to the children
When I think of our little ones growing up in a world that is full of so much hatred and pride, chaos and confusion, at times I want to just put them in a bubble and protect them from the darkness and pain. I wish that I could bottle up their inquisitive and honest questions and thoughts, as a way perhaps to guard their hearts from becoming tainted by the world around them. I wish that I could promise them a future that would be free from evil and deception. But I know that those things are not in my control. I can nurture them in love and compassion, teaching them to be kind and caring to all people, encouraging them to be generous and joyful. I can help them discover who they are, their unique gifts and talents, the special purpose they have been created for. I can pray, crying out to God to bring peace to our world, asking that all children will have a loving home in which they receive a foundation for how to navigate this complicated life. At times I feel unprepared myself, as to how to think clearly and make wise choices - how can I really teach the little ones to do the same? So again I pray - give me wisdom, give me a heart that breaks with the things that break God's heart, give me eyes to see those things that in my own weakness I brush off as interruptions in my day. May our children know truth and believe that there is goodness and joy in this life - even when things may grow dark around them. This is my hope and prayer not just for own children, but for all the children in the world.
wasted time: taking time for inner renewal
From 'Dare to Journey with Henri Nouwen' by Charles Ringma
There is just so much that needs to be done. Extra demands at home and at work. More time with the family. Keeping up with our exercise program. Planning the next holiday. Time out for friends. Involvement in our children's school activities. Completing that new management course.
In these and many other ways, the busy round of life draws us into a myriad of activities, all important, but all demanding more of our time and energy. Even church activities jostle for our attention and commitment. And creative acts of service requiring long-term support and care often demand more than we are able to give.
So we try to do more while our energies ebb away and we become like uprooted trees with our roots wildly groping for the sky. Thus we anxiously throw our arms towards heaven, praying for extra
grace and enabling, when instead we should be planted again in nourishing soil. That soil is not meant to make us do less, but to change our priorities so that we take time to be still. And in the stillness, find new strength and hope.
Henri Nouwen reminds us that 'time given to inner renewal is never wasted.' In fact it is the fuel for the journey, and more importantly, it is the discipline that will shape the very fabric of our being.
There is just so much that needs to be done. Extra demands at home and at work. More time with the family. Keeping up with our exercise program. Planning the next holiday. Time out for friends. Involvement in our children's school activities. Completing that new management course.
In these and many other ways, the busy round of life draws us into a myriad of activities, all important, but all demanding more of our time and energy. Even church activities jostle for our attention and commitment. And creative acts of service requiring long-term support and care often demand more than we are able to give.
So we try to do more while our energies ebb away and we become like uprooted trees with our roots wildly groping for the sky. Thus we anxiously throw our arms towards heaven, praying for extra
grace and enabling, when instead we should be planted again in nourishing soil. That soil is not meant to make us do less, but to change our priorities so that we take time to be still. And in the stillness, find new strength and hope.
Henri Nouwen reminds us that 'time given to inner renewal is never wasted.' In fact it is the fuel for the journey, and more importantly, it is the discipline that will shape the very fabric of our being.
A Prayer of St. Ignatius
Take, O Lord, and receive my entire liberty, my memory, my understanding and my whole will. All that I am and all that I possess you have given me: I surrender it all to you to be disposed of according to your will. Give me only your love and your grace; with these I will be rich enough, and will desire nothing more.
Lord, teach me to be generous. Teach me to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labour and not to ask for reward, save that of knowing that I do your will. Amen.
Lord, teach me to be generous. Teach me to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labour and not to ask for reward, save that of knowing that I do your will. Amen.
Voices
Do you ever feel that God’s voice is hard to hear amongst all the bustle and noise of our lives? This poem is meant to be read as a prayer, asking the LORD to give us grace to hear him in the midst of the fray. What influences do you need to turn off or walk away from this week, in order to hear God’s voice and follow where he leads?
From the moment when I wake, the distractions buffet me.
Clamoring for my attention, they assail relentlessly.
The voices of this busy world seem to fill my ears,
Drowning out your still small voice, the only voice I long to hear.
Lord, meet me in the moment in the quiet of this place.
Help me to hear your voice alone as I rest in your embrace.
Lord, drive the other voices from the temple of my heart,
And whisper words of wisdom which your Spirit can impart.
That I would hear no other voice,
O Master, draw me near.
May I incline my heart to you,
Speak, Lord, and help me hear.
by Frank Carpenter
to my kindred spirit
One of my dear friends is celebrating another year of life and it brought me to reflect on how much I value her friendship. It was 20 years ago (yikes!) that we met at Prairie Bible College. We were moving into the dorm and met in the elevator - and my dad in his wisdom said, 'Jen, that seems like a really nice girl. I think she'll be a good friend for you.' Well, he was certainly right! We quickly became friends along with other dear ones who continue to hold big 'parking spaces' in my heart.
My friend is, in the words of my hero Anne of Green Gables, a kindred spirit. We have shared many laughs, adventures, heart aches and joys. I have come to realize that such a kindred spirit is truly a gift. As you journey through life and meet many people along the way, there are some special relationships that you know will last the test of time, no matter how often you see each other. The kind of friend with whom you can connect, not worrying if you've caught up on all the stories, but feeling confident that whatever is shared will be cherished as a sacred gift.
My friend has come to the 38th year of life - an age that 20 years ago we predicted would most certainly be 'gross'. Nearing that scary age of 40, not even close to 30's any more, we were sure that it would be a terrible age. Well, having experienced that gross age for the last several months, I can say that it's not as bad as we'd anticipated. Still hard to believe we are actually nearing the big 4-0, but there is a good feeling of having grown up just a little bit :) That sense of having experienced enough of life to know that we certainly don't have it all figured out, and naive enough to still keep on dreaming big dreams.
So my dear friend, I celebrate you and give thanks for the years we've shared together. I look forward to becoming those crazy old ladies we always imagined we'd be, never giving up on the chance for a new adventure. You inspire my faith as you serve with such love and hope. May you continue to radiate the joy and peace of our Father. With love from your kindred spirit xo
My friend is, in the words of my hero Anne of Green Gables, a kindred spirit. We have shared many laughs, adventures, heart aches and joys. I have come to realize that such a kindred spirit is truly a gift. As you journey through life and meet many people along the way, there are some special relationships that you know will last the test of time, no matter how often you see each other. The kind of friend with whom you can connect, not worrying if you've caught up on all the stories, but feeling confident that whatever is shared will be cherished as a sacred gift.
My friend has come to the 38th year of life - an age that 20 years ago we predicted would most certainly be 'gross'. Nearing that scary age of 40, not even close to 30's any more, we were sure that it would be a terrible age. Well, having experienced that gross age for the last several months, I can say that it's not as bad as we'd anticipated. Still hard to believe we are actually nearing the big 4-0, but there is a good feeling of having grown up just a little bit :) That sense of having experienced enough of life to know that we certainly don't have it all figured out, and naive enough to still keep on dreaming big dreams.
So my dear friend, I celebrate you and give thanks for the years we've shared together. I look forward to becoming those crazy old ladies we always imagined we'd be, never giving up on the chance for a new adventure. You inspire my faith as you serve with such love and hope. May you continue to radiate the joy and peace of our Father. With love from your kindred spirit xo
a little bit of self-discovery
I recently took the Myers Briggs personality test and my results were INFP - Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving. Whatever your feeling about these profiling tools, I find them quite fascinating and generally enlightening and helpful. Taking the test again (last time was back in college days) reminded me that I am high on the 'feeling' spectrum and that I need to express that 'introvertedly'. What that has come to mean for me is that I need time to reflect on my feelings and exercises such as journaling (and blogging!) are really helpful for me. I used to be a die-hard, daily journaller...Then I had kids :)
Needless to say, the last 5 years or so have seen a big drop off in my pen reaching the beautiful pages of my journal. (I really love journals...something about blank pages of handmade paper just waiting to be filled :))
So here I am, seeing the need to reflect some more on life and the world within and around me.
One of the books I read recently was called 'The Gift of Being Yourself'by David Benner. It looked at the fact that each of us is uniquely designed and that we discover our true potential in life as we really get to know who we are. I have to admit that sometimes I don't feel like my self is much of a gift - there are times I'd like to exchange this gift for something more useful or efficient! But I do believe it is true that the more we really understand who we are, who we have been created to be, the more we can understand people and the world around us. Not merely 'navel-gazing' but discovering our identity, our true selves.
"In all of creation, identity is a challenge only for humans. A tulip knows exactly what it is. It is never tempted by false ways of being. Nor does it face complicated decisions in the process of becoming....Humans, however, encounter a more challenging existence. We think. We consider options. We decide. We act. We doubt. Simple being is tremendously difficult to achieve and fully authentic being is extremely rare....There is, however, a way of being for each of us that is as natural and deeply congruent as the life of the tulip. Beneath the roles and masks lies a possibility of a self that is as unique as a snowflake. It is an originality that has existed since God first loved us into existence."
So knowing my personality type may be simply amusing information about my preferences and quirks, or it may help me understand a bit more about myself in a way that allows me to embrace the uniqueness and purpose for which I was created.
For example, knowing that my inner core values guide my interactions and decisions, and that I want to be involved in work that contributes to both my own growth and inner development and those of others - to have a purpose beyond my paycheque - helps me to order my time so that I pay attention to those things that are of deep value to me and not just get bogged down by routine tasks. As I develop more and more into the person I was created to be, it is there that I find great joy.
As Fredrick Buechner said about finding your unique purpose in life, "the place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet."
As I continue on the journey I desire to discover more deeply that for which I was uniquely designed - and I hope to get a few more journal pages filled in the process :)
Needless to say, the last 5 years or so have seen a big drop off in my pen reaching the beautiful pages of my journal. (I really love journals...something about blank pages of handmade paper just waiting to be filled :))
So here I am, seeing the need to reflect some more on life and the world within and around me.
One of the books I read recently was called 'The Gift of Being Yourself'by David Benner. It looked at the fact that each of us is uniquely designed and that we discover our true potential in life as we really get to know who we are. I have to admit that sometimes I don't feel like my self is much of a gift - there are times I'd like to exchange this gift for something more useful or efficient! But I do believe it is true that the more we really understand who we are, who we have been created to be, the more we can understand people and the world around us. Not merely 'navel-gazing' but discovering our identity, our true selves.
"In all of creation, identity is a challenge only for humans. A tulip knows exactly what it is. It is never tempted by false ways of being. Nor does it face complicated decisions in the process of becoming....Humans, however, encounter a more challenging existence. We think. We consider options. We decide. We act. We doubt. Simple being is tremendously difficult to achieve and fully authentic being is extremely rare....There is, however, a way of being for each of us that is as natural and deeply congruent as the life of the tulip. Beneath the roles and masks lies a possibility of a self that is as unique as a snowflake. It is an originality that has existed since God first loved us into existence."
So knowing my personality type may be simply amusing information about my preferences and quirks, or it may help me understand a bit more about myself in a way that allows me to embrace the uniqueness and purpose for which I was created.
For example, knowing that my inner core values guide my interactions and decisions, and that I want to be involved in work that contributes to both my own growth and inner development and those of others - to have a purpose beyond my paycheque - helps me to order my time so that I pay attention to those things that are of deep value to me and not just get bogged down by routine tasks. As I develop more and more into the person I was created to be, it is there that I find great joy.
As Fredrick Buechner said about finding your unique purpose in life, "the place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet."
As I continue on the journey I desire to discover more deeply that for which I was uniquely designed - and I hope to get a few more journal pages filled in the process :)
dusting off
I was just updating our church website and discovered a link to this blog...and discovered that it's been about 3 years since I've written! So I decided to dust off the keys and write a few words, hoping to get back into the habit of blogging (actually feels like a welcome change from Facebook :)) Much has certainly happened in life these last 3 years - my little girl is now 5 and getting ready to head to kindergarten in a few weeks, and Eli is a busy and joyful 2 year old. Life is full and fun! 
body slams and headbutts
So I have discovered a new art in parenting--wrestling!
Kent has been away for the past few days at a conference, so Katerina and I have been enjoying some 'girl' time together. We've had a fun time, I thought we were doing pretty well on our own...until after supper the other night she attacked me - she wanted to wrestle!
Now I have 2 older brothers - one would think I would know how to wrestle - but apparently I don't. Katerina came at me with a pillow, bounced on me, gave me a headbutt, then looked at me strangely..."don't you know how to wrestle like daddy does?" she seemed to say.
So I tried my best to play rough, but I was really just hoping we could go back to reading stories, and singing and dancing together. I think she finally gave up on me and I decided I need to take some lessons in this fine art of wrestling. Who knew my sweet little girl liked to be body slammed on the couch?
Kent comes home tonight...I think he might be greeted by a headbutt from Katerina and a welcome home hug from me. Then maybe he can suggest some WWF moves that I can try on the little one :)
Kent has been away for the past few days at a conference, so Katerina and I have been enjoying some 'girl' time together. We've had a fun time, I thought we were doing pretty well on our own...until after supper the other night she attacked me - she wanted to wrestle!
Now I have 2 older brothers - one would think I would know how to wrestle - but apparently I don't. Katerina came at me with a pillow, bounced on me, gave me a headbutt, then looked at me strangely..."don't you know how to wrestle like daddy does?" she seemed to say.
So I tried my best to play rough, but I was really just hoping we could go back to reading stories, and singing and dancing together. I think she finally gave up on me and I decided I need to take some lessons in this fine art of wrestling. Who knew my sweet little girl liked to be body slammed on the couch?
Kent comes home tonight...I think he might be greeted by a headbutt from Katerina and a welcome home hug from me. Then maybe he can suggest some WWF moves that I can try on the little one :)
Shine His Light
"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine!" ~ Matthew 5:14-15 (The Message)
remember
There is a song called "Remember" that has been on our playlist in the car for awhile. I am sure as I have been driving around, I've heard it many times. But it recently caught my attention - as it calls us to remember what Jesus has done for us all. I want my heart to be 'moved to remember' - to never forget or take for granted the price Jesus paid - for me, for all...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is the body that was torn for us
This is the blood that was spilt
Points to the pain you endured for us
Points to the shame, the blame, the guilt
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, come
Move our hearts to remember
This is the Lamb who was slain for us
So we the church may enter in
So bitter sweet when we think of You
The One who bore our curse, our sin
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, come
Move our hearts to remember, to remember
~Laura Story
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is the body that was torn for us
This is the blood that was spilt
Points to the pain you endured for us
Points to the shame, the blame, the guilt
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, come
Move our hearts to remember
This is the Lamb who was slain for us
So we the church may enter in
So bitter sweet when we think of You
The One who bore our curse, our sin
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, come
Move our hearts to remember, to remember
~Laura Story
A prayer for the mission of the Church
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace. So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you, for the honour of your Name. Amen.
~ from the Book of Common Prayer
a little update
It's now September and I think I am finally ready for summer! :) Why am I always a few months behind? Anyways, it has been a fun and busy summer - we spent 2 weeks visiting my family in Manitoba and celebrated my parents 50th wedding anniversary. It was a real blessing to be with all the family, and a special gift to share in celebrating 50 years of love and committment.
In August we moved into our first home and we love it! We have lots of space, a yard, and a great family neighbourhood. We are still organizing and doing some projects, but it is starting to feel more and more like home. We are very blessed indeed!
Now we enjoying the beautiful days of September and settling back into a regular routine of life and work. I am grateful for this beautiful place in which we live and for my wonderful family and community to share the journey with!
In August we moved into our first home and we love it! We have lots of space, a yard, and a great family neighbourhood. We are still organizing and doing some projects, but it is starting to feel more and more like home. We are very blessed indeed!
Now we enjoying the beautiful days of September and settling back into a regular routine of life and work. I am grateful for this beautiful place in which we live and for my wonderful family and community to share the journey with!
my mom
So it is mother's day tomorrow and in all the busyness of getting ready for church on Sunday and also thinking about how this is my first mother's day - I completely forgot to send my mom a card - so it will be late, once again:(. I had asked Katerina a few days ago what she was going to get me for mother's day and she stopped and looked at me, giggled, and then shook her head! I think that means I won't be getting much :) But maybe that's just the way it is for moms sometimes...
My mom is one of the most selfless people I know - I don't actually think I have ever known her to serve herself first. Whether it is around the dinner table, or out shopping, or making plans for the day - my mom always puts other people before herself, especially her kids and grand kids! When I was younger I used to think my mom was crazy for never wanting to buy anything for herself - not even new clothing or just something special as a treat.
Now that I am a mom I can understand my mom a bit more...and I can understand that her selflessness is one of the greatest ways she shows love to her family. And now that I am a mom, I really don't know how my mother ever did it - how did she raise 5 kids, help nurture more than a dozen grand kids and great-grand kids? How did she support her husband as a pastor and farmer, how did she provide such stability to our family when things were tight and challenges came?
Her commitment to loving our family can only be sustained by her commitment to Jesus. One of my favourite memories as a child was stealing a peak at my mom as she did her devotions every morning. As she sat in a quiet corner to read her Bible and pray, I knew that something special was going on. I knew not to disturb my mom, not because she would have gotten upset with me, but because even as a young child I knew that it was a sacred and holy time. I can see now that it was really what gave her the strength and love that she needed to face each day with a smile on her face and peace in her heart.
Now that I'm a mom and I struggle with juggling my work, caring for our daughter, keeping our house a home, supporting and nurturing our family - I think of my mom and realize that if I want to leave a legacy like she has - then I can never neglect that special time with Jesus each day. Even when there are 50 other things I could be doing, if I am not nurturing that loving relationship with Jesus I will have nothing left to give.
So my mom continues to teach me many things and gives me high goals to strive for, but she more importantly lives a life that testifies to the love and peace that is found only in Jesus. Thank you mom, I love you...
My mom is one of the most selfless people I know - I don't actually think I have ever known her to serve herself first. Whether it is around the dinner table, or out shopping, or making plans for the day - my mom always puts other people before herself, especially her kids and grand kids! When I was younger I used to think my mom was crazy for never wanting to buy anything for herself - not even new clothing or just something special as a treat.
Now that I am a mom I can understand my mom a bit more...and I can understand that her selflessness is one of the greatest ways she shows love to her family. And now that I am a mom, I really don't know how my mother ever did it - how did she raise 5 kids, help nurture more than a dozen grand kids and great-grand kids? How did she support her husband as a pastor and farmer, how did she provide such stability to our family when things were tight and challenges came?
Her commitment to loving our family can only be sustained by her commitment to Jesus. One of my favourite memories as a child was stealing a peak at my mom as she did her devotions every morning. As she sat in a quiet corner to read her Bible and pray, I knew that something special was going on. I knew not to disturb my mom, not because she would have gotten upset with me, but because even as a young child I knew that it was a sacred and holy time. I can see now that it was really what gave her the strength and love that she needed to face each day with a smile on her face and peace in her heart.
Now that I'm a mom and I struggle with juggling my work, caring for our daughter, keeping our house a home, supporting and nurturing our family - I think of my mom and realize that if I want to leave a legacy like she has - then I can never neglect that special time with Jesus each day. Even when there are 50 other things I could be doing, if I am not nurturing that loving relationship with Jesus I will have nothing left to give.
So my mom continues to teach me many things and gives me high goals to strive for, but she more importantly lives a life that testifies to the love and peace that is found only in Jesus. Thank you mom, I love you...
Curious girl
Just an update of our curious little George(ette) :) She loves buttons and electronics, so the camera is especially enticing. She is now 10 months old, not quite yet crawling but getting closer to greater mobility! She sure is lots of fun--amazing how games like peek-a-boo never really grow old...
Gazing on the Trinity Icon
During Lent our church is reading through a book called 'The Kingdom and The Cross' by James Bryan Smith. Each chapter has what the author calls a 'soul training' activity, in which we are challenged to go deeper in our understanding of who God is and what Christ's work on the cross has accomplished.
This week the soul training exercise is to look at the Trinity icon, which is a famous 13th century icon of the Trinity by Russian iconographer Rublev. The colours and imagery in the icon all have significance, which is interesting to reflect upon. In the Trinity there is unity - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit live in submission and sacrifice to each other. All three members of the Trinity are huddled together, like three people working closely on a project. The project is the reconciliation of the world.
It is also interesting that everything is pointing to the centre of the table, where the chalice sits. The chalice represents the 'cup' that Jesus chose to endure - his suffering and self-sacrifice. It also represents the chalice used in the Eucharist. When we gather to take Communion, we remember the sacrifice of Jesus.
As complex as the idea of the Trinity might be, this icon helps me to see that the Trinity is a community of love, submission, and sacrifice. My own selfishness and pride so often get in the way of being loving, submissive, and sacrificial. This week my desire is to think and act upon the example of the Trinity--to be more loving, sacrificing, and to live and work in unity with those around me.
all things new
This prayer was an encouragement to me this morning, a reminder that Jesus is daily renewing us and transforming us...
Almighty God, in Christ you make all things new: transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace, and in the renewal of our lives make known your heavenly glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God, in Christ you make all things new: transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace, and in the renewal of our lives make known your heavenly glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Kat in action
These videos are mostly for the enjoyment of family members who don't get to see Katerina too often...but hope you all enjoy them!
what do you love about Jesus?
I recently read the book 'Organic God' by Margaret Feinberg and appreciated her thoughtful insights about who God is and how we relate to him. She looked at how we can get rid of the unhealthy pollutants and additives of the world and purify our relationship with God.
She shared a story about a friend of hers who once asked her the question, 'What do you love about Jesus?' She said, 'His words took my breath away. I had never heard somthing so simple but soul penetrating. Some say that love has no agenda, but...I have come to believe that love is the agenda.'
It is indeed a simple, yet thought provoking question...what do you love about Jesus? I love that Jesus is full of suprises. He doesn't do things like we expect him to. This week at our Wednesday morning communion service we were reading the Gospel of Matthew where in chapter 8 Jesus cleansed a leper and healed the centurion's servant. In both of these acts of Jesus' ministry, he didn't do what was expected. To even come near a leper was unthinkable, and yet Jesus reached out and touched him, and he was healed.
The centurion was a Gentile, not one of the 'in crowd' so to speak. Yet he had great faith and knew that by the authority of Jesus' word, his servant could be healed. And he was, at the very moment that Jesus spoke. Jesus 'should' have been keeping himself clean and ministering to the right people, but he didn't do what we expected him to do.
In our limited, human thinking we are always surprised by what Jesus does. And often we're not very happy about it, but Jesus simply says - 'I have come to do the Father's will.' That's what I love about Jesus...that in his great love for the world, he acts and ministers in the will of God, even when it doesn't make sense to us. His love goes beyond my understanding, yet I know that his love is what has forgiven me, saved me, and stays with me each day as I seek to follow him.
What do you love about Jesus?
She shared a story about a friend of hers who once asked her the question, 'What do you love about Jesus?' She said, 'His words took my breath away. I had never heard somthing so simple but soul penetrating. Some say that love has no agenda, but...I have come to believe that love is the agenda.'
It is indeed a simple, yet thought provoking question...what do you love about Jesus? I love that Jesus is full of suprises. He doesn't do things like we expect him to. This week at our Wednesday morning communion service we were reading the Gospel of Matthew where in chapter 8 Jesus cleansed a leper and healed the centurion's servant. In both of these acts of Jesus' ministry, he didn't do what was expected. To even come near a leper was unthinkable, and yet Jesus reached out and touched him, and he was healed.
The centurion was a Gentile, not one of the 'in crowd' so to speak. Yet he had great faith and knew that by the authority of Jesus' word, his servant could be healed. And he was, at the very moment that Jesus spoke. Jesus 'should' have been keeping himself clean and ministering to the right people, but he didn't do what we expected him to do.
In our limited, human thinking we are always surprised by what Jesus does. And often we're not very happy about it, but Jesus simply says - 'I have come to do the Father's will.' That's what I love about Jesus...that in his great love for the world, he acts and ministers in the will of God, even when it doesn't make sense to us. His love goes beyond my understanding, yet I know that his love is what has forgiven me, saved me, and stays with me each day as I seek to follow him.
What do you love about Jesus?
for unto us a child is born
I suppose I knew that Christmas this year would be so different...now having a little one to share the joys, surprises, and wonders with. One of my precious delights was seeing Katerina reach out to the lights and ornaments on the tree, or for the pretty wrapping paper, or her new little dolly...with such a sweet sense of wonder and awe, just desiring to experience each moment and discover what new sensations were awaiting her.
I recently realized how Katerina helps me to slow down and appreciate the little things...whether it is while we are just sitting close in the quiet moments in the morning, or reading a book together, or playing on the floor as she discovers how to move her little body in new ways...each simple act is forcing me to slow down and enjoy the moment.
This has been a gift to me in the busyness of the Christmas season - the time in which we receive Jesus into our lives once again. It really amazes me that God chose a little baby to be the Saviour of the world. It's not what we would expect, but in the miracle of Christmas we are challenged to slow down and receive the gift of Immanuel, God with us.
"For unto us a child is born..." This passage from Isaiah 9 has been on my heart a lot over the last week, as I have reflected on the wonder of the Christ child. I thank God for the gift of Jesus and the fulfillment of his plan to bring light and life into our dark and broken world.
Trusting God from the bottom of my heart
Proverbs 3 has been a favourite passage of mine and this morning I read it in The Message paraphrase. Certain phrases struck me in new ways as I read, and I was reminded to..."Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he's the one who will keep you on track."
My tendency is to try to figure things out on my own, instead of listening for God's voice. As a new mum and a pastor, I often find myself in situations where I need wisdom and guidance, but I don't always run to God first. During this season of Advent I am seeking to daily make more room in my heart and my life for God, remembering him in everything I do.
As a church we are reading through the book 'The Uncluttered Heart' during Advent and Christmas. These words today were an encouragement to me to always look to God: 'When I look for God in each person I meet, in each situation I encounter, I am more open to God's Spirit working in me, shaping me into a vessel of God's peace.'
Creator God, help me keep my eyes on you, that following you, I may be remade into your likeness, a vessel of your love, peace, and compassion. Amen.
don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he's the one who will keep you on track."
My tendency is to try to figure things out on my own, instead of listening for God's voice. As a new mum and a pastor, I often find myself in situations where I need wisdom and guidance, but I don't always run to God first. During this season of Advent I am seeking to daily make more room in my heart and my life for God, remembering him in everything I do.
As a church we are reading through the book 'The Uncluttered Heart' during Advent and Christmas. These words today were an encouragement to me to always look to God: 'When I look for God in each person I meet, in each situation I encounter, I am more open to God's Spirit working in me, shaping me into a vessel of God's peace.'
Creator God, help me keep my eyes on you, that following you, I may be remade into your likeness, a vessel of your love, peace, and compassion. Amen.
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