Elizabeth Natalie's Cedar Chest

STARS

2007-03-25T15:39:00.000-04:00

Since i sang this David Crowder song at a recent women's gathering it's become my personal worship song, and prayer for the spring at least. This morning we sang it again with the senior youth at their 'Overflow' service at our local church, and it's message impacted those who thought carefully about the words...a few people asked for the lyrics so here they are; [check out the David Crowder Band 2003 recording, Illuminate CD.] "I've got nothing of my own to give to you, but this light that shines on me, shines on you...and makes everything, beautiful again."

Stars

Words & Music by David Crowder:

You should see the stars tonight
how they shimmer, shine so bright.
Against the black they look so white,
coming down from such a height
to reach me now,
You reach me now.

You should see the moon in flight
cutting ‘cross the misty night,
softly dancing in sunshine
Reflections of it’s light
reach me now,
You reach me now.

And how could such a thing
shine it’s light on me,
and make ev’ry thing
beautiful again?

You should feel the sun in spring
coming out after a rain.
Suddenly all is green
sunshine on ev’ry thing.
I can feel it now,
I feel You now.

And how could such a thing
shine it’s light on me,
and make ev’ry thing
beautiful and you should >>>

>>> hear the angels sing,
All gathered ‘round their King,
More beautiful than you could dream.
I’ve been quietly listening;
You can hear them now,
I hear them now (eh yeahh)

And how could such a King
shine His light on me
and make ev’ry thing
beautiful

and I wanna shine, I want to be light,
I want to tell You it’ll be alright.

And I want to shine, and I want to fly
Just to tell You now, it’ll be alright
It’ll be alright. Yeah.

Oh, it’ll be alright….

‘Cause I’ve got nothin’ of my
own to give to You

but this light that shines on me
shines on you,
and makes ev’ry thing
beautiful
again

It’ll be alright
It’ll be alright

Mysteries So Bright

2007-03-12T20:20:00.000-04:00

Excerpt ~ Chapter Three / FACEDOWN by Matt Redman (The Worship Series) 2004. Regal Books.

Mysteries So Bright
The God we worship is clothed in mystery. He reveals and He conceals. He invites and He hides. He confounds and He confides. The God who rests but never sleeps. Who thunders and whispers, terrifies and befriends. Whose anger lasts only a moment, but whos favor lasts a lifetime. Who is all-consuming yet kind, all-knowing yet capable of forgetting the sins He forgives. The God who wounds and binds us, who injures and who heals. The King whose footstool is the Earth, yet humbly washed the earth from the feet of those He discipled. Who reigns in righteousness yet carried our shamefulness. Who walked in the Garden of Eden in the cool of the day, yet sweated drops of blood in the Garden of Gethsemane one agonizing night.
The God of the smallest detail and the grandest design, who issued ornate designs for an extravagant temple yet found pleasure in the humblest offering of a widow's two tiny coins there (see Mark 12:42; Luke 21:2). The suffering servant who commands the universe. The sinless friend of sinners. The Savior who hung in agony on beams of wood He Himself had called into being. He is fearsome yet welcoming, unfathomable yet knowable. The God of kings and beggars, presidents and paupers. Who fathers the fatherless and works through our weakness. Burning with holiness, yet refreshingly graceful.

He who is worshipped by the multitudes of heaven yet rejoices over a single returning heart. Perfect in every way yet able to help those who are being tempted. He who is faithful even to the faithless, for He cannot disown Himself. This is the God we worship - The God of all mystery.

2007-03-06T09:53:00.000-05:00

"Too much activity + too little rest = a bunch of tired & cranky pups."

We're not like this at all ... are we!?

P.S. This is also what the lead worshipper in your local church sees looking at a congregation who stayed up too late the night before, or who are not happy with the choice of music.

PSALM 133:1 ~ "How wonderful it is, how pleasant, when brothers live together in harmony!"

The Best Kind of Friend ~ A Scottish Blessing

2007-03-02T14:54:00.000-05:00

A Scottish Blessing For You ~

THE BEST KIND OF FRIEND

The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you’ve ever had.

It’s true that we don’t know what we’ve got until we lose it, but it’s also true that we don’t know what we’ve been missing until it arrives.

Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they’ll love you back. Don’t expect love in return; just wait for it to grow in their heart. But if it doesn’t, be content that it grew in yours. It takes only a second to get a crush on someone, a minute to like someone, and a day to love someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.

Don’t go for looks; they can deceive. Don’t go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile because it only takes a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one who makes your heart smile.

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to make you happy.

Always put yourself in others’ shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person more. The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes across their path.

Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched, and those who have tried. For only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you’re the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

Only You

2007-02-27T15:04:00.000-05:00

2006. SKY OVER LORRAINE DRIVE ~ "We are breathing the breath that You gave us to breathe."

Song Lyrics; 2003. David Crowder. Illuminate CD.

Take my heart

I lay it down

At the feet

of You Who's crowned

And take my life

I'm letting go

I lift it up

to You Who's throned

And I will worship You LORD

Only You LORD

And I will bow down before You

Only You, LORD

Take my fret

take my fear

All I have

I'm leaving here

Be all my hopes

Be all my dreams

Be all my delight

Be my everything

And it's just You and me here now

Only You and me here now

And I will worship You LORD

Only You LORD
And I will bow down before YOU

Only You, LORD.

Explanation of God ~ Grade Three

2007-02-26T12:23:00.000-05:00

EXPLANATION OF GOD from the perspective of an eight year old grade three student:

"One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn't make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way he doesn't have to take up his valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers.

God's second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times beside bedtime. God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because he hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in his ears, unless he has thought of a way to turn it off.God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting his time by going over your mom and dad's head asking for something they said you couldn't have.

Atheists are people who don't believe in God. I don't think there are any in my city. At least there aren't any who come to our church.

Jesus is God's Son. He used to do all the hard work, like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn't want to learn about God. They finally got tired of him preaching to them and they crucified him. But he was good and kind, like his father, and he told his father that they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said O.K.

His dad (God) appreciated everything that he had done and all his hard work on earth so he told him he didn't have to go out on the road anymore. He could stay in heaven, and his Spirit could stay on earth, so they did that, and now Jesus helps his dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones he can take care of himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important.

You can pray anytime you want and they (the Father, the Son, and the Spirit) are sure to help you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time.

You should always go to church because it makes God happy, and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God! Don't skip church to do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong. And besides the sun doesn't come out at the beach until noon anyway.

If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know He's around you when you're scared, in the dark or when you can't swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids.

But...you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and he can take me back anytime he pleases."

A Valentine Message For YOU

2007-02-12T19:18:00.000-05:00

...It may be difficult for you to believe that God knows your name... but He does.

Written on His hand.

Spoken by His mouth.

Whispered by His lips.

Your name.

"I have written your name on My hand." ~ Isaiah 49:16

You have captured the heart of God. He cannot bear to live without you. God's dream is to make you right with Him. And the path to the cross tells us exactly how far God will go to call us back.

"It is not our love for God; it is God's love for us in sending His Son to be the way to take away our sins." ~ 1 John 4:10

If you want to touch God's heart, use the name He loves to hear. Call Him "Father". He thinks you're wonderful.

Excepts from the book God Thinks You're Wonderful, by best-selling inspirational author Max Lucado. Copyright of text 2003. by Max Lucado.

2007-02-09T11:37:00.000-05:00

It's been a cold blustery week. February at it's finest. One morning as our almost sixteen year old son Adrian was leaving to catch the bus, I informed him I'd written another verse to the classic Christmas poem, In The Bleak Midwinter, written in 1872 by Christina Rossetti. The poem was set to music in 1906 by Gustav T. Holst, and the Paul Colman Trio covers the hymn on the City On A Hill Christmas CD. (Note: you can see the author's picture and listen to the composer's melody by clicking on the title link).

I quoted the first verse of the original poem to Adrian, and then proceded to 'my verse' two...

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
(o.k. here comes my verse...)
"Not a bird was singing, in the steel blue sky,
I hope someone brings me, a nice hot apple pie."

As is the way of sixteen year old boys tormented by their mother in such a fashion, Adrian did not crack a smile, said a barely audible 'bye', and closed the door.

For your comfort and enjoyment, the rest of the real poem, written by a real poet is presented below;

I've left out verse three, but you can read it here if you like.

(NOTE: Pie making has never been a strength of mine, so if anyone is really good at it...I'll tell you where to find me.)

IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
But His mother only, in her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what can I give Him: I give my heart.

The Wonderful Cross

2007-01-30T04:26:00.000-05:00

...An excertp from
'The Air I Breathe - Worship as as Way of Life'
by Louie Giglio.

"God doesn't let us worship Him for free. Our worship cost Him the life of His only Son. Bringing us from death to life required someone besides us paying the ultimate penalty for our sin.
That's why at the center of all true worship stands a wonderful cross...the cross on which the Son of God died.
But how can that cross be called wonderful? Isn't it a scene of shame? Isn't its beam a place of suffering?

Absolutely. The Roman cross was a cruel and painful ending. It was a place of execution. Rusted nails. Pierced flesh. Gasping breath.
The cross meant humiliation. Judgement. The cross was agony. A place where people hung until breathing and heartbeats ceased.
Jesus experienced the most horrific death imaginable. There's nothing wonderful about how He died. What's wonderful about His cross is why He died.

Something truly amazing was happening that day as God offered a ransom for the whole world - Jesus becoming sin and shame, suffering and dying for you and me.
To some, it may have appeared that Jesus was being railroaded through the courts of justice and taken by sheer force to die among common criminals. But that's not so.
No one took Jesus' life. He laid it down, willingly satisfying the wrath of a holy God. He chose the cross in order to demonstrate that God was both loving and just. He gave His life so we could receive ours back again. Men may have driven the nails through His hands and feet, but He died because God was sacrificing His only Son.

The cross was the Father's determined end for His son. The cross was God's idea...God's redemption plan. The cross was the way the door would be opened. The cross was the only way rebels could ever truly worship again.

Yes, it's a blood-stained cross, but a wonderful cross. In fact, it's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.
The cross of Christ is a place of healing. A place of unconditional love. A place of sweet embrace. From His cross rings salvation's song, declaring to all that redemption has come. From it flows forgiveness free. The cross of Christ is a place of peace.
And the place where true worship begins.
In fact, even as Jesus was dying, worship was very near.
Remember the story? A Roman centurion was standing there, doing his job while Jesus breathed His last breath. As Jesus died, the heavens rumbled and darkened, and the earth shook with awe. All of creation shuddered at the sight.
Then, witnessing the greatest act of mercy history has ever known, this Roman soldier - who with his companions had stripped, beaten, mocked, and crucified Jesus - was compelled to proclaim, "Truly this man was the Son of God."

Amazing! This supposed enemy of Christ was the first of many to have his eyes opened to God's redemption story. He was the first among us to see the wonder of it all.

And in a heartbeat, right there in the midst of the stench and sorrow, worship began at the foot of the cross."

The Daffodil Principle

2007-01-26T15:23:00.000-05:00

A Story of Quiet Persistence and Celebrating Life
Once again, my dad sent me a story which brought tears to my eyes (like father like daughter I guess). If you have a big back yard you might want to do this with it…..and if not, I know you'll appreciate the principle behind the story.

In love,
Elizabeth Natalie.

Several times my daughter had telephoned to say, "Mother, you must come to see the daffodils before they are over." I wanted to go, but it was a two-hour drive from Laguna to Lake Arrowhead. "I will come next Tuesday", I promised a little reluctantly on her third call.

Next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Still, I had promised, and reluctantly I drove there. When I finally walked into Carolyn's house I was welcomed by the joyful sounds of happy children. I delightedly hugged and greeted my grandchildren. "Forget the daffodils, Carolyn! The road is invisible in these clouds and fog, and there is nothing in the world except you and these children that I want to see badly enough to drive another inch!"

My daughter smiled calmly and said, "We drive in this all the time, Mother." "Well, you won't get me back on the road until it clears, and then I'm heading for home!" I assured her.

"But first we're going to see the daffodils. It's just a few blocks," Carolyn said. "I'll drive. I'm used to this."

"Carolyn," I said sternly, "Please turn around." "It's all right, Mother, I promise. You will never forgive yourself if you miss this experience."After about twenty minutes, we turned onto a small gravel road and I saw a small church. On the far side of the church, I saw a hand lettered sign with an arrow that read, "Daffodil Garden." We got out of the car, each took a child's hand, and I followed Carolyn down the path. Then, as we turned a corner, I looked up and gasped. Before me lay the most glorious sight.

It looked as though someone had taken a great vat of gold and poured it over the mountain peak and its surrounding slopes. The flowers were planted in majestic, swirling patterns, great ribbons and swaths of deep orange, creamy white, lemon yellow, salmon pink, and saffron and butter yellow. Each different-colored variety was planted in large groups so that it swirled and flowed like its own river with its own unique hue.

There were five acres of flowers. "Who did this?" I asked Carolyn. "Just one woman," Carolyn answered. "She lives on the property. That's her home." Carolyn pointed to a well-kept A-frame house, small and modestly sitting in the midst of all that glory. We walked up to the house. On the patio, we saw a poster. "Answers to the Questions I Know You Are Asking", was the headline. The first answer was a simple one. "50,000 bulbs," it read. The second answer was, "One at a time, by one woman. Two hands, two feet, and one brain." The third answer was, "Began in 1958."

For me, that moment was a life-changing experience. I thought of this woman whom I had never met, who, more than forty years before, had begun, one bulb at a time, to bring her vision of beauty and joy to an obscure mountaintop. Planting one bulb at a time, year after year, this unknown woman had forever changed the world in which she lived. One day at a time, she had created something of extraordinary magnificence, beauty, and inspiration.

The principle her daffodil garden taught is one of the greatest principles of celebration.
That is, learning to move toward our goals and desires one step at a time--often just one baby-step at time--and learning to love the doing, learning to use the accumulation of time.

When we multiply tiny pieces of time with small increments of daily effort, we too will find we can accomplish magnificent things. We can change the world.

"It makes me sad in a way," I admitted to Carolyn. "What might I have accomplished if I had thought of a wonderful goal thirty-five or forty years ago and had worked away at it 'one bulb at a time' through all those years? Just think what I might have been able to achieve!" My daughter summed up the message of the day in her usual direct way. "Start tomorrow," she said.

She was right. It's so pointless to think of t he lost hours of yesterdays. The way to make learning a lesson of celebration instead of a cause for regret is to only ask, "How can I put this to use today?" Use the Daffodil Principle. Stop waiting.....

Until your car or home is paid off
Until you get a new car or home
Until your kids leave the house
Until you go back to school
Until you finish school
Until you clean the house
Until you organize the garage
Until you clean off your desk
Until you lose 10 lbs.
Until you gain 10 lbs.
Until you get married
Until you get a divorce
Until you have kids
Until the kids go to school
Until you retire
Until summer
Until spring
Until winter
Until fall
Until you die...

There is no better time than right now to be happy.
Happiness is a journey, not a destination.

Happiness is grown in one's own garden ~ and it comes from the hand of our Creator, from knowing and being at peace with God.
So work like you don't need money.
Love like you've never been hurt, and,
Dance like no one's watching, even though God is.
And it makes Him smile.

Who Would Have Ever Guessed!?

2007-01-16T14:44:00.000-05:00

written 15/01/2007. E. Natalie Johnson

The year was 1970; I was six years old and my sister was four. (We're the one's with the matching bathing suits). We lived on McClennan Street in Peterborough, Ontario. There was a vacant lot between our house and the Elliott’s, a neighboring senior couple.

On at least one occasion that summer, likely on a weekend, the Elliott’s grandchildren came to visit from Scarborough, Ontario, and would play with my sister and I. Laura, the oldest, her sister Martha who would have been five, and their brother Stephen. It must have been hot the day this photo was taken, since it seems we were lined up for our turn in the sprinkler.

Also in the summer of 1970, a family by the name of Johnson, moved to Peterborough from Windsor, Ontario. They had four sons and a daughter, and began attending the same church as our family. One Sunday that summer my parents invited the Johnson family for dinner. I paid the boys no mind, for they were at least five years older than I. Until 1981 when I finally took notice of the youngest Johnson boy when he asked me out on a date with him. Bryan Johnson and I were engaged in 1983 and married in July of 1984.

We were newlyweds living in Peterborough on Parnell Street when Bryan’s older brother Bob who was living near Orangeville, Ontario came to visit us with his new girlfriend. Bob introduced us to her as Martha Elliott from Scarborough. She mentioned she had relatives in Peterborough, and I commented that the only Elliott’s I knew in town were an older couple who were our neighbors back in the seventies. Martha asked where we had lived, and it didn’t take long to determine that our neighbors were her grandparents and we had indeed played together as children. We had a good laugh over the fact that the first boy I ever kissed was her cousin Pierre in the lilac hedge at the front of the vacant lot when he also came to visit his grandparents. We were amazed at the connection and agreed that it was a small world.

Bob and Martha were married in 1987, and moved to Peterborough. We never had a photograph to prove our story until recently when in the process of digging through old photos, Martha came across this photograph of she and I standing beside one another in the summer of 1970. We are second and third from the left in the picture. It looks like she's asking me if I like boys. Just kidding Martha.

Wouldn’t it have been something if the Sunday the Johnson family came to our house for dinner after church, was the same weekend the Elliot grand children were visiting next door? Two long-distance friends in such close proximity to their future husbands, no one knowing that one day they would be sister-in-laws! Who would have ever guessed!?

Watch PASSION Atlanta On-line

2007-01-11T09:58:00.000-05:00

Until Friday January 12, you can watch all the main sessions from Passion 07 (Atlanta) live on their website. Click below to see what's happening among young adults world-wide, how they are helping the poor in other nations and spreading God's Word. Hear the new songs coming out of the movement, many we have already been singing in our worship times at our local churches here in Canada. Also view speakers Louie Giglio, Beth Moore, Francis Chan, and John Piper. If desired, fast forward through the music sessions to hear the speakers.

Remember to ‘stop’ the music on the main Passion web page before clicking ‘Watch Passion 07’. If you’re working in your office you can start one of the sessions, minimize it, and listen while you work!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER

In love,
DJ

Moment By Moment

2007-01-10T11:11:00.000-05:00

2007. E. Natalie Johnson

A new year of moments.
Of promise and blessing.
Of struggles, uncertainties, doubts, and fearing the unknown.
Moments for examining my heart, and seeking God's heart.

What moments do you look forward to in 2007?
The start of a new job, new courses at school, a new relationship?
Moments when you will have to say goodbye?

Moments when your life and gifts will impact those around you?

The moment when you step through an open door onto a new path with a glad heart?
The moment you are stopped in your tracks when a gateway is unexpectedly shut and locked before you.

Moments when you need to wait patiently, and let your heart be content. To rest in the peace of God which always seems to pass our human understanding, but somewhere deep inside still knowing His promises are true.

Moments when you can't bear a burden by yourself, and a friend comes along side you and holds you steady for a while.

Moments when God's supernatural strength is revealed in you, because you reached out to your Creator, the God of the universe, your Messiah who knew you before you were born and stepped out of paradise to pursue your heart.

Moments to realize God's Spirit dwells within each one of us who believes.
Moments to use the breath we're given simply to worship God and to dwell in the beauty of His holiness.

Moments when you are freed from your clouded perspective, His light shines brilliantly, bringing focus into your life and suddenly you're aware that His perfect plan is unfolding for you...

...moment by moment.

God of All Comfort

2006-12-12T09:06:00.000-05:00

2006. E. Natalie Johnson
Tim Coles, Executive Director of Kawartha Youth For Christ, in Peterborough Ontario, shared the following story in a December letter received in the mail this week. Tim is an excellent writer and speaker, and I thank him for encouraging us to live out 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.

"As a single mom raising three kids, Monique knows the challenges and heartaches that come with trying to make ends meet on a very tight budget. She is an inspiration to us as she is so thankful to God for what He is teaching her through this struggle. In 2 Corinthians chapter 1, verses 3 and 4, Paul talks about the "Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." Monique lives out this scripture. She knows that her own suffering has the potential to be the conduit through which God comforts others. This scripture passage goes on to say that it could even lead to thier salvaton.

Monique has recently started attending the 'Come Cook With Us' program at The Bridge with her three kids. The program is in partnership with the Peterborough County Health Unit and is designed to teach youth cooking skills so they can help prepare healthy food for their families at home. Each Wednesday the youth come to The Bridge in Peterborough and prepare a meal. Later, parents and children all come together to eat around a community dinner table, enjoy the food and friendly atmosphere, and then take home a food voucher to buy the ingredients so that the meal can be prepared one more time each week at home. Monique has really enjoyed coming to 'Come Cook With Us' along with her three kids; she's also appreciated the break it provides, not only in the cooking but also in her wallet.

Monique invited Denise and her kids to the program because she wanted a chance to spend more time with her. They haven't seen each other for years and they can hardly believe that their lives are so similar; they are suffering the same things. Monique has taken the opportunity to share from her experience how God has comforted her and how He views her and how He loves her no matter what! He is not a God with a stern gaze who holds a weigh scale of rights and wrongs like Denise thinks. Monique shares that He loves us just the way we are, right where we are - after all, He knows just what is is like.

The times the two women have spent together at 'Come Cook With Us' have expanded to morning coffee's after the kids have gone to school and recently Denise has started taking her kids to church on Sunday. One woman comforted by God, sharing the comfort she has recieved from God to comfort another, even pointing her toward salvation..."

"...is the comfort you received from the Father overflowing into the lives of those around you? Let it be so in this season and in all those to come."

Counter-intuitive Living

2006-12-05T13:22:00.000-05:00

2006. E. Natalie Johnson
“The strength and maturity of a [Christian] can be measured by the forgiveness [he or she] displays.”1 Forgiveness isn’t easy; and one reason it’s so tough is because it is a counter-intuitive action. Forgiving others, quickly and thoroughly, is an action contrary to how we’re intuitively wired to always be self-seeking. In fact, everything Christ taught and demonstrated to us regarding spiritual life is in direct opposition to the innate desires of our sinful human nature. So, when you ask yourself, “What would Jesus do?” in a given situation, choosing the exact opposite of what you feel like doing will most likely result in the most happiness.

By the way, let’s not confuse fun with happiness. Fun is going to the mall. Fun is riding in an SUV with heated leather seats. Fun is playing a shiny black grand piano. Fun is snowboarding. Happiness is hugging a friend with true affection. Happiness is going to sleep knowing you are loved. Happiness is receiving an encouraging letter or phone call. You cannot bring me a box of happiness home from the mall and put it under the Christmas tree. But you can give me a genuine smile and I’ll treasure it forever!

Even when we possess the gift of God’s forgiveness in Christ, living in a fallen world our story includes a dark and ugly past with many habits and ways of responding which are hard to forget. We still hurt each other. We still lash out with cutting words. We still want revenge – to get even – to defeat someone else in order to put ourselves up on some kind of pedestal. “…we often exchange loving each other for damaging our friends and family…”2 Someone said that the entire dynamic within their home and family changed when they made a conscious effort to always walk into a room or greet the other members of their family with bright eyes and a smile on their face. Try it ~ it’s amazing! After a while, and because of the responsiveness of the others around you, it will become an intuitive action.

“[ Another reason forgiveness is tough, is that] it’s not a one-time action. When you have been deeply hurt or wronged, resentment and bitterness can return again and again. You may have to decide many times to forgive the same past hurt. Forgiveness says, ‘I forgive you today, and I’m willing to forgive you again tomorrow.’”3 Forgiveness is one of the most powerful actions you can ever express.
Unlike revenge which leaves you feeling empty and sick at the end of the day, forgiveness fills your life with resolution, and with peace. How can you or I grow spiritually through the pain of a strained relationship? The best way is to chose to forgive (as many times as is necessary) because it’s the only solution that will heal the relationship in question.

Paul told the Ephesian Christians, “Don’t let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up…that it may benefit those who listen. {“Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift….Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive, forgiving one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.”} Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”4

Forgiveness, love, compassion, patience, honesty, confession, hospitality, encouragement… all are actions demonstrated so clearly by the Lord Jesus Christ, yet all are counter-intuitive to the sinful nature within mankind. “All of us are separated from God by sin – salvation is possible only because of the forgiveness Jesus was able to offer by dying on the cross for us. To be a Christian means we’ve been saved and forgiven our sins.”5

God has left us a recipe for overcoming the sinful nature and spiritual failure in this life. The recipe has three ingredients. [“Studying His Word which will make you wise, teaching His Word to others, and giving thanks to God. People can’t teach others as soon as they accept Christ. First they accept Christ, then they become wise, and then they teach others” When any of these steps are left out of your spiritual growth, you stop strengthening your faith. This allows the sin Christ conquered in your life to creep back in.]6 The recipe fails, and the end result is ugly and unpalatable (or, ‘yucky-pooh-pooh-kah-kah’ as my kids used to say). “However, when you remain committed to Christ, he helps you continue to overcome those things that would destroy you.”7 Jesus’ power in my life helps me to overcome things that can make my life distasteful, unattractive, and of no use for His purpose.

The power of Christ in me helps me to live counter-intuitively, so that He is lifted high in my life, and others will see the supernatural life and light of His Spirit shining in and through me. There is no way this can happen until forgiveness has released you from defeat, pain, hurt, or shame.

“You are sons of Light, daughters of Day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. {We live under wide open skies and know where we stand. So let’s not sleepwalk through life…let’s keep our eyes open and be smart.} … Those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the Day, lets be self-controlled, {dressed up in faith, love, and the hope of salvation…{speak encouraging words to one another} and build each other up {so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it.”}8

1. (p.29 / Day 28 excerpt from Get It Together ~ 40 Days of Community / Student Workbook, compiled by the Student Ministry Team, ©2004. Purpose Driven® Publishing.)
2. (p.27 / Day 26 excerpt from Get It Together ~ 40 Days of Community / Student Workbook, compiled by the Student Ministry Team, ©2004. Purpose Driven® Publishing.)
3. (p.29 / Day 28 excerpt from Get It Together ~ 40 Days of Community / Student Workbook, compiled by the Student Ministry Team, ©2004. Purpose Driven® Publishing.)
4. Ephesians 4:29 – 32, NIV and {The Message}
5. (p.29 / Day 28 excerpt from Get It Together ~ 40 Days of Community / Student Workbook, compiled by the Student Ministry Team, ©2004. Purpose Driven® Publishing.)
6. (p.25 / Day 24 excerpt from Get It Together ~ 40 Days of Community / Student Workbook, compiled by the Student Ministry Team, ©2004. Purpose Driven® Publishing.)
7. (p.25 / Day 24 excerpt from Get It Together ~ 40 Days of Community / Student Workbook, compiled by the Student Ministry Team, ©2004. Purpose Driven® Publishing.)
8. 1 Thessalonians 5:5 – 11, NIV and {The Message}

Revival ~ It Doesn't Have To Blow Your Mind

2006-11-21T08:52:00.000-05:00

What??? ..... Hmmm ..... I think I'll pass .....

Revival. What is it? Have you ever thought of spiritual 'revival' as some mind blowing emotionally charged experience that happens to people in large gatherings, never believing that it could be a personal thing that happens to you alone, in your heart, healing you from the inside out, without presumption or pretense.

The latter has been my experience. Life is a series of ups and downs, a roller-coaster ride. Regardless of any physical shortcomings, what always lifts my heart out of the valley and sets it back on the mountain top is God's Spirit living in me, speaking quitely to my soul, waiting for me to let go, and let God fill me with Himself. With His joy, His peace, His grace.

The Sons of Korah wrote a psalm for the director of music ~ Psalm 85, in which they sang these words;

Will You not revive us again

(help us make a fresh start)

that your people may rejoice in You?

(then Your people will laugh and sing).

( Psalm 85:6 NIV (The Message) )

One of the nicest gifts I ever received was a little leather bound version of Joy For The Journey ~ A Woman's Book Of Joyful Promises, my mom gave me one year for my birthday. It's a compilation project of scripture veres, and thoughts from various women authors. I picked it up this morning and read the following words.

"Though I walk in the midst of trouble,

You will revive me;" (Psalm 128:7)

~~~~~

"Do not be afraid to suffer...It is from being shaken apart and not being destroyed that one becomes strong and courageous." (Laura Lewis Lanier)

Spiritual revival might come to you in a way you didn't expect. Rather than a mind-blowing energizing experience, it might happen as you struggle through sadness, finding joy in God's plan for your life, in hope, courage, and comfort.

Yesterday I received an encouraging e-mail from a remarkable young man filled compassion and with wisdom beyond his years. My friend Alex wrote,

"Our lives are a CONSTANT daily battle in our hearts and souls and mind, spiritually. It can only be expected that there will be times like this, maybe frequent, maybe not, where you feel sad or however you feel. I think that Paul recognized this, and instead of writing, find joy in the good times and hang on for your life in the bad, he told us to embrace the down times, and recognize that they are still used for God's glory."

This doesn't mean I'm going to quit writing Al, but the 'hanging on' and 'embracing' part is something I needed to hear!

Here is an amazing song by Michael Card, and I dedicate it to you. . .

JOY IN THE JOURNEY

(c.1994, Michael Card ~ click the title link to listen)

There is a joy in the journey

There's a light we can love on the way

There is a wonder and wildness to life

and freedom for those who obey.

And all those who seek it shall find it

A pardon for all who believe

Hope for the hopeless and sight for the blind.

To all who have been born of the spirit

And who share incarnation with Him

Who belong to eternity stranded in in time

and weary of struggling with sin.

Forget not the hope thats before you

and never stop counting the cost

Remember the hopelessness when you were lost.

There is a joy in the journey

There's a light we can love on the way

There is a wonder and wildness to life

and freedom for those who obey,

and freedom for those who obey.

What Paul Believed

2006-11-20T11:04:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure that I've posted an entry in the Cedar Chest before borne by a heavy heart. I guess it's human nature to guard against appearing vulnerable. Today I just feel like being real, and hope that it's an encouragement to someone who might stumble across this cyber path.

As I prepared to lead the worship music at our church on the weekend I felt strongly that I was under attack ~ that the enemy of our souls was doing his best to discourage, and steal the supernatural joy I normally experience in abundance during the process. I guess things went pretty well from a human vantage point. People even verbalized how they were blessed by the songs they sang together. Still, I felt the oppression, the discouragement...and went to bed feeling just plain sad.

I still feel sad today. Mostly sad about the hurts I know of in other people's lives. Threatened health, broken relationships, job stress, etc. etc. etc. It was good to pray together in our small group, but I was not ready to be vulnerable, to share my heart, to cry.

I shared a verse of scripture with the music team before practice on Saturday night, knowing that we had all experienced a challenging and draining week. It was from the first chapter of Philippians, and it's incredible to think that Paul, the famed New Testament apostle and servant of Christ, really believed it with all his being, as he sat alone, chained to a first century A.D. dungeon wall...(did they unchain him for a time each day so he could write, or did he dictate all of his letters to a scribe?).

Please read the verse below. I have no further comment...I just want to think long and hard this week about what Paul believed, and ask God to demonstrate in my life what Paul had in mind when he wrote these particular words to his friends.

"There's far more to this life than trusting in Christ.

There's also suffering for Him.

And the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting."

(Philippians 1:29-30, The Message).

COSSA Football CHAMPIONS!

2006-11-09T20:06:00.000-05:00

NEWSFLASH: Last Friday, October 3rd, the Adam Scott Collegiate LIONS Junior Football team beat the Holy Cross S.S. Hurricanes 14 - 7 in the Kawartha Regional Final. The LIONS advanced to the Central Ontario Secondary School Association (C.O.S.S.A.) FINAL, today in Belleville, Ontario, beating the Bayside Secondary RED DEVILS 27 - 14. Congratulation LIONS. Our son Adrian (#62 second from the right in the top photo, and 7th from left in back row of bottom photo) played the position of tight end very well this season. CONGRATULATIONS TEAM!

Crown Of Beauty ~ A Prayer for November

2006-11-07T09:43:00.000-05:00

The Royal Crown Magnolia ~ Fit For a Princess!

While looking through some images of ornate royal crowns crafted from gold and jewels, I stumbled across 'The Royal Crown Magnolia' flower, and concluded that as a child of The King, I would picture myself wearing these beautiful God-made crowns of fushia pink on my head.

I am always in awe of Magnolia Trees in the spring.

They bloom so early.

Before the tree even sprouts leaves, the huge flowers open like saucers to collect spring rain, and transform the dull grey branches into a spectacle of beauty.

In November, there are no blossoms. Green things disappear.

The earth is ugly and stark before a blanket of snow arrives to hide the uninviting scene. Where will I find a crown of beauty now? How will I not despair that a winter season is upon us? Spring seems so far away.

Is this how you feel about your life today?

If so, consider the following prayer;

speak God's Word back to Him,

when you have no words of your own.

As I speak Scripture in prayer, God teaches me to let Him be the problem solver, the change maker.

Praying Isaiah chapter sixty-one:

Lord God, You are good.
You are good news to the poor.
Thank You that You heal the broken, and free those held captive by darkness.
Comfort those of us who mourn.

Help us, help me, to see You,

and allow You remove the ugly ashes heaped upon my head

and set a Crown of Beauty there instead.
Pour out the oil of Your gladness over my life.

Let me wear garments woven from Your praises.

Help me in Your strength to let go of the spirit of despair

which so often cloaks my vision,

so that I can stand in awe of You once more.

I ask You in the name of the Son, Lord Jesus, the Christ,
AMEN.

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence,

so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us

in our time of need.”

Hebrews 4:16

People and Things Sitting on my Desk

2006-11-06T15:11:00.000-05:00

Recenlty my faithful blogging mentor, Warren David (ha ha got you back David) posted this challenging exercise for us to think about, and respond to.

David wrote,
"Here are a couple of mind exercises for you...Don't answer quickly! Think deeply! Comment when you have come to some conclusions. One of my colleagues challenged me with these this morning. I had to think awhile.

Exercise # 1: What gifts has God given you which enable you to become or remain humble?

Exercise # 2: If you could place six (6) objects on a desk or table that would signify YOU...who you are, your character, what you're all about, your personality, your personhood, what would they be? Think about it and give me your answers. eg. - a pair of skates, a book, a picture, a letter.

Ahhh...dreaded introspection...o.k. David, here are my responses to your thought provoking exercises.

#1. Gifts God has given me (that i am aware of) which have humbled and continue to humble me include; my husband, my children, my bible, my mirror, and my Lord, although not necessarily in that order.

#2. Six objects that signify my personality / character / personhood, include;

1. a Gerber Daisy ~ mostly fun to be around, but sometimes has an attitude, and when it gets dry it remembers to bow it's little head and pray.

2. a Candle ~ wants to shine but needs daily help to light the fire and keep it burning.

3. a Book ~ loves to read, but has difficulty getting through books because of a reading disability, so with good intention, collects more books than she will ever read.

4. a cup of Fresh Ground Coffee ~ antioxidants and all that...former clinical nutritionist turned coffee connoisseur, who needs the energy to swim around islands in summer and ski down mountains in winter.

5. a Pen, or Word Processor (i.e. laptop computer) ~ writes words and music, creating art even if only for her own fulfilment and encouragement.

6. a Wedding Ring ~ symbol not only of commitment to her spouse, and family, but also to the Lord Jesus Christ who promises to finish her story when He returns for 'his bride' the church, of which she is a part only through faith in His redeeming sacrifice.

Six items didn't quite seem like enough Warren (...i mean, David). If allowed, I would add a friend, a parent, and a sibbling, if they could all fit atop the desk and get along while sitting crouched together looking at the droopy daisy, the burned out candle, the unfinished book, the cup of cold coffee, the worn out pen, and the gold ring with the beautiful time-worn patina.

Note: Definition of 'patina' = "an appearance or aura that is derived from association, habit, or established character", "something grown beautiful with age or use, or after long exposure".

God Racing on the Crest of the Waves

2006-11-02T09:57:00.000-05:00

A prayer of the prophet Habakkuk, with orchestra:

God, I've heard what our ancestors say about you,
and I'm stopped in my tracks, down on my knees.
Do among us what you did among them.
Work among us as you worked among them.
And as you bring judgment, as you surely must, remember mercy.

God's on his way again, retracing the old salvation route,
Coming up from the south through Teman,
the Holy One from Mount Paran.

Skies are blazing with his splendor,
His praises sounding through the earth,
His cloud-brightness like dawn, exploding, spreading,
forked-lightning shooting from his hand—
what power hidden in that fist!
Plague marches before him, pestilence at his heels!
He stops. He shakes Earth. He looks around. Nations tremble.
The age-old mountains fall to pieces;
ancient hills collapse like a spent balloon.
The paths God takes are older than the oldest mountains and hills.

I saw everyone worried, in a panic: Old wilderness adversaries,
Cushan and Midian, were terrified, hoping he wouldn't notice them.
God, is it River you're mad at? Angry at old River?
Were you raging at Sea when you rode horse and chariot through to salvation?
You unfurled your bow and let loose a volley of arrows.
You split Earth with rivers.
Mountains saw what was coming. They twisted in pain.
Flood Waters poured in.
Ocean roared and reared huge waves.
Sun and Moon stopped in their tracks.
Your flashing arrows stopped them, your lightning-strike spears impaled them.
Angry, you stomped through Earth. Furious, you crushed the godless nations.

You were out to save your people, to save your specially chosen people.
You beat the stuffing out of King Wicked, Stripped him naked from head to toe,
Set his severed head on his own spear and blew away his army.
Scattered they were to the four winds— and ended up food for the sharks!
You galloped through the Sea on your horses, racing on the crest of the waves.
When I heard it, my stomach did flips. I stammered and stuttered.
My bones turned to water. I staggered and stumbled.
I sit back and wait for Doomsday to descend on our attackers.

Though the cherry trees don't blossom and the strawberries don't ripen,
Though the apples are worm-eaten and the wheat fields stunted,
Though the sheep pens are sheepless and the cattle barns empty,
I'm singing joyful praise to God. I'm turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God.
Counting on God's Rule to prevail, I take heart and gain strength.
I run like a deer.
I feel like I'm king of the mountain!

(For congregational use, with a full orchestra.)

Habakkuk, Chapter Three, The Message paraphrase.

Habakkuk's Concerto

2006-10-30T11:10:00.000-05:00

2006. E. Natalie Johnson

MOVEMENT ONE

‘Why’?
‘How Long’?
Cry, and worry.
Wrestle with questions beyond you.

With eyes wide accuse God of indifference.
‘Do You not care’?
‘Do You not listen’?
‘Will You not save’?

MOVEMENT TWO

The answer ~
No explanation,
A Revelation ~
‘Watch and be amazed’.

Helpless.
Hungry.
Hope.
Faith in God’s Promise ~ Rest on The Rock.

Watch.
Linger.
Wait.
Hold to Assurances of The Holy One.

MOVEMENT THREE

Justification.
Meaning.
Purpose.
Righteousness not your own.

Grace.
Glory.
Presence.
See what The Everlasting has done, is doing, will do.

Power.
Praise.
Strength.
Counting on God’s Rule and reign.

FINALE
Sing.
Dance.
Feel the coolness of a peaceful joy.

The enemy is carried away on the four winds.

The Long and Tarpy Road

2006-09-22T11:17:00.000-04:00

On Tuesday, September 5th, we started down the long and tarpy road to rennovated bathrooms. Force of necessity. Seriously compromised plumbing behind the walls in the upstairs bathroom resulted in the ceiling almost caving in downstairs in our bathroom below. Everything was gutted and we are now on the home stretch of things being put back. I was actually able to take a nice bath last night. We'll have some BEFORE and AFTER photos once the job is complete.

Life is not all about leaky pipes and old toilets. There have been a lot of exceptional things going on, like our annual Round-Up Sunday at Auburn Bible Chapel where people invite friends and neighbours to a special fall ministry kick-off service followed by a pig-roast dinner and fun activities for all ages.

Our small group bible study has also started up again, and we are into the Old Testament book of Habakkuk. After studying chapter one, there doesn't seem to be anything minor about this 'minor prophet's' questions for God. Habakkuk's questions seem very real to me, and I am looking forward to hearing God's answers in chapter two.

Aaron, our oldest (19) started University, and was taken to the hospital emergency dept. due to what they think was an attack of stress or anxiety of some sort. He has waited a long year to begin post-secondary education, and thrives on school desiring to do his best, so we are praying for Aaron and trying to help him find the right balance, between school, work, ministry involvement, dating, nutrition, sleep and exercise - all things important to him.

Adrian (15) made the highschool football team, and has travelled to both Lindsay and Haliburton, Ontario, for games this week. They train and practice EVERY day after school, so we are keeping an eye on his protein and nutrient intake, homework, youth ministry involvement, and computer time - all things important to him. (Note the absence of dating...so far!)

Bryan and I are well into the busiest season for our work in the school photography profession. While Bryan has been up and gone before 6:00 a.m every day this week, I have been getting up at 5:00 a.m. with him, but playing hookie from the office hiding out in the garage staining and polyeurothaning trim to save on labour costs during the rennovations.

Last, but not least, Mugsy the Schnoodle is at the groomers today, getting his fur all trimmed off just in time for the cold weather! In case you're wondering, 'No, we're not going to get him a little sweater or coat, he'll just have to acclimatize!' I'll bet he snuggles up to Aaron on his bed tonight though, instead of on the floor.

So there you have it...what's been going on, and why I have not posted a blog entry for a while. It has been a long and tarpy road, but the end is in sight. Once the drywall dust settles enough for me to clean it up, I may be able to blog some more. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, our vacuum cleaner is fried and I have find a cheap one that works well. Another bump on that tarpy road!

Take Care, and remember.... THERE IS NO PANIC IN HEAVEN!

Losing The Rat Race

2006-09-04T19:03:00.000-04:00

I deeply appreciated the message this cartoon strip conveys, which was recently posted on David Fisher’s blog ‘Pilgrim’s Scribblings’.

One of my favourite books is “Who Put My Life On Fast Forward”, by Phil Callaway. Reading Phil’s book was a pivitol point in my life, as I consciously and intentionally made a significant attempt to lose ‘the rat race’ and enable time for winning at things with eternal significance.

Just now in my early forties, am I beginning to understand that God’s social economy is completely opposite from our human bent and order of existence.

On Saturday, I attended a Robin Mark seminar about worship, hosted by Lakeshore Pentecostal Camp, in Cobourg Ontario. What is worship? Why do we worship? These were the two questions we considered.

My next blog entry, entitled ‘Worship, The Heart Of The Matter’, will be a summarization of that workshop with Robin Mark, and a pertinent follow up to the thought that this cartoon portrays.

'FRUITS OF OUR LABOUR'

2006-08-30T12:02:00.000-04:00

PEARY TIRED OF CANNING.....

When the pear tree in our side yard produced fourteen dozen pears, we picked them, waited for them to ripen, and went to work in the kitchen.

Along with a bumper crop of sour cherries from the tree on the other side of the house, and local berry patches, this year I tried my hand at canning the following, from left to right in the oval framed photo (see list below);

It is true that it is a lot of work for what you end up with, so I understand where the phrase 'treasure the fruit of your labour' came from. Also, it doesn't look like so much in the photo because we have already given quite a few jars away.

Low sugar 'Honey Strawberry' jam
Cherry Almond jam
Sherry Cherry jam
Ginger Pear Preserves
Canned Pears
Spiced Pear Apple Preserves
Red Currant jam

Dilly Dilemma

2006-08-29T22:18:00.000-04:00

This is a great picture of our oldest son Aaron, taken recently at Del Crary Park in Peterborough. Do you think that Seagull is after Aaron's pickle? And what do you think about a group of college age kids taking two large jars of Dill Pickles and two forks to an outdoor concert to snack on? Better than chips and pop...I think?

Truth By Candle Light

2006-08-28T19:33:00.000-04:00

In the chapter entitled, Free Verse, A Whole Message To A Whole Human Being, Donald Miller (author of Blue Like Jazz) writes in his book Searching For God Knows What,

"I was reading The Cloister Walk by Kathleen Norris the other day and she was talking about Benedictine monks and how they would sit up late at night to study the Bible by candlelight. I wondered what it would have been like to have studied the Bible and not be tainted by lists and charts and forumlas that cause you to look for ideas and infer notions that may or may not be in the text, all the while ignoring the poetry, the blood and pain of the narrative, and the depth of emotion with which God communicates His truth.

I think there would be something quite beautiful about reading the Bible this way, to be honest - late at night, feeling through the words, sorting through the grit and beauty. It wouldn't bother me at all to read the Bible without the charts and lists because a person could read the Bible, not to become smart, but rather to feel that they are not alone, that somebody understands them and loves them enough to speak to them - on purpose - in a way that makes a person feel human.

Here is what Kathleen Norris said about those monks:

Although their access to scholarly tools was primitive compared to what is available in our day, their method of biblical interpretation was in some ways more sophisticated and certainly more psychologically astute, in that they were better able to fathom the complex, integrative, and transformative qualities of revelation. Thier approach was far less narcissistic than our own tends to be, in that their goal when reading scripture was to see Christ in every verse, and not a mirror image of themselves."

Intimate Stranger

2006-08-25T23:55:00.000-04:00

This summer I have been reading through the gospels, again ... to get to know Jesus more. To try to understand more of what He came to convey, from the heart of God. Tonight I stumbled across a song by Martin Smith, and I think the lyrics may indicate how the disciples felt even after spending so much time following their Rabbi Jesus around, seeing and learning so much about Him and from Him.

Can you imagine having a mentor and friend who embodied so much light and glory, and so much pure love? I think the disciples knew they would never fully wrap their minds around the reality of Whom it was they had left everything behind to follow, or what would transpire after Jesus returned to His Father in heaven. At the same time it would have been impossible for them not to love Him with their lives. We know this is true, because all but one of them died violent deaths for sake of their faith in and love for Jesus.

I lift my eyes to You
eyes that have seen a thing or two.
Who is this stranger in my life?

I lift my hands to You,
hands that have carried what is true.
Intimate stranger, be my life.

I lift my voice to You,
lips that have cried a prayer or two.
Beautiful stranger, fill my life.

I lift my heart in praise to the Savior
whose death made all things new.
Intimate stranger, only You.

Jesus, I love You;
Jesus, I adore You.
Jesus, You still have my affection,
and my song will be "I Love You."

Words and Music by Martin Smith. Copyright 2000. Curious? Music.

P.S. I had a picture to go with this entry, but alas, Blogger once again has chosen not to upload photos for me today. I will try again when it's not so late, or should I say 'early' ... it's 12:15 a.m.

Waiting...

2006-08-24T15:29:00.000-04:00

My father stopped by this afternoon to pick up Adrian, our fifteen year old son who is home from working away at camp this summer. Grandpa needs some grandson time, but I have a feeling that Adrian was more in need of some Grandpa time. Their first stop was going to be a nursing home to visit a man my Dad has been visiting every week this summer. After that...only Grandpa knows. While he was here, Grandpa asked if he could take a pear with him, as he is quite a pear connoisseur. He will take the pear home, set it on the counter and let us know when he thinks the ripenning is far enough along. Then I will get to work and process the rest. None of my fellow bloggers have guessed the recipe I have chosen. See the entry "When Life Gives You Pears..." and guess again. There's lots of time to keep guessing, 'cause for now we are just WAITING.

An Orchard Of One

2006-08-23T22:54:00.000-04:00

Today was HARVEST DAY in my side yard pear orchard, which consists of one lonely, but heavily laden tree. This years crop ~ FOURTEEN DOZEN PEARS, which are now spread on a table on our deck for a few days to ripen. None of you Blog-ees have guessed which recipe I am going to make with them yet. (See previous post, and keep guessing!) When I get some new batteries in my digital camera I will take a picture of the process and post it for you. A web cam in my kitchen would be really cool ~ but I'm not that advanced.

When Life Gives You Pears...

2006-08-21T13:51:00.000-04:00

Today, Blogger has decided to post my photo of our Pear Tree, on the first try! Wonders never cease. Thanks for your encouragement to not give up. So, here is what I have been waiting to ask you; "When life gives you pears ... you make ___________ "?

What should I make with all of these gorgeous pears hanging off of the tree in our yard? The possibilites are many and varied according to the BERNARDIN Complete Book of Home Preserving, by Judi Kingry and Lauren Devine, which includes the following recipes: If you are the first person to guess correctly which would be my first pick, when I make it, I will send you a jar!

Ginger Pear Marmalade
Ginger Pear Preserves
Pear Butter
Pear Jam
Pear Jelly
Pear Mincemeat
Pear Pickles
Pear Port Compote
Pears in Syrup
Peppery Pear Salsa
Almond Pear Conserve
Spiced Apple Pear Freezer Butter
Spirited Pears
Autumn Cranberry Pear Jam
Cinnamon Pear Quick Jam
Gingery Peach Pear Freezer Jam

The Boys Are Back In Town

2006-08-20T15:08:00.000-04:00

2006. E. Natalie Johnson
They’re not hangin’ out down at Dino’s place, as the one-hit-wonder lyrics go.
Our boys Aaron (pictured at left, 19) and Adrian (right, 15) are catching their breath after a busy summer full of adventure. As it should be for young men their age. Good to be back together again…for a while.

The highlight of Aaron’s summer was a road trip to Eastern Canada and back. The car he and his buddy Alex were driving ‘blew up’ as they put it, on the way home in Woodstock New Brunswick. Their badge of honor seems to have been sleeping on the floor of the Montreal bus station during the twenty-five hour bus ride home with all of their camping gear in tow. And let us not forget the green guitar, which was played at many a campfire along the way. Aaron is an excellent guitarist, and only wishes he had thought to take along a Sharpie to have everyone he met along the way sign the green guitar. Aaron is excitedly entering his first year of university this fall. His course load includes Psychology, Sociology, Philosophy, History, and English. He enjoys a form of Afro-Brazilian martial art called Capoeira.

Adrian LOVES working at Graphite Bible Camp, near Maynooth Ontario. This was his third summer there. He was team leader to four different troops of nine to twelve year olds, one of whom he ‘saved’ from hypothermia in July. Yes, Graphite is far enough north that the lake water in July was that cold! Adrian is an avid fisherman, an excellent drummer, and has been teaching himself to play the guitar as well. He is looking forward to playing football as he continues highschool (Grade 10) this fall. When Adrian arrived home from camp yesterday with all his laundry, I was battling a twenty-four hour flu bug, and had to go out to a music team practice at our church. In spite of the busy evening and not feeling well, I was filled with so much joy hearing him share how satisfied he was with how he spent his summer.

Both boys are into music, and this photo of them together was taken at The Trews concert last night at Del Crary Park, in downtown Peterborough. I love that they enjoy each other’s company most of the time, and that they are glad to be reunited. We have friends who’s kids are heading away to school again this fall, and wonder how soon we will share this pain of separation as our children spread their wings and forge their own paths in life.

Today, Adrian is fishing with his friend at their cottage (they’ve been planning this day since June!), and Aaron was at our home church in Peterborough, Auburn Bible Chapel, where he enjoyed hearing Dr. Bill McCrae give a very relevant message from Revelation chapter two about testing the sincerity of our devotion to Christ.

“What will you do this week”, asked Dr. McCrae, “simply because you love Jesus”? I thought about how much I love Jesus, and how I am loving Him more as I re-read the gospels. I thought about how I might consciously and deliberately do things because of my love for Jesus, and not because of any other motivation.

Last week while my husband Bryan was in Winnipeg on business, I drove to Norwood Ontario to sing at a funeral, which was quite a beautiful celebration of a life ~ someone who realized before it was too late where we find peace, and real life that lasts. As I drove home alone, feeling rather lonesome, I remembered how much I am loved, and that I am never truly alone. Even if we don’t have family or friends around us, there is someone with us who loves us, with a great supernatural love, even though He knows everything about us. If you believe His promises, you know this too. Jesus said over and over to remind us, “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” “I will never leave you or forsake you.” “Do not fear, for I am with you.” I don’t know how far away ‘the end of the age’ is but it must be some kind of love to last beyond the scope of my mind, and out into forever!

I take great comfort in the fact that though I won’t always have the boys at home or family around me, there is a deep and satisfying relationship to be found in Christ. The boys are back in town…but as things in time and space go…only for a while.

Please Help Me Find My Brain

2006-08-16T18:49:00.000-04:00

This is me without my brain, with Bryan in Minneapolis in July.

2006. by E. Natalie Johnson

This summer I’ve been useless
At posting on my blog
I tried to think of something
But my mind was in a fog

Perhaps one night past midnight
When no one was around
My computer stole my brain
Since it was no where to be found

I thought I had been spending
Too much time before the screen
And then it finally happened
I was no where to be seen

My computer stole my brain
Yes, honestly its true
I pressed CONTROL and ENTER
And it slipped into the blue...

...Good-bye to creativity
The thought now makes me squirm
My brain had caught a virus
And been eaten by a worm

I searched through the recycle bin
And files of every kind
I even used the Internet
My brain was not on-line.

I finally sent an e-mail
‘Please Help Me Find My Brain’
In final desperation
Before I went insane

Next thing I checked my IN BOX
And in the greatest glee
I found that my creative side
Had been sent back to me

I copied, scanned, and pasted it
Right back into my brain
My fingers started typing and
I am writing once again.

Take A Peek ~ Tiger Piggies!

2006-06-16T10:15:00.000-04:00

Today I offer this little aside of light reading and natural wonder to those who peek inside the Cedar Chest.

Some stories need a visual, and some pictures need a written explanation.
This one is definitely in need of both.

In a zoo in California, a mother tiger gave birth to a rare set of triplet tiger cubs. Unfortunately, due to complications in the pregnancy, the cubs were born prematurely and due to their tiny size, died shortly after birth.

The mother tiger after recovering from the delivery, suddenly started to decline in health, although physically she was fine.

The veterinarians felt that the loss of her litter had caused the tigress to fall into a depression. The doctors decided that if the tigress could surrogate another mother's cubs, perhaps she would improve.

After checking with many other zoos across the country, the unfortunate news was that there were no tiger cubs of the right age to introduce to the mourning mother.

The veterinarians decided to try something that had never been done in a zoo environment. Sometimes a mother of one species will take on the care of a different species.

The only "orphans" that could be found quickly were a litter of wiener pigs. The zoo keepers and vets wrapped the piglets in tiger skin and placed the babies around the mother tiger.

I do not know the rest of the story…but assume by the photograph that mamma tiger was pleased with her tiger-piglets, and the tiger-piggies look pretty comfortable with their new mom too.

Not So Mysterious After All

2006-06-11T23:07:00.000-04:00

~ AN INTRODUCTION TO THE PARABLES OF JESUS
© 2006. ADAPTED by E. NATALIE JOHNSON, FROM A SMALL GROUP STUDY ~ LED BY NIL LAVALEE, B.A., MEd.

Sometimes I imagine what it would have been like to sit among dusty sandaled feet, gathered around listening to The Teacher, Jesus of Nazareth, as He told story after captivating story. Would I be one of the listeners who really heard what Jesus was saying? Or would I be ever hearing but never understanding? A hard heart, unfertile to the seeds of faith in something greater which Jesus continually sowed among us while He visited His earth in the flesh?

Why did Jesus use parables within His teaching? One third of His teaching was in the form of parables. Stories using true to life, everyday things to teach us lessons he wanted us to learn.

In the Greek language the prefix ‘para’ means “to throw alongside”. Think of our English word parallel. Parables were stories Jesus threw alongside of his teaching, in order to illustrate his lessons, or to make a point. Jesus used these types of stories to compare something that was obvious to the listener with something not so obvious, but invisible to them.

An example of an Old Testament parable is the story Nathan told to David, after David had sinned with Bathsheba (2 SAMUEL 12). Jesus, however, made the most use of parables.

I’ve always been afraid of studying the parables of Jesus. Honestly, I’ve found them a little scary or somehow mystical. How should I approach them? How should I interpret them? Do they each have one main truth, or a whole array of spiritual truths and ideas? Thanks to our diligent small group leader, Nil, who recently walked us through the parables week after week until we started to relax about them, I am no longer afraid of them. I have a new appreciation for this wonderful way in which Jesus chose to communicate his message to us.

Jesus’ parables have the unique ability to both REVEAL and CONCEAL. This means that those who are ready, who are spiritually hungry ~ those who are thirsty enough, will take the stories at more than face value. They will want to dig deeper into the well of Jesus’ wisdom. Jesus’ stories awaken spiritual interest in people ~ interest in things beyond the here and now. Those who remain calloused and indifferent to the spiritual truths will go away with nothing.

Jesus was quite frank about this when told his disciples (MARK 4:9) “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that, ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’ ”

From there he went on to tell the disciples the parable of The Sower, and the story of A Lamp On a Stand. He talked about seed sown which either took root, or it didn’t. He talked about light concealed, or light revealed ~ brought out into the open. The seed, and the light Jesus spoke of referred to knowledge, and faith.

Why does it seem like Jesus was talking in riddles? Perhaps He wasn’t so mysterious. Maybe He was trying to get the disciples, and us, to understand that we have a responsibility to take what we hear and to consider it carefully. When people want to learn and understand, God’s forgiveness awaits them. For those who walk away, it’s like Jesus was saying they get exactly what you would expect them to get, which is again, absolutely nothing.

Understanding the culture of the day in which Jesus taught the parables, and the historical context in which he taught (that is, what came before and after) helps greatly in understanding where he was going with these stories.

Parables didn’t teach new doctrine. They were never used to teach something new, but rather, they were used to illustrate, from normal circumstances of the day, doctrine which already existed in Scripture.

There was always one big idea that Jesus was trying to convey through each parable. In the middle of a bunch of stories Jesus stops and asks, “Are you starting to get a handle on all this?” (MATTHEW 13:51, The Message). “Yes,” they replied. Then He says to them,
“…Every student who is well-trained in God’s kingdom is like the owner of a general store who can put his hands on anything you need, old or new, exactly when you need it.”

I think Jesus was being the best example of this. He’s the owner of the store. He always knew exactly what the people around Him needed, and when they needed it. This is so evident in the life struggles and daily situations from which His story telling emerged.

It is true that the ‘god of this age’, our enemy Satan, blinds people’s minds so they cannot see the light of Christ who is the image of God. It is also true that we who have faith in Jesus are walking around with the truth He taught, and the redeeming grace He brought in our minds and hearts. We have the light of the knowledge of God in us, like a treasure in jars of clay. “We carry this message around in the undecorated clay pots of our ordinary lives”. (2 CORINTHIANS 4).

With the ‘every student’ story in Matthew 13, Jesus was basically saying that the teachers of the law had the responsibility of sharing and living the truth, but they were keeping it to themselves.

Jesus’ example was to not keep the truth to Himself. He was teaching the disciples the same. They had this treasure, and it was to be shared. They were knowing, living, and sharing the truth of God’s big and eternal ideas, and that is our responsibility as well. That is my responsibility as a Christ follower ~ that God’s truth will be revealed, not concealed in my life. That the store remains open with plenty of His grace on display.

Sunny Sanctuary

2006-06-09T12:00:00.000-04:00

As it teams rain outside today, and two months of spring workload with the photo business nears completion...it's time I started 'writing' again. A larger project ensues which is too large for a web log, but I will try to store a few new 'shorts' in the Cedar Chest as well.

I call this photo, taken on our one DRY day this week, 'My Sunny Sanctuary', which is actually our deck bejewelled with summer flowers, and my favorite reading spot.

All winter I long for sweet scented mornings in this very spot, with either my bible or a good book and a great cup of fresh ground coffee. No wonder I feel inspired. Rain or shine, we can always turn to the SON of God. Jesus the true LIGHT of LIFE.

Thanks for stopping by...check back inside the Cedar Chest soon, for stories, lyrics, or poetry with some very specific life-application. Stories of life IN THE SON.

E. Natalie.

NO DUCT TAPE ON ME!

2006-04-24T15:08:00.000-04:00

NO PATCHES

2006-04-23T15:07:00.001-04:00

2006. E. Natalie Johnson
The lyrics of this song were inspired by Luke 5:27-39 (Jesus's story ('parable') of the Wineskins).

Outside of knowing Jesus
I wore my prideful rags
Just a thought away from Mercy
I Set my distance from His grace

Jesus didn't come to heal the healthy
Change the ones who like the status quo
See your sin and come undone
Claim His power to overcome
He'll give new life and throw away the old

There's joy now in this journey
In responding to His call
I'm surrounded by His mercy
He will never let me fall

THERE ARE NO PATCHES ON ME
NO, I HAVE BEEN SET FREE
JESUS GAVE ME NEW LIFE
HE'S EVERYTHING I NEED, OH...

Sometimes the way is rocky
It's not an easy ride
But abundant grace is there for me
His strength and love abide, 'cause...

Jesus didn't come to heal the healthy
Change the ones who like the status quo
See your sin and come undone
Claim His power to overcome
He'll give new life and throw away the old.

Overwhelmed By Creation

2006-03-06T11:48:00.000-05:00

I dedicate this entry to two individuals who are actually interested in whether or not there is a new entry to be found in the Cedar Chest. ~ David W., and 'Duncan'. ~ My last entry explains why I have been away.

The need to control the amount of time spent at a computer remains, however, a refurbished laptop I am now using may alleviate some of the ergonomic stress.

I received the following via my father, in an e-mail forward from his friend in Florida. It's 'Cedar Chest worthy', and worth passing on.

The photo was taken the last weekend of February, as we made the trek across a frozen lake to an island cottage on one of the Kawartha Lakes, Ontario. It was truly a day of 'Creation Appreciation'!

Overwhelmed by Creation

"How many are your works, O Lord!
In wisdom you made them all."
Psalm 104:24

One day in Hyde Park, London, author Frank Sheed was speaking about the remarkable order and design of the universe, when a heckler shouted, "Even I could make a better universe than your God!" Unruffled, Sheed replied, "I won't ask you to do that today, but would you mind making a rabbit just to establish credibility?"

Know what? If the earth was as small as the moon, its gravitation couldn't sustain our needs.

On the other hand, if it was as large as Jupiter, its extreme gravitation would make human movement almost impossible.

If we were as close to the sun as Venus, the heat would be unbearable; if we were as far away as Mars, every region would experience snow and ice nightly.

If the oceans were half their size, we'd get only 25% of our present rainfall. If they were one-eighth larger, annual precipitation would increase 400% turning the earth into a vast, uninhabitable swamp. Water solidifies at 32 degrees below zero. But if the oceans were subject to that law, the amount of thawing in the Polar Regions wouldn't balance out and we'd all end up encased in ice. To prevent this catastrophe, God put salt in the sea to alter its freezing point. Not a bad day's work!

David said, "How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all... I will sing praises to my God as long as I live"

(Ps 104:24-33).

If God's workmanship wouldn't make you want to stop and praise Him, what would?

Run To Jehovah

2006-01-19T10:05:00.000-05:00

It has been almost a month since my last entry.
It seems the few people I know personally who maintain web logs have not been posting regular entries in the past month or so, due to physical ailments of various kinds. This explains my "absence" from the blogging scene as well. Pinched nerves in my neck caused severe numbness in my arms and hand which was aggravated by use of a computer and mouse, playing the guitar and piano, and hand-writing anything....which pretty much sums up what I spend a lot of time at.

Several chiropractic and massage treatments later, things are getting better, and the Lord enabled me to sit down with my guitar and write a song this morning. It is a joy to share the lyrics with you at the beginning of the new year, as a reminder that whatever we face in 2006, we can run to Jehovah for strength, and He promises to be a shelter to us in the storms of life.

Students of the bible may recognize the inspiration from the Old Testament book of Joel (chapter three), and a Greek & Aramaic word study I did recently on "Mountains" and "Valleys". Perhaps I'll share more of what I learned from that study in another entry...and if my arm continues to work, it will be sooner than a month from now! (-:
______________________________________________________
Run To Jehovah
c.2006 E. Natalie Johnson

Through the thunder and the rain
I can see You ~
See the refuge
for my soul.

In the darkness and the night
I can hear You ~
Voice of Hope
I hear You call…

To the multitudes in the valley of decision
Let the weak say, “I am strong”.
For the LORD He is a refuge for His people.
Run to Jehovah, where your help comes from.
Run to Jehovah, where our help comes from.

In the mountains and the valleys
I will trust You ~
In the spring – time
And in the fall.

When the hunger and the thirst it
overwhelms me,
You surround me
and say “Hold on”…

To the multitudes in the valley of decision
Let the weak say, “I am strong”.
For the LORD He is a refuge for His people.
Run to Jehovah, where your help comes from.
Run to Jehovah, where our help comes from.
______________________________________

JOSEPH'S LULLABY

2005-12-25T14:07:00.000-05:00

Words and Music by Bart Millard (of Mercy Me) and Brown Bannister.

This song really spoke to me this Christmas, as I was reminded that God's sacrifice of His Son Jesus for human kind, began in the stable in Bethlehem. There He crossed the barrier between time & eternity, taking on human flesh, and so began His plan for our salvation from death and eternal separation from Himself. It's all there in the bible for us to read about ~ one big love letter from God, really. This song just drove the unfathomable truth of His story home in such a simple way ~ and I wept as I listened to the lyrics for the first time. I've thought of what the experience must have been like for Mary, but never before from Joseph's perspective, as this song portrays so poignantly.

Have a wonder-filled Christmas.
E. Natalie

P.S. Yes...i finally posted a 'self-portrait'.
May God bless you as you remember Jesus' Birthday ~ Emmanuel, God with us!

Go to sleep my son
This manger for your bed
You have a long road before you
Rest your little head

Can you feel the weight of your glory
Do you understand the price
Or does The Father guard your heart for now
So you can sleep tonight

Go to sleep my son
Go and chase your dreams
This world can wait for one more moment
Go and sleep in peace

I believe the glory of heaven
Is lying in my arms tonight
But Lord I ask that he for just this moment
Simply be my child

Go to sleep my son
Baby close your eyes
Soon enough you'll save the day
But for now dear child of mine
Oh my Jesus sleep tight
____________________

(Official Website of the band 'Mercy Me')
http://www.mercyme.org/index2.php
keep the page up for a while to hear sound clips of all their Christmas album songs.

2005 ~ A Year In Retrospect

2005-12-08T09:05:00.000-05:00

photo by Aaron Johnson. 2004

Christmas is the birthday of a King ~ the Lord Jesus Christ. Christmas is also another year coming to an end, which causes us to think back. I recently read about the importance of evaluation in Christian ministry; to "always look back before looking forward". Taking time to look back before we move ahead is key to our vision for all aspects of our journey through this life.
The following is the Christmas Card Letter our family sent out this month, which is likely more interesting to me than anyone else, but it was a good exercise in restrospect ~ a thoughtful consideration of the past year, how quickly it has passed, and yet how full of memories that I never want to forget.
______________________________________________________________

December 2005

Dear Family & Friends,

Hello and Merry Christmas from us to you! In lieu of a Christmas card we’ve opted to send an update with a few highlights from 2005. Hope the print size is not too small for reading.

Bryan and Diana continue to work with Jostens in the school photography division. Bryan is on the road taking pictures most of the year and I am in the office. Last winter we enjoyed downhill skiing again, especially a memorable day with friends at Sir Sams in Haliburton, ON. We enjoyed a few weeks off in the summer. Highlights for Bryan included a trip the end of June to Comerica Park in Detroit with his brother and nephew and Adrian to see a Tigers major league baseball game, going to four Jays/Tigers games in Toronto in August, and fishing in the Kawartha’s catching Trout on one side of the boat, and Bass on the other! We also had a very memorable Thanksgiving weekend together with another family at their cottage in October. Bryan has recently taken up the bass guitar, and is taking weekly lessons.

Both boys graduated in the spring ~ Adrian (14) from Grade 8 and Aaron (18) from Grade 12. One finished elementary school, and the other highschool! They get along well and though there is four years between them, they have grown closer than ever in the past year.

Adrian spent most of the summer at Graphite Bible Camp near Maynooth, ON. He is enjoying Grade 9, and regular youth group activities. Adrian is a talented drummer, and continues to upgrade his kit and improve steadily. Adrian is being baptized December 11, at Auburn Bible Chapel, which is our home church. He is looking forward to snowboarding again this winter.

Aaron is working full time at the Swish / Charlotte industrial chemicals plant here in Peterborough. He is taking some night courses at Flemming College, and will begin post-secondary education next September toward a degree in history, with a tentative long-range goal of “law enforcement” of some sort. Aaron acquired his ‘dream guitar’ this fall ~ a replica 1952 Fender Telecaster which he and Bryan located in Toronto. Both boys are quite involved in music ministry through our local church. Aaron can also use his guitars to serenade his girlfriend Jen. Aaron also enjoys snowboarding, and computers.

Highlights for Diana have included teaching a ‘Fruit Of The Spirit’ scrapbooking bible study in the spring, attending the Kingdom Bound music festival at Darien Lake, New York in August, spending time at cousins’ and friends’ cottages, writing (see www.cedarchest.blogspot.com), music ministry involvement, and parenting teens. She also co-ordinated a well attended celebration of ‘The Arts’ at Auburn this fall called PRAISEWORKS, which included an art/craft show, Coffee House, and concert. Bryan and Diana were part of a music team which visited Rochester, New York, to do a Christmas concert and lead the Sunday worship service at Crossroads Community Church where Chuck & Mary Gianotti and their family minister.

May you experience God’s supernatural JOY in all circumstances throughout 2006. We think about all our friends and family throughout the year, and pray that you know God’s goodness and peace in your hearts, and His presence in all your endeavors as you journey on.

Christians, Or Chameleons?

2005-11-02T10:24:00.000-05:00

2005. E. Natalie Johnson.

"The signs of the kingdom [of Jesus Christ] have always been

the LION

the LAMB

the DOVE

the FISH

..... but NEVER

.....the CHAMELEON!"

(Quote: Michael Frost, Nov. 1st, 2005 Peterborough, ON.)

Jesus modelled what it was like to be different, holy, set apart ~ yet at the same time fully engaged with those around him in need of His grace, mercy, kindness, and love.

He put his needs behind the needs of others ~ to the point of sacrificing his very life for our greatest need...to be the only acceptable sacrifice which could reconcile us back into a right relationship with Yaweh ~ holy God.

What's my focus? Money? Material possesions? A safe future? A secure retirement? Credability in the eyes of the post-modern society around me?

Eyes are on me when I commit to live out dangerous promises like "I will be kind", "I will be good", "I will love others as Christ loves", "I will show mercy, grace, kindness, and hospitality". "I will cooperate with other christian believers in unity and love".

And when I do...others will find hope at it's source ~ the living Christ dwelling in me in the midst of a pagan world! Not hope in institutional christianity, but rather, in The One who gives eternal hope.

Will I blend in, or stand out as an exile with a message of hope beyond this world? Will I challenge others with the dangerous stories of Jesus, who cast out demons, hung out with prostitutes, performed miracles, and died and suffered to set us free, or will I remain unengaged, choosing conformity in order to feel safe and comfortable?

Am I a Christian, or am I a chameleon?

Grace In The First Person

2005-10-17T21:29:00.000-04:00

2005. E. Natalie Johnson

Rev. Michael Frost (M.A., B.Th., Dip.Teach.) is the Founding Director of Centre for Evangelism & Global Mission at Morling Theological College in Sydney. One of Australia's most widely recognised evangelists and conference speakers, Michael has spoken at some of Australia's largest conventions and events as well as at conferences in the United States and parts of Asia and Africa. He is the author of six books: Jesus the Fool (1994), Longing for Love (1996), Eyes Wide Open (1999), which was voted Australian Christian Book of the Year in 1999 and published in the USA as Seeing God in the Ordinary (2000), Lessons From Reel Life (2001) co-authored with Robert Banks, Freedom to Explore (2002), and The Shaping of Things to Come (2003) co-authored with Alan Hirsch, and short-listed for Australian Christian Book of the Year 2004.

I have been listening to some recorded talks given by Frost here in North America, and have not been able to stop thinking about the following statement which he made. "The degree to which we treat people like objects, is the degree to which sin has taken hold in our lives." I know that I have been guilty of ignoring people, passing them by, and generally disregarding them as unique individuals whom God loves. How often are we simply looking out for our own best interests? Jesus came to teach us otherwise. The apostle Paul wrote of imitating Christ's humility to the Philippians in 61 A.D., "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves".

This week I've been finishing a tremendous book by Lee Pearson Knapp, entitled Grace In The First Person, in which she makes a similar statement to that of Michael Frost. Knapp says, "It may be that we are programmed to operate in our own best interest, and shamefully do so especially in times of abundance".

Knapp adds, "Yet with an assurance that each day will have enough grace for our spirits and food for our stomachs, how much easier it is not to discount, but to actually value, other human beings in the same struggle".

When you are dealing with people, no matter your capacity or role, or the setting in which you find yourself, you soon realize that everyone is 'wired' differently. How marvelous a testimony to the genius and character of God our creator. I am learing there is one very important reason why God did not create everyone exactly like me, and that is that I might learn 'grace in the first person' !

As we continue to "grow into life and faith", may we have grace in every move we make, every glance, every action, and every thought toward others. And "In everything, do to others what we would have them do to us". (Goepel of Matthew, chapter 7, verse 12).

The Weekend of Big Meet

2005-10-11T13:09:00.000-04:00

Officially dubbed ‘The Weekend Of Big Meet’ our immediate family met for Thanksgiving Weekend with another family at their cottage on a beautiful pine-treed island in the Kawartha Lakes region of Ontario. More than anything we appreciated having all of our teenaged and young adult children there with us. It was a joy interacting with them, and listening to them discuss life from their perspective.

We also went to work, pitching in to help them close down the property for the winter months. Between the work, we played, and laughed, and ATE! So it could also have been called ‘The Weekend Of Big Meat’. Lots of Chili, Ham, Chicken Wings…not to mention Turkey with our extended families on the holiday Monday!

Today, however, the cottage memory lingers. Many hands made the clean-up work lighter, leaving time for a boat ride to see the autumn colour around the lake, and to remember the Creator of all that is beautiful. Time enough for bonfires, and quiet time reading in the Adirondack chairs before they were stored away in the attic along with the canoes.

What a great time with the kids…some who had returned home for Thanksgiving from being away at school or working out of town…and some who will soon leave the nest to do the same. It was a little taste of heaven, where we look forward to ‘The Really Big Meet’ with all of God's Kingdom and with all who have gone before us.

Community…Family…Home...remembering our Creator, and being eternally thankful. For me, this is what Thanksgiving is all about.

Rx for LIFE ~ by The Greatest Physician

2005-10-04T19:09:00.000-04:00

Prescription for Life.
2005. E. Natalie Johnson.
Please allow me this opportunity to share with you, the cleansing program that has brought ultimate healing to my life, hope for the future, and peace that passes all human understanding.
It is the ultimate prescription by the 'Great Physician' ~ the God who designed me and knows all about me, especially my 'inner workings'. It's good news for everyone! He has prescribed something that works for every man, woman, boy, or girl.
It is far beyond the generic brand of 'life' we see on shelves all around us which offers a temporary placebo effect. Only God can prescribe the miraculous life that really works and never runs out! Because he planned it from the beginning of time.
To 'take' the prescription (known to the consumer as 'forgiveness') that only God is able to prescribe, I simply had to place my faith and trust in Him and follow His plan.
He is the most caring physician, with the largest practice ever...the whole world! He's always on call, and showed how much he cares by sending Jesus to walk among us, teach His prescription for life, and ultimately give up His life as the supreme sacrifice necessary in order to heal us of our sin disease.
In other words, He owns the patent on life, and paid the price to make it available to every person. His prescription is free for all, and has no hidden dispensing fee!
When you go to God for healing from the sin-disease, you are instantly and permanently under His amazing all-powerful care, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week! You are sealed with His Spirit as insurance forever, knowing that you will never have to pay the awful price for your sin disease. He paid the price for you, and for me.
God loved the world so much, that He gave His only Son, and whoever believes in Him, will never perish, but will have everlasting life! (The Bible ~ John chapter 3, verse 16).
God has also given us the best 'health book' to read ~ The Bible ~ His complete work of answers to your most important questions, to guide us through life and prepare us to go to work for Him, spreading the good news of His prescription for life to others.
One of His interns named Peter wrote in an early 'journal', which states the following facts: "Yes, our natural lives will fade as grass does when it becomes all brown and dry. All our greatness is like the grass that withers, and the flower that droops and falls. But the Word of the Lord endures forever. And His message is the Good News that is told to you." (The Bible ~ 1 Peter chapter 1, verses 24-25).

ASK, SEEK, and KNOCK ~ Part One

2005-09-28T17:13:00.000-04:00

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to attend a workshop presented by Cathy Balch (Living Hope church, Peterborough, ON.), entitled 'Life Giving Prayer Unveiled'. The following encapsulates some of what God showed me through Cathy’s teaching on prayer, and what is subsequently flowing from those core thoughts, with the help of God’s Spirit teaching me more as I revisit the scriptures and notes I brought home with me. As Lee Pearson Knapp writes in her book Grace In The First Person, “I can feel my brain traveling down those old familiar neuro-ruts along their well-worn paths to discovery”, and so I’m not sure how many parts to this ‘mini-series’ of blog entries will result. If you have a desire as I do to bring Jesus into more of your day through a deeper, richer prayer-life, check back in the Cedar Chest over the next several days for more thoughts and ideas in Part Two ~ “SEEK”, and Part Three ~ “KNOCK”.
_____________________________________________________

“ASK, SEEK, KNOCK”
2005. E. Natalie Johnson

Part One ~ “ASK”

Jesus said to his followers,

“Ask and it will be given to you;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives;
he who seeks finds;
and to him who knocks; the door will be opened.” (Luke 11:9)

Jesus was not giving a crash course on “how to” pray, but rather a “will you” challenge.
“Will you ask?” “Will you seek?” “Will you knock?”

“We are living in a war”, points out author John Eldredge, and indeed the enemy, Satan, daily throws at us seemingly harmless things such as DOUBTS and LIES to keep us from enjoying a rich, engaging walk with the Lord.

From the beginning, satan has tried to cause us to question God’s authority and blessing in our lives. “Did God really say, ‘You mustn’t eat from any tree in the garden’?” (In truth, God had only requested that Adam and Eve not touch one special tree…the rest were theirs to enjoy. But satan twisted the truth, causing them to doubt and question what they had been told, and feel like they were missing out on something. He created DISCONTENT in their heart.

Jesus knew that prayer would become one of the Christian’s most powerful spiritual weapons.
It is in asking for God’s help, and the empowering of His Spirit (which is promised to every Christ-follower), that we will be equipped to fight this on-going battle.

Some Christians pray each morning for God to equip them with each element of the ‘spiritual armor’ which the scripture speaks of in the apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesian Christians.
“Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms…..Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and stand with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace…..take up the shield of faith…..the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. And pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” (Ephesians 6:11-18)

Many of us have been taught that ‘meeting with God in the morning’ is ‘best’, and read Psalms like “Morning by morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; morning by morning I lay my requests before You and wait in expectation.” (Psalm 5)

Others consider that ‘tomorrow’ actually begins the night before, and start their next day the evening before by preparing for it and covering it with prayer. Could this actually be God’s way of looking at our twenty-four hour cycle of living, given the fact that in the beginning, He called “the evening and the morning” the first day? (Genesis 1).

As I am encouraged and challenged to have a truly meaningful prayer-life, I am purposing to pray both evening and morning, and perhaps even several times throughout the day as well! Using the framework Jesus provided in Luke 11, and given what I have learned so far about the ‘asking’ part, I think that I might ‘ASK’ God in the evening for the day to come, ‘SEEK’ Him in the morning, and ‘KNOCK’ on heaven’s door as needed throughout the day or night. This will make more sense as you follow the next parts on ‘seeking’ and ‘knocking’.

Praying Scripture, is one way I can begin to really personalize my prayer journey. Author C. Peter Wagner states that, “Nothing could connect Heaven and Earth more powerfully than praying God’s Word.” I am already finding this to be a very powerful and effective way to connect with God through combining His Word and prayer. We also know from the first chapter of Genesis that God SPOKE into the darkness and it became light. And we are created in God’s image, therefore, WORDS…His Words…our words…can have tremendous power for good (or not, where we are concerned).

Words, whether written or spoken can have life-altering effects. Take Ephesians 1:17-20, for example, and PERSONALIZE it. Pray it back to God. “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give me the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that I may know Him better. I pray also that the eyes of my heart may be enlightened on order that I may know the hope to which He has called me, the riches of His glorious inheritance in me, and his incomparably great power for me who believes…”

Claim the promises of God, as you find them throughout the scripture, and pray them back to Him. “Ask and it will be given to you.”

And one last thought to close ‘Part One’; What’s wrong with praying for a greater hunger to spend time in prayer?” Ask, and it will be given…I am praying, and believing!

Overflow of a Writer's Life

2005-09-26T13:27:00.000-04:00

2005. E. Natalie Johnson

I cannot speak for all bloggers, but I suspect that my experience is not unlike most of you. That time to sit and write seems to come in ‘fits and spurts’. Life sometimes just overflows, and things which steal away writing time, are equally important in the purpose of our days.

“I am a servant of Jesus Christ.” “I am a wife.” “I am a mother / father” “I am a daughter / son.” “I am a sibling, a neighbor, and a friend.” “I am a co-worker, and a colleague.”

And so life overflows into an extended ‘coffee-break’ with a mentor and friend. A ‘love letter’ to a parent while they are still living. Caring for an eighteen year-old who throws his back out in a fake Sumo Wrestling suit, is off his feet for a week, and needs that time to discuss his future education & career path. Nursing a fourteen year-old who needs you by his side twenty-four hours while feverish and fighting an infection. Fellowship with a group of women at a retreat where you have the privilege to be involved musically, or to weep and pray with them over the cries of their hearts. Sitting and talking over important issues with your husband or wife. This is the ‘stuff of life’ that many of us would not trade for anything…even writing time.

Add time to “Sharpen the Saw”, as author and motivational speaker Stephen R. Covey would say, which is basically keeping yourself fit spiritually, physically, and mentally, so you can ‘be there’ for the people who are prioritized in your circle of influence. Your spouse, your family, church family, neighbors, friends, co-workers…the list goes on.

Last week, after a roller-coaster of events, I was forced to take time out for some professional massage therapy on my right shoulder and neck. ‘Sharpening ourselves’ is almost always worth the price we must pay, whether monetarily, or in time spent. Taking these ‘time-outs’ is not a selfish thing when at the end of the day they enable us to be more fully engaged with those who depend on us. Or, if they allow us to come back to things we are passionate about (i.e. writing) with renewed energy and with insights that we have gained through simply making time for life.

The tasks of everyday living which call us away from areas of giftedness we really enjoy, can seem menial or insignificant, yet they are where treasures are found, and where God speaks to our hearts through the simplest things in life.

And so, fellow bloggers, may you never feel guilty when you put your writing ‘on the back burner’ and let it 'simmer' there for a few days or even longer, in order to make time for life.

Time for lengthy conversations, or for extended periods of quietness and soul-searching. Time for laughter, or for grief. For hugs, or for ‘alone-time’. For reading, or for prayer. What inspires you and makes you a better writer in the grand scheme of things? May you be filled with the stuff of life, and a harvest of the fruit of God’s Spirit living in and through you. Time for love, for joy, for peace, patience, and kindness. For goodness, and faithfulness. For gentleness and self-control. For there is no law against such things, and the ‘writing police’ will not arrest you if you do not put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) today!

We promise to wait, and when you’re ready, be blessed through the things that you write which have come from the overflow of your life.

See You At The Pole

2005-09-21T07:58:00.000-04:00

Today as the sun rose around the world, students gathered at their school's flag pole, to unite in prayer. Prayer for their school, and for each other.

As in all great movements of prayer, See You at the Pole did not begin in the hearts of people. It began in the heart of God. God used the obedience of a small group of teenagers at a DiscipleNow weekend in early 1990 to ignite what has become an international movement of prayer among young people.

Since 1991, See You at the Pole has grown to God-sized proportions. Within only a couple of years, students were praying in several countries around the world. Now, more than 3 million students from all 50 United States participate in SYATP. Students across CANADA and more than 20 other countries take part. In Canada, Guam, Korea, Japan, Turkey, and the Ivory Coast, students are responding to God and taking seriously the challenge to pray.

This morning I dropped my son (Grade 9) off at his highschool in Peterborough, Ontario CANADA.
It was 7:05 a.m. and there were three girls already at the flag pole. I knew his resolve and committment, and as I drove away, I prayed that he would not be discouraged, and acknowledged the fact that where two or three are gathered in the name of Jesus, He assures us that His presence is with them.

After visiting a banking machine I had to drive back past the school again on my way home. By this time there were seven or eight students gathered at the pole. I was tuned in to our Christian radio station which was broadcasting live cell phone calls from students at various school locations. Just as I drove past my son's school, they were interviewing a girl from our school! I could see her smiling and speaking into the phone as she explained why they were there and what they were about to pray for. My heart was deeply blessed by the faith of these kids. They really want God to move in powerful ways in the lives of others (staff, administration, and students) who are lost, without the LORD, and without purpose.

God is continuing to call His people to repentance and prayer. Countless inspiring testimonies of how He has used See You at the Pole to bring students to Christ and to change lives affirm God’s power to answer those who cry out to Him in humble dependence. Bible clubs, weekly prayer meetings, and other ministries have begun on campuses where students participated in SYATP.

Join the millions from North America and around the world as they continue to pray that God will bring revival. Whether you stand by yourself at your school or among hundreds who pray on your campus, know that you are part of a vast united movement of prayer. Don’t be left out of what God wants to do with your school campus, your city, and our world through your prayers. If you did not participate this year, decide now that you will be a part of See You at the Pole in 2006.

" I ask Him to strengthen you by his Spirit - not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength - that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite Him in. And I ask Him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love.
REACH OUT AND EXPERIENCE THE BREADTH!
TEST IT'S LENGTH!
PLUMB THE DEPTHS!
RISE TO THE HEIGHTS!
LIVE FULL LIVES, full in the fullness of God.
God can do anything, you know..."
Ephesians 3:14-21 (The Message)

Reference Links:
See You At The Pole HISTORY
See You At The Pole CANADA

JOY ~ Overture One

2005-09-12T21:13:00.000-04:00

©2005. E. Natalie Johnson.

If you use MSN (MicroSoft Instant Messenger) for conversing on-line, you see all kinds of pseudo names people have for themselves. Many indicate what is going on in their lives at the moment by their choice of MSN name. Some are angry, some melodramatic, some funny, some romantic, and some are just sad.

Latley, I’ve been “DJ -JOY is my strength”, because I’m basking in a new revelation (at forty-something!) that JOY is not dependent on my circumstances. JOY is part of the harvest of God’s Spirit living in me. JOY is a natural result of spending time with the Lord, reading His Word, and talking to Him in prayer. And this is the only JOY that persists deep within, even during the toughest times.

Laura Lewis Lanier, in her book All Things Bright and Beautiful, talks about hoping in God, and her point is easily interchangeable with joy. “Hope [and joy] and new beginnings are fresh every morning. It is not necessary to wait for a circumstance to bring hope [or joy]. Hope [and joy], real hope [and real joy], come when we lay down our own ideas and plans . . . our mind, will and emotions . . . before God as a hand of cards dealt and say to Him, ‘How would YOU play them?’”.

Hope and joy are closely connected. Joy comes from ‘the God of all hope’ (Romans 15:13), so we can have joy because we have hope. And hope is what allows us to sometimes ‘wait for joy’, trusting that it will well up inside of us once again. “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint”. (Isaiah 40:31)

“Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous . . .”; There it is. The greatest reason for JOY. In Christ our sin has been covered, forgiven, . . . and forgotten. God doesn’t count our sins against us. He sees us as ‘righteous’ through Christ.
“Blessed is he who’s transgressions are forgiven, who’s sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing all you who are upright in heart!” (Psalm 32: 1-2,11).

How would you describe the JOY that comes from God? Peter writes in his New Testament letter that when we love and believe in Jesus, we are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. (1 Peter 1:8). Have you experienced this kind of JOY?
Others describe it as uncontainable, fulfilling, uplifting, genuine, moving, refreshing, strengthening, comforting, and delightful.

How about “DJ Comforted”, or “DJ Delighted”? What a great collection of really inspiring MSN names I can draw from, when I’m seeking after the things of God, and allowing Him to fill me with authentic JOY. Joy that’s not affected by what is going on around me.

A tiny flame of real JOY, ingnited each morning as I look to God and surrender those first few minutes to Him, expels the darkness out of my entire day as He fills it with His light.

Still looking for JOY? Check the Cedar Chest again soon for “JOY ~ Overture Two”, coming soon. For now, I invite you to keep the lid open, choose JOY, and take it with you!

F.Y.I. The name of the flower at the beginning of this post is a "JOY ZINNIA". I think God sprinkles His joy over the earth in flowers too...don't you?

To Know You More

2005-09-05T15:32:00.000-04:00

2005. E. Natalie Johnson

On the east side of the Carrizo plain, in the Temblor Range,
about 50 miles due west of Bakersfield, California, some say
that God's been 'playing with His paints'.

Someone sent me this photo, and it brought a smile,
as I considered how much I don't comprehend or understand
about The Creator of this scene...
the marvelous God I worship, love, and adore.

"More than just a God who doesn't care, Who lives away up there",
says an old song.

"More love, more power", and "More than enough",
say a couple of new songs.

The God who made the seed, that grows the plant,
that bears the flower.
The God who made us to commune with Him
in the stillness of a garden, surrounded by such beauty.
The God who created us to produce
the fruit of the harvest of His Spirit toward one another...

...Love, JOY, Peace, PATIENCE, kindness, GOODNESS
Faithfulness, GENTLENESS, and Self-Control.

How much more is He than I?! . . .
Far, so very far have we fallen into darkness,
wandered away, and rejected His love.
Yet He came in the person of Christ,
to finish His story, to say He loved me,
and to say to every person who would,
"Come, follow me".

He said His yoke was easy, and His burden was light.
When I look at this photo,
I see yet another expression of who He is...
a glimpse into His eternal promises,
and I believe Him.

How much more is God than we?! ...
yet He came here, to say He was making
a way for us to really live...
to really know Him.

Jesus said, "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.
He will come in and go out, and find pasture.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:9-10)

Pastor Rob Bell writes in his new book,
Velvet Elvis, Repainting The Christian Faith ,

"As His followers talked about him
and did what he said and told and retold his stories,
the significance of his life began to take on all sorts of
cosmic dimensions. They realized that something
much bigger was going on here, involving them
and the people around them and all of creation.
Something involving God making peace with the world
and creation being brought back into harmony with its Creator."

Looking at the photo of the Carizzo plain,
and thinking about the One who planned its existence
and mine, makes me want to sing, (no, shout!) to God,
"I want to know You,
I want to hear Your voice,
I want to know You more.
I want to touch You,
I want to see Your face,
I want to know You more".
Andy Park, © 1995 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing

It's Really Something!

2005-08-19T21:28:00.000-04:00

The gorgeous harvest moon this week reminded me of the following, written last year before I began storing articles in The Cedar Chest.

It's Really Something
16/11/2004. E. Natalie Johnson

This morning I had a conversation with an elderly friend approaching her nineties.
We talked about the moon. How it's really something, and it is hard to believe that men actually walked around on it!

After talking for a while about the mystery of modern space travel, I commented how the moon is a 'luminary', and how we Christians are to be luminaries reflecting God to our corner of the world. How it's really something that God speaks to each of us individually in such unique ways through His Word no matter where we are in life.

Similar to the way a person in Africa views the same moon differently than we do in North America, as it moves around the earth and as the world turns on its axis. The moon itself never changes, but people catch different views of the same heavenly body depending on thier perspective. And all who see it are captivated by its luminescence.

What God teaches me from a verse or passage of scripture may be completely different from what He reveals to you through the same scripture. This reinforces the fact that His Word is indeed 'living and active'. (Hebrews 4:12)

It is also proof that through His Word and by His Spirit living in each believer, God is able to reveal exactly what our hearts need in any given moment.

In 56 A.D., Paul wrote the first inspired letter to the Corinthian church, and quoted the Old Testament prophet Isaiah;

"Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him." (Isaiah 64:4; 1 Corinthians 2:9).

Eugene Peterson's paraphrase The Message, puts the next few verses of 1 Corinthians 2 like this:

"But you've seen and heard it because God by His Spirit has brought it all out into the open before you. The Spirit, not content to flit around on the surface, dives into the depths of God, and brings out what God planned all along...

...God offers a full report on the gifts of life and salvation that he is giving us. We don't have to rely on the world's guesses and opinions. We didn't learn this by reading books or by going to school; we learned it from God, who taught us person-to-person through Jesus...

...The unspiritual self, just as it is by nature, can't receive the gifts of God's Spirit. There's no capacity for them. They seem like so much silliness. Spirit can be known only by spirit - God's Spirit and our spirits in open communion."

To have a relationship with Jesus Christ, the Light of the world! To receive the gift of life He offers. To know God and be known by Him. God's Spirit and our spirits in open communion. To reflect His light. To be 'luminaries' for Jesus. To spread the good news of His saving grace which never changes, to a diverse array of individuals who cross our path. To see almighty God captivate a soul and meet his or her deepest spiritual need as He did our own, no matter their earthly perspective.

Now that's really something!

WOMAN & MAN ~ Explained by Engineers

2005-08-19T10:59:00.000-04:00

WOMAN and MAN, as explained by Engineers.

(My laugh for the day ~ hope it brings a little smile to yours).

ATMOSPHERE

2005-08-15T21:10:00.000-04:00

2005. E. Natalie Johnson.
This week, we mourn with, and pray for a local family whose teen aged daughter sadly, took her own life, sending waves of shock and tears throughout the community. Recently, at a media seminar we were asked to raise our hands if we have personally known someone who committed suicide. I was heartbroken to view the number of hands that went up, including my own. Memories of my own encounter with this unanswerable choice ~ two friends lost, came flooding back. This journal entry results from my thoughts today, and song lyrics I have listened to in response to this horror repeated yet once more in a such a young life. Gone with purpose left unfulfilled.
"A phrase used by both Peter and Paul has become one of my favorite images from the New Testament" writes author Philip Yancey. "We are to administer, or "dispense," God's grace, say the two apostles. The image brings to mind one of the old-fashioned "atomizers" women used before the perfection of spray technology. Squeeze a rubber bulb, and droplets of perfume come shooting out of the fine holes at the other end. A few drops suffice for a whole body; a few pumps change the atmosphere in a room. That is how grace should work, I think. It does not convert the entire world or an entire society, but it does enrich the atmosphere."

One person at a time. We are not asked to be more than instruements of God's grace, to one person at a time. To be good listeners, as Jesus was. And as the statement of purpose for our local church relates, "We exist to bring a broken world back into relationship with God and each other by inviting them to faith in Jesus and teaching them to care, serve, and glorify God as Jesus does."

Your atmosphere, is defined as your environment. What you surround yourself, your thoughts, your life with. When we allow God to move into our atmosphere and bask in His saving grace, we in turn can "dispense" that amazing grace to those around us ~ into their atmosphere. Allow them to experience the riches poured out to us all, because of Christ.

Atmosphere
lyrics by TOBYMAC. Diverse City, copyright 2004.

I know you keep a journal and every page is rippled
From the tears that you cry, ain't no meanin' to your scribble
Cause words can't describe what you've been feelin' inside
It's like thousand foot walls, and they're still on the rise

But look up to a beautiful sound
And see for yourself you're not that far down
And know this, I cannot love a little
My promise to you is unconditional

And I'll keep the light on, baby
Just keep the course, you can weather the storm
I'll keep the light on, baby
You've come this far, don't you ever lose heart, now...

Just turn around and I'll be there
I'm moving into your atmosphere
Just turn around and I'll be there
I'm moving into your atmosphere

I know you're all alone in a crowd full of friends
I can see it in your eyes that your fadin' again
Checking out, moving into your hole
Where the light can't touch any part of your soul

But hold up and let the river rush in
You can turn around and start livin' again
Cause your life is a beautiful bloom

In the image of the one that created you

I'll be there
Said I'll be there, said I'll be there
Said I'll be there always, forever.
___________________________

All Nature Sings

2005-08-14T22:38:00.000-04:00

All nature sings and dances around me

All of God's creation, visible and unseen;

a universal song and rhythm that speaks to all mankind

If only I would watch and listen this day

I might catch a glimpse of the clothing of the Almighty

and hear the melodious voice of His Spirit

growing ever closer to at last reverberate within my soul

as peals of thunder play along on clouds

bringing rain and renewal of life...

...another tiny flower waltzing in the wind atop the slenderest stem.

And I would look inside and hear the harmony of heaven,

and have my eyes of faith opened wide again.

2005. E. Natalie Johnson

"Speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee."

JOB

MEDIA SAVVY

2005-08-11T10:58:00.000-04:00

There I sat, one of a handful of adults in the center of a large pavilion filled with teenaged kids from all over the U.S. and Canada. Why had I chosen to attend a Brett Ullman seminar at Kingdom Bound 2005? There were lots of ‘adult’ workshops to chose from. But, I love music, and realize that there’s a lot more going on around me than the genre’s of music I enjoy on a regular basis. And, I love teenagers. So, sometimes, I listen to what they listen to, watch what they're watching, and go where they go. (With a drummer and guitar player in the house, and large CD collections, most days I have no choice where the 'listening' part is concerned).

It’s pretty obvious at an event like the Kingdom Bound festival that there’s a lot of good stuff out there for kids, but there’s a lot more that’s total trash in the world of secular media, and its affecting our youth (our own boys aged eighteen and fourteen included) whether we like it or not. As a parent and one who likes to stay ‘in the loop’ I want to have a practical understanding of what’s really influencing teens today.

“If a war over the fundamental issues of morality is being fought in mainstream music today, Ullman is on the frontlines.” [Melissa Bell, http://www.journalism.ryerson.ca]

Be careful ears what you hear.

Brett Ullman is a dynamic media speaker, talking about how music and other media can affect our faith.

"The lyrics, lifestyles and philosophies of today's secular music artists are affecting our young people and young adults in the areas of violence, sex, drugs, alcohol, suicide, and Satanism," says 30-year-old Brett.

Be careul eyes what you see.

“With dozens of slides, video clips, interviews, and music, Brett's seminar is a well-balanced presentation that has impacted the lives of teens and parents from all walks of life, challenging them to evaluate modern media and its impact on their lives.
To date, Brett has spoken to over 80,000 people from across Ontario and Atlantic and Western Canada. He has spoken at many national and regional conferences and has spoken to groups from almost every evangelical denomination in Canada.”

We were challenged with the goal of changing hearts. “Anything chasing actions is a waste of time,” says Brett. “Change your world view, and everything else changes.”

Your WORLD VIEW shapes your VALUES, which in turn, shapes your ACTIONS.

Brett encouraged us to change our hearts by practicing the activities JESUS did:
1. Solitude & Silence
2. Intense Study of God’s Word
3. Service to Others
4. Simple & Sacrificial Living
5. Prayer

Brett is the Director of JesusOntario, a Canadian Christian Public Interest Group whose mandate is to equip young people and leaders to deal with modern media. He and his family attend Carruthers Creek Community Church in Ajax, Ontario, Canada.

One last thing Brett said that rings true in my mind and experience, "You don't know what people are thinking or doing until you throw yourselves into their lives. Encourage, and ask questions!"

And as Paul wrote to the Colossian Christians, "...clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive...as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." [Colossians 3:12-14]
Be careful feet where you go.
Brett has several seminars booked around Ontario, Canada this fall and winter. CLICK HERE to check out his tour date schedule. Take yourself, and some teens you love!

Holi - Days

2005-08-09T15:34:00.000-04:00

Summer 2005. E. Natalie Johnson

The dictionary defines the word ‘holiday’ as “a day free from work, especially one set aside to commemorate a special person or event.”

This describes my experience over the past two weeks very well, and explains why I have not been working at my computer logging entries in

'The Cedar Chest'.

Holi-Days spent at a friends cottage in late July, were definitely free from work, and we delighted in many wonders of God’s creation during a memorable ‘canoe trip / fishing adventure’ into some uninhabited lakes in The Kawartha’s.

The first week of August was where the commemoration of a special person came in. Five Holi-Days days at the Six Flags Darien Lake Resort in New York,

[Six 'Gals at Six Flags]
where the annual Kingdom Bound festival was held, focusing our attention for the most part on the person of the Lord Jesus Christ as we worshiped him together through music,

Robin Mark (of Ireland) at Kingdom Bound '05 [2005. photo by E. O'Heron]

Mercy Me (U.S.A.) in concert at Kingdom Bound '05 [2005. photo by E. O'Heron]

and scripture during excellent teaching workshops and seminars.

Carol McLeod, author and speaker, Just Joy Ministries.

[2005. photo by E. O'Heron]

Days free from work. Days set aside to focus on someone deserving our praise and adoration. Days of refreshment and rejuvenation. Days of wonder. Holi-Days!

I hope you’ve had some Holi-Days this summer, and I encourage you to journal your experiences.

Lost in thought & unaware the photographer was present - thanks Erin! [2005. photo by E. O'Heron]

Give thanks for every inspiring moment outside of your routine.

May we be energized and filled with the joy of the Lord as we gear up for a new routine this fall.

Only God can give true joy in our journey through each season.

Commit each day at its beginning into His care.

Set yourself apart for His purposes even in the midst of your routine,

and every day becomes a Holi-Day in your heart.

Self-Control vs. God-Control

2005-07-23T17:34:00.000-04:00

January through the end of April, I had the priviledge of teaching a bible study to a wonderful group of ten enthusiastic women. The study was partially 'hands-on', creating personal scrap books with page layouts for each aspect of 'The Fruit Of The Spirit'. At the end of our study, we celebrated the completion of our albums, and I took digital photos of the amazing pages the women had finished. Before downloading the images to my computer, the camera malfunctioned and I sent it away for repair along with the storage card full of our scripture scrapbooking page photos! If I can retrieve them I will add some of them to this post later.

The study we did together was created by Sherri Harris from Fort Collins, Colorado, and published by Group Publishing, Inc. Our last lesson was in Self-Control. Sherri penned the following prayer in her guide, and I have referred back to it several times, as I have thought about problems that exist because of lack of self-control, whether in my own life, or in the lives of those around me.

May we be able, by the power of God's Spirit working in us, to yield the areas of our lives to Him that need His power, His healing, and His wisdom. Letting Him take the wheel, so to speak. Surrendering to His plans for me. Surrendering so that self-control is really 'God-control'. Why not allow the One who holds tomorrow, and knows the beginning AND the end, take the reigns of my life and steer me along the paths of righteousness, for His name's sake?!

"Lord, today I stand in awe of you!

You are holy and all that is good!

I endeavor to become more like you.

This means that I must not slip into old habits.

It means that I must exercise self-control and be temperate in all things.

You said in Your Word that even though all things are lawful for me,

many things are not good or beneficial for me.

Nudge me when I look only to my own desires and indulge them.

Help me exercise discipline and restraint in actions, words, and deeds.

Let it be the evidence of your claim on me,

the evidence of my being part of The Vine.

May you be glorified through my life because of my self-control.

Let it be God-control.

In Jesus' name,

amen."

Why Me?

2005-07-16T12:13:00.000-04:00

2003 photo by E. Natalie Johnson.

"Things happen to me

so things can happen in me

so things can happen through me."

STUART BRISCOE

Beginning Each Day With God

2005-07-14T22:22:00.000-04:00

"Do not have your concert first

and tune your instrument afterward.

Begin each day with God."

James Hudson Taylor.

"But as for me,

I shall sing of Thy strength;

Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Thy lovingkindness

in the morning,

For Thou hast been my stronghold,

And a refuge in the day of my distress.

O my strength,

I will sing praises to Thee;

For God is my stronghold,

the God who shows me lovingkindness."

a Psalm of David (59:16,17)

What Is A Chimnea?

2005-07-10T22:33:00.000-04:00

A Chimnea (pronounced 'CHIM-NEY-YA'), is not a furry pet. It is an outdoor fireplace, made of either TerraCotta, or Cast Iron.
Ours is TerraCotta, medium in size, and sits on a wrought iron stand on our deck.
I put a metal 'flour sifter' in the top to keep sparks from flying out.
Aesthetically, a chimnea can provide a 'cottage feel' even if you live in the city.
Light a few citronella candles, and a little fire in your chimnea on a starry summer night.

I like to put on some soft music, like our local Christian radio station's 'Praise & Worship Sunday Evening', add some toasted marshmallows, and maybe a little bug spray (not on the marshmallows). The perfect set-up for a great evening under the stars. A chimnea and the Milky Way (the real thing, not the chocolate bar), beats TV any day of the week! But you can bring me the chocolate bar too, if you come to visit me and my chimnea.

Good Advice

2005-07-05T15:00:00.000-04:00

You know how one thing reminds you of another, and that of another, like links in a chain, even though they are all seemingly unrelated?

Today I stumbled across some lyrics from the 1987 Lynard Skynard album ‘Legend’, part of a song entitled ‘Simple Man’.

“…be a simple kind of man.
Be something you love and understand.
Be a simple kind of man.
Won’t you do this for me son, If you can?
Forget your lust for the rich man’s gold
All that you need is in your soul…”

This reminded me of . . . the first stanza of
'The Shooting of Dan McGrew',
an old poem by Canadian poet and novelist,
Robert W. Service.

Robert W. Service, 1874 - 1958
I wanted the gold, and I sought it,
I scrabbled and mucked like a slave.
Was it famine or scurvy — I fought it;
I hurled my youth into a grave.
I wanted the gold, and I got it —
Came out with a fortune last fall, —
Yet somehow life's not what I thought it,
And somehow the gold isn't all.

(I recently acquired a really neat old framed copy of this poem at a country auction, and hung it in our living room).

This poem reminds me of the words of the Old Testament prophet,
Micah, who said,

“He has told you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?”
(Micah chapter 6, verse 8)

Lastly, I remember the simple yet profound going-away speech John Walton, Sr., (Ralph Waite) gave to JohnBoy (Richard Thomas) in one of my favorite Walton’s Episodes, ‘The Fledgling’ (Season Four, Episode 23).

John Walton Sr. (Ralph Waite).

John tells his eldest son that he can’t tell him how to live.
He does tell him that,

"We all grow old and die,
but what is important is to find someone to love
and someone who will love you back'.
John Walton, Sr. states,

'Always pay your debts, son;
don’t take unfair advantage of any man,
and don’t let any man
take unfair advantage of you.
Find yourself a good woman,
and remember, you’re my son".

All good advice to remember, in various respects;

Simple is better
Gold isn’t all
Be just
Be kind
Listen to God & walk humbly with Him
Be a debtor to no man
Respect yourself
Love well
Remember your roots

I’m glad I've had time to think about this good advice today.

_____________________________

Tiger Trip No. 3

2005-07-04T09:07:00.000-04:00

The tradition continues . . .

As soon as the school year is finished, brother's and sons (my husband and son along with my brother-in-law and nephew), make the 12-hour round trip to ComericA Park and back in one day, to see the Detroit Tigers play ball. This year, on June 30th, 'Tiger Trip # 3' included a visit to the old Windsor neighborhood where the brothers grew up, including a stop at the Peerless Ice Cream Store, which sparked 1960's memories of similar hot summer days.

'The old neighbourhood ice cream store.'

______________________________

The Unforced Rhythms Of Grace

2005-07-04T07:40:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, Sunday July 3rd, was a perfect summer day, and a fitting end to our Canada Day long weekend. Though attendance was lower than normal at our home church, we had an amazing morning together. The theme of the day, seemed to stay focused on the last three verses of Matthew's Gospel chapter eleven, where Jesus said, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest...".

As one of the worship leaders, in preparing the music and service templates for the day I had read this passage of scripture in every translation and/or paraphrase I could get my hands on. I was especially struck by Peterson's paraphrase of Jesus' words in The Message, which reads,
"Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.
Learn the unforced rhythms of grace."

There was much sharing among the congregation about how God's amazing grace has unfolded in each of our lives - God's Riches At Christ's Expense! May God whisper this in our ear, "Watch how I do it", as we interact with those around us - our family, and co-workers. May His grace be seen. I can't begin to tell you how much I need to watch how Jesus does it - and how I need to be reminded daily that it's not about me!

Our guest speaker shared many thoughts on the same passage of scripture, but the one that has stayed with me, was a young child's interpretation of the last verse when Jesus said, "For My yoke is easy, and My load is light."

oxen, yoked together.

When asked what a "yoke" was, the young girl replied, "It's when Jesus wraps his arms all the way around you." AMEN, little one!

We are held in Jesus' arms of love, and He promises, that He will never let us go! Yes, we have our free will, to run away from Him if we choose to, but as Peterson ends the passage, "Keep company with Jesus, and you'll learn to live freely and lightly". Our morning ended with a duet of the song Revive Me (2003. Jeremy Camp), which I will share below. May God bless your week as you keep company with Jesus, and learn the unforced rhythms of God's grace. May we be revived today, enfolded in the loving arms of our Savior.

Revive Me

[written by Jeremy Camp, copyright 2003, Thirsty Moon River Publishing / Stolen Pride Music (ASCAP) Administered by EMI Christian Music Publishing]

Consider my affliction
and please deliver me
Plead my cause and redeem me

Salvation’s far from the wicked
for they don’t seek Your Word
Great are Your tender mercies Lord

Revive me, according to Your loving kindness
Revive me, that I may seek Your Word
Revive me, according to Your loving kindness
Revive me, oh Lord

You give me understanding
According to Your Word
Great peace for those who seek Your face

I long for salvation
My lips shall praise Your name
I rejoice in the treasure of Your keep

Revive me, according to Your loving kindness
Revive me, that I may seek Your Word
Revive me, according to Your loving kindness
Revive me, oh Lord

For all my ways are before You
I let Your hand become my help
My soul longs and adores You
Let my cry come before You Lord

Revive me, according to Your loving kindness
Revive me, that I may seek Your Word
Revive me, according to Your loving kindness
Revive me, oh Lord, oh revive me, revive me.
_______________________________________

On To Highschool

2005-06-28T21:11:00.001-04:00

Congratulations Adrian!
You've graduated from Grade 8, Adam Scott Intermediate School, and it's on to Adam Scott Collegiate & Vocational Institute HIGHSCHOOL in the fall.

The Graduate with Grandparents. June 2005.
We're all very proud of you. You're an amazing guy! You'll do great as team leader at Graphite Bible Camp [Northern Ontario] this summer!
With Love,
Mom, Dad, Aaron, and your entire extended family.

Grandma's Peony

2005-06-27T13:35:00.000-04:00

When my Grandmother passed away, my Grandfather sold their home in the town of Bancroft, Ontario, and moved north to Iroquois Falls Ontario to live with my aunt. I was given permission to dig up my favorite flowering perennial from Grandma’s abundant gardens and transplant it to my own. Since then the hardy plant has been moved twice more from house to house. This colour photo was taken last week [June 2005] in my garden in Peterborough, Ontario.

2005. Photo by D. K. Steele
A beautiful “double white” variety, it has proved the Peony's reputation as a very long-lived plant – I’m guessing it could be over sixty years old if it was transplanted from their homestead farm to my Grandparents town property.

1965. Photo by D. K. Steele
This scrapbook page photo, taken in 1965 pictures me standing beside the same Peony plant in my Grandma’s garden.

Similar to the way a Hosta plant grows, I am amazed at how much foliage results from the tender Peony shoots which pop through the earth each spring. The Peony blooms in early summer, and often the flower heads are too heavy for the shrub-like branches to support them, and they droop to the ground. The blooms last only a couple of weeks, so one must enjoy them, smell them, and appreciate them while they are at their peak. {see June 23 post in the Cedar Chest, "God's Banner Over Me".}
If you have several Peony plants, you might even bring some blooms indoors to show off in your favorite vase, but beware that ants are attracted to the plant and hide in the layers of petals.

Come To The Water

2005-06-27T12:42:00.000-04:00

2004. Photo by E. Natalie Johnson

This photo was taken after a thunder storm at a Lake in Northern Ontario last summer.
A special place of family heritage and natural beauty. Looking forward to returning there soon!

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE PLACE OF SERENITY WHERE YOU CAN RETREAT AND "BE STILL" . . . BE FILLED WITH AWARENESS OF GOD'S PRESENCE IN YOUR LIFE?
[Note today's post on David Fishers weblog "Pilgrim's Scribblings"

Tuedsay last week was the longest day, and the beginning of SUMMER. This spring our church family has been learning through Max Lucado's book COME THIRSTY, and it's many scripture links, to allow God to completely fill our thirsty souls, and to drink deeply from HIS well. This book was a very worthwhile read. May God continue to rehydrate our souls this season as we continue to accept His work, rely on His energy, trust His lordship, and receive His love.

God's Banner Over Me

2005-06-23T15:44:00.000-04:00

2005. E. Natalie Johnson

Those who have ventured to read the articles stored in my ‘Cedar Chest’ must know by now that I am captivated by things of fleeting beauty and excitement in this life;

a baby’s birth,
a full moon,
a deer leaping over a fence,

a sunrise,
a first kiss,
shooting stars,

downhill skiing,
the last page of a good book,
fireflies kept in a jar,

Hummingbirds,
Hibiscus blooms,
and rainbows, of course.

This week I found some photos of a tree which grows in the Caribbean, called the Flame Tree, (Royal Poinciana, or ‘Flamboyant’). Regarded as one of the most beautiful tropical rainforest trees in the world and probably the most spectacular, when in flower it stands out like a candle in a dark room. And yet, like so many other things of fleeting beauty, it blooms for only two weeks each year, right when the natives celebrate Christmas-time. As the tree matures, it develops broad umbrella-shaped crowns, and is often planted for its shade-giving properties, perhaps the more serviceable reason for its existence, though lacking in flamboyance for fifty weeks of the year.

Flame Tree. St. Kitts, West Indies. 1997. Photo by D. Steele.

How do the momentary blessings of the evanescent, remind us of the enduring blessing of knowing the Creator of all we see around us. I believe we were designed this way. Designed not only for the temporal, but for the eternal. Designed to know God "for whom are all things, and by whom are all things” (Hebrews 2:10).

Why else would we need constant reminders to “look up” … to know that God’s banner of love and protection is over us, like the branches of a Flame Tree, and the shooting star arching through the sky overhead.

The song 'Inside Outside' (©2003 Curious? Music UK) written by Martin Smith and Stu Garrard of the band ‘Delerious?’ on their World Service album, expresses how these God-sent moments make me feel.
It expresses how wonders bestowed upon me daily by my eternal creator, cause me to just worship the Lord of heaven and earth for who He is, though I don't fully understand very much.

Inside, outside, under my skin
Never ending love I don’t know where it begins?
I don’t know where it ends, I don’t know how high
I don’t know how deep, I don’t know how wide

Outside, inside, around the world
Never ending love envelops me like a cloud
I feel You in front, I feel You behind
I feel You up above, And I feel You at the side

And You, You’re all over me,
You’re over me
Your banner is over me,
I give it all ‘cause
You still captivate me, fascinate me
You still captivate me, saturate me

Inside outside, pulling me in
No matter where I run I know You’ll never give in
I see You in the storm, I see You in a kiss
I’ve been around the world and never found a love like this . . .

And You, You’re all over me,
You’re over me
Your banner is over me,
I give it all ‘cause
You still captivate me, fascinate me
You still captivate me, saturate me
You still captivate me, liberate me
You still captivate me . . .

I want to pause often, to take in the momentary blessings, bestowed upon us so lavishly, and daily … “The gifts that are are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light”.

But you know what the next line of scripture says? … “He brought us to life using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all his creatures.” (James 1:17 MSG). Somehow that seems impossible doesn’t it? Interestingly, the last line of Martin Smith and Stu Garrard’s song, sort of hidden in the music at the very end, is

“You celebrate me”.

It’s easy to be captivated by God and his marvelous creation. But have you ever thought about God in this way? Usually a banner is hung when something or someone is being celebrated. Could it be that God constantly puts into place over us, fleeting banners of beauty, just when we need them, to remind us that we belong to Him? Is He captivated by us? Does He celebrate us each time we turn our hearts toward Him? When we worship Him, and give humble thanks to Him for the work of the cross, does heaven thunder with divine delight?

What happens when one soul acknowledges the cross that Jesus suffered – the most captivating, gracious, amazing and complete thing God has ever done for us?
“God’s work in you leaves angels wide-eyed and applauding", says author Max Lucado. (Come Thirsty, ©2004, W Publishing, p. 114). Jesus said, “There is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents” (Luke 15:10).

Praise God not only for ephemeral things of beauty we see now, but for the eternal hope and joy we can be part of through the unseen work of the cross.
The cross that bridged the gap between holy God and sinful me. The message of truth that His banner of forgiveness is over every person who by faith begins a new life in Christ at the foot of the cross.

Paul wrote to Corinthian believers a long time ago …”It’s not the latest message, but more like the oldest – what God determined as the way to bring out His best in us, long before we ever arrived on the scene. The experts of our day haven’t a clue about what this eternal plan is. … That’s why we have this Scripture text:

No one’s ever seen or heard anything like this,
Never so much as imagined anything quite like it –
What God has arranged for those who love Him.”
(1 Corinthians 2:7-9 MSG)

We used to sing a song at church youth group called, “His Banner Over Me”. The lyrics were taken from various scripture passages throughout the bible:

I am my beloved’s and He is mine
His banner over me is love

He brings me into His banqueting table
His banner over me is love

He fills me with His Holy Spirit
His banner over me is love

Jesus is the Rock of my salvation
His banner over me is love

He sets straight paths before my feet
His banner over me is love

He’s the Vine and we are the branches

His banner over me is love

One way to peace through the power of the cross
His banner over me is love.

A quarter century has passed since we sang that chorus, and I would like to add that God's Banner over me is Grace, and Forgiveness, and Peace, and Joy. . .

Time to add some more verses? With fresh awareness of His banner over us, we could write a new verse every day as we walk toward eternity enveloped in His love.

Baby Aaron, wrapped in love. 1987 photo by Bryan F. Johnson
________________________________________

ROUND trip!

2005-06-22T23:47:00.000-04:00

2005. E. Natalie Johnson

What do sushi rolls, baseballs, and a full moon, all have in common?
They are all ROUND, and I experienced them all today.

I thought today was going to be a plain, ordinary day, filled with rather mundane tasks I had planned to do (like cleaning windows), as I begin a two month break from my contract office work.
Instead the day became quite memorable when my husband asked me to join him on a business trip from Peterborough (Ontario) to Oshawa, via Lindsay, and back to Peterborough again. Things got a little more interesting when he decided spur-of-the-moment we would catch the GO TRAIN from Pickering to Union Station downtown Toronto, and catch the 7 p.m. MLB Toronto Blue Jays game against the Baltimore Orioles.

We walked under the shadow of the CN Tower, and arrived at Roger's Centre dome early to watch batting practice. I sat in a shady pre-game spot in right field enjoying delicious ROUND rice & avocado sushi rolls, when, CRASH!! BANG!! ... a nice ROUND (foul) baseball landed in the empty seats two rows in front of me, bounced, and came to rest right beside my foot ... much to the visible angst of a row of teen boys lined up below me hoping to have captured a game ball for themselves. I suppose I could have given it to them, but felt it was meant to be mine, given where it had come to rest.

During the game I sat beside the head trainer's family, a beautiful Floridian and her three young daughters, who each waved Toronto Blue Jay flags, clapped, and cheered like true Jays fans.

The trip home after the game was amazing because a gigantic ROUND orange moon hung low over Lake Ontario. The pathway of gold that lay across the water beneath it - a reflection like I've never seen before - was spectacular. As we rode the train, and drove the van home, I thought about the neat triple hit by Gabe Gross, and how we saw him cross home plate - what a great return from the minor leagues! And what a genuinely nice guy he seemed in his introduction on the big screen.

Gabe Gross.

As we drove home I also thought about how an ordinary day had turned into something quite exciting, due to an unexpectedly ROUND, round trip.

Before I Was Myself ~ A Father's Day Poem

2005-06-18T22:24:00.000-04:00

copyright, by Nicholas Gordon.

This poem resonated with some thoughts I've often had about my own Dad,
as well as with recent thoughts amidst the task of parenting our own teens.
I am so thankful to have a Dad who was kind, and always so gracious to me.

Before I was myself you made me, me
With love and patience, discipline and tears,
Then bit by bit stepped back to set me free,
Allowing me to sail upon my sea,
Though well within the headlands of your fears.

Before I was myself you made me, me
With dreams enough of what I was to be
And hopes that would be sculpted by the years,
Then bit by bit stepped back to set me free,
Relinquishing your powers gradually
To let me shape myself among my peers.

Before I was myself you made me, me,
And being good and wise, you gracefully
As dancers when the last sweet cadence nears
Bit by bit stepped back to set me free.
For love inspires learning naturally:
The mind assents to what the heart reveres.

And so it was through love you made me, me
By slowly stepping back to set me free.

2005-06-16T15:37:00.000-04:00

STRAWFLOWERS. June 2005. Photo by Donald K. Steele.

Fade No More

2005-06-16T14:04:00.000-04:00

2005. E. Natalie Johnson

An elderly couple of no relation befriended me about ten years ago. Marjorie was a client of mine and when we realized the common bond we had in Christ, it was the beginning of a fast and enduring association with she and her husband Neal. The timing was perfect. My parents were living in the West Indies, and Marjorie and Neal, though more like grandparents, showered my family and myself with genuine care and concern, as they did for everyone they knew. Though I had only come to know Marj and Neal in their ‘golden’ years, it was evident that hospitality and helping others in practical ways, were gifts that had been well exercised toward countless individuals. I’m quite sure I am not the only one to think of this lovely couple as surrogate parents or grandparents in the absence of my own.

Rewards of befriending the aged are innumerable. From Marj and Neal I have enjoyed gleaning from two lifetimes of wisdom and experience. I have learned to listen more and say less, and that ‘little things’ are indeed what people cherish and remember most. The cup of tea and Marjorie’s latest home made treat. A slip from a favorite houseplant. A hymn sung together at an old piano. The hockey game volume blasting above the conversation so Neal could still hear the score. Birthdays faithfully remembered with greeting cards in the mail. Favorite recipes shared without reservation. The latest news about family and friends I never met, but strangely felt I knew, as though I had somehow become part of this wonderful, extended circle of Marj and Neal’s love and affection.

When you have elderly friends, you also gain a close perspective on the toll that the aging process takes on human bodies. The roller-coaster ride of health set-backs and recoveries. Hospitals and home. Doctors and prescriptions. And for Neal, his last year under the care of incredibly caring professionals at a top-notch nursing home. Strong and agile, even building decks and other projects well into his seventies, Neal could build or fix just about anything, with or without the right tools. A farmer, and then a carpenter by trade, he was a prince of ingenuity.

Becoming quite frail, and battling various physical ailments, yet continuing on with evident gentleness and grace, Neal approached the blessed age of ninety-one when God decided it was time for him to fade no more. God allowed him to step from time into eternity on a warm day in mid-June, in the year two-thousand and five. Absent from his body, Neal lives on in the joyful presence of his Lord…

…Neal knew Jesus Christ as his Lord and his Savior, and would often speak of being ready to meet Him when the purposes for his earthly life were fulfilled. Truly the words of the first Psalm in the bible mirror our friend Neal. “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he mediates day and night. And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and whatever he does, he prospers”. From our perspective, we miss Neal. We grieve in his absence. But God has made a promise to each one who loves His truth, that “they who sow in tears, will reap in joy”. By faith, we believe that we will all be reunited one day, where we, like Neal, will fade no more.

( Note: Diana E. N. Johnson, retired nutritionist, writer, musician, and homemaker, uses the pen name E. Natalie Johnson.)

WORTH WAITING FOR

2005-05-30T10:10:00.000-04:00

2005. E. Natalie Johnson

This week as part of the discussion in a small group study connected with our local church, under the enthusiastic leadership of our senior pastor, we were encouraged to suggest “things or events worth waiting for”. Since then I have thought of a few more “things worth waiting for” to add to the list …

FISH TO BITE
BABIES TO BE BORN
LETTERS TO ARRIVE
A FIRST DATE
HOUSES TO BE BUILT
FLOWERS TO BLOOM
THE WEDDING DAY
A GREAT MEAL
WINE TO AGE
SOLDIERS TO RETURN
QUILTS TO BE COMPLETED
GOOD AUCTION SALES
AN ANTICIPATED TRIP / TRAVEL
A GOAL, or HOME RUN FOR YOUR TEAM
BLOCK-BUSTER MOVIES
YOUR DRIVER’S LICENSE
INJURIES TO HEAL
CHILDREN TO COME HOME
HEAVEN ~ SEEING JESUS FACE TO FACE

I welcome your comments should you have “something worth waiting for” which could be added to the list.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SQUASHED FRUIT

2005-05-20T10:36:00.000-04:00

2005. E. Natalie Johnson

Jesus said, "By their fruit you will know them". Know who? Christians, followers of Christ, those who believe He is the answer, and the only way to abundant and eternal life.

What about this fruit? What exactly is Jesus speaking of when he says "their fruit" which is suppose to be the tell-all sign of a genuine Christ follower? The apostle Paul answered this question when he wrote the following to the Christians in the North Roman Province of Galatia around 50 A.D.

"But the fruit of The Spirit is
love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self-control;
against such things there is no law."

The fruit analogy is ever-intriguing as it ties directly to the words of Christ himself as recorded in the Gospel of John, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch that bears no fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more . . . Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be truly fruitful apart from me."

Jesus stepped from eternity into time to fulfill God's plan for our salvation and to tell us many marvelous things before he died, rose again, and ascended back to heaven. He also left His Spirit to dwell in the heart of every person who believes He is who He said. To keep us connected to Christ ~ the True Vine. So we are not alone. We have not been asked to live a purposeful, fruitful Christian life without supernatural help.

I have found that in my own strength I grow nothing but bitter oranges, sour grapes, and bruised bananas. Bad fruit, or no fruit at all. But, the Master Gardener, the Father, is always standing by and knows exactly when and where gentle pruning is needed in my life. God wants us to be like the tree which the Psalmist envisioned, "planted by streams of living water, yielding fruit in season, and whose leaves do not wither." God knows what I need to experience, see, hear, and feel, far more than I do to keep me healthy and producing sweet fruit for His Kingdom.

Not too long ago I had a major meltdown over something someone said to me. Their words cut deeply to my very core. For days the sun did not shine in my world and I found it difficult to drink from the wisdom-well of God's Word. Squashed fruit was all I had to give to those around me, if they could even see it through the dry and withered leaves of confusion and unrest.

Knowing that ABIDING in truth was my only hope I chose to seek answers from a better source than my own understanding. "Abide in me" are Christ's words and the Spirit's undeniable call. Desperately clinging by a strand to the True Vine, my soul was gradually nourished, nurtured, and healed to the point where spiritual fruit began to flourish once again. God is able to do immeasurably more than I ask or can even imagine, by His power at work in me. (Ephesians 3:20).

Abiding. That's my role. My job is to stay connected. Then it is the Gardener's job, however He chooses to go about it, to grow fresh fruit and healthy foliage through me as a blessing and testimony to others. "Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness". God wants us to produce the kind of fruit worthy to bear the name of Christ. "Faithfulness, gentleness, self-control". Not squashed or dried up fruit, but rather, beautiful, sweet, and prolific.

Choosing, or not choosing Christ as your Savior is the most important decision you will make in your life. His salvation is available by faith to you when you place your life into His hands. For those who choose Christ, walking with Him will be the most important decision to make every day.

Living on this earth and not withering up takes diligent care to stay spiritually refreshed. Producing good fruit and not squashing it when we have it, doesn't just happen. Things can get out of control, and spiral down too low for us to restore them to what they once were with our limited knowledge and skill. Sometimes we just need to trust the expert ~ the One who created it all! Living an abundant life in Christ is more than we can ask or imagine when we allow the Master Gardener to do His job.

May the God of green hope fill you up with joy,
fill you up with peace,
So that your believing lives,
filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit,
will brim over with hope!
Romans 15:13 The Message.

Now, I Thank You . . . Mom.

2005-05-15T23:35:00.000-04:00

2005. E. Natalie Johnson

This is a little late for Mother's Day, however, inspiration comes when it comes.
I dedicate this poem without reservation to my own Mom. The verses could go on and on. Looking back there is too much to be thankful for. It is all the light and goodness which God beamed into my childhood through my mother that I remember over the catastrophes and disappointments of my growing up world. I am also blessed in knowing that my husband would share similar words about his Mom as well. Our Moms . . . Cherry blossoms on opposite branches of the family tree. Abundant fruitfulness can be seen in each of their respective lives, and continues to be harvested by their children, and their children's children . . . year after year.

NOW, I THANK YOU . . . MOM.

For all the times you cleaned the dirt
Fixed a wound and healed the hurt
For teaching me what’s of real worth
Now, I thank you Mom.

For every stitch of late night sewing
All the work of love and giving
All the lessons about living
Now, I thank you Mom.

For driving miles to music lessons
Keeping up with latest fashions
Yet instilling heavenward vision
Now, I thank you Mom.

For each lunch and supper table
For the treats when you were able
For always feeling life was stable
Now, I thank you Mom.

For saying nothing when you wanted
Independence to be daunted
For letting go of fears that haunted
Now, I thank you Mom.

For pitching in and caring
For your grand~babies and sharing
What a young mother was bearing
Now, I thank you Mom.

For the cycle that keeps going
For the wisdom now in knowing
It was Jesus in you showing
I thank you . . . Mom.

Tea For Two

2005-05-11T16:52:00.000-04:00

2005. E. Natalie Johnson.

Dedicated to Aaron ~ Happy 18th Birthday!

Thanks for all the cups of tea we've shared.

I'll always keep the kettle on for you.

Love, Mom.

Antique Limoges Teacups. 2005. photo by E. Natalie Johnson

Tea for two
me and you.
Sit and talk
for a while.

Share a wish,
speak a dream.
Shed a tear ~
another trial.

Give a hug,
a tissue too.
Add a cookie
and a smile.

Rekindle memory,
foster friendship.
Laugh and listen
you and I.

Let's remember,
treasure always,
tea for two and
ties that bind.

The Light of Heaven

2005-04-29T21:37:00.000-04:00

2005. E. Natalie Johnson.

D.W. Fisher, recently posted song lyrics on his blog about the journey toward a heavenly destination.
Please see http://www.pilgrimscribblings.blogspot.com .
I would like to thank him for the inspiration to write the following.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I believe that those with faith in Jesus Christ can be sure of their eternal destination ~ a forever home ~ with God in heaven. His promise is that He is preparing a place for us, and one day we will go to be with Him.

Many people, including my maternal grandfather, have seen the lights of heaven while slipping in and out of consciousness on their death bed. About to cross the threshold from time into eternity, but slipping back for a moment, just long enought to whisper, "It's beautiful".

In the year 90 A.D., John wrote that "God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all", and that "if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." Hundreds of years earlier, the Psalmist wrote, "Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path."

My Grandpa had faith in the cleansing power of Jesus' sacrifice. By faith he was cleansed ~ washed white as snow. The light of Christ replaced the darkness of sin. His heart was right with God. He read God's Word every day. He treasured it. It was a light to his path. Grandpa had walked in The Light while he was here, and he was ready for heaven.

My Grandfather showed his family that Jesus is "the way, the truth, the life" and "the light of the world". My personal faith is in this same truth today. I know that I am ready for heaven too. Are you?

I am told that Grandpa opened his eyes one last time in the Bancroft hospital and spoke audibly in a saddened tone, "Oh...I'm back". After a final sigh, he closed his eyes, and went to see The Light.

Frozen Squirrel

2005-04-29T20:57:00.000-04:00

You've heard of a "Treed Cat".

How about a "Decked Squirrel"?
Look closely...Mugsy the Schnoodle (that's our dog)
has a Red Squirrel frozen atop the rafter above him.....
The poor little critter didn't move a muscle for a
half hour until I finally brought the dog indoors.

(Today's photo by me ~ 2005. E. Natalie Johnson).

Evidence Of God

2005-04-29T17:20:00.000-04:00

These Song Lyrics by Geoff Moore and Roscoe Meek
fit well with my previous blog entry entitled "A Closer Look".
See the word pictures painted below with your minds eye,
and with eyes of faith.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I believe that William Shakespeare
lived though we never met,
'cause when I was seventeen
I read Romeo and Juliet.
And I believe there was a man
whose name was Michaelangelo,
because he left his mark in a
chapel in the heart of Rome.

Every mountain, every valley,
Your creation, it surrounds me.
Every breath I breathe, every heartbeat,
every sunrise that You give to me.
These and so much more
tell a story we cannot ignore,
the evidence of God.

As the potter shapes his clay,
he leaves evidence.
And our Father does the same,
His creation is evidence.
That's how we can believe
in a God we cannot see or hear or touch.
If we will open our eyes
we'll see His work is all around us.

Every mountain, every valley
Your creation, it surrounds me.
Every breath I breathe, every heartbeat,
every sunrise that You give to me.
Every blue sky, every starry night,
paint a picture we cannot deny.
Like a warm rain in the summertime,
Like a first kiss or a baby's cry.
These and so much more
tell a story we cannot ignore,
the evidence of God.

These and so much more,
tell a story we cannot ignore.
Even our own lives will testify
to the evidence of God,
Hallelujah, we are the evidence of God.

A Closer Look

2005-04-23T18:00:00.000-04:00

2005. E. Natalie Johnson.

I enjoy the science of the microcosm.
Cellular biology. Nanotechnology.
Taking a closer look at things.
Microscopes. Magnifying glasses.

The tiny spectacles of creation.
Ants. Dust motes in a sunbeam.
Flower stamen. Freckles.

Cactus Flower - A Closer Look, 2005. photo by E. Natalie Johnson.
Thank God for daily evidences
that in Divine Wisdom He created
all we see, and all we do not…

Thank You God, that You hold it all together,
that You sustain all things,
that You regulate the universe by the
power of Your Word. (Hebrews 1:3)

Thanks for the opportunity to
take a closer look…to see with the
open eyes of reality and of faith.
Only the fool says in his heart,
“There is no God.” (Psalm 14:1)

2005-03-29T14:12:00.000-05:00

Red Bush. 2005 photo by E. Natalie Johnson