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Praying Specifically...

4/24/2020

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One thing I have noticed as we continue in what some call 'the new normal' is that we are getting use to how life is now. And I think I would be safe in saying that most people do not like it. Life's stress level has been turned up a couple of notches and for some, it is hard to cope and manage life, especially when the resources we took for granted just a few short months ago aren't there. Maybe for you, for the first time in your life you are lining up at Costco or the food bank. For the first time you are applying online for government so you can have the basics.
   But one of the greatest resources we can sometimes forget, is that God is there. And not only is He present but He is interested.... and He invites us to pray specifically for what we need. Sometimes when we pray we can be very general in our requests, but God invites us to get very specific and tell Him exactly what you need. He wants you to pray about everything.
 
If I say to you, “Do you mind if I come by your house sometime?” you may not take me seriously. But if I say, “Can I come over on Saturday morning, I really need your advice.”  Then you know what I am asking is sincere.  When we offer specific requests, God knows the same!
   When things seem out of alignment in your life, know that in God's plan, everything lines up. For instance, say you look up in the sky at night and you see Orion's Belt, that's those three stars that are always in a straight line. Do you know that those three stars are all hundreds of light years apart and that the closer you were to get to them that they are not really as lined up as they appear to be on earth? It's only from the viewpoint of Earth do those three stars seem in a straight light. When it comes to your life right now, sometimes when we are standing too close to things in our life right now, things may not seem to line up. But from God's perspective, He has His eyes on your life and as you trust Him with the stresses of everyday, you can be assured that He is working things out... things become more aligned.
   So during this time of crisis and difficult experiences, don't forget God. Pray specifically... and know that He has His hand on you, bringing things into alignment even though you cannot see it happening right now.

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ARE YOU FED UP?

4/2/2020

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Today I called the regular attenders of our church and I started my conversations with them by saying,, "So how are you doing? Are you doing okay? Are you keeping busy?" While some said that they are managing to keep busy in one way or another, others are experiencing the affects of 'cabin fever'. Many are running out of things to keep themselves occupied. Others are treating this 'no choice' lock down as an opportunity to start a new hobby, to get some jobs done around the house that have been left for quite some time, while others are making sure they are keeping well fed! All these things are good for our physical and mental health. 
   But as I think of this time of self - isolation, I have another question for you and that is, are you taking this time to make sure that you are feeding yourself spiritually? Are you feeding your faith more than you are feeding your fears? Do you realize that if you take the time to feed your faith your fears will starve? But if you feed your fears your faith will? In this time when anxiety is high, we need to make sure we intentionally take the time to encourage one another. To feed other people's faith as well as our own.
   So I want to encourage you, whoever you are, not to give into despair or discouragement. Don't give up! We will get through this. In the meantime, intentionally take the time to re - acquaint yourself with your Bible, take time to read from the Psalms or one of the gospel accounts. Also, be sure to take the time to pray, now more than ever - for our world, for your own well - being and that of your family and friends. What about taking the time to call them on the phone or text a friend and tell them of something that God has recently pointed out to you.
   There is no doubt that things in our world are changing by the moment. Tomorrow looks uncertain, at least as far ahead as we can see. That is why more than ever it is important to make sure that you feed yourself spiritually every day, lean into God daily. Because in doing so, you will find the strength and hope you need to make it through this crisis. And as you do this,, don't forget.... God is still on His throne. He is still in control no matter what happens.

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Where Are You Focused....

3/27/2020

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One of my favorite stories in the gospel accounts of Jesus is the story of the disciples out in a storm. Even though some of them were professional fishermen, this storm had them stressed. They bailed... they rowed... they set the sail, but nothing was working to better their chances of survival. They were so focused on the storm around them that they forgot that they had someone in the boat who could make all the difference. Off in a corner of the boat was Jesus... asleep. Have you ever wondered how Jesus could sleep while the boat was being tossed around on those waves? I sure do! But when the disciples finally remembered Jesus they woke Him up and in a moment He had calmed the storm. And I think that the disciples just stood there with their mouths hanging open going, "Wow!" But I think they were also feeling a little humbled because they had forgotten about Him. They had wasted all that time focusing on the storm when they had Jesus in the boat who could make all the difference.
   In this crisis we are in with Covid 19, I think often, whether we are Christ followers or not, that we often get so focused on the storm, that we forget that Jesus is in our boat with us. Jesus has never left us. He is not only with us in the good times, but He is especially there in the storms of life, ready to give us strength, ready to make a difference if we like the disciples will just call on Him. When the disciples called on Jesus in their storm, they were leaning into Him, focusing on Him to make a difference. Can we learn from them? In this crisis of Covid19 we need to first of all, not get caught up in all the media reports of this crisis, though it is important to be informed. But we must not get so caught up in the details of this crisis, that we forget about Jesus. We need to focus on the fact that we have Jesus with us, the one who can make the difference... the one who can restore calm and give us peace despite the storm that is blowing around about us. Jesus once said in John 14:27 - "My peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you., Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
  
So today. in the midst of our storm, where is your focus? Keep it on the one who in all of this remains present and will help us if we just lean into Him. Don't get so focused on the details of your crisis that you forget Jesus. He's ready to strengthen you and give you peace. He is with you!
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God Will See Us Through This...

3/26/2020

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During this difficult time, it seems like everything is up for grabs. The common, every day things that we took for granted have somehow been put at the side of the road and we are all facing something that affects everything about our every day lives. Nothing is the same... stores are closed and even worse, Tim Horton's is not open for inside business! Maybe that's not a biggy for you, but in many other ways things have changed and we are trying to come to grips with a new reality that for the time being, is having an affect on everything. And people are scared, maybe you are fearful of the days ahead. We all have some of that.
   But the good news is that God's love for us has not changed... He has not decided to sit this one out while the world is affected by Covid19. The fact is, everything we counted on when it comes to God before, remains the same. He still loves us... His presence is still with us... His promises have not been suspended to wait for a better time, they are sure and they are available to all who will lean into God in these troubling days. 
    We are not alone in this. God offers us peace in the midst of what is going on, He remains our refuge. He offers hope and strength to those who will turn to Him. What is God saying in this crisis? “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and I will surely help you” (Isaiah 41:10). Turn to Him today.
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We Will Make It Through This...

3/26/2020

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