A Parcel from the Courier

This week I realized that Lydia needed some new clothes. It's getting warmer and I realized she only has one t-shirt. But as she has also been sick this week, I couldn't go shopping. So, I ordered her some clothes online.

Today a courier delivered a package to our door. It was some of the new clothes for Lydia. She tried a t-shirt and a pair of shorts on and wore them for the rest of the day. When I was getting her ready for bed tonight, we were looking at her outfit aswell as the other new pair of shorts.

"Thank you, Mum," I said to her. Then I thought, I wonder if she actually realizes that I brought these for her. To her it probably just looked like they came from the courier. Not from me.

Then I thought, I wonder how often I don't think to thank God for a blessing because I don't think of it as coming from God. I just thank the person who delivered it.

God is my Heavenly Father (and Mother). The blessings, gifts and encouragement that come to us through people are really gifts from God. While we need to thank the "delivery person" we most of all need to thank God because that's who they're really from.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.--James 1:17

God gives us what we need through "delivery people" or circumstances. Both the happy things but also the painful things. The painful and hard things are the gifts wrapped in black wrapping paper. Blessings in disguise. We can also thank God for those hard blessings too. Because of the gift that is underneath. The gift of Himself.

And may it be our daily desire and prayer that we would be used by God to deliver His blessings to others. What a great joy to be used by God to give God's children what they need. When we stay in touch with Him throughout the day, He'll give us blessings to deliver. Encouragement, prayers, love, a hug, a listening ear, a meal, a message, a gift or some practical help. The list goes on. And may we always keep in mind that we are just the courier delivering God's good gifts. 

Take my lips and let them be

Filled with messages from thee.

~Frances Ridley Havergal~

By Gracious Powers

 "By Gracious Powers" 

A beautiful song written in prison

A new radio episode about Joseph coming out of the prison and the wonder of the seasons.

A little snippet from the radio episode about the wonder of snow.

Psalm 67 in Song

And here is a link to Psalm 67 put to music. The easiest way to memorize Scripture!

Small Regular Deposits

On January 15th, 2009, an airplane made an emergency crash landing on the Hudson River after hitting a flock of Canadian geese during takeoff. It is called The Miracle on the Hudson as all 150 passengers and 5 crew members survived.

The pilot, Captain Sullenberger, was later asked how he managed such a perfect water landing. I find his answer interesting.

 "One way of looking at this might be that for 42 years, I've been making small, regular deposits in this bank of experience, education and training. And on January 15, the balance was sufficient so that I could make a very large withdrawal."

Although it was a miracle that all lives were saved, God used the pilot's experience. He still did his best to land safely. Like he said, all his previous experiences had prepared him for this moment.

I like the idea of small regular deposits in the bank of experience, education and training. We can apply it spiritually. Think of Joseph. When he became the prime minister of Egypt, he was ready. He had made regular deposits of trust in God, integrity and faithfulness in his work. Then when his big opportunity came, he was prepared.

And there's David. He learned to trust God as a shepherd boy and fight wild animals. When he faced a giant enemy of Israel, he made a withdrawal from his "bank", and it was sufficient.

I like this verse from Ezra 7:10.

“For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.”

When we learn and hide God's Word in our hearts and put it into practice in our lives, we'll be ready to teach and share it with others. We'll be able to withdraw from our bank of knowledge and memory. If we don't deposit it, it won't be there to withdraw from.

When we memorize, study and meditate on God's Word, we are making deposits. Then when challenges and trials come, we'll be able to make large withdrawals.

God is not limited, and He can do miracles regardless of us, but He does promise that when we hear God's Word and do it, we are preparing for the future storms (Wise and Foolish man). We are making deposits that we will be able to withdraw from.

So, fill your "bank" with regular deposits. You never know when you'll need to make a big withdrawal! And if you have children, make small regular deposits in their bank. It's the best investment you can make.

"Discover the Wonders" Radio Programme

 Towards the beginning of the year, I started doing a radio programme on our local radio station. 

It is called "Discover the Wonders." It is a programme for all ages but especially children. 

Our world is a place of incredible wonders--the wonders of nature, animals, people, history, things and places. Through all these amazing things we see the wonder of God and the wonder of His book--the Bible. Every week I talk about different wonders around the world and connect them to the God of wonders. I also sing and play on the guitar songs that relate.

You can listen to all of them on my radio website page here

I also put them on Youtube each week.

This week it's the story of Joseph as a slave, 2 amazing stories about slaves who were brought to be set free and the inspiring story of Harriet Tubman. The slave who escaped to freedom and then risked her own freedom to help other slaves escape.

There's more than one way to be a slave, and there's nothing like the joy and wonder of being set free!

A Servant and Giver

 “The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many.” Matt 20:28

Jesus came to earth to minister and give His life.

“Minister” means to attend to the needs of someone. To serve, to take care of, to look after, to assist, to wait on and to see to.

He came to give His own life for others.

And who are those others? People who didn’t ask for Him and who didn’t even want or see their need for Him. People who would hang Him on a cruel cross even though He was perfect. People who didn’t deserve His love.

 What a man! May God make us more like Him, so we are humble servants and generous givers to those who don’t deserve it.

Follow Me

 Following Jesus is hard, and it takes sacrifice. It’s easy to get too focused on that. I’m speaking for myself here! But following Jesus means nearness to Him. It means guidance from the One who knows what’s best and what’s around the corner. It means we’re with the Source of all joy, hope, comfort, peace and love. We are with the Provider, the Good Shepherd, and the One who is all powerful. We are on the road to Heaven where the best is yet to come. Nothing is better than that. Let’s focus on Him rather than the hardness of following Him!

Why Would You Not?

 Recently I was thinking of doing something kind for someone. An opportunity that had come across my way. But I had lots of doubts about it, so I put it off. I told my children what I was thinking of doing and how I wasn't sure whether I should do it or not. Their simple question was, "Why would you not?" 

I told them my reasons, but I realized they were not very good ones. So, I went ahead and did it. I'm so glad I did.

The children's question for me was eye opening. Why would I not do something kind when I easily could? My reasons were very self-focused.

So, this is a good question to ask yourself when you have doubts about doing something good. Why would you not? See if your reasons are self-focused or based on fears and what ifs.

Why would we not take the opportunities we have to do good?

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. James 4:17