So very thankful for the plow man today!
Beautiful, warm, but a better day to stay home by the fire.
Somedays the choice is not ours, when we are in service to others.
It’s a “Jesus Take The Wheel” kinda day!
All articles filed in faith
What did you say? Did you really just say that?
Have you ever stopped and considered what you are telling yourself? Have you heard the digs, the negativity that you feed on daily. “I can’t…” “I am not good enough…” “It will never…”
When will you start taking captive the cruel words you speak over your life? When will you claim the power to transform your life? When will you start telling yourself the way it really is?
This morning I was listening to a John Piper sermon (part of the current course I am studying) it was on the subject of spiritual depression but I feel it has much farther reach then just our soul.
This quote from Lloyd-Jones resounded with my heart. Note(I quoted the entirety of the section of the sermon to show the context but believe in the application to all areas of life. Health, finance, jobs, relationships, etc)
‘ “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” Oh how crucial this is in the fight of faith. We must learn to preach the truth to ourselves. Listen to Lloyd-Jones take hold of this verse:
Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself? Take those thoughts that come to you the moment you wake up in the morning. You have not originated them but they are talking to you, they bring back the problems of yesterday, etc. Somebody is talking. Who is talking to you? Your self is talking to you. Now this man’s treatment [in Psalm 42] was this: instead of allowing this self to talk to him, he starts talking to himself. “Why art thou cast down, O my soul?” he asks. His soul had been depressing him, crushing him. So he stands up and says: “Self, listen for moment, I will speak to you.” (Spiritual Depression, 20–21)
On this side of the cross, we know the greatest ground for our hope: Jesus Christ crucified for our sins and triumphant over death. So the main thing we must learn is to preach the gospel to ourselves:
Listen, self: If God is for you, who can be against you? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for you, how will he not also with him graciously give you all things? Who shall bring any charge against you as God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died — more than that, who was raised — who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for you. Who shall separate you from the love of Christ? (Romans 8:31–35 paraphrased)
Learn to preach the gospel to yourself. If this psalmist were living after Christ, that is what he would have done.’
https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/spiritual-depression-in-the-psalms
Try it today. STOP LISTENING to the random negative banter of your mind, SET YOURSELF STRAIGHT. “Self you can do whatever you set your mind to GET UP & TRY” ” Self you only think you are tired but if you FINISH you will feel so much better you will BE GLAD you did.” “Self things are sad, and bad, and hard, but you are surrounded by a great spirit of LOVE and although you do not understand you will TRUST.” “Self THAT CHOICE is not healthy and good only temporary and will leave you disappointed in your self.” “Self a treat is ok, ENJOY it, but make sure it is only a treat not a LIFE CHOICE.”
“Be quite self, today is going to be good, and productive, and full of life!“
2023 My eyes shall seek Your glory!
This is what the Lord said, He who made a path through the sea, through the mighty waters. “Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth. Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. The beasts of the field will glorify Me, because I supply their needs as I supply Your needs, My people will declare My praise.
Based on Isaiah 43:16,18-21 NASB
Magic of March
I may have said it before but I don’t like to wish my life away. With the risk of sounding like I am, I am glad February over. February seemed unusually hard this year. Maybe it was the cold that had me huddled hiding in my home. Or maybe it was just a season of spiritual stretching and growth. It felt like death and mourning too many days. So glad to lay February to rest.
Here we are at March now. March the month to dream of warming days. Spring melt. Garden plans. Walks to come. Playing in puddles and mud. (Hopeful. Canada in March could just be more winter.)
Dreams of setting up my outside prayer spot. Surrounded by blooms and food.
Dreams of hikes in the park, camping and fishing. Picking dates for a big excursion.
Time to launch my dream journal. A colourful book to set goals, make plans, reflect, create. (My current journal is almost full.) I need a place of encouragement for myself. (Been beating myself up a bit too much lately.) My creativity needs a place to pour out.
March a month of gardening videos and vlogs. Books and lessons. Renewed interest in learning composting and canning, pest control, and supplementing. Pruning and building.
The magic of March, to me, a month of dreams, of plans, of hope. And the weather begins to warm, the days are noticeably longer. Back into the light. March
Back on track
Confusion, chaos, darkness, fear spiral around like monsters. They cry, “Look at me! Look at me!”
When the distraction doesn’t work, their claws grip into the chest, trying to steal the Life Breath.
Held down, distracted, lungs squeezed, body wracked with pain and disbelief. Hopelessness grabs towards the truth and light. It tries to snuff out glory with lies.
Set back, retreat, hide, curl up, wait to die.
Darkness cannot hide from light. The light pushes back the darkness through the night. It guards protects, provides needed rest. Light bides it’s time and sooths, caress.
He waited for the cry to come. To speak truth. Lift up. Tell me to carry on.
One foot He placed back on the path. Said rise child, trust, listen for My will.
Stand reborn on trembling legs, I will guard and wait for strength to gain.
Today just stand upon the path, absorb the light, the warmth, the mercy, the grace.
Just be still and wait.
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1 Kings 19
Oppressive Air
Lord have mercy on us!
The very air I breathe feels like a heavy weight.
The world around me, and what I had believed about the good in people has started to disintegrate.
It’s hard to breathe or move or pray.
And the weight just gets heavier every day.
There are friendships breaking before my eyes.
Bombs are falling in foreign skies.
Hearts are crushed, most feel the weight.
Please send Your angels before it is too late.
Here my prayers Lord! We need Your peace! Restore, renew, rebuild, complete!
Send Your help Lord here today. Send it to this world I pray. Remember You love it enough to send Your Son, who bled and died for everyone.
Please stop the hate, the separation, the bombs. Show Your Glory to everyone.
In Jesus Name, You are the God who sees, You are the Creator, You are the Father, and I a small human love You.
Cold but beautiful
The day after the first big snow storm of the winter. It is very cold, but beautifully bright.
I had to drop my van at the neighbour’s to get some work done on it. I took the chance to get my exercise on the way home.
It is only about a kilometer but in the open areas the wind was bitter on my face, and my blue jeans offered little protection from the freezing temperatures.
I paused to capture some interesting shadows, and shapes that intriqued me, no conscious reason why.
Home by the fire, sipping hot tea. Happy to have filled my lungs with the clean crisp air, happier to absorb the heat back into my bones. Life is good!
Preparing for Christmas
Well now that my son’s birthday is over, I can get down to the business of Christmasing. I can’t get over the fact that my baby boy turned 16 this year. Time goes by too quickly.
Christmas has always been a magical time for me. I love the lights, the trees, the presents, the people, the food and yes even Santa Claus.
The production of such an event takes time and effort. The decorating, the shopping, the preparing, the ribbons and bows. To be honest as fun as it is on Christmas morning, the stress of getting it all right has been a bit much to handle at times. If I am completely honest it still is to an extent.
So today, now that Fred has had a happy birthday, I turn my heart to preparing Christmas. Making my list, checking it twice, hoping to find the gift that’s just right.
I love gifting, I love hospitality. I love preparing Christmas breakfast, an old family tradition. I love the love.
The Love of course is the main focus. The road to the cross, the lowly manger where my savior was born, the revelation that my heavenly Father cares and wants a personal relationship with me, His brutal death in my place on a cross, and His resurrection and promise that He will go ahead to prepare a place for me in heaven.
The Love ❤, the heart of Christmas. How easy it is for it to get swallowed up in the hustle and bustle, the processing of ribbons and bows. Consumed by the crowds and the loud and rush and the stress and the mess.
Today I prepare for Christmas. Making my list. Checking it twice. But one more thing, checking my heart, have I been naughty or nice.
Today I prepare for Christmas, search my heart Lord, turn it fully back to you. Prepare us for the greatest gift us humans ever knew.
May the still peace of Christmas be with you as we prepare this week.
The Lies We Speak
Why do we call things differently then they are?
When did it become the “norm” to say we are fine, when we are not?
Where is our world going to end up, when we cry out “peace, peace” and there is no peace?
Who’s voice are we listening to?
How did we get to a place where we see one thing with our eyes and call it by another name, and it is accepted and applauded?
What will be our end, if we keep on speaking lies?
And Jesus cried out saying, “FATHER FORGIVE THEM, THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING!”
And my heart cries out, “Father forgive us, we no longer know what we are doing!”
Considering gifts for Christmas, why not more of the gifts of the Spirit!
How about it Holy Heavenly Father; could I please have a sleigh full of wisdom?
Thanks for that!
Would it be too much to ask for some knowledge and understanding with that?
Thanks so much.
A little refill of faith sure would be appreciated.
Your generosity amazes me Lord.
I know a few that need healing and miracles Lord, how about the faith to have Your power flow out, to touch and proclaim Your beautiful name.
Thanks Father for listening to me.
Oh yes, I would certainly benefit from some more discernment to tell the spirits apart. That surely would help keep me safer Lord, not to be lead astray.
Now that I think of it Lord, if it’s not tiring to you to hear me, I really need the gift to be able to explain to others in a way they understand. What if sometime you send someone to me Lord from a foreign land?
Praise the Lord, and thank you so!
Prophesy Lord, to be in line with you. A rather scary gift I think, but maybe it should be on my list to.
To be a Cryer on the wall, to turn hearts back to you. I cannot think of a greater gift then to see the world repent and turn to You.
Peace and Love sure would be a pretty wrap, woven through it all and overflowing to the rest.
I know this list is long, and sleighs full is a lot to ask, but I know Father you have great wealth if your people would just ask.
“Give thanks to the Lord! It is right to give Him thanks and praise!”
Beautiful Remade 