Teach Us To Number Our Days!

My husband, Brian, our four sons, and I are looking forward to going to Sandpoint, Idaho for the Christmas holidays. I have even started to pack.

We will be staying at Western Pleasure Guest Ranch in one of their log cabins. Western Pleasure Guest Ranch is a cattle ranch of 960 acres that have been in the Wood's family for many generations.

We are planning this Christmas to go hiking, cross-country skiing, and of course, my favorite winter activity, snowmobiling. I also hope to take some great pictures with my new camera.

I certainly agree with what the Psalmist wrote in the Bible that we need to regularly ask the Holy Spirit to teach us to number our days to gain a heart of wisdom.

"Teach us to number our days,

that we may gain 

a heart of wisdom."

Psalm 90:12 (NIV)

Enjoy this Christmas, spending precious time with your family and loved ones, and most importantly, with Jesus Christ your Lord and Saviour! God wants to bless you daily with the wonderful joys of life! Those blessings of life are always there, but sometimes we need to ask God to teach us to seen and enjoy them.

We Know This

The man who hit Matthew's car illegally used the bus lane to bypass two cars in front of him turning left at an intersection, so he could continue to go straight. He was obviously in a hurry on the way to work. Matthew was also turning left in the opposite direction of the other two cars turning left. When Matthew saw the speeding car in the bus lane, he stopped. The other man did not and almost ripped the front end of the vehicle Matthew was driving.

When this man got out of his car, he told Matthew he was uninsured, driving a car which belonged to his brother's girlfriend, and had a long history of traffic accidents. And if things couldn't get worse, he refuses to report the accident. The police report therefore cannot be completed. Now Matthew has to wait until the police can locate the other driver, which could take a long time. (In Edmonton, there is currently a major shortage of police officers.) In the mean time, Matthew has to drive around a car with the front bumper tied on with zip ties, working at a prestigious country club. Ouch! I guess God is teaching him humility. Either that or maybe a very wealthy person at the club will feel sorry for him and buy him a new vehicle. ( I will let you know if that happens!)

All I do know for certain is that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

"And we know that in all things

God works for the good of those

who love Him,

who have been called 

according to His purpose."

Romans 8:28 (NIV)

Matthew loves God, so good will come out of all this!

God Sees Everything

Today my second oldest son Tim bought a dash cam for his car. This was the car my youngest son Matthew was driving when he got into an accident two days ago. Tim wants to make sure if the car was to get into another accident, it would be recorded, making it less stressful for the person driving to file an accident report.

Praise God, He doesn't need dash cams. He views the ends of the earth and see everything under the heavens. We don't have to explain or prove anything to God. He already knows the truth.

"For He views the ends of the earth

and sees everything under the heavens."

Job 28:24 (NIV)

To Ease Stress, Tell And Thank God

How do we experience God's peace in times of trouble? We pray to Him instead of worrying. And when we pray, we not only tell God what we need, we also thank Him for all He has done for us. Peace won't come by just telling. We must thank Him too.

"Don't worry about anything;

instead, pray about everything.

Tell God what you need,

and thank Him for all He has done.

Then you will experience God's peace,

which exceeds anything we can understand.

His peace will guard your hearts and minds

as you live in Christ Jesus."

Phillippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

God's peace is a peace that will exceed anything we can understand. His peace guards our hearts and minds. Living in Christ Jesus results in His peace in all circumstances.

The Lord Watches Over Us

This morning on the way to work, my youngest son Matthew was in a car accident. Nobody was hurt, but it shook him up pretty bad.

There are so many people on the road today who drive carelessly that it can be frightening to get into a vehicle. I thank God He was watching over my son and kept him from harm.

"The Lord will keep you from all harm---

He will watch over your life."

Psalm 121:7 (NIV)

A Tree Of Life

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, which brings beauty and goodness to the earth, winning souls for Jesus Christ.

"The fruit of the righteous 

is a tree of life,

and he who is wise wins souls."

Proverbs 11:30  (NASB)

Indescribable Gift

My cat Osha is enjoying the Christmas season.

"Thanks be to God

for His indescribable gift!"

2 Corinthians 9:15 (NIV)

Return To Your Rest

A few days ago, my son Tim bought a Fatboy bean bag. We all loved sitting on it so much, we got rid of our couch and bought four Fatboy bean bags yesterday to replace it. I never was so glad to get rid of something in all my life. My back would always ache after sitting on that couch for an hour. I would think of any excuse just to get up several times from watching a movie with my family to give my back a break. However, with the Fatboys, once you sit in one, you don't ever want to get out of it. You are far too comfortable to move. They are heavenly! It feels so good now just to be able to rest with the goodness the Lord has given to me---my family!

"Return to your rest,

my soul,

for the Lord has been good to you."

Psalm 116:7 (NLT)

Tell Everyone

God calls us to boast about Him whether in songs or speeches, so that others will know just how wonderful His deeds are and come to Him.

"Sing to Him;

yes sing His praises.

Tell everyone

about His wonderful deeds."
Psalm 105:2 (NLT)

When I read this verse, I had to think for a while as to when the last time I boasted about the Lord's wonderful deeds to someone who didn't know Him? 

God's desire is for us to tell everyone, but in our North American society today, we are many times forced to keep quiet, so as not to offend others with different religious beliefs and gods. If we do speak freely about God to others, we risk the possibility of loosing our jobs, higher grades in education, career advancements, etc.  

However, those risks seem minor compared to what Christians in other countries are facing today. Just like the New Testament disciples of Jesus, many Christians today risk bodily harm, imprisonment, poverty and death for preaching God's Word, but despite the harsh persecution of their faith, these Christians remain faithful to God, refusing to be silenced in telling others about Him.

Let's do the same. Don't remain silent for fear of retribution. When the opportunity arises, tell of God's wonderful deeds.

The Cunning Ways Of The Devil

My son Chris and I went to the Christian bookstore yesterday. While we were shopping there, the song "Rudolf The Red Nose Reindeer" was being played. I was so shocked. My spirit grieved for the Lord. Christmas should be the celebration of His miraculous birth, and yet even at the Christian bookstore, Santa Claus was being glorified as some kind of mystical being with magical powers. Some Christians might think it is OK to have fun with the stories about Santa Clause, but to many young children around the world, Santa Claus is a god they believe in and a god they live for.

God is a jealous god and He states in His Word that we must not worship or glorify any other god.

"You must worship no other gods,

for the Lord,

whose very Name is Jealous,

is a God who is jealous

about His relationship with you."

Exodus 24:14 (NLT)

Many of the characteristics of Santa Claus are eerily similar to Jesus Christ. Here is a list:

Jesus Christ	Santa Claus
Has a beard that was plucked out by His adversaries before Crucifixion.	Has a beard.
Is described in Revelations as having hair "white like wool."	Has white hair.
Is described in Isaiah as wearing "garments stained crimson."	Wears bright red apparel.
Heaven is His home, where no man on earth can travel to. Is omnipotent.	Has a secret home and workshop in the North Pole. Delivers toys to every child in the world in one single night.
Is omniscient.	Knows whether each child in the world has been good or bad for the entire year.
Is omnipresent.	Sees every child, whether they are awake or asleep.
Is called the Everlasting Father.	Is known as Father Christmas.
Was a carpenter.	Is depicted as a toy carpenter.
Is ageless and eternal.	Lives forever and never changes.
Lives in the hearts of people if they believe in Him.	Lives in the hearts of children if they believe in Him.
Gives "every good and perfect gift."	Gives presents.
Performs miracles and heals the sick.	Performs Christmas miracles.
Commands children to obey their parents.	Insists that children be good.
Is the only "Lawgiver and Judge."	Determines if children are good or bad.
Sits on a heavenly throne.	Sits on a throne in a mall.
Encourages people to come to Him to ask for anything they need.	Encourages children to ask him for anything they want.
Will come again like a thief in the night.	Enters people's homes through fireplaces like a thief in the night.
Commands angels.	Has helper elves.

Satan tries very hard to corrupt our pure and undivided devotion to Jesus Christ by his cunning ways.

"But I fear that somehow 

your pure and undivided devotion to Christ

will be corrupted,

just as Eve was deceived

by the cunning ways of the serpent."

2 Corinthians 11:3 (NLT)

This Christmas, let us kept our devotion to Jesus Christ pure and undivided.

Peaceful Habitation

When my son Chris and I went shopping today, he spotted this cardboard gingerbread house for cats at Target. It was just under $10, so I bought it for my cats. Osha was the one who claimed it.

The Bible says the work of righteousness will be peace, and the service of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. When we walk by the Spirit and not carry our the desires of the flesh, our dwelling places on earth be filled with God's peace, security and steadfastness.

"And the work of righteousness will be peace,

and the service of righteousness, 

quietness and confidence forever.

Then my people will live in a peaceful habitation,

and in secure dwellings

and in undisturbed resting places."

Isaiah 32:17-18 (NASB)

The Hidden Person Of The Heart

Sadly, my cat Hunter is not photogenic.That is why I don't have too many pictures of her. They hardly ever turn out because of her dark coloring. However, Hunter's adorning quality is the hidden character of her heart. She is gentle, placid and sweet. 

My other cat Osha is extremely photogenic. I have lots of pictures of her on this blog, but Osha can sometimes be naughty, temperamental and senseless. 

I love them both, but the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit is better.

"But let your adorning

be the hidden person of the heart

with the imperishable beauty

 of a gentle and quiet spirit,

which in God's sight is very precious."

1 Peter 3:4 (ESB)

Your Sleep Will Be Sweet

"When you lie down,

you will not be afraid;

when you lie down,

your sleep will be sweet."

Proverbs 3:24 (NASB)

My cat Osha has made her bed underneath the Christmas tree. She thinks the tree skirt was put under the tree for her to sleep on, not for presents. I think Osha enjoys Christmas as much as the people in our family do.

When I Consider The Work Of Your Fingers

This picture was taken of the moon last night with my new camera and zoom lens.  I was amazed that the moon's topography could be seen.

"When I consider Your heavens,

the work of Your fingers,

the moon and the stars,

which You have ordained."

Psalm 8:3 (NASB)

Please Your Neighbor

"Each of us is to please his neighbor

for his good,

to his edification."

Romans 15:2 (NASB)

This is my neighborhood at Christmas time. Yesterday morning at 7:30 AM, I woke up to the sound of a vehicle stuck in the snow. When I looked out the window, I saw my next-door-neighbor who was on her way to work, struggling with the recent heavy snowfall. Unfortunately, she didn't have winter tires on her vehicle, only all-seasons.

I quickly got dressed, grabbed my snow shovel, and yelled at my sons who were all sleeping at the time, for one of them to help. I suspected I would need the extra strength to help push her vehicle out.

No amount of shoveling helped. Her tires were useless in deep snow and ice. Her vehicle would get unstuck, only to get stuck again a few yards up the road. 

Wisely, she gave up, turned her vehicle around, and went back home. Then got stuck again in her slanted driveway. This is when my son Chris came out. With his help we were able to push her vehicle back in her garage, where the car was safe from hurting her and other drivers on the road.

Hopefully the experience will cause her to realize the importance of winter tires in Alberta winters and buy a set. Winter tires here are more valuable than oil! And neighbors are more valuable than sleeping in.

Choose This Day Whom You Will Serve

"But if serving the Lord

seems undesirable to you,

then choose for yourselves this day

whom you will serve."

Joshua 24:15a (NIV)

Today, I watched the movie "God's Not Dead" with three of my sons. It was an excellent movie! I cried several times throughout while watching it.

It is sad to think people today who call themselves Christians would not hesitate to refuse to defend Jesus and His righteousness if they knew their decision would result in them suffering pain and humiliation, or having to give up loved ones or long-desired dreams. When the choice is given, most people would choose self or other people they love over God, and yet God chose us over His only begotten Son Jesus Christ.

The Bible says, the apostles rejoiced when they were flogged for speaking in the Name of Jesus because it was a joy to them to be considered worthy to suffer shame for his Name. Even after the apostles were released by the Council and ordered not to speak further in the Name of Jesus, they continued each day to teach and preach Jesus as the Christ..

"They took his advice;

and after calling the apostles in,

they flogged them

and ordered them not to speak in the Name of Jesus,

and then released them.

So they went on their way

from the presence of the Council,

rejoicing that they had been considered worthy

to suffer shame for His Name.

And every day,

in the temple and from house to house,

they kept right on teaching and preaching

Jesus as the Christ."

Acts 5:40-42 (NASB)

Forget Not And Bless The Lord

"Bless the Lord,

O my soul,

and forget none of His benefits."

Psalm 103:2 (NASB)

Well, winter is here and is making up for lost time. The snow has been falling since yesterday and at times it is is heavy. My son Tim and I have to shovel many times through out the day just to keep up with it. It is days like these, our souls must remember the benefits of knowing the Lord. When we do not forget, we can endure anything, even Edmonton winters.

It is With The Heart A Person Believe

God loves us, not because we love Him.

"In this is love,

not that we loved God,

but that He loved us

and sent His Son 

to be the propitiation for our sins."
1 John 4:10 (NASB)

The Bible says God loved us while we were yet sinners, and He demonstrated His love towards us by sending His only Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins.

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us,

in that while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us."

Romans 5:8 (NASB)

However, salvation is a gift from God, and this gift is received through faith in Him and not of ourselves.

For by grace

you have been saved through faith;

and that not of yourselves,

it is a gift of God."

Ephesians 2:8 (NIV)

And if we believe in God, we must also believe in His Word because the Word is God. Just believing there is a God is not enough. We must believe His Word, as well. 

"In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God."
John 1:1 (NASB)

We can't believe in God and His Word halfheartedly either.  We must love and believe in God and all His Word with our whole hearts.

"That if you confess with your mouth

Jesus as Lord,

and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead,

you will be saved;

for with the heart a person believes,

resulting in righteousness,

and with the mouth he confesses,

resulting in salvation."

Romans 10:9-10 (NASB)

It is with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he/she confesses, resulting in salvation. The gift of salvation starts with the heart of God, but it is received by the hearts of man. God gave up His life for us so that we may be saved, but we must now give up our hearts to Him to receive this salvation from God.

We Don't Live; Christ Lives In Us

When we become a child of God, our old self is crucified with Christ. We no longer live, but Christ lives in us. We now live in our earthly body by trusting, not in ourselves, but in the Son of God who now lives inside of us.

"My old self has been crucified with Christ.

It is no longer I who live,

but Christ lives in me.

So I live in this earthly body

by trusting in the Son of God,

who loved me

and gave Himself for me."

Galatians 2:20 (NLT)

When we give our hearts to God, we now have a desire to live for Him because God now lives inside us. The Christian life isn't trying to obey a bunch of rules. It simply means, we breathe for Him and this changes everything we say and do. This is why the commandments of God can be summed up to one: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."

A Helper To Abide With You Forever

God sent His only Son Jesus Christ to die on the Cross because He loves us, not because we love Him. However, in return God commands us to love Him back. Jesus Christ dying on the Cross does not save everyone in the whole world from damnation. In order to be saved, people must first give their whole hearts and lives to Him. When we do this, God sends His Holy Spirit to reside in each of us as our Helpmate, and it is the Holy Spirit we rely on to be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ.

"I will ask the Father,

and He will give you another Helper,

that He may be with you forever;

that is the Spirit of truth,

whom the world cannot receive,

because it does not see Him

or know Him,

but you know Him 

because He abides with you 

and will be in you."

John 14:16-17 (NIV)

The Holy Spirit is described in Scripture as the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

"The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him,

The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,

the Spirit of counsel and strength,

the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord."

Isaiah 11:2 (NIV)

We are not alone. We have God's Holy Spirit to give us the wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge and fear of the Lord, so we can live for God and be His witnesses.

Do Not Be Lead Astray

When we give our hearts to Jesus out of love for Him and thankfulness to Him for what He has done for us on the cross, we are instantly made holy. Our past sins are forgiven and our slate is clean. Then the Holy Spirit of God enters our hearts to give us the power to change and live in the image of Him. This is how we know who the children of God are. Will we still make mistakes? Yes, but we will learn from them and continue to strive to do what is right. We won't continue to sin. It is not possible when the holy Spirit of God lives inside us. When we truly love God, giving our whole hearts, souls and minds to Him, our foremost desire will be to please God, not ourselves, or anybody or anything in this world.

"Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray.

The one who does what is right is righteous,

just as He is righteous.

The one who does what is sinful is of the devil,

because the devil has been sinning from the beginning.

The reason the Son of God appeared

was to destroy the devil's work.

No one who is born of God

will continue to sin,

because God's seed remains in them;

they cannot go on sinning,

because they have been born of God.

This is how we know who the children of God are

and who the children of the devil are:

Anyone who does not do what is right

is not God's child,

nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister."

1 John 3:7-10 (NIV)

Just As Reprehensible

The reason why sexual predators, including pastors of churches, get away with their crimes for so many years is mainly because of people who cover-up for them. When the hidden sin starts to become known, the cover-up will draw all the top leadership of the organization into a partnership to attempt to conceal the evidence of the wrongdoings and silence the people who speak up against them.

For example. when recently a pastor was reported to the leadership of the church for preying on the weak, and vulnerable women in the congregation for his sexual pleasure, the leadership went on a witch hunt to silence those who spoke about his sexual escapades. Each of the victims and those who spoke on their behalf were treated with disrespect by the church leaders and spiritually manipulated to feel guilty, degraded and humiliated. Then a threatening letter was sent by register mail, (for added special effect) stating that legal action would proceed if they spoke about the pastor's sexual sins again to any one else. It also stated that a true spiritual person would just pray for the pastor, and keep silent, protecting his reputation and the reputation of the church.

This is not what God says in His Word. The Bible says those who cover-up other people's sins by keeping silent are just as reprehensible and will be punished for their sins.

"If anyone sins

in that he hears a public adjuration to testify,

and though he is a witness,

whether he has seen

or come to know the matter,

yet does not speak,

he shall bear his iniquity."

Leviticus 5:1 (ESV)

Yes, we are to pray for the sinner that he/she will genuinely repent and change, but we are first to protect the people from a sexual predator.

God Draws Us To Him With His Unfailing Love

This picture was taken with my new camera for my son's Instagram account. Matthew works as a Youth Activity Coordinator and Personal Trainer at the Derrick Country Club in Edmonton. The children at Derrick like seeing Matthew's pictures of our animals even more than pictures of themselves. There is something about pets that win people's hearts. Their love is unconditional.

It is the same with God's hearts. He loves each one of us with an everlasting love, and it is this unfailing love that has drawn people to Him over the ages.

"Long ago the Lord said to Israel:

'I have love you, my people,

with an everlasting love.

With unfailing love

I have drawn you to Myself.'"

Jeremiah 31:3 (NLT)

I wonder if the look on Osha's face is the same look Jesus had on His face for the people he died for on the Cross.

Weather Fulfills His Word

When I woke up this morning to let my dogs it, it felt like a summer morning. I looked at the thermometer and could hardly believe my eyes. It read plus 6 degrees Celcius. "Yes, that's right, plus". For the last two days, the temperatures have been so warm, that most of all the snow has now melted. And in all the six years I have lived here, I have never seen snow melt in November. Edmonton has the most unpredictable weather! I think it is the only place in the world where one can experience all four seasons in one day.

However, even though weather is so unpredictable in Alberta, I know God has absolute control of it, so I am thanking God for the warm break He is giving us.

"Praise the Lord from the earth, . . .

Fire and hail,

snow and clouds;

stormy wind,

fulfilling His Word."

Psalm 148:8 (NASB)

Love Never Fails

"Love bears all things,

believes all things,

hopes all things, endures all things."

1 Corinthians 13:7 (ESV)

Today my husband bought me the most beautiful cedar chest I have ever seen. I have always wanted one since I was a young girl to store my most precious memories. Today my dream came true!

This beautiful cedar chest was made by an Amish man named Rueben, and his young teenage daughter was in the mall standing by a display of this man's hand-made furniture.

When we first talked with his daughter, I noticed right away, she was very unsure of herself, and I wondered if it was the first time she was left with this responsibility. However, when we finally decided to buy the chest, she was so delighted! She immediately phoned her dad to tell him the good news. It was also great to see how one sale changed this young's girl's confidence. I will never forget her, as the chest will always be a reminder of her sweet innocent nature.

Godliness Is Of Value In Every Way

Today, Brian and I took our two seven-year-old dogs to the Veterinary Clinic to have their annual physical examinations and vaccinations. When the veterinarian finished examining our dogs, she told us they had the health of athletes. I was very happy! I walk them daily and monitor how much they eat, so it is nice to know regular exercise and diet pays off.

However, even though bodily training has its value for life on earth, godliness has more value.

"For while bodily training is of some value,

godliness is of value in every way,

as it holds promise for the present life

and also for the life to come."

1 Timothy 4:8 (ESV)

Godliness not only holds promise for the present life on earth, but also for eternal life in Heaven.

Out Of The North

Today, I shopped at the West Edmonton Mall with my youngest son Matthew. When we were there, Matthew took this picture with his camera. I thought is was funny because Edmontonians don't live in the Arctic or in igloos, but it sure feels like it sometimes.

"Out of the south comes the storm,

and out of the north the cold."

Job 37:9 (NASB)

Before, It Doesn't; After, It Does

I heard a pastor today give an analogy between Christians and pennies. He said a dirty dull penny is a Christian who does not reflect the image of Jesus Christ, and a shiny new penny is a Christian who does reflect His image. However, the pastor said both pennies, whether dull or shiny, are worth the same amount. Therefore, a Christian's value is not in what he/she does. In other words, so what if one is dull and one is shiny. It makes no difference to God.

I couldn't believe my ears! If Christians really believe this way, no wonder many are no different than the world.

The Bible states clearly that just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also is faith without works is dead. And if faith is dead, then Christ is not alive in that person 

"For just as the body without the spirit is dead,

so also faith without works is dead."
James 2:26 (NASB)

Therefore if Christ is not alive in the person, he/she is no different than the demons who believe in God.

"You believe that God is one.

You do well;

the demons also believe,

and shudder."

James 2:19 (NASB)

It takes more than just believing there is a God or saying the sinner's prayer. We must love God with all our hearts, souls and minds, and this love for God will be evident in what we say and do. Before we came to Jesus, it didn't matter to Him what we did, but after we come to Jesus, it does matter to Him what we do.

The Power Of The Most High

Today I put up my Christmas tree. Normally I don't put it up this early, but I was in the Christmas spirit already. (I also wanted to try out my new camera.)

"The angel answered,

'The Holy Spirit will come on you,

and the power of the Most High

will overshadow you.

So the holy One to be born 

will be called the Son of God.'"

Luke 1:35 (NIV)

Christmas is truly wonderful because of the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ! I love celebrating Christmas!

Even though my family and I won't be spending Christmas in Edmonton this year, I still wanted to decorate. We are leaving very early on December 24th to travel to Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of skiing and snowmobiling. I can't wait! I have booked a large log cabin on a 1 000 acre ranch in the forested mountains for us to stay in.

God's Sees The Whole Human Race

My son Matthew recently bought a GoPro camera and took a picture of the inside of our house. I thought his camera and the picture he took was pretty cool. You can see so much of the house in one picture. 

However, God's view is much better than a GoPro camera. When the Lord looks down from heaven, He sees the whole human race at one time. Today's technology is amazing, but it doesn't compare to God!

"The Lord looks down from heaven

and sees the whole human race."

Psalm 33:13 (NLT)

God Alone Does Marvelous Deeds

Since May, I have been teaching a very special young girl to play the piano. Her parents didn't ask me to. I offered to teach her because in my heart I felt God was calling me to.

After only a few lessons, I knew for certain God had gifted her to play. I love teaching her! It is always the highlight of my week.

This girl is intellectually delayed by four years. Her parents were heartbroken when they were told their only child would never graduate from High School. However, since she has been learning to play the piano, she has progressed rapidly in her studies at school, and is now learning to read. Praise God! He alone does marvelous deeds!

"Praise be to the Lord God,

the God of Israel,

who alone does marvelous deeds."

Psalm 72:18 (NIV)

A Foreigner On Earth, But A Citizen In Heaven

I felt like a foreigner in my home growing up, a foreigner at school, a foreigner in my neighbourhoods, (believe it or not) a foreigner in Bible college, and sadly a foreigner in most churches I have attended. I don't fit in. I guess you can say I am a nerd for Christ. I love His Word! I love His Law! I love serving Him! I love Him!

"All these people died

still believing what God had promised them.

They did not receive what was promised,

but they saw it all from a distance

and welcomed it.

They agreed that they were foreigners 

and nomads here on earth."

Hebrews 11:13 (NLT)

Life on earth can feel very lonely at times, but I must keep my focus on Heaven because in Heaven I will finally fit in.

"But we are citizens of heaven,

where the Lord Jesus Christ lives.

And we are eagerly waiting for Him

to return as our Saviour."

Philippians 3:20 (NLT)

How To Prosper And Succeed

Yesterday, I got a new camera. This is my Christmas gift. It was given early to me because my old camera no longer works. My new camera is a Nikon D3200 with interchangeable lenses. I was also given two lenses: a prime lens and a zoom lens. Right now I am studying how to use it. Otherwise, I won't be able to use it to its full capability and succeed in my quest to become a better photographer.

It is the same with the Christian life. If we don't study diligently the manual God has given to us, then we won't reach our full capacity in Christ Jesus and succeed in becoming a true disciple of God.

"Keep this Book of the Law

always on your lips;

meditate on it day and night,

so that you may be careful 

to do everything written in it.

They you will be prosperous

and successful."

Joshua 1:8 (NIV)

Lest Us Not Forget

Remembrance Day is a day set aside to remember all the Canadian soldiers who fought and died for us, so that we can live in this beautiful land in freedom.

But at the same time, lest us not forget the Lord Jesus Christ who also fought and died for us, so that we can live forever free from the punishment of sin and death. 

"For the law of the Spirit of Christ Jesus

has set you free 

from the law of sin and of death."

Romans 8:2 (NASB)

Never A Reason To Be Discouraged

There is no friend on earth that goes before us and will be with us always---a friend you will never leave us nor forsake us. 

"The Lord Himself goes before you

and will be with you;

He will never leave you

nor forsake you.

Do not be afraid;

do not be discouraged."

Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)

God is the One who is worthy of all our love and devotion! Let us keep our minds and hearts on Him, and seek Him first!

To Gaze On The Beauty Of The Lord

Today the snow is falling and this time it will last. It won't melt until late Spring and I won't see grass again for six months. I find the long cold winters here hard to endure. I have to keep my focus on the beauty of knowing God to survive. Not only that, winters on the prairies are so plain because there are no mountains or trees to give the beauty I am use to seeing.

"One thing I ask from the Lord,

this only do I seek:

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

all the days of my life,

to gaze on the beauty of the Lord

and to seek Him in His temple."

Psalm 27:4 (NIV)

Every Day Brings Trouble For The Despondent

This morning I finally phoned the Buick service department to ask if my replacement tire came in. I was shocked to find out it did on October 31st, and the man who promised me twice he would call and let me know as soon as my tire came in, never did. Today makes it eight days he could have phoned me, but cared not to. His actions and his words to me a week and a half ago were all made in vain.

Later when I picked up my tire, I was surprised to see the manager come out to greet and take care of my needs. One of the workers also took me to the side and told me they have received many complaints about this particular man. Sadly, I got the impression, he was soon going to be fired. When I caught a glimpse of the man's face as he was talking to a customer on the telephone, he looked angry and stressed. I couldn't help but wonder what was really in his heart and life to cause him to not to be able to do his job.

"For the despondent,

every day brings trouble."

Proverbs 15:15a (NLT)

All Glory And All Power Are His

We must constantly weigh our motives in everything we say and do.

"A person may think their own ways are right,

but the Lord weighs the heart."

Proverbs 21:2 (NIV)

If God is not receiving the glory, then our motives are wrong. The Bible says all glory and all power belong to Him.

"Do you have the gift of speaking?

Then speak as though God Himself were speaking through you.

Do you the gift of helping others?

Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies.

Then everything you do

will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ.

All glory and power to Him forever and ever! 

Amen."

1 Peter 4:11 (NLT)

Earth Has Nothing We Should Desire

Last Sunday's message ended with this question: "Do you have six people in your life who can be called upon to carry your casket down the aisle when you die?"

I wanted to stand up and respond, "I don't know, but does it really matter. All that matters is Jesus will be with me, and it will be Him, not any human being on earth, who will carry me to Heaven.

"Whom have I in heaven

but You?

And earth has nothing I desire 

besides You."

Psalm 73:25 (NIV)

Friends are a blessing from God, but when it comes down to it, all we really need is Jesus. There is nothing on earth we should desire but Him. After all, your friends might be able to carry your casket down the aisle, bu they won't be able to carry you to Heaven.

Everything We Need Has Been Given To Us

God's children are called by His own glory and goodness, and it is by His divine power we are given everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him.

"His divine power 

has given us everything we need

for a godly life

through our knowledge of Him

who called us by His own glory and goodness."

2 Peter 1: 3 (NIV)

One may not have earthly friends, but if he/she has Jesus, he/she has it all! Through God's Holy Spirit and His Word, we have His divine power to overcome any addiction or temptation.

God Will Be The One To Rescue You

Last Sunday, our church had a motivational speaker and x-pastor come in and tell us that through a secular support group of sex addicts, he is now able to control his sex addiction. He said he is not cured and never will be, but with the help of his non-Christian friends with whom he meets regularly, his sex addition no longer controls him. Overall Jesus Christ was left out of his message. God wasn't the answer. Man was and this x-pastor implored the congregation to seek supportive friends to help them with their addictions. He also made it clear he didn't find any of his supportive friends in church, and had to look elsewhere.

Sadly, God's Word was never quoted, and prayer was never offered to those suffering from the same addictions. I wanted desperately to tell him that even though I was happy he had supportive friends to help him in his continuing battle, he had a best friend who could end it! This is an example of how humanism can enter our churches and infiltrate into the minds of God's people. Grievously, at the end of the service, man was elevated and praised, and God was left lying on the floor underneath the people's feet.

"Then call on Me

when you are in trouble,

and I will rescue you, 

and you will give Me glory."

Psalm 91:50 (NIV)

Let Your Light Shine Before Others

My oldest son Daniel and his friends carved these pumpkins. I thought they did a fantastic job! Daniel was the one who carved Anna from the movie Frozen. When I saw these pumpkin carvings, my first thought was: the light of Jesus Christ is shining through them because all of these young Christian adults chose to carve out something and not anything evil to display on their doorstep on Halloween night.

"In the same way,

let your light shine before others,

that they may see your good deeds

and glorify your Father in Heaven."

Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

On a night where mainly evil is glorified, the goodness of God was also glorified.

Let Us Rejoice And Be Glad In It

Last night I had over 120 children and was sadly forced to shut my lights off at 7:30 PM because I ran out of treats.

It was so great to greet and talk to all the children who came to my door and wave to their parents who stood from afar.

The weather was amazingly mild for Edmonton (5 degrees Celsius) with not even the slightest breeze to make it feel colder.

The children also surprised me! They were very excited for my organic and healthy treats I was giving out this year: fruit bars, applesauce cups, Annie's organic crackers and graham wafers, and honey sesame seed snacks. (The parents, of course, were even more thrilled when the children ran up to them to tell them.)

I really had a lot of fun being giving, cheerful and kind to people on October 31st because October 31st belongs to God, not the devil. So, let us rejoice and be glad for an opportunity to show God's love.

"This is the day

which the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it."

Psalm 118:24 (NASB)

Let Me In, Not Just In The Building

I have recently been communicating with several friends and acquaintances who have been attending new churches. When they expressed their negative experiences to me, I grieved deeply for them. I understood them! I have been there many times because of the numberous moves my family and I have made over the years.

Heartbreakingly, each one of them said the same thing to me. They can't fit in. The churches initially welcomed them with open arms, but then keeps them at arm's length. They can attend and give their tithes, but the fellowship stops there. As a result many of God's people who attend church suffer from great loneliness. They don't feel accepted. They feel out of place, an intruder, and not part of a church family.

Churches today seem almost impenetrable because they are so selective of who they allow into their various cliques, and if you come from another denomination in the body of Christ, you are shut out almost immediately.

Unfortunately church cliques are in every denomination, location, and sizes of churches. There are the super-spiritual cliques, the worshippers cliques of skilled musicians and vocalists, racial cliques, marital status cliques, occupation and career cliques, age cliques, and so forth. The list goes on and on.

Cliques hurt people! They turn people away from church and God. Cliques are based on nothing but pride because people in cliques set themselves apart from the rest of the congregation, shutting the doors for any one new or someone different to enter.

We are told in Scripture to love our neighbour as ourselves, but when churches have cliques, we are loving ourselves only and not our neighbour. Loving our neighbour is the second greatest commandment of God, but churches are failing to obey this command.

"The second is this:

'Love your neighbour as yourself.'

There is no commandment greater than these."

Mark 12:31 (NIV)

They Are Ours For Food

I hate cleaning out a pumpkin. However what makes it worth while is roasting the seeds in olive oil and sea salt. Yum! This time my son Tim boiled the seeds for ten minutes first before I placed the tray in the oven. The seeds tasted even better!

"Then God said, 

'I give you every seed-bearing plant

on the face of the whole earth

and every tree that has fruit with seed in it.

They will be yours for food.'"

Genesis 1:29 (NIV)

I Wanted To Do What Was Right, But Ended Up Doing Wrong

Early this morning I went to the Buick dealership to have new winter tires put on my Encore. The appointment was for 8:30 in the morning. I was told the job could possibly take up to two hours, but since I was remaining there to wait, the service manager said he would put a rush on it. I then walked up several flights of stairs to the designated lounge room to wait. However, the temperature in the room was freezing (even with my coat on). As a result, I couldn't be comfortable enough to relax. I was shivering too much. Not only that, both the television and computer in the room were not working, so there wasn't any entertainment to keep my mind off the cold. To make matters worse, I had forgotten my cellphone at home. I was cold, bored, and hoped desperately for another human soul to enter the room as I tried to keep my sanity.

After one hour passed by, I impatiently went downstairs in hope to see a miracle. Nope, it wasn't to be. I retreated back upstairs to the arctic cold and tried to be more patient. After looking at the clock every five minutes for another hour, two hours had finally passed. With relief that my torture had ended and I survived, I went back downstairs to retrieve my vehicle. To my dismay, my vehicle still sat there with no tireman any where near it. Annoyed, I thought about saying something to the service manager, but decided to be more patient when I saw how busy they were. I then went upstairs again to wait another hour, proud of what a good Christian I was for being so patient and not complaining. (I don't think the Lord liked my haughtiness because things got worse---a lot worse).

"One, two, three, but not four."

After three hours and still no work done, I began fighting with this good Christian nature of mine. I approached the service manager calmly, but inwardly I felt nothing but calm. It felt like a storm brewing inside me. I reminded him as kindly as I could how long I had been waiting and asked why no one had started on my vehicle. In all honesty, I  really wanted to throw something at him---that is until I saw the look of horror on his face when he realized his mistake. He scrambled through some papers, and when he retrieved my invoice, I noticed his hands began to shake as he read it. He then spoke nervously to me, averting his eyes, as he tried to come up with some excuse. Instantly, the storm inside me died down and I began to feel sorry for him. I should have approached him sooner to remind him, but I was too busy trying to be good.

And if things weren't bad enough for him already, it got worse. A half of an hour later, I was told by the service manager, now with the look of death on his face, that the tire man in a hurry accidentally ruined beyond repair one of my tires. I wasn't upset. At this point, I was no longer thinking about myself. I was just worried about him.

I will now be seeing this service manager again next week. I tried to calm his nerves afterwards by chatting with him about other things, letting him know I am fine with all of this.

The Lord had taught me a valuable lesson:  Even though I wanted to do what was right, I ended up doing what was wrong. I was trying to be patient to look good, when I should have reminded the service manager so he wouldn't look bad.

"I have discovered this principle of life--

that when I want to do what is right,

I inevitably do what is wrong."

Romans 7:21 (NLT)

Free To Prowl Around

Today in our society, most people are not aware of who their greatest enemy is. It is the devil and he prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

"Stay alert!

Watch out for your great enemy,

the devil.

He prowls around like a roaring lion,

looking for someone to devour."

1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)

And the only protection we have from this enemy is the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible says the Lord is faithful to strengthen us and guard us from the evil one.

"But the Lord is faithful;

He will strengthen you

and guard you from the evil one."

2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NLT)

Yet society has taken God out of the public schools and today our children are no longer safe. The devil is free now to prowl around the schools, looking for children to devour.

The Wise Think, The Foolish Don't

My sons and I thought we were going to loose our cat Osha again. He vomited continually for several days and then stopped eating for two weeks. He ate plastic foam. He chewed and digested a large portion of my son's target board for archery. I thing the cat has nine lives because he started eating again. He is fine now, except I think he needs his head examined. 

"What? It tasted good!"

"Wise people think before they act;

fools don't---

and even brag about their foolishness."

Proverbs 13:16 (NLT)

Turn Our Eyes To The Pearl Of Great Price

"Turn my eyes from worthless things,

and give me life through Your Word."

Psalm 119:37 (NLT)

My son's bird spends most of the day looking at himself in his toy mirror. It is a good thing the bird doesn't have a cell phone or he would be constantly taking selfies.

It is sad that so many people today are also obsessed with their appearance and their worldly possessions. They don't realize the only way to true happiness and beauty is through God's Word. God's Word is what gives us life. Everything else is worthless. Why settle for things of no value when they can have the pearl of great price?

"Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant

on the lookout for choice pearls.

When he discovered a pearl of great value,

he sold everything he owned 

and bought it!"

Matthew 13:45-46 (NLT)

God Gives Us Everything

The dark brown cattails of summer have now turned into fluffy down. The Indian name for cattail means, "fruit for papoose's bed" because this fluffy down was used by Native Americans to line papoose boards. It was also used to line moccasins and stuff dolls.

I always find it amazing to see how God in His infinite wisdom created plants that had so many practical uses other than just food. In creation, God really gave us everything we need.

"Every moving thing that lives 

shall be food for you.

And as I gave you the green plants,

I give you everything."

Genesis 9:3 (ESV)