Why God why?

When was the last time you asked God the 'why' question?  Sometimes, when things just don't make sense we find ourselves trying to reason and understand how our particular set of circumstances came to be. We want to DO SOMETHING! We are frustrated with where we are or losing hope to see our dreams come true. I experienced one of those seasons this fall and God's timing was perfect as our Pastor, Julian Freeman was completing a series on Genesis.

His sermon called - The God of Astonishingly Complex Providence addressed this question so succinctly.  As a followup to our weekly services most of our congregation meets in small groups and discusses how the biblical principles taught are being adopted and accepted.  With Julian's permission I am sharing these thought provoking questions with you because I found them so profound. 

1. At the heart of the ‘why’ question there are several presuppositions: (1) that you are able to understand; (2) that it would be better to know; (3) that you deserve to know why; (4) that God needs to explain himself to me; and (5) that if there’s no good explanation, God had better fix it.
• What are the ‘why’ questions you are prone to ask God (in your thoughts)?
• Are you hopeful that you’ll trust God more consistently now (and question him less)? Why/Why not?
• We sometimes fail to see the severity of questioning God. What’s wrong with having a light hearted attitude toward our struggles in this area?
2. Trust in God’s providence gives us contentment with our lot.
• Are you content? If so, how can you attest to God’s grace in your being contentedness. If not, ways have you been struggling with discontentment?
• What are you failing to trust God for? Explain how truth from Genesis 37-39 can help you in your battle for contentment?  
• How would trusting in God’s providence change the way you are deal with your current circumstances (and make you more obedient now)?
3. Trust in God’s providence gives patience for his work in others.
• What is it so hard for you to be patient with (in other people)?
• How would a long-view of God’s providential work in the world help your patience towards these people?

The sermons in this series were for me, timely and exceptionally impactful.  Coming to terms with God's providence, sovereignty, our dreams and ultimately the fact that our lives are a very small part of His story.  I found this series to be freeing, encouraging and inspirational all at the same time.  My journey to coming to complete surrender to God has been a long one....50 years of preparation in fact.  I've chosen the long painful way so very often and yet God has been faithful.  Coming to the conclusion is that He works in mysterious ways, His ways are always better than anything I could come up with.  Ahhh....letting go....and hanging on to His promises.

It is really very simple as the hymn says "Trust and obey, for there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey"

I am free to choose to serve my God and He doesn't need me, I need Him!  Thank you Julian for putting life here on 'planet hollywood' into the proper perspective.  I am developing patience.  

Reflecting on turning 50!

50! Is it just a number or is it more?  So many people have struggled with turning a certain age. I remember a friend not wanting to celebrate their 40th birthday, it was about their expectation of what life was supposed to look like at 40.  Is that why the milestone birthdays affect people?

Each new year I like to take the time to reflect on the past year and look forward to what lies on the horizon.  As I approach the 50 mile marker I find myself in transition once again.  This journey has definitely not been a dull one.  I chose to follow Christ as a teenager and the older I get the more I realize how much I don't know.

As Joyce Meyer often puts it "I'm not where I want to be but thank God I'm not where I use to be".  I see God's handiwork everywhere in my life.  I have so many reasons to be thankful.  If I never accomplished another thing...with God's help I've raised 5 incredible young adults.  No career could surpass the joy of seeing five lives choosing a faith walk.

I see so many families with young children and can encourage you to stay the course, fight the good fight of teaching a disciplined life to your kids. They do come back and thank you when they become adults!

For all those women that are aspiring to become Proverbs 31 women, I can tell you that the moment your children 'arise and call her blessed' every sleep deprived night, the hundreds of nursemaid moments, the many repeated discussions and countless hours as a taxi driver are all worth it.

One of life's greatest moments recently has been to watch my child become a parent and bond with their baby.  To know that they are capable of loving and leading.

I can look back and remember the people I've loved and lost. Today I look around me and am thankful for the many programs that have inspired me to continue to grow (Coffee Break, Amway, Divorce Care, Celebrate Recovery) and the coaches/counsellors that have given me perspective when I've lost sight of the bigger goals. It is truly the people; family, friends and small groups that help us see who we are and how we can improve.

I've moved 16 times now and I know there will be more to add to that number. From empty nesting to hot flashes....there is always a new season of adjustment.

I look forward and own my choices in work and play. I treasure each new day as a fresh start with God's grace and mercy as ^'I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.' Phil 3:14 

I encourage others to discover their God given gifts and pursue their destiny, knowing that we are not islands and one day we'll account for our time here on earth.

My birthday wish is that you may know the richness of serving others in love and measure success by the number of lives you affect along the way.

This is your life...

Have you ever had a 24 hour period of your life that helped you to put things into perspective?

I had a great couple over for dinner on Saturday night and they were telling me about a story about two young men that intersected their lives recently.  Two young men that were choosing to start over in a humble way and take full responsibility for their lives.  We then had a discussion about a home business idea and how its success could impact their lives.

I went to bed with a smile on my face knowing that these two people had found each other and were sharing a journey that was filled with God's purpose.

I am a member of Grace Fellowship - Don Mills and so Sunday I awoke and prepared to hear what God was going to share with this church family.  Our Pastor spoke about how we read and apply the Bible.  What struck me was walking out our belief and being able to ask God about His promises.  I have a huge promise in my heart that I had prayed about that morning. and here was God via Julian saying go ahead and ask, but don't just ask believe My answer and live accordingly.

Next I met with a couple I hadn't seen in over 10 years and they were as gracious and kind as I had remembered.  They extended a warm welcome and said where would you like to go?  They would like to work with me to achieve my goals and dreams.  They reminded me that motivation is comprised of motive to take action.  What is my motive and what do I want to achieve?  Great questions.

I had a hour drive to my next appointment and pondered their questions.  The next couple I met are the wonderful parents of a very close friend that we recently lost to cancer.  We laughed at some of the memories and cried as we shared how much we miss him.  This beautiful couple that are in their senior years spoke of how much they'd like to build relationships with their grandchildren still.

I came home and enjoyed a glorious sunset on my balcony and then spent an hour watching various fireworks going off throughout the city.  All the while pondering how each day God gives us is a reason for celebration, whether it be tears of joy or sadness life is made richer by the people we share the experiences with.

I will continue to invest my life into the people God brings across my path and store my treasures in heaven. 

The Bible and why it's the best selling book ever!

Do You Love God's Word?

One of the first books to come off the printing press when it was invented was the Bible. And it’s still the world’s best-selling book. An anonymous author has written: ‘It contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the fate of sinners, and the happiness of believers. It is a light to direct you, food to nourish you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveller’s road map, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s weapon, and the player’s game plan. It’s a mine of incredible wealth, and a river of genuine joy. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Christ is its grand subject, your good its design, and the glory of God its end. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be spiritually healthy. Read it slowly, frequently and prayerfully. Let it fill your memory, rule your heart, and guide your steps. It is given to you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and be remembered for ever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labour, and judge those who trifle with its sacred contents.’ The Bible is ‘The word of our God which shall stand forever…’ (1Peter 1:25). Most of us respect the Bible; the trouble is we don’t read it daily and put it into practice. After hearing a discussion on various translations of the Bible, one man said: ‘I prefer my mother’s translation, because she translated it into everyday life.’ Are you doing that?

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.' Matthew 24:35 NIV

This is my favourite online devotional.  The author is Bob Gass

Living, Loving and Letting go

Walking along side a friend through an illness teaches you much about that person, yourself and everyone affected.  I recently lost one of my best friends.  When he became aware of his brain tumor almost two years ago he took it in stride and remained hopeful to the very end of his life here on earth.  He would say "I have peace either way Kathy, whichever God prefers".  His sense of humour and testimony of faith were beautiful to witness.

During one of my hospital visits Bob asked me to bring in my laptop and let him update his facebook status.  We took a picture and posted it.  He had over 140 responses within 24 hrs.  This man touched lives!  His gift was to serve and he genuinely put others first.

The friends and family I got to meet through this journey just confirmed how humble and loving this man was.   He served so many people in his lifetime that it was an honour to be able to serve him near the end.  His parents are amazing people, no wonder Bob was so thoughtful. 

Each visit I was reminded that it may be my last...is that not how we are supposed to live each day?  Bob blessed me with unconditional love and acceptance, he was my biggest fan.  I think of you often my friend and am living each day to the fullest.

To know that he is now dancing before his Lord and Saviour makes me smile.  His visitation and memorial service were packed with people from every area of his life.  He made a friend wherever he went and if anyone chose not to accept his offer of a relationship it was their loss.

Here is the tribute video his son-in-law and daughter prepared for him:

Until we meet again Bob, thank you from the bottom of my heart for our years as sojourners. 

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