I know a platform is something you stand on. I think of a high diver standing on a little platform before plunging to the pool in a series of flips and somersaults.
I do not think that is what is meant in the field of blogging though when someone mentions a platform. I am not exactly sure what is meant, but that is OK because my youngest daughter is. For a while now, she has told me I needed to upgrade my blog's look and feel.
She knows more than I about such things and so I asked her to teach me.
Thus, I now have embarked on my new site.
I may still come here on occasion to blog about our travel experiences, but I will always link it from my new site.
So please join me at: https://thecompasrose.wordpress.com/
Others find it very helpful to subscribe or follow (I do not know the difference if there is one). All you do is push a button, sign up, and you will receive an email when a new post comes along!
So, thank you to my youngest for her expert advice and please enjoy the new look and feel of the Compass Rose.
Saturday, 13 January 2018
Monday, 1 January 2018
Two Holidays
Christmas and New Year's Day.
It all started with a dream....
There I was in the Toronto hotel room dreaming away. I was walking outside with the Lord. He was showing me things. Pointing out lights and a nicely green lit wreath hanging kind of on nothing actually! I opened my arms wide and said and felt "this is glorious!"
Then He spoke the one word "Immanuel" which means God with us. And I knew that was the point. That from now on I would not think of Christmas as merely "Merry Christmas" as much as it would be "Happy Immanuel Day!"
God came and dwelt with us and He through His Holy Spirit still abides with us continually.
And now here we are a week later at New Year's Day!
I realized yesterday that the New Year is truly a concept designed by God! Not the way our culture celebrate or at the time we celebrate but Rosh Hashanah is His idea. The fact that we have months and circle around to start the same months over, the fact that we should take stock of our year and plan for the next one is all His idea.
Yesterday my daughter asked me "What's your favorite memory of 2017?" This is a great question which I pondered and had a couple responses to. However, I will also ask myself what is my not so favoirite memory. I will take time to repent. And I will take time to seek for His guidance for this coming New Year of 2018.
Go forth!
It all started with a dream....
There I was in the Toronto hotel room dreaming away. I was walking outside with the Lord. He was showing me things. Pointing out lights and a nicely green lit wreath hanging kind of on nothing actually! I opened my arms wide and said and felt "this is glorious!"
Then He spoke the one word "Immanuel" which means God with us. And I knew that was the point. That from now on I would not think of Christmas as merely "Merry Christmas" as much as it would be "Happy Immanuel Day!"
God came and dwelt with us and He through His Holy Spirit still abides with us continually.
And now here we are a week later at New Year's Day!
I realized yesterday that the New Year is truly a concept designed by God! Not the way our culture celebrate or at the time we celebrate but Rosh Hashanah is His idea. The fact that we have months and circle around to start the same months over, the fact that we should take stock of our year and plan for the next one is all His idea.
Yesterday my daughter asked me "What's your favorite memory of 2017?" This is a great question which I pondered and had a couple responses to. However, I will also ask myself what is my not so favoirite memory. I will take time to repent. And I will take time to seek for His guidance for this coming New Year of 2018.
Go forth!
Wednesday, 13 December 2017
Political Incorrectness - the Positive Side
"Merry Christmas" - the political hot button of December.
This however could be positive.
Because wishing someone Merry Christmas rather than "Happy Holidays" is now politically incorrect due to it being Christian and thus not inclusive, I see it as having so much more power in it's usage than in years past.
Merry Christmas a decade ago was the norm. Even for non-Christians, or those that had no clue what the season was really about, it was an accepted and even looked forward to time of year.
It seemed most people associated it with Santa, reindeer, gifts, food, family, travel,or just time off school or work- but it was our culture to celebrate it.
Now, because of Christmas' political incorrectness it has been granted it's rightful place as a truly Christian celebration.
Now when someone wishes me Happy Holiday and I respond with Merry Christmas, it has a punch it had previously been missing. Now Merry Christmas means "Hallelujah, Jesus was born!" Said with hope, truth and love, it can offer so much more than when it was an acceptable part of our culture.
Yay for political incorrectness!
This however could be positive.
Because wishing someone Merry Christmas rather than "Happy Holidays" is now politically incorrect due to it being Christian and thus not inclusive, I see it as having so much more power in it's usage than in years past.
Merry Christmas a decade ago was the norm. Even for non-Christians, or those that had no clue what the season was really about, it was an accepted and even looked forward to time of year.
It seemed most people associated it with Santa, reindeer, gifts, food, family, travel,or just time off school or work- but it was our culture to celebrate it.
Now, because of Christmas' political incorrectness it has been granted it's rightful place as a truly Christian celebration.
Now when someone wishes me Happy Holiday and I respond with Merry Christmas, it has a punch it had previously been missing. Now Merry Christmas means "Hallelujah, Jesus was born!" Said with hope, truth and love, it can offer so much more than when it was an acceptable part of our culture.
Yay for political incorrectness!
Tuesday, 12 December 2017
Tuesday, 21 November 2017
A Number
Our culture has really done a number on us.
As my eldest daughter is preparing to speak to a group of Brownies about "disability" I realized how entrenched even the church has become in the thinking preached by our modern society.
It is tempting when sharing with someone about disability, to share all the things we can do. "Hey, I'm blind, but this is what I do..." And then list all the activities and great things I am involved in and capable of.
Do you see the problem here?
It's subtle and has infiltrated our whole society.
The problem is that we define worth and value by what we have the ability to do and contribute.
Untrue.
Our worth and value come because we are human, created in the image of God.
Having this Biblical perspective then, explains why we should not euthanize a 90 year old laying in a nursing home, or abort a baby that has screened for Down Syndrome.
We are not cats that get "put down" when disabled, old, in pain, and have no further hope of living.
We are not animals.
We are human
We are not just a number.
We are God's image bearers.
Luke 12:6,8
Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins?And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Psalm139:13, 14
For You created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
As my eldest daughter is preparing to speak to a group of Brownies about "disability" I realized how entrenched even the church has become in the thinking preached by our modern society.
It is tempting when sharing with someone about disability, to share all the things we can do. "Hey, I'm blind, but this is what I do..." And then list all the activities and great things I am involved in and capable of.
Do you see the problem here?
It's subtle and has infiltrated our whole society.
The problem is that we define worth and value by what we have the ability to do and contribute.
Untrue.
Our worth and value come because we are human, created in the image of God.
Having this Biblical perspective then, explains why we should not euthanize a 90 year old laying in a nursing home, or abort a baby that has screened for Down Syndrome.
We are not cats that get "put down" when disabled, old, in pain, and have no further hope of living.
We are not animals.
We are human
We are not just a number.
We are God's image bearers.
Luke 12:6,8
Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins?And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Psalm139:13, 14
For You created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Thursday, 16 November 2017
One Liners Part Two
I shared a "one liner" from a book I had read a couple weeks ago.
Today, I want to share a one liner from a movie.
The movie is called "A Matter of Faith" and is about the creation evolution issue and how it affects youth in university.
The one line I found profound in this movie was: "You can't just add Jesus to your life, you must submit to Him."
I have been pondering this line for a while now and have asked myself, "Where am I just adding You to my life Lord vs submitting to You?"
I suppose that will be a lifelong journey kind of question. One thing that would help in answering it though would be to become aware of what it looks like to be submitted to Christ rather than stapling Christ to my already in tact day.
Teach me to do Your will,
For You are my God;
Psalm 143:10
The great thing is, we do not have to wait around hoping to hear from God as to what His will is! He has set out plainly in Scripture His thoughts on this matter.
We are not under the law anymore like in the Old Testament, however, there is a lot in Scripture that reveals Christ's heart and will.
Here are 50 instructions directly from Jesus to give us some idea of His will and what it might look like to live in submission to Him. I would encourage you to look these up in Scripture to understand the context of these summarized statements made by Jesus.
Living like this leaves no room for just adding Jesus to our day by going to church, saying grace, or singing a song. This submission is radical and why Jesus says it is a narrow road and advises us to count the cost.
Today, I want to share a one liner from a movie.
The movie is called "A Matter of Faith" and is about the creation evolution issue and how it affects youth in university.
The one line I found profound in this movie was: "You can't just add Jesus to your life, you must submit to Him."
I have been pondering this line for a while now and have asked myself, "Where am I just adding You to my life Lord vs submitting to You?"
I suppose that will be a lifelong journey kind of question. One thing that would help in answering it though would be to become aware of what it looks like to be submitted to Christ rather than stapling Christ to my already in tact day.
Teach me to do Your will,
For You are my God;
Psalm 143:10
The great thing is, we do not have to wait around hoping to hear from God as to what His will is! He has set out plainly in Scripture His thoughts on this matter.
We are not under the law anymore like in the Old Testament, however, there is a lot in Scripture that reveals Christ's heart and will.
Here are 50 instructions directly from Jesus to give us some idea of His will and what it might look like to live in submission to Him. I would encourage you to look these up in Scripture to understand the context of these summarized statements made by Jesus.
Living like this leaves no room for just adding Jesus to our day by going to church, saying grace, or singing a song. This submission is radical and why Jesus says it is a narrow road and advises us to count the cost.
- Repent—Matthew 4:17, Luke 13:3
- Let not your heart be troubled—John 14:27, John 16:33, Matthew 6:25-26, Philippians 4:6-7
- Follow me—Matthew 4:19
- Rejoice—Matthew 5:12, (Also 2 Corinthians 6:10, 12:10, James 1:2-4)
- Let your light shine—Matthew 5:16
- Honor God’s law—Matthew 5:17-19
- Be reconciled—Matthew 5:24-25
- Do not commit adultery—Matthew 5:27-30
- Keep your word—Matthew 5:33-37
- Go the second mile—Matthew 5:38-42
- Love your enemies—Matthew 5:44
- Be perfect—Matthew 5:48
- Practice secret disciplines (giving, praying, fasting)—Matthew 6:1-18
- Lay up treasures in heaven—Matthew 6:19-21
- Seek first the kingdom of God—Matthew 6:33
- Judge not—Matthew 7:1-2
- Do not throw your pearls to pigs—Matthew 7:6
- Ask, seek, and knock—Matthew 7:7-8
- Do unto others—Matthew 7:12
- Choose the narrow way—Matthew 7:13-14
- Beware of false prophets—Matthew 7:15
- Pray for those who spread the word—Matthew 9:37-38
- Be as shrewd as serpents—Matthew 10:16. (Also Romans 16:19)
- Fear God. Do not fear man— Matthew 10:28 (Also Luke 12:4-5)
- Listen to God’s voice—Matthew 11:15, 13:9, 13:43, Mark 4:23, Luke 14:35, 1 Kings 19:11-13
- Take My yoke—Matthew 11:29
- Honor your parents—Matthew 15:4
- Beware of false teaching—Matthew 16:6, 11-12
- Deny yourself—Luke 9:23 (Also Matthew 10:38 and Mark 8:34)
- Do not despise little ones—Matthew 18:10
- Go to Christians who offend you—Matthew 18:15 (Also Galatians 6:1)
- Forgive offenders—Matthew 18:21-22 (Also Proverbs 19:11)
- Beware of covetousness—Luke 12:15
- Honor marriage—Matthew 19:6, 19:9
- Lead by being a servant—Matthew 20:26-28
- Make the church a house of prayer for all nations—Mark 11:17
- Pray in faith—Matthew 21:21-22, John 15:7
- Bring in the poor—Luke 14:12-14
- Render unto Caesar—Matthew 22:19-21
- Love the Lord—Matthew 22:37-38
- Love your neighbor—Matthew 22:39
- Be born again—John 3:7
- Await My return—Matthew 24:42-44
- Celebrate the Lord’s supper—Matthew 26:26-27
- Watch and pray—Matthew 26:41
- Keep My commandments—John 14:15
- Feed my sheep—John 21:15-16
- Make and baptize disciples—Matthew 28:19
- Teach disciples to obey—Matthew 28:20
- Receive God’s power—Luke 24:49
Saturday, 11 November 2017
Privacy?
Privacy is a hot topic these days. Big data - the collection of multiple sources of data, and the piecing of it all together to give a comprehensive picture of each one of us, is causing people concern. It's really the end of privacy as we once knew it.
That aside, there is one area which is even more extreme in its lack of privacy than big data, and yet, I am grateful for it. It actually gives me a feeling of peace and freedom.
That lack of privacy is the Lord. There is absolutely not one iota of anything about us that is private. Not one thought, dream, action, word... nothing.
But.. God will NEVER use any of it against us. Ever. In fact, He knows it all, and loves us anyway. So much that He took the penalty for every single thing we wish was private!
From the time I became a Christian, this knowledge that God knows everything about me, has been one of the most freeing and reassuring understandings of my faith. There is nothing He could find out about me, that would ever affect my relationship with Him. Nothing will ever take Him by surprise or change His mind about loving me. No privacy. Nothing hidden. No masks.
No worries.
That aside, there is one area which is even more extreme in its lack of privacy than big data, and yet, I am grateful for it. It actually gives me a feeling of peace and freedom.
That lack of privacy is the Lord. There is absolutely not one iota of anything about us that is private. Not one thought, dream, action, word... nothing.
But.. God will NEVER use any of it against us. Ever. In fact, He knows it all, and loves us anyway. So much that He took the penalty for every single thing we wish was private!
From the time I became a Christian, this knowledge that God knows everything about me, has been one of the most freeing and reassuring understandings of my faith. There is nothing He could find out about me, that would ever affect my relationship with Him. Nothing will ever take Him by surprise or change His mind about loving me. No privacy. Nothing hidden. No masks.
No worries.
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