Crazy Sunday Morning

Have you ever had one of those Sunday mornings when everything goes wrong? It happened yesterday to us. My sons and I were all ready to go to church when I went outside to start the vehicle. Our driveway is slanted uphill, so when I opened the driver's door, it started to close again because of the gravity of the incline. When I tried to enter the vehicle, the door was partly in my way. Unfortunately my reactions were slow that morning, so I ended up banging and slicing my cheek open on the edge of the door. As blood dripped down my cheek and I felt the sting of the cut, I looked in the rearview mirror to check the damage. At this time, two of my sons were now entering the vehicle. They took one wide-eyed look at me and didn't object when I said, "I think I better stay home."

As I was going back into the house, Chris came out. I told him he would have to drive to church. I didn't have to explain, for the reason was obvious. He just gave me a strange look and shook his head. Now this is where it gets really weird. While I was in the house with an ice-pack on my cheek to try and get the swelling down, Chris entered the house holding his hand. Frustrated, he said, "Ow! I slammed the driver's door on my finger. Yes, the same door that bruised and cut my cheek. Chris's finger was bleeding and bruised also. He was in pain — like mother, like son. Then shortly afterwards, his other brothers entered the house and one of them said, "I don't think we are supposed to go to Church this morning. Your vehicle is completely out of gas and we don't have time now to get any. I don't even think there is enough gas in the tank to get to a gas station." Then I remembered. The gas light went on yesterday while I was driving, but I had to continue to drive for half an hour before I could pull off at a gas station. When I arrived at one, all the stalls were taken. I waited and waited, but when one was finally free, a young man drove up and took my spot just as I was maneuvering my vehicle to back into it. I was so annoyed that I decided to go straight home and come back later on in the day to fill up with gas. I guess I don't have to say, "I forgot!"

As a result, we all stayed home from church. Hopefully, I will learn not to get so annoyed when someone is unthoughtful and inconsiderate. I guess I didn't have to go to church yesterday for God to teach me a valuable lesson and be reminded of this Scripture verse.

"Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves

 with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 

Make allowance for each other's faults,

and forgive anyone who offends you."

Colossians 3:12-13

I really should have been patient and forgiving, and waited until another stall opened up. Instead, I got angry and didn't care if I had gas or not.

I am glad to report though that later on in the day my vehicle did make it to get to the gas station. However, I brought this just in case I ran out and had to walk to the station to fill it.

I really don't know why my husband leaves me unattended for so long. He is really fussy about never letting the gas tank get down that low. Maybe one day I will finally learn to fill the tank sooner and not keep putting it off — another lesson I need to learn.

God And Dragonflies

The area I live in is currently suffering the worst mosquito infestation in 20 years. You can't even go outside and enjoy summer because of them.  However, lately there has been a lot less mosquitoes, thanks to another type of insect. They are everywhere right now: dragonflies of various colours and sizes.

I managed to take a picture of one resting, which is very difficult to do because they are usually soaring past you. Dragonflies are one of the fastest insects in the world, travelling up to 100 kilometers per hour. These wonderful insects eat mosquitoes. Thank you God! They actually catch them with their six legs when they swoop past. I have never in my life seen so many dragonflies. They have come to the rescue! I am sure God created them just for the purpose of getting rid of those bloodsucking skeeters. From now on I will look upon dragonflies with great appreciation.

The dragonflies that I have seen so far are either golden yellow, bright blue, or red.

"I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine."

Psalm 50:11

It is truly amazing that God knows every bird in the mountains and He also keeps track of all the insects in the field. God knows at all times the exact count of mosquitoes there are this summer and He also knows the children aren't able to play outside comfortably without getting bitten from head to toe. God saw the predicament and discomfort; so He sent dragonflies — and plenty of them — to lower the mosquito population. Isn't God good?

Cornelius, A Roman Officer

Cornelius was a Roman army officer: a captain of the Italian Regiment. Acts chapter 10 says that he was a devout, God-fearing man that gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly to God. The Bible also says that everyone in his household was like Cornelius.

One day an angel appeared to Cornelius and told him to send for Simon Peter, one of the disciples of Jesus. Cornelius sent three of his Roman soldiers to summon Peter.

Just before the Roman soldiers reached Peter's house, Peter went up on his roof to pray. It was around noon, so Peter was naturally hungry. While he was praying, God gave Peter a vision. In the vision, Peter saw the sky open up and a large sheet let down with all kinds of animals, reptiles and birds on it. God spoke to Peter and told him to get up, kill the animals and eat them. Peter refused because of the Jewish laws which forbade him to eat anything that has been declared unclean and impure. Then God profoundly spoke to Peter again in verse 15: "Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean." The dream perplexed Peter. He was not able to understand its meaning.

Then the Holy Spirit spoke to Peter to go downstairs and greet at his front door the three men that Cornelius sent. When Peter opened the door, he saw that the men were Roman soldiers and therefore, Gentiles. It was against Jewish law at the time, for a Jew to associate with a Gentile, let alone enter his home. Peter now understood the meaning of his dream. Peter, being obedient to God, invited the three men to stay the night.

The next day Peter and other Jewish believers went with the Roman soldiers to speak to Cornelius the message God wanted him and his family to hear: the salvation message of Jesus Christ. Cornelius and all his household listened and were saved. Then immediately afterwards they were baptized by the Holy Spirit, astonishing the other Jewish believers.

God never shows disfavour to nationality or occupation, and we are not to call something unclean, when God has made it clean. Therefore, no matter what we may have done in the past, what nationality we are or what occupation/lifestyle we may have had, we are immediately made clean when we accept what Jesus did on the Cross for us and ask Him to come into our lives to be our Saviour.

Matthew drew his brother, Chris, the other day, as a Roman centurion:

The Roman soldiers were the ones that tortured Jesus, mocked and crucified Him, showing no mercy. However, when God looked upon Cornelius, He didn't see his helmet, sword or shield, remembering the cruel treatment of Roman soldiers towards His beloved Son. God didn't see Cornelius as a Gentile and not a Jew. Instead, He saw Cornelius' heart, and in a miraculous way brought the salvation message to him.

God has the right and power to make clean what is unclean. All God requires is for you to give your heart to Him.

The Birds Sing For Us

In my neighbourhood in the surrounding marshes, there are these beautiful black birds with deep red shoulder patches and yellow wing bars. They are male Red-winged Blackbirds. The females are not as pretty. They are a nondescript dark brown. I have never seen these types of birds before until I moved here.

"The birds of the air nest by the waters:

they sing among the branches."

Psalm 104:12

I find it absolutely amazing that each kind of bird that God created has their own unique song. The Red-winged Blackbird song sounds like a high-pitched whistle: "oak-a-lee". The female song sounds more like chatter: "chit chit chit chit chit chit cheer teer teer teer God sure is creative! I love listening to the different sounds of nature!

Here is a picture of a male Red-winged Blackbird sitting on top of a small tree. My son, Matthew, joined me on my daily walk and took this picture yesterday.

The marshes are nearby, where these birds nest in the cattails, and feed on butterflies and other insects.

Take time today to go outside and close your eyes. Then listen to the distinct and extraordinary sounds of nature. A peace and serenity will enfold you as you do.

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Yesterday, on Tim's birthday, Matthew went to his bedroom and closed the door. He drew this picture of his brother on his 2nd birthday, and then presented the picture to Tim afterwards:

I thought he did an amazing job! I also thought it was sweet of him too! My sons' best friends are definitely their brothers.

I Am With You Always

The week we were doing VBS, we were all invited to the Seniors Pastor's house for a wonderful turkey dinner. There she showed me her journal. In her journal she writes at the end of each day something that occurred during day that she is thankful to God for. I thought this was such a great idea that yesterday I bought myself a journal to do the same.

The Seniors Pastor at one time suffered severe depression after a horrific tragedy to her family. Later, she became a Christian, went to Bible College and became a Pastor to both children and seniors. She has an amazing testimony and has recently written a book about it.

Negative thoughts can be harmful to your mind, body and soul. During those lonely moments when you start to feel depressed, go to God and His Word.

"Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Matthew 28:20

Then think of something that transpired during the day to thank God for.

Last night I wrote my first entry. "I am thankful to God that it finally stopped raining. I can now see the pretty blue sky again and it t looks like tomorrow will be a nice day. I am excited that I will be able to cut my lawn and work in my garden.

It is amazing how just a simple positive exercise can change your mood. If you struggle with negative thoughts of any kind, I recommend buying a journal to record daily all of God's blessings in your life.

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Today is my son's birthday!

Happy Birthday Tim!

Matthew and I went to Walmart this morning to make him a birthday card with this picture that I took of him in his role for the dramas last week. He was the crazy hunter with a homemade gun that he talked and sang to.

We are celebrating Tim's birthday tomorrow when his older brother, Daniel, is free to attend his dinner party.

"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my 

body and knit me together in my mother's womb. 

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! 

Your workmanship is marvelous — how well I know it."

Psalm 139:13-14

I believe every person's birthday is a time to celebrate, for God created each one of us and loves us immensely!

God's Joy Completes Your's

On our way home from doing Vacation Bible School, all of us felt this indescribable peace, joy and contentment that follows after doing God's work. The long drive home seemed short in comparison to the drive down. Our happiness came from God! That is the only way I can explain it. There is no greater delight and satisfaction that comes from knowing God is pleased. It is the same feeling one experiences when one chooses to do right over wrong, decides to sacrifice for the good of others, determines to forgive those who have hurt us deeply, or makes an effort to love the unlovely.

"I have told you this, so that My joy may be in you

and that your joy may be complete."

John 15:11

Having God's joy is so much more satisfying and complete than experiencing joy that comes from material wealth, fame and accomplishments.

Even our dogs were much more relaxed and enjoyed the trip back home. I believe they sensed what we were feeling.

Here are some pictures I took of them:

Barney poses for the camera. It's as if he knows he is getting his picture taken.

Barlow slept most of the way back.

Barney couldn't understand why Barlow was sleeping so much. He had to check to make sure he was okay.

Our dogs are part of the family. It is a blessing that the Pastors of the Church love animals and welcome them.

All Scripture Is God-Breathed

Tim drew me a picture for my birthday last year of a young girl reading in a quiet spot in God's creation. I love to read and my most favorite book is the Word of God. I also enjoy the beauty and sounds of nature. Tim knows me very well.

I love God's Word because it is the only book written by God Himself. Every word of it is "God-breathed". Scripture states that the Bible is a guide book for a servant of God to live a righteous life, one that is pleasing to God. Therefore, the Bible can be used to teach, rebuke, correct and train. It is troubling that so many people today only view it in parts and ignore the rest. They do not believe that all that is written in the Bible is God's perfect truth.

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for

 teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 

so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

2 Timothy 3:16-17

If you have any questions or concerns about how to live your life, read the Bible. Don't rely on popular public opinions for the answers. Go to God's Word! It is a book of great treasure to be taken to a quiet spot where there will be no interruptions, so you can study and ponder the life-changing words of God.