Dress Excitedly To Honour Him

This week my son Matthew had to attend the grade six graduation into the youth group at the church where he works. As he was about to get ready for the event, he turned to me and asked the male-confounding question that only females can answer, "What shall I wear?" I responded by telling him that he should wear the best he has, to show the grade six children the specialness of the event.

Matthew decided to do better than that. He decided to wear the best everyone had in the house. He searched through all his brothers' and father's closets and came up with this.

Matthew is wearing Tim's olive-green dress shirt and his father's brown tweed jacket. The rest is his. I thought he looked great!

As I watched Matthew get ready, I felt God speak to me. How many of us have this enthusiasm in getting ready for church? Do we excitedly search through our closet to get dressed because we are so eager to go to the house of God and show our honour and joy in knowing Him?

The Bible says we should be rejoicing every time we are about to get ready to go to God's house.

"I rejoiced with those who said to me,

'Let us go to the house of the Lord.'"

Psalm 122:1 (NIV)

Let Us Be A Christ-Like Fragrance

I have two newly-planted carnations in my flower gardens this year. The other day I couldn't resist picking the first few flowers. I put them in a small vase by my computer so I can smell their fragrance. I think carnations smell wonderful!

The Apostle Paul writes in the Bible that his life and the lives of the other apostles are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God.

"Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God.

But this fragrance is perceived different

by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing.

To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom.

But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume.

And who is adequate for such a task as this?

2 Corinthians 2:15-16 (NLT)

In other words, Christians who actively serve God are a sweet, pleasing scent to their Father in Heaven, like the scent of my carnations! And to those whose hearts they've touched and helped bring into God's Kingdom, they are a life-giving perfume. On the other hand, to those who turn away from the God in them, they are a dreadful smell of judgement and death.

Even though, like Paul, we may not feel adequate for such a mission, we are all called as Christians to reach out to those around us with the love of Christ, and to share with those who are in need of the life-giving perfume the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Let us not be dormant Christians who don't care about the unsaved in our community, for then we will produce no fragrance to our God in Heaven. Instead, let us be active Christians who have an earnest desire to reach the lost, desperate, and crying souls around us so we will be a sweet-smelling aroma that reaches to the Heavens.

Oprah Winfrey Sermons

"Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips."

Psalm 141:3 (NIV)

It's becoming increasingly common for sermons these days to mimic talk and reality TV shows. For example, a pastor might call up previously selected people from the congregation and interview them by asking personal questions about their lives that pertain to the sermon's topic. I don't know about others, but this makes me feel very uncomfortable: knowing personal, intimate details about people that I feel I don't have the right to know.

Then not too long ago, our church had a special speaker talk about sexual immorality. I thought this was great, but when the speaker began to share details about his sexual life before he became a Christian, I felt sick. The man divulged WAY too much information about his personal life, information that was completely unnecessary in supporting the message. Moreover, he wasn't in the least bit uncomfortable being graphic about a woman's body and sex. I felt like crawling under the seat, especially as I was sitting near my four sons.

Also, women today are exposing their bodies at an alarming rate, even revealing their pregnant bellies. Pregnancy is beautiful, but a woman's body should be viewed privately by her husband only, and that includes when she is pregnant. I know my sons would be horrified if they saw a picture in their older years of my naked belly when I was pregnant with them, or of me breastfeeding them when they were babies. (Just to let you know, no such pictures exist.) Do people even think about that? Nothing is sacred any more. We share intimate details about ourselves with everybody, anywhere, anytime. And this type of mindset is even being incorporated into today's sermons!

Don't get me wrong. I think it's good when a pastor or speaker shares personal details about him/herself to the congregation. It's just that nowadays we're sharing mega amounts of it. We're becoming a society that wants to hear it all, the more the better. And somehow the message is lost and we're left remembering repugnant facts about people's pre-Christian lives or personal information about people that should be kept private.

A Lost Soul Returned, Only To Turn Away Again

Yesterday morning, Tim and I were scheduled to help with the check-in and check-out of the children in our church. There was one man I didn't recognize who stood in my line. He was holding a baby in his arms and an elementary-school-aged daughter was standing beside him. I immediately asked if he was new. He responded, "No," but when I typed his daughter's name into the computer, she didn't show up in the church's database. He saw the puzzled look on my face and sheepishly told me that he hadn't been in church for over a year. I then excitedly welcomed him and his daughter back, and felt bad when I had to send him to another line-up to register his daughter, as the church's security system is only eight months old.

After I finished with the check-ins, I sneaked into the sanctuary to hear the Pastor's sermon. The message was on tithing. I am not against tithing, but I don't feel it's an appropriate topic for a Sunday morning sermon. I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable for the man who decided to come back to church again after being gone for a whole year only to hear a sermon about giving ten percent of your money to the church. I felt even worse when I saw the man quietly walk out of the sanctuary. After a few minutes passed, I decided to get up to see if I could find him. I spotted him pacing back and forth in front of the entrance to the gym where the Sunday school program is held. I approached him, touched his arm gently, and asked if he would like me to get his daughter for him. He smiled at me, said, "Yes," and thanked me. When they left, I told the girl and her father to have a wonderful Sunday. It's too bad they couldn't have had it in church. A lost soul with children returned, only to turn away again.

When a Pastor gives a message on tithing during the Sunday service, does he/she have the unsaved and lost in mind or does he/she have the church's finances in mind? And doesn't a sermon on tithing show a lack of trust in God to provide? The Pastor says you should have faith and give your ten percent even if you can't afford it, when, hypocritically, the Pastor stands on stage in front of the people and uses the Sunday morning service as an opportunity for the church to gain wealth, instead of using the Sunday morning service as an opportunity for the church to gain souls for God's Kingdom. In God's eyes, even one soul saved is worth having a Sunday morning service focused on reaching the lost, wandering souls of our world.

"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. 

Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country 

and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 

And when he finds it, 

he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. 

Then he calls his friends and neighbours together and says, 

'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' 

I tell you that in the same way

 there will be more rejoicing in Heaven over one sinner who repents

 than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."

Luke 15:4-7 (NIV)

The Battle Is God's, Not Ours

My sons were out yesterday from morning til supper. They all had the best time of their lives! Here are some pictures Tim took during one of the rounds. It's just too bad he couldn't be in any of the pictures.

Chris (right) prepares to scope through an L96 replica.

Matthew (left) spots targets for him while holding a P30 replica.

Daniel fires from behind some cover.

Chris takes a long-rang shot with his sniper rifle. Not fair!

Daniel fires his MP5 replica.

Chris (left) is almost out of sniper ammo.

Daniel (right) outflanks him and takes aim down his sidearm.

Matthew (left) and Chris (right) pose for a photo after the battle.

Everyone takes a short break before the next round.

When I looked at the pictures they brought home, I thought of this verse below.

"This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid!

Don't be discouraged by this might army,

for the battle is not yours, but God's."

2 Chronicles 20:15b (NLT)

In our lives, we don't to be afraid of our enemies or of Satan because God goes to battle for us. The battle is not ours — it's God's!

Good News And Bad News

The good news is that Tim has a perfect heart — the murmur must be physiological. The bad news is that Tim still has to wait at least three months to see the Immunologist/Allergist. There is nothing the doctor can do to shorten his waiting time. There is a very long waiting list in Alberta for specialized medical care. In the meantime, Tim has to stick with his gluten-free diet and be patient while his intestines heal.

I encouraged Tim to go airsofting with his brothers and a friend today. I believe having fun helps to restore one's health. The Bible says a man's spirit sustains him in sickness and a cheerful heart is good medicine.

"A man's spirit sustains him in sickness,

but a crushed spirit who can bear?

Proverbs 18:14 (NIV)

"A cheerful heart is good medicine,

but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."

Proverbs 17:22 (NIV)

I will pack my sons a lunch and they will all head off early this morning to the friend's Uncle's acreage and play war games. They will be divided into two teams. It should be a lot of fun for them! You should see their cool airsoft guns. They look almost real.

With Confidence We Can Approach God

After I prayed yesterday, I phoned the receptionist at our doctor's office and told her what the Referral Coordinator told my son Tim. The receptionist was just as appalled as I was. She passed the information to our doctor and Tim is seeing her this afternoon. I immediately thanked God and now pray for a confirmed diagnosis from a soon-to-be visit with a Specialist, assessment of the damages to Tim's intestines, and treatments.

It's really pathetic, but in this society, if a person is really sick, you either have to go to the hospital for any one to take action, or constantly complain and seek further tests, otherwise you suffer and die silently. My heart breaks for those people who are reserved like Tim and do suffer.

It's so wonderful to know that we can approach God with confidence and without any reservations in our time of need. We don't have to constantly try, beg, or plead God to hear and answer our prayers. God hears us the first time we ask, and cares immensely for us. He loves us and wants us to come to Him to meet all our needs.

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God;

that if we ask anything according to His will,

He hears us."

1 John 5:14 (NIV)

"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence,

so that we may receive mercy

and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)

God's Word Gives Us Reassurance And Peace

When you're a mother, it is very hard not to worry. My son Tim hasn't been well for months. He has been on a strict gluten-free diet for three weeks now, and things are improving in some ways, but his intestines still have difficulty digesting most foods, especially meat and corn. At present, he can't do much work on his PhD research — and he's being funded by a government scholarship. Even worse, he contacted the referral agency this week to ask when they scheduled his appointment to see an Immunologist/Allergist. She cooly and unconcernedly told him that he would have to wait three months before even getting an appointment. Who knows how long he would have to wait after that? It's crazy.

Also, early this morning, I took Tim to have an echocardiogram because the doctor discovered a heart murmur when he visited her two weeks ago.

I woke up in the middle of the night and started worrying. I know worrying doesn't do a person any good. I tried to trust God right away, but I struggled for some time. You would think after being a Christian for so many years, I would have overcome worrying by now. Well, no, not yet. However, it was such a comfort to be able to get up in the morning, go to God's Word, and have His words give me peace. I don't have any family members or friends in Alberta, and with my husband gone most of the time, I have to rely heavily on God's Word. Praise God for His Word! It is a priceless treasure beyond anything or any person found on earth.

"Give all your worries and cares to God, 

for He cares about you."

1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)

If God cares for one daisy growing wild in a field, how much more does God care for us?

We Adore You, God!

When I was a young girl, visiting my Aunt in Victoria, I remember a certain large flowering bush she had in her back yard that I fell madly in love with. It was a Japanese flowering snowball tree. I determined then that, when I grew up and had a house of my own, I would buy one for myself and plant it in my yard.

For many years I have looked and looked, but disappointedly never found one — until last Saturday that is, at a local garden centre. I couldn't believe my eyes! I was so excited! Today I am going back to the store to buy one of those trees. I had to first make certain I had a spot for it in my yard. I do. Praise God! It's going to be by my deck right near the house to protect it from the cold winters here.

The house that I live in now was brand new when we bought it, so I had the privilege and joy of landscaping the yard. Every tree and bush I bought and planted has a special memory for me. The fruit trees remind me of my backyard as a child growing up. I remember during the spring time taking a blanket and a book, and lying under one of our many fruit trees, dreaming I was in another land and place as pretty blossoms gently floated down around me and spotted the green grass with small, delicate, white flowers.

The two pink rose bushes I planted, one in the front and one in the back yard, remind me of my wedding day as I carried beautiful, pink roses down the aisle of my church to meet my handsome husband-to-be. I have always loved the colour pink! The lilies I planted along the right side of my house remind me of my grandfather who grew bright-orange lilies in his yard. Before he died, he gave me a pot of them to plant in my yard. Unfortunately, I foolishly left them in their pot and they died the first winter I had them, leaving me broken-hearted. Today, however, I have a row of bushy and healthy lily plants that will soon reveal a bright display of vibrant colours.

Everything on earth belongs to God, and we adore Him for all its beauty and wonder!

"Yours, O Lord,

is the greatness,

the power, the glory,

the victory,

and the majesty.

Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours,

O Lord, and this is your Kingdom.

We adore You as the One who is over all things."

1 Chronicles 29:11 (NLT)

Give As You Are Able

Yesterday, my sons decided to chip in and build a new computer for a family of five children whose old computer recently died. After discussing what spare parts to use and what new parts to buy, they all crammed into Daniel's Prius and excitedly drove to several large, computer supply stores in the city. I think that a computer store is to my sons what a hardware store is to most men. Their hearts start to beat faster, their blood pressures rise, and their speech and motor skills speed up. I'm just glad I wasn't in the car with them.

My sacrifice began the moment my sons came back home from their shopping. They immediately took over my kitchen and dining room for the rest of the day, littering my dining table and counter tops with all kinds of computer parts, and my floors with boxes, cardboard strips of paper, and funny plastic wrappings.

To avoid seeing the mess and to not be tempted to throw things in the garbage that I shouldn't, like screws still left in plastic bags, I hopped into my RAV4 and went shopping at different garden centres. Garden centres are to me what computer stores are to my sons. When I came back home, I worked outside in my yard putting landscaping cloth, edging, and bark mulch around eight Aspen trees that I bought the day before and planted along part of my back fence.

Today, my son Matthew will have the privilege of presenting the family their new computer. Here is a picture of it with the case open. No, it doesn't come with a cat. That's just Hunter trying to get into the picture.

My sons are geniuses, especially when it comes to computer technology. This weekend they obeyed God's command and gave as they were able according to the blessings God has given them.

"All must give as they are able,

according to the blessings given to them

by the Lord your God."

Deuteronomy 16:17 ( NLT)

Seek And Save The Lost

I think it's wonderful when a church gives to missions. However, I find it frustrating when a church asks people to give to missions, but doesn't consider their own neighbourhood as a mission field.

Would a missionary hold a vacation bible school for children and charge families a per-child fee to help pay for the expenses? The answer is, "No, of course not." If a missionary did that, they wouldn't get any of the children from unsaved or poverty-stricken homes. Missionaries must rely on God to provide all their needs.

What people need the most to be effective in any kind of ministry doesn't cost a cent — love for God and others, and faithfulness to Him, His Holy Spirit, and His Word.

How can churches charge for children to come and learn God's Word at these children's retreats and vacation bible schools? The only children who attend are those whose parents attend church regularly and are financially stable, except for the few children whose parents or for whom parental friends complain about the cost and get a sponsorship, which, of course, only embarrasses the children by stigmatizing them. So tell me: is such a church being missionary-minded? Is such a church viewing their own community as a mission field? Is the church's children's ministry a ministry to reach the lost and unsaved children in the neighbourhood? The answer to all these questions is, "No, the church is not."

Churches do need to give to missionaries in foreign countries, for they are doing God's work in reaching souls for His Kingdom. But churches also need to do God's work by being missionary-minded in their own community.

Jesus Christ came to seek and save those who are lost. We need to do the same.

"For the Son of Man came to seek

and save those who are lost."

Luke 19:10 (NLT)

Partial Blindness Or Eyes Wide Open

I think sometimes we tend to look at Scriptures with partial blindness and see only what we want to see. Or sometimes we just accept what we've been told by others. This prevents us from seeing the true picture and from having a complete understanding of God's Word.

Our cat, Osha, surprised us last night by climbing to the top of our cupboards. I think maybe he wanted to see the whole picture of the home he lives in and the family he lives with.

This is what we need to do to in reading God's Word: climb on top of the cupboards and look at the Bible with new and fresh eyes, as if we are reading it for the first time.

"Do not let his Book of the Law depart from your mouth;

meditate on it day and night,

so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.

Then you will be prosperous and successful."

Joshua 1:8 (NIV)

Let Me In!

"Everything on dry land that had the breath of life in its nostrils died.

Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out;

people and animals and the creatures that move along the ground

and the birds were wiped from the earth."

Genesis 7:22-23 (NLT)

"Let me in!"

Sometimes when I let my dogs out to go to the bathroom, my cat Hunter likes to follow. When my dogs have done their jobs, they immediately come back up the sun deck stairs and wait at the glass door for me to let them in, and Hunter is usually close behind. However, a few days ago when I let the dogs out, Hunter was delayed for some reason in coming back in, so I forgot about her. She came up the stairs only a few minutes later, but, unfortunately, the glass door was already shut, and I was busy doing something elsewhere.

Hunter was extremely annoyed! She didn't sit at the glass door waiting patiently for me to let her in like the dogs do. Instead, she meowed fiercely until my son Tim heard the noise and let her in. (Of course, Tim had to take a picture first, which probably irritated Hunter even more.) When I saw the face of Hunter in the picture that Tim took, I immediately felt bad. I love Hunter, as I do all my animals. I closed the door on her because she just wasn't there.

And again Noah's Ark comes to mind. How exceedingly painful it must have been for God when He finally closed the door of the Ark, leaving all those people whom He created out of ernest love to drown in the world's greatest flood that destroyed all living things on the face of the earth. Why would a loving God do something like that? Because the people's hearts were too full of evil to believe Him.

And if you think it wasn't heart-wrenching for God to close that door of the Ark, you're wrong! God loved those people dearly. There will never be any person who could love us more than God. He suffered and died for us so that we could be free to enter Heaven's gate, but we must give our hearts to Him first. There is not a person on earth who is too corrupt or too evil for God to forgive. His grace can cover all sins. But the sinful need to seek God first. We who are already God's children need to show the lost the way to salvation. Yes, many will still reject God, but many are yearning to experience the life-changing power of God's love and His Word.

Let's us love and see people the way God loves and sees them. Let's do our best to bring the unsaved to the life-saving knowledge of God so that they can enter His Kingdom to be with Him for eternity.

Live For God And God Alone!

"Seven days from now 

I will will send rain on the earth 

for forty days and forty nights, 

and I will wipe from the face of the earth

 every living creature I have made."

Genesis 4:7 (NIV)

I have been thinking recently about Noah and the Ark. I think the heavy rains we've been experiencing lately have triggered my memory of this Bible story — a Bible story I'd sometimes like to forget because I can't help but shudder at the picture I see in my mind of the terrified faces of people, including babies and young children, drowning in the flood. At the same time, I can't help but think of the deaths of all the animals that weren't directed to go into the Ark.

To me the story of Noah and the Ark is a horror story that is far worst than any of the national disasters that we hear about in the present time. It isn't a cute children's story to be read for fun and entertainment. It also isn't something that should be painted on Church walls for children to point out their favourite animals, giving the impression that it's a story with a fairy tale ending. It isn't. Millions of people and animals died during the flood and were sent to spend eternity in hell.

As a young girl, I used to have a Bible story book that contained a picture that still haunts me to this day. It is a picture of the people and animals drowning outside of the Ark, with people begging to be let in. That same look on the faces of those people as they drowned will be the look on the faces of the many people who suddenly see the disappearance of Christians when Jesus comes back to earth again and realize they were left behind. It is the look on their faces as they personally meet Jesus for the first time at Heaven's gate, only to be told that their names are not written in the Lamb's Book of Life. It is the look on their faces as they are condemned to spend eternity in hell — a place of torment and utter loneliness.

Why are so many Christians playing church instead of evangelizing to the lost? People are going to hell! Why are they so concerned with improving their church buildings, purchasing increasingly modern sound equipment, and implementing better programs to satisfy existing church family members, instead of reaching out to the people who do not know God as Lord and Saviour. Why do so many pastors today view their work as a job to keep the board and the church members happy, instead of as a ministry whose main purpose is to please God and reach souls for His Kingdom.

And why do people who call themselves Christians continue to live in sin without any guilt or repentance? Why do these "Christians" publicly justify sins that are in direct contradiction to God's commands and His holy character? How can they still hope to obtain Heaven's eternity when they desire to please themselves and other people more than God? Where is the fear and respect of the Lord? Do they no longer exist in our society?

The same God that allowed all those people to drown in the flood is the same God we will all meet face-to-face one day. He can send people to hell, and will if they choose not to live for Him here on earth. Let us change our mindset and do all we can to bring souls to the Kingdom of God, and teach them to live for God and God alone. The story of Noah and the Ark should be a warning to an increasingly evil world.

The Joy Of The Lord Is Your Strength!

There are many faithful wives — several who I know personally — who, in the years since marrying, have never received a bouquet of flowers, a surprise gift, a planned date invitation, or a compliment from their husbands. Some have never even heard the words, "I love you", or "I'm sorry" from these men who once, long ago, declared their love to them.

These women suffer silently while their self-esteem deteriorates and depression sets in their hearts. In many ways, their lives become a living death. They try to hide their sorrow, but is it plain for all to see. You see it in their eyes, in their expressions, and in their mannerisms. Once, these women were happy and full of life. Now they are despondent and full of disappointments. Happiness is lost to dreams and joy fades beyond imagination.

But, praise God! His joy is never far away! His joy is real and can be your strength no matter who you are, where you are, or what is going on in your life. As His beloved children and heirs of His Kingdom, you can always have access to the joy of the Lord.

"For the joy of the Lord is your strength!"

Nehemiah 8:10b (NLT)

Life may come with many disappointments, but God will never disappoint you. You can have His joy at all times throughout your life.

The Grave News: Cat Eats Fiberglass

This last week, we have had a very sick kitty. I know this is hard to believe, but Osha, our angelic-looking kitten, went into our unfinished utility room, ripped the plastic off the walls, and ate some fiberglass insulation. As a consequence of Osha's misbehaviour, he suffered a very bad tummy ache with symptoms that became more serious as the days went on. He was not able to eat for five days. He started vomiting continually, became listless, and, as a result, lost a considerable amount of weight. We all thought Osha wasn't going to make it. Then a few nights ago, my son Matthew decided to sleep on the couch in the living room so that he could hold the cat and pray for him. Matthew felt for sure it would be Osha's last night and he wanted to be with the cat so that Osha wouldn't be alone if he died.

Well, God answered all our prayers. Osha started to improve the next day, and, this morning, for the first time in over a week, Osha ate half a can of moist cat food. It was trout flavoured. I normally only feed our cats dry cat food, but yesterday, out of desperation to get the cat to eat again, I bought six cans of moist cat food. At first, I could only get Osha to eat half a teaspoon of it, but this morning was a different story. He licked his chops and looked at me for more. We have our cat back! Good thing my son Tim taped up the plastic downstairs so that Osha can't get into the fiberglass insulation again.

The Bible says that we can ask anything in His Name, and He will do it if it is according to His will.

"Yes, ask me for anything in My Name, and I will do it."

John 14:14 (NLT)

My son Matthew applied this verse a few nights ago when he prayed to God to heal our young cat — as he lovingly held this mischievous cat in his arms.

One Day You Will Always Be With Jesus Where He Is

Since my family and I moved to Alberta from BC, we have had to deal with three very sorrowful deaths. The first was the death of Matthew's childhood best friend, who died tragically in a car accident. With him went his dreams and a large part of his parents' hearts — ours too. The second was the death of my father who died alone without a family member present and in a place that was not his home. The third was a beautiful, young Christian mother of two precious girls whom I loved dearly. The mother was bi-polar. In the middle of one night, she woke up her girls, kissed them, and told them how much she loved them. Then, delusional, she walked to a nearby lake in her pyjamas and drowned, leaving behind a grieving husband and two confused children.

Tragedy and grief is unfortunately a part of life here on earth.

We will all die, with unanswered questions, deep hurts, and unbearable sadness in our hearts. But the one thing that keeps us going is knowing that God loves us and has prepared a place for each one of His children in Heaven — a place where never will be shed another tear and never will be borne another pain.

"When everything is ready,

I will come and get you,

so that you will always be with Me where I am."

John 14:3 (NLT)

The Lingering Hug

I met a dear friend yesterday who I hadn't seen in over a year. She was the guest speaker for the Mother's Day service at our church. After the Pastor prayed and left the stage, I thought the service was over, so I went over to her to say, "Hi!" She responded with a big smile and gave me a very long and tight hug. During that time, the Pastor went back on stage and asked the musicians and singers to come back and lead one last song. With the loud music playing, we weren't able to talk much because we couldn't hear each other. But sometimes actions speak louder than words.

In the Bible, a sinful woman learned that Jesus was eating at a certain Pharisee's house. When she found out, she took a bottle of expensive perfume and went to the house. As soon as she saw Jesus, she stood behind Him — not in front like so many pictures portray — and knelt at His feet, weeping. As Jesus' feet were getting wet from her tears, she began to wipe them with her hair. Afterwards, she kissed the feet of Jesus, and poured her expensive perfume on them.

The Pharisee was disgusted at the sight of this sinful woman touching Jesus. But Jesus was compassionate at the sight of a woman whose heart was grieved in repentance.

Here is how Jesus responsed to the Pharisee:

"Do you see this woman?

I came into your house.

You did not give Me any water for My feet,

but she wet My feet with her tears

and wiped them with her hair.

You did not give Me a kiss,

but this woman, from the time I entered,

has not stopped kissing My feet.

You did not put oil on My head,

but she has poured perfume on My feet.

Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven —

as her great love has shown.

But whoever has been forgiven little loves little."

Luke 7:44-47 (NIV)

As children of God, it is important to Him that we daily show our love to Him — by our actions more than our words.

Life Doesn't Get Any Better Than This!

"Praise the Lord!

Oh give thanks to the Lord,

for He is good;

For His lovingkindness is everlasting."

Psalm 106:1 (NASB)

Today is my birthday and Mother's Day all at the same time!

I am very thankful to God for giving me four wonderful sons! We had a great day yesterday as we drove to Red Deer to go shopping.

First, we stopped at an airsoft supply warehouse. My sons are planning on going airsofting next week with a friend on his Uncle's property just outside the city. Chris bought a long-range sniper rifle with various accessories, and Daniel bought a gas-powered handgun. Then Chris offered to buy me an airsoft gun for Mother's Day. It was tempting, believe me, but I politely refused on the grounds that I might use it on them in the house when they become obnoxious. (Oops, did I just contradict myself? I wasn't lying when I said they are wonderful. Honest!)

Then we went to the best Christian Book store ever. There Chris bought me a drawing of a young boy playing with his toy cars in the sand. The artist was in the store displaying her paintings and artwork, and I particularly loved this picture that she had drawn. It brought back so many memories for me of raising my sons. Also, Tim bought me a Christian children's book, as I love to collect them. This one is about Noah and a monkey who, because he struggles with trusting God, resists going into the ark. The story touched my heart because we all, at one time or another, can be like that monkey.

Daniel will be taking me out for Sushi after church today, and Matthew is painting me a picture.

Life doesn't get any better! God is good!

Bye-Bye Gluten!

My second oldest son, Tim, has had increasingly serious allergies and stomach aches over the last several years. I tried to talk him into seeing a doctor sooner, but he is your typical male — stubborn — and he hates going to doctors. Even worse, all the male doctors in our area aren't taking new patients, and my doctor happens to be female. Eventually, I just got fed up with Tim's stubbornness and made an appointment for him to see my doctor anyway.

Well, yesterday, the doctor confirmed my suspicions. Tim most likely has Celiac disease. I had begun to suspect this over the last several months because I recognized the symptoms from babysitting a young girl a few years ago who, in addition to her mother, had been diagnosed with Celiac.

After the doctor's appointment, Tim had to have several blood tests, and he is now being referred to an allergist. If he does have Celiac, we will all eventually have to be tested. I am almost certain that my youngest son, Matthew, and I have the disease too, although our symptoms are not yet as severe as Tim's.

Oh well, I guess this means bye-bye gluten and all the foods I love so dearly. No more home-made bread!

I will just have to forget the wonderful taste of it, and, instead, rely on the Living Bread.

"I am the living bread that came from heaven.

Anyone who eats this bread will live forever;

and this bread,

which I will offer so the world may live,

is my flesh."

John 6:51 (NLT)

Flowers Will Fade, But God's Word Stands Forever

I was born on Mother's Day, and this year my birthday falls on Mother's Day again. My husband Brian will be gone, but yesterday he was home, so he took me out for dinner and bought me a card and a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

What woman doesn't love the romantic gift of flowers from the man she loves? What sick person's spirit isn't uplifted with the beauty and fragrance of flowers? And what mother's heart isn't touched by a freshly picked bouquet of wildflowers from her young child?

However, like everything else in this world that withers, the grass and flowers will fade. But there is one thing that lasts forever and brings beauty and life to our hearts, souls, and minds like nothing this world can offer — the Word of God.

"The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the Word of our God stands forever."

Isaiah 40:8 (NLT)

The Word of God stands forever, and not one word of it is to be changed, ignored, or considered obsolete.

Choose: God's Favour Or Man's Favour

This is my youngest son's favourite Bible because he has loves art. When he was a young boy, he used to draw on the backs of bulletins while sitting in church. Later, as he grew older, he would take blank pieces of paper hidden in a black portfolio and draw on them while listening to the sermons. I never discouraged him, and the older people who would sit behind us always appreciated his drawings. I guess his drawings caught their eye.

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People whom God has placed in leadership positions will be judged more strictly than the people they lead. The greater a person's influence, the worse his/her punishment will be. The Bible states:

"Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, 

because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly."

James 3:1 (NLT)

Because leaders have a greater influence on a large number of people, they, by permitting or encouraging ungodly principles, have the ability to lead more people astray. For this reason, they will be judged more strictly. Any leader (especially those who claim to be Christians) who permits or encourages behaviours and beliefs that are strongly against God's Word and His character will incur great judgement for themselves.

Yesterday, the leader of a certain country made a terrible mistake in the eyes of God. He made a mockery of God in all His holiness, and he did it in front the whole world.

Yesterday, this leader may have made humanistic history, and, sadly, he may have also increased the number of his votes, but he will definitely incur the judgment of God for seeking man's favour instead of God's favour. And I would much rather have God's favour.

One Sexual Sin Isn't Worse Than The Others

My stomach churns when I hear a Christian or Pastor who, while discussing sexual sin, singles out the sin of homosexuality and fails to mention the others. This is nothing less than hypocrisy. Premarital sex, adultery, pornography, and dressing provocatively are sexual sins that are just as bad as homosexuality. One is not worse than the others.

The Bible clearly states that we are to run from sexual sin because no other sin affects the body as sexual sin does. This verse doesn't single out the sexual sin of homosexuality. All sexual sins are wrong in God's eyes and do harm to one's body.

"Run from sexual sin!

No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does.

For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body."

1 Corinthians 6:18 (NLT)

The Bible says that anyone who looks at a woman with lust in his heart has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

"But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust

has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

Matthew 5:28 (NLT)

I am always very leery of Christians who think homosexuality is worse than other sexual sins. I can't help but wonder why they think this. Is it because they are hiding a sexual sin of their own? A homosexual is no worse a sinner than a man or woman who spends time on the Internet in the privacy and dark of his/her room looking at pornography, or a woman who gets up in the morning and chooses to wear a low-cut top or sexually provocative clothes.

All sexual sins are harmful to us and we are commanded to run from them.

Lazy Cat Days

"Despite their desires,

the lazy will come to ruin,

for their hands refuse to work."

Proverbs 21:25 (NLT)

Laziness accomplishes nothing. In fact, laziness eventually destroys us. We all need to work to maintain our mental, physical, and emotional well-being. We may have dreams and desires, but they will never come to pass if will lay around and do nothing to accomplish them.

This video says it all:

Taekwon-Do: A Prerequisite To Ministry?

The day after my sons' Taekwon-Do tournament, they received an email from their senior instructor. He thanked everyone for representing their club so well at the tournament. He stated that he was proud of each and every one of them, and that he hoped they enjoyed the day as much as he did. He repeatedly encouraged people to be free to express to him any concerns or questions about the tournament.

I read that email several times and thought, "Wow, I think I would like to join this society, buy a dobok, and learn Taekwon-Do, just so I can be part of this wonderful group of people."

I'm not going to lie. I've lived in Alberta three years. My sons and I have volunteered in children's ministries for several churches, but since we've moved here, I've yet to feel part of a church family.

The church for which we volunteer now recently held an after-church, volunteer appreciation banquet. My sons and I were overlooked and therefore not invited. Instead, the pastor in charge was elated when he found out we weren't going and asked my family if we would help provide childcare for the volunteer parents who were attending. We had lots of fun and even my husband, who, having just come home from working all week, helped out so he could be with his family. But still, it would have been nice to have been invited.

Also, when my sons and I volunteered to do the children's worship for a spring retreat, we were never sent an email of thanks. Instead, one of my sons was informed about a complaint: that I need to sing into the microphone so my voice could be heard as well as Tim's. No thanks or compliments preceded or followed the complaint.

I think maybe the churches should observe or join Taekwon-Do to learn by example how to treat others. Not only that, but many times from the pulpit I hear this comment from the pastor: "Don't send me any emails of complaints. I don't want to hear them." Maybe Bible College isn't enough to train men and women to be pastors. Maybe people who want to be pastors should join Taekwon-Do first to learn to respect and appreciate others, as well as to have a willing heart to hear people's concerns.

"Don't be selfish;

don't try to impress others.

Be humble,

thinking of others as better than yourselves."

Philippians 2:3 (NLT)

Are Churches Rivals?

Yesterday, I attended Chris's and Matthew's Taekwon-Do tournament. I used my camera to take videos of them sparing and doing their patterns in front of the judges. Now they can watch the videos at home and determine for themselves where they need improvement.

The tournament included students from BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Chris and Matthew each won a silver and a bronze medal in their age and belt level category.

I was very impressed and surprised with the atmosphere of the tournament. Everybody had a great deal of respect, discipline, and humility. No one ever boasted about their achievements in front of their opponents. (In fact, such action is prohibited.) Before the tournament, there was a short speech from a master about how everyone is to consider each other as equal and no one is to view him/herself as better than another. "We are to be like one large family," he said, "encouraging one another."

Parents were not permitted to give pointers to their children or yell out critical remarks, and they were urged to remain in the bleachers. There were no fights or disputes about points or awards. There were no tears falling down a young child's face. There were no cries of dismay. After every sparring match, the opponents shook hands and praised each other's effort and skill.

Throughout the whole tournament I kept thinking, "Wow! This Taekwon-Do society is based on Biblical principles!"

It's sad that many of our church's sports teams don't practise these principles. I have one son, Chris, who is on church baseball team, and last year, both my sons, Daniel and Chris, were on the team. When I went to one of last year's games, I couldn't believe the poor sportsmanship and un-Christ-like attitudes, the angry words and expressions, the disrespect and rudeness, the degrading and discouraging remarks, and, in general, the high level of competition between churches. Doesn't the Bible say we all belong to one body, the body of Christ?

"So it is with Christ's body.

We are many parts of one body,

and we all belong to each other."

Romans 12:5 (NLT)

The Bible also says that we are to encourage each other and build each other up.

"So encourage each other

and build each other up."

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT)

It is sad that secular martial arts societies practice principles that Christians don't.

They Will Fight You, But Fail

Today, two of my brothers, Chris and Matthew, are going to the ICTF Western Canadian Taekwon-Do Championships. I'm sure it sounds more impressive than it actually is. My mom is going there to watch. It's a full day. I have to stay home and catch up on some work since I was sick this last week.

Here are some pictures of my brothers in their flashy doboks.

They're a bit nervous, but they don't need to be, because in the Bible it says:

"'They will fight you, but they will fail.

For I am with you, and I will take care of you.

I, the LORD, have spoken!'"

Jeremiah 1:19 (NLT)

When God is with you, there's no reason to be afraid. Even when facing an impending career choice, a daunting homework assignment, an upcoming medical examination, an unwritten blogger post, or a panel of tournament judges who wave little flags to authoritatively indicate the balance of skill that exists between you and your opponent.

Worry Can Tear You To Pieces

Dictionary.com defines the verb "worry" when not applied to an object as: "to torment oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts." However, I like the meaning of worry when applied to an object better: "to seize, especially by the throat, with the teeth and shake or mangle, as one animal does to another." The first definition of worry is a metaphorical application of the second. Worry can tear a person to pieces, destroying his/her peace of mind and joy of heart, leaving him/her in torment, gasping for breath, and grappling for energy.

The Bible says that as a child of God, we have access to His peace at all times and in every situation. Why? Because the Lord is always with us.

"Now may the Lord of peace Himself

give you His peace at all times

and in every situation.

The Lord be with you all.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NLT)

We never need to worry. We can give all our worries and cares to God because the God of this Universe and the Creator of All cares about us.

"Give all your worries and cares to God,

for He cares about you."

1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)

Do You Care How Many People Look At Your Facebook Page Today?

Narcissism is becoming more and more an increasing problem in our the world. People are drawing further away from the truth of God's Word, and focusing more and more on themselves, caring less and less about the feelings of others.

A narcissist is someone who views everyone else as nothing more than a servant. Life completely revolves around such a person. When others fail to satisfy or meet his/her needs, a narcissist usually detaches him/herself from them, or becomes cruel and abusive towards them. A narcissist feels no remorse for his/her negative actions. In a narcissist's mind, his/her sins are justified and others are to blame. A narcissist also cannot take criticism from others because he/she views him/herself as a perfect and an exceptional being, while everyone else has only flaws and imperfections. Many narcissists never marry, because no one is good enough. Or if they do marry, they end up deeply hurting or destroying the love of their partner, wounding them for life.

Many past and present leaders in countries all around the world are narcissists. Yet we continue to idolize them, spend millions of dollars to promote them to higher positions, and then elect them to lead our countries. What is going on? If Jesus were to run for the leadership of a country today, he would probably get less than 1% of the people's votes. Even many alleged Christians would find Him too conservative in His views. Let's face it: Jesus wouldn't be very popular because He would be solidly against abortion, gay marriage (did I just say that? oops), pre-marital sex, and majority of our divorces. And yet who do we find to blame for the mess our world is in?

Social media has become nothing more than a breeding ground for narcissism to develop in people's hearts and minds. Forget about blaming parents for their children's narcissism. If people would spend in God's Word the time they currently spend on the Internet, watching TV, and using social media, our world would be a different place, and our rising leaders would be different from the men and women we see today.

God has commanded us to love each other, just as He has loved us. For our world to be a better place, we need to obey God's commandments and focus less on loving ourselves and more on loving God, and others.

"So now I am giving you a new commandment:

Love each other.

Just as I have loved you,

you should love each other."

John 13:34 (NLT)

Don't Just Train For Physical Health, Train Also For Spiritual Godliness

Fitness is important to my sons. Two of them, Matthew and Tim, get up at five (or six if they don't have classes) every morning, even in the freezing cold of winter, and run six kilometres. Matthew and another of my sons, Chris, train twice a week in Taekwon-do. Downstairs, we have a weight room.

This year, I've decided to join in. Matthew has taken on the role of my personal fitness trainer and I think he missed his calling as a sergent in the army. He is brutal! However, I do enjoy the bike machine, and I even enjoy weight lifting. But don't tell him I said that.

The Bible says physical training is good because it benefits us as we live life here on earth. Physical training keeps us healthy and strong, and when we are healthy and strong, we can do more for God.

However, training in godliness is much better because it benefits us both in this life and in the life to come.

"Physical training is good,

but training for godliness is much better,

promising benefits in this life

and in the life to come."

1 Timothy 4:8 (NLT)

It is important to train yourself physically so that you stay healthy, but it is even more important to train yourself spiritually, so you will live a godly life.

If I Had Wings I Would Fly Away

"Oh, that I had wings like a dove; 

then I would fly away and rest!"

Psalm 55:6 (NLT)

I am sure we have all felt like David at one time or another — that if only we had wings, we would fly away to rest and escape the troubles of this world.

What about when we are stuck in rush hour traffic? I can't be the only one who has wished my car had wings to avoid the stress of driving in chaos. But even if our cars could convert into some sort of aircraft, we still would never be able reach that desired place of complete rest.

Thankfully, however, there is coming a day when each of God's children on earth will fly away from all the troubles, sorrows, heartaches, and fears of this world and rest eternally in the presence of God.

David should have written: "Oh, one day I will have wings like a dove; then I will fly away and rest!"

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I bought this bomber jacket for my son Matthew when he was in grade twelve. It's going to come in handy as part of someone's costume for the "Sky" VBS dramas. The intrusive cat in the picture is Osha. I can never take a picture in the house without him being in it.