Battle Field

With this past month trying to help my son push though school work so that he would be able to graduate it felt like I was in a battle field. Finally after giving him push after push he is going to graduate and continue on to NSCC in Darmouth. He is going to be taking something he enjoys which is music.
    As I sit here I realized that it has been a battle field for him getting through high school, and  I sure don't want it to be one when he goes on to NSCC to further his education. What he doesn't realize is that a battle is raging and it is a battle that we can't see. This is spiritual warfare and is difficult for me to understand so I wander how I will ever be able to get my sons to understand. Also for them to know that this battle will not end until he (satan)  is destroyed.
     When you join the army and you end up going into battle you need to wear armor in order to protect yourself and in the same way God promises that if we wear His armor we can stand firm.

Ephesians 6:10-20  Tells us

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might.

11 Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 

15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 

16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. 

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 

18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 

19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 

20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 

     As we pray God's promises for our children we need to pray for strength in the unseen  spiritual battles.

 We as parents can dress our children in God's armor just as we would put on their shirts and tie their shoes when they where younger. Dress your children in God's armor by praying today. Praying protection for their mind, heart, soul and spirit.

Cleaning God's House

I was up at the church today doing the weekly cleaning. As I was doing that I was reminded of how when Pastor Brad put up the voluntary sheet up for church cleaning. When it first went up sure Rick and I put our names down a couple of times, but I was praying Lord please speak to someone in the church and have them do all the church cleaning. Not because I didn't want to do it when it was our turn but because of all the hassle it was to get others to sign up and do it as well.
Well guess what I am the one that is now cleaning the church every week and I am enjoying it. I know you are probably thinking I am crazy and in some ways I am. I am not one who likes cleaning but I do it because I don't want people dropping by and finding that I haven't cleaned. No I am not a clean freak by no means and I sometimes have other important things to do and my housework or cleaning (whatever you want to call it) doesn't get done. And yes I have had people stop by when it hasn't been done and I don't make any excuses.
When I was at the church doing the cleaning today when I walked past the stairs that go to the basement (fellowship hall) I saw that they needed to be vacuum. Then I thought I am not going to bother with the stairs this week but as I stood there the Lord spoke to me and said "if someone was doing the cleaning in your house would you like it if they didn't do your stairway?" I in return said no I would like it. Then He said "well then why are you not going to clean the stairs in my house?" So again in return I said as usual Lord you are right. So the stairs leading to the fellowship hall have been cleaned and look good.

My time for cleaning the church has giving me a chance to get away and spend time with God. Just to hear His sweet voice speak to me in the time that I am needing it. To get a chance to talk with Him one on one, Yes I do that every day but sometimes there are distractions that come my way and I forget to spend quality time with God and I am getting to do that when I clean the church. So for those of you who don't like cleaning the church your lost is my gain and I am not saying that to be sarcastic I mean it.

Psalm 46:10 Be still and Know That I am God

Siblings & Forgiveness

As a teenager, I was asked what the greatest trial in my life was. My responds was always the same "my sister". I know some of you have met my sister and think how she can be a trail in my life. Some people have a lot of problems with their siblings it maybe because they may make more money than you or that get to go more places than you or it maybe because you think they are better than you.
My trial with my sister was not because she was beater than me or even because she made more money than I or any other reason like that. It was because whenever I wanted to go anywhere she had to tag along with me she was like my shadow. No matter where I went she was there, whether it was to the beach with friends or just hanging out down in the pit she was always there. If I went skating, she had to go if I went to the shop down the road she had to go as well. She was what I called my trial back when I was a teenager.
Now I count myself very blessed to have a sister who has been a friend as well as a confident. She was there for me when I needed her and still is there for me today when needed. We have grown up with three brothers, which was very interesting. We are not the closest family in the world but we sure are very close to it. I treasure every minute we spend together which is not very often that all of us are together at the same time.
I say all this to let you know that family is a very important part of life and it should not be taken for granted. Life is way to short to be estranged from your family. It is also way to short to have a little disagreement to stand between you and your family.
When I think of siblings who do not forgive each other for things that have happen I always think how sad it must be for them to go through life not having a forgiving heart. Sure, we expect to be forgiving if we have done something wrong but sometimes we forget to forgive the ones that have hurt us.


We can learn from Joseph and his brothers. Years after selling him into slavery, Joseph's brothers get their comeuppance. Joseph was then put in charge of Egypt, dispensing scarce food resources to desperate victims of famine. Joseph's own brothers were among the hungry. The brothers didn’t recognize Joseph when they first come before him, and he did not reveal his identity. The brothers all bowed to him because he was an important person. Just as he dreamed, they would at the beginning.
After a few meetings with his brothers, he could not keep it in any longer and Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph! Is my father alive?" But his brothers couldn't answer him because they were afraid. Then Joseph said, "Come here. I am your brother, the one you sold! Do not worry, and do not be angry at yourselves for selling me, because God has put me here to save people from starving."
You can read the Story of Joseph in Genesis chapter 37 to chapter 50
Where appropriate, repentance and forgiveness can be a part of building healthy relationships among adult siblings in our own day. When past hurts are real, we must be honest with our brothers and sisters. We may have to do the work of repentance. Forgiving a transgression by a brother or sister may be particularly tough, but may also yield the most rewarding results.

Looks

       Well I got up this morning and as always I looked in the mirror and said what I usually say every morning "God you sure did a great job". I can picture the expressions on your faces as you just read that and I am glad that I could put a smile on your face.
    Everyone of us is created different not only in the way we talk or the way we walk even in the way we think but also in the way we look.I sure am happy that God created everyone different because it sure wouldn't be good if there was more than one Yvonne, or more than one of you.
        Looks to most people is very important thing and society however ranks people on their looks. It is as though a person has something to do with how big or small  their ears are, or the shape of their head and how long their legs are, or even the color of their eyes. I have always thought that nice looks were just that nice to look at. Don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with good looks but people should never be judged or judge on their looks. Because whether we are tall,short, heavy, or skinny our self-worth and value lie in the fact that we were ALL created by God, in His image. Instead of basing our opinion of others and ourselves on their looks we should base it on who we are inside under the skin and under the bone. Sure we can run, cry and taste different foods and some of us can even  program computers and write music. That is only because God the creator has made us that way.
     So I ask that you to go out on a limb and look underneath the exterior and see what the person is really like inside before judging them by what they look like on the outside.

The Joy Of Grand Children

It was a blessing to get a call last night from Justin and Renee to see if I would pick the kids up today. I didn't hesitate for a second and said yes. So when I got up this morning I headed to Oak Park where they had stayed all night with their Nana Nickerson for a PJ sleep over.
   When I arrived they were still in their PJ's but were very happy to see that their Nannie was there to pick them up and spend the afternoon with me.  They got their boots and coats on and off we went to get into the car and start our adventure for the day. When we got in the car and seat belts were all buckled the questions started. Cohen and Calli\s first question was where is Poppy? (as it is every time when Rick doesn't go with me to pick them up). So I told them that Poppy was working today and would be home later. They were satisfied with that, but needed to know more so the questions kept coming, and I kept answering them to the best of my ability.
     Just then we drove past Tim Horton's and Cohen wanted a donut, Calli on the other hand wanted an ice cream. So I on brakes and turned into the Needs parking lot where Calli seen that McDonald's was open and we could get an ice cream there. Cohen decided at that moment he would prefer an ice cream instead of a doughnut. So we go and I got them each an ice cream, it was bigger than I thought it would be because instead of ordering a kiddie I ordered them both a small. They ate most of their ice cream as I drove home and it was so cute when I looked in my mirror to see that they had it all over their face and it was running down their arms. but they were loving every bit of it.
    When we got home they noticed that Poppy's car was in the driveway and he was home from work. They got out of the car and went running in the house to find their Poppy waiting to jump out from behind the door as usual. All I hear when I come in is screeching and laughing, Rick did what he set out to do which was make them laugh.
    After a bit Rick decided to go clean his car and guess what they wanted to help him so with rags in hands and a bucket of water out the door they went to help Poppy. It was cute to see them out there taking the rag and dipping it in the water and wash the car. I was surprised however to see that they were NOT trying to get each other wet. But is sure was a joy watching them enjoy themselves washing Poppy's car. 
     We then decided before taking them home we would take them out for Lunch/supper. Pizza Delight was the choice only if they could get a gumball after they finished eating. So off we go get into the car and then then Cohen decides he is hot and wants his window down so he can cool off. I have the heat turned up in the car so that he and Calli can have their windows down to cool off. We then get to the restaurant and sit down where the toy room is so that they can play a bit before eating. Cohen wanted a kitty cat pizza without all the stuff on it but he then decided to get the garlic fingers and fries, and Calli got mac and cheese. it was funny because when they ordered they were sitting in different chairs as to when the girl brought them their food. The expression on Cohen;s face was priceless and Calli was just in shock.
        After eating it was time to take them home they wanted to see their Mom and Dad. Cohen is so full of questions about anything and everything and Calli is also but not as much. Calli is a little princess who someday is going to be exactly what she wants to be and whatever that is she will have the support of her Nannie and Poppy, Cohen is his Nannie's prince who in the same way as Calli will grow up and be the man he can be. My Prayer is that they both grow up to be a woman and man of God, Two people who will put their trust and their lives in God's hand.
    I know that  my God is smiling down on these to special children and I know that one day they are going to follow God and He will protect.
    So if you are one of those proud grandparents like Rick and I are then all I ask is that you pray for them each and every day and that you Love them and enjoy them.

    God is the giver of Life so enjoy