Your way or the Highway

Have you ever followed?

Who do you follow?

Man or God?

When something is wrong with the picture what choice do you make?

Do you stick with the crowd or do you follow what is right in your heart?

It's so easy in situations in our lives to be swayed by the crowd,by their opinions.

I think we tend to do this because we fear rejection of man.

Perhaps this is in our nature

but

What does God want us to do?

Have you taken the time to sit back and ask?

.

I ran into a situation yesterday not of my own but of anothers.

As I listened to what they had to say I was hearing what they were not saying.

They were saying things have changed

I also heard they had changed because of anothers opinion.

Although this was never stated out loud.

This person was lost and couldn't see why.

The hadn't recognized that they were inadvertently choosing a belief or side that was not of their own but because of care and concern for the others hurt.

They were just being supportive.

We have all done this at one point or another in our lives and the odds we may do it again are great.

Proverbs 26:17

" He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a dog by the ears."

Have you ever grabbed a dog by the ears?

I have and the scars have been deep.

Not from the bite but of the time I have missed with God.

People and places change over time.

Some for the better some not

but regardless

God wants us to put him first not man.

Do you praise God because of it

or praise despite of it?

We are to do both.

Is life all about you and what you want?

or is it about what God wants for your life.

Is it your way or the highway

or is it

His way and all the highways will be yours to travel.

We miss being comfortable

We hate it when friends change for better or worse

sometimes they leave us

and sometimes they come back.

Perhaps they leave for the greater good

or perhaps they leave because it's their way or the highway.

Regardless of their calling or choices

they are missed in the family of God.

Last question

Do you do Gods work by lifting the hands of our leadership

or do you rely on the man to lift your hands?

A Desert Stream Family Moment.

Today I witnessed one of Gods children at his finest. I won't say who but will give you a hint at the end of this post.

As I was walking back to the staff room a gentleman was standing at the post office speaking boldly lovingly about His Lord and Saviour with such passion I could hear him half way down the isle. When I approached the back I could see people rolling their eyes in line behind him. The young lady at the counter was smiling politely and serving him and unbeknownst to the rest of the line he was serving God. I however knew and pride filled my heart knowing he was my brother in Christ and a fine member of the church I attended. I was connected to this man although we don't know each other on a personal level but a fellowship level.

This hit me right in my heart so hard I could hardly breathe.

We have the same Father and this was my brother standing there unashamed of our Dad.I immediately started praising our Father for giving me such a wonderful brother.

One lady looked,rolled her eyes and mouthed Jesus freak.

So what did I do. I said Hello loudly,and then said to the lady That's my brother in Christ Praise God.

"Hello Kiddo what a great day"

But the story doesn't end there. Later on in the day I went back to the staff room punch out for the day and the young lady that was at the counter said Do you know that man,he is such a wonderful man and he sure loves God and isn't afraid to talk about him.There was another young lady sitting there and she said what did the man look like did he look like this?

Yep you described him right and she began to tear up and said when he came to the front cash he stopped for a moment then looked and said God wanted me to tell you that you are a blessing and you are beautiful.

My heart was so filled with love for God as the young lady said I was having such a ick day and felt really down and worthless,this man made my day. Do you really think God told him to say that?

You bet sweetheart! and He will use even a stranger to let you know how much He loves you.

She smiled and said I guess I have forgotten I think I should start thanking Him and praying to Him again.

Just when you think your day is just an average uneventful day God pops into Shoppers Drug Mart and says Hey just wanted to let you know I am here and I Love You.

Thankyou Father for remembering all of us even when we sometimes forget about you but most importantly thankyou for teaching us what true obedience is through our brothers and sisters in Christ.

GLORY!

I Love This Man

I Love this Man

Today I just finished my first week back to work and I am in pain.

Not from the surgery but the lack of muscle use while I was off.

I stand all day

My Neck back legs and even my arms are sore.

My husband works much harder than I. He delivers freight in Picton all day long.

He lifts and loads and unloads freight from 7:30- sometimes 6:30 at night Mon-Fri

The man has arthritis and gout in his knees and is constantly in pain.

AND YET

when I arrived home tonight, he met me in the driveway and came and hugged me when I got out of the car.

It was quite the sight as we were both limping and laughing towards eah other at our not so graceful aging process.

He was also BBQ-ing potatoes and porkchops and the garlic bread was ready to go.

He offered to pour me a drink and when I walked into the house it was immaculate.

He even borrowed pledge from the neighbour.

And even with all he did today plus mow the lawn and walk the dog.

He took the time tonight and rubbed my back shoulders and feet while watching the hockey game because he knew I had a long first week.

Sometimes we look for blessings in our lives and we can often tend to think they will be

Big and Bold and Obvious

but

it's the simplest acts of selflessness that are truly the Blessings.

God has given me an amazing Blessing

and his name is Steve

and I want for nothing more

There are Candles and There are Stars

Every church has Candles and Stars.

Candles can be our ushers,maintenance people,kitchen help. They are there in the background,unassumingly glowing gently as they serve the Lord

Stars can be our Pastors,our Elders, they are in the forefront doing what they do best shine the light of God upon us as they too serve.

Now

We have all heard the saying Children should be seen not heard.

What an injustice this is to them.

Children have plenty to say and are so filled with wisdom.

The problem sometimes is that children do not articulate as well as we would like them to.

We become frustrated and try to hurry them along in their thoughts and it is then we miss what they are really trying to say,we miss the profound wisdom that is within them.

At the other end of the spectrum children tend to think adults know all.

Yes we may be wiser sometimes due to experience but don't discount their experiences.

Some things we have been through and can understand but now aday there are things we can only try and relate to.

The world has changed since we were young and I pray that more will come to Christ and see that there is goodness in this world.

Tonight was an amazing night at Junior High and Youth.

I have helped lead for almost 2 years now and I have heard alot out of the mouths of these beautiful babes but most importantly I have been taught many things from the children of our church.

Tonight I was blessed to hear not only with my ears but with my heart Mackenzie Martins testimony of her personal moment with God.

She taught us all about LOVE

The breaking down of walls we may have that prevent us from loving fully.

The fact that God can love us no matter what so why can't we love each other the same way.

Just when you think you have it down pat a child speaks in a crowd and the doors of enlightenment and hope open up within you.

Praise God for Mackenzies courage,boldness and obedience for not only trusting Gods love in her and of her but to show us how much she loves us with a trusting heart.

Bless you Mackenzie and thank you for speaking a message to not only my heart but to all that God placed in your path tonight.

We all had the privelage of witnessing a beautiful star tonight and she shone so brightly many wept as the Holy Spirit filled us with words of love from this child.

Our children are the Stars of this world listen to what they have to say.

I promise you,you will be filled with wisdom age cannot give
but
God can through our most treasured gift.
Our Children

Bless you Mackenzie and thank you for a night I will cherish in my heart always.

Love you lots

Grandmo