Calm before the....

I wanted to capture some pictures of where we've spent our last week! It's truly incredible that all this has been set up in 4 days! Our children have thrown their coats and boots on each day as we've gone over to set up. They love being a part of what's going on. They love coming alongside and helping with whatever might need to be done. Whether it be sorting, arranging, dressing STELLA (the mannequin), or using the carpet sweeper (do I ever love that they love that job!)they are eager to serve. I've loved hearing their voices and laughter through the isles of clothing as they played tag, or hide-and-seek with the other children.
Praying for incredible opportunities tomorrow

Our Welcome Area, getting to meet the faces of those in our community!

Our middle daughter and her best friend both 4 yrs old, organized all the children's shoes, they had such a fab time modeling them. Never to young to fall in love with shoes :)

Accessory Central! Lots of great scarves, earrings, bracelets and TONS of handbags!

The Goods...

Stella, the mannequin! Outfit put together by: Ry&Kara Design... our two little assistants!

New to YOU Clothesline!

Here we are in yet another cold Canadian winter! The snow this year has been incredible! There's been no need for making snow forts as it seems they just appear on your front lawn. Feet and feet of snow! Each year for the past few years, we've hit the streets in London and run a coat drive. We've gathered coats, boots, hats, mitts etc. and those who have a heart for the homeless, and the addicts. We've had an incredible team each year whose desire isn't to brag on what they've done, but those who have the heart of the Father filled with compassion desiring nothing more than to share a hot breakfast, coffee and the message of Christ with those they'd come in contact with that day.

This year, we felt to do something different. For the past month we've been gathering clothing from friends, family, neighbours, co-workers etc, and are running a 'Free Used Clothing Store' in our building. We had a pile of bags donated. Last night while we were sorting, I'm not kidding when I say the clothing is multiplying. The bags that came in, compared to the clothing that's hung is NOT comparable. The room is literally filled with all kinds of goodness! Incredible finds and name brands, some clothing with tags still attached. The people who gave, didn't give their rags! Truly the spirit of giving and unity is in the house. Those donating from other churches and local businesses. Volunteers coming from near and far to help bless the community He's entrusted us with. Here's a preview of the 'Clothesline' in it's beginning stages! Pray that lives will be touched and forever changed as they come through our doors of The Sanctuary. We're praying for MUCH opportunity to share the life changing gospel Jesus Christ with who come through our doors this Saturday!

Our helpers came big and small. This is just the start of the children's shoes, I think we have close to 100 pairs.

Back at it!

Well, I find it hard to believe it's been over two years since I last blogged! I so desire to share with you what 'Spire Jewels' is all about. Please, let me set the stage. Last May I had the privledge of meeting a group of people that for 2 years I had heard so many incredible stories about. My husband Jamie had been going to Rwanda, and ministering to the people there for over two years. I had heard testimonies, miracles, healings... I had heard about wrestling matches, games, weddings, and so much more. I couldn't help but feel their laughter and tears through every photo I encountered. The Lord blessed us with three babies back to back, so I hadn't had the desire, nor felt released to physically go to Rwanda until this past May. What an honour! After being in Rwanda for two weeks, the Lord started birthing things inside of me. Desires and plans for the women and children there. We are set to go back again in the spring, this time our oldest daughter is going with us. For months we have been speaking 'creative ideas and inventions' to come across our congregations paths. One day while checking my email, I came across a link, I clicked it ... and instantly...and I mean instantly something inside of me awoke. I clicked through a few pictures, then went through them again. I knew this was something I was to do. I was Inspired by this jewelry. Hence 'SPIRE JEWELS'. I wasn't looking for a hobbie or another thing to throw on my plate, but there was an excitement inside of me. Almost instantly I called for my oldest son..... we are two peas in a pod, always up for excitement and an adventure! I said 'get on your coat', (now he's homeschooled, so when he realizes he's being released from his work... yeeow the smile and excitment that lights up in this boy is electrifying.) He said 'Where are we going?" I said "Antique shopping.... well the excitement drained from his face... but not from mine, I ran out the door with him in tow! As I was barging out the door, I realized I'd never been antique shopping or even knew where an shop was....but thanks to the good old blackberry we found our way! As soon as we graced the doors of the shop, I felt as though I was in my grandmothers house, the beauty the furniture was incredible. We peered through booths and shelves until we found what we had come for..... BUTTONS! I know the crazy homeschooling button collector... call me what you will, but I believe this idea fell in my lap, not by accident, but was a God ordained opportunity for me to raise and help fund our mission to Rwanda. I do not know the lady whose pictures I came across on the net, I still am not sure how the link or pictures crossed my path. She lives in another country. But one thing I do know is that our God is a God who aligns things. I know there are times in our lives we feel as if we aren't making a difference. We wonder if we are inspiring anyone to go on and be all that God's ordained and called them to be... but let me tell you I believe the Lord spoke prophetically to me through this. We have no idea, who we are influencing, who we are inspiring. Some people we'll meet and some we won't. But know that your live counts, that you are making a difference. That you have the potential to influence many...whether you see them or not, people are watching. So live your life.. make it count!

Crowns....here or there?

Well here I am, as I sit here waiting for our littlest one to surrender for the night, I am pondering and thinking on all that God has really laid on my heart the last few weeks.

God has really been doing some "REAL DEAL" things in my life. Finding out who and what is the real deal. Searching hearts and motives, in my own life as well as in others. Finding out whose really in it for HIM, and whose really in it for themselves. Not really looking at others but really searching deep within myself to make sure all I am, all I do, and all I live for is the One I am living for. 

As I was bathing the babe tonight, I was overwhelmed with the thought of "How many people are receiving their crowns now?" "The Glory, the Honour and Fame"  How many are receiving their treasures now? Although the Lord has been speaking to me about things that kind of align with this, this saying got me to stop and think. How many ministries or lives are drawing more attention to themselves than to God. It caused me to stop and really seek Him. "God I don't want to receive my crowns here. I want to receive them in your presence, I want to throw them at your feet when I come face to face with you.  I want my work and live here to bring Glory, Honour and Fame to You and You alone. I want and deeply desire for you to be exalted and followed...not man"  

We watched an awesome movie last night "SECOND CHANCE" that really captures my hearts desire. To really do His work, no matter where it is. Whether it in the ghetto, to the homeless, to the rejected...I will work wherever and with whomever He's called me to. 

I challenge you too, to not get caught up with the titles, positions, don't go looking for praise among man. Serve Him with all your heart with all you have. Then when the time comes you'll be thankful He was taking notice of you the whole time!  You'll have much to show for it, in His presence as you cast your many crowns at His feet. 

Home....homeless...

Praise Jesus! Today was the "Heart of Jesus" coat drive. This is the second year we had felt to take a team to the streets of downtown london and literally clothe the homeless with the Love of Christ. This year we had a TON of coats, mitts, hats, boots and more, donated by many many people. Praise Jesus we had MORE than enough! The team was out on the streets first thing this morning, I arrived after the team was well on their way. It touched my heart to see men, woman and families  blessing and serving those in our city. My heart was and is still stirred to think of the lives that were invested into this morning not only physically but spiritually.

 As we were dressing the kids and ourselves to go out this morning, we were pulling out our warmest coats, mitts, hats and boots because it was a COLD winter day and we knew we'd be on the streets for a few hours.  As  I was there handing items out an overwhelming gratefulness and thankfulness filled me. The Lord has always been faithful to provide ALL of our needs. Sometimes we wish we had a bigger home, but today I thought Praise Jesus I have a home! 

By the end of the morning we still had lots of jackets left but had given out all of the bigger mens jackets. This one man came along and didn't care if the jacket did up,  he was just happy to have anything that was warmer than what he was wearing.  The people were so thankful, whether it was for a pair of gloves a hat or a coat, it didn't matter the colour, they were thankful. We learn so much! That would make Christmas shopping a lot easier knowing the people would be thankful no matter what was in the box.

I love that on "coat drive" day everyone is so eager to talk to the street person, the bag lady, the drug addict. We are happy when we can bless them with a Tim Hortons card, an old coat or sweater. But as I sit here I'm wondering; Why is it that on any other day we would cross the street, we'd turn our heads and not acknowledge a need that is clearly there?  There are people all around us all the time that are in need. We need to get in the lifestyle of seeing those needs day in and day. 

The Highlight for me was when we were leaving and bagging all the items that were left over and getting them ready to take to the Women & childrens shelter, and the mens shelter. I started going through some of the coats and bags to divide them up so we could distribute what had been donated to the right place, and I was seeing brand name kids coats and snow pants. Many hats, mitts and scarves still had the tags on them. Thank you Jesus that we are starting to see YOUR heart! We didn't just have old clothing there this year, it was like we saw the value in these people that He sees in them.  Society sees value in name brands, when we see a name brand we know the garment that's being warn is worth more than the average garment. That's what I felt today, it was almost like a prophetic act. As we were sowing physical value into them, the Lord would release and allow them to see the value He has invested into them. As we sowed the "GAP" coat we were meeting the physical need by believing God will fill the "Gap" in their lives and bring them to restoration. How awesome will it be when the shelter opens the bags of extra clothing that had been donated and dropped off  and to see that these coats and mitts are new and in great condition! He sees the real needs in their lives, He sees the value within them that often times we overlook... Praise God He sees value in each and everyone of us!

We appreciate all of you who helped with donations, and gave of your time! ~Blessings~

Go & Make Disciples

The last few days the Lord has really been stirring up inside of me the importance of discipleship. I've always had a burden to train and invest into others, but I don't think I've instilled into those I've invested into,  the importance of turning around and investing and discipling others. 

Often times the church looks at the Pastor the associates or other key leaders and we have the expectation that they should be reaching and teaching everyone in their congregation or group.  Although that is partially what they do, we the believers are called to disciple those around us.

The importance of spreading the gospel is HUGE, but the importance of finding those who have surrendered their lives and really discipling them is greater. It's great to see someone accept Christ, but even greater to see them get the full understanding of who He is and to see them start walking out the plans and purposes of God in their lives.  

I've challenged my "Ladies'' group to really seek after who it is that God has put in their path to disciple and to start walking that out. Often times when we think of discipling or mentoring we get intimidated by it. It's become a phrase that we think only certain people with titles can do, but as followers of Christ we are called to GO and MAKE disciples.  "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. Matthew 28:19, 20"

We often see people come to know Christ and fall to the wayside and assume someone else didn't do the job of training them.  But we as individuals need to take on discipling others as OUR responsibility. We need to be discipling those God puts in our paths. Like it says in Matthew...teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  Christ has given us a lot of amazing promises, but unless we know them or impart them into those who don't know, we won't we walk or ever understand the fullness we can have in Him.  When you look across your congregation, or in your circle of friends and family and you see someone who needs some help along the way, don't wait for someone else to come along to help them because no one ever may, maybe that person is waiting for you. 

When I sit back and think of the people, mentors and teachers I've had in my life, I am totally thankful many of them over the years have taken me under their wing. Through their testimonies, truths and lives I have been radically challenged and at many times spurred on. I've been encouraged in those low times, I've been steered in those over zealous times, and I've been accountable to someone who has cared. 

So I challenge you if you aren't already discipling someone pray and seek the Lord on who it is He'd like you to invest into.  Often times they are the ones right in front of us. 

If you are new to this walk with Christ and need some discipling don't hesitate to ask or approach someone to teach you, train you and keep you accountable. If you sit at someone's feet now and learn His teachings it won't be long before you'll be investing into others the very thing that's been invested into you.

It's an exciting thing to invest into lives and to see them changed for His glory!

 

Devotion....

He calls, He wills, He designs, He plans. 

We listen or we turn our ear.

We choose His or we walk away.

We walk in faith or run in fear.

We fulfill or we are unfulfilled.

God has a purpose and plan for each and everyone of us. For each and every person that ever walked the face of the earth. God purposed and planned destiny in each their lives. His plan wasn't one of failure, it wasn't one of destruction. He planned and purposed us all to bring Glory to His name.  Are you walking in what He's purposed you for?

Some of us are called to work with children, some with the homeless, some to preach the good news of Jesus on foreign soil, some to the market place.  Where are you called? What is your purpose? Don't think you don't have one, if you are a living being you were created and designed with purpose. Pray about what and where the Lord has called and purposed you for. Then when He's been faithful to reveal it to you, start walking in it. 

Jeremiah 29:11-13