Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Enough!

Have you ever been confronted with the same situation time and time again?
Does your reaction change each time or do you keep reacting the same old way?
Someone told me that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over,
and expecting different results.
I have a tendency to be reactive! 
There I said it....maybe you know this about me, maybe you don't.
But I am honestly sick and tired of it!
Dang it, I do not want to go around this mountain again!
As I spilled this out to a friend yesterday, he told me exactly what I needed to hear.
I will share it with you, in case you need it too......
Be good to the person who is not being good to you,
and don't get upset if they do not recieve it the way you are hoping they will.
I believe that the Holy Spirit will convict that person of their wrong in due time.
In the meantime, I can only work on me and my attitude!
I will allow God the space and time to do the work only He can do in each of us.

You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north! 
  Deuteronomy 2:3
(exclamation mark added by me...I think I need it :D )

Thank you Daddy that You love each of Your children so much.  Thank you that You have given each of us Your Holy Spirit and therefore I am released from doing that job for anyone else.  Please give me the grace I need to continue to do good, as I wait on You and trust You to work in both of us.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Bible Study

I had a lovely time with my bible study pals last night!
It's hard to believe that a year ago, when I felt God call me to do this thing I was terrified.
Like, "God what are you thinking? Me? Really? I'm terrified of women!"
Well He had other plans, He always does!
And you know what they are good!  I love these ladies!
They are sweet, authentic, teachable and just plain fun to spend time with.
I am amazed, yet again, how God can take something that terrifies me and turn it into
something that brings me so much joy and life!
Who knew?  Well of course....He did!

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
 because the LORD has anointed me
 to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
 to proclaim freedom for the captives
 and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
 and the day of vengeance  of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
 and provide for those who grieve in Zion -
   to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
   the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
   and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
  a planting for the LORD for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61:1-3


Thank you Daddy for taking me out of my comfort zone!  It has taught me to see the beauty in other women, that my perceptions from past experience were totally shattered....and that is such a good thing!  I also learned that as I trust you, and follow your direction, that you will not embarrass me or make a fool of me.  If I truly trust You, Your power and anointing will be there to make it all work out for Your glory.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Saviour and Friend

 The LORD has made proclamation
   to the ends of the earth:
“Say to the Daughter of Zion,
   ‘See, your Savior comes!
See, his reward is with him,
   and his recompense accompanies him.’”
They will be called the Holy People,
   the Redeemed of the LORD;
and you will be called Sought After,
   the City No Longer Deserted. 

Isaiah 62:11-12

When I read this verse I got so excited for two reasons:
1. I am a daughter of Zion!
2. My Savior is coming back one day!

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
   but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 18:24

The benefits of spending time in God's Word are amazing.
Taking time to see what He has done and the promises He has made help me to understand God's character.  This in turn builds my faith and helps me trust Him more everyday.
We spend all the time:
 - we spend money on the things we need and want.
 - we spend time with people that are valuable to us.
 - we spend energy on the things we are passionate about.
I want to spend my time, energy and money on things of eternal value.
To invest in the One who is my Savior and friend....then to bless those in my life with the overflow of that relationship.


To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before 
  his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 
to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority,
   through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. 
Jude 1:24-25

Thank you Daddy that every good and perfect gift comes from Your hands. May you be glorified in all that I do, all that I say and all that I spend my time, energy and money on.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Stand

Be self-controlled and alert. 
Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 
1Peter 5:8

I have been spending time reading through the times when God won battles for the Isrealites.
It is amazing really to see that so many times they were grossly outnumbered.
So many of their leaders would be considered weak, ill-equipped, inadequate for their calling.
God always brought victory to those who kept the faith and stood firm.
They were alert to what God was saying as they faced daunting circumstances.
Our enemy is very really and his goal is to steal, kill and destroy.
His tactic is to divide and conquer.
But I will choose to stand, knowing that God is bigger, stronger and higher!
Joshua, Gideon and David's stories all showed that it is not by power or by might but by God's Spirit that we battle and overcome our enemy.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, 
against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, 
you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, 
to stand. 
Ephesians 6:12-13

Thank you Daddy that the Truth of Your Word has power.  
Please help me to be self-controlled and alert.
I will put on the full armor of God, please help me to discern Your voice, to do Your will and when I have done all You have asked me to, to stand.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Godly Friendships

Spending time with friends today, we were discussing some heavy topics.
It is such a joy to be in relationship with other women, who like me,
want to deal with the circumstances of life through the filter of God's Word.
To be in a safe place where we can share our concerns and search our bibles
for God's answer's and solutions to these concerns.
Then comes the sweet times where we can encourage and pray for each other
....what a blessing.
This is what I believe is the goal in friendships with other women!
Prayer is a beautiful thing....the glue that holds our most precious relationships together.
I see it in my peers and within the small group of teens that I get the privilege
of "doing life" together with.
I love how Titus reveals much about relationships.
(I would read it changing the words men and slaves to friends to 
make it more applicable to my circumstances.)


You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. 
Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, 
and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, 
not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 
Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 
to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, 
and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled.
In everything set them an example by doing what is good. 
In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech 
that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed 
because they have nothing bad to say about us.
Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, 
not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, 
but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 
It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed
hope —the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, 
Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness 
and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
These, then, are the things you should teach. 
Encourage and rebuke with all authority. 
Do not let anyone despise you. 
  Titus 2

Thank you Daddy for the precious and beautiful relationships you have placed me in.  I believe that there are some women You have hand-picked for me to spend time with right now....ones that spur me onto a life of love and godliness.  Thank you that You have wired us for relationship, because life is sweeter for the girlfriends You have surrounded me with.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

A New Thing

When I intentionally take time to be still before God, something amazing happens.
HE SPEAKS!
In many ways really and it is so individual for each of us, that is another reason I am amazed.
I have felt the nudge to not allow the pressures and expectations I've put on myself to rule me.
It only leads to distraction, heartache and feelings of failure.
So, I have not been trying to rush through my to-do list, I have not been on a reading marathon.
I have been reading my bible, taking much time to pray, and expecting to hear from God.
Then while enjoying worship at church, the Holy Spirit washed over me...
it was all-consuming and I could no longer speak,
I just stood in His presence with tears washing down my face.
Those closest to me know that this is the kind of experience that breaks my heart,
and at the same time is overflowing with joy!
Then my good friend shares what God spoke to here the night before....and it shattered me!
In a good way.....He blew my socks off....He is so good!

“Forget the former things;
   do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
   Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
   and streams in the wasteland. 

Isaiah 43:18-19

Thank-you Daddy for meeting me where I am at.....for reminding me that You are good and You are God!
I am so excited to see this new thing You are going to do, and I wait expectantly for you to reveal to me what You have in store for me!

Friday, March 18, 2011

Content to Be

How many times do I strive to do the things I should, be the person I think I should be,
and meet unrealistic expectations that I alone have put on myself.
I was thinking about it yesterday when I changed things up from what
I had planned to do over Lent with this blog. 
I am not called to be strict and legalistic, but to walk in freedom and lead by the Holy Spirit.
Since I was away on holidays, I have found something that I wish I would
have "got" a long time ago.
I know I have probably said this to my friends, but I just recently received it in my soul;
I don't think that we are always called to DO, but sometimes we are called to just BE.

Be with the lover of my soul.
Make time to pursue a deep and intimate relationship with Him.
Take time, expecting Him to work in my heart and do big and cool things.
Wait on Him to speak to me.
And so, I continue to ponder the names of Jesus, to get to know His character better.
So the I am better able to discern his voice from that of my own thoughts.

This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you
   that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. 
Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 
  and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.
For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the 
  land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Deuteronomy 30:19-20

Thank you Daddy, that because of Jesus I can live in freedom!  And thank you that You have given me the Holy Spirit as my guide.  As I take time to ponder Your character, please help me to continue to choose life daily.  Thank you for all the amazing promises in Your precious Word.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Somthing a little Different for Today!

Today on this beautiful snowy day, we get to celebrate our oldest son!
Seven years old.....wow.....time is flying!
Some of my favorite things about Caleb are:
  • his love for God at a young age.
  • his sense of wonder with nature.
  • his compassion for other people.
  • his fun-loving spirit.
  • how he loves to spend time with me.
  • that he tells me the things of his heart.
  • that he loves to encourage people.
  • that he has a good sense of right and wrong.
  • that obedience matters to him.
I could go on and on....even some things that drive me crazy, really are great things.
Like, I can't imagine where he got the need to constantly talk. ;)
Couldn't have been from me....LOL!

 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
         The fruit of the womb is a reward.
 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
         So are the children of one’s youth.

Psalm 127:3-4 NKJV

Thank you Daddy for rewarding me with two beautiful boys! I thank you for the blessing each one is to our family. Please bless Caleb today, as we celebrate his seventh birthday.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

The Light of the World

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 
  "I am the light of the world. 
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,
   but will have the light of life."
John 8:12

Jesus is the Light of the World!
Does it feel like you are stumbling in the dark?  Look up!


The LORD is my light and my salvation—
   whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
   of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 27:1

We can hold our heads up and trust Him!
Ask, seek, knock....He is ready to give abundantly more than you can ever imagine!

 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. 
Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  
In the same way, let your light shine before others, 
that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16


Hmmmm....let's be challenged to take what God has given us, and let our lights shine!

Daddy, may You be glorified in all that I think, all that I say and all that I do!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Holy One

I know who you are - the Holy One of God!
 Mark 1:24b

Jesus is perfect.
He came to earth, the One Who knew no sin, became sin, to redeem us from it!
He is without sin, this verse shows that even evil spirits know that!
They recognized Him immediately....and yet we did not....the ones anticipating
the Holy One of God did not.....how sad that makes me feel.

  I saw the Lord always before me.
  Because he is at my right hand,
  I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
  my body also will live in hope,
because you will not abandon me to the grave,
  not will you let your Holy One see decay.
You have made known to me the paths of life;
  you will fill me with joy in your presence.
Acts 2:25-28

And yet there is hope!
Jesus the Holy One did not see decay!
He is seated at the right hand of the Father....God is faithful and true!

Thank you Daddy, for the fact that I have hope because of Your Holy One, Jesus!

Monday, March 14, 2011

The Way, The Truth and The Life

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

Jesus is the Way to God.
He is the path to truth and life.
I've highlighted this verse in pink in my bible.
There are so many people that say that there are many ways to the Father.
That is not what Jesus said.....

I would like to share the lyrics at the beginning of a great song;

Who is Like the Lord.....by Unhindered


I hear voices in the distance,
But my heart is in resistance,
Trying to discern and learn the heart of the One for whom my heart burns.
Raising against lies of the enemy,
Claiming darkness the greater reality.
But there's something bigger than you and me,
Bigger than what I can see:
A city on a hill calling life to those who follow.
Healing and wholeness for those who sorrow.
Who holds the stars in His hand?
Built His temple in mortal man?
Called dry bones to rise and stand?
In the beginning was the Word,
The Word became flesh,
Darkness is history, that's the rest.
Who is like the Lord?
Who shows unfailing love to the undeserving,
Holy God and humbleness serving.
Those who mocked and crucified Him.
Dead, buried, rising again!
And us with Him!
Singing with Him in heavenly places
Higher than these earthly spaces.
It is finished, the ransom paid, foundation laid,
New hope, new life, it's a brand new day!



I am so grateful that I know You Jesus, and not just about You.
That I can rest assured that I know the true path to the Father.
Thank-you for all You have done and continue to do in my life.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Faithful and True Witness

and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, 
  the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.  
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood
  Revelation 1:5

Jesus is faithful!
 
Sing to him a new song;
   play skillfully, and shout for joy.

For the word of the LORD is right and true;
   he is faithful in all he does.
The LORD loves righteousness and justice;
   the earth is full of his unfailing love. 

Psalm 33:3-5

The Word (Jesus) is right and true! 


Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
   and your dominion endures through all generations.   

 The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises
   and faithful in all he does.

Psalm 145:13

Thank you Daddy that I can trust You, because You are my Faithful and True Witness.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Author and Finisher

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,  
 who for joy set before him endured the cross, scorning it's shame, 
 and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 
Consider him who endured such opposistion from sinful men, 
 so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
    Hebrews 12:3-3

Jesus was at the beginning of creation and will be there to the end.
He is the author and perfecter of our faith.
This makes me think of Him as the great story writer.
And each of our lives is a beautiful story, handcrafted for His pleasure.
Every part of the story intended to increase our faith.


"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God,
 "who is, and was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
     Revelation 1:8

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."
    Revelation 22:13

Thank you Daddy that You were, You are, and You will always be!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

The Word

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
  He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
  In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
  John 1:1-5

The Word.....He is not merely information......
but the effective, powerful Word that calls creation out of nothing and life out of death.
Jesus is the speech uttered by God the Father and sent forth by the breath of God's Spirit.
Jesus is God's Word!

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling amoung us.
 We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, 
who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
  John 1:14

Thank you Daddy for Jesus, The Word of God!

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Traditions

I am really excited that Lent has begun, not all churches celebrate Lent...but I grew I in the Catholic church, which is rich with traditions, and this is one I continue to observe.

What is Lent? It is the 40 days prior to Easter, when followers can take some
intentional time of repentance and seeking God.
A time for preparing to remember His death and celebrate His resurrection.
Today is Shrove Tuesday, a day of feasting, my son will enjoy a pancake lunch at school
as they kick off the Lent season together as a community in the Catholic school he attends. 
Often this type of meal is eaten today, because many will fast from eating
many rich things over Lent.  Some earthly pleasures will be set aside so that we
can dig deeper into relationship our with God.
Our time of reflection will begin tomorrow with Ash Wednesday.
Will I fast? Yes. What will I focus on....the names of Jesus.  I hope you will join me!

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
  I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the
   traditions just as I passed them on to you.
1Corinthians 11:1-2

Thank you Daddy for traditions, things that help foster an attitude of repentance and rememberance.  Please help me to prepare my heart for the lent season.
Show me what I need to repent of, and help me to change.
Thank you for sending Jesus for me, may my life be a good example,
one that makes people want to know you more.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Aloha

We just came home from a beautiful holiday in Hawaii, and I have to say the most beautiful thing that I took away from it was the lifestyle of Aloha.

The word itself is used to say hello and goodbye as well as; love, affection, compassion, mercy, sympathy, pity, kindness, sentiment, grace, charity, greeting, salutation, regards; sweetheart, lover, loved one, to love, to be fond of, .etc. Last but certainly not by any means the least of the contexts, is a breath, or to breathe, but with a distinctive emphasis on the breath, as the proverbial "breath of life".

The island was full of beauty and nature screamed of the magnificence of our great God.
It all brought me full circle, to a great gratitude to the giver of life and all that He has created.
But what astounded me the most was the beauty of the people that truly lived the lifestyle of Aloha. Oh how we could use a bit of Aloha in our Canadian culture.
To slow down and value the people in our lives and not be so driven by performance.
To have fun with one another, celebrate with one another and to love each other deeply.

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.
1Peter 1:22

Thank you Daddy for the opportunity to enjoy and amazing vacation with my family. It was awesome to see so many things that are not here in our country, and be so blown away yet again by your creation.  Please help me to take the lessons I learned from the people there and store them in my heart.  To live a lifestyle of love...Aloha!