Mission Statement for 2010

Last night I listened to a message by Pastor Jonathan Falwell online (I usually watch the services live online on Sundays but when I don't see them live I watch them later in the week as they are posted on the TRBC website at www.trbc.org.) At the beginning of his message Pastor Jonathan gave us a mission statement - not some big fancy church mission statement - but rather a personal mission statement, one that each of us can take and apply to our lives. The mission statement said,

In 2010 and beyond, I will be ACTING RIGHT, STANDING STRONG, STANDING TOGETHER, FEARING NOTHING and ENDURING ANYTHING WITH THE ULTIMATE GOAL IN MIND of bringing glory to God!

Based on the following passage:

Philippians 1:27-30 (New International Version)

^"27Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel ²⁸without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. ²⁹For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, ³⁰since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have."

Pastor Jonathan went on to explain how we each of those things can be possible in our lives. Now I was doing pretty good until he got to 'FEARING NOTHING'. My first thought was how is it possible? How can a person who has undergone panic attacks for several years fear nothing? Of course we all have fears and worries and concerns in our lives BUT I am learning every single day that God is GREATER than all those fears.

A couple verses came to my mind after I listened to Pastor Jonathan's sermon and they are verses that I have written down and am not just memorizing for the sake of memorizing scripture but I am memorizing them so that when I am afraid, when the old fears come and threaten to steal my peace and joy I will be able to stand firm on God's Word and in His strength.

The first verse is 2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."
- New Living Translation

The second one is Isaiah 41:10 and while many may know this verse from the NIV translation I decided to check out The Message translation and it says the following:

'Don't panic. I'm with you. There is no need to fear for I am your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.'

What wonderful words!! Amazing!! Those two verses are ones that I am claiming for my life because I know that 2010 will hold MANY challenging days! And I am so thankful that God has a firm grip on me and that when the fears come and threaten to steal my peace of mind I can think of these verses and remind myself that greater is HE that is in me than he that is in the world!

Do you have a personal mission statement for 2010 and beyond? If not maybe you need to consider the mission statement that I quoted earlier. We will all face many challenges and struggles in 2010 and beyond but It is so much better to face those things with God... than without God.

God bless!

Jan 2009 / Jan 2010

I was looking at my blog today and my first post in January of last year which was the following....

January 2009 - A New Year...
Welcome to my first blog entry!

I decided to call this blog "Thoughts and Reflections" as the entries will contain my ramblings, rants and ponderings throughout the coming months.

As I reflect on 2008, my thoughts are clouded with many difficult and trying days. Challenging days at work, panic attacks that worsened with each passing day, and many tough decisions including quitting one of my part-time jobs because of the harsh working conditions I faced. 2008 held many diffcult days... but I thank the Lord that He gave me the strength and courage I needed to get through each one.

As I begin 2009, I am looking ahead to this new year with a sense of hope and anticipation. I believe that God has new and greater things in store for me. Yes, the panic attacks are still there, yes there are MANY challenges that lie ahead but I know that God is Faithful. I know that He is with me and that no matter the struggle I can "Do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
..........................................................................................................

When I think back to how frustrated and discouraged I was feeling last Jan compared to the peace and contentment i am feeling this Jan its amazing!!

Today I listened to the Dec 27th service from Thomas Road Baptist and the speaker Jonathan Falwell talked much about remaining faithful to God in spite of what we face, in spite of the challenges and struggles he reminded all of us that God will not let us down if we remain faithful to Him He will see us through.

I can truly testify to that! Over the past year and the years before that there were many days when the only thing I was sure of and the only thing that I could cling to was that I was certain that God would somehow bring me through....

And so I start Jan 2010 with hope and determination. I am confident that He who began a good work in me will see it to completion... And as I said in Jan 2009 I know that no matter the struggle I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.'

I know that my work with the youth at Jubilee is only the beginning of what God has in mind for me. I praise Him for His faithfulness and for leading me not in the way that I thought was best but in the way that HE KNEW was best for me.

I was reminded of these words today and they are my prayer as well:

I want dear Lord, a soul on fire for thee,
A soul baptized with heavenly energy;
A willing mind, a ready hand
To do whate'er I know.
To spread thy light wherever I may go.

Passion for Him in 2010

I listened to a service online tonite and the Pastor was talking about having a Passion for God, one of the catch phrases he used was: Passion for HIM in 2010. As this is the beginning of a new year and a new decade everyone seems to be hyped about the coming year and what it has in store. We look back over the past decade and recall the many happy and sad moments of our lives. We rejoiced as we welcomed the birth of a baby for a family member or friend, we cried as during times of sickness and loss.

What about spiritual issues? I don’t know about you but over the past few years I have seen a steady decline in church attendances in my community province and country. It seems that even 10 years ago attending church was more of a priority than it is now. Making sure that children attended Sunday school was on the top of the list. Attending Bible Study or Prayer meetings was of utmost importance and if someone wasn’t there you called wondering why not. What has happened?? Sadly it seems that many feel that church isn’t relevant to their lives today, they were ‘forced’ to go when they were children and now they refuse to attend or ‘make’ their children go.

While I can understand the reasoning, it means that there is a whole generation coming up who know less and less about Jesus! What so many are failing to realize is that at least they were able to make an educated choice - they went to church and decided of their own free will this was not something they wanted to do now. But for the children and young people who are never brought to church or Sunday school how will they be able to make an educated choice when they get older? Let me give you an example.

When I was in University I became friends with a girl named Michele. Michele was a praciticing Pagan - she was involved in Wicca. Michele over time explained to me how she became a Pagan. She grew up in a home where every so many months her mom would take her and her brothers to church, they would go a couple Sundays and then that would be all again for several months. She did have some friends who attended church and so she did go to Sunday school a few times but never learned much about the bible or God growing up. When she went to University she got interested in the New Age movement and became a practicing pagan. Yes, Michele believed that God existed and that Jesus was God’s Son but she did not believe that He was raised from the dead. Since finishing MUN in 1998 Michele and I have remained good friends and one day a couple years ago I had a letter from her telling me that she had converted to Christianity. She went on in the letter to explain about how she grew up not knowing much at all about God and Paganism seemed like a good choice but thankfully she came to realize that God did love her and through bible reading for a course she was doing she one night gave her heart to God. She went on to tell me how my quiet faith had impressed her. I didn’t try and hit her with the bible or tell her she was wrong I just led by example. It was my witness and the prayers of her grandmother that helped lead her to the Lord.

I tell this story because Michele is like so many that are growing up today. They are lost. They have no spiritual foundation and without a relationship with Jesus they are sinking fast into this world and all that is claims to offer.

When you think about 2010 and the decade that lies ahead what are you passionate about? Do you have a passion for God? A passion to win the lost for Him? For me my passion is for the youth of my area. When I think of the few who come to Sunday school and the many others who go no where my heart aches. At the beginning of 2010 I am not content to know that there are so many children who will never go inside a church door this year but rather will spend each and every weekend at sporting events or at the cabin. I am not content that this generation that is coming up is a generation that knows so little about God. And while I can not change everything and everyone I can reach ONE. The good news is if I reach one and you reach one and so on imagine what a difference we could make!?

Just like I reached my friend Michele there are people that you can reach. Maybe you can offer to give a child a ride to Sunday school or bring a neighbour to church with you, maybe you can offer to babysit so that a mom can attend a women’s group at church , etc. Or maybe your church needs helpers with Sunday school, greeters, ushers etc. Whatever it is let’s have a PASSION FOR HIM IN 2010!

My prayer is that this year and decade we will see a revival sweep our land. That the churches will be bursting at the doors with men and women, boys and girls once again. Is it just a dream? It is possible?? Of course it is possible! NOTHING is impossible with God! But this will only happen if you and I get Passionate about HIM. Revival must first of all take place in our own hearts and lives.

So again I ask, what are you passionate about in 2010? Are you passionate for God? Begin today by developing a love for Him and His Word and you will develop a passion for Him that will change your spiritual life and will change the lives of those around you.

Let’s be have a Passion for Him in 2010!

God Bless!!

Farewell 2009!

2009 was a year of challenge and change for me. When I look back on my first blog in Jan 09 I was feeling very unsure of what the future held and what to do. One thing I knew though was that God had a plan and purpose for my life and that somehow He would begin a new work in me.

On Jan 8th I e-mailed Major Gerald Lacey to ask him what a ‘prayer concert’ was because he had posted on his FB status that the Springdale corps was having one and I had never heard of a ‘prayer concert’ before. He wrote back that day and offered to answer any questions I had anytime. Boy did I have questions!! Stressed out at church and having just quit one of my part-time jobs due to how I was treated in the workplace I had many more questions than answers. Over the course of the following months through many e-mails back and forth Major Gerald became a wonderful Christian mentor for me. I can truly say that he is a man of God. He took the time out of his busy schedule to pray for me, to offer words of encouragement and yes many words of challenge which was what I needed. He didn’t pretend to have all the answers, but he encouraged me to look at things in a new way which helped me to learn to trust in the Lord more - to release all my anxieties and frustrations into His hands - and it was through all of this that I realized that the Lord was leading me in a new direction...

In February, after much thought and prayer I joined the Jubilee Singers and then after many conversations with Rev Heather in April, I began teaching Sunday School and became a member of the Jubilee United Church congregation.

This church has always had a special place in my heart because my Pop Carter was very active as a Lay Minister there for many years. The first service I attended when I walked out and sat in the choir I could sense a peace and I had this inner feeling that Pop was smiling down on me.

Many months have passed and I have had lots of struggles and ups and downs but I am confident that the Lord has placed me at Jubilee because that is where He needs me to be. I absolutely love working with the youth and have made many new friends there. I give God the praise and glory for helping me to realize that He had something better in mind for me than all the stress and strain I was under.

I can’t begin to thank Major Gerald enough for taking the time to converse with me over the past year. Its not possible to put it in words but I know that it was truly God at work.

To all my family and friends who have been there for me to offer support and encouragement thank you all so much! It really does mean a lot! Its not possible to name everyone because I am sure to leave someone out just know that the e-mails, FB messages and chats, cards and phone calls have all been a wonderful source of encouragement and I am so blessed and thankful to have each of you in my life!

Last Dec/Jan I felt so lost and frustrated and didn’t really know what to be doing. This Dec/Jan I am looking ahead to 2010 with hope and excitement! I know there are so many challenges that I still face. Panic attacks don’t just magically disappear and I still have lots to work through with that each day but God is proving that His grace is sufficient to meet all my needs.

In 2009 I also joined Twitter and through Twitter I have come in contact with some amazing Christians who have inspired and encouraged me in my walk with God. I discovered Thomas Road Baptist Church - Pastor Jonathan Falwell and their AMAZING Worship leader Charles Billsingsley. Charles songs encourage and uplift and he is so genuine you can see the spirit of God shining thru him when he sings!

In 2010 I hope to finish my online course on Writing Children’s Books which I began last January. Lord willing I will get something published this year!! That is just one goal for 2010. I am looking forward to doing some substitute teaching and of course I am excited about my work with the youth at Jubilee. I know that God has great things in store for the youth of this area and I am thankful that He has chosen me to be a part of helping to spread His love to the children and adults that I come in contact with from week to week.

I conclude my final blog of 2009 with these verses which are not only fitting beginning a new year but are also very fitting for how I feel in these days and how the Lord has led me thru this past year.

Philippians 3:13-14 - The Message Translations says:
“I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.”

Farewell 2009 hello 2010!

God bless you all in 2010.

Has Christmas Lost its Meaning?

I am sure you have heard these sayings too or maybe you have even said 1 or more of them yourself: Sure there is nothing to Christmas anymore. Christmas is just for kids. Once Christmas day is over its all over.

Have we forgotten the real meaning of Christmas? The Babe who was born in the Manger did not disappear after Christmas day. In fact, it was just the beginning!! Jesus came to earth to bring hope peace, love and joy! Those things do not end when Christmas day was over!

Christmas day is the beginning! The beginning of Jesus life and ministry on earth. A ministry which eventually led Him to the Cross. So too, for us as Christians, Christmas day is not an ending! It’s the start of another wonderful opportunity to share with others the message of the gospel! God loved each of us so much that He was willing to send His one and only Son to earth so that if we believe in Him we can experience everlasting life! (Paraphrase of John 3:16). Now that is something to rejoice about! May we never be among those who say there is nothing to Christmas!

Today's Reflection

I've been thinking a lot this Christmas about children who don't have the big fancy toys and gifts that many get on Christmas morning. It saddens me to think that there are children even in this town who woke up Christmas morning with very little. That's why things like the 'Happy Tree' are so important in helping to ensure that each child has at least one gift at Christmas.

We live in a culture where even the children are defined by what they wear and if they have a lap top or an XBOX or a Wii.... But my prayer is that for each child as they grow up that they will all realize the worth and value they have in God's eyes and that He loves each of them the same no matter what clothes they wear or games they own. That's why I love teaching Sunday school because for that hour each week those children are all on level ground - before the cross - and for that hour its about God's love and stories from the bible - the things that have eternal value!

Help us all to see people Lord not based on income or social status but help us see them thru Your eyes so that we can see the needs around us and reach out in Your Name so that others can see the love of God in action.

God bless!!

Jennifer

Random Acts of Kindness

One great way to spread some cheer not only at Christmas but throughout the year is by doing random acts of kindness. We all have busy lives for many its work, family, church activities, etc and in the busyness its easy to loose perspective and forget that there are so many around us who could use a phone call from a friend, a card, an e-mail, a few cookies, a ride to the store, etc.

Today I was treated with a wonderful piece of cheesecake - given to me for my help weeding the books at Memorial Academy. That piece of cheesecake was not only tasty it made my day and helped to motivate me to pass on some kindness to someone else by sharing some homemade cookies.

It doesn't take much to make someone feel loved and appreciated! As we go through this busy Christmas season with the long lineups at the Stores remember to smile at your cashier and be patient! Your patience and understanding will make them feel better and will make the lineup seem less tiresome! After all, the Reason for the Season is Jesus and how better to show a little of His love than by displaying random acts of kindness!

Merry Christmas!