28 May

What if…we spring cleaned our hearts?

Posted by dreambelievefly in What If.... Tagged: , , .

Angela stared at her messy closet. Mismatched shoes lay on the floor. Coats scrunched together like sardines. Books, papers, and boxes piled high on the top shelf caught her attention. She crossed her arms.

Where to begin?

She pulled a box down, but two others fell with it. A cloud of dust floated out. She sneezed.

Oh my.

“You know you’re going to have to pull everything out to clean that closet,” her husband said.

She bent over and threw papers back into the box. “I don’t have time to do that. I just need to reorganize. It will be fine.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Look at it. There’s dust everywhere. You need to gut it. Trust me. It’s the only way to clean.”

She sighed and put her hands on her hips.

Seriously?

Angela pushed a few coats aside and took a closer look. Shoe odour filled her nostrils. She jumped back.

Yup, he’s right. She glanced at her watch.

I can do this.

Have you ever tried to spring clean by just pulling a few things out of a closet or cabinet and dust around them? Come on, confess. We’ve all done it one time or another. We don’t have time to get to the root of the mess, so we put a band-aid on hoping it will take care of things.

What happens when we do that?

Everything crumbles apart and falls out. The smell doesn’t go away because we haven’t cleaned from the inside out, but the outside in.

I realize we’ve been experiencing summer-like weather, so we’re no longer thinking about spring cleaning, but perhaps we should. Our hearts, that is.

Have you spring cleaned your heart this season? Truly dug deep into how you approach situations, respond to criticism, love and treat people, TV shows we watch, books we read, etc. Maybe we need to take a closer look.

Let’s pull them all out one by one, and wash them with soap and water—prayer and God’s word. Is there something we need to confess? Someone we need to face and say “I’m sorry” to?

Anything we need to purge and get rid of? Bitterness, anger, contempt? Let’s wash it with joy, love, and kindness.

What if we spring cleaned our hearts? We would become pure vessels, ready to do God’s good work.

How about we get out our mops and dust rags, and start cleaning? Let’s purge our hearts.

Just think how squeaky clean we’ll be!

2 Timothy 2:21-22 (NIV)

If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.

21 May

Guest blog – Rita Appel – “Do Not Worry”

Posted by dreambelievefly in Guest Blogs.

I would like to introduce Rita Appel this week in my guest blog. Rita joined our writer’s club (Women Writing for Christ – WWC) a few years ago and captured our hearts with her poems. I love her enthusiast spirit. It hasn’t come easy for her. She’s had many challenges in her life, but God has been faithful. Rita has used her pain to craft poems to help others. This particular one came out of a challenge at her workplace. I chose it because I can be a worrier and I’m sure many of you are too. Listen to her words.

Thanks Rita for sharing your heart with us. Please let her know how her poem touched you by posting a comment. Enjoy!

Do Not Worry

The day will start and the day will end
Yesterday is gone, tomorrow yet to come
Look to tomorrow, drawing always
From past experience, but live today
 
Today could be light and bright
Or dark and gloomy, you decide
We can only choose the paths
Not the destinations
 
Paths, choices, destinations
Always trusting in what’s right
Living, loving, doing
Always moving onward, never back
 
One choice, one step, one day
Ever focused on the Father
Loving, caring, guiding
He will always be there
 
As we trust in His strength,
We learn to hope
Knowing that as we travel
Some day in Him we will Rest.
(Rita Appel, May 2003)

14 May

What if…we took shelter under His wings?

Posted by dreambelievefly in What If.... Tagged: , , , .

The rain pelted the side of the tent, causing Frannie and Jade to huddle closer in the sleeping bag while Karen read their favorite Narnia story, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The weather had promised a beautiful sunny day, but the rain storm spoiled all their summer camping plans.

“Mommy, I’m scared,” Jade said. “What if the tent leaks?”

Karen smiled. “Honey, it’s waterproof. Don’t worry.”

She continued to read.

“Mommy, what if it starts to thunder and lightning?” Frannie said. “It scares me.”

Karen shut the book. “Then we will go to the car where it’s safe.”

“But what if we get wet?”

Karen held her arms open wide. “I will wrap you inside my big rain coat. One on each side.”

Jade giggled. “You mean like wings?”

“Yes, like an eagle. The perfect shelter.”

“What happens next in the story, Mommy,” Frannie said.

Karen opened the book, put on her best Aslan impression, and kept reading.

I absolutely love the sound of rain on a tent. There’s nothing more soothing. However, the thought of being in a tent in a thunder storm is a totally different story! You definitely need to run to the car for protection.

When you think of shelter, what comes to mind? Probably a mother’s love, right? I do. I also think of a bird protecting her babies under her wings (like the one in the picture below), sheltering them from the elements and predators.

If you’re my friend on Facebook (and if you’re not, why not? :-) ), you probably saw my status updates regarding the robins trying to make nests in our awning. We tried everything to keep them out. I even joked about posting a sign that said, “No vacancy. Try the lilac bush.” I would have if robins could read! At one point I was ready to buy a pellet gun, but knew I’d probably miss the bird and poke holes in our awning (I’m kidding of course). :-)

I have to admit even though the robins annoyed me, their persistence in trying to build a nest to protect their babies impressed me. They wanted to build a home to give them shelter.

This not only got me thinking about how mothers protect their children, but how God shelters us from the storms of life. If we let Him.

How many times do we think we can do it on our own? Or we try different avenues of “protection”? Drugs, alcohol, excessive eating, or other addictions? We dive into one or more of these thinking they will help. You and I both know they don’t.

What would happen if we took refuge under God’s protective wings? We would find shelter—forever.

Not only is it where His children should be, but it’s the absolute best place to weather a storm! Will you go with me? His wings are massive. There’s room for all of us.

Psalms 91:4 (NLT)

He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

7 May

What if…we hungered after righteousness?

Posted by dreambelievefly in What If.... Tagged: , , , .

Tommy followed the path until it came to a fork in the road. Should he go left or right? He scratched his head. Which way was home? He’d been wandering for hours and knew his parents would be worried. He wanted to visit a friend on the other side of the vast park, so Tommy set out through the forest taking a path his mother warned him about.

Tommy’s stomach growled. He hadn’t eaten since early this morning. The sunlight began to fade. Darkness would soon fall over the dense woods. He didn’t know what to do.

His mother’s voice whispered in his ear.

“Tommy, if you ever get lost just sit in one spot and wait. We will find you.”

The twelve-year old glanced around until he found a huge tree trunk where he could wait. He sat and leaned against it.

The trees loomed over the path causing Tommy to think he would be swallowed by the blanket of fog crawling into the area. It reminded him of the scene in The Fellowship of the Ring where the Nazgûl hunted down and chased Frodo through the Old Forest. A chill raced up Tommy’s spine. He pulled his legs up and hugged himself.

Why didn’t I listen?

Pain shot through his stomach and he winced. He had never truly known what starvation meant. What he wouldn’t do for a piece of bread right now.

“Tommy, where are you?”

His mother’s voice snapped him to attention. “Over here.”

She appeared seconds later. Tommy ran to his mom and fell into her arms. “I’m sorry for not listening to you.”

“You had us worried sick. I’m so glad you’re okay.”

“Do you have anything to eat? I’m starving.”

She chuckled and pulled a granola bar out of her pocket. He threw off the wrapper and shoved it in his mouth.

Oats never tasted so good.

Have you ever been so hungry in your life you would eat just about anything? I mean, really hungry? Like starving hungry? Most of us would have to answer no to that question. We truly don’t know what it’s like to go without food for hours, days, or longer. Not like in third-world countries. Just picture those children in all the video footage you see on TV. It’s scary when you think about it.

But have you ever truly hungered after righteousness? To do His will? Have you starved for His word?

We live in an age where everything is at our finger tips. We can get access to anything—right now. We forget to seek God for direction and wait upon Him for answers. We forget about our faith and live out our days thinking we know what’s best for us. We look for tangible answers.

It’s time we hungered after God’s word. Really devouring it like Tommy did the granola bar. Its timeless message of hope is there for us. Answers to all our questions.

We just have to take time to sit down and eat—slowly.

What if we hungered after righteousness? We would live our lives in God’s perfect will.

Are you starving? How about we dig deep into God’s meal? Come, let’s get out the necessary utensils. His word and prayer.

We will continue our feast throughout our days so we will be filled with His righteousness.

Matthew 5:6 (NIV)

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

30 Apr

What if…we truly feared God?

Posted by dreambelievefly in What If.... Tagged: , , , .

Simone stood with her daughter gazing at Castle Mountain in Banff National Park. Its individual crowns shaped perfectly to form a castle-like structure. The clouds kissed the peaks and gave off a gothic feeling. Even though the summer heat caused Simone to wipe her brow, the snow at the top sent shivers down her arms.

How could something so beautiful cause one to fear it?

Katie tugged on her arm. “Mommy, my Sunday School teacher told me I need to fear God. What does that mean?”

Simone smiled. She had been asking herself the same question for years. How could she answer if she didn’t totally understand?

She glanced back at the snow-capped peaks, and pointed.

“See that mountain? Does the size scare you?”

“Yes.”

“But, do you also see how beautiful it is?”

“Yes.”

“Do you know what it means to stand in awe of it?”

Her daughter shook her head.

“It means to admire it. Do you?”

Katie tilted her head to one side and looked up. “Yes.”

“That’s similar to what it means to fear God. You admire Him. Worship Him.”

“Oh.”

The sun’s rays peeked through the wispy clouds causing the snow to glisten on the Castle. Its majesty screamed for all to fall at its feet.

As a child, I heard the expression of fearing God and for the longest time I had absolutely no idea what it meant. Wasn’t God a God of love? I was supposed to love Him, not be scared of Him.

Huh?

How could I fear Someone so majestic? So beautiful? Easy. God is love, but He’s also a just God. He wants our obedience. It saddens Him when we don’t give it.

Then there are those who aren’t scared of Him at all. They don’t care what He thinks and they live their life in direct disobedience to His word. Oh, they may say they believe in God and even love Him, but do they stand in awe at His presence? Probably not.

I’ve stood at the base of Castle Mountain twice in my adult life. Once with Jeff and the second time with my sister and mother. It was my favorite of all the Rocky Mountains. My jaw dropped as I stared at its majestic peaks. Wow. Yes, its size scared me, but I stood in awe of its beauty and most importantly of its Designer.

That’s how we are to live our lives. In awe of our Creator. The One who deserves our praise. In obedience.

What would happen if we truly feared God? At the end of our journey He would say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Well done.”

Do you long to hear those words one day? I do. Let’s fear Him today.

Deuteronomy 6:13 (NIV)

“Fear the LORD your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name.”

“Those know enough who know how to fear God”. – Matthew Henry

Castle Mountain

(also called Mount Eisenhower)

23 Apr

Guest blog – Heather Joyes

Posted by dreambelievefly in Guest Blogs. Tagged: , .

Hi friends! I’m creating a new category within my site called “Guest Blogs” where I will feature different pieces by fellow writers from time to time.

This week my good friend Heather Joyes has agreed to let me include one of her poems. I’ve known Heather for a number of years and she is part of our Women Writing for Christ (WWC) writer’s club here in London, Ontario. Heather loves to write poem and you’ll see from the one below she’s very talented! Each word she includes is carefully chosen and scripted into a pattern that captures your heart. Heather wrote this poem after the death of a good friend.

Thanks Heather for sharing your heart. Please let her know how much you like her poem by posting a comment. Enjoy!

The bond of love
Death does not part,
Its meaning deepens
As understanding fills the heart.
God’s Son,
Our indescribable treasure,
Given that we may know
Perfect love without measure.
(by Heather Joyes)
 

16 Apr

What if…we let the Holy Spirit loose?

Posted by dreambelievefly in What If.... Tagged: , , .

Deborah tossed and turned. She tried counting sheep, praying, and reciting scripture. Nothing worked. Her mind wouldn’t shut off and let her sleep.

A nightmare had jolted her awake. Her friend’s face was fresh in her mind. Why did Lisa haunt her dreams?

Pray.

Deborah bolted upright. Was that the Holy Spirit calling her?

She threw the covers off and kneeled by her bed. If she had learned anything in the past few years, it was when you were prompted by the Holy Spirit, you obeyed.

Deborah lifted her friend Lisa up to the Lord. When she finished, she glanced at the clock. 2:30 a.m. She crawled back into bed and slept.

The shrill of the phone woke her again a few hours later. She fumbled until she found the receiver. “Hello?”

“Morning, it’s Lisa. Sorry to wake you.”

Deborah sat up and rubbed her eyes. “Lisa? What’s wrong?”

“How did you know?”

“I dreamt about you last night and then God wouldn’t let me sleep until I prayed for you.”

Lisa sobbed on the other end of the line. After a few minutes, she composed herself. “We had to take our youngest to Emerg in the middle of the night. His fever spiked. Meningitis. The doctors said we caught it just in time. He could have died.”

“What time was that?”

“Around 2:30.”

Deborah gasped.

Has something like the above story ever happened to you? You thought of someone at a particular time, prayed, and then found out later they were going through some type of crisis at that exact time?

Or, you couldn’t get someone off your mind, so you sent them a note of encouragement? Then they called to tell you how much your note helped them.

I’ve heard from different readers how a particular blog was what they needed to hear. On the exact day. One friend emailed me to say, “How did you know I needed that?” My response? “I didn’t, but God did.”

I love that! That’s the Holy Spirit.

Recently, our church received what I like to call a “Holy Rush.” We had a planned baptism, but our pastor did something we’ve never done before. He opened it up to anyone else who felt led. Right here, right now.

“We have lots of towels and shirts,” Pastor Don said. “Just leave your seats and go around to the side room. We even have hair dryers.”

Well, let me tell you, nine more people listened to the Holy Spirit and obeyed. Praise Him!

I believe there are times we don’t listen when we should. I know that has happened to me. We miss out on amazing blessings. We need our lives to be organized, our ducks lined up in a row (ask my family, they will tell you I’m like that!), and we don’t like to be spontaneous when the Holy Spirit calls. We ignore Him. After all, what would happen if, heaven forbid, we throw caution to the wind and throw out a carefully planned schedule?

Amazing things, that’s what!

What would happen if we let the Holy Spirit loose and really listened? I believe we would have more Holy Rushes!

Have you ever been prompted by the Holy Spirit? I’d love to hear your stories. Comment on my blog and tell me how He has moved in your life.

Share your Holy Rush!

Listen today.

Acts 4:31 (NIV)

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

9 Apr

What if…the tomb wasn’t empty?

Posted by dreambelievefly in What If.... Tagged: , , , .

Sue and I waited to see the tomb where our Savior’s body lay many years ago. It had been the second site we visited today. The first was lined with gold candlesticks, incense, and other gaudy fixtures. Fit for a King of a grand palace, but for the Son of God?

I shrugged my shoulders. Of course, but He wouldn’t have wanted it that way.

We stepped into the garden of the second site and the birds singing in the trees caught our attention. Beauty surrounded us and I inhaled deeply.

“Now, this is where I choose to believe Jesus was buried,” I said. “Not with all that worldly stuff.”

Sue nodded.

Our turn came next, and we stepped inside the small cave-like tomb. We weren’t overpowered with incense or flickering candles, just a cut out slab where Jesus would have been laid. Cold and hard. Not fit for a King of a palace, but for the Savior of the World?

Definitely.

We made our way to a small outdoor chapel area where the pastor announced earlier we would partake in a communion service.

Tears flowed down my face. Taking the cup and bread in the spot where Jesus was buried overwhelmed me. Then, the unthinkable happened.

“Next, we’re going to sing Because He Lives and dedicate it to Doreen Harrison,” Pastor Jonathan said.

I gasped and immediately grabbed my sister’s hand.

Could I sing my mother’s favorite song here? In her honor? Without crying?

Nope. Sue and I held each other’s hand until our knuckles turned white. We sobbed uncontrollably, but didn’t care.

Neither of us could sing.

We just clung to each other.

You know what was so amazing about this visit to the Garden Tomb?

The tomb was EMPTY!

That, topped with singing our mother’s favorite song, overwhelmed me like you wouldn’t believe. I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.

My tears told me I wasn’t.

There is a controversy over which tomb Jesus was actually buried in.  But, in the end it doesn’t really matter. You know why? Because He’s not there!

What if the tomb wasn’t empty? There would be absolutely no hope.  We’d all be lost and wandering around without direction.

Aren’t you glad this isn’t the case? I’m so thankful Jesus walked out of that tomb and ascended into heaven. We will see Him one day along with all our loved ones. That’s the hope we have.

Hallelujah! He’s risen!

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

(Bill & Gloria Gaither)

First site we visited

 Sue and I coming out of the tomb

Hallelujah! He’s risen!

2 Apr

What if…there was no cross?

Posted by dreambelievefly in What If.... Tagged: , , , .

The sun beated down on us like a relentless torturer. I took a big swig of water hoping my internal temperature would get the hint and start cooling. It didn’t.

My sister and I tried to keep up with the rest of our tour, but it was hard. The narrow streets of Old Jerusalem were bustling with tourists, merchants, and religious leaders from all faiths.  No one wanted to waste the clear day.

I stood on my tippy-toes and peered right, then left. “Sue, where are they? Can you see the rest of the group?”  My heart raced and I knew panic would set in soon if we didn’t find them.

We were on our way to the 14 Stations of the Cross and wanted to hear every word from our guide. We pushed ourselves through the mass of people.

Sue pointed. “There they are.”

We rushed to join them just as our guide spoke about the first station—where Jesus was condemned to death. I could almost hear the crowd shouting, “Crucify Him! Give us Barabbas!” I hung my head in shame. How could we do that to Him?

We moved to the second station—where Jesus took up His cross.

“Sue, can you imagine how heavy it must have been?”

We both shook our heads.

Something caught my eye at the fourth station where Jesus met His mother. A red streak dripped from the cross down to Mary’s hands.

I pointed to it. “What is that?”

“Graffiti,” our guide said.

I stood with hands on my hips. “It looks like blood.”

We visited each Station of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa. I pictured Jesus every step of the way. Why did He take our sins to the cross?

Sue and I had an amazing experience walking the Via Dolorosa. Yes, it was scorching that day, but did we care? Nope. Yes, it was crowded, but we felt like we were there 2,000 years ago. I imagine it was busy back then too.

We walked where Jesus walked. Wow.

I pictured Him struggling as He carried His cross. The very weapon that would kill Him would save the world. Interesting. I’m sure His sweat was mixed with blood and dripped relentlessly from His body. His burden slipped, and He fell more than once, but got back up again. Each time. He knew the load He carried, and what would happen in a very short time.

He carried each of our sins—yours and mine—as He walked to Calvary. Then, He nailed them to the cross using His body.

So, what if there was no cross? I shudder to think of the possibility. When I do, I picture a world blanketed in darkness. Evil lurching in every corner. Satan running more rampant than he does today. No hope of survival.

Aren’t you glad Jesus won the victory on the cross? Evil’s veil was torn over 2000 years ago.

The cross—a symbol of God’s love. Of freedom.

Embrace it.

Happy Easter!

At the cross, at the cross
Where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!

Isaac Watts (Public Domain)


26 Mar

What if…Jesus never walked down that steep road?

Posted by dreambelievefly in What If.... Tagged: , , , , .

I stood at the top of Palm Sunday Road. My heart pounded in my chest. Was I really about to walk down the very same road Jesus took thousands of years ago? I wanted to pinch myself.

I clapped like a school girl. “This is so exciting,” I said to my sister Sue.

“But our guide warned us to take it slow. The road is treacherous.”

“But it doesn’t look steep.”

“Let’s trust him. He’s been here before,” Sue said.

I nodded and we inched our way down Palm Sunday Road.

Yup, looks can be deceiving. Our guide was right. The road was not only steep, but took a curve in it at one point.

A commotion behind us made us stop in our tracks. One of the members of our tour group had stumbled and fallen. The others had helped her up. She was okay, but wouldn’t be walking quickly any time soon.

“Oh my,” Sue said.

“I’m so glad we wore our sneakers,” I said. We continued on.

When we reached the bottom we were rewarded by the beautiful sight of the Garden of Gethsemane.

We walked through the gate and immediately peace and tranquility filled the air. Birds sang from the olive trees. The leaves rustled in the wind. No wonder Jesus came here to pray.

Sue and I were glad we trusted our guide. Even though the road was steep, the view at the end made it all worth it!

Have you ever started down a path and realized it was too treacherous? You wanted to give up, turn around, and run?

You hit yourself on the forehead and said, “What was I thinking?”

The road looked easy. You were full of excitement and couldn’t wait to get going. Then before you knew it, your path became dark and steep. You felt yourself falling.

How do you think Jesus felt as He started down the road into Jerusalem? The crowd shouted “Hosanna!” and threw palm branches in His path. A tribute fit for a King.

But, He knew. His road would take on the deepest kind of evil. The steepest incline no one had ever taken. But, He kept going. He knew what was at stake.

His children—you, me.

And, He trusted His Guide. With His whole heart.

What if Jesus had never taken that road? Well, I think we all know the answer to that one. Because of Him, we’re free!

Is there a road you need to take? Maybe you’re already scared of it. That’s okay. Your Guide will walk ahead, behind, and beside you. Every step of the way.

Come on, get going. The journey will be worth it! 

John 12:12-13 (NLT)

The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted, “Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hail to the King of Israel!”

Walking down Palm Sunday Road

Garden of Gethsemane

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