someone else on the road...

Here by the Water
Performed by Steve Bell, written by Jim Croegaert

Soft field of clover
Moon shining over the valley
Joining the song of the river
To the great giver of the great good
As it enfolds me
Somehow it holds me together

I realize I've been singing
Still it comes ringing
Clearer than clear

And here by the water
I'll build an altar to praise Him
Out of the stones that I've found here
I'll set them down here
Rough as they are

Knowing You can make them holy
Knowing You can make them holy
Knowing You can make them holy

I think how a yearning
Has kept on returning to move me
Down roads I'd never have chosen

Half the time frozen
Too numb to feel

I know it was stormy
I hope it was for me learning

Blood on the road wasn't mine though
Someone that I know
Has walked here before

experiencing Jesus

Have you met Christ in your interactions with others? Recently, I've met him repeatedly, and I'm so thankful for the gift. I'll share a few of these meetings with you - hoping to use story to point heavenward. I'm not the author of these little interactions, I'm just the grateful recipient.

Sometime in February, I met with an old friend who I'd heard was having a rough time. I really wanted to comfort and encourage her - I sought her out to bless her and pray with her. When we got together, it turned out that she was the one encouraging me. I saw Jesus in her eyes, they were broken and sad, and FULL of grace - then I heard a message from Him that my friend couldn't have known I was needing to hear. It was so surprising and unexpected.

Another time, a friend at work came to my office and prayed with me, without even talking too much before asking if we could pray together. The week before, we had talked about something difficult in her life, and I had been thinking of her often. As we were about to bow our heads, she looked into my eyes - and again - spoke words that would have been completely unknown to her as being the right ones. It was like Jesus was the one offering reassurance. Also, again - completely unexpected.

There have been so many inspiring moments with the Praying Ladies, I cannot pin down only one. One of the ladies often brings specific verses for the other two. Several times, the verse chosen has been unique or special already.. and the selection and reading of it by a caring friend just increases the significance.

During the service we attended as part of the Wpg. Missions Trip, a lovely woman from the congregation came to me during the worship time and said that she felt stirred to pray for me. She put her hand on my arm - it was such a warm and kind thing to do - and prayed words that were general, but I made them 'specific' in my own heart as I prayed with her. It was like Jesus had stood there with me, and the first few moments after she walked away felt strangely empty and cold. The answers to that prayer were evident within a few days.

At my sister Lorrie's place, she was sorting through some paperwork during my visit, and a little quote she had cut out weeks before fell from the papers. She felt it was meant for me. She took the liberty of rifling through my bag - knowing there would be some kind of journal in there - and pasted the verse in. A few days later, I was sitting on my bed - opened up the journal and was momentarily paralysed by the words I found there. Again.. she had no idea of the timing, but it was exactly right.

Other friends have asked extremely insightful questions, or made comments that re-direct my thinking. They cause me to look within and learn, and to know Jesus better through their stories and experiences.

Just tonight, a young woman who has been staying with us came into my room, where I was reading - (withdrawing?) - and shared some observations about the state of affairs in our home. She said that she feels welcome, but also feels like she is hurting and grieving with us, because there is a very heavy feeling in our home. Her words made me so sad, and I wished that we were offering her the jovial and fun house we often have, wished that her time with us could be different and lighter. This is the second conversation we've had in as many days where my tears just spring up without any warning- and they don't hinder or alter the conversation - they just flow. She said, simply, that these circumstances are "real - and thats okay." Her observations felt like something Jesus among us might say or do- simply reminding me where to focus and how to "be" with him. Not making demands about "doing," but reminding me of the blessing and responses to life that should come from simply "being" with him.

The lesson is that Jesus is everywhere - all the time, but never is it more evident than when we are at a place of broken-ness. And when two people in that place come together and look for encouragement, Jesus meets that and fills the space between them with himself. The other lesson is that these interactions happen between people who are just true and just honest. The is absolutely no pretense or falseness. That is when Jesus is fully, powerfully present, when there is no hypocrisy at all. There is so much in me that wants to fight that low and vulnerable place, that wants to protect myself from both getting there in the first place, and then from allowing anyone to see me there or know that I'm there. Why do we always want to put on the act of self sufficiency? We might be fooling men, but we're not fooling God - and we are discouraging his presence and guidance when we take on that independent "I can do it myself!" stance.

We can be so foolish. And living in the Kingdom of God is so very, very different from what we see in the world around us.

Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” John 11:40

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” John 3:3

Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they could see! Then they followed him. Matthew 20:34

whats going on?!?!?

Living in a small town often means that we know one another's comings and goings more intimately that we might in an urban setting. I actually love it, and I'm not being sarcastic. Small towns are awesome for fostering community and there is something very sweet and simple about the ease of relationships. I am blessed to live in a wonderful small town that I grew to love after living here for about 10 minutes!

Since it has become known that I will not be working at Bethany, lots of people have been asking us whats happening, and since a 'for sale' sign went up in front of our house, the questions have been fast and furious! I don't mind being asked, my experience is that people genuinely care - to be cared for is a blessing.

The truth is we're just exploring. It's really as simple as that. We haven't made a decision to leave Hepburn - we love it here and would be happy to stay if opportunities lined up to make that feasible. We're exploring lots of ideas and options.

Thanks for reading... and praying... and caring.

randoms...

Owen sits beside me trying to come up with a speech he was supposed to have written and delivered sometime last week. And I'm monitoring the progress to make sure it gets done once and for all. So far we've started four different topics. I have to sit by him to make sure he works. While I do so, I wonder if he will ever be able to keep a job. I actually just told him that if he ever wants to live outside of our house and make a living on his own, it will require him to do such distasteful things as making speeches and holding down a job - perhaps even simultaneously. He thinks he will quit school at age 16 and join a famous rock band.
Yeah, okay.

So, some random thoughts..

to entertain you.. or to waste time..

not sure which. :)

This is my niece, Haily. She is almost a year old. I am really missing watching her grow up! I was supposed to be a labor coach for her birth last year, but it didn't work out - it was quite sad about that. I think karen should have her birthday party when we're in Winnipeg at Easter. She finally sent some pics over, and both O and I are more convinced than ever that she looks like our grandpa, Pepere Legault. In a very cute and feminine way !! And she walks - Ever since 10 months, toddling around - so cute. I actually took a video of it a couple of weeks ago. And she is so happy. As a newborn, she had this beautiful serenity about her. I'm looking forward to seeing how she grows up and whether this peacefulness stays with her.

• Jess and I are facilitating an adult Sunday School class about spiritual maturity. She has blogged about it already and pretty much captured all that I'd have said. Check her post out here. I was also dwelling on the way that spiritual growth happens as our dependence (on God) increases, while other growth usually emphasizes independence increasing. (think of children becoming adolescents becoming young adults -- or think of apprentices becoming craftspersons; they're increasingly self reliant and that is the evidence of growth.) The other think I've been thinking on is speaking the truth in love. That was the passage we focused on a bit this past Sunday; Ephesians 4. I did a little reading on these verses, where the Jesus Followers in Ephesus are told to grow up. One commentator used the word 'truthing' to describe speaking the truth in love. He said its so much more than a few words emerging from the mouth of one person to another.. he said that speaking the truth in love is more like a truth-FULL existence where integrity and authenticity are of importance to all in community. Where avoidance or fear have no place and LOVE is the real emphasis in all interactions and relationships. Where people can receive and deliver all manner of lovingly said words without defense or arrogance. I liked that verb - TRUTHING.

• Paul W. blogged about church - emphasizing the revelation of God in community that happens when we gather. I agree with that in principle, but I'm not sure how much corporate revelation I've actually experienced. My experience is that I gain insight from any message or teaching - it needn't be in church. Usually though, I do learn something from the speaker or pastor in church - is my personal learning revelation because others are present in the room? Or is community revelation more like what happens once the ideas can get unpacked with others in discussion- with family over lunch after church, with small group meeting later in the week.? I'm interested in this corporate revelation idea. Reading from the Scripture, dramas - these are all opportunities for divine things to be revealed, but we're each internalizing and processing on our own ... and probably differently from eachother. I wonder whether an emphasis on the prophetic is required to really grasp this idea of corporate revelation. I haven't been to that many services where this is given space, perhaps thats why I'm asking questions... (at the winnipeg centre vineyard in january, there was this invitation to come forward at the end of the service to learn more about prophecy and prophetic gifts. I was excited to learn more, but then the pastor said that they had run out of time and would have that group time the following week. I was sad!)
• People are praying for our family - we know this and are so, so, so grateful. Thank you. We are humbled by your care for us. I know its a random thanks, but many friends check out this blog and we just want you to know how appreciated you are.
• O and I are almost done the speech. And we've shared a fruit and nut bar. .. or as he calls it fruity nuts. My son makes me laugh. Actually tonight, he was speaking in his I'm-from-India voice and he made me spew tea (a london fog, actually) back into the cup (instead of choking on it while laughing). He is quite a funny boy. As I've typed this blog, he has given me some blogging advice - essentially that i should stop writing about unfunny crap like what I usually write about and focus only on humorous content. I think he should have a blog... I'd read it!

Humor is mankind's greatest blessing ... Mark Twain

Praying Ladies

So, every week almost since I moved to Hepburn, I've gotten together with two AMAZING and wonderful women to pray and chat. I look forward to it every single time, without fail!

First, I'll tell you how the group came to be - because it's a great story! One of them came to help us settle in to our new home. She stopped by frequently in those early days - bringing potatoes from her garden, helping set up furniture, generally being welcoming and inviting and making us feel like old friends. One day, I was doing kitchen-y things while she was over and I sensed a message from God that she was a gift from him... sort of like a 'sister' in this new place we were calling home. I chose to trust that message instead of questioning it, and the blessings of doing so are still piling up to this very day.

The two praying ladies were friends with one another, and maybe they even prayed together sometimes, long before I came along. They just let me crash their party. We decided to meet each week during youth group. The start was a bit tentative, but we were immediately comfortable together.

Now, the three of us pray for any situations in our lives, for all of our relationships, for each others kids, for our community, for the youth group, and so much more. We've each had hiccups and challenges in our lives over the past couple of years, and its been amazing how we've been able to speak into situations and be a genuine support and encouragement. Trust grew quickly, as did insight into how we each of us is wired. We've had meals and coffee dates out, and even a sleepover! (Our second mini-retreat is planned for the end of the month, immediately following my last official day at Bethany.)


I love the praying ladies. We've poured into one another and loved well. It's good.

Leadership Junkie

I've been reflecting on the Hybel-ism "The local church is the hope of the world..." lately. Do you know the rest of that statement? .... "and the future rests primarily in the hands of its leaders."




Here are some insights from the most recent Leadership Summit last August. Today, I felt compelled to review some notes. (The workshop notes are still in my bag, 6 months later!)

"In other eras, the Jesus people were the inspiring, the dogged, the courageous, the unashamed. Now were mediocre, un-excellent, and unaccountable." (“LOVING” and “GRACIOUS” are words we use to ease any recognition of our lack of effectiveness)

"We’ve spiritualized mediocrity. We aren’t loving well and we’re not extending grace, we’re not trusting God to be sovereign, at work, and leading. We apply the label of 'faith-led' selectively to some of our circumstances but not all. We convince ourselves that circumstances are godly when they’re shallow and hollow. This is part of a very large problem."

"It matters!!! Be excellent, rigorous, effective, and accountable."

"Something is wrong if Christ’s yoke is light, but mine is heavy."

"God, rescue us from all things PETTY. "

Thoughts? Many of these quotes are from the second session, with Gary Haugen of IJM. Wow. He was inspiring. And courageous. In one 30 minute session, we were left with a beautiful impression of a person who leads entirely for the Kingdom ... and bears fruit. Wow.

But the Lord is in his holy Temple;

the Lord still rules from heaven.

He watches everyone closely,

examining every person on earth.

Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked.

He hates those who love violence.

He will rain down blazing coals and burning sulfur on the wicked,

punishing them with scorching winds.

For the righteous Lord loves justice.

The virtuous will see his face.

from psalm 11

Encouraged

I spent today quite a bit more encouraged than I have been feeling. The day started out with this photo of the kids getting ready for school. I have no idea why these outrageous head-wear are the thing, but apparently, this is cool in Hepburn. For boys AND girls. Apparently.

Anyway, the thing is that our family is pretty stressed a lot of the time recently. I would have never, ever in a million years chosen to leave Bethany. And chaos and upheaval are not recommended ingredients twice in as many years for any family.

But then, really, which of us would choose those things that have strengthened, shaped, and matured us? We usually include ease, comfort, stability in our decision making. When those things are not available, we have to choose to look for the nuggets of gold in the challenges - things that are keepers; lessons, messages. CHOOSE is such an important word.

A little nugget for me this morning was the joy between my kids. They were enjoying each other. And it felt like we were a family - a team - in this thing together. And my heart was warmed.

That's all.