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The Household of God

Posted in Faith, GOD, life, Walking with God, WONDER, tagged #fromthesoulout, #godlovesthechurch, #goodtoworship, #itisgoodtogotothehouseofgod, #thehouseholdofgod on July 24, 2018| Leave a Comment »

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For nearly nine months, I had experienced circumstances-redundant, joy. I had known that peace that passes all human understanding. I had been filled with contentment in the midst of want.

So, what was missing during those months of living in the grace-filled waste lands … in the valley of dry bones, in the valley of the shadows?

On a warm Sunday in July, with chaos all around, with unfamiliar worship songs being sung and less than comfortable seating underneath, I knew in my heart that it was good to be in the house of God.

This was not a good feeling, due to a choice to see things as good, but one that felt good from the soul out.

Though this experience may not indicate that we have found our church home, it did remind me that we need one, and that it can truly be good to go to church. It was the truth that David spoke (Psalm 122:1):

“I was glad when they said unto me,
Let us go into the house of the LORD.”

Recently I came across words of Spurgeon:

“The church is not perfect, but woe to the man who finds pleasure in pointing out her imperfections. Christ loved his church, and let us do the same. I have no doubt that the Lord can see more fault in his church than I can; and I have equal confidence that he sees no fault at all. Because he covers her faults with his own love—that love which covers a multitude of sins; and he removes all her defilement with that precious blood which washes away all the transgressions of his people.”

Can I hear an amen, to Spurgeon’s statement, “the church is not perfect”? But, I also must say amen to the rest of that sentence, “but woe to the man who finds pleasure in pointing out her imperfections.”

Ephesians 5:25 reminds us of how very much Christ loves the church, in his sacrifice for her:

“Husbands, love your wives,
as Christ loved the church
and gave himself up for her”

It is his act of love for the church which makes our commitment to church mandatory … not because it or they are good, but because we are his, and he gave up his son for us, not only as individuals, but as the household of god.

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Don’t Follow Me … I’m Lost Too

Posted in Faith, GOD, life, WONDER, tagged #diditeachmykids, #donotfollowmortals, #dontfollowme, #followchrist, #godiseternal, #iamdust, #imlosttoo, #psalm146 on July 22, 2018| 1 Comment »

So I woke up this morning with a thought that I have been mulling in my mind for a few days …

did I teach them to not follow me?

Last week, my friend and I were chatting about people who follow other people rather than just follow Christ.

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To hear such a thing is disheartening … frightening.

So, this morning, I awoke with a concern on my heart, did I teach our children to not follow me?

As a mom, much of our instruction to our children is based on the idea of follow my lead. They grow and develop greatly from mimicking what we say and what we do, just as we did in following our mothers (and fathers).

But, when it comes to who we follow in matters of faith, there is only one leader, only one to follow, Christ himself.

After-all, why follow a follower, when we can follow the leader?

I am a mere mortal, sin-filled from birth, sin-attracted every day of my life. I cannot save them, their souls. There is nothing praise-worthy or perfect in me, except the work of Christ through me.

If my children (anyone) were to follow me in the area of spiritual salvation, they would be lost … there is no salvation in me.

If they follow me, they are doomed to repeat my mistakes, they are doomed to follow me right into errors and weakness and pride.

If, though, they follow Christ, they are headed in the right direction, saved and loved as no human can.

To me, the best how to and why instruction on this topic of who to follow, is found in the chapter of Psalm 146:

“Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, my soul!
I will praise him as long as I live;
I will sing to my God all my life.

Don’t put your trust in human leaders;
no human being can save you.
When they die, they return to the dust;
on that day all their plans come to an end.

Happy are those who have the God of Jacob to help them
    and who depend on the Lord their God,
the Creator of heaven, earth, and sea,
    and all that is in them.
He always keeps his promises;
he judges in favor of the oppressed
    and gives food to the hungry.

The Lord sets prisoners free
and gives sight to the blind.
He lifts those who have fallen;
    he loves his righteous people.
He protects the strangers who live in our land;
    he helps widows and orphans,
    but takes the wicked to their ruin.

The Lord is king forever.
Your God, O Zion, will reign for all time.

Praise the Lord!”

To my kids (and anyone else who might have gotten this mixed up), don’t follow me, for I am lost too … follow Christ, for he will reign for all time … I am as dust.

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Summer Funerals

Posted in life, Walking with God, WONDER, tagged #dontwastethegiftoflife, #funeralinjuly, #lifeisfragile, #lifeisshort, #sharetheloveofgod, #summerfunerals, live on July 19, 2018| 1 Comment »

Screen Shot 2018-07-17 at 8.44.54 AM There is something unexpected about a funeral in the summer. The weather is bright and warm. The sun is shining joyfully. Late nights, slow mornings, trips to places near and far, time spent with family and friends … the regular things of life and living get put on hold for the irregular.

Then a death comes out of nowhere in July. Even if the deceased had been sick, and expected to pass into eternity, death in summer is unexpected.

Every July, for as long as I can remember, I have had a funeral to attend. Often near the beginning of the month, when I am just beginning to settle into the slow pace of summer’s recreation.

This summer has been no different as we sat among mourners last weekend, to celebrate the life of a good man, who passed, unexpectedly, into eternity.

And so we were reminded of ‘usual’ funeral teachings and truths:

“you will not grieve like the rest who have no hope.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13)

“Jesus wept.” (John 11:35)

“Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

But, we were also told of the man’s joyful anticipation of meeting his Saviour, face to face. That, if he could not be with his family anymore, he would delight to be in the presence of Jesus.

This man was not in his nineties, or even eighties. He was a man in his early sixties, still working, travelling, sharing the love of God, living life … and then he was gone … like a mist.

“Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring.
What is your life?
For you are a mist that appears for a little time
and then vanishes.”
James 4:14

Another funeral, on a hot, sunny, early July day.

Another annual reminder that life has no guarantees, that we need to make use of the time we have been given.

“For God so loved the world,
that he gave his only Son,
that whoever believes in him should not perish
but have eternal life.”
John 3:16

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Whatever.

Posted in GOD, life, Walking with God, WONDER, tagged #philippians4:8-9, #positiveovernegative, #thegodofpeacebewithyou, #thinkonthesethings, #whatever. on July 17, 2018| Leave a Comment »

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Garfield is the personification of the one-word phrase, whatever.

It’s the eye roll, the sarcasm, the apathy that is all rolled up in that one word.

Our world (myself included, much of the time) has fully embraced this mindset in a word. We tend to look to be completely apathetic, or hard-core negative … about everything! From family to politics to how our actions affect those around us.

On Sunday I had what I would call, a head-shake moment.

As the preacher started his message, he introduced the text, from Philippians 4:8-9:

“Finally, brothers and sisters,
whatever is true,
whatever is noble,
whatever is right,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable
—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy
—think about such things.
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me
—put it into practice.
And the God of peace will be with you.”

Immediately I was hearing what I knew God wanted me to be reminded of, to know afresh. The entire service could have ended there, because I had already been given a gold nugget of teaching, just in reading and listening to God’s word being read.

What a reminder of the power that focusing, not on the negative or the apathetic, but on what is positive, what we know to be true. That this is the way our minds come in line with the heart of God.

Then, we are instructed to not only think about the positive, but put it into practise … do it! Bring what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy to those around us … our families, neighbours, co-workers and friends.

Not only that, but there is an off-shoot of benefit for this positive focus thinking … the God of peace, and therefore the peace of God, will be with us! And we need that peace, the world needs that peace (that passes understanding).

What a good passage to start off a Sunday … what a good passage to start each day.

Not, whatever.

But, whatever …

“The Lord is with us while we are with him.”
Matthew Henry Commentary

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Rest

Posted in GOD, Nature/Creation, Walking with God, WONDER, tagged #dayseven, #godrested, #godwaswellpleased, #momadvice, #sitandrelax, Creation, Rest, sabbath on July 15, 2018| Leave a Comment »

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As Sunday dawns so does Sabbath … a day of rest, renewal. In our North American culture, in this time, Sunday is no different from any other day of the week. Yet our bodies, out minds, our spirits and souls cry out for all that Sabbath can and should be … rest, renewal.

However one might interpret the actual turn of events, Genesis says that:

“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” (Genesis 2:2-3)

God, the Creator of the heavens and Earth, rested from his work.

I was speaking to my mom, a few days ago, about our recent move to a new home. I was tired, bone tired. We had been unpacking and organizing for six days straight (after packing for weeks prior). My mom, in mom fashion, reminded me that it’s okay, even good, to just sit and relax and enjoy our new place. I balked that there was too much to be done, and that I couldn’t possibly enjoy anything until we were unpacked.

Then, while chatting with one of our kids, I found myself offering the same advice … that it’s okay, even good, to just sit and relax …

When advice is good and beneficial, it can even come from those of us who do not practise what we preach. It is as though our souls know what is best, even if we are deaf and blind to it’s truth in our practise.

In reading Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Genesis passage about God resting, I found this:

“The eternal God, though infinitely happy in the enjoyment of himself, yet took a satisfaction in the work of his own hands. He did not rest, as one weary, but as one well-pleased with the instances of his own goodness and the manifestations of his own glory.”

Sabbath is not limited to a certain day, but we all need a day of rest in our seven days. It does not have to be about an afternoon nap, it can simply be taking satisfaction in what we have accomplished, created in the six days prior, giving appreciation and homage to work well done.

If we were to regularly take time each week to honour what we have been part of, what we have worked to accomplish, what we have created, perhaps we would experience less stress, anxiety and depression.

Perhaps there is something to this day of rest.

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Morning Prayer

Posted in GOD, life, WONDER, tagged #blankslate, #mercies, #morningprayer, #morningrituals, #newadventures, #newbeginning on July 10, 2018| Leave a Comment »

There is something about the freshness of each new day that puts thanks and praise on the heart and coming from the lips (well, if you are a morning person).

I love the words of Anne of Green Gables (aka Lucy Maud Montgomery):

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And that is what the mornings are, reminders of the freshness of a new day, a blank slate, a new beginning … not an impediment in sight.

So, the freshness of a new day, thanks on our lips, and a prayer.

I love to find the perfect place in the house to start my day, with a warm cup and my WonderDog (sometimes hubby is part of the ritual too). The perfect place with just the right light, a view to the world outside, and a cozy chair.

In our new home, finding a seat uncluttered by boxes and their contents is still a bit of a struggle. I wonder where our morning space will eventually emerge as.

This new home is like the freshness of a new day. It is a blank slate, a new beginning. Like God’s mercies, that are new every morning, this space, this place is our place of grace, sanctuary from the world.

And, as we begin our new day under this roof, thanks and a prayer to start this new day:

Morning Prayer

God shield this house.
When the hail must fall upon the roof,
bid the ice be kind.
When the snow must come upon the shingles,
bid the cold be warmer than it wants to be.
When the floods rise against the walls,
make these bricks the exorcist that drives
the water demons from the foundation.
Bid the glazing of the windows
hold the blast of northern winds at bay.
For this home is a temple and
we-this poor band of lovers all-keep here an altar.
Here we love the great God
and find the adoration our Lord so full
abundance spills over to the loving of each other.
This is our sanctuary-our holy place
-our citadel of hope-
our shelter from despair.
(Calvin Miller: Celtic Devotions)

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Do It Again

Posted in Faith, GOD, life, Walking with God, WONDER, tagged #doitagain, #elevationworship, #greatisthyfaithfulness, #ibelieve, #praiseandlament, #wehavehope, lamentations on July 8, 2018| Leave a Comment »

While driving one day last week the words of a song were heard by my heart.

Being on the cusp of change I needed to be reminded of that which does not, and there is nothing like the words in the middle of the Lamentations to re-set one’s … laments.

“Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.”
Lamentations 3:21-26

The book of Lamentations is one of mourning, weeping and gnashing of teeth. Jerusalem had been destroyed. The city of the people of God, God’s place of residence, was destroyed.

The book is written in poetic forms … ah, how poetry can make more sense when we are bowed to our knees.

The Lamentations are a cry for God to restore his people (aka, they blew it, and were begging on their knees to be forgiven). In this book, God never speaks … it is as though he let them, wanted them to cry out, so as to remind them of his mercifulness, even in the midst of their laments.

So, as I listened to the song, Do It Again, and heard the words that reminded me of the unfailing faithfulness of my creator, redeemer, sustainer God, I sighed with the confidence that “his compassions never fail. They are new every morning.”

The Lamentations reminds us, not only of the faithfulness of God (right in the middle of the laments), but that praise and lament/weeping can happen simultaneously. That God is faithful, in the good times, and in the times of sorrow, loss, confusion, sickness and heartbreak.

And if he has shown his compassion and faithfulness in the past, we can have confidence, hope that he will do it again.

Do It Again
-Elevation Worship

Walking around these walls
I thought by now they’d fall
But You have never failed me yet

Waiting for change to come
Knowing the battle’s won
For You have never failed me yet

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I’m still in Your hands
This is my confidence, You’ve never failed me yet

I know the night won’t last
Your Word will come to pass
My heart will sing Your praise again

Jesus, You’re still enough
Keep me within Your love
My heart will sing Your praise again

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I’m still in Your hands
This is my confidence, You never failed

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I’m still in Your hands
This is my confidence, You never failed me yet

I’ve seen You move, come move the mountains
And I believe, I’ll see You do it again
You made a way, where there was no way
And I believe, I’ll see You do it again

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The Hands of Balance

Posted in life, Walking with God, WONDER, tagged #aristotle, #blessingsandcurses, #handprints, #thehandsofbalance, #tooloftools, #whatdoineedtolearn, #writtenonthepalmofmyhands, Balance, hands on July 5, 2018| Leave a Comment »

hands Not long after moving into our home we decided to create extra parking to the side of our driveway. A kind-hearted, gentle man of great experience assisted hubby in preparing the space for the scheduled arrival of concrete. After the cement was poured and levelled, our favourite three, quite literally, left their mark on the space.

Hands are most interesting parts of our bodies. They can be tools of love as well as violence. They are unique in their lines and creases. They are gentle, yet strong. They can be used in the function of the strongest tools, and yet wipe a tear from a loved one with the greatest of tenderness. They are used every day, often without a pain or ache … until the fatigue and overuse of years takes place.

In the Bible, Isaiah says, of the holy city (both on Earth, and in the life to come):

“Jerusalem, I can never forget you!
I have written your name on the palms of my hands. ”
Isaiah 49:16

According to the University of Michigan:

“The hand is the most frequently symbolized part of the human body. It gives blessing, it is expressive. According to Aristotle, the hand is the “tool of tools.” … The right and left have different symbols related to each: right – the rational, conscious and logical, as well as aggressive and axious, left – opposite of the right, weakness, decay, death. However, the two can be juxtaposed to symbolize balance and the middle.”

Balance …

I could use some of that! How about you?

Though we may be either left or right handed, we function best when we use both. We function best when both strengths and weaknesses come together, to bring balance … for life is not meant to be lived always on the mountaintop, always in the sun, always in happiness.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow has said, “into each life some rain must fall”. This is what balance truly is … maybe not the balance we always desire, but balance nonetheless.

Our hands can be representative of that real balance. the blessings and the curses that are part of real life. They work (literally) hand-in-hand, bringing a complete life.

Those curses, those valleys, have purpose in our lives.

I have learned that when in the depths of despair, the question is not why did this happen? but what do I need to learn? And learn I do, and learn we all do.

May we learn to look for purpose in whatever falls into each of our lives, into each of our hands. For through both we receive balance.

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The Liminal Moment

Posted in Faith, FAMILY, life, WONDER, tagged #anewthing, #dontlookback, #faceforward, #liminalsoup, #streamsinthewasteland, #theliminalmoment, #thresholdofchange on July 3, 2018| 1 Comment »

In a few days, the clothesline will hang empty, the pool without a ripple, the rooms quiet with not even the deep breathing of our wonder dog.

This is the liminal moment for me, the threshold between where we have been and where we are going. Though we are still here our minds are there. Though our history is here our future is there.

Our days are a liminal soup of memories and dreams.

In one year there has been great change for us, as a couple, which has stretched it’s reach into the lives of our children.

I made an employment change, which was heart wrenching, though I am thankful for. Hubby had to resign his job, then experienced health failure, which currently we know not when or how (or if) he will recover. We are about to exit the home which was the place of the growing up years for our three.

Our children have also experienced their own life changes. One graduated high school and set out to experience the working class lifestyle. One was diagnosed with a chronic disease, which can interrupt daily life unexpectedly and with great pain. One is still in the process of medical inquiry, while also looking at a new job.

While shopping last week I came across a small wall plaque (above) which said,

“Don’t look back,
you’re not going that way”

And I snapped it up for our new home, for I knew we would need the reminder to face forward, to close the door on the past and slide the deadbolt, for our future needs to be our focus.

So, as we embark on the future, on new dreams, goals and direction, the focus is on the new thing that God has for us, and we will throw our all into it, face forward.

“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.”

Isaiah 43:18-19

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Glorious and Free

Posted in canada, GOD, life, WONDER, tagged #canadaday, #canadasbirthday, #glorious, #gloriousandfree, #godkeepourland, #ocanada, Freedom on July 1, 2018| 1 Comment »

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It’s a birthday for the nation of Canada and the nation will be singing it’s song all day long.

“God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.”

Glorious and free …

What exactly does that mean?

Glorious …

Well, glorious could be substituted with wonderful, magnificent. And Canada is! It’s beauty, from coast to coast (sea to shining sea), not just in it’s vast and varied landscape, but in it’s citizens from every nation. All have come here, to this vast nation, seeking what those of us who call this our native land … home … a place to live and work and play. A place to call our own.

Free …

To be free is to not be hindered, by anything or anyone. It can be physical, but it can also be emotional, social, spiritual … freedom from the inside out. So many Canadians have sought to live here in the True North, for the strength and freedom that is absent elsewhere, that is here in abundance. From my perspective, our freedom of speech has been, is and should always be our greatest freedom (even when what is said is disagreeable to us), for from it every other freedom evolves.

I am thankful for this nation that I call home.

I pray that God would keep our land glorious and free.

“Ruler supreme, who hearest humble prayer,
Hold our Dominion in thy loving care”

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