Women with a Purpose

Sweet Sixteen....

2011-02-22T09:16:00.002-04:00

I can't believe it! Today I'm forty years old. (For those who think there's a psychological reason I wrote forty and not 40.... really. ha ha)
I don't feel any older, actually I feel really young. Maybe it's because I exercise regularly, I'm not sure but I feel younger than I've felt... ever I think. hee hee hee hee Strange.
For those of you who have not turned 40 yet, here is my insight on it. For a woman, turning 40 is almost an accomplishment. Being 40 is like the sweet 16 all over again. It's a new beginning with taking care of yourself, your philosophy about life and your approach to it. You don't seem to want to "sweat the small" stuff anymore. Maybe it's that we've been ironing out the wrinkles of life and now they are almost invisible. (If we would use starch right from the beginning, we would have the wrinkles out a long time ago!) So much is coming my way in life that I'm really excited to see what's in store for the first year of this new chapter in my life.
(psst! You know you're getting "old" when you write an homage to yourself on your birthday....LOL)
This morning, I woke up to a sign my eldest son made for me it said, "Happy 40th!". I then got ready for my day and my children had made me breakfast, it was on the table with a note saying, "From Samuel, Dominique, Jacob and Marielle Happy Birthday!" In front of my plate was nice bouquet of flowers (fake from the bouquet I had at the front door hee hee hee) and with Sunny Delight "orange" juice. What a blessing! I decided that we might take the whole day off from school, make it a family holiday. ha ha ha.
The past few years have been hard ones for me but I'm Sweet sixteen again and excited about what's waiting for me.

Perhaps a False Expectation

2011-02-21T09:09:00.004-04:00

I was reading in Luke 2 this morning, and the thing that struck me was that Mary and Joseph, although they had been visited by the angel Gabriel, had seen the miraculous, immaculate birth of Jesus, still found themselves surprise and confused by comments of Jesus' future.
Ex: 8 days after Jesus' birth, as was the Jewish custom, Mary and Joseph went to have Jesus circumcised. Simeon, a just and devout man, waited for the Messiah to come one day and when he saw Jesus coming in the arms of His parents, he spoke of Jesus' purpose on earth. The bible says that Mary and Joseph marvelled at the things that Simeon said. Later on in this chapter, Jesus is left behind in Jerusalem by accident. His parents thought He was with other members of the family but once they returned to Jerusalem and found Him teaching elders about the bible, they were puzzled and asked Jesus why He did this to them. He asked them why were they looking for Him? Didn't they know He had to be doing His Father's business? Again, they were struck with confusion.
I can't help but wonder if they misunderstood God's message to them that came from Gabriel.
During this time, there were no Jewish king as there had been many years ago, (Old Testament) and they were oppressed by the Roman King. Life for the Jewish people was lived in fear and oppression. They hoped for a Jewish king to rule them and some misunderstood Jesus to be that future earthly king. I wonder if His mom and "step" dad thought that too, so when they heard He would be the Saviour of the world, and doing "His" Father's business, which Joseph was a carpenter, not a priest or scribe, this would confuse them.
How does this apply to us, to me? I think the main reason we get disappointed with life, is because we have a false expectation of God's purpose for our life. We would like to see things in a different way, for life to treat us in a different way and have more of what we want. Sometimes, we see that we are living the way we should but life seems purposeless. Sometimes, although we are saved and doing the best we can, we're still unhappy. A false expectation...
I know that God has a plan for each individual person on this earth. First, is that all shall come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9) second, that we should take up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Mark 10:21; Luke 9:23) and that we should tell others about Salvation through faith in Jesus the Christ (Matt 28:19-20; Mark 16:15,16; Luke 24:27 etc). Those three things give us freedom, peace, hope, joy, purpose and direction in life; what else would a person want? If we are unhappy, I believe it's because we have a false expectation of our life here on earth. Just like Mary and Joseph had a false expectation of Jesus' future.

This Day...

2011-02-18T10:05:00.006-04:00

The shepherds are in the field watching their flock of sheep. How boring this must be. Shepherds were usually a young boy of a family having sheep. These sheep needed to wander so this occupation of being a shepherd was a lonely one and usually they were the member of the family which did not inherit land hence having this "job" enabled them to have an income but the opportunity to have a family was very slim. All they did was live in the wilderness, in the rocky areas and tend to their sheep's needs and brought them to market for milking and for shearing. One night, as they individually, in their own spots, stood watch over their sheep, the sky lit up. Picture it, put yourself in their situation. Imagine, you're at work, at school or driving your car. All of a sudden, the sky lights up and you hear an audible voice. You'd be "freaking out"!!! You hear this "voice" say, "Don't be afraid, I'm bringing you good news". PHHHHHEWWWWWW!!! You'd probably say. (Hopefully, by this time, you've pulled over if your driving.) What this good news is, is that "a baby is born"! "Now wait a minute....!" you're thinking to yourself. "So what a baby is born, unless it's mine, who cares!? This is MY "good news"?" The voice continues and says, "...unto you is born this day... a Saviour." You think to everything that's going on in the world:

The price of gas is so high
Just the essential food is becoming harder to buy
Cancer is wide spread and killing our families
the uproar in the middle East and Egypt
Schools conditions and making children sick
Spouses cheating and families destroyed
Your loneliness in all this chaos

You think, "A Saviour?" Just like the shepherds had become immune to the thought of a child being born, we have become immune to the knowledge of their being a Saviour. The shepherds saw their sheep give birth many times, they would even assist and take care of both the mother and lamb. As we have seen the wooden crosses on the many churches and heard the name of Jesus and His story over and over but we've become separated, bored, immune and unable to be affected or changed by the "Saviour". Things happen in our life and although it might not be the sky lit up and an audible voice that speaks to us. It might be our family member who's dying of cancer or watching the desperate plea of the people in Egypt or maybe it's your heat that longs to belong to someone and desires to share your life with someone, THAT calls your attention and wants to tell you that a long time ago, a baby was born, a Saviour. He grew up, lived, just so that one day, He could be betrayed, tortured, beaten and literally hung with nails on a wooden cross to die. The only reason this all happen was so that He could save you. Save you from the pain of this world, save you from the yearning for peace and purpose... to save you from eternity in hell.

"... unto YOU is born... a Saviour"

A- Accept you are a sinner and God is God.
B-Believe He died on the cross to forgive you and save you.
C-Confess you are a sinner and your sins
D-Desire Him to be your Saviour and ask Him to come into your heart and save you.

I can only imagine what it must of been like, but I can live it today; He's my Saviour.

MY JESUS I LOVE THEE with Lyrics

2011-02-14T11:06:00.000-04:00

Attitude determines altitude.

2011-02-10T07:46:00.002-04:00

(A message from Bro. Trieber, the preacher at North Valley Baptist Church)

Dear Friends,

In Proverbs 23:7, we read, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…” Thoughts that should engage the mind of a Christian—thoughts that will eventually manifest themselves into behavior and speech, failure or success—are delineated in Philippians 4:8: “…whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

However, it seems as if we live in a day when waves of negativity surge from all points of life, effecting tsunamis of pessimism and hopelessness. News reports and discussions about the state of the economy, subprime loans, unemployment—all are negative. Almost daily, someone we know is diagnosed with cancer or another grave illness; and our hearts grow heavy with their suffering.

Subsequently, all of these sorrows and hardships consume our thoughts until we fail to remember that “there is a God in heaven.” (Daniel 2:28) May I remind God’s people that the Bible is replete with times when the power and faithfulness of the Lord prevailed when all else might have appeared impossible? Recall Moses and the crossing of the Red Sea, Gideon and his diminutive army of three hundred, David and the giant Goliath, Elijah’s contest of power and faith on Mount Carmel, the feeding of thousands with five loaves and two fishes, the healing of “those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others,” (Matthew 15:31) and hundreds of other illustrations and miracles in the Old as well as New Testament. Remember the times in your life and the personal testimonies of others when the Lord intervened and “wrought a great victory.”

Rather than succumb to negativity, I encourage each of you to perceive every obstacle as well as opportunity with the eyes of faith and trust. God’s people can be optimistic about whatever the outcome may be, for the Lord “… is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20) I am also reminded of Psalm 78:19 which says, “Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?” Our answer is a resounding: “God can!” Many years ago, I was given a small placard which now sits on my desk; it reads: “It can be done!” I believe that this country and the New Testament local church are poised for some of the greatest moments in history. Throughout Scripture, we see instances when God blesses a remnant; and “even so then at this present time also there is a remnant.” I challenge all preachers to mount their pulpits this Sunday not with the spirit of hopelessness and despair but with faith and confidence that God is able. I urge all homes (father and mother, child and teenager, husband and wife, single adult, senior saint, etc.) to believe that God is able. Our Lord wants to show Himself powerful in these days—days that might appear to be uncertain; His eyes “run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” (II Chronicles 16:9)

These may be dark times; but we must not give up, give over, or give in; rather, let us look up and believe that our Lord can and will meet every need. “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.” (II Corinthians 4:8-9)

Please remember today that God can. Thank you for being my friends and for being an encouragement to me. God bless you.

Your friend,
Bro. Trieber

Watch the Lamb

2011-02-09T13:08:00.000-04:00

How Can It Be?

2011-02-09T12:20:00.004-04:00

Notes taken from my bible reading in Mark 15. Strange how desperately people would prefer to have a killer on the loose than have Jesus in their life. (vs. 7 & 8) Seems extreme but people are the same today, preferring their indulgence in sin instead of having Jesus in their life. Really good people make this choice too. They don't even have a reason...(vs. 14)REALLY!?(like my friend Izzy would say lol) Pilate asked "Why do you want me to crucify Him?" but they answered nothing just yelled out louder. For what reason? They will see God do miracles in people's life, change people and provide in many ways, yet they would prefer to live in fear and miserably than have Jesus in their life. Why is that? Like Pilate, I'm baffled by that. It doesn't make sens. I wonder if Cyrenian, the man who helped carry Jesus' cross, was one of those who insisted Jesus be crucified. You know, he was there with his 2 sons, Alexander and Rufus (poor kid) (vs. 21) Let's say he wasn't since it says, "who passed by, coming out of the country" (vs.21) People from everywhere knew "about" Jesus, maybe even his sons. As the soldiers "compelled" him to carry the cross, imagine what went through those boys' and father's mind. Maybe things like:

"WHAT?! It can't be!"
"How could anyone want THIS man to be killed?"
"I heard the religious people were angry with Him but to kill Him? Maybe they'll kill me next."

The questions they must of had but, then to watch Jesus hanging on that cross... *sigh*

"How can it be?"

How can it be that:

I should gain by His sufferance and death?
people can reject Him who has done so much?
that people blame Him for the hurt people do to others?
I don't serve Him?
I don't prefer Him to the pleasures of this world?

How can it be?

To see the video, click on left margin under "February", "Watch the Lamb" which is my favorite video ever. It's a perspective into Cyrenian's experience.

Food for Thought Monday

2011-02-07T09:23:00.004-04:00

Both "Wisdom" and the "Harlot" are in the streets seeking the simple, the main differences are:

The Harlot (Proverbs 7:12)

loud
stubborn
deceitful
etc.

Wisdom (Proverbs 2:20)

giving
loving
protective
etc.

Learn to recognize them that you may make the right decisions and not be trapped.

Proverbs 19:20 "Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end."

The altar

2011-02-03T09:07:00.002-04:00

Last night, since bible study was cancelled, the children and I watched North Valley Baptist Church's online archived preaching. One of my favorite preachers is Mike Johnson and he preached on September 13, 2010.
We watched and laughed but most of all, God spoke to my heart.
It's really worth watching. Just go to www.nvbc.org , then click on the archived video which is beside the photograph of the church's pastor, Bro. Trieber. Click on the link, scroll down until you see Mike Johnson or the date of Sept. 13, 2010. You can watch the whole thing but since it is the pastor and workers conference, there are many announcements and awards so we just skipped that after a while. I put the sliding cursor that shows the time in play, to the middle and the preaching started soon after.
The one major thing that spoke to me was the altar. The altar is a place of:

Yieldedness
Supplication
Separation

I need to "rebuild" my altar so it will be a place of these three purposes. During my prayer time, while at my altar (obviously figuratively), my heart needs to be surrendered, humbled.
His message, was and is, just what I needed to hear; doing all the "right" things; what I'm "supposed" to do, but yet the fire of God is missing.
I'm "just" a stay at home mom and sometimes I get caught up in the routine of things and feel like I'm doing nothing for God. I forget to look at the big picture, "see the need" and go to my altar to ask God, after I've done all I need and supposed to do, and ask Him to send the fire.
Yesterday, I was torn if I should go to church or not because of the weather. I said to God, "Lord, I'm throwing out the fleece. If it is your will for me to stay home, have pastor cancel church." and he did. When church is cancelled, we always watch "church" online with Bro. Trieber, so we are not forsaking the assembling of the church and I always get blessed and taught something that is lacking in my life.
The other thing the Lord spoke to me about is that I need to start blogging again. He's the one who had me start but He never said to stop. I can't imagine what I can put on it that would make a big difference but He obviously thinks there is so... keep me accountable as I try to make sure that I blog at least 3 times a week, the things God is showing me and teaching me.

Compensating or Compensated?

2010-12-15T08:46:00.008-04:00

When Jacob was diagnosed to be born missing the right side of his pelvis, right hip and leg, they had also discovered that there was a problem with his right kidney. Once he was born, they did an ultrasound and was able to find the right kidney but told us that it was tiny and wasn't working although his left kidney was larger and was compensating for it so he could live a normal life so long as that left kidney stayed healthy.
It will be two weeks tomorrow that I had my second hearing test. She explained to me in greater detail how the hearing tests were done. She said that it is measured in decibels and that a person who hears well will measure at 15-20 decibels. During my first hearing test, as you know, I measured 40 decibels, this test, my right ear measured 60 decibels! So we are not going in the right direction as far as I'm concerned BUT God knows what He is doing. The fear of the unknown works hard on me at times but He has never left me in a place that was bad. I on the other hand have often called on Him once I've brought myself to a bad place in life so... I'm learning to let Him lead. The relevance of this story to the last is that during my test she first checked the middle ear to see if perhaps this was the problem and not the inner ear that had worsten. It was fine. She then put what looks like a head piece that a call center person wears, which the side without the "phone" was placed on the bone behind my ear. She explained that this bone sends vibrations to the inner ear and that's how they test the inner ear. She then told me that she will have a "white noise" in my left ear because when one ear can't hear something, the other ear compensates for it and will send the sound to the brain but we don't know which ear heard it; we just know that we hear a sound. It reminded me of Jacob's kidney and his situation. Later that night, I went to bed and laid on my favorite side, which happens to be on my left ear (the good one) and I believe the Lord brought back to my mind what the speech therapist had told me that day and showed me a spiritual link.
You know, the reason that Jesus told parables about different trades and health in the bible, is because the people where tradesmen and some were sick, so they understood the comparison. In my case, God took something that was familiar to me to help me be reminded and perhaps encourage others to be sensitive to this. In the body, the body being a group of saved, born again, Christians, there are some who are compensating and some who are being compensated for. I mean that some are working in the ministries, living right, being faithful, keeping their relationship with God right and renewed daily and then there are some who are being compensated for by slacking off, quitting when the going gets tough, are not faithful, are weak, negative, don't spend time with God regularly, have unconfessed sin in their life and live the way they are pleased to do, and not to please God. Those who are compensating need to be stronger, healthier and being larger in number would help but there comes a time when this stronger being (if you will) becomes tired and weak.... then what?

I'm not worried about my hearing. My left ear might become weak and perhaps the Meniere Decease might transfer into my left ear but that doesn't worry me, I can sign, talk and write plus, my Saviour is guiding the way BUT I am concerned about my family and my church and those who are not saved and need someone strong to look up to or depend on so they too can have the Saviour.

It convicted me that if I'm one of those who are being compensated for, I need to smarten up and start strengthening myself in the Lord and be a blessing and encouragement to my family and my church family, friends and even foe. If I am compensating for people who are dropping the ball, then I need to continue to surrender my health, mind and emotions to God's renewing so I don't get weak and become one to be compensated for. I know where I lack and where I'm stronger. Which are you and where? Perhaps you are not saved and feeling run down and weak. The only one who can help you is the Saviour.

Check it out!

2010-12-01T07:55:00.004-04:00

Can you believe it??? I'm actually taking a bit of time to blog!!?? Wow!
I was reading in Mark this morning and just had to share what the Lord showed me, especially during this time of Christmas.
It's chapter 12 where Jesus tells the parable about the lord of the vineyard sending servants then his son to get the fruit of the vineyard but the husbandmen hurt and killed some of the servants but also killed the son. After Jesus tells this parable, he is questioned by people who have self serving intentions. One asks, after he smooth talks Jesus a bit, if they HAVE to pay taxes. Jesus asked them in return who's image was on the money and they said it was Ceasar's, then they were to give to Ceasar's and give to God what belongs to God. Another comes who does NOT believe in the resurrection after death. He comes with an intro to his question saying that in the Old Testament if a man died and didn't leave his wife children, she was to marry the next brother but if each brother died, having each been married to her, and left no children, who would be her husband at the resurrection. Can you hear the pompous, arrogant, selfish tone? Jesus didn't fret, He knew the scriptures so He was able to answer with confidence. He told him that there is no marriage after the Resurrection therefore no husbands and wives. (That sets a few religions right)
The next one was one of the scribes, one of the few men who could read and write, who was in charge of rewriting the Word of God (word for word). He asked Jesus which commandment was the first. Jesus said, "The first of all the commandments [is], Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this [is] the first commandment. And the second [is] like, [namely] this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." The scribe then congratulates Jesus for saying correctly... hee hee (imagine...) The scripture was clear that there was just one God and the scribe was confused that Jesus could be God. He was afraid to accept Jesus as his Saviour because he loved God so much and didn't want to go against what God had said. Jesus saw the sincerity in his heart. He saw that this man did not ask for selfish reasons or to entrap Jesus, he wanted to believe that Jesus was the Son of God, God in the flesh but he didn't want to go against God either. He was comparing this world and what was going on around him with scripture and God appreciated that. Jesus then said, "Thou art not far from the kingdom of God."
I have friends who do not celebrate Christmas for reasons of the history of the 25th of December. It used to be a holiday celebrated to the unknown gods and with time, they added the celebration of Jesus' birth in there. From my stand point on that is that as always, God takes the pre eminence and is exalted above all else. These friends of mine love God probably more than I do. They live for Him and have accepted the free gift of salvation (gift... wonder why we give gifts at Christmas? God continually gives us gifts but Jesus was the best gift of all, to come die in our place because He had NO sin and could pay the debt of sin for us, but we have to reach out and accept the gift of the Saviour; eternal life.)
I have other friends who do Christmas in a different way than we do. Some have trees, some don't.
I say all this for two reasons:
(If you have come to a place in your life were you understood that you are a sinner (person who sins, breaks commandments like not lying, not envying, cursing etc) and you understand and believe that Jesus Christ is the only Son of God and was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was tortured, crucified and died on a cross for your sins and that on the third day, as He predicted, rose again and ascended to Heaven with His body. You have confessed the first to God and accepted Jesus' payment for your sins on the cross and asked Him to forgive you and be your personal Saviour, then you are a child of God. You are saved... saved from eternity in hell after your death.)

If you are a child of God, just love Him with your whole heart, mind, soul and strength. If you are ignorant in how you celebrate His birth, He overlooks that. He sees our sincerity or lack thereof.
We should read our bible daily so we too can know the scriptures. We'll never know them as well as Jesus did but it will help us make wise decisions and walk an easier path through life.

My friend, if you are like I was before I was saved from eternity in hell; feeling like life was meaningless, without purpose and full of disappointments. I wasn't suicidal, I felt like there was a world all around me and I was disconnected from it. Know that life doesn't have to be that way. Life is just that, encouragement, purpose, direction, full of reason, full and connected. Don't deny yourself of it. I have NEVER regretted coming to Christ and living for Him. He has done more for me than I could ever do for Him. He is SO worth living for.
He cleaned my life up little by little, gave me a wonderful family and is my best friend when I sometimes feel I don't have any that understand.

A- accept that you are a sinner and God is perfect without sin
B- believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and He died on the cross for your sins
C- confess your sins to Him and ask Him to come into your heart and save you.

Merry CHRISTmas

Are we there yet?

2010-11-04T20:03:00.003-03:00

My kids love to read in the van, or to listen to books on tape so, we rarely hear, "Are we there yet???" As for me... God must be tired of listening to me saying it when it comes to my health.
It has been a long time since I've written and mainly it's because with homeschooling, sports, piano and trying to rest, is taking a lot of time out of my day.
Right now, our eldest son is gone to hockey and the three other are in bed sleeping so I have a few minutes to bring you up to date with my "issues".
To back track a bit. In January, I went to see the doctor because I was VERY tired most of the time, almost as if I was pregnant, but I wasn't. He had blood work done and some minor things showed up and he kept an eye on that. In April, I went to Bathurst and experienced dizziness, feeling faint and nauseous. I told my doctor and he sent me for an MRI but it came out fine so we concluded that it was "just" a migraine. The third week of July, I started having ear problems, mainly with the right ear. I thought it was just congestion and let it be. Then August 5th I had my first "attack". The doctor felt the symptoms showed that it must be Vagal which is known as Vaso Vagal, when your Vagus nerve is stimulated by either stress, or something you ate that is not agreeing with you and makes you dizzy, heart rate rise, blood pressure drop and vomiting. He could not guarantee that it would not happen again but what I've often heard is that one Vagal in a persons lifetime is normal. By September 11th, 36 days since my first "Vagal" I had had 5 Vagals. That was not normal. I was scheduled with Peter Ford, a renown Pharmacist, a cardiologist app., a holter for 24 hours, a hearing test and an ultra sound of the heart.
My doctor was convinced that I had liquid behind the eardrum and that was my ear problem. Well.... I had my hearing test yesterday and come to find out, I've lost 40BTU (I think that was the measurement they used) out of 100 of hearing. I knew I could not hear well in that ear! Then they also discovered that that my eardrums are fine, there is no liquid behind it. The problem is in my inner ear. I was told to expect a call from the ear, nose and throat doctor for an app. within the next two weeks at the latest. I got a call the next morning, today, from my doctor asking if I thought I could make it today. I said yes, the specialist called me a few minutes later and by 12pm I was being seen by the specialist. Drum Roll Please! (ha ha that's funny... DRUM... as in ear drum... ha ha... ok... never mind....)
The specialist told me that although my symptoms are similar to Vagals, these do not last 4-5 hours straight and leave you tired like I do. BUT Menière disease does. All the same symptoms but usually last between 4-6 hours and you are exhausted after, needing to rest for several hours after. That floored me to the exactness of the prognosis. Also, this disease is a inner ear problem and causes deafness. So, my ear did have something to do with all this. I found it strange that the only thing that changed since I started these "Vagals" was my ear.
Anyway, things get stranger. My aunt, my mother's sister, has had these same symptoms for almost 2 years now. We are pretty much at the same spot in our doctor/treatment/diagnosis journey. She told me that she couldn't wait to hear what they found with me because that would be what's wrong with her and visa versa with me. Another strange thing is that some believe that Ménière disease is often found within family.
Tomorrow, I have an app. with this specialist. She is going to give me a cortisone shot in the inner ear. ya... ... ... She said that she had to go through the eardrum and that will be painful but the hole will heal itself easily. I couldn't swallow nor talk for 15 minutes. OUF! I was worried about how long I wouldn't be able to talk... LOL
Anyway, I have a link if you want to read more about it. http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/balance/meniere.html
That is all for today, since I have some alone time, I'm going to vedge.

"We're almost there! ...."

What He could do with a softened heart.

2010-09-27T17:40:00.002-03:00

I was reading in Proverbs, Exodus and Mark this morning. What really sent me on a thought tangent was Mark 6:34-53.
Imagine this...
You've been told that you've worked hard and deserve some rest. You and your best friends will be going on a short but relaxing trip. Some R'n'R for a job well done and more to come.
You are all ecstatic! A sigh of relief and you all start walking towards the ship, everything is ready for your departure. (Of course I have to use a cruise to keep things comparable...)
That's when it happens, everyone and their dog come down the road cheering and hollering at your guide (maybe that is your husband). He is moved with compassion. He can't bare to leave all those people needing him to help them out. To them, he is their Saviour but to you, he's your friend (maybe "just" your husband). What's the big deal? Maybe you could go without him. He looks at all of you and needs your help; he wants you to tag along.
Can you imagine that??? OUmph! I can!
It was the disciples who were being sent for some R'n'R by Jesus. He saw that they had worked hard and they were tired. Just then, as they were about to leave... in a boat... 5000 men plus women and children come around the bend, if you will. They wanted to see and hear Jesus speak to them. They needed encouragement and to be ministered to.
Now I'm fleshly, I'd be thinking something like, "I know they've probably walked days to see you and are needing ministering to but, what about us? We've been working for you, doing our best to cast out evil spirits, we've walked for days too!!!! Ahhh come on?! Can't you meet us there? ... MAN!" If you find that sounds a lot like what I would say, it's because I've been practicing...LOL.
Anyways, time goes on, the people then get hungry. I can just see the disciples faces when Jesus asks for them to feed the people. Ha ha ha.... It would be that, "You've got to be kidding, right?!" look. They must of thought He was insane. Picture it, about 15 000 people to feed. A little boy appears and offers his lunch, five loaves (not our size loaves either) and two fish. Ahhhh... isn't that cute. Peter probably patted him on the head three times and winked at him. Jesus says, Great! Thanks! That will do. Ha ha ha.... Again, imagine the thoughts going through the disciples. "Man! We thought WE were tired."
Well, there was enough food for all the people and there were twelve baskets full of leftovers.
You would think that this would shake them up a bit or blow them away. They actually get to see this all happen yet they are unmoved. How do I know? This is what happens next.
Jesus tells them that they can now go for their R'n'R, straightway (right away) they split, Jesus didn't have to twist their arm.
It's the night, so, they leave via boat and Jesus heads out to the mountain to pray. While He's there, He sees the disciples struggling against the wind storm that is going on. (Talk about going from bad to worst, I think I'd be in a really bad mood by now.)
Jesus has compassion on them and heads down there. He casually walks in their direction and they are "freaking out!". They are yelling because they don't KNOW that it's Jesus. He walks over there and gets in the boat. Once in the boat, the winds stop its fuss. ... ... ... ... It went from absolute chaos and fright to calmness and awestruck.
The bible says that, "they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered."
It's hard to imagine that they would not be saying to themselves, "Well I suppose He can calm the storm since He DID just feed about 15,000 people with 5 little loaves of bread and 2 fish..."
The next verse says that they didn't think about the miracle of the loaves because their heart was hardened.
Sometimes, our heart is hardened towards our family. They are "just" our family. Sometimes our heart is hardened toward people who need to be encouraged or ministered to and yet most of the time, our heart is hardened toward God. We forget what God has done in our life and what He still can do.
I have found that once I realize that my heart is hardened toward God, I need to go back to the day that He saved my soul. Like King David of the old testament said in Psalm 55, "Restore the joy of my salvation". We forget the miracle He's done in our life, so our hearts are hardened to not be able to see the power our God has.
Think back on the moment you recognised that you were not perfect; a sinner and you had no hope of going to heaven. Because of this truth, you called out to God and acknowledge to Him that He alone is God and sent His Son to die on the cross for you. Remember that day? What a miracle that was! He reached down to you and you looked up, ... reached your hand out to Him. He forgave you your sins, brushed you off from the filth of this world, hugged you and made you His child. Since then, you've walked together, side by side. He's loved you, encouraged you, taught you things about life and probably, many times, picked you up from falling; messing up.
Maybe today, you're sitting in the middle of a storm, thinking all is lost, it's no use, maybe you're thinking of throwing in the towel. Don't!!! Just wait upon the Lord, He's right there watching you and waiting for you to recognise that you need Him.
Once the disciples KNEW Him, I mean REALLY KNEW who Jesus was, they were on the other shore. They ran all over the place bringing the sick to Jesus. They wanted to see over and over again the power Jesus had and the restoration he brought to people's lives.
I don,t always have the excitement. I sure do want to REALLY know Jesus so I can help others to have their own salvation.
Although funny at times, the Word of God is real and brings such comfort, encouragement and direction. I thank God for it.

Mmmmm Salsa!

2010-09-25T14:58:00.004-03:00

I am having a good Saturday. A little on the tired side but otherwise feeling good. My eldest daughter, 10, and I, canned homemade salsa with ingredients from our garden.
What a blessing it was.
Only one bottle did not seal but hee hee hee, that only gives me an excuse to have some tonight. ohhhh I can't wait!
Since we didn't have enough red tomatoes, we decided to put green tomatoes too. One tomatoe, that I was cutting the stem from, was green with a slight hue of red piercing through. When I cut out the stem, the inside was already red. It surprised me because I never realized that the fruit ripes from the inside out. The Lord reminded me that, like a Christian, a true child of God, the Holy Spirit changes us from the inside out. Sometimes, what's happening inside of us is not obvious to others.
Spending time with others and allowing them to get to know us, will make it easier to see the colors that are already inside, which to others, is only a slight hue piercing through on the outside.
God is so patient with us.
We had to change recipes for our salsa since we lost the one we used previously. I must say that this one is scrumptious and on the hot side... YUM! It's a keeper, so I thought I'd share it with you.
Salsa (makes 10 pints)
22 med. tomatoes (twice as many if they're on the small to med. side, we used 12 large red ones and about 6 large green ones)
4 bell peppers, coarsly chopped
3 onions, coarsly chopped
1 cup vinegar
3/4-1 cup jalepeno peppers, chopped finely (put less if you want mild salsa)
1/2 cup sugar (I put brown since I was out of white)
1/4 cup salt
1 cup (12 oz) tomato paste (we put 2 small tiny cans 5.? oz)
Cilantro to taste (optional)
3 cloves garlic minced

After getting skin off tomatoes, (dip in boiling water 20 secs., then into cold- skin falls off), chop them into bite size. Put all the ingredients into a large pot, bring to a boil and then simmer for 25 min.
In another large pot, bring water to a boil (to cover 1 pint bottles by 2 inches, at least), and place bottles gently. Place sealing covers in another pot half full of boiling water.
Use a ladle and funnel to fill hot jars with salsa, leaving 1 inch headspace. Slip a plastic knife or other non-metal straight object along sides of jar to release any bubbles. Wipe jar rim with clean washcloth for a good seal. Apply lid and ring and return into large pot of water. Water bathe pints for 15 minutes.

Enjoy!!

What's the verdict?

2010-09-23T14:18:00.008-03:00

I've decided to bring to those who have been wondering, an update, via my blog since many are wondering how I am doing and telling the story over and over is draining. I don't like "sharing my problems" on this because I want it to be reserved for edifying my Christian sisters and to draw people to a relationship with Christ through sharing things I've learnt in God's word but, what I might not see, is how God can work in others through my trial so... here we go. Most of you know that I have been sick for the past couple of months. For those who did not know, it's nothing personal, I just did not want to alarm anyone or for people to make a big deal of something that probably isn't. Basically, on August 5th, I had what is called a Vagal. What is it? It can be brought on by stressed over a long period of time or anything that stimulates the Vagus nerve. Or it can be when something that goes, or should go, through your digestive system but something goes wrong. It sends an alarm (if you will) to your Vagus nerve, which is attached to all your organs including the heart. This nerve, in my case, sends a message to my heart. My blood pressure drops very low and to compensate, my heart beats really fast. With this, you vomit... nice eh? hmmm..... I also get VERY weak where I'm not able to stand or even sit; I just lay there, hardly able to talk and it's laborious to open my eyes. It's as if my brain can't communicate with my body. It is normal to have 1 Vagal in one's lifetime, I'm told. In 36 days, I had 5 Vagals... that is not normal. My body was trying to tell me that something was wrong but I did not understand it's language. (I speak 3 languages but this one, I did not understand) I have had MANY blood tests, that I was able to pass to Mr. Ford, from Ford's Apothecary, today. Until today, everything was a mystery. What was making my body react this way?
My husband was really worried that one of these Vagals would be my last; that I would die. Although this has not been the greatest experience for me nor for my family and friends, God has shown himself powerful and has done in miracle in my marriage through this. My advice to you would be, don't take each other for granted, you never know when you'll loose them. So, having said all that. I met with Mr. Peter Ford today. He is a well known Pharmacist throughout the world but mostly in North America, for his knowledge of the body, it's needs, and how it works. I filled out a LONGGGG form and gave him copies of my recent blood work, including the one done during my first Vagal and some that were just after and some on a normal day. He was able to see that my iron, magnesium, potassium and iodine are all low. (still in the normal range but on the lowest side of it) He explained to me that this is not a diagnosis, only a doctor can do that but from what he could see from my blood is that I am mineral deficient. These are important because this is what helps the electrical current in our system which affects the heart especially. When the minerals are low, we can expect very crazy things but in my case it was Vagals. He suggested to take mineral vitamins, since it is very difficult to find them in foods these days, unless you eat like a Japanese person.... LOL (Japanese have a high "sea vegetable" diet... Okeedokey...) (this is the part that my son Samuel will be envious of) Mr. Ford suggested I also drink half a bottle of Gatorade every day for 30 days. This will replenish my electrolytes. Sea salt is also recommended since in regular table salt, there are 2 minerals; sodium and (?) where as sea salt has 80 minerals! A hint was given to me. When I feel a lack of energy, to take 1/2 cup of water with a pinch of sea salt, within 10 min. I will feel re-energized. "It's better than a cup of coffee!" He also suggested that I still take every test that the doctors will send me to and to be ready for many of them. If they do find something concrete, I am to call him to let him know. I need to see him in 4 weeks to see how it's going. Time will tell. I am hoping that this is what was causing the Vagals although, I can't help but be overly thankful for them. I have gained an amazing relationship with my husband, new understanding of my body and probably prevented more serious damage, and I lost over 10 lbs(!!!!), and the list goes on. God IS good!
Now, I hope to be able to start running regularly again and feel capable of doing the tasks I used to do. I hope that wasn't too confusing, for those who have been praying for me, thank you and don't quit on my now. ;)

OH! I almost forgot! I'm also pre-menopausing.... (you can't hear me but I'm cracked up laughing!) Oh the joy of growing old... and shorter. lol

Ohhhh! If but only...

2010-08-19T12:02:00.002-03:00

Just a quick thought as I began the book of Exodus.
It's worth reading the whole first chapter of Exodus to get the just of it but as an overview: Joseph and his brothers have died and there's a new King in Egypt who did not know Joseph and his family. (Obviously does not know his history)
This new King is intimidated by the numerous Israelites and how, even with great oppression from the taskmasters, they keep multiplying and are a mighty people.
Afraid that they will join with enemies, he says this to the Israelite midwives, Exodus 1:16, "And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see [them] upon the stools; if it [be] a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it [be] a daughter, then she shall live." IMAGINE!!! This is my favorite part. Exodus 1:17, "But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive."
We who know the "rest of the story", even after the Lord Jesus Christ's coming, death and resurrection, can appreciate the faithfulness and obedience to God. They were taking a chance with their own life by obeying God instead of the King but.... can you imagine how different the story would be if they hadn't.
Now into the context of our daily life. If we could fear the Lord (fear meaning you have an understanding of God's ability, power and might to do anything that He wills, including your life's destiny) and live in complete obedience to Him, what amazing things could He do with the future.
If but only....

A Father's love....

2010-08-18T10:10:00.006-03:00

It has been an embarrassingly long time since I blogged last. Somehow, the summer is without "official" school (homeschool) but I don't gain more time in my day. It must be because I get to do the things I don't do all year round like gardening, travelling etc.
My time alone with the Lord has not taken a back seat even with the summer being here but taking what He's shown me, to the computer takes extra time I don't always have. I actually considered not doing it anymore but a friend of mine told me that it is a blessing and encouragement to her so I will continue until the Lord says otherwise.
Now! Unto what the Lord showed me today, which was SO COOL!!!!
I finished reading the whole bible early this summer so I am in Genesis and Matthew again. This morning, I was reading Genesis 48 and was so immersed in it and only had two other chapters before being done that book and on to Exodus so I read the last three chapters; 48-49 and 50.
Now this time frame is after Joseph was thrown in a pit by his 10 brothers and eventually sold as a slave to the Ishmeelites, who brought him to Egypt. Joseph eventually becomes governor of the land there and is Pharaoh's "right hand man", after many trials and betrayal. Because he was favored by Pharoah, his whole family was favored and able to live in Goshen where the land was sufficient for survival. Joseph took care of his family there. These three chapters are about Jacob's last moments as he talks with Joseph and his two grandsons and then blesses them. He then gives his blessings to his other 11 sons.
(It's the end of Jacob's life, who's name changed to Israel in chapter 31.) Joseph hears about his father dying and goes to see him with his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. Jacob gives the blessing to the second child born above the first born. Joseph tries to correct Jacob but his father reassures him that he is doing right. Joseph doesn't understand but allows his father to do as he chooses.
As I read these three chapters, I was touched by the love this father had for his children and the wisdom he had although his sons might not of agreed with his decisions. I recognized the similarities to our Father in Heaven. He loves us so much. Our confessed sins, He forgets (Psalm 103:12) and sees His Son, Jesus Christ, in us, our righteousness. If this doesn't sink in, imagine being able to have no memory of the wrong your children have done and only the perfection of them. How much easier and abundant our love for them would be, but our sins get in the way of our love being able to be manifested towards them.
The two other things were more study type.
1st When they embalmed Jacob, it took 40 days. Jesus also fasted 40 days before going from ministering to the people to being crucified, for the remission of our sin. After His resurrection, He ministered again on earth for 40 days before He rose into Heaven with His body.
What the Lord showed me here is that it takes time for change to happen and to give life's changes TIME to take it's course.
2nd Was the order of Jacob's sons' birth. Usually, the firstborn get the inheritance. Ruben was the first born yet because of his betrayal to his father, he lost it. (same with us, we will not loose our salvation but after we are saved, we can affect our inheritance in Heaven, depending on how we walk here on earth). His father although did notice his character which was what brought Ruben to save Joseph's life when his other brothers, except Benjamin, wanted to kill him.
Judah was Jacob's fourth son, with the wife that he was tricked into marrying, yet that is who God chose to be the generational line to Jesus Christ.
It spoke to me two things. One, that God doesn't always do things that make sense to us but His thoughts are not our thoughts, they are higher than ours. He sees the big picture. Second, it doesn't matter what negative things are and/or were in your life, if you allow God to use you and live for Him, He will do amazing things with you and through you.
I also thought it was pretty cool that later on, there are two kingdoms; one named Israel (the dad once named Jacob) and the second Judah (the son of Jacob/Israel) then comes the third kingdom, that of Jesus Christ's but it was no longer an earthly kingdom but a Heavenly one. Cool....
So much to learn from God's word, the Bible. Selah

How merciful!

2010-07-12T10:36:00.003-03:00

Good thing I'm not relying on my blog entering for Heaven entry.... because I would not make it. ha!
As I continue to read God's word, it continues to minister to me as it did this morning. Proverbs and Genesis both spoke to me and reminded me of my sinful nature and that I'm needing of mercy. It was in Matthew 12 that I really got a reminder of God's love for me. In verse 20, "A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory."
The Pharisees tried to trick Jesus in the corn field about eating from the field on the Sabbath, I read this and thaught about the fact that the disciples had stolen the corn for food. It wasn't the left over but actual ears of corn. The Lord reminded me that Jesus was giving His disciples HIS corn... God owns everything on this earth. Then, as I kept reading, Jesus talks about healing a man's hand, and the Pharisees trouble Jesus with healing on the Sabbath. Jesus tells them the story about if a sheep falls into a pit, will the owner not leave his other sheep to go rescue this sheep even on the Sabbath. The Lord reminded me that I am His sheep, I belong to Him, I am His child since the day I was saved.
As I read further, and arrived at the verse 20, I saw the mercy Jesus showed to, as the bruised reed; the sinful people, the Pharisees, those who rejected and tortured Him. He still chose to be beaten, tortured and hated, nailed to a cross, die alone, thirsty and hungry. Why? For me, a bruised reed, a Pharisee, a wicked, sinful person. He could of destroyed them before He even went to the cross, because He owned everything we use, walk on, eat and need, but He didn't, He died on the cross ... for me, for you.
How merciful is that.

How God used my son Jacob.

2010-06-17T08:57:00.006-03:00

I finished reading the whole bible once again so I started back in Genesis this morning, after reading Proverbs 17. I'm always amazed how God can show a new thing every time you read something again. The first chapter, as you know, talks about how the universe came into being. About 6000 years ago, over a span of 6 days, God created everything and rested on the 7th day. Then in chapter 2, it's broken down into a bit more detail, almost like zooming in, you see more detail but it is a recap. Genesis 2:5 says, "And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and [there was] not a man to till the ground." I found that very interesting... before things could grow, it had to rain and the ground needed to be tilled.

Yesterday, I spent time tilling my flower garden. The ground was amazingly hard considering we had had quite a bit of rain thus far. I used a tool called the "CLAW" the bottom part is the part that goes in the ground and looks like a few "W"s, a claw. Then there is a broom like handle with what looks like handle bars from a bicycle on top. (Sounds like some of the descriptions from the book of Ezekiel eh? lol) I had to step onto the claw part of the tool and pushed down so I could actually get the claws into the ground. Then I had to really work hard at twisting the "CLAW" to actually break the fallow ground. Why was I doing that? For three most important reasons: to loosen up the earth, allowing me to take out the weeds WITH the roots, to allow the rain to penetrate the ground easily and nourish the plants and third, so that the plant can also easily receive the nutrients/vitamins of the sun which could better travel through loosened ground. Here's the comparison. We, like the plant, can't grow spiritually without the ground of our heart be rained upon and tilled.
Let me give you one of many examples that God used in my life to till the ground of my heart and you'll better be able to see the purpose in it. It's the morning after I had the ultrasound for our third baby, Jacob. My doctor just finished telling me that our baby was a boy but there were complications. They could only see one kidney but if it was healthy, he could live a healthy life. Then came the heart dropping news. The baby only had one half of his pelvis, no right hip and no right leg. I was shocked! Things like this only happen to other people. How could this be? My world came crashing down. I was devastated. I didn't understand that God wanted to draw me closer to Him but for that to happen, the ground of my heart needed to be tilled; broken and loosened up. The doctor left me alone in the room to make a call to the children's hospital in Halifax. He wanted a more thorough ultra sound to see if there were any other "problems". While he was gone, I paced the floor sobbing. I was crying out to God in confusion; wondering why and how. Where was He in all this? What was going to happen next? I called unto God in need of help, comfort and direction. I heard Him speak to my heart, "I want to take you on a journey. Will you go?" I told Him, "If you walk with me, I'll go anywhere!" The doctor came in with the time and date I needed to be in Halifax and asked me the next question, "Since you are only 18 weeks, it is not too late. If you want, you can still abort the baby." I said no obviously. It was not for me to choose the "destiny" of this child. I was willing to allow God to till the ground of my heart, no matter how hard it would get because I knew that He would never leave me nor forsake me. For the past almost 8 years, God has helped me grow and experience life in a way I never imagine possible. I met amazing, and wonderful people that I would of never met otherwise. God had to till the ground of my heart in many other ways but, when I humbled myself and allowed Him to do it, trusting He had my best interest at heart, I always received blessings abundantly. He continues to bless me everyday, mostly with just having Him by my side.
I don't know what is happening in your life, but if you feel like the inside of you chest is being ripped out, that your life is out of your control and that you world seems upside down, maybe the Lord is trying to break that fallow (hard) ground of your heart and draw you closer to Him. Let Him, you'll never be sorry for it.

Isn't it funny?!?

2010-06-15T09:03:00.002-03:00

You Know You're Getting Old When...

All of your favorite movies are now re-released in color.
In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first.
It takes twice as long to look half as good.
Many of your co-workers were born the same year that you got your last promotion.
No one expects you to run into a burning building.
People call at 9 p.m. and ask, "Did I wake you?"
When getting lucky means you find your car in the parking lot.
When happy hour is a nap.
When you are cautioned to slow down by your doctor
instead of the police.
When you step off a curb and look down one more time to make sure that the street is still there.
When you wake up with that morning-after feeling, and you didn't do anything the night before.
When your birth certificate says expired on it.
You are proud of your lawn mower.
You begin every other sentence with, "Nowadays..."

Those who know me, know that I LOVE to laugh!! I love humor. I love having fun, the fast pace of life and being on the go. So it is no surprise to them that I think getting old is hilarious! Now... I have the right to say that because I AM getting old. :) :/ :( hee hee hee. Those who know me also know that when I'm nervous... I laugh a LOT! So, do I think growing old is hilarious or am I just nervous?????? NAH! I think it's hilarious.
I am having a reality check type of day and it's only 9:12 am.... could be a long day lol. I was getting ready, after having my 5k run, spending time alone with the Lord and showered. As I was drying my hair, I noticed, like every other time I blow dry my hair, those strong, feisty and proud grey hair. I felt almost surprised although I see them everyday! I sort of feel played a bad joke because in my mind and body, I feel 25 at the most and when I see my grey hair it spins me into a billow of thoughts about my life. Is this the definition of "mid-life crisis"? LOLOLOL, hahahaha!
The bible says, in Proverbs 20:29, "The glory of young men [is] their strength: and the beauty of old men [is] the gray head". It's only by reading the bible on a regular basis that a woman can learn that this scripture for woman could be translated that the glory of young women is their tight skin: and the beauty of old women is their wisdom. I might not have the shape or youthfulness I used to have but one thing I do have now that I didn't before is wisdom. Not a huge abundance of it but much more than when I was a young adult. So, as I look at my grey hair, although my hairdresser told me to say that I had chrome highlights done, I will continue to do what I can to defy gravity, without spending a fortune I must add, but remember that getting older is a privilege and honor. It is a responsibility to those coming behind us to show that life becomes more abundant, fulfilling and exciting. I guess in one word, growing older as I walk with the Lord is "richness". For those of you, like me, who's boat has left the youthdock, be encouraged and motivated to enjoy life at a new level. We don't have to be the Titanic but the Star of India. (It's worth googling... see photo)

Bruised reed and smoldering flax

2010-06-14T20:30:00.003-03:00

We had an especially good service yesterday at church. We had a visiting family from Mississippi, (try finger spelling that for the deaf... it was comical) who sang and gave testimony of how each song was written.
I would have to say that my favorite part was when the husband shared about the reed and the flax. First, I guess, would be to explain what a reed and a flax is.
Reed: the straight stalk of any of various tall grasses

Flax:

"A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench".
I love how Mr. Miller explained that God is a God of restoration. He does not take the bruised reed; which represents us with all of our brokenness and being of not much worth, to destroy us. He takes us, mends us, uses us, makes us whole again through His forgiveness and love.
As for the smoldering flax. Sometimes, I can be compared to it. I don't have much oumpf in my life for the Lord. I sometimes get side tracked, distracted and while He's still walking, if you can picture it, I'm like a child who stops along the way to look at what is drawing my attention. God doesn't just leave me this way. He draws close to me with a large dose of compassion and lights the wick of my fire. Lights the way to my journey and sets me back on the right path.
God is so forgiving and loving. I wish I wouldn't get so distracted by the thing in this world. Sometimes my flesh gets drawn to things that I think I need but really I just want. God knows what's best for me, to keep my life from destruction and I need to trust Him.
16 years ago, by faith, through Jesus Christ, God the Father took me and made me His child. He comforted me, made me whole again, forgave me of the sinful life I was leading and put me on a path that I could of never dreamt of. He has been better to me than I could ever be. Why I get distracted? It's beyond me, but if I confess my sins, He is faithful and just to forgive me.
What an awesome, gentle, loving and compassionate God we have. The Creator of the universe, the Giver of many blessings.
I once was a bruised reed and am sometime a smoldering flax but God has made me new and has given me a passion for life and for people. What an awesome God!

2010-06-09T09:32:00.003-03:00

Jacob and I both had a really good time last night. It was a three course meal and there was a silent auction in support of CNIB. Mr. McKeever told us his "story". His father was also legally blind, his brother went to the Olympics and McKeever is the first to be an Olympic and Paralympic athlete.
I really appreciate people who are not afraid to work hard and press toward a goal and be an inspiration to others. There is one thing he said last night that the Lord used to speak to my heart. He explained , "As skiers, we are in an individual sport but we each do our individual best to strengthen the team." I couldn't help but make the comparison with our walk with the Lord. We are Christians, who need to do our individual best by spending time in God's Word (the bible), in prayer and drawing closer to Him to strengthen the team, which is our church family. In a physical family, when one is sick, whether life threatening or just a virus of some sort, the family is weakened. The mother, usually, is taken with a greater burden to care for this individual. The father takes care of things that perhaps the mother can't get to like extra wash, if it's a flu, meals the other children. If it is a parent who is ill, either their income is affected, the caring of the house, the others in the family are neglected etc. The list goes on.
Four points that he gave as para-athletes, which is also very pertinent for Christians and their confidence in who they are in children of God were:

labelling- not only society labels but we tend to label ourselves. If we will be know and believe in our heart and mind who we are, we can overcome the stereotypes and labels, therefore being more positive and confident.
reach- We need to reach for the goal. Constantly on our tipy toes like children who try to reach for something that's out of their reach. There is a greater chance of getting what's out of grasp if you reach as far as you can for it.
Ask for help- If you don't know how to do something or it is not your strength, don't be afraid to ask for help. Be willing to learn.
Have fun!

All four of those points, in my opinion are very true as Christians too. It's hard sometimes to have a heart always fixed on Christ when the world flaunts it's fleshly pleasantries. It's hard to be an Olympic athlete and eat the right things when your family might be eating juicy, fatty hamburgers with fries and sugar pie for dessert. We need to fix our hearts on the greater goal, the big picture.
One day, those who have sincerely trusted Christ as their Saviour and have repented of their sin, will rejoice in heaven but how much better would it be if, while on earth, you had an impact on this world for Christ.
The apostle Paul often refers to our life here on earth as a race and that our crown, which was the prize after a race in those days, is not corruptible; it will not break because it is a heavenly crown, prizes for the things we've done on earth.
It was a good time last night. Jacob got to wear a real Olympic Gold medal. It was really heavy! Brian has a total of 10 Paralympic medals, 7 of which are Gold. Impressive! When I get to heaven, I hope I have at least that many crowns so I can place them back at the feet of Christ out of love and gratitude for the sacrifice He did for me on the cross, saving me from eternity in hell and setting my feet on a firm foundation; guiding me through life and giving me a purpose.
I am His athlete and God is my coach. I heard He's the best there is.... :)

Take Two!

2010-06-08T09:06:00.006-03:00

Today I have two things I want to share. The first is not necessarily the most important but none the less is first. I am soooo excited for tonight! As you know, Jacob, our third child, was born missing the right side of his pelvis, hip and his whole right leg, yet he is a person who sees only opportunities. He recently joined ASEA which is an athletics association. He has been doing high jump, long jump, wheelchair racing, javelin and shot put. Tonight, Jacob and I are going to Brian McKeever's speaking engagement, which is a formal dinner. Brian McKeever is a repeated Paralympic Gold Medalist in Cross Country Skiing. You can't see me jumping around in excitement but I am. One thing I have learnt, since the Lord brought Jacob into my life, is that people decide what they want to do and being an athlete does not depend on the body's mobility but the person's "willability". I grew up doing all sorts of competitive sports like figure skating and cycling, none competitive like basketball, volleyball and field hockey and now, daily running 5 km, for examples. I can relate with pushing my body to its limits. I can not say that I have pushed it to the same point of an Olympic athlete but I can relate. So what makes an athlete? Here's what the dictionary says, ": a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina" I would like to push it a bit further. An athlete is someone who has the will to subject their body to extreme limits to bring his or her body under subjection to their will and desire for accomplishment of a certain skill. I respect that "able" bodied people do this but I would like to add that "disabled" bodies do it to a greater extent. EX: For Jacob, it takes him 300% more energy to go for a stroll compared to another child of his age and stature. When climbing the rope in gymnastics, Jacob had to use his arms only since that second leg wasn't there to help propel him, so he climb up to the same distance as the other children, some older than him, but with just the aid of his two arms. So, although a "disabled" person might seem weaker because his/her body is not what today's society considers "perfect" or "graceful", it is the will and the determination that makes you an achiever and an athlete. My hat is off to them because they are more of an athlete than I ever could be. This is why I am so excited to go to the dinner tonight, not only for the food that Samuel wants me to take pictures of (lol) but to be able to listen to a person who has competed with "disabled" and "able" bodied athletes and has risen to the top to represent our country Canada, at the Paralympics for the past several years. I really appreciate strong willed people.
The second thing is, what the Lord showed me in my bible reading today.
At the ladies conference this year, the main scripture was Micah 6:8, "He hath shewed thee, O man, what [is] good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" And this morning, I came across it again but I gained a deeper appreciation for it by reading the whole chapter. So many people, including myself, get caught up in the PERFORMANCE! PERFORMANCE!, but if you read Micah 6, you'll see that good performance, if you will, only comes when the heart is fixed and devoted. Through this chapter, we see the Lord is pleading Israel, saying what have I done to you? When did I burden you? I brought you out of Egypt, gave you good leaders, King Balak seeked to have me curse you because he was afraid of you because you had many victories of war etc. You ask yourselves about how to please me, "Should I bring a thousand rams or 10 000 rivers of oil, my first born for my transgression." NO!!! God says, it is simple, not easy but simple. Nothing complicated yet, something that is so contrary to our nature that we need to lean and trust on Him to be able to do this. Imagine that, God wants us to depend, trust and lean on Him... Don't we like it when our children don't understand why, but they just trust us and go with the flow? Why can't we just trust in God, that He knows best, and that He will guide if we let Him. These two ... topics, are more similar than I first realised. If the visually impaired athlete chooses to go against the leadership of his guide, he/she risks to hurt themselves and maybe even risk the life of others. They risk to loose the race above all. Both athletes and Christians, need to set our hearts and our affections on the Guide, the one who can see far pass what we can see and trust Him to bring us to the right finish line because not all roads lead to the same finish line.

What's wrong NOW Jonah?

2010-06-04T10:32:00.003-03:00

Jonah is not what I would of thought to be the type of person who could save a city of 60,000 people, plus much cattle, but God chose to use him.
After he obeys God, goes into the city, which should take 3 days journey but it only takes him 1 day, proclaim God's judgement, he's angry because God has mercy on the people of Ninevah. The people of Ninevah quickly repented and fasted as opposed to Jonah, when God called him the first time. God had mercy on the both of them but, for some reason, Jonah is upset that God had mercy on Ninevah. He leaves the city to go pout and watches the city to see what God might do, but He does nothing... so Jonah is upset.
God allows a gourd to grow to extreme proportions and Jonah is happy again. Then the Lord allows a worm to decay the gourd and it withers. Jonah wakes up and begins to pout again.
Jonah is a selfish, spoil, brat! Easy for me to say eh? (sounds like "A") I'll be honest with you... Jonah irritates me. (lol) He's what we call an E.G.R. person= Extra Grace Required person.
I do praise God that Jonah irritates me because it allows me to search within my heart to see if some of Jonah's issues are found in my heart. From where I'm standing... sitting... I see how God showed His love and mercy for a fearful, distrusting, weak sinner and chose to use him to deliver THOUSANDS of people. I have not had the personal experience of the latter, I can only imagine what it would be like to bring 60,000 people to Christ! i wouldn't be pouting, I would be doing a dance similar to David's ... not a pretty sight may I add ... but the rejoicing would be so overwhelming that I would not be able to contain it. Having the honour of being used, a sinner like me, to bring 60,000 people to Christ! hELLo!
Snap out of it Jonah... (yeah, I know he can't hear me... lol)
There's three things I want to remember from Jonah:

Never be afraid to trust God
Never underestimate Hi provision
Always rejoice at the sight of God's mercy for me and especially for others

Which are you?

2010-06-03T10:44:00.004-03:00

In my bible reading of the old testament, I started the book of Jonah chapter 1. It's a good thing it's a short chapter because God showed me six pages of my notebook worth of learning lessons from Jonah. I was really pierced with what He showed me, and hope it will be a help for you too.

It never pays to flee...
"Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah...But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD"
Jonah is running away physically but also spiritually. He must not of realised that we must worship in truth and in spirit. If we expect to be able to just be physical with God, we need to expect that God will be physical with us.

Steps of what happened.

Lord talks to Jonah in his heart
Jonah's heart rejects it
Jonah, in the flesh, flees
God sends a storm to get Jonah's attention
The ships mariners are afraid for their life
Mariners prefer to save EVERYONE'S life
God is stronger, mariners throw Jonah overboard as he asks
Jonah is put into a whales belly, apart from everyone

vs. 4 Even the mariners were afraid and called unto their god, knowing it was a physical storm which was begun by something/someone spiritual. They acknowledge that the spiritual and physical are connected. (Proverbs 3:6 "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.")

vs. 5 "Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that [were] in the ship into the sea, to lighten [it] of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep."
It's amazing how someone who decides to ignore God can really be able to block Him out completely! Jonah is able to sleep physically and spiritually, while the others who acknowledge that "a god" was angry and they had to do all they could to save the ship and themselves yet, here is Jonah, sleeping in the bottom of the ship. He hides where, I'm assuming, the storm is felt less.

My question...
Is Jonah doing anything wrong? Other than running from God... is he doing anything wrong?
No, there's nothing wrong with taking a trip. He could help upstairs but, he's not being outwardly wicked or sinful. This is a justification we and others often used to deny being away from God.

God is definitely trying to get His point across.

The ship masters go to Jonah and ask him to go to his God and ask for mercy on them.

My question...
Are we in a ship with other people? Our church is a ship with others in it, our family, your workplace, class etc. They are people who depend on us to have a right and good relationship with God, so we can go to Him when others need Him to grant mercy, help, guidance, provision, encouragement etc.
The people in our ship are depending on us to be walking with God, not hiding from Him.

Definition of hiding:

to conceal from sight; prevent from being seen or discovered
to obstruct the view of; cover up
to conceal from knowledge or exposure; keep secret

Synonyms: screen, mask, cloak, veil, shroud, disguise, dissemble, suppress.

vs. 9 & 10, Jonah knew who he was and who God was so... I'm not sure if Jonah saw the connection between his running from God and the storm that God was allowing; risking other people's life, just to get Jonah's attention. He was either in denial or not very intelligent, maybe just not spiritually mature.

vs. 12 Jonah suggests that they throw him overboard to calm the storm. He thinks it would be easier to die than have to obey God and walk daily with Him. Obviously, God disagrees.

vs. 13 The men cared more about this stranger, Jonah, than he did for them. They tried to row the ship (the family, the church etc.) without his help but God wanted Jonah's attention so they weren't able to bring the ship to shore.

vs. 15 Question...
Will it take the ship's people to throw us out into the sea for God to deal with us and not have others to be affected because of our distance towards Him?

God prepares a fish for Jonah, unfortunately, it's not for food to eat (lol) but to segregate him.

In the pit of the stomach of a whale... ewwww! Can you imagine the smell, the "gooeyness" of the moist flesh and food that he was surrounded with? The bile all over him.... I wonder if he STILL thought dying was easier than getting right with God and walking with Him (again verse 6 of the 3 proverbs) acknowledging Him in every step of his life.

What will it take God, to get our attention and just trust in Him, follow Him and walk the path He has for us as individuals? Will we put God in a position of having others in our ship, to suffer because of our hiding or avoiding God? Shame on us!

The "Hiding Place" was good for the Jews in the "Ten Boom" home but, as a child of God, there is no hiding place but in His bosom.

I need to pay attention to my "crew" and to my relationship with Christ.

Until Then...

2010-06-02T12:28:00.003-03:00

I have a complex day happening; my heart is heavy yet I feel blessed beyond belief.
Three dear friends of mine, who love the Lord with all their heart, are going through some really though times.
One has always been faithful to God, loves and serves Him the best she can, but her marriage has been falling apart for years. Her husband, although a nice man when he chooses, has been very emotionally abusive towards her, the kids and even the pet. She seeks God daily to have strength to continue trying until her husband gets a hold of God. This has been a long haul for her.
My second friend also is a godly woman. Her daughter was hit by a passenger van while it was backing up. My friend is presently sitting at the side of her 6/7 year old daughter hospital bed of the children's hospital waiting for her precious daughter to receive God's healing. A lacerated liver, bruised lung and kidney keeps this child in limp and weak.
My third friend has been challenged by marital issues for many years, her daughter was in Haiti when they had their major earthquake but praise God she was ok and came back home fairly quickly. Just yesterday, my friend brought her daddy to the hospital for the third time where he died in the afternoon.
I am so burdened for these friends of mine that I can't stop thinking of them. God has an amazing way of showing Himself in the darkest of night though. During my prayer time, this morning, I lifted my friends up to Him and He show me how blessed I was to have friends who no matter the heat within the flames, they have not turned their back on Him or given up hope in Him.
As I ironed the clothes, I was listening to the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir via CD and their song "The Light Of That City" really spoke to my heart. Here are the lyrics.

IN this house we've built of make believe
Loved ones go long before, seems it's time to leave
We will learn how to grieve to forgive and receive
Till we see them there in that city

Span of stars overhead, as we walk this road
While this darkness remains I will bear your load
And together we will tend the seed He's sown.
As we walk along the road to that city

On that day we will sing, Holy, Holy
On that day we'll bow down in the light
And then we'll rise turn our eyes
To the Lord Jesus Christ on that day

Though my eyes can't see what it waiting there
Though my mind can't conceive all that He's prepared
There the blind will see the sun, what was old will be young
And the lame, they will run, all over the streets of that city

On that day we will sing, Holy, Holy
On that day we'll bow down in the light
And then we'll rise turn our eyes
To the Lord Jesus Christ on that day

One day, we will be in heaven to praise Him for His glory, until then, we have a work to do; not be overwhelmed by the cares of this world but seek those who are lost and tell them of the precious gift God has given us through His Son.

..."Until then...."

Shout To The Lord ~ Lauren Talley & The Talley Trio

2010-05-31T13:06:00.000-03:00

It's a good thing...

2010-05-28T08:05:00.002-03:00

This morning, with still the news of the bear in my mind, I went for my run. I would continually pray about God's will, if I should go or not because honestly, I was scared. I kept telling myself that I needed to have faith that He would take care of me like He's done thus far.
I went, and made it to the edge of where the forest starts and saw on my right side a trail in the long grass, where "something" had walked and entered into the wooded area. I kept running and tried to have faith but my fear was greater. I turned around and decided to run not jog and get MJ, our dog. This way, I might not run (jog) as far as usual (5km) but I would get a good stiff run. I got MJ and headed back on the road.
MJ was excited! She ran! Ya, not jogged but ran. I ran with her and once we got to the wooded area, just a little past where I had turned around, she wanted to go in the ditch. I didn't want to wrestle about it so we turned around knowing that she needs time to get trained to go running with me.
We ran back and every time a car came she would sit on the side of the road. There were 3 cars on separate occasions... much training needed needless to say.
So we got home, out of breath, and sweating! I was disappointed that I did not have enough faith to do my whole run but I did the best I could, still got a workout and so did MJ.
As for what the Lord showed me in His word, in Joel 2:13, I read, "Rend your heart, and not your garments". It reminded me of a scripture in Proverbs 15:8, "The sacrifice of the wicked [is] an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright [is] his delight." We tend to over complicate things sometimes.
I am a "To Do List" person and because I like ordering my day that way, I tend to do that in my everyday walk with the Lord sometimes. I become more mechanical if you will. I go through my routine, and although I am spending time with God daily and keeping my mind on Him, as most as my flesh is focused for those moments, I can sometimes just go through the motions.
God wants us to just simplify things. Like the two men who went to prayer. One had a long eloquent prayer and the other just prayed with the sincerity of his heart. That's all God wants from us. He would rather we soften our heart toward Him and love Him sincerely, than do all these amazing things, but they be done with a hard and cold heart.
You know though, this is harder than the latter. Doing can be sometimes easier than taking the time to be right before God and have a soft, malleable heart.
As my day goes forward, I'll be thinking about my lack of faith but also that having a sincere relationship with God is truly the most rewarding and needed thing. God knows that I am afraid and that I am a weak human being who fears a torturous death.
Today was a stepping stone and Monday will be another one, maybe I'll run further (I am not sure where the bear came out).
God is merciful and He just wants our hearts to be sincere towards Him and our life be dependant on Him. It's hard sometimes but He is longsuffering and patient. Ahhh... to be more like Him. Selah.

I feel like David, minus the battle.

2010-05-27T08:23:00.002-03:00

This morning was one like no other. It started at 5:34am when the Lord allowed the cats to wake me up by chasing each other across my bed, pouncing over my husband and me. I saw the time, so got up, grabbed my running clothes and went downstairs to get ready for my run. I filled the dog and cats bowls with water and food, turned the computer on to see the temperature, got dressed, put on my running shoes, my jacket and mp3 player and was off. I felt as though I was leaving a few minutes earlier than normally yet the cars I would see towards the end of my run were passing at the beginning of my run... hmmm that was strange. An oncoming car pulled over not too far from me, in the wooded area of my run. They stopped, turned their headlights off, on, off and on again. I was ready to turn around when they started up again and passed me. I kept running until I got to the 2.5km mark then headed back home. I was almost home when a little red car stopped. The man driving the car rolled down his window. I kept running at a slower pace and took my headphones out. He began to say in English then saw that he knew me so continued in French, "Hi! You'll want to be careful because we just saw a big black bear crossing the road behind you." He pointed towards the direction we both came from. I was surprised but not alarmed, which might of made him nervous. He said a second time to be really careful when I go running because it was a big black bear that crossed just after I passed. Since I started running in the fall, I prayed that God would protect me and He has shown himself faithful. I came home and told my husband that, "God must not be finished with me because He just protected me from a bear." So today, although the devil is on my heals it seems, I will praise God for allowing me to know that once more He protected me. That's why, I feel like David minus the battle.

Let It Change You

2010-05-26T09:29:00.004-03:00

I am sure that I'm not the only one who has desired something in life and wanted it bad enough that I justified it and went for it. *GASP!*
Today, as I was about to start reading Hosea chapter 11, my eye was pulled to a scripture I read yesterday and was underlined. The words my eyes saw was "Trust thy way". I decided to read that verse again and like Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." it pierced my heart and convicted me to reminded me of the wickedness of my heart and to guard it deligently. Hosea 10:13, "Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men."
Let me explain...
"Ye have plowed wickedness" You have something specific you desire to have or want to experience. It can be something "godly" but if it is not in God's will and you still desire it, it is contrary to Him therefore wicked.
"ye reaped iniquity" plowing your way to get what you want, against God's blessing or allowance to have or be it will only reap iniquity. It will only draw you further from Christ, hardening your heart and sirring you conscience.
"you have eaten the fruit of lies" what won your heart to pursue this desire is a lie from the devil. Like Eve, we can be so easily deceived.
"because thou didst trust in thy way" WHY??? "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart". We did not trust God's will for our life. Sometimes, when we don't understand God's decisions for our life, we make the mistake of analysing the situation and trying to change it or chase the desires or our heart instead of trusting God.
"in the multitude of thy mighty men." We often justify pursuing something by comparing it to the world. Saying things like, "this is not a wicked thing", "I know of godly people who have this", "God could do so much more with me if..." or "everyone has or does this these days". The "mighty" men, and women, of this world allow themselves any indulgence that might not be absolute wickedness but if the Lord does not want this or these things in our life, we must trust Him to know what's best for our life. He wants us to have life abundant and wants to prosper us but it's not always in the ways that we think. If the Lord sees this as a good thing for us and a way to draw more people to Him, He will bring it into our life, if He hasn't.... it is not the right thing for right now. Trusting God is hard sometimes; not because He has not given us reason to trust Him, He is trustworthy. We lack trust because we are weak and not filled with His Spirit. The fruits of the Spirit are Joy, Love, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Meekness and Faith. These are evident in our life when we trust God with our life.
May we not only trust God with the eternity of our souls but for the journey here on earth. Try not to change your situation, but let your situation change you, more like Him.

In the Light of Things

2010-05-25T13:06:00.002-03:00

In the olden days, people had light during the day with the sun,and by fire at night with candles or paraffin lamps, but at night it was too dim to do much work. In modern times, we have light anytime we want, enough of it to function during the night as in the day. I wonder if the comparison of both is symbolic to the lack of acknowledgement of our God. What I mean is; the fact that people in the "olden days" depended on God to light their way physically, being able to function and do work; providing for their families. There was a dependency on God and acknowledgement that they needed His creation of light for everyday life; a humbleness, a reverence. Today, we are self sufficient. We have used the intelligence that God gave us to create our own light, like Israel, in the Old Testament, who created their own gods. We don't need to depend on God for His creation to help us provide for our families. We do what we want, when we want to get what we want. We are no longer dependant on Him for physical light and how symbolic it is in the spiritual sense; we no longer depend on Him for spiritual light for we have convinced ourselves that we are self sufficient and we don't need His creations, His sacrifice, His forgiveness, His mercy and especially His grace. How pathetic we have become, preferring our own light to His.

The Love of God.

2010-05-20T07:40:00.003-03:00

Everyday, reading God's word, He shows me something new. Sometimes it is just a small simple thing, and sometimes it's revolutionary for me.
I was reading Hosea 3:1 "Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of [her] friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine." The previous chapter spoke of the adulterous woman who seeks out her lovers for satisfaction and to meet her needs, instead of her husband. This is us as we seek for the things of this world to satisfy us and meet our needs instead of staying or turning to God for His provision and love. In chapter 3 verse 1, the Lord pressed on my heart that when we love people who show us no affection, respect, friendship, kindness etc. and we continue to love them with God's love, He allows us to experience, gain knowledge and understanding of His love for us.
After I read verse one of this chapter, I sat dumbfounded by this. It's not always easy to be the Christian we need to be, even more, the wife and mother we need to be. Unconditional love is something, husbands, wives and parents face daily even hourly. Having to make a conscious decision to love someone even when they might not return anything but the cold shoulder, disobedience, disrespect or even hate. It takes the kind of love that only God can give, which we need to be in fellowship with Him, so that we might be a conduit of this love to others.
It never ceases to amaze me that God is continually seeking ways to draw us closer to Him.
We are so undeserving of His love, grace, mercy and truth.
I love you Lord. xo

Much too funny to pass up!

2010-05-10T11:00:00.004-03:00

As you most likely know, our third child, Jacob, was born missing his right leg, hip and the right side of his pelvis. The photo is of his artificial leg but he had just broken it; twisting it at the knee. In other words, it would be like your hip facing west and your knee and toes facing east. His socket, the part that holds the leg to his body, is not there because he tore his artificial leg off of his socket.
He's now 7 years old and sometimes he comes out with the funniest or the most surprising comments about himself. One day, we were at the doctor's office for my blood work results and for my shoulder pain. The doctor brought in "Oscar" which is a funny name because "Os" in french means bone and the sound of "Car" in french sounds the same as the french word "corps" which means body...LOL funny eh? Anyway... The doctor brought it in and right away Jacob says, "Hey! I'm missing this one, this one and these ones, but I have an extra one of these!" (that being the rib bone) The doctor was taken back by the amount of information he knew about his "deficiency" and the seemingly peaceful acceptance with it. I laughed inside because it was just not a typical conversation for a 7 year old boy with his doctor. Today was very similar. In his English, he had a passage he needed to read and it was about the bones in our body. It said that we have 206 bones in our body. Jacob said, "I have 207 bones in my body." I asked why he said that and he responded that he had an extra rib so that would make 207 bones. I then said, "Well, you are also missing the bones of one leg and a foot so you would have to subtract that from 207." This is not your typical conversation, don't you think? LOL We went online to find out how many bones were in the foot and how many in the leg; 26 in the foot and 4 in the leg. When we subtracted 30 from 207, it gave us 177 bones that Jacob has in his body. He thought that was ok. Then he says, with a perturbed voice "HEY! That means I have less bones than you guys!" I couldn't help but bite my lip and say "DUH! You only have one leg, of course you have less bones than us!" LOL I laughed so hard when he said, "Oh yeah.... I forgot.... " Kids say the most amazing things.

Up Close and Personal

2010-04-29T10:06:00.003-03:00

How our lives all differ from one another. Sometimes, do you ever wish you could be a fly in someones life and be able to see what they are really like? Someone you admire or respect. Someone who is maybe just the opposite; whatever the person may be, we like being "up close and personal" with people, maybe not to the point of being that fly on their wall but, we all like knowing people better. Someone who doesn't, is quite self centered, because Christ was, and is, a relational person and asks us to be also.
I couldn't help but notice something specific about God's desire to be intimate with us: in Ezekiel chapter 43.
Ezekiel 43:5 says, "So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house."
I don't know all the details about the inner court but what I know is that around the outer court was a "fence", an enclosure and within that, there was a structure which was called the inner court. In the Outer Court, brought the sacrifice to the priests to "pay" for their specific sin. The priest would clean their hands, and prepare themselves for the process of cleansing. Only the Levite priests could enter the inner court, just like us, only the children of God are heard by God. The bible says that God hears the prayers of the righteous and we are only made righteous through Jesus Christ our Lord. The inner was an intimate place where fellowship was experienced with God. It is where we confess our sins, get right with God. This is where we get our direction from God His individual will for our life. This is where we learn about God. I guess that's why I like having my personal time with the Lord in my bedroom with the door closed. My children are old enough now that I can do that and they know not to interrupt my sweet time with the Lord. I'm alone with Him, reading His word, getting to know Him better, getting to know myself better by looking to the image of His Son and seeing where I need to confess and where I need to change. I get my direction as to child rearing and how to be a better wife/mom and Christian.
When we are just superficial with God, by casually reading His word saying, "There! That's done." like it was a daily chore or task. When we pray by just quickly naming off a list of names, talking TO God like we were the automated operator listing off the different departments that are available to the hearer. We close our bible in a thump and open our eyes yet still see the same darkness in our souls, feel the same weights and experience the same dreadful days of life. No purpose.
We are missing out on blessed fellowship with Him for, it is in the "Inner Court" our most inner being that God fills with His glory. We hear Him speak to us in the place of inner court. This is the place where God shows us our sin and where we should be, emotionally, spiritually and even physically. Repentance and sacrifice happen here and the "inner court" is where fellowship with God happens.
I have experienced days where I did not spend time with God. I mean, a period of time set aside to just spend time with Him, in His word and in prayer, just having His presence. I can never go long doing this; a day or two and I become weak in every aspect. I crave His presence and fellowship, His teaching and guidance. I love going to the inner court and have God fill His house, my body, with His glory.
I'll be honest, I know it is easy to grow cold towards the Lord and just get into the "habit" of doing things, being religious in our going abouts but, I can't understand how someone can live their life this way. That would be a lonely, boring, empty and without purpose life. I can't imagine my life as just being saved, not that being saved is mediocre, or bottom of the line. I just can't imagine my life not having my God in it. Walking with Him, being carried by Him, loved by Him, nurtured by Him, encouraged, taught and ministered by Him. My life would be empty and without purpose. I love Him so much, although sometimes my flesh and carnal desires sometime restrict me to show Him how much.
I can't wait to get to Heaven to praise Him continually and hear the elders and the angels leading us in praise and worship to God. Seeing and hearing the saints of old glorifying God. Eternally being in the Inner Court fellowshipping with God and bowed at His feet casting my crowns (hopefully many) at His feet. Ohhhhhh! What a day it will be!
Up Close and Personal.

The story of the teacup

2010-04-23T09:38:00.002-03:00

This is a story that was given to a group of women at the "Ladies Jubilee" in Bathurst, last Saturday. I liked it so much I wanted to share it with you.

There was a couple who used to go to England to shop in the beautiful stores. They both liked antiques and pottery and especially teacups. This was their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.

One day in this beautiful shop they saw a beautiful teacup.They said, "May we see that? We've never seen one quite so beautiful."

As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the teacup spoke. "You don't understand," it said. "I haven't always been a teacup.

There was a time when I was red and I was clay. My master took me and rolled me and patted me over and over and I yelled out, "let me alone", but he only smiled, "Not yet."

"Then I was placed on a spinning wheel," the teacup said, "and suddenly I was spun around and around and around.Stop it! I'm getting dizzy! I screamed. But the master only nodded and said, 'Not yet.'

Then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I wondered why he wanted to burn me, and I yelled and knocked at the door. I could see him through the opening and I could read his lips as He shook his head, 'Not yet.'

Finally the door opened, he put me on the shelf, and I began to cool. 'There, that's better,' I said. And he brushed and painted me all over. The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag. 'Stop it, stop it!' I cried. He only nodded, 'Not yet.'

Then suddenly he put me back into the oven, not like the first one. This was twice as hot and I knew I would suffocate. I begged. I pleaded. I screamed. I cried. All the time I could see him through the opening nodding his head saying, 'Not yet.'

Then I knew there wasn't any hope. I would never make it. I was ready to give up. But the door opened and he took me out and placed me on the shelf. One hour later he handed me a mirror and said, 'Look at yourself.And I did. I said, 'That's not me; that couldn't be me. It's beautiful. I'm beautiful.'

'I want you to remember, then,' he said, 'I know it hurts to be rolled and patted, but if I had left you alone, you'd have dried up.

I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled. I knew it hurt and was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn't put you there, you would have cracked.

I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn't done that, you never would have hardened; you would not have had any color in your life. And if I hadn't put you back in that second oven,you wouldn't survive for very long because the hardness would not have held. Now you are a finished product. You are what I had in mind when I first began with you.

MORAL:

God knows what He's doing (for all of us). He is the Potter, and we are His clay. He will mold us and make us, so that we may be made into a flawless piece of work to fulfill His good, pleasing, and perfect will.

1 Corinthians 10:13 "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it]."

Purpose in the Valley

2010-04-15T12:40:00.003-03:00

When people ask what my "life verse" is, I have such a difficult time to choose but one. I would have to say, one scripture that covers all those that continually change me. It would have to be Hebrews 4:12, "For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
It is so true, when you read God's word, it will pierce your heart like a sword and bring to want to make change in your life.
As I read Ezekiel 37, the Lord showed me wonderful things. I noted them down and will share them with you. I would suggest that you take the time to read it either before or after and allow the Lord to minister His truth to you.

Vs.1 Sometimes, the Lord just picks you up from where you are in life and plumps you into the valley. Sometimes, it's not a gradual walk from the mountain top, sometimes it's just when you least expect it.
Vs. 2 We want to avoid the scary and intimidating things in life but we need to allow God to pass us through it.
Vs. 3 God will sometimes ask us if we think "these bones" in the valley (the trial in our life) can be changed. Some and in maybe most cases, as our faith gets stronger, we would say, "Yes" but bones????? Really now! Isn't there certain things that even God cant reverse? In our life too.
Vs. 4 Use scripture while in your trial. God wants to show Himself strong, powerful and worthy to us.
As we see God working and creating His miracle, it might be scary but continue on.
Vs. 7 "bone to his bone" God creates things and puts things in order. We can rest in that. Knowing that God will not leave us in a mess, in time, builds our faith.
Vs. 11 & 12 God uses our valleys to tell others what God has done for us, to encourage, to build up and to give hope to those who's faith is weaker or tired.

As you read the specific verses and then the notes that the Lord laid on my heart, you will understand why I found such encouragement in this chapter. I have been in the valley many times since accepting Christ as my Saviour and only way to heaven. I have experienced the truth of everything He laid on my heart while I read this chapter but to see it written in His word and have Him confirm it in my heart reminded me that next time, while in the valley, I can rest in his plan and allow Him the opportunity to do the work that is necessary in my life and use me and my life for His glory.
Hope it was an encouragement to you; for I know of some who are going through some very deep valleys.

In the eye of the beholder

2010-04-08T13:59:00.003-03:00

Matthew 6:28-29 "And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."
I admired the sunshine reflecting light color of green in my backyard flower garden. I looked upon what doesn't seem like much to the naked eye but for me, the one who weeded, broke the hardened ground, carefully watered and treated each plant, the small show of growth excites me to no end.
I rushed outside to take photographs, after we finish the school day, I had lunch and did a wash. I wanted to show the "world" what my effort has brought through. Now... you and I both know two things... the "world" is not reading MY blog... lol but also that I am not the only factor in these plants doing anything that looks like life. I am very aware the God is the one who is allowing me this blessing of seeing the fruit of my labor. I chose to describe my experience in the way I was to bring a relevance between the joy we find in growth of our investment and the joy of God our Father when He sees the growth in us after His much investment in us.
As I walked through my garden this afternoon, taking these photographs, the Holy Spirit revealed to me the joy the Father as He watches me grow and how the opposite is true that when I am making no effort to grow, how He so desires to see His investment in me flourish.
Food for thought...
Here are those photographs I took.

2010-04-05T19:36:00.005-03:00

Ahhhh... the smell of spring!
I usually don't like spring much because it's wet and dirty. What can I say, I'm a full fletch girl, I don't like muck! lol Although, this spring has been different; it seems like the snow melted and presto, the ground was dry. We still had snow when I saw my tulips coming up and that got me excited for spring. I couldn't wait to see the backyard gardent begin to flourish. The snow melted, and melted and the ground where my flowers are was covered with... water. I searched for my rubber boots and found them in the basement. I dumped out what I thought would be dust and some dirt but instead, I dumped out spiders and earwigs... needless to say, I found my duckies instead (rubber shoes), and went to checkout what was peaking out. I swished, swooshed my way from one end to the other and already there was green piercing through. Yesterday, Sunday, the whole family worked together to clean the yard and once that was done, I spent time weeding the backyard flower garden. How exciting that was. Ya... I'm crazy... what can I say...lol.
Here are some before and after shots, the one with snow and the next is two days later.

I will be adding more photos as my little friends show themselves.

The whole truth...

2010-03-17T12:22:00.002-03:00

I love reading God's word and recognizing the wisdom and how relative it is to life. I'll be reading and come across something and, "AHA! See! It's right there!"
I'll give you just a couple of examples I've come across lately.
Proverbs 12:3, "A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved." We often hear people say, when they have "experienced" life for a bit, "I'm now ready to plant my roots." The bible says that doing that will be difficult because of the sin in our life. Having, (like I tell the children) "shared their body" with other people, leaves a scar and takes up room in the heart that should be taken by the woman or man they are marrying. The bondage that a life of sin brings controls the "rooted relationship" and there is never a joy and freedom that the Lord wants to give a couple. My past is covered by the blood, I have been forgiven but the consequences of that sin is still existent. I've had to pray and had to overcome bondage and issues that controlled my relationship with my husband. The Lord would much prefer to see me without those chains but those are the consequences of my choices. Understanding that, helps in recovering and God CAN heal all wounds but how much better is it to keep ourselves pure.
The other one is sort of comical. Why is it that when we see boys, and even girls these days, who walk with a strut, we associate them with rebellion? You know what I mean. I junior high, that particular boy you knew never walked like that but halfway through high school, he developed this "strut" or "gate". I found it interesting when I came across verse 19 of Proverbs 17, "He loveth transgression that loveth strife: [and] he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction. " Isn't that amazing?! That's why we automatically associate one with the other, because God created us to recognize that. Even those who walk that way know, subconsciously because when they become "cool" they start that strut which is called a gate.
It's almost as if God knew things before us... LOL Do you think?
God's word is a workbook for life; it helps us build our life and the people around us. It's beyond me why we don't rely on it more... or why it's no longer used in schools... hmmmm I wonder... ;)

Being at Home...

2010-03-11T13:00:00.005-04:00

Being at home is not always easy. Maybe if you are alone... but then again, if you are like me, you'd go crazy.
Tuesday, I was reading God's word in Proverbs 9 and boy did He ever feed me a buffet. I thought I'd share it with you... earlier this week mind you but now I finally have a bit of time.

If you want your household to go forward, to grow:

Vs. 1 says, that "wisdom hath builded her house"

build it up, encourage the people you are with
use the wisdom God gave you
do right ALL the time

Vs. 2 says, "She hath killed her beasts"

It requires effort to bring change

"She hath mingled her wine"

requires attention and organisation

"She hath also furnished her table"

have fun, be creative and think of others (as she "furnished" her table, she thinks of those who will be there)

Vs. 3 says, "She hath sent forth her maidens"

ask for help; delegate the responsibilities

"She crieth upon the highest places of the city"

watch the movie "Sound of Music" LOL just kidding...
don't hold back on going the distance to make sure you communicate with people.

Vs. 7-9

don't focus on those who are not willing to change, focus on those who want to grow and walk with the Lord.

It is a vital part of a mother and wife's ministry to help our household grow and draw closer to God. It's hard but so rewarding. I am not always victorious but the Lord is Good and He is Merciful. Life is so much more fulfilling and purposeful in following Christ.

How does God get your attention?

2010-03-08T11:51:00.004-04:00

I have finally been able to go running again. With the 2 storms we had last week, the roads were too bad to go out; I did get a LOT of shovelling done though. :/
I like when I get to go running. I'm at a point where I crave it if I don't get to go, then as I start my first 10 minutes of the run I say to myself, "Ok.... so why do I crave this again???????" lol.
It was so nice out. I was able to wear gym pants and a pullover over my long sleeve T. I wasn't cold a bit. Awesome!
I also like when I go running because it helps me get my day started earlier. For some reason, I have such a hard time getting out of bed when I don't go running. Since my day is off to an earlier start, I get to actually blog! Yay!
Today I was reading in Ezekiel 8 and 9. So many things came to my attention, specifically how the world keeps saying that God has forsaken the world or that He doesn't exist but if only people would read God's Word, they would quickly notice how God shows Himself in this world and is trying to get people's attention.
The one thing of many, that I love is; God's humor. I LOVE to laugh and I think it's amazing how the Creator of our planet and galaxy has a sens of humor.
If you read Ez. 8:3, "And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem toward the north; where [was] the seat of the image of jealousy, which , to the door of the inner gate that lookethprovoketh to jealousy."
I don't know how God gets your attention when you are hard to reach but, in the past, God would take a spiritual black cast iron pan and "ding" me in the head; I'd hear a few spiritual birds flying around my head and have a huge spiritual lump and bruise on my forehead. I was all spiritual ears after that.
I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who, God needs to use drastic measures to get my attention. It seems that God grabbed Ezekiel by the hair, "locks" and pulled him up to see something God wanted to show him. I am confident that this would get my attention.
I thank the Lord that He takes the necessary time to get my attention concerning things I would otherwise not get to learn and be blessed by.
Nothing like a good 'ol attention getter to get me straightened out.

The beauty of homeschooling

2010-03-04T16:19:00.004-04:00

I had mentioned that we watched the Olympics for two weeks and that we had learnt so much. I was able to receive the blessing of that learning yesterday morning.
I had finished my time alone with the Lord and the children had gone outside. We had had a storm, a mixture of precipitation, on Monday and they were finally able to enjoy it. On top of almost 3 feet of snow, there was a sheet of ice. The kids decided the get themselves each a piece of 2x4, the brush for cleaning the snow off the van and some spray paint. (Can you guess what they where going to play?) They took the SILVER spray paint and made a large dot on the snow/ice and gathered in the front of the barn, then later in the field.
I opened the curtains to check up on them and I saw my children taking their turn to scrunch down, and as close to the ice as possible, threw the "rock" towards the silver dot. One of the children then put the brush on it's side to give the next team mate the aim for their throw. In perfect curling position, they tossed their "rock" to knock the opponent out of range.
What a blessing it was as I watched them. I chuckled and thought how blessed I was to be able to be home with my children and participate in what could be life changing learning.
I love seeing the fruit of homeschooling. Teaching my children not only life skills, teamwork and loving the Lord in every day but also academics, is not easy. You need to be organised, determined, know why you are doing it, be consistent and be willing to allow the Lord to work on you in places you otherwise would not have to spend so much time focused on it. It is not for everyone although I do believe that it is the best way for children to learn. I love seeing all this effort and focus grow into good fruit. Other than having the Lord Jesus Christ in my life, it is my favorite thing in the whole world.
Enjoy the picts.

Edifying

2010-03-01T09:48:00.003-04:00

How about those Canadian athletes!?! WOW! I am so excited, impressed and motivated by these individuals. The children and I watched the Olympics from mid afternoon until bedtime and we learnt so many things about other countries and our own. There is one thing that the Lord used to speak to my heart; it is the similarities between the reasoning of changing Olympic venues for each Olympic and my relationship with my children, and other people for that matter.I thought about why they would do that; change the venues for each Olympic and it became clear. Did you notice the "fans" that cheered the athletes? Do you think they got that kind of encouragement in other countries? How about Joannie Rochette... the Canadian figure skater who lost her mom the day her mom arrived in Vancouver? Do you think she could of overcame the same way if she was in another country?
The Lord showed me that my "entourage" needs my cheers and encouragement. They need to know that I am proud of them and that I will act as crazy as I need to so that they know how important they are to me and that "I believe" they can do it, no matter how hard it is.
That made a lot of sense to me. It was nothing new for me but just revision I guess. The Lord then showed me how much this can be used as my testimony of God doing this for me in my life.
Last night, once the children were in bed, after church, my husband and I watched a rerun of the men's hockey game that played earlier in the evening, Canada vs. USA. We already knew that Canada had won but wanted to see at least the highlights. We watched and the Spirit let me in on something and I shared it with my husband. I said, "This must be somewhat how God sees things...(confused look on my husband's face) He already knows the future, what's going to happen yet He watches us go about, encouraging us to make the right decisions, knowing that so many different plays could unfold.
That brought a thought of closeness with God. How awesome He is and how much bigger He is than our circumstances.

Still Learning...

2010-02-22T11:17:00.003-04:00

"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today,
life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.'
'I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.'
'I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.'
'I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as 'making a life.'
'I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.'
'I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back....'
'I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.....'
'I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.'
'I've learned that I still have a lot to learn..'
'I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget
what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

Oh Where oh where....

2010-02-19T12:36:00.003-04:00

has the time gone??? I'm constantly amazed how quickly time goes.
Everyday, after I spend time with my Lord, I note the things He has shown me or taught me. I often think how I would like to share on my blog, what He shown me but, next thing I know I'm washing the dishes after supper and I'm zonked! (beat)
Today, I received an email and thought, "This is an easy copy/paste, I can put that on my blog in no time." So, here it is. Something that blessed me and touched me where I'm at.

Every time I am asked to pray, I think of the old fellow who always prayed,
'Lord, prop us up on our leanin' side.' After hearing him pray that prayer many times, someone
Asked him why he prayed that prayer so fervently.

He answered, 'Well sir, you see, it's like this.... I got an old barn out back. It's been there a long time; it's withstood a lot of weather, it's gone through a lot of storms, and it's stood for many years. It's still standing... But one day I noticed it was leaning to one side a bit. So I went and got some pine poles and propped it up on its leaning side so it wouldn't fall.

Then I got to thinking about that and how much I was like that old barn. I've been around a long time...

I've withstood a lot of life's storms. I've withstood a lot of bad weather in life, I've withstood a lot of hard times, and I'm still standing too. But I find myself leaning to one side from time to time, so I like to ask the Lord to prop us up on our leaning side, 'cause I figure a lot of us get to leaning at times..

Sometimes we get to leaning toward anger, leaning toward bitterness, leaning toward hatred, leaning toward cussing, leaning toward a lot of things that we shouldn't. So we need to pray,

'Lord, prop us up on our leaning side, so we will stand straight and tall again, to glorify the Lord.''

The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir - I´m Amazed

2010-02-13T10:51:00.001-04:00

As promised, The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir with "I'm Amazed"

ALLriGHT!!!!!!

2010-02-13T09:56:00.003-04:00

I am pumped! I started doing 5km on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays then 10 Km on Saturdays. Last week I was a little short on the 10 by 0.8 km and I had walked for a minute. This week, I ran the whole 10km (we had to measure it to make sure it was actually 10k this time) in 1h09 secs! I am very please and motivated. Don't get me wrong, it took a lot of work and encouragement. I had shin splint in my left leg and a cramp in the calf of my left leg. I stopped to stretch it and walked it out for about 40 sec. This happened about 3km into my run... ya... that's what I thought. lol
My best friend started running too and she did her first 5km today in 40 minutes!!!! That's awesome!
There's a song that I listened to while running today. I like it so much. It's from the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, called "I'm Amazed". I like it so much because it reminds me of when I was lost. People thought I was happy and self sufficient, content but really, inside, I was so lonely and sad. Here are the lyrics and hopefully some time today I'll be able to find it and download it.

I'm Amazed
No one knew how alone I was feeling,
And the emptiness I tried so hard to hide
Though I laughed and said my life was fine without You,
I was covering up the secret tears I cried
Then one day someone told me of Your mercy
And the love You showed on a hill called Calvary
There you died and purchased my redemption
When you broke sin's power and set my spirit free

Chorus
I'm amazed that you love me
I'm amazed how you care
Through your precious blood,
I've found pardon
And my sins are washed,
They're all washed away
All my sins are washed away

It's true there have been days when I've failed you
Lord, You know the many times I've gone astray
But I've learned that Your love is stronger than my weakness
And your ear is open every time I pray.
No one else has ever cared for me like You, Lord
Other friends could never be as close to me
I'm not afraid to face the problems of tomorrow
Knowing You are everything I'll ever need

Chorus

I guess that's why I walk the type of walk I do. I know that if I was seeking God yet had a tough exterior, then maybe someone else like that is seeking God. If my aunt wouldn't of stuck out her neck and witnessed to me, maybe I'd still be lost today. I need to stick out my neck and not worry about what kind of people I want to witness to. God knows the heart and He will bring to me those who are seeking, but I need to "cast my bread upon the waters".
Hope your Saturday is one of praising God and life worship to Him.

Comedian Jeff Allen on Underwear

2010-02-12T11:11:00.001-04:00

This is funny!

Christian Comedian Jeff Allen on Exercising and Dieting

2010-02-12T11:06:00.001-04:00

Tell me who and what...

2010-02-11T09:11:00.003-04:00

I often think of people from the bible, and how would they react to how we live today. For example, when I go running, I think how this seem stupid in the eyes of Israel in the old testament. Their lifestyle was only exercise; rubbing the clothes on rocks to clean the stains, kneading the many loaves of bread, the harvest, tiling the ground was done on foot with animals that needed to be made ready etc. Their whole life included what we call exercise so... could you imagine one of them standing on the side of the road and ask me why I'm running? They would probably start running themselves because the Egyptians must be coming or maybe the Moabites! In their eyes, I would be fleeing not running....!
How about the tv? lol! They would see the people in the box and wonder how they got there. Most convicting of all, is the way we dress. They would be scandalized! They would see how wicked this world has become with the majority of woman being harlots, and majority would be an understatement.
Now think about these people, in the time of Jesus, when He began His ministry.
The priests who considered themselves a cut above the rest, trusting in their works for righteousness with God. They met Jesus, listenned to His preaching and teaching and rejected Him because they would have to abolish their "position" in the community and in people's eyes.
I think of Jairus who was a ruler of the synagogue. He knew the traditions, the different steps of forgiveness of sins but obviously recognized the inability of these works to save him, his daughter and wife. This is the man who's daughter was dead and He went to Jesus to ask Him to heal her. The others told him not to bother Jesus since she was already dead but he insisted knowing Jesus was able to do all things. Jesus did go to Jairus' home and rose his daughter from the dead. Jairus and his family's life was changed from that moment on. The law, we know 10 of them as the Commandments, are not doable, they are there to show us our imperfections and I believe Jairus was very aware that he could not attain that perfection and needed the Way, the Truth and the Life.
How about Mary Magdalene? Although she and Jairus have something in common, feeling unworthy of perfection, Mary Magdalene was an extreme case. She felt so unworthy that she washed Jesus' feet with her tears. Have you ever done that during your prayer time; felt so unworthy of God's forgiveness, you cried so much and felt as though you were washing His feet with your tears?
Her life was also changed and she never turned back. There's something to be said for humbling ourselves.
These three types of people are often seen walking the streets, attending the schools, buying in the malls and even living next door. People who trust their religion, their works for salvation, some feeling defeated by the impossibility of perfection and constant falling short and wanting purpose in their life and some feel too unworthy to even come to God.
We could compare ourselves to Jesus' disciples, which technically we are and should act like it. We know Jesus personally, and have spent time with Him. He has taught us truth and commands us to go into all the world and to preach the gospel, to teach them (discipleship) and to baptise them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. ... yet... we are focused on our comfort zone, our finances, our things, our schedule mine mine mine. hmmmmm....
I wonder who I would of been like if I was there during the life of Jesus. Would I of been deemed worthy to be chosen as Mary the mother of Jesus? Would I be the Pharisee who crucified Him or would I be like Jairus who was humble and felt defeated by the burden of sin? It scares me to think how I might of received or rejected Him.
Who do you think you would of been?

Interresting stuff...

2010-02-08T14:32:00.002-04:00

I had a good week of running last week; running 5km on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (break on Thursday) and Friday. On Saturday I ran 9.2Km (those .2 of a Km are very important!). Today, I went for my run but I was a bit tired since my husband and I watched the Superbowl. Well...he did, I went to bed at 10pm. This morning, the roads were full of snow and even the cars were driving slow. I accepted the challenge and although it was hard, slippery and sometimes frustrating, I chose to just do the best I could. I might of ran slower....let me rephrase that, although my feet were going the same speed, my body did not get home as quickly. Confusing?... Try running in the sand... lol you'll get my drift. :) The Holy Spirit just really spoke to me that I just had to try my best and leave the rest. I know by experience that God cares about the small, insignificant things just as He does someone's soul. He cares about my desire to run a 10k and maybe eventually the Boston Marathon so He is helping me train. Will they have snow covered roads in Boston? Probably not, if so, I assume it would be cancelled. But, I know that soldiers sometimes endure hard training which is not directly related to war scenarios but it does build them up, give them confidence and helps them to endure the situations better. I knew that if the Lord took the time to send snow on my community, allowed the plows to not pass by and woke me up at 5:25am, it meant I needed to go running and follow God's physical training exercise for today. I know that one day I'll be thankful. I think that's what Pastor meant in his message on Sunday morning. ... duh ya think???
Today, as I read in Jeremiah chapter 50-52, something really stuck out to me. It was verse 4 of chapter 50, "Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant [that] shall not be forgotten."
The two things that stuck out to me was that WE join OURSELVES to the Lord and not the other way around which we often try to do. We have something set in our minds like how others should be or what should go on in our life and we walk as if God is following us. ... ... ... HELLO!? Wrong.
The other thing was a "perpetual covenant". Perpetual means continual and covenant is a promise, and there you have a perpetual covenant, a continual promise to God and others that you will be consistent in trying the best you can to follow God and do right.
I can't get over how scarce the number of REAL strong Christians. Those who are not ashamed and press forward. We have it so easy here in North America compared to places where the stronger Christians are; being in places where they are not just looked at funny but actually murdered for their faith.
Some people find it difficult to read the old testament and sometimes I find it difficult to relate to or wrap my mind around but one thing is for sure, they went through some amazing things and, in addition to the law, we have so much to learn.
I'm challenged by this scripture and as soon as I can get myself a canvas and paint, I'm adding this scripture to my walls.I want my life to not be forgotten and to be an example of a commitment I made to my God and Saviour to just give my best and leave the rest.

Am I forgetting something?

2010-02-04T20:12:00.005-04:00

Ever feel like your walking away and forgot something?
When I don't have the children with me, I walk around feeling empty handed, like I'm forgetting one somewhere.
I'm sitting here, with that odd feeling. It's only 8:13pm and I have a few minutes to blog and somehow, it feels like I'm forgetting to do something. It just doesn't make sense that I have a few minutes to kill.
... still waiting to see if my mind will kick in and remind me of what I must be forgetting...
Time is so full yet fulfilling. Had a slight set back last week when I pulled two ribs from my spine. I was blessed to be able to get a chiropractor on Saturday who was able to adjust my back and slowly, with two other visits and come acupuncture, I've been able to get back to my routine of things. I seemed to have torn a tendon in my shoulder so that is healer a little slower. Signing requires more endurance than usual but I'm trying to nap once in a while to give my body the ability to heal and it is getting better.
I was able to start running again this week since last week I was in too much pain and didn't want to chance slipping the ribs again. I decided to start my old routine again, being running Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, rest on Thursday, run on Friday, run 10k on Saturday then rest again on Sunday. So far I've done it, and I got to rest today. LOL Of course... today was the mildest day we had all week. LOL.
My husband asked me on Tuesday, "Did you roll your face in the snow?" because the tip of my tuke, above my eyes and the edge of my tube scarf laying on my noes was covered in small white crystals from the heat coming out of my eyes, nostrils and mouth. It was so cold that the heat instantly froze, even my eye lashes had crystals on them and I had to squeeze my eyes shut every once and a while to melt it so they wouldn't stick together. hee hee hee
The thought of going out there in -23C (-32C with the wind) doesn't motivate me to go but once I'm dressed properly and am outside, start to run, there's nothing like it. Wow! It feels so good.
OK! So it's 8:26, I think I'll take advantage of the time of leisure the Lord is giving me and will continue reading, "They call me Mama".

Blessings

2010-01-22T13:32:00.003-04:00

How we overlook blessings in our life. Well... maybe we notice them but do we acknowledge the Blesser?
I went to our ladies fellowship last night and left a little later than I wanted. I love spending time with my friends but I knew that if I wanted to get up this morning to go running, I'd have to be in bed soon.
I arrived home and went to bed, after I kissed my DH goodnight; it was 10:00pm by the time I was in bed. I asked the Lord to wake me up at 5:30 because I knew I wouldn't be able on my own. Sure enough... He did. Blessing number 1!
I was outside, starting to run and appreciated not having to run in the slush like yesterday morning... blessing number 2!
As I ran, the sky was dark and I could still clearly see the stars, just then, one fell from the sky... sigh.... blessing number 3!!!
What I loved the most about blessing number 3 was that it helped me feel God that much closer. It was going to be a special day. ... Blessing number 4!

Time flies when you're having fun!

2010-01-21T14:57:00.002-04:00

I can't believe it's been 6 days since I wrote last, amazing! It's not that I haven't had anything to write about, it's just the end of the day would arrive and I would notice I forgot to blog. God's been showing me great things, some are "reruns" but somethings take me a while. So, while I'm waiting for the cake for ladies' fellowship to bake, I am going to share two of the many things God has shown me. Actually, He didn't show me, He poked me with this truth.
Today, I had a doctor's appointment and you all know how long that can be, so I brought a book to read. I had started reading "They Called Me Mama" by Margaret Nicholl Laird. I read through chapter after chapter and in one of those, Mrs. Margaret went on to tell the story of when she was in Africa as a missionary. She told how a young water boy, from a cannibalistic tribe, had gone into a village to teach them the gospel and had lead many to Christ only a short time after he himself had been converted. Margaret was astonished that he could find the time after his long day to go witness to people in another village. Here is where that story continues:
"He was one of the busiest people around the place. He came to our house at five o'clock in the morning and carried water until six. Then from six to seven he was free to go to the chapel service.
After that he carried water and chopped wood until five o'clock in the afternoon. He carried water from the spring about four blocks away, and he would go to the woods to chop wood for boiling the water; all the water we used for drinking an cooking had to be boiled twenty minutes.
We needed a lot of week to heat the water. He also carried water for baths for the family. And we took a lot of baths because of all the perspiring a person does in the tropics. The big question that stumped us all was, when in the world did Mananga have time to be witnessing?
The next morning when he came up with a drim of water at 5:30, I asked him. "Mananga, have you been going to the Saras' village?" "Oui, Mama" "But when do you go?" "Every night."
"But, Mananga, you work here until the drum beats at five o'clock. how do you get out to the village five km from here before it is dark?""Oh, I don't go by the road, I go through the woods. I get there just when the sun drops. I teach for a couple of hours, then I visit with them. I come home in the middle of the night." "You come home in the middle of the night?" I could hardly believe it. "Oui." " But Mananga, aren't you afraid? We were in a district with man-eating leopards, lions, hyenas, all kinds of poisonous snakes, wild buffalo, and foxes. WE would no more think of going from house to house on the station at night than fly.
...
"But Mananga, aren't you afraid?" He still looked at me strangely. Then he replied, "Mama, were you born here?" "You know i wasn't." "Didn't anybody ever tell you about our mouths?" "Yes, we knew you ate the other white people who came here." "The what did you come for?" "We have come because we believe there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved that the name of Jesus Christ. We believe He died for you just the same as He did for us. So we came to tell you about Him." "And, Mama, you weren't afraid?" "No. We knew God sent us, so He would take care of us." I said this without realizing how wise Mananga was; I hadn't realized what he was leading up to. But as soon as I finished, he looked straight into my eyes and said, "Mama, your God is my God now."
I was rebuked. To think this happened in only a few short months. I thought of the years in my life I had struggled and doubted and of how long it was before I could honestly say that the Lord was really Lord of my life. But Mananga, with his cannibalistic background, knew Christ so well in a few short months that he was not afraid of man-eating leopards or lions. He was not going once in a while on Sunday afternoons. Every night he went out to teach the things he had learned that day. he already had all those people who believed in Christ, including those fourteen stalwart Saras, founded on the Word of God.
He was established in his salvation, although he was only a boy. it came to me that one just doesn't realize that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes. I had to admit to myself that I had thought I was somebody a little bit special. I was a missionary to Africa. I was a superior person, giving my life like this.
But I could not boast that I had learned fast, compared to the way Mananga was already out serving that way. I was a slow learner compared to Mananga. And if Mananga could only look back at those years that had preceded my coming to the Central African Republic, he might have been a little bit disappointed in my testimony.
On the other hand, maybe he wouldn't have. He was so kind, so willing, so everything that the Bible says a Christian could be. i was delighted to be here in this land of miracles I really knew now that this was the place i wanted to spend the rest of my life serving God."

I will not comment on this but I am sure, the Lord spoke to your heart, maybe differently than He did to mine, but what a testimony Mananga had at just a few months old as a Christian.

The other thing was later in the book. She is explaining how she came to be a missionary to Africa. She was at Moody Bible Institute and the lecturer talked about what a blind man said to Jesus that he could see. "I see men as trees walking." The lecturer continues to say, "So Christ anointed him eyes again. And then the man saw every man clearly.
"I'm sure you students all know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour or you wouldn't be studying in a place like Moody Bible Institute, but I still believe there are many of you like that blind man. You still see men as trees walking about."

That was hard to swallow, yet became my prayer at that very moment in the doctor's office; that all man (humanity) would not be like men walking as trees but that I would see all men (humanity) as a soul, some lost and going to hell.

Learning is fun

2010-01-15T13:02:00.005-04:00

I was sitting at the kitchen table after spending time with the children homeducating. I was thinking of how blessed I was to be able to share the milestones of mastering a task, whether it be cleaning, math, reading, writing etc. with my children. It's not always gratifying because the fruit of hard work is not always immediate, but when you get to see the fruit or reward of everyone's hard work, what a blessing it is. Reminds me of a verse in Proverbs 13:12 "Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but [when] the desire cometh, [it is] a tree of life.".
As I was sitting there thinking about the accomplishments we had, I ate my lunch and watched an interesting site outside.
There was a transport truck with a flatbed trailer. It was backing up to load up the trail groomer for the snowmobiles. The trails comes from the Irishtown area, crosses McLaughlin Dr then into the "famous" cow field that our past dog Marty so enjoyed, and joins a trail that can bring you to Bathurst or other closer areas. The groomer prepares these trails which pass by our house.
I watched and wondered how they were planning on loading the groomer since they did not place ramps on the back of the trailer and the flatbed trailer was lower in front of the back wheels so if the groomer came from the back of the trailer, how would he go to the specified room for it? I watched impressed with the truck driver's ability to back that thing up into a driveway; I struggle with the van sometimes! They then separated the trailer from the truck and the groomer drove around, put himself back to the trailer and the ramps were placed there so he backed unto the trailer. I watched as he backed that thing up, tipped forward, eyeballing where the trailer was and I can honestly say, I was stressed out for him. MAN! I couldn't help but sense the groomer tractor tipping forwards then to it's side. I twisted and from my kitchen table, I helped him get on the trailer safe and sound.... hee hee. Ya right. I feel I worked as hard as he did but just from the luxury of my warm house... lol
He made it on alright, as if he had done it before... da ya think? They put the trailer back on the truck and away they went. How impressive! I just sat there content with having gotten instruction on "how they do that" and now I had new knowledge. I can not tell you that I feel I could put the groomer on the trailer but if ever my kids would ask or if those men forget...lol I could tell them what I saw... hmmmm
Actually, that reminds me of when we were in Halifax and I wanted us to take the coastal route to NB. I was convinced it was possible so I went into a Petro Canada in an area just outside of Halifax. I asked the trucker there if "this" particular route would bring us to the coastal route. He said, "SUUUUUURE! Keep going straight on this road, you'll get to an end and have to go right or left, go right. You'll see the coast. When you get to the bridge, don't get off, you'll cross the highway and on the other side you'll have more great coast!" with a huge smile on my face, content with his affirmation of me being right, I said "THANKS!" and gave the instructions to my dear husband.... He humored me. We drove and drove and drove. Farmland after farmland after farmland. Oh! and after the bridge... there were more farmland... sigh.
Obviously, this trucker must of had some type of similar conversation with his wife and recognized an opportunity to put us right wives in our spot. lol. They must of had a great laugh once I left, because what should of taken 2.5 hours for us to get home, took us 10 hours... Needless to say, when my husband says that there is no... whatever it may be, I believe him.

Friendship

2010-01-14T15:09:00.005-04:00

There's something special to be said for friendship.
I just got off the telephone with my dear friend from Memphis, TN. She has been such a special friend; a pure blessing in my life. We have such a "hoot" when we are together or just talking on the phone. We started a tradition quite a few years ago of calling one another on Christmas day and we have tried to keep in touch but life gets a little hectic and we sometimes get side tracked.
We met in 1990 when her and her parents were visiting PEI. They would come eat at the restaurant where I worked and one day I took her out for subs at subway then to the Yuk, Yuk comedians. (appropriately named YUK!) I was not saved but felt there was something different about her, she seemed so... Christian like. In 1991, she was married and asked me to be in her wedding. I went to Memphis for 8 days and enjoyed every minute of it. When I was saved in 1994, I called her up in my excitement to tell her I got saved thinking maybe this is why she seemed different, maybe she was saved too but, she wasn't too sure what to make of it because she wasn't. A few years later she called me to tell me she was saved!
Today, as we talked on the phone, we talked about how good God is, His protection on our life, His guidance, the impact He is having on our children's life etc. True friends.
I am so blessed to have her and the kind of friendship we have but I must say, I am truly blessed because she is not the only friendship God has enriched my life with.
On Monday, we went to my step mother in law's funeral. I miss her but I was not close enough to her to be devastated about it yet, when my son noticed my friend coming down the stairs of the church to join us for the meal after the funeral, I went to meet her and I began to cry. My heart was so blessed to see her. She has a busy life and many children to care for but my husband and I (and children) are important enough to her to make the time to come to a French funeral. (She's an Anglophone) We had other friends who came and that meant a lot too.
Another time, was when the "Rochester group" came in 2006 to help us pass door hangers on every house in Moncton. I was born and raised in Moncton. I could consider Moncton "my people" and that's why, to have a group of people who sacrificed their vacation time, pay, time with family even jobs to come witness and reach out to "my people" greatly touched me. I remember spending a week with them in the morning in VBS, then in the afternoon passing door hangers, watching them witness to anyone and everyone. The following Sunday was the last Sunday for most of them as a second group came for the next week. I sat in my seat crying like a baby. My husband had to get me Kleenex because I was crying so much. My heart was truly blessed with the godly love received by them. I remember as Bro. Gary introduced them one by one, I looked at each and one in particular saw me crying and he had a puzzled look on his face. I chuckle when I think of how crazy I must of seem but my heart was so overwhelmed by the love God transferred to me through them I could not hold it in.
There's something to be said about friendship but there is something sweet about close Christian friends. It's a friendship that has no end, no geographical boundaries, no reservations, no hesitance and only has love, acceptance, compassion, truth and sincerity.
I thank God for allowing me to be the recipient of true Christian friendships who bless and enrich my life. I do not deserve them but I greatly cherish them.

This seems like a long week...

2010-01-13T12:19:00.004-04:00

Does it ever feel like time goes on and on and on? Praise God that for each of us it is but at the same time it can be draining.
I was talking to someone yesterday who said they went to see yet another person in the hospital, who is not doing very well at all. "Enough already!" was the comment and I could relate. It seems things just spin along then something happens to bring it to a halt. I can't help but picture the Road Runner when he goes fast and stop just as quickly; his feet don't move, stopping like on a dime but his body does the doyoyoyong thing. I sometimes feel like that.
Last night was my doyoyoyoung "experience". I was helping my husband insulate the basement outer walls when I received a call from a good friend. She explained that there was a grade 7 earthquake in Haiti where a missionary couple, who are friends of ours live. They had picked up the daughter of a mutual friend of ours and 2 hours later approx. the earthquakes hit. Our friend had not heard from her daughter nor of the missionary couple and their young daughter and new born. We were all very worried. We prayed and I had decided to fast today until we would get news of our friends.
I went running this morning and yet no news. I prayed as I ran and when I got home, there was an email from our friend who said that everyone was ok and that the walls of the house were still standing! I prayed specifically for a miracle and that it was. I also had prayed that God would send His angels to surround them and protect them and He did. What an awesome God we serve!
My prayer now is that the people of Haiti will have tender hearts toward God. It's sad that God sometime needs to yell to get our attention. Why are we so selfish and hard necked? It doesn't mean that all of Haiti is this way, hard necked that is but unfortunately a nation can pay for the rebellion of few. This should encourage us to pray for our nation and Prime Minister and his family.
In the midst of a long week, God still shows Himself faithful.

Being thankful

2010-01-11T08:02:00.002-04:00

I AM THANKFUL: FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS ON THE SOFA
BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

FOR THE TEENAGER
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME, NOT ON THE STREETS.

FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED .

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME .

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING
I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

FOR THE PARKING SPOT
I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING
AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION .

FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.

FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH WHO SINGS OFF KEY BECAUSE IT MEANS

I CAN HEAR.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF
IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

AND FINALLY, FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME.

Live well, Laugh often, & Love with all of your heart!

Her time is done...

2010-01-08T11:48:00.003-04:00

Sadly, my step mother in law passed away yesterday morning around 3. She will be missed!
It's amazing how life is. We're here, then gone. I think back of what my life was before the Saviour became my Lord; before he washed me up and put me on a new course. Life had no purpose, it was all in vain. I believe that there was a God but I did not have a relationship with Him.
When God made me His child, life was brand new; I had a reason for my life. I was (and am) in love with the Master Creator, and life couldn't get any better. Don't get me wrong, there were and are some hard, trying times but, there's something about knowing that someone loves you unconditionaly, always, and forever. He treats you right, know exactly how to comfort you, motivate, inspire and teach you. How wonderful life has been since "Jesus came into my heart". It doesn't get any better than this.
Although I know where I'll be going one day, in heaven, and not because of my own righteousnes, but because of Jesus' it make living here on earth sweeter, more of a challenge yet more rewarding. I'm so glad I'm saved... I child of God.

Time is just passing.

2010-01-06T10:16:00.003-04:00

I just can't get over how fast time is going. It seems you start out the day, turn around and it's the evening. Busy... yes, but I can say that I am doing things to benefit my children's education, upbringing, taking care of my home and husband and I'm even able to use some of my time to help a sister in the Lord in discipleship. With all that, my husband's step mother is dying of liver and spine cancer. She is only 60 years old. It seems that there is no age for death these days. My husband just called to say that the rattling in her lungs has increased and that the extra mural nurse said that the family could expect her passing within the next 24-48 hours. It's difficult to comprehend that just this past November she went to the emergency because of back pain and fatigue. "For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." James 4:14 It is humbling to think that there are people who are lost all around us and that are walking around aimlessly, awaiting their day of judgement. We, on the other hand walk around aimlessly not caring for the lost person's soul. Yesterday, I had asked a friend of mine if she was saved, and she was able to give me assurance that her soul was "fireproof". This lead another friend of mine and I to discuss what is salvation.She is saved but is increasing her learning about witnessing and the whole picture of salvation. As we discussed it, she eventually said, "So basically, someone doesn't go to hell because they sin but because they reject Christ." I gave the example of the question I've been asked by some people, "What about the African child who lives in the jungle and never heard about Christ?" We are judge on our understanding, once we are shown that Christ died for us and that we need to recognize our inability to gain heaven on our own because of our sinful state, this fear or respect for God's holiness should motivate us to accept the gift of God's grace, through faith in Jesus' sinless sacrifice and payment on the cross for our sin. If we reject this grace, even if we have the faith that Jesus did this for us, yet still choose to reject Christ, our soul's future is in hell. It's that simple. Why are we so afraid to give people a chance to reject or accept. We have no problem giving people a chance to accept or reject a business plan, or a relationship with one another, a job, having another child, buying or selling a house but giving people the right to accept or reject Christ is off limits... why? My step mother in law might go to hell in the next 24-48 hours. It's not because of who she is because she was a wonderful, generous, caring and loving woman. She was just never given the chance to accept or reject Christ's payment on the cross for her. I've written her a letter with that opportunity. I hope it gets to her on time and that someone will read it to her. Why do we wait till the last minute? I don't want to do that anymore. I want to care about people's soul. I want to give people a chance to accept or reject.
Our time should not be wasted to see another good soul wasted for eternity in hell.

2 Fold

2009-12-30T09:37:00.003-04:00

Today has 2 fold theme. I just couldn't choose which to share so I'll share both thoughts.
I adjusted my running routine a bit. I get such a charge from going running but I was starting to sense the beginning of a plateau. For Christmas, we got a Wii and with it, the Fitness Plus so I started a routine of running on Monday, Wednesday and Friday with strength workouts and a bit of cardio on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I also downloaded a podcast from North Valley Baptist Church on the family's foundation and that's what I listened to this morning; what a difference! The podcast lasted 32 minutes but I was so focused on the preaching that the run felt like 10 min. I still worked hard, in fact, I think I ran faster because it started before I started and I was stretching when it was over.
The thought that came to me, concerning my run, when I was doing my devotions, was that when I focused on the things of God; the preaching in the this case, running my race was so much easier. All this even if it was -25 degrees Celsius with the windchill and that the road was covered in snow and it was like running in sand. I chuckled to myself and said, "Isn't that the truth! Why do I constantly forget that?"
The other thing I wanted to share was what the Lord showed me in Proverbs 30:19, "The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea". There was a time that even if one was a pagan, they still admitted to there being a creator. they would look at creation and recognize that a "higher being" created these amazing creatures, what they could do, like an eagle in the air, but now, man (human) has become "intelligent". Science through books and television has taught us "the way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock" etc.
This knowledge, you would think, would bring a fear of the Lord and greater respect for Him but the opposite has happened. We have become a puffed up generation just because "we" have unlocked some mysteries. All that understanding has come from God and yet again we give ourselves the credit. How wicked we have become!
It reminds me of the scripture in 1 Corinthians 3:19 "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God."
Can't you just see God chuckling up there in Heaven, like we do when our kids think they have getting dressed all figured out and are proud of their efforts and success but we chuckle at the sight of backward shirts, the clashing colors and the jam on their face.
Oh how I want to fear the Lord every minute of my day, so God won't find me boastful and proud.

Copy/Paste

2009-12-29T11:03:00.002-04:00

What a title eh? Isn't that just how we are in this day and age though? We have become so busy yet lazy that we would just like to "click" on things we have to do or would like to have in our life... copy it, then paste it as done!
Just a little meditation there for you... lol Food for thought though.
Why copy/paste for my title is simply because I've been sent a free ebook and some of these chapters, which are very short are also very to the point and convincting. I would like to "copy/paste" a chapter for you since it really spoke to my heart.

Keys to Kingdom Expansion by Marc Carrier
Chapter 1
I would venture to say that for most of us, God’s redemptive plan for humanity is people-centric rather than God-centric. We focus
on salvation and the benefits of having some kind of relationship with the Lord. As a result, we live our lives and design and execute our
ministries with people in mind, rather than God. If we were honest and looked at our hearts, we might even find that our ministries
minister to us. At some level we seek ministry success to satisfy our desire to accomplish a lot for God; however, the aim is misguided
by our insecurities and deep needs, rather than motivated by God’s glory.
The truth is, our holy and righteous God is somewhat ego-centric—and rightfully so. Everything that was and is and ever will be is
for God and His glory. Therefore, our raison d’être in life and ministry is to glorify God, and nothing more.
Through the fall of Adam and Eve, Satan thwarted God’s plan to glorify Himself through His Creation. Satan mocks God, as if
saying, “Look, the humans you created for your glory follow me—all of them listen to me and sin.” This is a complete affront to God.
Therefore, God’s redemptive purposes—bringing our submission and allegiance to our Creator rather than our deceiver—are designed to
restore deserved glory to God, not simply to give us a get-out-of-hell-free card.
The big picture is this: we are in the center of a custody battle. There is a war raging on between God and His foe, Satan, for the
hearts and allegiance of men. We are in the middle of the battle, but we are not the focal point. It’s all about them. As stated earlier, glory
that rightfully belongs to God has been directed toward the devil and his works via our sin.
He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to
destroy the devil's work. (1 John 3:8)
God, through Jesus Christ, has restored glory to its rightful recipient by turning our allegiance to Him and transforming our lives.
Anything less than full allegiance and radical transformation falls short of glorifying God. Yet God deserves our hearts and our
allegiance, and we are blessed when we catch the vision of serving for His glory!
Unfortunately, in the pursuit of God, we often assume that reaching and ministering to the lost is the end, rather than a means to the
end. As a result, we focus on conversion (saving souls) rather than transformation and seek to meet needs rather than invite folks into
Kingdom life. However, I say it again: the end is to bring glory to God. God’s redemptive purposes ultimately point back to Him.
Conversion without transformation seems to rescue some from a fiery end. However, it fails to bring God glory. You can imagine
Satan still mocking God: “The man you created continues to believe my lies and loves the world and sin even though he knows you
suffered and died for that sin.” The untransformed “Christian” is an affront to God. Satan knows full well that an unfruitful “believer”
makes a mockery of the cross, denies the power of the Spirit to change a life, and makes the faith unattractive to outsiders. You can see
why it is so vital that all of our ministry efforts focus on the Lord and His glory, not on us and our plans.
Pursuing works without a Kingdom invitation likewise misses the mark. Do you think government welfare or the wonderful works
the oil rich Muslim nations do throughout the world glorify God? No way! In fact, they steal God’s glory, because the Body of Christ
should be meeting those needs. However, simply meeting a physical need is not “the end.” The goal should be to offer freedom by the
power of the Holy Spirit through faith in Christ—giving living water to quench the underlying thirst, real food to satisfy the soul’s
appetite, and true victory, to give peace that multiplies. We were created for good works, and faith without works is dead. However,
radically transformed people labor for the Kingdom, not for good works alone.
Nothing short of a radically transformed life brings God glory. Changing allegiance from Satan to God, death to life, flesh to the
Spirit, sin to obedience, the world to the Kingdom—that glorifies our Creator! Satan has no recourse. Extreme transformation results in a
passion for God and fellow man that is unquenchable and leads to works of service, in love. The result: a radical departure from the
world and even cultural Christianity that leaves onlookers strangely curious about the God who can change a person so substantially. As
a result of true transformation, the Kingdom expands organically.
How does your life reflect God’s glory? What about your ministry—what fruit is it bearing for God’s glory? Meditate on such
things.

Hope this will motivate you, encourage you to live for Christ on purpose.

What's for you in the New Year?

2009-12-28T12:03:00.002-04:00

I am not a person of routine although, I am a person who likes stability and predictability but if you were to describe me, you would have to say, I like moving forward.
It seems that every year or two, the Lord teaches me things in "themes". I know it sounds weird. "Our", the Lord and my, year's end is not necessarily on Dec. 31st and is not exactly 365 days or double that but, it seems, if I look back on the saved part of my life, there are dispensations if you will; very deliberate "chapters" in my life.
I remember specifically learning to a deeper level, His mercy for me. It was a life chapter that was humbling, not necessarily public but I constantly found myself on my knees, face to the floor in humbleness to the Lord; in awe that He would take the time to save a wretched person like me. That "season" or "chapter" is part of the backbone of my faith and walk with Christ Jesus.
Another is, just before Jacob was conceived, I knew the Holy Spirit was telling me that a new chapter in my life was to begin. I thought it was something completely different but a new chapter it was!! It was about "just trust God, stand still and let God move".
I believe the Lord is getting me ready for another new chapter; the next step in my walk with Him. I don't know what it entails but I believe it will be a very trying one. (Like silver, I have a lot of dross to get rid of until I can reflect Jesus better.)
Like other "chapters" had "titles", what is on my heart and is very heavy is having a deeper heartache for lost souls. Just in writing that brings a "gulp" in my throat. In all honesty, I've always had a burden for lost souls but not enough.
I believe this year will be one of learning to balance my life as a wife, mom, teacher and woman in church ministry then adding soul winner.
This is not an admirable thing of me to do. We should all be soul winners, but we learn things in different stages of our life; however, it is the great commission for us to go and tell people about God's love for the world. Sending His Son to die a torturous death for us on a hateful cross, to offer us the gift of salvation. We are to bring people to Christ and help them grow in HIM so they can go and do the same.
I am so inadequate to do this and I'm not sure where to start when it comes to balancing my life to allow me more time to witness, but I know it is God's will that we come to this point and He will give me the strength and knowledge I need.
I pray that you will have a blessed time with friends and family, that your new year will be one that shows growth and a drawing closer to Christ especially.

Go See...

2009-12-23T15:37:00.002-04:00

I was listening to a preacher who said something, shedding new light on what had become just a known fact. The shepherds... in their fields, tending to their sheep. It's an ordinary night, cool, dark and lonely. It reminds me of what my life was before I met THE King. These shepherds stood in awe as they saw an angel. What did it look like? I don't know, maybe the sky was lit up but it definatly drew their attention. They afraid, I would be too, maybe thinking "I'm obviously going nuts...", enough so, that the angel had to tell them not to be afraid. The part that really ministered to me was when the preacher said, "the shepherds wanted a Saviour, a King, they needed a purpose so they went to see the babe, the Saviour who was born. They left where they were and met Jesus." Like the shepherds, we need to leave where we are in life and go, go meet the Saviour who was born that we might be born again.
Well, I've met the Saviour. After receiving His free gift of Salvation, He washed me up (from my sin), gave me purpose and a new life. Maybe that's the same for you, then what the preacher said would make you say amen, then think of your unsaved loved ones and friends.
You know, this still applies to us, His children. You've heard things like, "leave Jesus at the wheel of your life" or "God didn't move, you did" etc. When life seems to get dry, lonely and cool, we need to go back to meet the Saviour. He's still where He was, waiting for us to come meet with Him again.
The Spirit really drew that little message, home for me.
Have you ever visited someone that you just didn't want to have to leave? That's how it should be with us. To be constantly in God's presence. How life distracts us at times and steals that personal intimacy we have with THE Creator, our God and Saviour.
Meeting the Saviour was and is the best thing in this life.

It's About the Cross - Christmas Music Video

2009-12-22T11:33:00.001-04:00

This is the reason for the "season"

Notre Champtre.WMV

2009-12-17T13:04:00.001-04:00

Our Farmhouse

Snack on this thought

2009-12-16T10:55:00.003-04:00

Ever wonder why we sin? Why, after being tempted with something, we make the choice to sin? Why do we harden our necks and go through with it?
Sometimes, we find ourselves smack dab in the middle of sin and want to run for our lives but most of the time, we choose to do it. Why?
Proverbs 16:6 says, "By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD [men] depart from evil."
Our problem is that we don't fear the Lord at that particular moment.
Now, I'm not talking about the kind of fear that a child has toward an abusive parent, for example, but the kind of fear that sits in your knowledge, and understanding that God is all mighty, powerful and able to give but also take away. A reverence for who He is. That kind of fear.
Colossians 3:16 comes to mind, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."
If we continually focus on praising God, we will have a reverent fear in our heart toward God.
I can recommend a couple of sites that our family listens to all day. It is www.fbnradio.com who has preaching and music, and my favorite station is www.wordoftruthradio.org (click listen, then "relaxing hymns station", then choose "listen with windows", then ok) This station has only instrumental hymns. I wake up in the morning, after my run, devotions and shower, turn this station and allow the Holy Spirit to dwell in our home all day. It sets the tone for righteous living.
Well, so much for a snack. Hope your full.

Run (your name), Run!

2009-12-15T12:11:00.002-04:00

I tried to find a "catchy" title about running but my mind is a blank...lol
Yesterday, I went running and as always, it felt great. I am amazed at the detoxification that's done from running or walking at a fast pace.
I haven't been following the suggestions that I put on top of the blog because I didn't find it challenging enough. Once I saw I could run the whole distance, I decided to just keep it up and build up my endurance.
When I went running yesterday, I saw something that scared me but the thought of sharing what I saw made me laugh. Here is the scenario in sequence.
I'm warming up with a brisk walk. "It's hard to walk today (yesterday), the snow/rain that fell made the roads slushy, it's like walking in sand. Hmmm where could I walk? In the tire track or should I walk here, on the side of the road where there is just snow? Well, look at that! I just crossed over a trail of fresh deer or moose tracks....sigh..."
Now you can say you've seen inside my mind... lol. Yes, this is how I talk to myself, that's what I sound like... lol
Ya.. so I was a little freaked out when I saw that and was very quickly reminded that I had not prayed for the Lord to protect me, needless to say, I jumped into that mode in no time.
BUT TODAY! I was bringing MJ to come walking with me. I did not need to be afraid. Slim, tiny, timid MJ came for a run with me. When we almost arrived back home, I chuckled to myself thinking, I'm not sure who I would be safer with, Samuel or MJ.
Anyway, I ran a little faster and thought I would put a bit more resistance in my workout, and MJ was all for it. This is the game we played... ok, she played, I resisted. Every time a car would come by, which was more frequently as we got closer to 6:30am, MJ would get scared and want to run through the ditch and into the field... so I resisted... hence tug of war was added to my cardio workout because it was not challenging enough it seemed. :/ LOL
I say that with a tone of comic because that's how my mind is when it comes to unusual events in my life, it keeps me laughing which I LOVE to do.
So, that was my running experiences for yesterday and today. Tomorrow, I plan to bring MJ along again since it's good for her and I DID feel a little safer, maybe it's because I was running faster.
In my devotions today, I was reading in Proverbs 15 and Jeremiah chapter 23 and 24. I noticed that in Jeremiah, we read much about how God is not impressed with the prophets who lead His people astray, saying, "God has said..." The Lord talks a lot about how He will "take care" of the wicked which has led my thought in the direction, which is incorrect, of why is He not "taking care" of the wicked in today's day and age. Why are there people who hate God, deny their family of time and affection for the love of trips and toys and that they seem to have it all? I know that they don't but our flesh will sometimes look at others and wonder why is my hard working husband who is growing in the Lord and serving God not getting a break and they are? Or maybe we focus on why not me?
There are so many answers, that we can find in the bible for those questions and I found another one today in Jeremiah 24. You would need to read the whole chapter to get everything in context. It is a short chapter. Basically, God takes something Jeremiah is noticing and using it for an illustration to help Jeremiah to understand what is going to happen. God says that He will," I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for [their] good. For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull [them] down; and I will plant them, and not pluck [them] up."
These people, who served God, were being brought captive by King Nebuchadnezzar into another country to be slaves, yet God is going to use this for good in their life.
Sometimes, we think we have it rough, like running in the slush, but we don't see where this part of life is bringing us. We think we are captive and fell enslaved by a trial but in reality, if you are right with God and He is not trying to get your attention because you have turned your back on Him, He is using this for good.
My running in the slush, made me have to work harder, my feet were wet and cold but I can feel a difference in my thighs today and the firming up it has done. "Playing" tug of war with MJ this morning when a car drove by will help build her trust in me and perhaps do something I can't see yet.
Having a relationship with God, that is being fed with having communion with God, spending time talking and listening to Him and reading His Word, is one that is compare to a hiding place or a refuge. When you don't understand the trials of life, instead of "murmuring and disputing", we can just trust in our Lord to guide us, teach us and to draw strength from.
This is what makes a relationship with God become so sweet.
How appropriately is Jeremiah 24:7 (we can count on Him 24/7), "And I will give them an heart to know me, that I [am] the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart."
That is the purpose and it is repeated over and over again in the bible like in Romans 8:28-29, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren."
Run the race, don't get sluggish.

I present to you...MJ!

2009-12-14T13:58:00.003-04:00

She is a shepherd mix. I think she might be mix with Doberman, somewhere down the line. She is very polite, sweet and gentle. MJ is 9 months.
When she arrived at home, on her leash, she walked through the house with Samuel by her side. He really loves her. She got to sniff every room but the dinning room and kitchen. Calico, our female cat, and MJ met at the stairs to the basement. At first Calico kept walking towards us, she then noticed MJ and quickly ran away. MJ just stood there and sort of like saying, "Is it something I said?" lol. She just turned around and kept exploring the house.
The kids went outside with her twice already and she seems to really like it. We are keeping her on her leash for now, which was suggested by the SPCA. She didn't seem to do well while be tested with handling. In other words, would get agitated when being touched or patted quickly. She is responding really well and I think, so far, she is the perfect match for our family.
We had prayed that the Lord would help us find the right dog and that we would know when we saw him/her. As always, God has been faithfull.
I would like to encourage you, if you plan to get a dog, to visit the SPCA or shelter in your area. It is true that many dogs have issues but they deserve a good, loving home. The people at the Moncton SPCA were wonderful! They were more than willing to help, answer our questions and give us advice. The whole experience has been a blessing and we learnt so much.
Here are some very amator photographs of MJ (Mary Jane) only an hour after getting home.
The last photograph, almost puts a knot in my throat, seeing Samuel and MJ enjoying one another.

Going to get our dog today...

2009-12-14T10:45:00.000-04:00

Stay tuned, I will have picts. and notes.

Some Funnies...

2009-12-10T11:40:00.002-04:00

Do you remember the show, "Kids say the darndest things!"? I used to love that show.
As we did school this morning, Jacob said something that made me chuckle which then reminded me of something my oldest son told me the other day, which made me laugh.
Thought I'd share them with you.
If you have one, please post it.

Jacob, finished writing a sentence in french and read it to me, then said, "That's impressif eh mom?!" LOL "Yes, you're right... ".

Samuel was sitting on the love seat in our bedroom, watching me do my hair before we went out. He said to me, in French, "Mom... I'm glad you're fat." I waited to see where he was going with this, although, in my mind I was shocked slightly offended... lol. "Really, why?" I replied. "It's just because, with your hair like that and your face, too many men would want you." My heart melted and I couldn't help but chuckle inside. hee, hee, hee. I wasn't sure how to respond to I just said, "Oh, I understand...."

Enjoy the funny things your children say because Proverbs 17:22 says, "A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. "

A Day Full of...

2009-12-09T08:47:00.009-04:00

Today is and will be a day different than others. Why?
1st Today is the first day, since my third child, that I went jogging, not walk/jog. YA! I warmed up with a 5 min. brisk walk then, I jogged, and jogged and jogged. I decided that I would just keep going until I needed to stop. I was able to jog until the last two minutes, which I walked to cool down. When I woke up this morning, I was so tired, I didn't want to go walking at all. My body was lazy and I had a hard time to snap into it, but I knew I would feel better after so I went into the VERY cool air and started walkin'.
2nd After my devotions and shower, I was drying my hair and notice something sparklling. Yup... it's another grey hair... I'm not sure how I feel about it. Mind you, this might be the 3rd grey hair I find; nothing major. lol I find it somewhat funny because, I remember what I thought of people who were 38... "she's old!!!". I don't feel old. Actually, I feel like I'm still a young adult, 22 or 23 years old. I'm sort of in shock, realizing that life is not going backward but forward and that we don't live forever. We know this in our mind but sometimes it's as if we are in denial. Concerning my grey hair, I'm not sure if I should start covering it; dying it or just let it all go grey. I can't picture my self in grey hair...LOL. Some people actually look better in salt pepper color hair. As for me... hmmmm not sure.
3rd Yesterday, we went to the Moncton SPCA to see their dogs. The people there are amazing! It was a wonderful experience thus far. We went back and forth from one dog to another, trying to see what dog would be the "right one". We spent time with two dogs, one named Cody who we found out is very dominant and has an obedience problem like climbing on the cupboards... ya... that's what I said. Then we spent time with Lexi who is a black part lab/boxer. She is beautiful and a very good dog. She did try to be dominant by jumping on Samuel and I and do what seemed like a dance. I found this strange and asked the worker there why she did that and she was the one who explained to me that Lexi was trying to dominate us and that we needed to be firm and pull on her collar to the side while saying "NO!". "She will quickly learn that you are the ones in control." She only did it 3 times, the third time she came down right away. There is one problem with Lexi, she sees cats as prey and should not be around them. hmmmm... that's a problem since we have a cat and she's timid already. Today we plan to go to the SPCA again to spend time with Lexi again and see if we can spend time with Bessy who is also a fixed Female. She is a black lab mix, I don't remember with what. She is better with cats and she's younger so perhaps she would be a better match.
4th During my devotions, the Lord showed me something I never noticed before. In Proverbs 9, we start with "wisdom buildeth her house", a woman who is wise and she shows it by how she prepares her day ahead of time, she cares for her family, reaches out to others to teach them and draw them to understanding. I've read through this proverbs many times and remember reading about the foolish woman who does nothing and is lazy. What drew my attention, that I had not noticed in detail before, was that in the same proverbs, we begin with the wise woman and we end with the foolish woman who both call out to the simple. One difference is in the obvious, one is wise and the other foolish but, the perhaps not so apparent, is that as they both call out to the simple, the people react differently. It is not said exactly how the people reacted toward the wise woman but, God takes the time to specify that, the foolish woman is ignored by the people; Proverbs 9:15, "To call passengers who go right on their ways". That was, for the first time, very obvious to me, the differences not only in the women but in how the people reacted to them. Food for thought. So, "A Day Full Of lessons to be learnt and new accomplishements".

What's the difference?

2009-12-08T09:15:00.003-04:00

I went walking/jogging today. I was supposed to go yesterday too but I over slept. I regretted it so much, because I was really looking forward to going. Today, I jogged more than I walked. Warmed up for 5 minutes brisk walk, then I jogged for 3 minutes, walked for 2 minutes then jogged about 3-4 minutes. I walked for 2-3 minutes then jogged most of the way back, maybe walking a total of 2 minutes. I then cooled down with 2 minutes of walking.
I wore my boots this morning... no, not my high heel boots; my husband asked me that with a strange look on his face. lol I went with a pair of winter boots that my cousin gave me; I got a blister and they were not comfortable when I walked, hence why I ran more than usual. (Maybe I should of worn my high heel boots.)
It was cold this morning but the sky was filled with stars and the moon shined my pathway again this morning. I woke up early, starting my "run" at 5:46am. I felt soooooo good after I was done. I must do some research on the effects of walking/running, outside, first thing of the day, I'm sure there must be some detoxification that happens because I feel so good physically when I go out running in the morning.
Anyway, that's that.
I read in Proverbs 8 this morning, "bet" you can't guess why... lol. I also read in Jeremiah 17 and 18. I was specifically struck with the call of wisdom. Over and over again, Proverbs 8 talks about knowledge, understanding and wisdom. They have very similar root meanings but by looking in the dictionary, we see that although these words begin with similar meaning, they have different ways of manifesting themselves.

Definitions:

Knowledge: acquaintance with facts, truths, or principles, as from study or investigation (2) awareness, as of a fact or circumstance.
Understanding: mental process of a person who comprehends; comprehension; personal interpretation.
Wisdom: the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight.

God is very specific, with and through His Word, He never leaves us confused or "hanging". 2 Timothy 2:15 says, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Through study (definition of study: application of the mind to the acquisition of knowledge, as by reading, investigation, or reflection), we get knowledge, we then get understanding by thinking on these things that God has shown us and "putting the pieces of the puzzle" together, then by recognizing our responsibility to what God showed us, we apply it into our life and practice, show and use what we have learnt. This is wisdom.
James 1:5 says, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
If you struggle with applying the things God has taught you and shown you in His Word, ask Him to help you develop the ability and will to show these new things in your life.
I noticed that God teaches in increments, little by little, adding new understanding and desiring me to add to my knowledge, temperance (consistency), patience, godliness...(see 2 Peter 1:5-8).
It's no wonder that God created all things to grow. It's also no wonder that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (see Proverbs 1:7). Learning/studying of the things of God will help us know Him better and recognize His power, grace and mercy. We then grow in these last three things.
We serve an awesome God.

Vanessa Williams - Oh, How He Loves You And Me

2009-12-07T11:29:00.001-04:00

Through life God constantly shows us His love for us; first through the death and resurrection of His ONLY Son, through the forgiveness of our sins, then through everyday life.

Ouch! That's sharp!!!

2009-12-07T10:21:00.002-04:00

You know who "Zorro" is right?! He's a man, mostly dressed in black with a very sharp sword; it's so sharp it can slice a "Z", in a tight black fabric tarp, with just the tip of the sword! (It's not real, just a movie...) Although that's a movie, Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." I know for a fact that this scripture is absolutely true, aside from the fact that the whole bible is true, I know this by experience also. Once, while going through a very valley in my journey, I decided to go see my pastor and his wife for counselling to help me get to other side of the valley. This valley did not just include me so I had to learn how to persevere whether the circumstances changed or not. It seemed that nothing the pastor said was getting through. In my heart, I kept saying, "ya but... ya but... ya but...!" Then the pastor quoted Philippians 3:10 "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death" hoooooof! It was someone punched me in the stomach. I began to cry uncontrollably. The word of God, His sword, had pierced through my hardened heart and showed me that it didn't matter what the circumstance was, I had a choice to make: whether to accept the opportunity to know Christ in a deeper way through sufferance, and seeing His power manifested in that situation, or to turn my back on a deeper relationship with Him for the temporary satisfying of my flesh. To stay where I was spiritually and to never see the circumstance really change but get worst because only the power of God could change it.
I went home that day, still sobbing, knowing not only what I had to do, but what I wanted to do. I wanted more than anything to see God's power manifested in my life. I wanted to see a miracle and be a part of it. I wanted to be drawn closer to God; to have REAL fellowship with Him. I could never experience what He, Jesus, went through but He knows my struggles as if they were His own.
We, my Lord and I, made it through that valley, and I DID see the power of God manifested in not only my life but of others.
Often while reading the specific scriptures intended for that day, God takes His Sword and takes just the tip of it, and cuts through my soul and spirit, to show me something He wants to change or to take out of my life.
This morning, I read Proverbs 7, then went to Ephesians 4 and 5. As I began to read Eph 4:1, "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called." I had noted beside there from a time past, *wife and mother*.
The tip of God's Sword just tapped on a particular spot in my heart. Reminding me that my present "vocation" is wife and mother, along with teacher to my children and to other women in the church. He reminded me that I have a responsibility to walk worthy of that vocation. How can I "be a duck if I don't walk like one"?
I stayed there for a while, meditating on what God was showing me. Thinking about how difficult that can be at times. Life as a Christian is not always easy if you are seeking to grow and you don't think more of yourself than you are. I felt the nudge to keep reading. Eph 4:2 said this, "With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;" Ahhhhh... the encouragement of the Lord, just a reminder that He "will never leave us nor forsake us".
Lord seeks to have a real relationship with us and this requires somethings on our part:

We need to be born again, once by flesh but then again in the spirit. By accepting we are a sinner and God is Perfect, Holy and Just. That we need to be reconciled to Him by accepting the free gift of salvation, by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ only. Not our works, nothing can be added to it. Then by repenting, turning away, from our sins and asking Christ to wash our sins away. Making Him our Saviour. Then living for Him, being a testimony to others.
We need to be sincere, everyday, towards God. He knows our frame, in other words, He knows we are not perfect, that we fail. We should not pretend to Him nor to others that we are, or that we have it all together; God and others can see through that.
Read His Word daily, and spend time just talking to God and allow Him to talk to you. Just "shut up" and listen for His still small, but powerful, voice.

I love that intimate relationship I have with the Lord. There is nothing on this earth like it. I can't imagine my life without it. Eph. 5:19, "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" so, I want to share this hymn with you.

At the Foot of the Cross

2009-12-04T18:43:00.004-04:00

Yesterday, was to be rest day for the daily walk/jog, I did that yet, I had the hardest time getting going. I dragged my feet all day. The first of two times my feet actually left the floor was when the Bathurst SPCA said we were approved and we could go get Kody. I literally leaped for joy. I was so excited! That's probably why I cried today when we both, DH and I, accepted that now, was not the right time to buy a dog. We would be best to put the money in things to finish the house so we can get our mortgage. It was hard to accept, we all wanted to have Kody. I'm thankful that there was another family looking at him so he will have a home soon.
By the time we would of drove up to Bathurst and back, paid for the dog, got his rabies shot, which was required and his tags it would of cost the same as what the spindles are costing to finish the railing for the stairs. This would not of been a good example of being good stewards.
We are also experiencing another illness in the family which could be deadly, we don't know if it's before or after Christmas. The results should be in by the end of next week.
It's only been 2 years, in October, since my husband's father passed away with lung cancer, my grandmother who was 95 died of breast cancer this fall, and now perhaps another member of the family has cancer.
Sometimes life seems crazy, almost in vain. There are battles no matter where you turn, Christians who allow themselves, including me, to be used as a tool for Satan and cause division, strife and mislead those who are not saved. "What is this all about?" we could ask ourselves but it needs to be all laid at the foot of the cross. Our struggles, our hurts, our fears, our insecurities but especially, those who we pray for and try to lead to Christ. That's what it's all about. Being willing to trust God, willing to be used as a vessel, willing to run the race in a way that pleases God and draws as many people to Christ as possible.
It's hard to separate our human duties and spiritual duties sometimes and find the balance but I have found that when I lean on God and just trust in His decisions for my life, spend time in His word and in fellowship with Him, I am much more willing to just follow.
We need to be willing, to be willing.

Seeing ahead

2009-12-02T12:49:00.003-04:00

Wow... I feel like all is a blurr. I just ate some pasta and I'm ready for a nap...
Things are pretty busy here today but let's start at the beginning.
My morning walk/jog.
I woke up a few minutes late... 5:50am. Samuel seemed pretty tired walking yesterday so I asked him if "he wanted the day "off"", he told me if he wasn't awake that I could go running without him. It did take some convincing because he wanted to make sure I was ok to go running alone. "You're not scared to go alone?" "No, because the Lord told me that He was protecting us, we would be fine." "Ok then." It was nice to have some quiet time and just push myself to the max.
It was a crisp morning but I had long undergarments so I was nice and warm, and when I arrived, I was definately warm. The sky was clear, hence the cooler temp., and I coud still see the stars. The moon was bright, even shinning through the trees' skeleton, leaving their shadow on the road. I could hear the trickeling water in the ditch and the crackle of the cold branches. It was beautiful.
I tought to myself how awesome it is to have a God who looks out for you and know well in advance, your need. He knew I would be alone to walk this morning so ahead of time, He prepared the moon to shine at it's brightest to light my way.
My devotions
The Lord never ceases to amaze me. Imagine if I were closer to Him, how many more blessings I would see, touch, hear and feel! As I read His word, it comes alive on the pages. Seeing the turmoil of Jeremiah and the anger of the Lord towards the people who purposly lie about Him, misleading those who are seeking. That is specifically what the Lord showed me this morning. In combination with reading Proverbs 2, it seemed it was a theme for today. God considers it very important to be close to Him so we can have wisdom, knowledge and discretion, along with other important things. With these things, He can guide us, direct us and help us stand but, without spending time in His word and in fellowship with Him, we lack these things.
My weight loss
I have a juicer and love using it. I thought that there must be some juice recipes that could help me with my weight loss, and sure enough I found many recipes. HINT*** greens: broccoli, sprout, spinach and celery are great weight loss helpers. Mix this with carrots. with a dash of Cayenne pepper, which helps to kick start your metabolism, and voila! Here's one I'd like to try soon. Coconut, celeri and spinach. mmmmmmm wow! They had suggested to keep vegetables with vegetables but one recipe I really like is 3lbs of carrots and 2 granny smith apples.HELLO! That's good!... I'm ready for some juice!
School...
Going really well. Yesterday, we did an experiment. Can liquid move upwards if it is not be sucked up like a vacuum or pushed up? The answer is yes. If you put a bucket of water and stand up a straw in that bucket, the water will begin to go up. In our experiement, we had to put water with food coloring in one plastic see through cup, rolled up a piece of paper towel, place it in the colored water, then put the other end of the paper towel in an empty plastic see through cup. The colored water eventually "climbed" up the paper towel which a few hours later, it had totaly gone into the other cup! That was so cool! Samuel's light bulp went off and he ran outside. He had remembered that this summer, he had cut a stem of a branchy weed and noticed a sponge like center. He went to get one to try the experiment on it. We cut the bottom in half on the length and saw the sponge like material he reffered to. We dipped it in the colored water and watched the green liquid "climb" up into the stem of the weed. Now THAT was cool! All of a sudden, we had new "knowledge" of God which taught us the fear of the Lord. The more we know about His creation, the more we recognize it's awesomness, the more we reverence, honor and respect Him. What a mighty God we serve.
Now...
I need to finish up my house work, fold clean clothes, iron a bunch of them, bring Dominique to piano, come home and get ready to make supper which we will be soon after leaving to go to church for bible study.
It's a full day but a blessed one none the less.
I still need a nap...

Today's walk

2009-12-01T18:09:00.003-04:00

This morning it was CRISP! HELLO!!
We started walking at 5:56am. We slipped a couple of times but never fell. There was a slight covering of snow so we could see better. The black road we could find no problem, against the white snow but the black ice on the black pavement was a little harder to spot.
Samuel has been getting pains in his side and I think it's because he's not breathing right, so he's been concentrating on that. Needless to say, walking fast and breathing right is hard to do when you are concentrating on one and not the other.
We both agreed that we should probably wear long johns tomorrow.
I found a neat site if you are interested. I think I would like to download some of their podcasts.
http://www.5k101.com/
If you like to download podcasts, may I suggested:
http://www.nvbc.org/preaching_podcasts/index.html for some good preaching.
Today, we have a friend who went to visit a dog we are thinking of getting. He is part lab part Bernese. BIG DOG!
She had nothing but wonderful things to say about him so I will be passing along this information to my husband, and maybe we will have our new dog. Here's a picture of him.

Until we meet again...

How's your girdle feeling?

2009-11-30T14:25:00.002-04:00

That's a pretty funny topic seeing as I'm trying to get into shape... well any shape but round, square, rectangular and any of those that have more than three sides... My run? Went well thank you. Samuel and I are still going together. I am going to see his hockey game tonight, it's at the same time as Jacob's gymnastic so Moe and I are splitting the "team", I hope to see the improvement in his game because of the running. We did 5 minutes walking and 1 minute jogging. It felt good. We were able to pass the mid point today; that was exciting. It was not raining either so it didn't seem so dark out besides, there was a lot of traffic so the road was often lit. Ok... back to the girdle. "Girdle: The girdle is an indispensable article in the dress of an oriental : it has various uses ; but the principal one is to tuck up their long flowing vestments, that they may not incommode them in their work, or on a journey." I was reading in Jeremiah chapter 13 today and God asked Jeremiah to do a little experiment. God asked Jeremiah to get himself a linen girdle and put it on his loins then to bring it to the Euphrates, dig a hole then to put the girdle in it and cover it back up. "After many days", the Lord told him to go get the girdle out of the ground where he hid it. The girdle was "marred, it was profitable for nothing." This is what the Lord told Jeremiah after the experiment. "This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing. For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the LORD; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear." You know, this is not much more different for us today. The Lord really spoke to me about this. Questions I asked myself:

am I refusing to hear God's word when He shows me something specific I need to address in my life?
Do I direct my life in the desires of my heart instead of God's desires for me?
Do I have things in my life that are more important to me than God?
Do I make more effort to satisfy or please those more important things?
Do I find rest, encouragement and glorify those more important things?

If so, I am as useful to God as that girdle would be to me if I was trying to do some work, going on a long journey or to battle and have that long robe wrapping itself around my ankles. I am profitable for nothing. You know, I have so times where God says (paraphrase), "Thumbs up girl! You're getting it, keep it up!" but if I'm honest to myself and especially before God, He often has to correct me, nudge me over a bit or just plain out rebuke me. Sometimes, the desires of my flesh become priority in my life and not God. God is so merciful! I can't begin to express how thankful I am that Jesus died on the cross for my sins and give me an opportunity to accept the Father's free gift of salvation. Without it, I would never have a chance to see my Father's face one day. To hug Jesus and tell Him how much I love Him. I would be cast into hell for eternity. I might not know as well as God knows "my frame", but I definitely I am not worthy as Jesus is, yet He's the one who paid the price. What a good God we have. Today, because the fashions have changed, we no longer wear girdles for the purpose it once had. We use belts but, looking at the statistics of overweight people, I would say we wear belts for the sake of fashion and not for its purpose. I think it's a mirror image of today's society. We have become so fat of ourselves and our own agenda that we think we don't need God. We only wear Him, His name that is... Christian, for "fashion" sake. The reality is, we are going to be unhealthy and die a slow and painful death, yet at a younger age than necessary. Just like our spiritual; we will be unhealthy therefore, producing no fruit (good works, and bringing others to Christ), and die a slow and painful death because life will be so boring, uneventful, a waste of time, and without God's hand of protection and blessings... then we'll die, come face to face with our Maker to answer, "as a saved person, my child, what have you done with the life I gave you?" The similarities between the experiment of the girdle and our choice of how we live is amazing! I want my Lord, God and Saviour to be as a girdle for me, purposeful, close and needed.

Are you circumcized???

2009-11-27T09:16:00.002-04:00

You must think I've lost my marbles to ask that question, but as usual, there's a reason to my madness.
I was reading in Galatians 6 today, along with Proverbs 27. In Galatians 6, Paul talks about circumcision, should you or shouldn't you? The part that really struck me is this verse, Galatians 6:13 "For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh."
Here is what's going on. There are people, Gentiles (non Jews) who have been saved and are not circumcised because they never followed the Jewish custom; and there are Jews who, because of the Jewish custom, have been circumcised. These same Jews are trying to influence the saved Gentiles to be circumcised; I'm assuming because they are now in a faith that began in Jewish history. There are two problems. 1. These Jewish people in question are not even following the law of the Jews, sort of just have the name of being Jewish and one symbol to mark them apart and that's it.(Sort of like people who call themselves Christians but don't go to church and have never accepted Christ as their personal Saviour) Paul feels that if the Gentiles get circumcised, which has NOTHING to do with salvation, will boast the Jews and make them believe/think they've been able to side track the saved Gentiles.
I couldn't help but think of this in today's world.
Sometimes there is good Southern Gospel music on the "Christian" radio station here. I'll turn it to that station and we, the kids and I, hear what sounds just like worldly music, a bit heavy, with Christian lyrics. Needless to say, it quickly grieves our spirit and we go back to listening to the CD we were listening to.
Think about it. The music part of "contemporary Christian" music sounds like the world's music, they don't even believe the same as we do. They don't acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Son of God, who died for our sins, a torturous death at that, and is risen again, sitting at the right hand of God. They don't follow, respect, acknowledge or live any of this, yet we choose to "uncircumcised" ourselves (take off our standards), and be like the world. All this in the name of drawing people to Christ, so we think. First of all, do we think that by having an unsaved person listening to contemporary "Christian" music will give them a desire to become like Christ? The message is loud, "don't change, there's no difference between you and me, we still act foolishly, we still satisfy our flesh, we are still selfish." There is no difference between us and the world AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS, Christ died for all and salvation is available to ALL, but the bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." Can we not praise God in softness? I do recall that God has a still small voice and when He can't get our attention, He yells, and it sounds/looks like what happens just before we drop to our knees in beggingthe Lord for mercy, whatever that might be for you. If God speaks to us with a still small voice, and we appreciate his softness and just sincereness of His love for us, don't you think that's all He wants from us?
Why do we think that we need to act or be like the world to draw them to Christ? If we are following them, they are looking in front of them, not behind. If God is hidden under all that worldliness, do you think they will notice Jesus Christ in us IF they happen to glance back to see who is following them? I dare to say no.
The bible calls us to be separate, different from the world. When they see us devoted to a God who deserves and merits our adoration, commitment and surrendered life, they will look back to see who's following and notice that there is nobody, but people are following us, who are following God, and will stop in their tracks, watch, listen and begin to walk in our direction.
Let's not be circumcised, taking off our standards and our white robes of righteousness that Jesus Christ paid highly for. Let's be separate not only in music but in all things of our life. Let's surrender ourselves to the way God wants things done.

The X Factor 2009 - Daryl Markham - Auditions 2 (itv.com/xfactor)

2009-11-26T15:02:00.001-04:00

Simple Understanding

2009-11-26T14:16:00.003-04:00

A couple of days ago, the Lord showed me something specific in His Word that brought a deeper understanding of something He previously showed me.
I was reading in Proverb 24, because we were the 24th day of the month. I read and stumbled on the the inspiring verse 3 and 4 being, "Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious pleasant riches."
I paused there for a moment, meditating on the beauty of diligence and purpose. I then continued and came upon:
vs 31, "And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, [and] nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down." **note** grown over with thorns/ Do you want a family who's thorny; touchy, aggressive?
vs 32, "Then I saw, [and] considered [it] well: I looked upon [it, and] received instruction." **note** people watch and consider our ways then they judge what brought us to the state of our family; laziness, inconsistency. They will see us as needy.
vs 33, "[Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:" **note**inconsistency, and putting no effort, selfishness, laziness
vs 34, "So shall thy poverty come [as] one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man." **note** vs. 4 talks about pleasant riches whereas vs. 34 talks about poverty that comes as one that travelleth (poverty touches/travels in every part of our life)
I don't want verse 34 to happen to our family, but how can I make sure I am a woman of understanding?
A few years back, the Lord spoke to my heart about when my children talk to me, I need to look them in the eyes, this tells them that they are important and have my attention. This will help give me their heart.

Understanding begins with listening
Proverbs 8:33 "Hear instruction, and be wise"
Proverbs 5:31 (b) "Bow thine ear to my understanding"

Then with reading His Word
Proverbs 9:10 "...knowledge of the holy [is] understanding"

We need to pass that understanding to our children by teaching them God's Word. Helping them learn Scripture. Using God's Word in comparison to their actions helps them to commit Scripture to memory and as an adult it will keep them.

Proverbs 1:8,9 "My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they [shall be] an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck."

A few Scriptures for misbehaviour

Doing things in secret; being sneaky proverbs 15:3, "The eyes of the LORD [are] in every place, beholding the evil and the good."
Lying Proverbs 12:22, "Lying lips [are] abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly [are] his delight."
Being mean to others Ephesians 4:32 "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
Putting other down Philippians 2:3, "[Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."
Bragging Proverbs 27:2, "Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips."
Doing things slothfully, 1 Corinthians 14:40, "Let all things be done decently and in order"
Busy bodies (mind your own business) 1 Thessalonians 4:11, "And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;"

Reacting in anger Proverbs 15;1, "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."
Consistancy is THE hardest part of being a parent, as far as I'm concerned, but God's Word promises me a reward if I am deligent.
Proverbs 29:18, "Where [there is] no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy [is] he.

Run Baby Run!!!

2009-11-25T13:39:00.003-04:00

Well, today was day two and I got up a little later, 5:51 am and Samuel, our eldest son, wanted to come with me so I got him up and we left. My son was amazed that it was so dark and one of many questions he asked me was, "Is there more than just one street light?" Samuel is not a nervous type person but he was anxious about this walk in the dark thing. We got to 8 minutes and we arrived where there are woods on both sides of the road and no street lights. I could hear a rustling but I thought it's probably just my hair against my coat so I ignored it. A little later, Samuel asked me, "Am I talking too much?" I wanted to say, "Yes" but I didn't have the heart so I told him, "If talking takes away your nervousness, I don't mind." he said, "OK". LOL I guess he was nervous because he kept going....LOL I enjoyed yesterdays peace and serenity but I enjoyed spending this time with him too. I heard this rustling sound again and paid more attention to my hair against the coat and it wasn't that at all... ok, so now I'm nervous so I told Samuel, "ok, now it's time for us to jog..." LOL so we did, until I felt far enough from what ever was making that noise. Sure enough, I couldn't hear the rustling. That was scary because we had to walk by there again. YIKES! We turned around at 15 minutes, a little further than yesterday because, remember we jogged a bit of the way... LOL. I suggested to Samuel that since these houses were closer to the road, maybe we should whisper. We kept walking and once we got to the tree section of the walk, I listened intently. It was drizzling "...but not enough to make the leaves make noise... wait a minute," I told myself, "there ARE no leaves!" Now I was freaked! No problem, "It's time to jog again Samuel." and jogged we did... and jogged... and jogged, until we reach Mr. Fisher's house. It's amazing how much better in shape you think you are when you fear an animal might be prowling the edge of the woods where you are. ANIMALS! You say? Uhuh! Hear we have bears, moose, deer, bobcats and coyotes. We got home safely, two minutes early, so we walked it out in the yard and decided that tomorrow we are bringing a flashlight.

On The Run...

2009-11-24T17:49:00.003-04:00

Perhaps you've noticed that there's a day that was missed with my running program... I started today instead of yesterday since I went to bed too late on Sunday.
This morning, I woke up at 5:09 am then I finally got up at 5:41 am, got dressed and head outside for my first walk.
I felt crazy at first; you see here in the country, in November, it's dark and there are hardly any street lights. Did I mention it's hunting season too? Ya... so I walked at a steady pace, don't worry! lol. I checked my watch 2 min. after I started, then 5 mins. after I started and already I was bored. LOL I kept walking, checking my cell phone for the time, to make sure I walked 15 minutes one direction then another 15 back home. I laughed to myself because I couldn't wait to tell you that it was so dark, that when I opened my phone, it would blind me so when I looked away, I could see a greenish/yellow rectangle... LOL After about 10 into the walk, I started getting into it. At 14 minutes, I stared at my phone to make sure I turned around at 15 exact and that I did. The number changed from 4 to 5 units I spun on my heels and headed back home. I quickly discovered, by the burning sensation in my "buttock" that I was now walking uphill. mmhmmmm! It was obviously getting close to 7 am because there was starting to have traffic. LOL still dark though; everyone had their high beams.
I must say, that it was a good first walk, me and I and myself laughed hysterically the whole time.
When I got home, I stretched, grabbed a fresh cup of coffee, headed upstairs to sit on the sofa in my bedroom and spend time with the Lord. He laid something very interesting on my heart; showing me new things in His Word, things I never connected so deeply. Unless something else should be posted, I plan to post what I learnt.
If you have begun this running program with me, let me know how your day went.
May the Lord bless you.

It Was a Sad Day At The LeBlanc Residence Today

2009-11-20T19:16:00.004-04:00

It started out a day like most others then... Today, as I opened the door to call the kids in to get ready to go for groceries, Marty ran outside. He never did that before, he was getting really good at sitting and waiting till we had the leash and coming only when we were ready to clip it on him. He got really excited to go see the dog across the street. He made it there with no problem and Samuel went to get him. (It's a female dog...) In back of that house is a cow field and when he saw Samuel, he thought Samuel was playing with him so he started running. Samuel, who is 11 tried to get him but Marty is a fast runner. I was in the van, getting ready to go down the road where we can get to the end of the cow field when a grey van drove by. I was talking to the neighbour who was on the driver's side of my van and the grey van was going in that direction. In a bit of a distance, Marty jumped out of the ditch and the van hit him... Samuel saw it all happen, in detail. He screamed and we heard him from where we were. He, Samuel, just screamed a sound and ran over to Marty who was still alive. The grey van slowed down but never stopped. I sped behind him, going 140km/h I caught up to them. I drove in the middle of the road and kept my right hand on the horn, while I waved him to pull over from outside the window. He finally stopped and I went to the door. It was an older couple and the driver, man, was about to get out. I told him, "Why didn't you stop! You just hit my son's dog and he's there crying, completely devastated and you just drive off?! What's up with that!?" I was shaking like a leaf. He said, "I didn't realize I hit him. We were heading to the hospital." I wasn't sure if they were rushing there because of an accident or for an appointment. I told them that I wanted their phone number. They asked why. I told them, I would not bring them to court, nor call the police because they didn't stop. (at that point, I didn't realize technically, we were in fault) I told them that I wanted to be able to contact them for my son's sake. "He just witnessed his dog get hit by a van, that's traumatic for a child!" The man asked how old he was and I told him. They gave me there number and I left. I got to Samuel who was crying and helpless. Our neighbour was with him. Marty was just laying there with blood on his paw but otherwise seemed ok. I went to console Marty because every time a car or truck came by he started crying and was afraid. I would pet him and shhhhh him to help relax him. Our neighbour said we shouldn't touch him in case we hurt him and he lashes out; biting us. I couldn't hold back and neither could Samuel, so we slowly started to pet him and comfort him. He couldn't get up. I knew he needed to be brought to the vet but I also knew we couldn't even afford the appointment so I called my husband and he came home from work to see Marty. Poor Marty, when he saw my husband, he started wagging his tail but he still couldn't get up. My neighbour has the female dog and read that we should have a blanket and water for him, so she went to get a blanket for him and she put it near his head when he laid his head. Moe arrived shortly after that and once a women, who is a dog groomer, stopped on the side of the road to come see, she felt she recognized him. It's the groomer on Elmwood Dr. She suggested we bring him to the vet and we could follow her to a good one. The neighbour went to get her dogs muzzle so Marty wouldn't bite us out of pain. The first time they tried to lift him, while laying in the blanket. Moe couldn't alone, Marty was in too much pain. The woman helped Moe and so did our neighbour. I brought Samuel in the van, he couldn't handle hearing Marty cry from the pain. They finally got Marty in the van and my husband said he would call me, and that I was to go do all that I had previously planned to do. We parked on the side of the road and prayed. Samuel started by thanking God for allowing him to be able to have Marty, asking that He would help him but that he would not suffer. I then prayed that Moe would have wisdom in making the right decisions that He would give the vet wisdom and that it could maybe not cost too much. We then headed to town. We went to the bank, then to the library when Moe called me. I chose to only tell Samuel when we got back in the van because I knew he'd be devastated. Moe told me that Marty's shoulder was badly broken and his paw was hurt. They would usually put a cast on a dog but in this case, because Marty was a big dog, they would have to operate. The surgery would cost between 600$ and 2000$, with his heart in his throat and tears in his eyes he said he told the vet to put Marty to sleep... Samuel cried so much when I told him. His first question was, "Did it hurt Marty to be put to sleep?" Samuel loves Marty so much. We went to Costco and did the groceries we needed to do, then brought Christmas wish list to the aunts that requested it, to them and to my mom to drop off some stuff she asked for. My husband called to see how Samuel was doing. I told him that I could not be that strong if the same thing happen to me at his age, he was really being mature about it. We had talked on and off about it in the van, where most of our best discussions happen, God knew. Samuel said that he forgave "the couple who hit Marty, it was just an accident." Later he told me, just out of the blue, "I wish I would of closed my eyes." He could see it happening over and over. He told me several times how it happen from where he was standing. It makes me cry just to think of the pain he is experiencing and the visions he has in that little innocent mind of his, I wish I could take it away. We're home now, and the house seems so empty....We miss him so much already. Jacob, who is 7 said, "Oh well we won't have to worry about loosing his leash in the snow." Samuel feels awful for the previous owners who felt that God wanted us to have him and sacrificed much to allow us to have him! Samuel said, while driving in the van that he felt like he disappointed the previous owners, because they allowed us to have Marty, thinking we would take care of him but we didn't because he died. I spoke to the couple a little while ago and explained to them what happened at the vet. The lady was very sorry. I could tell in her voice she was remorseful. She explained to me that the reason they had to go to the hospital was because her husband was having an ultra sound to his heart (ecogram) "and it didn't go well..." My heart went out to her. We had lost a dog but she is loosing her husband. I told her that I was so sorry and that we are Christians, believing in forgiveness. We just wanted to put this behind us. She heart fully apologized again and asked that I relay that message to Samuel. I told her that Samuel forgave them and that although Marty is not replaceable, we can always someday have another dog, but if it were my child, it would not be the same. I was thankful that Samuel had not been hurt. I want to post some photographs of Marty, just in memory of him. He was a cuddly big baby. He loved to play and run away with stuff...LOL (I found my shoe under the stairs) He was not a human but we loved him just the same and we will miss him.

Looking back

2009-11-19T11:10:00.004-04:00

This morning, as I began my time alone with the Lord, I opened my notebook where I sometimes write my prayers or notes of what God shows me in His word. I saw the list I had made in June of all the "challenges" I faced while living in the RV. I wrote this list so I could go back to it and appreciate what I had now. How quickly we forget what God does in our life. I won't give you the whole list since it's quite long but, a few of the points I had already forgotten are:

mouse poop in the cutlery
mouse poop in the girls' clothes
mouse poop in Jacob's clothes
mouse poop inside the folded blanket on the window
...the dead mouse in the furnace (that's why the furnace was making a loud noise)

What the Lord blessed my heart with and that I had already forgotten are these ones:

Having to hang outside the door in a blizzard to talk on the phone.

Having to hang outside the door and being eaten alive by muskitos, to talk on the phone.

Reading those brought me back. I could see and feel myself in that position again. I could feel my skin pinching from the cold wind on my nose and forehead. My fingers beginning to hurt from the chill in the air. The annoyance in my attitude, wanting the person on the other line to consider my state of my discomfort and hang up. (How could they know or even understand unless they had experience the same thing?) I remember constantly battling between my flesh and my spirit. I wanted to have physical comfort yet I wanted to be "content in whatever state" I was in. South of the United States would of been dandy at times... LOL The bible says in Philippians 3:13, 14 "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." This is true when it comes to the bad things that happen, perhaps a circumstance or a sin (or sins), or falling in life; just get back up and keep "trucking". The bible also explains in the book of Joshua, when the Israelites were about to enter The Promised Land and God stoppped the flow of the Jordan River so they could cross over on dry land. God asked Joshua and one man from each tribe to get a stone from the river, before God allowed it to flow over again, and build a memorial with those stones. The last verse of chapter 3 of the book of Joshua says, "That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the Lord your God for ever." It's good for me to leave the hardship of my personal experience of living in the RV from November of 2008 to June of 2009 behind but, I must take what the Lord taught me and remember where He brought me from. I never want to forget how hard it was to live in the RV for the span of 3 seasons, because I always want to appreciate the seemingly small blessing He continually bestows on me.

A matter of the heart

2009-11-17T10:30:00.003-04:00

As I read God's Word this morning, in Jeremiah chapter 7. The Lord made more apparent how His house was being defiled. People thought that their deliverance gave them a "free pass" or a "get out of jail free"; being able to do what ever they wanted.
It looks a lot like today's Christians. Thinking I have free will to do what I want because I'm saved but that is so untrue.
In Jeremiah, God told them that what He told their forefathers was not to start DOING things like the sacrifices at the altar, He asked to be their only God.
The scripture says in Matthieu 6:31" Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you." I used to think that "things" meant only... things that we want but the Lord showed me a deeper meaning to that verse.
When God is the only God in my life and doing His will is a priority to me, all the other things I struggle with or that He asks of me will come easier because my heart is in the right place.
Doesn't that make sens?
God wants to be our only God, His Son wants to be our Saviour and the Holy Spirit wants to lead and draw us closer to our Father, for those who are saved.
Today I'm going to offer my heart to God, that He will be the only God in my life and I know, He will keep His promises, never forget me nor forsake me.

A few good men

2009-11-16T12:46:00.001-04:00

A real MAN

2009-11-16T09:59:00.002-04:00

I did not make an error with my caps. button being on, were as to the title. I wanted to bring attention to every word there... real.... man.
Today's society has such a warped concept of what a real man is; Mr. Olympia.... black boy with the cap pulled down with the beek to the side... one who has a strutt, how about the sucessful man with a lot of money... a man with secular power. So many different thoughts of what is a REAL man.
A few weeks ago, I heard somewhere and can't remember where (LOL), (I know... vitamin B12), about the five finger prayer. Some people say they don't know what to pray about... I can't imagine that myself, but the five finger prayer has helped me to have confidence that I've prayed for those I usually forget like our Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his family. The five finger prayer goes like this:

The thumb is prayer for those who are near to you; friends and family.
The index is the teaching finger; pray for all the different teachers (Sunday school teachers, the saved teachers in the public school system etc.)
The Middle: pray for those in power and authority (Your husband, pastor, President/Prime Minister)
The Ring finger: pianists know this is the weakest finger, pray for those who are weak. (backslidden, the sick, the poor, just struggling)
The pinky; the last finger is you. Pray for your needs.

I say all this because, this morning as I was praying, I prayed for those in authority, including my husband. I then prayed for those who are weak and I was reminded how there are some husbands who are stressed out with the lack of means to provide for their family and are ready to give in, of husbands I know of who are struggling to stay on the straight and narrow; staying out of the world, of husbands who are saved and they are content to stay there, and the list goes on.
I did, nor do I now, see them in a bad light, we are struggle and I beleive that Satan puts a harder attack on the men because of the authority, responsability and influence they have on their home, work place, church and ultimately community.
As I began to pray for the men of our church, sister churches then the Lord brought me to pray for the men of all bible beleiving churches especially. To pray that they would learn to fear God and want His power and hand on their life. That the desire of their heart would be to please God in all things. To have an unshaking trust and faith in our God who can do all things. That they would have a compassion and burden for lost souls. We, not just the wives, but the church, the community, need men who are willing to stand and be counted. To be bold and lead in righteousness and desire to see the lost saved. To be examples of godliness not fleshliness.
Where does that leave us women? On our knees. We can't change the population of saved men who are not standing as soldiers for Christ but the Holy Spirit can.
Where does it leave the men who have a heart for the things of God? To take another step up; the other men need to see their example.
The Lord reminded me of the story of Gideon who finaly trusted God and lead men to the battle of freeing the Isrealites from the Midianites.
Judges 7:2-7 "And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that [are] with thee [are] too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me. Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever [is] fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand. And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people [are] yet [too] many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, [that] of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go. So he brought down the people unto the water: and the LORD said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink. And the number of them that lapped, [putting] their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water. And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the [other] people go every man unto his place."
Notice that God did not need MANY men, just specific men. Men who laped the water out of their hand. They took care of their need of thirst but they kept their eyes on the purpose and possible danger.
You see, if the men got down on their knees and drank from the waters like an animal or on their knees, face down and laped the water were putting their group in danger. They could not see the enemy who might be in the bushes or over the mount. Those who stood, perhaps crunched down, got water in their hand and laped out of the hand, while watching around them were wise and prudent. Wouldn't you like to be on that person's team?
Women, I challenge you to pray for your husband's protection, wisdom to do his job well in order to give glory to God. Pray also that his heart would be tender towards the things of God and that he would have a fear of God. Pray that he would have a desire to be prudent and a soul winner. Pray that God would give you a faith that will endure through the hard times and do right at all times. To be the mom and wife you need to be so your husband (and mine) can have the liberty to seek God's face.
Don't forget to pray for the men of your church especially those in leadership, that they would not have a heart that seeks for himself but for the glory of God.
Stay on your knees. (meaning in prayer obviously)

no matter what

2009-11-13T09:10:00.004-04:00

Isn't it hard to be a mom sometimes. It's hard when you feel like you have nothing left to give but you have to go on. When you're sick but you can't just stay in bed and "rest". It's hard not to be bitter and selfish. Then, God send you things to gently bring you back to where you should be. The circumstances don't change, your feelings don't change, just your focus. A couple of days ago, I received a prayer request from a church in Rochester NY, about an unsaved mother of 3 who had a headache so went to bed early. She started to have seizures so she was brought to the hospital. The doctors found a mass of blood on her brain and gave her 2 hours to live. She did die, leaving her husband and 3 children behind. She was 30 years old. My heart goes out to those children. The husband will get back on his feet although he will need the Lord to help those children grow up without mom. This brought me to another thought, perhaps guided by the Lord, what if she wasn't much of a mom? A mother who neglects her children physically, mentally and emotionally. That is even more devastating. A mother should be an righteous influence on her children, giving them hope and a desire for righteous living before a Just and Loving God. She loves them unconditionally, even when she feels neglected herself. How else will these children grow up to be what she so much wants them to be, if she doesn't show them how. How will they have faith in the power of God if she doesn't let it be manifested in her? Then the Lord allowed someone who sends out "thoughts of the day" and it was just what I needed. The warm arms of the Lord stretched out to me to love me and encourage me. I'm so thankful I have God who loves me and knows where I am physically, spiritually but also emotionally. Here is the "thought of the day" that encouraged me so. When the going gets tough, your world seems to crumble around you -- distressed, forsaken, unwanted -- the just man encourages himself in the Lord.

He leans not on his own understanding. He trusts not his feelings and experiences. He remembers Gods's past favors and present benefits. He claims the promises of God -- by faith -- and he keeps on keeping on. He doubts not in the dark, what God has shown him in the light.

1Sam. 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

Heb. 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

Prov. 24:16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

Rom. 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Coram Deo — Before the face of God — Living life in the presence of God, under His authority, and for His honor and glory.

Have a blessed day!

Fat cat can't reach to scratch it's chubby cheeks

2009-11-10T19:34:00.001-04:00

Have you ever had one of these days?...