Will Be Radiant With Joy

"I prayed to the Lord,

and He answered me.

He freed me from all my fears.

Those who look to Him for help

will be radiant with joy;

no shadow of shame will darken their faces."

Psalm 34:4-5

When we seek God in the face of our fears, He will free us from those fears. Therefore, no matter what storms we are going through or what giants we are facing, if we look to God for help, all the darkness and shame that fear creates will disappear, and our faces will shine with the radiant joy that comes from trusting God.

Choose today to trust in the Lord, and fear not! Choose to walk in His light and in all His ways!

Serving As Overseers

My family and I have been happily attending a Bible-centered church where all the pastors (there are three of them) equally take turns preaching on Sunday mornings. I have never seen this in any other church we've attended in the past.

The monopoly of the pulpit by a Lead Pastor has always disturbed me, and many times I have sat in the pew, looked over at the other capable pastors hired by the church, and pondered the reason. Is it because of control? insecurity? distrust? pride? selfishness? What are the lower-rank pastors thinking? Do they feel inferior? undervalued? unaccepted? unworthy? doubtful of their calling?

The Bible says that a pastor is to be a shepherd of God's flock, serving as overseers.

"Be shepherds of God's flock

that is under your care,

serving as overseers —

not because you must,

but because you are willing,

as God wants you to be;

not greedy for money,

but eager to serve."

1 Peter 5:2 (NIV)

The definition of a shepherd is "a person who protects, guides, or watches over a person or group of people," and an overseer is "a person who supervises others' work."

When a bunch of pastors of lower rank (in man's eyes, of course) are sitting in the pews almost every Sunday without the opportunity to preach, except just once in a while, is the Lead Pastor having the attitude of a servant?

I feel today that many pastors have taken on a different role than what God intended for them. It seems that only a few are true servants of God, eager to serve, to care for, and to oversee their flock, so that everyone reaches their full potential in Christ Jesus. Many of those who become pastors today do so by first demanding a certain wage, a title of acknowledgment, a building to call their own, and the power to control. In God's eyes, they have received their reward---on earth.

And All These Things Will Be Given To You As Well

"But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness,

 and all these things will be given to you as well."

Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

It is of the utmost importance to God (and to us) that we never seek the answer to our prayers first, because God promises that if we seek Him and His righteousness first, then all the things we are so concerned about will be taken care of. This means that if you have prayer requests for unsaved loved ones, healing in your body, a job, restoration in your marriage, a Christian mate, strength, or anything or anyone that concerns you, you are not to worry about any of it. God will take care of all your needs and concerns if you only seek Him first and His righteousness.

We need to eagerly spend time every day being in His presence and enjoying His Word, and then to strive to live for God righteously each day as we humbly offer ourselves as His true and faithful servants. When we do this, we will find that our fears and worries will fade, to be replaced by trust in our Heavenly Father and serenity in our hearts, knowing that He is taking care of our needs.

Those who fear God and seek His face will lack nothing.

"Fear the Lord, you His holy people,

for those who fear Him lack nothing.

The lions may grow weak and hungry,

but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing."

Psalm 34:9-10 (NIV)

No Other Commandment Is Greater Than These

I have a next-door neighbour who is, you could say, annoying. He is very controlling. I can't do a thing in my yard or house without his authorization or coming over to give me his expert advice. Since my husband is not around most of the time, I think he views me as incapable and inane — I have no idea where he gets that idea. Anyways, I hate being controlled by someone, so I try to avoid him as much as possible.

Then yesterday morning as I was writing my blog, this neighbour came to mind. God spoke to me and asked, "Do you love your neighbour?"

My initial response was, "Eew!" but I hoped God wasn't able to decipher that with His mind-reading skills.

I argued in my defence, "Yes, I have done everything in my power to please him! Even when he asked me to remove that compost box I had just placed in my backyard which cost two hundred dollars, I did."

However, my answer didn't seem to satisfy God, so He asked, "Do you want to see him go to hell?"

I said, "No! of course not!"

God said, "Then show him more love, and go out of your way, instead of avoiding him."

I was instantly sorry and repented. I told God sincerely that if He would give me the opportunities, I would do just that.

Well, God answered my prayer much sooner than I expected, because that afternoon a knock came to my front door. When I opened it, there stood a young teenage girl asking me if I wanted to buy cookie dough to pay for the construction of a new playground. As I imagined the kinds of ingredients that would be in the cookie dough, I responded politely, "No, I don't need any of that." However, interested in the project, I asked her where the playground was going to be constructed.

Expecting her to say Africa or someplace like that, she answered, "In this town."

Well, my interest was lost at that point. There must be at least twenty playgrounds in this town. Why would we need another? I responded, "Oh, well, good luck then. Bye."

As soon as I shut the door, God spoke again, "That's the man's daughter next door!"

"Really?" I didn't recognized her because I have never met her close up. Not only that, but at first she lived with her mother and only visited her father occasionally. Now she is living with her father, but has drastically changed in appearance.

I quickly reopened the door and called out to her by asking, rather intelligently, for all the neighbours to hear, "Are you the girl who lives next door?"

She smiled and said, "Yes."

I hurried over to her, my feet bare on the frozen concrete, so that I could ask her another intelligent question, this time a little more privately, "Can I just donate money?"

She looked at me perplexedly, hesitating she said, "Yeah . . . I guess so."

"OK!" I ran into the house, up the stairs, took out a twenty dollar bill from my purse, ran down the stairs, across the frozen concrete, gave her the money, and signed her sheet with a note stating I wouldn't be needing any cookie dough.

Now the girl looked at me weirdly, so I just smiled and told her to have a nice day!

"And you must love the Lord your God

with all your heart, all your soul,

all your mind, and all your strength.

The second is equally important:

'Love your neighbour as yourself.'

No other commandment is greater than these."

Mark 12:30-31 (NLT)

I only hope her father doesn't view me even more as a crazy female in constant need of his supervision.

Doomed Forever To Blackest Darkness

Many people in this world who do not know God believe that when they die, their lives simply ends. This is a misconception because the Bible says that when a person dies, he/she enters into eternity, whether it be eternal punishment or eternal life.

"And they will go away

into eternal punishment,

but the righteous will go

into eternal life."

Matthew 25:46 (NLT)

Eternal punishment is an eternal fire of torment for those who in their earthly life disregarded God and His Word.

"So if your hand or foot causes you to sin,

cut it off and throw it away.

It's better to enter eternal life

with only one hand or one foot

than to be thrown into eternal fire

with both of your hands and feet.'

Matthew 18:8 (NLT)

In eternal punishment or destruction, people are separated from the presence of the Lord and His glorious power, but in eternal life, people are secured in the presence of the Lord with all the fullness of  His glory and majesty.

"They will be punished with eternal destruction,

forever separated from the Lord

and from His glorious power."

2 Thessalonians 1:9 (NLT)

Let us not forget that God destroyed by fire the evil cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, killing all that lived within. He will also fulfill His promise in Scripture and do the same to those who did not fear Him on earth.

"And don't forget Sodom and Gomorrah

and their neighbouring towns,

which were filled with immorality

and every kind of sexual perversion.

Those cities were destroyed by fire and

serve as a warning of the eternal fire of God's judgment."

Jude 1:7 (NLT)

Once in hell, there is no way out. The people condemned to spend eternity in the Lake of Fire are forever doomed to the blackest of darkness. There will not even be the slightest glimmer of God's radiant light.

"They are like wild waves of the sea,

churning up the foam of their shameful deeds.

They are like wandering stars,

doomed forever to blackest darkness."

Jude 1:13 (NLT)

Yet today how often do we hear a sermon on hell? I guess pastors feel that it would be far too unpleasant for people to hear. However, hell is real, and the unpleasantness of hearing about it is nothing compared to the execrable experience of a person spending his/her eternity there.

As Christians we need to stop playing church, and to stop ignoring the reality of hell for those around us. We need to fulfill the Lord's Great Commission by praying more earnestly for the unsaved in our nation, offering ourselves to God in any way He chooses to bring in these precious souls to the saving knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and teaching them His Word. Let us not fear man, but rather fear for their souls.

As Recorded In The Books

Very seldom do people today hear in church a positive sermon on "good works." In fact, the words "good works" are often viewed in Christian circles as more negative than swear words. This should not be!

As Christians, we frequently applaud sermons and sing songs about God's wonderful grace, and it's easy to find churches titled by that word. And why not? God's grace is marvelous! But when we leave out the message of good works and live the Christian life in complacency, it's offensive to God.

The Bible says that faith in God and acceptance of His grace without goods works is not enough. This type of lifestyle is worthless and unacceptable to Him.

"So you see, faith by itself isn't enough.

Unless it produces good deeds,

it is dead and useless."

James 2:17 (NLT)

There will come a time when God will judge all people — not just unbelievers, but all people — according to their deeds.

"For the Son of Man will come

with His angels in the glory of His Father

and will judge all people according to their deeds."

Matthew 16:27 (NLT)

In fact, the deeds of every single person are recorded in a book by God.

"I saw the dead, both great and small,

standing before God's throne.

And the books were opened,

including the Book of Life.

And the dead were judged

according to what they had done,

as recorded in the books.

The sea gave up its dead,

and death and the grave gave up their dead.

And all were judged according to their deeds."

Revelations 20:13 (NLT)

Let us be careful to never have an imbalanced perspective of the Christian life, taking God's grace for granted. Instead, let us daily look for ways we can show our love to God and others by doing good deeds.

We Can Cry Out To You To Save Us, But Will We?

In the Bible, Jehoshaphat was a God-fearing king who ascended to the throne of Judah at age thirty-five, reigning for twenty-five years. He is praised in the Bible for overcoming sexual corruption and destroying the false idols in the land. The land was purged of these sins because Jehoshaphat sent out priests and Levites to educate the people on the Law, the Word of God.

Jehoshaphat was governed by God's Word alone, and he used its authority. During the period of his reign, the people of Judah were reigned by God, not a mere man. Because of this, God tremendously blessed the people, and they enjoyed a long span of peace and prosperity.

Even when the kingdom was faced with an impending attack by three fierce armies, the Moabites, the Ammonites, and the Meunites, this is the response of King Jehoshaphat and the people:

". . . 'Whenever we are faced with any calamity

such as war, plague, or famine,

we can come to stand in your presence

before this Temple

where your name is honoured.

We can cry out to you

to save us,

and you will hear us

and rescue us.'"

2 Chronicles 20:9 (NLT)

If only the rulers of this world would do the same! Many such rulers say they are Christians, but they do not know God or His Word, for the solutions to their unresolved political problems are written therein. Therefore, until they start to honour God's Name in all they say and do, these leaders will continue to fail to bring peace and prosperity to their lands. They need to cry out to the living God and go to His Word for counsel. They need to overcome their pride and fear of man because the only one they should fear is God.

Earth Has Nothing I Desire Besides You!

God is always with us. He holds us with his strong right hand, guiding us through life with His Word — His counsel. When we leave this earth, He will take us into glory to be with Him in Paradise. There should be nothing on earth we desire except God. One day our flesh will rot and the organ that circulates blood in our bodies will fail, but God is the strength of our hearts and our beings forever!

"Yet I am always with You;

You hold me by my right hand.

You guide me with Your counsel,

and afterward You will take me into glory.

Whom have I in heaven but You?

And earth has nothing I desire besides You.

My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength of my heart

and my portion forever."

Psalm 73:23-36 (NIV)

You have everything when you have God as your Lord and Saviour!

Do Not Disregard The Majesty Of The Lord

Let us desire to walk in the way of God's Laws, and let us wait eagerly for Him. Let His Name and His glory be what our hearts desire. Let our souls yearn for God in the night, and let our spirits long for Him in the morning.

It is sad to know that the people of this world learn righteousness only when God's judgments come upon the earth. But when God's grace is shown to the them, they do not learn righteousness. Instead, they keep on doing evil, because they do not regard the sovereignty of the Lord. They do not fear Him.

"Yes, Lord,

walking in the way of Your Laws,

we wait for You;

Your Name and renown

are the desire of our hearts.

My soul yearns for You in the night;

in the morning my spirit longs for You.

When Your judgments come upon the earth,

the people of the world learn righteousness.

But when grace is shown to the wicked,

they do not learn righteousness;

even in a land of uprightness they go on doing evil

and do not regard the majesty of the Lord."

Isaiah 26:8-10 (NIV)

Many churches today are becoming like the world. They are ungodly in their attitudes and lifestyles because they preach grace without ever preaching obedience. The majority of preachers today fear man more than they fear God. Sermons based only on God's grace and love please the people (since no conviction for sin is required) and simultaneously secure the pastor's job and wage. On the other-hand, sermons on obedience make the pastors anxious and the people uncomfortable. Why? Well, God's Word says it best: It is because we "do not regard the majesty of our Lord."

We all need to make God king over our hearts, and to not allow ourselves at any time to be governed by money, people, job security, or pride. God must rule supreme. Things or other people must not take His place, or we will be judged by an Almighty God.

God's Love Is Better Than Life

Let us earnestly seek God. Let us thirst for God and long for Him with our whole being. As long as we live, let our lips glorify Him, our songs praise Him, and our hands worship Him. Let us fully be satisfied with God, remembering Him on our bed, and thinking of Him throughout the night. Let us cling to God as He covers us with His protective wings and upholds us with His right hand.

"You, God, are my God,

earnestly I seek You;

I thirst for You,

my whole being longs for You,

in a dry and parched land

where there is no water.

I have seen You in the sanctuary

and beheld Your power and Your glory.

Because Your love is better than life,

My lips will glorify You.

I will praise You as long as I live,

and in Your Name I will lift up my hands.

I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;

with singing lips my mouth will praise You.

On my bed I remember You;

I think of You through the watches of the night.

Because You are my help,

I sing in the shadow of Your wings.

I cling to You;

Your right hand upholds me."

Psalm 63:1-8 (NIV)

For God's love is better than life!

"Come And Talk With Me."

All week I have pondered the question of how to effectively converse with people of the Jehovah Witness and Muslim faiths in hopes of bringing them to the full truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Many times I have tried to argue their false teachings, but always ended up failing to bring them to salvation knowledge of Jesus. Let's face it: Jehovah Witnesses and Muslims are trained extensively in debate. I, on the other hand, am not, and nor do I want to be. It's exhausting and futile! However, my heart desperately wants to see their blind eyes opened to the truth that will save them and bring them into God's Kingdom.

As I prayed to God for the answer, during a sleepless night while I lay in bed awake and troubled by this question, He spoke to me. You see, the difference between a Christian's relationship with God and a Jehovah Witness's or Muslim's relationship with God is that a Christian's relationship is not simply based on a head knowledge of God's Word — it's also a heart knowledge. The Christian walk is a personal one. We each have a special and unique relationship with our Father God. Therefore, don't argue about Scripture with Jehovah Witnesses or Muslims. Instead, share your own personal story of your walk with God. Sing His praises and tell of all His wonderful deeds!

"Sing to Him;

yes, sing His praises.

Tell everyone about His wonderful deeds."

1 Chronicles 1:9 (NLT)

If a Jehovah Witness comes to your door, don't shut the door:

Similarly, if God brings to you a Muslim friend, don't change the subject away from God for fear of getting into an argument. Instead, tell him/her how wonderful it is to have God as your best friend — how He talks to you and walks beside you along life's way. Tell him/her how God has answered your own personal prayers. Then tell him/her that it is because of Jesus you are blessed to have this type of relationship with your Father in Heaven as described in the verse below.

"My heart has heard You say,

'Come and talk with Me.'

and my heart responds,

'Lord, I am coming.'"

Psalm 27:8 (NLT)

Our relationship with God is not just one-way; it's two. He beacons us to talk with Him daily, and when we respond, He answers and speaks to each of us in His own extraordinary way!

He Has Filled Us With All Kinds Of Skills!

Totoro in Japan is like Winnie-the-Pooh here in Canada. In case you don't know, Totoro is a loveable character in a popular Japanese animated movie called, "My Neighbour Totoro." I love Totoro! He is so cute! and the movie is my most favourite of all animated movies!

Two weeks ago, I bought a plump pumpkin with the intention of making homemade pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving dinner. However, I ended up using canned pumpkin instead since it's easier and less messy. Then last night, as I guiltily gazed upon this large pumpkin sitting idly around my house and wondered what I should do with it, my creative mind kicked in! I suddenly ceased to care about the mess or whether there were more pumpkin pies to make. I got a jagged knife, cut off the top, scooped out the insides, stained my white shirt, and slimed up my hands. I was now excited and motived!

My son, Matthew, who also has an artistic bent, came into the kitchen and asked me what I was doing. When I told him, he eagerly got involved:

Here is our creation:!!

We don't celebrate Halloween, but I don't see why we can't have fun carving pumpkins too!

"And He has filled him with the Spirit of God,

with wisdom, with understanding,

with knowledge and with all kinds of skills —

to make artistic designs for work in gold,

(pumpkin), silver and bronze."

Exodus 35:31-32 (NIV)

The Need To Return To Love

A large majority of people in this world do not love, or have not experienced love, and it's simply because most people do not know God. This includes a great many people who go to Church regularly.

Today, the world's definition of "love" is the fulfilment of one's own selfish desires. It takes and does not give without knowing it will receive back. It is fleeting because it's based only on emotions that come and go. Yes, the emotion may be powerful at first, but we all know that emotions change like the direction of the wind. If one's needs are not being met, the world's solution is to look elsewhere, not caring if others are hurt along the way in one's selfish quest for love, or, in the world's terminology, the "perfect soulmate." And children are growing up to define love the same way.

Sadly, and heart wrenching for so many people in the world and in the church, is that they do not realize they are looking for love in the wrong direction. Love isn't found in secular movies, or songs, nor is love found by posting provocative pictures of oneself on social media in hopes to attract a lover. Love comes from God, because love is the whole essence of His being! God is love! and He is the Creator of love!

"But anyone who does not love

does not know God,

for God is love."

1 John 4:8 (NLT)

For us to know how to love, we need to know God. How do we know God? By studying His Word and meditating on it day and night. Then, and only then, will we prosper and succeed in everything we do, including love.

"Study this Book of Instruction continually.

Meditate on it day and night,

so you will be sure to obey everything written in it.

Only then will your prosper

and succeed in all you do."

Joshua 1:8 (NLT)

Going to church once a week to hear sermons (many which are now fad-driven) is not enough to know God. We need to really know Him to succeed in our most intimate relationships.

We all can have access to God's overflowing love through His Son Jesus Christ, but we must experience it through His Word, and then share it through God's Holy Spirit!

"But hope does not disappoint,

because the love of God has come in,

overflowing our hearts by the Spirit of Holiness

Who has been given to us."

Romans 5:5 (AVPE)

The world needs to return to love, by returning to God and getting to know Him through His Word.

Crossed Over From Death To Life

Eklutna is a Native Alaskan village located on the outskirts of Anchorage. This village is the only one that still remains of the eight Native Alaskan villages that existed before the construction of the Alaska railway in 1915.

Eklutna was settled by the Athabascan people. In the 1800's, the Russian Orthodox Church sent out missionaries to Alaska to convert these Athabascans. Sadly, in 1836, an outbreak of the smallpox epidemic wiped out half the village. The combination of Russian Orthodox faith plus Native culture and beliefs resulted in these brightly coloured spirit houses as their grave yard.

Prior to the Russian Orthodox influence, the Athabascans cremated their dead, depositing the ashes in a birch-bark basket that was then placed in a tree or on a riverbank so that the spirit of the dead would be free to make the final journey into heaven without human interference.

However, the Russian Orthodox faith forbid the Athabascans to cremate their dead, so they came to a compromise. The Athabascans agreed to bury their dead, but over top they built these spirit houses for the spirit of the dead to live in until he/she made his/her final journey into heaven.

Today, the Eklutna cemetery is a historic site, shielded by birch and alder trees.

The first Russian Orthodox Church in Eklutna stands in front of this graveyard.

A new church was built beside the old one in 1962, but today it too stands only as a monument.

At present, the Russian Orthodox influence is still evident in Alaska, as it is the largest Christian denomination in the State.

It is important that all aspects of our faith and Christian belief be supported by God's Word. If one aspect isn't, then it's just a religious practise that should never be enforced upon others.

The Bible says that when we die, our physical body returns to the ground out of which God lovingly moulded the first man, but our spirit — that which was breathed into the physical body of the first man by God Himself — returns to God.

"And the dust returns to the ground it came from,

and the spirit returns to God who gave it."

Ecclesiastes 12:7 (NIV)

The Bible also says that whoever hears God's Word and believes in God will have eternal life without condemnation. When such a person dies and leaves the earth, he/she crosses over from death to life.

"I tell you the truth,

whoever hears My Word

and believes Him who sent Me

has eternal life and will not be condemned;

he has crossed over from death to life."

John 5:24 (NIV)

Whether we are cremated and our ashes placed in a basket, whether we are buried deep underground with colourful, miniature houses built overtop of our graves, whether we are drowned in the depths of the deepest ocean, or whether we are eaten by a Kodiac bear, it makes no difference to where we will spend eternity. Our entrance into heaven is based only upon our relationship with God. We become His sons and daughters when we accept Jesus Christ into our lives as our Lord and Saviour, and are guaranteed by His Word safe passage into paradise with Him when we die.

Because I Love You!

When I was walking along the sidewalks of Anchorage to get to a museum that displayed the history and culture of Alaska, I heard a faint meow amid the bustling noises of the city. I turned around and spotted this cat following me. Instinctively, I took my camera out of its case and snapped this picture. I think the cat sat down to contemplate whether or not I was worth the risk of continuing to follow me by crossing the busy street. I am glad the cat chose not to move, because it was the perfect pose. The picture turned out striking — a beautifully groomed orange and white cat against the bright red painted sidewalk curves, autumn leaves, and green foliage.

For a short period, I was aware of this cat and its movements in a location full of other distractions. I was even able to capture its life on camera. The cat had my interest, but only for a fleeting moment, for I had other plans.

God, on the other hand, is not like that. He is aware of all our movements and knows every one of our thoughts at all times. He knows when we sit down or stand up. He knows what we think and how we feel. Even though God's home is far away in the highest heavens, He is right there beside us, giving each of us His full interest and His infinite, undisrupted, and unhurried time.

"You know when I sit down or stand up.

You know my thoughts even when I'm far away."

Psalm 139:2 (NLT)

You must agree: a cat is a common household pet on earth, and of little interest to most. But when you think about it, we are even more common. This commonness often leads to us feeling insignificant and small in comparison to the seven billion people who live on earth today. But in God's eyes, we are anything but common and insignificant. Each of us is dearly loved by our Father, and greatly cherished by Him!

". . . you are precious

and honoured in My sight,

and because I love you . . . ."

Isaiah 43:4 (NIV)

Since God So Loved Us, We Are To Love Others

I love meeting new people! That's why I always pick bed and breakfasts over hotels. It is thrilling to get to know new people from different parts of the world and different walks of life in a relaxed setting such as at the breakfast table, or when sitting in the living room sipping evening coffee/tea and nibbling home-baked cookies. I find hotels formal, cold, and unfriendly, whereas I find bed and breakfasts homey, warm, and inviting.

Here is a picture I took of the wonderful lady who owned the beautiful bed and breakfast we stayed at in Alaska. She is special, for God has given her the gift of hospitality. She is sweet, cheerful, talkative, and helpful. She made our stay in Alaska extra special!!!

This lady also had two wonderful dogs. We all fell in love with them the first moment we saw them, both laying calmly side by side on top of the stairs, waiting to greet us.

The Bible tells us that because God so loved us, we ought to love one another!

"Dear friends,

since God so loved us,

we also ought to love one another."

1 John 4:11 (NIV)

Let's enjoy not only the environment, but the people as well whom God has created!

Take Delight In The Lord

For many months prior to our trip to Alaska, I prayed for good weather — specifically that it would not be cold or rainy. I also prayed that on the last day the weather would change and snow would fall, because I wanted to experience Alaska's first snowfall. What can I say? The little girl in me still remains.

To be honest, I wasn't worried about the weather in Alaska for the week we would be there. I knew that God heard my prayers and would answer them, except I wasn't too sure about the snow part. Still, I'm not afraid to ask God for anything.

My husband, Brian, who drives truck long distance, hauling massive loads, is always rightly concerned about the weather. He checked Anchorage's weather daily for weeks prior to our departure and kept me informed. Apparently, Anchorage was having abnormally enormous amounts of rain, forcing many main routes to close because of flooding. There were also severe wind storms up to 180 kilometers per hour, all causing destruction in the area. However, I still wasn't worried, and I would tell my husband that. I had peace knowing that God was in control and that He was going before us. And He certainly did!

The whole time we were in Alaska, none of us got wet with rain showers, experienced any wind storms, or felt cold, except for the last day when the temperature dropped, but that was only because God was preparing to answer the last part of my prayer request. That's right. It snowed!

When we got up at 4:30 in the morning to go to the Anchorage airport, we walked across freshly fallen snow to get to our rental car. It was such a lovely, captivating sight to end our stay in beautiful Alaska! Isn't God good?

Here are some pictures of the outside of the Bed and Breakfast at which we stayed.

When I told the owner of the Bed and Breakfast on Friday, the day before we left, that I had prayed to God that it would snow on our last day, she looked at me and said, "What else have you prayed for that I need to be aware of?" I smiled. Since this was also the first time my husband was made aware of my prayer request for snow, he just shook his head in disbelief. You would think he would know me by now.

I sure wish I was there to see the look on the owner's face that morning when she got up. I was glad though to find out later that all the snow had melted by the end of the day, and she would be happy.

Here is a picture of snow falling on the wing of our airplane just before it taxied off the runway. It stopped snowing soon after.

"Take delight in the Lord

and He will give you your heart's desires."

Psalm 37:4 (NLT)

The Bible tells us that if we take delight in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our hearts. So, take time each day to delight in God's presence by reading His Word and talking with Him, all with the greatest of pleasure and joy! Then watch God give you the desires you have longed for! Don't let your time with God be out of duty, rushed, or mechanical. Take delight!

He Sends His Winds And The Ice Thaws

Portage Glacier is on the Kenai Peninsula just six kilometres west of Whittier. A hundred years ago, Portage Glacier filled the entire Portage valley of twenty-three kilometres. However, over the years, the Glacier has greatly receded because of warmer temperatures. Now Portage Glacier is divided into five separate glaciers.

Portage Glacier

Then, at His command,

it all melts.

He sends His winds,

and the ice thaws."

Psalm 147:18 (NLT)

Portage Glacier carved out a lake called (you guessed it) Portage Lake, and the glacier's face extends 30 metres deep into this lake. You won't see any fish in this lake though, as none would survive the high concentrations of silt from the Glacier. You also won't see anyone swimming in it, even for a "polar bear plunge" on New Year's Eve. The water is freezing! However, you will see icebergs, tinted a pretty hue of blue, floating in the lake, like the ones below.

This small one near shore actually glowed.

Many people believe that global warming is caused by man because of pollution and environmental destruction. However, the Bible says that God controls the weather. Moreover, He promised after the great flood in Noah's day that as long as the earth remains, there will be seasons, there will be day and night, and life on earth will continue to exist.

"As long as the earth remains,

there will be planting and harvest,

cold and heat,

summer and winter,

day and night."

Genesis 8:22 (NLT)

Yes, there will come a time when the earth will come to an end, but it will be when and how God commands it to.

The Joy Of God's Presence Is With Us Always

Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is a 22-mile round-trip bicycle route through Alaska's dense forest and wildlife domain, following the Anchorage coastline of Knit Arm and Cook Inlet. It was a beatific venture to cycle this trail. The steep upward hills, which increased our heart rates and taxed our muscles, were balanced by steep downward hills, which drew us to let go of the brakes and whiz down at exhilarating speed.

On this path through wilderness territory, we didn't know what to expect. Around one corner, there could be a grizzly or another bull moose. (We saw twelve moose on the trail that day.) Thank goodness we didn't see a bear! We had to be on guard, and not just for wildlife. There were also other cyclists, and runners, and we had to pay careful attention so that we didn't hurt anyone.

But God was with us. I wasn't afraid! I was thrilled to be His child and to know that I am His and He is mine!

Every day, God's presence goes with us, and every day, He grants us joys and pleasures of living with Him on the path of life He has so carefully laid out for us and shown to us through His Word.

"You will show me the way of life,

granting me the joy of Your presence

and the pleasures of living with You

forever."

Psalm 16:11 (NLT)

Enjoy today being in His presence and enjoy the pleasures He gives you daily!

Better Than Purest Gold

The main event on Thursday of our week's stay in Alaska was driving through the mountain ranges of Crow Pass Trailhead to explore Crow Creek Mine.

It was a beautiful drive, past the turquoise, fast-moving waters of Glacier Creek.

There were countless streams that meandered down from snow-frosted mountains and swirled amid autumn hues.

Unfortunately, as we neared the mine, we had to stop because the three-mile gravel road to it was closed due to heavy rains and wind storms that had occurred during the previous week. However, I was able to take some pictures of the old buildings that still exist in this historic mining town.

Over time, Crow Creek Mine has produced over 45,000 ounces of gold, and it's still far from depleted. The exciting news is that the mine is open to the public to pan, or, more commonly, to use metal detectors, to find gold at a minimal fee. It is not uncommon for people to discover quarter-inch diameter nuggets weighing about a quarter ounce. A few even have discovered nuggets weighing up to a full ounce. Upon hearing this, my husband instantly got the gold fever and was eager to walk up the three miles of gravel road to get to the mine, but I sensibly talked him out of it. (I was glad I didn't know him in the gold rush days!)

When I was a girl growing up, my family often camped in Osooyos, BC, at Haynes Point Provincial Park Campground. One summer evening when I was twelve and we were holidaying there, a Native American came to the campground to speak to those interested about the Native American culture and history in the area. My twin brother and I eagerly attended the meeting. We learned about Native American hunting tools, and how Native Americans made and used bows and arrows to hunt animals, including fish. The speaker even showed us his collection of arrowheads, which Native Americans had carved out of stone, and that he himself had found along the lake's shore. However, disappointingly, most of his were damaged with chips along the edges. At the end of the meeting, he told us that people can still sometimes find one today.

Well, that statement caught my attention! I love finding things! I was so eager and filled with such excitement at finding one myself that I hardly slept that night. At the first sight of dawn, I got up, snuck out of our trailer, and briskly walked in the quietness of the morn to Haynes Point. When I reached my destination and looked down at the millions of pebbles and rocks on the beach, my heart began to sink at the realization of the extremely low probability I had of finding one. Then I thought about God and my hope rose. He knows where each arrowhead remains on the beach! So I prayed to Him to show me where one was.

You may not believe this, but when I opened my eyes, God directed them to a perfectly sculptured black arrowhead lying among all those rocks and pebbles, close to shore and in plain sight of me as if no other rock existed. I was ecstatic, not because of the arrowhead I held in my hand, but because God heard a young girl's prayer and taught her a lesson she has never forgotten! I ran as fast as I could back to the camp and woke every one up to tell them the news! "God answered my prayer!!! I found an arrowhead!" (The Native American wanted to buy it from me later when I showed it to him.)

Unfortunately, a few years later, the arrowhead was stolen out of my jewelry box, with only the paper wrapping left behind. (One of my brothers, who was very proud of that arrowhead, had shown it to his wayward cousin, who later stole it.) Even though I no longer have the arrowhead in my possession, its memory will remain with me forever.

I haven't changed much over the years! I still believe in the impossible with God! And I am not afraid to ask God for anything.

However, God gives us things that are much better than arrowheads, or pure gold and sterling silver.

My gifts are better than gold,

even the purest gold,

my wages better than sterling silver!"

Proverbs 8:19 (NLT)

These gifts are His Word; His never-ending love; His precious, sacrificial Son, Jesus Christ; the forgiveness of our sins; His Holy Spirit who resides in each of us when we accept Him as our Lord and Saviour; our adoption as sons and daughters into His marvellous Kingdom; the promise of eternal life; wisdom; healing; and the freedom to communicate with our Heavenly Father at any time and place.

Let us each get excited about searching for the things of God — much more than searching for earthly things!

Know The Condition And Give Careful Attention

The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Centre is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Alaskan wildlife. This Centre annually takes in hundreds of orphaned and injured wildlife and provides them with the necessary care until they are fit to reenter the wild. If it is not possible to release them, then the Centre becomes their permanent home. Fortunately, nearly all of the animals are successfully reintroduced into their natural habitat once they reach an age of independence or healing.

Here are some pictures I took of the animals that are currently being cared for at the Centre.

A Bull Moose

Moose Calves

Bull Elk Bugling At A Female Cow

Bull Elk Agitated Because Of An Annoying Spectator
(and it wasn't me)

Black Bears Having Breakfast

A Very Young Fawn

Lynx

Muskox

This Wildlife Conservation Centre is located on a haven of 170 acres just outside of the city of Anchorage, at the entrance to Portage Valley. Here are two pictures I took of the landscape before viewing the animals.

It was interesting to discover that since 2003, this Centre has had an integral part in the recovery program of the wood bison in Alaska. For many decades, the wood bison in Alaska have been extinct. So in November 2003, a herd of wild wood bison were transported from the Yukon Territory in Canada (yeah, Canada!) and in 2005, for the first time in over a hundred years, wood bison calves were born in the state of Alaska. In a few years, the Centre plans on releasing them into the wild.

The wood bison is the largest land animal in North America, and the wilds of Alaska will soon once again be home to these massive animals — the only habitat for them in all of the United States.

In Proverbs, the Bible tells man that they need to know for certain the condition of their flocks and to give careful attention to their herds.

"Be sure you know the condition of your flocks,

give careful attention to your herds."

Proverbs 27:23 (NIV)

All animals are given to us by God to respect and care for. Unfortunately, man has not always done this. Thank goodness for conservation centres like this who do!