Every Tear

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

- Revelation 7:17

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lover of my Soul

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

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

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

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

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

Faithful and True

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

I'm not broken.  I'm not depressed.

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

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

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

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

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

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

And I love Him.

Share the Truth

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

It's so sad.

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

In Agreement with my Sister

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

May the God of Hope


fill you with ALL joy and peace


AS YOU TRUST IN HIM,


so that

you may OVERFLOW with HOPE


by the power of the Holy Spirit.


Romans 15:13

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

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

by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Romans 15:13