Be Faithful with the Little

He who is faithful in the little things, will also be faithful with much. Luke 16:10 . Preached by- Kevin Begley (circa 1994)

Most Friday nights I would wait for my farming friends to come into the city to pick me up. We’d pile in the van and head across town to LGT for youth, good Ol’ Vital Force!

I don’t recall specifically how Pastor Kevin conveyed it, but one week he spoke on ‘Being faithful in the Little’ and still to this day, anytime I try to take a short cut, that verse runs through my mind. It has and continues to shape my character. Whether it be cleaning out my car after a long day, picking a coin up from a gutter, returning a shopping cart to the PROPER shelter, no matter how big or small I want to be considered faithful. I know those examples may seem insignificant on some levels but I’m telling you, these are some of the ones specifically I get nudged on! This verse over the years has brought constant ownership and constant humility to my life. Seriously? The coin is in the mud, it’s only 10 cents!! Be faithful in the little.
It’s raining, my cart is fine in this empty spot, I have all the children with me, after all someone gets paid to put them back, right? Be faithful in the little.
There are hundreds, even thousands of scenarios like this. If I can’t be faithful with a coin, can I be faithful with a life?
You see it’s not about the coin, or the carts, it’s about being faithful with what we’ve been entrusted with. Whether we lead the biggest church or the smallest, whether we are the business owner or the employee, we need to give thanks and work in such a way that exemplifies we’re being faithful with what’s been put at our hands to do, and from there, our small seeds of faithfulness, will produce much. 💛 #39to40
Luke 16:10
Phil 1:11

Learn to Encourage Yourself in The Lord

This morning before Jamie headed out he gave me a gift bag and said. ‘I love you, this is not an Anniversary gift but a 40 Days until you’re 40 gift.’ Then he died laughing and said let the countdown begin! Inside was a beautiful black dress that I wore today for our church’s 8th Anniversary. The beauty wasn’t in the dress or in the hysteria of his laugh, it was in his words.

Two months ago I’d felt to I write some sort of encouragement for the 40 days leading up to my 40th birthday. About two weeks after I’d felt to do this, I had a friend Paula Morand start a ‘50 days until 50’ memory challenge (which is great) but similar!! Not, wanting to appear as a clone, I shrugged off what I felt to do, until Jamie’s words hit me as he handed me the gift this morning. As I heard ‘40 days until 40’ I felt it was a word for me to get at it and not to let the opportunity to share pass me by. So my friends as I prayed about it today, this one thing kept coming back to me. - Learn To Encourage Yourself - it’s something I HAD to learn early ministry or I would have tapped out. When our friend Pastor Roger Matzke preached on it in our house years later my spirit lept because it was something I knew the value of. It’s a lesson you’ll hear and have to put into practice time and time again through many seasons of your life.
‘Learn to Encourage Yourself!’ There have been seasons in my life where people have failed, disappointed, or abandoned me. There are seasons in my friends lives where I’m sure I have unknowingly done the same thing. So when we learn to encourage OURSELVES in the Lord it changes everything!
We no longer throw unhealthy expectations on leaders or friends because we know our value and strength comes from the Lord.
We no longer need mans stamp of approval or have time to wallow in self pity because we’ve learned to encourage ourselves when no one is there to encourage us. Its great and it’s important to have those who will rally around us and cheer us on, I think it’s valuable. But when no one is cheering you on, knowing how to encourage yourself in the Lord is VITAL! He will refresh, encourage and strengthen you unlike any man, women or leader ever could.

1 Samuel 30:6 David was greatly distressed... but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

When you’re distressed, down, or needing encouragement, there’s only one place to find it. In the Lord!

YIELD!

(Don't give up on the journey!) 

On my drive through the states on the weekend The Lord started showing me some things through trees. First there were so many hills filled with intense bright, beautiful trees! Honestly they were breathtaking! Next there were bare trees, the ones that had already yielded their leaves to the fall process. Both examples of trees were submitting to their individual journeys and seasons. As I continued to drive I saw a tree with a very long branch that was holding on to heaps of dead, brown, crusty leaves. This tree at one time had had an abundance of bright, full leaves but clearly didn't submit to the full process and season it was in. Although the leaves were dead, Im sure the tree must have taken comfort in knowing it still had leaves. I began meditating on these three examples. One was in fullness. At one time this tree had many buds, then small leaves, then big green leaves and now was at a point of complete fullness and beauty. The next one would have gone through the similar process but when the time was right it submitted to the next season, it shed its leaves and is now waiting patiently for the next season of growth and beauty. The last tree went through the first process of having buds, green leaves and beauty but got stale and refused to submit to the full process. Clearly making it not only an ugly eye sore but also unproductive. You see, trees need to shed their leaves in order to conserve water and energy. The trees that had shed their leaves aren't dead, in fact they're very much alive but relatively inactive externally. As believers we are so quick to try to look as bright and beautiful as others forgetting that none of our seasons are the same. We miss out on being bright and colourful when it's our time, because we didn't yield to the full process and transformation. We hold on to seasons we are to let go of because we fear man, or don't trust the process God has for us. 

There are some that will have their season of brightness and beauty when we are gearing up to yield our leaves. There are some that will be displaying their beauty when we are very much alive on the inside but we are waiting patiently on God for his perfect timing in allowing us to release another incredible crop. But there will also be times when we will be shining brightly and beautifully because we submitted tonGod and trusted the process. All three of these stages are vital in producing something beautiful!  

1. When we are in what may feel like an externally dormant season we need to stay focused and alive in Christ regardless of what people perceive on the outside. 
2. When He asks us to yield to the process...we need to do it, trusting He's ordaining our next steps.
3. We need to shine bright and beautifully! 

(The pictures of the children were taken from a Thanksgiving
Hike)

(Want to study more on this. Read over John 15 is an awesome parallel to this... than take a walk tonight down trees path and ask Him to speak to you about the season you're in.)

BY FAITH....

Miracle!! Yesterday at the Tough Mudder about halfway through the 16km course I had a shooting pain start to go through my ACL. The impact of running down the big slopes triggered something and the pain was intense. I tried to continue running but it was to much pain to bare.  I still managed to do the obstacles but any type of incline or downward hill brought intense pain. As much as I wanted to give up, I couldn't. When running I kept picturing the men and women who fight on the front lines through injury and pain for our freedom. I also kept declaring 'I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.' This along with my very patient team gave me the mental focus to keep going. Flat ground I could manage, inclines and declines were terribly painful. I was trying different strategies to lessen the pain, I skipped and hobbled on my stronger leg to relieve the pain. I tried taking off my headband and the tape from another injury to wrap around my knee...this did not help and in fact intensified the pain.  People running ahead of me had shirts on that said 'I'm a FINISHER' This helped me kept my eye on the prize. Eventually we finished the race, as a team!  (What a group) We were out for dinner last night and again any step and getting in and out of the vehicle, or any slight incline or decline shot pain through my knee. I went up and down stairs like a child one step at a time... This morning again the same thing, small strides were the way to go...anything more than that brought pain.
Here's the amazing part!!! My friend Ash  I are teaching our children's ministry this month. I was going to have my group pray for me when our groups divided, BUT after snack she immediately asked the children who believed and had faith that God still heals. One by one their little hands shot up. She encouraged them to come around me and to lay their hands on my knee in faith that God could and would heal my knee. We encouraged them to agree with what was being prayed for. They laid hands on my knee and prayed, not an overly fancy prayer but a prayer of faith  asking God, the Healer,  to heal my knee. After the prayer our classes divided up for our lesson. As I was teaching in my room I hadn't thought much about it and all of a sudden I thought 'I've been walking all over and there is no pain in my knee!' I got in the car after service with no issue. None!! Ash text me and asked how it was, I said 'Honestly? It's  healed!!!! I was still waiting for my crew to get in the car, so I got back out of the car to move and bend it, COMPLETELY HEALED in Jesus Mighty name!
When I got to my moms at lunch, I went up her steps and PAIN FREE, not even a trace or hint of pain. Our God, the one and only Jesus Christ is still the same, yesterday, today and forever. He is still healing people! We've seen it time and time again in our church and through our people stepping out in faith believing God can still do the miraculous. What is so amazing about this particular healing is that I'm often one of the ones praying and believing for someone else's healing, but this time I was on the receiving end!! Praise God!
I wanted to testify of Gods goodness! His WORD is alive and powerful. We may not have the biggest and flashiest church, but we are a unified body who believes God is who He says He is! Im so thankful that a group of kids ages 5-10 years old along with their Sunday school teacher had the faith to believe God for my healing!

Today I am thankful that although Canada may have it's flaws, it's bringing healing to the nations....

Oh Canada,

Throughout the day I've watched and seen fellow Canadians posting pictures of their families and friends as they gather together to celebrate the freedom and great country we are blessed to call home, Canada.

This past winter God confirmed in our hearts to run a community soccer league in the spring and summer. The league would be for Canadian newcomers and children in our church community who wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to play in an organized soccer league. Through many roadblocks but many, many more miracles this league came to fruition. I'm thankful for my co-workers, community partners and our church family for making this dream a reality for 60 Canadian children. Continually laying the vision and the needs before The Lord, He has met each need this far. Uniforms, equipment, coaches, volunteers, snacks, water, team pictures and whatever else we have needed and desired God has made a way!  

Each week we are surrounded with some amazing up and coming athletes. Some were born in Canada but majority of these children  were relocated to Canada because of crisis in their homeland. As I look across the fields each week the beauty in the diversity of these children is breathtaking. Children from Nepal, Uganda, Rwanda, India, Korea, Syria, Iraq, Jamaica, Qatar, Bhutan and so many more, fill these fields. 

Weekly, my eyes well up as I hear another parent try to translate their story. I am amazed at their courage and bravery and feel honoured to be able to speak into their lives.  These children have witnessed and experienced tremendous heartbreak. Many have fled to Canada recently and have had to leave loved ones behind. Some are now fatherless. Some have witnessed their families being murdered. Many have lived in refugee camps before ever experiencing real freedom. A handful of players knew only a few english words their first week of playing causing their anxieties to be high, only to realize their coaches were filled with the Love of Christ causing them to feel loved, accepted and at peace. 

Today I am thankful for a country that has opened its arms to the hurting. I am thankful for a country that has opened it's arms to those who are at risk. I am thankful that God has placed these children on our paths and that as much love as we give out, they give right back.  I'm thankful that through so much loss and tremendous heartaches these children have faced that as they run the fields each week they still have the ability to laugh and smile! Their little faces light up as they play in thanksgiving for the opportunity to wear a real jersey and to play a sport they love, in a fun, safe environment. And I'm super thankful these children are not only being cheered on by their families and coaches but by their fellow teammates who resemble the nations of the world. 

Today I am thankful that although Canada may have it's flaws,  it's bringing healing to the nations.... 

Oh Canada...

In the wintery months I was sitting in a staff meeting and after reviewing community surveys we were made aware of growing desires of needs in our community. One need in particular got me a little fiery as it was shared as it seemed easy enough to get going. The more passionate I began to get in talking about it, my co-workers laughed and said, 'You could do this!' I laughed but having a full plate...I thought about it, but left it. Each time I had thought about it, I prayed but didn't move on it. A few weeks later out of the blue my boss asked if I'd given it anymore thought... to which I laughed and said I would talk it over with my husband. After sharing it with him again, we believed it was something we were to run with but knew we couldn't do it alone. So the following Sunday we cast the vision to our congregation and they rallied around the vision offering to serve where needed. After many cold calls approaching businesses, potential sponsors and sporting stores...we launched a community soccer program, KICKS SOCCER. This program would target Canadian newcomers and families who typically wouldn't have the opportunity to play the sport in an organized setting. Coaches signed up, referees volunteered, schools leant out equipment...we were well on our way.  Initially we were seeking 5 sponsors to help cover the cost of the league. A friend and I cast the vision before many community businesses. We were so full of faith, who wouldn't want to participate in this program?! We approached WELL over 25 businesses and ended up with two. Being short financially we gathered together to pray and believed God would cover the lack... as we knew this was something we were to do.  Sure enough, our unfailing God provided. Each child was given a jersey, soccer socks and shin pads. Each student was placed on a teams where coaches have been leading them in weekly skills, games and more importantly devotions sharing the love of Christ with them. We have declared over this program that this wouldn't just be a fruitful season, but that there would be evident FRUIT THAT REMAINS!
Two weeks into the program I had the opportunity to share briefly about what God was doing at a community meeting. I shared about God answering our prayers and providing coaches, volunteers, equipment, referees and so much more! One community volunteer wanted to jump on board so took the vision of it back to her church as they'd desired to get involved in the community but were unsure how! So they have jumped on board providing the weekly snack.  Thank you God for meeting another need! This older congregation has been such a blessing to these young athletes!

Our first week of playing I had one girl say she wasn't going to come because she wasn't good. We encouraged her to come as this is where she would learn the sport. She said, 'No!" I said, if you score I'll take you for ice cream!'  She said, 'What if I don't score tonight?" To which I replied, "If you score anytime during the season I will take you for ice-cream to celebrate'. Well, as I was overseeing both fields on that first night I heard someone running towards me calling my name, this young girl had scored, not one but TWO goals in her first game. She said 'You know what that means? I get two ice creams!!' So the next week our family, her coaches and a few other people went to DQ and celebrated this young girls accomplishments and determination on the field.

This past week one of my favourite students wasn't with her team. I had her number so called her to see where she was. She answered and was upset and said she wasn't coming as she couldn't find her socks and shin pads. She said she had looked all over several times and couldn't find them anywhere. I told her to come anyways, but she wouldn't without her full uniform. After 5 minutes of trying to persuade her to come, I said,' Pray, ask God to show you where they are.' She said, WHAT? I said pray, and ask God to show you where your socks are!' She said ok and hung up on me. Sure enough, two minutes later she was on the phone and said, 'I am coming, I prayed and God showed me where my socks where!!' Praise the Lord! God was showing himself to this young girl.

So why am I writing this... why am I sharing about this soccer program. First of all I am thankful on this Canada Day that we have the freedom to talk about Jesus Christ in our country. I am thankful our nation has been founded on The Word of God. I am thankful that we can proclaim that He shall have dominion from sea to sea.

Secondly, I am thankful that I don't need to travel around the world to experience every culture. I am thankful for a country that embraces the hurting, the at risk and the impoverished and we don’t leave them there but we champion to be all God has called them to be.
I'm thankful that KICKS Soccer has several families from not only Canada but newcomers from Napal, Syria, South Africa, Nigeria, Jamaica, India, Rwanda, Uganda, Vietnam, Korea, India and so many more countries. I am thankful that their families have embraced us and have fallen in love with us just as we have fallen in love with them. Today I am thankful that Canada is a generous country. A loving country, and blessed country.

Instructions are vital, not optional....

Two weeks ago my mother had the opportunity to teach my children. They got in the van after class, full of excitement shouting 'She's the best teacher ever!' In class they'd each been given a stocking, a styrofoam cup and seeds that were guaranteed to produce a dirt buddy. (My excitement was a little more contained as I realized these dirt balls.. I mean, precious dirt buddies would be sitting in my windowsill.) Instantly when we arrived home and put the truck in park, the truck doors flew open and off they went! They bolted in the house where they quickly grabbed bowls and placed their dirt buddies in the shallow water for 20 minutes as instructed. Following the soaking session they proceeded to sit their buddies on the windowsill.

Two days went by and our youngest daughter as eager as could be pulled the island stool over to the windowsill, grabbed her buddy and gave it another drink.
A few days went by again and day after day, nothing. Not one sprout. She wasn't discouraged in the least but was full of anticipation for what was to come. So again, she grabbed the stool, she grabbed the dirt ball, and she placed it yet again in a bowl of water just like she was instructed. This continued day after day and finally after much water, sun, and care her buddy sprouted!! Excitement ripped through house 'My buddy has hair!' In the next few days his hair continued to grow and multiply far above his windowsill friends. Our youngest did not gloat but celebrated her buddy's new hairdo. The day it first sprouted our second youngest was spurred on by the results of his sisters  faithfulness, so he re-soaked his dirt buddy. Again in a few days when his buddy had needed a drink he had completely forgotten to water his buddy as other things had taken his time and attention and he quickly forgot about his responsibility to water, and the promise that was attached to it. 

The child who was the best gardener wasn't the oldest or the smartest. She was the youngest. The one who had the most obstacles ahead of her. She was the one who couldn't reach the bowls or the windowsill, but she didn't let that stop her.  She found a way to do what she was instructed to do. She was given the same instructions, and saw the same disappointing results day after day but she held onto the promise, not ever striving or giving up! Not ever comparing or complaining but with childlike faith knowing that if she did what she was required and asked to do, the results and promise would surely come to pass! 'Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen. It gives us assurance about things we cannot see.' Hebrews 11:1

Each child started out with what they needed in order to conquer the task. All were equally as excited about what promise laid ahead. But not all were faithful. Sure they all had vision and dreams for their buddies, but one child stopped there. Surely one watered periodically.... but that wasn't what was was required.. Other pleasures took their focus. The one who was faithful received the prize, the promise and the reward.

Continue to water...

Often times in our faith walk we wonder why we aren't seeing fruit. We grow weary, frustrated and may even envy others. Go back to the instructions, and be faithful. Don't compare your walk, success, or spheres of influence with those around you, as each one of us has been given a different promise, attached to a different yet similar set of instructions. Don't water in vain, don't run with a cup of water and soak sporadically when it's convenient. Don't water when you see fruit in others lives...Water out of devotion for the Father. Follow the instructions He's given you...and when you don't see anything, when you're about to give up... keep watering! 'Don't grow weary in well doing, for in due time you will receive the harvest if you faint not.' Galatians 6:9

Be faithful, continue to water....