Smoke Gets In Your Eyes!

Posted on August 23, 2018 by Lynn

Smoke obscures our view.

For the last several weeks here in Alberta, we have been under a thick blanket of smoke that has traveled over the Rockies from over five hundred wild fires burning in our neighbouring province of British Columbia.  The financial toll of fighting those fires continues to grow and there is a state of emergency in B.C. for many communities who are on evacuation alerts.  My prayers have been with all the first responders and those brave firefighters who are on the front lines combatting the raging fires.  I can’t even imagine the terrible conditions those men and women face daily.  To say that I am grateful for their service is a vast understatement!

Here on the Ponderosa, I haven’t seen our beloved mountain view due to smoke for weeks and even though the temperature has been 30 C or better on most days, sitting out on the deck to take advantage of the warmth has been nearly impossible.  The smoke permeates the air, making it difficult to see and breathe during the day and making it impossible to sleep at night.  I can’t seem to rid my home of the constant campfire smell.  Both my husband and I are hacking and coughing and we don’t even suffer as others who might have asthma and the like.  Our air quality here in Calgary and the surrounding area has hit new records of bad.  Again, I can’t imagine how people are handling the conditions on the doorstep of some of these terrible fires.  Someone said that this may be our new “normal” every year.  We cannot seem to stop wildfires from beginning from lightening strikes, but what is distressing is how many fires are started by human carelessness.

I find that the air quality and smoke is very claustrophobic.  I have never felt it this badly before.  The sun is this red ball in the sky, and the blood, red moon rises eerily at night.  Animals at the zoo are being given oxygen to help them breathe.  Children play indoors.  It is an oppressive atmosphere that has many in a foul mood, myself included.

Last week, I got into a conversation with someone who commented that they wondered if this was one of the signs of the Apocalypse.  I laughed at first, but her comments stayed with me for a long time.  I’m not an expert in “end times” events, although I know there are many that are pointing towards world events now and aligning them with prophesies in the Bible.  I know Jesus will return one day and I long for that day, but I don’t know the hour, so I pray I will be found ready and prepared for His return.  Still, I couldn’t help think that there are those who are NOT ready and if they have been struggling with the effects of smoke and fire over the past few weeks, they have no concept of what awaits them if they continue to reject Christ!

I have a wise friend who is praying that these smoky conditions will prompt more people to think about end times.  Perhaps this will spur people to seek the Truth of God’s Word, and the saving knowledge of the Gospel so they will escape the eternal fires of hell.

“As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”  Matthew 13:40-43

In Scripture, fire represents the literal fire of God’s wrath and destruction, to the symbolic imagery of vision, baptism and judgement.  Fire from heaven reigned down upon Sodom and Gomorrah. (Genesis 19:24)  Fire is a refining element. (1 Corinthians 3:13)  Smoke and fire have been indicative of God’s presence.  (Exodus 19:18; Exodus 24:17; Isaiah 6:4)  Fire symbolizes baptism, and the coming of the Holy Spirit. (Luke 3:16; Matthew 3: 11-12; Acts 2:3-4).

God’s Word is powerful.  I am thankful to know that our Sovereign God is in control even in the midst of the fire and smoke!

 

 

 

 

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What Next?

Posted on August 21, 2018 by Lynn

On August 17, I celebrated a “milestone” birthday.  That’s what they’re called when you enter a new decade of life I guess.  20, 30, 40, 50 and now 60!  I’ve noticed that past the age of 60, milestone birthdays are celebrated every five years: 65, 70, 75, 80… and from then on the cards written all seem to be celebrating with great fanfare the fact that you’ve lived another year and Hallmark and the friend who gave you the card is proud and maybe somewhat astonished at this accomplishment.

Am I being facetious?

In July, I spent a memory-filled weekend with five friends from high school.  We call our little group “The Babes of ’58” since it was in that year we all were born.  We decided when we turned fifty that we would all get together for a weekend reunion at some resort spot to celebrate our “milestone” birthdays.  We didn’t want to have to cook or clean, just feel pampered and spoiled.  Our goal was to renew in person our close friendships, to laugh, to reminisce, to share our lives and to drink wine.  Not necessarily in that order.  We had such an amazing time at our first reunion that we decided to continue our get-togethers every five years.  That way we had time to plan and save up for our time away.  Our first gathering together was in Osoyoos, in the Okanagan, at a Villa in the middle of vineyards.  Splendid weather, long walks and fabulous cuisine was a perfect retreat for us all.  The next reunion was in Fairmont, B.C. at the hot springs resort there, and this last reunion was in Sooke, B.C., in the small town where we had grown up and gone to school together.  We rented a townhouse for the weekend, close to eateries and toured down old roads re-visiting old stomping grounds and recapturing childhood memories.

We each live very full lives with our families, jobs and hobbies that govern our time.  To escape for a few nights away is a welcome distraction even though we spend most of our first night’s conversation talking about our families and hobbies.  Sharing our lives, even though we can do so over social media, is not as satisfying as when we are face to face and we can see the slight nuances in body language, and enjoy the close camaraderie of being with good friends.  Although this year, our hair is a little grayer than it was five years ago, and our step is not as lively as it was the first time we got together, we are sixteen again in our mind’s eye when we relive memories from high school.  The laughs are genuine.  Our friendships are precious.

I am the “baby” of our group, because my birthday falls in August after the other gals have already celebrated their birthdays.  In high school they kidded me a lot about being the least mature of them, the baby, the one that wasn’t old enough to get into their kind of mischief.  I’ve embraced the title now.  It’s nice to be the youngest in the room for a change!

I have spent some time now coming to terms with the fact that I am in my “senior” years.  My husband is in full denial of the fact that he a senior.  He still enjoys besting the twenty year olds in weightlifting at the gym he attends.  He might lift more weight, but he feels it more the next day too!  We can’t deny that our bodies don’t behave the way they used to when we were young – er.  Me?  I acknowledge that although the mind may be willing, the body is weak.  I discovered this summer that paddle-boarding may look easy, but falling off of one at my age hurts a bit more!  My cracked ribs will attest to that!  Still, I don’t want to just stop trying and doing new things because I am a “senior”.  I want to continue to  experience new things, see new sights, and set new goals for the future.

I am not a fan of the term “bucket list”.  I think I’ve said that before.  I don’t want to have a long list of things I must do or see before I “kick the bucket”, because that implies if I don’t do everything on the list I’ve failed at life.  That’s dumb.  I have places I would like to see, but I have discovered that God directs my path.  I will gladly go where He takes me, near or far.  I’m content.

That said, when God puts a new adventure in front of me, I can’t negate it just because I’m “senior”.  I’m not ready to retire.  I wonder what I will be able to share with my “Babes” at our next reunion in five years.  I’m praying it will not be predominantly my complaining  about aches and pains and lamenting over teen years gone by, but instead I hope I will be able to share about my new adventures, new experiences and the rich insights about life I did not know before.  A lot can happen in five years.  God’s calling still challenges me and directs me in new and fresh ways.  I look expectantly to the future and wonder, “What next?”

 

 

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Unplugged

Posted on August 7, 2018 by Lynn

It seems like forever since I sat down and blogged but that is an over-exaggeration.  It was a purposeful absence for me as I went on a bit of a media fast this summer and re-evaluated some of my goals in writing and using social media in general.  Going on a long vacation, away from WiFi and the inability to connect online was just the break I needed to appreciate the value of unplugging more often.  Instead, connecting with my husband and family re-energized me as we gathered at the lake and spent great quality time together.  Face-face conversations rather than the daily quick texts and playful emojis made me once again remember to cherish the interpersonal connections I have in my life.  I laughed at my grandchildren’s antics as they splashed in the lake, chased bubbles, or climbed trees.  I could tell that they too benefitted from a break from their usual screen-time overload.  Although this was the first vacation that I did not curl up with a book for long periods of time, the family activity around me kept me thoroughly entertained.

Although unplugged from electronics and the internet, I was thoroughly connected to God.  In fact, I spent quality time building my relationship with Him and spending time with Him.  I waste so much time online scrolling through posts that have no eternal value but always seem to rile me up.  Being unplugged from news reports and political upheaval, and opinionated gossip that permeates Twitter and Facebook for the most part, allowed me to instead find peace that is only found in the Word of God.  It was such a welcome rest from the discouragement that always assaults me on social media platforms.

It also made me very much aware that when I am online, I need to be a voice of encouragement rather than allow myself to get caught up again in the controversies, and conversations that pit people against one another.  Journey Thoughts is all about joining God on this incredible journey of LIFE.  Life is found in Him alone.  I needed this break this summer to be reminded once again that writing this blog is to encourage believers and point others to Jesus Christ.  I may have my opinions about social issues and political actions that affect me, but I need to stay focused on my main purpose in blogging.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by all the “bad” news, and the divisiveness of opinions that permeate the media these days?  Are you feeling weighted down, and overwhelmed by life circumstances?

Here are some practical ways to connect to God:

  1. Unplug.  Purposefully fast from social media, television, and electronic games, computer etc.  Try it for one day.  For those who must use a computer in the work place, consider fasting from Instagram, or Twitter or Facebook for an extended period of time.  Replace the time spent online connecting with God.
  2. Read your Bible.  On Journey Thoughts I’ve compiled topical lists of Scripture.  These verses can be used as a starting point if you have trouble following a Bible reading plan, but ensure that you don’t just read snippets of Scripture without reading them in context.  Start with these familiar passages: https://lynndove.com/2014/01/08/25-encouraging-scripture-verses-for-every-day/
  3. Pray.  Praying is talking with God.  God already knows what you want to talk about, did you know that?  He wants the conversation.  Don’t do all the talking.  Listen.
  4. Connect with others.  God speaks through those He brings across our path.  Some relationships challenge us in our faith either by being contrary and difficult, or to mentor and encourage us.  In either case, God loves each and every person and we need to see them through God’s eyes.
  5. When you are online, focus on the positive not the negative.  A good rule I follow is, “if you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say it”.  God wants us to build up the Body of Christ and share the Good News of Jesus Christ with the world.  I have created two great Facebook pages, Encouraging Bible Verses and Quotes and Word Salt that share daily encouragement.  Feel free to follow and share!

 

 

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