60th Day--Never Alone!

March 1 is the sixtieth day of the year. There are 305 days left in 2010. How will I spend the rest?

I want to spend them basking in Christ's presence!

Never Be Lonely Again
I shall never be lonely again! Now, that is the secret, the pith, the marrow, the centre and the kernel of the salvation of Christ; the one thing that solves every difficulty, the master-key that opens every door. If you have the presence of Christ, you can never be alone.
~ W.Y. Fullerton, The Practice of Christ's Presence

This morning during my reading I was struck by the fact that I often pray as if Jesus is up in heaven; at times I even physically glance upward, as if toward heaven, when I am talking to Him.

It is true that Jesus is in heaven. The Bible says that He is seated at the right hand of God the Father (Hebrews 10:12 and many other Scriptures). Ephesians 2:6 tells me that I am "seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."

I want to live above the world, though satan's darts at me are hurled.
~hymn, "Higher Ground"

Christ IN Me
It is a wonderful truth that I can live above the world. But Scripture also teaches me that He is with me and in me (Hebrews 13:5, Colossians 1:27)! Do I really believe that Christ is with me--at eye level--walking with me, sitting with me, working with me, listening to me, talking with me?

If that reality hits home in my heart, and I truly embrace it, how much will it change the way I view things?

...When someone is unkind?
...When I feel rejected?
...When I feel unappreciated?
...When I feel lonely?
...When I feel angry?

I see the eyes of Jesus gently gazing upon me, saying, "I still love you, my daughter... I appreciate you... I am with you... I will never leave you." I feel His arms around me.

The eyes of Jesus are upon each footstep that I take,
His ears are always open when I pray;
His hands are always there to help me lift my heavy load,
His heart is broken every time I stray.
~ sung by Greater Vision

Today as you go about your day, talk to Jesus as if He is beside you, working with you, taking part in every emotion and task! Because He IS! Comment and let me know how it changes your outlook.

Christ beside me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me. ~ Saint Patrick

2009 in Review

Borrowed from a missionary blogging friend in Austria

1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Led a Boxes for Missionary Wives project and a Delivery of Home Baked Goodies to Area Families project.

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I usually set some goals for the year at some point, but don't focus much on "resolutions" because then I get discouraged.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth or get pregnant?
A dear friend was pregnant and miscarried this past fall. Another dear friend delivered her precious baby Lily Grace.

4. Did anyone close to you get married?
No.

5. Did anyone close to you die?
Not anyone close.

6. Travel?
We went to a conference in Virginia...I think in February.

7. Did you move anywhere?
No. Stayed at home-sweet-home!

8. What was the best month?
Not sure; I probably enjoyed December best.

9. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
A better memory--I'm so forgetful! More exercise. Keep a cleaner home.

10. What date(s) from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Uh, see #9--I'm forgetful, remember?!

11. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Teaching ladies' Bible study and learning a lot!
Planting and harvesting my first garden!

12. What was your biggest failure?
Not using time wisely. Not writing every day. Not enough exercise.

13. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Not really, other than increased migraine headaches, to which I found the answer! Praise the Lord! (See my blog post The Answer to My Migraines.)

14. What was the best thing you bought?
The best things others bought me were my new camera (from my husband) and my new toaster oven (from my daughter Chrystal)!
The best things I bought myself were basic clothing needs--solid coloured turtleneck sweaters, black jacket, etc. Much of this was purchased from money given to me by our church ladies!

15. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My husband's... He is amazing. He works seven days a week and still makes time for US!

16. Whose behavior made you appalled and/or depressed?
Politicians...

17. Where did most of your money go?
Bills and debt--trying to get caught up due to the economy and six months with no work last year.

18. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
At home: precious time with my husband, and also my first garden.
At church: Grant's and Matt's salvations, as well as the new people God has sent to our church.

19. What song will always remind you of 2009?
If there is one, it would probably be "Secret Place" by the Booth Brothers. (See my blog post Secret Place to watch the video. You'll need to scroll to the bottom and pause the regular music player on the blog.)

20. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? I'm happy and content.
ii. richer or poorer? I'm still content!

21. What do you wish you'd done more of?
More God-focus. Shown more gratitude. Done more writing.

22. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Less self-focus.

23. How did you spend New Year's Eve/Day?
New Year's Eve I relaxed with my husband.
New Year's Day I made Porzelky (New Year's Cookies)--a German Mennonite recipe of deep-fried raisin fritters dipped in sugar, which are a tradition in our family.

24. What was an unexpected surprise?
Going away for our 2nd anniversary to St. Jacobs, Ontario--hubby planned the whole thing as a surprise!

25. Did you fall in love in 2009?
Fell in love with Jesus and my husband all over again!

26. What was the best concert you've been to this year?
Greater Vision and the Booth Brothers

27. What was your favorite TV program?
Didn't really have a favourite or watch a regular show. When we watch TV, we probably watch Fox News more than anything. I admire Sean Hannity's assertiveness and Bill O'Reilly's vocabulary. Glenn Beck's drama makes me laugh! I appreciate their open discussion and conservative take on political issues.

28. Do you dislike anyone now that you didn't dislike this time last year?
I don't think so.

29. What was the best book you read?
Enjoyed some historical fiction on the Tudor monarchs this year, borrowed from the public library. Still finishing up Jungle Pilot, about the life of missionary-martyr Nate Saint.

30. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Grandbaby Kyla discovering music! She likes Greater Vision and the Booth Brothers too! :)

31. What did you want and get?
I didn't think about wanting a new camera, but I love it that my husband noticed that I enjoy taking pictures and bought me a much better camera than I had before! (The picture in this post was taken with the new one!)

32. What did you want and not get?
The house redecorated: all wallpaper stripped, all rooms repainted! (But these are my projects, so I need to add these to my New Year's list!)

33. What was your favorite film of this year?
Not sure.

34. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 37, and my husband and kids arranged a surprise dinner at The Iron Grill. Then I went to Bible study and the ladies had put money together for me for a shopping spree!

35. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Seeing our children desiring a personal walk with the Lord.

36. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
"Goes with more than one thing" and warm--my winter clothing anyway! (I've been working on transitioning my wardrobe from Florida to Canada for the past two years!)

37. What kept you sane?
The Lord, of course! Some vehicles He's used other than His Word are music, reading, writing, and gardening.

38. What political issue stirred you the most?
All US political issues stir me.

39. Who did you miss?
My mom and dad.

40. Random Memories from 2009?
Grandbaby Kyla learning to talk and walk, ladies in Bible study grasping God's unconditional love for them, ever learning to keep a house that is truly a haven, marveling again at the fact that "Christ [is] IN [me], the hope of glory" and that I am "complete in Him" (Col. 1:27 and 2:10).

New Beginnings in 2010

I can hardly believe that 2010 is here! Don't you think time just rolls on faster and faster, like a ball down a mountainside?



It is my goal to incorporate a bit more active exercise into my life in 2010. My lifestyle is too sedentary, and the older I become, the more I notice the need to change that! This does not mean that I'm becoming a distance runner this year! (Just FYI!) But I do need to walk on a more regular basis.

It is also my desire to create even more of a haven out of the home God has given to us. I want it to be a place of peace and rest for my family.



I liked my blogging friend Monica's list of goals for the year. Click here to read the list and see her lovely photos accompanying each goal.

More important than my physical or emotional goals, though, are the spiritual. My verse for 2010 is Luke 24:45, "Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures."

It is my prayer to become more intimate with God this year than ever before--and that, through a better understanding of the Scriptures. He IS the Word (John 1:1). I need Him to open my understanding to comprehend the Scriptures more fully, thus knowing Him more.




What are your goals for 2010? It's great to have goals and to ask the Lord to live through us this year to accomplish them. When we fail, we just need to ask God to pick us back up and put us back on track; not beat ourselves up about it. God doesn't! Do not allow your goals to discourage you; neither allow past failures to keep you from making new goals.

Let the 2010 music begin!

(Last two photos courtesy of my photographer friend Monique Tremblay.)