A Heart Like His

Lakeland "Revival"?

2008-07-03T13:40:00.000-07:00

My heart is grieved as I watch and hear the reports coming out of Lakeland and see the deception spreading around the world. What a powerful spirit of delusion has come over the Christian community. Lord, have mercy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K8XjObzfXM&feature=related

This is the man leading this so-called revival. Where is the fruit of the Spirit? How does this line up with the Word of God? How can anyone believe that the Holy Spirit would command someone to kick an older woman in the face with a biker boot as the woman is worshipping God? I have no doubt that a spirit told Todd Bentley to kick the woman, but there is no way I'll believe that it was the Holy Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control ~ not violence such as this. This type of "ministry" is not of God. We are told in Scripture that we will know them by their fruit. This is rotten fruit.

It amazes me that Christians can be taken in by all this. But the Bible does warn us that "the coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie..." 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 and "false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect -- if that were possible." Mark 13:22

We need to love the truth. Jesus is The Way, The Truth, and the Life, and God's Word is truth. We need to know the Lord Jesus Christ through prayer and through the Word. We need to be so familiar with the Truth that we can readily spot the counterfeit and reject the lie. We need to be diligent to study the Word, know it, feed on it, obey it, live it, love it. We need to build our own personal relationship with the Lord Jesus through prayer, and we need to meet together with like-minded believers to encourage each other as the Word tells us to in Hebrews 10:25. We need to know and love the truth so that we can spot the counterfeit and reject the lie. This is a wake-up call to the Body of Christ. Get back to your first love.

Getting to the Root

2008-04-11T15:48:00.000-07:00

"We use God's mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the devil's strongholds." (2 Corinthians 10:4)

So often when something is going wrong in our country, we want to organize a boycott or want to protest. But did you know that as believers, we have something more powerful than boycotts? It is called prayer, and the Bible tells us to devote ourselves to it (see Colossians 4:2).

We need to pray for our country. We need to pray for people that need to hear the gospel. And we need to share the gospel. We need to share the good news of Jesus Christ with that woman who wants to abort her child. We need to share the gospel message with that man or woman who is trapped in the homosexual lifestyle. We need to share Christ with the gang members. We need to share Him with those in our society who are hurting.

As people learn there is another kingdom, it will change the way they live in this one. Far too often, we Christians have been preoccupied with the symptoms in our society and haven't touched the root of the problem. The root is sin. The solution is the gospel.

So let's get the solution to the root. Our country needs to turn back to God. We keep thinking that a president will solve all of our problems. Or Congress will solve them. Or some program will solve them. But they won't be solved through any efforts of our own doing. We need to turn back to God.

Let's tell others about Christ and not be so preoccupied with what they are doing because of their sin. Let's try to reach people where they are really hurting. And, let's always be sure we are praying.

~Pastor Greg Laurie
Copyright © 2008 by Harvest Ministries.

With God

2008-02-06T19:10:00.000-08:00

Today's Scripture
“Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God" (Mark 10:27).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Osteen
With God all things are possible! Now that’s a very broad statement. But, it doesn’t mean you can just do anything you want. You have to get with God first. In order to get with God, or align yourself with Him, you have to obey His Word. You have to submit yourself to Him and His plan for your life. You must turn your back on your old life and your old way of doing things. When you are in agreement with God and His Word, then all things will be possible. When you make your thoughts agreeable to His Word, than your plans will be established and you will succeed! Make whatever changes are necessary in your life today so that you can align yourself with God. Don’t hang around people that will try to drag you down. Guard what you watch on TV and what you listen to. Be determined everyday to spend time in prayer and studying the Word. The Bible promises that as you draw near to God, He will draw near to you. As you are in agreement with God, all things will be possible for you, and you will live the life of victory He has planned for you!

A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, I want everything You have in store for me. Today I choose to align myself with You. Show me if there is anything in my life that is displeasing to You so that I can walk with You all of my days. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

An Entirely New Self

2008-02-04T15:54:00.000-08:00

Ephesians 5:8 You were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light .

Ephesians 5:8 describes the essential change of nature which occurs at salvation. It doesn't say you were in darkness; it says you were darkness. Darkness was your nature, your very essence, as an unbeliever. Nor does it say you are now in the light; it says you are light. God changed your basic nature from darkness to light. The issue in this passage is not improving your nature. Your new nature is already determined. The issue is learning to walk in harmony with your new nature.

Why do you need the nature of Christ within you? So you can be like Christ, not just act like Him. God has not given us the power to imitate Him. He has made us partakers of His nature so that we can actually be like Him. You don't become a Christian by acting like one. We are not on a performance basis with God. He doesn't say, "Here are My standards, now you measure up." He knows you can't solve the problem of an old sinful self by simply improving your behavior. He must change your nature, give you an entirely new self--the life of Christ in you--which is the grace you need to measure up to His standards.

That was the point of His message in the Sermon on the Mount: "Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:20). The scribes and Pharisees were the religious perfectionists of their day. They had external behavior down to a science, but their hearts were like the insides of a tomb: reeking of death. Jesus is only interested in creating new persons from the inside out by infusing in them a brand-new nature and creating in them a new self. Only after He changes your identity and makes you a partaker of His nature will you be able to change your behavior.

~Neil Anderson

Chosen to Be Holy

2008-01-30T12:00:00.000-08:00

Today's Scripture
“For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight” (Ephesians 1:4).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Osteen
Did you know that God had a plan for you before the foundation of the earth? He created you to be holy and blameless in His sight. Why did He do that? He chose you to be His ambassador, or representative, on the earth. God created you to reflect His glory. He created you to reflect His character, His righteousness, His holiness. Think about that for a moment. Part of your purpose on this earth is to be a representative for the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Let that sink in deeply on the inside of you. Knowing that should make you want to walk a little differently. It should make you want to talk differently. That should make you think a little more carefully about where you go and what you choose to do with your time. Are you representing God’s holiness today? Remember, what God’s called you to do, He’s equipped you to do. If there are things in your life that aren’t holy, God wants to empower you to overcome those things. Receive His strength and might today so that you can walk in holiness and live the abundant life He has for you.

A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for choosing me today. I ask You to search my heart and remove anything that is displeasing in Your sight. I accept Your holiness today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Fix Your Eyes

2008-01-16T09:28:00.000-08:00

Today's Scripture
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:1).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Osteen
Are your eyes fixed on Jesus today? It’s so easy to let the distractions of the world and the cares of every day life to change your focus. And whatever you fix your eyes on, you open your spirit to. You can choose to fix your eyes on Jesus no matter what distractions of life are going on around you. You see, when you fix your eyes on Jesus, you are opening yourself to the Healer. You are opening yourself to the Deliverer. You are opening yourself to the Prince of Peace, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Provider, the Redeemer, the Strong Tower of refuge. What do you need in your life today? Peace? Fix your eyes on Jesus. Do you need healing? Fix your eyes on Jesus. Do you need a safe retreat? Fix your eyes on Jesus. And you may have to turn off other things that you’ve been watching so that you can fix your eyes on Him. But remember, He is your source of life and the Author and Perfecter of your faith. Fix your eyes on Him and allow Him to work in your life so that you can experience the victory He has in store for you!

A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, today I choose to tune out the negative voices of the world so that I can fix my eyes on You. I acknowledge that You are my source and strength for every good thing in life. I open myself to you today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

SPRING-LOADED TOWARD THE SPIRIT

2008-01-11T17:10:00.000-08:00

Galatians 5:16 Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

When we first became Christians, we were like one-third horsepower lawn mower engines. We could accomplish something, but not very much because we weren't very mature. Our ambition as Christians is to become engines that can power earth-moving machinery--real powerhouses for the Lord. But neither a lawn mower nor a bulldozer can accomplish anything without gas. And neither can we accomplish anything apart from Christ (John 15:5). No matter how mature you are, you can never be productive unless you are walking in the Spirit.

When it comes to the choice between walking according to the flesh and walking according to the Spirit, our will is like a toggle switch. The new Christian's will seems to be spring-loaded toward fleshly behavior. He is still the unwitting victim of a thoroughly trained flesh which only knows how to operate independently of God. The mature Christian's will is spring-loaded toward the Spirit. He makes occasional poor choices, but he is learning to crucify the flesh and walk in the Spirit on a daily basis.

If you re hoping for a magic formula or a list of foolproof steps for walking in the Spirit, you will be disappointed. The moment you reduce the Spirit-filled walk to a formula or an intellectual exercise, you probably won't be Spirit-filled anymore.

The Holy Spirit is a "He," not an "it." Our walk with God is a personal experience, not a mechanical or legalistic formula. We see the immorality of fleshly indulgence everywhere, but simply preaching against it and telling people to shape up is not God's answer. The law is powerless to give life (Galatians 3:21). Reintroducing the law to believers won't work. But if we learn to walk by the Spirit, we won't carry out the desires of the flesh. Let's encourage others to do the same.

~Neil Anderson

The importance of obedience

2007-12-12T19:12:00.000-08:00

Immediate obedience to Jesus is so very important. When it's clear that Jesus is saying, "Do this," or "Don't do that", hesitation is foolish. An opportunity or blessing may be missed; a negative circumstance or even tragedy may result.

A friend tells the story of the time he was driving along a familiar road, when suddenly he heard the Spirit of God say, "Stop the car now!" He immediately pulled over and stopped the car. The next instant, a car came careening around the corner just ahead of him. The car was sliding on the ice, coming around the corner on the wrong side of the road. Because my friend had stopped his car when God spoke to him, he was parked far enough away to allow the driver of the other vehicle room to get his car under control and back on the right side of the road. If he hadn't obeyed, it would have been a head-on collision and certain tragedy.

The importance of obedience.

God's love for us is so great. He never asks anything of us that isn't for our good. So why do we sometimes hestitate or ignore His requests? It simply isn't possible to say, "No, Lord." When God asks us to do, or not do, something, it's either, "Yes, Lord," or "No, You aren't my Lord."

Guard Your Heart

2007-12-01T17:23:00.000-08:00

Today's Scripture
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:23 NIV).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Osteen
Just like a computer, what you allow into your heart programs your thinking and words, which ultimately determines the direction of your life. Your eyes, ears, and mouth are all gateways to your heart. What you watch and listen to goes into your heart whether you realize it or not. You can guard your heart by filtering what you watch and listen to. If you don’t want to be like the people you see on TV, you shouldn’t watch that program. If you don’t want to act like the people in the songs you hear, you shouldn’t listen to them. But beyond that, you have to guard your heart against bitterness and bad attitudes. When those negative emotions sink into your heart, they will keep you from moving forward. The Bible says that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. That means your words show where your heart is. Take inventory today of what you are saying, watching, and listening to. Make sure that you are glorifying the Lord with your every action. As you guard your heart and mind, the wellspring of life within in you will flow freely, and you will live in the abundance the Lord has in store for you.

A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, today I submit my mind and heart to You. I choose to guard my heart and ask that You guide and direct my everyday choices. Purify me by Your spirit so that life will flow from me in every area. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Develop Your Gift

2007-11-12T21:40:00.000-08:00

Today's Scripture
“Do not neglect the gift of God within you…” (I Timothy 4:14).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Osteen
You are created and designed for a specific purpose. God has placed gifts inside of you to equip you to fulfill your purpose. Do you know what those gifts are? What are you passionate about? What can you do better than other people? What would you choose to do if there were no obstacles? God wants you to develop and pursue the gift inside of you. Your gift is a part of your destiny. But the gifts God gives aren’t just for us. He gives us gifts to help build the kingdom of God. You have a specific role to play in the body of Christ. That doesn’t mean God’s going to send you to a third world country or make you preach. But, there are people only you can reach. Are you using your gift to build the kingdom? Are you serving in your local church? Even if you are still discovering what your gifts are, you can simply take a step and volunteer. Everyone has something to give. You can give a smile, a handshake, or an encouraging word. As you step out and serve others, you’ll see the gift inside of you begin to grow, and you’ll move forward into the destiny God has in store for you!

A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for equipping me to fulfill my destiny. Thank You for walking with me and guiding me. Show me ways to develop what You have given me so that I can build Your kingdom in the earth. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

He is the Healer

2007-11-08T17:24:00.000-08:00

Today's Scripture
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Osteen
Aren’t you glad that God is a healer! It doesn’t matter what is “broken” in your life today, God’s nature is to bring you complete healing. Do you need healing in your body? Your mind? Heart? Finances? Relationships? God is your healer. Notice what the Psalmist says in this verse: He binds up their wounds. In the natural, if you have a broken arm, it doesn’t just heal over night. The doctor makes a cast to hold it in place and protect it. He binds up your wound. In the spiritual realm, God does the same thing. He wraps Himself around your brokenness and protects the wounded area until it is strong enough to function properly again. The Bible also says that He is a restorer. That means that when He does a work of healing in our lives, He makes us better than we were before. If you’re going through the healing process today, know this: it may take longer than you planned, but God is binding up your wound. He is protecting you and healing you. He will bring you out better and stronger than you were before. He will take you to a place of complete healing so that you can live the life of victory He has in store for you.

A Prayer for Today
Father in heaven, thank You for being my healer. Thank You for restoring every area of my life. I give You everything that I am today. Use me for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

You Set the Limits

2007-11-08T17:15:00.000-08:00

Today's Scripture
“What if they don’t believe? Will their lack of faith make the faith of God no effect?” (Romans 3:3)

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Osteen
There will always be critics and naysayers in life. It’s not what’s said about you that affects your life, but what you say and believe about yourself. Has the opinions of other people caused you to water down your dreams? One of the most important things you can learn is that other people don’t have to believe in you in order for your dreams to come to pass. Other people don’t set the limits for your life—you do. In Romans 3:3, the Apostle Paul is saying, “It doesn’t matter if other people don’t believe. Their unbelief is not going to keep me from believing in my dreams.” When God puts a promise in your heart, it’s not up to other people to bring it to pass, it’s up to you! You don’t need everyone to validate you. You have to follow the voice of God for yourself and allow Him to order your steps. God sees the hidden treasures that you’ve had buried on the inside of you. He wants to bring those treasures out and make your dreams reality! As you get rid of old, defeated thoughts and replace them with what God says about you, you will remove the limits and live the abundant life God has in store for you!

A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for another day to see Your goodness in my life. Help me to see myself the way You see me. Help me to see the plans You have for me so that I can be empowered by You to fulfill my destiny. I love You and bless Your name today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

It was His timing.

2007-11-02T16:17:00.000-07:00

Some would say it was an ill-timed vacation, but I don't believe that. I believe it was God's timing, and His timing is always perfect. Even though I may not know the reason for timing it that way, I do "know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

We arrived in San Diego three days before the wildfires broke out. What began as a time of sight-seeing and relaxing became a time of stress and uncertainty. We were among the first of many whose areas came under mandatory evacuation. This actually was a blessing, the favour of God upon us, because we were able to secure a hotel room at a very reduced rate. By the next morning, all the hotels in San Diego were booked solid and there were no more rooms to be found. Thousands were forced to seek refuge in emergency shelters. We were comfortable in a hotel room.

All the local TV stations suspended regular programming for three days, and we, along with half a million others who were displaced, stayed tuned for word on the status of the fires and when/if we would be allowed to return to where we were staying originally. We finally were able to return the day before we flew home.

At times, I wondered if there was something wrong with me. I felt removed somehow from my emotions, somewhat unfeeling in the midst of this trauma. Then without warning, the tears would come as I thought about the many, many people who would never return to their homes. They had lost everything and my heart hurt for them. The place we were staying in was untouched by the fire, and we could go home. But many would not.

Several of the major attractions were closed, major roadways were closed, the smoke was thick and the air quality was very poor. But we chose to keep a positive attitude and make the best of our time there. We may not have been able to do all the things we wanted to do and see all the scenery we were hoping to see, but we did have a good time anyway. Attitude makes the difference!

I wish I could change this.

2007-11-02T16:14:00.000-07:00

I don't like that when a person makes a comment on this blog, they don't receive notification when a reply is made. :(

Love Comes Softly

2007-09-07T15:59:00.000-07:00

Recently, I was browsing in the video store and came upon this series of movies based on novels written by Christian author, Janette Oke. I had read the novels many years ago and enjoyed the stories, so I promptly rented the four videos and watched them over the next few days.

Amazon's Description: A woman’s dream to forge a new life for herself on the great American plains becomes a test of her pioneering spirit, her inner strength, and her undying faith. It was Marty Claridge’s dream to build her new life on the frontier with her husband. But when the courageous pioneer woman is suddenly widowed, she’s offered a new opportunity – to marry a widower in a marriage of convenience that leads to unexpected love.
Directed by Michael Landon, Jr., Love Comes Softly is based on the best-selling series of novels from Janette Oke, which has sold over 30 million copies. Love Comes Softly has aired on the Hallmark Channel, garnering record setting ratings.

I liked the movies. They are stories of faith and love, cleanly written and portrayed. One reviewer says, "Love Comes Softly, based on the popular Christian novel by Janette Oke, is a romance, but Landon carefully avoids any bodice-ripping histrionics. Problems get solved perhaps a little too easily, but the movie is cleanly written, pleasantly understated, and respectful to its characters. For many viewers, Love Comes Softly will be a welcome change from overheated secular love stories."

The other movies in the series include, Love's Enduring Promise, Love's Long Journey, and Love's Abiding Joy.

Appreciation Dinner

2007-09-07T15:04:00.001-07:00

Every October, our little congregation does a "Pastor Appreciation Dinner" along with Thanksgiving. This year, the leadership decided to do a "Congregation Appreciation Dinner", with the leadership team preparing, serving, and doing cleanup for the congregation. There are four of us putting on a spaghetti dinner for about 60 people tomorrow night.

I've enjoyed the preparation this week. Yesterday, I made 3 large pots of spaghetti sauce, which is now sitting in my fridge, the flavours blending together nicely. Over the course of 3 days, I've been baking chocolate chip cookies, lemon bars, chocolate chip/peanut butter cookie bars, and banana bread ~ and tasting a little of each along the way. :)
Tomorrow afternoon we'll meet at the church to set up and decorate tables, and prepare the salad, garlic bread and spaghetti. We've ordered (but I don't think they're going to arrive in time) appreciation gifts ~ mugs that are inscribed with, "Thank you for your servant heart" on one side and a Scripture verse (I can't remember which one) on the other side.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow. The dinner will be nice, but I'm looking forward to the comraderie of working together with the others to put on the dinner. They're wonderful people to work with. We make a good team.

Unsettled

2007-09-07T14:42:00.000-07:00

Last year and the year before, I spent a lot of time on my computer; a lot of time online. But in the past several months I haven't been online very much, and some days ~ sometimes several days ~ I don't turn my computer on at all. I don't know why the change, and whether this is a temporary season or a permanent change. I seem to be doing a lot more reading instead, which I suppose could be a good thing. Except that I have the feeling that for me, right now, reading is more of a stress-relief than pure enjoyment.

At the moment, I still don't have a clear picture in my mind of what I want my blog to be. I don't really want to journal my daily life and events. I think I'd rather write more regarding things I'm thinking about. But to be honest, right now I don't really feel like writing much about those things, either. I guess this blog will be a variety of types of posts ~ or maybe none at all ~ for awhile, until I get settled what I'm doing with it.

Love must be sincere.

2007-08-20T18:10:00.000-07:00

Romans 12:9 says, "Love must be sincere." Recently, I've seen several demonstrations of insincere love. Insincere love on the surface looks like love and sounds like love, but it doesn't feel like love to the recipient of this 'love'. What I've seen demonstrated was a mean spirit, manipulation and control, masked in a cloak of "niceness". The actions looked good, the words sounded good, but the spirit behind it was not good. It was not love. And the result is a tearing down of trust and relationship, rather than a growing mutual love and respect.

I want to love sincerely. I don't want to hurt anyone with an insincere love. I want the love I demonstrate to others to be real. I want to love the way God loves, with the kind of love described in 1 Corinthians 13...

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

The only way I can consistently love like this is with God's love. It's His Spirit in me that can love others with a sincere love, consistently. I need to get myself out of the way and let Him love through me. And for me, that's not always easy.

Whatever happened to commitment?

2007-08-15T19:36:00.000-07:00

One of the things I'm finding the most difficult about being the mother of grown children is the changing of partners that takes place in the lives of my kids. Years ago a couple married, had children and stayed together until death parted them. Good or bad, that's the way it was. While that wasn't always the happiest state to be in, it was a commitment that was honoured.

Today, it is not uncommon for people to change partners, with or without marriage. Commitment doesn't mean the same thing as it did way back when. "I promise to be faithful to you for as long as I love you," is not commitment. When the feelings wear off and challenges arise in the relationship, it's easier to say goodbye than stay and work it through.

Some couples seem to think that they are the only ones affected by these changing relationships. But in reality, the extended family is affected, as well. When one of our kids brings a partner into the family, my husband and I receive that person with open arms. We accept them, get to know them, grow to love them, and consider them part of our family.

When that relationship breaks up, our hearts are grieved because of the love we have for both our child and the former partner. While our first loyalty lies with our own child, we still love the former partner as a member of our own family. We experience a loss when they can no longer be a part of our lives.

I'm finding my heart reluctant to so readily accept a new partner of my child's as I once was. The disappointment and loss make it difficult to want to open my heart up as freely as I've done. A part of me is now held in reserve, safeguarded against the grief.

And that, in itself, is a loss.

Dear deer

2007-07-26T19:18:00.000-07:00

There are three young deer resting in my yard. That isn't unusual for here. Deer in town and in our yards is a common occurrence, some might even say 'nuisance'. And yes, they do leave messes and they do eat my flowers. But they are such pretty animals and having them laying in my yard, resting, brings such a sense of peace to my surroundings. After living in the hectic city for so many years, there's something soothing about being this close to the 'great outdoors' and its wildlife. Pretty tame wildlife, I admit. But soothing, nonetheless.

That doesn't happen here, does it?

2007-07-26T18:56:00.000-07:00

BOIL WATER ADVISORY. City works crews were going door-to-door today delivering notices to all homes and businesses in town. Seems a contamination has been discovered. "E coli" was the unconfirmed rumour. Nevertheless, we're being advised to boil all our water: drinking water, water used for washing dishes, brushing teeth, washing fruits and vegetables. In other words, any water that would potentially go into the mouth. This advisory is in effect until further notice.

It's interesting to me. It takes an event like this — a temporary lack of something I take for granted — to make me appreciate how blessed we are to live in this country. We have so much — I have so much, compared to so many others around the world.

Thank You, Lord, for safe, clean water. Forgive me that my first reaction was to complain about the inconvenience. May each inconvenience only serve to strengthen my gratitude for Your goodness and the blessings I take for granted.

Alberta trip

2007-07-25T17:03:00.000-07:00

I like road trips. There's something about driving, enjoying the scenery, stopping for a meal or a treat, and then spending the night in a hotel, that captures my interest. Even if our destination is a familiar one, I like to take a different route whenever time permits.

This was one of those times. We spent our first night in Radium Hot Springs, in a lodge overlooking the valley, with a fantastic mountain view. The sunset we observed from our balcony was spectacular. Going through the Rocky Mountains the next morning was all I had hoped it would be. Majestic, towering rocks...an awesome display of God's creativity. I took close to a hundred pictures before we reached our son's house.

After a night there, we all went to Calgary for a couple days. It is so fun to take a two-year-old to the zoo! Our grandson, Alex, is the cutest, most polite little man, with an adorable personality and wonderful smile that lights up his whole face. His daddy would hold him up to get a better view of each animal and when Alex had seen enough, he'd say, "All done." By the end of the day, he really was "all done".
I had booked a less expensive hotel the next night, wanting to save a few dollars. We were late checking in and discovered that our room had been upgraded for some reason ~ I couldn't quite understand why. But we were getting the upgraded room for the same price I had been quoted, so I just accepted that. Turns out our new room was an Executive Suite with a jacuzzi tub! Tastefully appointed, cozy, with the most comfortable sleigh bed...this was the nicest room we had on this trip and for the least amount of money! I think God was saying, "I love you, My children."

Flash Storm

2007-07-23T21:46:00.001-07:00

It came unexpectedly and so quickly. For several days now it's been sunny and hot. We've spent a lot of time indoors with the air conditioner on because the temperature outside has been like this:

Today was another day like so many previous ones, except that today, mid-afternoon clouds began to roll in. Were we going to get the rain we'd been praying for? Rain wasn't in the forecast, but that doesn't mean anything when God is in the picture.Suddenly, an enormous dust cloud blew through town. Behind that, the rain came. Rain poured and the wind picked up furiously. The wind increased, and increased, blowing branches off of trees...little branches, then bigger branches. I watched from our back window as a couple of large branches came down over our sheds.

This one I could see from the window.

The storm lasted about 20 minutes, dropping a lot of rain and bringing the outside temperature down to about 20 degrees. I've never seen the temperature drop so much in such a short time! When the storm ended, I went outside to check out the branch that had fallen on the other side of the sheds.

Often, Nick parks his Jeep in this spot. Fortunately, it wasn't parked there this afternoon.

Nick came home a few minutes later, describing some of the mess he'd seen around town and asking me if I wanted to go for a ride to see what the storm had done. We went to the park just across the river from us, where we discovered three trees had been uprooted. Two of them were great big pine trees about 100 feet tall. I didn't have my camera with me, so we had a quick look, then came home for the camera. By the time we got back to the park a few minutes later, city work crews had already cleaned up one of the trees. But I got pictures of the bigger ones.

I've never seen anything like this before. We get wind here, but I've never seen it like this. As far as I know, no people were injured, thank God.

The storm blew through here about 4 hours ago. Now the sky has cleared, it's sunny again and it's warmed back up to 30 degrees. What a day!

Calling and Vision

2007-07-23T21:41:00.000-07:00

Recently, I had the privilege of teaching in our church on God's calling and His vision for our lives. The way I understand it, God's call on my life is "what" He has called me to do. His vision for my life is "how" He wants me to do what He has called me to do. I believe as a Christian, it's important for me to know what it is God wants me to do in His Kingdom and how He sees me doing it. Several people may have the same calling on their lives, but the vision God has for how they are to fulfill that calling will be unique to each individual. For example, we are all called to be "ministers of reconciliation for God". But not all of us "ministers" will be pastors of a church. Some will pastor churches, while others will "minister" one-on-one. God wants to work through each individual's unique personality and giftings.In the class, we took time to wait on God, listening while He spoke to each of us about His calling and His vision for us personally. We wrote down what He told us, shared it with each other, then offered it up in prayer, coming into agreement with God about His call and vision for our lives. It was a powerful time, drawing us closer to our Lord and to each other. And we all came away with a greater sense of who God has called us to be and the vision He has of us and for us.

Choose to Rejoice

2007-07-23T20:47:00.000-07:00

Today's Scripture
“This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Osteen
Joy is a tough word to pinpoint and define. Many people describe joy as an emotion or a feeling that comes over you in a great and shining moment. Sometimes joy is just the opposite of being angry, but hopefully it’s much more than that to you. Joy is not the same as happiness, because joy is what God has put in your heart, while happiness is a temporary mood that can come and go. The Bible talks about the kind of overflowing joy that rises up from deep within your heart because of what God has done for you. He keeps that spring full and flowing, which is why you can choose to live in joy today, tomorrow, and every day after. Joy like this is contagious, and the world is looking for it.

A Prayer for Today
God, I choose joy today! Thank You for placing in my heart a deep well of joy that I can draw from each day. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.