Canaan's Rest

Canaan’s Rest represents a quiet place “set apart” for the purpose of hearing God's voice, growing in intimacy with the Lord, and being renewed in soul and spirit.

Category: Whispers (Page 11 of 161)

June 6, 2025

June 6, 2025 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Happy weekend to you!! We had a rain shower yesterday and everything looks fresh and green. Today I am going to
make an enchilada casserole and do some food prep and writing.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Have you thought much about how you live in the world matters to God? We can observe the lives of missionaries, monks, pastors, etc. who serve God full-time, but what about ordinary people like you and me? Shouldn’t we also serve the Lord in our everyday lives and commune with Him as we go about our various mundane activities? How can we change our lives to praise God and connect with Him as we do our chores?
Professor Gerald Sittser writes about some extraordinary people that did many wonderful, courageous and sacrificial things for God. But he also asks the question, “Is it possible for ordinary people to be true disciples, too?” Of course! When Paul was writing to the Colossians, he said in Col. 3:17, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” I think that could include all of us that are ordinary believers who want to serve the Lord, as well as the saints we read about.
During the Medieval times, the laity was considered the lowest position because they would be doing secular activities.  Next was the clergy, who filled the middle position and served the church as they lived in the world. Thirdly, the monks and nuns were held in the highest position because they lived apart from the world and spent their time in worship and prayer. Lay people depended on monks for their salvation. Things gradually changed in the Middle Ages as laypeople began to experience a more spiritual life themselves and were active participants in the Chrisitan faith. Many lived like monks and nuns, practicing prayer, fasting, poverty, service to the poor, etc. while at the same time, remaining in the world and serving the people.
Calvin encouraged lay people to use their gifts to serve God in the world and said that all work has dignity and purpose, no matter how lowly. God uses ordinary people like you and me, empowering us through the Holy Spirit to live in the world and claim it for God’s kingdom. Even our mundane tasks can have divine purpose to them and become holy activities. Let us pray as we work, serve others, love all those God puts around us and share the Good News with all.
Challenge for today: Begin the day by visualizing the presence of God in your ordinary life and ask Him what He wants to do through you.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

June 5, 2025

June 5, 2025 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you have an awesome day. Al is going to Men’s group and I plan to make cookies on a stick and later we have Bible Study. We are excited as Mark’s family is leaving this morning from N.C. to come back to MN for nearly 3 weeks. Please pray for a safe trip for them.
Praying for safe travels.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Prayer is so important on our spiritual journey and we can all become more prayerful as we walk out our daily Christian life. We might first of all think of the many techniques of prayer and wonder if we are doing it right but it is much more than that, for it is all about relationship. It is not about saying the proper words, but rather paying attention to God. It doesn’t matter if prayers are memorized, said aloud or whispered, but rather that we realize to whom we are speaking and what we are really saying to Him. It is all about speaking from our hearts.
My prayer partner and I meet together every other week or so and we always have a subject or a question to write about. This time it just happens that she chose that we are to write a love letter to the Lord and will share together when we meet again. I find it as I write it helps me say what is in my heart and to think more about my words that I express to Him, which is really prayer.
Before Al and I were married, we were separated most of the summer and wrote to each other most every day. The words seem to just flow out as we missed one another and expressed what was in our hearts. (It was handwriting then as we didn’t have cell phones.) If we want to grow closer to the Lord, we also will want to spend time expressing our love for Him and our gratitude for His gifts to us each day. As it says in Lamentations 3:20, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Every day we can draw closer to Him in intimacy and there are new things to thank Him for.
We must remember we are speaking to God and our focus is on Him. Can we picture Him right with us when we wake, beside us when we go to work? He is with us in the midst of activities, so we can just talk with Him as we go about our day. In I Thess. 5:16-18, we are told to “pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Let us make our day more prayerful and at times just pray the name of Jesus.
Challenge for today: Set aside time for prayer early in the day, also lifting your thoughts and prayers to the Lord throughout your day.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you have a wonderful day! We had a big group of women show up last night for Bible Study. Today I have exercise class, Craft time and another Bible study.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
I love to eat, and one of the first things I do in the morning after my devotions is begin to think about what I am going to serve for our main meal and start making preparations. I love the aroma of baked goods in the oven or soup on the stove top, and even while I am at exercise class I think of how nice it will be to get home to eat our big meal. There are so many recipes online with details of how to prepare them and it’s good to be present to our bodies, emotions and others as we eat and drink.
Very few of us have ever gone hungry, but some people self-medicate with food as they seek to remedy the emptiness that is felt within. But stuffing down food (gluttony) is not the solution. Others may use alcohol, drugs, cigarettes and any number of things and then that becomes a problem. When we use them to disconnect from ourselves and to escape from things we don’t want to deal with, it can become addictive. We can get high on cannabis, alcohol, cocaine, etc. in an attempt to forget what we are trying to suppress at the time, but that is not the solution. We may do the same thing over and over again hoping for a different result, but it will not get rid of our pain or the reason for it in the first place. Many of our behaviors that we think will bring us peace and wholeness just leave us empty and will not satisfy the deep hunger within.
Al and I lived through the Hippie generation when young people were trying psychedelic drugs and zoning out looking for meaning, but instead found addictions, drunkenness, depression, etc. But rather than run from our feelings and use artificial ways, we need to allow ourselves to feel our feelings and connect to the Lord, ourselves and others. The craving for artificial means may just be a holy hunger for God and as it says in (Eph. 5:18), “Do not get drunk on wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Within all of us is a craving for union with the Lord and to have that connection beyond ourselves. Let us not be given to gluttony to satisfy the hunger of our souls but connect with the Lord.
Challenge for today: Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you and to satisfy your heart hunger.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you have a joy-filled day! I plan to make Finnish Pasty and go to an appointment with Al and tonight we start a new Women’s Bible study at church.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Joy is a wonderful and beautiful gift from the Lord and when He lives within us, joy seems to bubble over. Joy comes from a deep place for it is not dependent on our circumstances but rather the knowing that the Lord is with us in everything that touches our life. He never leaves us to struggle on our own, but promises to walk with us through whatever may come.
A verse that is on many plaques that you may have seen is found in Nehemiah 8:10, “The joy of the Lord is our strength.” Before Jesus left this earth, He told his loved ones that He loved them the way the Father loved Him and wanted them to be at home in His love. He said in John 15:11, “I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature.”  The enemy wants to steal our joy, so we must guard against discouragement, finding our joy in the Lord even when problems come our way. Jesus, however, wants us to live in His love and to be completely joyful as He is.
Our Bible study group here at Northern Lakes is growing, not just in numbers but in depth with one another. After a recent Bible study, I got a text from a member who remarked how much joy is in the group. We had just studied the crippled man who was healed and went “walking and leaping and praising God.” The person woke up singing the song with those words flowing through her mind. She has been in other prayer groups before, but has never experienced this much joy and said that others will recognize us by our joy and love for one another.
We can be examples to others when we can remain peaceful and joyful even as we go through hard times. They see firsthand that Jesus is present in our lives and walking with us, giving us strength to overcome. Let us be joyful in Him!
Challenge for today: Go about your day with a joyful heart and sing a song of praise to Him.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you had a good weekend! We had beautiful weather for walking the trail and a bear was also sited on Saturday. Emoji Yesterday we were surprised by good friends from our former church that showed up for our service. Wonderful to catch up with all of them.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
We know that as Christ followers we are not to be judgmental, but open and welcoming with others. We may find it hard to do when we have an opposing view on things that we consider very important, or are defensive and even offensive. How do we handle that?
Elizabeth Oldfield has much to say in her book Fully Alive about our turbulent world, where many are polarized and not open to connect with others who may think or feel differently than they do about life, issues, etc. But as Christians, we are to engage others and be a light, not just sticking only with other believers, but shine His love on all. How do we do that, especially if we are poles apart on how we view life, our political views and especially matters of faith? Oldfield gives some good pointers as she has conversations and dinner parties with those like and unlike her. It is good for us as well to not ignore others that are unlike us, but to learn how to engage them.
Instead of just spilling our views all over others, it is good to ask people what is important to them. How did they come to believe what they believe? We need to hear their stories, listening with respect and curiosity, not defensiveness and rebuttal. When they know we care, they may open up and even ask us in return how we arrived at some of our views. As we give them our attention, it is good to ask the Lord to help us tolerate our differences, help us see the person underneath and understand what might have led them to their conclusions. Some who have a strong aversion to the church may have been hurt deeply and need healing.

Jesus was criticized for gathering with others that were not like him: tax collectors, Samaritans, poor, unclean, etc. But he ignored the invisible lines and treated them with love. We are to also love even our enemies and pray for them; all need the Lord and are lost without Him. Jesus said in John 10:10, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Let us reach out to others, even those markedly different than us.

Challenge for today: Don’t judge those who are different than you but be open, welcoming and listen to them with Christ’s love.
Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy

May 31, 2025

May 31, 2025 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Happy weekend to you!  We had a fun Birthday party here yesterday and a very full house! Today I plan to clean the apartment and do some writing and baking.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
A question many ask today is, “Why go to church on Sunday?” Why not stay home and just watch online or go out on the lake with your fishing rod and enjoy nature? I grew up in a home where it was never a question on Sunday morning: we all went to church and began preparing the night before to have everything ready. Things have changed in our fast-paced world, and sadly people don’t realize church is a gathering with other believers to worship. As it says in Heb. 10:25, “Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.”
I read an article by Pastor Sarah Coleman, and I’d like to share a few reasons she gives as to why going to church will improve our week. Remember even Jesus purposed to attend worship as it was His custom, and it certainly is good for us too.
When we are gathered to offer praises in worship, we sense God’s presence in a powerful way. He inhabits our praises!  We also receive revelation as we listen to the Word through the pastor’s sermon, through scriptures read or testimonies given. We connect with other believers as we worship together, have coffee and fellowship and grow in the sharing of our lives.
Sarah also says church is an opportunity to see outside ourselves and to serve others. It’s not just “bless me,” but in helping others we are also refreshed. Church helps us find answers to questions we may have, and they may not come through only the pastor, but also others who have been through similar situations. Studying the Word together and sharing our lives can help us make sense of things. Church is also a place that provides a moral compass. Truth is found in the Word and as we hear and study it, we can become people who live truth.
Studies show that church just might help us live longer. Sarah shares that the New York Times says it boosts our immunity and lowers our blood pressure. Going regularly may add years to our lives! Wow!
Church helps us keep our priorities straight: as we put first things first, other things seem to fall into place. The Lord is to be in first place always!
The last reason Sarah gives is that church puts us in an atmosphere of faith. Our hearts are encouraged as we gather with other believers, and we find doubts and fears replaced with hope. May we take time to go to church and be blessed, encouraged and ready for what’s ahead.
Challenge for today: Ask the Lord to open your heart to receive from Him what He offers you through your church.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Happy Weekend. Hope you have a relaxing one. We start the weekend with our monthly Birthday party and will be going to Costco to get the Birthday cake. Thankful for my two helpers and we enjoy serving together.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
We are meant to live in fellowship with others, to share God’s love, and to let go of our pride that thinks mostly of self, disconnecting us from others. Our hearts are to reach out to others, instead of the overemphasis in our culture of the I and the loss of the we. It’s wonderful to belong to a small group of people where we share and seek each other’s good. Hopefully, we can do that in our church fellowship groups: show care for one another and come to deeply to know one another.
There are some that have gone the extra mile to live in community. I have written about Taylor and Ethan who have their own home but clustered in a community where they meet together to worship, to work and to fellowship. Oldfield writes that she and her husband are living in community, sharing a house with another couple and their children. That is even more of a challenge, but it is helping them to love each other well, even though their imperfections are obvious as there is no hiding. It is also a time of dying to one’s pride, for as it says in Proverbs 27:17, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” I can only imagine that living in community is sometimes messy, but growth takes place as we connect and let others know us.
The early church, after the Holy Spirit came upon them, were of one heart and mind and shared everything. In Acts, Luke writes how they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship and were together with no one in need.
Not all of us will join a live-in community, but we are to connect with others, surrender our pride and discover what it means to be interdependent, joyful and free.
Challenge for today: Ask the Lord to help you surrender your pride and to connect with others in His Body.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
May you have a peace-filled day. I plan to bake Al’s favorite cookies and later we have Bible Study.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Most of us would not like to admit that we have idols in our lives; but the fact that there are no statues in our house doesn’t mean we are free from idols. Francis Schaeffer wrote some years ago that personal peace and affluence are the defining idols of our time. We are people who like comfort, to be left alone and to have prosperity with material goods in abundance. I remember watching Schaeffer’s movies while at our church in Des Moines wondering if people would really come to the place of ignoring the needs of others and just be concerned about themselves and gaining wealth? But if we look around us and maybe within us, we must acknowledge we want a comfortable, affluent life of ease.
Even our children are taken in by the word to “follow your dreams and live your truth.” Athletic and personal success become more important than spiritual formation and growth. They desire status and trophies and think God’s favor lines up with whatever they achieve. But that kind of living leaves us with anxiety, addictions, laziness and emptiness. How contradictory it is from God’s way that speaks of self-denial, helping others and surrendering to God.
Our faith involves obedience, sacrifice and serving others. If parents don’t teach this to their children they will not be able to embrace suffering when it comes. They are more likely turn to quick fixes like vaping, alcohol and excess time on their phones, etc. It’s best when parents model a life of faith and sacrifice, help others and surrender to the Lord. All of us need to embrace God’s way of truth, expressing His love as we help others and reject the idols of our day.
Challenge for today: Do as John says in I John 5:21, “Dear children, guard yourselves from false gods.”
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you have a purpose-filled day. We have a full day as Al is going to meet with the men and I have exercise class, Craft class, an appointment and Bible Study. We were surprised and blessed yesterday as friends celebrated our Anniversary ahead of time in a beautiful way!
Devotions from Judy’s heart
While at the lake over Labor Day weekend, we had a picnic for three generations of our family all gathered together around the bonfire. I can still remember years ago when my folks were with us by the fire pit but now are home with the Lord. Their desire was that all five of us kids and later our spouses and children and children’s children would know and serve the Lord. Their prayer has become our prayer, as nothing would please us more than to know that each one of our children and spouses and grandchildren (we don’t have great grandchildren yet) would know the Lord in a deep way.
I recently read a devotional from Mark Robers of Fuller Seminary, and he writes about “God’s purpose-Your purpose”. He shared Psalm 71:17-18, “O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to all the generations to come.”  Al and I are in the 4th quarter of our lives, and we want to leave a legacy for the future for our children and grandchildren. But even though we gave them our former house and property and hope to have $ left for them when we leave this earth, we desire most of all to leave a spiritual legacy behind.
Roberts wrote that if we want to live with purpose in our later years, we need to pay attention to our generativity. He describes generativity as a deep desire to leave a legacy for the future of excellence, example, empowerment and encouragement. Webster Dictionary defines generativity as “a need to nurture and guide younger people and contribute to the next generation.” If you are grandparents like us, you will likely be in touch with your generativity also.  We certainly did not give our grandkids a peace-filled world, and they will need spiritual guidance and strength as they face the future. May we pass on to them all that we have received from the Lord so they can also pass it on.
Challenge for today: Take time to be with your children and grandchildren and use it as a time to proclaim God’s wondrous deeds!
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

 

May 27, 2025

May 27, 2025 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you have a wonderful day. I am going to make Swedish meatballs and do other food prep and go to my eye appointment. This afternoon we are invited to friends for coffee and fellowship.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Hopefully all of us have known compassion shown by others around us and know the wonderful feeling of others sensing what we are going through and expressing care. Our Heavenly Father is so compassionate with us and opens the way for us to follow His example. Paul also tells us in Col. 3:12, “Put on then as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” He goes on to say we should be bearing with one another, forgiving and loving.
We are all called to be compassionate as God’s children and we should be the first to notice when others are going through painful times, disappointment, fear, anxiety, etc. Perhaps more than ever today there is a lack of compassion for others as people are lonely, lost in their phones, not seeing even their family’s needs. There are many people in our country that are emotionally starved and feel no one really sees them or cares for them. There is great lack of emotional nourishment and shouldn’t the family be the place we would receive that rich gift? I love that we ate meals together when I was growing up, and then with our own family it was important that we sat and ate together and shared our day. I suspect many feel that no one cares about their day or what is happening as there are never any questions asked. Some kids don’t complete their schoolwork and act out, as they cry for attention and want to know that they are noticed.
Compassion is something that can be developed through work and effort. Children can learn it early in life from their parents. If you are on Facebook, you see parents walking with their child and go right by someone in need and show no concern at all. Then other scenarios show a parent stopping and helping someone so the child is being trained to see the hurts of others and to respond with compassion. Sometimes it is just a matter of attentively listening to someone else and they can pick up our caring and feel warmth of Jesus’ love. Let us be sensitive to others and show compassion!
Challenge for today: Thank someone in your life who has shown you compassion and ask the Lord to help you learn to be more compassionate, especially those closest to you.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy
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