Monday, October 11, 2010

Thanksgiving- what are you thankful for?
We have so much to be thankful for. We have freedom in Canada to choose our religion and keep our faith. We have freedom to not be in a war or disagreement over how our government rules and/or treats its subjects. We have the freedom to vote-in some countries, many put their life in jeopardy just to do this! Women have the freedom to speak and go about their daily business without fear of a man killing them for being out in public. We somewhat take care of those who are orphaned, widowed, and without a home, clothes, and food. Yes, there are still those who are homeless, wandering the streets, without a roof over their heads, food in their stomachs. There are many in third world countries that do not have these necessessities everyday!
Jesus says, "For I was hungry and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home, I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me". Matthew 25:35,36. "I tell you the truth, when you did it to the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing this to me". Matt. 25:40
Jesus goes on to say to those who do not do this they will be cursed into the eternal lake of fire (vs. 41) When you refuse to help the least of us, you are refusing to help Jesus.
Yes, we have so much to be thankful for. Let us help our fellow man.

Give thanks with a grateful heart,
Give thanks to the holy one,
Give thanks because He's given
Jesus Christ His son,(x2)
And now let the weak say I am poor,
Let the poor say I am rich
because of what the Lord has done for us,(x2)
Give thanks, give thanks.

Tuesday, October 05, 2010

HI, I attended a Women of Faith conference on the weekend. The special guest was Liz Curtis Higgs. What a wonderful speaker and funny! She spoke about the grace that God gives us, free of course, because He loves us so. It doesn't matter what we do, He still loves us. He gives us so many chances to choose Him!

After such a wonderful weekend, today was a particularly difficult day for my son. One of his friends was found dead in a apartment. We do not know the circumstance in which he died, but we know he knew the Lord. Prayers are being lifted right now for this yound man's family, friends, co-workers, aquaintances and pastor.

I am reminded of a song we sing, Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, I once was lost but now am found....His grace it covers me, it covers me.

His grace can cover you. Allow God to touch you today.

Blessings

Sunday, September 05, 2010

The world is a beautiful place. We have just returned from Hawaii. I was surprised that parts of Maui and Kawai are very wet, just like BC! They actually get more rain, although right now they are in a drought. I learned many things about Hawaii. A very beautiful place! Mahalo.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Well, my friend has gone to be with the Lord. We say in the Salvation Army that the person has been "promoted to glory". She always gave unto others, always had an encouraging word, a smile, a hug. She will be missed but I know that I will see her again.

Another friend from along time ago has also passed away. It makes you think of your life and if you had any impact on anyone's life. We are going to his funeral today and to celebrate his life.

Just a few more weary days and then, I'll fly away.
to a land where joy will never end, I'll fly away.
I'llvfly away, oh Glory, I'll fly away
When I die, Hallelujah by and by, I'll fly away

May you know that you are in His hands,
whatever the future holds, you're in His hands.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Death

Death

I had entitled my blog page Life Lessons from Grace and Fellowship because I learn something about life every day. The other day we (my husband and myself) went to see a friend who is dying. I hardly recognized her. She looked like a man. As I got closer to her bed, I realized her body had changed. She was almost a skeleton, sleeping in her bed. I did not want to wake her but I wanted her to know we had come to visit her. I brushed her arm and she woke up. I talked to her, read her a few poems and sang to her the 23 Psalm. She loved it. You could see how weak she was. I told her that God was preparing her a room in His mansion and that soon, she would be with Him. She rejoiced in this fact. We prayed over her, gave her hugs and told her that we would see her again.

It was so difficult to see our friend the way she was in her bed. So frail and hardly recognizable. It was difficult to talk with her, knowing she was going to die soon. The tears were not held back. I know that she will be missed. I will see her again. Hallelujah!

I was going to blog about death. Morbid to say the least. Not for some.
Some believe that death is final. It is in this earthly realm, however, some believe that death is a beginning to a new life beyond the grave. Some believe that if you have not been a good or nice person in this life, you would come back as something less than that of a human such as a dog or a bug. Some believe that if you were a murderer, a thief, or someone who committed a crime that you would come back as something at a lower status. Some believe that if we suffer here on earth, we will be at peace when we die.
I believe that when we die we do embark on a life beyond the grave. You see if you believe in Jesus Christ, He promises you to have eternal life with Him when we die. He also promises us that there will be no more weeping, no more pain, no more death, no more mourning, no more curse. rev. 21:4; 22:3 (NIV- Paraphrased by me).

We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep...And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:14-15, 17-18. NIV

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? John 11:25,26. NIV

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms, if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." John 14: 1-4 NIV

Monday, July 05, 2010

The picture I put on my blog is of our dog, Ziggy. His full name is Zigfreed Ziopholas. He is supposebly to be a knight in a game. No, he is not Italian, he is a Pomeranian, Tebetan, Spaniel.
Ziggy has a mischievious personality. He goes into the bedroom and gets onto the bed and snatches receipts in a basket that are approximately 2 feet from the bed! He gets into the clean laundry and snatches the pillow cases. He snatches underwear, socks, paper, slippers. He chews on all these items. He use to chew cords! He is 2 years old and still has puppy in him. He had been to training school and only now does he come when you call him. We had a difficult time training him to pee outside. My son has successfully trained Ziggy to go outside! Yeh! Even though, it seems that Ziggy does not like my son, he listens to him. Ziggy can be a brat but we all love him. He always comes to you when you come home, waggy his tail and wanting to lick you. He has learned to give me high-fives. Ziggy's love is very affectionate, unconditional.

God's love is unconditional. He loves us no matter what we do or say. He is always there to pick us up when we fall or when we get hurt. He loves us when we are happy, when we are sad, angry, anxious, not knowing where to turn. He loves us through the trees, the flowers, the mountains, the beauty all around us. He loves us through giving us people in our lives who help us through difficult times. He wants us to love him also.

Ephesians 3:16-18 says; "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through His spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have the power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ."