A Good, Square Gospel Meal

And that’s what’s the matter with the church. You got to have a good, square, Gospel meal, about every day. If you don’t, you’re going to be [anemic]. You’re going to get run down. Taking a lot of God’s vitamins out of His Word, [...] certainly does bring up the Spirit of you, and makes you feel refreshed and renewed.

    56-0728 - Making The Valley Full Of Ditches 

    Rev. William Marrion Branham

It's so important to get into the Word every day! The Bible is not just a collection of writings, it's the inspired Word of God--anointed, and relevant to everyone who reads it with an open, prayerful heart.

A Few of My Favourite Books!

Books.

Where would I be without books? They were my security and friends growing up. They were my escape when I felt uncomfortable, bored, sad, or angry. They were also my companions in quiet, happy hours. There wasn't any other activity I looked forward to more than reading.

Some of my favourite authors:

1. Lucy Maud Montgomery - 

• The Anne of Green Gables series: my favourite book growing up was Anne of Green Gables. I loved Anne and her vivacious, imaginative spirit.
• Emily of New Moon trilogy: this is a trilogy I could read over and over and never get tired of. I feel all the emotions reading these books! While I loved Anne, I could connect with Emily just a little more.
• The Blue Castle: I didn't read this until my first year in college. I started reading it and it immediately caught my attention because I could relate to the main character so much--the way she felt in the beginning of the story. Blue, and disheartened with the world. But as the story progressed, it turned into such a beautiful, refreshing story that made me smile and laugh. It's definitely amongst my very favourite novels. I've re-read the book multiple times now.
• The Story Girl, The Golden Road: Each book is more of a collection of stories about the Avonlea kids' shenanigans. Very, very funny and entertaining.

I just adore Montgomery's writing style, her sense of humour, and how she so captures the essence of love and family. You might consider her books to be old-fashioned, but old or not, they are absolutely lovely stories I wish I could read more of!

2. Frances Hodgson Burnett - 

• The Secret Garden - I have lost count of how many times I've read this sweet book. I never got tired of reading it. You know how sometimes when you revisit a book you loved when you were little, all the "magic" that you remember from the book isn't there anymore? Not with The Secret Garden! This is a timeless story for me.
• The Little Princess - Another sweet story. I used to imagine what it would be like being the main character and the sorts of things I would encounter.

3. Laura Ingalls Wilder

• The Little House on the Prairie Series! - I loved these books! Especially On the Banks of Plum Creek. My imagination just soared with these books. I liked to imagine what it would have been like to be a pioneer. Living in a sod house, or a wooden cabin, in the covered wagon under the stars... These books are timeless. I wish all children could enjoy them as much as I did.

4. Jane Austen

• Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion - all great, historical Regency-era novels you can escape into.

5. Catherine Marshall

• Christy - I love this book so much! It's so real. Interspersed with suffering and heartache, but also love, faith, and endurance.

There are just so many great novels and authors out there! Part two coming up. :) 

Lonely? | On Life and Social Media

I have had a rather rough couple of weeks. I just can't seem to shake out of feeling lonely and unmotivated.

Last week was my birthday. I wasn't going to see my family until the weekend, so I didn't do anything to celebrate the day, not that it mattered to me all that much. I don't have any friends where I'm currently living, so going out with friends was out of the question as well. Last year's situation was similar, but I baked myself a cake, as well as took myself shopping. This year I wasn't interested in doing that. (When I arrived home on Saturday, my mom had cooked a delicious dinner, and ordered my favourite cake. I love my family.)

When you're alone, it just makes you appreciate more those who actually make an effort to be a part of your life. Those who remember you on your birthday and send you a text or video message. Those who, when you finally get to see them, are truly glad to see you.

When you're alone, you also tend to overthink. You think about your acquaintances, and former friends and wonder what they are doing with their lives. You question everything that has led up to this point and wonder what had gone so wrong that neither one of you can even bring yourself to "like" one another's photo or say hello on social media (never mind getting together).

And then you realize that social media is mostly a facade. It's a tool people use to make themselves appear sophisticated or fun, or even spiritual. Years ago I stopped using Facebook the way I did previously. I realized that a lot of people used it as a way to get self-gratification. I admit even I felt good when people "liked" my posts and interacted with me. But I realized that it wasn't healthy for me. I began to analyze people and worry about what others are thinking or saying about me. It just wasn't good for my mental health. I stopped posting personal statuses or pictures. I even deactivated my account several times. Somehow, I always end up back on the site. These days my feed has turned into a mixture of cooking videos, funny memes, scripture, and the occasional personal post from several people on my friends list... not the most exciting, but it's not depressing, either. Until I start overthinking again.

It's a never ending cycle.

I realize that the more time I spend on social media, the more depressed I feel. Why do I feel such an urge all the time to check Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube? To be honest, it wouldn't even affect me much if I leave these sites for a year! Most of my "friends" or followers wouldn't even miss my presence.

I guess it just all boils down to our humanity. Each one of us want to feel needed and appreciated. We are constantly looking for ways to feel gratified.

Social media can't satisfy us.

That hole inside you, that longing to feel whole, can only be filled by one thing. And that is God's presence.

I know that only one thing can make me feel satisfied--getting closer to Jesus and being His friend. I remember on days when I just felt so, so lonely, I prayed to God to send me someone. A friend. A BEST friend. Right after praying that I realized and acknowledged that I shouldn't seek a better friend than what Jesus should be to me. Sometimes I have to remind myself this.

Jesus. Jesus is my best Friend. I will find fulfillment in Him and Him alone.

He will never leave me.
He will never forsake me.
He will be with me always. Until the end of the world.

When you find yourself feeling lonely, overwhelmed, and sad... take time off social media. Get alone with God. Pray and seek Him. I read a quote that said

"Sometimes loneliness is God's cry for time with you".

Time spent alone with God is never wasted.

This week I'm going to stay off social media and turn my attention to what actually matters.

The Lord Leads His People

"And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them lights; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people." Exodus 13:21,22

The Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt is an incredible testimony of the hand of God and how He shields and protects His people.

Exodus 14:10 tells us that Pharaoh, after letting the Israelites leave Egypt, changed his mind and pursued after the former slaves. "The Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord."

The Israelites asked Moses why he would take them out of bondage only to let them die in the wilderness like this.

They had forgotten the promise. Actually, it was not merely a promise that God gave to protect them -- God's presence was with them, in the form of a pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night. One needed only to look up to see evidence of God's faithfulness. He never left them. Yet the Israelites chose to look upon Moses' humanity, and the seeming dead-end they had arrived at.

Too often people look to others to lead them. They watch the lives of successful people and strive to be like them. This, especially in ministry, is a grave error. We should never follow popularity. Eventually you will realize that these people that are placed on such high pedestals are only human. They don't have super-power abilities. You might arrive at a situation where you will feel stuck. There's no way out. As individuals, we must seek God first and look to him for guidance and assurance. When you allow the Holy Spirit to lead you, he will place the right people in your path. 

When you have a Holy Ghost-filled pastor, follow him and support him because he's a man of God, chosen to shepherd the congregation. He will be a man that seeks the Lord's guidance and follows the will of God in all things. 

But don't expect him to be perfect. As a human, he will have faults, too. And they have a heavy load to carry. Instead of becoming judgemental, do what you should--put your hand to the plow with him, and help to carry the load. Pray. Pray for him and all the believers daily. Support the ministry. Be present. Be kind. Be a blessing.

Moses was just a man. If he had tried to use his own ability to lead the people, he would have failed. Actually, he already tried that once, as a younger man. It only resulted in one dead Egyptian, and Moses escaping to the desert for his life. Only when the Lord called him and filled him with His power was Moses able to return to Egypt after 40 long years. He did not follow his own agenda this time, but God's will only. He didn't make one move until God instructed him.

God lives in and among His people. If we look to Him always, we will not fail. The Holy Spirit will lead us all the way across the Red sea, through the wilderness, into the Promised Land, and His Presence will never leave us in any battle or strife. 

He has given us the Word as our sword of Truth. With it we can defeat any and all of our enemies. We have overcoming power through the blood of Jesus Christ, and the indwelling of His Spirit within us.

One day He's coming for us, and we shall reign with him in that beautiful, eternal city, where the light of His Glory shall never be snuffed out. Do not fear. Trust Him.

Look up.

Jesus Stills the Storm

 "And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" (Mark 4:25-41)

This story about how Jesus calmed a tempest can be taken so many ways. It demonstrates the power of God, touches on the importance of having faith, and teaches a lesson on trusting God even in the middle of life's storms. Whatever trial you may be facing, we serve a God who has the power to bring calm into the chaos.

There are times in your life you will face a situation where you feel you cannot handle it anymore. You become fearful, believing that there's no way out. Never forget that Jesus is with you. He was with the disciples on that fateful day--fast asleep. Jesus, the King of Peace, was unworried about the storm because he knew it had no power to take their lives. The disciples on the other hand, gave in to the thought that they were about to perish.

It's interesting to note that they did not even wake Jesus until the ship was full of water. No doubt they tried everything else first--bailing out the water that the crashing waves deposited into the ship. Perhaps they fussed with the sails, or tossed out barrels and supplies, trying to lighten the load so the ship wouldn't capsize. 

In the chaos, they must have forgotten about Jesus. Or maybe they thought Jesus was working right along with them until they realized, with great amazement, that He was asleep! The disciples must have looked at one another and thought How could anyone sleep at a time like this?!

They said "Master, carest thou not that we perish?" Don't you care that we are about to die?

Jesus immediately arose and commanded the wind and sea to be still. And there was a great calm. Afterwards he asked them why they were so fearful, and how it was that they had no faith.

Wow. That should speak to us all at any level. If we say that we have faith, then we must also demonstrate that we have no fear about what man or any other external force can do to us. When we have given our lives to Jesus, we should never forget to dwell daily, and through any situation, in His perfect peace.  

He will never leave us nor forsake us. When we call upon Him, we realize that He has been right there with us all along. In fact, He should be the One to whom we turn first. Don't make Him a last resort.

 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

I'm so glad that I serve a King who has overcome all things. 

This is a beautiful song about our cries being heard by our Master Jesus.

He knows your voice
Lift your hands, it's time to rejoice
Child, your cries have awoken the Master!

Seasons

To say we've had an unusually winter is not an exaggeration. It hasn't gotten terribly cold, and most of the snowfall we received barely even stayed for longer than a few days. We've even had multiple Spring-like days in January and February! (...This is CANADA I'm talking about! Okay, Southern Ontario, farthest away from the northern parts of Canada, but still... all those stereotypes of polar bears and igloos are so funny to me. Haha.)

Now we've hit the month of March, which means 3 weeks until it's *officially* Spring! Wouldn't it be hilarious if we are suddenly assaulted by the worst snowstorms of the season?

In past winters, it seemed like Father Winter was not going down without a fight, lasting even until the end of April. This year it seemed as if Autumn lasted longer, and Spring has arrived earlier.

Oftentimes we use the natural seasons to type the physical and spiritual seasons in our own lives. We think of the winter season as symbolic of old age or the rough trials we might face in which we feel deserted, alone, and stagnant.

During the Winter season, nothing grows. Everything looks dead. There is beauty still, however, in the bright snow, and the abundance of it. To see this beauty you might have to leave the city, as in the city is where snow turns to slush, dirty and polluted, pushed and shovelled and manipulated into piles mixed with dirt and pebbles.

It's the same in your spiritual season. You might feel that there is no spiritual growth or maturity happening. You become blinded to any beauty that could be derived from your situation until you learn to shift your perspective, and metaphorically leave the city with its pollution and slush, and wander thoughtfully in the quiet woods where you can contemplate the unaltered, unmanipulated beauty of snow piled gently in wind-blown drifts, or hugging against tree trunks and branches. The quietness of the air, and the delicate puffs of breath meeting the cold. There is always something, no matter how small it is, to marvel about and thank God for.

The winter season is a time for hibernation. A time for rest, quietness and contemplation. If you live in a country where you experience all four seasons, you know without a doubt that the winter season is not everlasting. In due time, Spring comes again. Everything that laid dormant suddenly will spring back into life. There is growth and colour, and warmth.

Instead of allowing yourself to become weary in your winter season, instead remain hopeful. Use the season as an opportunity for self-reflection. I'm not talking about the natural Winter, but of those times you may come across trouble and fear and depression threaten to overcome you. Rise above them. The tough season is proof that something wonderful is going to follow.

Sometimes the winter season doesn't last long. Other times it seems to last forever. But Spring ALWAYS comes again.