A theme this week has been going through trials and enduring hardships.  I read James 1:2-4 in devotional readings and found that even though those verses are familiar - I memorized them in highschool in preparation for Bible quizzing - new truth seemed to permeate my heart.

"Count it all joy..." is how James 1:2 starts off and it seems like the absolute opposite to what we normally say when we face trials.  How can we consider it a joyful experience to undergo painful and overwhelming circumstances?  James go on to explain how to work it through.  "Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." (verse 3)  Trials are a test.  How can we know if we pass or fail the testing standards of these trials?

God has great things in store for us in following His ways.  They include growth and strength.  He doesn't want us to remain like babies, infants in our faith.  He doesn't want us to be weak, undeveloped and immature.  So God designs, or allows, difficulties to stretch us and determine where our faith and trust really lies.

James continues to teach the benefits of persevering.   "Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (verse 4)  Being tested involves enduring through unpleasant, uncomfortable and impossible circumstances.  If we don't endure and quit prematurely before God's work by the Holy Spirit is complete, we circumvent the process.  I think we can agree we all want to be mature and whole, or complete.  We don't want to be lacking anything!  We desire to be spiritual, to be wise, to be strong and healthy.  But it costs.  It takes hard work and resolve.  And it requires us to trust God through these trials and not drop out too soon.

 Listening to a friend's son who is in seminary, speak on this passage of James, really spoke to me.  He explained how the trials we face are "of many kinds."  (verse 1) God doesn't have one-size fits all hardships for His children to work through; we will face trials that are specifically for our individual journeys.  Sometimes the trials may be physical and our health may be in jeopardy.  Or it could be a financial difficulty.  Or a relationship struggle.  Or a family problem.  No matter what the details are, the Lord will give us strength to endure.  His grace is sufficient for all that we must face.  Like a loving father who must discipline his children, our God is always with us and supporting and guiding us even when it feels like He abandons us through tough times.

Be strong, my friends.  Don't give up.  Stand firm and don't quit.  You may be right on the verge of breaking through! And when you have stood the trial and passed the test, God rewards with maturity, completion and the crown of life.  (James 1:12)

May the Lord bless you, whatever you are enduring.  His promises will never fail.

 

 Have you ever made plans, arranged all the details, worked out time, place and menu just to find out that the calendar actually had something else recorded there?

Well, that happened this week.  To me.  Again.

I've done it before, and should have learned from the past.  But at least I realized it before I had a collision of events and people showing up at the same time.  So, with a quick run to the grocery store and a cancellation text for Friday night supper plans, we're good to go!

We'll be hosting some reps for Nipawin Bible College who are part of a  conference this weekend.  I baked some banana muffins and Crackerjack cookies.  I've got a pot of chili simmering in the slow cooker.  They will need bag lunches for Friday and Saturday so I've stocked up on buns, meat, cheese and granola bars!  I had to hunt around for the good ole brown bags.  Safeway doesn't carry them anymore.  But Dollar Store did.  

I do love hosting people and I think one of our spiritual gifts is hospitality.  In our first house, we only had two bedrooms, so we would give up our master bedroom to guests.  A hand-me-down trundle bed served as our extra bed and we would sleep on it in our baby's room back in the day!  We lived in North Central Regina, where our guests would park on the street and take the risk of break-ins.  The wail of sirens would wake those who hadn't gotten used to it.  That was our reality, our ministry.  And we welcomed people for meals, a bed and fellowship.

Now, we are empty-nesters and have extra three beds, two couches and plenty of floor space!  In summer, we can set up a tent for the adventurous ones.  And our wonderful home boasts three full bathrooms so lineups aren't too long! Our master suite is lovely and we don't give it up anymore.  We have our bed and familiar pillows, our own bathroom including a huge walk-in shower.  Even though we love company, it is nice to have a sanctuary where we can rest and then be ready to serve our guests.

 We have a great weekend ahead.  Just need to keep our eyes on our calendar!

 

 Spring is in the air!

I know, just because the temperatures are above zero Celsius does not guarantee spring has arrived; it just feels that way.  Puddles, streams and receding snow banks all add up to spring-like conditions and the very smell is exciting to our frozen nostrils! 

The neighbours are out with picks and shovels, carving drainage trenches in the ice and snow.  Walter was out there joining the trend, and amazing amounts of runoff have disappeared.  I put on a lighter jacket and took my regular walk to the mailboxes down the street.  Although I slipped a couple of times, I managed to stay upright as I navigated the watery ice-covered sidewalks.  Opting for the roadway at times, I also avoided being splashed by oncoming cars.  Winter may make us Canadians a hardy lot, but spring has its dangers, as well.

Standing on our front step, I soaked in the rays of sunshine, almost tasting the vitamin D and sensing my soul beginning to thaw.  I hesitated to come inside, not wanting this sensation to end.  Alas, we are working on our latest newsletter and I needed to help in the process.  Walter sets up the printer for labels; I attach the labels to envelopes.  I write the "Family Update" and "Praise & Prayer" portions of the publication; Walter writes the feature story, adds pictures and completes the general format.  I proofread and do a final edit before press time.  Together, we sign, fold and stuff the letters into the prepared envelopes.  We add postage - which has gone up in the new year - and voila!  I usually take the 230+ letters to be mailed by Canada Post.

The postal strike before Christmas delayed our major mailing.  I sent Christmas cards to our financial and prayer support team. And now, we are finally getting to our New Year/Winter update.  We can never express our thanks enough to those who have stood behind us in ministry, some for the entire 36 year journey!  God bless those who pray and give sacrificially so we can serve by sharing the Gospel in the Indigenous communities across Canada.

I hear the printer running.  My eyes are drawn to the windows, longing to be outside playing in the streams and urging the melting process.  But I force myself to stay engaged in this necessary task and get my supplies arranged.

Have a great day!

 

 A post on Facebook has got me pondering this afternoon so I thought I'd share my musings.

"Give us this day our daily bread..."  Matthew 6:11

In the culture of Jesus' day, in Roman occupied Israel, many people lived in poverty or bare bones existence.  There was no refrigeration, no chemical preservatives. Therefore, food production and meal preparation was a daily reality.  Compared to our lifestyles in this modern day, and in the harsh climate of Canada, the concept of needing bread every day is foreign to us.  We must harvest, preserve and store away our food in the proper season for use during the winter!

The economy of this first century, middle eastern country was very short term.  Most people had daily work.  Some had careers, long term job security, or family wealth, but the average Jew lived on daily labour and wages.  I'm thinking of the parable in Matthew 20:1-16, where the landowner went out early in the morning to hire workers for the day.  He hired them at various hours of that day, offering the same wage for each of them, regardless of when they were hired.  The point I see is that it was normal for folks to be paid at the end of each work day, and then to go purchase the needed food items for the next day.

The imagery of daily bread was established in the Old Testament, when Moses was leading the Hebrew people out of Egypt and to the Promised Land of Israel.  They had nowhere to acquire food in the desert.  They were pressed into full reliance on God.  It took them 40 years to learn that lesson, among other lessons of faith.  And the very day they moved into the Promised Land, God stopped providing the manna from heaven.  He instructed the people to harvest the land and work to grow what they needed.  But, they were to continue a life of faith and dependence on God, to acknowledge that He is the One who provides all that they needed.

When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, the Lord's Prayer became something we say by rote.  We often recite it without thinking of the meaning, that Jesus intended it to be a pattern, not a formula.  As we break down the intention of the phrase "Give us this day our daily bread," we can understand that Jesus did mean literal bread, or food.  He also taught that if we worry about tomorrow's bread, or whatever we need, we are not truly trusting Him to provide.  If we ask for our daily needs, we will learn to trust Him and be content and thankful for His faithfulness.

In applying the principle of asking God for what we need on a daily basis, we can also come to Him for other things.  What about strength?  Do we ask the Lord to give us physical, emotional or spiritual strength for whatever our day holds?  Or do we jump into our schedules and only ask for His help when we run into trouble or find ourselves in over our heads?

What about wisdom?  Do we seek God daily for His thoughts and insight for every situation we face?  Or again, do we only call upon the Lord when we are overwhelmed? 

When we need anything, we can ask and trust that out of His goodness, He will grant us what we ask for.  Patience, perseverance, faith, love, self-control...all the fruit of the Spirit as listed in Galatians 5:22 & 23.  In fact, we can ask for the Spirit of God to fill us up and He will give us more of Himself!

 When we are weak, that is when His strength and power is shown to be great!  As Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, God's grace is sufficient in our times of weakness.  (II Corinthians 12:9)  More than daily bread, we have daily mercies and grace that are new every morning.  (Lamentations 3:22 & 23)  It is such a comfort to know our loving Heavenly Father takes such good care of us.  

I hope that today, YOU have everything you need.  If not, remember to ask the Father for your daily bread and see how He lovingly provides.

 

 

 Day in the life of Cindy.

I woke up with no alarm, just the awareness that it was morning.  I squinted at the clock numbers projected on the ceiling above me and surprised myself: 8 am!  Walter was listening to  YouTube preacher with his earbuds next to me and I squawked out a "Good morning!"

Filling the old silver electric percolator coffee machine with cold water, I also measured out the spoons of ground coffee beans.  McDonald's is my bean of choice. Looking up, I noticed the blue, cloudless sky filled the top half of the window, while a huge hill of snow rose up the bottom half. Our bare tamarack tree stood in contrast to the whiteness of the snow.  The empty bird feeder swung gently in the almost still winter air. 

I plugged in the coffee perk and then walked around the counter to the dining room.  Clicking on the natural gas stove, I began to set up my space at the table for my morning devotions.  Usually I watch the sunrise as I wait for the coffee; this morning I had slept in and missed that special time of day, that holy moment.  I do enjoy mornings and today I was eager to see what God had for me.

My ritual for the last couple of years is to play a game or two of Blokus everyday, a game meant for four players but I play all the colours against myself.  (I also play Scrabble against myself - I'm always guaranteed to win this way!)  I listen to a couple of devotionals online while I place the various shaped plastic pieces onto the white grid, interlocking each piece precisely to use up as many or hopefully all the pieces.  My hope is that playing games will keep my aging mind from growing stale and dull.  Too early to tell if it is working! 

Another ritual is to bring Walter a cup of steaming coffee while he listens to sermons online.  He says I spoil him, but it's my way of serving him and stealing a kiss!  Then off I go to leave him to his quiet time and I settle in for mine.

This morning, I listened to Pastor Bill Desnomie, a Cree pastor from Balcarres/Peepeekisis First Nation.  He and his pastoral team share devotionals on the weekdays at 7 am on Facebook.  He is going through I John and today he shared on chapter 5 verses 4 & 5.  "...for everyone born of God overcomes the world.  This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.  Who is it that overcomes the world?  Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."  Why do we need to overcome the world?  Because the world is not the literal, physical earth or even the people and creatures that exist and call earth home.  In Scripture, the world is a system, a belief or philosophy that is against God, in rebellion to His authority.  The world works against God and the standard of the Bible.  And the only way to win against such a powerful and influential system as the world is by faith.  Faith in what?  Actually faith in who...Jesus, the Son of God.  Jesus lived in the world, but never gave in to the priorities or influence of the world.  He overcame the world by dying on the cross as a substitute for all those of us who deserved to die for our own sins.  He took our place.  His death paid for all our sins; but it is His resurrection that won the final victory!  He overcame death, and that is the very thing that causes fear and dread to those who live according to the world's values.  To die is to have no hope, no future and no plans for success if you only believe this world is all there is. But for the follower of Jesus, death is our gate to eternity with Him!

I had time for a second devotional while I sipped the delicious coffee and played my Blokus game.  I listened to the late Charles Stanley podcast of his message on "The Call."  His focus was on the call on all of us as Christian believers to be servants.  His Scripture reference was I Peter 4:10 "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."  So I considered how I can serve others today.  I sent out a couple of texts to encourage the people God brought to mind.  I shared a Bible verse or asked for a prayer request.  I reached out to make plans with someone later today. 

Then I took some time to pray.  Sometimes I sing some songs or hymns, or maybe I read a psalm aloud.  I try to focus on the Lord and put aside any distracting thoughts.  Then I have a few lists in a notebook with people and needs to pray for each day.  I include my family, our pastor and church, our government leaders and the various missionaries we support.  Then I refer to the NCEM prayer directory that lists 4 or 5 missionaries a day across Canada.  We also have a monthly prayer bulletin with a request for one of our missionaries or departments of NCEM and today was for Jane from New Brunswick.  Jane is a single missionary who lives in Belleisle and visits a First Nation a couple hours drive away to minister.  She has a generous and compassionate heart and loves on people with joy and enthusiasm!  Maybe Jane will read this blog and be blessed to know I prayed for her today!

Next, I checked the clock and saw I had time to do a Bible study series in Romans by Pastor Gary Hamrick on YouTube.  It was on Romans 13, submitting to government leaders. With the current political climate in the U.S. and Canada, plus global wars and manoevering, much prayer is needed for those in government!

I grabbed a quick shower and got ready to record a video for one of our supporting churches.  Walter and I set up his tablet in the dining room and recorded a 5-6 minute update on our ministry and family.  With a brief run-through of who would share what, we pressed record and in one take had our report finished! After 35+ years of public speaking, we've figured out a system that works for us.

Then I made us lunch while Walter edited the video and sent it to the church.  I tidied up the kitchen, threw in a load of laundry and made a phone call to the NCEM office.  Next, I had an email to send for our upcoming Candidate Orientation & Training.  We will expect 3 or 4 participants this year and Walter and I will do most of the teaching.  As I coordinate the details, I get excited about equipping the next crew of servants to work in the harvest field.  It's a highlight of our year - both rewarding and exhausting!

As I write, I am watching more of the Scotties curling event on TV and sipping Honeybush Mandarin tea.  I have tentative plans for supper with my sister and maybe a game of Scrabble with her, too.

I anticipate I'll be in bed by 11 pm and that's the thrilling moment-by-moment breakdown of a day in the life of a missionary!

 

 Family Day - 2025

What is everybody doing on this frigid holiday Monday in February?

Walter and I are taking a lazy, stay-indoors day, putting our feet up and watching the Scotties Women's Canadian Curling on TV.  We are snacking on protein chips, while homemade chicken soup is simmering in the slow cooker.  

The sun is bright, fooling one to think it is warming up this afternoon.  I've lived in Saskatchewan long enough to know that beautiful golden orb is not breaking through the intense cold registering -31 degrees Celsius, not calculating in the wind chill factor!  

All our neighbours had their brown garbage bins out at the curb early this morning.  I noticed we had forgotten to take our bin out last night.  It remains by the side of our house, only half full; we can wait until next garbage day!

I had finished the laundry, vacuumed the whole house and tidied up on Saturday, so today I can afford to relax and enjoy the women's curling competition.  The benefit of being an empty-nester is that we can eat when we want and watch whatever we choose on the TV!  Guilt-free laziness is definitely a bonus!

The down-side is that our kids all live outside of Regina and they have their own plans for this Family Day.  Mark, Amy and Kaira are home in Gladstone, hopefully staying warm and well fed.  Daniel had classes today in Saskatoon, with only 10 more days left in his 4th year apprenticeship for air conditioning.  Michaela is holding down the fort in Weyburn, hopefully also staying warm in -30 degrees temperatures.  And Caylea had plans to visit friends in Prince Albert. We do miss our family on this day!

God is good.  He has made the earth according to His wisdom, every season with its own unique beauty and every creature with habits and instincts for survival.  The special gifts of hibernation or migration always amaze me. Or how certain North American animals change colour and grow thicker fur to blend in and withstand the cold is a miracle! Today I'm thankful for a warm house, plenty of food and clean water.  I have no need to leave the warmth and safety of our home.  

HAVE A BLESSED FAMILY DAY, EVERYONE!

 

 

 What has God been teaching me lately?

Some major themes have been coming up consistently and I'd love to share them with you!

*Faith - the examples of Moses and David as God prepared them both for leadership roles through being shepherds; both of these men faced serious obstacles and opposition in their roles and yet they trusted God and put their faith in Him.

*Waiting - many verses in Psalms and Isaiah have really spoken to me; that waiting is not a waste of time but is actively serving while listening and watching for God's leading.

*Prayer - I've been blessed with some extended opportunities to pray and seek the Lord in between our trips and I've felt so enriched and encouraged during these times. 

*Rebuilding - a Bible study I went through on Nehemiah gave me some good tools and insights on rebuilding, restoration and leadership.  I was impacted by how Nehemiah faced the task and rallied the troops to accomplish the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. More than that, he also led (along with Ezra) in the restoration of the Jewish people and their faith after 70 years of exile.  

*Salvation - I'm currently in a study of the book of Romans.  The depth of our salvation in Jesus Christ is so wonderful!  Our hope is in the Gospel and I was especially encouraged by chapter 8 - the first couple of verses declare how we are no longer under condemnation when we are in Christ!  And the chapter ends with the truth that we can not be separated from God's love  - NOTHING can ever separate us from His everlasting love.  

*Revelation - our church is going through a DVD series on this amazing and sometimes confusing book of the Bible!  The series unpacks the cultural context of each chapter/section and both Walter and I are learning so much.  One take-away is that Jesus is coming soon, just as He promised.  We all need to be ready for His appearing.  And the urgency to share the Gospel is even more compelling as there are still so many who have not heard about Jesus or haven't taken the time to explore who He really is!

THANKS for reading my random thoughts.  I hope this inspires you to study the Word of God and experience your own spiritual journey!  There's really no end to what one can discover when we get into the Bible.

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

II Timothy 3:16 and 17