Shared Lives

The Church Is Living Proof of The love of God

Sunday morning and Pastor Matthew is eating a bowl of pudding. MMM delicious he says, my tummy growls and my mouth waters. Chocolate, vanilla what kind....oh yeah I should be listening...

The proof is in the pudding ,says he. Proof? 

It's not enough to just look at that bowl of pudding, you must taste it and if you want others to enjoy it , share it.

Christianity is only real when shared.

What keeps us from sharing in the life of the Church or others?

1. Too busy. Yup guilty as everyone else.  I was actually offended the other day when someone cut the line in front of me at the grocery store...because you see they were busy they said. And I thought what am I chopped liver? And then I said to myself, get a grip I don't know their story, maybe they had an emergency? It's only a food line up, my turns coming. Go ahead , no worries. As a matter of fact I now make it a habit to look for people that really look troubled and let them in front of me in the line up.

I don't do this to brag, but I know everyone has a schedule, everyone has a story.

Everyone is busy. And you know this small change for me has lead to countless strangers sharing their troubled world with me. There's lot of pain out there.

In our community , in the grocery store in the line up.

2. Shared lives are difficult. Yup they are. If everyone just had the same thoughts, likes and dislikes, piece of cake.

And if everyone could see that life would be easier if they just agreed with what I said...

oops did I just put that in writing?

We are uniquely and beautifully made each one so different. So it takes time to invest in each other. It takes time to get to know each other and yes like each other. Shared community it's demanded of us from God.

Real happiness only comes when it's shared.

I was asked yesterday if I enjoy cooking?

And my reply was no actually I don't . 

I cook because I love what my cooking does. It brings family and friends together to enjoy eating.

It brings together joy and laughter and tears.

It peeks into another persons life and says how are you doing?

It says hello I want to do life with you.

It says there is a welcome here.

Put up your feet and be served.

Why? Because I really love you and want you to know that.

And because I need you in my life. 

Proof is in the pudding? Can you taste it?

What would your 29 year old self say to you?

Dang Jane you had to ask. Good friend of mine posted this question on her blog. Tried to ignore it but my thoughts got into my devotions , into my company book keeping...and I had to open my life and look.
29 seems like yesterday, seems like a lifetime ago.
This would put me at the year 1991. Had my 3rd child in 1990 so he would have been 1. Wow a tiny sweet bundle of energy, younger than my youngest grandchild now. My daughter would have been 9 and my oldest son would have been 7.
All my kids  graduated high school  and are good productive caring Adults I must be so proud of them.
At 29 I been married for 10 years, we were nomads moving from house to house to generate income , work for Rudy. We  moved 9 times.
What's that I see we have been married 33 years and are still in love , like that allot.
And we've been in the same house for 17 years? Must be nice. Must be nice not to pack, and wander place to place.
What FHCC is gone ? No longer my place of worship? No longer a church? Kinda leaves a lump in my throat. My church home is NLCC now, been steady here for how many years?
My sisters passed on to glory? What both of them, how's that possible? In 1994 and 1995 -one year apart? How did I survive that? And 5 years later I got cancer? I survived? How come God left me here on earth, but took my sisters and mom? Are families not suppose to grow old together?
What's that you say -Rudy got cancer in 2002. Isn't there law in the bible about putting too much sorrow on one person?
Not sure I'm enjoying this looking over my shoulder and looking back.
But not all sad times you say? My daughter Katie got married, and has two wonderful children. That must be a taste of heaven on earth. And you say Dan my sons been working for Wood Expressions Flooring since 2000? What my husband runs a successful flooring company? And his son works hand in hand with him can't be more proud.
 What, what's that? My baby is married to a sweet girl? He got over being so shy and asked for someone's hand in marriage? Warms my heart , right down to my toes.
 And Rudy and I are going towards the next stage of life? What where did all the time go?
 We've lost both sets of parents , and we are now the old generation?  At 52? Really?
Whoa just highlights, some insights. I think I will close my thoughts for now and look towards the future.
"I say this because I now the plans that I have for you. This message is from the Lord. I have good plans for you. I don't plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and  future." Jeremiah 29:11
May I say with the apostle Paul "I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have served the Lord faithfully. 2 Timothy 4:7
Jane at first I thought this would be easy, but then I discovered it was very hard to write from the point of view of when I was 29-yet I'm 52 now and know everything that has happened to me. Very thought provoking, thanks Jane.

Sunshine For The Day

Life's tiny treasures

Come in small packages

Like the mist off the ocean

Wafting in hours of pleasure

Caught in the gleam

Of an eye

In the soft hands

Of a ladybug

On a child's finger

Savouring the moments

before time moves on

Grandchild of mine

Wishing you never outgrow

These treasures of life

Beheld by this grandma

Locked forever in time.

By, Oma Ekkert

Really

Wow, I'm really not Internet savey. I haven't posted on this site for ??? Its been awhile. Could not remember my old pass word -surprise- so moved on to a new blog-which I can't open now because I've upgraded my google account, because I had to and now I'm back in my old site, but only on my old laptop, won't work on my computer. I'm so confused. What happened? And what was wrong with the way things used to be. I like my old life , my old technology. I don't like this laptop thts barely limping nd doesnt like to sent out aaa'sss- didn't fix my spelling so you could see the gist of my complaints.
Well I thought I'd post some uplifting challenging thoughts and here I go complaining. I'm sure it's nothing to do with the rain outside or the fact that I turned on the furnace first time in 4 months or that I'm missing aaa'sss in my writing. So why is it my mood can change in such a short time? Is it any wonder like the saints of the old testament , I grumble and forget to count my blessings as soon as any little life change happens. And why am I so opposed to life changes when everybody tells me they are good for me. And adversity in all shapes and sizes mold's me into a better person. Makes me more understanding, more compassionate they say. Really? I guess I need to do a heart check, because I'm not seeing those qualities in me. Maybe , just maybe my knees are too smooth and my Bible to new. To you the reader I give you light hearted insight into my heart, to God he sees the bigger picture. He knows I need change, he's working on me , but I have to let him. ARRGGG ! I still like things the same, guess I need to check my attitude.

Feasting with God

Too many of us fritter our lives away waiting for the next big pay off. For the ultimate job, or the perfect holiday; for graduation , or a wedding day; for opening nights or birthdays, or the first day of summer. We yearn for the day that our hopes will be fulfilled, our efforts rewarded, our struggles explained, and our hungers satisfied. What we too often miss is this; God is at work all along. He is arranging celebrations in between the ones we have scheduled and inviting us to feast like the sons and daughters we already are while his party -to -end -all parties is being made ready. Leigh Mcleroy.

More than God wants me to perform for him, he wants me to relax and lean on Him, and give him control of everything. He wants me to cling on him like a nursing child depended on his mother for life saving milk. Why does he want that of me? Because he means to feed me, and all those I love at a table , a feast in the wilderness of my messy life.

This last month I had been in a long tunnel, with perhaps a light just out of my grasp. Seemingly overwhelmed ,and running to get through everyday. And Sunday I was challenged to this word of truth "The life of the future is here in Jesus". Not when my circumstances change, not even when those I love change. But right here, right now. I was challenged to pray in the name of Jesus, with God's authority. And with boldness and my answer would come. Pray for a miracle and God will answer, if not now in the life to come.
The Challenge was put forward in  4 categories to ask for prayer.
1. Pray for repentance.
2. Pray for healing with authority and expect a miracle, and tell others when it happens.
3. Those with chronic pain that have asked for healing and it hasn't come, remember you will be healed if not now in the life to come. Look forward to it accept it now.
 4.If you are totally out of energy and parched from life, pray for refreshment for your soul. He will restore your joy.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness , for they shall be satisfied". Mathew 5:6

Real life seldom fulfils our wildest hopes, and the gap between what we have and what we long for can open quite wide. Occasionally we catch a vision of truth and beauty that takes our breath away and reminds us of what we miss. We are richer if we do not look away. Leigh Mcleroy.

Turning 52

Yup, that's me 52. Thought it was no big deal until my husband kept saying-52 "eh", wow 52. Do I need a cane? A closer look in the mirror? Thought I was doing pretty good-I don't know 52 doesn't sound that old to me-it used to , but not anymore. Normally I'm chipper and jumping around celebrating-but somehow this year -I'm tired. Maybe it's because I'm not 51? Maybe the roll over year takes a year off of your energy cycle? Or maybe I just have to many things going at once and I can't multi task like I used to. Instead of bragging to my man about how many things I can do at once -maybe just maybe I need to realise 52 -yes it is a big deal. Lately I been thinking about the ad in the paper -you know the one ?It's about a dog named lucky-
LOST DOG!
Black and tan dog of Poodle and German Shepherd descent.
Flea-bitten
Missing left hind-leg
No hair on rump
Going blind
Too old for tricks
Might bite if cornered
Answers to the name of "Lucky"
Only I've modified it for me
Lost Woman
Blond blue eyed of German and Russian descent
Bad back
severed ankle ligament
hot flashes
under eye bags
shoulder ailments
memory malfunctions
sagging areas
tires easily
missing good nights sleep
will bite when criticised
Answers to the name "Lucky"
Yup that's me-I'm lucky.
Lucky to live in peace.Lucky to have food and clothing. Lucky to have a home. Lucky to have a faithful husband. Lucky to have three beautiful children. Lucky to have wonderful friends. Lucky to have grandchildren. Blessed by God.Lucky to be alive.

Fridays Thoughts

So it's Friday and I'm back on the computer. Most of you haven't missed me at all. You see my adventure started last Monday morning. Rudy was doing office work and I approached the office with the words every man likes to hear. No...not those words -these words-"honey do you want to take me for an ATV ride after work today?". To some of you this is normal to my husband first time ever. You see with all my back issues and such I avoid the ATV. I have a family that giggles with delight on these things...but for me another story. I was feeling brave and strong- I can do this...plus we had this gorgeous brand new ATV for another day ( and it wasn't costing us anything) so being the cheap ,adventurous warrior wife that I am I asked for a ride. Yup it was all me. MY husband to my chagrin said he needed to think about this for awhile. So I left my sacrifice of dignity with him and waited with calm suspense until he agreed that it would be a good idea. Short ride, he'll be very careful over the bumps...and he would show me the pleasure of riding in the wild country of Cultas Lake. I was imagining the song "born to be wild and free" my hair whipping in the wind and maybe a romantic kiss by the shores of the water of Cultas Lake.

 

We decided along with this pleasure to stop by and meet an old friend. He's dying of cancer, he's not much older than us. Was a tough meeting. His family was there we didn't stay long, but we needed to go. We needed to show them we cared, we had no answers for them .They weren't expecting any. Tears were shed, it was sobering. Rudy and I had gone out to a beautiful place for dinner because our friend was sleeping when were first dropped by, the contrast of the pond and it's serenity and the last place before heaven wasn't that different . He was at peace he knew where he was going, he still had a daughter to marry, grandchildren to hug, a wife to grow old with. So much love in each thought, embrace , word.

The words spoken out loud was he's still doing whatever he can until he can't anymore. Living life to the fullest. He was holding on to earth, he still had a daughter to marry. I guess that sealed the fate of my ATV ride, all apprehension of the ATV ride was lost.

 

We got to Cultas Lake shortly after 6:00pm, and as we were unloading our ATV I voiced jokingly to my husband do we really know what we are doing? Was it the giddiness of trying something new?

Anyways I surprised myself with the authority I used to leap out of my comfort zone and tackle this evening of ours. Even the outdoor plumbing that I partook of didn't phase me one bit. Who are you ? Ya , I know I was asking myself the same question.

Off we went , helmets on (should have worn my back brace-too late). It was beautiful, serene and fun to be on a bike with my sweetie. Anytime it's too much we'll just turn around, okay. OKAY, I got this. Well I had my camera with us and an insatiable desire to take amazing pictures. He promised me a view that trump's all other views I have seen. So when I started to grumble , he cautiously told me it wasn't much further. The next stop we took, had no view and I had been regurgitating my dinner for awhile already and I was walking as a cowboy after a days ride. But when asked, I was okay. Yup that's what I said. Wanted that million dollar view. We drove on, and saw a dear in the distance. He stopped for a picture and drink in the tranquillity . I was too frozen and too stiff to come off the ATV so he took the picture. I kept that news to myself, only I did say I had enough. Now to get back, what's happening in my jaw I thought? I don't normally quench my teeth? Weird, ignored it. MMm,  this crazy trail didn't take us back to the truck, then it must be this one, nope not that one either. Seriously how can these trails all not lead in a loop back to the truck? Look at the beautiful sunset honey,said he, yes it is but instead of the romantic kiss I imagined I  was starting to get anxious. We did see some beautiful views of the valley below, a deer , and in the end a bear, chased behind him on the trail for awhile...had no intention on stopping for a picture though. And as the sun starting going down I asked him to please not leave me on the mountain for night. He assure me he wouldn't. And I guess after all the head bumping that I experienced from the back of his helmet to my forehead amnesia must have made me think he was right. I did the only thing I could do, held on and prayed to make it back to the truck. You know we made it back because here's the story, 10:00pm, pitch dark, no picture. We drove home in silence, I wasn't mad , just in rough shape. Took a muscle relaxant and thought well this will make a funny story and it will all be over soon.

 Not so, well parts of this story were very funny , other part weren't . Long and short the ambulance was called Tuesday late morning, I've never had so much pain in my life. High fever, heart was going wild (again that song, born to be wild and free--what where did that come from?). Blood pressure out of control, etc. I have whiplash and some kinda of a weird virus, that made things even worse. Emergency doctor thought I might have meningitis, but I don't. So that's my story. That's my thoughts. My son had knee surgery yesterday. I think he's in better shape than I am. I'm on the mend, and I defiantly made me some memories.

 What are you Friday thoughts? No lectures please this gals already learnt her lesson.

turtles taking a rest

love these

Outdoor dinner

watching the canadian geese



Calm and serene Church setting



and the journey begins

view on our ride

deer

another beautiful day

still smiling

sun setting-getting a little more worried

moon out not back to the truck yet