merry and bright

A week before Christmas and the house is decorated, gifts wrapped, baking almost done. I am the first one up most days and our Christmas tree lights are on a timer, so when I came to the living room one morning, the only lights on were from the tree. I wanted to capture a picture. Then I turned on the little angel I had posed in my picture and took it again and was amazed at the difference between images!

It only takes a small amount of light to change how you to observe your surroundings. Jesus came into the world as the Light of the world (1 John 1:5, Isaiah 9:2) and we are to reflect Him to those around us (2 Corinthians 3:18, Matthew 5:14-16).

Turning on such a tiny light of our angel ornament affected the way the camera observed its surroundings to the degree seen above, where colours are completely different, was quite a surprise and is a great visual reminder of how our life as a follower of Jesus can to affect our community. Even if our individual little light doesn’t seem like much, if it is Jesus shining through us the effects will be radical.

Christmas is a season when our neighbours are more likely to be open to generosity and kindness, so may what we share be the kind of light that is based in Jesus, His eternal and unconditional love, the true light of the world. As the children’s Sunday School song says, “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine!” This Little Light of Mine

May your season be Merry and Bright!

glory-strength

I don’t want to jinx it but I do feel I’ve found a groove that’s productive and doable again. Getting my Bible read in the mornings, doing some stretches and/or going for a walk, having meals planned out and prepped, and so far maintaining a level of cleanliness that is not stress inducing are all contributing.

The author of Colossians 1:11 prays for the recipients to be strengthened with all God’s glorious power so that they will have all the endurance and patience they need. There are times and seasons where all I’ve asked of God is the patience and endurance to simple “continue on.” By His grace it does seem the relentless slog of surviving is growing into living, while ever striving for the thriving stage. In God’s upside-down kingdom ways, the more I let things go, the more calm and structured they seem.

That same verse from the Message version has a great way of getting the context of that verse into a larger perspective:

[I pray] “asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you’ll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.”

(Colossians 1:9-12 MSG)

Isn’t that just full of beautiful encouragement? A glory-strength that endures and spills over into joy! We can be strong in His strength for participating in everything bright and beautiful within His will!

When hearing these words an older hymn comes to mind (pictured and written out below), a fun little tune that can’t help but bring a smile to my face. I am so very thankful Jesus has drawn me to himself and through the Holy Spirit revealed how much he loves me. The hymn talks of how “I have found…” but my own interpretation has become one of “He has revealed that…” or “He has allowed me to discover…”

May your heart have a tune of praise to our God who provides and loves us more than we can imagine!

“Joy Unspeakable“

1) I have found His grace is all complete;
He supplieth every need.
While I sit and learn at Jesus’ feet,
I am free, yes, free indeed.

Refrain:
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Full of glory, full of glory.
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory;
O the half has never yet been told!

2) I have found the pleasure I once craved;
It is joy and peace within.
What a wondrous blessing! I am saved
From the awful gulf of sin. [Refrain]

3) I have found that hope so bright and clear,
Living in the realm of grace.
O the Savior’s presence is so near;
I can see His smiling face. [Refrain]

4) I have found the joy no tongue can tell,
How its waves of glory roll!
It is like a great o’er flowing well,
Springing up within my soul. [Refrain]

https://hymnary.org/text/i_have_found_his_grace_is_all_complete

the end in sight

New year’s resolutions. I really appreciate new starts. I like being able to organize and plan. The execution of the plans isn’t as exciting for me.

With the dawn of another year I opted to forgo the traditional resolution. Too much of my personality turns these into legalistic endeavours, which if actually accomplished, breeds pride and self-righteousness. Don’t get me wrong, there are many great things one can resolve to do, and even godly goals that are worth pursuing. For myself however, I have come to understand that to avoid the legalism of merely “being more disciplined” in any particular area, I will instead be continually assessing my actions against how / if it gives God glory. Having prayed about this the past few nights and trying it out the past couple days, I do think this will be a paradigm shift worth making.

Rather than having a “what” kind of goal, this year will be more of a “how” season, affecting more of life than what a single resolution might of done for me. All that being said, Hebrews 10:36 has come to my attention a few times this year already, so I will keep it in the forefront as I see life through the new “giving God glory” lens.

“Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.”

Hebrew 10:36

May we continually have the “end in sight” as Rodd Sawatzky wisely reminded us at church this past week.

Blessings to you in 2022!

hidden strength

Hi friends,

I am thankful for your taking a moment to connect and say hello. Are you keeping well? These seasons keep marking the time passing, watching the physical change around us as other areas of life also change. It is a time for being back in our “routine,” meaning that school is in session, most activities related to church are back up and running, extracurricular activities are scheduled and attended. I like that.

There is an area of life that has not returned to routine, okay a few (thanks covid), but a big one has been my work load. I know I am in an industry that tends to have ebbs and flows of business often related to construction cycles. The current extended lull I have been experiencing however, has had me really off my game. Between still working from home (lack of physical community/accountability) and not having deadlines to keep motivated, my rhythm in other areas of life have become less productive as well.

It pains me to admit out loud that I have become less disciplined in areas I never thought I would. Like my daily morning devotionals. That was part of my life for so long, how could I let that slip? Writing out prayers as well, just writing actually, to help process (mostly spiritual) things. A reminder came through email recently with a very convicting note that helped me admit I still, so sadly, still fall into trying to do life in my own strength. When will I ever learn that this has yet to work?!? Allow me to share this devotional with you:

Have you ever read the familiar verse,

Be still and know that I am God. — Psalm 46:10

and wondered: Well, how, then do I manage my chaotic life, my disobedient children, or that project at work that my boss expects me to complete if I want to receive a promotion. Does “cease striving” (as the New American Standard translation reads) mean that I just take a day off, and stop trying to do my best?

How do weary Christ-followers live in the reality of a demanding world? If God desires that I trust Him, and cease striving, what does that really mean?

If you’ve spent any time in the epistles — letters written by disciples in the New Testament — you may have noticed a pattern. In conveying important instructions, exhortations, and reminders to the young churches learning to live out their faith as a community, these letters all began with clear reminders of biblical truth… clear reminders of who God is and who they are in Christ, because of God’s grace.

The reader would’ve already known the gospel, but Paul, for example, who wrote the letter to the Colossians, waited to give instructions on how to do the Christian life until after he realigned the reader with the truth of Christ and redemption.

Why? Why was it so important for him to repeat himself, to restate what should’ve been obvious and already known?

Well, I think because we so easily forget who we belong to, forget who our Father is, forget what He’s done for us. Because we get out of alignment and so easily turn to striving in our own strength in order to face the demands of our everyday lives.

The epistle writers reminded us of all these things because it’s easy to fall back into a pattern of striving for grace rather than striving in grace. You see, without being firmly planted in the truths of God’s redemption and our identity in him, we’d easily wander into trying to succeed in the Christian life by my own means, rather than God’s. When God says for us to “be still and know that [He] is God,” it’s not because He desires for us to do nothing, but because He’s created us to do all things from the overflow of a life that knows God as Rescuer, Redeemer, and Trustworthy King.

So when we read in Colossians 2:6-7:

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

…we know that the “therefore” points back to all that we remember about what God has done for us.

I love imagining Paul as he wrote this letter, pausing after all the glorious truths he’s written — about who we once were as sinners and how the grace of God rescues us — and he gets to this part of the letter and he’s asking himself, “So what? So what do I want my readers to grasp in response to all this good news?”

He chooses the words, “so walk in Him.”

He doesn’t say,

“so, feel good about yourself.”
“so, give yourself a break!”
“so, just relax.”

No, he tells us to actively live and go forth as we believe. He tells believers to strive IN GRACE.

Striving in our own strength is, in essence: straining and anxiously toiling to achieve or secure what we don’t truly trust God to provide.

As a recovering striver myself, I can appreciate the distinction Paul makes here. Striving out of scarcity, fear, self-preservation, and distrust of God’s purposes for your life is not the same as striving from the grace that frees us.

One works frantically to be enough, the other works restfully knowing we’re not enough for the tasks only God can do through us.

What kind of good works are we freed then to do from a place of grace?

Well, Paul’s about to tell them in Colossians 3:12-15:

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Sounds similar to the fruit of the Spirit Paul teaches to the churches in Galatia in Galatians 5:22-24, which says:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

God’s grace through Christ, relieved us of the burden of sin, and our continual striving to perform our way to acceptance in Him.

This newfound freedom that measures us by Christ’s perfect righteousness and not our own merit is the same freedom that we now use to serve others.

We aren’t saved by good works. We are saved to good works in love. We can strive in grace.

In the same way that an apple tree will never bear oranges, even if you were to dangle some from its branches, so it is that a self-striving person — no matter how gifted or kind — will never bear the fruit of genuine good works in Christ if not rooted in grace.

Friend, if you, too, are a recovering self-striver who is discovering how to strive in grace rather than your own strength, hear Jesus’s invitation to me and to you:

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. — John 15:4

Friend, grace replaces striving with abiding. Apart from Jesus, we can do nothing. You can “cease striving” today, because of Christ — because of grace. When we consider all that He’s done to rescue us from sin and brokenness, we don’t dare try and produce through striving; instead, we overflow in praise and thanksgiving… and strive in grace.

(from email devotional by faithgateway.com titled “When Grace Replaces Striving” written by Ruth Chou Simons)

May this piece be a blessing to you as well. May our identity sink in so deeply that we can abide in Jesus and do the good works He has planned for us to do, in His strength.

protection

We were camping this past week in an area of our province that has been experiencing quite a drought. The area is prone to being dry anyway but this season has been notable.

Though it was dry I didn’t expect to have to watch where we were hiking for these beauties!

cactus at Little Bow Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada

It is important to keep your precious resources protected, whether keeping your water your own with spines, or your prayer time with calendar appointments. As summer finishes up, it is more important than ever to re-establish routines that can continue in through fall, identifying what is worth protecting in your life.

Having healthy habits can be a much needed anchor especially for those who experience anxiety with disruptions to expected itineraries. With a new school year approaching that brings new expectations, teachers and classmates, having the rhythm of regular activities return will be a blessing for lessening anxiety. Known / expected bed times, Bible reading time, family meals, and other regular activities are part of our August plans to allow for a strong fall.

What do you do to minimize anxiety during change? How do you protect what is important to you?

May I leave you with some favourite verses as a benediction and prayer of encouragement from Ephesians 3:16-20

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

the summer that was

It is past Labour Day, and the kids are back in school. Looking back over summer, there is a part of me that wants to claim “nothing happened,” as none of the usual adventures were taken. We have never had a summer like this one before – where so many attractions we were planning to do were closed, and “unnecessary travel” was not advised or not even possible. Kids summer camps closed (for the most part) and having to work from home, keeping my kitchen table occupied. I am sad for missing some of the activities we had in mind to try, I am frustrated that there was not much “on our calendar.”

This is just one way to view the past few months however.

We had so much more time together in the evenings especially, as there was less commuting and earlier starts to work days at home. We went to more playgrounds, did more bike rides, and enjoyed our own neighbourhood and yard in ways we might not have if we were “busier.” Board games, colouring, crafts, gardening, dolls, baking, and even family movie nights were plentiful as well.

As school is getting back into swing, on location, and being part time in the office again, it will be interesting to see how this next “season” of the pandemic and cooler weather will affect our family.

Our lives now are still in constant change, and perhaps we are more aware of that than ever. Our changing circumstances reminds us that our gracious Heavenly Father is still steady and unchanging, always our Rock, and is from everlasting to everlasting (James 1:17, 2 Samuel 22:47, 1 Chronicles 29:10-13). Looking back may be good to learn from, but focussing on what is yet to come (Hebrews 12:1-3), the promises made in Scripture we can hold on to (Psalm 145:13, 2 Corinthians 1:20, will be the best guide for how to continue our journey of life, even into the one to come.

I pray that I will cling to Him like never before, trusting in His love for us, and glorifying Him through all of the challenges and joys life brings.

center of your life

I will join the throng of people writing about our “unprecedented circumstances” and “strange times” that we’re currently experiencing. I have done some writing in my journal, trying to make sense of things, but really all that was happening was my recording what I was feeling. There has been a roller coaster of emotions, which I’ve since discovered have been part of my processing grief.

Thankfully I have not lost anyone (yet) to this virus, but there has been quite a bit lost that was previously “normal” and taken for granted. Things like routine, ability to pick up groceries or other wants anytime, visiting family and friends, having a lunch hour all to myself… 🙂

The stages of grief play out differently for differnt folks (typically going through denial, then anger, depression, bargaining and then acceptance) I’ve been learning. After close to three weeks at home now, I’ve finally rounded the corner closer to acceptance. Life will be lived from home and look very different until COVID-19 has moved on. Our school had just a few days of “classes” that were missed before a two week spring break, so much of our time so far has been relaxed and mostly unstructured, kid wise. If you know me at all, you know that routine is something that I really appreciate. I eventually got timing that worked for me to get my hours in for my job, and though this was helpful, it was only one part of the puzzle put back in place.

Tomorrow school starts back up (from home), and with it a schedule I have put together that incorporates us all. Not just timing included, but ensuring we’re getting dressed (in more than sweats!), getting chores done, and time with Jesus (music/prayer/Bible). I’m sure there will be further adjustments needed, but knowing there will be structure in this new normal, with priorities reset on Jesus, the inner peace that has been rather elusive should be more readily accessible, Lord willing.

It’s been revealing to see what we’ve reverted to as our “center” for life. I’d love to say it was all Scirpture reading and prayer, but that’s turned out to be what the mind desires –  (confession time) the flesh has brought comfort front and center. As Pastor Sam talked about in our sermon today from Romans 7:13-25 “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.” (vs 18 ESV) Turning more hymns and praise music on has helped guide my whole self to more fully rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to have Jesus be my center again. (Colossians 3:16-17)

Keeping a focus on the One who really matters, who is in and through and ABOVE all, is really all that matters (even more than schedules!)

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. (Philippians 4:6-7 The Message)

(my new “work station” while working from home)

unique Kingdom work

Making time for what’s important.

Most of us know what we ought to do. Aside from what we’re bombarded with from the world around us (be/look a certain way, own certain things, have gone places, etc.) as a follower of Jesus we have examples of how to live as children of God, citizens of His kingdom. God also made each of us unique and we express our participation in Kingdom work differently, but are all vital to the whole, as it is stated so well in 1 Corinthians 12.

Embracing who God made us to be, how we tick, what excites us, we need allow ourselves to see how who we are and where we’re at fits in with God’s work. You like to garden? Share this passion with neighbours who may not know Jesus. Are you a parent? Connect up with more than just church groups, building relationships which can be a very real way to share the practical love of Jesus with fellow parents and their littles. You like to draw? Or write? How can these gifts and talents be used for His Kingdom? What has he already laid on your heart to be part of?

I’m not a bookworm, nor am I an extrovert. But I’ve allowed myself to grow in the area of leadership within our church library ministry. Since starting high school, I was prompted to leadership positions and have had various roles over the years leading mostly peers. I enjoy learning about better ways to be a leader, and am excited to exercise that muscle again in a relatively safe environment.

In about a month’s time I’ll be taking part in the broadcast version of this year’s Global Leadership Summit, put together by Willow Creek Church. I have participated in this once before and had lots to take away that was applicable to many areas of life including work, parenting, and church ministries.

While I am excited to be growing in my knowledge (and application) of leadership, I also have other areas in spiritual growth that require time and effort. Realizing I need to keep writing out Scripture, to keep my focus and direction in the right place, is a good start. Reorganizing my morning routine to accommodate this redirection is another thing, but is also a healthy thing.

There’s a phrase from a sermon I’ve referenced here before that rings very true. “Discipline is hard. Habits are easy.” Doing what you know needs to happen to keep yourself healthy (in all aspects of life, including spiritually) is part of a disciplined life. Eventually the routine will become habit, exchanging the bad habits for life building/sustaining ones. This is the goal. Kingdom work becoming the norm, not the hard disciplined action.

This is a part of what sanctification is about, bringing His Kingdom here in our own unique God given way.

continuing

Summer is upon us full swing. Routines are either out the door, or different from the traditional school year. There are things that often get bumped with the more lax life of warmer weather. Things like the intentional learning and growing that’s expected and quite frankly, catered to, during the cooler months of the year.

Yesterday’s verse of the day was Psalm 119:7 which reads “As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should!” (NLT)

I was inspired to put this verse into a picture to help me remember two things.

1. I am continually learning God’s regulations / commands / Word
2. being thankful can (should) be expressed in more ways than with words

Understandably, Bible studies mostly take breaks in summer to allow leaders a chance to breath, and accommodate a lower attendance too.  How well do we take up our own initiatives during these seasons? (I’m open to suggestions!) I try to keep up with some various Bible related podcasts, or sermons from other churches, but the fellowship of joint learning is missed.

With what is learned, whether during the school year or otherwise, what do we do with this information? The verse above implores us to live out what we’re learn taking in. The more of God and His ways we are absorbing, the more we should be pouring it out in how we live.

Food for thought to end with: Are we thankful for our access to the Word of God, Scripture? Are we thankful for what we learn from it? I know I need to be more mindful of the the fact I have the Bible at my fingertips, and I pray I’ll be able to live out that thankfulness.

 

Psalm 103

In this season of Lent, a few days in, I’ve enjoyed reading through Psalm 103 with the intention to commit it to memory. My sister invited me to join her in this, and I truly appreciate the offer to grow in this area, and even sweeter with family.

If you are looking for encouragement in Scripture, this is your psalm! Being brought to praise God first and foremost, before all else, is a great reminder for daily life too – praise first, recognize and adore who our wonderful Creator and Saviour is FIRST. I’ve also recently picked up writing out a short prayer in the mornings again (not specifically Lent related). When writing out prayers the acronym ACTS has helped me stay focused which has helped me in communicating with God for years now.

A = adoration. Recognize and reiterate what you know about God.
C = confession. Acknowledge what you need to repent of, forgiveness for.
T = thanksgiving. In all things, for all things, give thanks.
S = supplication. Only now does one bring requests. Your heart’s focus has been centered on correct priorities which affects what it is you’re now asking God about/for.

Join me in having this lovely Psalm top of mind.

(to aid in my memorization of this, I’ve printed the picture above and have it in a plastic sleeve in front of my computer keyboard at work – top of mind! (NLT version))