Girls Just Want to Have Fun

On Friday morning I will be getting in a van with 5 of my favorite people, the women of AHF Ministries and traveling to Rochester, New York to attend the Women of Faith conference entitled "Amazing Freedom". Whenever we travel together it is an adventure. We have assigned seats and jobs as follows: Christine the Commander of the vessel, Cheri the Chief Navigator, Louise (Wendy) the Special Operations Officer (hander out of treats), Kimberley the Musical Selection Officer, Michelle the Humor Specialist, and Anita the Chief Narration Officer. (Can you tell the I am into the space shuttle?) In case you are wondering what in the world a narration officer might be, I always read a book to the girls whenever we travel. I have made our book selection and we are looking forward to passing our time in the van (shuttle) together as a little book club. We are on a strict departure schedule thanks to our Commander and are scheduled to arrive with ample time for relaxation before the conference begins Friday Evening. We are planning to make our re-entry on Sunday late afternoon (shopping permitted).

I will be sharing with you on our return what the Lord said to me personally and what He did with us as a group. We are anticipating a blast with each other and with the Lord. We would appreciate your prayers as we travel and for a fresh touch from the Lord of healing and freedom.

Two Peas in a Pod!

This is my friend Michelle. She always makes me laugh. She is from England for those of you that don't know her. She is our drama queen and our dancing queen as far as that goes. She has the best accent. Having a Kansas twang myself I love to hear her read the Bible. We often mock the way she says words like body- I don't even know how to type how she says it.

You know how when you are with someone a lot you will pick up their phrases or little sayings well.......every once in a while this Kansas girl says a word right in the middle of the sentence with an English accent. Don't ask me why because I don't know. But it makes me laugh. I guess Michelle is rubbing off on me.

She is a friend. She is a hoot. I wouldn't trade her for anything. She is a jewel. She is goof.

Michelle, you are a blessing. I love you.

10 lbs of Love!

This is Phoebe. I should say "Princess" Phoebe. Or maybe I should say "the dog who thinks she is human" Phoebe. She is my sweetie and I love her immensely. I can always count on her being happy to see me.

Today we took Phoebe and her sister Bianca the Beagle to a leash free park. This is first time I have experienced this doggy free for all. There were dogs everywhere. Big dogs. Little dogs. Phoebe was the smallest- in size not in personality. She has an addiction. She loves her ball and Lord help the person or the dog that comes between her and her ball. She took on a boxer named Bosco today. Bosco was only about 10 times her size. She certainly had the respect of the dog population and the laughter of the human population. Bless her heart she hardly has any front legs, but can she move. It was a great way to enjoy the afternoon of sun.

I sit on a love seat in my living room to have my quiet time each morning and once I have settled in my seat Phoebe will jump up beside me and assume her position. (Now I am not implying anything weird here so don't panic). I am sure that Phoebe loves Jesus. I suspect this because once when I was sick in bed Phoebe insisted on being right by my side. I was bored out of my mind being in bed for several days and so I began reviewing any Bible verses I had memorized. I noticed that Phoebe was paying very close attention to me and so I decided to practise sharing the gospel. She listened to every word. I was actually very touched. Not many people listen to me ramble on and on-nope she hung right in there. So I just said to her, "I don't want to alarm you but I don't think you have a soul but just in case I am going to ask you, "Is there any reason why you won't ask Christ to be Lord of your life right now"? She just stared at me so I took that as a no and asked her to pray silently as I led her in prayer. At that point Garry came in and said, "You must truly be delirious." You may laugh but she would insist on attending the Wednesday night Bible study for women that I held at my home. All the ladies loved both of my dogs as they would sit quietly for the hour of bible study.

I know this is nonsense but I thought I would just share that I love this little critter. She is a friend indeed. A gift from the Lord. She makes me laugh and fills me heart with joy each morning.

One last Phoebe anecdote. We went on a family vacation a while back and of course "little bit" had to come with us and of course she had to sit on my lap. I was trying to sing along with Mariah Carey ( it was not pretty). Phoebe looked at me and started singing along in doggy style. She actually did a better job then I did. We all laughed so hard. What a helpful dog. She just would not let me be humiliated alone. Now that is a true friend.

Trophies of Christ Victory!

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ victory] and through us spreads and make evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere.
2 Corinthians 2:14 (AMP)

I love this verse. It makes me want to cheer. It gives me hope. Here is why!

1. Man, should we be thankful. Without Christ victory we would be in a world of hurt.

2. Because we are IN Christ, He always, not sometimes but ALWAYS leads us in triumph. We are not losers. (Contrary to popular opinion sometimes our own). We, in fact are winners. The enemy is the loser. We need to get this. Each day is a day of victory-no matter the circumstances.

3. We are trophies. I picture the bowling trophy with a little golden women. When I look at my own life I think that I must be a huge trophy -why? because He has led me through so much. He has covered so much and forgiven so much and loved so much when love was not deserved. I am a trophy of His grace and mercy and I am forever grateful that He loves me. And you should be grateful that He loves you and counts you as a trophy of His victory.

4. We are perfume atomizers. You know that fancy glass bottom your grandma had when you were growing up. I remember squeezing the ball and hearing and feeling and smelling the perfume spray out and fill the room with the fragrance. We are those bottles. WE are receptacles of His love and grace. God squeezes us and the fragrance of the knowledge of Him just wafts over people (did you like that word---waft?) When people are around us they should want to know Him.

Think of this................the next time you are tempted to feel like nothing. Get on a podium, raise one arm and point to the Father and be a trophy of Christ victory. Be thankful for His grace and be the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ in your area of influence.

His Story!

I just returned from a week long trip to Nova Scotia as a chaperon with my daughter's high school choir and band. Garry and I each had 10 young adults in our charge. We had a blast with them and no one was lost along the way. The week was jam packed with concerts and educational trips to historical sights in the area. I was in history heaven. We went to at least 4 museums. I wanted to be a high school history and geography teacher so this was right up my alley. Sometimes I would see the students eyes glaze over with boredom and I just wanted to get them excited about what we were learning. I have come to the conclusion with the help of my husbands mocking that I am in fact a history nerd. I was amazed at the stories of the people who settled the area and what they must have gone through. I imagined my own family in those situations and was moved. It made me think of history in general. HIS STORY!!!!!!!

All that happens to us as individuals and as people groups and nations somehow all fit into the saga of mankind. The story of people. People who God created to worship Him. How grossly we have failed to live up to our purpose. How grossly we have followed the way of sin. History is the story of the war between light and darkness. The story of a fallen people and the Savior who paid it all to get them back. The encouraging thing to remember is that we know the end of the story........Christ wins. The victory happened at the cross where Satan was made a spectacle. God is being extremely patient as He waits to end this thing because He wants all to come to salvation. How it must break His heart that some will not choose Him after all He has done to provide the way.

We spent an afternoon at Peggy's Cove, a quaint ocean side village that was in the news several years ago when the Swiss Air crash happened 8 km off its coast. It was breathtaking to sit on the rocks and look out at the ocean. I had a great cup of coffee and took it all in. I also freaked out as I watched high school students standing a little to close to the edge for my liking.

We spent an evening on the shore of the Bay of Fundy at a camp fire. I spent an hour combing the rocks for shells and found mussels and snails with beautiful shells. I was having a ball when I heard the girl about 5 feet away say, "Oh cool, an eel." I headed back to the beach quickly praising God that I had not found that creature. We watched the tide come in and I was a happy girl enjoying God's creation. I found myself looking at the ocean and thinking that God's love is bigger then that body of water for me and for you. I was overwhelmed in that moment. I watched students cook hot dogs and marshmellows enjoying each others company and thought to myself that this is exactly what God wants for us. Enjoying each other and Him. I vowed to spend more time enjoying life with people that I love and enjoying the life that I have been given by a loving God.

I have learned much this week. He has taught me about Himself through His creation, through history and through the laughter of teenagers. God is always showing us Himself if we are paying attention. This week was a gift. He said things that I might have missed at home.

1. Tell His Story to others. Make sure their eyes do not glaze over with boredom when you are communicating the gospel. Tell what He has done in you. Tell your story.

2. Sometimes you need to sit with a cup of coffee and take it all in. Be quiet. When I think of the verse which states that "the rocks will cry out in praise", I have a new picture. Look at creation and watch it praise God in its beauty and then join in. He is worthy of all of our praise.

3. Enjoy people. Enjoy life. Laugh much.

4. Explore the treasure of His Word like combing the beach for shells. Watch for God. He is speaking.

Oh Where Is My Hairbrush?

I have a confession to make. I still do this.........

I can't resist the urge to sing into my hairbrush. It all started when I was a little girl and I wanted to sing in the choir just like my mom. Then the first time I saw someone singing a solo I thought to myself, "I want to do that". So I started practising in the mirror with whatever I had in my hand. (I sometimes even sang into my curling iron).

My first solo in church was when I was 16 and I will never forget what happened.......I forgot the whole second verse so I la-la-laed until the chorus came back around. Thankfully the congregation had pity on me and let me sing again.

Eventually the bathroom practising paid off as about a year later a really great looking guy started attending our church and he had a great voice. So, of course, I had to sing with him. And you know what ... I still am. Garry and I will be married 24 years this September.

The song was "Boundless Love".

I totally felt it. Ha Ha!!!

Be Blessed!

How blessed the man you train, God, the woman you instruct in your Word.

Psalms 94:12 (MSG)

Blessing comes with instruction. The Holy Spirit is our teacher. God the Spirit whispering truth to us as we look at His Word. Isn't it amazing that the creator of the universe wants to instruct us.

I have had several teachers that have greatly impacted my life and by and large it is because they set aside time to invest in my education. As we choose to set aside time for God we find that He has been waiting for us and as long as we are sitting at His feet He is ready to teach us. We have His complete undivided attention.

I know as a teacher myself that I love seeing someone catch the concept that I am trying to teach. How delighted God is when we catch what He is saying and we allow that truth to travel that twelve inches from our heads to our hearts where it begins to transform us into the image of His Son. As true disciples we need to be learners. Always expecting to learn something whenever we read, study or hear God's Word.

My dear friends, be blessed as you allow Him to train and instruct you.

Live Like Your Alive!

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Col 2:13-15
Regardless of your circumstances, regardless of how you may feel. If you are a follower of Christ you ARE alive. Throw your arms
out and raise your face to the Lord Jesus in extravagant praise.

Live like your alive!!!!!!!