Word From A Friend

“God is our refuge & strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, & though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar & foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. – Come, behold the works of the Lord, who has wrought desolation in the earth. He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow & cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire. ‘Cease striving & know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’ The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.” Psalm 46:1-3, 8-11

Today I received an email from a friend wanting to encourage me during this time of challenge. Here is what it said: “Every home is not necessarily a community of love and service. And the workplace is not always a place of cooperating. Nor are all our relationships healing and encouraging. Therefore in the midst of life, we can feel lost and alienated.

“We therefore need to hear the call to come home, home to the Father's heart. God so much wants to give us a home, a sense of belonging, a place to live, a shelter where we feel protected and a place of safety in which we feel safe.

“This place of safety can be found in our world, but only in the place of prayer - a place of fellowship with the Father of all grace and consolation, who invites us to be with Him. It is there that we are truly at home. And it is from this centre that we seek to build families of joy and openness, church bodies of reconciliation, workplaces of productivity and partnership, and friendships that are not stifling, but are marked by servant-hood and reciprocity.”

What a miracle to be loved by a God who cares so much!! Thank you A.S.

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Prayer Requests: Reg’s long drive to be safe and his ministry. Doctors and specialists caring for Lyle’s brother (he’s better, but is still unable to stand. Has two more weeks in a wheelchair – what a miracle to know this!!), David, Adrian and Randy. Gregg to sell his home in the UK. The Kossallys and me during some big changes. Pray for God’s will for a project for me in Pakistan in November.

Waiting is Difficult !

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might, He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” Isaiah 40:28-31

Scott Peck said, life was difficult, but I think waiting is more difficult. Perhaps it is just what makes LIFE difficult. As Christians, many of us are the “can do” people, we want to take action, fix things, help, support, lend, give, do, sing, whatever it takes to get through something and especially get through it faster...most times it is the waiting and trusting we need to be doing, not the doing.

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Prayer Requests: Reg’s long drive to be safe and his ministry. Doctors and specialists caring for Lyle’s brother (he’s better, but is still unable to stand. Has two more weeks in a wheelchair – what a miracle to know this!!), David, Adrian and Randy. Gregg to sell his home in the UK. The Kossallys and me during some big changes. Pray for God’s will for a project for me in Pakistan in November.

Abase & Abound

“Consider the work of God. For who is able to straighten what He has bent? In the day of prosperity be happy, but in the day of adversity consider – God has made the one as well as the other so that man may not discover anything that will be after him.” Ecclesiastes 7:113-14

“Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.” Philippians 4:11-15

Abase = to humiliate or degrade someone else or yourself. From a word meaning low.

Abound = to exist in large numbers, an abundance. From a word meaning overflow.

“’The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I come that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.’” John 10:10

He has a plan for your life. The big question is, will you trust Him or keep struggling?

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Prayer Requests: Reg’s long drive to be safe and his ministry. Doctors and specialists caring for Lyle’s brother (he’s better, but is still unable to stand. Has two more weeks in a wheelchair – what a miracle to know this!!), David, Adrian and Randy. Gregg to sell his home in the UK. The Kossallys and me during some big changes. Pray for God’s will for a project for me in Pakistan in November.

Black & White - No Gray

“And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, ‘Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many is Israel, and for a sigh to be opposed – and a sword will pierce even your own soul – tho the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.’” Luke 2:34-35

You either love or hate Jesus. Although some say they are standing to the side to watch; with Jesus you are either with Him or you are against Him. There is no middle ground, no gray or no “no-decision land” to stand on. Everyone has the opportunity to make this decision and no one else can make the decision for another. Around you, right now, there are people trying to say they are still on the fence. Perhaps you are the one to help them over to His side?

“And Elijah came near to all the people and said, ‘How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal (another or no god is god to you) then follow him.” I Kings 18:21a

“’No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.’” Matthew 6:24

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Prayer Requests: Reg’s long drive to be safe and his ministry. Doctors and specialists caring for Lyle’s brother (he’s better, but is still unable to stand. Has two more weeks in a wheelchair – what a miracle to know this!!), David, Adrian and Randy. Gregg to sell his home in the UK. The Kossallys and me during some big changes. Pray for God's will for me regarding a project in Pakistan in November.

Tireless Effort

“For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let each exercise them accordingly....” Romans 12:4-6

“And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary. So then while we have the opportunity, let us do go to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” Galatians 6:9-10

”Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” I Corinthians 15:58

Imagine being a honey bee. You go out every day to find nectar and gather as much as you can carry & fly back to the hive - many times from sunrise to sunset. And you do this every day of your life. If you had to work alone at this task, think about this: to make one pound of honey, one bee would have to fly 50,000 miles, more than twice the distance around the globe. A single teaspoon of honey in six weeks is a bee's entire lifetime. As a Christian, you must keep working faithfully, knowing your individual contribution is more important than you will ever know when combined with those around you. Don't give up.

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Prayer Requests: Reg’s long drive to be safe and his ministry. Doctors and specialists caring for Lyle’s brother (his bones are not healing because of the chemo), David, Adrian and Randy. Gregg to sell his home in the UK. The Kossallys and me during some big changes.

Where is He now?

“’Is not God in the height of heaven? Look also at the distant stars, how high they are! And you say, ‘What does God know? Can He judge through the thick darkness? Clouds are a hiding place for Him, so that He cannot see; and He walks on the vault of heaven.’” Job 22:12-14

“’Am I a God who is near,’ declares the Lord, ‘and not a God far off? Can a man hide himself in hiding places, so I do not see him?’ declares the Lord. ‘Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?’ declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 23:23-24

There is nothing like the story of Footprints in the Sand to remind us that even when we are sure the Lord is somewhere else, it is only because He is carrying us through some dark times and we can trust in Him to protect and guide us...it is our responsibility to simply relax and trust Him.

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Prayer Requests: Reg’s ministry. Doctors and specialists caring for Lyle’s brother (his bones are not healing because of the chemo), David, Adrian and Randy. Gregg to sell his home in the UK. The Kossallys and me during some big changes.

Father's Faithfulness

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” II Timothy 3:16-17

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” I Thessalonians 5:23-24

“God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” I Corinthians 1:9

Sometimes in your life you find yourself faced with a large situation where there seems no way to deal with it. That is a good time to stop and remember you are the child of the Lord. He will never ask you to do something you are not equipped to handle, no matter how insurmountable it may seem to be.

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Prayer Requests: Reg’s ministry. Doctors and specialists caring for Lyle’s brother (his bones are not healing because of the chemo), David, Adrian and Randy. Gregg to sell his home in the UK.

Which Way?

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” II Timothy 3:16-17

“But flee from these things, you man of God; and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” I Timothy 6:11-12

God’s Word is faithful to help us know how to live a life of righteousness. The word itself means the character or quality of being right or just"; it was formerly spelled "rightwiseness," (wonderful way of putting it); whatever is right or just in itself, whatever conforms to the revealed will of God. Righteousness is the sum total of the requirements of God. What better reason to look into His Word?

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Prayer Requests: Reg’s ministry. Doctors and specialists caring for Lyle’s brother (his bones are not healing because of the chemo), David, Adrian and Randy. Gregg to sell his home in the UK.

Course Correction

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the faith and correcting error, for re-setting the direction of a man’s life and training him in good living. The Scriptures are the comprehensive equipment of the man of God, and fit him fully for all branches of his work.” Philips – The New Testament in Modern English

“Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do; forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, Press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14

If you’ve ever been lost on a trip, sometimes you’re sure you’re going in the right direction, yet when you check the map you discover the truth. Checking the map is a bit like reading His love letter, the Bible. It helps us keep on His course.

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Prayer Requests: Gregg to sell his home in the UK. Reg’s ministry. Doctors and specialists caring for Lyle’s brother (his bones are not healing because of the chemo), David, Adrian and Randy.

Three Fingers

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the faith and correcting error, for re-setting the direction of a man’s life and training him in good living. The Scriptures are the comprehensive equipment of the man of God, and fit him fully for all branches of his work.” Philips – The New Testament in Modern English

“’And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.’” Matthew 7:1-5

Zig Ziglar teaches you should never point at another person because when you do although there may be one finger pointing away from you (toward another) there are three pointing back at you. How easy it is to see the error in someone else. Actually, it’s rather self-distracting to do that and helps you compare yourself against others and justify behaviours you know are not pleasing to Him. God sent His only Son to pay the price to save you and me personally. God’s Word helps us deal with the reality and attitude of our own heart and outward actions. We must read it and then choose to listen.

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Prayer Requests: Carla recovering from the loss of father, a brother and mother since May this year. Gregg to sell his home in the UK; Reg’s ministry; doctors and specialists caring for Lyle’s brother (his bones are not healing because of the chemo), David, Adrian and Randy. My need. (The request has been briefly detailed to the left).