The Beginning and The End

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." Revelation 22:13

For some today is the final day of another year where they will stay up past their bedtimes, eat too many treats, laugh with friends and family, celebrate the old and anticipate the new. For others it's just another day to crawl into bed at their specified bedtime to wake up to the usual routine of coffee, toast and the news.

I always find it interesting to hear how different people acknowledge and bring in the new year.

In the midst of this final day of 2012, I am reminded of the above verse - "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." 

I don't know if 2012 has good memories for you, if it was a year of loss and grieving significant individuals, or if like me, it was a year of both. My heart is encouraged as I reread verses like this and I am reminded that whatever has been and whatever is coming up is never too big for the Lord! There is no question in my mind He is there in the midst of it with me. I know this because we have history together. We've walked through many valleys and over many hills. I've been to the mountaintop rejoicing over God's calling and intervention in the lives of young people. But I've also struggled through the valleys as I try to make sense of the senseless - or at least in my finite way of thinking it appears senseless. As Jesus has been in the midst of every situation, I know He will continue to be with me as we step into another day, another month and another year.

Perhaps it's a good perspective on this December 31st and a great reminder for tomorrow's January 1st that Jesus is both the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last, and He always will be the Alpha and the Omega.

Happy New Year to you and your families! May 2013 be a year where you grow deeper in the Lord, cling tighter to Jesus and step out as Father God opens doors for you.

Jo-Ann

I Don't Know

Many of us are trying to make sense of the recent school shooting in Connecticut. Seeing the images of the children and parents affected is heartbreaking. The pain the whole community is experiencing is unimaginable. As a mom, sending my kids to school the Monday morning after the horrific events happened was fear-inducing. At work that morning, my phone rang and I saw my daughter’s middle school on the call display and my heart stopped as the news images filled my head. Thankfully, there was no emergency. We have all been deeply affected and we are grasping for answers to the big question: Why would God allow that kind of suffering to happen?

We are looking to politicians, denominational leaders and even celebrities to make statements about the causes and reasons leading up to this tragedy. We have heard about mental illness, gun control, the moral decay of our society, the lack of prayer in schools. Surely there must be someone or something on which to lay the blame. I have given a lot of thought to all the factors and heard all the arguments. I’ve come up with this answer: I don’t know. Wouldn’t pretend to know. Don’t have the first or faintest clue how God could allow this to happen.

Can I be okay with I don’t know? Is that a cop-out? It would certainly be easier to point fingers and be provided with a scapegoat. Sometimes pride can keep us from admitting that we don’t have it all figured out. Here are some thoughts I’ve been hanging onto in the midst of wrestling through the questions.

I don’t know means that God is God and I am not.

I don’t know means that my human mind cannot “fathom the mysteries of God” or “probe the limits of the Almighty” (Job 11:7)

I don’t know means that as the heavens are higher than the earth, God’s ways are not my ways…His thoughts are not my thoughts (Isaiah 55:9).

I don’t know means that even when I can’t see how this situation could possibly be redeemed, the Redeemer of mankind can.

I don’t know means that even though I am not acquainted with the suffering being endured, the Man of sorrows is (Isaiah 53:3).

Some day all things will be made right. Every tear will be wiped away. Every question will be answered.

But not yet…

Brenda E.

Fear

Have you ever been left incapacitated by fear? Has it left you completely frozen in place or did you find yourself running like you've never run before? It's amazing how a simple, three-letter word (boo!) can cause one to jump higher than any Michael Jordan slam dunk.

Even though we can analyze in our heads it was only our friend or cousin standing on the pathway, that basic act of whispering "boo" sends one into action as they high-tail it for safety, familiarity and some sort of source of light.

The spiritual parallel here seems so obvious as I sit and type this, but on a dark path, with my mind wandering/questioning the unknown shadows around me; I can often be left more skittish than I'd like to admit.

On this Christmas Eve you may wonder what fear and Christmas have in common, but I can only imagine the hesitant moments of fear Mary, and even Joseph, felt as they began the journey to bring Jesus into this world. We can easily read ahead and know the rest of the story, but they walked it out step by step, day by day in the midst of family, friends, neighbours, the priests in the synagogue and many others.

In Luke 2:29 the angel Gabriel says to Mary, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God."

In the midst of the young, teenager's journey I can only imagine the many times Mary needed to remind herself of the words from the angel Gabriel. "Do not be afraid."

Scripture is a powerful tool when we find ourselves fearful, frightened and even downright unnerved to the bones. Memorizing scripture and quoting it to ourselves, even out loud, reminds us of God's truth and the power of His word.

"We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Cor. 10:5

So what if I purposed to take captive my mind and my thoughts? What if I planted God's truth deep into the recesses of my mind and heart - to be pulled up at any given moment to remind me of my God? What if I always kept my feet walking God's lighted pathway so I'd never fear the dark?

"Your word is a lamp to my feet
 and a light for my path." Ps. 119:105

Merry Christmas from our house to yours. May the peace from our Heavenly Father, which passes all understanding, rest in your hearts today.  

Jo-Ann

Good Gifts

Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11 says, "Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 'Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We have seen his star as it arose, and we have come to worship him.'… Once again the star appeared to them, guiding them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where they child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house where the child and his mother, Mary, were, and they fell down before him and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh."

Many of us cannot even begin to count the number of times we’ve heard the story of a young pheasant girl carrying the promise of Salvation. A young man shocked by the conception of the child sent to save even him, and the shepherds and wise men who stood in awe of a promise fulfilled, a journey ended yet only begun and visitations uncommon in the quiet, dark, Judean skies. The details of the miraculous that could only have been ordained by a God, who sees the WHOLE picture, beginning to end, start to finish. I mean, a stable? A small insignificant town? Shepherds and sheep? Wise men with three specific gifts?

Lately I’ve been struck with the significance of the gold, frankincense and myrrh. What has also caused me to pause, was the act of worship these men demonstrated. They literally travelled for weeks in search of a promise told years ago. Their gifts? What was the significance of them?

Gold has always been a commodity of value and wealth.

Frankincense was added to the sacrificial fires. As it was consumed it would fill the air with a sweet aroma.

Myrrh was added to burial cloth to prepare a body for burial.

The Magi presented not only gifts but also themselves in worship. As costly and valuable as these gifts were, their value increased when they were given to Jesus.

If we look at the gifts again, the spiritual importance of them makes their value more significant.

Gold – part of worship is giving our material blessings to the church or to others in the name of Jesus.

Frankincense – this can be compared to the time we spend serving God. Although it may appear lost and wasted, consumed it becomes sweet to the one we worship.

Myrrh – it causes us to reflect on the ultimate purpose for which Jesus came; to give His life for us.

Wow! What a testimony to the all knowing power and incredible provision of our King. The Magi gave gifts to the King that were not necessarily to be used for that specific time or place, however, the gifts were significant in their worship of the King and who He was. What about OUR gifts? Each of us has incredible gifts. Are we laying them before the King in our Worship? Do we wonder about the things we are gifted in how God could possibly use US? Or do we go through life FULL of gifts waiting to be used but feel we aren’t using ANY of them? And if we are using our gifts, are we using the gifts in order to bring Glory to Him? Each of us posses’ great, imaginative, creative gifts put within us by a great, imaginative, creative Creator, just for us to fulfill a specific purpose and destiny that HE has called us to... On top of all of those gifts He’s given to specific people for specific purposes, what about the gifts given to ALL men, the FREE gifts that he has lavished on us:

Ephesians 2:8 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith and this is not of yourselves it is the gift of God not by works that any man should boast."

James 1:7 says, "Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father above."

Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through

Christ Jesus our Lord."

There are so many awe inspiring gifts given to us! Have you ever made a list of all of YOUR gifts? A list describing the things you are good at? Gifted in? Or has your list become a comparison to the artist down the street, the latest recording star, or the woman who knits a better scarf than you? So often the enemy distracts and discourages us with comparison. We need to be reminded of our own gifts, encourage those around us to do the same and continue to be awakened to the creative imagination that lies within us and use those gifts as the Magi did – in complete worship to the King of Kings!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Tara W.

Ask

Tis the season for making your list and checking it twice – or something like that!

Do you remember making a list of what you wanted to get for Christmas when you were younger…or maybe last week?

Maybe you have received one of those lists…painstakingly printed in childish script…in crayon…maybe with a drawing or page number from the Wish book included just so that you would get it right…and signed with XXX’s & OOO’s…hugs & kisses…

Sometimes some guidance is required with the list. A little perspective needed perhaps. A little modification. Outright refusal. “You cannot have a baby brother for Christmas!”

We do try to teach, try to model, that it isn’t all about getting, implying that we should be more modest in our asking.

There is a story in Mark chapter 10 about a blind man who is sitting by the side of the road. He had to beg if his needs were to be met.

Beg. Not ask.

One day he heard that Jesus was passing by and so he started to call out “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

People tried to quiet him. He got louder. Pleading. Begging.

We do have other accounts of Jesus encountering blindness. Once he made mud and put it on the blind eyes. Another time he touched the blind.

This time Jesus says "Call him" …tell him to come. When we call out for mercy, Jesus always says "Come!" This story does not end there.

Jesus says to the blind man, "What do you want me to do for you?"

I would have thought it to be obvious. The guy was called a blind beggar for a reason! He was blind. He was reduced to begging. Poor. Hungry. Rejected.

But Jesus asked a question. What do you want? What do you need me to do for you?

The reply was simple, specific and straightforward.

“I want to see.”

So Jesus says – okay. I will heal you. Not quite!

Jesus words actually were “Your faith has healed you.”

Wait! What faith? Did you read a declaration of faith there? All that he said was that he wanted to see. That’s faith? That’s faith for healing? Simply naming the need? Simply asking? Really?

When you are presented with a list of things that someone would like to see under the tree, that little person (or big person!), is declaring a measure of faith in your ability to provide what has been requested. That’s why the list has been given to you and not the neighbour down the street!

That you love to give is understood. That you are able to give is understood. That you will give is anticipated. That you have been asked demonstrated faith in you.

I am not wanting to suggest prayer time that becomes the equivalent of a “Dear Santa” letter. This is not about wants but about need. What if Jesus was standing in front of you and saying “What do you want me to do for you?”

You know what you need. Jesus knows what you need. Will you ask? This is not the time to be modest in our asking! Do you trust enough to ask? Simply…specifically…ask…

Do you know that your Heavenly Father loves to give?

Do you know that your Heavenly Father is able to give?

Do you anticipate receiving…anticipate enough to ask?

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matt.7:7

“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him” Matt.7:11

Just ask!

Ruth

Peace

“I heard the bells on Christmas Day

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeat

Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Peace – on earth? Headlines mock the song.

“And in despair I bowed my head

‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said,

‘For hate is strong and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men’.”

As we mourn with those who mourn and pray for comfort and yes, even for peace, for those from whom peace has been torn, we also need to guard our own hearts from despair.

When unimaginable tragedy becomes reality… when “peace on earth” seems little more than a mocking phrase…when the message given to the shepherds so long ago – 'on earth peace to men' seems so out of reach…where is peace?

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:26, 27

“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Where is peace?

In the Prince of Peace who came as a baby to bring peace…peace that transcends our circumstances…peace that transcends the turmoil… peace that transcends the violence and the hurt… peace that transcends our understanding…

“Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

God is not dead, nor doth He sleep:

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail

With peace on earth, good will to men.”

Ruth

Christmas Characters

As I was thinking about the coming of Christmas this year, I started thinking about the myriad of characters that make up the Christmas story, and realized that like many other Bible stories, the Lord sure uses an interesting assortment of people to fulfill his plans.

I thought of the wise men. Men who literally knew nothing about the Saviour, but knew that they needed to find him. They wanted to know more. They saw the value in seeking the King of Kings.

Then I thought of the Shepherds. It was revealed to them that the Saviour was born, and they went away telling the good news and worshipping. They would not keep it to themselves.

I thought of Mary, and her willingness to say "May it be as you say" and "My Soul Magnifies the Lord" after being dealt some serious life change! While her physical circumstances may not have always caused her to feel like agreeing, she was still able to say, "Despite what is happening in the physical, I will follow God's plan for me. I surrender my will and follow God’s plan."

I also thought of Joseph and his willingness to walk alongside what God had revealed for Mary to do. While he didn’t have to go along with it, he walked out God’ will alongside her and was her helpmate. 

I don’t know where you are in your life, or whether you relate specifically to any of these characters, but I see the specific attitudes and actions of each character as valuable to our Christian walk.

We do need to be seekers like the wise men. I love the quote “Wise Men Still Seek Him.” Our King of Kings has so much to who He is that we have yet to discover. We need to make the 'journey' to discover more of him.

We also need to be spreaders of the news. The shepherds make me think of people in the church that go and live it out and then come back to church to worship. They shared the important news with everyone they saw, and then came to worship Christ. I pray that this may be me!

One of the hardest challenges is to be like Mary. Willing to follow God’s plan for our lives, even if it is crazy! Being willing to follow our soul’s feeling rather than what the Physical is saying, and surrendering our entire lives to God is a key aspect of being a true follower of Christ! What a way to live!

Finally, we need to take a lesson from Joseph and walk alongside those who have been given a great calling from the Lord. Get involved. Put ourselves on the line too. Be the helper and supporter. Knock on a few doors on behalf of those we love.

I pray that I will become a tremendous mash-up of the characters in the story. They all had so much to offer, and so do we.

Kourtnay K.

Describing Jesus

Isaiah 9:6 says, "For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called 
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." NIV

Many years ago I was at a Christmas cantata and this scripture was put into song. I can still hear the soprano part "...Wonderful! ....Counselor! ...Mighty God! ...Everlasting Father! ...Prince of Peace!"

I have read and thought about this scripture many times in the past few weeks. I've read it numerous times from many different versions of the Bible. It is a familiar verse for me, maybe too familiar if I don't stop myself from skimming over these powerful words of comfort, reassurance and authority from our Heavenly Father.

Have you paused and considered the descriptive words of the child Isaiah refers to - Jesus? They describe our Saviour... Immanuel ~ God With Us.

Wonderful

Counselor

Mighty God

Everlasting Father

Prince of Peace

I hope and pray during this Christmas season the words describing Jesus will come to life and be your comfort during your sorrows and stressors of the season, your reassurance in the midst of each day and Shalom ~ peace which passes all understanding.

"For a Child hath been born to us, A Son hath been given to us, And the princely power is on his shoulder, And He doth call his name Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 Young's Literal Translation

Jo-Ann

Kenya

I had the most amazing experience while on a mission trip this spring. I travelled to Kenya for the month of May with a group of 11 young adults and two leaders. We went with “Wycliffe Bible Translators”. We travelled just outside the capital Nairobi to a compound for deaf translation.

While there, our team was privileged to spend 2 weeks learning about the translation process from the 6 different deaf teams. We were shown how they take the bible and make it into sign videos. I got to experience community like no other; they welcomed us with open arms and took us in like family. We also got to work with the other deaf people staying and working at the compound. For example during the day we would help with cooking, cleaning, farming, gardening, as well as building a higher fence. During our work with the deaf we built relationships just by learning to sign and getting to know each of them better. We also spent 2 days doing a VBS with all of the deaf translator’s children (who were not deaf).

My favourite memory while at the deaf compound was the first morning. We got up for breakfast and all sat at different tables with the deaf translators and workers. We spent time learning names and very basic signs. Then we went to the front of the dining hall where our team stood in a line. There was a translator there telling the deaf who we were, why we were there, and to help us learn to sign so we can communicate with them. As well, if we had not been given a sign name, she asked them to come up with ones as well. So we went through one by one spelling out our names as well as signing our sign names. For example, my sign name is touching my nose and then sweeping over to my ear. After each person, all the deaf raised their hands in the air and shook/waved them. That is 'applause' in sign. It was so amazing seeing all their smiles and excitement. I will never forget those few moments.

The VBS helped us prep for the time we spent in Marigot. We travelled north past the Rift Valley to the town of Marigot. This is where the Ilchamus people live. Their bible is being translated as we speak. They had completed the book of Matthew and are waiting for it to be printed. During the day’s there, we would travel to different schools to encourage the translation and to let the children know that the bible is coming in their native tongue for them to understand. While in Canada we made what we called “Big Books”, which were big picture books of different parables from the book of Matthew. I did "The Unmerciful Servant". We took our books and told the stories and had a translator translate it into Ilchamus so the kids could understand. They all became so excited when they could understand the stories much better in Ilchamus, than in English or Swahili.

We also would spend time singing and doing skits for the kids. As well we played games such as duck duck goose, which we changed to sheep sheep goat! When we finished teaching, the kids would all surround us and just want to shake our hands and touch our skin and hair.

On Sundays in Marigot we went to the host's church where we helped with Sunday school as well. On the last Sunday we were there, we handed out 50 You Matter! Frisbees to the kids in Sunday school. They were ecstatic to get these. They had such huge smiles that made my heart melt.

I could really go on for hours about all the different experiences we had while on this mission’s trip. So if you would like to read and see some different pictures of myself and other team members, feel free to go to this link. It was a blog that we wrote while we were there in Kenya for the month.

http://instigatekenya.wordpress.com/2012/05/04/nearly-ready-to-go/

I would just like to finish with a huge thank you for all the prayers and support of everyone! We could not have done it without you. It has changed my heart! I am now pursuing going into the mission field full time. I know that I was too afraid before, but God has opened up my eyes and broken my heart for the people in other nations. 

Miranda M.

Miranda is a young adult who loves the Lord and now has a heart stirred for the mission field. She is currently working and waiting for the Lord's leading.

Influence

I have raised three boys. They are young men now but I think that they will always be ‘my boys’. In that is one of my great fears. I realize that the potential exists that one day I will be someone’s mother-in-law!

There are horror stories about that. You’ve heard them. You may have lived them. There are precious stories too. Sadly, those aren’t repeated nearly as often.

It has taken up some of my thinking time though. What kind of a mother-in-law would I be?

There is an amazing story of a mother-in-law in the Bible. Naomi – of Ruth and Naomi fame…she must have been an extraordinary mother-in-law…an extraordinary woman of influence!

Might I suggest you read her story if you don’t know it. It is in the Book of Ruth. There’s that oft quoted line – “…your people will be my people and your God my God…” Powerful words really!

Ruth wasn’t Jewish. She had married into Naomi’s family, married one of her two sons. In my family, she would have been lovingly called “an import.”

There comes a point in the story when Naomi prepares to head back home – back to Bethlehem – and Ruth and Orpah are prepared to go with her. Naomi tries to discourage them, to send them back. Ruth won’t be deterred.

Naomi had been through some valleys. Having moved to Moab with her husband and two sons years earlier, she was now returning home “empty”. (Ruth 1:21)

She had had more than her share of sorrow. Bitterness threatened to take root but still she must have shown Ruth something…some glimmer of hope…of salvation…of a relationship with her God…

When Orpah decided to turn back, Naomi urged Ruth to do the same, saying that Orpah had gone back “ to her people and her gods.” (Ruth 1:15)

This is where Ruth makes her declaration. She did not want the gods of Moab. She did not want the gods of the family who had raised her. She wanted Naomi’s God!

There are so many amazing things in this story and it gets even more amazing as it continues to unfold but today this thought is challenging me deeply: What is my influence?

Would those who are closest to me, those who watch me walk through my valleys, be stirred to seek my God?

Naomi was heading out on a journey. Ruth longed to join her on that journey, knowing that she truly had nowhere else to turn…knowing that her gods had nothing for her.

Who is in your circle of influence? Make no mistake, intentionally or not, we do influence those around us.

What then is your influence?

It grieves me to think of those that I may have discouraged from joining me on my journey. Have there been Orpahs in my life?

I long to have the influence that Naomi had on Ruth…that because of how I live, what I have done, the words that I have said, that someone will want to join me on the journey…that my God will be their God too…

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matt.5:16)

Ruth