...Balance...

Have you ever thought that perhaps the everyday routines in our lives are what allow us to step out into the extraordinary moments in life?

Personally I don't enjoy washing dishes, dusting, vacuuming and the never-ending laundry in our home. However, when I've been away at a conference or event which is way out of the norm of my everyday life, I do find the mundane jobs at home help me transition back into everyday life. Most of us do not spend our days on the cutting edge of life; life and death moments - both literally and spiritually. In my observations most people have their routines whether they realize it or not; like the usual streets travelled to and from work, your favourite coffee hot spot, and/or the order you put on your socks (socks then pants, or pants then socks). We are creatures of habit and yet we tend to love those adrenaline rushing, roller coaster moments in life when we can throw everything to the wind, tilt our heads back and laugh into the face of fear (even if we're on the kiddies slide!).

Let's take a moment to look at Gideon who was secretly threshing wheat in a winepress trying to hide from the Midianites who were stealing from the Israelites. The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oat tree and spoke to Gideon in Judges 6:12 and said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior". Before we hear anything of Gideon in Judges chapters 6-8 he was going about his everyday business of providing for family and trying to survive the attacks of the Midianites. Something to note is he did not come from a godly family (Judges 6:25b), however God had his eyes on him and saw his heart. Heb. 11:32-34 refers to Gideon amongst those "whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies."

Gideon's fear and hesitation was as real as his obedience. With adrenaline pumping, Gideon and 300 men fought the Midianites. Even when the exhaustion was beginning to set in Gideon continued until the mission was complete. Once the battle was done Gideon went back home to his wives and children until he died at "a good old age". Gideon is not mentioned again in the bible until the faith chapter in Hebrews 11. Interesting.

Sometimes God is calling us for such a time as this. Sometimes it lasts for a short while or certain event - like Gideon; and sometimes it's drawn out over many years - like Moses leading the people out of Egypt.

When God speaks to you, step out of your everyday routine to make a difference in the eternal. Boldly and confidently know that many others have gone before you; and many will follow your lead. Then be thankful for the everyday routines which keep us balanced so we are ready for the next time God speaks.

Jo-Ann

To Busy Not To...

Just a few weeks ago, we decided to help out a relative and adopt her elderly, but extremely energetic Bischnoodle – Bichon/Schnauzer/Poodle cross – since her granddaughter was very allergic to him. We already owned a two year old bouncing boxer babe so becoming a two dog household has created some interesting dynamics. As I sat here and attempted to write this morning I listened to the intermittent squabbling and play wrestling and got up for the periodic trips in and out, totally losing my train of thought in the meantime. I can see the toys strewn across the living room as well as the dirty footprints on the floors I just washed yesterday and God brought to mind all of the busy young mothers who try to carve out some time for Him in the midst of the chaos that often reigns with young children demanding their attention.

Finding the time to spend with God is a little like finding the time for physical fitness. Both are necessary disciplines. Why not combine the two? I love to pray while I walk which has a lot of Biblical precedent. See Gen. 3:17 and Numbers 14:6 – 9. The weather’s too crumby for walking outside? What about using that workout time to listen to awesome teaching via podcast or put on some worship music rather than turning on the talk shows and zoning out at the gym?

I have a number of young Moms on the District Prayer Network and they have remarkable creative ways to fit God into their busy days. One of them uses Post-it notes to put individual prayer needs on the dashboard of her vehicle. As she drives children from location to location she chooses one to pray for, keeping her eyes open of course.

These are just a few hints for finding God-moments throughout a busy day. They aren’t replacements for that still, quiet time. We still need to, daily, give the kids to Dad, find a quiet place and spend time at the feet of Jesus. As we ponder Luke 10:38 – 42, may it be said of us that we have embraced that time to be like Mary in our Martha world.

Now, excuse me as I go put on the worship music and wash my floors yet again!

Glenda

Glenda is married and actively involved in her local church. She has a heart and passion to help others. She is also the Manitoba/Northwestern Ontario District Prayer Coordinator PAOC.

Spreading the WORD

I recently discovered a fabulous learning/play opportunity to share with my youngest son.  It is a website that offers children the opportunity to learn about Bible translation efforts overseas all the while building a fictitious Tanzanian village from the ground up including homes, churches, clinics, infrastructure and the like.  In playing, the child has the opportunity for daily devotion time and the opportunity to play games and view video clips.  I have found it both very safe and fun.  Our son asks to play it EVERY day!   So, it's a hit! 

The site is devloped and owned by OneVerse, an affiliate of Wycliffe Bible Translators.  I highly recommend that if you have youngs ones at home or grandchildren to play with you check out here:

http://www.makaziville.com/content/home

Press in and press on,
Giselle

Cheerleaders

I was the girl who liked gym class. The chance to play a little volleyball, baseball or soccer – great fun!

I don’t play sports so much anymore. I’ve moved to being a bit of a sports fan – mostly hockey & football (Go Bombers!).

I don’t consider myself a rabid sports fan. Never painted my face on game day – don’t have to rearrange my schedule according to my team’s schedule. Apparently there are degrees to being a fan. You can be all in or you can be the other extreme. Kind of a fair weather fan – cheering loudly when your team does well and losing all interest when they are not doing well.

I have been thinking about the difference between being a fan and being a cheerleader. Fans can turn on their team. Cheerleaders don’t. A fan can leave the game whenever they choose. Cheerleaders are there for the entire game no matter the outcome. Cheerleaders are part of the team.

Hebrews 10:24 says “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”

We are all on the team, playing different roles at different times, however a role that each of us needs to take on is that of cheerleader – spurring one another on. Encouragement to carry on, to keep on, to move on.

I need encouragement. I need to give encouragement. I need a cheerleader. I need to be a cheerleader.

Part of a verse from Deuteronomy caught my attention. God is talking to Moses about Joshua and he says “Encourage him because he will lead Israel to inherit it.”

God is telling Moses that Joshua is the guy who will lead Israel into the Promised Land – this is the guy who will finish the job. This is the next generation.

Whatever your age, there is a generation following you who, with encouragement, will do things that your generation did not finish. That’s a reason to be a cheerleader!

Ruth

Ruth is married and a mother of three young men. She is very involved in her local church and investing into the lives of others.

Betrayal and Comfort

A number of years ago I felt betrayed by a very good friend. I truly don't think that was her intent, but there were a number of situations and circumstance going on and I certainly didn't know all of the details swirling around her. However, I still felt the sting of rejection and betrayal by someone who was very near and dear to my heart. I can remember feeling a connection with Jesus during that time since he was also betrayed by someone close to him - his disciple Judas. There was a popular song by Petra called "Judas' Kiss" (now I'm really beginning to date myself). As I listened to the words over and over again I felt both the comfort in knowing someone else had been through a similar and difficult circumstance, as well as the disappointment of someone so close missing me and my heart.

2 Cor. 1:3-4 says, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."

If you've walked a journey through some challenging and difficult situations can I encourage you to share your compassion, wisdom and care with others who need it? And if you are struggling through a season for difficulty can I encourage you to begin to let others come alongside you and be part of the journey of perspective, encouragement and comfort?

The scripture clearly states that we can comfort others with the same comfort we received from God. I believe God wants us to step towards others and offer His comfort to them. Gal. 6:2 says, "Help carry one another's burdens, and in this way you will obey the law of Christ."

Let's find opportunities this week to come alongside someone(s) so we can offer encouragement and comfort to those around us. We will never experience exactly what they've experienced, but because of what we've experienced we can offer hope and comfort.

Jo-Ann

uninhibited vision

A couple of years ago while backpacking Thailand with a very close and adventurous friend of mine, God taught us both a truth that continues to be a strong voice in my head. While we were experiencing some beautiful memories on the island of Koh Samui we came to a segment of our trip which required us to take our adventurous spirits to a new level.
We were told that there was a gorgeous waterfall not far from where we were staying...all we had to do was walk or take a taxi a few miles up the road. Not a bad way to spend a gorgeous Thai afternoon. We decided to walk,we had a plan, but really just wanted to bend toward whatever the adventure before us held......after an hour the sun was so hot we would stop at every 7eleven on the way just for a little air conditioning.
We met people who were working doing many different things, some had shops, some were cooking on the side of the road, some were tending children, some were fishing, some were selling flowers and herbs, some were transporting...all sorts of things by motorcycle:) We noticed they were all more than happy to continue to point us in the right direction, graciously trying to understand our English and nodding encouragingly to the few words we spoke in Thai.
We were eager to reach these stunning falls and were not about to let missing them be an option.
We were loving the journey, the experience was incredible.... however slowly the few miles we were walking turned into a lot more and we soon realized we were in trouble. As we continued to hike the jungle area that kept claiming were were almost there, we felt concern for the daylight that was starting to dwindle. The free roaming elephants and the sound of water drew us farther in amidst the exhaustion and concern.....we could not believe the beauty and overwhelming sense of awe at God's presence and creation  and felt more than blessed to be in the middle of everything.
We could hear rustling in the grass along the road beside us. At first it was one side, but then it was also the other. Given the fact we met only two people during this two hour period I remember us both start to realize that even though we were surrounded by the most incredible place, we were also in a very serious situation....you see there were no signs until we had almost arrived at the falls that the place we were hiking was a cobra and alligator park. NICE.
We were so excited and focused on our goal, the falls..(which we did reach and they were lovely as was the view from the mountainside)....we didn't allow for anything to stop us. Even endangerment to us...whether we knew it or not.
I often think back on that day as an inspiration and even challenge in my life. Just think if I was as fixated on Christ as we were on reaching the falls, not allowing for anything to get in the way of Him allowing me to know Him more.......not bitterness about past offences, not anger, not idolatry....or focusing on me rather than on Him....not trying to "be good and godly on my own. In my own strength." Asking Him to immerse myself in His blood, in His forgiveness, in His power. Seeing His presence alive and growing in me.....instead of getting caught up in things that only hinder me from Himself..which make my life and others miserable and prone to making tragic life choices.
One of my pastors says, ''eat the meat, spit out the bones." In other words.....Ask God to immerse you in His presence and His Word, taking the good and nourshing truth of God and leaving the crap.... it wont be easy and given our imperfection, it wont be perfect, but it will be the most incredible adventure of your life. His adventure in you*

Mary

What are you believing for?

I ask myself and others this question quite a lot.  Do you dream?  I'm not just talking about during your sleeping hours - but purposeful pondering of possibility (how's that for illiteration?).  The potential for so much more lies within our very being - God designed us that way.  He has given us grace and strength beyond measure - right from Him to use for Him. 

Beloved, did some one some time say something or do something to make you think you were silly to hope for more?  Did someone squash your potential by discouraging you?  Well, GOD wants to redeem the time, the hope and your dream - He has infused you with the Holy Spirit for a purpose.  Glorify Him by being faithful and presenting yourself as that living sacrifice, willing to be used by Him for good.  Your dream is likely a part of just that.

Imagine the possibilities of your belief and willingness to pray, hope, love big:  widows could be loved, the hungry fed, slaves freed, families encouraged, marriages restored, people saved...the list goes on.

Dream big! 

I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, "Go throw yourself into the sea"

and does not doubt in his heart but believes it will happen, it will be done for him.

Mark 11:23

Go forward in faith with the grace God has given you.

Press in and press on,
Giselle