Press On

A long time favourite movie in our house is Lion King. Okay – probably everyone else has moved on but it is still one of my favourite movies.

There is a scene in Lion King where Pumba and Timmon are talking with the young Simba, who is depressed, discouraged, even despondent over an event in his past that he cannot change. Pumba’s advice is “you gotta put your behind in the past.” Timmon corrects him with “it’s put your past behind you.”

Simple advice. Not easy advice to follow.

We all have a past. Scenes from our past can be like a bad movie that plays and replays in our minds. Those scenes can range from anything mildly embarrassing to downright horrible. Things done that should not have been done. Things left undone. Regrets. Shame.

Let me tell you about a guy who had a past. He was a deeply religious man. Well educated. Zealous for God. A young man with a future.

This young man oversaw an execution, giving his approval. He dragged men and women off to prison. Violent. Judgemental. Nasty business.

But – God called his name. Saul the persecutor – called by God. Still, that’s a lot of past to put behind you. Even if you manage to do it, someone else is bound to bring it up. “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem?” (Acts 9:21)

What do you do with that kind of past?

Paul (same guy – new name) said that you press on. You put your past behind you and you press on.

It is not denial. It is choosing to go forward.

I wonder if scenes from Paul’s past replayed in his mind from time to time. He does make reference to his past.

I wonder if the accuser…accused him. “Who do you think you are Paul...how can you call yourself an apostle…remember what you did…remember the screams of the people that you beat as you dragged them off to prison…remember Stephen, Paul…remember watching him die…who do you think you are….”

Have you ever heard those accusations…who do you think you are? For the past that each of us has, there is forgiveness and there is grace. There is also a choice – to live there or to press on.

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 3:13b, 14)

Ruth

Known!

Ps. 139:1-10

"O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.

You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.

You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.

You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.

You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!

I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!

If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave, you are there.

If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,

even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me."

Praying For Our Young People

I was at a rather large youth gathering this past Friday night and I was reminded once again to pray for our youth and young adults.

The battle for their souls is real. Satan is trying to steal, kill and destroy that which is not his!

Ladies, we need to pray over, pray through and pray for our young people!

We need to spend time with them; laughing at their silliness, appreciating their uniqueness and speaking God's truth over them. Carefully, gently, boldly reminding them who they are; God's creation, His sons and daughters, and He loves them very much.

When our young people know who they are in Christ, when their true identity is found in Christ, then they will live from a different place. Eph. 2:10 says, "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."

There is a spiritual battle for the souls of our young people. Ladies, we NEED to pray for our children. Whether they are biologically ours or not. We need to stand in the gap and pray!

We have some amazing camps coming up this summer at Manhattan Beach Camp.

http://www.manhattanbeach.mb.ca/camps/

Children's Camp (grades 2-6) - Aug. 12-17 

Camp 6-8 (grades 6, 7, 8) - July 17-20  

Youth Camp (grades 13-18) - Aug. 21-26  

Would you begin to pray for the camps?

Would you pray for the young people who will be attending these camps?

Will you stand in the gap and pray for that young person to have a personal encounter with God?

Would you do whatever you need to do to get them there?

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Eph. 6:12

Ladies, our youth desperately need our prayers. Will you PRAY?!

Jo-Ann

Redeeming Time

Here’s a sobering reminder:

"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Eph. 5:15-16

Don’t take a single day for granted, God whispers. Every day counts! A wise woman knows she only has today, to live in Him, for Him, by His strength and with His plan in mind. Today is all we have to live out the purpose God has set for us. I don’t know about you, but I find it easy to make plans. I find it even easier to disappoint myself and others by not following through or procrastinating. I need reminders – I need to be committed to reviewing these reminders (notes) I make to myself – sometimes, I just actually need to write down my thoughts and things I’m trying to remember. In pondering this, I’m reminded of just how important it is, to reaffirm God’s purposes and requirements for my life during my quiet time – moreover to seek His continued confirmation of the direction I am going.

I looked up a few key words from the above text in the 1928 Webster’s Dictionary and discovered the following definitions:

- circumspectly means: Cautiously; with watchfulness every way; with attention to guard against surprise or danger

- redeeming means: Ransoming; procuring deliverance from captivity, capture, bondage, sin, distress or liability to suffer, by the payment of an equivalent

- evil means: Having bad qualities of a natural kind; mischievous; having qualities which tend to injury, or to produce mischief.

Interesting. Let me repeat the above, replacing those words with their meaning.

See then that you walk cautiously, with watchfulness every way; with attention to guard against surprise or danger; not as fools but as wise; ransoming; procuring deliverance from captivity, capture, bondage, sin, distress or liability to suffer, by the payment of an equivalent time, because the days are mischievous, with a qualities to injure or produce mischief.

Let’s not be foolish ladies. Instead, watchful! attentive! delivered! Welcome the gift of each new day. Seize it enthusiastically! Practice what you know. Encourage others. Remember, it’s God’s day . . . how will you fill the minutes? This week I was reminded of a profound saying: “Do not allow 1 minute of anger to rob you of 60 seconds of happiness.” Mischief. I would also suggest replacing anger/happiness with gossip/character; impatience/joy; jumping to conclusions/perspective; envy/thankfulness; lying/truth; the list could go on, but I think you get the idea.

So what does God require? Arlene Mason presented an encouraging reminder from the Word at our last district retreat (in Dryden, ON). "God requires us to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly before our God". Micah 6:8

Let us walk together, encouraging one another, making every day’s moments count. This week, I want to encourage you to redeem your time.

Press in and press on,

Giselle

Halifax . . . and beyond!

A couple of years ago our oldest son moved to Halifax. Halifax! You can hardly get there from here – or so it seemed to this mom’s heart. I know the drive is possible – I mean that’s how he got there but seriously, Susan and I would not both survive in the car together over so many miles. (Susan is my GPS lady – see Feb 29 posting.)

The only other option that seemed feasible to get me to Halifax was to fly. Great. Another of my ‘not favourite’ things to do.

Longing to see my son and the place that he now calls home far outweighed my dislike of flying and travel in general. We booked our flights and off we went.

I am thankful for emails, facebook and telephone calls that help the miles seem not so great but nothing, nothing at all, compares with being able to wrap your arms around your son, even if he’s all grown up. Then and only then do you really, really know how he is doing.

It is so very important for all of us to know and to remember always that no matter where we are, and no matter where those we love are, our Father is there.

When we can’t be with those we love . . . God is there.

Whether it is only miles that have separated us or whether they have wandered in every sense of the word . . . God is still there.

As much as you have experienced the comfort of God’s presence in your day and know that He is here, with you, also know that God is there . . . where you cannot be.

“If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” (Ps. 139:9,10)

Ruth

Psalm 32:1,2

"Oh, what joy for those

whose disobedience is forgiven,

whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those

whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt,

whose lives are lived in complete honesty!"

Ps. 32:1,2

Prayer Journal

God specializes in using the ordinary for the extraordinary!

Looking through photographs, I was reminded of all the blessings God has bestowed upon me and my family. As I create these journals of remembrance, I have prayed. It has renewed my passion for very purposefully and intentionally praying for each member of my family (not just the most immediate either). It has inspired a type of photo journal – a place to focus on asking God to do even greater work in each individual's life. I have devoured different praying plans over the years ( I highly recommend any of Stormie Omartian's books on prayer to inspire you ), put them into practice and seen God move in extraordinary ways. This is about more than praying for healing over a cold or school test – this is about the ways to grow – spiritually – in character and spreading God's love.

"The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avail much." James 5:16b

What effect would it have on you, your husband, children, extended family, church family, friends, coworkers and community if you undertook such a project? It could be as simple as a ring notebook that you place the pictures of these people in with a list of hope and blessing for each. How would it build your faith as you breathe life into these people, as you flip through these pages of remembrance, pray and watch God work? It could even be in one of those pocket photo books you could slip in your purse or Bible case to look at whenever you have a few minutes, or to start your devotions. Don't be intimidated by perfection – instead, be encouraged to create it to be developed and used right now. May God help us to be nourished and successful in all we do as we seek Him. May He bless our relationships so that they will prosper and bear much fruit.

"Now mine eyes shall be open and mine ears attentive unto the prayer that is made in this place." 2 Chronicles 7:15

Start with that relationship that means the most to you right now. Know that I have a page set aside for all of you readers – be blessed as you grow in wisdom, obedience and discipline in Christ Jesus.

Press in and press on,

Giselle