God’s Got It All In Control!

Have you ever been at a place or space in life where it’s been too full . . . too busy . . . too hectic . . . too much?!

I expect we’ve all been there at some time or another; at least for a short period of time.

We should be intentional with our schedules and how we fill our time, but there are other times when life unexpectedly changes the course we are on and something we did not anticipate happens and we are scrambling to keep up.

So what do we do? How do we right our world when it just got dumped on its side? How do we ground ourselves?

Let God’s word be your grounding and let His truth breathe life into the situation(s) you are facing.

Here are a few scriptures to remind ourselves of God’s truth:

“You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.” Isaiah 26:3 Amplified Bible

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 NIV

“For as heaven is higher than earth, so My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9 HCSB

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]” John 16:33 Amplified Bible

Life will always have seasons of fullness and busyness, and even hectic and heavy stretches, but there will also be times of rejoicing and you can pause and enjoy the little things. Let the little things be life-giving in the midst of your day. Whether that’s admiring the intricacies of a snowflake, the scent of a flower, the number of spots on a lady bug, the twinkle in the eyes of your child or laughter on the playground. Pause . . . close your eyes . .  . breathe deep . . . and savour the moment.

Whether your day is filled with all you had planned for it or whether it just made a 180 degree turn, let me remind you that God gives perfect peace, He cares for you and He has already overcome the world!

Sometimes we need to pause, change our scenery – literally – and stop and smell the roses. (If the season doesn’t allow you to smell the roses then let me suggest you stop at the florist and savour the fragrance.) As you are savouring the fragrance of that beautiful flower, let’s remember – God’s got it ALL in control!

Jo-Ann

The Awesomeness of God

Let me take a few minutes to reflect on my past week and share some glimpses into what I’ve seen and the conclusions I’ve come to.

My husband and I had the privilege of spending a week’s holiday in Cuba last week. I say it was a privilege because I realize not just everyone has the means or opportunity to make that type of trip. This was not a mission’s trip, it was pure and simple – a vacation. A much needed break and time away from our very full plates. By the way – it was lovely!

For those of you who have done a resort-type trip in the middle of a cold and snowy Canadian winter you know what I’m talking about; for those of you who haven’t let me just say it’s rather strange to go from minus-crazy-something with snow up to there to a few hours later humid, tropical temperatures, palm trees and a foreign language. (This is likely a good time to say I am very thankful for individuals who are able to learn a new language so the likes of myself can travel to a foreign country and get by with minimal difficulties understanding what’s asked of me.)

Let me also say I am not the best traveller – in whatever mode of transportation; car, bus, train, airplane, etc. I don’t like being confined to small, uncomfortable seats with limited access to the kitchen and bathroom – ahem!

Anyway, as we walked down the wooden boardwalk to the beach on our first day in Cuba I was struck by the awesomeness of the shades of turquoise ocean waters, brilliant blue skies, the green foliage, and I simply had nothing but a few pictures in a magazine to use as a point of reference. The sight before me was simply stunning and breathtaking and awesome.

I spent the next number of days sitting on the beach watching the waves roll in amazed at what I was gazing at. I was struck over and over again that the same God who created the piles of snow at home and the evergreen trees I’m familiar with also created the white, powdery sand, the colour of the ocean and the tropical surroundings. I still haven’t quite figured out how to put into words how I feel about the awesomeness of God who created the universe and all that I’ve seen in the last week.

I was reminded of Genesis 1:9-10 which says, “Then God said, “Let the waters beneath the sky flow together into one place, so dry ground may appear.” And that is what happened. God called the dry ground ‘land’ and the waters ‘seas’. And God saw that it was good.”

The vastness of the ocean was beyond anything this prairie girl could compare anything to. The slough outside my back door growing up was a drop in the bucket (literally) compared to the vastness of the ocean I was looking at. Then this scripture came to mind. “He assigned the sea its boundaries and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs.” Psalm 33:7

The awesomeness of God took my breath away, repeatedly, and I found myself thanking God and praising Him for the beauty around me.

I still feel like my mind has not caught up with all I experienced, but I am so thankful for our trip and the beautiful resort we had the opportunity to stay in. I am thankful the Lord allowed me the opportunity to have a glimpse into a small portion of His creation. And I am ever grateful that the Lord loves me and cares enough about me to meet me right where I am in the midst of my full plate. In the past week and a half I have been able to breathe in the tropical sights and sounds of Cuba, along with the crisp, Manitoba, winter air (and a whole lot of snow!). The extreme differences of these two beautiful locations has not been lost on this prairie farm girl, nor has the awesomeness of God.

Jo-Ann

WHO IS YOUR BFF?

Wikipedia defines “BFF” as:

“The term ‘Best Friends Forever’, often abbreviated to BFF, is a close relationship typical of teenagers and young people. Such relationships are common in high school but, rather than lasting forever, tend to deteriorate when the parties involved attend college.”

Well, that’s disappointing … BFF is a term for young people, which I am not, and forever does not mean FOREVER?!?

In my opinion, if BFF were taken literally, it would be the most awesome thing EVER!

I am sure everyone has their own interpretation of BFF, but as far as friendships go, I would like to share a few of my expectations for a BFF. We would:

• Get together for no reason and enjoy each other’s company.
• Accept each other unconditionally, bad hair day and all.
• Listen to each other patiently, and not be pushy or rude, wanting our own way.
• Always be available for each other in a crisis, via texting, cell phone or coming over in person to comfort each other.
• Think there is cause for alarm when we didn’t hear from each other daily.
• Help each other become better people by learning new things and want what is best for one another.

“Impossible, ridiculous, out of this world, no way, are you crazy?!? It’s a wonder you even have friends, never mind a BFF!”

Read on, I will explain.

My musings about a BFF started one day when I needed a BFF and no one was available. I was fighting a battle in my mind which was also affecting my heart and causing a heaviness I couldn’t shake (no, I wasn’t having a heart attack!). I needed someone to talk to, someone who would understand, comfort me and take away the heaviness I was feeling. During the turmoil going on in my mind, I felt a gentle nudging in my soul and a still, quiet voice said, “Talk to me, I will listen, I won’t condemn, I already know how you feel…”

There He was, my BFF, who I’ve known since childhood. He was available: no texting needed, wireless not required, and he’s close - closer than the mention of His Name!

JESUS AND ME – BEST FRIENDS FOREVER!

Psalm 27:7, 8 (NLT)

“Hear me as I pray, O Lord. Be merciful and answer me. My heart has heard you say ‘Come and talk to me’ and my heart responds ‘Lord, I am coming’.”

So, I spent time with my BFF that day, I whined and complained, and Jesus listened. He was not pushy or rude. He DID remind me of His attributes – how His burdens are light and His yoke is easy (Matthew 11:28). 

I know I can trust Him and that He is in control, as He has proven that to me time and time again over the years. Jesus tells me in His word that I am a friend of God!

Romans 5:10, 11 (NLT)

“For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.”

Jesus is truly my BFF and so much more. He is out of this world!

Maybe you need a BFF today, someone who won’t let you down – ever – forever.

Kristina A.