Pure Grace

A Heart That is Full...

2012-02-10T00:10:00.000-08:00

I've never really been big on the whole Valentine's Day thing.

When I was a young girl at school, we would make Valentine's for our classmates,

those that we had a special affection for.

I liked the creative part of selecting the coloured paper and stretchy tissue,

of cutting and pasting and thinking of who it would be going to.

I also remember that we were to make a construction paper envelope,

in the shape of a heart,

and attach a string for a handle,

this would then be tacked to the wooden chalkboard rail,

with our name emblazoned on the front.

This was so that, through the week, others could fill these envelopes with their Valentines for you.

We all seemed to hold our collective breath as each day passed,
glancing at our hearts.

I don't remember ever not having a Valentines placed in mine,

but inevitably there were those envelope hearts that were just bulging with Valentine's,

and those that were conspicuously left vacant...

aside from the one that came from our teacher.

Quantity always seemed to be the big prize that was valued,

as we emptied our hearts out upon our desks on the 14th of February.

As I grew older though,
I found that it was the boy that gave me one solitary red rose,

quietly, with no other eyes watching,

that won my heart, not the boy that produced the two dozen,

brought to the table by the maitre de!

The boy that won my heart and I have grown up together through the years,

our lives having beautifully intertwined into one.

He just has to look at me and I know I'm loved.

I just have to think of him... and I know that I am loved!

I don't need some lavish display, vacation or expensive gift,

when he takes my hand in his...

well, my heart is full.

And there you have it, at this time in my life, through the hard and easy times,

I know the ones that truly love me...

they show it in a thousand different ways, every day of the year.

I don't have to hang out a construction paper heart and hope that it will be filled,

I already have a heart that is filled to the brim with the love that is given to me.

And at this time in my life, I also know The One Who loves me...

He shows it in a thousand different ways, every day of the year.

"... I have loved you with an everlasting love...:
Jeremiah 31:3

Yes, I am a woman who is well and truly loved...

a woman who knows that her cup, her heart, indeed "runneth over".

By the way,
Happy Valentine's Day!

The Art of Aging Gracefully...

2012-01-21T09:50:00.000-08:00

Growing old gracefully... it's an art!
There are so many facets to it and it is never static, but always revealing new aspects of itself... challenging the artistry of gracefulness in the midst of it all.

There is a distinct beauty that belongs to youthfulness alone; this kind of beauty is so fleeting... any attempt to try and hold onto that which is destined to depart is not only futile but desperately sad and pathetic as well.

I admire those who have and are aging gracefully. Vitality of spirit is an inward aspect of youthfulness that need never depart, it is immensely attractive and sparkles with Life and Purpose. The most amazing thing about vitality of spirit is that although it is an inward work, it is too powerful to be so contained and it works its way outward, giving a radiance to the countenance and a vibrancy to our whole demeanour. I know that for this to be true of me, this vitality of spirit must come from God, as His Life's Purpose fills and sustains me, and as I look to Him and am radiant.

This January I celebrated, yet another, 50something birthday... however, it was the day before that I really felt the impact of this. I've never yet had an age that I didn't welcome eagerly... only this time the number just seemed, daunting. There is no such thing as going back or holding fast at this point - from here on out it's "hold your head up high and walk on!"

I have such a sense of "laying aside every encumbrance". Of casting off those things that hinder and entangle, that no longer serve nor reflect the woman that I am today. Of embracing more and more the good work God has begun in me and will be faithful to complete. Well over 50 years ago, it pleased God to hear me take my first physical breath and utter my first physical cry. Twenty-nine years later it pleased God to reveal His Son in me and to hear me take my first spiritual breath of Life and utter my first spiritual cry of "my Lord and my God!" These magnificent colours and hues have been painted onto the canvas of my life, and all the days and moments that reflect the dark and the Light have also been placed there by the same Hand. While the canvas of my life may not yet reveal the fulness of the completed work, the Artist is purposeful in all the colours that He places and allows to make up the whole. Some of the darker shadows and hues I myself would have never chosen, yet The Promise of The Artist stands...

"... God causes ALL THINGS to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

Romans 8:28

It saddens me that we all too often stop here and forget to go on and find out what The Purpose of God is, because it is in the following verse that we find purpose in even the harsher strokes of The Artist upon the canvas of our lives...

"For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son..."

Romans 8:29

The colours painted onto the canvas of our lives all contribute to one and only one purpose... that the completed work will be us, perfectly conformed into the image of The Artist Himself!

Indeed, growing old gracefully is an art! Full of Colour and Beauty, Vibrancy and Vitality - every part of it, including age itself, comes from the heart and hand of God. He Who has begun a good work in me will be faithful to complete it, and in the process, continually reveal to me new aspects of His Grace.

Growing old Gracefully... this is my destiny in Christ.

I sought the LORD, and He answered me,

And delivered me from all my fears,

(I) looked to Him and (was) radiant...

Psalm 34: 4-5

It's Time...

2012-01-10T19:57:00.001-08:00

A Cord of Three Strands...

2012-01-01T21:58:00.000-08:00

As one, we take our first steps into this New Year.

As always, together, side by side...

Two strands,

brought together and interwoven in strength,

by a Third.

"...and the two shall become one..."

Mark 10:8

"A cord of three strands

is not quickly torn apart."

Ecclesiastes 3:12

Let Every Heart...

2011-12-25T04:32:00.000-08:00

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King!

Let every heart, prepare Him room,

and Heaven and nature sing,

and Heaven and Heaven and nature sing!

It's Just the Queerest Thing...

2011-11-08T08:40:00.000-08:00

Huge double take on my part...

Gives a whole new meaning to the term "sheep dog"!

I always seem to come across these kinds of things in my day.

I'm sure some people think that I am trying to pull the wool over their eyes (pun intended) but honestly, I just happen to stumble over the queerest things!

Anyway, this sheep sighting was thought provoking to me.

Some of my initial thoughts were...

I wonder if 'Mary Had a Little Lamb' is their favourite nursery rhyme?

How many sweaters can you get out of a sheep anyway?

When they piled into the car that morning did they say, "Ewe first"?

Anyway, the thought that stayed with me the longest was the thought of how queer it looked to see a sheep being driven... which led to the deeper thought of...

The Good Shepherd never drives His sheep,

He always leads them.

"...He leads me beside quiet waters..."

Psalm 23

In Genesis we see God leading Adam and Eve in the garden by His Presence and His Word, it was only when they stepped out from under the protection of His Word and hid from His Presence that they found themselves being driven from the garden. Sin will cause us to be a driven people.

Yet, we do not always have to be driven. In Exodus 13:21 we see the people being led of God. He went before them, leading them on their way in a pillar of fire by night and in a pillar of cloud by day. Of course, in order to be led, you must be willing to follow. Let God go before you, set Him continually before you, let Him lead you by His Presence and His Word, knowing that as He is at your right hand you will not be shaken! Or driven!

Throughout Scripture we see that those that are driven, are those that have not fully entered into the sheepfold of the Good Shepherd... those that are driven are never at rest.

Being led of God is such a peaceable thing.

As He leads us, the Voice of the Good Shepherd is calming and reassuring,

the sheep know His Voice and trust in His leading.

By His leading we are not in want,

by His leading we find rest and restoration.

In His leading there is no fear,

in His leading there is comfort and goodness and lovingkindness.

And His leading always leads us ... Home.

I still think it is the queerest thing,
to see a sheep being driven...

love,

The Giving of Thanks

2011-10-09T11:32:00.000-07:00

At this time of the year, probably much like yourselves, I am thinking a little deeper regarding thanksgiving. In The Gathering Place, along with some of you, I posted my scripture memory verse, and so this particular verse from the Psalm's is much upon my heart and mind, running parallel with my thoughts of thanksgiving, and because of this I have been looking at the giving of thanks from a different perspective.

Throughout God's Word there are many, many scriptural references to thanksgiving... and not a turkey among them I might add...gobble, gobble! Having said that, I just finished making the stuffing that will be a compliment to the turkey that my son and daughter-in-law will be cooking for us this weekend and I made the buns yesterday. The aroma in the house smells delicious!

If you were to look up the word 'aroma' in a Bible concordance you would find that the references are almost all pointing towards God and speak of a 'soothing aroma' to Him. Just as we enjoy the wonderful aroma of turkey and stuffing in our homes... (let's face it, we just plain like the house filled with the smells of a good meal being prepared!)... there is also an aroma that is soothing to God and the common theme seems to be that it is the aroma of a sacrifice that is being offered to Him.

At this time of year the giving of thanks for our blessings of family, good health, a roof over our heads, food on the table, friends, whatever we deem to be good and pleasurable, seems to be the thing to do - and yet, there is another form of thanksgiving that pleases God.

"In everything give thanks;

for this is God's will for you

in Christ Jesus."

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Just like many of you, our family as a whole and each one of us individually have taken a couple of hits this past year... it's just the common theme of living here on planet earth. Yet how often do we stop and think of giving a sacrifice of thanks in these circumstances? Not for the circumstances themselves, but giving thanks in the circumstance, giving thanks and praise to God, of what you know to be true of God in that circumstance. A sacrifice will always cost us something... and most of the time it is our own ideas of how we determine things or circumstances should be.

The scripture verse that I have committed to memory this past week has made me think upon these things...

This is my comfort in my affliction,

that Your Word has revived me.

It is good for me that I was afflicted,

that I may learn your statutes.

Psalm 119: 50,71

There are many kinds of affliction, you have yours and I have mine. Yet we have comfort while in the midst of them... God's Word can and will revive us. Then we will be able to say that 'it is good that I was afflicted'... because instead of the affliction devastating me or taking me out, I learned the Word of God which revives me and brings me comfort... not just in what I went through but for today and for that which still lies ahead.

This Thanksgiving, I'll be thanking God for all the blessings that I can possibly think of to thank Him for ... and I'll also be thanking Him for those afflictions, those hard places that have brought me even closer to Him, The One Who has given me Comfort and Healing.

My prayer is that you will, truly, have a blessed Thanksgiving...

with love,

Ever The Same...

2011-09-24T15:13:00.000-07:00

Writing, in some form or other, has always been a part of my life. I enjoy the unfolding of thoughts and the gentle rhythm of my hand as it guides my pencil across the paper. My journal is full of drawings, especially in the summer as most of my journaling is done outside. I've drawn flowers and birds, leaves, ladybugs and bees, wooden chairs and scenery.

My journal is also full of little things that have meaning to me... little flowers that my granddaughter gave me while we were spending time together in the garden... a bracelet that I made for her from the twigs that fell from the Honey Locust Tree, with a flower tucked into it's strands.

Many of the simple things of Life that bring me pleasure have also found their way, through words, onto the pages of my journal, pain and heartache have also found their expression many times through words written on its pages. Recently, something was said to me that was particularly hurtful, it doesn't really matter what it was, what is important is that I had a choice as to whether I was going to allow the words to find a place to settle within me or not. After spending time in God's Word... I chose not.

In Psalm 51:6 God tells us that he desires TRUTH in the innermost being and that in those hidden places within us he will make us know wisdom. What had been bitterly spoken to me had been a lie and it was to find no resting place within me... and God gave me the wisdom to see it. Afterwards I wrote...

"I know who I am, but much more importantly I know Who God is.

God never changes. This is a glorious truth and an aspect of Who He is. He is always the same. The circumstances of our lives and the ebb and flow of the ages change Him not; yet daily, I am in constant need of remembering who I am, and more importantly, who I am in Christ. My moods change, my circumstances change - those that I have been placed in the midst of... their moods change, their circumstances change, which have the potential of changing my mood and circumstances too... and it seems to increase in frequency as I get older! Who I am cannot be accurately determined when I am alone and unencumbered. Who I am is better understood in the midst of the complexities in all that it means to live out daily life here on planet earth... not isolated from, but right smack dab in the community of humanity... in the midst of the pressures and pleasures, restrictions and freedoms, sorrows and joys, doubts and insecurities, fears and comforts of living this thing out.

By knowing my God I realize my Anchor... The One Who holds me fast in the up and down waves of life. He never changes, He is always the same... my Healer, my Protector, Comforter, Counsellor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace. He is my Light and my Salvation, He is my Daily Bread and Living Water; He is unchanging, yet continues to change me... Lord, I am a grateful child."

I know who I am, but much more importantly I know Who God is.

with love,

The Best Laid Plans....

2011-09-14T18:48:00.000-07:00

The Scottish poet Robert Burns is often quoted as saying, "The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft agley." This quote is taken from his poem 'To A Mouse" and even though, with my rich Scottish heritage I don't often go around quoting this famous Scots son, I have to say that anyone that pens a poem in praise of a mouse can't be all that bad. Although, having said that, he also wrote a poem about a louse (one is a louse... two is lice!) that he saw on a lady's bonnet at church... I think Robert Burns was a bit of a rascal... but I digress.

The other day, while in the middle of yet another "Oh, Lord, what do I do now?" moment, I began to giggle when this quote of Robert Burns popped into my mind. I was giggling because Robert Burns is fondly known among his brethren as 'Rabbi Burns' which, although spelled the same does not sound at all like the Hebrew title of rabbi. Jesus was called 'rabbi', which means teacher, and because Jesus is God, what better teacher could we possibly have?

God tells us in His Word that,

"The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."

Proverbs 16:9

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but the counsel of the Lord will stand."

Proverbs 19:21

We live in the midst of a culture today that for the most part determines what it does, based on how it feels. Even those who have professed to following Jesus have at times determined that because something has now become difficult, uncomfortable, or inconvenient, it must not be God's will or direction after all. I do not find that mirrored anywhere in Scripture.

And so, as small as the glitch was that I found myself in the middle of the other day, it was actually quite big because I believed with all my heart that this is what God had laid before me to do... it's just that in the 'doing' it seemed that I had come to a screeching halt and "Oh, Lord, what do I do now?" was almost a query on my part that perhaps I had misunderstood and now that it looked impossible, and now that it was hard, perhaps I was to just lay it down and walk away. Nope.

You see, Robert Burns was right, the best laid schemes of mice and men do often go awry, because they are simply mice, because we are simply men... and women. And yet, as men and women, God has given us the wonderful gift of being able to plan, of being able to dream, and wonder of wonders, He has given us, through Christ, the ability to lay those plans and dreams down before Him so that He alone can direct our steps and give us the counsel that will stand and not "gang aft agley".

God's direction for our lives may not always be without difficulty, as a matter of fact, He has told us to expect difficulties and hardships. God's direction in our lives may not always be agreeable to those around us, or understandable. However, because the counsel of the Lord will stand, long after man's opinions and preferences have passed away... I choose to continue to cry out, "Oh, Lord, what do I do now?"

And in answer to my prayer I believe that God whispered to my heart... "you're doing it child, you're doing it...."

Try to Remember...

2011-09-02T08:16:00.000-07:00

... turn and become like children...

~Jesus~
... and He called a child to Himself...

Matthew 18:1

For You Today

2011-08-17T06:51:00.000-07:00

The lovingkindness of God endures all day long.

Psalm 52:1

love,

Lunch Time!

2011-08-10T16:57:00.000-07:00

Over the last 20 years, because of the way that I eat and especially in the last few months since I switched to all plant-based meal planning, I have been the target of two particular questions... "what on earth do you eat?" and "where do you get your protein from?". The first question has always kind of irritated me, because it usually accompanies a screwed up face and an incredulous kind of attitude that insinuates only someone who is completely off balance would not eat "like everybody else". However, now I use the questions as a spring board to perhaps educate the one who is asking.

So how about if I answer those two questions, by way of example, in sharing with you what I had for lunch today.

I began by mixing together in a large bowl, a few cubed potatoes and yam, sliced onions and finely chopped spinach. A good drizzling of olive oil and a quick toss to blend it all together then dumped out onto my stoneware sheet and sprinkled on top with sea salt and into the oven for 45 minutes.

While that was cooking I chopped up some kabocha squash and beets, tossed them into a casserole dish and put them in for baking as well. By the way, I always peel my squash with a potatoe peeler and then cube it because I like it to have the drier texture and I like it to remain sweet! When it is cut in half and baked with the skin on, the moisture becomes trapped in the bowl of the shell and the squash becomes wet and has a bitter taste to it... plus, your arms get a really good work out when you peel a squash, it's not for sissies, and it's a whole lot cheaper than the gym!

I always make sure that I prepare my legumes and rice at the beginning of each week so that they are always at hand in the fridge for a quick grab. Today I chose chick peas and lima beans.

I placed a handful of each on my plate, over a bed of fresh baby spinach, then added a sprinkling of black wild rice. I warmed all this up because I like my spinach wilted and then topped it all with the yummy, hot dishes straight from the oven.

By the way, Black Wild Rice stands out among other grains when it

comes to amounts of protein, minerals, B vitamins and folic acid. The protein content of 1/2 cup of cooked wild rice measures 3.3 grams, that same quantity of long grain brown rice contains only 2 grams. The bonus is that wild rice has only 83 calories for 1/2 cup cooked!

Using that same 1/2 cup measurement, folic acid soars over brown rice with 21.3 mcg for wild rice and 3.9 mcg for brown rice. According to the University of California Berkeley Wellness Encyclopedia of Food and Nutrition, 1/2 cup dry wild rice provides 95 mcg or 48% of the RDA (200 mcg) of folacin for men and 53% for women.

The niacin content of wild rice is also exceptional, l.06 mg for 1/2 cup cooked. Potassium 83 mg, and zinc, which is usually available in only trace amounts, comes in at 1.1 mg. and that same 1/2 cup cooked wild rice offers 1.5 grams of fiber, contains 26 mg of magnesium, a healthy balance of B vitamins along with some calcium and iron.

My beverage of choice, to go along with all this nutritional bounty, was a glass of cool, refreshing, spring water.

Yum!

And at the risk of sounding cheeky... what on earth did you eat for lunch?

Here's to your Health!

love,

Home and Refreshed

2011-07-25T18:04:00.000-07:00

Well, that was enjoyable! My family and I have had a lovely, refreshing time away at the cabin and now we are all back home. I hope that this summer you are able to find those moments of refreshment with the ones that you love as well.

with love,

The River's Edge

2011-06-26T17:59:00.000-07:00

If you happen to be out for a drive this summer near the Harrison Mills/Kilby Park area, you may want to check out The River's Edge Restaurant located near the Sandpiper Golf Resort.

Scott and I will quite often drop in for lunch or dinner to the River's Edge before making our way home after a day away. Although the food is good, it really is the tranquility and scenery of the place that we enjoy so much and during the sunny weather you can choose to have your meal on the flagstone patio which overlooks the grounds.

However, just a few days ago it was quite cool and we both quickly opted to stay inside and near the fire!

And honestly, as we kept warm and cosy, we found that it was just as nice looking out through the lovely windows!

After our meal we always take the time to have a stroll through the lush and well kept grounds.

If you do happen to drop in to The River's Edge,

I hope that you enjoy it as much as we have!

Keeping Myself Accountable

2011-06-21T11:45:00.000-07:00

Accountability is always a good thing,
and it just occurred to me this morning,
as I was preparing to head out for a walk,
that I have an accountability partner,
by the name of Ped O'Meter,
who lives inside my Nano!

It took me 1,962 steps to get to the track at the High School.

I chose the outside lane and set myself a small goal...

to do The One Minute Mile...

in 30 minutes.

That's about 7 minutes per lap.

Hey, this is no competition - just sheer enjoyment!

However,

I did allow myself the luxury of imagining a few encouragers,

cheering me on from the stands!

According to Ped's accounting,

it took 3,924 steps to get to the track and back...

and 2,441 steps for the actual track mile.

Next time I'll increase to 2 track miles...

'Ped' will be thrilled.

In the meantime...

it felt good to accomplish my goal for today.

Touchdown!

This lovely little park is only a few steps away from the outside lane,

a perfect place to take a moment and give thanks for the good health that I enjoy!

Ch-ch-changes!

2011-06-18T19:32:00.000-07:00

Well, I knew the change was coming... and the time has now arrived for me to make some physical health and fitness changes... and the first step was taken this morning... I've booked a session with a Personal Trainer who can assist me in putting together a safe and effective fitness schedule that I can begin implementing ASAP!

We have all heard of the benefits of physical exercise improving our quality of life, adding strength to our muscles and bones, increasing stamina, and maintaining a healthy body weight; yet physical exercise also helps lower our risk of heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure and diabetes as well.

And being aware that exercise is only one component of overall physical health, I'm also making some adjustments in my nutrition as well. Although I eat extremely healthily and have not had any sugar, flour or packaged foods (except plain kettle chips with sea salt...yum-mm-m) in over twenty years, I'm now ready to take that extra step in heading towards an all plant based way of eating. Because of the way that I currently eat, this new adjustment isn't a huge jump or change, but it is a change nonetheless, and so it is important that I keep before me the benefits of taking the required steps.

I'm thinking that the Welcoming Room of Pure Grace is the perfect Room to be devoted to overall health... spiritual health, mental health, physical health... and I look forward to sharing more with you from each of these areas in the weeks to come.

So, here is something that you may not have known... milk and yogurt are actually bad for your bones!

When I first heard the research on this last year I was shocked. Five years ago I was at a point where I had not consumed any dairy in 15 years and yet made the decision to add organic plain yogurt to my diet as a means of gaining calcium... but here is the thing... our bodies are alkaline, dairy products such as milk and yogurt are, like all animal protein, acidic. When we consume these foods our bodies immediately begin to try and neutralize the acid and take whatever calcium our bodies have in store to do so.

Calcium is an excellent acid neutralizer, the problem is, our bodies leech calcium from our bones and once the acid is neutralized the calcium is then flushed out in our urine!

We are depleting the very bones that need calcium to stay strong, by ingesting yogurt and milk... and the reason that we are taking these foods is because we have been told that they are high in calcium... around 300mg per cup... but this animal protein food is acidic and harmful to our bones!

But there is an answer! Instead of getting our calcium from acidic animal protein, why not simply make the change and begin to introduce calcium through alkaline, plant based foods? I've written about Quinoa (pronounced Keen-wa) before, but this plant based food is loaded with not only iron, potassium, B vitamins, magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese and folate, but 1 cup of Quinoa has more calcium than 1 cup of milk! It is also a more complete protein and it is gluten free!

We may not all be at the same place when it comes to making changes in our personal health care and fitness, but I encourage you to take a few moments and think about each aspect of your overall health and some of the improvements that you would like to see, then set small, attainable goals... drink more water today than you did yesterday, get in a 15 minute walk, grab an apple instead of a cookie, begin to value who you are and the physical body that God has entrusted to you... and remember, every step you take, no matter how small, will be a step in the right direction towards living a healthier lifestyle, to becoming a more robust, healthier, stronger and vital you!

I pray that in all respects

you may prosper and be in good health...

even as your soul prospers.

2 John 1:1

We Always Have a Voice...

2011-04-02T05:17:00.000-07:00

I love how there is a continual unfolding of God's Word in my life, I have found this unfolding to always be timely, without force or strain, but rather gentle, beautiful and unmistakably... of God.

The unfolding of Your words gives light;

it imparts understanding to the simple.

Psalm 119:130

This morning the unfolding of God's Word ministered to me as I contemplated the life of John the Baptist. When John was asked to identify himself he began by stating, "I am a voice...". I've thought about this many times over the years and yet this morning, God's Word unfolded a new beauty as I thought about what it means to be, "...a voice...".

I began to ponder, before God, whether I still have a voice regarding a specific situation and person in my life. I quickly began to realize that I will always have a voice in Christ and just as God speaks His Voice in many ways, I am assured that His Voice through me will continue to speak in many ways as well - not being limited by the spoken word.

This is something that I want to reflect more upon and desire to understand more deeply. God has assured me that He will fight for me during those times that I am to keep silent (Exodus 14:14) and that just as assuredly, there is a time to be silent and there is a time to speak (Ecclesiastes 3:7). I don't believe that this silence is in any way referring to my voice in Christ, but refers to the actual spoken word. While verbally silent, my voice in Christ continues to speak in my every thought, my every deed.

Many times our voice expressed in words will not be welcomed... but here is the thing... although God speaks in many ways, it is in the hearing of His Voice that He is truly identified... "My sheep hear my Voice, and I know them and they know me." There is a hearing that goes beyond listening, a hearing that deepens relationships and leads to deep and intimate knowing of one another. Our voices identify us to others... if someone does not want to hear another's voice, then they do not truly want to hear or know that person.

It's only when we truly 'hear' another's voice that we come to know that person. There can be no relationship when someone refuses to truly hear the voice of another, our voices identify who we are, by refusing the voice, we are refusing the person. Many refused to listen to the Voice of Jesus, Who was and is God's Word to us, yet in His 'always and only doing those things that were pleasing to the Father', He spoke. His obedience spoke as He offered Himself upon the cross, His love spoke as He asked the Father to forgive mankind, His mercy spoke as His blood was shed and He drew His last breath, and He continues to speak today... but there is no intimacy, there is no relationship, until we truly listen and truly receive the one Who speaks.

Jesus, when on the cross, spoke not only to the thief who responded in faith to Him, by using the spoken Word - the entirety of Who He was also spoke to those who mocked and hurled insults at Him - then He used His spoken word to address the Father concerning them... and asked Him to forgive.

In Jesus, we will always have a voice,

a voice that is intended to build and not tear down,

a voice that is intended to restore and not separate,

a voice that is intended to heal and not wound,

a voice that invites intimacy and understanding,

a voice that always speaks in love.

There may be some who do not want to hear our voice ... but in Christ we will always have a voice... it is not limited to the spoken word alone, but continually speaks in all that we do, in all that we think, in all that we are.

"I am a voice..."

The unfolding of Your words gives light;

it imparts understanding to the simple.

Psalm 119:130

The Doors are... Open!

2011-02-26T16:18:00.000-08:00

Spring has (almost) sprung,

The grass has (almost) riz,

I wonder where....

Cathie's blog is!

Well, for heaven's sake... here it is and the doors are once again open! Listen... I'm probably just as surprised as you are!

After closing the doors almost seven months ago I continued using the Rooms of Pure Grace from time to time, as a place that I could enjoy the ease of popping in whenever I had something to contribute, and that is how I will continue to use these Rooms.

Little snippets, here and there of days, do not by any means, a life make - and so what you find here will never be the sum total of who I am - however, what I hope you do find here is blessing and encouragement, whenever you decide to drop in for a visit.

I look forward to the days that lie ahead, and in sharing with you, from time to time, those things that have found meaning to me in my life.

Don't forget to say hello whenever you do drop by, I always enjoy your company!

There Is An Appointed Time...

2010-07-02T14:39:00.000-07:00

Every year I like to do something that I have never done before, and last year it was to enter into the world of blogging, my first post being in March of 2009. It was done completely by faith, believing that it was what I was to do at the time and that if I just rested and trusted in God, that He would use it for His good purposes.

My intention for this place has always been for it to somehow bless, encourage and inspire, and so last summer, as I was ready to embark on my own personal study through the Psalms, I thought I would put out the invitation to others, to welcome them to join with me in 'A Summer In The Psalms'. I would post on a Monday the Psalm that was to be studied that particular week, and then we would gather together again, through my teaching post on Thursday and share with one another. It took off like crazy. Most of the girls were travelling throughout the summer, yet were able to find the time to study and drop in for their Gathering Time on Thursdays... Debbie's husband even purchased a lap-top for her so that she could plug in wherever they could find an internet connection on their bicycle travels throughout BC. We all fell in love with Takako that Summer through Pure Grace and I believe with all my heart that my prayer for this place to be a blessing and encouragement to others was met.

As the months went on, a few new rooms were opened through Pure Grace - The Room to Grow, The Room to Read, The Little French Sewing Room, The Bible Study Room. I have enjoyed so much sharing with you this past year from all of these rooms, however, over the past few months, as God has begun to open other doors to me, I have begun to sense that perhaps it is now Time to move on.

The doors of Pure Grace will continue to remain open until July 15th, at which time it will then become a private site.

For those of you that dropped by for a visit and took the time to bless me with your words of encouragement and appreciation... I thank you. For those of you that quietly came and quietly left... I bless you.

There is an appointed time for everything.

And there is a time for every purpose under heaven -

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Women Who Show Up... for Life (4)

2010-06-28T06:42:00.000-07:00

Good Monday morning to you! Life is good and I'm ready to muse, so I'm glad that you showed up! I hope that you feel comfortable enough to go ahead and muse right back, I never know where these words are going to land on any given day, so my prayer is always that they will bless you in some way, and always point you to Jesus.

In Women Who Show Up... for Life (3) we looked at Jesus as being The True Bread of Life. "Jesus said to them, 'I am the Bread of Life: he who comes to Me will not hunger...'". (John 6:35)

We discussed our daily need of Spiritual Food, comparing it to our daily need of physical food, and how as Jesus showed compassion towards those who were physically hungry by feeding them, He was actually pointing them to the deeper truth of their spiritual hunger - a hunger that only He could satisfy. We also saw how the people missed the Bread of Life because they were too preoccupied in looking for... bread. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."Matthew 6:33

This week, I am happily embarking on a Summer Bible Study in the book of Ruth - on so many levels, it really is a beautiful love story, and yet, at the outset, I find it also to be a story of a fascinating pilgrimage.

After just reading through the first few verses of Chapter One, my musings before the Lord have already begun, for in the very first verse we see a family of four - a husband, his wife, and two sons - making a pilgrimage from their homeland of Judah to the land of Moab.

"Now it came about in the days when the judges governed, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the land of Moab with his wife and his two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife, Naomi; and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem in Judah. Now they entered the land of Moab and remained there."

In Hebrew, Bethlehem means 'House of Bread'. And so, because of the famine, this man and his family left the House of Bread, the land of Judah (Israel) to go into the land of Moab; a land that the nation of Israel was in direct hostility with, at best. (Deuteronomy 23:3-6, Judges 3:12-14)

A quick read of the account in Genesis refreshes us in the fact that God had, years earlier, freed the nation of Israel out of the captivity and bondage of Egypt and after their wanderings in the desert, brought them into the Promised Land. It was an abundant land, a land flowing with milk and honey, a land that was to be their permanent home... they need not look anywhere else. So, the question arises, why was there now a famine in the Promised Land - famine in the 'House of Bread'?

It was because the nation of Israel had turned from God and followed after, and served, the gods of the nations around them. (Judges 2:11-19)

So, now we see Elimelech and his family leave the 'House of Bread' and go to Moab to find... bread. Sometime after their arrival in Moab, Elimelech dies. Naomi is now left with her two sons; the two boys, as inevitably will happen, meet cute little Moabite girls, and eventually, marry them. Within ten years of living in Moab, the two sons also die, which now leaves their mother Naomi, in a foreign land, destitute, without her husband or sons, only her two, widowed, daughters-in-law. Naomi, in her grief, hears that "the LORD had visited His people (Israel) in giving them food". In other words, the famine in the 'House of Bread' is now over. So, Naomi decides to pack up and leave and to journey back home; her two daughters-in-law go with her.

And it is here, on the journey to the 'House of Bread' that we see something amazing happen. At a certain point in the journey, Naomi tells the two girls to go back to their families, and their gods. That being with her will hold no future for them. One of the girls kisses Naomi and returns home to Moab - but the other girl, Ruth, clings to Naomi and says this... "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God." Ruth had no way of knowing that this clinging would one day result in her name being forever entered into the royal messianic line - that she herself, a Moabite woman, would one day become the great-grandmother of King David!

So what does this have to do with Women Who Show Up... for Life?

Well, I believe that in Ruth and Naomi we see a picture of two very different kinds of women, women that we may know today. Ruth had not yet been to the 'House of Bread', but was intent on going, as she saw Naomi heading in that direction herself. As a little girl, Ruth would have only known the hostility of her nation towards Israel and their God, never having had an opportunity to know God in her childhood. And Naomi, well, she had once lived there, yet had left the 'House of Bread' and was now intent on returning.

Both of these women, whether they realized it or not, were preparing to make the journey... to Show Up for Life.

Whenever I study the Bible, I remind myself frequently that what was true physically regarding Israel, is true spiritually of us today, on this side of the cross. The physical famine of Naomi's time can be correlated to the spiritual famine of our time.

So often, circumstances can cause us to seek people, places, things, other than God, for our relief. It was physical hunger that caused Naomi and her family to turn and leave the 'House of Bread', yet that physical hunger could have been the very thing that prompted them to seek out, to worship, to praise, the One Who Supplies All needs. Turning to the things of this world may seem right at the time, particularly when our bellies are grumbling with physical hunger and the smell of freshly baked bread is wafting through the air from another direction! But to seek after bread and miss the Bread of Life will more often than not, result in remoteness from God. It can be so subtle at first, our need is met and we feel satisfied, but our souls begin to languish apart from Him. It may take only hours or days to realize this languishing of the soul, although sometimes months or even years, and then, like Naomi, perhaps one day you hear of the provision of God among His people, you hear of the Bread of Life giving nourishment to not only the body, but the soul... and you find yourself with an undeniable hunger... and longing.

So here is what I am musing. Any kind of need, whether physical or spiritual should be my springboard to Christ. Either way, a time of need is not the time to be turning and seeking filling or fulfilling apart from Him. Yet, where the body goes, the heart/mind has in all probability gone first. If the hearts and minds of Naomi and her family had already turned from God in disobedience (which brought about the famine in the first place) it would have certainly paved the way to their actual physical leaving from the 'House of Bread'.

Remember to, the children of Israel were in a place of blessing when their hearts began to wander from God, they had actually left the 'House of Bread' in their hearts long before the physical famine came upon them - the physical famine simply mirrored and pointed to the truth of the reality of the spiritual famine of their souls.

Do you find yourself in a place of blessing or a place of need during this season of life? Your need may not be the result of a wandering heart, just the plain, natural outworking of living here on planet earth. Wherever you may find yourself, a good question to ask is this... does my place of blessing, or my place of need draw me closer to, or farther away from God?

Personally, I find myself in the season of both blessing and need! Because of the hearts propensity to wander, both blessing and need have the potential to distract me from Him, yet, continually, my overwhelming desire is to draw even closer to Him in intimacy through prayer and His Word and in living this thing out... faithfully, joyfully, fruitfully!

Joining hands with others heading in the same direction, on the same path, intent on Showing Up... for Life!

The Witness

2010-06-17T06:18:00.000-07:00

I found this entry tucked away in my draft file, written a few months ago. I had fully intended on posting it at the time and then hesitated - changing my mind - thinking that perhaps it might be a little too much musing if someone was just dropping in for some pretty pictures and a bit of a light read. I had the choice whether to just delete it in order to clean out my file, or post it... I've decided to post. So here it is, such as it is...

Today's Musings flow out of a conversation that I recently had with my friend Marnie, who works part-time at a transition house for women and their children leaving abusive relationships. She shared with me the stats which indicate that children who witness abuse are more likely to become abusers themselves than those who actually experience the abuse. This is profound to me, in that, there is something very powerful about 'the witness'.

There are basically two kinds of witnesses in the world - those who bear witness of the Light and those who bear witness of the darkness. Paul's encounter with Jesus in Acts 26 resulted in his being appointed by Jesus to be a witness of the Light to others, that the eyes of those living in darkness would be opened that they might turn from darkness to the Light, receiving "forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those that have been sanctified (set apart) by faith in (Christ)".

To bear witness, or to testify, is to give voice to, or act out of, that which you have witnessed, observed, or had an encounter with.

In John 1:7 we see John the Baptist coming as a witness of the Light, "to testify about The Light so all might believe...". This Light, that John was a witness to, was Jesus, "the Light that shines in the darkness, and the darkness (does) not comprehend it." Jesus said, "I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness."(John 12:46) There is a purpose to the Light.

Proverbs 21:28 tells us that "A false witness will (ultimately) perish...". A false witness is simply a witness that does not bear testimony of the Truth of the Light. On the other hand, Proverbs 14:25 tells us that "A truthful witness saves lives." And this is what Jesus is all about... saving lives.

As people who presently occupy this planet, we are daily witnesses to an enormous bombardment of audiovisual stimulation. TV and the internet are definitely major contributors in this, and have caused us to become a culture of voyeurs, who, while not really 'experiencing' the reality of what we are watching, have become occupational witnesses to shootings, rapes, psychotic episodes, vulgarities, abuse, terrorism and... 'reality TV'.

We are also subject to witnessing a wide array of behaviours, images and voices, just by taking a trip to the local grocery store to run a few errands. We are also witnesses to the beautiful and lovely as well. We find this in nature, in others, in things. Yet, how much of what we witness in a single day is representative of darkness and how much is representative of Light? Is it always so easy to discern? There are many who say that there are those 'grey' areas of life, where things are not that easily identified as being either Light or dark.

Revelation 3:14 and 1:5 tells us that Jesus is not only The Light, but He is also The True Witness and The Faithful Witness. He also has a Voice, for He is The Word of God, so we can be assured that by listening to Him we can have a Faithful and True Witness of what is Light... and what is not.

And so here is where my musing took me - obviously, being a witness is a powerful thing, whether we are passive in our witness, or whether we give voice to our witness. Whether that witness is of the Light or whether of the dark. From my study in Scripture, I understand that Light overcomes darkness, so, as powerful as darkness is, Light will continue to be The Most Powerful in Overcoming, amen! So,... as much as I may witness darkness in my daily living, I purposely choose to position myself in such a way as to be a witness to the Fullness of The Light... that The Light might then shine through me, that I might then become a witness, a testimony, a voice, of the Brilliant Light which Overcomes utter darkness.

Light and darkness. True and false.

A Truthful Witness saves lives...

Yes, there is something very powerful about the testimony of... 'the witness'.

Women Who Show Up... for Life (3)

2010-06-14T06:19:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but every so often I find myself in need of refreshment. We frequently tend to think of refreshment in terms of beverages and food; Jesus fully understood this very physical way of thinking, and so He used it, so to speak, as a springboard, to point to a deeper spiritual truth - to point to Himself as being The True Bread and Water of Life...

"Jesus said to them,

'I am the Bread of Life:

he who comes to Me will not hunger,

and he who believes in Me will never thirst'".

John 6:35

"...Jesus stood and cried out, saying,

'If anyone is thirsty,

let him come to Me and drink.
He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said,
'From his innermost being will flow rivers of Living Water.'"

John 7:37-38

Just as our bodies are in daily need of food and water, so our souls are in daily need of spiritual Food and spiritual Water - and just as we daily show up for our physical food and water, we also need to daily Show Up for our spiritual Food and Water.

Though we may not be able to 'see' our souls, even the most well fed, health conscious person, someone who is diligent in meticulously taking care of their physical body, if they have neglected the care of their own souls, are spiritually emaciated and heading towards ultimate spiritual death. If this sounds harsh or offensive to you, take a moment and ask yourself why.

In John 6, Jesus shows compassion for the physical needs of the people; they were hungry and, miraculously, He made sure that they were all fed. The following day, these people showed up for breakfast, fully anticipating that Jesus, once again, would provide for their physical need - they had missed the Beauty of the 'sign', of the miracle of their feeding, from the day before. They had all received the blessing, yet had not received the Source of Blessing.

Signs are meant to point to something. The signs of Jesus, throughout the book of John, had a purpose too... they always pointed to Jesus. In missing the sign which pointed to Jesus, the people missed Jesus, and in missing Jesus, their minds remained on the hunger of their physical appetites and not on the hunger of their own spiritual souls. So, when they showed up for their early morning miracle breakfast, Jesus said to them,

"Truly, truly, I say to you,

you seek Me,

not because you saw signs,

but because you ate the loaves and were filled."

John 6:26

How often do we come to Jesus for our physical needs, or someone else's physical needs? We tend to think that our comfort, our security, our health, our happiness, our life, depend upon the things of this world. It's like coming to Jesus to play the game, 'Do This, Do This, Do That'. There are some people that have come to Jesus, thinking that by receiving His Invitation, they will automatically have all of their physical needs and appetites, met. Yet if their eyes were never really on Jesus, their eyes will continue to remain on their own physical appetites. Someone once said to me, "Listen Cathie, if God would fill my bank account and make me a millionaire, then sure, I'd get up on a Sunday morning and go to church and praise Him too!"

Somehow, I doubt it.

But listen, of course we can go to Jesus for our physical needs! My goodness, that's a well worn path that I've trod myself, many, many times, over the years, and will continue to do so! But here's the thing... there is comfort and there is The Comforter, there is security and there is The Saviour, there is health and there is The Healer, there is happiness and there is The Joy of the Lord, there is life and there is The Giver of Life, there are the things of this world and then there is The Creator of All Things. To go to Jesus for Who He Is, leaves everything else in the dust and is peace beyond understanding, indeed! He is your Comfort, He is your Strength.... He Is.

I don't know about you, but every so often I find myself in need of refreshment - and as my spiritual eyes look past the things of this world, my heart is set upon the pilgrimage of Showing Up, and partaking of, The Bread of Life and The Living Water!

See you at the Banquet Table!

"But seek first His kingdom

and His righteousness,

and all these things will be added to you."

Matthew 6:33

Women Who Show Up... for Life (2)

2010-06-07T22:11:00.000-07:00

Showing up for something, when you are already tired, can be daunting. Showing up for anything when you are exhausted is... well, you fill in the blank... because I can almost guarantee, that if you are at this moment, drawing breath into your lungs, you've been there. Tiredness, exhaustion, weariness, you see it everywhere, reflected back at you from the mirror in the morning and there to see you off to bed again at night. It's reflected in our society, in our Blackberries... in our souls.

And then, an Invitation is given. It is an Invitation like no other. As the Invitation unfolds it reads:

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find REST for your SOULS. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light."

(Matthew 11:28-30)

This invitation, with it's very first Word, is both inviting and commanding. The Word says, "Come...". If you are like me, whenever I receive an invitation to something, I always look for four specific things - The Date, the Time, the Location and the Purpose.

As we look closer at this invitation we can see that, The Date is Today, the Time is Now, the Location is Jesus, The Purpose is Rest.

Date: Today

"Today if you hear His Voice" (Hebrews 3:7-13)

Time: Now

"Behold, now is the favourable time; behold, now is the day of Salvation." (2 Cor. 6:2)

Location: Jesus

"Come to Me" (Matthew 11:28)

Purpose: Rest

"...I will give you rest."

"...you will find rest for your your souls." (Matthew 11:29)

Look at who this Invitation has gone out to... the weary, the heavy-laden, to those who are in need of rest. Why are we in such need of rest? It's because of (drumroll), sin.

I'll tell you something, nothing causes eyes to roll and heated discussions to rise up like throwing the word 'sin' into a conversation! And something else I've noticed... nothing clears a room faster than mentioning the Name of Jesus... and I'm not talking about using it as an expletive either, no problem it seems, when you throw His Name around like that!

If the word 'sin' sets your teeth on edge or causes you to think of me as one of those 'extreme Christians', (you know, the type that don't remember to do their Christian thing on a Sunday behind the closed doors of the church, and leave it there) think about this... 'Sin' is simply an archery term. Whenever the arrow misses the mark, it is called 'sin'.

So, with that in mind, let's look at Matthew 15:7 taking out the word 'sinner' and replacing it with its definition... "I tell you that in the same way, there will be joy in heaven over one sinner who has missed the mark, who repents..." Oh brother, there's another word that causes heads to spin - 'repent'. OK, so here is the definition of 'repent'... it means 'to turn from'. To turn from what? To turn from missing the mark, turning towards the bulls-eye (so to speak). But which way do you turn? Where is the mark that we are to be aiming for? It's not a where... it's Who. The only way for an arrow (sinner) to not sin (miss the mark (Jesus)), is for the sinner to find herself hidden, deep within Jesus (Colossians 3:1-3)... Bulls-eye!

So, The Invitation requires that those who are already tired, already exhausted... Show Up. Is this Invitation just another burden to weary already bent and depleted souls? Not when the Invitation says, "Come to Me" and both the "Invitation" and the "Me" is Jesus!

Think of all the ways that you try and give your soul rest. Go ahead, I'm serious, take a moment and list what you do, apart from Jesus, to give yourself rest. I'll wait for you...

I'm almost sure that everything that you listed, apart from Jesus, was or is, temporary, at best. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being." (John 1:1-3) NOTHING!... and that includes True and Lasting Rest! The Word is saying "Come", the Word is saying, "Come to Me", the Word is saying, "Come to Me all who are weary and heavy-laden", the Word is saying, "Come to Me all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you Rest...for your souls."

Both the Word and the Invitation are Jesus, just as He is... The True Rest.

Will you Show Up for The Life that the Invitation extends to you by turning and receiving Him, and finding The True Rest for your soul? If you believe that this Invitation is for you, then you need to know that Jesus Himself is the Initiator of all things faith (Ephesians 2:8), ask Him for the faith to believe all that His Invitation, His Word has promised. In other words, sweet thing, exhausted as you are, if you find a longing in your heart to Show Up, Jesus has promised that He Himself has already accomplished all that is required for you to, Show Up. After all, He is the Author and Finisher of all things faith (Hebrews 12:2).

Women Who Show Up... for Life (1)

2010-05-31T20:01:00.000-07:00

Isn't it amazing that God, Who never changes - Who is the same yesterday, today and forever - is all about change... in us? And isn't it also thought provoking, that while mankind is out to change the world, God would desire change in mankind first. God is not limited by our finite understanding, yet it seems apparent that before He moves to change our circumstances, He moves first to change our hearts and minds. What eternal value would be gleaned from our circumstances being changed for the better, if we were to only remain in the same state, unchanged in heart and mind? God never wastes a thing, and most often it is through our circumstances that He sets about to accomplish the most amazing change of all.

I've heard it said, and I believe it to be true, that God's purpose in our lives is not to make us comfortable but rather to make us conformable. This conforming that He desires is intended to bring about the most wonderful of changes... the conforming of the human mind and heart into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29) - the character of the Son of God found evident in the children of God.

I've been thinking recently about the words that I place here, in the main room of Pure Grace, and about those of you who happen to drop by from time to time. I've also been thinking quite a bit about the topic of Women Who Show Up... for Life, and like any Biblical study that I have ever done and then taught - the lesson itself must first go deeply within me, and that's exactly what's been happening over the past few months. I would not be a woman who is showing up for Life if I was to begin 'playing to an audience' when I share my thoughts here at Pure Grace. God's Word is powerful, it is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). It has the power to go out and accomplish all that the Lord intended it to - every single time. It is my intent to always share with others what the Lord has so graciously given to me and to not try to repackage the offering in a way that will somehow make it more palatable to all people, at all times... that would be nothing more than an exercise in absolute futility and put me in the unenviable position of being a 'people pleaser'.

Women Who Show Up... for Life, are women that have heard and received the Invitation of God. Perhaps you are just at the stage of Showing Up, or maybe you've just received the Invite to show up. Any way you look at it, one thing is certain - no matter what kind of circumstance you may find yourself in today, The Invitation of Life has been sent out - and those who receive this Invitation and show up for The Life extended by it, are changed... for Life and through Life.

Isn't it amazing that God, Who never changes - Who is the same yesterday, today and forever - is all about change... in us?

Sniffle, Sniffle

2010-05-24T08:30:00.000-07:00

This sudden shift in the weather, to cold winds and rain, has blown a cold my way... three tissue boxes worth! I thought a full day of exercise, out in the fresh air, would rid me of my malady, but it looks like it will take another day or so until it bids me adieu, so-o-o, I've decided to take advantage of this unexpected visitor by having it join me in my Little French Sewing Room today to sew together a quilt that I've been working on - and once this cold blows off (so to speak) I'll have a completed quilt to show for time well spent.

My Monday Musing for today... give thanks in all things!
...sniffle, sniffle...

Welcome to Hope!

2010-05-12T09:21:00.000-07:00

At my dental appointment yesterday I noticed posters and pamphlets promoting the wonders of Botox injections which are now available and given by my dentist, upon request. As I asked around it quickly became apparent that every one of the girl's in the office had had it done and were regaling it's benefits. The receptionist told me that, "Women have been hoping for years for something like this and now here it is and it's readily available and affordable for everyone!"

Later, my dentist and I were having a general discussion regarding the world in general and the difficulty facing young people in trying to navigate their way through life, and all the information thrown at them from every possible direction. My dentist is a Christian woman and understood when I said what a comfort and assurance we have in Jesus, Who is our wisdom and our discernment and how living out our faith before others points them to Jesus as well. I cannot remember how it came about, but as she was leaving to attend to another patient, my parting words to her were, "We live in Beautiful Hope".

A few moments later I found myself sitting up, while my mouth was being meticulously filled, by the hygienist, with trays of pink goop that I was told would turn magically white and solidify within mere minutes if I did not move. While this procedure was being carried out she was chattering on about what a long trip I had taken to come to the dental office that morning....what? Was I going to be spending time in town for a few days before heading home?...What? Was there not a dentist in Hope that I felt comfortable with? Again...What? She chattered on about having once driven through Hope and though lovely, she would not want to live there... wha?...got it!

My brows furrowed and I gently shook my head to show her that she had misinterpreted what she had overheard me say. Misunderstanding the universal language of a non-botoxed forehead furrowed in expression, she nodded while saying that because I lived in Hope and that it was my hometown, of course I was partial to it just as she is to the lower mainland. Get this goop out of my mouth!

After she had removed the trays and as I quickly wiped my mouth, I was able to explain to her that I do not live in Hope the place, but rather I live in HOPE The Person... and right there and then that hygienist was pointed to Jesus. I have another appointment next week and she has requested that she be scheduled as my hygienist that day.

Welcome to Hope!

Go Be That Woman!

2010-05-07T21:01:00.000-07:00

This Mother's Day Weekend, the message of what I wrote last year still rings true in my heart, and so, I offer it here again in the hopes that it will bless and encourage you...

Mothers...the one thing we all have in common is...we all have one! Mothers come in all shapes, sizes and nationalities...some are good, some are bad, some are indifferent. Biological motherhood is not a given to all women...some cannot, some will not, some simply long to be. Some mothers are ready and some mothers are ill-prepared.

This weekend we will be celebrating Mother's Day, not the day, but the women each one of us have come through. For many of us, this will simply be a time to remember...for others of us, it will be a time to make phone calls, send flowers, buy gifts, write out cards, perhaps take our mothers out for brunch or dinner. We will probably find that our attempts to communicate our love will seem so little, but to a mom...well, a little is HUGE!

Mother's Day can also be a time to honor those women who did not give birth to us physically, but who have loved us and poured into our lives as if we were their own.

In Exodus 20:12 we are told to "Honor our father and mother...", of course the original intention was not just one day a year, but every day! This word honor carries with it the meaning of 'giving place to'. We are to give our mothers 'place' in our lives, we can do this in a variety of ways, and yet there are some that have mothers, that to give physical place to them would be unsafe and unwise...you can still 'honor' your mother and give place to her by thoughtfully and faithfully praying for her.

I think it is telling that the original meaning of the word "mother" is... "a point of departure or division; one who gives birth to; one who gives rise to".

From the moment that a mother gives birth to her child she herself, has begun the journey of learning to let them go. Birth itself is twofold, the birth of a new life...and the birth of a new mom! Once the "departure or division" has occurred through birth, next comes the mother's responsibility of "giving rise" to that child. Needless to say, mothers need the wisdom of God in the "rising" or "raising" of their children!

We women can all be mothers, in the sense that we can all, pour into the lives of those around us...we can give "birth to" and "give rise" to many. Has there been a woman, perhaps your own mother, who has poured into your life that, which has given you rise? Then tell her, share with others and pass the blessing along! Today, give thanks to the woman or women that have given birth to and continue to give rise to you, and perhaps be determined to be that woman, to another...someone whom God has placed in your circle of influence...pouring into their lives all that the Lord has poured into you!

Women Who Show Up... for Life

2010-05-03T09:56:00.000-07:00

I was recently at a church ministry meeting and during the course of conversation I happened to use the phrase, "Women who show up..." I was using it in the context of women who are available for, and women who are available to, Jesus. This phrase has stayed with me over this past week and I am presently still in the 'musing' stage.

'Women Who Show Up... for Life', are women who show up for Jesus. What exactly does this mean and what are the implications and applications in our every day life? As I have been looking through God's Word, I realize that He has a lot to say to us regarding this subject and so, this morning, I wanted to ask you a question... as I continue to look further into what it means to be 'A Woman Who Shows up... for Life', would you be interested, over the course of the next few weeks, in me sharing with you what I have found?

Hoping to hear your thoughts on this...

with love,

Cathie

2010-04-28T11:54:00.000-07:00

Hi, this is Jill with my mom Margaret!

We have waited for a long time to have a chance to visit with Cathie,

see her lovely Little French Sewing Room and catch up on family news.

Thanks for the delicious Lemon and Blueberry Muffins, Cathie!

Sent from Cathie's Little Room that I (Jill) call the 'Girl's Room'.

Monday Musings

2010-04-26T08:28:00.000-07:00

To borrow, and then alter, the words of William Shakespeare....

To blog or not to blog;

That is the question...

Hmm-mm...

In The Beginning

2010-04-19T08:17:00.000-07:00

Good Monday morning to you! My day is promising to be full, however, I wanted to take a few moments and offer you, such as they are, my Monday Musings.

This past weekend I spent the majority of my time in the garden. Saturday was wonderful, it simply poured with rain and there I was mucking about, dividing the hostas and irises, planting gladiola bulbs and digging out sod to enlarge the side garden... it was wonderful! I was wet and muddy and completely in my element!

Sunday was just as enjoyable, although the weather was the complete opposite, being beautifully bright and sunny and warm! I continued to dig and plant and plan out my garden, the grass was newly cut and the trees are beginning to show their new life in an amazing show of fresh colour, the deep russet of the Split Leaf Maples and the yellow greens of the Honey Locust. New Beginnings are all around me... and within me.

We all have beginnings that begin somewhere, whether it's the beginning of our day, beginning a new friendship, a new resolve, a new career, a new way of life, life itself. Sometimes our new beginnings are hidden deep within and although they have already begun, their season to bloom yet lies ahead.

Even the name of the first book of the Bible, "Genesis" comes from the Hebrew word 'bershith' meaning 'in the beginning'. Throughout the years I have continually found comfort and direction in the first four words that begin the Bible...

"In the beginning God..." (Genesis 1:1)

Before anything was... God Is. All things have been created and have a definite beginning point - God. In the words of the song of 'Maria' in The Sound of Music...

"Let's start at the very beginning

A very good place to start..."

Of course the difference is that instead of beginning with the abc's of the alphabet like the song suggests, our intent should always be to begin with The Very Beginning of all things - God Himself! He is the Alpha (The Beginning) and the Omega (The End). He knows the end from the beginning! A Very Good place to start indeed!

The verse in Genesis 1:1 continues on and says...

"In the beginning God created..."

God is the Creator, not us. When I was out in my garden this weekend, I was not creating, it was God creating through me, and it was a sweet time of reflection on the Beauty and Wonder of my Creator God, Who invites me to join Him in the joy of His Creation.

What is it that you have been trying to create? A good life, loving and healthy relationships, a beautiful garden, a beautiful you? Cease your striving, and know that He Is God! Begin all things with Him and bring all things to Him, then watch as He leads you through Life, like an abundant garden, and shows you the vast and beautiful array of the unfolding of His purposes.

I encourage you to join with me and begin this day, and all days, with God... after all, He is the God of New Beginnings.

New Beginnings are all around me... and within me.

Crossing the Line

2010-04-12T06:48:00.000-07:00

We took The Fun Bug across the line this past weekend to check out the Tulip Festival in La Connor.

There were absolute masses of them... tulips and people!

I had no idea that this Tulip Festival was so popular!

There were helicopters for hire flying through the air, police traffic controllers at country intersections, cars parked in fields, balloons, food... and did I mention the masses of people and tulips?

We did eventually park and have our walk through, but then we headed on our way - to take in the other sights in a quieter part of the countryside.

As we left the fields of tulips behind I was thinking of how the beauty and the simplicity of the 'one' can be lost in the masses of the 'many'. I thought that I was going to love seeing those fields, but really... not so much. I still prefer just a few tulips from my garden in a vase on the table...

for some reason I tend to see the beauty in just the simplicity of a few.

It's kind of the same thing when it comes to people. As much as I can appreciate crowded gatherings, I tend to gravitate more to the beauty in the few, as we laugh and share and enjoy one another in smaller, more intimate gatherings. I would much prefer to sit with 'a few' around my table than to be placed in the middle of the 'masses of the many'.

It was a gorgeous weekend, and Scott and I had more fun just cruising around, looking at all the lovely homes and gardens in some of the smaller towns. There were some fun little shops too... like Bunnies on the Bay...

We ended our day with a very leisurely and enjoyable dinner before beginning our scenic journey home. Just me and my man.... lovely, simple, beautiful.

He Is Risen!

2010-04-04T06:12:00.000-07:00

"And very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.

And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large.

And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, Who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him...."

(Mark 16:2-6)

A few years ago I remember arriving at church and fellowshipping in the lobby area before Good Friday Services began. As a sister in Christ approached me with a huge smile on her face, my spontaneous greeting to her was, "He is risen!" She looked at me for a moment and then leaning in towards me, said in hushed tones , "But Cathie, it is only Friday, He does not rise until Sunday." I tilted my head to the side and said, "Really? But I was just talking to Him!" It only took her a moment, and then she too began to laugh as we linked arms and walked into the sanctuary to continue our mutual worship of our already and forever, risen Lord.

Keeping the above verses in mind, I wonder how often we come to visit the 'tomb' when the Son has already risen. How often do we, in our minds, or even physically, visit dark and cold places of death, prepared to mourn, when the Son has already conquered both death and the grave? Sometimes we too, just like the disciples, are inclined to go visit that dark place, prepared to mourn, and when we arrive, we actually begin looking around for others to help us in the removing of that 'extremely large stone from the entrance of the tomb', so that we can re-examine, or pay homage to that dead thing... notice it was only when they looked up that they were then able to see that the stone had already been rolled away and that death itself had been conquered in the Risen Lord.

She (Mary Magdalene) went and reported to those who had been with Him,

while they were mourning and weeping.

And when they heard that He was alive, and had been seen by her,

they refused to believe it."

(Mark 16:10-11)

Sometimes, grief over death can be so overwhelming as to keep the eyes down, causing them to refuse to look up. It can be the death of a loved one, a death of a dream, a death of an ideal. It can even be the fear of death or the threat of death or the anguish of watching someone in abuse or sin heading ever closer towards death - it can even be just living in that dark place that speaks of death.

When the eyes are cast down, even the witness and testimony of others, others that have been in the presence of Jesus and have walked with him, seem to have no effect.

And after that, He (the Risen Lord Jesus) appeared in a different form to two of them,

while they were walking on their way to the country.

And they went away and reported it to the others,

but they did not believe them either.

(Mark 16:12-13)

There is nothing wrong with looking into the tomb, it's just that we are not meant to linger there. Isn't it wonderful that while at the tomb, the women were invited to go ahead and look in for themselves, to see that Jesus is not to be found among the things of death - He is Living! and so their next instruction was to go and tell others that Jesus had risen! - that they would indeed see Him again, and they were reminded that Jesus Himself had already told them these things!

How often, when confronted with the dark things of this world, we forget what God has spoken to us through His Son.

We need to remember what He has spoken to us. That He will never leave us, nor forsake us. That He now works in us, with us, for us, and through us by the power of His Holy Spirit.

For those who belong to Him, who have turned from darkness to Light, the birth, death, burial and resurrection of our Lord is always and profoundly with us.

The cross of Christ speaks to our greatest need and the resurrection of Christ speaks of new Life in Him. May the power of His resurrection speak afresh to you today (Ephesians 1:18-21)... I pray this over you and your family today, just as I pray it for myself and over mine.

Now, let's link arms and together, as sisters, walk boldly forward into the Day, continuing in our mutual worship of our already and forever, risen Lord and God!

Blessed Easter Sunday to you!

How Deep The Father's Love For Us...

2010-04-02T01:00:00.000-07:00

How deep the Father’s love for us...
For I am convinced that neither death,
nor life, neither angels or demons,
  neither the present or the future,
  nor any powers, neither height nor depth
How vast beyond all measure...
  nor anything else in all creation,
  will be able to separate us from the
  love of God that is in Christ Jesus,
  our Lord
That He should give His only Son...
  For God so loved the world that
  He gave His one and only Son...
To make a wretch His treasure...
... that whoever believes in Him shall
not perish, but have eternal life.

How great the pain of searing loss...
  Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
  “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?
The Father turns His face away...
which means, “My God, My God,
  why have You forsaken me?”
As wounds which mar the Chosen One...
  But He was pierced for our transgressions,
  He was crushed for our initquities;
Bring many sons to glory...
... the punishment that brought us peace
  was upon Him, and by His wounds
  we are healed.

Behold the Man upon the cross...
  And they crucified Him.
My sins upon His shoulders...
  We all like sheep have gone astray,
  each of us has turned to his own way;
  and the Lord has laid on Him
the iniquity of us all.
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice...
  He was despised and rejected by men,
  a man of sorrows
and familiar with suffering.
Call out among the scoffers...
  Like one from whom men hide their faces
  He was despised
  and we esteemed Him not.

It was my sin that held Him there...
  He Himself bore our sins
  in His body
on the tree.
Until it was accomplished...
  ... so that we might die to sins
  and live for righteousness;
  by His wounds,
  you have been healed.
His dying breath has brought me life...
  The Good Shepherd
  lays down His life
  for the sheep
I know that it is finished.
Jesus said, "It is Finished."

I will not boast in anything...
  But whatever was to my profit,
  I now consider loss
  for the sake of Christ.
No gifts, no power, no wisdom;
But I will boast in Jesus Christ...
  What’s more, I consider everything a loss
  compared to the surpassing greatness
of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord,
  for Whose sake I have lost all things.
His death and resurrection...
  “They will kill Him,
  and on the third day
He will be raised to life.”

Why should I gain from His reward?...
  Now if we are children, then we are heirs -
  heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ,
  if indeed we share in His sufferings
  in order that we may also share in His glory.
I cannot give an answer...
  If anyone would come after Me,
  he must deny himself
  and take up his cross
  and follow Me.”
But this I know with all my heart,
His wounds have paid my ransom...
  The punishment that brought us peace
  was upon Him,
  and by His wounds,
  we are healed.

May God bless you with the Reality of His Presence
and Purpose this Easter,

Selah!

2010-03-28T19:20:00.001-07:00

There are just some days when the Power of the Presence of God falls so heavy upon His child that it is almost too much Good for His child to take... and that was today for me... right smack dab in the midst of the extremes of life... just almost too much Good for this child to take - but be assured - I was of the presence of mind to be receiving every bit of the Good that was being laid upon me today and I am still praising Him.

Without going into all the details of the day, I will say this... I was totally set up! Properly positioned, you might say, to receive this particular blessing today.

This past week I have been in Exodus and in the study of the Tabernacle - I am completely restraining myself here from teaching a lesson, however, perhaps it is sufficient to say that just as every part of the Old Testament Tabernacle was an earthly copy and shadow (Heb. 8:5) of the Heavenly design - Christ Himself is the fulfillment of the Tabernacle itself (Rev. 21:22)... Beautiful.

Today is Palm Sunday. It is the day that marks the final entry of Jesus into Jerusalem (John 12; Mark 11; Matthew 21), the day that palm branches were taken and spread upon the road and the people shouted 'Hosanna!' ('save now!'). The day of the fulfillment of the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. It was an entry that was filled with great popular acclaim from those that had been with Jesus when He had raised Lazarus from the dead; yet it was a popular acclaim that lacked spiritual understanding... perhaps if they had just partaken of Selah...

Throughout the Psalms (and three times in Habukukk) there is found an isolated word that stands apart from the main text... Selah. Although scholars have long since debated the exact meaning of this word, because of its context, it is widely considered to translate as 'pause' or 'consider'... and this is where I have found myself recently... I am in my Selah.

Just as my study in Exodus and Hebrews set me up for a blessing of the outpouring of the Power of the Presence of God today, so too, have I been set up for my own particular time of Selah... a time to pause and to consider all that the Lord has been teaching me over these past 20 years. Now, it is not as though I have not paused or considered throughout that entire time, many times it is daily if not hourly! However, I'm sensing within my spirit 'a new thing' and I do believe that at this particular time God is preparing me, positioning me, setting me up (so to speak) for just that very thing.

This is my time of Selah - it is not, by any means, a time of inactivity, but one of complete engagement in the purposes of God! It is a time to reflect, a time to receive an even deeper spiritual understanding of all that God has been placing within me.

My prayer is that you would be blessed in your own personal time of Selah; that, however long it may be, you would know the Reality of the Presence of your God in it and that it would be a time of sweet refreshment and fellowship for you.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house,

ever singing your praise!

Selah

(Psalm 84:4)

I Am So... Bugged!

2010-03-20T14:27:00.000-07:00

For some reason I have always had an appreciation for bugs. It's not like I go out looking for them, but whenever I happen to come across them... well, like I said... I have an appreciation for them.

When I was ten years old, I saw my first 'Bug'... the man-made kind. I was at a car show with my dad and as we followed the red carpeted path that led through the gigantic showroom, we turned a corner... and there it was, a beautiful, shiny, bright orange, VW Bug - perfectly displayed on a round pedestal and turning e-v-e-r so s-l-o-w-l-y in order to give the eyes of onlookers the opportunity to view it from all angles - and to allow the lights to highlight its glossy curves. I was smitten.

When I was old enough to drive, and afford a car of my own, I purchased a brand new, candy-apple red Pontiac Sunbird. I had my eye on a VW Bug (with a sunroof I just have to say), but because my dad was a car salesman and did not happen to sell VW's... I went with the Sunbird.

Very soon after my big purchase, I met a very handsome young man who happened to drive.... you guessed it... a VW Bug!

Honestly, it was just the cutest thing to watch - from the moment that we started dating, that little Bug did not have a reverse, and so this handsome young man would strategically park it in places where he could just drive it straight out, although more often than not, a reverse was required and so he would hold onto the steering wheel with his right hand, position his back against the opened door frame, and use his left leg to push the car backwards... then quick as a flash jump in, start the Bug, and away we would go!

Eventually this young man had my heart... and we were soon married and starting our new life together. My husband's brother, who was an art student with the Emily Carr School, gave his brother a beautiful sketch of his little Bug.

As the years went by, and our family grew, the day finally came when we had to sell the little Bug. As the new owners drove away and the familiar putt-putt-putt faded into the distance, my husband and I continued to stand in the driveway, arms around each other and unashamedly, cried.

Fast forward, to this past weekend, when we were out looking at cars... just for fun. We started out test driving a cute little white car - the dealer handed us the keys and told us not to turn the car off - we drove around for a few minutes and decided to park in a school parking lot to check out the vehicle more thoroughly... and you guessed it... we turned off the engine.

Short version of the story, I made an early morning emergency phone call to my friend Wendy (who just happened to live close to the area where we were) for a jump start.

Before we parted ways, Wendy joked about how we should go see her son at the VW Dealership; we took the little car back and headed over to the Honda car lot. We test drove a few cars there as well and then later on in the afternoon, my husband suggested we look at the VW Dealership before calling it a day... the fun was about to begin!

Ok, so this is what happened... just for a lark we ended up taking a VW Convertible out for a test drive. We were no sooner out of the lot, than we pulled over and put the top down, and turned into two of the dorkiest 16 year olds you could ever meet! We bombed around and laughed our fool heads off until we had tears coming out of our eyes. Every time we came to a red light, or a stop sign, we would look at the people on the sidewalks, then look at each other and start laughing all over again as we took off. It soon began to sprinkle and we remembered that we had washing out on the line, so with the wind in our hair, we sped off home, and while my husband was quickly bringing in the laundry, I snapped this picture before putting up the roof.

We laughed and giggled all the way back to the VW lot and were still laughing as we handed back the keys.

We were then shown a very sedate sedan and it was suggested that we give it a test drive as well.

As we pulled out of the lot we were very quiet...

very sedate.

We did our obligatory four right turns around the block and as we turned into the dealership lot...

we both saw the little VW bug...

and instantly looked at each other and began to laugh all over again.

We were definitely blessed that day,

and although the little test driven convertible did not come home with us that night...

its younger sibling, the 2009 Special Edition VW Bug did!

And we are still laughing...

Side By Side...

2010-03-08T13:19:00.000-08:00

I seem to find life lessons everywhere I go, and because I think in pictures, it is quite often the visual things that seem to speak to me the most.

Yesterday, while out in the pouring rain in the garden, I squealed in delight when I found the biggest, juiciest, healthiest looking worm in the soil that I had just dug up. I was so excited that I immediately picked it up and ran over to my husband to show him how lovely it was... as I held it up (so the light of the sun would shine through it), I told my husband to look as closely as he could and he would be able to see the new dirt that this healthy and fat worm was making inside itself... and where it came out at the end... my husband just kind of nodded and didn't really look.

I love the Life that is happening in the garden, the visual parts are really beginning to show, the Elephant Ears have already bloomed pink and the Wysteria is full on yellow with the purple Heather exuberant in its display right beside it. Buds are absolutely everywhere... if my garden was a symphony, my neighbours might be telling me to turn down the volume! I love it!

So what is the life lesson that I learned from that fat and healthy worm?

That even in the depths of the darkness of the earth... Music plays.

A few weeks ago, while in another city, I was enjoying the somewhat lengthy walk back to my car, on an exceptional crisp and sunny day. As I made my way up the sidewalk on a hill, I glanced over and saw an amazing looking tree, and at its base was this lovely display of cheery yellow crocuses... and nestled beside these cheery, yellow crocuses... was an equally thriving clump of weeds.

The life analogy was obviously apparent, yet, the thing that was really holding my attention was the actual tree. It was perhaps the most gnarly looking tree that I have ever seen! It was twisted and misshaped, weather beaten and had obviously been vigorously pruned back many, many times over the years. As my musings began, I took some pictures and as I made my way towards my car, and eventually home... I thought about the life lesson that I was learning from this tree... and from what lay at its feet.

Within the culture that we live in, there is the underlying, if not blatantly overt, philosophy that whatever is visually lovely and pleasing is somehow more valuable, more desirable than that which is its antithesis... yet all that glitters is not gold... and it is most often, within the gnarliest of vessels, that the true treasure lies!

I am almost sure, that this particular tree, has seen an abundance of weeds and flowers laid at its feet over its many years, just as we also have had, on our own particular life's journey, many a weed and flower laid or planted at our feet, whether invited or not.

If you were to speak with any botanist, they would probably tell you that "There are no weeds - just unwanted plants", and it's true! Each year when I plan out my garden, it never even crosses my mind to plant a few weeds, they just come unbidden, and my thoughts towards them are unwelcome thoughts... they are to be eliminated or removed so that the plantings that I do want in my garden can thrive and not be choked out. Yet, there is a purpose for all things, and many times an unwanted planting in my garden makes me a better and more attentive gardener!

It would take far too long to tell you the life lessons that I learned that day, however, I can tell you that one lesson learned is that no matter what was laid, side by side, at its feet, the trees' roots went Deeper than its surroundings or circumstances! It has continued to do what it was created to do despite the weeds and despite the flowers... it has grown in strength and in stature and in favour - after all, it has only been pruned year in and year out because it is of great value and gives an abundance of blooms year after year.

Honestly, that tree did not teach me any life lessons, it is the Creator of the tree that has used His creation to speak into my life.

One of my favourite verses is Isaiah 61:3. If just plain living has ever left you feeling weather-beaten, twisted, gnarled or misshapen, remember another 'tree', the tree of Calvary, that 'old rugged cross', and The One Who hung upon it for you; let your roots go Deep and drink in His sustaining strength and peace...

"That you might be called a tree of righteousness,

A planting of the Lord, for the display of His splendour."

Thankyou...

2010-03-03T17:25:00.001-08:00

**This post was actually written yesterday afternoon and placed in the Study Room, however, because so many of you have been faithfully praying for my mom, I felt that it was important to share it here, in Pure Grace, as well...

thank you!

Hi Girls, I just wanted to thank you so much for all your prayers these past few weeks and to let you know that I haven't dropped off the side of the planet... I really am still here and missing you like crazy I might add!

Here is my mom, looking quite pleased with herself as she takes her daily walk... and so she should, she's been through a lot.

Today we were finally able to pick her up from the hospital and take her home. I put her dinner in the oven while she settled herself down on her 'own wee couch', then tidied out her fridge and restocked it with new groceries.

I have been so blessed to have such caring and loving sisters during this season; God, daily, has been ministering to me through His Word and by His Spirit, may He see in me a truly thankful child.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon!

With love,

Home Is Where the Heart Is...

2010-02-23T12:40:00.000-08:00

I received a phone call just a few days ago letting me know that Takako is going Home.

Her two sisters have come all the way from Japan,

and in just a few short days they will escort Takako onto the plane,

and they will all fly back to Japan together.

Yet,

Takako's journey Home,

is not to Japan -

her Home you see,

is where her heart is.

And this sweet woman's heart belongs

to God.

I wanted more time to put together a little book for her.

The few hours that I had was time enough.

Polished it is not.

Full of love from her sisters in Christ...

it is.

In early February,
in the Bible Study Room,
I wrote...

Please pray for Takako.

This dear woman has just been recently told that her cancer has now spread to her brain.

Many, if not all of you girls have heard Angie speak often of Takako.

I had the joy of meeting her last July when we went to visit Angie's Auntie Jean, I remember that when I was about to take her picture, she quietly asked me, "Is my wig on straight?" I was so astonished and said, "Takako! I didn't even know that you were wearing a wig!"

She smiled the sweetest smile, which was captured in the picture above.

Lovely.

God's banner over this precious woman is 'Love'...

and so as we pray for God's will to be done in Takako's life,

we are praying beyond all that we ourselves could ever ask or think.

Although Takako was not able to physically join us in our weekly Bible Studies,

she has always been a much loved and important part of our group,

through Pure Grace.

There are 47 pages in this little memory book,

may it bless you Takako,

as you make your way Home.

With love,

your sisters

Pure Grace...

2010-02-09T08:24:00.001-08:00

Pure Grace truly is The True Beauty of Everyday Life -

He Is Pure Grace,

He Is True Beauty,

He Is Today,

He Is Life,

He Is... Jesus.

Although Today I walk in the Beauty of the Reality of Christ, it was not always this way!

As with every other single person that has ever stepped out of darkness and into His wondrous Light, there are spiritual and natural threads that have woven together my own particular 'before and after' story; the Story that makes up the fabric of my days, and which continues to be woven together and lived out on the (sometimes dusty) roads of life.

I pray that the following video, 'Cardboard Testimonies", will bless you and encourage you today.

How would your 'cardboard testimony' read?

Satisfied...

2010-02-01T13:31:00.000-08:00

Delight yourself in the Lord...

and He will give you the desires of your heart."

Psalm 37:4

I almost titled this post "Be Careful What You Throw Away". It was all because of an interesting comment that I heard this past week. It was in the context of a conversation regarding spring cleaning. A kind of 'out with the old and in with the new' perspective. This woman said, "...I need to take away in order to have more of what I want in my life." It sounded deep enough at the time... the spring cleaning that was being spoken of was a 'spiritual spring cleaning'. But as the conversation continued on, I was still musing on it, and my first thought was "Uh-Oh".

Isn't it just a fact that as soon as we get rid of something, there's another 'something' close behind it to takes it's place? This is true of the physical realm and also true of the spiritual realm. I can see this quite easily in my garden, especially in the spring when I begin to clear out and divide my plants. My intent may be to create space around a certain planting, but within a few weeks, if the plant hasn't taken the space over, then the weeds certainly have! Especially if I have not been tending to the soil! It's the same in our home. Remove one piece of furniture and something inevitably takes it's place. Remove old shirts from the closet, new shirts take their place. It's also true in the spiritual realm, when something gets moved out... something else is bound to be movin' in!

So here's the thing. We may take away a few things in order to have more of what we want in our lives -but is what we want in our lives, the best for our lives?

Let's face it, every one of us have desires... personal, relational, financial, whatever...; yet the Bible tells us that our hearts are deceitful. Yes, we can actually be deceived through our own hearts desires! By its very definition, 'desireable' means 'attractive'... it's a fact, there are just plain, flat out, ALOT of attractive things in the world; eye-candy, that parades before us day and night, 24/7 would definitely apply here! The word 'desire' carries with it the meaning of 'appetite or craving'. Every one of us has our own particular appetite. What trips your trigger, may not trip mine, but the principle is the same... we all have the propensity to being deceived by our own hearts desires and then... following through on them.

In Genesis, Eve was attracted to the fruit that was forbidden to her because it was a 'delight to her eyes' and because it was 'desireable' to her; so, she acted on this deception of the heart, took the fruit, ate it and proceeded to then gave some to her husband and he went right on ahead and ate it too... and all of humanity has been tainted since!

It's interesting to note that Eve already had the wisdom of God. She could have gone to God at any time and asked Him anything, but she was deceived; not only by the serpent, but by her own lust, her own appetite, her own desire, into thinking that she could and should have MORE... and besides, the MORE was attractive to her eyes.

She and Adam, were both willing to do some personal 'spring cleaning', determining for themselves that they would cast 'out' the wisdom of God in order to have more of what they wanted in their lives... and they got it. Hmm-mm......

Not all of our choices in life are going to bear such weighty consequences, but I have learned that there is nothing, not one single thing that we do, that is insignificant in the spiritual realm, which also has its out-workings in the physical realm. To 'delight' ourselves in God is to be 'satisfied' with Him, and in Him. When we are satisfied in Him, then our desires are satiated in Him, and the propensity of our heart is then to only desire what He desires.

It's an awesome thing... when we truly delight and are satisfied in the Lord, in Who He is and in His ways, then His desires for us become our desires... and I ask you, what could be more delightful than that!

"...For I know that plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

Cleaning house is always a good thing... let's just be careful what we throw out!

sshhh...

2010-01-25T13:16:00.000-08:00

In today's world,

it has become increasingly more difficult to find quiet and rest.

Our culture has become saturated with so much information,

that even when we do find quiet time,

we find our minds in a state of constant activity.

The activity of our minds on any given day is precariously teetering on 'overload'.

Our eyes and our ears are bombarded daily with a deluge of images and voices,

sights and sounds.

TV and the Internet, with the click of a button, can take us from the visual and audible horrors of the bloodiest of deaths and the most horrific carnage of hundreds of people,

to a sit-com with canned laughter, or a gardening show.

Before our minds and emotions have even been able to assimilate or sort through the depth of any one thought...

we 'click' and are taken to another.

Healthy emotions need time to assimilate and sort through what each day, each moment brings us.

All that information that we are taking in goes somewhere in us...

and it needs sorting through.

And oddly enough,

amid all that our senses take in throughout any given day,

we have an inherent need to learn how to listen...

to learn how to really be quiet,

amid all the clamour,

even the clamour of our own minds,

and truly listen.

We are created beings,

and we need to let the Creator of the Universe speak His Wisdom into us.

Ask Him...

and then be quiet.

Take the time,

and listen.

This is where Healing begins.

Be still, and know that I Am God. Psalm 46:10

Showers of Blessing!

2010-01-21T15:41:00.000-08:00

Look at the lovely gifting of tulips, among other things, that my 'Home Girls' blessed me with today. I now have a new book to read, a bird house for my garden, seeds to plant, lovely notepaper and note cards, plenty of fruit to fill my kitchen table basket with and.... a large package of Quinoa! It looks like the Girls are convinced!

So, as I promised, and as my way of saying Thank You for your showers of blessing upon me this morning, I offer you a variety of recipes for your newly found food... Quinoa! Just click on the collage of recipes below, or click here to go to one of my favourite recipe sites 'Epicurious'... and prepare to enjoy!

With love,

recipes and corresponding pictures from Martha Stewart.com

What A Difference A Day Makes...

2010-01-18T09:06:00.000-08:00

Saturday morning I awoke to find a heavy mist had draped itself over every bush and shrub and tree. I could hardly make out the familiar landscape outside my windows... but within an hour, the mist had completely lifted and brilliant blue sky and a welcoming bright, warming Sun was beckoning me outside... it was my birthday!

Part of my day was spent in a little village, across the river. My husband knows that this is one of my favorite places to wander through, and so away we went. Truthfully, the sight of all those cheerful Spring flowers sitting out in the fresh morning air, under the warmth of the sun, was all the birthday gift I needed!

We wandered through some of my favourite places....

And saw some of my favourite things...

But one thing that I noticed, was that some of the shops had not yet joined me in my excitement of the knowledge that Spring is (literally) right around the corner.

For instance, the little Hat Shop that I frequently visit, still had it's old Christmas decorations on the door...

While just around the corner, Spring was blooming up and down the sidewalks of Main Street!

The following morning the rains hit once again, and even as I tap away on my keyboard this morning, the winds are gusting up a mini-storm outside my window, leaving raindrops clinging to the pane.

But Spring has already begun to bloom in my heart. My house has been Spring Cleaned and is just waiting for that Sun to beam through it's windows.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

It's amazing all the lovely things that burst into bloom in Spring. The colours and the textures, the varieties and the scents are just absolutely glorious. It's time to step through the Door of Spring and embrace all that comes as the result...

Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new... now it will Spring forth; will you not be aware of it? Isaiah 43:18-19

Inspiration...

2010-01-12T16:28:00.000-08:00

Beauty inspires me.

Whether it is the Beauty in a kindness shown or the Beauty found in a raindrop.

Beauty seems to have always been my Inspiration.

Inspiration calls me to see beyond.

I find that Inspiration goes as deep as the Beauty that sent it.

And because Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,

Inspiration is a living treasure within my heart,

that finds expression in my daily living,

an outworking of an inward Work.

Monday Musings... Inspired

2010-01-11T19:13:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking quite a bit about Inspiration as of late.

And I've found that even the thoughts themselves have proven to be inspirational!

I find myself,

more often than not,

being inspired every day;

And in such wonderful

and unexpected ways!

I also have days when I am completely uninspired.

Days when life just seems too hard;

The pace too fast, without a place to ponder;

The world too loud, without a place for silence;

When words seem too empty,

as they swirl around me from all directions.

But somehow,

Inspiration always breaks through.

Fresh,

Alive,

Invigorating,

Beautiful,

Healing,

Creative,

Simple.

I thought it might be fun,

and just plain inspiring...

if you were to share what or perhaps who inspires you.

It has been said that 'inspiration can be compared to a fingerprint,

different for every person'.

That inspiration,

is that which moves the soul, mind and spirit.

I'll be sharing more later,

but I am looking forward to hearing your own musings about,

Inspiration!

Monday Musings... on a Tuesday

2010-01-05T10:38:00.000-08:00

While doing a little Christmas shopping this year my husband and I decided to go to a store that we were unfamiliar with. We were no sooner in the door than we realized that if we were going to get in and out quickly (we are not shoppers!) we were going to have to ask for a little direction.

I saw a lovely looking young woman putting together a display and so made a beeline over to her. As I was asking her if she could direct us to the particular items that we were looking for I noticed that she had this odd look on her face. You know the look, all of a sudden you feel like you have spinach in your teeth or that you are coming across as a brainless wonder. After she pointed in the direction that we were to go, I politely thanked her as I quickly ran my tongue over my left eye tooth. As we turned to leave she quickly stepped closer to me, kind of the uncomfortable kind of closer, leaned into my face and as she stared at me she asked.... "Excuse me, but are those your real eyes?"

For a moment I was stunned. For a moment I thought that something weird had happened to my eyes since exiting the car and entering the store. For a moment I felt like a bug pinned to the wall as this young woman peered into my face... I quickly gathered myself and politely answered, "Well, yes, they are." She took a few steps back and said, "Well, they are just lovely!" "Thank you," I replied, as my husband patiently smiled, all the while increasing his pull on my arm.

A hundred years ago we would never have thought of asking someone whether "those were their real eyes"... real breasts, real hair, real teeth, real nails, real lips, real... well, you get the idea.

'Faking it' has become big business and a way of life in today's world. We all do it to some degree or another. Yet this avenue of thought gave me cause to think about the 'innermost parts' of myself. Those parts that are unseen by others but definitely seen by God - and because the word 'real' can be equated with 'true' and the opposite of true is 'false', it started me thinking about my own thoughts and actions that flow from truth... or from falsehood... and the eventual out-workings of both, whether in word or deed.

God tells us that His Word is Faithful and True, just as He Himself is Faithful and True. I don't ever have to wonder when I open my Bible if what I am reading is true, or if what I am reading is real. I may be able to rationalize to a flattering degree the why's and wherefore's of why I do what I do, but God knows the true intentions of my heart, the attitudes that lie within. How 'real', how 'true' are we, with ourselves, with others, before God?

As I mused I thought about God telling us in the Psalms that in us He 'desires Truth in the innermost places'. I thought about Philippians 4 which tells us that we are to let our mind dwell on those things that are True.

Then I thought about this simple conversation...

"Excuse me, Lord, but is all this for real?"

"Well, yes, it is."

"Well, it is just lovely."

The Gift of Time...

2010-01-01T15:22:00.000-08:00

My Great Aunt Nell was born in Scotland, the eldest of ten surviving children, in late October, 1877.

Queen Victoria was on the British throne and bearing the title as the newly crowned 'Empress of India'. Alexander Graham Bell had just installed the world's first commercial telephone service in Hamilton, Ontario and Johannes Brahms had just premiered his '2nd Symphony in D' in Vienna.

Great Aunt Nell (my father's Aunt) emigrated to Canada as a young woman and settled in a lovely little home in the woods that stood very near to where the old Woodword's Building was eventually built in 1903. My father would tell me stories of how she would take the boat from Vancouver down the river to visit friends for a week and never even lock her door. My Aunt Nell loved to garden and bake and I've been told that every one of her teacups and saucers that she had collected over the years had a lovely story behind it. I believe we would have like each other enormously.

Great Aunt Nell had a much younger sister, Meg, who also chose to come, as a young woman, out to Canada. As a very little girl I remember Aunt Meg, then well into her eighties, smelling like lavender and giving me mushy, wet kisses.

Although Nell never married, Meg did, albeit later in life, and it was in Nell's house that the wedding took place. Nell decorated her home for Meg and her groom and their attendants with fresh garden flowers and streamers and a lovely meal...

...the wedding cake of course, baked and decorated by Nell herself!

Just a few days ago (two days before Christmas) the phone rang and because I was up to my elbows in flour and dough I was unable to answer the call. Once I had tidied up my hands a bit, I listened to the message which was from my Uncle's wife saying that she was going to be in the area and would like to come by for a visit. I hesitated only a minute (due to the state of myself and my kitchen) before calling her right back and inviting her to 'come on over!'.

Within 15 minutes she was at the door. She quickly ran back to her car stating that she had a 'gift' for me, and as she lifted it from the front passenger seat of her car I knew exactly what it was. As I stood in the doorway, I was overcome with emotion and could hardly utter a single word. She understood.

My Great Aunt Nell had a clock. This clock had been with Nell since she was a young girl, had seen her emigration from Scotland to Canada and had stood watching over the joyful wedding day of Meg and Jimmy.

After Nell's death, this clock had been passed on to her sister, my Great Aunt Meg, and upon the death of Meg was passed on to my Uncle, her nephew, my dad's brother.

My uncle was the last of my father's siblings, my own father having passed away 5 years ago. Due to circumstances within the family, I had not seen my uncle for over 30 years, and it was through the passing of my dad that we were re-united and were able to enjoy a sweet, although too short, time together. My gift this Christmas was Aunt Nell's clock.

Time is a truly wonderful Gift that no one but God Himself can give. We mark the passing of time and the anticipation of time with clocks and calendars and birthdays, we say things like 'I don't have time' or ' when I have time'. We say that our memories 'take us back in time' or that our imaginations propel us to 'look ahead in time'. Love stories claim that when two lovers' meet 'time stands still'. In the Spring we say 'we move time ahead', and in the Fall we say that ''we move time back'. Yet Time cannot be manipulated by our desires or by our circumstances, Time simply... Is. Time is, and always has, remained faithful. Time moves always forward, for you can never really go back; and whether we chart it by years, months or hours, Time remains constant... a beautiful, constant, flow.

Time Himself brought Nell and Meg into existence for an ordained period of time upon this earth. And although Time did not have us to be young at the same moment, the flow of Time goes on and the blessing of Time has brought us somehow together.

This New Year's Eve, my husband and I sat in the glow of candlelight as Aunt Nell's clock chimed in the New Year. Each rich, melodious strike of the 150 year old clock, caused me to think of the Gift of Time watching over us... and to give thanks.

Women of Many Hats!

2009-12-23T15:03:00.000-08:00

I had a lovely few hours over at my friend Linda's last week. It was a time to exchange Christmas gifts, talk about our lives, our families, our grandchildren.

We had a tender time of contemplative worship as we listened to music pointing towards the coming of our King. And then these two grannies did what all girls love to do... we played dress-up with hats!

After I left, I still had afternoon errands to run, dinner to make and then off to evening church services...

I wore a hat.

To Your Health...!

2009-12-14T14:21:00.000-08:00

Ten years ago, while undergoing my regular yearly physical, my doctor casually mentioned something about the importance of women maintaining healthy Adrenals. News to me. I didn't even know I had an Adrenal, let alone where it might be located or that I was supposed to be keeping it healthy. Apparently, she detected my blatant ignorance because I left her office with a freshly photocopied page of Basic Adrenal Gland Information. As I made my way through the corridors to the elevator I was thinking of how little I knew of my own body.... amazing.

The basics are as follows... we all have two Adrenal Glands, each one about the size of a walnut and each one sitting atop each one of our kidneys. By the way, "ad" means "over" and "renal" means "kidneys" so... "over the kidneys", (found that one out on my own, but don't worry you won't be quizzed on this!). Apparently, the job of the Adrenals is to secrete steroid hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and of course adrenalin, which is also a hormone, all of them essential to our overall health and vitality. The hormones secreted by the Adrenals affects the function of every tissue and organ of our body... and that includes our brain!

The function of the Adrenals is to keep our bodies reacting in a healthy and productive way to the stresses in our lives. They help our internal and external bodies cope with stress whether it be emotional or physical (such as an injury), and call to attention every single cell in our body to respond accordingly. The problem is that when the stresses in our lives are prolonged, either through improper diet, too little sleep, over indulgence, family or financial stresses (you get the idea), the Adrenals become fatigued (or even burn out) which results in a lack of the production of hormones that we so vitally need; which means that our bodies cannot respond and adapt properly to the stresses in every day life which leads to physical and mental strain, which only adds... you got it... more stress!

So how do we keep our little Kidney Sitters healthy and happy is the question. Well, here are a few things that you can begin to do over the holiday season to add to the overall health of your Adrenals...

~ Control your blood sugar through balanced meals

of proteins, fats and carbs

~ Breathe in fresh oxygen daily for 30 minutes

(go for a walk)

~ Engage in some form of exercise that you enjoy

dancing

yoga

biking

~ Use a dry, body brush to stimulate your body skin each morning
(brush towards the heart)
~ Get at least nine hours of sleep per night

~ Stretch often
~ Find and take advantage of quiet moments throughout the day
to relax and unwind

~ Cultivate an attitude of gratitude in all things

~ Laugh daily

~ Cultivate good and healthy (in person) relationships

~ Drink water... often!

Of course, physical health is just one aspect.... spiritual health is another. Jesus said... "Everyone that drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the Water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the Water that I give him will become in him a well of Water springing up to Eternal Life... If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink..."

Yes, our bodies are wonderfully made by God... taking care of them in a healthy, balanced way, with an attitude of gratitude... honours Him; but the "coming to Him and drinking of the Living Water" gives place to Him in our lives and brings us spiritual Health and Well-being.

And so... Here's To Your Health!

May you have a blessed Christmas.

with love,

Monday Musings... Is It Just Me?

2009-12-07T13:58:00.000-08:00

OK, so fine. I am just going to write this, get it off my chest and then edit it like crazy when I am done if I have gone too far.

This year I am so off christmas it isn't even funny. Not Christmas, but christmas. You know, the christmas of the vortex of a plastic jesus in a plastic manger, of things that light up and blink with their mechanical chip implants that say, 'HO HO HO' or 'Merry christmas', or sing 'Santa Baby' while they whirl and wiggle and shake until their ever lovin' ever readies crash.

Don't get me wrong. I love Rudolph and chestnuts roasting on an open fire, sleigh bells and Bing Crosby letting me know that he is dreaming of a white christmas and wishing me days that are merry and bright. Snowmen have always been pleasant to me and good cheer is never old or unfashionable... but...

As we hauled out the boxes full of decorations this year I was already sick of it... and this from a girl who is known for decorating mid-November! In all honesty, most of our decorations remained in the boxes while I put up a few things here and there. This Christmas, my home decorating attempts are definitely more reflective of what is in my heart.

On this side of the Cross, the Beauty of Christmas is no longer found in a manger, but in the reality of the Risen Christ. The Simplicity of Christmas is 'Joy to the world, the Lord is come, let earth receive her King, let every heart prepare Him room...' - there may have been no room for Him at the inn - but is there room today for Him in our hearts.

I know that I loved Him just as much in years gone by, when I decorated my home lavishly. But this Christmas, the reflection of my heart seems to be an uncluttered openness towards Him and a 'cleaning out' of the trappings of the world's idea of christmas... that's all.

Perhaps you are sensing the same thing this year, perhaps not. If it is just me, I am totally fine with that. As Edna would say... it is what it is!

One thing I know for sure is that the Reality of His Joy remains, long after the christmas decorations are packed away for yet another year and the reindeer have taken the sleigh back to the north pole.

Of all the gifts I have ever received, as lovely and meaningful as many of them have been, there is only One Gift that is with me Always and Forever... may He look upon me and truly see a most grateful child.

To Your Health... Quinoa!

2009-11-30T14:47:00.000-08:00

As I began making another pot of Quinoa today (pronounced KEEN-WAH), I thought that perhaps sharing this food with you would be a great way to introduce the first of the Self Care postings, 'To Your Health... !'

I have been enjoying the taste and the benefits of this little seed for almost twenty years now, and although it is not a common item found in most kitchens today, perhaps it will find a home in yours, once you learn how wonderful it can be for your health!

When I first began eating Quinoa I thought that it must be a grain, but I was surprised to learn that it is actually a seed that is closely related to Beets, Spinach and Swiss Chard and that it was once considered the 'gold' of the Incas because it notably increased the stamina of their warriors!

Because I love history I was fascinated as to why I had to hear about this food from a nutritionist and not find it on the tables of families and friends, and it's because that although Quinoa has been grown in Peru and Chile and Bolivia for over 5,000 years, it was not until 1980, when two Americans discovered the concentration of nutrients in Quinoa, that they were given permission to bring it back to Colorado and to try and cultivate it there.

My Italian sister-in-law says that when cooked, Quinoa reminds her, in looks, of cous-cous, yet the taste of Quinoa is somewhat 'nutty' and it has a really nice fluffy texture. But here is the thing... Quinoa is packed with high PROTEIN, and not only that, but the protein found in Quinoa is a complete protein meaning that it includes all nine of the essential amino acids, particularly lysine which is essential for tissue growth and repair!

Quinoa is also known for other nutrients essential for good health like manganese, magnesium, iron, copper and phosphorus. I remember a nutritionist telling me that Quinoa was not only a good food choice for everyone, but particularly those suffering with migraine headaches, because of its high content of magnesium and riboflavin. It is also a good choice for promoting better cardiovascular health, particularly in menopausal women; and because of its content of copper and manganese, Quinoa is an excellent antioxidant... and it is a great source of insoluble fibre! And there was an article that came out of the New England Journal of Medicine a few years ago that stated that Quinoa has the ability to substantially lower the risk of Type 2 Diabetes due to its high concentration of lignans.

I think you get my drift... Quinoa is good for you!

My favorite way to have it is with my dinner meal, a great substitute for starchy white potatoes! Sometimes I'll just place a cup of cooked Quinoa in the middle of my plate and then place my favorite steamed vegetables over top. I love to serve it along side a serving of chicken wings and another favorite dish of mine, Beets and Kabachi Squash. I won't be offended if you do not say YUM! with me, but really, unless you've tried it, don't be too quick to knock it!

As far a getting your hands on some Quinoa, try your local health food store, and when you get it home I would suggest placing it in a plastic freezer bag and storing it in the freezer to prolong its freshness (8 to 9 months).

Making it is a snap, just rinse it under cold water in a sieve and then place in a pot with water, the ratio being 1 part Quinoa to 2 parts water, bring to boil, turn down to simmer, cover and remove from heat when soft and fluffy (approx. 15-20 minutes).

Then serve with a few chopped green onions and peas tossed through, or get creative and come up with your own way to implement it into your meals. Remember, it's 'To Your Health!'

P.S. This is just the coolest thing... my youngest son, knowing what my posting subject was today, said that he was watching a football game on TV a few days ago and the quarterback was talking about his healthy diet and credited his new found strength and stamina to.... QUINOA! (I'm just sayin'...)

The Gift of Sisters

2009-11-26T19:49:00.000-08:00

click on pictures to enlarge

Just look at some of the wonderful women that I got to hang out with this morning, and let me just say that we had us some pretty amazing Bible Study and fellowship together!

Margaret and I both arrived at the same time thinking that it was so quiet we must have gotten something wrong... the time... the place... that date?

But nope. Once Angie opened the door we saw Debbie sitting at the table and the other girls began coming through the door one after the other!

Edna has just returned from Mexico and is as BROWN as anyone I have ever seen! White was definitely in her colour palette for this morning... and that is why she was sitting beside me! My pale, washed out winter complexion certainly highlighted her 'golden hue' beautifully! Edna had brought some beautiful bookmarks for each of us from Mexico, I could just kick myself for not taking a picture of them... they were made from avocado leaves and hand painted. That's not all I could kick myself for... I forgot to choose one for myself as they were passed around the table! Edna, could you choose one for me and keep it until we see each other again?

Joan looked so Christmasy in her red and as always she was a wealth of information in our study. She even brought hymnals for our time of worship... but more about that in a minute.

Angie had the coffee brewing to warm everyone up on this very wet, rainy, grey morning, and there were a few bowls of goodies on the table to snack on as well.

Margaret and I took this quick 'self portrait'... usually I cut off part of the head whenever I attempt to do this, and even if we both look a little dubious about the result of our efforts, I was just pleased that we came out... whole!

Wendy was so please when her daughter Cat was able to come this morning. Did you know that we have four sets of mothers and daughters that are doing this study together? Not all of them were able to make it this morning, but I am thrilled that Wendy and her daughter Cat, Angie and her daughter Marnie, Debbie and her daughter Sherri, and Margaret and her daughter Jill are with us!

After Angie opened our Bible Study in prayer, committing all things to the One Who had gathered us together, and after we had all agreed with our collective, Amen!, Debbie burst out with... OK, I have a question! And we were off and running!

After our study time together we had a time of worshipful singing. Marnie's dog Dash joined in... and let me just say that Angie's cat Bandit made a contribution 'of sorts' as well!

Again, I could just kick myself for not getting pictures of those two!

Lovely gifts were handed out, and as usual our hostess Angie lavished us with gorgeous desserts, delightful presents and the warm and hospitable ambiance of her home. It was a wonderful morning and after our many good-bye hugs and lingering conversations at the front door, all I could think of as I was driving away was... "Lord, you have blessed me beyond measure in the gift of my precious sisters."

Aging, Well!

2009-11-24T11:53:00.000-08:00

This morning, in between figuring out what dinner would be for tonight and washing up the few extra dishes by hand that would not fit into the dishwasher, I was thinking about time. Well, actually I was thinking about age, but perhaps upon second glance they are not such distant cousins as we might first think.

My thinking really wasn't that deep, so you probably won't find anything profound here, but for some reason I remembered a long ago visit that my Uncle and I made to see a friend of his that lived way up in the heights of North Vancouver. My Uncle was a Scotsman and my recollection is that his friend was as well and that they had met through work quite soon after my Uncle had emigrated to Canada.

I had visited this home a few times for gatherings and I always remember the lovely library that they had. It was a richly furnished home and their enormous windows looked out over the Vancouver landscape. The library was beautifully furnished in warm but cheery colours and whenever I visited in the evenings, after dinner I would be allowed to sit by myself in this wonderful place, and while the lights of Vancouver twinkled below through the expansive window, I would settle myself into the wing backed chair and begin to read a book that I had been allowed to choose from a shelf. On one occasion I was given a hard bound copy of 'The Lady of the Light'; in retrospect I really think that it was chosen under the assumption that it was about Florence Nightingale (The Lady of the Lamp), but I have to say this one that I had been given was pretty racy for a 9 year old... I remember something about 'stolen kisses' in the evening under a large tree on the grounds of an estate where a dance was being held sometime in the 1800's.

But this particular visit was not going to find me in the library, because the whole purpose of the visit was to wish my Uncle's friend a happy birthday. While they enjoyed their conversation, I patiently waited for a bit of a pause between them, and when it came I was finally able to ask, "How old are you?". I was very quickly told by my Uncle that this is not a polite question and as they continued their time together I resigned myself to the fact that I was never going to know. (But I do remember thinking at the time that he must have been 'quite old'; in retrospect, he was probably just about five years older than I find my own sweet self today! Jeesh!)

Like most 9 years olds, I knew that having another birthday was a big deal, after all once 9 was gotten through it was into the double digits for me! Why this man could not proudly declare his age, and why it had all of a sudden become 'not polite' to ask was beyond me. Children are very careful to state their milestones according to their age... "I am nine"... I am nine and a half". Funny how I don't seem to have maintained this same enthusiasm throughout the years.

When you are nine years old you are counting UP and it is exciting to think what all lies ahead up there! Then there comes 'the age', distinctly different for each one of us (the wrong side of 40, 50, 60?), where all of a sudden, even though the numbers are continuing to go up... we begin to view it as counting DOWN! And to be perfectly honest, it just doesn't seem to be as exciting as we look at what all lies ahead down there!

Now, as a woman of faith I am counting UP, in the sense that I know where and with Whom my ultimate destiny of the ages lies. But when it comes to just plain earthly age... time does take it's toll!

And so here is what I am thinking.... instead of going through life with a number on our backs (and let's face it, you can be 30 and feel 70, you can be 70 and feel 30), how much better it would be if we were to embrace the changes we see in ourselves through each passing year, and be determined to take care of these glorious bodies that God has given to us through good nutrition, exercise, and a proper perspective on aging itself.

For the past twenty years I have been very aware of what 'good health' really is.... physically, mentally and spiritually, and I would like to share some of that here, at Pure Grace, from time to time to encourage you into better self care. Self care is not self indulgence, nor is it selfish... self care gives glory and honour to the One that created you and Who has purposes that He would see worked out in you. God's purposes in you are not cut off at age 65! Self care is about keeping our body, mind and spirit healthy so that we are available in ANY season of life. Self care is also not about lengthening our days, as our individual time clocks have been wound by God Himself and it is He that has determined the length of our days upon this earth. Self care is about the quality of life that we have at any given time.

I also know some pretty incredible women that totally get what true 'self care' is about and I would like to share their stories with you as well. I am also thinking of the younger women that I see coming behind me, that need to see 'older women' honouring God through balanced self care. And by the way, I am a big believer that to a 10 year old, a fifteen year old is an 'older women', so as we reach to those ahead of us, and reach to those behind us, we are building into women of ALL ages, a healthy view of age, beauty and the benefits of good nutrition, exercise and attention to their faith.

I look forward to sharing with you and I also look forward to you sharing back through the Comment section of the Pure Grace Room.

with love,

I'm BACK!

2009-11-20T14:13:00.000-08:00

I'm Back! These past few weeks have been FULL and while I may not having been writing here at Pure Grace, you can catch up with some of my doings in the Room to Read and the On-Line Study!

In keeping with the theme of 'I'm Back' I attended my late morning appointment with my chiropracter today. My back has been 'tweeking' on me the last week or so and I thought that perhaps it was time to have it attended to.

When I originally made the appointment earlier this week, the receptionist inquired as to how long it had been since I had visited the office. I thought for a moment and replied that it was probably about 8 years ago. When she had finally located my file, I was informed that my last visit was in January 1990... two months shy of TWENTY YEARS AGO! Time flies when you are having fun!

When I arrived for my appointment there was the inevitable clipboard and pen, complete with paperwork to to fill in. While setting myself upon this small task, the two women next to me were leaning into a little book that they were both obviously captivated by and discussing quite deeply (and loudly) their theories on the deep meaning and significance of... Sudoku! As I sat there filling in all my little blanks, I felt like I was getting a free tutorial on the game. Honestly, they were discussing this like two highly educated professors, they were expounding on their theories of the great minds that had put this game together and took it all the way to the amazing benefits and impact that it has had upon our society today. Hmm-mm... Fascinating.

Another thing that fascinated me was that every single person that entered through the door after I arrived were either as crooked as a pretzel or unable to move their head without turning their entire bodies around; and yet every single one of them (eight, I counted), when upon arriving and checking in at the desk, responded to the receptionist's cheery greeting of "Hi, how ya doin?'", with an impressive and lusty, "Good thanks!". Hmm-mm... Interesting.

I was finally called into the examination room to wait for the doctor. I waited... and waited... and waited... and then pulled out my camera and took a couple of pictures.

He finally arrived and the consultation began. I have been asked to return late this afternoon to have x-rays taken (No Charge. I must be a fascinating case) whereupon we will set up another appointment while he looks over the x-ray of my bony frame and decides the best course of action.

His diagnosis... as I am only 5 years younger than he, he was quite surprised at how young I look for my age and said that I seem to be in very good shape and appear healthy. Oh, and my pelvis is tilting to the left; my lower back is knotted up; my neck is tight; and my left leg is a tad shorter that the right when I sit down and put my legs straight out. I like the first two observations best, they appeal to my sense of denial!

As I left the office I passed by posters of smiling men and women rock climbing, snow boarding, golfing and water skiing... sure, their backs are probably wonderfully limber and loose, legs all the same length, necks able to turn full circle... but I wonder if they have recently been told how young they look for their age...

I'll 'Be Back' at their office in a few hours... sigh.

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow!

2009-11-04T12:31:00.000-08:00

While on my way home recently, I made a quick trip to the grocery store, before leaving I thought that I would swing by the magazine aisle and pick up a hair magazine since I had an appointment the following day and thought that I could do with a style change.

Now, you have to know that I have not purchased a magazine in... years! If I do feel like reading one, I usually just check them out at the local library and two weeks later check them back in again. So anyway, there I am, standing before a ridiculously vast selection of magazines... all devoted to hair. As I began to flip through the pages I found one that seemed to reflect what I wanted to try. After choosing my magazine I turned to the cover page to find the price, all the while having a little conversation all to myself in my head... “Hmmm, that’s odd, they always use to put the price at the top right hand corner... and who are these 20 year old celebrities on the cover, anyway? I haven’t a clue who they are..."

Finally I spotted a woman who worked at the store and asked her if she could tell me the price of that particular magazine. She looked a little incredulous, but pointed to the bar code at the bottom right hand corner and kept on walking. “Oh great, I didn’t bring my readers with me, how am I supposed to read this? OK, if I just stretch out my arm and pull my head back, alright, that’s better.... looks like... looks like two dol... (eyes adjusting)... looks like twelve ninety-five, yep, that’s what it is ... twelve ninety- five! What? I only pay fifteen for my cut!”

Back went the magazine and I cashed out at just under nine dollars for my onions and two tubs of plain probiotic yogurt... I’ll just be descriptive in telling my hairdresser what I want and take my chances!

Beckoned Beyond My Window

2009-11-02T14:26:00.000-08:00

The sky was blue, the air was crisp and the Fall colours through my window beckoned me outside... so away I went!

There are just some days when something in the air makes you feel like you are 12 again. After being cooped up with a cold I was ready to head outdoors; I had no idea where I was going, but I was ready to enjoy the beauty of the day as I went!

After an hour or so, as I was heading back home, I passed a portion of land that I used to ride horses in when I was much younger. As I glanced over at the farm, I saw two young horses and one rider, cantering around in the paddock... before I really even had time to think, I found myself walking across the damp, spongy ground in front of the barn and heading to the fence that surrounded the paddock.

I waved hello and both the horses and rider came over to see me, along with another woman I had not seen from the road, who was standing watching as well. It turned out that the rider and the other woman were sisters, and that this lovely little 6 month old filly was a gift, from one sister to the other, given just that morning!

They were both delighted that I had stopped by to say hello and introduced me to little 'Jazzy' who had only just been separated from her mother 3 days previous, but who had obviously found a new mother in her new owner Allison.

While I was there, Jazzy took a sudden urge to run around the paddock and half way through her run she jumped over the set up rails... Allison, beaming, said that if she had not seen it with her own eyes, she never would have believed it! Proud mama...

After a lovely visit and lively conversation it was time to go; I have been told that I have an open invitation to drop by whenever I would like....

Perhaps I will, on another day, when Life beckons me beyond my window, take them up on that offer!

And The Winner Is...

2009-10-25T21:13:00.000-07:00

At the beginning of the Pure Grace Sweeter Than Chocolate On-Line Study, I had made a Beaded Bookmark to be given as an End of Study Giveaway.

Congratulations Jan! If anyone grew in leaps and bounds during these past 6 weeks, surely you must be counted among their number!

I believe that it was in Week Three that you said in the Comment Cafe... "Hi Cathie,

I am still here! I too have been struggling a bit with the length of Lesson 3. I almost did not attend our group session on Thursday because I felt I was just going around and around not getting anywhere..."

Just 4 short days later, you wrote, "... I also am finding that the studying is going better this week and I am even getting into the Digging Deeper sidebars. I have also been reading 1 Samuel and now am starting 2 Samuel. I have been in Genesis and Joshua and plan on reading Jeremiah 18 as well. I am finding that, for me, the Psalm is getting clearer and easier to understand. Vs. 96 was causing me a bit of difficulty understanding what the psalmter was trying to say but then reading all the translations of that verse clarified my thinking. I have really enjoyed this week...."

And 11 days after that, you wrote, "Hi to all my sisters in Christ,
I have had another burst of understanding this week. I am sure I should have 'gotten" this before but I am one of the simple that the psalmist speaks about in vs 130. Cathie, I remember how you spoke about using God's word to explain God's word and I never quite understood but this week with the help of my sisters I began to do much more cross-referencing than I had done before and I really began to see how God's word builds on God's word. I felt as if a lightbulb had flicked light on over my head just like you see in the comics. I began to see how checking 1 cross-reference led to another and I could feel my understanding of what was being said greatly increase. Like I have said many times, it seems to take me a wee bit longer to catch on but eventually I do. I am blessed by that verse, knowing that God will have patience with me and will give me understanding, even if it takes a while...."

And just 3 days after that, you were the first one to fly through the door of the Comment Cafe, coming prepared with the research you had done on the Trinity and presenting it to your sisters! You said, "I am so excited this morning. I was working on my study late last night when I got to the question aboout the Hebrew word for salvation which the psalmist hoped and longed for. YESHUA!!! Meaning help, deliverance. saving... I am going to do more looking as I know you have said we should be careful about commentators but I was beside myself last night to see how everything in the Bible fits together to point to our Lord Jesus as the Messiah.

More later.

It was the "more later" that just sent me into giggles and my joy over the top! Jan, it is with great love that I pass along to you this little Bookmark. May it be a reminder to you of the precious time that you spent, close to The Word, Yeshua!, in Psalm 119. You have been an inspiration and an encouragement to all of us, and we just plain love you, o-o-odles!

love,

Join Us!

2009-10-19T17:42:00.000-07:00

Seven Frog'ettes' Out For Lunch!

2009-10-08T15:56:00.000-07:00

I had the sheer pleasure this morning of spending time in Bible Study with Edna, Margaret, Cat, Wendy, Jan, Debbie and Joan. It was so good to be together again in person, to share what we had been learning through our study of Psalm 119, to ask questions and dig deeper into God's Word.

Then it was out to lunch at the Frogstone Grill! Chatter, chatter, chatter and lots of laughter... like I said it was a sheer pleasure. I will be posting more in the On-Line Bible Study Room, but until then, here are a few pictures for you to look through... enjoy!

Monday Musings.... Please Do Not Disturb!

2009-10-05T18:13:00.000-07:00

My 'Little Room' was actually my eldest son's room until the day that he was married... slowly, things got cleared out, wall paper was removed, new paint adorned the walls and the "Little Room' was born.

The banner at the top of the Pure Grace page is a picture of the side-table beside the chaise lounge in the 'Little Room' and it's here where I place my mug each morning during my time of prayer and Bible reading. I chose this picture because of the interplay of shadows, of the darkness and light, against the wall.

This room is where I study and put together Bible Studies and write postings for the different Rooms of Pure Grace. It is also the place where my husband and I share the happenings of our day after he arrives home after work. It is where my children and grand baby will quite often find themselves gathering, sitting in the rocking chair, on the floor with pillows tucked behind backs or on the cushioned chaise lounge. It is a well used and well love 'Little Room'.

Everything in this room has meaning to me, the teacup given as an act of love by a woman that I took through a study in the book of John; my husband's little cream coloured Bible that he had as a child; my grandmother's pearls; summer lavender and pictures of dear friends; my children's great-grandmother's linen and a silk rose from my son's wedding; an original painting from Scotland depicting a Morning Walk along the beach of the Hebrides... everywhere my eye alights I see meaning and memories.

I took the 'Do Not Disturb' request off the door, it was unnecessary. To be disturbed in life is ....well, life! The daily disturbance of our daily 'doings' just happens as we live within the circle of those that we have been placed in the midst of. Spouses, children, friends, neighbours, circumstances, phone calls... disturbance and interruptions are just a part of living, and they come in all different shapes, sizes and forms.

However, to be disturbed within our souls is another matter entirely and goes so much deeper, it is the disturbance that breaks up the soul's inner quiet, making it uneasy or upset. The peace and contentment that I have with my God today has been deeply settled within my soul, yet, I have surely known times of intense disturbance of the soul and it was at those times that I found myself, like David crying out, "Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance, and my God." Interestingly, it has many times been through the disturbance of my soul that my soul has found it's greatest rest and peace and contentment in God; the Lord surely is my Good Shepherd and I shall not want, He has made me to lie down in green pastures and has led me beside the quiet waters; He has restored my soul.

Much of my crying out to God has occurred in this 'Little Room', a room which no longer bears the request of 'Do Not Disturb', but instead a sign which is more fitting.

I'll tell you something though, it may just be the 'Little Room', but it has held within it, and brought forth from it, an abundance through and unto God!