Hi Girls,
Here is just a quick note of encouragement for today. Philippians 4:13 "For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." In whatever you are going through, remember to lean on God because he will give you the strength to do get through it and complete the task before you. Don't despair or feel defeated because you can do 'Everything' by the power and strength of Christ Jesus. It's not us, it's God. Pressures off eh? How wonderful. Thank you Jesus!
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Forgiven Summit 2010
Hey Girls,
This past weekend we went with my parents to Ottawa to see the Forgiven Summit. We didn't get to all the sessions as it covered 3 days but we were able to see a lot. It was very interesting.
Two years ago the Prime Minister extended an apology on behalf of the government of Canada to the First Nations, Inuit and Metis people. He apologized for the assimilation policy and the treatment they received in the residential schools. This conference was their way of responding to it.
These residential schools ran from about the late 1800s to mid-late 1900s but I couldn't find actual dates because different schools opened and closed at different times. Anyway, these schools were often church run and government supported but they caused so many harmful results for communities and individuals. The schools were unfunded and thus, proper education, food and clothing was a huge issue. Students had to work to support themselves in the school and they often suffered emotional, physical and sexual abuse. Sometimes they were forcibly separated from their families, taken far from their communities. They were not allowed to speak their first languages or practice their cultural activities. The schools were designed to 'kill the Indian in the child' and make them more white. Many children died in those schools and never returned home. For many who did, they were so effected by their years in the school that they were unable to be proper parents to their own kids or live purposefully. Traditional practices suffered greatly as generations went through the schools, forcibly having to forget their own culture and beliefs. They didn't know who they were anymore, what their heritage was but yet, they also knew they were not white.
As you can imagine, First Nations, Inuit and Metis were greatly effected by this and well, a ton of conflict arose. Which is why this conference was so important. On the first night (which we missed), I guess they were offered apologies. The following day, each group extended their forgiveness to the government and the church. They even gave gifts as a way of expressing their forgiveness. There were people from government there, such as the Minister of Indian Affairs I believe.
Then there was the freedom. After all the forgiveness was dealt with, and they signed a new charter on freedom and forgiveness among the elders, they celebrated the freedom that they now had as well as the partnership with the rest of Canada to work towards a better future. It was really neat to see Native dances, costumes, and hear their drums. They expressed their worship to God using their own language. It was amazing to have everybody in the stadium worshiping God together, integrating Native ways of worship with white ways. Sometimes songs were sang in English, sometimes in Native languages and sometimes in French. It was great because it made me think that this is how worship to God was meant to be, everyone expressing themselves in purity and honesty to God, using what holds meaning to them.
This whole thing was a huge step for Canada and it really shows the amazing character of the Native peoples. They made an excellent example of what forgiveness means, as well as the freedom and healing that accompany it. They set themselves free, opening the door for God to work so many possibilities in their lives. While recognizing at the same time, how God forgives us all and made it possible for us to live free and restored.
This past weekend we went with my parents to Ottawa to see the Forgiven Summit. We didn't get to all the sessions as it covered 3 days but we were able to see a lot. It was very interesting.
Two years ago the Prime Minister extended an apology on behalf of the government of Canada to the First Nations, Inuit and Metis people. He apologized for the assimilation policy and the treatment they received in the residential schools. This conference was their way of responding to it.
These residential schools ran from about the late 1800s to mid-late 1900s but I couldn't find actual dates because different schools opened and closed at different times. Anyway, these schools were often church run and government supported but they caused so many harmful results for communities and individuals. The schools were unfunded and thus, proper education, food and clothing was a huge issue. Students had to work to support themselves in the school and they often suffered emotional, physical and sexual abuse. Sometimes they were forcibly separated from their families, taken far from their communities. They were not allowed to speak their first languages or practice their cultural activities. The schools were designed to 'kill the Indian in the child' and make them more white. Many children died in those schools and never returned home. For many who did, they were so effected by their years in the school that they were unable to be proper parents to their own kids or live purposefully. Traditional practices suffered greatly as generations went through the schools, forcibly having to forget their own culture and beliefs. They didn't know who they were anymore, what their heritage was but yet, they also knew they were not white.
As you can imagine, First Nations, Inuit and Metis were greatly effected by this and well, a ton of conflict arose. Which is why this conference was so important. On the first night (which we missed), I guess they were offered apologies. The following day, each group extended their forgiveness to the government and the church. They even gave gifts as a way of expressing their forgiveness. There were people from government there, such as the Minister of Indian Affairs I believe.
Then there was the freedom. After all the forgiveness was dealt with, and they signed a new charter on freedom and forgiveness among the elders, they celebrated the freedom that they now had as well as the partnership with the rest of Canada to work towards a better future. It was really neat to see Native dances, costumes, and hear their drums. They expressed their worship to God using their own language. It was amazing to have everybody in the stadium worshiping God together, integrating Native ways of worship with white ways. Sometimes songs were sang in English, sometimes in Native languages and sometimes in French. It was great because it made me think that this is how worship to God was meant to be, everyone expressing themselves in purity and honesty to God, using what holds meaning to them.
This whole thing was a huge step for Canada and it really shows the amazing character of the Native peoples. They made an excellent example of what forgiveness means, as well as the freedom and healing that accompany it. They set themselves free, opening the door for God to work so many possibilities in their lives. While recognizing at the same time, how God forgives us all and made it possible for us to live free and restored.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Patiences- Got any?
Hey Girls,
Are you very patient? Sometimes it is hard to be patient these days when we are used to everything always happening so fast. Think about it, what do we ever have to really wait for? And I don't mean line ups or traffic jambs because that's not really waiting, in a matter of minutes or hours you do get out. But really wait? Like when you don't know the deadline, or when you don't know that it could be six to eight weeks. When you are waiting for something that you have no control over when it comes whatsoever? This is often why people have so much trouble waiting for answers to prayer. They think that God isn't talking to them just because they've grown impatient with waiting but the truth is, God's timing is not ours and we just need to be patient in waiting for his response.
Patience is what I've been learning about this year in several ways. A lot of it has been learning to trust God and wait on him for things I have little to no control over. And it's kinda strange to think that I get frustrated about stuff when really, I've only been waiting a year for somethings and that's relatively small in the big scheme of things. It seems like a terribly long time now but really it isn't. Fortunately, we have a God that understands our every emotion and understands how hard it is for us to wait. God's timing is perfect. I just have to remind myself to trust him.
Here are some verses to hold onto about patience:
Ecclesiastes 7:8 "Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride."
Galatians 5:22-23 "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."
Colossians 3:12 "Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience."
2 Peter 3:15 "And remember, the Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved."
James 5:7 "Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen."
I hope that encourages you to keep up your patiences even when it becomes very frustrating and sometimes depressing. Remember how much patience God has for us. Remember how in the Old Testament God constantly forgave the Israelite people over and over again, through generations, always came back to them and showed them mercy, even when they tried his patience. He never gave up, didn't desert them either. There is a great example of patience.
So we all have our trials of patiences in our lives, let's just keep up the good work and not get angry about having to be patient but rather, look at it positively as a way to further grow in the character God wants us to have.
Are you very patient? Sometimes it is hard to be patient these days when we are used to everything always happening so fast. Think about it, what do we ever have to really wait for? And I don't mean line ups or traffic jambs because that's not really waiting, in a matter of minutes or hours you do get out. But really wait? Like when you don't know the deadline, or when you don't know that it could be six to eight weeks. When you are waiting for something that you have no control over when it comes whatsoever? This is often why people have so much trouble waiting for answers to prayer. They think that God isn't talking to them just because they've grown impatient with waiting but the truth is, God's timing is not ours and we just need to be patient in waiting for his response.
Patience is what I've been learning about this year in several ways. A lot of it has been learning to trust God and wait on him for things I have little to no control over. And it's kinda strange to think that I get frustrated about stuff when really, I've only been waiting a year for somethings and that's relatively small in the big scheme of things. It seems like a terribly long time now but really it isn't. Fortunately, we have a God that understands our every emotion and understands how hard it is for us to wait. God's timing is perfect. I just have to remind myself to trust him.
Here are some verses to hold onto about patience:
Ecclesiastes 7:8 "Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride."
Galatians 5:22-23 "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."
Colossians 3:12 "Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience."
2 Peter 3:15 "And remember, the Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved."
James 5:7 "Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen."
I hope that encourages you to keep up your patiences even when it becomes very frustrating and sometimes depressing. Remember how much patience God has for us. Remember how in the Old Testament God constantly forgave the Israelite people over and over again, through generations, always came back to them and showed them mercy, even when they tried his patience. He never gave up, didn't desert them either. There is a great example of patience.
So we all have our trials of patiences in our lives, let's just keep up the good work and not get angry about having to be patient but rather, look at it positively as a way to further grow in the character God wants us to have.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Walking Her Home
Here is a great love story:
Looking back
He sees it all
It was her first date the night he came to call
Her dad said son
Have her home on time
And promise me you'll never leave her side
He took her to a show in town
And he was ten feet off the ground
(Chorus)
He was walking her home
And holding her hand
Oh the way she smiled it stole the breath right out of him
Down that old road
With the stars up above
He remembers where he was the night he fell in love
He was walking her home
Ten more years and a waiting room
At half past one
And the doctor said come in and meet your son
His knees went weak
When he saw his wife
She was smiling as she said he's got your eyes
And as she slept he held her tight
His mind went back to that first night
(Chorus)
He walked her through the best days of her life
Sixty years together and he never left her side
A nursing home
At eighty-five
And the doctor said it could be her last night
And the nurse said Oh
Should we tell him now
Or should he wait until the morning to find out
When they checked her room that night
He was laying by her side
Oh he was walking her home
And holding her hand
Oh the way she smiled when he said this is not the end
And just for a while they were eighteen
And she was still more beautiful to him than anything
He was walking her home
He was walking her home
Looking back
He sees it all
It was her first date the night he came to call
The song is 'Walking Her Home' by Mark Shultz. Listen to it if you can get your hands on a copy of the song and don't be surprised if it brings tears to your eyes.
I posted this because it is just a great example of commitment and simple love. It just takes one guy to win your hearts girls, and when you know he's the one, never let him go. Spend every moment with him that you can until you both reach your forever home.
Looking back
He sees it all
It was her first date the night he came to call
Her dad said son
Have her home on time
And promise me you'll never leave her side
He took her to a show in town
And he was ten feet off the ground
(Chorus)
He was walking her home
And holding her hand
Oh the way she smiled it stole the breath right out of him
Down that old road
With the stars up above
He remembers where he was the night he fell in love
He was walking her home
Ten more years and a waiting room
At half past one
And the doctor said come in and meet your son
His knees went weak
When he saw his wife
She was smiling as she said he's got your eyes
And as she slept he held her tight
His mind went back to that first night
(Chorus)
He walked her through the best days of her life
Sixty years together and he never left her side
A nursing home
At eighty-five
And the doctor said it could be her last night
And the nurse said Oh
Should we tell him now
Or should he wait until the morning to find out
When they checked her room that night
He was laying by her side
Oh he was walking her home
And holding her hand
Oh the way she smiled when he said this is not the end
And just for a while they were eighteen
And she was still more beautiful to him than anything
He was walking her home
He was walking her home
Looking back
He sees it all
It was her first date the night he came to call
The song is 'Walking Her Home' by Mark Shultz. Listen to it if you can get your hands on a copy of the song and don't be surprised if it brings tears to your eyes.
I posted this because it is just a great example of commitment and simple love. It just takes one guy to win your hearts girls, and when you know he's the one, never let him go. Spend every moment with him that you can until you both reach your forever home.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Breathe
"So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." (1 Peter 5:6-7)
That's the reminder for today girls. Surrender to God in all things, listen to him and wait on him to lead you. He will take care of every worry and concern. You just have to trust him and rest in him, rest in his promises that he loves you and cares for you.
That's the reminder for today girls. Surrender to God in all things, listen to him and wait on him to lead you. He will take care of every worry and concern. You just have to trust him and rest in him, rest in his promises that he loves you and cares for you.
Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
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