Tracy's Blog

Yes, you read that title correctly!  Here we are in the middle of Lent and today (March 25th) is a Holy Day that points us to the Incarnation: The Annunciation of our Lord Jesus Christ to the Blessed Virgin Mary. We usually read the Gospel account of the Annunciation during Advent as we are preparing to celebrate Christmas and we are swept up in the amazing truth that God became human and dwelt among us.  But Mary wasn't pregnant for only a few weeks.  March 25th is 9 months before December 25th and it is the date that the Church has designated to attend to the miraculous and glorious event of the Annunciation. As you read the passage, invite the Holy Spirit to speak to you.... in your place of need.  You may want to read it slowly, two or three times.  Let the words so familiar in another season of our lives bring hope and perspective during this season of contrition and repentance. peace and grace, Tracy Luke 1:26-38 (ESV) 26  In the sixth mon...

Lent is a time for self-reflection.  To become more aware of the habits and patterns of our life and see what they point to: trust in God or reliance on self/something other?  A couple of weeks ago, I blogged about 1Thessalonians 5:14 and challenged myself to self-examination to see if I was "reading" myself wrong and therefore not dealing with myself as the verse encourages us to treat others. ( Click here for link to that blo g).  So, what did I come up with? Well, the first thing is that the NASB translation has stayed fixed in my mind: "We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone." I found the word "unruly" spoke to me in a way that lazy doesn't.  For years I accused myself of being lazy but later realized I wasn't lazy, I was anxious, fearful, or discouraged.  I was fainthearted. Encouragement was what I needed not admonishment or warning.  I now find it hard to discern ...

Not the carbonated beverage, our dog.  Now if you've read my blog over the years, you might be surprised at the title.  Pepsi has appeared in these blogs as a source of frustration (see January 15, 2014 ) but today he is a source of insight. Our weather here at the moment is spring-like: +3 degrees and melting.  This means the sidewalks are slippery  in spots as ice is melting but not completely gone.  We were just out for a walk and I slipped on the ice.  A quick scene flashed through my mind which included a trip to ER and a wrist cast.  But that didn't happen.  Instead, as I was falling, Pepsi's leash became taut providing a stabilizing force for me and I was able to gain my balance.  Whew!  Then as I walked, I began to think how this can be a picture of the spiritual life. Seasons change in our lives.  Even in our spiritual lives, we move through seasons as God works in different areas to continue to sanctify us.  Duri...

One of the important insights I have gained while working with women who have left abusive relationships is that we need to not have an abusive relationship with ourselves.  We can separate ourselves from anyone who treats us cruelly but if we disrespect ourselves, mistreat ourselves, or speak harshly to ourselves, we are still not free of abuse. What does this have to do with this blog?  with Lent? Well, the flip side is also true.  If we treat ourselves like Scripture commands us to treat others, then we will have a godly relationship with ourselves.*  Recently, when I read instructions about how I am to treat others, I ask myself: do I obey this command toward myself?  Today I have one verse I want to focus on: 1 Thessalonians 5:14 "And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone." (NIV) I love this verse.  I love it because Paul is so realistic - p...

My spiritual director shared Zephaniah 3:17 with me last week as we were entering into a time focused on God. One line caught my attention: “With his love he will calm all your fears” . I really liked the idea of this and is sounded new and fresh to me. I didn't remember that being part of the verse. Why? Well, because she read it in the New Living Translation and I was used to thinking about that verse from an old Bob Fitts chorus: The Lord our God is with us He is mighty to save. His delight is in us He renews with His love. The Lord gives praise and honour Taking all of our shame. He rejoices over us with singing. He rejoices over us with joy. (I suspect that there are a few readers who are singing along with me now!) In the song, the line is translated “He renews with His love”. While I like that idea too, it got me curious regarding the various translations. Here are four translations: New International Version “ The LORD your God ...

What if I have nothing to say? This was the question on my mind today as I sat down to write a blog. Somehow Tuesday had come and gone and I hadn't even thought about writing. Yes, yes, there were many things going on this week – Grad Fashion Show 2017 and Festival du Voyageur Concert to name two unusual evening activities – but that wasn't the main issue. The main issue is that I wasn't ready to write anything. I didn't have a message. I didn't have a story to tell. What was I to do? Well, when I don't know what to do, I pray. So I prayed, right there in the middle of Tim's Tae Kwon Do class. Sitting on the gym bench with my back against the cold concrete wall. I prayed and I asked, “Lord do you have anything for me to blog this week?” The answer came immediately. This is what I heard in my heart: “ Of course Tracy. Tell them about My love. Tell them that there is nothing that can separate them from Me. Tell them to be strong and ...

This week I read the following quote and it has stuck with me: "Take time to meditate and to worship, until the light that comes from the throne of God has shone into you, and you have seen your union to Christ as the work of His almighty Father.  Take time, day after day, in your whole Christian walk, with all its claims, duties, needs, and desires, and let God be everything." (Andrew Murray,  Abiding in Christ , page 44) Our lives are busy. That is pretty standard in our culture.  As Christians, we may find that there is never enough time to do everything we would like to do as so many needs surround us.  That's why this quote stood out to me.  Because it acknowledges the many "claims, duties, needs, and desires" we have and yet calls us to the quiet, to time with God everyday.  And not just time that results in checked-boxes. Read my Bible.  Check. Prayed for my friends. Check. Wrote down three things I am thankful for.  Check. All thos...