Winter Is Coming

Posted on September 21, 2017 by Lynn

I am watching the snow fall here on the Ponderosa, (as we call our Homestead), in Alberta.  It’s not like the white stuff is unexpected.  We usually get a good snowfall, mid to late September, and then the temperatures can sky-rocket for a few more weeks, which always lulls us into thinking that summer is not quite over.  As I watch the flakes fall though, I know this first snowfall may be short-lived but winter is definitely coming.

As most of my friends and family know, I am not a fan of winter.  Some others may cheer at the thought of shooshing down the slopes, having a great affinity for the ski season, I however, do not ski.  I don’t see the appeal of careening down a leg-breaking hill of ice, only to get to the bottom and then take another vertigo challenging ride on a ski lift only to get to the top of the hill and careen down again.  Repeat.

Did I mention, I’m also afraid of heights?

I’m not a fan of winter driving either.  I white-knuckle my way around town, braving the slippery streets and carefree drivers who still think they can drive the same in the winter as they do in the summer.  Nope, not a fun time.

I don’t much like the mind-numbing cold we get here in Southern Alberta either.  I don’t like feeling my nose hairs freeze in my nostrils when I go outside.  I don’t like seeing the thermometer plummet to -20 C, knowing that at some point I need to go grocery shopping.  The choice is go out in the cold or starve.  Sometimes I feel like flipping a coin to decide.

When I brave the cold, I’m bundled up so well only my eyes are showing between the toque on my head and the colourful scarf over my nostril-frozen nose and mouth.  The extra padding of my winter coat may shield me from the blistering cold somewhat, but never seems to be enough to cushion me when I slip on any ice covering the sidewalk.  Tooshie bruises will attest to that fact.

Nope, not a fan of winter – at all!

However, as I watch the snow accumulate on the ground, I am also thankful.  I am thankful I have a warm house, and a warm hearth to take the chill out of the air.  There are many in this world today, who must brave the elements without a roof over their heads.  I have warm clothes to wear and a warm bed to tuck into at night.  Many in this world do not share that luxury.  I have the ability to drive to the store for food, even if it is white-knuckling all the way.  Many will go hungry tonight, even in the city in which I live!

It is sobering to think about all the suffering around the world, and have the audacity to complain about a little bit of snow and cold here.

I am reminded of this scripture: ” Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Being thankful is a choice, even during these long winter months ahead.

 

 

 

 

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No Fear

Posted on September 13, 2017 by Lynn

I’ve never stared down a Grizzly Bear waiting to charge.  I’ve never taken shelter from a Category 5 hurricane.  I’ve never personally experienced a war, or a host of other very fearful events that some people I know have gone through.  I am thankful that so far in my life I have not had to deal with any of those things, but I will admit that there have been many times when I was fearful.

I was terribly afraid when my father had open-heart surgery.  I was only a teenager and I feared for my father’s life.  I was frightened when my youngest child took a deep breath moments after she was born and her lung collapsed.  It was like time stood still until the doctor said she was okay.  I was terrified when I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Not a day went by during treatment that I wasn’t in some way dreading the surgeries and chemo and the possibility of losing the battle with cancer.  To a lesser degree, my kids will attest to the fact that I am a constant worrier for their safety and well-being.  I don’t rest easy until I’ve heard from them, especially when they’ve been traveling any distance, even if it is just ten minutes across town.  I tell them, “Mama worries.”  They roll their eyes and say, “No kidding!”

One of the scariest moments of my life was just before I said, “Yes!” to Jesus.  That may sound strange, but I’m being honest.  I knew I needed Him, but I also knew I was totally unworthy of the Love only He could offer to me.  I had done it my way for so long and I had come to realize that it was getting me nowhere.  I was lost and I needed a Saviour!

I felt like I was getting ready to plunge off a cliff into some mysterious unknown if I didn’t do something drastic and I was absolutely terrified.  I wasn’t sure I wanted to let go of my life even if it was destructive.  I’d been wallowing in the mud so long, I was now pretty comfortable there.  My then boyfriend, Charles, (who would later became my husband), had shared the Gospel with me but I still wasn’t ready to make a commitment.  I also thought I should get myself together first before I started following God because I was convinced He wouldn’t have any use for me as I was.  I had done too many things to be ashamed of.  I just wasn’t good enough for Jesus.  There was this spiritual tug-of-war raging inside of me, an inward battle of wills, mine against the pull of God.  Finally, when I ran out of excuses, I let go of the rope and fell into His Embrace.

Peace.  That was the first thing I felt when I said, “Yes!” to Christ.  I knew Jesus would not love me more or less than He did right then.  I would never be able to work hard enough, or do enough to have Him love me more.  He had completely forgiven me of my past, the Holy Spirit would be my constant companion in my present, and my eternal salvation was secure for my future.  Repenting of my sin, accepting Jesus as God’s only Son, and believing that He died on the Cross and rose again three days later, freed me to live my life without condemnation.  I was, and still am, forgiven.

I am also human.  Fear and worry are very hard to let go of.  When I feel those emotions bubble up inside me, I seek refuge in the comfort of Scripture.  Circumstances in life, like battling cancer, or being in the middle of a raging storm may be scary, but I know God is in control.  No matter what life throws at me, I need not be defeated by fear.  I can rise above it as long as my focus is on Jesus and not on my circumstances.

I’ve compiled a list of 50 Encouraging Scripture Verses to Combat Fear.  If you are experiencing fear and worry in your life right now, draw near to the One Who can calm any storm you might face.  You are not alone.  Accept the Amazing Grace He offers to you.  Remember, Jesus will not love you more or less than He does right now.  He loves you exactly as you are, and exactly where you are.  The exciting thing is, He will not leave you as He first found you!  He has a plan and purpose for your life!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!  All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”  2 Corinthians 5:17-21

(If you have never said “Yes” to Jesus, read: The Gospel Message – Get it?  Got it?  Good?)  ❤

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Signs of the Apocalypse?

Posted on September 8, 2017 by Lynn

Mexico was struck with a massive 8.1 earthquake this morning.  As I read the report, I also read the comments that readers were posting about it and the other meteorological events around the world.  It is obvious that many believe that we are witnessing sure signs of the Apocalypse, and the return of Christ in the very near future.  Some believe the hurricanes, and fires burning out of control in Canada, and all the other natural disasters this past year are due to climate change.  Even a Hollywood actress, Jennifer Lawrence said that the hurricanes are Mother Nature’s “wrath” for Trump’s presidential victory.  Wow.  I know President Trump gets blamed for just about everything nowadays but this borders on the absurd.

I honestly do not understand what is going on in our world today.  I’m sure many of you feel as I do.  It’s like the world is spinning off-kilter on its axis.  Threat of nuclear war, racial violence, moral upheaval, and now catastrophic weather…it’s got to add up to something doesn’t it?  Apparently someone has even written that the world will end on September 23rd because all the heavenly signs from the total eclipse of the sun last month to a special aligning of planets and a secret code found on pyramids in Egypt claim that a meteor will collide with Earth on that day with apocalyptic results.  Well, just like the last time someone prophesied the world would end on a specific day, I plan on doing my laundry.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m convinced that many of these happenings in the world today may be God’s way of getting our attention.  Scripture tells us that He can use nature for His own purposes.  He could certainly use these signs and wonders to get people to think about their own mortality and to ponder on eternal things.  I know I have been more prayerful, brought to my knees by world events.  I have an urgency to share my faith more openly, and pray even more fervently for my friends, family and neighbours who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus.  I do not have a fear of death, my worry is that my loved ones will be “left behind” and never experience eternal life with Jesus that is promised to all believers.  That’s my hope.  That’s my future.

In the meantime, I watch like millions of others and ask what can I do?  I don’t understand what’s going on in our world today, but I can prepare myself for any eventuality.  I pray for those who are persecuted (Hebrews 13:3), who are in harm’s way, who do not have a voice to speak up for themselves.  I pray for the lost (John 14:6), and for the widows and orphans (1 Timothy 5:3-16).  I pray for peace that surpasses understanding to fall like a healing balm on all peoples who live in fear (Philippians 4:7).  I pray for those who are ill, who are suffering and are scarred by inner and outer wounds inflicted on them by trauma in their past and present (James 5:14).  I pray that God will intervene in all their lives and heal them, and protect them (Isaiah 63:7-9).  I pray people will have the scales removed from their eyes so they can see Jesus (Isaiah 35:5).  I pray for revival (2 Chronicles 7:14).  In the midst of all this upset in the world today, I pray…

…and until I see Jesus face to face, I carry on with my life knowing that God is in control.

Psalm 46 

1 God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.[c]

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

8 Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields[d] with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

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