Hey Girls,
Well, it seems as if summer is in fully swing now (even if the rain wants to tell us otherwise). For a bunch of us, summer means vacation time. For others it's a time of work, no change really, except you have to be indoors at the job when you'd rather be out having fun. And it could also be a time of unknowns, such as, what will I do in the fall?
I hope that everyone gets out and has a chance to enjoy the warmth and sun. That vitamin D is hugely important! But no matter what we are doing, we should still try to keep God at the center of our lives. Sometimes when we are having fun and enjoying vacation time, it's easy to forget to thank God for it and to praise him. It's also easy to get carried away on the fun stuff and forget about what's really important. So this is just a reminder to keep God in mind through it all. He will make your fun even more enjoyable and for those who are trying to figure things out or busy with a job, he will be there to help you through all that too.
So I pray that ya'll will have a safe and happy God focused summertime!
Monday, June 28, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Making Excuses
Hey all,
Have you ever had it happen where you wanted something really badly so you made an excuse to justify why you should have it? We make excuses for a lot of things, don't we? Such as avoiding certain tasks or issues, justifying things... Well, what I'm thinking about today is when we make excuses that actually end up not benefiting us in the end.
Think about sin for a moment, doing wrong. Sometimes it can be really appealing- maybe there are pressures to fit in with a certain group or impress someone. We try to justify a situation to make us feel better about participating in it even when, if we really examined it, we'd know it was wrong. Some people live in a world of excuses. Ever had the thought that if a good Christian person you know was playing really violent video games (for example) that it would be okay for you to do that too? That if they advocated it as okay, than it must be okay for you too? One person's convictions are not necessarily another's. After all, God does give us guidelines to live by but within those guidelines, we often find 'gray' areas or make them up due to our attraction to things not necessarily right. God convicts everyone at different times and on different issues according to his purpose in their lives. So we can't always follow the example of others in choosing right and wrong. We have to listen to the Holy Spirit guide us.
I think excuses are just attractive ways we use to try to make sin okay. For example, growing up we always had talks on what constituted an appropriate movie to watch for the family (limited profanity, sexual references, violence). We knew that what we filled our minds with affected how we thought (which eventually can affect actions). Yet, sometimes, I would hear excuses like 'oh it's fantasy/sci-fi' so that made violence or alternative religions/magic okay to fill our minds with. Personally, that made no sense to me. A wizard/witch in a fairytale land is not more permissible than one in a modern world- after all, neither one gives glory to God for their abilities. So in the end, we'd be watching something that doesn't please God. It's easy to make excuses, to try to justify things that are wrong (I know I've done it lots) but it's not good. If we want to live truthfully and honourably, we can't make excuses just to have a bit of fun- after all, is it really worth the cost? (sometimes there is harmless, innocent fun but how is that defined? when does it cross the line?)
Yet there is more to making excuses than the effect on our relationship with God. It affects how others see us- as I talked about earlier- even though judgement calls should not be made based on human choices, it does happen sometimes, doesn't it? But excuses effect our relationships in life. Think about a close relationship to you, how often have you made excuses? Told your younger sister that you were too tired to play (emphasis on the 'tired' because you just plain didn't want too) or said to your family/inlaws that you were too busy to come over on Sunday (you'd make sure of it because you had no desire to go). We make excuses to avoid things we don't want to do. It prevents us from making a selfless sacrifice for others.
Sometimes there are situations that come up that we need to avoid or we have more important priorities and we need to use an excuse. But the problem is when this becomes a habit, when it causes us to neglect others and harm ourselves. We want to in stand in purity, honour, truth and righteousness before God, eh? I know I do. So I think that means we really need to watch the excuses we are making for things in our lives.
Have you ever had it happen where you wanted something really badly so you made an excuse to justify why you should have it? We make excuses for a lot of things, don't we? Such as avoiding certain tasks or issues, justifying things... Well, what I'm thinking about today is when we make excuses that actually end up not benefiting us in the end.
Think about sin for a moment, doing wrong. Sometimes it can be really appealing- maybe there are pressures to fit in with a certain group or impress someone. We try to justify a situation to make us feel better about participating in it even when, if we really examined it, we'd know it was wrong. Some people live in a world of excuses. Ever had the thought that if a good Christian person you know was playing really violent video games (for example) that it would be okay for you to do that too? That if they advocated it as okay, than it must be okay for you too? One person's convictions are not necessarily another's. After all, God does give us guidelines to live by but within those guidelines, we often find 'gray' areas or make them up due to our attraction to things not necessarily right. God convicts everyone at different times and on different issues according to his purpose in their lives. So we can't always follow the example of others in choosing right and wrong. We have to listen to the Holy Spirit guide us.
I think excuses are just attractive ways we use to try to make sin okay. For example, growing up we always had talks on what constituted an appropriate movie to watch for the family (limited profanity, sexual references, violence). We knew that what we filled our minds with affected how we thought (which eventually can affect actions). Yet, sometimes, I would hear excuses like 'oh it's fantasy/sci-fi' so that made violence or alternative religions/magic okay to fill our minds with. Personally, that made no sense to me. A wizard/witch in a fairytale land is not more permissible than one in a modern world- after all, neither one gives glory to God for their abilities. So in the end, we'd be watching something that doesn't please God. It's easy to make excuses, to try to justify things that are wrong (I know I've done it lots) but it's not good. If we want to live truthfully and honourably, we can't make excuses just to have a bit of fun- after all, is it really worth the cost? (sometimes there is harmless, innocent fun but how is that defined? when does it cross the line?)
Yet there is more to making excuses than the effect on our relationship with God. It affects how others see us- as I talked about earlier- even though judgement calls should not be made based on human choices, it does happen sometimes, doesn't it? But excuses effect our relationships in life. Think about a close relationship to you, how often have you made excuses? Told your younger sister that you were too tired to play (emphasis on the 'tired' because you just plain didn't want too) or said to your family/inlaws that you were too busy to come over on Sunday (you'd make sure of it because you had no desire to go). We make excuses to avoid things we don't want to do. It prevents us from making a selfless sacrifice for others.
Sometimes there are situations that come up that we need to avoid or we have more important priorities and we need to use an excuse. But the problem is when this becomes a habit, when it causes us to neglect others and harm ourselves. We want to in stand in purity, honour, truth and righteousness before God, eh? I know I do. So I think that means we really need to watch the excuses we are making for things in our lives.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Encouragement of the Day
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!
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!
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.
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