AND THIS CHRISTMAS WILL BE...

 And so this is Christmas, and what shall we do?  This year, 2020, is not to be forgotten.  I know many of us want to pack it up and throw it out with the empty boxes in the nearest recycling bin.  However, I have a different proposal.  What if we instead look at it more closely, with pen and paper in hand, ready to take the notes of the things we have learnt about ourselves and others?  What if this Christmas, with mask and lock downs is the perfect time to show others that you remember them and you care?

In church this morning, my pastor talked about walking in service to God and others even as we face the impossible.  It was a reminder not to cease or become weary in the doing of good.  There is something we can do to help bring some good to someone else.  there is a neighbour that might just appreciate a box of chocolate or just a card with a heartfelt message of hope.  Maybe,  you have an extra bag of rice or flour and can spare to give it to another.  

You can still serve even when the prayers are unanswered (at least in your mind) and you don't know about your tomorrow.  You can shine your light so bright in your corner of the world so that others can see and worship the Father in heaven. It is possible that this Christmas you can be the gift, wrapped by God and given to others as a blessing.  It is possible that this Christmas is a call to shift our focus from what we don't have in our world to all that we do have, being recipients of God's favor.

Listen to me, this is not to trivialize or make light of anything you are now experiencing.  It is not easy and I am pretty sure that you may want to do anything but shine - twinkling lights or inner glow.  However, don't get stuck there.  God looks for those that will remain faithful even in the barrenness of  their lives.  He is "outmatched in His faithfulness" and will open the door of "provision and miracles"  in our lives as we avail ourselves to Him.

So, you decide how you will finish the title.  It is your choice really how it will end.  Let me remind you once again, of the lyric we have sung a time or two "And this Christmas will be...."

Merry Christmas.

Your Will Be Done

 "...Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come.  Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."  (Matthew 6:9-10).

These words are not unfamiliar to many.  It is the Our Father prayer that Jesus taught the disciples in response to them asking him to teach them how to pray.  I wondered for the first time about the words Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  

For sure Jesus, who was praying to God the Father, was making it clear that the will to be done was not that of man's or the devil's but of God the Father.  It was not debatable or with room for many interpretations.  The will of the Father is the only will to be done.  

Now this might be easy to say in prayer if we want to be flip and robotic.  However, when we are sincere and truthful we realize that our own will surfaces to choke the words we are taught to say.  We are born willful and so to bend to the will of anyone else is hard at times for us.  

Jesus established that God's will was already being done in heaven.  Heaven represented the perfect, unchallenged, fully obeyed and revered will of God.  Earth, stained with sin and ruled by the prince of this age, challenged God's will.  However, the earth belongs to God and all the inhabitants within it.  His will will be done regardless of whether we are willing or not.  

The truth is that we cannot do it "My way" without bearing the consequences of that choice. Let us not be like Jonah who heard the voice of God and decided to do what he thought was better.  He ended up in the belly of a large fish, and had caused loss and anguish for those that were innocent of his decision.  I don't dare throw stones his way as I have done just as much.  

What we don't remember is that our very lives at such a time as this is in fact His will being  done.  Think about it for a second; You are the will of God here on earth.  You, born whenever, living wherever and looking however is apart of the will of God.  

God never makes mistakes and you and I being formed by Him are not the exception to that truth.  Therefore, we can see with fresh eyes our purpose here on earth - Ambassadors, Agents, Witnesses. The name we call it doesn't matter.  We are His masterpiece and as Jesus taught us, we should pray for His will to be done on earth through us and in us as it is in heaven.

That's fine

My grandson Rilley says things that often times has me laughing or in wonder at his wit.  He is three and had a recent encounter with his Dad.  To me it was the writing on the wall.  Okay, let me stop being so dramatic and get to the point.

Rilley asked his Dad to bathe him.  Unfortunately, his Dad was unable to do so as he was at that moment leaving the house.  The UBER was at the door and my son was not going to be able to do as requested.  So he tried telling Rilley that this was not possible.  Of course try reasoning with a three year old that already has their mind set on something.  

The pleading and begging was in full effect.  Neither one was about to back down from their stance.  I was thinking that the time it was taking to settle each one could have seen to the bathing and dressing of the child.  Finally, my son was asking for a hug so he could assuage his conscience and leave in peace.

Unfortunately he met his match.  Rilley was having no part in this attempt to say sorry (if that is what it was anyway).  He refused to hug him and instead said that's fine Daddy!  That's fine!!!  He would not budge and the back and forth began again.

"Rilley come give me hug good bye!"

"No Daddy, that's fine!" 

So it went on for a few minutes until I reminded my son of the waiting cab.

When he left we (my mom, sisters and I) stood around and just looked at each other.  How could this little thing born just a few years ago be so willful in holding onto his hurt and be so determined to not give his Dad he wanted?  How could his Dad not cancel the UBER and give his son a bath? 

I saw the writing on the wall...Time moves quickly and little boys become men quicker than we would like them to be.  No one has to teach us to hold our grudges; no one has to teach us to be selfish and willful.  We are born like that.  The echo of Rilley's "That's fine" was a testimony of the sin nature we have been born into and how badly we need Jesus.  We need him because truth is we are not fine.  Rilley was not fine and fell into a fitful sleep with his unwashed body. 

Just as he needed a bath we need a cleansing from our Father.  The good thing is this, He will always say to us "That's fine"  and cleanse us willingly.  We will never catch Him off guard nor will He ever be unwilling when we ask for Him to "bathe" us.  

God, please make us clean from the stain of sin.  Please help us to never look to men for our help but to You.  Lord you are what we need.  Thank you for the blood of Jesus that removes all our filth and leaves us with a newness that is beyond compare. In Jesus name, Amen.

Time to take a stance

Everyone is talking about it.

You cannot live in 2020 and not hear of it.  If you, like me, are detached from the media (social or otherwise), you will still hear about it and even engage in conversations about it.  It is that pervasive.  In fact just today someone sent me a video that had a different spin on things.  It was a white lady stating that she was not white but black - just really lightened.  To be fair, I stopped listening after that comment so not sure if she redeemed herself after that comment.  I said to my friend who wanted to "educate" me that I am not sure I am in agreement with that comment.  She said, It's true and people need to know the truth.

I always hear that line from "A few good men" : You can't handle the truth!  The issue on race has blanketed the COVID19 pandemic.  It cries out for attention and demands change from every person.  I am a woman of colour and this unveiling of truth has been hard to handle. I am a mother, a sister and a friend of black men and boys.  My grandson is bi-racial and it hurts me to think of a future where his crime is being black.  I get it and yes I feel it deeply.

However, what stance am I taking?  It is time to take a stance - one way or another - but what should that stnace be?  What should I be lining up behind?  What is the message I want to add my voice to in this time of racial upheaval and a viral pandemic?

I stand for truth.  I stand for love.  I stand for righteousness.  I stand for Christ.  I stand for lending a hand and giving without holding back.  I stand for all lives matter - black, white and every other shade, however they identify themselves.  I am taking a stance.  I will not be moved.

For the woman with Karen Proudlove Brown

For the woman who has not yet realized that she is more than rubies, diamonds and pearls I pray that today you will know that you are in the eyes of God.

My friend, Rev Karen Proudlove Brown (inserted just below) in our theme of Celebrating Motherhood brought a beautiful poem to the group. She in fact said these words that resonated within me...God Knows. 

God knows all about you woman. He knows your sorrows and will be with you to the end.  So be encouraged today and every other day woman.  God knows.

Prayer about Fear

As I laid upon my bed, fitfully "resting", I had to confess that I was afraid.  I had again awakened to pain in my body that remains unexplained.  My sister, my friend's sister and my church sister's sister have all been diagnosed with some sort of cancer.  This is always in the back of my mind even after the CA125 blood test I did, came back negative for that diagnosis.  Still, I often ask mentally, why do I feel so unlike myself?  What is happening to this body of mine that used to be pain free?  Now, it is a nightly invasion to my sleep and a great annoyance to me - pain, in case you wondered.

I woke up this morning to the same pattern and have found  a prayer I wrote months ago.

It was another time that I was feeling particularly scared.  I don't recall what the issue was but I do know that the prayer is still relevant to me today.  I believe that this prayer is also for you.  Whatever is behind the mask of fear in your life, will not be able to dwell there upon the enforced word of God.  So, will you pray with me please?


Our Father,
Fear is not of You, rather You tell us "Do not fear for I am with you.  You promised to uphold me with your righteous right hand.  Father, you said to be anxious for nothing but in every situation prayer is my access key to your provision.  Lord, it gives me your transcending peace.  I thank you that this peace is not given only to be taken away.  You don't give as the world gives and for that I am so grateful.  I therefore do not have to worry or be afraid.  God, fear is not mine to keep or take.  You gave me power love and a sound mind.  Lord, when I am afraid I put my trust in you.  Your perfect love will drive out all my fears.  Lord, I pray that I will focus on kind words so that my heart will not be weighed down by anxious thoughts.
Father, I will not continue to worry about tomorrow which has not yet arrived.  I will instead refocus my mind to stay upon You.  Lord I remember that you will never leave me; you will fight for me.  Lord you said do not fear just Believe.  Lord, nothing separates me from your love.  Nothing in this life or in death, not today's fear or tomorrow's worries.  Nothing in Heaven or hell will separate me from you in Jesus name.  Lord please quiet me within.  Let your love wash over me as you continue to rejoice over me with shouts of joy.

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

He is God and He's Good

A song to encourage your heart.

He is God and He's Good by Yolando Robinson

Even when you go through the fire
God is still good
Even when you can't see how He's working
God is still good

Even in the pain and the rain is pouring
God is still good
Even when you're hurt and you're feeling lonely
God is still good

Chorus:
He is LORD of everything
He is GOD of all the earth
He is FAITHFUL ever true
He is God and He's good



I hope you sing this with hearts open to hear His voice. The lyrics are available for you but allow God's Holy Spirit to guide you with the melody.  Be encouraged my friend, because He is God and He's good.