Wings

Posted on May 31, 2013 by Lynn

She was our gift from God in 1995.  A dimpled cheek and a wide smile that captured our hearts from her first breath on, she was our “march to a different drummer” child.  When all the other children in her kindergarten class were told to clean up toys and come to the carpet for story time, Carmen calmly told her teacher, “You may go do story time, but I’m not finished playing at the house centre.”  She refused to budge.  It was the first of many calls I got from her teachers throughout her school years.  She wasn’t rebellious per se, she just didn’t see the need to do things in proper sequence.  She saw the world through a different filter than any one else.  Filled with creativity and wonder, she didn’t accept the world as is, but filled with a myriad of delights that went beyond imagination.

One morning while eating her breakfast cereal, she suddenly gasped, “Mommy, look out the window, Mommy!  Didn’t God paint the most beautiful sunrise for us this morning, Mommy?”

She was our accident-prone child.  Our family doctor would answer the phone, “What’s Carmen done now?” before I even had said “Hello”.  Stitches, two broken collar bones, two bouts of chicken pox, face plants, skinned knees, burns…she forced us to keep a first aid kit close at hand as she was growing up.

A heart as “big as Texas”, a friend said to me once, Carmen’s heart overflowed with compassion for the underdogs of society.  She’d weep for the hurt, the broken, the outcasts.  It was never a surprise to me that she naturally attracted friends to her.  They loved hanging out with a girl who made them laugh at her wild antics, and be cheered by her smile and zest for life.

She always had a knack for reaching and understanding the babies and preschoolers in church.  From the time she was able to serve in the nursery, she would be found with little ones hanging off of her and surrounded by them everywhere she went.

She was always vulnerable to those who wanted to break her spirit, those who didn’t understand her joy for life.  She couldn’t understand the cruelties of life, it didn’t mesh with her positivity and sunshiny disposition.  She cried when people were unfair to her.  She rejoiced when a broken relationship was healed.  She laughed every single day and we laughed with her.   I found it most fitting when she chose her life verse from Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

My husband says that Carmen and I are “one and the same”.  It’s perhaps the prime reason I have always felt so overly protective of my free-spirited child.  I would see her making the same decisions (and mistakes) as I made and I felt I should always guard her to keep her from making some of the poor decisions I made when I was a teenager.  I’ll admit there have been battles between us that no one has won.  There have also been those times of pure joy, a mother’s pride in the accomplishment of a girl who sees the glass always half full and walks with fearless determination through life wanting to experience all that life has to offer.  She is my baby.  She is my joy.  She will graduate today and I don’t know how I will hold all my emotions in check as I watch her walk across the stage to receive her high school diploma.

God has always had a plan and a purpose for our girl.  He’s gifted her in so many, many ways.  She is in the process of discovering God’s plan, and we’re even more determined to be her cheering section throughout this process as she makes important decisions for her future.  Today however, we’ll applaud with tears in our eyes, remembering the precious child she was, and be extra-proud of the beautiful young woman she is.

Happy Graduation Day, Carmen!  We love you!

Posted in Family Life, Proverbs 16:9 - Journey Thoughts | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Staying the Course

Posted on May 27, 2013 by Lynn

god-didnt-promise-days-without-painOn Sunday I taught our Adult Sunday School class from 2 Timothy 3.  When we read verses 12-13 “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,  while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived”, one of the men in my class simply asked, “Why?”

I am not easily stumped by questions in class, but admittedly his simple question caught me off guard somewhat.  I mean I know that we can expect persecution as Christians.  Scripture is clear on that inevitable fact:  1 Peter 4:12 “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you” and 1 Peter 4:16 “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” reiterate what Paul said to Timothy.  We WILL suffer persecution as believers, and we will face trials, heartache, discouragement, distress, heartache and more.

“Why?”

Scripture tells us to take delight in our persecutions, in our trials, because it does improve our character through testing and it allows us to relate in small measure to Christ’s suffering on our behalf.  Scripture also encourages us through our “sufferings” by saying that there will be great reward if we are found faithful through the testing.  2 Corinthians 12:10 “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”;  2 Corinthians 4: 8-11 “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.”; Matthew 5:10-12 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ″Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. ″Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Still the “Why?” question still lingers.  Why must we face this?  My head knowledge understands, my heart doesn’t.

I read on Facebook quite a long while back a youth state bluntly, “Why should I become a Christian when my life will suck just as much…maybe more afterwards?”  It is false teaching to tell that person that if they become a Christian, all their pain, heartaches and discouragement will instantly go away by their confession of faith.  No, my young friend, that is a lie.

I have discovered that more and more people (young and old) are wanting a religion of convenience, of little effort; a religion or faith that promises only success and happiness and will wipe away all hurts (past, present and future).  Any religion that promises that kind of life is a false one.  The enemy laughs at the naivety of people who are drawn into the trappings of those “feel good” faiths.

Christianity does not promise that.  On the contrary, we can expect trials and tribulations.  “Why?”

To Strengthen Us: God allows us to experience trials, persecution, and suffering so that we must entirely lean on Him for strength rather than rely on our own self-sufficiency.  In whatever circumstance we find ourselves, He is in control.

To Be Aware of Our Sinful Nature:  We live in a “fallen” world as a result of our sin.  It’s not going to get better, as Paul says, but will get worse.  There is only One Way to save us from our fallen nature – We need a Saviour, Jesus Christ.  “For all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God.” Romans 3:23; “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

To Discipline Us: As a result of our fallen nature, we will constantly find ourselves drawn to the ways of the world.  Sin is rampant.  Scripture tells us that “…the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 6:23.  Jesus is the only One Who can save us from our self-destructive behaviour.

To Test Us: Will we be found faithful in the midst of these trials and sufferings?  Trials are meant to test our character and our faith.  Will we abandon God at the first sign of trouble or will we stand firm knowing that He will never leave us or forsake us?  “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”  James 1:2-3

To Encourage Us:  Yes, even in the midst of trials, God reveals Himself as our provider, comforter, and friend.  He does not abandon us, but protects and supports us.  Genesis 28:15 “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”; Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”; Revelations 3:10 “Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.”

To Reveal Himself to Us:  When I was going through cancer in 2001, I had that “peace that surpasses understanding” as I leaned on God throughout that entire experience.  I found that I had a real and clear understanding of what Paul meant when he said, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21  I did not have a complete understanding of Who God was until I faced cancer with Him as my Rock and Salvation.

 

Are you feeling discouraged?  Do you feel that the testing is more than you can endure?  Remember that God will NEVER leave you or forsake you.  He is in control.  For more encouragement go to: 25 Encouraging Scripture Verses for Those Facing Struggle.

 

 

 

 

Posted in 25 Encouraging Bible Verses - Topical, Inspiration & Devotion, Proverbs 16:9 - Journey Thoughts, Scripture Study | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

25 Encouraging Bible Verses for Graduates

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Lynn

Graduation-Blessing-Card16322lgMy Sweet daughter, my youngest child, will be graduating high school in a couple of weeks.  She has her dress, she’s got the hair appointment booked, she’s getting a mani-pedi, (a grad gift from her older sister), and she has a handsome date for the banquet.  She is tentatively filling out admission forms to post-secondary schools.  She doesn’t know exactly what she wants to do after high school, so she’s “testing the waters”, so to speak, to see what studies might interest her and what schools appeal to her.  She’s got plenty of time to think about her future, she doesn’t need to feel rushed.  In the midst of all the excitement of graduating it may be difficult to be focused on the One Who knows the plans He has for each of His children.  Here are some encouraging verses that parents, grandparents, and friends can write in cards or give to their favorite Graduate this year.

1 Timothy 4:12  “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”

Joshua 1:7-9  “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Psalm 51:10-11  “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.”

Philippians 4:4-8  “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.”

Psalm 105:4 “Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.”

John 14:27  “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.”

Psalm 91:1-2  “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

James 1:12  “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

Isaiah 40:31  “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Micah 6:8  “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Lamentations 3:22-24  “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”

Proverbs 16:3  “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”

Proverbs 3:5-10  “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”

Colossians 3:23  “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”

Philippians 3:13-14  “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. 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.”

1 Corinthians 15:57-58“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

Philippians 1:9-11  “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ-to the glory and praise of God.”

Jeremiah 29:13  “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Psalm 20:4 “May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.”

Ephesians 2:10  “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Romans 8:28  “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Mark 12:30  “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

James 4:13-16   “Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil.”

Jeremiah 29:11-13  “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Numbers 6:24-26  “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

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