Is it that I don't want to wait for You to do it Your way?

Is there another reason?

Show me areas in my life where I really am wearing this necklace close to my heart. Show me why.

Speak to me there.

Work in my heart so these verses are true in my life.

Garbage Day!

2012-01-26T12:53:00.000-08:00

All week long we package up the filth...the dirty, the rotten, the dead and the broken. It sits, waiting for that glorious day when the garbage man comes in his big green truck and takes it all away never to be seen in our house again.

Thank you Jesus that we don't have to wait once a week (or sometimes 2 if it snows) to give you all that smells of sin or garbage in our lives.

When we bring it to You...You take it and You get rid of it.

David says it the best in Psalm 51:1-3

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!

He speaks again in Psalm 103:12

As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

Thank you Jesus!

And thank you too for garbage day....it's so nice to live in a place where we have that service!

Starting Today...

2012-01-19T11:05:00.000-08:00

It's been too long since I stretched my heart out on this page...

The Lord...stirring something in me...brings life and truth and vision to upcoming days...I anticipate...
Revival.

I wrote on the last page of a journal this morning...something so nostalgic for me in that feeling of seeing final words written there, and then the closing of the book.

So I re-opened it and flipped through the recorded notes of my heart. Happy to be passed some of the things I walked through on my journey but also intrigued by places that I was at, places that I want to hold on to and remember, that I don't want to forget. Oh how the Lord meets us like no other.

So here it is...a prayer written from early summer...remembered today...re-spoken...whispered to the Lord again.

"Lord, will you continue to blow soft your Spirit on the embers of my heart, on my husband's heart, my kid's hearts...fanning a flame that hungers more and more of you...unsatisfied by the empty pleasures and temptations and illusions of happiness that this present world suggests. No, Lord...would it be that our hunger runs raw and deep for You--a love that satisfies, a trust that defeats fear...pure and holy. That our family...a home full of imperfect people, could love you, grow closer to you...not fazed by illusions, not distracted with mirage--but could see You and be steadfast, confident in what is sure, what is true, what is beautiful...trusting, fearless, Divine inspired, Spirit directed, Truth focused and Graced Lavished.
I want this. I want it for my marriage. I want it for my kids. I want it for our family and multiplied by generations.
And fear says to me, "What pain will we have to endure to have what I want, what I ask?"
Is pain the only way?
It seems...you ask for growth and it comes only through pain...so fear talks and it seems easier and less frightening to just ask for blessings and peace.
But I want Joy too.
Joy in the present and joy in the Presence of my Beloved Saviour. Joy in obedience. Joy in trusting, even when I feel afraid.
I want sweetness in the moment, anticipation that when I look at you Jesus, and look into your precious eyes for the first time, that I can look at you without fear, without shame, without regret....just joy.
I want more of you Jesus.
Breathe your Spirit of Life into me today.
Can I take just one day at a time?
It's hard to look sometimes beyond today when the fear of the unknown future in these circumstances seems to loom in darkness up ahead...but,
I think I can do just one day at a time...

Lavished in Grace
Focused on Truth
Inspired by your Heart
Directed by your Spirit
Choosing to Trust you in Confidence
Free from Fear

Starting Today.

His Name

2012-01-07T14:32:00.001-08:00

It seems like these past few days I've been reminded over and over how powerful God's name is. Whether through songs or the theme at a prayer night or through verses... it just keeps showing up.

God's name is the most powerful thing. Ever.
He is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Healer, Redeemer, Pursuer...
So many names to describe the all-powerful One who created each of us.

These two songs really spoke to me and reminded me of God's incredible name:

Your Name is a strong and mighty tower
Your Name is a shelter like no other
Your Name, let the nations sing it louder
'Cause nothing has the power to save
But Your Name

(Paul Baloche)

At Your name, the mountains shake and crumble
At Your name, the oceans roar and tumble
At Your name, angels will bow, the earth will rejoice
Your people cry out

At Your name, the morning breaks in glory
At Your name, creation sings Your story
At Your name, angels will bow, the earth will rejoice
Your people cry out

Lord of all the earth
We shout Your name, shout Your name
Filling up the skies
With endless praise, endless praise
Yahweh, Yahweh
We love to shout Your name, oh Lord

(Phil Wickham)

May you experience the power of God's name today.

A Prayer for 2012

2012-01-01T09:42:00.000-08:00

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;

let them ever sing for joy,

and spread your protection over them,

that those who love your name may exult in you.

For you bless the righteous, O LORD;

you cover him with favor as with a shield.

Psalm 5:11-12

Full featured double rainbow in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska. Photo by Eric Rolph

Crying for a Christmas

2011-12-17T16:11:00.000-08:00

These are the lives of the rearranged
Scattered souls who've been displaced
Nowhere else to turn
Like Bethlehem we have packed the place
Human need fills ever space
No room at the inn

Still God found a corner,
Made a bed down in the hay
Could he reappear, make his advent here
Will he still draw near today?

My world is crying,
Crying for a Christmas
Some way to know for sure –
That our God is with us
We could all use a sign
A little glimpse of divine
For a world that still cries for Christmas

Feeding trough on a dirty floor
Unimpressive welcome for
God's Almighty Son
Are we as blind to incarnation
Daily proof of our salvation
Love's already come

We are not abandoned,
All alone in our despair
He who once came down, he can still be found
Every when and everywhere

Jesus you are here, Jesus you are now
Jesus you are here, Jesus you are now

My world is crying,
Crying for a Christmas
Some way to know for sure –
That our God is with us
We can all be the sign
That his love is alive
For a world that still cries for Christmas

(Scott Krippayne Lyrics)

"They say that Aslan is on the move"

2011-11-22T21:22:00.000-08:00

I am embarrassed to say this. As a teacher and lover of English literature, I am embarrassed to say this. I am reading through the Chronicles of Narnia for the first time. I stayed clear away from the books as a child. Despite growing up in England, I knew very little about C.S. Lewis. Not knowing much about him, and knowing that one of the characters in the books was a witch, my innocent, yet very misinformed mind decided that I would not read them. As an adult I have stayed away from them as fantasy is not a genre that I enjoy reading.

However, my husband once had me read the section in which Aslan is killed by the witch to a Sunday School class that he taught. Since then, I've been curious.

So I have begun my journey into Narnia, and I am enthralled. Realizing that the purpose of this blog is very different than that on my class website, on which I would rant on and on about literature, I will talk only of one thing: Aslan - an allegorical representation of Christ.

There are two phrases, specifically, that have captured my attention and spoken to my heart.

The first is when Aslan is playing with Lucy and Susan after he comes back to life. Joyful at finding him once again full of life, the children run after him in a loving game of chase. In this description it reads, "and whether it was more like playing with a thunderstorm or playing with a kitten Lucy could never make up her mind" (The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, Chp. 15). I love this picture. It reminds me of the joyous affection that Jesus has for us, but also of the power that is within Him.

The second phrase gives me hope. It is uttered after Narnia has fallen under the influence of the witch. Aslan had seemingly vacated the land, allowing her dominion. All have suffered under her reign. Even nature bore the heavy burden of a never ending winter. But there is hope: "Aslan is on the move" (The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, Chp. 10). Rumours of Aslan's return are whispered throughout Narnia, and creatures and nature alike start to imagine a "thaw".

I often feel as if we are living in a time of winter; a time that is characterized more by regression than growth. But Jesus is on the move, friends. It is not a rumour and it needn't be whispered. Jesus, the thunderstorm, is moving. Winter is losing its grip on Narnia. There is a battle being waged; the outcome of which we already know. Victory, we know, belongs to Jesus.

I thank you Jesus, that you are "on the move"!

He Renews Our Strength

2011-10-29T16:24:00.000-07:00

"But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."

- Isaiah 40:31

I don't know about you, but sometimes I feel completely worn out. Life is hectic, and I often feel like I'm racing to keep up with it. Sleep doesn't come easily, because my mind is always running through all the things I have to do the next day.

That is NOT the way God designed us to live.

He wants us to TRUST Him, and He will give us STRENGTH. Isn't that encouraging?

There's a song that I've been listening to recently, and I think it really sums up what I'm trying to say here:

In the Morning by Steve Bell

In the morning
When the dew lies on the ground
And your glory’s all around
In the morning
When the sun is on the rise
And your splendour fills the skies

I look to You in the morning
To be my strength for this day
I look to You in the morning
To be my strength for this day
In the evening
When the day is almost done
And we watch the setting sun

In the evening
As we put our work to rest
Noting all that you have blessed
I look to You in the evening
And give You thanks for this day
I look to You in the evening
And give You thanks for this day

I've started waking up each morning with a prayer that God would give me the strength I need to do His will that day. If we TRUST Him, He will give us STRENGTH. We will NOT grow weary or faint.

Now that's a promise I'm going to hold on to.

The Blessed Future

2011-10-13T10:02:00.000-07:00

I took this picture on the way to my Father-in-law's funeral in Alberta.

How hard it is to say goodbye to the ones we love....but how wonderful to know that this life is not the end! I already look forward to that blessed day when I will hug my Lord for the first time...and hug my Father-in-law again. What a re-union it will be!

Yesterday I was praying for some people in my life that I love dearly who are struggling with some uncertainty in their future...the Lord spoke these words into my heart.

You may not know what the future holds but you can be certain that God is in your future.

I read these words in Isaiah 35:10

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain gladness and joy,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

I remember these well loved words found in Jeremiah 29:11-13

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. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Precious one....the God of Peace...is in your future.

Give Thanks to the Lord

2011-10-10T16:02:00.000-07:00

"Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
for His steadfast love endures forever."
(1 Chronicles 16:34; Psalm 107:1; Psalm 118:1&29)

On this Canadian Thanksgiving, I'm thinking that there are a lot of people who feel thankful for a lot of things, but don't really know who to thank.

Today I'm thankful that I have Someone to thank. I know the God who has given life and breath and everything pertaining to life. The I AM, the Sovereign God who spoke all things into existence and holds all things in His hand is the God I know.

This all powerful and great God... is intimate with me and loves me. When I think of the dreadful power displayed in nature, and the vastness of the ocean and sky, and the grandeur of the mountains, and consider that the God who created all this is infinitely greater, and yet loves me... it's mind-boggling and only faith can see that as reality.

All the power and greatness and majesty of God is all wrapped up in love. God is love. He stoops down and makes Himself so small - all for love, to meet me.

I'm not just thankful... I'm in love.

Transforming and Listening

2011-09-24T15:19:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I was at a youth retreat, and God spoke to me in an incredible way. It was Saturday morning, and we were told to go out somewhere in the camp for quiet time to be with Jesus. I decided to go up to the gazebo, because I love looking out at the lake and God's beautiful creation. At this point I had no idea what passage I would read or what God wanted to say to me. Once there, I found a plaque explaining who the gazebo was dedicated to. At the bottom was a passage: Romans 12: 1-3. So I decided to read it. It was exactly what I needed to hear, verse two in particular:

"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." - Romans 12:2

I love the idea of being transformed from the inside out... God taking the way I think and making me see through His eyes. It was a call to be counter-cultural and completely changed. It had a huge impact. But that's not even the best part of the story...

After about 45 minutes, we came back to the main building to have worship and a session. Our youth pastor gets up front and tells us the theme for the weekend: Romans 12:2. I was shocked. I quickly pulled out my Bible and checked to make sure it was the same verse I had underlined half an hour earlier. It was. Boy, by then I was overwhelmed by God's power to get my attention. Wow, oh wow. So the whole weekend was based around the verse that I had "stumbled" upon at the gazebo. God is so incredible. He will never stop amazing me. I encourage you to check out the whole chapter of Romans 12. It has some powerful stuff in there. And never doubt that God's ability to speak to us. He always wants to tell us things, but we have to make sure we're listening.

Goodness...

2011-09-08T22:54:00.000-07:00

I sing unto the Lord a song that my heart knows well...that He is Good! Yes...so incredibly good.
Even now I count his blessings...I write them out...to recall on another day...the goodness of the Lord.

A favorite of mine right now from Isaiah 40:16

And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known
I will guide them.
I will turn the darkness before them into light,
the rough places into level ground.

These are the things I do
and I do not forsake them.

This is such a GOOD thing from the Lord.

As I nod off to sleep, I repeat to myself His words and they make me smile...The Father God Himself, reveals His character, his goodness...He does not leave me to struggle through and find my own way in the dark of the unknown, the insecurities of my world....Nooooooo

He claims truth over my life and over yours...He states his promise, his very good promise, to lead, to guide, to bring light against darkness....and if that's not just "all that"...I love this part and I can almost hear him saying it in my mind..."These are the things I do...and I do not forsake them."

I love Him.

The World is Fading...

2011-09-03T09:51:00.000-07:00

I found this amazing passage in 1 John yesterday that blew me away, so I wanted to share it with you.

"Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever."

- 1 John 2:15

Once I read this I realized how much I choose to love the things of this world over God. I put my focus and my passion into success, recognition, getting money and stuff, instead of having the love of the Father in my heart. And those things will not last. I've been loving temporary things that will someday fade away. Wow. What a wake up call.

Another thing I thought about is the last line. "Living forever" does not mean that we will live forever on this earth and never die, but instead, it means that we are promised eternal life with Jesus in Heaven. That's WAY better than eternal life on Earth!

So, as you go about your day today, I want you to think about the things you love. Are they the cravings of this fading world? Or are they the loves that God has put on your heart for His divine purpose? It's something to think about.

Where are you planted?

2011-09-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

I have a beautiful friend and mentor who is 94 years old. She wrote this in a recent letter.

"Every morning before breakfast I go out to see what new flowers have bloomed during the night. The new blooms emerge in the darkness - amazing!

So God expects us to bloom in the darkness of the world where we are planted to bring others to rejoice in the beauty of Christ seen through us."

Reflections of the Heart

2011-08-27T17:13:00.000-07:00

"As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart."
(NIV)

"As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person."
(NLT)

-Proverbs 27:19

What does your heart look like today?

Stay in the Race

2011-08-26T15:28:00.000-07:00

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us also lay aside every weight,

and sin which clings so closely,

and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

looking to Jesus,

the founder and perfecter of our faith,

who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

(who is indeed interceding for us - Rom 8:34,

with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him -
1 Pet 3:22)

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself,

so that you do not grow weary or fainthearted.

Hebrews 12:1-3

What We Don't Understand

2011-08-20T16:58:00.000-07:00

Just a few weeks ago I had a somewhat traumatizing experience: I failed my driver's test. Now, for some that may seem like no big deal. Everyone fails their test once, right?? Well, for me, it was a huge deal. I was devastated. I had been all ready to go get my little car, insure it, and get out on the road by myself, and now I was still stuck with my "L". I beat myself up over the dumb mistake I made that cost me the test. I cried. I felt like my life was over.

But over time, I started to realize something. And I think it can sort of be summed up by this verse I found today:

"The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?"
- Proverbs 20:24 (NLT)

Sometimes God works in ways that we don't understand. And sometimes it hurts. I realize now that God used that test to humble me... and show me that no one is perfect. My pride definitely took a beating, but in a good way. But what I like about this verse is that we don't necessarily have to understand what God's up to. Instead, we just have to trust that He knows what He's doing. Sure, I still get frustrated that I didn't pass and that I have to wait 3 months to take the test again, but I just keep reminding myself that God had a plan when He let me fail. I may not see all of it right now, but I believe He has a plan. I know He has a plan.

I also had a song that really gave me perspective during that time of disappointment:

Blessings
by Laura Story

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It's not our home

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise

I pray that when God leads you on paths that may not make sense, you'll learn to trust His guidance no matter what, and that you'll see the blessings He brings through the tough times.

Do Hard Things

2011-08-06T09:54:00.001-07:00

I just finished reading a book called "Do Hard Things" by Alex and Brett Harris. It's a book written mainly towards teens, by teens, but the content applies to everyone. It's basically calling us to rebel against the low expectations society has for us, and to do hard things for Christ. The authors say that the teen years are actually the years where we have the most potential to grow and take big steps in life.

But doing hard things doesn't necessarily mean starting a big non-profit organization, or speaking in front of thousands of people. It could be a small, personal hard thing, like changing the type of people and influences we surround ourselves with, or taking a step to tell someone about Jesus.

The book is extremely challenging, and I'd encourage all of you to read it. The guys put hard things into five categories:

1) things that take you outside your comfort zone
2) things that go beyond what is expected or required of you
3) things that are too big to accomplish alone
4) things that don't earn an immediate payoff
5) things that go against the cultural norm

Doesn't sound too easy, does it?? But the stories they share in the book of other people doing hard things show how much those experiences help us to grow. Doing hard things requires character, competence and collaboration... and there are definitely challenges and failures along the way. But even then, the end result is a stronger, wiser person who has learned a lot about him- or her-self and, most importantly, God. Pretty cool, huh? I can't summarize the whole book in one post, so I'm leaving it up to you to check it out. Let that be your first hard thing: to find this book and read it :) God bless!

2011-08-03T08:36:00.000-07:00

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14: 27

My heart is troubled today. I am claiming this verse for myself today and for you as well.

...and it passes all understanding.

A Summer's Day Prayer

2011-07-22T08:46:00.001-07:00

Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens,

your faithfulness to the clouds. Big love!

Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;

your judgments are like the great deep; beyond what we can comprehend

man and beast you save, O LORD.

How precious is your steadfast love, O GOD!

The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. Such a sweet place of rest.

They feast on the abundance of your house,

you give them drink from the river of your delights.

For with you is the fountain of life,

in your light do we see light.

Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you,

and your righteousness to the upright of heart! Ps 36:5-10

True Love

2011-07-21T23:27:00.000-07:00

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.

(This is a recycled post)

To Joyfully Abide

2011-07-15T11:00:00.000-07:00

I've had two words bumping around in my head for a while now.
ABIDE
and
JOY.
John 15:9-11 says,
"As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Abide in my love."
(And I think to myself...how do I abide in the love of Jesus?)

"If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love."

"These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full."

I think of the 10 Commandments...written in stone for the life of the people...can you imagine the world we'd live in if everyone just obeyed the 10 Commandments. But this recipe for joy and abiding in love seems deeper than that...more than just "Thou shall not steal....".

According to Blueletter Bible, the word commandment here is found in Strong's Concordance in the Greek as the word "ἐντολή entolē", which translates as

1) an order, command, charge, precept, injunction
a) that which is prescribed to one by reason of his office

The Lord tells us to keep everything that he has given us as truth, that he has charged us
with....and I am reminded of truth upon truth that has given me direction from his Word and I remember who I am and who He is in me...and then I also remember something else, written in Matthew 22 verse 36 and 37.

"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."

Hmmm...so

Love=Obedience=Abiding=Love=Joy

The Woman

2011-07-13T12:13:00.001-07:00

Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, "Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." Luke 21:1-3

I've known this story for many years, but as I read this story this time, I feel like I am finally getting the point.I have been stuck on the fact that she gave more because she gave out of poverty, so it's been the same story for me time and time again. This time reading it, however, I asked why she gave those coins when that is all she had to live on and wondered how she could do that?

In my mind's eye, I saw her give because... she loved. She was so overwhelmed with love for God wanted to give Him something to express her love and appreciation. She was simply so happy that she at least had something to give Him! Do you think this could have been her motivation?

If she was motivated by love because she knew God's love for her - then how she could do it makes sense.

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. 1 John 4:18a

She wasn't afraid and might not even have had one thought about her personal welfare. Jesus is the one who points out that these small copper coins were "all she had to live on." Isn't it interesting that Jesus is the one who sees her and brings her to the attention of the disciples - and to our attention? Jesus saw her act of love.

The story ends there, but do you think that Jesus walked away then and that was that? If we recall what God says about himself in His Word, what do you think He did for her? Did He provide for her? Did He bless her?

I like this woman. I want to meet her one day. But for now, I want to be like her. She was a widow. That means her husband had died, and she knew pain and sorrow. She was poor. And yet, she LOVED God and had a grateful heart. I want to be like that.

"Father God, I want to love you like this precious woman. I know that I won't be able to though, unless You continue to reveal who you really are so that I will love you more fully. Grow that love so that I don't have fear or reservations. Grow that love so that I trust you like she did. Thank you for sharing that story with us so that we know that you are totally aware of who we are, you're aware of our situations, and you know our hearts. And you even honour us. That's hard to comprehend. You are amazing and are so worthy of our praise."

Our Calling

2011-07-02T10:57:00.000-07:00

"And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed."

- Titus 2:12-13 (NLT)

Enough said.

Fearless Queen

2011-06-25T12:55:00.000-07:00

I've recently been reading through the book of Esther. Even after having read it many times, I'm still amazed by the story. A young girl is chosen to be queen and God uses her to save her people, the Jews, from horrible slaughter. I try to imagine myself in that situation... and I know for a fact that I would be terrified. Even Esther did not want to do it at first, fearing for her own life. But in the end, she asked the Jews to fast and pray for her, and in faith she went and told the king of Haman's plans. Wow. I don't think that kind of courage could come from anywhere except from God. If I was Esther, would I have that kind of faith and trust in the LORD? Would I allow Him to help me overcome my fears? It's something I've been challenged with a lot this past week.

We all have fears. We are afraid of our loved ones dying, of being hurt, of natural disasters... some of us are even afraid of making mistakes. And I think a lot of the time we choose to let those fears sit inside us and eat us up. What I've learned from reading Esther's story is that God wants us to call to Him, just like Esther did by fasting and praying. If we give up all our fears to God, He can release us from those chains. I believe that God calls us to face our fears with Him at our side... to be fearless queens.

I Will Trust Him Today

2011-06-24T00:10:00.000-07:00

Each day...full of gifts. Two in particular, that I love and share life with...grown from the love of two, so imperfect people, that began a life together twenty years ago. The oldest is home...sick. He makes me smile every day with his strong but tender heart. The younger one, gone on a special trip with my parents...I'm homesick for. Never have we been so far apart, for so long. I feel like the three weeks she'll be gone, are sure to do me in. I ask the Lord how I will survive...my heart aches so bad for the one I miss laughing through the house. And I think of dear women that have had to say goodbye to their babies until they meet them again in eternity....and that grace that gets them through each day of missing...and then I stop, because I don't want to think about it....and that fear in my heart begins to swell....

Letting go.

That tight fist that clings within my heart that says, "Please, God...I'm not ready to let go."

Can I trust Him?
Can I trust Him with the one who's sick?
Can I trust him with the one that I miss?
Can I unclench that hand that wants desperately to hold on tight to what I can't control...

Is He or is He not...the Lord of my heart? Is He not the Lord of the World?

He is.
I claim Him.
Lord of my heart and Lord of this World.
He is the Giver of every good gift.
He is the Lover of my soul.
He provides...He protects...He comforts...He creates...
He Lives and Breathes His own Spirit within me.
I will trust Him with all that I can't trust myself with.
I will trust Him with my heart, with my mind, with my beloved gifts...
a son and a daughter, born of love...from us and from Him.

I will trust Him today.
And tomorrow, when I wake up, I will trust Him again.

2011-06-21T20:47:00.000-07:00

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?

Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.

Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Luke 12: 6-7

His eye is on the sparrow, and He watches over me.

2011-06-16T22:43:00.000-07:00

I am thankful today for a God who listens.

I am thankful today for a God who speaks.

I am thankful today for a God who loves without favorites.

I am thankful today for a God who forgives.

I am thankful today for a God who provides.

Blessed be His Holy Name...Great and Wonderful is He...
Light of the World and Lord of my Heart.
More precious than all creation.

Beautiful, beautiful

2011-06-11T16:46:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to share the lyrics of a song I really like by Francesca Battistelli...

Don’t know how it is You looked at me
And saw the person that I could be
Awakening my heart
Breaking through the dark
Suddenly Your grace

Like sunlight burning at midnight
Making my life something so
Beautiful, beautiful
Mercy reaching to save me
All that I need
You are so
Beautiful, beautiful

Now there’s a joy inside I can’t contain
But even perfect days can end in rain
And though it’s pouring down
I see You through the clouds
Shining on my face

Like sunlight burning at midnight
Making my life something so
Beautiful, beautiful
Mercy reaching to save me
All that I need
You are so
Beautiful, beautiful

I hope it encourages you like it did me :)

Come to Rest

2011-06-02T22:55:00.000-07:00

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30

I wrote a couple of weeks ago about Jesus speaking to me about learning how to live in "his rest". I can honestly say that this has been such a new thing for me that I am still in awe, still changing, still growing! I know that I have experienced "pockets" of his rest at different times of my life. Some of those times I believe He just shielded me and put me there in my desperation because I did not know how to get there myself. Other times, I allowed the Holy Spirit to guide me there but I did not realize that it was a place that one could actually stay and live. I am sure that I have had a pattern of anxiousness and striving for about 40 years now and so I know that old habits are a little hard to break. But you know...even in this last little while...I am aware. Aware when I slip back into old patterns. Aware that the peace and rest of my Saviour is always available.

Isaiah 30:15 "....in returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength."

When the weight of the world feels like it's resting on your shoulders...and your burdens seem too much to bear....when your heart is heavy and you can't sleep because your mind just won't stop worrying like a ferris wheel going round and round...when you strive and strive and strive to make things happen and it feels like waste...

Return dear one....Focus your eyes on the One who Redeems...the One who Saves...trust His precious heart that is full of grace and truth for you. Give Him the burdens of your heart and mind...Repent and let go of what you need to...and take His hand. Listen to His words....and let them sink in.

Matthew 11:28-30

Your Love

2011-05-29T18:38:00.000-07:00

Your Love

I rest in it

no more reaching

just resting

looking up

warmth shines

wind caresses

love surrounds

I float in it

breathing deeply

we both smile

God is my Rest

2011-05-19T21:51:00.000-07:00

I have been seriously intrigued by this truth...that God is my rest. I have been convicted, I have been encouraged and inspired even more to know this God and the "rest" that He speaks of.

This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says:
   “In repentance and rest is your salvation,
   in quietness and trust is your strength,
   but you would have none of it.  Isaiah 30:15

Oh, Father....I have lived so many years on a roller coaster of peace and anxiousness, up one day and down the next, my emotions controlled by my fears and insecurities. I have not lived in the "rest" that you offer.

You have been calling me to your "rest". I see you as my Shepherd. You call me into the sheepfold. Inside, I am safe. I am not confined. I am not alone. I can sleep and I can live without fear. Because, You Lord, are the door. Nothing and No one can get inside to harm me.

Outside, my fears and my anxieties wait to devour me in their hunger. Outside of your Rest...I am lost. I am easy prey.

In returning to you...in repentance and your rest...I am saved.

In quietness and trust...You are my Strength.

I just fall more in love with you everyday. There is always more wonderfulness of you to know. I can't help it...I don't want to go back...to my old ways.

I want you Jesus. I want to live in your Rest. Everyday.

Hope and Rest

2011-05-06T18:18:00.000-07:00

May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you. Psalm 33:22

Julie quoted this verse in her post yesterday when she was talking about Jesus - our Hope.
This verse inspired such imagery in my heart as I read it. Let's visualize what David is saying in this verse about God and us. We can do this together.

Picture this: God's unfailing love resting on you. Sounds lovely doesn't it? It's not just lovely... it's absolutely true.

His love -
God's unfailing love ... His unfailing love ... His unfailing love
r e s t i n g upon me!

What is God placing upon me? His unfailing love.
Is that what you usually see God placing on you?
Do you sometimes see something else? What?

Listen to His heart and His words. It's not guilt; it's not shame; it's not judgement, and it's not blame nor anger. It's love. It's unfailing love based on Him and Who He is. It's not based on us. We often make it about us though, don't we? Sisters, it's not based on what we are prone to do/think/say or what we don't do/think/say.

God's unfailing love rests upon me.

Why?

Because we place our hope in God and we now belong to Him - through Christ Jesus. And because that's just the way He is - it's just Who He is. It's about Him after all.

Here again is one of my favourite verses that has helped me grasp this truth that it's about God doing and not about us doing anything but placing our hope in Him.

This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength..." Isaiah 30:15

Father God, I need your Spirit to lead me into truth. The enemy lies continually to me and messes with my head so that I don't believe in my heart that what you say is true. Holy Spirit, make my heart and mind aware when I'm buying into the lies that diminish who You are and what you say. I want to know You for Who you really are - for Who You say You are. You are gracious and good, loving and kind... to me. Thank You.

He is our HOPE

2011-05-05T23:21:00.000-07:00

I met the most beautiful woman today while I was at work.
She was buying a little sign with the words Hope written on it.
I told her that I liked what she had picked out because we all need hope....and then I asked her a personal question. I asked, if she had hope.
She looked me in the eyes and gently told me that she did have hope because she knew Jesus.
She then briefly shared a little bit of her heart with me and the painful journey that she has been on.

Ohhhh....what a divine moment it was for me and her to stand their together. Two sisters...we don't know each other...but we know Hope....we know Jesus. We know that He is bigger than every hurt in the world and that He is the only One that can save us.

When we feel like our boat is sinking and we don't know how on earth we are going to hang on...He's not only the lighthouse but he's the coastguard! HE IS HOPE!

Listen to me sisters....whatever is going on in your life, Jesus is your Hope. When trials come, and they always do, we think to ourselves, "well, if only this would happen, or that didn't happen, or if I had this, or I didn't have that, then everything would be better and I would be happy". You forget that. Jesus is our Hope. We get stuck. He is our only Hope of getting free. We get hurt. He is our only Hope of being healed. We have needs. He is our only Hope of true provision. We are lied to. He is our only Hope of truth. He is Truth.

Jesus is our Hope.

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him."

Jeremiah 17:7

"My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word."Psalm 119:81

"Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,"Psalm 146:5

" May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you."Psalm 33:22

Let us keep our eyes on Jesus....the Hope of Everything.

Praise the Lord!

2011-04-29T15:30:00.000-07:00

Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! Ps. 146:1

I just need to say this today - Praise the Lord!

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!

Praise the LORD! Ps. 150:6

For He is light and love and beauty.

He is so worthy of our praise!

Praise the Lord! Join me. Praise the Lord!

Patience

2011-04-28T23:47:00.000-07:00

Love is patient.
1 Corinthians 13.

God is sooooooo patient. He is patient with me.

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Psalm 103:8

I just wrote that but I had to go back and read it and say it again......I whisper it like holy words rolling off my tongue. I know these words but the more I know the God of these words the more in awe I become...
of who He is....He is Patient.

How can I not be overcome with a grateful heart at who He is...His character...His Heart...
He is merciful. He is gracious. He is slow to anger. He is patient. He abounds in steadfast love.

Do you know what abound means? It means to exist in abundance.

He exists in the abundance of steadfast love......

I want to abound in Him. I want to exist in His abundance of EVERYTHING about Him. I want to abound in his Spirit. I want to abound in his patience. I want to abound in his steadfast love.

I have asked the Lord 2 different questions this week.....countless times and when I say countless, I mean countless....which is very UNpatient-like...

Each time I have asked...I have heard one word in return.

Patience.

I smile as I hear it in my mind. He didn't yell it and tell me to stop asking and tell me that if I ask one more time, I'm not getting it. (I'm pretty sure I've said that to my kids before)

Just patience. He tells me to be patient...to trust him. It is hard sometimes.....Why? I don't know. I fight with myself. I don't want to be patient. But He is patient. And because He is patient, I can be patient and trust Him.

Oh, I'm so glad He is patient. If he wasn't...life would not exist as we know it.
Thank you Sweet Heavenly Father for being soooo patient with us. I love you.

Let's Look at One Another

2011-04-23T17:00:00.000-07:00

This week I did a final performance of my school play, "Our Town". It was an amazing ride, and God blessed me with many new friends and lots of memories. When the show was over, everyone was crying and hugging, knowing this was the end of an incredible experience, and that things wouldn't quite be the same afterward. But the message of the play was the most important thing I've learned.

The play challenges us to live each day, appreciating every moment, not rushing ahead and missing out on the small moments. One line that my character says to her mother is, "Just for a moment we're all together. Just for a moment we're happy. Let's look at one another!" She realizes too late how much she's missed in life, how she wouldn't take the time to look at the people she loved and tell them how much they meant to her. The last act was very powerful, and many people I talked to afterward said they were touched, and some even cried.

All in all, I just want to encourage you all to live each moment as if it's your last. Thank the people around you for everything they do for you, and most of all, thank Jesus for everything HE'S done for you... especially as it's Easter weekend. Appreciate every little blessings God has given you. And I challenge you to look at one another.

Death is Swallowed up in Victory!

2011-04-22T23:47:00.000-07:00

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received:

that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,

that he was buried,

that he was raised on the third day

in accordance with the Scriptures

"Death is swallowed up in victory."

"O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 54b-57

I have been crucified with Christ.
It is no longer I who live,
but Christ who lives in me.

And the life I now live in the flesh
I live by faith in the Son of God,

who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20

Thank You Lord Jesus. Praise your Name, my Precious Saviour!

"To Storm the Secret Place"

2011-04-18T09:45:00.000-07:00

On Saturday evening this past weekend, we received a phone call from our son who lives in the surrounding area of Raleigh, North Carolina. He was a bit shaken but okay. A tornado had just touched down on the street where he lived. Earlier in the evening, he could tell a storm was approaching and decided to go out and take some pictures of the lightning. He did not have his radio or television on and thought it was just a typical North Carolina spring thunder storm. His wife had just returned from Walmart with a car full of groceries and our young grandson was sleeping peacefully in his crib.

As Josh was standing outside on his porch, camera in hand... the weather became crazy. The wind increased significantly and the rain was unlike any other rain storm he had witnessed. He said the rain began coming at him sideways stinging and burning his face. And then it began to pelt balls of hail. The sound of a huge clap of thunder almost knocked him off his feet. As the wind increased in intensity, he realized this was not just a thunderstorm. He said the sound of the wind was eery, a shrill noise that brought with it a power he had not witnessed before. As he grabbed his wife and crying baby who had been awakened by the thunder, they huddled together in the house and waited for the unknown.

I have been there before... waiting for the unknown. Huddling together with my children and so scared I kept praying the same thing over and over again. "God please help us, God please save us... God please protect us... God please don't let us die."

In a matter of moments it was over. As they emerged from their home and ventured outside, they were shocked to see the devastation. A house down the street was completely covered in trees along with their cars sitting in the driveway. Another home was completely split down the middle by a fallen tree. Siding was ripped off of houses and there were trees and branches scattered everywhere. But their house was untouched. Though they had a tall pine tree in the front yard had it fallen would have gone through their bedroom... it still stood. Their cars were still parked in the driveway. And for the first time in three years of living in their home, they met all of their neighbors. It is amazing how disastrous things or happenings can draw people together.

We are so thankful that our children are safe. As you look at how tornadoes work... there is very little you can do to protect yourself. They approach so fast, it is impossible to outrun them. With hurricanes, you have substantial warning and you know the direction they are heading in, but tornadoes approach and can change direction with no rhyme or reason to the path they take. News reported 60 twisters touched down in North Carolina this weekend.

Often, as we are faced with natural disasters or emergency's of the unknown we are brought to the realization that we are helpless. Even more so, we are driven to our knees in prayer because we know there isn't a single person living in this world that can help us at that moment. A poem I read this morning... sheds a little light on where we go when we need God the most.

"I thank You for the bitter things

They've been a friend to grace,

They've driven me from the paths

of ease...

To storm the secret place."

Florence White Willett

More than I could ever ask or imagine...

2011-04-16T17:16:00.000-07:00

This past Thursday, my grade got to lead the youth night. We had made plans the week before to do a more quiet, calm evening... with lots of worship and different people sharing. Then at the end, we decided to have some time for an open mic, where anyone could come up and share a story or something God had been teaching them.

On the actual night, I started to have doubts about the open mic time. I was expecting long, drawn-out pauses when no one would be willing to share. I was expecting awkward silence. But, boy, did God surprise me! The Holy Spirit was really working that night, and instead of no volunteers, we had people, youth and leaders, continuously coming up front to share something with the group. There wasn't even 30 seconds between each person! It was such a blessing to hear stories of God's blessing or teaching, especially from people who normally wouldn't share in a big group, but who felt God calling them to do so. We probably could have continued like that for a while longer, but the night had to end sometime, and some people had school the next day :)

As I look back, I realize that God really works in ways beyond anything we could ever dream of. The night was way more than expected, better than I could have ever dreamed. And it was nothing that we did. Sure, we played music and shared some of our own journeys, but God was the hero that night. He touched so many hearts, when I had been worried about silly things like how the band would sound and if we'd have enough time. So I guess my thought for this post is, don't put God in a box. He is far more than we can ever comprehend, and He loves to wow us!

500 Posts!

2011-04-14T22:32:00.000-07:00

How fun for me to get to write the 500th post for Soul Kitchen!
Amazing. You know, I sit here after a long day at work and I think...500!!! Really.
500 times we have come here to claim the faithfulness of our God...and may we praise him again 500x5000 and even that does nothing to compare to his great love for us!

Oh Lord, Thank you for your faithfulness....your love that knows no bounds. You are Gracious and Merciful and full of Compassion. You Provide. You are Righteous and Holy beyond my comprehension. You give Joy and Peace. Truth and Wisdom come from your mouth. You give Life!
I rest in your arms. Thoughts of you calm my heart and mind from worries...I meditate on your ways and peace comes. Strength and Courage you breathe into my lungs and I inhale deeply and sigh. What would I do without you? You rescue me. You call me to Freedom....sweet freedom.
Oh, How I Love You!

"A Little Less of Me"

2011-04-11T12:46:00.000-07:00

We were visiting a church out of town a couple of Sunday's ago when I noticed an elderly lady standing alone in the crowd after the service was over. I decided to go and introduce myself.

"I didn't know if I was going to make it to church this morning," she said. "Oh, why not? I asked. "I could hardly get out of bed...my body was aching so bad. I had to mow my yard yesterday," she answered. "You mowed your yard!" I exclaimed. I probably shouldn't have asked but I had to know. "How old are you?" I asked. "I'm eighty-two," she said. I inquired if there was someone who could help her. "I used to have someone, she said, recalling the person to mind, but now I live alone." I wondered if it had been her husband. I told her I didn't think she should be mowing the yard. With that, she answered... "I have no one." I wanted to wave a flag and yell, "Hey people! Over here! This lady needs her yard mowed!"

How often we get caught up in just everyday living that we fail to see others around us who need help or encouragement. From what I gathered, she had lived there all her life and had probably attended that church for many years. Sometimes it is easy to allow ourselves to get so caught up in our small perimeter of relationships that we hurry past an opportunity to bless someone. I am hoping that I can find someone who will check on this lady and be a help to her.

I know that I am often guilty of not noticing when someone else needs help. So I have been challenging myself to look around and see if I can bless someone. I have found that even opening a door for someone or giving someone grace in a long line of traffic will bring a friendly smile or a wave of gratitude. A hug or a smile does wonders! And yes! We have young neighbors on our street who mow the yard and shovel the snow for an 85 year old man who lives across from us. We also have a friend who lost her husband a couple of years ago that lives close to us. When the opportunity arises, we help her when we can.

A song was written several years ago by Glen Campbell. There are times when I hear the music and words in my mind. It goes something like this...

Let me be a little kinder

Let me be a little blinder

To the faults of those about me

Let me praise a little more

Let me be when I am weary

Just a little bit more cheery

Think a little more of others and

A little less of me...

Let me be a little braver

When temptation bids me waver

Let me strive a little harder

To be all that I should be

Let me be a little meeker

With the brother that is weaker

Let me think more of my neighbor

And a little less of me

Let me be when I am weary

Just a little bit more cheery

Let me serve a little better

Those that I am striving for

Let me be a little meeker

With a brother that is weaker

Think a little more of others

And a little less of me.

I Thessalonians 5 tells us... to encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone... and always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

Proverbs 14:31 says..."but whoever is kind to the needy, honors God."

Overflowing

2011-04-09T13:57:00.000-07:00

I was looking through my journal to find a few verses of encouragement for a friend's birthday, and in the span of about 4-5 pages, I found two verses from different chapters of the Bible, but that had a similar message:

"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

^"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ..."
- Philippians 1:9-10

Aren't those awesome adjectives?? ABOUND and OVERFLOW... when I read those words I go "Ahhhhhh...", a sigh of contentment. God wants us to be filled to the top and spilling over with His hope, peace, love, wisdom... He's not just enough to fill the empty places in our lives. He is MORE than enough! It's like that feeling where you've eaten so much you feel like you could burst... times one hundred!!! At least, that's how I imagine it :) So let's take a journey together to learn what it means to be overflowing and abounding with Jesus Christ, the God who never stops giving. Amen!

2011-04-06T06:15:00.000-07:00

This past September I was asked by the church I attended's youth pastor to be a youth leader for the grade nine girls who were just coming up to the high school ministry. While my initial reaction was "yes!", I wanted to pray about it and talk with him a bit more. He asked me Sunday at church, youth started on the Thursday, and that Wednesday I agreed to be a leader.

Sometimes you have to just believe that God knows what he's doing. Other times you get tangible proof. Every Thursday (and some Sundays) I get to hang out with these girls and every time I see how much God knows what he's doing. These girls have won me over completely and I am really enjoying being a leader (good thing too, cuz I got three years left!). Thursdays have become the highlight of my week.

I took two of my girls out for ice cream last night and, as they talked, I was struck by how what they're going through now, is exactly what I went through when I was their age. When I was in grade nine I had an awesome leader and, at one point, I remember telling her all the stuff that was happening in my life and how much it sucked. She totally understood and had said to me, "I wondered, when I was going through all this, why it was happening to me. Now I know it's because you're going through it too, and I can help you." That's how I feel with these girls. I understand what they talk about and what they're going through because I've been there too.

I'm amazed at God's big picture sight. He knew that one day I would need to answer questions that could only be answered if I had been in a similar situation before. He knew that one day I would be a youth leader and He knew how much I would love it, and so He prepared me for it. I love how He works.

Whale Pyjamas

2011-04-03T21:44:00.000-07:00

A simple (perhaps even silly story) meant to offer encouragement:

At church today we had one of our "Shout Out" services in which people share the work and goodness of God in their lives. As small as it is, I have my own shout out story.

My five year old is growing like a bean (as most kids do). His particular stage of growth has left him with very few pairs of pyjamas that fit him. The poor boy has been squeezing himself into some shockingly tight nightwear! That is until I bought him a new, and rather stunning pair of whale pyjamas - my Finn is crazy about sea faring creatures. They are a cute, and more importantly size appropriate pair of pyjamas.

All was well until I misplaced the top portion of them. They have been lost for a while now, and Finn has gone back to wearing the same old skin tight pyjamas. As with all things that I lose, I have prayed about finding the shirt. I have turned my house up side down. Each time I searched for them, I walked past my coat closet and wondered if they would be in my basket that holds all of our winter apparel (mittens, scarves, toques, etc.). Each time I passed the idea off as completely illogical, for who would have put it up there? It is too high for either of my kids to reach, which would have meant that my husband or I put it up there - as I said, illogical.

Today I decided to give the house yet another look over. I was not willing to give up on finding them. I had spent money on these pyjamas, they were cute, they had only been worn once and my son needed them. As I walked past my coat closet today, I wondered if that little feeling I had always dismissed as illogical was actually the Holy Spirit answering my prayer and leading me to the shirt's hiding place. So, a little embarrassed that I was actually looking in amongst the mittens for a pyjama shirt, I reached for the basket and searched through it. There, amongst said mittens, was the shirt! The Lord answered my prayer - my silly little prayer about finding a shirt. I was so excited I thanked Jesus out loud!

That is my shout out story. I realize that it may seem like a trivial story, but there are so many reminders in there: that God answers prayer, no matter how trivial the subject matter may seem to us; that He cares about the small things that concern us - or in this case weigh upon my mind like a burdensome unsolved mystery; that He is constantly in control of every situation in our lives.

One particular thing that I have been focusing on since this whole scenario unfolded this afternoon, is how often do I put aside a thought from my mind, disregarding it as illogical, or not worth paying attention to, when it is, in fact, the Holy Spirit trying to tell me something? How many times have I ignored God and chosen to follow my own, more "logical" plan? How many times has God spoken to me, and I have not recognized His voice?

My prayer for each one of us, is that we learn to distinguish His voice and hear it more clearly than any other.

It is getting late. My house is quiet (except for the dulcet tones of a dishwasher doing my work for me). My sons are in bed (one of them wearing his newly found whale pyjamas!). The day is drawing to a close. Tonight, I am going to bed encouraged. Encouraged that the Lord answered my prayer. Encouraged that He is in control. And encouraged that if we listen, He will speak to us.

Good night all, and may you hear His voice above all others.

2011-03-31T23:24:00.000-07:00

It was a little over 5 weeks ago that I arranged these cut flowers into a vase. I put the arrangement into the shop. A week later, I took them out and brought them to Marie and told her that they hadn't sold and may only have a little longer to live but that I hoped she could enjoy them for a few more days.

I asked the Lord that day if He could let them live a little longer...like maybe a week so that she could use them and enjoy them.

When I saw her a week later she said, "You need to come look at these flowers". We were amazed at how good they looked and now they were two weeks old. The next week I saw Marie and again, she called me into the kitchen and said, "You should just see these flowers". "Unbelievable," I thought. But it is important for you to know that already by this time...I had forgotten my request. We talked about how pretty the flowers still were and I was thinking that I had bought some pretty good flowers.

Two more weeks went by and I saw Marie yesterday. She called me in the kitchen and told me that I needed to take a look at the flowers. I had to take a picture because this is what I saw. There were four of us in the kitchen then, marveling over these flowers. They were asking what I had done to the flowers to make them live so long!! I told them I had cut the stems and changed the water a couple of weeks ago but other than that...nothing. You'd think a florist would have a better answer but I didn't. I've never seen cut flowers look and last like that.

I went out to set up the tables. As I was putting things out I said, "Lord, how could those flowers live that long?"

And then I heard his voice in my heart. "Did you not ask me to let them live for Marie?"

And I wept...right there, getting the tables ready. And then I heard His Words in my mind.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus thoughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20

"Yes...Jesus...I asked you for one week and you have given five...FIVE!"

I love this story. It's a great story...I have loved telling it....over and over again. But the most beautiful thing about this story is that our God is intimate with us like no other. I have been struggling lately with my insecurities....telling Jesus pretty much everyday all the things that I'm scared of and what I don't know how to do and how other people can do it better than me and I don't know what I'm doing and....the list could go on. Do you hear me? Have you ever been there?

Well, Listen to me. This God...the one who is able to do far more than we ask, think or can even imagine wants to show himself in you. In me. In our church.

Forgive me Lord for not being able to see what you can do because I just can't take my eyes off of me.

I asked the Lord to let those flowers live for Marie...me thinking to bless her...but the Lord knew that his blessing was also for me to remind me that He is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think....

I could never even imagine that...and that, is why I love Him so.

LOVE

2011-03-26T17:40:00.000-07:00

1 Corinthians 13 - I'm sure you know it well. The Bible's love chapter. Well, today I read through it and got some interesting thoughts from it that I felt like sharing.

The first three verses talk about how, without love, we amount to NOTHING. We can have faith that moves mountains, amazing generosity, or strong spiritual gifts, but if those don't come with love, they're useless. Love is SO powerful! And I'm not talking about the commercialized, gushy, romantic stuff we call love nowadays.
No, God's kind of love is way different. It's:

-patient (don't we all hate waiting?)
-kind
-not jealous (now that's a tough one)
-not proud (humility... oh boy)
-not rude
-not self-seeking (yikes)
-not easily angered (easier said than done)
-forgiving
-perseverant
-hopeful
-enduring

Doesn't that sound hard? I think it's INCREDIBLY hard! Especially toward people that have hurt us or irritate us. But it's the way Jesus loved and it's what we're called to do. I think love is probably one of the most powerful tools God has given us. So as we go about our week, let's try to use it. :)

Keeping Peace

2011-03-24T18:16:00.000-07:00

The Lord is my strength and my song. His Light puts away all darkness.
In Him is life.

In the shadows of my mind...I hold fast to what I know is true. My God is Faithful.

His Hope is Eternal.

His Love is Everlasting.

His Joy is Miraculous. The Joy of the Lord is my strength. (Nehemiah 8:10b)

I sit quiet...the sun sets on a beautiful day...I hear the clock's gentle motion as the minutes pass...

"What is Peace?" I think to myself. Is it this....strength in the moment. Knowing...that He is Faithful when I can't "see" Him working the way I ask him to, want him to or imagine him to?

Discouragement knocks at my door. She's in her party dress. I want to let her in. I stand at the door talking to her instead. Should have never even opened the door.

Wisdom peeks around the corner and comes down the stairs. "What are you doing?" she says.

Sheepishly, I turn around...Discouragement knows she's uninvited and it's an awkward moment...her foot is in the door and she looks annoyed, impatient. I feel torn. It would just be easier to let her in.

Wisdom puts her hand on my shoulder and looks into my eyes....her voice is gentle, but strong, unwavering...

"...but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)

I'm tired of waiting. Discouragement seems like good company at first but Wisdom is the dearest of Friends...I trust her. I die to myself to shut the door.

"He is Faithful," I say aloud. She nods. The waiting is hard.

"I trust Him." I say this a little louder. The waiting is still hard but I feel a little stronger.

An old song that I haven't sung in what feels like decades, pops into my mind....It's tune begins to humm an old memory...it's like the warm comfort of a nightlight when you wake in sudden darkness...

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

What can I do but wait for the Lord?

His Hope is Eternal.

His Love is Everlasting.

His Joy is Miraculous.

His Grace knows no bounds.

His Faithfulness....is my very reason for waiting for Him.

This is Peace.

(Song: Because He Lives by Bill Gaither)

Back to Your First Love

2011-03-19T16:34:00.000-07:00

This weekend I was at a youth retreat and was really challenged by an idea the speaker talked about: returning to your first love. The speaker talked a lot about love the entire weekend... love between husband and wife, loving others, God's love... but the thing that impacted me the most is that God is calling us back to Himself, our first love. I got to feel God bringing me back to Him... after having been distracted so long with life and all its craziness. There was one worship song we sang quite a few times, and every time we sang it, I was touched deeply.

"He is jealous for me
Loves like a hurricane
I am a tree bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy

All of sudden, I am unaware
Of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
And I realize just how beautiful You are
And how great Your affections are for me

Oh, how He loves us so
Oh how He loves us
How He loves us so"

Singing over and over about how much God loves me made me realize how much I've lacked in loving Him. And I wanted so much to come back to Him, back to having Him as the centre, the love of my life. The greatest part is that He never stops pursuing us. We just don't always recognize that He is.

I know I'll fall and mess up again, and I'll have to come crawling back to Him after I get over my own pride. But the promise of that song gives me an amazing hope. Hope that no matter what, I will always be able to come back to my first love. Jesus will always take me back.

Grace

2011-03-18T11:00:00.000-07:00

I came across a very simple, all encompassing definition of grace in my online course "The History of Redemption" at Blue Letter Bible Institute. In defining grace, the course instructor says, "It is simply this: Grace is God doing it. Write that down. Grace is God doing it.

Everything throughout all of human history has always been about God doing it. He spoke all things into existence. He breathed the breath of life into the first man, and "in his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind."(Job 12:10)

If even breathing - the most automatic activity we do in life - would not be possible if God did not continue to ordain it, why do we still think we're in control and insist on doing things our own way? Why do I think that I know better than God? Seriously, without answering that question...and dealing with that... we will not move any closer to enjoying God's grace. We won't be comforted to know it's God doing it.

God is The One who has the plan - the perfect and glorious plan - that continues to go forward according to his will and work. We forget that...we forget that often. Even as we've looked at the first chapter of Ephesians, we see how God has set everything up according to His purpose and plan. It's all about God doing everything for us. It's about God's incredible power in us. It's about God's Spirit working through us.

Grace is God doing it. The question for us in every circumstance today is this: Am I going to receive His grace? Will I submit to God doing it?

Isaiah 30:15 has been a favourite life verse of mine. It is so contrary to how the world does things, but in light of grace meaning God doing it, it makes perfect sense for followers of Jesus.

For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, "In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength." But you were unwilling...

(and they did things their own way)

Let's embrace God's grace and rest in His working everything according to His will. May God's grace produce willing hearts in us. By God's grace it's all possible.

Life...Growth...Revival

2011-03-17T23:05:00.000-07:00

I've just come home tonight from spending some much needed girl time with my mother, my sister, and my sweet daughter. The moon is big and round in the sky. I'm glad to be home. Spring is in the air. I feel it. I'm ready for it.
To celebrate Life...Growth...Revival.

I was thinking earlier today that it's hard to write some days. Sometimes because life is just busy and full and if my schedule changes and I haven't planned ahead....well...that's a funny one because really...if you know me...I'm a procrastinator anyway...

I think ahead...sometimes I even worry ahead...but really I'm not the best at planning ahead....its a discipline for me that I'm not that disciplined at doing....but I wasn't planning to talk about that...

Today...when I was "thinking" ahead...of what I would be writing about today...and "thinking" that somedays its just hard to write and talk about my life and what I'm doing or not doing. I remembered the most wonderful of things! It's not about me!!!

It's about Him. He is the Joy, the Life, the Smile on my face. He is the Redeemer. The Faithful One.
He is Peace. Everything I love, everything that is good and wonderful and beautiful in my life is: In Him, Through Him and By Him.

Ephesians 1:1-14 is still renewing my mind.

The saints are faithful In Him. (That means that you and I are also able to be faithful In Him)
In Him, we have been given every spiritual gift in the heavenly places. (Do you get that...it's incredible)
Before the foundation of the world was made...we were chosen In Him...to be holy and blameless before Him. (Think about this...we were chosen to be set apart and not condemned, without blame...that is what we are...In Him)
In Him, we have redemption through his blood. (Don't count this one out just because you're already saved...Whatever you've got in your life right now that you need to be redeemed from...His blood has still paid for it...He is the Redeemer!)
In Him all things will be united...things in heaven and things on earth. (The Past, Today, Tomorrow and Eternity are united in his hands....He is not limited between heaven and earth and they are not two separate worlds for Him. That should be a comfort for you because he understands your past, he knows your future and he is totally present in the here and now of your life today)
In Him we have obtained an inheritance. (Have you ever wanted to inherit something entirely amazing like some fairytale you've read about or seen on TV? Believe me, this is more than you or I can possibly even imagine!)
In Him we have been sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. (Right here, right now...that changes your life...we have a Counselor...a Helper...a Guide...we have the Spirit of the Almighty God living and breathing within us...He speaks. Lord, help us listen)

In Him...we have Life, we have Growth...we have Revival...we have...Spring.
Thank you so much, Jesus.

Ephesians 1:13-14

2011-03-10T20:45:00.000-08:00

In him
you also,
when you heard the word of truth,
the gospel of your salvation,
and
believed in him,
were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
who is the guarantee
of our inheritance
until we acquire possession of it,
to the praise
of his glory.
Ephesians 1:13-14

Night of Prayer

2011-02-26T20:43:00.000-08:00

This past week at youth we had a night of prayer... it was so amazing. There were different areas where we could pray for the nations, confess things to Jesus, read Psalms, light candles for those we know that don't know God, and just pray, pray, pray! It was such an amazing atmosphere of worship and reverence. Some people prayed by themselves, others prayed for each other or in groups... there was no set schedule, we just followed where we felt God leading us. It made me realize again the power and intimacy of prayer. And I think it's sad that I find it harder to pray when I'm by myself, not surrounded by others praying with soft music in the background. It's like we need a certain atmosphere to pray. It's ridiculous, but I think it's true. For me, at least. I get so distracted when I try to pray... I'll start of with, "Dear God, thank you for today..." and all of the sudden my mind will start wandering over the events of the day and I'll forget completely that I was in the middle of talking to Jesus.

And another thing, I think it's also silly that we have certain times when we're praying, and others when we're not. God wants to be talking to us all the time! Not just before meals or in church... but as we're walking to school, or driving to work, or going out for dinner... all the time!

So those are just some things I've been challenged with recently... praying everywhere I go, a continual conversation with Jesus... and being able to really enter in a time with Jesus without having everything set up for me. It's definitely not easy, but I'm ready to try!

Still in the Game

2011-02-24T22:27:00.000-08:00

I feel like I've just sauntered up to the table and climbed into the chair. Breathe deeply. It feels so good to be here...with you. What is it about coming to the Soul Kitchen table that makes me feel so....at home.

It's Jesus. He's here. Sigh.....He's Everything.

I am still lingering in Ephesians. Drinking, thirsty for the truth, sipping slowly each and every word. God's words through Paul first delivered to the saints in Ephesus, but purposed for the world...for you, for me.

Still in the game of the Hide and Seek Challenge, I have memorized verses 1-10 in chapter 1 and am now working on 11 and 12. I can hardly express how much I love this. I have memorized many verses in the Bible over the years and its all good....but this....I've never done a passage like this other than Psalm 23....a letter....seeing and hearing the words over and over in my mind. God's words in my mouth...listening to His words tumbling out of my mouth and soaking through my mind in my waking in my sleeping....I'm not kidding...It's life changing. I believe I've been working on these 12 verses for about 6 weeks now. Praying through them, asking the Holy Spirit to teach me, asking God what he wants me to learn right now and listening to his voice as his words penetrate deeper into my heart and mind.

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:11-12

Robert J. Morgan wrote in his book 100 Bible Verses that, "Scripture memory accelerates the transformation process in our lives....By internalizing Bible verses, we're mainstreaming God's thoughts into our conscious, subconscious, and unconscious logic."

And...I will say that I'm gonna have to agree with that....I believe God's words are changing me...from the inside out....by the power of the Holy Spirit...Let it be so.

"...But what's been done for you."

2011-02-15T19:10:00.000-08:00

You are more than the choices that you've made,

You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,

You are more than the problems you create,

You've been remade.

'Cause this is not about what you've done,

But what's been done for you.

This is not about where you've been,

But where your brokenness brings you to

This is not about what you feel,

But what He felt to forgive you,

And what He felt to make you loved.

You are more than the choices that you've made,

You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,

You are more than the problems you create,

You've been remade.

Tenth Avenue North

Praying Power

2011-02-14T22:06:00.000-08:00

Mary and husband had to fly down to North Carolina for a family funeral. Since she is away, I decided to recycle one of her previous posts. Blessings on you today and love from all your SoulSisters.

"In the same way, the Holy Spirit helps us where we are weak. We do not know how to pray or what we should pray for, but the Holy Spirit prays for us with sounds that cannot be put into words. God knows the hearts of men. He knows what the Holy Spirit is thinking. The Holy Spirit prays for those who belong to Christ the way God wants Him to pray." Romans 8:26:27

Are you feeling weak today? Is your heart so heavy that you do not even have words you can put into a sentence and utter to the Lord... Do you have an overwhelming sadness that you have not been able to get rid of... God knows... He knows the depth of your heart and He cares. He has given us the Holy Spirit who continually intercedes for us.

Sometimes we get so overwhelmed with what is going on in our lives that we are not sure how to pray. We struggle with our own thoughts and desires and we know how we would like to see the outcome of certain situations... but often, God sees the situation differently from us. In the end, it might not be what we had hoped for or envisioned at all. But it is something better! God knows the hearts of men. God knows when we are struggling or when our heart is full of joy. He knows when we are weak and when we are strong. He knows what we can and cannot handle. He knows what the Holy Spirit is thinking. And where is the Holy Spirit? He is abiding in us. We are not left alone or to fend for ourselves. We always have the Comforter with us. Isn't it encouraging to know that when we have lost all direction, or cannot discern our next step that... The Holy Spirit prays for those who belong to Christ the way God wants Him to pray.

Rest assured in His love and guidance today... You have the praying power of the Holy Spirit!

To Hide and Seek...Something Sacred

2011-02-10T23:05:00.000-08:00

I write from memory...the sacred...hidden deep within my mind, not lost mind you, but literally etched into the framework of my thoughts...weaved into the here and now...a sacred thread...the gift of a mind being renewed.

(I'll not worry tonight...if it's word for word and punctuation perfect....those details will continue to come)

Ephesians 1:1-10

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, by the will of God.
To the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,

even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy and blameless before him.

In love, he predestined us for adoption as sons (and daughters) through Jesus Christ,
according to his perfect will, to the praise of his glorious grace,
with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

In Him, we have redemption through his blood,
the forgiveness of our trespasses,
according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us
in all wisdom and insight,
making known to us the mystery of his will,
according to his purpose
which he set forth in Christ as a plan
for the fullness of time,
to unite all things in him
things in heaven and things on earth.

Sacred Words.

While the rest of this house sleeps, I whisper aloud the words I have "hidden" in my heart...I know that I have found the treasure in the "seeking".

I say them aloud again...and tremble inside with the understanding that the living God lives in me. And before he even created the world he knew that we would leave him and that only his grace could save us. And so together they made a plan, to change my destiny and yours, a plan born of love, but costing death. The only way we could get back to him, uniting heaven and earth in Him, past present and future. He did it. And these are God's words in my mouth. Not my words. God's words living and breathing in my mind, transforming...redeeming...life giving...light shedding. Sacred. The renewing of my mind.

Oh Father...fill us with your Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that we can know you better....so that we can understand the treasure of your words hidden in our hearts as we seek the sacred.

What Life is About

2011-02-05T15:12:00.000-08:00

I got a main role in my school play called Our Town just the other week. As I was reading the play, the message of the story stuck out to me: it was talking about how much we go through life wasting our time on things that don't really matter, and not appreciating the people around us. So that idea had been playing in my mind for a few days, when BAM! Jesus shows me a passage that fits exactly with what I had been thinking!

⁴ “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered—
how fleeting my life is.
⁵ You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.
My entire lifetime is just a moment to you;
at best, each of us is but a breath.”
⁶ We are merely moving shadows,
and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.
We heap up wealth,
not knowing who will spend it.
⁷ And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?
My only hope is in you.

- Psalm 39:4-7

I was just in awe of how God reinforced what I had been thinking. It was so cool! I've shared that passage with a bunch of the other cast members... and it's led to some awesome conversations. So, I want to encourage you to take life one day at a time. Enjoy each moment, and take the time to tell your friends, your family, your co -workers that you appreciate them. Look for opportunities to be Jesus to the people around you. I know it's how Jesus wants us to live.

A Hide and Seek Challenge!

2011-02-03T22:25:00.000-08:00

I am inviting you to join us in a Spring Challenge. The kind of challenge that changes your life...causing you to live and breathe the very words of God...in your kitchen, in your car, echoed in your prayers and whispered in the sweet dreams of sleep. Really. It will change your life.

We have begun memorizing in the first chapter of Ephesians....and seriously, it's so good. As you meditate through each phrase, ask the Lord to speak to you, ask Him what this means and what that means? Talk to Him as you memorize each line...think about the words and what God is saying to you right now.

Some are faster, and some are slower at this sort of thing...don't get caught up in the conquering but...lose yourself in the listening. We will begin one verse at a time. And when that one is done...good and steady, imprinted on your beating heart...it will be time to go on to the next one.

We do not all have to be at the same place at the same time but there is something seriously beautiful about going there together.

If you're game and you want more....Join us.

Let me know, so we can encourage each other,

as we Hide God's Word in our Hearts and Seek His Heart along the way.

In God Alone...

2011-01-31T18:04:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking a lot about unconditional love over the past few days. This type of love would be called, "agape love." One reference I read said it was, "intelligent, purposeful and active; and is expressed by doing that which results in the highest good for the person loved, without expecting anything in return."

When I consider what that means... I realize that I fall pretty short of "agape love." In our human nature, it is so easy to expect love, affection and appreciation from the ones we give it to. But, how many times has God answered our prayers and we failed to show our appreciation. Or, just sort of mentally said "Whew!" We made it through that one! And yet, how many times have I been hurt when those I loved failed to see the sacrifice I had made for them and became resentful because I expected something I did not get.

God keeps on loving us... He doesn't remove his affection like we do... He doesn't become sullen and dwell on why He hasn't heard from us... He doesn't try to figure out what His next step is.

God is... "Grace and mercy, truth and purity, full of loving kindness, forgiving, light in darkness, righteous, just, faithful, holy and blameless. There are not enough words to describe what a wonderful and loving God we have!

I struggle with myself sometimes because I want that "agape' love in my life. But I get caught up in the flesh, wanting to be appreciated or acknowledged. Not all the time, but it does show up when I least expect it. I am glad that I can tell all of that to God though and He doesn't condemn me or reject me. I love His Scripture because it encourages me more than anything else. Psalm 66 tells us...

"Come and listen; all you who fear God; let me tell you what He has done for me. I cried out to Him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld His love from me!

God does not withhold His love from us! If we confess to Him our weaknesses, our sins... He is so eager to forgive us and lead us in the right direction. If we rely on anything other than His love, guidance and direction... we will always be disappointed in this life.

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him." Psalm 62:5

The Voice of the Lord

2011-01-29T10:52:00.000-08:00

I was reading in Psalms the other day, and found a really cool passage in Psalm 29:3-9.

³ The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.
⁴ The voice of the LORD is powerful;
the voice of the LORD is majestic.
⁵ The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;
the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
⁶ He makes Lebanon leap like a calf,
Sirion like a young wild ox.
⁷ The voice of the LORD strikes
with flashes of lightning.
⁸ The voice of the LORD shakes the desert;
the LORD shakes the Desert of Kadesh.
⁹ The voice of the LORD twists the oaks
and strips the forests bare.
And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”

As you can see, the part that stuck out to me was the voice of the Lord, and how amazingly powerful it is. It thunders, it creates lightning, it shakes the desert, it is majestic... you'd think I was talking about a huge storm or something. God's voice is so powerful that creation came to be by just Him speaking.
⁹ For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.
(Psalm 33:9)

That is INSANE! And then I thought of something else. That same voice, the awesome voice that created everything, speaks to me in the quiet places of my heart. It whispers words of encouragement or challenge, it blesses me and teaches me. It just amazes me that God would choose to take His booming, thundering voice, and shrink it down to a whisper so we can hear Him in our hearts. It makes me realize that He really does love us. The God of the Universe speaks to each and every one of us. That just blows my mind.

Little Words Make All the Difference

2011-01-28T16:30:00.000-08:00

One super cool thing about memorizing scripture, is that you notice every word. In the first verse of Ephesians there is the significant word "in."

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:

As I began to work on memorizing this verse, at first I thought I was quoting when I said, "faithful to Christ Jesus," but then I noticed that it was "faithful in Christ Jesus."

It's just a little word, what's the difference!?

Faithful to Christ Jesus is more about me.

Faithful in Christ Jesus is all about Christ.

It's a huge difference. In the person of Jesus Christ you are faithful if you are in Him. That's how it is. That's what He says... and we know that what He says is true no matter how we think or feel. In Christ we are faithful. That's good news! Whoo hoo! God is amazing!

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

God is faithful, and in Christ we are faithful. Doesn't that truth make you love Him even more? Isn't it amazing that God declares us faithful and sees us faithful? All because of Christ.

Are you caught in an undertow?

2011-01-24T16:51:00.000-08:00

I am sitting in my living room this evening and it's almost 5 o'clock. There is a glow and warmth coming from the fireplace that makes me feel cozy and comforted. It is grey and cloudy outside with drops of rain still holding onto the branches of the tree outside my window. It has been a while since I have written. I have no excuses except that I have been dealing with some issues of the heart. My heart to be specific... Don't we all struggle with something from time to time. Just when we think we have a handle on things, we are thrown a curve.

How quickly we can spiral down to a place where we feel like we are drowning. It would not be our first time... or our last. Fortunately, for me... I know how to swim. But sometimes even knowing how to swim does not takes us to the shore. Maybe we swam out too far... or the water is really cold and we are getting cramps and we know we cannot make it back without help. I remember two times in my life when I thought I was actually going to drown and I was a good swimmer. One of those times I was in the ocean and was being pulled out further and further by an undertow. The harder I swam to get to the beach and safety, the stronger the undertow pulled me back. I had lost all hope that I was going to get any closer to shore when I felt my body being lifted by the strong push of my husband's hands. I swam, he pushed. Eventually we got to shore and I collapsed in relief.

What I am trying to say is... I knew how to swim, but something more powerful than me had a grip on my life that was beyond my control. When I felt the strength in my husband's hands, it gave me strength to not give up and to keep swimming.

Sometimes, we need a lifeline. We need someone to encourage us. We need to know that whatever it is that is trying to suck us under does not have all the control. We need to rely on what we know is true and allow others to help us if we need it. We need God's Word and we need to ask others to pray for us when we are hurting or struggling. Sometimes, someone else can shed a different light on what is happening and it is not as bad as it seemed after all. Don't be afraid to ask someone to help you.

May you have a blessed week as you keep looking to the One who loves you as no other can.

Trust

2011-01-22T15:26:00.000-08:00

I hate being sick. I don't get sick too often, but when I do, I hate it. I feel gross, but also useless and energy deprived. It takes a lot of effort to do small, normal things. That's how I'm feeling right now. But being sick is also a good reminder for me... I am imperfect. This world is fallen, so we humans are not perfect. Only God is perfect. I keep having to ask Him to be strong in my weakness. It's at times like this when I really feel like if I don't lean on Him, I'll fall apart. So, I guess in a way, being sick is a lesson for me. I need to trust completely in Jesus all the time, not just when I'm tired, grumpy and feeling disgusting. I should be leaning on Him when things are just great... when I have lots of energy, when my life is going well. All the time. We need to trust in Him, all the time.

Forgive and Live

2011-01-21T11:21:00.000-08:00

"Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his(her) glory to overlook an offense."

Proverbs 19:11

Right now, while you're reading this post, it's time. God is calling you to say "yes" to Him.

Jesus says, "Forgive. As I've forgiven you, you also must forgive."

If that's what you're hearing from Him, do it now. It's time. Right now, while you're even giving it a thought, forgive.

"But I can't!" you say. I know. That's a given. Forgiveness is miraculous; God needs to do it in you. Ask God to change your heart so that you can forgive. If you don't feel like it, admit that. You don't have to feel like it, you just need to be willing. You can choose to forgive...even if you don't feel like it.

Do you know why God wants you to forgive? Because He knows how you're made. He knows what gives you peace and joy and life. Today is the day to forgive. Don't wait. Do it now. For heaven's sake, forgive! For your sake, forgive... and live.

I Want It All....

2011-01-20T13:33:00.000-08:00

...and I can have it, because it is already mine.

I'm still in Ephesians. Chapter 1 verses 2-6. Determined to renew my mind through the cleansing, Life-giving Truth of God's Word and by the power of his Holy Spirit.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love,
he predestined us for adoption as sons (and daughters) through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
to the praise of this glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

As I ponder with wide eyes what it truly means to live each day in Christ with "every spiritual blessing" that exists in heaven literally attached to my heart, imbedded in my mind, and at the tip of my fingers for every day living, I sink back in my chair and breathe deep with the realization that I don't live like this everyday...but I want to. I choose to. And I seek Him, because I want Him. I want All of Him.

Grace. Peace. Joy. Love. Hope. Faith.....

I have been pondering today about the spiritual blessing of Faith.
I talk to the Lord and tearfully confess my fears, my worries, my anxieties and insecurities...when I entertain such guests in my mind as that lot...I leave faith standing outside in the cold, and serve my lack of trust on a silver platter for the vermin to enjoy.

Oh sweet Lord...You have given me faith.

("Pick up your shield daughter.")

Ephesians 6:16
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

("Did you notice that? Not just some circumstances...but in all circumstances...with which you can extinguish not some of the flaming darts of the evil one...but all the flaming darts of the evil one...go ahead daughter, pick that shield back up, hold on tight to it...it's yours...a gift...a spiritual blessing")

And what is this? Slightly scary words from Romans 14:23b

For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.

"Oh Lord...what plans, ideas, conversations and decisions have I made even this day that were not brought to you, therefore, proceeding from faith?"

You have given your daughter the spiritual blessing of faith. The ability to trust in You whatever the cirmcumstances may be.

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Are you just about brought to tears? I am already there. The spiritual blessing of faith...already ours just for the taking.

Precious little heart...what is it that you hope for? Trust the One that our human eyes today, have not seen...Yet.

Sleep Deprivation

2011-01-15T14:24:00.000-08:00

Last night I went to a youth event called the Sleep Deprivation Tour. We basically stayed up all night and kept ourselves awake by doing different activities... watching a movie, skating, swimming, etc. It was a lot of fun, but by the end of it all, I was exhausted. I came home at about 8 am and slept until 1 pm. And I'm still tired. But it makes me appreciate the sleep I do get every night. Thank you, Jesus, for making space in the day for us to shut down and rest. I don't have much else to say except that God really knew what He was doing when He created us. He knew we wouldn't do well if we stayed up for 24 hours, so he created sleep. What a smart God we have :) Thank you, Jesus, for sleep.

An old Love Letter, originally written in 2009...

2011-01-13T21:24:00.000-08:00

The words to a song I love, rings softly in my ears....

"Jesus...Name above all names...Beautiful Saviour...Glorious Lord...Emanuel...God is with us...Blessed Redeemer...Living Word...."

There has never been a love so sweet as the love my Saviour has given me...never a love so complex and intricate, yet simple enough for the smallest child...miraculous really...never a love so Holy and Pure.

Reading in Luke chapter 23 verses 39-43...just moments before my Love sacrificed His life for mine....I see His heart for others, again...

One of the two criminals being crucified next to Jesus, rebukes the other for his words and actions against Jesus while they are hanging there in excruciating pain...I am sure, struggling for each breath and even the energy to speak...then he moves his attention to Jesus in verse 42, 'And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." And Jesus...says to him in verse 43..."Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

No magic words....no special prayer....no complicated intructions and rules....

Simply...he recognized and acknowledged the truth of who Jesus is....He believed in Him...and Jesus loved him and saved him.

Jesus says in John 14:6...."I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Jesus is the way. He loves you. He is it. If He hadn't changed my life...and filled my heart with a love so captivating that I can't stop talking about it....I would stop talking about it.

I love Him.

I've told my children that it reminds me of going to a movie. When you get to the theatre....you have to have a ticket. They won't let you in just because you know Bob at the popcorn stand....you can't hand them your Michael's 20 percent off coupon or your winning lottery ticket or even a $20 dollar bill.....when you are at the gate...you have to give the ticket collector your movie ticket. It's the only way in. Jesus is your ticket.

Jesus says in John 10 verse 9, ...."I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he (or she) will be saved...."

Jesus has saved me....He loves me....His love is irresistable....What has Jesus done for you?

2011-01-11T18:48:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted on here for a long time - my apologies for that. There are two major reasons why (perhaps excuses would be a better word). The first reason is called Bentley. We got a puppy!?! For some reason, my husband and I decided that it would be smart to make our hectic lives even more hectic. We knew having a puppy would be hard work, but having a puppy, both working full time and already having two human puppies in the house has made life crazy!! But he is a lovely dog. He is a Bernese Mountain Dog, and although he is only 6 months old, he is already very large. He currently weighs 50 lbs and will gain at least another 40 by the time he is done growing! He is fantastic to have around, and I am sure that one day, once he is house trained, he will be a great companion during the evenings when my husband is working night shifts. HOWEVER, for now, he is just a ton of work!!

The second reason I haven't posted anything for a while is that I really haven't felt like I've got much to say. As terrible as it sounds, and I am by no means justifying myself, I feel as if I haven't had the chance to just sit and think of anything other than diapers, laundry, work, taking the dog out for a bathroom break, making sure I have read with my 5 year old for 15 minutes as I am supposed to do each day, and my lack of sleep. I feel like my focus has been on completing my "to do" list rather than why I am completing that list and for whose glory it is to be completed.

As such, every time I have a moment and think of writing a post on here, I just don't know what to say. If I may be so bold as to ask those of you reading this, please pray for me. If you think of it, pray that I might refocus so that I can feel close to my Saviour, and do all that I need to do in His name and for Him.

Thank you.

For now, I must run. Bentley is barking and is need of being taken outside!!

What Truly Matters

2011-01-08T19:55:00.000-08:00

I heard a horrible story the other day. A family from my dance studio was in a terrible accident. The father passed away, the four children are all seriously injured, and the mother, who was also injured but not as badly, has to look out for all her children while facing the fact that her husband is gone. My heart broke when I heard the news. I'm just so glad they have the assurance that their father and husband is in Heaven with Jesus. It really puts things in perspective. Life is so so short. We can not determine when our lives will end... whether we'll die young or live to be a hundred. Only God knows the number of our days. So how can we waste our lives on the meaningless things and materials in life, when what really matters is our family, our friends, the people around us? And most of all, God. The saying, "You never know what you've got until it's gone" is most definitely true. So take time to appreciate the people in your life who care about you. Make space in your life to show them you appreciate them. And ultimately, keep leaning on the One who created you and will one day take you to be with Him. Life is short. Hold on to what truly matters.

Enough with the Christmas, Already...But Are You Sure?

2011-01-06T12:20:00.000-08:00

I'm guessing that many of you have already beaten me at this but I'm supposed to be taking down my tree today. I'm sitting here looking at it...sad to see it go but ready to clean things up and get the sadness over with! So...I'll spend some time with you and tell you what I've been pondering these last few days and then...I'll put on my Christmas music one more time, and start taking her down and packing her up until next year.

I've still got a few presents sitting around the house that aren't officially put in there proper places and a couple of gift cards that I can't wait to spend. I kind of love it when I still have something like that to look forward to after all of the excitement and feasting has passed, don't you?

Well....I guess that's one of the things that excites me so about Christmas....Jesus, our gift, born for us...is the gift that keeps on giving! More than the bottomless pop and fries that you love to see on a menu. More than a gift card that refills itself every time you use it. More than the 50 million lottery jackpot or a free vacation a year for the rest of your life.

Jesus...gives to us what our hearts truly need. Even if we are confused about what we think we want or need...He has for us, what He knows, is the deepest longing of our heart and He has it for us in a never ending supply, available to us every minute of every day for the rest of our lives and beyond. And all we have to do is ask. That just blows my mind.

Let's just break that down into two little things, even though there is soooooo much more.
From the 2nd verse in Ephesians 1:

We couldn't survive without GRACE and I wouldn't even want to without PEACE. Thank you Jesus!
And EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING....come on sister, I can't even imagine what all that might be...and as Hans Solo said, "I can imagine quite a bit". But if we even started to open that package here today, you know that I would never get my tree down! We might have to save that one for another day.

Ephesians 1:2-6

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love
he predestined us for adoption as sons (or daughters) through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose (or good pleasure) of his will,
to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

We were wanted before the beginning of time. We were chosen and adopted by the King of the Universe. And we have been accepted and blessed in the Beloved. It's beyond my wildest dreams.

So there you have it...my current ponderings. I'll be meditating on these few verses for at least a week, so if you have any thoughts feel free to banter back with me.

Love to you all,
Julie

Theme for the Year

2011-01-01T14:06:00.000-08:00

When you think of New Year's, you probably think of New Year's resolutions. Sadly, those resolutions are rarely accomplished. Instead of making goals that you will probably give up on or forget, why not have a theme for the year? I decided that I want my theme for this next year to be learning to have a God-centered existence...

...in speech, action, thought, time spent, influence, attitude... everything.

It's not going to be easy, but I know if I rely on God, He'll see me through.

So, what is your theme for 2011?

Power for Life

2010-12-31T10:30:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-30T10:25:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-12-25T07:52:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-24T10:00:00.000-08:00

"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

2010-12-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-20T23:31:00.000-08:00

"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

2010-12-18T19:13:00.001-08:00

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

2010-12-17T10:14:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-16T23:40:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-11T18:20:00.001-08:00

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...

2010-12-10T12:30:00.000-08:00

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?

2010-12-09T08:52:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-04T21:53:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-27T08:25:00.000-08:00

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.

2010-11-24T07:00:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-19T23:56:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-18T22:30:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-13T20:36:00.001-08:00

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

2010-11-11T19:46:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-09T18:42:00.000-08:00

"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

2010-11-06T12:52:00.001-07:00

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...

2010-11-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

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

2010-11-01T15:54:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-30T16:42:00.000-07:00

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.