-While I have mostly been writing these
blogs to, hopefully, benefit other people, I realized that writing these
blogs has some personal benefits as well.
When it was first suggested to that I write a blog, I was not AT ALL keen on
the idea. To be honest, I wasn't even sure what a blog is. To say that I am
"challenged" when it comes to technology would be an understatement! But,
before rejecting the idea outright, I figured it would only be wise to
discuss it with the Lord. So I prayed and I knew that God wanted me to do
it. So I figured that, if nothing else, it was an opportunity to obey God.
Never a bad thing. So, I admit that I started writing these blogs more to
obey God than because I wanted to.
However, after writing the blogs for some time, I have come to the
conclusion that these blogs provide benefits other than an opportunity to
obey God.For one thing they help to pass time. With so many long hours to fill up, I
am always looking for something to do to help pass the time. Because I have
to bop out one letter at a time with my head, it takes me a long time to
write anything. It takes me 3-4 hours to write a blog, usually in two
sittings, and those 3-4 hours seem to fly by.
I lead a lonely life. Lonely because I am alone most of the time but also lonely because, even when I am with people, I can't take part in any conversations. But, when I am working on my blog, I don't feel lonely. In fact, I prefer to be alone with as few distractions as possible.
These blogs are a good way of keeping my thoughts from wandering all over the place. In most of my blogs, I talk a lot about God. So, while I am writing these blogs, I don't have to struggle to keep my thoughts on God like some other times.
I also learn from these blogs. Of course, I hope other people are learning from these blogs as well. I usually have a general idea of what to write about but the specifics don't come until I actually begin to write. Then I find that what comes out may be something that I never thought of before. Or perhaps it is a reminder of things that I already know. Or, sometimes, I have to say ouch as it is a bit of a reprimand. There are times that the blogs help me to understand both God and myself better. And so on.
These blogs have turned out to be more of a blessing to me than I ever thought they would be. Hopefully, they are a blessing to other people as well.
Me
At the beloved/hated writing vessel
Tuesday, 29 March 2016
Thursday, 24 March 2016
Discouragement vs Encouragement
Discouragement vs Encouragement-As time goes on, more and more I find myself
struggling with discouragement. I imagine it is the same for most Christians
who get an exciting promise from God but then have to wait. And wait and then
wait some more. If we are not careful, the discouragement will take over and
rob us of the promised blessing. In myself, I have detected some ominous
signs of discouragement.
One sign of discouragement is fatigue. I definitely qualify for that one. I
am just plain tired! Most times now, I feel too tired to do much of
anything. A lot of times now , I even feel to use my speech board is too much effort. Unless it
is with somebody who I know uses it well.
Another sign of discouragement that I have noticed in myself is frustration.
I have always had to deal with plenty of frustration but, lately, it has
gotten a lot worse. The least little thing frustrates and upsets me. My
speech board is often the cause of it. Before, I had a lot more patience if
people didn't get what I was trying to say. Now, though, unless it is
important, I give up quickly before I lose it.
I have a lot of negative emotions right now. Probably another sign of
discouragement. Back when I first became a Christian, I had a lot of
emotions as well but they were mostly positive. Things like excitement, joy,
etc. However, after years with no noticeable change in my condition, my
positive emotions don't show up much anymore. Just things like anger,
frustration and, mostly, weeping.
Another sign of discouragement that I see in my life is lack of enthusiasm.
When I was first a Christian, I was so enthusiastic about everything that I
barely noticed my circumstances. I still remember how excited I was when
Sunday came round and I got to go to church . But those days are long gone.
I still enjoy going to church and reading the Bible but the zeal I once had
simply isn't there anymore.
A final sign of discouragement is that my confidence in God isn't as
absolute as it once was. When I was first saved, it seemed that every prayer
I prayed got answered. I still get a lot of my prayers answered but, over
the years, enough of my prayers haven't been answered, for whatever reason
that a tiny seed of doubt has arisen to try to erode my confidence in God.
But where there is discouragement, there is also encouragement-as. I often think of the scripture that says that David encouraged himself in the Lord. I too know that my encouragement must primarily come from the Lord. My biggest source of encouragement lies in reading the Bible. No matter how bummed out I am feeling, invariably I read something in the Bible that perks me up. I have developed the habit of reading the Bible as the first thing I do when I first get on my computer and I find it helps me to face the rest of the day.
Another way that I encourage myself in the Lord is through prayer. When I feel discouragement trying to set in, that is a good time to pray. Only, when I am feeling discouraged I don't always want to pray. So I have to make myself. And I need to be sure I actually pray and don't just whine and complain to God.
Praise is a great remedy for discouragement. I find it pretty hard to really praise and remain feeling discouraged. Closely related is my Christian music. Not only does it help me to praise God, the lyrics, when I focus on listening to them, provides a major source of encouragement-as for me.
Going to church always encourages me . Of course, the praise and worship is an encouragement-as to me. The sermon also encourages me and gives me something positive to think about during the long afternoon. It is also wonderful to be in an atmosphere where the focus is on God rather than in the somewhat depressing atmosphere of Long-term Care.
I can also encourage myself in the Lord is by recalling the good things that He has already done in my life. And He has done some pretty awesome things! Unfortunately, this is not something that I do often enough.
I get most of my encouragement from the Lord but other people can also be a real encouragement as they take my mind off of all the negative circumstances surrounding me. Whether people visit or read to me or take me out somewhere, I don't know if people realize how much of an encouragement they are being to me.
So, yes, discouragement is trying to get the best of me right now but it is not going to. Not as long as I encourage myself in the Lord.
struggling with discouragement. I imagine it is the same for most Christians
who get an exciting promise from God but then have to wait. And wait and then
wait some more. If we are not careful, the discouragement will take over and
rob us of the promised blessing. In myself, I have detected some ominous
signs of discouragement.
One sign of discouragement is fatigue. I definitely qualify for that one. I
am just plain tired! Most times now, I feel too tired to do much of
anything. A lot of times now , I even feel to use my speech board is too much effort. Unless it
is with somebody who I know uses it well.
Another sign of discouragement that I have noticed in myself is frustration.
I have always had to deal with plenty of frustration but, lately, it has
gotten a lot worse. The least little thing frustrates and upsets me. My
speech board is often the cause of it. Before, I had a lot more patience if
people didn't get what I was trying to say. Now, though, unless it is
important, I give up quickly before I lose it.
I have a lot of negative emotions right now. Probably another sign of
discouragement. Back when I first became a Christian, I had a lot of
emotions as well but they were mostly positive. Things like excitement, joy,
etc. However, after years with no noticeable change in my condition, my
positive emotions don't show up much anymore. Just things like anger,
frustration and, mostly, weeping.
Another sign of discouragement that I see in my life is lack of enthusiasm.
When I was first a Christian, I was so enthusiastic about everything that I
barely noticed my circumstances. I still remember how excited I was when
Sunday came round and I got to go to church . But those days are long gone.
I still enjoy going to church and reading the Bible but the zeal I once had
simply isn't there anymore.
A final sign of discouragement is that my confidence in God isn't as
absolute as it once was. When I was first saved, it seemed that every prayer
I prayed got answered. I still get a lot of my prayers answered but, over
the years, enough of my prayers haven't been answered, for whatever reason
that a tiny seed of doubt has arisen to try to erode my confidence in God.
But where there is discouragement, there is also encouragement-as. I often think of the scripture that says that David encouraged himself in the Lord. I too know that my encouragement must primarily come from the Lord. My biggest source of encouragement lies in reading the Bible. No matter how bummed out I am feeling, invariably I read something in the Bible that perks me up. I have developed the habit of reading the Bible as the first thing I do when I first get on my computer and I find it helps me to face the rest of the day.
Another way that I encourage myself in the Lord is through prayer. When I feel discouragement trying to set in, that is a good time to pray. Only, when I am feeling discouraged I don't always want to pray. So I have to make myself. And I need to be sure I actually pray and don't just whine and complain to God.
Praise is a great remedy for discouragement. I find it pretty hard to really praise and remain feeling discouraged. Closely related is my Christian music. Not only does it help me to praise God, the lyrics, when I focus on listening to them, provides a major source of encouragement-as for me.
Going to church always encourages me . Of course, the praise and worship is an encouragement-as to me. The sermon also encourages me and gives me something positive to think about during the long afternoon. It is also wonderful to be in an atmosphere where the focus is on God rather than in the somewhat depressing atmosphere of Long-term Care.
I can also encourage myself in the Lord is by recalling the good things that He has already done in my life. And He has done some pretty awesome things! Unfortunately, this is not something that I do often enough.
I get most of my encouragement from the Lord but other people can also be a real encouragement as they take my mind off of all the negative circumstances surrounding me. Whether people visit or read to me or take me out somewhere, I don't know if people realize how much of an encouragement they are being to me.
So, yes, discouragement is trying to get the best of me right now but it is not going to. Not as long as I encourage myself in the Lord.
Tuesday, 15 March 2016
Cold Lake
Cold Lake-Lately, because I have been dealing with some "issues" above and
beyond my normal discomfort, I really felt like I wanted to write about
something that had absolutely nothing to do with hospital, Long-term Care,
sickness, pain, etc. I had no idea what, though, as, aside from God, those
things pretty much define my existence right now. I am not sure what gave me
the idea to write about Cold Lake nor have I thought it out. So you will
have to bear with me while I ramble a bit.
I first came to Cold Lake to teach school at the ripe old age of 22. When I
found out that I was coming to Cold Lake, I didn't even know that there was
such a place. My sister did know that there is a military base here but that
is all she knew. So I trundled off to Cold Lake and was pleasantly
surprised. There even were trees! Coming from Medicine Hat where trees are
few and far between, that was a treat. I came in January so I didn't first
see our beautiful lake at its best. When I first came, there wasn't much here. Just
a small town amidst trees and on a lovely lake I have to admit that I much
preferred Cold Lake when it was just a small town and before so many of the
trees have been cut down. I have never been a city person so I was happy to
be in a small town. Back then, Medicine Hat certainly wasn't a large city
but it was still a city. One of the first things that I noticed is how much
shorter winter days in Cold Lake are compared to winter days in Medicine
Hat. Conversely, during the summer, I noticed how much longer the days are.
Another thing I noticed is that,when the day is hot in Cold Lake, it still
cools down at night.Not so in Medicine Hat. A hot day usually means a hot
night. However, there is one way I like Medicine Hat better. MOSQUITOES! The
ones there are much smaller and sparser than the ones in Cold Lake.
I also experienced some firsts in coming to Cold Lake. Moving to Cold Lake
meant the first time that I really lived away from home, Of course, I lived
away when I was going to university but Lethbridge is only 2 hours from
Medicine Hat so I was able to go home frequently. However, Cold Lake is a
lot farther from Medicine Hat so, obviously, I couldn't pop home nearly as
often.
The teaching position was my first real job . I had summer jobs while going
to university but working to save money for schooling is a whole lot
different than working to pay the rent, buy groceries, etc. In addition, I
had a student loan to pay off.
I met my husband in Cold Lake. Well., actually on the military base. Even
though we were married in Medicine Hat, our entire married life was spent in
Cold Lake. My two children were born in Cold Lake. They don't live here
anymore but I am sure they still think of Cold Lake as their hometown.
In Cold Lake, I learned to do some things I never even thought of doing
while I was living in Medicine Hat. I learned to cross-country ski. In Cold
Lake, the snow usually stays on the ground all winter which makes it
conducive to cross-country skiing-when it is not too cold! But, because of
the chinooks, the snow in Medicine Hat can come and go. I really have no
idea how much cross-country skiing is done there. I just know that it was
not something I ever thought of doing before I came to Cold Lake. The other
thing that I learned to do in Cold Lake was how to curl. Even though there
is a curling rink in Medicine Hat, curling just doesn't seem to be as big as
farther north. At least, I had no interest in curling before coming to Cold
Lake. I don't even remember how I got started curling but I got hooked on it
and continued curling in a ladies' league until I had the stroke.
I first really got to know God in Cold Lake. While living in Medicine Hat, I
knew ABOUT God as I went to church and there were always Bibles in our
house. But it wasn't until I moved to Cold Lake and not until after I had
the stroke that I became a born-again Christian and that I learned, and am
still learning just how wonderful God.
To be honest, I am not too sure why I wrote this blog. But it was kind of
fun to write.
beyond my normal discomfort, I really felt like I wanted to write about
something that had absolutely nothing to do with hospital, Long-term Care,
sickness, pain, etc. I had no idea what, though, as, aside from God, those
things pretty much define my existence right now. I am not sure what gave me
the idea to write about Cold Lake nor have I thought it out. So you will
have to bear with me while I ramble a bit.
I first came to Cold Lake to teach school at the ripe old age of 22. When I
found out that I was coming to Cold Lake, I didn't even know that there was
such a place. My sister did know that there is a military base here but that
is all she knew. So I trundled off to Cold Lake and was pleasantly
surprised. There even were trees! Coming from Medicine Hat where trees are
few and far between, that was a treat. I came in January so I didn't first
see our beautiful lake at its best. When I first came, there wasn't much here. Just
a small town amidst trees and on a lovely lake I have to admit that I much
preferred Cold Lake when it was just a small town and before so many of the
trees have been cut down. I have never been a city person so I was happy to
be in a small town. Back then, Medicine Hat certainly wasn't a large city
but it was still a city. One of the first things that I noticed is how much
shorter winter days in Cold Lake are compared to winter days in Medicine
Hat. Conversely, during the summer, I noticed how much longer the days are.
Another thing I noticed is that,when the day is hot in Cold Lake, it still
cools down at night.Not so in Medicine Hat. A hot day usually means a hot
night. However, there is one way I like Medicine Hat better. MOSQUITOES! The
ones there are much smaller and sparser than the ones in Cold Lake.
I also experienced some firsts in coming to Cold Lake. Moving to Cold Lake
meant the first time that I really lived away from home, Of course, I lived
away when I was going to university but Lethbridge is only 2 hours from
Medicine Hat so I was able to go home frequently. However, Cold Lake is a
lot farther from Medicine Hat so, obviously, I couldn't pop home nearly as
often.
The teaching position was my first real job . I had summer jobs while going
to university but working to save money for schooling is a whole lot
different than working to pay the rent, buy groceries, etc. In addition, I
had a student loan to pay off.
I met my husband in Cold Lake. Well., actually on the military base. Even
though we were married in Medicine Hat, our entire married life was spent in
Cold Lake. My two children were born in Cold Lake. They don't live here
anymore but I am sure they still think of Cold Lake as their hometown.
In Cold Lake, I learned to do some things I never even thought of doing
while I was living in Medicine Hat. I learned to cross-country ski. In Cold
Lake, the snow usually stays on the ground all winter which makes it
conducive to cross-country skiing-when it is not too cold! But, because of
the chinooks, the snow in Medicine Hat can come and go. I really have no
idea how much cross-country skiing is done there. I just know that it was
not something I ever thought of doing before I came to Cold Lake. The other
thing that I learned to do in Cold Lake was how to curl. Even though there
is a curling rink in Medicine Hat, curling just doesn't seem to be as big as
farther north. At least, I had no interest in curling before coming to Cold
Lake. I don't even remember how I got started curling but I got hooked on it
and continued curling in a ladies' league until I had the stroke.
I first really got to know God in Cold Lake. While living in Medicine Hat, I
knew ABOUT God as I went to church and there were always Bibles in our
house. But it wasn't until I moved to Cold Lake and not until after I had
the stroke that I became a born-again Christian and that I learned, and am
still learning just how wonderful God.
To be honest, I am not too sure why I wrote this blog. But it was kind of
fun to write.
Tuesday, 8 March 2016
How Life Gets In the Way of a Relationship With God
How Life Gets In The Way Of A Relationship With God-I have no idea where
this blog came from. One day, the title just popped into my mind. I have a
bit of a disclaimer, though. When I talk about life, I am not referring to
my "unique" life but, rather, what I assume life is like for other people.
The first area that, I would think, that gets in the way is time. For me,
having time to build a relationship with God is not a problem. However, I
imagine that it is not so easy when you have a family, job and other
commitments. I suppose that it is a matter of making the time to spend with God.
I know. That is easy for me to say but maybe not so easy for the one who
actually has to do it.
A second thing that can get in the way are our priorities. Even I have had
to work on that one. I have had to force myself to read Bible and other
Christian things before I check my e-mails or do anything else on my
computer. It is no problem now but it sure was at first. Even now, once in
awhile, on a church evening there is something on tv that I really like to
see. I am tempted not to go to church. I don't give in to the temptation but
it is still there. If, with my limited scope of activities, I sometimes
struggle with keeping my priorities straight, how much more difficult it
must be for Christians who have more things trying to pull them from time
with God. Things like job, family commitments, commitments made to
other people, etc. Ultimately, though, we all pick our own priorities. God
won't do it for us so it is up to us to have priorities that please Him.
Another thing that can get in the way are afflictions of any kind. I know
from personal experience that a unusual discomfort or worry about finances
or whatever can hinder time with God. I start praising God but, before too
long, my mind is back on my "affliction". I imagine the same is true of
other Christians. But it is nevertheless up to us whether or not we allow
our "afflictions" to pull us entirely away from God. However, I have also found that
afflictions can draw us to God. It boils down to this. In times of
affliction, do we run to or away from God? Our choice.
Emotions are another thing that can get in the way. When our emotions are in a good place, it is a lot easier to pursue a relationship with God than when we are feeling out of sorts, angry, depressed or whatever. For me, it is usually a matter of giving in to the emotion at first but then to pull myself together and do what I know I should do. It is the same for us all I guess. We all have emotions, both good and bad, and it is our choice whether or not they hinder our relationship with God.
Finally, there are people who get in the way. I don't usually have that problem but I imagine it is for other people. Sometimes, somebody will want to do something when you want to read the Bible. Or maybe you get a visitor when it is time to go to church. Or maybe there is a family affair at the same time as church. Whatever the scenario, people can get in the way of developing a relationship with God. I can certainly not offer any advice on what to do when people get in the way. I will just say that, like everything else, we ultimately have to decide whether or not people will interfere with our time with God. At times, it is not an easy decision either.
There are a lot of different things that try to prevent us from developing a relationship with with God. But, as I was writing this, I came to understand that we do have a say in the matter. It boils down to this. Do we want a relationship with God badly enough that we will discretion ourselves when different things try to get in the way?
this blog came from. One day, the title just popped into my mind. I have a
bit of a disclaimer, though. When I talk about life, I am not referring to
my "unique" life but, rather, what I assume life is like for other people.
The first area that, I would think, that gets in the way is time. For me,
having time to build a relationship with God is not a problem. However, I
imagine that it is not so easy when you have a family, job and other
commitments. I suppose that it is a matter of making the time to spend with God.
I know. That is easy for me to say but maybe not so easy for the one who
actually has to do it.
A second thing that can get in the way are our priorities. Even I have had
to work on that one. I have had to force myself to read Bible and other
Christian things before I check my e-mails or do anything else on my
computer. It is no problem now but it sure was at first. Even now, once in
awhile, on a church evening there is something on tv that I really like to
see. I am tempted not to go to church. I don't give in to the temptation but
it is still there. If, with my limited scope of activities, I sometimes
struggle with keeping my priorities straight, how much more difficult it
must be for Christians who have more things trying to pull them from time
with God. Things like job, family commitments, commitments made to
other people, etc. Ultimately, though, we all pick our own priorities. God
won't do it for us so it is up to us to have priorities that please Him.
Another thing that can get in the way are afflictions of any kind. I know
from personal experience that a unusual discomfort or worry about finances
or whatever can hinder time with God. I start praising God but, before too
long, my mind is back on my "affliction". I imagine the same is true of
other Christians. But it is nevertheless up to us whether or not we allow
our "afflictions" to pull us entirely away from God. However, I have also found that
afflictions can draw us to God. It boils down to this. In times of
affliction, do we run to or away from God? Our choice.
Emotions are another thing that can get in the way. When our emotions are in a good place, it is a lot easier to pursue a relationship with God than when we are feeling out of sorts, angry, depressed or whatever. For me, it is usually a matter of giving in to the emotion at first but then to pull myself together and do what I know I should do. It is the same for us all I guess. We all have emotions, both good and bad, and it is our choice whether or not they hinder our relationship with God.
Finally, there are people who get in the way. I don't usually have that problem but I imagine it is for other people. Sometimes, somebody will want to do something when you want to read the Bible. Or maybe you get a visitor when it is time to go to church. Or maybe there is a family affair at the same time as church. Whatever the scenario, people can get in the way of developing a relationship with God. I can certainly not offer any advice on what to do when people get in the way. I will just say that, like everything else, we ultimately have to decide whether or not people will interfere with our time with God. At times, it is not an easy decision either.
There are a lot of different things that try to prevent us from developing a relationship with with God. But, as I was writing this, I came to understand that we do have a say in the matter. It boils down to this. Do we want a relationship with God badly enough that we will discretion ourselves when different things try to get in the way?
Tuesday, 1 March 2016
God's Purpose For Pain
God's Purpose For Pain-I admit that I have been dealing with some pain
lately that has been keeping me awake at night. One night, I thought, as I
can't sleep anyway, I may as think about what to write in my next blog. Not
having a clue, I started to pray about it. The thought crossed my mind to
write about pain. That went over like a lead balloon! I came very came very
close to arguing with God about it but then I decided that it would be
smarter to just write about it and not risk deliberate disobedience to God. So I am
writing about God's purposes for allowing pain in a born-again Christian's
life.
When I mention pain, it is physical but it can also be emotional. I suspect
that the main reason that God allows pain is to genuineness of our faith. It
is easy to say we have faith when we are in good health and everything is going the
way we want. A different story, though, when we are suffering, either
physically or through various emotional traumas. That is when we show our true
faith. Will we stick it out or turn tail and run?
Another reason that I believe that God allows pain in a Christian's life is
to develop godly character. All these wonderful things like patience, endurance , steadfastness and longsuffering are best developed in times of pain. If one is is always in good health and things are great , what need is there to develop these qualities? To be honest, I wish there were another way to develop these characteristics but there isn't so I just have to suck it up and believe that God knows best.
Pain, whatever kind, is an opportunity to demonstrate godly character. It is easy to show Jesus to the world when everything is hunky-dorey but not so easy when there is pain to cope with. That is when we often have force godly character out of us. Things like love, joy, peace, etc. I often feel like I flunked this one. I don't do pain well so not everything that comes out of me is too godly.
Another thing about pain is that it makes us more appreciate times when there is no pain. It is human nature that , before any kind of pain, we take our health and well-being for granted. But, after a period of pain, when it is restored, people sure do appreciate health and well-being a lot more. I know that, once my health is returned to me, I sure won't take it for granted!
A final word. When God allows pain in a Christian's life, there is a time limit to the pain. It won't last forever. Although I know that, when you are in the middle of the pain, it sure seems like it is never ending.
lately that has been keeping me awake at night. One night, I thought, as I
can't sleep anyway, I may as think about what to write in my next blog. Not
having a clue, I started to pray about it. The thought crossed my mind to
write about pain. That went over like a lead balloon! I came very came very
close to arguing with God about it but then I decided that it would be
smarter to just write about it and not risk deliberate disobedience to God. So I am
writing about God's purposes for allowing pain in a born-again Christian's
life.
When I mention pain, it is physical but it can also be emotional. I suspect
that the main reason that God allows pain is to genuineness of our faith. It
is easy to say we have faith when we are in good health and everything is going the
way we want. A different story, though, when we are suffering, either
physically or through various emotional traumas. That is when we show our true
faith. Will we stick it out or turn tail and run?
Another reason that I believe that God allows pain in a Christian's life is
to develop godly character. All these wonderful things like patience, endurance , steadfastness and longsuffering are best developed in times of pain. If one is is always in good health and things are great , what need is there to develop these qualities? To be honest, I wish there were another way to develop these characteristics but there isn't so I just have to suck it up and believe that God knows best.
Pain, whatever kind, is an opportunity to demonstrate godly character. It is easy to show Jesus to the world when everything is hunky-dorey but not so easy when there is pain to cope with. That is when we often have force godly character out of us. Things like love, joy, peace, etc. I often feel like I flunked this one. I don't do pain well so not everything that comes out of me is too godly.
Another thing about pain is that it makes us more appreciate times when there is no pain. It is human nature that , before any kind of pain, we take our health and well-being for granted. But, after a period of pain, when it is restored, people sure do appreciate health and well-being a lot more. I know that, once my health is returned to me, I sure won't take it for granted!
A final word. When God allows pain in a Christian's life, there is a time limit to the pain. It won't last forever. Although I know that, when you are in the middle of the pain, it sure seems like it is never ending.
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