Goodbye 2008

What a year!!! I am so thankful for the many ways the Lord's faithfulness, forgiveness and power can be seen as I reflect on the past year. 2008 had been a painful year of pruning in my life and at the same time I've experienced and see new growth and revived life as a result. I can thank God for this and give Him thanks for the year past as I look forward to the year ahead. So much to be thankful for. The Lord gives and takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord!!!

Dec 1 - another step taken to break the yoke of slavery...Praise God.

Deeper into His love....together

There is something so special and bonding about growing deeper into His love and knowledge of the God of the universe together with other women. I didn't realize how much I was missing this until this past month when I joined two women's Bible study groups. I am not saying that I haven't been growing in other teaching situations but what I am saying is there is something so wonderful about joining other ladies, of all ages, and studying God's living Word together, learning from each other.
I am so thankful for the wisdom of our older but young at heart ladies in our church. They are such gentle women and so full of a love for the Father and those around them.
Lately I've been reminded of a verse that has meant so much to me and kept me focused on the "big picture".
Romans 11:36

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

Some how circumstances and life situations of the past, present and future are a lot less threatening when I focus on the truth in this passage.
It calms my heart and helps me to be thankful for it all and even look forward with anticipation to what comes next.

It is time...

It is time to move onto the banquet table that the Lord has set before me. Seasons have ended for me in regard to some relationships and other things in my life and the more I mourn this reality and wait to see if it will change the more I miss out on the banquet table that is set before me. I am thankful to the Lord for the ongoing solid God centered relationships that has weathered both time and events over the years and I am rejoicing in the way that the Lord brings people back into my life just at the right time.
So many prayers answered...
So much to be thankful for...
So much to look forward to...
It is time...

Packing up the "Stuff".

As of late I've been sorting through our stuff in order to pack up for the move to Weyburn. I have three types of categories that I'm sorting stuff into. I have the things I want to keep, things I want to donate and things I want to throw away. Moving always involves this type of sorting for me but I have found myself processing through another part of my life and doing some sorting in my mind/heart. It has been a couple of years of much revealing in my own heart. So many emotions and baggage to sort through. I am asking the Lord to help me sort it all out with His guidance and by the light of His Spirit and Word. I am not wanting to hold onto the things I should be throwing away. I do not want to enter into this new ministry carrying the baggage that weighs me down and makes me stumble. I am so thankful for the Lord's faithfulness and His gentleness through this process. He has been faithful in showing me what baggage I've created and what baggage other's have deposited into my life but I've chosen to carry with me. So by His Grace and His Mercy I'm packing up these emotions, memories and thoughts that are a stumbling block for me and those around me. By His empowering I'm repenting of this sin and asking the Lord to free me from the bondage to it. If you read this blog you can support me by praying for me. Pray that I'd pack it up and give to the Lord once and for all. And pray that I'd be able to resist when I'm tempted to open one of these packed "thought/emotion boxes" or take it all back and rummage through it thus re-shelving and re-living in my mind and heart that which I know the Lord wants me to repent of and release to Him. Pray for me that I may be free and that I may remember, claim and believe; John 8:36 "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." and 2 Chronicles 7:14-15 "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place."

Forgiveness or Permission?

There is a saying that "It is easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to ask for permission."

In other words, some might take advantage of this reality/fact and make decisions and take action without asking for permission in hopes or rather counting on being able to ask for forgiveness in the end anyway.

Does the end justify the means? Nope.
Are we held accountable for both? You bet.
Do the means and end both have consequences? Yes they do.

And what I've observed is that all too often the option to ask for forgiveness is abused by some. But, we are called to forgive and we must not expect the Father to forgive us if we do not extend that forgiveness to others. Does forgiveness mean the person you are forgiving is trustworthy all of a sudden? No and the Lord knows we are going to be among those that we need to watch out for and yet we must depend on and trust Him no matter what.
Matt 10:16 "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves."

Feeling So Safe; Feeling So Loved

Psalm 3:3 But you are a shield around me, O LORD;
you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
Right now I'm feeling so safe in the Lord's care. He sent messengers and today He shone His light into a situation that dispelled the enemy's lies that had tried to make it bigger than it really was. He took away doubt and condemnation. Oh what freedom in knowing the truth. Oh what freedom in knowing the depth of the Lord's love and care for His people.

I can't say in words just how real this verse has become to me over the past few weeks. He has been my shield and lifted up my head. He has heard my cry and delivered me.

Thank you Lord for the gift you gave to my heart today. You are the Rock!!!

I Will Choose To Listen & Believe The Voice Of Truth

Casting Crowns (2003)
"Voice Of Truth"

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone
To the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. 'Boy, you'll never win!'
"You'll never win"

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a Sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again "boy, you'll never win!
"You'll never win"

But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Stepping out in faith...

Well, here we are, house virtually sold, notice given at work, and deposit on a home in a new city and really we are 95% of the way to things being finalized but for that 5% that will happen in the next three days it kind of seems odd that we are all but packing to go already!
That peace that surpasses all understanding that I'm a child of God's and that I'm in His will is what moves me forward. Today, we brought one of Harley's co-workers to church. He isn't a believer and says so quite readily but still he came. There I sat beside him and listened to Harley preach a message about living out our faith every day and being ready to give an account for the hope that is in us. I'm thinking to myself, wow, there is no way this co-worker could sit through this if Harley wasn't practicing what he was preaching. I'm so blessed to have a husband that tries to practice what he preaches. We enjoyed the company of this co-worker for the rest of the day and saw the rest of our church greet him and witness to him in the time that they spent with him. The planters were out today and planted and the waterers watered and we are trusting the Lord to do the growing. Praise God for His faithfulness and His living testimony. So much work to be done and what a privilege to be enlisted in His work. I pray that I don't ever take that privilege to be involved in His work for granted and waste it in my lifetime here.

Timely advice from an unlikely source....

Ok, so I'm getting things done around the house and I decide to play a DVD and the last one in the player was the Disney Movie "Ratatouille". I've seen it before and really I was just looking for something to watch while I ate my lunch. So then there is this one line in the movie that just hasn't stopped replaying in my mind. The line of the movie was actually some advice being given to the rat. It went kind of like this "If you are only thinking about what you've left behind you will never see what is ahead of you."
Well, it was words that I really needed to hear at that moment and every time I am tempted to dwell on what I'm leaving or have left behind I hear it replayed in my mind and it snaps me out of sadness and my pity party. I know of a verse that is the authority on this subject of forgeting what is behind and looking to what is ahead;
Philippians 3:12-14 "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Freedom In Trying

Better to have tried and failed than to have never tried at all.
The real growth is in the trying and life lessons are gained on the
journey. Knowing that we tried has brought so much freedom to my heart.
We never cut you out of our hearts.....if you only knew the depth of longing
for so many of you.....but the Lord's ways are higher than ours. I'm believing that the pruning in our lives will produce much fruit. May we all experience the freedom and peace as we trust Him for the days ahead.

The Anonymous Trap.

So I’ve been contemplating how a person is supposed to reconcile or take steps to making things right when they are dealing with comments from people who want to remain anonymous.

This anonymous trap has had me in bondage in the past and once again threatens to put me back in bondage again. The bondage is the turmoil in my spirit as I wonder how to make things right with the sources of the anonymous complaints/concerns. You feel like you are only getting a portion of the picture and you are supposed to guess at figuring out the entire picture. After seeing the fruit this practice of anonymity produces I am totally against doing things anonymously if they have a negative slant or a critical purpose.

For one thing you do not know who it is that is making the accusations or complaints/concerns. At times when I’ve found out whom the anonymous source was I could then understand the situation better because I knew source. Often I could then understand where I had gone wrong or what I had done wrong and I could try to do my part and make it right. When you know up front who is bringing concerns/hurts/criticism about you then you can know if this person has a past history of such behavior and clear patterns can be seen in their life that are contributing to the situation.

I believe hiding behind anonymity is in some cases being false and we are to set aside falsehood and in love speak truth. Remaining anonymous for what ever excuse makes it easy to not be held accountable for our words and actions thus making it almost impossible for there to be reconciliation and restoration.

I felt affirmed when I heard how one of Andrea’s Bible College Profs felt about anonymous surveys and/or evaluations in the church. He was quite forceful about his opinion that this was very wrong and not Biblical and went on to explain why to his class.

Anyway, my own journey having experienced this has been one of many battles but I have come to the conclusion that I can’t chase after anonymous people because it is futile and a waste of time. Does this mean that there is no truth to be found in anonymous comments? Of course not but when it has to do with a person being hurt by something you’ve said or done then how can you possibly reconcile with them while they are hiding in anonymity?

The devil also uses this to do damage to God's church. Because you don't know who you are dealing with suspicion and doubt are the enemy's tools to break down unity and reconciliation. Everyone suffers the consequences.

Matthew 18:15-17
If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

Ephesians 4:25
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

2 Timothy 1:7
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

The Importance of Learning From My Mistakes

I have written so many blogs that haven't made it to being published. This past year has been one of much reflecting and learning. Years ago, when Andrea would come home from school with a quiz or test she had written and she wasn't happy with her mark I remember asking her "Do you understand what you did wrong?" and I'd also say, "The important thing isn't that you made mistakes but that you learned from them." I remember trying to teach her that mistakes are victories if you learn from them. If you've learned from your mistakes then you can be thankful for them and move on. It is all a part of the learning process and growing up.

I can only hope and pray that I am able to practice what I've preached. Mistakes are costly and some mistakes cost us more than others. I am trying really hard these days to keep focused on what I've learned from my mistakes and what I'd do different in the same situations. Also, I'm asking myself if I have extended grace and showed mercy to those who have made mistakes that affect me? I thank God for His patience and long suffering with me and I pray that I will learn to extend that same grace and mercy He has so lavishly extended to me.
Romans 8:26-28
In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Another song touches my heart today...

Casting Crowns "Who Am I" (2003)
Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You're

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Who Am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who Am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me

I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours

Encouraged

Wow, what a whirlwind this year has been. So many changes and so many surprises.
Surprise #1 - OUR DAUGHTER IS ENGAGED TO A GODLY MAN WHO LOVES THE LORD AND OUR DAUGHTER DEEPLY!!! This union is such an answer to prayer.

As of this past week we've been unexpectedly encouraged from two sources that we'd of never even expected it from.

My only mother's day plans were to talk to my girl and then hang out for the afternoon and evening with my family. When I showed up to my sister's I was met with flowers from my little "sis" and her husband. It was so sweet and totally unexpected and encouraged me greatly.

Harley has been waiting on the Lord for direction and in this time of seeking direction he has been blessed with a job that is helping to sustain our financial needs. Harley has been upfront with his boss about the seeking process we are in and his boss declared yesterday that "he hopes God answers his prayers and that Harley is called to stay working for him". That and other encouraging words from his boss have really been an affirmation and encouragement to Harley.

I think a new season has started in our lives and I'm thankful that it has. I was ready for it and thank God for it.

Cry out for this nourishment!

What a battle to get to church yesterday. Some Sunday mornings it is like a battlefield in our house. My thoughts are "Lord, this is not what today is all about! It is time to focus on You and worship You and be drawn to You!" Really all week long this is our mandate as Christians but for some reason Sunday mornings seem much more intense a battle. Now I know that I could list off all the things that set the tone for Sunday morning but it would be a feeble attempt to make myself feel better and excuse my part in the tension that existed.
What does make me feel better is to focus on the Lord's goodness and long suffering and remember that He is faithful. Despite the start to our morning, on our way to church under the leadership of my dear husband we were able to pray together as a family. I felt the heaviness in my heart lift as Harley prayed. Then, as I engaged in the service and heard a sermon that cut right into my heart I knew why it was such a battle Sunday morning to keep us from focusing on the Lord. That sweet pure fellowship with the Lord is something to be craved; we are to "cry out for this nourishment". We need it to survive as His children. Worshipping the Lord and praising Him is one avenue of nourishment. The battles are to keep us from worshipping Him. Part of the Scripture Harley preached from that spoke to my heart was
1 Peter 2:1-3 NLT "So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness."
I heard from the Lord yesterday and really appreciated Harley's faithfulness in preaching from the source that offers "pure spiritual milk". I so long to "grow into a full experience of salvation" as Scripture puts it. Thank you Lord for You and Your love expressed in and through Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and Your Living Word. And thank you for using Harley to speak to me and others Sunday morning.

It is all burned up and not much is left...

It is the beginning of a new week. I'm up early, enjoying a great cup of coffee and watching the sun rise over the roof tops. I peer out a window that looks onto our back yard and the vacant lot behind our house and I see a huge black circle and in the centre of the charred ground is a small remnant of the big cloth chair that looked very comfortable and inviting. The chair had spent the winter in the empty lot in the hood. This big living room chair has been played on and even the gangs spray painted their name on it. It was funny to see that even the abandoned chair couldn't escape the gang's artwork/claim on it in their territory. Anyway, so I see now someone got the urge to burn it. Thankfully that is all they chose to burn! It must have been quite the fire judging from the circumference of the burn marks. Seeing how little was left of this huge chair got me thinking and asking how much will be left of my life efforts when tested by the holy fire that one day we will all face? What can look to be so much will come out to be so little if it wasn't done God's way.

1 Corinthians 3:12-14 "If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward."

Timely song "In Me" by Casting Crowns

If You ask me to leap
Out of my boat on the crashing waves
If You ask me to go
Preach to the lost world that Jesus saves

I'll go, but I cannot go alone
Cause I know I'm nothing on my own
But the power of Christ in me makes me strong
Makes me strong

Cause when I'm weak, You make me strong
When I'm blind, You shine Your light on me
Cause I'll never get by living on my own ability
How refreshing to know You don't need me
How amazing to know that You want me
So I'll stand on Your truth, and I'll fight with Your strength
Until You bring the victory, by the power of Christ in me

If You ask me to run
And carry Your light into foreign land
If You ask me to fight
Deliver Your people from satan's hand

To reach out with Your hands
To learn through Your eyes
To love with the love of a savior
To feel with Your heart
And to think with Your mind
I'd give my last breath for Your glory

Put off falsehood and speak truthfully!

Recently I told someone that they had spinach in their teeth. It was really awkward and I felt bad for that person but I didn’t want them to go on through out their day with it there. It is interesting that when you tell someone about something like that their first look or reaction almost makes you feel like you put the spinach in their teeth. Ask anyone what kind of a friend they’d prefer at that moment; the person that would tell the truth or the person that just pretends they didn’t see it. I don’t know about you but I’d want the truth teller not the pretender who plays it safe at my expense.
In regard to spiritual matters, as sisters and brothers in Christ we are to uphold one another and this “upholding” isn’t just about producing warm fuzzy feelings for and in one another. Certainly we are to encourage one another but we are also to speak the truth that will help one another grow in Christ. Doing this without doing it with a love for that person is devastating. It must be done in love. Even worse is not speaking truth at all. You can find hundreds of people who will tell you what you want to hear or not say anything at all just to play it safe. It is fruitful to find and be a person that genuinely loves a person enough to say the truthful things that are sometimes hard things to hear and say but produces much fruit in one’s life as a result. It is an important mandate;
Eph 4:25 “put off falsehood and speak truthfully.”
Eph 4:15 “…speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ.”

Spring Has Sprung In The Hood

Oh the signs of spring arriving in the hood are every where. One doesn’t have to look far or listen long to see it is true. Why in just one week we’ve seen used needles, condoms & a ripped up Bible appearing from under the winter snow as it melts away. There is fresh new gang graffiti spray painted on the garage door directly behind our house that we can’t miss when we’re gazing out our windows. Why just the other day at 2 am in the wee hours of the morning I was awaken by a group of young people in our alley loudly conveying their sentiments to the neighborhood as they proceeded to kick in three boards on our neighbor's fence. And just today arriving home from work we noticed that directly in front of our house where we park on the street it sparkles in the sunlight thanks to the freshly broken glass of the Smirnoff variety. Yes….and…..oh a sure sign that spring is here is the orchestra of whistles you can hear from about 10:00 pm to 5:30 am of people communicating and announcing their location to one another on the streets. The dogs are barking more often now through out the night and early morning hours. They are warning us that activity has started once again because spring has sprung in the hood and there is no way a person (or dog) can miss it here. Yes indeed, the signs of spring are all around us once again.

Praise God It Is A New Day!

Once Again I'm Reminded How True This Is:

True and False beliefs about forgiveness.

False Belief #1:
If I forgive them, they will go free. There will be no justice.
True Belief #1:
Only God knows what is just. Punishment is in God's hands.

False Belief #2:
Forgiveness means I must pretend that nothing ever happened.
True Belief #2
Forgiveness is not denial. Tell the truth; don't minimize it in order to forgive.

False Belief #3:
If I forgive, I will become vulnerable to them again.
True Belief #3:
Forgiving someone doesn't mean that they are safe and you must trust them again.

False Belief #4:
My unforgiveness is justified because I'm right, and they will never see their wrong and repent if I let go.
True Belief #4:
My unforgiveness only hurts me and allows what they did to control my life.

Quote taken from "The Genesis Process" by Michael Dye & Patricia Fancher

How are we doing?

I'm so thankful to the many people that have blessed us with this question.

It is comforting to know people care. Being busy and trying to adjust to many changes in our lives has hampered our communication with new and old friends. I'm sorry for this reality and I'm praying this fog we are operating in will lift by mid May or so.

Thank you to those who have been praying for us. We know it, feel it and have been seeing answers to those prayers. We have and are still seeing the way through some of the darker times in our lives but there have been so many blessings along the way. It is really neat to think of the contrasts there have been down this road. So many highs and so many lows.

I have been amazed at the support and understanding we've received so thank you. I do not want to get into any details but I did want to convey our gratitude for the prayers, phone calls and efforts you've all made. They haven't gone unnoticed and we've thanked God for putting us on your hearts. May God bless you for the ministry you've had to our family.

Proverbs 27:9 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel.

Always Remember to Forget

Always remember to forget
The things that made you sad
But never forget to remember
The things that made you glad.

Always remember to forget
The friends that proved untrue.
But don't forget to remember
Those that have stuck by you.

Always remember to forget
The troubles that have passed away.
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day.

- Author Unknown

How should we pray?

"The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior!"2 Samuel 22:47
First we should learn how to praise the Lord. Then our petitions will flow from knowing to Whom we are praying. Suddenly, the petty little things consuming us fade away because we realize..."The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets." Psalm 50:1
"What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31
"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Selah" Psalm 68:19
He and He alone is worthy to be praised!

Living Free

The Israelites broke free from the bondage of slavery in Egypt to live free in the Promised Land that God told them they would get to one day. We are told by God that we are able to live free from the bondage that holds us back from living free as well. In order to live free there must be a death. A letting go of something, a dying off of another behavior or relationship in order to live this new way that God wants us to live.

Up With The Sun

I absolutely love that the sun is rising earlier and earlier every day. I don't know what it is about it but it harmonizes my devo times and settles my heart while I am anticipating the new day ahead.

As I write this the sun is peeking over the rooftops in my neighborhood and brings warmth to this place. I find January and February so long and dark. So much goes on in the darkness here. I love morning and the newness the rising sun brings to my soul. Thank you Lord.
Hosea 6:3
"Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge Him. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth."
Malachi 4:2
"But for you who revere My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall."

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Apostle Paul

Does Christianity Make A Difference?

We live in a society in which Christianity and the church have become irrelevant. And, if the Christian is just as likely as the non-believer to collapse under sorrow, if his life (the Christian’s life) is just as frustrated and unsatisfied as the life of the non-Christian, if he is just as worried and anxious, just as nervous and restless, just as guilty of petty dishonesty, of self-seeking, of measuring everything by material values as the man who makes no profession of Christianity [in other words, if we’re just like everybody else], then quite clearly no one will want Christianity because the obvious conclusion is that it makes no difference anyway.

William Barclay. The Lord’s Prayer, pp. 49-50.

Nietzsche, who was a famous German pagan philosopher said, “Show me that you are redeemed and then I will believe in your redeemer.”

Heaven Rules...As Revealed in Daniel 4

The sooner we realize it, the happier our lives will be. Heaven rules. He rules. He is bigger. He is higher. He is greater than every problem and every impossibility that you may be facing in your life today.

So the fact that our Father is in heaven reminds us where we are, that we are on earth, He is in heaven. As we pray, I think it’s important to pause, to do what the old-time mystics and diviners used to do. They would talk about recollecting when you go into the presence of God. You stop. You don’t just dash in and start spewing out your prayers. You stop and you think about who you’re talking to and who He is and where He is.
That will encourage faith and boldness as you go into the presence of God, knowing that these problems that have wrapped themselves around your life are so huge, they’re so inexplicable, so impossible to deal with. We look at the dead ends in our lives and the mazes and the confusion and the frustration. We can’t figure it out.

Ecclesiastes 5 verses 1 and 2:
Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.

The Scripture says, “God is in heaven, and you are on earth.” Recognize the difference.

These excerpts were taken from Nancy Leigh DeMoss at Revive Our Hearts found at reviveourhearts.com - Radio broadcast for Friday, Feb 15th.

Knowledge about Jesus is essential but having it alone does not equal salvation.

It seems the acceptance today is to equate knowing about Jesus as really knowing Him and having a true relationship with Him. We seem to be satisfied that if someone claims to know who Jesus is and what He is all about then they are a believer and we readily make the claim that surely this evidence of knowledge qualifies a person to be a true follower of Christ and a child of the King; a born again Christian. We think if they have this knowledge about Jesus and the person declares what they know about Jesus then surely they are a follower etc....etc....
Of course only Jesus knows who are true believers and followers and He will reveal this at the appointed time. It isn't up to us and actually we are forbidden to make this kind of judgment on someone. What has got my mind processing this is just how quick a person can be classified as a follower of Jesus by their knowledge of Him. Is this knowledge a true sign of a relationship? Check out the knowledge that demons had of who Jesus was in Matthew 8:28-34. They knew who He was, what He was capable of and they even made an inquiry of His intent and they made a request of Him. I think we can all agree that this didn't classify them as true followers of Christ, believers yes, obviously the demons believed that Jesus was who He said He was and capable of what He said He was but they weren't followers sharing in the Kingdom of heaven. This passage puts things in perspective for me; knowledge is esential but having it alone does not equal salvation.

EXPECTATION

Psalm 5:3 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

True & False Belief Systems

Similar to a prior post of mine that I found was helpful regarding true and false beliefs about forgiveness, I have come across another set of true and false beliefs but it is focused on the core belief system we live by day to day. I thought I'd share it:

Differences Between True And False Beliefs:

True Beliefs: are based on the Word of God: Truth and Reality.
False Beliefs: are based on fear or arise out of loss or pain.

True Beliefs: increase the value and growth of an individual.
False Beliefs: demean and diminish the value and growth of an individual.

True Beliefs: are proven true through life experiences that edify both self and others.
False Beliefs: are proven false by destructive, defensive behaviors and painful relationships.

True Beliefs: result in safe, healthy relationships.
False Beliefs: result in separation and isolation from others.

True Beliefs: create peace and confidence.
False Beliefs: create anxiety and exhaustion.

True Beliefs: result in true emotions.
False Beliefs: result in false emotions.

Quote taken from "The Genesis Process" by Michael Dye & Patricia Fancher

Disillusionment About Full-Time Ministry

I thought I'd share an article I came across that shed some light on disillusionment about full-time ministry. If you are interested go to this site to read "What Is Full-Time Ministry?" by Dan Beaty.

http://www.livingtruth.com/Newcovenant/Fulltime.htm

February, Oh February...

Oh, February you are finally here!!!

I don't know what it is about the start of a new month, week, or day but new beginnings and fresh starts bring hope. The Lord brought to my mind a verse that has brought me much comfort and hope.

2 Corinthians 5:7 We live by faith, not by sight.

I don't know what February holds or even today for that matter but I do know that I must live today not by my sight but by the faith God has given me. The "sight" is quite depressing at times and I'm not just talking about our geographical location. I think of my "sight" as also meaning my "understanding" of situations and people. I'm greatly encouraged by this Scripture as well,

2 Timothy 2:13 if we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for He cannot disown himself.

So there it is...cling to God, focus on Him, trust Him and wait. Then wait some more.

Psalm 5:3 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

Please Pray

I had a conversation with someone on Sunday and I had commented that I wasn't going to write about what we are seeing going on in the hood anymore. But I soon became very convicted that I'm missing an opportunity to enlist prayer warriors. This person I talked to encouraged & reminded me that the first and most powerful way we can and must influence our neighbors is through prayer.
So, to anyone who may be reading my elementary attempts to blog please partner with us in praying for our neighbors. I don't have to give you specifics for God to know exactly who you are praying for. So, please ask the Lord to reveal Himself to the people involved in the fight a few days ago. On our hearts are specifically the guy who thought it necessary to use a bat, the guy who received the blows from the bat and ask the Lord to guide the two little children out of the darkness they live in. Prior to the fight escalating, these two little ones were quickly hauled out of the house and down the alley to "safety" at 2:00 am. As the Lord leads you please engage with us through our greatest way to influence people; petitioning God on their behalf.

1 John 5:14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

What is His will?

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

We love the wii

It seems as of late that my family has a new interest in gathering together. Thanks to Adam & Ester we have become wii fans! I love getting the call to compete at wii central ( A & E's) and engage in a tournament that has some real fierce competitiveness to it. I must admit that I'm getting hooked on the game but what makes it such a desired activity for me is having my family as my fellow teammates and competition.
So far we've got bruises, kinks in necks, old sport injuries flaring up but it is all worth it just to be together. Alaina (6 yrs old) puts me to shame at the game of Donkey Kong but Ester and I are the undefeated champions at pairs tennis. Despite bodily harm, the defeat and victory moments what really makes the game of wii for me is the company I'm in when I play it. We LOVE the wii!

Encouraged by 2 Thess 1:11-12 & Proverbs 27:9

To which end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfil every desire of goodness and every work of faith, with power; that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

There is no greater way to encourage me than to share Scripture that God has put on your heart and that is exactly what Andrea did today. I'm so blessed and thankful to have received such a gift through my daughter today.


Proverbs 27:9

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel.

Also, today I truly had the privilege of experiencing the pleasantness of my friend's earnest counsel through a phone call that only our Awesome Heavenly Father could have orchestrated through events that factored into her picking up the phone and calling me specifically today.

Thank you Lord for Your great unfailing faithfulness. You are, without a doubt, worthy to be praised!

A Nobody Serving A Somebody

"A nobody serving a Somebody", "God is worthy of my trust", making oneself "of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant" Phil 2:7....these are some of the things said at a conference I've recently attended where I had the privilege of hearing Helen Roseveare, keynote speaker at Millar College of The Bible's Mission Conference. You can read about Helen Roseveare from Noel Piper's book Faithful Women and Their Extraordinary God.

I went to this conference very heavy hearted. Wondering if the Lord was hearing my cry for deliverance, healing and a clear purpose being restored to my life. The Lord met & challenged me there in a huge way. What has stuck with me the most is having been given a challenge to live like a "nobody who is serving a Somebody". To know that the "Somebody" sees all, knows all and is trustworthy of it all. To follow Jesus' example and make myself "of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant". Being content with just this. None of my own achievements, titles, distinctions or other's opinions motivating me onward. Just the knowledge that I am His bondservant of no reputation; the highest calling and privilege.

Tuesday 2:06 am in the Hood

I hear yelling....I get out of bed and look out my window.....two police cars immediately pull up and four policemen quickly enter a house across the street. I see them all reach to their sides and unlatch what looks like their weapons in their holsters. As I watch another police car comes but goes into the alley. In a couple of minutes I now count five police cars parked on the street. It isn't long and the police emerge from the home with a person who has been hand cuffed. In a minute all the cars pull away together. The street looks empty and dark again.
Again the preacher's words echo in my thoughts "Can you hear the cries for help? They are all around us!" Indeed! Please pray that the Lord would bring healing and peace to this place. Thank Him with me for His protection.

Monday's News Report on woman's death

Police investigate woman's death
The Leader-Post
Published: Monday, January 14, 2008
Major crime and identification members of the Regina Police Service congregated at a North Central residence on Sunday, after receiving a call about a sudden death.

Emergency crews were called to 1427 Cameron St. at about 12:07 p.m., at which time they found the body of an adult woman at the residence. Shortly after, major crime and identification units were called as a precaution.

Yellow police tape cordoned off the dark green house throughout much of Sunday afternoon as police cars sat in front and behind the residence.


A police officer walks from a house at 1427 Cameron St. on Sunday, the site of an investigation into a woman's death.
Joshua Sawka, The Leader-Post

While it is still being investigated, a police spokesperson said late Sunday afternoon, that the death is not likely suspicious.




© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2008

Sunday in the Hood

Today Pastor Ken preached on the passage of Luke 5:12-16. What hit me the most about today's sermon was the the man with leprosy begging to be healed,"Lord" he said "if you are willing you can heal me and make me clean." Jesus reached out and touched him. "I am willing," He said. "Be healed!" Pastor Ken had several comments but what rang in my ears today was "Are we listening & responding to the cries for help?" "They are all around us." Jesus heard & responded. "If we heard a cry for help would we be willing to help or respond?"
So I came home from church and found a shocking situation unfolding directly across the street from our house. Six police cars, yellow "Police line. Do Not Cross" tape sectioning off the house across the street. Two police cars have people in the back seats and they leave the scene shortly after 1:00 pm. Photographers are snapping shots of the house both inside and out. As I took down my Christmas tree which was right in front of the window I've been watching it unfold all afternoon. Now, as I'm writing this six hours later there is still police coming and going from the crime scene. More pictures being taken, I see one investigator putting down folded cards and taking pictures. They are now taking in lots of clear plastic bags and have started to come out with stuff in them. I don't know what has happened in this house but it is like a CSI show unfolding as I watch from my front window. Police are coming out with kits. They are wearing protective light blue gloves. Now, more vehicles are arriving. No one is allowed into the house without putting on disposable plastic shoe covers. One of the investigators has her van parked right in front of our house. She comes to her vehicle to get more plastic foot coverings. She has taken off the pair she was wearing and she rushed back into the house. She has thrown her shoe coverings on the ground behind her van. They look slightly stained red on the bottom. More time passes and Omega transport services has just arrived and they unload a stretcher with a body bag on it. I watch as they come out and put the deceased in the truck. A police man interviews all the immediate surrounding neighbors. We tell them we heard and saw nothing out of the ordinary last night. All the officer will tell us is that a lady is deceased and it is under investigation. Obviously the investigation isn't over because the police have posted a officer out front of the house for the evening.
The words of Pastor Ken from church this morning ring even louder in my thoughts "Are we listening to the cries for help? They are all around us." Indeed they are!
Lord, open my ears so that I may hear and engage my heart that I might respond. Jesus, if you are willing you can heal and cleanse these hurting people. Lord, are You willing?

False Belief & True Belief about Forgiveness

Rediscovering who I am in Christ has been freeing & painful. God has been reminding me of His truths & opening my mind to new truths. Through this process many of my own weaknesses and hardened areas of my own heart have been exposed. I understand that He must prepare the soil of my heart to receive His seeds of truth and part of that preparation is the blade of the plow must cut deep and loosen the hardened parts of the soil. The seeds of truth need freshly plowed soil that has been cleared of debris that won't hinder the growth of the seeds.
About a week ago one of the freeing things I came across was regarding True and False beliefs about forgiveness. I thought I'd share it.

False Belief #1:
If I forgive them, they will go free. There will be no justice.
True Belief #1:
Only God knows what is just. Punishment is in God's hands.

False Belief #2:
Forgiveness means I must pretend that nothing ever happened.
True Belief #2
Forgiveness is not denial. Tell the truth; don't minimize it in order to forgive.

False Belief #3:
If I forgive, I will become vulnerable to them again.
True Belief #3:
Forgiving someone doesn't mean that they are safe and you must trust them again.

False Belief #4:
My unforgiveness is justified because I'm right, and they will never see their wrong and repent if I let go.
True Belief #4:
My unforgiveness only hurts me and allows what they did to control my life.

Quote taken from "The Genesis Process" by Michael Dye & Patricia Fancher

Ephesians 2:10

I chose this as my title because I want to be reminded in everything that I write that God has ownership over me and He has my life all planned out. I just have to trust and obey.


"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
Ephesians 2:10