The Whirlwind And The Storm Display His Power

All day yesterday, Edmontonians received warnings of an impending severe thunder and lightning storm with high winds and possible tornadoes. Throughout the morning, the air was unusually still, hot, and humid, but with clear blue skies. By late afternoon, however, dark clouds could be seen far in the distance.

I ate supper early, them grabbed my camera to go for a walk, hoping to capture the approaching storm on flash chip. I asked my sons if they wanted to join me. They all refused. Even as I opened the front door to leave, I couldn't figure out why they didn't want to come. My husband, who was home because his truck broke down, tried to talk me out of going. He couldn't, of course, and so he eventually decided to accompany me. I guess he felt it was his duty to protect me from my own insanity.

As we walked along the street, I sensed an eery calmness. The air had not even the slightest breeze. However, this didn't stop me — it only motivated me more. There were no children playing outside, except for one yard where a mother was attempting to call in her children from the front door. She gave us a strange look as we passed, especially as she noticed my camera.

As we continued our walk, there were few signs of life. It reminded me of walking through a ghost town. The birds seemed to have disappeared. We met only one other (crazy) human who was out walking, but she was no relative of mine. I did spot one lone jack rabbit eating clover, though. To pass the time, I stopped to take a picture.

My husband, who was keeping an eye on the sky, pointed out the first large cloud of the forewarned storm. I swung my camera in that direction and quickly snapped a picture. The cloud was moving in at incredible speed, but, oddly, we felt no wind.

Then, within a split second, the wind hit us with a force we've never experienced. We both immediately turned around to get home as quickly as possible. The wind was so strong I couldn't even see forward without using my hands to form a protective cover over my eyes. Dust, dirt, and debris swirled in the air all around us. We were ten minutes from home when a man stopped his vehicle and asked if we needed a ride home. I, of course, said, "No, thank you." He saw the smile on my face and laughed.

When we finally got home, I paused by the door and tried one last time to see if I could spot a funnel cloud as it formed. I was surprised (and a little disappointed) to see not even one. Ten minutes later, I was even more surprised when the storm ended as abruptly as it had begun. There was no hail the size of golf balls, only a few unimpressive flashes of lightning and a few measly minutes of rain.

Soon after, my oldest son phoned me to tell me the storm warning had been dropped. I was quite disappointed. "Oh, well," I thought. "Maybe next time I will finally see and experience a real prairie storm, like the ones my dad used to tell me about when I was a girl growing up."

Storms have always excited me. Whenever I experience one, I sense God's presence. They never fail to display His mighty power, as well as His mighty protection.

"The Lord is slow to get angry,

but His power is great,

and He never lets the guilty go unpunished.

He displays His power in the whirlwind and the storm.

The billowing clouds are the dust beneath His feet."

Nahum 1:3 (NLT)

Don't Rely On Other Sources; Look Only To God's Word

Many church-goers today are living in sin, confusion, lukewarmness, complacency, and self-absorption. A principal reason is that they neglect to study God's Word for themselves. Instead, they rely on Sunday-morning messages, which, unfortunately, are becoming increasingly of the man-inspired, Internet-searched, state-of-the-art, purchased-online, sermon-series variety, designed to amuse and please.

As the years pass, God is closer to retrieving His people. Yet Christians are drawing further away from God's Word, and therefore further away from God! We need desperately to saturate our minds daily with God's Word, so that our hearts will always be filled with God's Spirit. Then we will be a people ready for His imminent return.

God's Word is perfect. It revives the soul. It is trustworthy. It makes wise the simple. It is right and brings joy to the heart. It is clear and gives insight for living.

"The instructions of the Lord are perfect,

reviving the soul.

The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,

making wise the simple.

The commandments of the Lord are right,

bringing joy to the heart.

The commands of the Lord are clear,

giving insight for living."

Psalm 19:7-8 (NLT)

What source does a pastor, teacher, or Christian need, other than God's Word? God's Word must always be the foundation, inspiration, focus, and motivation of everything we do!

By His Wisdom And By His Power He Preserves The Earth

A ladybug is a farmer's best friend because ladybugs eat aphids. Aphids are insects that eat plants, and one ladybug over its lifetime can consume up to 5000 aphids. Ladybugs are an important part of nature's balance. They are also cute! I used to get so excited as a little girl every time I spotted a ladybug because I wanted to capture one for a pet. But whenever I did, they would always release a horrible smell. I guess a ladybug wasn't excited as I was to be held by a little girl's hands and imprisoned in a glass jar.

"The Lord made the earth by His power,

and He preserves it by His wisdom.

With His own understanding He stretched out the heavens."

Jeremiah 51:12 (NLT)

The order and balance of our world is the result of our masterly powerful and brilliant God!

Is The Christian Life Supposed To Be A Blinding Dust Storm?

"It is better not to eat meat or drink wine

or do anything else

if it might cause another believer to stumble."

Romans 14:31 (NLT)

As Christians, we must be very careful to live our lives so as not to cause another believer to stumble and fall into sin. Our Christian life isn't just about us and the benefits we gain from it. It's about loving God and thinking more of the spiritual condition and growth of others. We definitely should not want to do or say anything that might cause others to turn away from God.

As people draw closer to God and study His Word, the grey areas in their lives resolve into black and white, and there is no need to ask themselves the question, "Is this right or is it wrong?" They know because they know God through His Word.

God never intended for the Christian life to be a staggering walk in a blinding dust storm, with our hands over our ears to shut out the roaring wind. If we know God's Word, we will be able to see clearly all around us, hear plainly the voice of God above the false voices of this world, and live a life pleasing to Him.

Call On God In Truth

Cattails are plants that grow along the edges of ponds and lakes. You see them everywhere in Alberta, and many places in BC have them too. When I was a young girl, I thought they looked more like the cigars my grandfather smoked than the tails of cats. Despite such observations, which I have kept to myself until now, I've always enjoyed picking a bundle of them at the end of each summer for my fall decorations. Unfortunately, no matter what I spray them with, they always eventually burst open, leaving white fluff everywhere. Nevertheless, I continue picking them each year, despite the annoyance to my household.

We are sometimes like cattails. On the outside, we look as if we have it together. We go to Church, we dress attractively, we are physically healthy and fit, we have smiles on our face, we talk pleasantly, and we never complain. But on the inside, we're a completely different story. On the inside, we have buried hurts, disappointments, jealousies, resentments, and unforgivenesses, and our insides can't take it any longer. We suddenly shock everyone by bursting open with anger, violence, abuse, rash decisions, and immoral behaviour.

It is of the utmost importance that, as Christians, we take time each day to talk to our Heavenly Father and be honest with Him when we have negative feelings. God will not respond in anger. Instead, He will gently caress us with His love and His Word, allowing our negative feelings to dissipate and our hurts to heal.

"The Lord is near to all who call on Him,

to all who call on Him in truth."

Psalm 145:18 (NIV)

Don't pretend with God, even when you are afraid to be honest with Him. The Bible says that He is near to all those who call on Him in truth. When you are honest with God, He will be honest with you about His love and His care, giving you the strength and wisdom to deal with all your struggles.

The Unfading Beauty Of A Life

This seedhead was once a large, bright, yellow flower. Its beautiful pedals have fallen to the ground, withered, and turned to dust. But although the spectacular colour of the flower is gone, the seeds remain. Once a strong wind catches them, the seeds will spread, and many more flowers will grow from this single, precious one!

"The grass withers and the flowers fall,

because the breath of the Lord blows on them."

Isaiah 40:7 (NIV)

Human life is the same. We live for a time, revealing the beauty of God in each of us. Then comes a God-appointed day when we die. However, if we have chosen to live life to do good, our seeds will spread long and far and take root in other people's hearts. This is how the beauty of life remains! It never fades even after death.

"You should clothe yourselves instead

with the beauty that comes from within,

the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,

which is so precious to God."

1 Peter 3:4 (NLT)

Let The Trees Rustle With Praise

Ever since I was a young girl I used to love to look up into the blue sky through green rustling leaves that danced in the summer breeze. It always brought an indescribable joy to my heart. Today I know why! The Bible says that the trees of the forest rustle with praise because they know that the Lord is coming to judge the earth and restore it back to its original state of purity and perfection.

"Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise,

for the Lord is coming to judge the earth."

1 Chronicles 16:33 (NLT)

On Her Tongue Is The Law Of Kindness

Monday, July 13th of last week, my sister-in-law took her last breath. A year ago, she was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. Today is her memorial service. Here is a picture of her a few years ago with my second oldest brother, the man who was so honoured to have her as his faithful wife.

My sister-in-law was like a beautiful rose that fragranced the earth with its sweet aroma of kindness and graciousness. Even though her life on earth has ended, the memory of her will always remain with all those hearts she so lovingly touched, including mine.

This Bible verse describes my sister-in-law as she was: a devoted wife, a loving mother of two adopted children, and a wonderful friend to many.

"She opens her mouth with wisdom;

and on her tongue is the law of kindness"

Proverbs 31:26 (KJV)

God Doesn't View Us From Afar

This is a picture my son Tim took when we went for a hike to view a waterfall. He happened to turn around as he was climbing the hill, saw this view, and snapped a picture. The cars on the bridge look like the little toy cars my sons use to play with when they were young. How insignificant people seem from afar!

And yet God thinks so lovingly of us. To Him, we are significant! He doesn't look at us from far away. Instead, God is right there beside us with every breath we take.

"What are mere mortals that you should think about them,

human beings that you should care for them?"

Psalm 8:4 (NLT)

Give ALL Your Worries And Cares To God

For four years now, my sons and I have gone down to BC to help out with an annual, week-long, summer Vacation Bible School. We are usually gone for a total of eight days. As all of you know, I love gardening! However, I have no one to care for my flowers while I am gone, so every year I ask God to do it. And every year I come home from VBS to a well-watered lawn and garden.

This year, however, I have to admit, I was a bit worried, mostly because the weeks leading up to VBS were exceptionally hot. So the Friday before we left, while I watered my lawn, my flowers gardens, my flower pots, and my new shrubs and trees, I anxiously prayed that God would care for them all. As I continued to pray, the assurance of God came over me, and I left Saturday morning with peace of mind.

During the week of VBS, I had only fleeting thoughts about my yard. Then, yesterday evening, as I drove down my street and saw the first glimpse of my yard in over a week, I was amazed at how beautiful my yard and flowers looked — they looked better than when I left! My first thought was, "Maybe I should have God care for my yard on a regular basis."

We can give ALL our worries and cares to God, because He really does care about us.

"Give all your worries and cares to God,

for He cares about you."

1 Peter 1:7 (NLT)

Obey God And You Will Be Blessed

Early this morning, and with sad hearts, we left the beautiful mountains and the lush forests of BC to travel back to our home in the Prairies with its bright yellow canola fields and endless skies. We are all tired, but extremely blessed by God, knowing we did His will.

Vacation Bible School was a wonderful experience! The best ever! All the children responded to God's Word and His Holy Spirit. Each child left with a deeper understanding of who God is and a closer relationship with their Heavenly Father. On Thursday, many of the children asked Jesus into their hearts for the first time.

Here is a picture of all of us on our last day:

I can never begin to describe to you what a blessing it is to work with my sons! I know from experience that blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.

"All these blessings will come on you and accompany you

if you obey the Lord your God."

Deuteronomy 28:2 (NIV)

Rivers Of Living Water Will Flow From Within

Yesterday afternoon, my sons and I took the girls for a hike to see a waterfall. Here are some pictures.

"'Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.
Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said,
rivers of living water will flow from within them.'"

John 7:37b-38 (NIV)

A Time For Every Activity

For everything there is a season,

a time for every activity under heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NLT)

And last night was a time to play baseball.

It was great for us to take a break from our work and have fun.

Run To Win!

Tim and Matthew raced against a certain young female at a running track yesterday.  Here are some photos of the event.

Tim and Matthew warming up.

Approaching the finish line.

Matthew trying his hardest to win.

Of course, in the photos for today's blog, Matthew had to let the girl win. However, the actual race between the three of them was very close, as the girl trains in track and field.

The Bible says that we must run the race of life with discipline and determination to win the eternal prize — not a temporal one.

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs,
but only one person gets the prize?
So run to win!
All athletes are disciplined in their training.
They do it to win a prize that will fade away,
but we do it for an eternal prize.
So I run with purpose in every step.
I am not just shadowboxing.
I discipline my body like an athlete,
training it to do what it should.
Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others
I myself might be disqualified.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NLT)

From The Lips Of Children

My sons, the two adopted girls, and I are now in our costumes. Children love it when they see us in costumes each year. It helps everyone to get into the spirit of the year's theme, which this year is "Sky" VBS.  Here are pictures of our costumes.

It is wonderful to see the children singing and signing praises to their Heavenly Father. The Bible says that from the lips of children He has called forth His praise.

"'Do you hear what these children are saying?' they asked Him.

'Yes,' replied Jesus, 'have you never read,

"From the lips of children and infants

You, Lord, have called forth Your praise"?'"

Matthew 21:16 (NIV)

It Is Good To Praise The Lord

Our special visitor arrived yesterday afternoon to be a part of the team.

Daniel arrived a few hours later and we practiced late at night, proclaiming God's faithfulness.

We will practice again this morning, proclaiming His love.

It is good to praise the Lord

and make music to your name, O Most High,

proclaiming your love in the morning

and your faithfulness at night.

Psalm 92:1-2 (NIV)

Home Is Where Your Heart Is

We arrived safely. This is now our new home for the week:

"For where your treasure is,

there your heart will be also."

Luke 12:34 (NIV)

When your treasure is God, that is where your heart is. Therefore, when serving the Lord, your home can be anywhere, and you will be content.

Present God's Word In Its Fullness

Last night, three of my sons and I packed our things in two vehicles. This morning, we are off to BC for a week! My oldest son, Daniel, will be leaving tomorrow, Sunday morning, to join us. There, we will be busy leading children's worship and staging daily dramas as part of a summer Vacation Bible School. The weather is hot, the vehicles are crowded with instruments, and our heads our filled with songs and scripts, but we're all excited to finally be on our way to minister for the Lord. We're leaving the prairies of Alberta and heading for the mountains of BC.

The best part of VBS is at the end of the week when children come to accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. It makes everything all worth while! This is what I appreciate most about Vacation Bible School — it reaches out to the unsaved children in the community. It isn't a church camp designed to entertain children from church-going families with little or no mention of God's Word. Everything in this week-long VBS is centered around God's Word: the music, the dramas, the crafts, the prizes, the sports, and even the food are all employed to teach Scripture, so that the children will come to a greater understanding of who God is.

We feel, as a family, that the opportunities God gives us to minister to children should be used to teach His Word, whether it be through song, dramas, or speech. As Christians and servants of God, we are commissioned by Him to present His Word in its fullness.

"I have become its servant by the commission God gave me

to present to you the Word of God in its fullness."

Colossians 1:25 (NIV)

Without the Word of God, none of us can truly know our Creator. With the Word of God, we can become His!

As Surefooted As A Deer

Several years ago, Matthew used to be able to do front flips on the ground. Since Matthew is feeling healthier than he has in years, (now being gluten-free), a few nights ago, he asked if we could walk to the playground so he could try to do a front flip again. Tim and I were slightly doubtful, so we brought a camera along to film it. To our shock, and Matthew's surprise, he succeeded. Here is the video.

Knowing Matthew I am certain he prayed beforehand, especially with two spectators watching, and one of them holding a camera in hand. Matthew proved this Psalm in the Bible true; these are Matthew's favourite verses.

"God arms me with strength,

and He makes my way perfect.

He makes me as surefooted as a deer,

enabling me to stand on mountain heights.

He trains my hands for battle;

He strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow.

You  have given me your shield of victory.

Your right hand supports me;

your help has made me great.

You have made a wide path for my feet

to keep them from slipping.

Psalm 18:32 (NLT)

It's Too Hot!

We've been having very warm temperatures lately and my cat Osha doesn't like the heat. Instead of taking his day-time naps curled up into a ball with his head upside-down as he usual does, he just stretches out on his bed and looks dazed. It's too hot for him!

The Bible says that when we have unconfessed and hidden sin in our lives, we will feel like Osha in the picture. Our strength will be sapped as in the heat of summer. But if we confess our sin to God and repent, He will forgive our sin. When God forgives our sin, the guilt of that sin no longer has to weigh heavy on us, and our emotional and physical health can then return to well-being.

"When I kept silent, my bones wasted away

through my groaning all day long.

For day and night your hand was heavy on me;

my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you

and did not cover up my iniquity.

I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.'

And your forgave the guilt of my sin."

Psalm 32:3-5 (NIV)

Don't ignore or cover up your sins, and don't allow the guilt to waste your bones, weigh you down, and sap your energy. Confess your sins to the Lord so He can forgive you and set you free to live life with strength and vitality, no longer burdened by the negative effects of guilt.

Do You Know How God Controls The Clouds?

"Do you know how God controls the clouds

and makes His lightning flash?"

Job 37:15 (NIV)

Last night I woke up to silent flashes of bright lights in my room every few seconds. When my mind was fully functioning, I realized that the flashes were frequent lightning strikes. Oddly, the only thunder sound was a slight, background rumble, certainly not the typical "boom!" that people in the prairies are used to hearing. However, even without the loud frightening sound effects, the storm was the most spectacular lightning storm I have ever seen!

Here are some pictures of the lightning that my son Tim managed to capture on camera.

Whenever I hear the thunder and see the lightning, I instantly think of God. After all, it is He who unleashes His lightning beneath the heavens and sends it to the earth.

"He unleashes His lightning beneath the whole heaven

and sends it to the ends of the earth."

Job 37:3 (NIV)

Sometimes I wonder if God sends His thunder and lightning, especially at night when we are asleep, as a wake-up-call to His majestic existence and power. And I also wonder how many people who hear and see His thunder and lightning secretly tremble inside because they have not acknowledged Him as their Heavenly Father.

The Nurturing Nature Of Our God

The male and female American Coots finally brought their chicks out of the bulrushes, so I was able to see them and take a picture of them. The chicks' beaks are orange whereas the parents' beaks are white. My sons and I stood awhile and watched the parents feed their babies.

Here is a video of the American Coot parents caring for their young:

All living creatures, small and large, have been created by God with a digestive system in order to eat the food available in their natural habitats and be sustained. God in His infinite wisdom has provided the proper food for each one of these creatures and they are satisfied.

"When You give it to them,

they gather it up;

when You open Your hand,

they are satisfied with good things."

Psalm 104:28 (NIV)

How nurturing is our God!

The Word Of God Will Satisfy Like The Richest Of Foods

Last night as I went for a walk with my sons Tim and Matthew, I spotted a Red-necked Grebe and his family.

This is the male Red-necked Grebe swimming on the surface of the water.

All of a sudden, he dives swiftly under the water.

He finds a crustacean and brings it to the surface, but does not eat it.

The female Red-necked Grebe and their two chicks are safely protected by a mat of vegetation that floats near the shore of the island. The young Red-necked Grebes have striped faces. They are waiting to be fed by their father.

One of the chicks eagerly swims out to meet his/her father and take the crustacean from his beak. The other one holds back.

I believe this Red-necked Grebe family is an illustration of how we are to eagerly crave the Word of God. Our Heavenly Father is like that father Grebe, coming to us with food in his mouth. We are to be like that chick, eagerly desiring to devour it — so much so that we are willing to risk swimming away from safety to meet him and eat of it. God longs to feed us daily with His Word and we are to ardently crave it.

"My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;

with singing lips my mouth will praise you."

Psalm 63:5 (NIV)

When we allow God to feed us with His Word, we will never be disappointed, but always satisfied. Once we eat, our lips will break forth in praises to Him.