Soar...Run...Walk...

Last Sunday, our pastor made an observation that I had not noticed before. Whenever I have heard the text quoted below, the goal always seemed to be the "soaring like an eagle". Yet, in the order in which it is written, when we stop to renew our strength and hope in God, we first soar...then we run...and then we walk. It makes sense to me, the seasons of our life, the seasons of our journey of faith. We do soar in those mountaintop experiences and come down with the ability to run. But it is in the daily plodding, the persevering through a lengthy struggle that we walk. Psalm 23:4a says, Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil,for You are with me...

The past couple of months I confess I had 'lost heart' and that is reflected in my posts or rather lack of them. I really had 'nothing' to say. I had grown faint, was lagging behind, was weak, with no energy. Something disconnected and I failed to hope, wait, trust in God to renew my strength for the long haul. I confess my desire is to let this Scripture sink in, take hold and become reflexive action (a consistent pattern),no matter how tedious (and painful) the plodding gets, and it will.

My desire is to let His Word, the Truth, wash my mind and bring life to my inertness.

Will you join me? Read the Scripture below (in 3 versions), substitute your name where you see green underlined font.

***Beth Moore has put out a challenge to memorize 2 Scripture verses per month for 2009. Will you join? Click here.***

Isaiah 40:27-31 (The Holy Bible)

27 Why do you say, O Jacob,

and complain, O Israel,

"My way is hidden from the LORD;

my cause is disregarded by my God"?
28 Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The LORD is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

(NIV Version)

~~~~~

27-31Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,

or, whine, Israel, saying,"God has lost track of me.

He doesn't care what happens to me"?

Don't you know anything?

Haven't you been listening?

God doesn't come and go.

God lasts.

He's Creator of all you can see or imagine.

He doesn't get tired out,

doesn't pause to catch his breath.

And he knows everything, inside and out.

He energizes those who get tired,

gives fresh strength to dropouts.

For even young people tire and drop out,

young folk in their prime stumble and fall.

But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.

They spread their wings and soar like eagles,

They run and don't get tired,

they walk and don't lag behind.

(The Message)

~~~~~

27 Family of Jacob, why do you say,

"The Lord doesn't notice our condition"?

People of Israel, why do you say,

"Our God doesn't pay any attention to our rightful claims"?

28 Don't you know who made everything?

Haven't you heard about him?

The Lord is the God who lives forever.

He created everything on earth.

He won't become worn out or get tired.

No one will ever know how great his understanding is.

29 He gives strength to those who are tired.

He gives power to those who are weak.

30 Even young people become worn out and get tired.

Even the best of them trip and fall.

31 But those who trust in the Lord

will receive new strength.

They will fly as high as eagles.

They will run and not get tired.

They will walk and not grow weak.

(New International Readers' Version)

Join me in prayer for 2009

Heavenly Father,

“Let the morning (The New Year) bring me word

of Your unfailing love,

for I have put my trust in You.

Show me the way I should go,

for to You I lift up my soul.

Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD,

for I hide myself in You.

Teach me to do Your will,

for You are my God;

may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”

(Psalm 143: 8-10, The Holy Bible, NIV Version)

=========================

(Psalm 143: 1-12 , The Message)

1-2 Listen to this prayer of mine, God;

pay attention to what I'm asking.

Answer me—you're famous for your answers!

Do what's right for me.

But don't, please don't, haul me into court;

not a person alive would be acquitted there.

3-6 The enemy hunted me down;

he kicked me and stomped me within an inch of my life.

He put me in a black hole,

buried me like a corpse in that dungeon.

I sat there in despair, my spirit draining away,

my heart heavy, like lead.

I remembered the old days,

went over all you've done,

pondered the ways you've worked,

Stretched out my hands to you,

as thirsty for you as a desert thirsty for rain.

7-10 Hurry with your answer, God!

I'm nearly at the end of my rope.

Don't turn away; don't ignore me!

That would be certain death.

If you wake me each morning

with the sound of your loving voice,

I'll go to sleep each night trusting in you.

Point out the road I must travel;

I'm all ears, all eyes before you.

Save me from my enemies, God—

you're my only hope!

Teach me how to live to please you,

because you're my God.

Lead me by your blessed Spirit

into cleared and level pastureland.

11-12 Keep up your reputation, God—give me life!

In your justice, get me out of this trouble!

In your great love, vanquish my enemies;

make a clean sweep of those who harass me.

And why? Because I'm your servant.

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Last night we had a most beautiful Christmas Eve service. My younger son was a 'wise man' with a wiseguy swagger and making peace signs as he ventured off. He claimed to be 'in his groove'. OK. One of our soloists was the drummer from Camp Rock and the other was a young woman with a voice from heaven. Wow! The theme was about having a 'grateful' Christmas. While the narrator talked about the consumerism and fat flying men as the focus of society in general, he asked, "should we be looking at how to erase what society has put into our Christmas story, or should we be looking at how we can put the Christmas story back into society?"

May the Christmas Story again penetrate our hearts with a new poignancy with gratitude for God becoming Man to pursue us and become the bridge that filled the gap between us and God so that we could once more be reconciled to our original relationship.

Thank You, Jesus...and Happy Birthday!

For God so loved the world, that he gave His only beloved Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish but have eternal life.
( John 3:16, The Holy Bible)

Handel's Messiah - The Biblical Message Behind the Musical Masterpiece

***Clips are long...so listen when you have the time***

Part 1 of 6


Part 2 of 6


Part 3 of 6


Part 4 of 6


Part 5 of 6


Part 6 of 6

The Christmas Story and Christmas in Trinidad

May the Prince of Peace reside in your hearts at this time.
Merry Christmas to one and all.
Love,
Sita


The following YouTube clip gives a taste of Christmas in Trinidad & Tobago. Hope you can understand the lyrics.

Then Sings My Soul Saturday

I recently found this song, And I Thank You, Lord, that has great meaning from my youth. Composed by Dan Burgess and sung by The Continentals, it was one of the most popular songs in the 70's. But the lyrics and melody are timeless in its beauty and meaning. Be blessed.

Then go to Amy's blog to hear more sings that minister.

And I Thank You Lord

And I Thank You Lord
For the trials that come my way
In that way I can grow each day
As I let You lead

And I thank You Lord
For the patience those trials bring
In the process of growing
I can learn to care

But it goes against the way I am
To put my human nature down
And let the Spirit take control of all I do
'Cause when those trials come
my human nature shouts the things to do
And God's soft prompting can be easily ignored

But I thank You Lord
With each trial I feel inside
That You're there to help, lead and guide
me away from wrong

'Cause You promised Lord
That with every testing
That Your way of escaping is easier to bear

Yes, I thank You Lord
For the victory that growing brings
In surrender of everything
Life is so worthwhile
And I thank You Lord
That when everything's put in place
Out in front I can see Your face
And it's there You belong

Extreme Christmas Lighting...

How would you like to live next to this guy?

Completely Healed!

Charlene Pysanczyn

Her Scripture: 2Corinthians 4:7-18

7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 
8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 
9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 
10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. 
12So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
13It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken."With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, 
14because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. 
15All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 
17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Her Memorial:
Today was the memorial service for Charlene attended by over 600 people, many former students and teaching colleagues.

In fact, the school that she had to leave 2 years ago when diagnosed with cancer, had only 5 teachers there today, all new; the rest, who had worked with Charlene, including the principal and vice-principal, were there. In front of me, was a tall black youth clutching a white rose that he later presented to Charlene's twin sister, Marlene. Two seats from him, a young blonde blew her nose constantly. Across the aisle, another young woman's face grimaced in emotion. I looked up to the balcony section with rows and rows of students allowed to participate, some with turbans, many who had never been inside a Christian church before, the youth termed 'at risk', but deemed 'fearfully and wonderfully made' by God and reinforced by Charlene.

There was only time for 4 people to give tributes to this wonderful woman, all former colleagues, 3 teachers, and one, a principal who called Charlene and Marlene two of the finest teachers he had ever met. She was the encourager. She looked not at the behaviour, but at the need of the heart. As such, her students and colleagues felt loved unconditionally.

The eulogy was given by her close friend, Shyamala and the family testimony by her twin sister, Marlene. I did not know her personally; she knew people I knew, including my husband who visited and prayed for her in the hospital, and my friend, Vickaye, whose daughter was a student ministered to by Charlene. For two years, as a prayer ministry partner, I have read the prayer updates and interceded on her behalf. I grew in awe of both Charlene and her sister, Marlene, who always ended her emails with a blessing, a note of praise. The medical staff who attended her were all amazed at her peace, as was I. The glory of God splashed everywhere she went directly and indirectly. Her life both amazed and convicted me.

Truly, I want to follow hard after God like she did. I want God to splash on to everyone I meet. I want to forge ahead, no matter what gets thrown at me, like she continued to lead a table at Alpha while experiencing horrendous side effects from cancer treatment; like she continued to follow hard after Him even after losing not one, but two of her children.

The Songs:
The first spells out her life: A magnificent obsession with following hard after God.


One Pure and Holy Passion

The second: In Christ Alone speaks of where Charlene found her hope and strength. There was no fear in death, the power of Christ in her!



The final song is the song of victory, You Raise Me Up.

Today Charlene in answer to our prayers is COMPLETELY HEALED in the arms of Jesus!

Her testimony:

Remembering Charlene--a teacher like Jesus

Part 1 of Charlene's story:
She had everything going for her, a wonderful husband, a daughter and son. When her son was 7, her cousin and wife were killed and and they brought their children, another boy and girl, to live with them. Her life was still under her control. No problem really. Then when her son turned 14, after a great football game in which he led his team to victory as quarterback, he fell ill. That night he was diagnosed with meningitis. By morning he was dead. She said, there is no grief like the grief of losing one's child. She discovered for the first time that her life could not be controlled by herself. It was then she started on a journey to knowing God as Christians came to her and shared. 

She said "God's goal is not to make us happy in this life, it is to make us HIS.

"Part 2 of Charlene's testimony: her second encounter with death.
After her conversion to Christ after her son's death from meningitis, her daughter was diagnosed with bone cancer at 15. She bravely endured massive chemotherapy sessions and even went to a camp for children with cancer to encourage them. However, soon after an amazing trip, her daughter succumbed to cancer. The death of one child. Now two. She never wavered in her faith and turned to God even more. Next week, she will speak about how she became tormented about her son and his spiritual state when he died and how God gave her peace.

Part 3 of Charlene's testimony:
After the death of her daughter, Charlene began to be tormented by the question of her son's salvation status. (In part 1, it was after his death that she came to the Lord). For a couple of years, she pondered and searched for the age of accountability and really came up with nothing. She remembered that he had attended a Christian camp, Circle Square Ranch, and casually mentioned it to one of 100 Huntley's hosts during a lunch at a women's conference and the struggle she had. This host, Lorna Dueck, tried to find out and even called the camp. They looked at her son's file but there was nothing to indicate he had given his heart to Christ. Then one day, Lorna called and asked her to share her testimony about how she dealt with her son's death from meningitis on air as there has been an outbreak in a community. At first, she was hesitant but obeyed God's nudging. She showed us a clip of that episode. Four hours before the show started, Lorna had been in touch with Circle Square staff. One of them went to an old shed and found a box with documents. In it was Charlene's son's profession of faith in Jesus. Two hours later, that document was faxed to the station. During the show, it was revealed to Charlene. In shock, she could only respond, "This is an answer to prayer."
A peace pervaded her soul. Never left, even now, in the present. 

Then Sings My Soul Saturday...

For American Thanksgiving, I posted a song I had just discovered, powerful in word and tone. Please go here (2 posts down) to be blessed and then pop over to Amy's to hear more songs that minister.
Love, Sita

God Ran Tonight...

...to Charlene, to whisk her into His arms.
I posted about Charlene here recently. I've just received news that God is preparing to run to greet her and grab her up into His arms. He is saying, "Come, my child. Oh, do you have any idea how very proud I am of you? Oh, Charlene, how you have suffered, my trust in you was never misplaced. Do you remember Job? Do you think you have his genes? I know for sure you have my Son's DNA. Come here, rest your lovely head on my shoulders. Rest. Soon we will rejoice. Welcome home, my precious, precious child."
Only one song comes to mind..."When Christ shall come to take me home, What joy shall fill my heart..." Tonight my heart is filled with a pain-filled joy: pain for Charlene's suffering and the loss of her glorious presence here on earth; and joy of her resting and looking adoringly into the eyes of the One she so loved here on earth.



Charlene passed away at 11:15 p.m. on Friday, November 28, 2008 into eternal glory.

Carnage in India...

The city of Mumbai (formerly Bombay), has been hit with a string of terrorist attacks targeting Americans and Britons. About 87 people have been reported killed and hundreds wounded. Check out CNN coverage.

Please pray. They also attacked a womens and children's hospital. This is where my husband was born and where I just viewed a delightful interview of a multilingual street boy on Amrita's blog.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American Friends!

And I can think of no better way to extend my wishes to you but to share this song I've just found, And I Thank You, Lord.
And if you're not American, it's for you too!
May you be ministered to as I was and may gratitude for Him well up and overflow.

Consistency...is there a secret?

In the recent past I have been looking at the inconsistency in my spiritual walk and talking to God about it. Wouldn't you know it, in my reading today in My Utmost For His Highest, Oswald Chambers talks about the Apostle Paul's "strong and steady underlying consistency" based on a depth of the fundamentals, the Cross of Christ, through which the energy of God is released. Then Oswald hits me with this:

...Consequently, he could let his external life change

without internal distress

because he was rooted and grounded in God.

Most of us are not consistent spiritually

because we are more concerned about being consistent externally....

I used to think that I was grounded, but when God allows certain crises that seem to be inconsistent with my 'theology' [what I have learnt of God's nature by study and by relationship thus far], something happens to that flow of energy from God, almost like someone loosened the plug and that flow diminishes, leaving me dimmed and deflated.

I want to have my 'externals' consistent, and under control, and when they aren't, the world stops making sense, God stops making sense, and suddenly my world grows dim, my heart grows faint. At times, I have struggled to make sense of it all. In fact, at times, I have felt 'hurt' by God, at times pained that yet again, I have misunderstood Him. Consequently, I develop a fear of hearing His Voice, for fear that it actually was not His Voice after all, because what I thought I heard, was not what happened.

My responses have been varied. At times, I have curled up in a ball of hurt, afraid to look at Him in the eyes again. Other times, I have become numb, not wanting to feel or 'hear' again. It is I who loosen that plug time and time again. My concern grows over my personal condition.

Then God nudges me again, I become defiant against the situation, turn to God, look to Calvary and why God came to earth. Then I can boldly quote David in the Psalms, "yet will I trust...my hope is in You..." Slowly I learn to be rooted in the Cross of Christ; His suffering; His resurrection; His redemption; His power; in the God whose thoughts do not coincide with mine because He is infinitely wise and has 20-20 vision of my entire time line.

Have you ever had this experience? Did you think you heard He would heal, He would provide, He would deliver...etc.. and He didn't? Then persist with me in trusting Him yet, tightening that plug, letting Him flow, no matter how senseless and inconsistent those externals are. Look to Him. Like Paul, God is bringing us that point where we can stand before Him boasting only in the Cross of Christ, not in our personal conditions.

Isaiah 45:18-24 (The Message)

God, Creator of the heavens—

he is, remember, God.Maker of earth—

he put it on its foundations, built it from scratch.

He didn't go to all that trouble to just leave it empty, nothing in it.

He made it to be lived in.

This God says:
"I am God, the one and only.

I don't just talk to myself or mumble under my breath.

I never told Jacob, 'Seek me in emptiness, in dark nothingness.'

I am God.

I work out in the open, saying what's right, setting things right.

So gather around, come on in, all you refugees and castoffs.

They don't seem to know much, do they—

those who carry around their no-god blocks of wood,

praying for help to a dead stick?

So tell me what you think.

Look at the evidence.

Put your heads together. Make your case.

Who told you, and a long time ago, what's going on here?

Who made sense of things for you?

Wasn't I the one? God?

It had to be me.

I'm the only God there is—

The only God who does things right and knows how to help.

So turn to me and be helped—saved!—

everyone, whoever and wherever you are.

I am God,
the only God there is, the one and only.

I promise in my own name:

Every word out of my mouth does what it says.

I never take back what I say.

Everyone is going to end up kneeling before me.

Everyone is going to end up saying of me,

'Yes! Salvation and strength are in God!'"

STAY PLUGGED IN!

Continuing Strong...

Pressing on Toward the Goal

Philippians 3:12-14

12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Our pastor of Adult Ministries spoke on Sunday and talked about the vision statement of the Evergreen ministry for seniors. He said they had balked against the term "finishing strong" and preferred the term "continuing strong." He said they weren't cramming for the finals just yet. (He's a riot!)

Then I read this morning's devotional at Walk In The Word about pressing on. James MacDonald talks about our complacency in our spiritual life. We have a tendency to put it in 'cruise' when we think we have reached a comfortable level. Please read the entire devotion by clicking above.

I don't know about you, but in my own spiritual walk, I have found no 'cruise' control. It's either pressing on or growing distant. Either way, there is motion, forwards or backwards. It is our choice. Do we continue to press on, growing in intimacy with God and reaching for that prize that God has called us to? Or do we let our relationship with Him slide, our hearts grow colder, our life purpose dimmed?

Let me encourage you today to continue strong, press on, no matter what the storms around you bring. 1Corinthians 5:16-17 says:

16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

I have met many who shine with His glory. And it is because they press on and continue strong. They are able to do so, not because of their own strength or determination, but an act of will to allow Him to work glory in their hearts. It is His work, His glory, His power at work.

Are you weary today? Turn to Him, and ask Him to take over. In your weakness, He promises to be strong. Have a wonderful week!

Then Sings My Soul Saturday

Again, I invite you to pop down to my last post, "His Name is Brandon", to sing along with Charlotte Church and Josh Groban, The Prayer. The post will explain all.
Don't waste a second to love intentionally those God have placed in your heart.
Then pop by Amy's blog to hear more songs that minister.

His name is Brandon...

(Picture from ctv.ca)

...and he was only 15 years old. He got into an argument with his parents over his obsession with a video game. It was confiscated. He ran away. Hundreds of people searched and prayed for him. Last week, his body was discovered under a tree. A post-mortem revealed that he had died as a result of falling off that tree. Today was his memorial service with moving comments from his family here.

Last Friday, I had to pick up my own 15-year-old at an unfamiliar route. It was a dark and rainy night, my worst time for driving. Since my husband was working, my 10-yr-old accompanied me. On a dark, unfamiliar road, with the cold rain beating down, I realized I was lost and slowly a terror began to build in me. I started sobbing and praying and my 10-yr-old joined me. I was afraid not for myself, but that my son would be outside waiting in the cold, in the dark.

Slowly, I realized I was thinking of Brandon, whose death seared my soul, the second death in a week. I imagined him, lost, alone, afraid as the darkness fell, the cold paralyzing his limbs. The teenage rebellion had long since dissipated. That stupid game meant nothing any more. He was a child once more, longing for Daddy to come rescue him. Longing for Mommy to hold him close so he could feel safe again. A helpless babe. Nothing so beautiful in God's sight.

Luke 18:17 - "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

So God ran to him and wrapped him up in His arms.

Why God? He looks just like my son...so beautiful...Did You send a special angel to wrap wings around him? To escort him into Your Presence?..You must have...The incredible love I feel for this child who is not my own fades in the light of Your perfect love for him, for he is Your Own. Thank You. Please give his parents, siblings and friends the comfort and counsel they need from You. Thank You, Lord.

I post this song in tribute to Brandon, The Prayer, sung by Charlotte Church and Josh Groban, two of the most beautiful voices on this earth. Why? Their voices transport you into heaven as you pray along with them in song. The beauty of their words and voices are synonymous with the beauty I see in Brandon. And he is now safely wrapped in Beauty.

My Birthday Word...Part 3

**It is also REMEMBRANCE DAY. I invite you to stop by Saija's blog for a beautiful remembrance.**

=================================

From Spurgeon:

“Underneath are the everlasting arms.”
Deuteronomy 33:27

God—the eternal God—is himself our support at all times, and especially when we are sinking in deep trouble. There are seasons when the Christian sinks very low in humiliation. Under a deep sense of his great sinfulness, he is humbled before God till he scarcely knows how to pray, because he appears, in his own sight, so worthless.

Well, child of God, remember that when thou art at thy worst and lowest, yet “underneath” thee “are everlasting arms.”

Sin may drag thee ever so low, but Christ’s great atonement is still under all. You may have descended into the deeps, but you cannot have fallen so low as “the uttermost;” and to the uttermost he saves.

Again, the Christian sometimes sinks very deeply in sore trial from without. Every earthly prop is cut away. What then? Still underneath him are “the everlasting arms.” He cannot fall so deep in distress and affliction but what the covenant grace of an ever-faithful God will still encircle him. The Christian may be sinking under trouble from within through fierce conflict, but even then he cannot be brought so low as to be beyond the reach of the “everlasting arms”—they are underneath him; and, while thus sustained, all Satan’s efforts to harm him avail nothing.

This assurance of support is a comfort to any weary but earnest worker in the service of God.

It implies a promise of strength for each day, grace for each need, and power for each duty. And, further, when death comes, the promise shall still hold good. When we stand in the midst of Jordan, we shall be able to say with David, “I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.” We shall descend into the grave, but we shall go no lower, for the eternal arms prevent our further fall.

All through life, and at its close, we shall be upheld by the “everlasting arms”—arms that neither flag nor lose their strength, for “the everlasting God fainteth not, neither is weary.”

Father, thank You for Your everlasting arms. May I keep this picture in my mind as this new year of my life proceeds.

My Birthday Word...Part 2

Today, I read a post from Lynn at Heading Home, an invitation to linger in His Presence. What a lovely way to spend my birthday. Thank you, Lynn, for sharing this nudging of the Holy Spirit.
Would you like to join me? Read her post here.

My Birthday Word...Part 1

From Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest:

THE SUPREME CLIMB
"Take now thy son ." Genesis 22:2
God's command is - Take now, not presently. It is extraordinary how we debate! We know a thing is right, but we try to find excuses for not doing it at once. To climb to the height God shows can never be done presently, it must be done now. The sacrifice is gone through in will before it is performed actually.
"And Abraham rose up early in the morning and went unto the place of which God had told him" (v. 3). The wonderful simplicity of Abraham! When God spoke, he did not confer with flesh and blood. Beware when you want to confer with flesh and blood, i.e., your own sympathies, your own insight, anything that is not based on your personal relationship to God. These are the things that compete with and hinder obedience to God.
Abraham did not choose the sacrifice. Always guard against self-chosen service for God; self-sacrifice may be a disease. If God has made your cup sweet, drink it with grace; if He has made it bitter, drink it in communion with Him. If the providential order of God for you is a hard time of difficulty, go through with it, but never choose the scene of your martyrdom. God chose the crucible for Abraham, and Abraham made no demur; he went steadily through. If you are not living in touch with Him, it is easy to pass a crude verdict on God. You must go through the crucible before you have any right to pronounce a verdict, because in the crucible you learn to know God better. God is working for His highest ends until His purpose and man's purpose become one.

Father, thank You for my crucible. I drink in communion with You this new year that You have granted me. Thank You.

My Birthday Chuckle...Canadian Police Chase...

I hope Midas pays me a commission for promoting their commercial! I can't help it. Anytime I see this, it totally cracks me up, especially after our last winter!

Then Sings My Soul Saturday

I invite you to go to my last post, "Ushered Into Glory".

Two young boys chose this song because it was the song their Dad, just 39 years old, loved to sing. I have to tell you this song was hard to sing for me, especially where it says, "He gives and takes away..my heart will choose to say, Lord, Blessed Be Your Name.." Please pray for this family. The boys are only 10 and 5 years old. Thank you.
Please visit Amy for more songs that minister.

Ushered into glory...

This week, 2 men were ushered into glory.

The first, into eternal glory into the arms of a waiting Father;

The second man, into an earthly glory, the office of the President of the United States of America. I will address the second man whom we all know by now as Barack Obama in another post.

But for today, I want to tell you about a man I actually never spoke to, but have been praying for for some time. The Father's love for him overflowed in my heart, as does the grief I feel this day, mixed with the wonder of him reunited with His Father, knowing joy unbounded.

His name is Richard and he, his wife and 2 sons sat a couple of rows down from me in the Sunday service for quite some time. He was easy to notice. He looked like he stepped out of a GQ magazine, with the elegance of John Kennedy Jr. and the good looks of Pierce Brosnan. Then, it was announced that headaches he had been experiencing were traced to a brain tumour. Some time much later, I was so saddened to see that he had lost the vision in one eye. That short curly dark hair was missing. This was not the face I had grown used to seeing. I saw him holding his head in pain. I felt a loss. I felt at a loss. Not him!

How could this happen? He was so young. His wife is young. His sons are young.

We, as a congregation started praying in earnest. We hoped and prayed. The news seemed to get worse. We prayed some more. Then last week, ground-breaking surgery was performed by the most qualified surgeon in the world for this procedure. It was deemed 100% successful!

Wow, we were overjoyed and were sure God was about to display His unparalleled glory.

Then the next day, he suffered a massive stroke, was placed on life support. After 72 hours, the plug was pulled and he passed on to glory, leaving behind a wife who would no longer have her best friend and love of her life at her side, and 2 beautiful sons. It certainly did not make sense, but that does not make God senseless; just the God whose thoughts and plans are not ours, but perfect in wisdom, love and intent.

Today, I attended his memorial service. His life spanned 39 years. So very young. Moving tributes from friends spoke of a man who bridged gaps, a friend to all, a team player, a man who loved Jesus. But the most telling of all was the poem his son, 10-years-old, wrote:

I went on your bike, when I still rode a trike,

The place we lived was Vaughan, and you cut the lawn.

One day we hiked, which we really liked,

After that we went for a swim, just when it was getting dim,

At the twilight, just before the night,

We had a fire, and sang like a choir.

Now you've left us for the sky, you were the best kind of guy.

I'll hold you close within my heart; we'll never really be apart.

God loves you and so do I, now it's time to say goodbye.

My last memory of him was of a man intentionally loving his son, giving him his 100% attention as he knelt down to talk with him eye to eye. I stood transfixed when I saw that, for I knew it was an eternal moment. I drew this sketch today in his memory.

Richard Ramos

1969 - 2008

I have fought the good fight,

I have finished the race,

I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:7

Please sing along as you listen to the song chosen by Richard's 2 sons as the song their Dad loved to sing with them:



As I walked past his wife, feeling the weight of her grief and the emptiness of a road without her spouse and the father of her 2 boys, God gave me a gentle impression inside, that it is a new page for Suzie, one on which He will write, and she and her 2 sons will know the restoration of hope and joy again. A new chapter to be written, with freedom as a key word. Thank You, Lord.

adrianwarnock.com: Now It Is Time To Pray for President Obama

Saw this link on Amrita's blog. Excellent article.

adrianwarnock.com: Now It Is Time To Pray for President Obama

Then Sings My Soul Saturday

Today, I invite you to drop by my last post, When God Ran.
As you listen and view the video, place yourself there and know the Father's love for you. In His arms, you will know the release of forgiveness, the warm love of His embrace, the security and safety of His power, the welcome you have always longed for. I pray that you are ministered to as I was.
Then go to Amy's blog to hear more songs that minister.

Drop by LauraLee's Lifesong if you have time. She is honouring God's work in my life in one of my posts.

Who Will Save The Children?

October 29th - November 5th, 2008 is Pornography Awareness Week.

If you do not already know that pornography is an epidemic of global proportions with its tentacles reaching far and deep into the church, I invite you to drop by Blazing Grace to read the cold hard facts. Check out a new resource for your church, a DVD, Somebody's Daughter.

Visit Peggy's blog to find out more info. on this DVD.

Today, though, I want to focus on child pornography.

Some time ago, I posted on the child sex slavery in Cambodia after seeing the short film, Field of Mulan. See here. I want to remind you again of the stench of child pornography and invite you to ask God how you can help.

One of the first things you can do is to inform yourself by seeing what is already being done by organizations such as International Justice Mission (Lanah's story), Ratanak Foundation, Transitions Global.

Check Lisa's blog to see how God has called her and what he has taught her over the past several years as she has volunteered a couple of weeks per year in Cambodia. See the valuable links on her sidebar.

Read your Bible, and see how God feels about those who rob children of their innocence.

Ask God, what then can I do?

Sing with Randy Stonehill:

Who Will Save The Children

(click on title to download mp3 song)

Cry for all the innocent ones

born into a world that's lost its heart

For those who never learn to dream

because their hope is crushed before they can start

And we shake our fists at the air and say,

"If God is love,how can this be fair?"

But we are His hands, We are His voice

We are the ones who must make the choice

And if it isn't now,tell me when?

If it isn't you, then tell me who will save the children?

Who will save the children?

We count our blessings one by one

yet we have forgotten how to give

It seems that we don't want to face

all the hungry and homeless who struggle to live

But heaven is watching tonight

tugging at our hearts to do what's right

And we are His hands, We are His voice

We are the ones who must make the choice

And if it isn't you,

then tell me who will save the children?

Who will save the children?

As we observe them through our T.V. screens

they seem so distant and unreal

But they bleed like we bleed

And they feel what we feel

Oh, save the children

Save the children

Save the children

Now we decide that nothing can change

and throw up our hands in numb despair

And we lost a piece of our souls

by teaching ourselves just how not to care

But Christ would have gone to the cross

just to save one child from being lost

And we are His hands,We are His voice

We are the ones who must make the choice

And it must be now

There's no time to waste

It must be you

No one can take your place

Can't you see that only we

Can save the children

Save the children

Save the children

Please, save the children

Written By Randy Stonehill©

Copyright 1984 by Stonehillian Music & Word Music

(a division of Word, Inc.)(ASCAP)


Father,
I pray for Your little ones all around the world on whom the grossest of injustices are being perpetrated. May You surround them with the unseen wings of angels. Expose the perpetrators to those seeking justice for those who have no voice. Deliver these children and open hearts and doors to safe places for healing, rehabilitation and reintegration. Only You can reach into the deep recesses of their spirits and pour Your healing love. Do it, God. I pray for those trapped in the depravity of sin that allows them to treat Your little ones so callously. May Your Spirit open their eyes, convict them of their sin and bring them to repentance. Father, I pray for all those who are working to combat child pornography who have heard Your voice calling them to Yourself and are now so weary of the uphill climb that has ensued. Not only are their limbs at the breaking point, they find themselves battling weapons hurled at them. Please, God, grant them a spacious place, a holy moment, an oasis, to know Your healing love, to run for a while, laugh and enjoy the life that You gave them. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus' Name, Amen

'Egypt' or God?

Numbers 11:4-5 (The Holy Bible, NIV Version)

The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, "If only we had meat to eat! 5 We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic.

Our news headlines predict a global economic crisis which will affect us all.

When the famine comes, will you look back to 'Egypt' like the Israelites? Will you be under the illusion that there was "no cost" to your life there? Like my pastor said last Sunday, "Are you kidding? No cost?!" Yes, they had a variety of foods, but were 'brick-making units', slaves to a cruel Egyptian master. When the crunch hits you, to whom, to what do you turn? What is your Egypt?

When we launched our Imagine campaign at church to expand our facilities, we, as a congregation were challenged to respond in faith. Here is a snippet of one man's searching his heart:

"...to get right down to it, much of my "security" was wrapped up in the amount of money that was in the bank. It's easy to ignore this conviction, but I knew it in my heart. It was just UGLY to see it, that's all. This process has been monumental for us in dealing with whom we are going to trust. Is it GOD or money? I have no doubts that much of my own grief has come as a result of trying to control circumstances and not going to GOD first. Fearful and stubborn hearts go down hard..."

His 'Egypt' was his black and white bank statement. That he could 'see'. In the end, he chose faith, that which he could not 'see', but chose One whom he could trust. GOD. And God was faithful. See here to see how things turned out.

Yet another member, a burnt-out Ph.D student with no money decided to ask God how she should respond and God gave her an amount she pledged in faith. Next thing she knew she was in Africa for 6 months with Samaritan's Purse even though she had never had any involvement in missions. This was like "weird" to her. Next, she was invited to a World Health Organization forum, made a comment and left as a chairman of a new committee. Wouldn't you know it? Another invitation arrived, to a UN meeting on human development. Oops, she went into the wrong meeting room with private corps. and when they found out her 'experience' in Africa, invited her to give her perspective, her "Christian" perspective. When that ended, she found herself being applauded and thanked. Samaritan's Purse next offered her a job managing several international projects. Perplexed, she asked herself, "how is this possible...here I am, a Ph.D student, a single woman, not experienced, not equipped...what on earth is happening here...?" One word, GOD. See here for the full story.

Pastor Sunder closed the message with an exhortation to turn to God, for He longs to hear us and direct us:

Isaiah 30:18-23 (The Holy Bible, NIV Version)

18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!
19 O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. 20 Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. 21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." 22 Then you will defile your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, "Away with you!"
23 He will also send you rain for the seed you sow in the ground, and the food that comes from the land will be rich and plentiful. In that day your cattle will graze in broad meadows.

Will you turn to Him today?

Falling For Jesus

“I guess I never loved you. You never meant anything….”
Betrayed, rejected, humiliated, and helpless, I turned to God.

"Teach me, Lord..."
He began to reveal that this experience would result in “an eternal glory that far outweighs” [1] all of my suffering: an eternal oasis that would last and serve as a firm and deep foundation in future wilderness periods.

As I hungrily devoured God’s Word, I became increasingly attracted to the humanity of Jesus. I began to yearn for such a man: a man of prayer, justice, mercy; a spiritual leader; trustworthy; a man who knew me and loved me completely.

Then it clicked. This is the Man!
The following conversation shows my growing intimacy with that Person my heart so longed for. I literally fell in love.

The journey begins…

As I come to meet You every day,

I want to sit and look straight intoYour eyes…

As I would ...

With someone that I wish to know

As I would...

With someone I am attracted to,

As I would...

With someone from whom I can learn.

I want to travel into those fathomless depths

That your eyes mirror...

Like waters, deep and mysterious,

Strong, calm, and peaceful

with undercurrents so powerful,

yet so controlled.

I have heard that in You

"are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" [2]

This I seek to unravel...

to discover...to unlock...

For I have heard that You willingly share

With those who would only take the time to listen.

"This is what the Lord says...

Call to Me

and I will answer you and tell you

Great and unsearchable things you do not know...” [3]

You have drawn a clear treasure map...

But I see the enemy lurking like a lion,

Seeking whom he may devour.

Momentarily distracted,

I focus on obstacles the enemy set.

Larger and larger they loom

As my heart sinks in despair.

In desperation I cry out Your Name,

Help me to turn and

Keep my eyes on You,

So that "the things of this earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of Your glory and grace." [4]

As our stares lock into each other,

I feel my mind and spirit

Becoming in tune with Yours...

What an enriching emotion!

I realize that my insight and understanding of

Your words to me are growing, deepening...

How it illumines a dull and dark mind!

How it refreshes a dry and thirsty soul!

Oh, what a marvelous relationship

This is turning out to be.

You are Friend and Teacher.

But…There is something else….

Your eyes!

They seem to be piercing right through me...

Right through my heart...my soul...

The deepest and darkest corners

Covered in cobwebs and "filthy rags".

I am being exposed.

Shame and horror fill me

As You root out and expose the true intent,

The unholy and stained heart.

I look away.

Is there any place that I can hide?

You are the Holy God, the Righteous Judge.

Suddenly, Your Presence overwhelms me.

Bowed in shame, I mutter...then cry out!

"Cleanse my heart, O God!"

"Hide your face from my sins and blot out my iniquity"

Time goes by so slowly

As the painful, humbling process of purification goes on...

My heart grows oh so tender

And my unworthiness before you grows.

Suddenly, the atmosphere changes,

I feel compelled to look up

As Your warmth envelops me.

I look up and straight into Your eyes,

Now brimming over with mercy,

Compassion, love and sweet forgiveness.

Oh, thank You!

My heart overflows with gratitude and praise...

You are my Savior.

I do believe that I am falling in love.

Oh, to become worthy of Your love,

A fitting bride I want to be!

You are my Bridegroom!

What is that?

"While you were yet a sinner,

I loved you…I died for you...

Nothing you do or say could add or subtract from

My perfect love for you."

Do you know what?

Tomorrow, I look forward to meeting You again.

There is so much to learn,

So much to be transformed

by the renewing of the mind.

How I long to gaze upon your Beauty,

Yet once again.

Thank you, Jesus.

The time has been precious.

Lovingly Yours,

Sita

[1] 2 Corinthians 4:17, The Holy Bible, NIV Version. (Unless stated, all Scripture taken from NIV Version).
[2] Colossians 2:3
[3] Jeremiah 33:3
[4 ]Lemmel, Helen H., Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, 1922