A simple place of worship

The end of a beginning

2014-12-03T12:49:00.002-05:00

Hi friends,

This small space on the world wide web will be coming to a close on Friday December 5th as I archive my thoughts here and take them off the internet. This particular blog has been wonderful therapy for me. A place to journal, share and be encouraged. But it's just time to move on from this 'Simple Place of Worship'.

Instead, I am now over at 'The Well' where my thoughts are much more Bible Study focused. Please feel free to join me there, we are currently gazing into Scriptures that stir our hearts to ... 'Make Him Room' this Christmas season.

Visit me by clicking HERE and maybe adding your name to the e-mail list (if you haven't done so already) and we'll stay in touch sharing the Word and speaking truth to each others hearts.

LET EVERY HEART PREPARE HIM ROOM ... Advent Readings for the Season

Have a very Merry Christmas Season my friends,

Shelley

Bring Out The Book...

2014-09-04T08:11:00.002-04:00

Israel had been released from Babylonian captivity and Cyrus has told them to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple which was laying in ruins. And so they did ... (a few of them anyway, because there are always those who like to stay near a place of captivity).

Those that returned, immediately started to rebuild. The very first thing they restored was the altar of the God of Israel. Yes, once again offerings were being presented before the Lord and the rebuilding of the temple itself proceeded. But as with all things that we do for the Lord, the Israelites faced opposition and discouragement from their enemies and so by royal order the rebuilding came to a screeching halt.

That is, until Haggai & Zechariah came and prophesied to Israel ... because who doesn't need a direct Word from the Lord?! In those days the Lord spoke through His prophets in bits and pieces. But in these days he has spoken through His Word. We hold in our hands the big picture! (... we win!).

So with a fresh Word and a rebuke from God, Zerubbabel rallied the people once more and regardless of whether persecution came or not ... they completed what they had started!

Nehemiah heard word that the Temple had been restored but His heart was heavy knowing that Jerusalem was not longer a fortified city. The city wall lay in ruins. How would the city and the temple be protected? Nehemiah spear-headed the rebuilding of the wall and when all was completed the Israelites gathered together as one man in the square before the Water Gate. Imagine with me, thousands of people in the square gathered together because their hearts longed for something more than themselves, and with a roar the Israelites started to shout... (Continue reading HERE)

Meeting Jesus on the Pages of His Word!

2014-09-01T12:14:00.000-04:00

Happy Labor Day Weekend!!

For some of you this may feel like the Saturday of Summer but I have to admit that for me it feels like the Friday of Fall. Although I do love Summer I have to say that the Fall is my most favorite time of the year. Big comfy sweaters, crisp days, fall colors, hot chocolate, orange & red leaves, homemade soups, campfires and long walks – yep, I love it all! But this Fall I'm especially excited to share with you some of the things that will be happening over at ‘The Well'.

(PS I do love football season too ... GO DALLAS COWBOYS!!)

For sometime now the Lord has been nudging me to blog with more purpose and focus. But I’ve been hesitant because deep down I always feel as though I'm not that clever or that there is somebody who could do a better job. A little bit of insecurity and fear raises its head because I don’t want to fail. But then I have to remind myself of all those who have gone before like Daniel, Esther, Mary, Paul, Deborah and Ruth. Oh please don't think that for one second I'm comparing myself to them or even dare to think I am like them - but they are my examples, my 'show-n-tells' of all the God can do with a person. They all stepped out in obedience not knowing what the outcome would look like – but trusting that God would be their help and their strength. I'm trusting the Lord to be and to do those things for me as I transition over to ‘The Well’.

I’m so very thankful for those of you who have joined me there by signing up for the e-mails … thank-you! You have truly encouraged me!

For those of you who have joined me and for those of you who are still wondering what its all about I’d like to give you a snap-shot with regards to some of the things that you can expect to find there.

To begin with approx. three times a year you'll find an active 6-7 week on-line Bible Study. Our first one starts in the book of Ruth on September 15^th. During these seasons of Bible study you can expect to receive three e-mails per week.

On Mondays you’ll receive the reading schedule for the week;

Wednesdays will be a short teaching about the verses that we are reading;

Fridays will provide some wrap up thoughts on all that we have read.

During the times that we are not involved in active Bible study, you can expect to receive an e-mail maybe once or twice a week looking at some of the subjects listed below:

Twisted Scripture - those verses which seem to contradict themselves
Character Studies - taking one person from the Word and digging into their life and purpose
The Names Of God - Who is He? What does He say about Himself?
Book Studies and Overviews
Topical Studies - Marriage, Prayer, Memorization, Our Children etc.
(I'd also love to hear from you about some of the things that you would like to see appear at 'The Well')

So girls, this is just a short list of the things that are on my heart to share with you. Oh I hope that doesn’t come across as dry and boring. I pray that as we come to the well of God’s Word and drink deeply, that our thirst for Him will increase. That’s the desire and longing of my own heart. I pray you’ll come along too and lets be women who know what we believe, who apply what we believe and who aren’t afraid to dig into the Word to find the God who is able to help us in our times of need.

Join me at the well … it’s where we’ll meet Jesus on the pages of His Word!

Love Shelley

CLICK HERE to sign-up at ‘The Well’

'The Well' ... it's time for something new!

2014-08-29T07:56:00.002-04:00

I really enjoy the 'land of blog', so many interesting people with inspired thoughts and ideas. There are blogs for parenting, blogs for marriage, homeschooling, baking, crafting, health ... you name it, it's out there, the good, the bad and the ugly.

But today, I want to invite you to check out a blog that the Lord has been laying on my heart to offer to you. It's a place on the world-wide-web where the living Word of God will be the main focus.

You see I get that our lives are so busy that fitting in another meeting can do a number on us. That's why I want to offer you a place to meet for Bible Study in the convenience of your home. You can turn up to this meeting anytime you like to find the help, resources, ideas and inspiration to dig deep into the pages of the Word.

On September 15th, we'll be starting a Bible Study in the book of Ruth. So join us won't you. Follow the links provided in this blog which will lead you to the place where you can enter your e-mail address (... you'll see a box the right of the screen).

As we head into the Fall lets set our heart and mind to find Jesus on the pages of His Word. He has promised to meet us there ... I really hope you'll meet us there too .... (click the link below)

'THE WELL'

... where women come to meet Jesus on the pages of His Word

BUT NOT!

2014-08-12T16:30:00.000-04:00

I feel the need to type this out loud in a few ways today ... it's a mantra that's thrumming through my mind ... the phrase ...BUT NOT! And I feel that if I keep proclaiming this truth and turning it over and over in my mind and letting it spill out of my mouth then ...it will ... IT WILL ... help my own soul as I think about the utter sadness of it all.

I've seen many links and posts about it. But I can't bring myself to click them. Because I can't stand the horror of what my head already knows to be true.

The truth is, it's been going on since the first ... 'And God said...' in Genesis 1:3 when He created all things pure.

The slither of the tongue that twisted all things pure became the never ending lie that dominates ... or at least THINKS it dominates.

BUT, my friend, we are NOT of those who shrink back and are destroyed

but of those who BELIEVE and are SAVED!! Hebrews 10:39

This is not a time to shrink back - shrinking back brings destruction - self destruction! Oh ask that man of mine and he will tell you that this past little while has been a time of wanting to shrink back from it all - of throwing in the towel - of laying down over it. But once you are His, He finishes what He starts (Psalm 138:8). And try as you will ... He will never let go because COVENANT means everything to Him!

And HE comes along-side, that comforter, that healer, that revealer of all things true - that precious Holy Spirit - and on your weakest of days He magnifies HIMSELF as strong!

And so I think of frightened children and terrified mother's and wives and broken fathers and husbands. I see them crowded in the safety of the sanctuary and my mind cannot let me gaze through the window to see those who are being persecuted. Those who have not yet made it to safety - those who have CHOSEN to face it ... so we FIX OUR EYES ON JESUS ... and we PRAY.

WITH. EVERY. LIVING. CELL. IN. US - WE PRAY!

Because although

we are ...hard pressed on every side BUT NOT crushed;

perplexed, BUT NOT in despair;

PERSECUTED BUT NOT ABANDONED;

struck down BUT NOT destroyed

We are those of the BUT NOT ... we need to stand in the gap for the hard pressed, the perplexed, the persecuted, the struck down and pray with all our hearts that they will know they are the BUT NOTS of 2 Corinthians 4:8-9.

BUT NOT crushed

BUT NOT in despair

BUT NOT abandoned

BUT NOT destroyed

because

we FIX OUR EYES not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.

For what is seen is TEMPORARY,

but what is unseen is ETERNAL. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

A Beautiful Thing...

2014-08-05T21:42:00.003-04:00

He says, "All stand please"

And so we do.

And the music and the melody starts and we know the words even before they appear on the screen.

And we sing.

One of the things I love above sitting in the front pew is that you hear an ocean of voices singing behind you - and if you stop for a moment - the passion washes over you - and your heart's a puddle as you realize all the praise is for Him!

We sing out the things that we long for and need, recognizing all the time, that it's what He desires from us. But then I stop and I confess like some fool that I can't sing this certain 'phrase of words' because I'm stuck wondering if I can say it's truly what I long for ... and I repent.

Immediately I'm transported back in my mind to 1992. It was her story that CHANGED. MY. LIFE! Her, the nameless woman, whose act is written for all eternity upon the pages of Holy Writ. In fact Jesus Himself said that,

'wherever this Gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done

will also be told in her memory' (Matthew 26:13).

And it was in hearing those words that the Holy Spirit grabbed me so tight that I knew I wasn't going to be released until I surrendered. It was His work in me - it was Him perfecting that which concerns me, so I take no credit. But I remember the Lord, through the pages of His Word, saying ...'Come in your brokenness'.

So back to this past Sunday, August 3rd, 2014, I see her again. Beautiful dark hair, jet black eyes and soft olive skin and she breaks open her offering and gently starts to pour her life out all over Him; because her life was consumed by Him.

Her life was in that jar,

her future,

her security,

her independence,

her wealth,

her whole self-made-self

was stored in that jar.

Oh she knew the cost. She wasn't a fool. She came knowing that her public breaking would cost her e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g.

It was the breaking that released the offering and with it released the fragrance of her heart which Jesus esteemed as a 'beautiful thing'.

So why does it cause such fear for me to offer a 'beautiful thing' to my Lord? He hadn't yet died for her sin. She hadn't yet seen the suffering he was to endure - but by faith she broke open her gift and worshipped Him.

And the weight of it cuts right through and I'm back in the embrace of the Spirit ... knowing I won't be let go until I surrender.

And the Spirit whispers over me ...'it's no longer I that live, but Christ that lives in me, the life I now live in the body, I. LIVE. BY. FAITH., in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me'.

His resurrected life - in me - holds me, as I sing,

'Brokenness, brokenness is what I long for,

Brokenness is what I need,

Brokenness, brokenness is what you want from me.

So take my heart and form it

Take my mind and transform it

Take my will and conform it

To yours, to yours, oh Lord.

All to Jesus I surrender,

All to Him I freely give

I will ever love and trust Him

In His presence daily live

I surrender all...

Matthew 26:6-13; Galatians 2:20

Ark

2014-08-02T18:39:00.000-04:00

I confess that the week hadn't started that great to be honest. My own vain imaginations ran amuck underneath my bleach blonde hair, and things kind of spiraled down hill for a day or two ... mix that with a 'touch' of food poisoning (is there such a thing as 'a touch'?!), and you have yourself a miserable start to the week!

My sweet, sweet friend texts me scripture to try to be the one who 'spurs me on', and I receive it, kind of - but not fully to the depths of my toe-nail polish {which happens to be fuchsia for added interest}, because stubbornness clings on like a burr at times!

Stubbornness tripped over itself midweek and I came crashing down with a tad bit of humility - so the next morning I get up early to meet Him at the dining-room table cos it's one of the places we face each other. And I fling open the Word searching for the e.i.g.h.t. letter word that I need breathed over me once more. I find it mentioned for the first time in Genesis 6:18 and I just stare at it for the longest time.

But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark,

Covenant linked with ark,

I can breathe again.

And I look out the window to my left and I remember the day it ended

on my drive-away.

After everybody had left that night from the prayer meeting that was held in our house - I just bawled. You see at that time, when we had prayer meeting at our house, we were starting something brand new, can you call a church 'a something'? I think not. But I remember I. WAS. TERRIFIED.

But when that glorious bow ended on the driveway that night

the living Word cried out ... COVENANT!

I am your ark.

Trust me!

So getting back to this morning at the dining-room table

I hear those words again ... Covenant. Ark. TRUST. ME.

I kiss that my man of mine good-bye but before leaving the house - I grab a CD that's still all wrapped up and disgarding the plastic wrap on the seat I turn up the volume and hear these words sung out through the speakers.

'Jesus carry me,

You will be my ark

that floats me up above the storm

Just say the Word I'll be made whole'

It's a holy moment when the Word and Worship kiss

Thank you Lord.

Fruit or Vegetable?

2014-07-18T12:30:00.004-04:00

To be honest, we are not REALLY big fans of it. But we seem to get giddy over anything that grows well and so we eat it anyway with a smile on our face?!

I remember when I was a little girl, I would sometimes pick it and walk around with the huge leaf over my head pretending it was an umbrella; and when I got tired of that I would grab a tea-cup full of sugar and dip this sour root into the sugar and suck it like a lollipop. You know that sensation that you get behind your ears, when something is so unbearably sour you can hardly stand it - well I would torture myself with this sourness thinking that it had to get better - it never did!

{Obviously this isn't me - but you get the drift!}

But now that we are all grown up - we grow our own. And sometimes I actually bake with it - because apparently, that's what wives do?! And I proclaim quite proudly, as I begin the process of chopping it - 'Look at me being a wife', and that Bengert boy smiles and goes and digs some more in the dirt, always looking for fresh growth.

So, I thought I would share this with you, because we genuinely love this recipe! No, really we do! And I'm sorry I don't have a photo to show the finished product, so you'll just have to believe me, that I truly and honesty did and have made this many times over the summer now ... give it try ... even if you don't like rhubarb - you'll be surprised ... we were!

Rhubarb Dessert (ta-da!)

1 egg

2 cups flour

1/2 cup butter, melted

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup butter, melted (yes again!)

2 eggs, beaten (poor eggs!)

1/2 cup flour

4 cups rhubarb, diced

1 tsp sugar

cinnamon to taste (I never use the cinnamon)

Preheat oven to 375 (190c). Prepare an 8 x 8 inch pan.

In a bowl, beat egg - all the while telling it how sorry you are to be

beating it! Add 2 cups flour,

1/2 cup melted butter, salt & baking powder.

Mix with a fork until crumbly.

Reserve one cupful for the top; press the remaining crumbs

into the prepared pan.

Combine sugar & 1/2 cup of melted butter

(this is where I want to eat a tsp full but apparently grown-ups

don't do such foolish things!!!)

Add 2 eggs, 1/2 cup flour, and rhubarb.

Mix and then pour over base.

Sprinkle the remaining crumbs over filling,

then sprinkle 1 tsp sugar & cinnamon over the crumbs.

Bake for 40 mins.

It's great to eat warm but I personally always like it the next day

when it's cooled.

And just for nostalgia's sake

I loved Rhubarb and Custard sweets as a child!

They tasted nothing like rhubarb ;-)

Happy Friday!

PS It's a vegetable - but acts like a fruit - ha!

The Gift

2014-07-15T16:27:00.000-04:00

It wasn't even my Sunday to teach the children.

You see our Children's Ministry Leader was going on a vacation and so she revamped the schedule and changed the weeks around, and here I was, 'on', for this Sunday.

You never know how many children there'll be, I see it range from 5-15 on any given week; so in my mind I figured there'd be 7 but I planned for 15. You could call it optimism.

Jesus asked,

“Who do people say I am?”

There were quite a few families away that weekend, families with children anyway; so when my Pastor called the children forward, all two of them (!), came and stood at the front (boy we have a lot of snacks to eat!).

But when I saw those smiley faces standing there, I thought to myself, 'THIS is a GIFT'.

And so we went down stairs and for the next hour we got to talk about who Jesus is.

You see, I get to see these two on a pretty regular basis. We do birthdays and Christmas and Easter together. I've even been invited to a Princess Party and drove down the highway with tiarras stuck to my 40 + year old head so that I too could be a princess ... but never have I had a full hour to simply talk to them one-on-one, without interruptions about Jesus! An Aunt listening on the edge of her seat to their thoughts about who Jesus really is. What a gift!!

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist;

others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah

or one of the prophets.”

I don't think there's anything more thrilling on the face of the earth than to hear todays Saints, albeit, little in size, tell you who Jesus is to them.

“But what about you?” he asked.

“Who do you say I am?”

And we talked about sin and repentance and forgiveness, and the blood, but when we played a word association game and I threw out the word JESUS, they answered 'the cross'!

And I could just bawl because 'THE Cross' is so very foundational to EVERYTHING that we believe Jesus to be. Without the Cross, we HAVE NOTHING. We miss out on the 'real Jesus' when we forget the Cross, and instead we just have 'the good man' Jesus. And we don't need a 'good man', we need a SAVIOUR!

And at their tender, delicate, innocent ages ... I could see that these two 'gifts' have begun the lifetime journey of knowing and of growing in their knowledge of who Jesus Christ is ...

Simon Peter answered,

“You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Because we understood that Jesus died on the Cross for OUR sins , we talked about our friends who need to understand, and we sat in a circle and prayed for Autumn, Alysa, Matthew and Donna; friends and family who need to know the significance of the Cross in their lives and their need for a SAVIOUR!

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah,

for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood,

but by my Father in heaven.

Father God, I will NEVER get over my salvation!

Thank you Lord, that you saw my sin stained life,

and yet while I was STILL a sinner, CHRIST DIED FOR ME!

The punishment that should have been handed out to me

because of my sin, was instead put upon the Son of the Living God,

who was crucified for me. You suffered incredible torture for my sin!

So much so that you actually died on that Cross.
BUT, thank you Lord that it didn't end

at the Cross, because three days later you rose from the dead,

proving ONCE AND FOR ALL, that 'YOU ARE THE MESSIAH,

THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD.'

Be exalted Lord, in my life and in the life of my niece and nephew.

Thank you so very much for the gift of time to talk to them about you!

Happy summer to me!

Thoughts From Last Week

2014-07-13T18:58:00.001-04:00

These things made me really really laugh ... and really really ... REALLY think!

Let's laugh first ... (turn up the volume)

CLICK HERE if you can't see the video for the ultimate 'Dog Tease' ... poor puppy!

Now lets really really think ...

A couple of weeks ago I went for breakfast with a friend and she choked up as she told me about a book she had read. It's this book ....

I sat on my deck last Friday night and laughed and cried as I listened to the story about Norman, you can listen too ... if you like.

PART ONE

PART TWO

Here's to another sustaining week x

Budding & Flourishing

2014-07-12T08:24:00.000-04:00

Happy to be married to a farmer ~ who loves to see growth. Whether it's in the people that he gets to speak the Word over each Sunday; or whether it's in his own back yard. Regardless, he plants, and it's the Lord who brings the growth .

{Celery}

{Brocolli}

{Banana Peppers}

{Leeks}

{Brussel Sprouts}

{Bell Peppers}

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven

and do not return to it without watering the earth

and making it bud and flourish,

so that it yields seed for the sower and bread

for the eater,

SO IS MY WORD that goes out from my mouth:

it will not return to me empty,

but will accomplish what I desire

and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Isaiah 55:10-11

{Carrots}

{Beans}

Loving the summers fruits ... thank you Lord!

The Wait

2014-07-05T11:32:00.000-04:00

Summer is full of waiting
We wait for flowers to appear
We wait for the days and evening that will be warm enough for us to sit outside
We wait for a much needed vacation
Children wait for school to be over
Parents wait for school to begin again
Maybe we wait for a summer visitor
We wait for hot sunny days
Then we wait for rain

Even in our everyday living we wait for sooo. many. things.
For the kettle to boil
Or the microwave to ping
For supper to be ready
Or for a phone call
We wait in line at the store
We wait at traffic lights
We wait for the washing machine to finish its cycle
Then we wait for clothes to be dry
We wait for a prayer to be answered
We wait for the salvation of a loved one
We wait for a prodigal to return home
We wait for our hearts to heal
We W.A.I.T

Our living is a constant wait.

W.A.I.T

Hebrew - Yahal: to wait, to tarry; to hope, expect; to be patient. Used in reference to waiting for the passage of time.

Job 14:14 'I will YAHAL (wait) for my renewal to come. You will call and I will answer you;'

Wait carries the sense of hopeful expectation

Psalm 71:14 'But as for me, I will always have YAHAL (hope)'

A hopeful expectation that is always rooted in God.

Psalm 43:5 'Why so downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?
Put your YAHAL (hope) in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.'

We live in constant seasons of waiting.

Hebrews 6:15 'And so after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise'

God's promises cannot fail of their accomplishment. Patient waiters cannot be disappointed.

Believing expectation WILL BE REALIZED .... Selah

Lord, there are many things that my heart is waiting for. Things that I bring to you on a regular basis. Things I have prayed and waited for - for such a long time now. Help me Lord to never give up or tire of waiting. You are the Sovereign of the Universe. You hold time in your hands. You govern the days, the minutes, the moments. Let me not lose my joy in this present moment as I wait for you to answer. You are faithful, even when I am faithless. You rise to show me compassion, may my faith and trust of you rise to show you honor. I will wait in expectation of all that you are able to do. I will wait for you and be strong and take heart. I will wait in hope. I will wait patiently because your name and renown are the desires of my heart. I watch in hope for you Lord. I will wait for God my Savior, because my God will hear me (Micah 7:7) Be exalted in my waiting Lord - In Jesus Name and for His names sake ... Amen!

(Ps 5:3; Ps 27:14; Ps 33:20; Ps 37:7; Isaiah 26:8; Micah 7:7)

Watch

And

It will

Appear

Blogging for the Summer

2014-07-04T14:31:00.001-04:00

I blog a lot - just not out loud for everybody to read and see.

I have more drafts saved than posts that have been published.

Cos after I've spilled my thoughts out onto the white screen, I realize that the process was just for me - and then once in a blue moon I'm nudge to think that maybe somebody else might need to read those words too.

Blogging opens a teany tiny window for people to peep into and sometimes I like my windows closed.

But now that summer is here, and now that I've finished up my Bible study with the girls for the summer months, well, I think I might just be brave enough to hit 'publish' every now and then. To open the windows, draw back the curtains and let the summer breeze flow through.

I'm not sure how it will look here, I'm imagining a mish-mash of all sorts of things. But I'm looking forward to the summer months.

Arise my love, my beautiful one,

and come away with me,

for behold the winter is past;

the rain is over and gone.

The flowers appear on the earth,

the time of singing has come...

Song of Solomon 2:10-12

Something beautiful

2014-05-20T12:22:00.002-04:00

Falling asleep while holding hands.

Friday...

2014-04-18T18:39:00.000-04:00

I'm all conflicted inside.

I'm not sure what to do with my feelings or what to call them.

It's Friday.

I see posts that proclaim ... 'It's Friday, but Sundays comin' and I know what's being said. Some say we shouldn't mourn so much. Why be so downcast. Don't be sad of soul. Lets rejoice anyway we know the ending.

But it's still Friday - and I feel tangled up inside.

I go outside into the garden and I think I should dig in the dirt or something ... just do something - but I've got no ambition.

Oh, please don't get me wrong ... I'm not feeling depressed.

I know my Redeemer lives.

But it cost Him something to live ... I'm feeling the weight of the cost of it all.

I was asked to read something out loud at church this morning, something that I don't particularly like to read.

Maybe it's my self righteousness that thinks - Oh that's not me, I would never have said that, not me! Surely I would've been by Mary's side supporting her.

But the reality of the words and the feel of them on my lips made my stomach turn sour. And I hear my own voice speak loud into my own ears - and I've already asked the Lord to please don't let me cry facing the people ...

CRUCIFY HIM!

I'll never forget sobbing as a 17 years old. I'm not pretty when I sob - it's why I sit on the front pew cos I cry a lot and I keep my eyes closed pretending that nobody nobody can see me. It's just me - my heart and Jesus.

But my heart often feels crushed when I think about my sin ...

CRUCIFY HIM!

when I think about my redemption ...

CRUCIFY HIM!

when I think about my Saviour.

CRUCIFY HIM!

I just have that Friday feelin

I don't want to shake it

I want to

remember. him.

Oh I KNOW Sunday is coming

but today, I'm remembering my sin crucified Him! cos it's hard to say in big font

And I think quiet worship is what I'm feeling.

Selah!

Remember

2014-04-17T18:52:00.000-04:00

It's Thursday and they gather together in a small room. Many paintings have been displayed in full glorious color but I imagine it was a simple room, bare walls, simple rugs, basic low to the ground table ... they reclined at it.

The men, the men had no idea.

They knew it was Passover. The time they remembered their deliverance from captivity. The angel of death passed over. They were saved. No longer slaves. Set free.

So they ate the unleavened remembering their haste, and they drank the wine remembering the blood stained mantels.

But they were clueless.

"I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you ...

Earnestly? Really? He knew ...

Earnestly, epithymia - it means desire, long for, with a passion.

THIS was His passion.

'This is my body, which is given for you ... This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood...

remember. me.

When they had sung a hymn they went out to the Mount of Olives.

God singing! Did angels stop singing to listen?

A hymn from the Hallel - the Hallelujah - the Praise Yah!

'I will not die but live,and will proclaim what the LORD has done.

The LORD has chastened me severely, BUT he has not given me over to death.'

Ps 118 v 17-18

'This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it'

Ps 118 v 24

But there was no slapping of tambourines or hands clapping in rhythm to an up-beat tempo ... it was a deeper than that. It was a sacrificial worship, deep to the core worship, for the One who would be the sacrifice.

remember. me.

There is a remnant who will never forget. The blood and His calling upon us has made it so.

we remember

how could we forget

And the angels cry GLORY!

When living costs you...

2014-04-05T18:26:00.002-04:00

He slid the christmas gift down the church isle and said 'Merry Christmas', I looked up and caught his wife's eye as she smiled and turned away. I was hoping it was what I thought it might be, she had talked to me about it a week or so earlier ... but you never want to presume such a kindness.

They left quickly ... I wish they would've stayed.

As soon as we could, we opened the gift and a lump swelled in my throat and Shane was thrilled to bits. It's probably one of the most thoughtful gifts we've received - and she would never have know how special it was to receive it this very Christmas...

It had been such a wonderful Christmas so far. I've never had one like it in almost 20 years of living in Canada. My sister was here for her very first Canadian Christmas and the day after she arrived answered prayer fell from the sky and landed as snow on the ground. I've never seen a 30 something year old woman spring across her bed like a 7 year old and laugh with excitement as she looked out the window. THIS was Canada at Christmas!

We shopped and laughed and went for coffee; we baked sausage rolls and made turkey dinner and cinnamon rolls. We all watched Christmas movies, and walked the dogs and made snow angels. We saw the Falls at Christmas and walked among the light displays. We had a spa day and afternoon tea and we did everything Christmas that we had not done together since I left England so many years ago. It was wonderful. She joined us in reading the Christmas story around the Christmas tree as my husband and I so often do on Christmas Eve; and we all prayed together each day. I loved it ... and I tried not to think of the end of it.

I hate endings...

But eventually we found ourselves doing that dreadful walk to 'departures'. I cry at the drop of a hat, but she is so much stronger than I and she's composed and in control and I'm a jello mess. So I tried to make it funny and as we hugged each other tight I told her that I wouldn't let go until I squeezed a tear out of her ... and we grinned at each other and got brave all over again.

Shane and I watched her 6 foot slender frame walk off through the departure gate. We stayed until we could just see the top of her head and then our arms shot high into the air as we waved furiously not able to see a face but seeing finger tips ... and then she was gone.

Life can be hard...

But that gift, it was given for this Christmas, for this departure, for this sad goodbye.

You see the King had wanted to offer something to the Lord. Wanted to buy a threshing floor so that he could build an altar and worship. But Araunah, well he wanted to give David the land as a gift but David insisted on paying for it. David uttered words that over the years have become my life verse ... he said,

'I will not offer the the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing,'
2 Samuel 24:24

Oh you know it, life costs us dearly at times. Whether it be missing a family member, dealing with sickness, losing a job ... it can be just plain painful and hard and unfair and unjust. But everyday of our living is to be an offering of ourselves to the worship of the One who sacrificed EVERYTHING so that we might be saved from our sin and truly live.

I'm so thankful for this permanent visual reminder that speaks out Shane's life verse together with mine. We both need the reminder on a daily basis. God is so very faithful as we continue 'to live by faith in the Son of God who LOVED us and GAVE Himself for us!'

Our offerings seem so small in comparison ... but God sees them as worship.

SELAH

So small yet so God

2014-04-03T21:29:00.000-04:00

I lift my cup of peace - chosen with intention because I feel the absolute need to inhale and digest PEACE

I find my chair and I thank my GOD that the house is still. The life contained within these wall are at rest and only the thrum of the furnace is heard.

I read 1 John 1:14-15, because it instills confidence in me as I approach -

and I long for more confidence - a greater faith - the ability to just

BELIEVE.GOD.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God:

that if we ask anything according to his will, ...

HE. HEARS. US.

And if WE KNOW that he hears us - WHATEVER we ask -

WE KNOW that we have what we asked of Him.

And so I pray for my love because He asked me too. And with confidence instilled knowing God hears me I pray and before I finish praying I hear that buzz. That buzz that goes off a millions times around the world in one 24 hour period. And I want to ignore it and obediently keep on talking to the One who hears.

But the buzz,

it comes again and I feel a sense of comfort that its OK to look.

And the text tells me that this Sovereign of the Universe

this One who spoke and galaxies exploded at the shear sound of His voice

HE. HAS. HEARD.

AND.

HE. HAS. ANSWERED.

And the crazy-wild-magnificent thing is ... He had answered 2 hours before I asked.

It was a simple 'up-grade' that would mean nothing to the rest of mankind

but it was the answer that my man needed as the day drew to a close.

Because God cares enough to BEND. DOWN. TO. LISTEN

Psalm 116:2

I. WILL. CALL. ON. HIM. AS. LONG. AS. I. LIVE

Psalm 116:2

Peace, never found in a cup of promise,

but found in the presence of the Only God who promises to hear and answer.

SELAH

Lord, when you are glorified, my heart is satisfied to know,

all praise and honor are yours

It's Lovely

2014-01-22T17:28:00.000-05:00

How lovely is your dwelling place,

O LORD Almighty!

My soul yearns, even faints,

for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and my flesh cry out

for the living God.

Psalm 84:1 (Niv 84)

* * * *

How lovely are your tabernacles,

O Lord of hosts!

My soul yearns, yes, even pines

and is homesick for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and my flesh cry out and sing for joy

to the living God.

Psalm 84:1 (Amplified)

* * * *

Cravings ...

you don't even know you crave it until you consume it.

That's what she had said anyway.

You crave what you consume.

So true

You never truly know how thirsty you are

until you drink deep of the living water.

It's the opposite world effect -

I find Jesus works this way

sooooo. many. times.

You expect that if you drink

your thirst is quenched

but not so in His Kingdom.

The more you drink

the more thirsty you are

FOR HIM!

It's His kindness alone that even makes me want to drink

this Lord of hosts, the giver and sustainer of life

He draws us

and puts a longing in us

that only HE CAN SATISFY.

He loves us THAT. MUCH!

His dwelling place

it's the place where HIS GLORY shines
shines alive into the untamed cravings
that sweep us along in the world.
Oh but ...

better is
one
day
in
your
courts

than
a
thousand
elsewhere.

What fleshly desire of untamed crave
can beat that!

Better is ONE day ... than thousands elsewhere!

and so my heart and my flesh cry out and sing for joy

to the living God!

Selah!

I don't wanna think it can't be done

2014-01-17T10:36:00.002-05:00

I'm sitting here this morning knowing the week end has come and my thoughts are drawn here.

I announced earlier this week that I'm 'on' again and yet through-out the week I haven't posted a thing. Not that I think you are waiting - it's just that I know I want to. I have three posts all partially written and not ready to hit 'publish' ... and yet this morning I have this mad urge to post something that might just offer some encouragement to a sister on the other side of the screen.

And so I pray ...

'Lord, I'm sensing you urging me to post something , but I'm not sure what,

and I don't have much time, could you please show me .....'

I go to facebook, because it's Friday and I always send my sister her weekend love ... but something in the news feed catches my eye. I click on it, and the moment it starts a lump swells in the back of throat and I hear this still small voice. 'THIS is what I'd like you to post.'

'Thank you Lord - you are always faithful'

The lump formed when she prayed the words ... 'I don't wanna think it can't be done'.

And I resonate with the longing in her voice and my insides cry out in silence ...

Lord, there are many things that I sometimes feel cannot be done

and this very morning you show me ONCE AGAIN,

that NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE with YOU!

Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."

Luke 18:27

So please listen right here. And when it is finished - sit with Him, He has spoken this to your heart this morning - talk back to Him. You may feel alone - BUT you are NOT alone. And don't think it can't be done ... because when we are weak He is strong!

If you can't see the video in this post then please CLICK HERE

Maybe you stumbled here this morning and you do not know this God who promises to never leave you or forsake. Then click RIGHT HERE and find out what Jesus has done for you so that you will never be alone.

Keep running the race!

Shelley

ON again ...

2014-01-09T18:55:00.002-05:00

Ugh! This is so crazy. I'm drawn here and I have thought about here off and on during the last year. More on than off in the last month. And then on, on, on ... in the last few weeks.

And now I'm on.

And I'm not sure why I have that tickly feeling in the pit of my stomach.

This time it feels more like obedience than pleasure although don't get me wrong I totally know that pleasure comes from obedience.

You see years ago, (more than two accounts for years right?), I couldn't help but be on ... be here. It was the drive to communicate something to maybe say something that would hit somebodies happy spot - a word of truth spoken in season. And now looking back maybe the communication was just for me.

Maybe I needed to be the communicator,
the listener,
the learner,
the encourager
and the encouraged ... maybe?!

I've changed courses a few times and I thought that the last time would be more for 'self-fulfillment', my own place to worship, my quiet spot, what's that they call it ... 'your happy place?'.

And although I've had many 'happy places' over the past year, its never really ended up being on here.

Part of me knows why that has been, because you see at times I'm not very brave, sometimes I can wonder what people think and sometimes I don't always like what people think. And so its just easier to be quiet. Yes, you know it!

But just this past week as I've been drawn to think about being 'on' again I've had this thought trickle through my mind ...

'maybe the reason you say what you say is so that ONE person might be encouraged,

ONE soul might find hope, ONE person might keep persevering...'

Oh I hope so.

'I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to make you strong -
that is,

that you and I may be mutually encouraged
by each other's faith'

Romans 1:11-12

Humm - I like that verse!

Happy New Year!

Never Pretending

2013-06-22T12:20:00.000-04:00

I honestly never pretend to have an original thought.

I tell what I hear,
and I show what I've been shown
and I love like I have been loved

and none of it is original ... it's been copied from the masterpiece HIMSELF.

So I'm here today, because if I'm honest inadequacy washes over me and thoughts fail me and words come out jumbled. And I stand on the shore line looking at the vast ocean praying that God will come down and part the waters so that I can walk through to the other side. Leading precious women with me - wanting so desperately to not lead them into unknown waters but to lead them on that oh-so-narrow-path-of-truth. Face like flint - fixed on the goal - the precious prize of just KNOWING HIM.

Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the LORD has helped us." 1 Samuel 7:12

Thus far the Lord has helped me.

Lead on Lord ... Lead on!

Abide

2013-02-13T16:20:00.004-05:00

I try not to 'be' religious but there are some things I do religiously. Daily events that I don't even think about and before the day is done I realize that 'religiously' I have entered in - and sometimes not even noticed.

It's not lost on me the naked tree. It stood in our living-room a whole week naked before it was drug outside into the cold and piled on top of the other trees - way back at the end of our yard and in the bush. I sat with my coffee staring at the empty branches remembering the beauty and now seeing only the death of it all. Everything stripped bare with the exception of one small reminder. I left it hanging there on purpose so that my heart would remember the reason. Oh yes, the reason of the season, but more so the reason of the season still to come, and 'It Is Finished' hung from that dead tree.

And I knew it was.

And today I know it is. But there is something in me that NEEDS to remember that often. To remember the death - and not just of a tree. But MY death, my death to self as I bowed low beneath that cross - that dead tree and received MERCY and SALVATION.

And the need to remember calls deep and I want to respond but without the religious...ness of it all. I need to remember in worship and surrender and commitment and obedience and yes even death.

I've died - at 17, its no longer me that lives but CHRIST LIVES IN ME. And I AM DEAD TO SIN AND ALIVE TO CHRIST ... and I yearn for more alive, more life ... more obedience ... more abiding in the vine. Yes, that's it ... I WANT TO ABIDE ... I want to learn to abide...

And today marks the start and for the next weeks, days, 40 in all - I sacrifice to abide ... in that one, true, living Vine. That which is not dead but that which is fully alive. And I WANT fully ALIVE. To live days fresh to the Spirit.

Lent. Jesus never observed lent - but he was drawn away for 40 days. Led by the Spirit ... into a desert ... to be tempted (Matt 4:1) That's what it says, and my mind boggles - led away to BE TEMPTED. And the Word was fresh on His tongue 'It is written' and three words pierced the darkness when temptation came and HE CONQUERED all things that would bring death - and He came to set the captive free.

And how can I not worship ... and follow ... and abide.

How can I not, for such a short time, choose to remember -to reflect - to sacrifice in such a small insignificant way. And so my abiding begins, and I'm ready to learn - because truly, IT IS FINISHED and I am ready to start, and may the Word be fresh on my tongue ...

To Follow Like Him

2013-01-01T16:07:00.000-05:00

He finds me in every room and comes to sit close.

He's the only one out of the five.

Anticipating my move from one room to another he walks ahead with a constant glance backwards,

he pushes in close to my heel and walks in rhythmic step pressing hard against the movement,

sticking close,

moving with the beat,

never straying from the chosen path.

And. I. Want. That.

I want his desire to keep constant company.

His desire to enter a room to seek companionship.

His desire to walk in step.

His desire to anticipate each move before its sinks into well worn fibres.

He lays at worn out feet.

Laying humble.

Keeping company.

Listening for a voice with familiar tones and inflections.

And submissively he obeys.

The others, not so much, he often goes it alone.

Following not the crowd.

I want to follow that example.

You have made known to me the path of life;

you will fill me with joy in your presence.'

Acts 2:28, Psalm 16:11

Last Words

2012-12-31T19:16:00.002-05:00

Lord when you are GLORIFIED

My HEART is satisfied to know . . .

ALL praise and honor are yours.

And when all creation sings

To you the KING OF KINGS

We know . . .

ALL PRAISE AND HONOR

ARE YOURS!!

Happy New Year Lord

Thank you for another year

of walking with you.

I love you x