Connections

Consider the following women for a moment.

A young mom sends her oldest child off to their first day of kindergarten and as she's watching them cross the street for the very first time, with a tear in her eye, she wonders if that big world out there is going to swallow her child. Then there is a mom who now stands at a different place in life as she looks out her kitchen window watching her youngest child climb into their car. They are getting ready to pull out of the driveway heading off to college or university for the first time and she finds herself, with a tear in her eye, wondering if they're equipped for the world they are entering. Then there is another women who is in an equally difficult place when she has to make the challenging decision to put her mom into a nursing home because she needs more care. And again a tear rolls down her cheek.

It's interesting how each of these women are experiencing an emotional pull of her heart-strings; wondering if she has made the right decision, or if they're equipped to step into the world and yet they are all at different stages in life.

I've also been thinking about what connects these women... A single woman in her 20's, a divorced woman in her 40's and a widowed woman in her 60's. Their connection has to be more than just their singleness.

The previous women have led me to ask a question regarding the following women. What connects a farmer's wife from the prairies, to a woman who is a CEO in Vancouver, to a young girl trafficked in Southeast Asia? What do any of these women have in common and what could possibly be the connecting point for each of these women? There has to be something more than money, location or social status that connects us as women.

I have been pondering the previous questions for a number of months now and I believe life experiences and circumstances connect us, at least in the beginning, but I still think there's something more.

Consider the following Bible verses:

Is. 49:15b-16a says, “Yes, they may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have indelibly imprinted (tattooed a picture of) you on the palm of each of My hands.”

Is. 43:1b,4a “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. Because you are precious in my eyes, and honoured, and I love you,”

Jer. 31:3 says, “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.”

Gen. 1:27 says, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

As women, I think we can be connected through our work, where we live, who we're related to, etc, but even greater than those things is our connection to each other because we are God's daughters, created in His image, redeemed and precious in His sight, and He loves us and will never forget us.

In this world where distance is only a concept realized when we need to drive for more than a few minutes and instant is normal, not the exception; perhaps we need to consider that what connects us to another woman is our DNA. She is my sister and we both have the same Dad. Can we take the resources we have and reach out to the women in our neighbourhood, community, nation and around the globe and make a difference in the life of another woman? Because we are connected. . . Because she is my sister. . . Because we have the same Dad!

Jo-Ann

Answered Prayer

This last week I was reminded once again of the power of God and how we don't understand exactly how He works, but in praying according to His will we trust Him and know He knows what He s doing...even if we don't fully understand. 
I took my car to the shop...it had been not too well for a few weeks, but like the saver I am I decided to try to hold off the expense until I could not. After I witnessed people in the other cars around me at a red light look like they were being gassed by the fumes coming off of my "exhustcavitybreakdownsomewhereinside" I decided that holding off probably wasn't such a great idea. This whole time Stephen and I had been praying about the issue. My mechanic had told me it sounded like (something I just mentioned above) and also told me that it looked like it would be at least a $1,500.00 repaire! Not a nice thing to hear. The last night that we prayed about it Stephen prayed..."Lord you know what you're doing but please make it so that the bill is under $200.00." Even though I love how he prays specifically...don't get me wrong.....but inside my heart I said "ok, I don't think you understand how serious this is......" I agreed with him, but I admit I completely doubted it would happen.
The next day when my mechanic called, I braced myself for the news.....Including labour and parts: $155.00.....ahhh, yes it has been a week of learning for Mary. What we see and God’s reality have such a width....yet after all these years of knowing God and seeing His hand in my life, I still feel the need to put trust in the physical reality. It is always essential to continue to ask God for what you desire Him to do. Even though it may not always happen the way you want it to.
This week also a friend of mine, her best friends Mom suddenly passed away (leaving a young family with several children in their early 20's) A woman who loved Jesus deeply. Prayers were prayed in every way for God's power to overtake her body and bring her back to life, yet it did not happen. (Please pray for them).
I cannot imagine the depth of pain, sorrow and faith wrestling that comes from experiencing something of that level.
God has been teaching me fresh again, to keep asking Him for the desires on my heart and the faith to trust Him for the answer....but to also submit my heart to Himself and even if instead you walk through fire (whatever that looks like for you) that He is with you. The second part of that learning is how those all around us also experience these answers and how we can support those others in our lives praying specifically. Like Stephen did for me...he prayed in agreement with me for what I was desiring (even praying more specifically that I was).
With prayers that are desperate to be answered the way we desire them to be answered, yet are not...being there, loving, supporting, being a physical encouragement of that painful journey that those close to us are walking.
I hope that you today are encouraged in your faith and you continue to keep asking God to increase your faith as you pray for things that are on your heart and in your life. Know you are loved and supported and that we continue to pray for you*

Mary

Whatcha wearing?

A key truth of what we believe is that God is in us.  I've been reading 1 Peter and how he affirms that what draws others to the Lord is the hidden person of the heart.  Really, this refers to living from the inside out. A heart that pours out peace, thanksgiving, encouragement in the Word, a song, with purpose and submission.  As these traits are being nurtured in our hearts, it genuinely overflows in our lives

Wearing a heart of peace, is a calm quiet in a person.  When our eternal relationship is right, there will be a peace with God.  Remember too, that we are members of one body, Christ's Church, and we have been called to unity there too.  This unity includes spirit, aim and interest.  What is this for the church body you are a apart of?  What can you do to bring your heart and body alongside?

Wearing a heart of thanksgiving is feeling AND expressing gratitude.  Let your joy overflow and bless others.

A heart soaking in God's Word, bears a pure, sweet fragrance.  To make the experience even richer - pour it into someone else's life.  Our church's fancy Word for this is discipleship - share what you have learned and are learning.  Encourage others to do the same.  Determine to keep growing in Christ.

David's life was filled with song.  Praise, hymns and spiritual songs can lift our spirits and enrich God's Word within us - let it spill over.  Walk with a song(Psalm) in your heart and on your mind. 

Whatever we do - we should do it in the name of Jesus.  Is what you are doing throughout the day or how you are behaving worthy of being done in the name of Jesus?  He invited us to do His work and gives us the strength to do it.  Give praise where due.

Submission doesn't make you less important, less valuable or less of a person.  This act of obedience enhances your beauty.  Be sure you know what healthy submission looks like and live it out.

There is no doubt that our witness MUST follow our actions.  We need to be constantly examining our heart and motives - are we acting on our faith - even when we think no one is watching?  God sees all, knows all and loves us in spite of all.  So, fear not when falling short of the goal.  Simply confess your shortcoming in your heart, pray for guidance and do better (is there some way you can remedy your mistake? or ask for forgiveness from the indivdual and/or do better next time)!  ~smile~

Beauty is an outward reflection of an inward work for which God receives the glory.  Wear it well.

Press in and press on,
Giselle

My Focus

Ps. 63:7-8 says, “Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.”

Has there ever been a time or season in your life where you have felt like you are “in the shadow of God's wings”? And your soul is clinging to your Heavenly Father while He upholds you?

For me the answer is yes! I can think back to many times as a child and as an adult where I have felt God's protection around me. It seems His protection is most strongly felt during the challenging and difficult seasons in life. Sometimes I wonder why I don't feel God's presence the same way during the light-hearted fun times in life. However, I know God is always with me, so why do I only recognize Him when I am struggling?

I think it has something to do with my focus.

Heb. 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

So if God doesn't change, then it must be me. Today my challenge is keeping my heart and mind focused on the Lord always, whether I'm walking on a hill or through a valley.

Jo-Ann

Psalms

In the last few months my amazing boyfriend (Stephen;) and I have been daily reading several Psalms. Every day even though we're reading other areas of scripture, we still keep rereading the Psalms. There is something about them that has lasting fruit that is produced within our hearts and new things we're eating up and receiving revelation about even though we've read them...literally at least 10 times.
I encourage you....along with your daily Word study, incorporate a few Psalms every day and you're going see something shift in your life......we continue to experience it in our relationship with Christ, in our personal
character, in our relationship together and in our businesses (we're both business owners).
Psalm 1 is sincerely one of my beloved Psalms. I wanted to add my own thoughts and revelation that I've received from it, however I really felt that as you read this ask God to reveal to you what He desires to speak. Every time I read this I have new understanding and revelation, I encourage you to read the Bible for what it says. That in itself is revelation....and after that ask God to show you Himself in it again at another level:) Blessings!!

Psalm 1
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgement, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Mary

Sticks and stones may break my bones...

It is not easy to confront others about sin.  I found myself on my knees again this week.  Several weeks ago I spoke privately with someone about an issue regarding a mutual friend.  I called this person on words spoken and the deception that followed those words for quite some time.  I prayed before, during and after the situation for the words to say and my heart to be safe; and now this person has chosen to shut me out.  Truth hurts both parties. 

However, iron sharpens iron and I care(d) about this person and the parties involved enough to speak up knowing it might alienate me - but might just facilitate change.  I wonder if that's how Jesus felt as He shared His parables, stories of truth to encourage right living?

 Am I without sin?  No!  Chasing holiness?  Yes!  Are we called to admonish one another?

And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to admonish one another (Romans 15:14).

There is no greater sign of love than to face rejection and broken relationships with others. Though this person may have difficulty acknowledging it at this moment, I believe deep down s/he knows, really knows that and one day, we can talk more freely again.  I pray the waiting time is short.  In the meantime, you will find me chasing the straight and narrow path.

Press in and press on,
Giselle

P.S.  Don't forget to register for our Heart's Cry Retreat happening at Elkhorn Resort in a few short weeks. We'd love to have you join us.  Early bird registration discounts are available until September 23.  More details can be found here: http://www.paoc.net/hearts-cry-retreat  Join us and go deeper in the journey.

Time for Everything

This week is emotionally charged for many - whether you have a new little one going to school for the first time, starting school senior year, first year at college/university (maybe far away from home) or embarking on a new adventure of learning yourself...it's distinctly a time of change.  Leaves are already changing, the temperatures are getting cooler at night, and the days shorter.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-14 says it well:

 ¹ There is a time for everything,
   and a season for every activity under the heavens:
 ² a time to be born and a time to die,
   a time to plant and a time to uproot,
 ³ a time to kill and a time to heal,
   a time to tear down and a time to build,
 ⁴ a time to weep and a time to laugh,
   a time to mourn and a time to dance,
 ⁵ a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
   a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
 ⁶ a time to search and a time to give up,
   a time to keep and a time to throw away,
 ⁷ a time to tear and a time to mend,
   a time to be silent and a time to speak,
 ⁸ a time to love and a time to hate,
   a time for war and a time for peace.
 ⁹ What do workers gain from their toil? ¹⁰ I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. ¹¹ He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet^[a] no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. ¹² I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. ¹³ That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. ¹⁴ I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.

After a busy summer season, it is nice to draw near to home with heart and hands open to what is next.  Is this a challenge for you - a change of season?  Cling to His promise - that He will make everything beautiful in its time.  I am so thankful that I need not worry about the process or the outcome, safely in the palm of His hand.  Instead, God invites us to find satisfaction in all we do  - that it is a gift from God - all circumstance, all seasons.  Know that I'm praying for you, dear reader, that you would be blessed come whatever in this new season, and see and taste and know that He is God and that with Him all things are indeed possible.

I'm including a fun fashion link I came across in my surfing the net on how to tie(wear) a scarf:
http://www.talbots.com/ca/Popup/scarf_video.html?intcmp=20100311_videos_scarfvideo


Press in and press on,
Giselle

Homework

In grade 9 I remember sitting at my desk, bent over my notebook with pencil in hand diligently writing. I was in French class learning about conjugating verbs. Our teacher thought the best way to learn (and remember) verbs in French was to write them out.

Many years later I am sorry to say I know very little French and I don't think I could really explain what it means to conjugate a verb. However, I don't think the reason for this is because I, along with my classmates, spent many hours writing out words in French. In the moment it actually helped me remember what I was learning.

When I think about it our teacher was using 4 out of 5 of our senses to try to help us learn what was trying to be taught. Our teacher had already said the words and we attempted to, somewhat accurately, repeat the words back to him (hearing and speaking), then we were writing the words (touch and sight) to help us remember what we were being taught by seeing the words in front of us.

I recently hear a speaker (Billy Richards) at one of our church camps say this idea. “A disciple is a student of Jesus. Now go and do your homework.” It has seriously got me thinking. How well or how often am I doing my homework? Everyday? Once a week? Once a month? How often do we put into practise what we've learned about Jesus?

When I think back to my years in school I can't say I enjoyed doing homework, but I didn't want to be caught with in not finished. Why have I allowed myself to not do my homework when it comes to what I've learned about Jesus?

I am again reminded of a familiar verse which says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Mt. 28:19-20

As a student of Jesus, homework is about doing what we've been taught in the Bible. Have a great week doing your homework!

Jo-Ann