Victory is sweet!

This weekend has closed the chapter for some of the teens in Eastern Canada's Church of God body.  I have seen talented teens get up before their peers and others to showcase all their gifts and talents.  Magnificient!  I have had an enjoyable time of it and despite the tiring schedule it demanded, I regret nothing.  I saw where sweat, tears and good old fashion hard work paid off. I looked at young people that i taught in girls club, transformed into these talented grown teens. I felt old, for a little while. But for the most part i felt so proud.  My part in their lives was years ago, and so small.  Yet to see them now I could only thank God that I was allowed to have even the tiniest bit of influence over them. I am glad that i was able to tell them that God loved them. I am glad i was able to say Jesus is the unltimate victory!  For some of them this weekend, i reminded them of this fact. To those i knew and to those i just met.  It matters not that a trophy is added to a shelf to gather dust. It matters that we all of us, use our talents to bring glory and honour to God. It matters that we see the BIGGER picture - His picture.  It matters that we do not sit on the gifts and talents we have been blessed with but to use them to enhance and grow His Kingdom.

I loved to see these young people.  I shed tears of joy for every one of them....What a rich and wonderful heritage!

Why Lord?

Faith is God’s prescription for trials
He said that we should count it all joy
Through our faith & relationship with Him
Even the struggles we’ll begin to enjoy
He looked at me and saw I was lacking
So He rolled a trial my way
I looked up to heaven and asked "Why Lord?"
Well that’s one reason – It got me to pray
Don’t shout He said or begin to moan
You have the power to get through this now
You’ve got the answer if you just believe
If all else fails, just ask me how
I’ve planted this seed of trouble in your life
You were on a plateau, I had to push you uphill
I had to challenge your mind with this test
To unfold your courage, your character, your will
You look in the mirror and think you are perfect
But there are flaws which you cannot see
I think it’s better to test you and perfect you
Which tester do you prefer, the devil or Me

Wisdom is the key you need to unlock the door
Wherein lies joy in abundant amounts
The mind is the powerful tool that He gave us
So a fight against trials we can surmount
Each trial brings with it new understanding
A fresh new insight we’d never know
Don’t hate it or yield to it, pray your way through it
It is painful sometimes but it makes you grow
I’d rather have this than stagnation Lord
You know exactly what’s best for me
Each time I rise above my situation
I’m one step closer to my true destiny
We must be aggressive in our faithful living
Don’t just sit back and fail to thrive
Use your mind to create and pursue good
Grow in God’s word each moment you’re alive

By: Nicole Ruddock

Jeremiah 1:5

"I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations." Jeremiah 1:5

He Knew You

Before you were conceived,

Before you were born,

He knew you.

Your face, your hands, your feet

Your nose, your hair, your smile

He knew you.

Before your name was thought about

Before your thoughts began to form

He knew you.

By: Engada

For my sisters - all of you

Reflections of you…

Should I allow you

To see in the innermost Depths of me

To lay exposed

My reflections of you

You are one-third of my dimension

The hope to my faith and charity

You are a strand of cord

Intertwined with mine

An ingredient of

A fortified trinity

You are more than a sister

You are more than a friend

You are my darling more than I deserve

And so, yes, I am glad

Jubilant and ecstatic

For by God’s perfect will

You are my gift in this life

Should I continue?

Will it make you wonder?

How I have hidden it all so well?

Be no longer pensive

For as certain as faith

You are my moon

That soft light that I cant live without

This is the choice

That I have made

To borrow this one line

So that you may know

“I carry you; I carry you in my heart”

I am Woman

I am Woman

I am woman

No I will not roar

For my voice is a melody

Soothing all who listens

I am woman

No I am not weak

For my strength is an anchor

Holding all who are in need

I am woman

No I will not stay silent

For my words are sage

Giving knowledge to the ignorant

I am woman

No I will not settle

For I am key to the matrimonial promise

From God to man

I am woman

No I will not abort

For I am pregnant with possibilities

Holding life within me

I am woman

No I am not cursed

For I am the blessing to your existence

Bringing light into the darkness

I am woman…

Mother's

Mother’s Cry

My heart feels weird

My eloquence escapes me

My son’s actions hurt me

My emotions are off balanced

I read the news

He lacks “personal motivation”

The words mock me

The teacher is giving up

My cries have been dispatched

To my God seated with me

He is my only hope

He is my only sanctity

Father, have you heard me?

My son has strayed away

How Lord will he make it

Without you to guide his way?

Jesus, I am leaning

Upon your strength today

God you know I can’t do it

Any other way

My mind whispers, I’ve failed you

I did not take good care

Of this treasure of life you gave me

Some twelve odd years to date

I admit oh Lord I need you

To help me do this job

Help me Lord to serve you best

In how I raise my son