Believing

My friend Joy is being overwhelmed with present reality. Often times our present reality looks different than the promises that God has spoken over us.

I for one have experienced this a lot. I have been blessed with a handicapped child, and there have been many long seasons where I did not see relief from my situation. Sometimes things actually got dramatically worse.
One time in particular I was driving early in the morning to Kingston hospital, and I was really tired. I had skunks living under my home and spraying into it. We had just gone through a painful downsize in our business and my daughter was just readmitted to the hospital with a very serious bone infection. She had been hospitalized countless times and I thought I just couldn't do it one more time.

On my drive, I asked God to give me something, a song, or something. (He knows that I like songs) I needed something to get me through this because I could not see clearly with my spirit eyes. I only had faith with no feelings, and even that was a tiny flicker.

He gave me a song. And I sang this song over and over and over again until the hospital stay was done. It was a very difficult hospital visit. Nothing changed in external circumstances but this song kept me in a place of peace and believing. It kept me. It also kept the enemy at bay.

Perseverance is a great attribute that only comes through adversity.

Joy I give this song to you. And I will carry you in prayer. Ask Him to give you something to make it through. He will. He likes to be the Saviour.

I believe that Your promises are true
I believe that what You say, You will do
Even though I cannot see Your ways
I know You're there for me
And I believe that Your promises are true.

You promised life to me
You promised peace
You said You would not leave me
And You'll not forsake me
You promised joy with the morning sun
And strength through the night......
And I believe that Your promises are true.


"Against all hope, Abraham believed, and it was accounted to him as righteousness."

Hoofing It On The Hills

Went for a really great hike this morning before coffee group. We were all hoofing it on the hills of Kelowna.

Its hard not to want to thank God when you are surrounded by the beauty of creation!

I did ALOT of huffing and puffing as I was hoofing it up the hills.

I'm sure I'll be sore tonight, but I'll try not to complain............ seeing as I'm on a Reformation! lol!
I'll have to just thank God for the ability to use my muscles and that I finally made it to the top.

It's Teena's Turn!

I just got finished talking with my friend Teena.

Teena! Its your turn to join the blogging world. Not only is it great, but there are awesome sites of other Christian women (see the link on the right side)

Teena, these flowers are for you. I know they are your favorite!
Totally Terrific Tropicals for Teena!!!!

And they reflect your character.

Truely unique, brilliance, and beauty. That's you.
Come on Teena!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good Friday

It's a Good Friday alright!
My bluebird couple are back!

This morning they were busy courting and basking in the warm Kelowna sun.

Because I live in a semi-arid desert region, we never get the rain that is always in the news for greater BC. I am enjoying the sun and watching my perennials grow like mad. The magnolia trees will be popping this weekend.
I love the cool mountain air evenings and warm sunny days.

Funny how I said "my" bluebirds isn't it?
The thing is.... God special ordered these birds for me. He knows I love the color of them, and I really enjoyed watching them last spring and summer. They perch on a huge tree in my neighbors yard that is right in front of my deck and bedroom window. Talk about special treatment! He enjoys lavishing His love upon us in ways that carry great depth, only to us.

God is into special orders. It is very evident to me, through reading the various blogs of my friends, that He is into "special orders"
We are all so uniquely wired, and express His creative heart in such different ways. I love that about God. Thank goodness we are not all alike, what a bore that would be!

Today I celebrate the unique qualities and strengths of my family and friends!

Thank you God that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made" and that Your thoughts are so precious towards us, that they outnumber the grains of sand! No matter where we go, you are always there with us.(Ps.139)

Thank you God, that we each carry a unique fragrance of Jesus.

Thank you that You love to spoil us with Your kindness each day

It's Never Goodbye, Only See You Later

Well, I just got back from visiting all my good friends on the East Coast. The lyrics of that old song "Friends are friends forever" still rings true in my heart. True friendship will last forever. Our relationships are the only thing we get to take with us to heaven. Kinda cool. I feel like I am rich with relationships.
This past Sunday morning, as I was driving to church, I was pondering on how rich I really am. I love people and I love the various expressions of God's character through all my different friends. God reminded me of how rich I am. He reminded me of the famous scripture in 1 Cor. 13. The greatest gift -EVER- OF ALL TIME- that we will will ever experience, is LOVE.
"If I speak witht he tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And If I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing..................................... the greatest of these is LOVE"
Wow! So many of these things, prophecy, knowing all the mysteries of God, faith to move mountains............ these are things that are put high on a pedestal in christian circles (and often in my heart too) however, God reminded me again this week, that the greatest thing in my life is love. I have recieved so much love and have enjoyed relational love with so many. I have only been able to love God, because He first, loved me. Hmmm Lots to think about, and I have a feeling.............more to write about in the coming days.
Lord, help me to cherish the great love you have for me, help me to give it away and to learn how to truly love. Thank You for how you love me through all of my great friends and my most precious family. They are the "greatest" of gifts that will last forever.