I picked the book up last Fall, when a gang of us were at a conference where Bill was speaking, and with Eric’s own personal recommendation.

I have to admit it really sounded like something I could devour at the time, but no matter how I tried, I just couldn’t seem to absorb the first few chapters of it. I would read it, set the book down, and then have no clue what I just read. It was therefore easily set aside, and another one would get picked up in its’ place.

In sharing my recent journeying revelations with some close friends, they kept asking me if I had ever read or heard of the book. It was becoming clearer and clearer over time, that He wanted me to take hold of something that could be found in between its’ numbered pages.

I simply needed to sit down and read it. So, once more, I plopped down with the purposed intent to devour its contents. Finally, I was starting to get into it… and that was when it happened.

I lost the book…. Sigh.

Some books are just like that. Sometimes you will just realize that you are not in the right headspace at that exact moment, for it. Then you will pick it up a month later, and it turns out to be absolutely riveting!

Yesterday, I was overjoyed, to stumble across it again, after weeks of searching for it – and I guess it must be where I am right now, because last night, I was totally absorbing everything my eyes were resting upon. As I was walking through the pages that journeyed Bill’s own pursuit of God’s presence, even the simple words became engaging.

I had put on The River’s “Knowing You” compact disk, which happens to be my current and favourite instrumental-worship cd, and curled up on the sofa. Sunk down in its’ plump, overstuffed cushions, with the music softly playing in the background… I was lost … “Face to Face with God”.

Oblivious to the activities going on around me and deeply engrossed in the book, I hadn’t even noticed the passage of time. My other “honorary” son, who I have loved since infancy, had let himself into the house during the late hour, while I was reading. He had walked past me, in order to join my son and my hubby to watch a movie. Seeing that I was deep in concentration with something, he didn’t want to disturb me. He also didn’t want to be bothered trying to switch the lights on-and-off in that part of the house either; and since he knows it well enough to wander around in the dark, he just quietly tip-toed through and joined the others… and never said a word.

However, being the impish kid he is, when he came down to get his backpack, he thought it was an opportune moment to sneak up behind me and whisper a bassy-sounding “BOO!” into my ear.

He had given my guys a heads-up advance warning of his brewing plans. And let’s just say I cooperated nicely with it when I screamed!

I had been ambushed!

Let me assure you, the poor kid almost had his own “Face to Face With God” encounter! (Lol)

Of course, it is also not necessary to tell you that all you could hear was the three of them howling with laughter, and “high-fiving” his successful mission… now fully accomplished!

Personally, I don’t think it is very fair to do that to a woman who has a hearing problem. Sigh.

All kidding aside, I mustered a blog revelation in my flustered state… after my heart-rate returned to normal, that is.

Ironically, I read afterwards that one of the theme points noted on the back cover of the book is “How to “set up an ambush” for God, rather than just waiting on God”. In other words, ust like my other kid had “ambushed” me with such gusto, we too should be desiring to sneak up and surprise God with our own undivided attention!

Engrossed and distracted with all the things that are keeping us busy, even in what appears to be good, it is possible to totally miss that direct encounter, “Face to Face with God”, as He passes through the room!

Certainly, pursuing passionately, His presence, and looking for Him daily in the everyday moments – all while “being alert at all times” – would certainly help!

Think of how a parent reaches down and places their hands on both sides of their little one’s face to ensure a focus takes place in communication… Can’t you imagine our Heavenly Father doing the same to His children? Can you picture Him pressing in close to capture your face in His hands… purely in order to communicate with you, and you alone?

Truly, nothing has power like a conversation that takes face-to-face!

At times it is powerful, purposed, and passionate! At other times, it may be seasoned with confession, confrontation, and remorse.

Accountability rises, and character and integrity is tested and challenged.

How about you?

Are you watching… and waiting… for an encounter… “Face to Face with God”?

The post Face to Face with God appeared first on BibleTalk.Life.

One of the areas the Lord has done a great work in, is in the area of fretting over things like tardiness.

Since I hate being late for anything, I tend to arrive far earlier than I need to for the most part. It’s also disrespectful of other peoples’ time, in my mind, to keep people waiting. It is definitely one of my top “pet peeves” – along with people being disrespectful and rude to others!

I had a high-blood pressure scare the week before, due to an abnormally high pain level in my body that exceeded my bodily-maximum-tolerance. So, as a result of my new place of “determined” calmness and no choice whatsoever, I resolved that I was not going to allow my blood-pressure to soar by the momentary “panic” of being late.

Fortunately, I had readied myself, and packed my bags the night before. So, all I had to do was toss them into the back and the van, and I was off.

A little more than an hour away from my final destination in upper New York state, I had finally moved from darkness of the early hours of winter morn in Canada and into the daylight. The air was crispy, and the sun and frost were leaving a subtle sheen around me, for which I was thankful. It was enabling me to see the black ice patches that still clung to the pavement within the dense mountainous terrain.

With great caution, I journeyed with my foot eased up on the pedal, far more than usual.

Somewhere, in the midst of one of the narrowest, winding, stretches possible, I felt to slow down gently but swiftly. As I rounded the banked corner, it was then that I saw them.

Tawny, elegant and graceful, they paired themselves in a manner of calm assurance – they seemed to sense that they were perfectly safe, and that no harm would come their way. Their white tails responded by flipping upwards, and they stayed side-by-side, as though they were a set of rear headlights that I was meant to follow.

I was in awe of their quick, purposeful glance over their shoulders, and I would tell you that I actually saw them smiling at me, and then at each other. I continued to follow them slowly behind, and they continued to trot directly in the lane as though they were showing me the way.

The thought came immediately, that this was a heavenly intervention and a divine appointment.

I thought of the dozens of people, once irritated with “life’s little frustrations” on that tragic day of 9/11, who now recognize their lives were spared because something or someone held them up – stories of missed taxis, children who missed their buses, unexpected phone calls, and other stories far too numerous and poignant to recall at this time. Moments, although perhaps frustrating at the time, which are no doubt held as very “dear” and precious to them now, when recalling the events of that day.

I truly knew He had sent these “deer” ones to ensure that I was being held back from something that lay ahead. There was no doubt in my mind… no doubt at all.

There was peace in the knowing, but I also knew it would mean I would need to pay close attention for what lay ahead on the rest of my journey…

Slowly I lowered the window so that I could say a “thank-you” to these two “angels” of an earthly form, but it wasn’t time yet.

A minute or two went by and they did a synchronized, gentle turn to the left. With a single movement, a graceful glide was executed over the guardrail and into the forest of evergreens. Gratefully and softy, I yelled my word of thanks to them as they slid into the shelter of safety. Once again, I turned my attention to completing the last leg of the trip…

It couldn’t have been much more than a half hour later, when again, my spirit was cautioned to slow down as I took the corner.

I saw the rolling dispersion of chunks of snow and bits and pieces of metal and plastic as it continued skimming across the surface of the road. It was coming from around the hidden embankment and it was an ominous sign that there was trouble!

I broke hard and fast. The snow on the side of the mountain had let go with the weight of itself, and coupled with the sun hitting it, it had been a formula for disaster, even with the cold temperatures!

It had caused a mini-avalanche to come careening down and onto the curve, and had struck the unseen vehicle that had been ahead of me!

Now, there was really no choice but to swing into the oncoming lane.

I looked quickly at the car and was shocked to see the extensive damage that had been done. I also noted the driver was nowhere to be found. I wondered if the driver in a state of shock had jumped out and ran for safety, fearing that more would come tumbling down on him… or he may have wandered into the bush nearby in a state of confusion.

It was certainly no place to for stopping, and it would have been dangerous for me to have chanced it. Most likely I would have ended up getting struck by someone else, or being hit by more tumbling snow coming down the side. I had little choice but to keep moving.

I reached for the cell phone, but of course, in the remote area there was no signal. I continued on looking for a state-trooper – usually they are as thick as flies, but there was not one to be seen when we needed one!

The truck that I had avoided in the other lane was stopping to offer assistance, and was taking control of the immediate situation, so I continued onward and watched diligently for any sign of further aid. In the momentum, I was still praying that all would be well, but truthfully, I never did see anyone within the next half hour and it was now too far away for anything to be of any value anymore.

Clearly, it couldn’t have been any more than one or two minutes previously that it had all happened… the rolling chunks of snow had confirmed that. Undoubtely, I knew it was the reason for those “deer” moments earlier…. the reason that I had been held back. Someone else, however, had not been so fortunate, and reaped the result of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Yes, indeed, I was grateful for those who were praying me safely there and back. During those “dear”, “deer” precious moments they had uttered a petition, that may very well have saved my life yesterday.

Please… the next time, you find yourself annoyed by frustrating, delaying, seemly-irritating events, keep it all in perspective… remember, that they might just be a “life saver” you didn’t expect!

Instead of fretting… stop, pause, and say “thank-you” for all those “dear”, “deer” moments in your life.

The post Dear… Deer… Moments appeared first on BibleTalk.Life.

To reiterate; this is about four men who dared to be different – four men who refused to eat the foods that would cause them to defile themselves and set cause to break the laws of their religious beliefs.

A few days before beginning this new journey through the book of Daniel, I was doing a little online surfing for articles and blogs on how people are coping in light of the downward spiral of the world’s economic systems.

Of course, there a great increase in number of articles and blog entries on how people are coping and saving money, of recent. It is reflecting the times in which we are living.

People are downsizing, particularly with the large population of baby-boomers entering their more senior years. Personal debt and bankruptcies are at an all-time high. Companies are moving their production facilities to cheaper lands, investments are plummeting in the stock market arenas, and people are losing jobs left and right. Oh, what troublesome times we are living in, but should we be surprised?

Aside from the inundation of articles and blogs and frugality, there are a newer substantial amount of blogs and sites for a growing number of people who are now opting out of the societal pressures to look like we have it all made. They are choosing instead, to move with a purposed directive towards a new trend called “voluntary simplicity”. They are the new army or breed of those fighting to step back from the society’s focus on self absorption and indulgence, and the overwhelming pressure to “keep up with the Joneses”.

Living the great American dream is no longer the dream…. in fact, it has become a nightmare! Society is starting to say “we have had enough”. They are opting out, and discarding all the stuff that really isn’t necessary. They are no longer interested in accumulating treasures, and storing the “stuff”.

My own sister-in-law and brother-in-law made a decision, a little over year and a half ago, to sell off their home and all of their world possessions, in order to purchase a large RV motorhome and drive off to discover North America. The timing, they felt, was right. Their kids, now in their twenties, had left home, and being only in their forties themselves, they were young enough to enjoy the concept. They also wanted to do it while they have the health to do it. They were both of tired of their jobs and the rat-race, and were ready for an all-out adventure. So in just a few short weeks, they got rid of their stuff, and were waving farewell. Their challenge and part of the whole exploit would be to see how little they could spend. It would be more like a game, but not a regimented, unbending requirement. They wanted to do it all as simply as they could.

They chose an online trip journal, and daily post their happenings, as well as keep a running tab on their expenditures; namely fuel, food, and overnight fees. Since they have never been big spenders to start with, they spend very little, and have surprisingly, on average, spent only around a thousand a month over the past year, for their new style of living. Internet is picked up randomly here and there, on whatever signals they happen to find along the way, and cell phone pay-as-you-go is a monthly five dollar phone card they keep topped up only for roadside emergencies, should they ever need it.

Board-games, cards, strolls on the beaches, bike rides, dog-walks, and get-togethers with other fellow RV-ers are high on the list of activities. They trade books with other travellers, eat foods in season and with simplicity, pickup cheap dvd movies once in a while to watch on their laptops, they read the headlines and news videos online, and participate in free activities and touristy items as they motor along. It’s a low-key lifestyle they have become accustomed to, and that they absolutely love. So, what started out with intent to be only a couple of years long, has now become a lifestyle, and has progressed into plans for a longer timeframe.

They have chosen, and they have dared to be different.

While there is a part of many of us that may be envious of such a freedom to be able to pick and move like that. I, personally, have to say that I am too busy enjoying this season of writing and ministry. I absolutely love what I am blessed to be doing right now, and of where He has me. I love the simplicity of what we, as a family unit of our own, have chosen for this very busy season in our lives.

While we have never been too passionate about keeping up appearances, we have opted to step out of the influences and to clamp down on spending. Like others, who are choosing to rebel, we are no longer interested in spending our money or time on the unimportant things. Again, like many others, we have chosen to say “no’, and to no longer conform to make the status quo – we choose to store the stuff, instead, where it counts… both personally and spiritually.

Do we, as believers in Christ, want to be strong in our conviction to not be conformed of this world?

“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Matthew 6:20 (NIV)

It is all about setting our boundaries. We can choose to be a part of what is happening around us or to standout and be unique – to dare to be different and set apart.

We can certainly live in the world, but we don’t have to live of it.

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Rom 12:2 (NIV)

Part of the study of His Word, is the factor of application; taking what you learn and applying it to your own life. So with an awareness of our own financial situations, and with the conviction of my faith – for the length of time that I am studying this amazing book of the Bible, I am personally committing to eat simply and at home (as much as possible), to not to spend any unnecessary money on what could be construed as frivolous items, and to live my life as simply as possible. I shall commit to purging out my belongings in order to downsize our home to its’ simplest form, and its’ most mobile, move-ready basics. Not because I have to to, or because circumstances may force it in the future… but simply, because I want to.

We can learn much from the example of four men. Four men, who opted to take a stand for the simpler things – to eat with the simplicity of a diet of strictly vegetables and water, (and not the indulgent diet of a royal palace), and of whose bodies and minds ultimately reflected its intrinsic value. Four men, who chose to not be conformed to the patterns of the world around them, but to take a stand for righteous faith and respect for the Law.

Four men, who dared to be different.

The post Four Men Who Dared to Be Different~ Part 2 appeared first on BibleTalk.Life.

Yes, indeed, the prolific abundance and resources of the royal kingdom were being invested into the physical bodies of the finest specimens in the kingdom – all handpicked and chosen to be trained for the king’s service.

There was only one hitch.

There were a couple of men, who didn’t want to touch it with a ten-foot pole. In their Hebrew culture the foods were considered unclean, and eating them would have defiled the Law to which they would stanchly defend and preserve. To break that Law, would be to sin against their God.

Let’s read the first chapter of Daniel, in the New International Version, and see how the actual story is recorded…

1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god.

3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring in some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility- 4 young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. 5 The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service.

6 Among these were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 7 The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.

8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. 9 Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel, 10 but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.”

11 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” 14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.

15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.

17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

18 At the end of the time set by the king to bring them in, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.

21 And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.

While it was, no doubt, probably an honour to have been chosen, (and most assuredly the family and friends, of those that made the cut, were proud of their loved ones), it was apparent that not everyone was willing to compromise!

Four men, who dared to be different. Notice the court officials even tried to change their names. Talk about losing your identity, and just becoming another one in the crowd!

It was all about motive, pleasure and self indulgence; the king’s, his courts’, his interns’, and his nations’. Oh, how this parallels our life, here in the present day, and from within our western culture!

Indeed, we are living in a modern-day version of Babylonia! After all, it wasn’t just the name of a place, it was a culture, a way of life, and a philosophy for living!

The world is our oyster! Our eyes and ears can now hear and see and experience the voices of influence from around the world in a nano-second, through technology and media, all as never before in history – all implying that we really are the center of our own universe!

Think about it. We are enraptured with pleasure for ourselves – our five senses are never dulled and they too, are fed their finest!

Education is now available through means and sources never dreamed or perceived in years past; physical health is scientifically explained, altered, reproduced, and cloned in peitre dishes; and dictionaries have words that are now considered parts of everyday speech – words that would make even an animal blush!

Our hands fondle the finest of textures and objects in their purest, natural form or their man-made, artificial counterparts. Our palettes exercise the diversity of cultures and tastes, and exotic aromas fill our nostrils, taking our imaginations to distant lands across the globe.

We can feed not only our bodies, but our egos! We can choose to find ourselves, remake our appearance, access unlimited banks of knowledge, get cash at the touch of a button or the swipe of a card, and cross oceans and continents in a heartbeat!

We have choices like no other time, or nations, in history; and, we tell ourselves it is entirely possible to have it all!

Well they too, had it all, and it was being offered to them on a silver platter, literally. However, they made a choice, and like Mary would, many years later, they chose what was better!

Four men, who dared to be different.

The post Four Men Who Dared to Be Different ~ Part 1 appeared first on BibleTalk.Life.

Our gang of kids had a different idea of what a good, entertaining evening would be, and they opted to go upstairs to watch their own choice of flick.

Of course, what kid in their right mind would watch the boob-tube without snacks?

Popcorn, peanuts, chips, sodas…. anyone?

The modern-day version of popping-corn went in and out of the microwave, bag after bag, and drinks were doled out into glasses. The gang of kiddies all scurried off, (even with our intended portions), and left the adults to fend for themselves.

Sigh… Part of the theatre-style ambiance is the smell of buttered popcorn wafting through the air, isn’t it? Who could imagine going into a “movie house” without it? Unfortunately, the odour was still hanging in the room’s natural air flow, so we couldn’t help but think about the alternative edibles that we, ourselves, could munch our way through… if we could find some.

The wife poured out the soft drinks over the glistening ice cubes, and anxious to get on with the movie before it got too late, we located a long-forgotten “secret stash” hidden in a cupboard. We put all the goodies into bowls, and sat down to make ourselves comfortable.

Slowly, we crunched our way through the cornucopia of junk foods until they had all but diappeared, but the hunger pangs still continued for some. Still feeling a tad peckish, the husband rose and quietly excused himself to forage through their pantry cupboard for more snacks.

Victory came when he produced a return engagement toting a hidden bag of jumbo bag of everybody’s ever-favourite, ever-popular potato chips.

With one eye mindful on the movie, so as not to miss the building momentum, he yanked on the top of bag in both directions hoping to unseal the edible snack. It didn’t work.

He tried to tear the top. That didn’t work either.

With the movie-mood still building, he didn’t want to go get the scissors. He knew he could grab it with his teeth and give it a rip. Never mind the company present.

Nope, it appeared to be sealed so airtight it was it difficult to do even that, and his challenge to get it open still continued. We all sat with one eye on him now, instead of the movie, and giggled at his quandary.

After several more irritating moments trying to open the bag, while not taking his eye off the screen, we were all in hysterics. Truly, it was far more entertaining to watch him than the movie!

He finally was inspired to resolve the issue by clamping the bag between his knees and clapping both sides of the bag simultaneously.

He was quite relieved to hear the “pop-snap” sound of the bag as it finally opened. Without looking down, he groped around for the opening.

No longer could we hold in or stifle any snickers and “guffaws”. Uncontrollable laughter erupted without any hesitation, and his eyes spun to us widely to see what what was happening. He looked a tad confused as we held our stomachs, rolled from side to side, rocked back-and-forth, and slapped our hands ventedly on the on the furniture…. all the while gasping for air between the snorts and wheezes!

And that was when he noticed it.

His bag of chips was still unopened at the top. The bottom however was wide open…. and as he lifted it higher, a pile of crumbs were added to the confetti of potato-chip crumbs that already surrounded him… on his pants, the chair, and strewn about the carpet!

He smiled this sheepish grin that only he could have mustered, shook his head, and finally lost it himself! We continued to howl with hysterics at the antics as he stood to his feet and chips continued to rain down onto the rug.

It would keep momentarily, it wasn’t like it was a pile of messy liquid that would leave a permanent stain. The decision was made. He would deal with it later, and the vacuuming would wait, so that we could all hear the end of the movie.

In the meantime, he would keep his feet still so he wouldn’t mangle any more crumbs into the carpet. All in one fluid motion, he twisted, swept the crumbs from his chair, sat back down, and stayed focused on the movie he wanted to finish.

The sucking up of his snack’s untimely demise, was a slow, tedious process, and the greasy particles had even made their way down into the crack and crevices of the insides of the chair. Who would have thought that one teeny bag could have made such a mess?

Even he had to admit that the whole adventure was just all too silly for words. But, it all goes to show you that when the bottom falls out of your situation and things seem to be swirling around you, you have one of two choices – it’s laugh or cry.

Isn’t life… and our faith-walk… just like that?

We too, can choose to laugh or cry “when the bottom falls out”. We too, can choose to keep our feet positioned where they are, (or to step out of the spot that we are in), so as not to make the mess any worse. We can opt to sweep things to one side for one moment, and to stay focused on what we have left to finish dealing with.

After things “snap”, the details of cleaning up will still have to happen, one way or another. It helps to learn, however, that sometimes there are some things which can keep momentarily, as is all too soon to rush in and deal with them. At other times, particularly when it is a very messy situation with a lot of fall out, we may need to “suck it up” and deal with it right then and there, so that a permanent stain or mark does not result.

You may be tired… or you may think it isn’t all that important… or you may scramble in a spirit of urgency… but do use the energy in the best and most efficient way. Most discerningly, deal with the task when it is the correct time to deal with it, and find the strength that you need….

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil 4:13)

It is all so simple. Look to Him for the strength, and wisdom to do what needs to be done… when the pressure seems to come from both sides… when life appears to “snap” and leaves you with crumbs… like “when the bottom falls out…”

The post When the Bottom Falls Out… appeared first on BibleTalk.Life.

Some quick research, a couple of calls, and a credit card later, our excited classroom full of students were eagerly looking forward to the courier’s knock at the door. After all, dissecting a varied array of animal body-parts with your parent’s permission, would be deemed the opportunity of a lifetime, wouldn’t it?

How our crew of mad-scientist wannabes revelled in the thought!

At least until we opened the first few containers.

We opted as “teachers” to build the intensity and excitement as we went along… you know… save the best for last. So we started with a kidney – boring, beige, and bland. From there we would move onto a liver, brain, heart, and then finally… the most interesting part of all.

While most of the formaldehyde-soaked and well-preserved items could have survived until eternity in their tightly sealed containers, we knew they really wouldn’t hang around the classroom too long. The smell alone was enough to sicken me, let alone the appearance of the colourless, lifeless organs.

On the third and final day, we teachers waited with baited breath, (well okay, we actually held our breath), and grinned as we plopped the sealed, white shipping container into the middle of the table. We knew they would be delighted, as we went to all the extra expense of ordering one eyeball for each.

A chorus of “cooooool” echoed from the lips of all those masculine voices, and we carefully set them down on the table in front of each one.

“Ewww… gross… I can’t dissect something that’s looking back at me… Do we have to do this one?”

Sigh…. so much for our classroom full of future scientists and physicians.

We proceeded as instructed through our sets of directions and outlines. It meant cutting slits, leaking juices, and scooping that old eyeball out! If that wasn’t enough, we were now going to have to apply pressure and pop the socket inside out to look at the back of it. And that was when it happened…

Suddenly, it all got exciting…

What truly lay hidden deep beneath the surface was now exposed in all its beauty, and in chorus, we all took in a gasp of air.

Who would have thought it? How could it be, that such an incredible, intensity of beautiful colours be buried so far within and out of sight? Royal purples, lavenders, teals, sea-foam greens, brilliant turquoises and blues, black and whites, all stared back at us.

Looking beyond the scientific aspects of the moment, they immediately questioned why such beauty would remain hidden from sight.

Truthfully… we didn’t have an answer. It was one of those moments when you just know that God is Creator.

In His mercy and grace, however, He had prepared me for an insight moment just days before.

It is impossible to recall exactly where I had read it, but just days prior to the event, I had been doing some reading on “creation versus evolutionary” arguments to prepare for a class, yet to come. At that particular time of reading, they had just developed a new form of technology that was now enabling them to lower the newer video camera capabilities into depths, once never before accessible.

Divers were unable to safely go beyond the old maximum depth-line, and technology was previously incapable of making a journey any lower. Now, through the darkest, murkiest waters of the deep, they utilized their tools of scientific study and discovered the most intense colours of fish ever seen.

Shades of brilliant scarletts, powerful crimsons, royal purples, royal blues, flaming oranges, magentas, golden and sunshine-yellows, all mixed in combinations along with blacks, and whites, all danced, spun, dipped, and dived their way through the deepest, cloudiest waters.

Again, they questioned why God would have His own breathtaking palette of creative colours buried so deep that nobody would ever find them, and that was when the answer came to me…

“They are there, so that only He can enjoy them. We can’t taint, mar, or destroy what He has created for His own pleasure when it is hidden beneath the surface. He “looks upon a man’s heart”, while man can only see what is on the outside – He sees the true purity of the heart and soul of a man – the place wherein lies their true beauty.”

Eventually, we disposed of all of our bits and pieces of scientific memorabilia, but I have to admit there was a part of me that wanted to keep just one “eyeball in a jar”. It seemed like it would have made for one incredible conversation-starter, in spite of how it would have looked in my refrigerator… and therein lies… the beauty of the deep…

The post The Beauty of the Deep… appeared first on BibleTalk.Life.

This verse carries the powerful strength and earmarks of genuine repentence, (based on the conviction of God and His work within you), within its’ contents: the eagerness to do the right thing; the conviction that brings one to a place of apology; the offence and anger towards sin and the action of committing coupled with the fear of God; the authentic desire to repent/apologize; the necessity to make things right and proper; the desire to see the correct form of punishment, correction, and the fruit of that repentence manifested, as a result of.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary says an apology “usually applies to an expression of regret for a mistake or wrong with implied admission of guilt or fault and with or without reference to mitigating or extenuating circumstances” A tad wordy perhaps, but I think you get the point.

The verse above contains not only the keys to repentence, but also to an apology.

In the natural, when you take a gander at basic “locksmithing” and “keys”, the first thing you learn is that you must have a proper “blank”, (or a clean surface, if you will), to work with. And such a key opens a door to other things beyond it.

The three critical dimensions of a “blank” are thickness, wherein lies the strength of the key, (or in this case, the apology), the “length”, (the effective outcome of the apology), and last, but not least, the “height”, (by looking towards Him, hitting the correct marks, and changing one’s perspective, forgiveness can come and many doors opened for future access).

A key or an apology of course, comes with many parts.

First, there is the recognition of the sin or offence. Consider it to be the blank key that is ready to be prepared for cutting. It will be inserted into the keyhole, or passage way where it will be at its most effective. Unless used, it is of no actual benefit and is simply something that you just carry around with you.

The “bow” of a key is the part you hold to apply it. Just as applying an apology brings turns the beginnings of restoration and forgiveness to a situation. No doubt, you find your fingers touching the “throat”, or long part of the key. Think of “grabbing it (the situation) by the throat” and how effective is to be snatching that purposed apology and inserting it where, and when, it needs to be done for greater access to the rooms and opportunities in the Kingdom.

Now, all that is needed is to insert the key itself into the proper opening, where it can do what it is made to do. Insert the apology into the proper passageway, timing, or opening… and it becomes the turning point for opening a door to restoration.

The smallest but most necessary part of a key is its’ “stop”. It is the furthest point that key can go. It meets the end of its’ journey, and is the final connect that is required before the tumblers in the lock can be aligned and moved.The “stop” of an apology is the verbal expression of genuine repentance. Where the “stop” aids, is in aligning the “gate cuts and notches” with the tumbler system – and is in actuality the point at which you line up the verbally apology, defuse the effects of the anger, offense and hurt feelings, and pray it is heard by the recipient!

When the key makes its’ final turn, it unlocks and opens a door that enables you to step into a new environment. Likewise, an apology is acknowledged, received, and again hopefully, forgiven on the other end – thus opening the door, to a new environment and place of restoration. The release of what has been all locked up is now a place of entry, exiting, and freedom.

What happens if the key doesn’t work? You start over, or re-cut it, if necessary, and try again until you get one that works. After all, who wants to be stuck on the outside?

Daily we ask for the revelation of those sinful areas of our life, knowing He has given us the keys to unlock the doors, and move into the place of freedom. For Christians, forgiveness, as we know is always a choice.

So grab your keys and unlock the things that have been holding you back. Open the door to freedom and forgiveness! There is so much to see and do on the other side!

Apology is key!

The post Apology Is Key… appeared first on BibleTalk.Life.

I have been through some nasty battles in the past. Not important what they were; but, one of them was right from the deepest core of the pit. (God is always more powerful, and always wins, but never underestimate what the enemy can pull out of a hat.) Oh, I survived, and got through it, but never have I gone through the burden of what I have during the last 72 hours. I felt the shift happen on Thursday, before lunchtime and the intensity of it stung like a nasty after-case of frostbite. Since then, I’ve wept, prayed, and cried out for protection over what God has begun here at Destiny Word, and for all the relationships involved.

Sometimes the very mountains, that we are supposed to be able to speak to, can seem so impossible to scale when it is required.You may find that you simply just don’t have the energy to climb it – certainly not in your own strength, at least. It also may become necessary to lean on those who may be at different places on the same mountain in order to survive. Unfortunately, you may even to look back and find that nobody wanted to make the journey with you after all, or that they are just further down the slope, and they need a whole lot more time to catch up to you. Look about the mountain and you may note some are away up at the front with their binoculars notebook in hand, noting what is ahead, while some are at the bottom studying the map of the mountain-face, others are climbing with a slow, steady methodical precision, and others still, are deciding whether or not they even truly want to start climbing it in the first place.

The higher the altitude, common sense will tell you, the more snow there is on the mountain – and the more necessary it can become to use a pick to chip away at the hardened, solid ice. Occasionally the snow-squalls, and blizzards along the way can force us to seek refuge in the cleft of solid rock for a rest, and for protection from our spirit of weariness. It simply becomes a matter of survival.

Tonight was the culmination of my own battle to climb the mountain in my own personal life, and to plant a flag for victory in that area. An unexpected storm showed up out of nowhere, and caught me broadside, so, now, I am going to pause for a place of protection, and a rest, within the Solid Rock. If the place of refuge seems too small, then I will just chip away at it, one piece at a time until it feels big enough to hold me until the duration of my journey.

The enemy has been, and will continue to be, working overtime to irritate, frustrate, and destroy what God has been putting together. With much purpose and positioning, we will don the armour of God, and wield the Sword of the Spirit, and climb the mountains as “family” together. Comfort comes, in knowing that when we fall, the gold-corded ropelling motion of His hand is there to capture and guide us when we free-fall from making the wrong choices.

Thankfully, when we are too weak or beaten-up to make it up there by ourselves, He is faithful to send other outside, former mountaineers, and folks of wisdom who once attempted the journey, failed, and learned from their messed-up attempts, and who will speak a timely prophetic word to encourage you on the way up.

After the storm hit on the upper layer of the mountain, and I had already made the decision to hide for a while, I was blessed to receive the words, from a “spiritual dad”, that I needed to hear. They were indeed most timely, and a confirmation of all the last few tarrying days. Do I have peace now? Yes, in bountiful supply.

I will continue to move forward in my uphill climb, but until the sting of the storm passes, I am quite happy to sit in the cleft of the Rock. When the temperature finally drops, I might just stick my nose back out and see how the weather is out there. In the meantime, I will sit inside with my Bible, laptop, and a big box of tissues. My binoculars will be perched in the doorway, watching and waiting for others, and I will be cheering them on as they hang on to their own piece of the Rock… No doubt, as I wait, I will probably still be singing…

“You cover me… in times of storm… I know that I can make it… if I keep my eyes on You… You cover me… ”

The post In Times of Storm appeared first on BibleTalk.Life.

I am most grateful to God, that I have not forgotten the importance of this particular moment in my life. It was witnessed by many, and marked a change in the life-course of my physical body – enabling me to share and encourage others, again and again, and ever since.

It was in the wee hours, this morning, I first noticed that the calendar on my screen had changed over. It proudly displays the date, December 5, 2008, with white letters on a red square. Of course, I can’t help but note the significance of the colours as they sharply contrast with the background of my desktop – it’s the pristine white of healing, and the crimson red of blood, that capture my full attention.

It pronounces the events of the day, as if it was a standing stone… but in reality, it has been a week or so, of life-changing anniversaries.

It was eight years ago, that I began attending my second home church in Canada. The generational and spiritual roots of my ancestors have been brought full-circle four generations later. It started with a vision… and ended with a victory!

Unfortunately, as a side-note, it was on this very anniversary day, that the tiny church that I attended from my earliest childhood and into early adulthood, met with an untimely fire that has now closed it for a season. However, we are all most grateful that it still stands proudly on its’ foundation awaiting internal renovations, a fresh start, and new phase in its’ history.

The second date-worthy notation was made November 23rd. As we were seated around the table of the Chinese Buffet in Queensbury, it was Pastor Randy who spoke out first. It was one year ago that day, that I was most blessed to have met the gang from New York at a conference in Montreal. All one could possibly say, is that it was life-changing, and definitely a “divine orchestration”! It was touching to realize that I not only sat with them alone, but that newer additions had joined the group. How incredible to be sitting down with the very ones who would hold such special places in my life! It just makes my heart swell up in side, and the lump in my throat… a whole lot bigger.

Yesterday, it was six months ago that I met an amazing young man, for the first time in person, who would be an important part of my future, and who would hold a key role in helping me finding the purpose and destiny of my own life path. Of course, I sit here writing on a blog with him today, and I thank the Lord richly, once again, for His blessings in my life.

As I said earlier, it was eight years ago today, that God did a supernatural miracle in this body, and a rare neuro-skeletal condition ceased to have the ugly hold that it once had. The words of family and close friends reemphasize the testimony of a changed life, and a changed household.

Just about any dictionary will define an anniversary as “an annually recurring date of a past event; especially one that is of historical, national, or personal importance”. In most cases, it is a recognized and celebrated event, with more than one involved, and notates an additional fresh reminder of a “life-moment”, special to the bearer and those closest to him.

Like anniversaries, “masseboth” (the singular word is massebah, from the Hebrew word “to setup”) or “standing stones” throughout scriptures, marked special events and happenings that took place. (See Gen 28, 31, 35, Ex 24, Josh 4, 24). As these monuments were erected, they prompted curious travellers wandering through the lands, to inquire as to the event that had taken place – and the testimony was given and accredited to the living God.

While none of the massebah or standing stones mentioned in the Bible have been found archaeologically today, it is plausible that they still exist as purposeful reminders of what God has done. And just as if we were marking an event on the calendar so it will be remembered, we too, are called to be walking, living, breathing, “standing stones” – all marking the significant events and evidences of what God has done. We are given the potential to win souls for the Kingdom by the “words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts”!

Multiple testimonies of marked miracles, over-and-over, can be professed throughout this life, and I am forever grateful, and absolutely “God-whelmed”, of our miracle-working God!

“God, help me to always be a “standing stone”, as one who marks and declares the great and mighty deeds you have done!”

The post Eight Years Ago Today… appeared first on BibleTalk.Life.

On any given Sunday, you will find them sitting side-by-side or piled up in a small group. They sit there with their little beret-style caps on – convicting you – and beckoning you to come and reach out for them. Somewhere, deep inside, you find you are drawn to take hold of them – to squeeze them in your grasp but for a fleeting moment – only then to release and finally let them go.

No… I am not talking about my fellow church family members. I am talking about the bowl of acorns that have been gracing our communion table at the front of the altar. It’s a long story, but the acorn topic has come up on several occasions during our morning sermons the last few weeks, and has proven itself to be a most valuable teaching tool in more ways than one.

It all started with a sermon given by a pastor friend of mine, who is on staff at my Canadian home church. Away at a retreat, she had been requested to bring an item that represented her. Initially, she chose a scarf that sported a very significant scripture, which was pertinent to the specific directives the Lord has been giving her for a community-wide ministry. However, on a walk around the grounds she stooped to pick up an acorn. And the rest they say… is history.

Now, but not surprisingly, a few of these nuts are purposefully being shared and spread around our town – not to plant trees, but to plant seeds of conviction in thought, word, and deed. I am not even sure that our team of pastors have understood the full impact that message of a tiny little nut, or how it changed an “I can’t” to an “I can” for a whole lot of people!

We were each to take as many acorns as we felt we required. We were then told to hold them in our hand as a representation of those unhealthy seeds that should be prayerfully and purposely transplanted with the Lord, in order that healthy growth may eventually result.

A few weeks ago, during a Sunday morning worship service, the nuts’ power to hit a point home had materialized once again. Only this time, it happened in my jacket pocket.

While smoothing out the fabric, I had unconsciously discovered the acorn that I had slipped into my pocket on the way through the foyer earlier that morning. Without thinking about it, I was in the process of wrapping my fingers around it tight while our pastor was clarifying his analogy and reiterating the powerful point of the nut aloud… meanwhile, God, Himself, was whispering audibly and clearly in my ear.

The vision was as clear as reality itself…and I was watching it unfold before my eyes – I was seeing my own hand extending up and out in front of me, and then I heard Him speak… “You are all holding up your arms and hands in order to be giving your acorns to me, but look at your hand. Your fingers are closed. You have to open your hand flat in order for Me to pluck it out… ”

Isn’t there an awful lot of truth in that tiny oversight? In my own naivety, I just simply thought it was to keep it from dropping to the floor, but it was oh so much more….

My thoughts flashed back to what that nut would have represented for me in recent past years. That was the very moment when I heard Him speak ever so clearly – my own battle in the past was one of deep wounding and hurt, but the freedom that eventually came was through a complete and total forgiveness – the unclenching of what I had been holding captive in the palm of my very own hand.

Truthfully, I could look you square in the eye and tell you that I had forgiven them, because I honestly believed that I had. Yet, every once in a while, circumstances would appear and my inner core would realize the outer shell hadn’t quite split open enough to let the tender shoots of forgiveness form the firm roothold within the sustaining elements that Christ was offering me. I was discovering that some of the seed had been landing on top of unhealthy soil, and I needed to find the healthier conditions.

Oh, I was feeding it the healthy plant-food as much as I could in my own natural ability, but without allowing the proper Gardener to be in charge of overseeing the growing conditions, the seed capsule wouldn’t be broken down enough to let the real fruit of my faith take root.

A nut is a seed that is purposed to be planted in a location where a tough exterior shell would decompose and a soft inner core would be released over time in order to reproduce its’ own healthy fruit. An acorn usually takes 6 to 24 months to fully mature; and we in turn, can take as long as a lifetime. Even in the midst of the dark miry clay, “the little acorn that could” is potentially able to grow into a “mighty oak”, if nurtured in the right way.

It is also interesting to note that due to the weight, the seeds do not fall too far from the trees at their maturity. I would hope that we, too, see the importance of not falling too far away from the One who gives and breathes life into us during our own journey of maturity and development.

Contrastingly, a stored acorn may become rancid or moldy due to its’ unhealthy, high, fat content – just as too many unhealthy additives and conditions in our own environment, can possibly generate some bitter, rancid flavours, perspectives and behaviours. They wind up encased in our own little grasp, and end up destroying the healthy fruit.

This message came through as a simple, uncomplicated, illustration – but it contains a very profound message.

We need to know when to let go of the grip we have on our situations and circumstances. It is a labour-intensive process, and requires some serious self-introspection, examination and purging to maintain the quality control of your fruit content; but, in the end, it will all be worth it.

Yes, indeed… it is the power of God’s message through just another nut…

The post The Nuts In Our Church… appeared first on BibleTalk.Life.