Thoughts For Today

“If prayer stands as the place where God and human beings meet, then I must learn about prayer. Most of my struggles in the Christian life circle around the same two themes: why God doesn't act the way we want God to, and why I don't act the way God wants me to. Prayer is the precise point where those themes converge.”
― Philip Yancey
Some days I question why my life must be they way it is. The other day I was with a friend and she asked me how life was going? I said okay. You know between kinda good and real honesty. And she said well life wouldn't be interesting if it was smooth sailing , now would it? My response naturally was well after years of choppy waters  smooth sailing sounds pretty good right now.
I like my life to be pain free wag that magical wand and show the world I got it together.

You have been chosen at this time in history in this precise place to do His work. Do not look to the right or to the left, trying to find answers in world philosophies or religions. Neither allow yourself to be deceived by those who say that you can meditate a certain way and be guaranteed to receive riches, even by substituting your 'god.' Satan is out to deceive, especially those who are saved. (Phil. 2: 8)
And this: You were chosen to sit at the King's right hand. You have favour with the King and, because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross you do not have to fear instant death in His presence. NO! You can come boldly unto the throne of grace to obtain mercy and grace in time of need. (Heb. 4: 14 - 16).
And as I started to research this topic a little more I came to the conclusion that I am exactly at the point in life where God wants me to be. I have been chosen to walk this path and help my family in whatever capacity God has called me to. It is not my choice. I did not choose this path. But God choose it for me. He entrusted me to walk this life today in His presence . He will lead me, He will guide me. He will touch me with His hand and will never leave me or forsake me. He sees the bigger picture, and at times it is too much for me to handle. He is there. Always .Always.

So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you."Deuteronomy 31:6B

Too Weak

Oma I'm not Strong enough to go to Church. Isn't that just precious? I was babysitting our grand daughters and we were talking about attending Church while there parents were off on a cruise. Not strong enough to face a bunch of strangers telling me what's good for me and what God wants to do in my life.? Something wasn't resonating that cutely anymore.  And I started having flash backs into my past. At eleven saying good bye to my mother, not strong enough God can' t do it. Laying to rest two sisters in one year, not strong enough God can't do it. And I pulled back from God and those around me. The Church and all those lovely people that were just dying to tell me God had such bigger plans for my life. And then losing my step mom and dad within another year, and you know they lived a long life. They are at peace , yada, yada... We've all heard how good natured bible believing people know what is best for us. Nope defiantly not strong enough God. And yet God in His mercy just sat their and waited for my rantings to end and welcomed me back.  I didn't have to clean house before I came back. This morning in my devotional time I was convicted of my jealousy of others lives as I read about the prodigal son returning home. I was right in there with the son who said , not fair I've always been good. Why do you throw a party for my brother who did whatever he wanted to do and I never had a party? And I realised that we all have a unique walk in life. And at times we all experience that we are not strong enough. And that's when God waits with open arms and throws us a party. We blew it, we did our own thing, but there He is. Come on in the party awaits. I will be your strength.
"Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come" Psalm 71:3

It's A New Year

 Putting away the last few bulbs of Christmas 2013. It's been another tough year, sprinkled with fun.
Pulling open our devotional at Harrison Hot Springs left me excited with anticipation. What was God going to say to me, right now, right here among the tranquillity of this resort?
Hope is an Olive Leaf-Evidence of dry land after a flood. Proof to the dreamer that dreaming is worth the risk. Max Lucado.
My dear friend Max, always has meaning full words put to paper, feeding my ravenous appetite.
Hope that I had just about given up on this last year. And then the dove landed with a olive leaf in his mouth and bid me take. ...
Now the sun is setting , and the sky is darkening , and you look around and all you see is water. Water to the North, water to the South, water to the East, water to the West...
You know the feeling . You have stood where Noah stood. You've known your share of floods. Flooded by sorrow at the cemetery; anger at the disability in your body, guilty of not being able to shelter your child from life's storms. You've seen the flood water rise, and you've likely seen the sun set on your hopes as well. You've been on Noah's boat.
Oh yes I have. Fourth Christmas in a row, floods, torrential rain, indisputable sorrows, sea winds and waves rocking my Ark. I needed what Noah needed. A little hope. And that's all Noah received.
"When the dove returned to him in the evening , there it was a freshly plucked Olive Leaf"
Gen. 8:11.
The bird brought back a promise , hope of better times. Evidence of dry land to come after a flood. Proof to the dreamer that dreaming is worth the risk. I am a dreamer. I needed that Olive leaf.
Don't we all love the Olive leaves in our life? It appears the cancer may be remission. I can help with those fiances. We'll get through this together. Whats more don't we love the doves that bring them? When a wife of many years consoles the wife of a few months, when she tells her that conflicts come and all husbands are moody and these storms pass, you know what she is doing? She is giving an Olive leaf. Just like Jesus who extends grace, love and mercy to us to me. Grace and life, forgiveness of sin. Defeat of death. This is the hope he gives. He will never leave us or forsake us. To all the Noah's of the world , to all who search the horizon for a fleck of hope, He proclaims ,"Yes"! And He comes. He comes as a dove. He comes bearing fruit from a distant land, from our future home. He comes with a leaf of hope.  Don't think your Ark is too isolated ,your flood to wide. And that is what I needed to hear. "Love bears all things, believes all things, HOPES all things , endures all things"
 1 Cor. 13:4-7 .Love has hope in you. Love extends an olive leaf to the loved one and says , I have hope in you.

 So this first day of 2014 I have put my first "hope" item in my bottle of Joy. A picture of my friends who extend Olive Leaves to me. Who stand by me and walk with me so that the flood waters of life don't overtake me and drown me. Who love me despite my weakness or inability at times to show love back. Thank you my friends, thank you.

Post Christmas Thoughts

It was Christmas Eve. We took up 15 seats. My family and close friends. All here to celebrate one common cause. The birth of Christ. Only this happened years earlier , we were coming together to remember , to enjoy another year of His grace. To sing Happy Birthday -the reason for the season. The pastor opened his sermon with the question what special thing would you like for Christmas...what miracle if you could have anything at all , would you ask for? Turn to your neighbour and tell them what you want. Intimidating? Strange ? Is it hard to tell someone else what I really want? Yes, actually it is for me. I think it is not only hard for me to tell my neighbour, friends ,family members, but it is hard to voice it to God. Oh sure Id like a new sweater, peace and joy and all that...but what do I really want?  God who knows everything about me, and yet wants me to ask. Ask and lay down the deepest recess of my soul. Ask for a great miracle because its not going to happen unless its a miracle. Ask because we are mandated to ask. Ask because it reaches deep down and stirs the very core of my being, the most sacred part. The do not disturb this spot because it is surrounded by everything is all right most of the time spot. Moving? Intimidating? Scary? Yes .And so far out of reach, above and beyond I can ever think or imagine. Yup I know what I want, it's typed into a list that's hard to separate one request above the other. And instead of writing Santa that list, I think I'll write it to God. Do you want to join me? Could we possibly have a list of miracles so big that next year our only thoughts we would have is "I believe"?

Snow Day

Snow on the mountain tops,
Snow on the trees,

 Snow everywhere I walk,
Way up to my knees.

Scoop the snow up with your hand

 And roll into a ball.

 We can make a fine snow man
Standing white and tall.

 What a fine December day

 With all the snow I see,

 I want to go outside to play

 When winter visits me .by Writer Fox

 Kaiya likes it better in the house

 Oma loves the snow

 so does Ryanna

 Ryanna borrows Omas boots so that she can skate on the snow and play hockey

 they fit , don't they?

 she shoots, she scores...

bye, bye snowman....

Sunday Thoughts Come Thirsty

I was in Church doing my utmost to concentrate on Sundays message , the title was joy, the main sermon content Glory -Gods glory.I hadn't intended to get distracted but I did. Proverbs seemed to be tugging at my heart. Why? Not sure since I was looking for a good Psalm to focus my attention on.
A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken. Proverbs 15:13-woa good one -how does He know?
Monday morning with Max Lucado. A love worth giving. All the trying in the world, loving, forgiving,patience, joy doesn't stand a chance in my life without first receiving this from God. I must first put a deposit of God into my life before I can withdraw anything and give to others. The secret to loving is living loved. God loves me .Personally.Powerfully. Passionately. Others have promised and failed. But God promised and succeeded. And His love can fill me and leave me with a love worth giving. I just need to come to Him thirsty and drink deeply.

Rembering Dad-December 14, 2013

On March 25, 2011 I was given a gift in a box. This gift did not come with shiny paper or a big bow like a newborn baby, but with torn paper and no ribbon at all. To the average observer this gift might be over looked. It was a gift given especially to me.  No gift receipt was enclosed and none was needed. My dad was this gift, heaven sent just for me. He was another place at my table, and took up a bedroom in my house. 

Each season this gift taught me something new.

 Spring taught me to look for new paths; the ones I might otherwise choose might not be the ones I was called to take. 

 Summer taught me to delight in the small things; the importance of family and passing on my faith to the next generation, always prayerfully naming each person by name.

 Fall taught me generosity, give until you can’t give any more, and then give some more. 

Winter taught me to spend time on my knees. God is in control when I can’t be. 

Throughout this gift was a generous and caring heart. If I had to sum up this gift in my box, I would have to read from Mathew 5:3-9,

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peace makers, for they will be called sons of God.” Dad, you truly were blessed with all of these attributes.

Dad, you have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, your time on earth is over.

 My gift is now heavens gift; wrapped in new paper, tied with a cross and sealed with a promise.

How does one sum up a lifetime of memories?  Dad, you were my hero.  My mentor and my friend. You were a true example of a life lived for God. You had a passion for life. You loved your wife and your children. You loved your grand children and great grand children.  The door to your house was frequented often. Farmer sausage and pancakes and fruit salad was served up with gusto. To the cabin, to Paradise, to play kick the can or rousing games of cheat Rook. Campfires and marshmallows and a trips to Bellis Fare, sleep was all but forgotten. You found used bikes and fixed them with care, and supervised your loved ones at that old swimming pool. More hidden treasures you found travelling in your trailer and spending time with your brothers and sisters. Your hand shake was unforgettable, sometimes too firm but always done in gratitude to welcome its receiver. You carried a twinkle in your eye, and definitely loved to tease and be teased. You were the reigning champion Iron Chef of barbecue steak, and passed on your skill to the next generation. No party was ever complete without a steak barbecue meal. And if your mouth didn’t burn after a sample or two...not hot enough said you. You were an avid fisherman making many trips to your favourite lake or shore of the Fraser River. Oh the excitement of fishing season.  Hard work was your motto and you were very skilled with your hands, taking pride in what you made during your years in construction. The joy that came with that never vanished, as later you took up making tables and small items of furniture. You were a handy man around the house, a bit of a perfectionist. You were a man of faith, loved to pray and read your bible.  Words on paper can never describe the joy you brought into my life. You were a good man and you will be missed. Taken from My tribute at my Dads funeral.

Where am I now two years later? I still miss you like crazy Dad. Just the other day I was watching a singing Christmas special and I was sure I saw your hand tapping and an old grin across your face. I'm preparing for Christmas Dad, I know it's coming. And though there will be one less plate at the table, I know there will be one extra present under the tree for me. I'll unwrap it in my heart and hold it ever close. For you see this gift is full of memories.

And tomorrow on your earthly birthday I will be especially thinking about you. And I can hear your prayer of blessing on my life. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May he lift His countenance upon you and grant you peace. Amen ,Dad, amen. May He grant me peace not only today but in the days to come.

You are my rock in times of trouble

You lift me up when I fall down

All through the storm

Your love is the anchor

My hope is in you alone.

Thankful that

God is my anchor

Peace in my heart

Earthly daddy memories

Forgiveness and pardon

Joy not based on circumstances

little eyes that let me view life from a different perspective

Christmas carols

I'm getting a new oven