Tracy's Blog

I really appreciate the encouragement of others in my Christian faith. When I'm discouraged or have lost sight of what is true, it really helps me to have someone direct me back to God. But it is not always possible to have a person to fellowship with. There are times when we are by ourselves or in the company of non-believers and we really need encouragement. What can we do? I suggest we talk to ourselves. That the part of us that knows the truth speaks to the part of us that is doubting. Although I've been practising this for awhile through journalling, the concept became clear one night when I was driving and I heard these verses on the local Christian radio station. Lamentations 3:22-24 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”   When I heard Lamentations 3:24, it struck me...

It was a practical question that any 5 year old might ask. Yes, this was the question that Timmy asked in his Children and Worship class at church last weekend. The story was about Noah's ark and all the animals on it. As various aspects of life with the animals were being discussed, Timmy asked “What do they do with the poop?” An older child said, “They probably dumped it into the ocean” and the leader agreed. That's when I had a thought about obedience..... obeying God may mean having to deal with messy stuff. God commanded Noah to build the ark ( Genesis 6:14 ).  Noah did it as an act of faith ( Hebrews 11:7 ) and obedience ( Genesis 6:22 ). But when it was finished and the animals had come on board, there was lots more work to do as he tended to the animals ( Genesis 6:21 ) and I think some of it was hard, unpleasant work. I am tempted to believe that if I'm doing God's will, it shouldn't be tough or challenging or gross.... but sometimes obedience is....

Hi everyone, I hope your summer is going well and that you are receiving God's blessings as they come to you moment by moment. We are in the middle of boxes as our move is less than a week away.  I feel pretty calm about it.  Thanks be to God!  I just read a blog off of Ann Voskamp's sight that was written by Mark Buchanan (both are Canadians!).  It simply explains something that I've only learned in the last few years but have needed to know all my adult life: " the only kind of control the Bible endorses – indeed, commands – is self-control." So here is the link: a holy experience I'd be interested in hearing what you think and would appreciate your prayers for self-control for me as I deal not only with the tasks I have before me but also desire to parent my children in a godly way (without trying to control them) through the transition of packing and moving. grace and peace in Christ, Tracy

Well, I'm happy to report that I am feeling much better.  I'm sure some of you prayed for me after my blog entry last week.  Thank-you.  Prayer is very powerful and such an important part of walking with God.  But we often struggle with prayer. We don't know what to ask for or we are confused about God's lack of response.  I've heard it said that God always answers our prayers but His answer may be not what we expect. The gospel reading from last Sunday, Luke 8:26-39 , shows Jesus answering requests in surprising ways. 1. "Yes":  Jesus says "yes" to the requests of demons verse 32: "The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission" 2. "Yes": Jesus listens to the request of the people who have seen His great power and are afraid so they want Him to get away from them. verse 37:    " Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were ov...

This past January, I thought I'd try the Ann Voskamp thing and keep track of things I'm thankful for by listing them in my journal by number. Today I hit the number 1000. What an interesting day to do it! I'm sick...I think it is a sinus infection but it may be becoming an ear infection. I'm somewhat overwhelmed by all the tasks I have before me with a trip to Alberta coming up June 29 th and a move to Selkirk July 25 th . (It's a downsizing move so that means there is stuff to get rid of, not just stuff to pack.) And I think I'm going through the “end of school blues”..... even though I'm not the student! Oh yeah... and I have 4 things to bake or make food for in the next 48 hours! Okay, okay. Enough grumbling. Maybe you can relate?!?   In many ways, it is a great day to reach the “goal” of 1000 gifts that I have given thanks for as it reminds me that giving thanks is a day by day, moment by moment thing. God is here right now. He is gi...

Have you ever heard of a man named Aeneas in Acts? I was reading through Acts 9 and realized that I was unfamiliar with this name. Now, it is kind of understandable that we may not be familiar with him as the story of Aeneas' healing is squeezed between two very well know Bible stories: the conversion of Saul and the resurrection of Dorcas. So here it is. Acts 9:32-34 ESV Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight year, who was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.   Healing has been on my mind a fair bit recently because of several things: Timmy's sicknesses over the last 6 weeks; my current head cold; the Gospel passages of the past two Sunday lectionary readings ( Luke 7:1-10 and 11-17 )...

The last two weeks have been challenging with Timmy having a serious ear infection and our internet being down for 3 days. That's why there was no blog last week. Thankfully Timmy is now feeling better and we are back on-line! During Timmy's illness, I had an experience that spoke to me about God's patience. It was last Tuesday morning and Timmy was refusing to take his medicine. Now, I will tell you that these antibiotics taste terrible so it is understandable why he would be resistant. I even added chocolate sauce to them to make them taste less horrible! We ended up in a situation where Timmy hid himself to try avoid the medicine.  He basically cornered himself in as there were two walls and the side of the bookshelf blocking him in. Once I found him, I sat down on the fourth side so he couldn't run away from me again. I had realized that forcing him to take him medicine wouldn't work as he would just spit it up or spill it by knocking my hand as I mov...