Women’s ministry….

 Women’s Ministry….

Years ago, the early 1990’s, several women gathered to brainstorm about women’s ministries…give it new facelift, so to speak….we met in a classroom at a church, the pastor overseeing that branch was there(he has since passed away), encouraging and listening, clarifying…

We eventually rebranded the ministry, did evaluations, questionnaires, writing our own material to fit the demographics of the area… not that there wasn’t good stuff, but wanted to try something different…we had so many talented women who had a heart to facilitate, lead, and participate in this group…as we had 125-150 women each week to serve…

It was an amazing time…learning so much about God, his faithfulness, the friends he brings, the friendship He solidifies…prayer, unity in direction…

Within a few years, He moved us all into various places, both geographically and ministry-wise…we’ve become grandmothers, church staff, widows, international ministry speakers and builders, caregivers,writers and God continues lead each of us in ways we never imagined from that meeting so long ago in a classroom about ministry…

 Nostalgia…I know…

When I read this passage in Ephesians, I think of that meeting…

 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. 

That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 

And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Eph.1.15-22

This was my devotional for that day…my vision statement for the meeting…wanting…desiring …learning…

The Spirit of wisdom and revelation….

Hearts be enlightened…

Know the hope…

The riches of his glorious inheritance….

His great Power…

It is still as fresh as the day Paul wrote it…those same pleas, thanksgivings…

Thank YOU….

Gifts from God..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfLGfuINnG4

Chosen…

             

 Chosen….

I have four children…two birth, two adopted…I don’t think of them in a different light…they are my children…they  joined our family…maybe differently…but, they were chosen to be part of my family…whatever route they came…

They all have different personalities, temperaments, talents and they are all amazing….

Oh, there have been some tough times, but, we are still a family…through all the family searches, DNA tests, we know all our backgrounds, where we all came from, family ties…interesting, but, we assimilated it all and still became  a family…put together, through no accident, planned and known by God…long before we existed…

I as started Ephesians, I thought of this, again…it is so comforting…even in the rough times…we are chosen to be a part of His family and each of our own…each learning life lessons, each a similar and separate path…each designed especially for us….there are no surprises for Him, no “what do I do now” mind games…He is in control….

Thank YOU….

 Teach me to do your will,for you are my God;may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

Ps.143.10

 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. 

In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. 

With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. 

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. 

When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

Eph.1.3-14

 For you created my inmost being;you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;your works are wonderful,I know that full well. 

My frame was not hidden from youwhen I was made in the secret place,when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 

Your eyes saw my unformed body;all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Ps.139.13-16

Bind us together…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPCfks7I_bU

Every nation…

 Every nation…

Chapter 2 of Acts speaks  of the day of Pentecost…when people were gathered from all over together…there was no mistake of the time, year or date in God’s timing…less than two months after Christ’s crucifixion…the Promised Holy Spirit came…when every nation could hear Peter’s address, his plea for their very souls…such a wide audience….and about 3000 were added, it says….it makes you wonder what did they all say when they returned to their homes far away…”every nation”…

Several mission organizations are using the theme, “to the ends of the earth”….giving that same  message of Jesus now and have been for years…maybe not in the town square, but, films, cds, pamphlets, Bible translations, watches, electronic devices…or simple flannel graphs….anyway that tells the true story of Jesus…

So the that people from every nation will stand someday they will stand before the Throne…in praise…

Thank YOU…

 My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to me, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the Lord Almighty.

Mal.1.11

 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.

Acts.2.5

 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.

Acts.10.34-36

 And they sang a new song, saying:“You are worthy to take the scrolland to open its seals,because you were slain,and with your blood you purchased for Godpersons from every tribe and language and people and nation.

Rev.5.9

 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:“Salvation belongs to our God,who sits on the throne,and to the Lamb.”

Rev.7.9-10

 Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

Rev.14.6-7

Rev. 22

You are Holy….from a Messianic Jew…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8mcHKURgC8

Article about Joshua Aaron…just interesting….

https://www.last.fm/music/Joshua+Aaron/+wiki

Coming home…

  Coming home….

 

We arrived home, welcoming a night with no deadline the next morning, no suitcases out by 7am, no breakfast call…just on our own time…

Our trip was fantastic and worth the wait…we realized that both of our staminas had decreased over those three years for various reasons and if we are able to take another of these trips, we need to make some logistical changes…so will see what happens in the ensuing months…

We met a great group of people, several family groups traveling together, several couples, some of the same faith…but all there to enjoy the sights, the safety of traveling in numbers, having a commentary of the area, not driving or navigating ourselves…

We had a farewell dinner the night before we all scattered to our homes in various destinations across the United States to say our goodbyes…

Finishing Colossians, Paul writes in his own hand, further instructions to these dear people …

*take care of those with whom you have been entrusted…

*devote yourself to prayer,  being watchful and thankful…

*pray for Paul and his entourage…

*be wise in the way you act…

*make the most of every opportunity…

*let your conversation be full of grace…

*listen to reports given by those bringing the letter…

*people are praying for them…

*share letters…

*remember him and his chains…

When I finish a letter or card, I usually write, “love,…” or “Blessings,”…Paul goes way beyond that in each of his letters…”a farewell “ dinner so to speak…with a feast of instructions and last minute greetings and rememberances….

It is a reminder to make a farewell memorable…and meaningful…

Thank YOU…

 This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:“I am the Lord your God,who teaches you what is best for you,who directs you in the way you should go.

Isa.48.17

Joshua’s farewell speech …Joshua 23…

 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. 

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. 

Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. 

He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. 

They will tell you everything that is happening here. 

My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 

Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. 

These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. 

He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. 

I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. 

Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 

After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea. 

Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.” 

I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

Col.4.1-18

Whatever May come…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nW7lyO6jHA

Sinkholes…

 Sinkholes…

Yesterday, we were to have an uneventful ride from Jasper, Alberta to Calgary …and for the most part is was…we went to the Columbia Ice fields, riding huge ice buggies up on to the ice…most wandered around a bit…Connie and I stayed close to buggy as it was slippery…(am not a fan of falling on ice after this last year)…

We rode through beautiful scenery again, majestic mountains, glacier after glacier, waterfalls, glacier fed rivers…until the red rear lights caught our attention about 2 miles before next rest stop…on a four lane freeway…our side was backed up for miles, slow, stop and go traffic….

Finally, the report was a sinkhole in the eastbound lane. 21 x 6.5 feet…that is big enough for a car to fall into or truck or bus….

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/sinkhole-closes-part-hwy-1-214433446.html

Took two hours to get to the rest stop in Banff…dinner at 8:30 instead of 7 in airport hotel in Calgary…

Sinkholes/pits can definitely be a surprise in backyards, highways and life…causing detours and/or reflection, growth, pain and reconstruction…with helpers of all kinds…

Joseph’s brothers through him into a pit before they sold him into slavery…

Job speaks of a pit…

David speaks of a pit…

 Lord my God, I called to you for help,and you healed me. 

You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead;you spared me from going down to the pit. 

To you, Lord, I called;to the Lord I cried for mercy: “What is gained if I am silenced,if I go down to the pit?

Will the dust praise you?

Will it proclaim your faithfulness? 

Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me;Lord, be my help.” 

You turned my wailing into dancing;you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.Lord my God, I will praise you forever.

Ps.30.2-3,Ps.30.8-12

 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,out of the mud and mire;he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 

He put a new song in my mouth,a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear the Lordand put their trust in him. 

Blessed is the onewho trusts in the Lord,who does not look to the proud,to those who turn aside to false gods. 

Many, Lord my God,are the wonders you have done,the things you planned for us.

None can compare with you;were I to speak and tell of your deeds,they would be too many to declare.

Ps.40.2-5

Solomon speaks several times of various pits…

 The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe,but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit.

Prov.28.18

Jeremiah was placed in a cistern/pit…

 So they took Jeremiah and put him into the cistern of Malkijah, the king’s son, which was in the courtyard of the guard. They lowered Jeremiah by ropes into the cistern; it had no water in it, only mud, and Jeremiah sank down into the mud.

Jer.38.6

I wonder if he thought of David’s words down there…

He was rescued… But Ebed-Melek, a Cushite, an official in the royal palace, heard that they had put Jeremiah into the cistern. While the king was sitting in the Benjamin Gate, “My lord the king, these men have acted wickedly in all they have done to Jeremiah the prophet. They have thrown him into a cistern, where he will starve to death when there is no longer any bread in the city.” Then the king commanded Ebed-Melek the Cushite, “Take thirty men from here with you and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies.” So Ebed-Melek took the men with him and went to a room under the treasury in the palace. He took some old rags and worn-out clothes from there and let them down with ropes to Jeremiah in the cistern. Ebed-Melek the Cushite said to Jeremiah, “Put these old rags and worn-out clothes under your arms to pad the ropes.” Jeremiah did so, and they pulled him up with the ropes and lifted him out of the cistern. And Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard.

Jer.38.7,Jer.38.9-13

Am not sure how they repair highway sinkholes, but God does rescue us from ours…He knows the way out…

Thank YOU!!!

Waymaker…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCpbeVFgs4E

 Speaking to Laodicea….

I thought it was interesting that Paul is speaking to the Laodiceans in Colossians…what he desired for them…what he contended for them…encouragement in heart, United in love, understanding that they may know the full riches in Christ….

When Jesus later addresses the churches in Revelations, he calls them out on “lukewarmness”, boasting of riches and calls them

“wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked”.

They had not continued faithfully…

But, Jesus adds the verse to all, not just the 7 churches…

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. 

If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

He is still calling …He still desires that we heed that call…

Thank YOU…

 I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 

I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 

For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

Col.2.1-5

 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”

Rev.1.10-11

 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 

So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 

You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ 

But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 

I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. 

If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. 

To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Rev.3.14-22

Softly and tenderly…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck58d3BMBX0

Thunder ….lightning …

 Thunder, lightning….

Last night a thunder, lightning and rain storm….we were near Jasper, Alberta…high mountains surrounding us…so when the thunder rolled, it reverberated back and forth and all around us…we could hear it for miles up and down the valley…

The lightning flashed, crackling amount the trees, mountains, rivers and lakes…and then the rain poured, hopefully putting out any fires that may have been started…

This was all in the middle of the night for probably about 45-60 minutes…all of us looked pretty groggy at our 7 am breakfast call…

It was an amazing storm that got all of our attention…

There are some amazing verses about thunder, lightning…from Exodus to Revelations…power, majesty….just a few…

 He made darkness his canopy around him—the dark rain clouds of the sky. Out of the brightness of his presence bolts of lightning blazed forth. The Lord thundered from heaven;the voice of the Most High resounded.

2Sam.22.12-14

 Who can understand how he spreads out the clouds,how he thunders from his pavilion? 

His thunder announces the coming storm;even the cattle make known its approach. 

Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice,to the rumbling that comes from his mouth. 

He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven and sends it to the ends of the earth. 

After that comes the sound of his roar;he thunders with his majestic voice.

When his voice resounds,he holds nothing back. God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways;

he does great things beyond our understanding. 

He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’

Job.36.29,Job.36.33,Job.37.2-6

 The clouds poured down water,the heavens resounded with thunder;your arrows flashed back and forth. 

Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,your lightning lit up the world;the earth trembled and quaked.

Ps.77.17-18

 The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty;the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength;indeed, the world is established, firm and secure. 

Your throne was established long ago;you are from all eternity. Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,mightier than the breakers of the sea—the Lord on high is mighty. 

Your statutes, Lord, stand firm;holiness adorns your housefor endless days.

Ps.93.1-2Ps.93.4-5

 But God made the earth by his power;he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar;he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth.

He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.

Jer.10.12-13

 Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime;it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms.

He gives showers of rain to all people,and plants off the field to everyone.

Zech.10.1

 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:“Hallelujah!For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!

For the wedding of the Lamb has come,and his bride has made herself ready. 

Fine linen, bright and clean,was given her to wear.”(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.) 

Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” 

And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

Rev.19.6-9

These words  from the Word get our attention as does thunder and lightning…

Thank YOU…

Praise you in the storm…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ype1xE0wzsg

Majesty…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNnTFDNPT3U