A new baby!

There are three things we know of for certain in life - there is birth, death and salvation - a time in our lives when we choose to put our faith, hope and trust in a loving God who promises the gift of eternal life!

"Faith" is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen. We may not fully understand who God is, and we may never hear His voice or see His face, but all around us there is evidence of a Creator God.

My husband and I recently celebrated the birth of our very first child - when a new baby is born there comes a time for celebrating the miracle of life as we gaze in amazement at how our little bundle of joy (and sleepless nights) made it into the world! Our new baby is so totally dependent on our love and nuture - to feed him all through the night, clothe him, keep him warm in winter, and love him unconditionally.

Have you heard the story of Christmas - of how Jesus came into the world, as a new born baby, more than 2000 years ago. His conception was miraculous and the announcement of His birth fulfilled in all the prophecies of the Old Testament. God chose for His Son, Jesus, to enter the world so that you and I could be certain of knowing our Heavenly Father who loves us unconditionally.

Are you certain of your own salvation? Who are you putting your faith and hope in and can you be sure the gift you will receive will be the gift of eternal life?

Life's Application: Read the story of the birth of Jesus (which can be found in the New Testament of The Bible, in the book of Luke, Chapter 2). Go to http://www.biblegateway.com

Preparing for winter

A few days ago my husband and I sat at our breakfast table watching a black and a grey squirrel gather acorns that had fallen from our acorn tree. Both squirrels moved so quickly, heaven knows where they will choose to hide away their winter stores. Their actions prompted me to begin preparing for winter this week by stocking up the pantry cupboards and freezers (upstairs and down) ready for those stormy winter days and nights.  How well are we prepared for the unexpected in our lives?  Do you find yourself simply "living for the moment", weighed down by the stress of a heavy workload, unmet deadlines, forgotten appointments, guilty feelings?

Life's Application: Take a few moments this week to be prepared to give of yourself in an unexpected way - have on hand a gift that you can give to someone in need, home baking that you should share with a friend or neighbour over coffee. Make plans to spend an afternoon or evening with a friend, spouse, child who is anxious or weighed down by a family, work or school situation.

Autumn is here

Autumn in Quebec has arrived, beginning with the most vibrant of colour changes. Suburbs densely populated with leafy green trees are turning a brilliant yellow, orange and red. Very soon our lawns will be adrift with crunching sounds beneath our feet, and the streets will be dotted with bright orange garden bags full of leaves waiting to be picked up for composting.

To combat the coming winter chills households will begin putting up their autumn or halloween decorations and entrances to homes will display bright orange pumpkins alongside a welcome mat.

Have you every thought about change? ... day changes to night, autumn turns to winter, human knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, likes, dislikes, politicians, musicians, fashions, weather patterns and even our clocks change from time to time. Change is constant.

Do you know there is someone in your life whose love for you never changes?

You may have already experienced that it is probably not your spouse, friend, or family member whose love for you stays the same. Our feelings for one another change. Our love for one another requires an ongoing choosing of the will and a commitment to love. It is God - whose love for you and me is constant and without conditions. God knew us before we were even born, and He promises never to leave us.

Life's Application: Choose today to show your love and forgiveness toward someone who may have hurt you in the past. It will require that you be the first one to change your situation and take some action. Choose to offer words of love and encouragement. Where the pain of the hurt is too great or seeing the person again is not possible, then choose to love and forgive from within your heart. It is in loving and forgiving one another that we find freedom and the world around us begins to see change.