JOY!

I am not sure if there is something in the cold air blowing across the lake or just a part of a life with girls growing up, but just ... sometimes.

Sometimes we all can be just a little NOT so nice. We find a way to needle our sibling with just a comment. We find a way to show our feelings with a glaring sneer or roll of the eyes. We find a way to express our dissatisfaction with a little more attitude in our talk. We find a way to not respond with silence. We find a way to just be ... bad.

It was during one of these moments that I was struck by a song that I had learned as a young girl, when I was about the age of Nicole, our oldest daughter. I am not sure of the title but the first line in the song is "Jesus, Others, and You, what a wonderful way to spell JOY." I had to remind the girls that joy did not mean happiness.It meant something much deeper. It was a contentment and a commitment to place Jesus first in their lives, others second, and themselves last. Spell the letters backwards and it means nothing. While the word is short, this is not a minor task. Sometimes the smallest things, like this word, can be the hardest thing for us to do.

Since we are soon entering the season of Advent, this thought moved me more. There will be a number of Christmas melodies streaming across the airways carrying this little word in its melody. Maybe keeping the spelling of this little word in mind will bring about just a lot more JOY in the season!

A Weekend Away

This was a girls' weekend away in which I got far more than I had expected.

The "Unite in Worship" Conference was held this past weekend. Two full days in the heart of downtown Toronto where a journey begins from the ancient to the modern. It was also an opportunity to see the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit at the ROM. I must admit that I had looked forward to just getting away. What I did not expect was that I would be so moved and touched by the Spirit in an unforgetable way!

There were five gatherings with each one touching in their own special way. The first was opened with worship lead by Vicky Beeching followed by a little insight into the Dead Sea Scrolls from Dr Craig Evans. I was amazed at how these ancient documents had been "saved and found" after all this time. Saturday night was ended with the songs of praise lead by Paul Baloche and a moving message from Dr. Dorothy Peters. Allison wanted to be up close so to the front row is where we trodded - no closer seating could be found to the awesome worship leader. Dr Dorothy Peters' message pulled at my heart as she opened herself up to claim the writings of one of the psalmist as drawing a clear vision of her experience when her son was killed a few years ago. She talked about the breaking waters of childbirth and the pain that we sometimes succumb to in our life experiences but despite them we are still able to praise and sing to our Father in heaven. I must admit that while I could understand how the psalms truly do put to words the pain and suffering of our life experiences I can remember clearly NOT being able to sing in my darker moments within the past year and half. But I wholehearted agree that the praises could be raised up even in those difficult times. Sunday morning began at 9AM with Brian Doerksen. My heart soared with the songs "Lord, shepherd Me" and "Father, father Me". Brian has eloquently put these words into psalmlike songs. Then Tom Davis challenged us to thinking about the reign of God, that His kingdom is so valuable, and it is here but not in complete fullness. The afternoon gathering was led by Tim and Jon Neufeld of Starfield. It was remarkable how these two young singers led the throng in an acoustical praise of several "older" songs to our faithful God. Glenn Packiam was the speaker for this session and my highlight speaker. Since the conference was a worship conference I was not expecting to hear words that summed up my recent life changing experience. He spoke about how easy it is to fall in the trap of relying on other "God experts" and how we become lazy in our worship. But then come the experiences in our lives which he called "what the heck? moments" - times in which life just stops. At this point we have two options - move away from God or engage yourself with God. For we were "created for contact with Him" If you chose the second option, then the result is that once again we are moved to a first hand knowledge of God contact. Awesome!!! The final time of praise was led by Robin Mark. What I loved most were his two songs that just summed it all up: "All is Well" and "One Day."


All is Well

He lowers us to raise us
So we can sing His praises
Whatever is His way all is well
He makes us rich and poor
That we might trust Him more
Whatever is His way all is well

All my changes come from Him
He who never changes
I'm held firm in the grasp
of the Rock of all the ages
All is well with my soul
He is God in control
I know not all His plans
But I know I'm in His hands.

He clothes us now then strips us
Yet with His Word equips us
Whatever is His way all is well.
And though our seasons change
We still exalt His name
Whatever is His way all is well.

All my changes come from Him
He who never changes
I'm held firm in the grasp
of the Rock of all the ages
All is well with my soul
He is God in control
I know not all His plans
but I know I'm in His hands

Yes, Lord, ALL IS WELL WITH MY SOUL BECAUSE YOU ARE IN CONTROL! While I don't know what Your plans are for me I take great delight in knowing that You hold me in Your grip and have never and will never let me go through it alone. Thank you for this heart contact with You this weekend.


One Day
To You O Lord
will all the earth give glory
No other name will share the glory due
Though kingdoms rise and nations mock Your mercy
One day they'll stand and worship only You.

Every knee will bow down
Every tongue say out loud
You are the Lord of earth and heaven
Every hand will be raised in the thunder of praise
You are the King of all creation they'll say
One day... One day

Today we join with angels and archangels
Who never cease by day or night to sing
Yet we await the moment earth joins heaven
Around Your throne to raise an offering

Every knee will bow down
Every tongue say out loud
For Yours is the kingdom
The power and the glory
Forever and ever amen
They'll say, We'll say
Yours is the kingdom
The power and the glory
Forever and ever amen.

Weekends away - praise be to GOD!