The Brokenhearted

Whenever I leave my home, my Yorkie lays on the top level of the stairs and waits for me to come home. He is brokenhearted to be away from his master, but God, our Master, is always with us and will never leave our sides. He promises to heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds.

"He heals the brokenhearted

and binds up their wounds."

Psalm 147:3 (NIV)

It Is Sinful To Refuse To Testify

The Bible makes it very clear if a person has seen or know about a wrong doing, they must testify or he/she will be guilty as well and be punished for his/her sin.

"If you are called to testify

about something you have seen

or that you know about,

it is sinful to refuse to testify,

and you will be punished for your sin."

Leviticus 5:1 (NLT)

Speak Up And Ensure Justice

God commands in Scripture to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and ensure justice for those being crushed.

"Speak up for those

who cannot speak for themselves;

ensure justice 

for those being crushed."

Proverbs 31:8 (NIV)

Will Also Cry Out

Those who shut their ears to the cry of others, will also cry out, but they will not be answered.

"Whoever shuts their ears 

to the cry of the poor

will also cry out 

and not be answered."

Proverbs 21:13 (NIV)

We must never ever ignore the cries or complaints of others, for the Bible says there will be severe consequences.

Deceivers And Liars

King David declared he would not allow deceivers to serve in his house, nor liars to stay in his presence. His aim was to stop wickedness and encourage godliness. It is the same in a church. Deceivers should not be allowed to serve, nor liars to stay unless they repent and change from their evil ways.

"I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house,

and liars will not stay in my presence."

Psalm 101:7 (NLT)

They Know Nothing And Wander In Darkness

Leaders and those who are in authority are to obey God's commands, follow His righteousness, disciple evil-doers, and protect the innocent. When leaders, including church leaders, hand down unjust decisions by favoring the wicked, they will achieve no good. Blinded by their own ignorance, they will continue to wander in darkness without the light and blessing of God's presence.

"God presides over heaven's court;

He pronounces judgment on the heavenly beings:

'How long will you hand down unjust decisions

by favoring the wicked?

Give justice to the poor and the orphan;

uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.

Rescue the poor and helpless;

deliver them from the grasp of evil people.

But these oppressors know nothing;

they are so ignorant!

They wander about in darkness."

Psalm 82:3-5 (NLT)

The Joys Of Those

As God's children who exhibit His character, we are to be kind to the poor, the needy, the lonely, the weak, and the hurting. Our Lord is a God who rescues those who are in trouble. He protects them and keeps them alive. He gives them prosperity, nurses and restores them to health, and delivers them from their enemies. We are never to justify protecting a person who is taking advantage of God's people and hurting them with his/her sinfulness and lies.

"Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor!

The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble.

The Lord protects them

and keeps them alive.

He gives them prosperity in the land

and rescues them from their enemies.

The Lord nurses them when they are sick

and restores them to health."

Psalm 41:1-3 (NLT)

Gathering Together

At a large pet store in the West Edmonton Mall, there were three kittens sleeping in a small plastic bin. I couldn't help but take a picture of the them as one kitten had one of his legs dangling outside since there was not enough room for his/her entire body in the bin. I guess the most important thing to this cat is they were all together.

"For where two or three 

gather together as my followers,

I am there among them."

Matthew 18:20 (NLT)

God Goes With You

Chris and Matthew were the only ones who were brave enough (or should I say crazy enough) to go on the Mindbender, the world's largest indoor triple loop roller coaster. As you can see in the pictures they had the roller coaster all to themselves.

For the Space Shot, Matthew was on his own, looking excited as he was to launch up twelve stores in less than two seconds and then down again.

Even on roller coasters and other (terrifying) amusement rides, is good to know, God is with them.

"Be strong and courageous.

Do not be afraid or terrified

because of them,

for the Lord your God goes with you;

He will never leave you

nor forsake you."

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)

Completely With Joy And Peace

This week we had a visitor from BC, a girl I used to babysit when she was a little girl. Of course, my sons and I took her to the world-famous West Edmonton Mall to enjoy all the rides at Galaxyland.

It was a fun day for all of us! When I saw the many smiles on this girl's face, my prayer for her was this verse.

"I pray that God,

the source of hope,

will fill you completely with joy and peace

because you trust in Him.

Then you will overflow with confident hope

through the power of the Holy Spirit."

Romans 15:13 (NLT)

Stands Forever

"The grass withers 

and the flowers fade,

but the Word of God stands forever."

Isaiah 40:8 (NLT)

Remains Forever

Today, I was able to see the Red-Necked Grebe and her two babies swimming about.

 The babies have bold dark stripes on the sides on their heads.

Just like a mother's love remains forever for her children, so the love of the Lord remains forever with His children.

"But the love of the Lord remains forever

with those who fear Him.

His salvation extends to the children's children

of those who are faithful to His covenant,

of those who obey His commandments!"

Psalm 103:17-18 (NLT)

Garland And A Chain

Today when I went on my walk I was able to take pictures of American Coot babies.

When I watched how close these babies stayed with their parents, I am reminded that Godly instruction and godly teaching are garland to grace our heads and a chain to adorn our neck.  

"Listen, my son, to your father's instruction

and do not forsake your mother's teaching.

They are garland to grace your head

and a chain to adorn your neck."

Proverbs 1:8-9 (NIV)

Burst Into Bloom

My newest lily plant burst into bloom this morning.

Those who have been redeemed by the Lord is like a plant bursting into bloom, rejoicing greatly, and shouting for joy.

"It will burst into bloom;

it will rejoice greatly

and shout for joy."

Isaiah 35:2 (NIV)

Light Is Sweet

In the town of Beaumont, cats are not allowed outdoors, except on a leash.  However, even on a leash, my cat Osha begs to go outside every day to play in the backyard during the summer. He loves it! Osha is pleased with the warmth of the sun. Light is sweet to him. Winter is forgotten for a time.

"Light is sweet,

and it pleases the eyes to see the sun."

Ecclesiastes 11:7 (NIV)

My Hiding Place

"You are my hiding place;

You will protect me from trouble

and surround me with songs of deliverance."

Psalm 32:7 (NLT)

Seek Me With All Your Heart

When I went to a drug store today, I spotted this praying sheep. I had to buy it because in the Bible God refers to His children as sheep and we are called by God to seek Him in prayer.

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord,

'plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.

Then you will call on Me

and come and pray to Me,

and I will listen to you.

You will seek Me and find Me 

when you seek Me with all your heart.

I will be found by you,' declares the Lord."

Jeremiah 29:12-14a (NIV)

Stands Forever

"The grass withers 

and the flowers fall,

but the Word of our God stands forever."

Isaiah 40:8 (NLT)

No Wonder My Heart Is Glad

'No wonder my heart is glad,

and I rejoice.

My body rests in safety."

Psalm 16:9 (NLT)

Everything Beautiful In Its Time

I am always amazed at the diversity of colours revealed in God's creation.

"He has made everything beautiful in its time."

Ecclesiates 3:11 (NIV)

See How The Flowers Grow

All the canola fields in Alberta are now in bloom. It is a spectacular sight to see the masses of tiny bright yellow flowers against the different shades of green foliage int he prairies and the blue skies above.

"See how the flowers of the field grow."

Matthew 6:28 (NIV)

'Yet I tell you 

that not even Solomon in all his splendor

was dressed like one of these."

Matthew 6:29 (NIV)

'If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, . . .

will He not much more clothe you."

Matthew 6:30 (NIV)

"So do not worry. . . .

"But seek first His kingdom

and His righteousness,

and all these things

will be given to you as well."

Matthew 6:31a,33 (NIV)

Follow His Steps

We are called of God to do good, even if it means will be have to suffer for it. Christ suffered for us and we are called by God to follow His steps.

"For God called you to do good,

even if it means suffering,

just as Christ suffered for you.

He is your example, 

and you must follow in His steps."

1 Peter 2:21 (NLT)

God's Rest

The New Testament reaffirms the importance of a Sabbath rest for the people of God. This is not just an Old Testament Law. We are told by God we should continue to be diligent to enter His rest, so we will be less likely to fall into temptation.

"So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.

For the one who has entered His rest 

has himself also rested from his works,

as God did from His.

Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest,

so that no one will fall."

Hebrews 4:9-11 (NASB)

Submit, Obey, And Do

I thought this was the most creative sign I have seen so far to encourage people to obey the law and pick up after their dogs.

The Bible says, as Christians, we are to submit to the government and its officers. We should always be obedient and ready to do what is right and good.

"Remind the believers to submit to the government 

and its officers.

They should be obedient, 

always ready to do what is good."

Titus 3:1 (NLT)

The Enjoyment Of Life

My two sons were enjoying one of the simple things in life---skipping rocks on the the surface of the water.

"So I commend the enjoyment of life."

Ecclesiastes 8:15a (NIV)

Search And Reach.

This squirrel at a campsite was seeking the ground for something.

It is God's foremost desire for each one of us to seek Him and even grope for Him, so that we may find Him. God is near. He is not far, but we must search and reach out to Him in this dark world, in order to turn on the light switch.

"And He made from one man every nation of mankind

to live on all the face of the earth,

having determined their appointed times 

and the boundaries of their habitation,

that they would seek God, 

if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him,

though He is not far from each one of us."

Acts 17:26-27 (NASB)

Teach Me, Show Me, Let Me Hear And Smell

The trail along the North Saskatchewan River in Devon was very scenic and the smells were heavenly because the Alberta wild roses were in full bloom. Whenever I am outdoors, I sense strongly God's presence in His creation and Scripture verses always come to mind.

"Teach me Your ways, O Lord,

that I may live according to your truth!

Grand me purity of heart,

so that I may honour You."

Psalm 86:11 (NLT)

'Show me the right path, O Lord;

point out the road for me to follow."

Psalm 25:4 (NLT)

"Let me hear of Your unfailing love each morning,

for I am trusting in You.

Show me where to walk,

for I give myself to You."
Psalm 143:8 (NLT)

"Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance

rising up to God."

2 Corinthians 2:15a (NLT)

"But let justice roll on like a river,

righteousness like a never-failing stream!"

Amos 5:24 (NIV)

"You take care of the earth and water it,

making it rich and fertile.

The river of God has plenty of water."

Psalm 65:9 (NLT)