,​ I John 2:1-2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
Here’s a unique verse – don’t sin. BUT…. we know what we shouldn’t do; however, being human, we also know it will happen. How wonderful to have the provision that not if, but when we sin, we have someone we can go to who has already paid the price for our problem. He’s got it covered for us – if we humble ourselves, reach out and ask for that forgiveness.
The magnitude of that gift can be hard to comprehend. Sometimes I find that putting it into daily little perspectives helps me understand the bigger picture. For instance – I had a week of sickness (finally went to the doctor: Strep) that was pretty debilitating, yet I had some responsibilities that had to be done this week. How was I to get everything done and try and look after myself too? Well, the Hutterites sent me soup, broth, and food most of the week, so I didn’t have to cook. Then Thurs eve I opened my door to see a bag sitting and a car driving away. Since I knew someone was dropping off something for me, I just waved and stuck it inside my door, and left. When I walked into the Glesby, a guy held out a bag for me. “Here’s your bag of stuff.” I stared at him – “If that’s my bag, then who dropped off what bag at my house?” “Huh?”  Definitely not him.
As soon as I returned home, I opened the bag – someone had mis-delivered an entire 3-person take-out from a local Chinese restaurant! I checked and restaurants won’t take back food that’s been delivered – so I was the recipient of a weekend of free food, and no cooking.
I just had to smile at God’s goodness in providing food on a week when I didn’t have the strength to do it for myself. Not only did I receive food for my body, but in the midst of feeling so miserable, He gave me food for the soul in some amazing sunrises each day. (see photos)
 That’s my longwinded way to say how, if God can see us in our weak, small moments and care for us – how much more must He long to have us reach out to Him in our greatest need – freedom from sin and condemnation.  What a great God we serve!

​Week 47 (Nov 19) Eph 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Do you struggle with asking God for things? Sometimes it’s hard to find the balance between asking and expecting God to do amazing things for us, and understanding that what we think we want might not always be best. God does say “yes,” but sometimes He says “no” and sometimes it’s a “wait.”
This verse is a blessing to me this week as I have an extremely loaded load right now (as you can tell by the fact this was not sent on Sunday!) I’m trying to cram two weeks of work into one week, so to speak. I know God does exceeding abundantly – I’m experiencing an inner peace that is carrying me through the chaos of fitting everything in, and that is more than I asked for. May you also experience the joy of seeing God work abundantly in and through you this week.

Just some examples of abuncance around my yard!

Ps. 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go; I will guide thee with mine eyes.
I need this verse; it reminds me that when I’m feeling uncertain, I have THE place to go to for wisdom and guidance. It feels like a gentle verse to me – God wants to help us, but He’s not going to force us. That word “guide” is the gentle encouragement to keep on, not the iron fist of a Simon Legree forcing us to do something. But that also puts the burden on me to make the right choice. If I close my ears and just go the way I want without checking with the Lord, He’s not going to stop me – but the consequences might not be what I want. If I look to the Lord for the way I should go, He’s willing to teach me. How wonderful a thought is that? It shows the vast love God has and desire for intimate relationship with us!
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When we take the time to truly listen to God, even though the path may still be rocky, we can have an inner joy and peace that will carry us through – and that is something the world doesn’t offer, and money can’t buy. And you know what the exciting thing is – when we surrender our will and take the first step and feel that first surge of inner peace, it just makes you want more! 

Every path I've biked this summer is different - some smooth and beautiful scenery; some nice, but watch for hidden roots, and some - I've got to get off and shove and lift ... isn't that so like life?!

​Neh 8:10b  …for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Wow! Compared to last week’s verse which took us through the valley (which is definitely a part of life), this swings to the opposite side with a wonder for life that God gives us. Nehemiah also had strong hard issues to live through, but he focuses straight into where he finds his strength – the joy of the Lord.
   Have you ever heard the term, “tunnel vision”? In real life that might not be the greatest thing to have, but in the spiritual life I’m reminded that if I could have tunnel vision on the joy that Jesus has provided for me, that would be the best thing I ever did – mind you, that would also be a hard challenge. Nehemiah is a real encouragement to me; he was focused on doing the job God called him to, and when his enemies did everything they could to distract him, he was able to rise above the challenges and still keep his focus on his purpose. Some challenges are short term, but some seem to last forever. That’s when it’s easy to get sidetracked.
   An athlete delights in challenges because as he works through them they make him stronger. What are some of your challenges? It could be as simple as trying to make your bed every day for a week, or as hard as dealing with the death of a loved one.
   This week I want to try to rise above the challenges I face. I think if I pick something easy and accomplish it, the joy of “winning” that challenge will make it easier to pick up another challenge and work on that one. Most importantly, I need to keep this verse in my mind – the joy of the Lord is where my strength of mind and purpose needs to come from. There’s a comfort in letting that small segment of a verse become my mantra this week.

Physical challenge: stop in neutral and you'll roll backward UP the hill! (Spook Hill, Florida)

Physical challenge: Can you build an ice palace? (Winnipeg, Manitoba)

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Physical Challenge: Can you paint something that lasts centuries? (Hermitage: Russia)

  ​Jer 8:18 When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me.
   Now this is a tough verse. There was a reason Jeremiah was known as the weeping prophet! He didn’t have an easy life. God had chosen him to be the prophet of “doom and gloom” for a reason. It probably wasn’t a job he would have chosen if asked what career choice he’d make. I don’t know if I’d have the courage to live year after year simply handing out news that I knew would make people hate me. Yet Jeremiah was faithful to his calling and continued to work in a job that was thankless and profitless (but not prophet-less – ha!)
   In some ways this verse encourages me – if Jeremiah, who was called and chosen by God for a depressing purpose,  could admit he got discouraged in his job then who am I to complain when I struggle with something? I’m in good company! It may seem a bit biased, but hearing other folks’ problems sometimes makes me feel better (is that horrible of me?) Just to know that I’m not the only one struggling gives me the courage to keep on keeping on. When my brother was killed I realized that going through such a horrible time gave me empathy for others dealing with grief that I couldn’t get any other way. What is that saying? What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. It’s not something I’d willingly choose to go through, but sometimes when your heart is faint, you learn things and a dependence on God that good times won’t give you.
   So if you are going through a tough time right now – remember you are not alone. I have found that these ‘random’ verse placements I put in back in January have been God-inspired so many times to be exactly what I or someone else really needed just at this time.  May God be with you in a special way this week if you’re feeling faint of heart. The valley can be deep and tough – but trust that God knows the ache in your heart and cares. Satan is the one trying to attack and destroy, not God. Keep hanging on to Him with all you’ve got until you can feel the peace in your heart once again. (I find getting out into nature helps facilitate that too!)

Col 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
   We’re one week past Thanksgiving. I’m glad to say, I’m still feeling thankful – especially as we watch world events unfolding. I have nothing to complain about compared to what some people are going through right now!
As I looked at this verse, I’m thankful I can do things heartily. I certainly don’t have trouble with the first part of this verse – my personality is such that I’m either giving 110% or nothing. As my farmer dad would say, “You’re always in 5th gear or in neutral.” So doing things heartily is in my DNA. My problem comes in doing it for the Lord, and not “unto men.” It’s one thing to work hard; but if you never receive any acclamation for it – well, that’s another ball game, isn’t it? We say the Lord sees and that’s enough, but our human side, or at least mine, tends to want to have human appreciation to keep my spirits bolstered. I don’t think hearing genuine appreciation for something someone has done is wrong, but I do believe we need to be careful. If we go solely for the human gratification, then we don’t recognize our talent and ability came from God and not ourselves. I think it can also contribute to a burnout syndrome; if I have to strive harder and harder to be noticed or better myself, it’s going to hurt me in the long run. As well, I lose the joy in doing the task when I strive for human recognition only. It takes away the burden of “I HAVE to get this; it HAS to be perfect” when my job is done for the Lord’s sake. Then I can relax and do my best and rest in that thought.
   Again – sometimes that’s easier said than done. So my goal this week is to keep that thought in the front of my mind as I work with the students this week; as I help in the MCC store; as I deliver papers to the streets around me, as I attend meetings. There’s an old song that is my theme for the week: “Oh there’s joy in the journey, good times in the going; it’s not all in the reaping, there’s plenty in the sowing. Taking pleasure in the progress we make from day to day….”

Photos: Enjoying a foggy morning with the leaves: progress being made in leaf cleanup (can't tell anymore though, another set has blown down): enjoying interesting night skies.

​Matt 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
This is a simple verse, a basic message – but ooh so hard to do sometimes. When you’re in a good mood and everything is going fine this isn’t a hard verse to follow. But what about the days where I just feel grumpy and crabby? When things aren’t going the way I planned, or someone did something wrong, and then doesn’t even seem sorry about it – that’s when the rubber meets the road with this verse. I think, as I read this over a few times, it seemed to really touch me that I HAVE to get my focus off the people and events around me, and keep it trained on Jesus and what He did for me. When I focus upward, then the outward is not going to affect me in the same way as when I keep comparing myself with others. If I want people to see Christ in me, then I must see Him myself in every step and part of my life.
On this Thanksgiving weekend in Canada, I have so much to be thankful for – friends, food, family, a nation not at war. But when the workweek starts again on Tues, will my thankfulness continue? If I can keep that same spirit floating through my soul, the light will spill out. If I start complaining and grumbling, that light is going to flicker and go out. My prayer this week is that my thanksgiving weekend turns into my thanksgiving month!

 John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
It’s interesting how the past few weeks have all seemed to focus on peace. I know it’s easy to have my peace taken away. I get up and start the morning thinking, “Today I’m not going to let anything bother me…” that lasts about as long as it takes for me to spill toothpaste on my blouse, drop the cup of hot water I picked up, etc. It irks me that I can be so clumsy and I suddenly realize I’m feeling hot and bothered. I’ve lost my “peace” for the moment.
Daily things can grab at you and give you rough moments, but I think the peace this verse is talking about is a different sort of peace. Not the surface ups and downs that throw your mood into a wobbly briefly, but this is the rock-bottom foundational peace Christ wants to give us. It’s not something that’s going to change with the winds of time, but it’s there to help us as we walk through a dark valley, as we enjoy a special moment. He even tells us it’s not a worldly peace – I think we all are aware of how unpeaceful our world is right now. The solutions being offered to solve the world’s peace problems are only Band-Aids. They won’t last.
The other thing I notice is the verb He uses. He’ll give it to us – which implies that we must do something. Christ can only offer it; if we refuse to reach out and take it, He’s not going to force-feed it to us. I can come home feeling frustrated about something – then I think, “I’m trying to do this on my own – again! Sorry, Lord.” When I reach out and take hold of Him, then I can feel the peace reaching out to wrap its loving arms around my battered heart. Why do I often jump the gun and then realize, “Oops, guess I didn’t really ask God about this first.”  I’m so thankful that we have such a merciful God who never says, “Sorry, that’s the limit for you.”
A helpful tool for me when I’m in the middle of a tough day is to use my imagination. I say to myself, “Ha, everything’s going wrong – guess Satan is not happy with me, so that’s a good sign!” I picture him charging toward me throwing poison darts with all his might yelling, “Get her!”  It may sound strange, but it helps me to remember we are warriors in a spiritual battle; the more intense the battle the closer to victory we must be getting or he wouldn’t be so concerned.
May you walk in peace this week – even when/if tough things come along.