Yeah!  We're grandparents again!

God has blessed us with a grandson - born on January 19 at 5:42 am. 

So much for us to be thankful for: 

*the weather and roads were okay as Mark & Amy drove to Brandon 

*medical staff who are monitoring little Nathan Christopher Selke after a very quick and distressing birth 

*for the Teichrib grandparents who are caring for big sister, Kaira (2 years old) while Mommy & Daddy are away

*for God's perfect timing

As Walter and I are packing for our trip to Garden Hill, MB this weekend, we hope to meet our new grandson either coming or going.  In the meantime, I am dogsitting for our daughter, Caylea while she participates in Camp Days at Millar College.  Lindy (Bernese Mountain dog) and her 3 month old pup, Wilbur (half Mini-Australian Shepherd) are enjoying our snowy backyard and the frequent visits indoors because I am too soft on them being out in the wind!  They are a fun distraction while I have been housebound, recuperating from a cold.

Adventures with the dogs this morning:  At 7 am, I heard Wilbur give a little yip.  That meant he was awake and needed to be let out of his kennel to do his business outside.  Lindy slept on our back deck, preferring the cooler temperatures.  But during the night, the wind had blown open our gate. Little did I know that I would soon see the neighbour waving through our back window!  What???

Lindy is very loyal and not adventurous at all.  She kept to the deck/backyard all night.  Wilbur, however, went out and escaped onto the road.  Our neighbour was just leaving for work and brought Wilbur back!  Oh, boy!  I could have been in big trouble with my daughter if I lost her puppy.

Pray for us and our upcoming trip!  Walter is preaching on Revelation 12:9-11 "The great dragon was hurled down-that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray...They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb, by the word of their testimony; and they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death."  He'll be speaking about spiritual warfare and the end times.  Heavy topics but pertinent to the times we are living in now.  I'll take my guitar and maybe share some music if my cold/voice will allow.

Pray also for baby Nathan, as he is being monitored in the NICU.  His oxygen levels and heart rate were somewhat unstable and they want to keep an eye on him.  Amy is resting and recovering.  Mark is keeping us updated.  And Kaira is unaware that her life will never be the same with a new brother added to her world!

 

 

Winds gusting up to 80 km/hour buffeted our vehicle as we drove west on the TransCanada Highway.  Very little snow in the fields and ditches adjacent to the highway indicated just how dry this southwestern part of Saskatchewan can be.  As we turned onto the narrower paved road leading to Millar College of the Bible in Pambrun, SK, we felt the wind die down.  The little prairie town is nestled in a coulee or small valley and is somewhat sheltered from the elements.  

 Walter pulled in along the gymnasium of the college, where the mission booths would be set up; students opened the doors and greeted us.  Some offered to help us with our displays and supplies.  I was thankful to have help as the wind did whip around the corners and tried to snatch the bristol board from my hand! We located our table and met our coworkers, Jordan & Linsey, (with their one year old son, Asher) who were just beginning to unpack their display items.

Almost every January for the past 15+ years, Walter and I have engaged at the college's Mission Weekend.  The staff have become like old friends; the students are new each year but we have appreciated their friendly and open welcome.  It was wonderful to be greeted by hugs and handshakes!

Why do we risk life and limb, through winter driving conditions, to set up a booth in this out of the way Bible College?  Because God has called us.  Because the college invites us.  Because the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few (Luke 10:2)  We have the incredible opportunity to speak about the ministry on North American soil to share the hope of the Gospel with the Indigenous people of Canada.  Surprisingly, many are not aware that remote communities may not have any church and many have not heard about who Jesus Christ is.  That is the very definition of a harvest field, with seeds planted but no one to bring in the harvest!

So we say "yes" to being on panel discussions about "Healthy Engagements in Cross-Cultural Settings".  We agree to leading a child care session where 12-20 kids listen to our missionary stories and learn to sing "O, How I Love Jesus" in Cree.  We also get up early for prayer meetings and stay up late to talk with students who want to know what our ministry is about!  We give out toques, lanyards, books and pens to bless these people and to keep the ministry of NCEM in their minds so they can pray.  (We also give out Tribal Trails & Generation Hope t-shirts, which we jokingly say is a way for the students to delay laundry for one more day!)

In case it sounds like I'm boasting about how great we are...let me tell you that anyone could do what we do.  We aren't special or extraordinary.  We get discouraged at times; we get tired and overwhelmed with the task.  It is clear we aren't getting any younger and need to recruit those who have the energy and vision of youth!  But we come away from a busy weekend like this so blessed and reminded that it is an honour to serve the Lord in this way.

Three highlights stick out to me: 

*The staff member who chatted with me at our booth and then took a moment to pray for us and our ministry.

*The engaged couple who wanted to talk about their vision for ministry

*The staff kid who loved our childcare session and wanted to "go to the Tribal Trails booth and chat with the guy" (Walter!)

We may never know the impact on others that God is stirring, but I know we always come home encouraged by some interaction He directed.  As we pray for those God-ordained moments, we trust that some will follow the Lord's calling and find great joy in obedience.

Proverbs 19:21 "Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." 

 

 

 Here it is - second week of January!  We had a nice break from travels and now we're getting ready to hit the road again.  The next two months will be filled with Bible College missions conferences and Winnipeg MissionFest. I'm dusting off the suitcase and getting back to our regular routines!

In the midst of scheduling, we are also awaiting the arrival of our grandbaby.  On one of our trips to Manitoba, we plan to meet the baby and play with big sister, Kaira.  So as we prepare for a busy season of ministry, we want to squeeze in our grandparent calling.  Sometimes our life pulls us in different directions. I'm glad we can have peace in the midst of unpredictable circumstances - even if that unpredictable event is the blessing of a grandchild!

Another thing I am grateful for is the privileged to serve the Lord.  I've never regretted following the Lord's call into full time ministry.  Even though there have been many disappointments, losses, sacrifices and difficulties, I know our work in the ministry has never been in vain.  (1 Corinthians 15:58) "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain."

There are some experiences I'd never want to live through again!  I want to learn lessons from hard times and not have to re-run those challenges because I refused to learn the first time.  Several times in Scripture, the Biblical writers teach that we endure hard times in order to develop character.  God's purposes often involve our growth and our increase in character qualities to be like Christ. We shouldn't be surprised when we ask God for patience and then He brings trials into our lives to teach us that very thing!  How do we learn to put our hope and trust in the Lord unless our faith is put to the test?  

But for me, the real highlight of ministry is meeting all the people!  Walter and I are both "people" persons and enjoy relationships with others.  We love hearing people's life stories, coming alongside folks who have struggles and pointing them to Jesus.  Lately, our focus has been on young adults who are searching for God's will for their futures.  Our greatest joy is helping them explore the opportunities that missions can open up for them.  The Lord has continued to fill us with vision and passion for First Nations/Indigenous ministry in Canada and nothing fulfills us more than talking about and praying for"labourers" to be sent to the harvest field.

 As I reorganize our mission merchandise, supplies and displays for the next season on the road, I'm so thankful for those who support us.  We know that we couldn't do what we do without our prayer and financial support team.  Believing God has divine appointments set for us on our travels, I get excited about who we will meet and how God will lead in our conversations.

See ya' later!

 

 

 

 

 BIBLE CHALLENGE

How is your new year going so far?  Are you feeling tired, uncomfortable after eating too much and exercising too little?  Are your Christmas decorations drooping and your spirits, as well?

To perk up my jam and get out of any post-holiday doldrums, I am challenging myself to a Bible reading goal for January.  Since the book of Proverbs has 31 chapters and January has 31 days, I'm reading one chapter of Proverbs a day this month!

So far, I'm on track.  A couple of verses have really stuck out to me in the first four chapters that I'll share with you.

"These are the proverbs of Solomon, David's son, king of Israel.  Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise.  Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just and fair." (Proverbs 1:1-3) New Living Translation

This version of the Scriptures gave a clear and succinct purpose for Solomon's writings.  He acknowledged later in the book that his own father and mother were personally involved in his own learning and training; he encouraged his own son to follow these teachings because they were so valuable.  It is good to consider the wisdom and instruction of our parents, not just for spiritual insights but for everyday, practical advice for life.

In chapter 2, Solomon makes another clear statement: "For the Lord grants wisdom!" (verse 6a)  True wisdom is from above, not from human origin.  Back in the first chapter, the basis for godly wisdom is also stated: "Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge..." (verse 7a)  To truly understand and apply God's wisdom requires that we fear Him, honour Him and have a relationship with Him.  

By chapter 3, we can learn the many benefits of living by God's wisdom.  Protection, success, long life, safety, peace, blessing...just to name a few. And in the fourth chapter, Solomon repeats the principle that wisdom can come through parents' instruction and we all are challenged to follow and obey.  There is no special honour given to people who are independent, self-taught or lone rangers.  Credit is given to those who pay attention to a father's teaching and a mother's training.  Living a life that honours our parents, elders and the Lord is highly praised!

If you haven't got back into a rhythm of daily devotions, start today.  Proverbs is a great place to start - one chapter a day for January.  But other suggestions are the Gospel of John (21 chapters) or Joshua (24 chapters) that you could easily read in one month from now.  

"Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding." (Proverbs 3:13)

 

 

 

When you get to my age, HAPPY NEW YEAR is a state of mind, not an event!  My husband and I don't often make it until midnight.  We celebrate with whichever province and time zone corresponds with our bedtime!  

Rather than focusing on New Years' Resolutions, or plans and adventures for the upcoming year, I tend to be a bit more reflective on the year just past.  I recall highlights, remember adventures and meditate on the goodness of God.  I also lean towards evaluating my life and choices, wanting to learn from the past and apply wisdom to the future.  Sounds heavy, doesn't it?

This year, I scrolled through some verses of the Bible as potential themes for the upcoming year.  The ones that captured my attention are Philippians 3:12-14:  Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But ONE THING I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

The Apostle Paul was a missionary, like me.  He gave His life to serve Jesus Christ in full-time ministry to bring the Gospel to people who had not heard.  Ever since I accept Christ as my Saviour (July 1981) I felt a tugging on my heart to go into ministry/church work.  I've traveled and taught the Bible and spread the Good News of Jesus Christ as a missionary to the inner city of Regina and to Indigenous people in Canada.

But the similarities end there! Paul was a strong, courageous, intelligent and learned man.  His life journey took him to dangerous and dark places.  He was beaten, imprisoned, taken to trial and left for dead because of his preaching.  He sacrificed religious status and financial success, even giving up any rights to a wife or family. From prison, he wrote several letters to new churches and those became part of the canon of Scripture.  Because of him and the other Apostles of the 1st century, we all have been able to hear and accept the Gospel.  Huge impact.

Many of us look up to Paul as a super-Christian.  His spiritual life, insights and impact seem beyond what any of us could ever reach.  And yet, this verse in the letter to the church in Philippi expresses Paul's humble opinion of himself.  "Not that I have already obtained all this...I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it..."  What is Paul referring to that he still lacks?

Perfection.  Holiness. Fullness.  Christlikeness.

This coming year, I want to press on, to forget what is behind and to strain toward seeking and knowing Jesus better.

Simple.  But not easy.

I can look back at the past year and see where I've grown and what I've accomplished.  I can see how God carried me through some difficult and impossible challenges.  I can fall on my knees in gratitude and praise for how the Lord graciously helped me and my family.  

I can also reflect on where I still need to grow: patience, humility, forgiveness, generosity, prayerfulness, thankfulness, grace, discipline, love... I need to"forget" what is behind: the offenses I've experienced in relationship with others, the mistakes and sins I've committed. I must let go of things that I can't change.  Paul had learned the art of forgetting what happened before and moving on by faith to embrace the pursuit of God.  It wasn't about setting goals for his next missionary journeys, how many cities he would visit or how many churches he would establish.  His "pressing on" was personal, not career-minded.  

His "one thing" was putting all his effort into pleasing the Lord, becoming more like Jesus and winning the prize of the high calling of being a child of God, a citizen of heaven!  Nothing else matters.

So this new year, I challenge myself - and you - to let go of the regrets and even the points of pride from the last 12 months.  Forgive those who trespassed against you.  Deal with your past and don't try to run from it.  And strain forward to pursue the knowledge and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, Who is worth it all! Get into the Bible; study and memorize it. Pray, without ceasing.  Join a Bible study, get involved in church.  Share your testimony and what God is teaching you with someone else who needs to be encouraged in things of the faith.  

1 Chronicles 16:11 "Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually!" 

 

 CHRISTMAS EVE 2025

All the preparation, build-up, and anticipation... here we are!  Christmas Eve, the wonderful night when Jesus Christ was born.  What a journey!

And what a journey that Mary and Joseph were on: the angelic visit to announce Mary's part in the coming of Messiah, the emotional roller coaster of their engagement and the scandal and Joseph's angelic dream!  The physical journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem must have been the last thing they needed after the stress of the first 8 months of the pregnancy - the decree that they must register in the family's hometown and a week-long journey on foot (or donkey?) in her ninth month.

How could this betrothed couple in 1st century Israel ever fully understand and live through such an experience?  How could they prepare and truly be ready to bring the Son of God into the world?  

The truth is, none of us is really ever prepared to welcome the Lord Jesus Christ into our lives, into our world.  We get distracted, we doubt, we get discouraged and overwhelmed.  Our own efforts to make room in our hearts for Jesus are weak and amateur at best!  The Scripture says that "God saved you by His grace when you believed.  And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have, so none of us can boast about it." (Ephesians 2:8 & 9)

So how can we then prepare our hearts for the birth of our Saviour?  God is not asking us to take a trip, or to deprive ourselves or to escape our real world in order to become worthy of our Lord.  He is asking for repentance, a contrite heart.  John the Baptist preached repentance as preparation for the coming of Messiah.  His ministry was to go before Jesus and prepare the way (John 1:23)  "I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, 'Clear the way for the Lord's coming?'"  After Jesus had died and rose again, the Apostle Peter preached this message: "Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38)

And then we can take the step of faith, to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved.  John 1:12 explains how we can take that step, how to make peace with God.  "But to all who believed him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God." 

The journey through Advent leads us to faith.  We can prepare and anticipate for all our lives but eventually we must step out and accept the gift God is offering through His Son: salvation, forgiveness, peace.  Jesus has paid it all.  He completed His mission on earth and died on the cross for us.  He declared: "It is finished."  (John 19:30)  There is nothing more to be done.  Christmas is here.

Thank you for joining me on this Advent through the "7 I Am's" of the Gospel of John.  I hope it has blessed and helped you in preparing for Christmas.  Enjoy your discovery of the Christ Child in the manger and of the Son of God, the Lamb of God, the Beginning and the End.  Immanuel.

 

  

 

 4TH SUNDAY of ADVENT - LOVE

So much has been written on the subject of love that I can't possibly add anything new or profound to it!  But here are some thoughts to ponder on love as it ties into Advent...

Hallmark movies portrays true love as romantic, butterflies in the tummy and happily-ever-after endings.

Country music gives the impression that love is the ultimate pursuit but it always ends in heartache, betrayal and then revenge.  

Beer commercials show us happiness comes in the form of amber liquid, bikini-clad women and smiles - that love and good times are synonyms.

TV sitcoms give us laughs at the everyday follies of love, marriage, family and life in the real world...that all of life's challenges can be resolved in half an hour.

Today, we can know real love, true love through the Bible.

John, one of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ, wrote so much about love in his Gospel account and in his three letters to the early Christians.  Here are some iconic quotes from John's writings:

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son..."  Gospel of John 3:16

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are!" 1 John 3:1

"We love because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19

"God is love..." 1 John 4:16

"Love one another..." Gospel of John 13:34; 1 John 3:11;  2  John 1:5b

The Old Testament describes God's love as steadfast (Lamentations 3:22a) "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases..." and as everlasting (Jeremiah 31:3) "I have loved you with an everlasting love..." and as abounding (Psalm 103:8)  "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love."  

What can we learn about God's love through these Bible references?  

*God is the source of love and initiator of love to humanity

*God's love is global, universal and trans-cultural

*God's love is lavished, abounding, generous

*God's love in us is a command to love one another

To dive deeper into the ocean of God's love, let's look at 1 Corinthians 13 - known as the "love chapter" of the Bible.  

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

⁸ Love never fails.

What a beautiful and seemingly impossible description of true love!  Basically, we have to be perfect in order to love like this.   And therein lies the crux: only a perfect and holy God can attain to this perfect standard of love!

As we anticipate the celebration of the birth of Christ, we see that kind of love demonstrated: God sending His own Son to take the punishment of our sins.  Jesus grew to be a man, living through everything that we do in our human experience.   He loved others patiently, kindly, humbly, selflessly, sacrificially and truthfully. He persevered right through to death on our behalf and never failed.  He never failed His Father; He never failed us.

For you who are longing for this kind of steadfast and unfailing love, look no further.  God is offering His love to you through His Son.  Accept Jesus today.  Turn from your sins, confess them to God the Father and believe that Jesus has died to take away your sins and the spiritual consequences.  He will give you new life and you will become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5: 17).

For you who have this new life already, the challenge is to live with LOVE as your life statement.  Jesus says: "A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." (John 13:34)  If you have animosity, hatred or unforgiveness towards someone else, examine your heart.  Maybe today is the day to forgive, to let go, to set aside the past and make things right with a family member, friend, fellow Christian or an enemy.  You know who that person (s) is and the voice of the Holy Spirit is prompting you this very moment. What Jesus commands, He has already done.  He forgave His Roman executors, His enemies among the Jewish religious leaders and He has forgiven you and me in order to adopt us as His children.  

"LOVE NEVER FAILS." (1 Corinthians 13:8a)