heavy hearts can be lifted ...

as i read today's headlines ... i thought they sounded remarkably like something out of the bible ... the end times part of the bible, that is ... my heart is at peace because Jesus owns it!  then i thought about the bible saying "men's hearts will be failing them for fear" ... not everyone has the same assurance as a Jesus follower ...  these familiar words came to me - familiar to me, but maybe not to everyone ... a reminder that ANYONE can come to Jesus ... ANYONE ... repent and believe in Him, before it is too late ... heed the signs ... BELIEVE in the ONE who died and rose again ... Jesus ... the One and Only ... 

 https://peacewithgod.net/  

be prepared ...

i'm so glad that we have eternity to look forward to ... we are a prepared people, for a prepared place ... i get so impressed with the sunrises that meet my eyes in the morning (this being one of them, pic taken this summer) ... and the God who created the sunrise, has also created a home for those in Jesus ... how absolutely cool is that?!!!!  David Jeremiah said that "the days of surface faith and cowardly christianity are soon coming to an end."  yet, even if there will be bumps  in the road, the destination will have us forgetting the hardships - and rejoicing in the realities of heaven ... be blessed ...

be strong ... let not your heart be discouraged ...

we all have weeks that can be trying ... i'm a caregiver ... my husband is the one who deals with chronic pain ... and at times we both get tired ... on those days i need a word ...  i mean A WORD from Him who's Words are bread to the starving soul ... encouragement to the downcast ... a lifeline to the drowning man  ...

the Word that i got was from Ephesians 6:12 ...
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

i was reminded once again, that life here on earth is temporary and fleeting! ... if JESUS is our Saviour, then we are struggling with His enemy and ours, satan ... who loves to see the children of the Most High God discouraged ... but Jesus has already defeated this foe, Victory IS ours in HIM who redeemed us for Himself ... we just need to remain vigilant against attacks that are baseless and keep our spirits resting in GOD ...

yesterday morning, out of the blue, i quoted Ephesians 6:12 to leo as i was giving him his meds ... and this morning, Ephesians 6:12 was quoted in my devotional "daily light" ... coincidence?  nope - since there are no coincidences with God ... i think He gives a heads up on what really goes on during those extra tough days we may experience  ... 

may you find a Word of encouragement for your day ... i  know God has prepared one for you ... 

that little blue dot

see the little blue dot in the lower right hand corner?  compare it to the sun ...  that's where we live!!!!  this NASA graphic really captures the smallness of earth, compared to almost anything else out there !!! 

it reminds me of the Psalm that says:

When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

i pray that you rest easy in the knowledge that God is way way bigger than any problem you may face today ...

sunday morning ....

i was just visiting some of my blog buds ... it's been a while ... again!  and as always, you cheered my heart (though i didn't leave any comments) ... and i am so grateful for each of you ...

i've blogged in my head - but i haven't gotten anything down on "paper" ... so i thought i would leave a note this morning ... i just wanted you to know that i am fine ... going through a time of quietness and possibly residing in a "winter season"  - though it is definitely spring time in our world ...

blessings on this day that the Lord has made ...

outside my window

portion from my morning devotional:

"If you are going through a time of isolation, seemingly all alone, read John 17.  It will explain exactly why you are where you are - because Jesus has prayed that you "may be one" with the Father as He is. ... God is not concerned about our plans; He doesn't ask, "Do you want to go through this loss of a loved one, this difficulty, or this defeat?"  No, He allows these things for His own purpose.  The things we are going through are either making us sweeter, better, and nobler men and women, or they are making us more critical and fault-finding, and more insistent on our own way."  My Utmost for His Highest ~ Oswald Chambers

on that first good friday ...

there were three crosses ... one held the sinless Lamb of God and the other two held convicted criminals ... sinners ... commandment breakers ... just like me ... just like you ...


their lives will be over in a matter of hours ... there were no more life choices left, except one  ...  it is a free will choice ... yes to Jesus ... or ... no to Him ...


it is so clearly illustrated by the crosses ... two thieves, in the same physical agony as Jesus - except that Jesus was the sacrificial Lamb ... hanging there, dieing for them ... dieing for us ... for our sins ... 

we know the story ... one ridiculed Jesus and said NO - who are you anyway?! ... the other said YES ... "remember me Lord, when you come into your kingdom" ...


choices ... our choice ...


for the two condemned prisoners, there was no room for further negotiation ... no sitting on the fence, no waiting until retirement ... it came down to a simple yes or no that MUST be made ...  the time was at hand ... and for us all - it is at hand too ... tomorrow is never guaranteed ...


what answer we give to Jesus, is where we will be spending eternity ...


with Jesus ... or separated from God ... forever ...


 on that first good Friday ... there were 3 crosses ...

"Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel ...  let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.  This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.  Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”  Acts 4: 8-12

happy new year ...

aren't these lovely?  a present from one of my young cousins ... one of those things that makes me smile ... i love flowers ...


the last days of 2010 ... and the beginning of 2011 ... have been very very nice ... we've had company every other day ... family/friends ... all folks who brightened our home with their visits ... *huge smile* ...


i'm not in the blogging mode, as i type this ... but i just wanted to post something 'cause my blog buds are friends (after so many years!) and i don't want to lose touch with you guys ... plus i noticed that i had only posted 48 times last year ... not much, eh? ...   i will try not to fade into the night of cyber space ...  poetic eh?  *grin* ...

my lack of posting seems to say i don't have anything to share about my life and my Lord - but i do ... His mercies are new every morning and He encourages me to lean on Him ... which i've been doing ... i think i have just been distracted in the past while, lost in thought sometimes ... and i'm sure that maria's death in july has played a part in my reflective, quiet spirit ...

yup - there is a season for everything under heaven ... i do pray that 2011 might have a season of pure joy in it ... for us all ... blessings on ya!
 

grace is for everyone ...

leo and i were watching day of discovery this morning ... one of the songs they used was this one:

Some Children See Him

by Wihla Hutson & Alfred S. Burt 1951.

Some children see Him lily white,

the baby Jesus born this night.

Some children see Him lily white,

with tresses soft and fair.

Some children see Him bronzed and brown,

The Lord of heav'n to earth come down.

Some children see Him bronzed and brown,

with dark and heavy hair.

Some children see Him almond-eyed,

this Savior whom we kneel beside.

some children see Him almond-eyed,

with skin of yellow hue.

Some children see Him dark as they,

sweet Mary's Son to whom we pray.

Some children see him dark as they,

and, ah! they love Him, too!

The children in each different place

will see the baby Jesus' face

like theirs, but bright with heavenly grace,

and filled with holy light.

O lay aside each earthly thing

and with thy heart as offering,

come worship now the infant King.

'Tis love that's born tonight!

it just reminded me that Jesus came for everyone ... no one is outside of God's love, or more special than someone else ... we are all sinners ... and can all be saved by grace ... now that is a gift that only the foolish would refuse!

chitchat ....

it is a quiet sunday morning, here in our town ... and also, here at condo central! it seems that i don't get an opportunity to concentrate on posts these days, partly because this open living concept takes away from my solitude and time for writing ... but this morning - my sweetie is still snoozing - so i'm a tap tapping away!  *smile*

what a warm summer it has been!  i am thankful for the swims i've had ... above is the proof - my wet footprints on the dock ... i don't like to swim alone, and all my swim buds have been growing up!  they don't have time to have a sauna and swim in the summer ... sometimes i feel like the only "kid" left!!!  then someone will surprise me with a phone call, saying "we're out here, come over and swim with us!"  ... that makes my day ... *smile*

we celebrated our 36th wedding anniversary last week ... i picked up some chinese food for us and we enjoyed a quiet time at home ... leo wasn't feeling that great (because the humidity was high) but he didn't complain and we thanked the Lord for our many many blessings! ... would you believe that the balloon in the picture was an anniversary gift from maria - some 19 years ago!!!!  it has kept it's shape and we take it out on our anniversary every year ... this year we just thought of her - enjoying heaven's sweetness and waiting for the rest of us to get there too!

a milestone - my sweet mom has just turned 75!!!!  this pic was taken at the end of June ... doesn't she look great for that age???  or any age ... *smile* ... she lives up north now ... about an 8 hour drive from our place ... i know our visits will be few and far between - but i am glad we are able to chat daily through e-mail or on the phone ... makes the distance seem shorter ...

just some moments from my life this past while ... i think all of the family have been dealing with maria's death in different ways ... i've just been quieter - reflecting on life and my own mortality ... thankful that Jesus is my Saviour and Lord ... that He gives me that assurance of a home in heaven ... and with the apostle paul i can say "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. ... But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."  (1 Cor. 15: 55,57) ... YAY for a risen Lord -  one day, we too will rise with Him!

back to the everyday ...

I'm pressing on the upward way,

New heights I'm gaining every day,

Still praying as I'm onward bound

"Lord, plant my feet on higher ground"

i love that hymn ... and i love that prayer ...

after being home for a little over a week, i am getting back to my routine ... also, back to the things that i am challenged with at home ... vacations are good, but when we get back - the same ole problems are still there ... hopefully,  we look at them with different eyes ... renewed patience?  ...

i am so very glad that i was able to get into the desert again ... there is something about the beauty of that landscape that draws me ...

blessings on your sunday!

dry and weary land

"Come, come," He calls you,

"O soul oppressed and weary,
Come to the shadows of My desert rest;
Come walk with Me far from life's noisy discords,
And peace will breathe like music in your breast."

When God places a burden upon you,
He places His arms underneath you.
~anon

august already!

what a weird summer all over our north american continent, eh ? !!! my west coast sister is broiling in the heat ... and our usually hot prairies are soggy, cool and rainy ... ? ... i guess it's a sign of age that that though i'm not loving the excessive rain, i know i can't change a thing about it! so i'm going with the flow ...

the inner me is another story ... now there's a place that continually needs help ... really! there are spots which need a good spit and polish ... and other places that faith needs to build up, and grow in ...

with that in mind, here are a few good thoughts from recent Streams in the Desert readings ... hope they bless your heart like they blessed mine!

"Never pray for an easier life - - - pray to be a stronger person!
Never pray for tasks equal to your power - - pray for power equal to your tasks.
Then doing your work will be no miracle - - you will be the miracle."
~Phillips Brooks

"God will make our obstacles serve His purposes. We all have mountains in our lives, and often they are people and things that threaten to block the progress of our spiritual life. ... often we pray for their removal, for we tend to think that if only these were removed, we would live a more tender, pure, and holy life. ... These are the very conditions we need for achievements and they have been put in our lives as the means of producing the gifts and qualities for which we have been praying so long. ... The only way genuine patience can be acquired is by enduring the very trials that seem so unbearable today. ... Turn from your running and submit. ... Claim by faith to be a partaker in the patience of Jesus and face your trials in Him. ... "
~F.B. Meyer

".. you can trust the Man who died for you. You can trust Him to thwart each plan that should be stopped and to complete each one that results in His greatest glory and your highest good. You can trust Him to lead you down the path that is the very best in this world for you."
~J.H.M.

mid week note

i've been bumping into psalm 23 all week ... i found this wonderful little poster that seems to cover much ground with few words and a simple picture ... plus there is greenery to look at ... *smile* ... yup, this is definitely the time of year that i long for colour ...

it's also the time of year that i go into my shell ... getting ready for rebirth? for spring? maybe ...

my sister maria's birthday is just around the corner ... on march 10th ... she is hoping to be home for that day ... but she hasn't been able to walk the hallway yet, so we'll see ... plus she still has that nasty hospital bug that put her in isolation ... but as always, God amazes my unbelief with signs and wonders ...

time to go think of green pastures ... and lying down ... and rest ...

blessings on those who pass by this way ...

... politics!

while the U.S. vice presidential debate was on last night, we had our own debate on tv, here in canada ... the candidates for prime minister ... all 5 of them (4 men and one woman ... and just an FYI, we have already had a woman prime minister about 15 years ago) ... it was a round table format ... i checked out both debates ...

to be honest - i don't care for debates ... i guess because i don't like arguments ... i like discussions ...

then there are the spin masters afterwards ... twisting whatever was said to represent the view they want the masses (us) to believe ...

there really are no unbiased reporters out there ... lets face it, we ALL have our opinions ... which make it difficult to see clearly ... or report accurately ...

i will be so glad when our elections (14th) and our neighbours elections are done, then hopefully the solutions for pressing problems will be the #1 concern for our elected members ...

Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long,

has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.

~Richard Armour

little boxes ....

"Men who do not soar always have small views of things.

Wings are required for breadth of view." ....

~ Mrs. Charles E. Cowman

during my last airplane flight, i thought about the houses that held people and all their treasures ... from the air, they were similar little boxes - whether it was winnipeg, toronto, frankfurt or helsinki - the boxes just changed colour and maybe shape ... yet remained these tiny places where so much effort and money were being poured in to ... a place to collect all that stuff we love ... homes that one day will be left behind ...

i thought of the verse "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:20-22) ... just made me wonder which place i was stocking up more diligently ... the man made little box - which can be destroyed by nature, war, etc. ... or that heavenly home - which nothing can topple ...

just thinking outloud ...

understanding God

i've been thinking about my limited understanding of God's ways ... why does He supply one need quickly? yet not the other? ... why does He answer one prayer with "yes", another with "wait" and yet another with "no"? ...

all this thinking just leads me to one conclusion - maybe i should just quit trying to figure out His ways! if i could understand Him, then He wouldn't be God ... my mind is so finite, how could i possibly grasp the Infinite? i can't even fill out my own income tax forms - why would i even think i could "understand" the ways of an Eternal God?

and if i did understand ... then He wouldn't be God ... just something i made up ...

we try to put a label on Him ... a religion to contain Him ... political beliefs that we are sure He is bound to ... all that to make Him more manageable ... to fit our own way of thinking ... maybe to even make our ways seem righteous and above question ...

yup ... the more i try to understand ... the more i realize that to remain a child of His, who simply trusts that He knows what is best for me ... in all things ... that is the safest place to be ... that way i can expect the impossible, believe the unbelieveable ... and with sweet simplicity, confound the wise ...

it was all planned before time by my Heavenly Father ... who sent His Son Jesus to die for me and for you ... so that we can be redeemed - for all eternity ...

i love that sweet mystery of Faith ...

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

morning thoughts ...

i woke up this morning feeling so helpless and sad because of leo's chronic pain ... the pain which takes small bites out of him daily ... and my sister maria's continued physical decline ... she is scheduled for kidney dialysis - but other health and home problems keep her from much needed & required doctors' appointments ...

even when i wake in the night ... i pray for them both ... even as i pray, there is this lead weight in my chest and such a helplessness ... "what can "i" do, Lord?" ...

i want to do something, yet my doing is always thwarted ...

so i woke up feeling gloomy ... and told the Lord this ...

His Spirit within me said "saija - this is a NEW day ... a NEW morning ... take heart" ...

again, i realized that i don't need to carry the burdens of yesterday into today ... every day is NEW ... every day is a GIFT ... and every morning contains HOPE ...

i don't know what will happen THIS day ... i only KNOW the One who holds THIS day in His hand ... He is my Security ... He is my Hope ... He is my Redeemer ... He hears me in the night seasons ... and He knows leo and maria's pain - He knows and cares and IS in control ...

only Jesus can truly encourage the hearts of His redeemed ... so i write this little thought down, hoping it will encourage your heart this morning too ...

remember ... it is a NEW day ...


28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30

anti social ...

this time of year can make me a little anti-social ... i would just as soon NOT have contact with "normal" folks until AFTER the holiday ... and why is that? you might wonder? i guess it's because leo and i are about as far from normal as you can get! ... well as it pertains to gatherings, family and the expected norm of Christmas holidays ...

my friend Debra over at As I See It Now, is a real kindred spirit when it comes to obeying and listening to that quiet inner Voice during these times of extra seasonal stress ... i appreciate her blogging honesty, because it has helped me to deal with the guilt i used to carry ... guilt added onto by each well meaning soul who would innocently suggest i do this or that ... always with a "you should" ...

ok - i'll elaborate just a wee bit ... leo doesn't feel well ... yes, i know that most of you realize this ... but i mean, he really feels YUCKY (excuse the medical term i threw in!) ... that is the stress of our day in and day out living ... during these times when people get together and invite us to functions (well usually they know it's just me who would be coming), i politely say "no thank you" ... i mean i could be out quite a bit if i wanted too ... but i don't ...

some argue that it would be good for me to get out ... yes, i agree ... and i do go out ... but Christmas tends to be in overdrive for gatherings ... and mostly they are social, eating & drinking type of affairs ... not the spiritual feeding type of activity ...

and did i mention that leo doesn't feel well? i become more sensitive to his needs at this time of year ... especially when i watch other families ... folks doing things together ... even simple things like a walk to see the Christmas lights ... leo can't do any of this ... the pain becomes far to unmanageable ...

i do get out ... you all know that ... but at Christmas, when families around me are doing "normal" family stuff ... it can hurt to see what we have lost ... not that i feel a pity party coming on - it's just that the magnifying glass of the seasonal expectations seems more obvious ...

so i like to be with my man ... in our little oddball, definitely not normal, world ... 'cause it works for us ... the real meaning of Christmas still rings true in our home ... and ONE DAY Leo wil have a body that doesn't hurt and i will have a heart that doesn't ache ...

in Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

by John McCrae, 1915

i was going to post a pic of our first snow ... but then i realized that tomorrow is remembrance day ... and i did want to post this poem again ... it always comes to mind at this time of year ... i can still say it from memory ...

i don't understand war or violence ... i know that it is necessary to keep freedom from being taken away from us ... i don't think we even realize what the "normal folk" living under dictators or absolute rulers - go through ...

we are blessed and i just want to pause and remember those who gave their ALL ...

new day

squeaks started a new day with a new outlook ... he was a happy go lucky kitty again ... racing around the condo, jumping into the air, playing with all the toys he came across ... and last night he purred and purred for what seemed like hours ... i guess going through that stressful experience made him feel better - :o)

this morning we woke up to a heavy frost ... the flowers pictured above and below were still blooming yesterday ( pics taken on 25th and 26th) ... which is sort of unusual in our neck of the woods ... usually the flowers are gone by Thanksgiving (which falls on the second monday of October here in Canada) ... last year we had had a good snowfall already ... i'm loving fall this year!!!

this morning i was reading Titus ... i'll leave the following verses with you - they spoke to my heart of a day that will be coming soon ... i want others to get on board that salvation train - the ticket is still free - by asking Jesus to forgive our sins and accepting Him as Lord and Savior, by faith ... but it won't always be that way ... that thought is very sobering to me ...

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeard to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldy passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." Titus 2: 11-14 (NIV)