Easter 2020

this is definitely a surreal Easter … but GOD remains the same yesterday today and tomorrow … Jesus is the Way - the old testament prophesied about Him - the new testament told His story … and John 3:16 became "the verse" for all believers … so regardless of the calamities we are being hit with, the empty tomb of Easter Sunday still brings hope to those who have believed in Jesus … I place my trust in HIM.  I hope you have as well ...

Anxious times ...

our faith is getting exercised during this time of anxiety … this "pause" in our world … let's keep looking to the Author and Finisher of our faith … who for the joy set before Him, went to the cross on our behalf, so that we can live free of fear in this world - and then enjoy the next one to come … Jesus the One and Only … 

I will never leave you ...

as I opened my scripture reading this morning, this loving reminder written in Hebrews 13,  just warmed my heart … God told us that HE would never leave or forsake us … a promise for the believer … we aren't in this on our own … the Creator of the universe has promised to be with us … 

Psalm 91

in times like these, we need to remember Who's child we are … if you are In Jesus - then God's got your back … Psalm 91 is something to read for reassurance … and oh yes, wash your hands … 

when God says no ....

15 years ago, we prayed and prayed for a bungalow condo … and the one we first put a bid on, seemed perfect … but then it fell through … I was so devastated, i couldn’t understand why GOD wouldn’t give us this “perfect” home  … 


Today, as I enjoy yet another beautifully distracting sunrise, from my front row seat - that even a dirty winter window can’t hide – I know why GOD said no to the first condo … rather than facing other homes – we now have a river view bungalow condo with the sunrise to greet me when I open the venetians … 


every morning I am reminded to be patient and wait … because my Heavenly Father  delights to give us our hearts desire … and what HE gives, is always BETTER than what we could even imagine …  

Meaning to life

a full moon in middle Canada … 

and the fullness of life Jesus brings … 

God's faithfulness ... thank you LORD.

this is a longer chitchat … but I wanted to share this story of God's faithfulness to us … my hubby Leo does not get out much … he is a stay at home guy 'cause he basically does not feel well - ever … always in pain - I mean ALWAYS … but - he has decided to try as much as physically possible - to do some things with me …

our latest was a Friday/Saturday adventure … we received an invite to an RZIM breakfast (see rzim.ca) … normally we would just read it and file it … but this time leo and I both  thought that it would be great to go (Abdu Murray was the breakfast speaker) … we decided to book a room at the hotel the breakfast was held at … I called (2 weeks prior to the meeting) and there was just 1 room available … yay - just for us we thought … thank you Lord!

we left around 1 p.m. of the Friday - and though the weather was very cold, the highways were perfect for a drive!   it took us 90 minutes to get there - and it was easy peasy to find the hotel (another thank you Lord!) …

our room was really nice and spacious (thank you Lord!), with the pool only steps away (I did think about a swim, even brought my bathing suit, but I wimped out) … we ordered pizza for supper (Hawaiian) - we got 50% off and it was delivered piping hot to our room … it was yummy … thank you Lord!

later that evening, old friends came to visit us and they even brought dessert … thank you Lord!

we slept well that night … thank you Lord!

we leisurely got ready for the breakfast meeting scheduled for 7:30 a.m. - it was just down the hall from our room … it takes leo much longer to get ready these days, so the ease of getting to the meeting salon was a HUGE blessing - thank you Lord!

there were about 50 people for breakfast, and I had to chuckle when a middle aged guy with a pony tail (leo has a pony tail too) asked to sit with us … it was the pony tail table!  we were joined by another fellow (who took notes all through the meeting) … leo was able to do his usual sit/squat/squirm without bothering others since we also chose the table closest to the exit … thank you Lord ...

the meeting was most excellent … we got to chat with all 3 speakers personally (small venue) … and the peace that passes all understanding was there … Jesus was spoken of freely, stories were shared … our hearts were touched … 90 minutes flew by (Abdu had to go speak at another venue for 10:00 a.m. … busy guy) … someone said, please gather to pray for the RZIM team - we did with raised hands, asking for GOD's blessing on them … thank you LORD.

then as leo and I were starting to head back to our room, the 2 gentlemen that had sat with us (they didn't know each other prior), BOTH asked if they could pray for leo - we were touched - they both put their hands on leo's back and with such compassion and sincerity, prayed for a man they had just met … though we felt like family now, thank you LORD! … it was a teary moment.

after resting in our room for another hour - leo felt strong enough to make it to the car (his seat was pushed all the way back, reclined with the heaters on to help his back) …  90 minutes later, we were home … (on GREAT roads) … we ARE so thankful … GOD has been so very good to us … we take pleasure in these simple things, that at one time we may have taken for granted …

I just wanted to share this … and to let you know that - GOD is GOOD and we are THANKFUL …

grace ... the sweetest word ...

Gods grace is always enough.

Quote by J Danson Smith, found in "Streams in the Desert."

God's Unfailing Help

just at the end of a flu/cold ... now that's a good way to get a body to stop and just be!  thankful for the quiet of the day and the lack of hurry for the week ... 

time to Pause ...

I hurry around a lot … sometimes I seem to spin my wheels needlessly!  BUT, when I stop and pray … stop and just "be" with Jesus … life is MORE enjoyable … and less stressful … 

the life we live ...

my prayer for 2020 … I don't want to be religious … I want to be a follower of Jesus … to live, breath and be a child of God ...

the year of prayer ...

we have an awesome GOD ... who listens and acts on our behalf ... let this be the year we spend more time with HIM, so that when we pray - we unleash the Power of the Holy Spirit.

in the will of God ... our faith journey

our journey of faith has hills, valleys and obstacles too ... 
keep going pilgrim ... the destination will be worth it.

JOY!

the JOY of the Season is what I am experiencing today.  For the "joy set before Him" … Jesus came … and if remembering His birth gives everyone joy, kindness and such peace - what will eternity with HIM be like? … happy thought … 

Joyous Christmas greetings ... HE came!

Jesus is the light … the most joyous place to be, is in HIM … 

be gracious ...

heard this little nugget during a sermon … sharing … 

some things take time

the quote is from my devotional … so appropriate for our day and age where everything has to be instant … some things just aren't and never will be … they just take time … 

the goodness of God

the picture taken after a rain/wind storm … I was walking across a footbridge and the stuck on leaves caught my eye … and Psalms are ALWAYS full of note worthy sayings … relatable, even after thousands of years … God uses the everyday to get my attention … 

repost ... answered prayer ...

this was a post I wrote after we were able to find a condo in the tight real estate market in our small community … we had been praying for a year … this post is 13 years old yet the praise for answered prayer is still on our lips!  GOD is good!

photo by sisko

the sale of our cottage, finding the rental and now, finally, the much prayed for condo - all these moments i have shared with you ...

tonight is the last sleep before we get the keys to answered prayer - imagine!

if you have the time, take a journey with me into my archives ... to see how the Lord directed our path to arrive where we are today ...

the cottage we had lived in for 14 years, sold dec 2, 2005 ... we felt so strongly that God was in it ... click here

next came the realization we didn't have anywhere to move! click here

then the Lord gave me verses to cling to, through a scary time click here that started the long list of "no" answers to places we wanted to buy click here

even finding a rental seemed to be extremely difficult click here, though God was up for the task! click here

my anxieties continued, until i had to "fire" the hardworking saija, and let God deal with everything ... click here

after much searching and prayer ... God just "dropped" the condo into our laps! click here

He HAS given me the desire of my heart ... but in the end - it is only God - not possessions or people or places ... that IS the DESIRE of my HEART...

to HIM be the Glory ... now and forever more ...

yup yup ... only one more sleep ... *grin*

"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
My soul shall be joyful in my God ..."
Isaiah 61:10a

Psalms gives comfort

this was a sunset in Ontario, Canada … a year ago … God colours the sky, using it as His canvas … I have been reading Psalms/Proverbs daily for the past 3 months - and I see God's hand on the written page as well … God gives comfort to His children, in so many ways … be blessed.

we always need God's help

I wouldn't last a day in the earthly wilderness of confusion, without Jesus.

who's plan are you following?

isn't that the truth … 

thankful ...

we had our thanksgiving weekend here in Canada … feeling blessed … it was quiet, just leo and me - but so nice ... 

Jesus words ... the red letters from Mark 5

  Jesus gave Comfort, still gives comfort, and is our Comfort. ♡

God says, "Ask Me."

the One who made it all, invites us into a conversation … a dialogue … and to just ask Him .... WOW!

living word ....

This morning I was looking through a collection of quotes that I had written down from years of tv sermons  …  this one by Charles Price from People's Church, Toronto - really jumped out at me … because it is true … how do we know what GOD wants us to do … how do we KNOW how God wants us to behave … unless we read HIS Word … study His word … then we can apply His word to our lives … things like "take up your cross and follow me. ~ Jesus" … the WORD is alive and life changing … read it - you will see what I mean … 

That's how this poster came to be … 

Be patient, yet be diligent ...

 " … take time to consider the promises of God.  Write them out.  Memorize them.  Ponder them in your heart.  Claim them. Pray them back to the Lord.  Remember what a magnificent God we serve.  And then act on what you know, because time is fleeting.  A new heaven and earth are just around the corner."

~ excerpt from the Jeremiah Study Bible

where have you put your trust?

this delicate woodland flower was given to me by a 3 year old charmer … the verse was from my morning readings … a reminder to myself of the keeping power of my Creator & Saviour … 

in this world we live in, it is a comfort to know - GOD has our back … always.

wide open prairies

I feel the vastness of GOD when driving in the prairies … 

NASA, 50 years ago today

my husband asked me to put his devotional from this morning, in poster format and then share it … the result is below ... it was from an old Billy Graham booklet, which is still very applicable today ... and as always, right to the crux of the matter of eternity and where we will spend it ...

our life is like a vapour ...

the thought of life as a morning fog … or vapour … which vanishes so quickly … has been a reoccurring theme in the past days …

yesterday I was taking in our local farmers' market, when I bumped into old friends I hadn't seen in awhile … we chatted and they shared that they were on their way to a celebration of life … when I found out who it was for, I was floored … I had not heard about his passing … it was sudden, he was in good health and the next moment he was gone.  His wife had found him, dead when she arrived home from work.

the service was close by so I quickly headed that way as well.

it was very well attended, with standing room only … He was a much loved member of our community and had been a fair and compassionate person … as well as my former boss …

the pastor quoted the verse on the poster I just made …reminding  everyone we could be gone in a blink of an eye.  he also gave the way of salvation (which was most welcome to hear, as I did not expect it at this gathering) … I have been praying for so many of the people who were in attendance (my neighbours and friends) … and once again, GOD plainly spoke at this gathering - JESUS is the only Way and we need to choose forgiveness through Him - before our time on earth is done.  He is the Way, the Truth, the Life.

the time on earth was over for my friend, it happened suddenly … the same is true for us ... our next breath is not guaranteed … we need to "make sure" of our eternal destination … "Anyone who calls upon the LORD will be saved" … call on Jesus today.

keep praying ...

listen ...

love is an exotic plant ...

a thought from Charles H Spurgeon … 

you only have today ... make it count for eternity.

God's purpose ... ask HIM to fulfill it in you.

believing that GOD will fulfill HIS purpose in me … and why should HE do that?  because I have asked HIM to … and HE hears our righteous prayers … 

to follow GOD is always a choice ... choose wisely.

have you ever been in situations when you wanted something, someone, a way of life maybe … but you knew it would be a bad bad choice for you?  and you pray, Oh Lord - stop me, somehow stop me … but nothing happens and you continue walking towards a way that will hurt you in the end … those are the times when people get mad at God … like somehow it is His fault for our own poor choices and less than pure desires … …. I have come to believe that those are the times HE has tested us to see IF we really want Him … above all else … above anything and everything … to love Him more than the desires of our hearts/minds  … to make HIM our desire … our choice … our way of life … and if/when we have turned our faces towards the only LIGHT there is in this world - Jesus our Saviour - then GOD will take that "other" desire away … and we will wonder how we could have even compared anything to GOD … how we could have thought to love anything other than Jesus … there is always a choice, choose wisely … 

without GOD, the puzzle does not fit ...

the pieces only fit together when GOD is in the equation ...

fertile fields ...

i don't garden, but i love the end results of those who do! 

Good Friday 2019

faithfulness of GOD and how posters come about.

our generation probably has more "view from an airplane window" pics than any other!  the sun was setting as we approached Phoenix, and looked spectacular ... the next day i had a scary choking experience (thought i was going to die!), and words from the 23 Psalm comforted me ... that's how this poster came to be ...

this picture was a random photo i took while reading the bible ... for whatever reason, i liked the way it looked ... the quote was from a sermon we heard a few weeks back ... i like to think it's GOD that puts pictures and words together, to make posters through me ... hope it blesses those who stop by.

the choice is yours ...

I'm reading the book of Jeremiah at the moment ... the verse i used in the poster is from Jeremiah 6:16, the first part ... the rest of the verse says "and then you will find rest for your souls.  But they said, we will not walk in it."

Sadly, such a typical human response.  God says, "here is the good way." ... we say "not for me!"  in the end, it is always God who is right. and we lose so much by not listening.

Choose this day who you will follow ... but please, choose wisely - your eternity depends on it.

John 3:15-17
¹⁵ that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

and i said to myself, it's a wonderful world ...

our amazing world, created for us by our AMAZING GOD ... thank you Lord ... and soon we will celebrate the greatest gift of all ... JESUS sacrificial death on the cross, to save us from our sins and to present us faultless before Him ... to GOD be the GLORY.

Angels, unseen helpers ...

how many times have we been saved from dangerous situations?  we just don't know ... but i do believe that GOD has sent Angels to watch over His children ... it's just His way and His love for us.

come away with me ...

loved the quote by Blackaby ... pic taken 1st week of March near Fountain Hills, AZ ... oh beautiful desert!

from my morning devotional ... "Unshakeable" ... rings true, doesn't it.

Psalms in the morning

i usually get a glimpse of a beautiful sunrise when i open my drapes ... but lately there have been cloudy skies obstructing my view  ... the Psalms still declare the goodness & faithfulness of God and i have saved pics to post the words on ... life is good ...