The air just smells different on a Friday I think;) With another beautiful weekend ahead I am reminded so much of the preciousness of people. During the week its so easy for me to get focused on work and getting things done and sometimes forget the moments that make life what God's heart desires it to be...connecting with Himself and with others in love. This weekend actually Im headed to Swan River Mb. a very special friend of mine experienced someone close to her head to Heaven. As I was thinking about how important it is for us to connect with others on their journey and wherever they find themselves, I was reminded of Jesus. His heart of compassion, His heart of genuine love, Jesus went to people in the midst of their most painful moment. At the death of His friend Lazarus, He came to where he was buried....John 11.33-35 “When Jesus saw (Mary) weeping and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit...” “Jesus wept.” Jesus physically grieved with Mary and Martha, His friends.
Wherever those close to you are at know that you can offer something as they are walking through the painful parts of life. Jesus came. He wept with them. Sometimes thats all that someone needs. More than that, when we as Christ empowered people....who have the resurrecting power of Christ in us come and gather with those on a painful journey, whatever the pain is...... the Life and Hope and Healing and Power that transcends all other power comes out...because its all about Jesus and there are connections, healings and people who are changed as a result of "being there" because HE IS.
Have a blessed and transforming weekend*
Mary
Friday, August 12, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Requiring Change
Sometimes I need to accept the fact that something in my life requires change. Something as simple as a hair cut I've been putting off, cleaning out that closet of stuff I haven't used in years or even possibly some eating habit that has left a few extra pounds around my body;) Some of those things can be hard to change...or even more, find the time to change. As I'm getting older I'm realizing more and more that when I'm not actively changing those little things that seem to sneak up in my busy schedule, when bigger changes come along....ie: working too much that my health is at risk, not investing in the relationships I've been investing in....that making the change whatever it needs to be is now a much much harder decision. I think alot of us because its harder decide not to make the change...we just stay where we are and try to make it work.
From personal experience...bad idea! When on a daily basis we ask God to reveal the habits in our lives that are not in accordance with His Word and the way He's created to live our lives, our hearts are being made ready for the change. Ask Him today to show you where change needs to take place.
Ask someone you trust in your life to be accountable in this with you.
Whether they're big changes or smaller ones, change keeps us ready for the new things that God desires to do in our lives...the new opportunities, new people, new adventures.....even a new life direction that maybe you've never allowed yourself to entertain, but God knows. Most of all daily knowing Christ more, being rooted knowing His Word...and going to new places with Him*
Mary
From personal experience...bad idea! When on a daily basis we ask God to reveal the habits in our lives that are not in accordance with His Word and the way He's created to live our lives, our hearts are being made ready for the change. Ask Him today to show you where change needs to take place.
Ask someone you trust in your life to be accountable in this with you.
Whether they're big changes or smaller ones, change keeps us ready for the new things that God desires to do in our lives...the new opportunities, new people, new adventures.....even a new life direction that maybe you've never allowed yourself to entertain, but God knows. Most of all daily knowing Christ more, being rooted knowing His Word...and going to new places with Him*
Mary
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Struggling?
Therefore, be clear minded and self controlled so that you can pray.
1 Peter 4:7
Ouch, clear minded? Lord, forgive me for going into prayer with my own intentions at heart. I know in my head that You have the big picture in mind. Align my heart and soul with Yours.
It's hard to be clear minded when our plans change or someone hurts us deeply. Further it's harder still to be self controlled in the moment and beyond. I know I have felt the ache of hurt to the point where I couldn't sleep and felt myself slipping into a pit of despair. This is when it is critical to hold every thought captive - to calm the mind. This allows us to see truth, things as they really are. How to achieve this is at times my struggle...
So, again I turn to prayer: Forgive me Father for withdrawing when I should be seeking You.
What I have learned:
Don't delay - deal with feelings right away.
Allow yourself to feel your feelings without judging them. Cry if you need to.
Do delay taking action so you can think things over.
Pray for understanding and guidance.
Know that God can move in every situation inspite of any circumstance.
Forgive and ask for forgiveness when necessary.
Persist - Chase God's heart.
There IS hope in Christ Jesus.
You are not alone.
Press in and press on,
Giselle
Monday, August 1, 2011
The 7th Day
I've been somewhat wrestling this summer with not only resting physically but also resting mentally. It's one thing to stop and put your feet up, it's another thing to stop your mind from thinking, questioning, figuring, pondering, etc. Usually the more intentional I am in settling physically the better I am at slowing down mentally, however when I am challenged, stirred and convicted by the teachings I've been hearing this summer it's been even more difficult to rest mentally.
We are complex humans who are finite, which means we have limits. We were created to not be able to go more than a few days without water, or a few weeks without food, and we were made to work and then to rest. Ex. 23:12 says, “Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and so that the slave born in your household and the foreigner living among you may be refreshed.” In other words we need to work hard and then take time to rest. The bible says we should work for 6 days and then rest on the 7th.
How is your restful summer going?
Jo-Ann
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Arise in Christ
After another gorgeous day I am enjoying the evening cool breeze:) I sincerely hope each one of you is enjoying your long weekend. As I was enjoying the peace and sun on my parent's deck this morning I was reminded again of how each moment in our lives counts. Each moment we connect with Jesus changes our hearts to desire His heart...and prepares us for the little and big moments that come up in our future....most of which we can not prepare for beforehand.
Recently I have started reading through the book of Nehemiah. Its been a while since I read it and again I am so deeply challenged and encouraged as I read about a man God calls to do things He could not do on his own, but He rises to the occasion. Nehemiah was ready. He was ready before God called him to be. He faces opposition in every way, yet he keeps going...He KNOWS WHO HE IS IN CHRIST and trusts God to bring about the results for what he has been called to do. No questions asked.
At the beginning of chapter two we see him praying with a heart of repentance and asking God boldly for favour with the request he needs to make to a King he has never met. God gives favour and in the moment instead of freaking out..Nehemiah boldly makes his request known to the King. As a result the favour of the King rests on him and Nehemiah is on his way to walk in the call that God has given him. The journey is such a hard one...at the end of chapter two we already see the opposition that he faces. He does get discouraged...but he continues to ask God for strength.
In my own life hearing Nehemiah’s heart and words and seeing the action he takes challenges me to rise to the little and big things in my life that God has called me to do. Whether I feel like I’m capable or not, God is responsible for the result....I need to keep staying close to Him and walk in the changes He makes in my heart.
I would love to share all the incredible details of Nehemiah’s journey....however, I encourage you to reread it for yourself. Its God's Word, alive and well, it will transform your heart and mind to know God more and be confident in Him and EVERY thing He is calling you to*
"...I was fasting and praying before the God of Heaven. I said, "I beseech You, Oh Lord God of Heaven, the great and awesome God, who preserves the covenant and loving-kindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments, let Your ear now be attentive and Your eyes open to hear the prayer of Your servant which I am praying before You now ..." Nehemiah 1.4-6
"....I answered them and said to them" The God of Heaven will give us success; therefore we His servants will arise and build..." Nehemiah 2.20
God's favour my friends,
Mary
Recently I have started reading through the book of Nehemiah. Its been a while since I read it and again I am so deeply challenged and encouraged as I read about a man God calls to do things He could not do on his own, but He rises to the occasion. Nehemiah was ready. He was ready before God called him to be. He faces opposition in every way, yet he keeps going...He KNOWS WHO HE IS IN CHRIST and trusts God to bring about the results for what he has been called to do. No questions asked.
At the beginning of chapter two we see him praying with a heart of repentance and asking God boldly for favour with the request he needs to make to a King he has never met. God gives favour and in the moment instead of freaking out..Nehemiah boldly makes his request known to the King. As a result the favour of the King rests on him and Nehemiah is on his way to walk in the call that God has given him. The journey is such a hard one...at the end of chapter two we already see the opposition that he faces. He does get discouraged...but he continues to ask God for strength.
In my own life hearing Nehemiah’s heart and words and seeing the action he takes challenges me to rise to the little and big things in my life that God has called me to do. Whether I feel like I’m capable or not, God is responsible for the result....I need to keep staying close to Him and walk in the changes He makes in my heart.
I would love to share all the incredible details of Nehemiah’s journey....however, I encourage you to reread it for yourself. Its God's Word, alive and well, it will transform your heart and mind to know God more and be confident in Him and EVERY thing He is calling you to*
"...I was fasting and praying before the God of Heaven. I said, "I beseech You, Oh Lord God of Heaven, the great and awesome God, who preserves the covenant and loving-kindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments, let Your ear now be attentive and Your eyes open to hear the prayer of Your servant which I am praying before You now ..." Nehemiah 1.4-6
"....I answered them and said to them" The God of Heaven will give us success; therefore we His servants will arise and build..." Nehemiah 2.20
God's favour my friends,
Mary
Monday, July 25, 2011
Putting It Into Practice
I've had the opportunity to be at our church family camps this summer with some amazing speakers. God has stirred and challenged me, as well as I've felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit. It's great to be part of camp meetings and hear the word of God preached with conviction, however one of the things I am most challenged with is putting into practice what I have heard. God can speak to me, challenge me and put His finger on the areas in my life I haven't yielded to Him, but if I don't intentionally put into practice what I've heard then I find myself wondering what are the long term benefits to camp services? Where is the fruit in my life which shows I am living what I've learned? Hearing someone preach a good sermon doesn't change my thought life or how I interact with others; daily living out the challenges and convictions of God's truths in my every day circumstances is where the fruit really shows up.
My challenge for the coming weeks and months is remembering what I've heard (and the older I get the more challenging that is! lol), taking the opportunities to put into practice what I've heard and living a life which represents Jesus well.
Living a Godly life is not an option, it's a requirement.
Mt. 28:19-20a says, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.”
Lk. 12:30-31 says, “And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind and all your strength. The second is equally important: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.'”
Lord, help me to put into practice the truths I've heard and been reminded of these past few weeks.
Jo-Ann
Friday, July 22, 2011
His Word changes everything
It's interesting how when we are desperate how all of a sudden we feel so close (or perhaps far away) from God. The last two weeks I have never been so sick in my life. After 48 hours of running to the bathroom every 30 - 45 min. I was exhausted, frustrated in intense pain and overwhelmed. It takes an earthquake for me to even consider seeing my doctor for something......so when I called my dad to see if he could pick me up and take me to the hospital, he knew there was something seriously wrong...as I had for some time. I had been praying all through this whole time, but it seemed like my prayers were not being heard...instead of the pain getting better it got worse and on top of everything I was bleeding from places I shouldn't have been....and there was no sign of any end. Like I said I have never been so sick or scared in my life.
As I prepared to go to the hospital, I grabbed my Bible and just began to not read...but declare the Word of God over my body and my life. There’s a difference when you do that for other people.....you believe for them and trust God and ask Him for the faith to believe for the request.. When we pray for ourselves I think sometimes....we don't do it the same way.
I declared the Word over myself like I haven't in a while. It didn't take long before I could feel the weight in my body begin to lift.....and for the first time in what seemed like forever I didn't have pain or the need to run to the bathroom. Over the next week my body slowly has gotten better. I’m still seeing my doctor, but I KNOW that JESUS touched me! He TOUCHED me and there is nothing else that could touch and heal like HIS power alive and well. Its there before us to walk in.....for others and OURSELVES. Take that today...don't just read the Bible...DECLARE it over your body, your situation, your life. My healing was not instantaneous, I’m still very much on the mend, but He's walking me out of the valley.....His power is there for your life as well.
It appeared as though the flu I had progressed into a kidney infection...not something you want to have hanging around your body! I prayed specifically and declared the Word over each area of the pain and infection....and I experienced Christ's touch.
I encourage you in your faith today, may God renew your heart and desire for Him. Even in the uncertain and unseen things He is ALIVE and well....even if things don't happen the way we think...or as fast...as we think they should* Blessings on you Friend.
Mary
As I prepared to go to the hospital, I grabbed my Bible and just began to not read...but declare the Word of God over my body and my life. There’s a difference when you do that for other people.....you believe for them and trust God and ask Him for the faith to believe for the request.. When we pray for ourselves I think sometimes....we don't do it the same way.
I declared the Word over myself like I haven't in a while. It didn't take long before I could feel the weight in my body begin to lift.....and for the first time in what seemed like forever I didn't have pain or the need to run to the bathroom. Over the next week my body slowly has gotten better. I’m still seeing my doctor, but I KNOW that JESUS touched me! He TOUCHED me and there is nothing else that could touch and heal like HIS power alive and well. Its there before us to walk in.....for others and OURSELVES. Take that today...don't just read the Bible...DECLARE it over your body, your situation, your life. My healing was not instantaneous, I’m still very much on the mend, but He's walking me out of the valley.....His power is there for your life as well.
It appeared as though the flu I had progressed into a kidney infection...not something you want to have hanging around your body! I prayed specifically and declared the Word over each area of the pain and infection....and I experienced Christ's touch.
I encourage you in your faith today, may God renew your heart and desire for Him. Even in the uncertain and unseen things He is ALIVE and well....even if things don't happen the way we think...or as fast...as we think they should* Blessings on you Friend.
Mary
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