WORD!

I love this quote by Chris Vacher (Director of Worship at Orangeville Baptist Church near Toronto).

"The Bible is like the anvil, the Spirit is like the hammer, and we are like the metal being shaped over and over again."

Why do we think we can become anything on our own accord?  It is only by immersing ourselves in the WORD of God that we become better Leaders, Dads, Moms, Husbands, Wives,...you name it.  

As we strive to be more and more like Jesus-following His example, His ways, His heart...then let us be about His Truth and His Way...learning from THE WORD!

BY GRACE

Each of us is standing BY GRACE-
Not one of us is worthy of such a gift and yet it has been given to each of us...all we need to do is take the gift and understand that "we aren't all that".  We NEED a SAVIOR!  If you have received that gift than live it out and live it out loud so others can see and hear and come to know the One who offers such an amazing gift!

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--
Ephesians 2:8

God's Faithfulness~

Driving the boys to football today we saw "out of the grey" this brilliant rainbow.  In the midst of rain and clouds there was a glorious display of God's Faithfulness!  I never tire of seeing the beauty and majesty of the rainbow.  It was a wonderful reminder that no matter our circumstance-God is The God who remembers where we are and that He is for us!

CONSTANT~

Yesterday has passed me by, today is all I see
Who knows what tomorrow brings, it all remains unseen
In a world that is always spinning I long for something that remains the same
Be the Constant in the change-Jesus be my Firm Foundation
Be the Rock on which I stand all other ground is sinking sand

I wrote this song awhile back in the midst of feeling tossed about with the ferocious pace of this world we live in.  Our culture spins with such velocity that I can feel unsteady. 
I often need to be reminded that the ONLY thing/ONE who does NOT ever change is JESUS CHRIST!  He remains the SAME, yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).


This past week has been one of those leaning and learning moments, wondering the wisdom in what God is doing...isn't that crazy? I a mere human wondering at God's higher ways...Whoa!  What I take refuge in is that God already knows my thoughts and my questions and He alone knows the big picture of all He is doing and working in.  Someone I love, reminded me today to Trust and continue to do what God has called me to do for His glory because truthfully that is all that matters.  


I am basking in the fact that my Savior is STEADY, CONSISTENT, MIGHTY, FAITHFUL, UNDERSTANDING, GRACIOUS, ALL KNOWING, ALL SEEING, ALL POWERFUL AND CONSTANT!

Today

Today is a gift for tomorrow is not promised to us (James 4, Matthew 6...)
Live THIS day for the King-do not fret about tomorrow, be present in THIS moment!  Love your family, your friends THIS day...show someone the love and hope of Christ in the here and now...don't wait!

What I Learned

Ephesians 5:15-16 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

I had the opportunity to sit with my colleagues today and soak in some great TRUTH about leading and serving and remembering who I have been called to be IN CHRIST!  What a blessing to be in a room with co-workers that you love, rejoice with, cry with, disagree with (sometimes), serve with...we are truly family!

I was reminded that we were not called to be a Church that entertains or builds fans.  We have been called to be a Church that brings the LIFE CHANGING message of JESUS to those who have yet to know Him in a personal way.  We have been called to be an AUTHENTIC people who live out our lives in the good and the bad allowing Christ to SHINE in our weakness.  

A good reminder to walk with those who are seeking to be wise, those  who follow the Words of Life and encourage us to do the same.

Living Lessons

I have just entered the land of 40 and yet, I'm not sure I am all the wiser for it. There are times in my life where I feel like I'm 3 years old all over again, lessons I thought I had learned just circle back around and I see that I still have much learning to do.  
This past week I received an email that challenged me to re-think how we worship.  I really wrestled with the email and the intent behind it.  I stared asking questions to Thee God who created me to be ME, not another type of Worship Leader, Mom or Wife...asking Him what makes me uniquely ME?!? 
I wanted to take the best part of the advice from the email and see it for what it was-but honestly God showed me that He has been leading me and has given gifts all for His glory.  I realized by God's grace that I don't need to be anyone else, but I do need to be obedient to how He has wired me and take the responsibility He's given seriously, not manipulate the morning or situation...because ultimately HE is the ONE who stirs the soul and heart and worship by it's nature is NOT ABOUT ME at all-but about HIM!
Now, I'd like to say that this will be a lesson learned...but, well...if I'm honest-I'm pretty sure I'll land, once again, in the place of feeling like I'm 3 years old with MUCH to learn!

SNOW in April!
Whoa Nelly!!!!

Pondering

So here is my question-
If it is above average temps right now, what will this mean for July? 114 degrees? Whoa Nelly, I hope not!
But, I guess for now, I'll just take each day as it comes and enjoy it for what it is!

Out Of The Blue

You know the days-the ones you just don't see happening. Yesterday was "one of those days" for our family. One of our children received a diagnosis that hit us out of the blue. We are just at the beginning stages of learning about the disease and what it all means, if she has something even more serious, if she will have this for life, or if she will just resolve it with time.
A verse that my heart and mind ran to was this:
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
This portion of scripture is found in Philippians, 4th Chapter, verses 4-7.

How good our the promises of God...that is a rhetorical question...they are indeed good and it is on His promises that we are standing, kneeling and crying out. We have no doubt that God hears us, His children, and that no matter our circumstance, He is still God!

It really is a privilege to carry our requests to the heart of God for He hears us and He sees us and He knows us.

The "Pit"

JESUS CALLING--FEBRUARY 23

BE ON GUARD against the pit of self pity.
When you are weary or unwell, this demonic trap is the greatest danger you face. Don't even go near the edge of the pit. Its edges crumble easily, and before you know it, you are on the way down. It is ever so much harder to get out of the pit than to keep a safe distance from it.
There are several ways to protect yourself from self-pity. When you are occupied with praising and thanking Me, it is impossible to feel sorry for yourself. Also, the closer you live to Me, the more distance there is between you and the pit. Live in the Light of My Presence by fixing your eyes on Me. Then you will be able to run with endurance the race that is set before you without stumbling or falling.
PSALM 89: 15-16; HEBREWS 12:1-2 (NASB)

CAN NOT

I'd like to pass on a statement I heard on the radio the other day~

"We CAN NOT condone what Christ has already condemned."

Wow-left me a bit speechless and in the center of Truth.

RAW

So today I came back to work after a really great family vacation. I am going to pretty honest and say that I stumble when it comes to comparing gifts. It is wrong and it is not how God intended us to be-but I fail often.
This morning I was back in the Church I love, worshiping with the body of Christ and then I let the thorn of "not good enough" rise up and prick my skin. Forgetting that worship is not about me...it is about the One who made me-the One to whom all praise is due.
God is so good and His grace is powerful and constant-THIS is what I need to remember! THIS is the Truth that propels us forward.

NEW~

NEW Mercies
NEW Day
NEW Life
NEW Year
NEW Reminder to "Stand Firm! Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your labor for the Lord is not in vain."
1 Corinthians 15:58

I am off and running-literally! But I want to encourage each of us (me) to take moments and ponder Jesus. I feel all caught up in the "have to do" modes of life, work, home, to do's...I kind of think that I might have been one who could have "missed" the moment in Bethlehem of God With Us-Christ come down to earth, to dwell with His people. I don't want to miss it!!! So, this blog post may be just for me-but I kind of think that some of you are just as "busy" we may need a gentle reminder to slow down and remember the "why" and the "who" it is we celebrate. Jesus, King of kings and Lord of lords-Emmanuel

Merry CHRISTmas!

WENDY means WANDERER

I always thought that was kind of cool that my name meant "wanderer". Truth be told, it fits! However, I am literally feeling like a person with no home, a little like those who wandered the wilderness for 40 years-okay, it's not that bad...but it does give a whole new perspective to being in a home, one place. Our new Church facility is almost ready for us to enter-it is SO exciting to think of...I pray that we are one big hub for everyone to come as they are and feel the love of Jesus!!! I pray that the building is not for those of us already in attendance, but that it is for those who have yet to enter any kind of Church, that they will feel loved and cherished and hear the TRUTH of who CHRIST is! You know, come to think of it-our Savior had no home to call his own, He was a wanderer...hmmm...maybe wandering a bit is good for all of us...

ANTICIPATION

I've been humming the Carly Simon tune "Anticipation" (in my head) a lot lately! Our Church is moving very soon into a location that will allow us to do ministry 24-7, this is SO EXCITING!!! We are patiently waiting (well, maybe not too patiently) to open the doors and welcome everyone in to this new home, right in the heart of the city!

I am not such a great student of patience...I am a hurry up and go sort of girl, but I am ever so slowly learning to wait, trust and move at the pace of HIS leading!

...IS...

He IS Consistent
He IS Strong
He IS Faithful
He IS Loving
He IS Full of Grace
He IS Holy
He IS Truth
He IS A Promise Keeper
He IS The Same Yesterday, Today and Forever
He IS The Way
He IS Merciful
He IS True to His Word
He IS For You
He IS Constant
He IS Singing Over You
He IS Waiting...

FOLLOW ME

Who do you follow?
Jesus said two simple but profound words: "FOLLOW ME".
We live in a culture that thrives on telling us, what to do, how to do it, just do it...and on and on.  Who is leading you today?  Who has your ear?  I confess that more than not this world and its leaders, or bosses or friends has my ear-I find myself following their voice.  It DRIVES ME CRAZY!!!  I have to put my hands over my ears and say NO!  I then, need to be quiet, and listen to the calm, sure, confident and leading voice of my Savior say "follow Me"-
May I challenge us both to follow the heart of Jesus, His words, His ways and learn to drown out the voice of this world and the noise of "just do it"?
Who do you follow?
Who are you listening to?

Casting

I have not done a whole lot of fishing in my day-but I have done some, enough to know that "casting" is a big part of the process. Think about it; you take a bobber, sinker, tie it to the line-place the hook on and "cast" it away from you into the waters surrounding you.

There is a bible verse that says
CAST ALL YOUR CARES ON HIM FOR HE CARES FOR YOU 1Peter 5:7

I'm not sure I'm the best example when it comes to casting my cares (anxieties). To take my worries, woes, fears, sorrows and throw it away from me is not so easy. Why is that? I am hanging on to something right now that I have no reason to-it's like I'm standing on shore with my rod and just staring at the line and bobber saying to myself "do I really want to "cast" this away from me?" And then what"

Truth be told-I can be a slow learner. I desire to be a great "caster" and to throw with out hesitation the line that holds all my "anxiety" far, far away from me and onto the ONE who promises me that HE CARES FOR ME

How is your cast?