Something to think about

I received the following forward that I think fits well with my last post:

Beautifully stated...
As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that
wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will.
You will have your heart broken probably more
than once and it's harder every time. You'll break hearts
too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You'll
fight with your best friend. You'll blame a new love for
things an old one did. You'll cry because time is passing
too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love. So
take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've
never been hurt because every sixty seconds
you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get
back. So send this to all of your friends (and me) in the
next 5 minutes and a miracle will happen tonight.
"Don't be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it
will never begin."
~anonymous~

Another turning point?

I am afraid my life is heading in a direction I will all too soon regret, if I do not already. I mean, my job is good: I enjoy it (for the most part), I like the people I work with (for the most part), and I make enough money to pay my bills and stuff and have some left over for myself. However, my relationship with my family (immediate and extended) does not seem like a relationship at all. I barely have a desire to spend time with any of them, though I want to WANT to spend time with them. It is a combination of me being so self-focused and not really knowing how to talk to them. (I'm sure there are other variables involved, but those are the two forefront in my mind and heart). I mean, I still play games with my mom (usually only when I want to, rarely not when I don't want to). And once in a while I will sit at the computer with my niece while she plays her games (though not nearly as often as she would like). I rarely talk to my dad; even less so to my sister-in-law; and even less than that to my brother (granted our work schedules make it nearly impossible to even see each other). And that's another thing...while I enjoy my job, my partially-set schedule does not allow for me to be involved in my church as I would like to be, nor am I finding it easy to volunteer at Cyrus Centre because they want to schedule volunteers in for a full month about 2 weeks before that month starts. I don't know what to do. I do not like who I am becoming (or have become).

As my "mantra" plays over and over in my head: "Think positive. Be a blessing."

Okay, now this is where I tell myself that God is doing something in my life. He is trying to tell me something. What that is, I am not sure yet. I like the whole analogy of us being God's masterpiece, and that as He is working on it we only see random threads on the back, while He sees all as it really is.

My feet are like blocks of ice

I learned so much during my time in Saskatchewan. One of those things was "how to drive in the snow". Yes, we have had record-breaking weather out here in the Fraser Valley. I chuckle though because they have closed all of the schools out here because of a foot or two of snow and some strong winds, while my prairie friends have had to go to school in much worse weather. I suppose that it's because snow and wind is common for the prairies, whereas we rarely get snow which means that few people know how to drive in it.

I am no expert at driving in the snow, and I would still rather not if I don't have to, but I will not let this bit of snow and ice stop me from going to work. (Also granted that I only live about a 10-20 minute drive from where I work).

Oh! Yesterday when I was going to leave work, there were a few vehicles stuck at the intersection by the main road: BIG TRUCKS = BIG RUTS = TRAPS FOR SMALL CARS. This plus the occasional white-outs made for a long wait to be on my way home.

TGIF

I am so thankful that it is Friday. Last night was my first night back to work after my days off. Thursday nights are always busy, but they get even busier as it gets closer to holidays. Seeing as Christmas is coming in 31 days it is getting crazy busy! Working 10 hour shifts and only taking a 10 minute break when we force each other to is normal. I feel bad for the warehouse supervisors because they are always being called somewhere and never have time to eat during their shifts...and they are usually there for close to 12 hours for a shift and they work so hard!

Anyways, yes, I am thankful it is Friday because my craziest night of the week is over. One down, three to go...

My mom

Please pray for my mom. She is in so much pain. She is 61 and has been in pain for 36 years, but it is getting so much worse. It is mostly her back, but she hurts everywhere. Her greatest fear is being useless and she is afraid that she is on getting close to being just that. Please, please pray.

Bless others

Find a way to bless someone today.

Some ideas:
give someone a hug
do the dishes
talk to someone
financially
make a phone call
send an email
write (and send) a letter
take someone out for coffee or a meal
apologize if you've done something wrong
smile
listen to someone
tell someone about Jesus Christ
visit someone
volunteer
pray

Don't let the list end there...add more in the comments if you desire, but find a way to be a blessing to others.

Know what you're doing?

Use words wisely; a single word could mean the difference between life and death for a person. The same goes for your actions: if you get the sense that you should go over and talk to someone, do it! You may not know why you're going over to them, but your very presence or the words you speak could change the course of a person's life forever.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

"But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (Luke 6:27-28)

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. (Romans 12:14)

Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your fellow believers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 5:9-11)

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. (James 3:9-10)

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH

In Flander's Fields

In Flander's Fields











In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

By John McCrae

Footprints

Footprints in the Sand














One night a man had a dream. He dreamed
he was walking along the beach with the LORD.


Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene he noticed two sets of
footprints in the sand: one belonging
to him, and the other to the LORD.


When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
he looked back at the footprints in the sand.


He noticed that many times along the path of
his life there was only one set of footprints.


He also noticed that it happened at the very
lowest and saddest times in his life.


This really bothered him and he
questioned the LORD about it:


"LORD, you said that once I decided to follow
you, you'd walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most
troublesome times in my life,
there is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why when
I needed you most you would leave me."

The LORD replied:


"My son, my precious child,
I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you."


written by Mary Stevenson

Praise You in This Storm

Praise You In This Storm

I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

-Casting Crowns

I received a couple forwards I wanted to share with you. They are below.

The U in Jesus

Before U were thought of or time had begun,
God stuck U in the name of His Son.

And each time U pray, you'll see it's true,
You can't spell out JesUs and not include U.

You're a pretty big part of His wonderful name,
For U, He was born; that's why He came.

And His great love for U is the reason He died.
It even takes U to spell crUcified

Isn't it thrilling and splendidly grand
He rose from the dead, with U in His plan?

The stones split away, the gold trUmpet blew,
and this word resUrrection is spelled with a U.

When JesUs left earth at His upward ascension,
He felt there was one thing He just had to mention.

"Go into the world and tell them it's true
That I love them all - Just like I love U."

So many great people are spelled with a U,
Don't they have a right to know JesUs too?

It all depends now on what U will do,
He'd like them to know,
But it all starts with U.

Some good advice

ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their
conversational skills will be as important as any other.

THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you
want.

FOUR. When you say, "I love you," mean it.

FIVE. When you say, "I'm sorry," look the person in the eye.

SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.

EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dream. People who don't have dreams don't
have much.

NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only
way to live life completely.

TEN.. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.

TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.

THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile
and ask, "Why do you want to know?"

FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great
risk

FIFTEEN. Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.

SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson

SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: R espect for self; Respect for others;
and responsibility for all your actions.

EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to
correct it.

TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your
voice.

TWENTY-ONE. Spend some time alone.

World Faith Tour

Daniel, Kenton, and Jordan leave from Saskatoon today on their World Faith Tour. God's anointing is heavy upon these men. They will be facing a lot over the next year. Let us remember to pray for them. They started a blog last month to keep a record of their journey and to keep us informed of what's going on. You can check it out at www.worldfaithtour.blogspot.com (I have added a link to it on my sidebar).

My evening adventure

On a dark, pouring rain, Friday evening in Abbotsford I left the house to return a couple DVD's to a local video store. As our driveway leads onto a busy road I waited for some vehicles to pass before continuing on my way. I turned onto what is normally a quiet side street, only to see flashing lights in the not too far distance. I was unsure of the source of the lights until I got a little further up, only to find myself facing the West Coast nemesis of the next few years: construction. I thought, perhaps, that I could make it by without issue, but as I approached the site, out came that pesky red and white octagon, also known as a stop sign. There were no other vehicles in site, yet these hard working individuals did not have a care to let me pass before they continued. So I waited. And waited. And waited some more. Finally that blessed yellow sign appeared: SLOW. I went on my way, turning down an actual quiet street, then onto an even busier street than the one I live on. About 5 feet from the driveway of the video store, traffic was backed up from the red light. I turned onto the alley to go in through the back of the video store. Unfortunately, someone had decided to park in the entryway, blocking access to the video store. I got my car turned around, then parked behind another car on the side of the alley. I jumped over the barrier, ran to the video store (finding a nice puddle on the way), and returned my DVD's. I ran back to my car, only to find that a van had backed up right behind my car. It was so close that it would not surprise me if it had hit my car first before pulling only a little ahead. Thankfully I did not park too close to the car ahead of me, and was able to maneuver my way out of the alley. After making it through the busy streets, I turned onto a different quiet side street, only to find myself behind an obviously lost driver. Slowly we drove as they seemed to be checking addresses, paying no attention to the line of cars growing behind them. Eventually they found what they were looking for and pulled into the driveway. I continued on my way and finally arrived safe at home.