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Days of difficulty, days of peril, we hear all about this whether it be in our own backyard or halfway across the world. Wherever we are, whenever we are, in 2 Timothy 3:2 Paul promises one thing: perilous times will come.

A description is given of society's attitudes and it is as if Paul is warning us that these are the attiutdes and attributes of peril itself. Let's take a look at what he says about us: we will be lovers of ourselves we will be lovers of money we will be boasters we will be proud we will be blasphemous we will be disobedient…  ( Click for more )

Our perspective determines our vision and we see only from the place we stand. We ought to stand on something to get a higher perspective. Such it is in life - we make decisions and form judgements all based on a lower perspective.

John 19 tells the story of one such man whose name was Zacchaeus. The Bible says he was a chief tax collector, he was rich and he was short! Eyes always on the figures, counting coin, eyes never looking beyond the now of his life- consumed with gathering but not looking to the future.

Until one day something triggered his spirit and caused a flame…  ( Click for more )

It seems the past few weeks that technology has gotten the better of me. Without realizing it, I had "pushed some buttons" and what I had written previously, automatically was uploaded? downloaded? into the weekly column. It somehow did not seem fair that the computer beat me to it and so now, I am getting ready to beat it!

In the getting ready, I decided to go along with the theme of button pushing, because after all, most of us have specific buttons that can be pushed. Perhaps, like me, you have found that when that button is pushed you react in a way that comes…  ( Click for more )

In each of our lives, we go through experiences that cause us to make choices either for God or not. His Word tells us that each day is one that He has made and that it is a day to rejoice. He causes each sunset to give way to a new sunrise that brings us fresh opportunities for obedience in areas both small and large. We have opportunities each day to surrender to love. Obedience will cause us to rejoice. The Word that is hidden in our hearts is to rule our emotions, without questioning the relevance or reasons we are simply to rejoice. However, when the days in our lives come…  ( Click for more )

The inspiration for the title of this column comes from the experiences of a friend. She has been a widow for seven years and while at times it seemed this day would never come, her days of grieving have just ended. Recently she realized she had received the gracious gift of joy to replace her mourning and was ready to turn the pages of life and enter into a new season of joy and fulfillment. Joy came quietly, unexpectedly and was received with great appreciation. On her part, it took patience over the years to allow the grief process to heal her heart and yet she did, and because…  ( Click for more )

Psalm 119:17 Deal bountifully with Your servant (me), that I may live and keep Your Word. It is the beginning of a new church year, with new Bible studies, new activities and for some of us, even a new Pastor. Life outside the church can get pretty busy too and sometimes combining the two so family and church life are balanced can be tricky. My eyes have been opened as of late and I see something entirely new in the Word of God. It is true as well that my heart is feeling a little chagrined, a little convicted of some changes I need to make...but oh, how He still…  ( Click for more )

Thoughts in the Dust

It is the land that is dry that soaks up the rain, the heart that is hungry that is fed. The Lord is faithful to provide food and water for us at just the right time but so often, when we think of ourselves as being in a time of life that we perceive to be dry we tend to get discouraged and look at the dust flying about our feet.

It is at times exactly like this when Jesus speaks to our souls saying "Look up, this is your time, your day of redemption. Revival can begin in your heart right now if you would but look at Me. Turn your eyes from the…  ( Click for more )

Thoughts in the Dust

So often, when we think of ourselves as being in a time of life that we perceive to be dry we tend to get discouraged and look at the dust flying about our feet.

It is at times exactly like this when Jesus speaks to our souls saying "Look up, this is your time, your day of redemption. Revival can begin in your heart right now if you would but look at Me. Turn your eyes from the vain things of life and let Me revive you in My ways." Psalm 119:37

It all comes down to our choices - do we allow the dust swirling about our feet to settle upon…  ( Click for more )

I was waiting, baggage in hand, for Jesus to come when an elegant man passed by and then stopped to speak with me. He asked where I was headed, where I came from.

"I have traveled far", I replied "and the Heavenly City is my destination. There have been many hurdles and many trials to overcome, and though I have overcome some, so often I am wearied by the weight of these bags I carry."

With a smile on His face, the passerby questioned me further about my travels. I told Him I have wandered through the valleys, and in the midst of the vale of tears,…  ( Click for more )

Both the practise and the pursuit require obedience

The Greek word for obedience is "audire" which means to "hear in order to obey".

"Godliness with contentment is great gain" 1 Timothy 6:6

I believe that this contentment comes because in our practise of godliness, of walking through life motivated by the desire to hear God with the intent to obey Him, we come to a place of understanding that everything that comes our way is allowed by God. Jesus is the Good Shepherd; He guards the gate of the sheepfold and only what He allows enters. …  ( Click for more )

Strong's Concordance lists holiness, as a synonym for godliness - Is it perhaps something more.

Holiness captures the essence of God. It is more than His character and His nature; it encompasses all of who God is. God says He is unchanging - He is faithful - He is faithful to be and do what He says He will be and do. There is no shadow of turning or variation with Him. He can never be the tiniest bit unholy or imperfect. Holiness is the source and core of God and He cannot be any other way.

To us He is still saying "Be holy as I am holy". Will we take on…  ( Click for more )

Day after day, moment by moment, with thankfulness and humility, we come before the throne of our Lord. We can be thankful that He receives us, accepts us, looks at us and with great joy says, 'Behold, there is My beloved, they are coming again and how I am looking forward to spending time with them."

We have a heart full of thankfulness and are very aware of the weight of His glory upon us, aware of how the weight of His glory feels like it is crushing us. In spite of the crushing it is such an amazing sensation when we realize we do not want to move away because we have…  ( Click for more )

Several weeks back while on holiday and visiting at a friend's church I saw a banner someone had made that has left a lasting impression upon my heart. It is influencing every circumstance I have been facing. I wish that I could draw it all out for you, alas, I cannot so I will try to use my words as an artist uses his brush.

Imagine if you would, black velvet as an empty canvas...and then something changes, something is added. An earthen vessel is created. Within that clay vessel is me, is you...We've been in a crouched position for some time, we've been unsure as to who we are,…  ( Click for more )

Several weeks back while on holiday and visiting at a friend's church I saw a banner someone had made that has left a lasting impression upon my heart. It is influencing every circumstance I have been facing. I wish that I could draw it all out for you, alas, I cannot so I will try to use my words as an artist uses his brush.

Imagine if you would, black velvet as an empty canvas...and then something changes, something is added. An earthen vessel is created. Within that clay vessel is me, is you...We've been in a crouched position for some time, we've been unsure as to who…  ( Click for more )

“Come and enter into the joy and rest of the Lord. Come and enter into a land that is pleasant and peaceable. I surround you when you enter in; I am all encompassing and offer to you My pledge of protection as you live within the boundaries of the hedge I have set. The lines have fallen for you in pleasant places and within those lines I support you.

I am your portion and I will help and support you in all your decision making processes. You will learn My ways and what pleases Me line by line, precept upon precept, here a little, there a little. Maturity…  ( Click for more )

This is an excerpt from my book "Beckoned by the King"

The LORD is my portion; I have promised to keep Your words. I sought Your favor with all my heart; Be gracious to me according to Your word. I considered my ways And turned my feet to Your testimonies. I hastened and did not delay To keep Your commandments. The cords of the wicked have encircled me, But I have not forgotten Your law. At midnight I shall rise to give thanks to You Because of Your righteous ordinances. I am a companion of all those who fear You, And of those who keep Your…  ( Click for more )

Are you as aware as I am of your need to change and knowing that the only place where that can happen is in the Presence of the Lord?

We come to change, we come to surrender our wills so that we are able to surrender to the greater power of the love of God and begin to love others in ways we have never done so before.

We come to change our world-wearied souls for peace that transforms us. Peace moves us to that place of quiet in our souls where we learn to trust God and we experience deep rest in God. We come to change sorrow for the joy of the Lord.

We come into His…  ( Click for more )

Come to Change

When God calls us to come, He is giving out an invitation and inviting us to change. What things does change embrace? Our clothes – He wants to give us garments of righteousness and praise – we will then look different.

Our countenance – we are to shine and be radiant with the love and glory of God.

Our thought life – we are to think and meditate on those things that are pure, lovely, of good report anything worthy of praise.

Our actions – we need to get used to walking the Highway of Holiness and learning to see and avoid…  ( Click for more )

Surrendered to Love

My Composition to the King

I have discovered the joy of heart thoughts coming quietly in the midst of busyness with the unmistakable knowledge that they are gifts from the heart of God to mine What I do with them and how I put them into action determines my level of obedience to the Word. I come to know whether I am a doer of the Word or a hearer only and it is through obedience that I like you become skilled at obedient surrender. We carry the treasure of the Glory of God in our earthly vessels and as people, we are vessels that are weak and broken…  ( Click for more )

Composition to my King

Last week my column was about being obedient to God's Word and choosing to rejoice no matter what the conditions were that we found ourselves in. Many of you may have thought it was a shallow perspective, perhaps even a pat answer but my heart says that it is actually a very practical way of being a doer of the Word. Remember, we are required to obey the Word whether we feel like it or not!

We have all read in Philippians 4 and likely have it written on our hearts "Rejoice and again I say rejoice" but perhaps we do not recall that we…  ( Click for more )