It is New Years Eve and we are enjoying a quiet night at home. Although it will take a few days to really settle into "normal" without my beloved family we are glad to be home.
Tonight our family made pizza, imitating two of our restaurant favourites; Chicken Caesar and Spicy Perogy and watched a movie - "How To Train a Dragon". Great Movie. Now we are just enjoying the quiet and will likely have a quiet countdown to the New Year.
The celebration of a new year is a funny thing. Really, it is just another day but it represents something so much more. It represents a fresh start and a new opportunity. For the past couple of years I have decided to memorize scripture throughout the year. It started out as an individual goal but then part way through the 2009 I came across the LPM blog - Living Proof Ministry Blog led by Beth Moore. They were doing scripture memory accountability on the blog. As some of you may remember from previous posts, I joined in. Tomorrow they are starting Siesta Scripture Memory again on the LPM blog. Although I did it last year partly alone, partly with my sister, I will be joining in again this year. I find the accountability both helpful and encouraging. I will leave the link to their blog here in case you are interested in joining too. Read the instructions Beth Moore leaves and see if this is something you feel you'd like commit to for the coming year.
Siesta Scripture Memory
If any of you are interested I'd love to know and to memorize along with you. I know it can be intimidating leaving a message on a blog but I do find the accountability makes me more disciplined; having an accountability partner can do the same thing. I believe that if we are committed to being a follower of God with our whole life that we need to have disciplines in place. Studying scripture and memorizing scripture are two ways that I am committed to. I will share more about this in the next week or so. With regards to scripture memory in particular it is a way that I can have God's Word in me to guide me and to convict me, to challenge my reactions and my thoughts and to help clothe myself in the life that Christ promises to those that believe in Him.
I will sign off now. My middle child seems to want to ring in the New Year by giving her parents a kiss as she has joined our lively party.
I'd love to memorize scripture with you this year. Please comment below or let me know if you want to take up this challenge with me.
Happy New Year!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Merry Christmas
I just wanted to sign in to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.
We just finished having a snack. Our appetites will be satisified (that is an understatement when I am taken care of by my Mom!) until our turkey diner later today. The adults just sat down to play a game so I thought I would take this opportunity to say hi.
I'm writing from Alberta, enjoying the coulees and the view of the mountains and am hoping that your celebrations, wherever they are, are filled with the hope that only Christ can bring. I hope that your giving is more meaningful, your receiving is gracious, your eating is celebratory and your reactions to situations filled with a sense of humour.
I loved being able to sit by my Mom at the Christmas Eve service, to sing next to her and then share an evening with family in a beautifully decorated candlelit room. My Mom is so gifted as a homemaker.
During a season where relationship with family and close friends is key we see true and lasting friendship is both a gift and a challenge (a worthwhile one). My need for the hope of Christ is so evident in these relational situations as I am reminded that my soul finds rest in Christ alone. Psalm 62:1. I don't know about you but intense family situations for prolonged periods of time can bring out all sorts of insecurities. Because I love everyone dearly, I need an extra measure of God. I am thankful that He is willing and able to be in every situation and make everything new.
Romans 5:5
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.
I wish you a VERY MERRY Christmas and hope that you experience the deepness in your relationships through God this season.
Love,
Nicole
We just finished having a snack. Our appetites will be satisified (that is an understatement when I am taken care of by my Mom!) until our turkey diner later today. The adults just sat down to play a game so I thought I would take this opportunity to say hi.
I'm writing from Alberta, enjoying the coulees and the view of the mountains and am hoping that your celebrations, wherever they are, are filled with the hope that only Christ can bring. I hope that your giving is more meaningful, your receiving is gracious, your eating is celebratory and your reactions to situations filled with a sense of humour.
I loved being able to sit by my Mom at the Christmas Eve service, to sing next to her and then share an evening with family in a beautifully decorated candlelit room. My Mom is so gifted as a homemaker.
During a season where relationship with family and close friends is key we see true and lasting friendship is both a gift and a challenge (a worthwhile one). My need for the hope of Christ is so evident in these relational situations as I am reminded that my soul finds rest in Christ alone. Psalm 62:1. I don't know about you but intense family situations for prolonged periods of time can bring out all sorts of insecurities. Because I love everyone dearly, I need an extra measure of God. I am thankful that He is willing and able to be in every situation and make everything new.
Romans 5:5
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.
I wish you a VERY MERRY Christmas and hope that you experience the deepness in your relationships through God this season.
Love,
Nicole
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
A Living Hope
In our church's advent series "Hope," we have had the privilege of hearing a number of testimonies. The testimonies bear witness to the transforming power of God in the lives of everyday people like you and me.
One of our weekly challenges to each other as a family is to listen for something that really spoke to us in the church service or during Kid's Cove/56 Degrees. It has been exciting to hear the kids take home a Truth from someone's testimony. I have been deeply moved by God's ability to show His love so uniquely and so completely to each person. I have also been challenged by people like Dave and Louise Sinclair Peters and their willingness to let go of personal fears and follow Christ. Their lives radiate Christ's love and hope to anyone nearby. If you want to hear their testimony follow this link: When Hope Draws Near.
Last night, during our family time, we were talking about Hope. About the trans-formative power of Jesus Christ through God the Father. We talked further about what we are choosing to do as a family this Christmas season because of that Hope. We really are living in a tension (talked about on Sunday morning.) We are living with the tension of worldly fears and measures on the one side and the desire to do good and live for the glory of God on the other side. We desire to adjust our attitudes because we know we were made to find complete satisfaction in God and to direct others to that same satisfaction through our words and our actions. The difficulty is that it just isn't natural. Natural for me is self preservation and self promotion. Displaying this Hope will only come through giving up of habits,thoughts and actions that hinder and taking on, with humility, a willing faith and the love of Christ.
After our time together I was left reflecting on the following questions: Are we acting like we know about the Hope? Are we sharing like we know? Do those around us want to ask why we do things the way we do? Do they see a sparkle in our eye that points to a different way - the way of God through Jesus Christ?
We ended by praying about it together and in faith asking Him to lead us through this. We ended by pondering 2 Corinthians 9.
"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously...and God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work...Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession for the gospel of Christ...thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
God may you truly be our Hope this Christmas season. May you be glorified even in the small steps we take. Show your power through these clay jars.
One of our weekly challenges to each other as a family is to listen for something that really spoke to us in the church service or during Kid's Cove/56 Degrees. It has been exciting to hear the kids take home a Truth from someone's testimony. I have been deeply moved by God's ability to show His love so uniquely and so completely to each person. I have also been challenged by people like Dave and Louise Sinclair Peters and their willingness to let go of personal fears and follow Christ. Their lives radiate Christ's love and hope to anyone nearby. If you want to hear their testimony follow this link: When Hope Draws Near.
Last night, during our family time, we were talking about Hope. About the trans-formative power of Jesus Christ through God the Father. We talked further about what we are choosing to do as a family this Christmas season because of that Hope. We really are living in a tension (talked about on Sunday morning.) We are living with the tension of worldly fears and measures on the one side and the desire to do good and live for the glory of God on the other side. We desire to adjust our attitudes because we know we were made to find complete satisfaction in God and to direct others to that same satisfaction through our words and our actions. The difficulty is that it just isn't natural. Natural for me is self preservation and self promotion. Displaying this Hope will only come through giving up of habits,thoughts and actions that hinder and taking on, with humility, a willing faith and the love of Christ.
After our time together I was left reflecting on the following questions: Are we acting like we know about the Hope? Are we sharing like we know? Do those around us want to ask why we do things the way we do? Do they see a sparkle in our eye that points to a different way - the way of God through Jesus Christ?
We ended by praying about it together and in faith asking Him to lead us through this. We ended by pondering 2 Corinthians 9.
"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously...and God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work...Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession for the gospel of Christ...thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
God may you truly be our Hope this Christmas season. May you be glorified even in the small steps we take. Show your power through these clay jars.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
A Heart of Compassion
Getting ready for bed last night was an exciting thing. I had just put fresh flannel sheets on the bed and both warmth and comfort were anticipated. It looked promising for a great night's rest.
Around 3am the promise broke.
Our sweet son who plays hard and sings constantly during the day, was in our room complaining of a stomach ache and sore throat!
Not good news.
Dave is by far the most compassionate person in our house during these situations and he was the first to comfort him and get him a bucket. Both were needed.
We settled Alexander into our room quickly once we realized what kind of night it would be. Around 5am, our sick boy called out desperately, "Is it morning yet?" Although he didn't voice it, his hope was that morning would bring the normalcy he so badly wanted. It didn't.
It was a long night and day for Alexander and he ended up missing "The Birthday Party for Jesus" at church that he had waited for and planned for all week.
At night we gathered as a family to talk and pray. Fitting to the season and to the day, Dave led us through a few Biblical prophecies related to Christmas. The prophets spoke of a hope that was to come. They longed for a Messiah and hoped for restoration as a nation. Their hope was in the promise of the prophecy and they waited. We talked about how the people of Israel expected things to happen even though they were given clues and how things actually happened. We talked about what expectations we place on God today based on our desires and how we could follow God less selfishly. As a family, we realized that it is hard to pray in a manner that focuses on knowing and loving God more than asking God for personal blessings and comforts.
When it was Alexander's turn to pray tonight, he simply prayed that he would follow God tomorrow and asked that no one else in the family get sick and named each of us to God.
I was deeply touched. Even in his fatigue and feverish body, he understood.
In a small, allegoric way, I was participating in the hope of our sweet, normally energetic boy who had experienced an extreme low today. His selfless and heartfelt prayer was a reminder to me that we have a Great and Eternal Hope who we can place our trust in this Advent season.
I love the sentimental and romantic feelings that our holiday celebrations create. I also know how quickly these dreams can be dashed - leaving us angrily and discontentedly staring at mere fragments of what we thought to be our hope.
My hopeful prayer tonight is that we would place our hope and strength in God, the Father. That through the Holy Spirit we would be able to respond to the sacrifice of Jesus and act selflessly in order to display the incredible riches we have in this season of fulfilled prophecy.
Around 3am the promise broke.
Our sweet son who plays hard and sings constantly during the day, was in our room complaining of a stomach ache and sore throat!
Not good news.
Dave is by far the most compassionate person in our house during these situations and he was the first to comfort him and get him a bucket. Both were needed.
We settled Alexander into our room quickly once we realized what kind of night it would be. Around 5am, our sick boy called out desperately, "Is it morning yet?" Although he didn't voice it, his hope was that morning would bring the normalcy he so badly wanted. It didn't.
It was a long night and day for Alexander and he ended up missing "The Birthday Party for Jesus" at church that he had waited for and planned for all week.
At night we gathered as a family to talk and pray. Fitting to the season and to the day, Dave led us through a few Biblical prophecies related to Christmas. The prophets spoke of a hope that was to come. They longed for a Messiah and hoped for restoration as a nation. Their hope was in the promise of the prophecy and they waited. We talked about how the people of Israel expected things to happen even though they were given clues and how things actually happened. We talked about what expectations we place on God today based on our desires and how we could follow God less selfishly. As a family, we realized that it is hard to pray in a manner that focuses on knowing and loving God more than asking God for personal blessings and comforts.
When it was Alexander's turn to pray tonight, he simply prayed that he would follow God tomorrow and asked that no one else in the family get sick and named each of us to God.
I was deeply touched. Even in his fatigue and feverish body, he understood.
In a small, allegoric way, I was participating in the hope of our sweet, normally energetic boy who had experienced an extreme low today. His selfless and heartfelt prayer was a reminder to me that we have a Great and Eternal Hope who we can place our trust in this Advent season.
I love the sentimental and romantic feelings that our holiday celebrations create. I also know how quickly these dreams can be dashed - leaving us angrily and discontentedly staring at mere fragments of what we thought to be our hope.
My hopeful prayer tonight is that we would place our hope and strength in God, the Father. That through the Holy Spirit we would be able to respond to the sacrifice of Jesus and act selflessly in order to display the incredible riches we have in this season of fulfilled prophecy.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Purses with a Purpose
A couple of weeks ago we finished our women's study on Jonah. Throughout the study we were encouraged to think missionally. To process the idea that the gifts and talents God has given to each of us are not merely for our personal gain. They are meant to be shared with those around us to show the love of God that is at work in us. God wanted to use Jonah to save a wicked city and went to great lengths to make it happen.
As a group we wanted to open ourselves up to this call, collectively. We wanted to take a step towards showing that knowing the Word of God isn't just for us but is meant to change our lives in such a way that others can't help but be affected by Jesus in our lives; the power of the Holy Spirit working through us. One of the ways we wanted to show love to others was by collecting current clothing and purses for women who were looking for a new start and were preparing for an interview. What I really enjoyed was filling the purses with personal items and hygiene items that would be necessary for helping someone in their job preparation.
I pray that as we continue to grow in our love for God, we will continue to grow in our love for others and be passionate about them knowing and experiencing God's love. May we see the needs around us and respond with our time, talents and money.
As a group we wanted to open ourselves up to this call, collectively. We wanted to take a step towards showing that knowing the Word of God isn't just for us but is meant to change our lives in such a way that others can't help but be affected by Jesus in our lives; the power of the Holy Spirit working through us. One of the ways we wanted to show love to others was by collecting current clothing and purses for women who were looking for a new start and were preparing for an interview. What I really enjoyed was filling the purses with personal items and hygiene items that would be necessary for helping someone in their job preparation.
I pray that as we continue to grow in our love for God, we will continue to grow in our love for others and be passionate about them knowing and experiencing God's love. May we see the needs around us and respond with our time, talents and money.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Snow-shocked!
It has been a few days since the snow came. The abrupt change from green grass to complete snow cover was a little overwhelming. I still had my hopes up that we might enjoy a late winter like last year. But I have to take words of caution from a few 7 years olds in this regard. A fellow classmate of my sons announced a number of days ago that he did not like snow. His classmates looked at him in disbelief, laughed and said, "You've got a problem!"
I knew I had a problem when the snow was beautifully falling on Thursday and the kids sat slumped over, staring outside unhappily saying, "I don't like the snow!" I was more shocked at their response than at the amount of snow because I know without a doubt that I was the one who corrupted them. Kids are supposed to have unbridled joy when the snow falls. They are supposed to run around looking for all their winter gear so that they can frolic and play! After a few days of coming to grips with the arrival of winter I decided that today my attitude needed redeeming. I went outside with the kids and taught them a snow game that my dad taught me as a kid. We ran around with Max in the snow and walked through our little woods and looked for deer, stopping every once in a while to make snow angels. We did see the deer at our neighbours pond. Beautiful.
You know, the snow really is beautiful. I am thankful for toques, snow pants, warm jackets and mitts and neck warmers...and hot chocolate. And I am thankful for the change of seasons. What a creative God we have.
I knew I had a problem when the snow was beautifully falling on Thursday and the kids sat slumped over, staring outside unhappily saying, "I don't like the snow!" I was more shocked at their response than at the amount of snow because I know without a doubt that I was the one who corrupted them. Kids are supposed to have unbridled joy when the snow falls. They are supposed to run around looking for all their winter gear so that they can frolic and play! After a few days of coming to grips with the arrival of winter I decided that today my attitude needed redeeming. I went outside with the kids and taught them a snow game that my dad taught me as a kid. We ran around with Max in the snow and walked through our little woods and looked for deer, stopping every once in a while to make snow angels. We did see the deer at our neighbours pond. Beautiful.
You know, the snow really is beautiful. I am thankful for toques, snow pants, warm jackets and mitts and neck warmers...and hot chocolate. And I am thankful for the change of seasons. What a creative God we have.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Step by Step
The past few weeks have brought about a few changes in our lives and in the lives of people around us - friends, relatives and neighbours. Although they vary in intensity, they are all life altering. Sometimes life changes are brought on by our own choosing. We invite the change and position ourselves in such a way that we can completely embrace that change. This may be a response of obedience to God. We may be intentionally looking for ways to respond to those around us in love and patience instead of in anger or impatience. It may be a new job or a new house.
Other times change happens to us. We don't choose the tragedy or loss or addition but it comes and causes complete change in our lives. It rocks the very foundation on which we stand and challenges us to truly believe God in faith. Believe that HE IS THE GOD of heaven above and earth below. There is no other God. Duet. 4:39
Throughout these past few weeks I have been reading "Singing Through the Night: Courageous Stories of Faith from Women in the Persecuted Church" by Anneke Companjen. The stories tell of many women around the world who have chosen to follow God with their lives; with their whole hearts.
On one account a wife was visiting her innocent husband in jail and he said to her, "You know that when I gave my heart to the Lord I was like a lot of people. I went to church every Sunday, sang praises to the Lord, prayed and gave my money - and that was it until the next Sunday. But here in this cell, I found the true Lord and Master of my life, the Lord Jesus Christ. I gave myself to the Lord in a new way - with all my heart."(page 259)
The stories speak of the satisfaction of knowing God. Nothing compares to the greatness of knowing and serving God. Through following Him they are more and more convinced that Jesus is the only answer in spite of the suffering and loss they are called to live with. Their journey's of faith happen step by step. Believing and acting in this obedience.
This past week as I was driving home I found myself singing Step by Step. It was one of those times where I didn't realize what I was singing right aways but when I did - it touched a place that gave me a new hope and I sang it with confidence.
Oh God you are my God
and I will ever praise You.
Oh God you are my God
and I will ever praise You.
I will seek you in the morning
and I will learn to walk in Your ways
and step by step You'll lead me
and I will follow you all of my days.
I want to learn all that God has for me through whatever He allows. I want to trust Him with my whole life. It feels like such a slow process of learning and following at times but I believe God is faithful and He will do it! 1 Thess 5:24
Other times change happens to us. We don't choose the tragedy or loss or addition but it comes and causes complete change in our lives. It rocks the very foundation on which we stand and challenges us to truly believe God in faith. Believe that HE IS THE GOD of heaven above and earth below. There is no other God. Duet. 4:39
Throughout these past few weeks I have been reading "Singing Through the Night: Courageous Stories of Faith from Women in the Persecuted Church" by Anneke Companjen. The stories tell of many women around the world who have chosen to follow God with their lives; with their whole hearts.
On one account a wife was visiting her innocent husband in jail and he said to her, "You know that when I gave my heart to the Lord I was like a lot of people. I went to church every Sunday, sang praises to the Lord, prayed and gave my money - and that was it until the next Sunday. But here in this cell, I found the true Lord and Master of my life, the Lord Jesus Christ. I gave myself to the Lord in a new way - with all my heart."(page 259)
The stories speak of the satisfaction of knowing God. Nothing compares to the greatness of knowing and serving God. Through following Him they are more and more convinced that Jesus is the only answer in spite of the suffering and loss they are called to live with. Their journey's of faith happen step by step. Believing and acting in this obedience.
This past week as I was driving home I found myself singing Step by Step. It was one of those times where I didn't realize what I was singing right aways but when I did - it touched a place that gave me a new hope and I sang it with confidence.
Oh God you are my God
and I will ever praise You.
Oh God you are my God
and I will ever praise You.
I will seek you in the morning
and I will learn to walk in Your ways
and step by step You'll lead me
and I will follow you all of my days.
I want to learn all that God has for me through whatever He allows. I want to trust Him with my whole life. It feels like such a slow process of learning and following at times but I believe God is faithful and He will do it! 1 Thess 5:24
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