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.

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December 20, 2024

December 20, 2024 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you wake to behold the beautiful winter wonderland. Lots of snow yesterday and we stayed inside but today we need to go to Costco to get the cake for our Birthday party this afternoon. Emoji
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Have you had times you felt down and wanting to give up, or is there someone in your life that is burdened and ready to call it quits? Where do we go for help?  King David had times like that and when I was reading Psalm 145 David specifically mentions in verse 14 those who are falling or bowed down and feel ready to quit. He is saying that the Lord will uphold them and raise them up and give them a fresh start. Doesn’t that sound wonderful?
We can count on the Lord to help us when we feel like we are falling, and David experienced this in his own life many times. He starts the Psalm with praise to the Lord and says he can bless Him always because He is worthy, He is great, He is full of goodness and righteousness, patient, merciful, compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, faithful, gracious, kind, generous etc.  Rather than focus on the what ifs of our problems, things we wish would have gone differently, we have a choice. We can fix our eyes on the Lord and tell Him exactly how we are struggling and remember He hears us and as it says in verses 18-19, “The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desire of all who fear Him; He also hears their cry and saves them.” The Lord is true to His promises and will support us when we fall, strengthen us when we are bent over and fill each need that we have.

As we seek the Lord and give Him praise, it takes our mind off of ourselves and focuses us on the One who able to truly help us. David says, “Every day I will bless you, and praise your name forever and ever.” (verse 2) That doesn’t mean just blessing the Lord when I feel good, and things are going great but at those times we feel burdened. As we spend time with Him and reading His Word, we will also rise above our negative emotions, and experience God’s love and support and get a fresh start.

Challenge for today: Spend some moments just praising the Lord and share your heart with Him.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

December 19, 2024

December 19, 2024 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Today we are supposed to get lots of snow and last night cancelations began coming out, so Al won’t be going to the men’s group this morning and my two appointments were also cancelled. We are still able to have Bible Study since we don’t have to go out but simply downstairs. Emoji
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Today our society might be described as disconnected for so many people are lonely and isolated and feel lost. The suicide rate is up, especially for men, and the counselor’s offices are filled with those who are suffering. Some have called this lack of connection a “loneliness epidemic” and many feel stuck and withering. It results in depression, anxiety, and stress.  It can happen gradually, and we lose our self-confidence and connection to life.

Some try to tough it out alone but soon feel very isolated. God has designed us to connect, to love and help one another and to be His Body joined with others. When someone is wounded, we can reach out and connect and show compassion and befriend them. We ourselves also need to let others in and not try to be the tough one, but open to them coming along side of us. It says in Gal. 6:2, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

We all go through suffering and God uses it to not only come along side of us but for us to know how to comfort others. When I began writing this, I noticed my phone dinged with a message and it’s from someone I dearly love who is calling from work so I knew it must be a need. I paused and read the message and began to pray, responded to the need, looked for a couple scriptures and also committed to pray throughout the day. So good the person wasn’t hindered from sharing but asked for help, and that’s what all of us can do rather than suffer alone.  I am so blessed by others who have come along side me with hugs, and e-mails and scriptures and prayers, and what a difference it makes. Suffering is inevitable for all of us, but when it is shared first with the Lord and then with others, we grow in our faith walk and are in a spiritual network.

Challenge for today: Don’t hide from your pain but bring it to the Lord and share with others when prompted.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

December 18, 2024

December 18, 2024 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope your day is full of wonder and peace. Today we are going to the lake and stopping at Assisted Living on the way to visit our friend Susan. I want to pray for her also, as she is going to have a biopsy this afternoon to see if she has cancer. Afterwards we are going to Ann’s to celebrate Joe’s birthday and may have some hot games of scrabble too. When we get home we are having Paul and a friend for supper and delivering a carload of things ordered to him online.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
As Christmas approaches, we are busy buying and wrapping gifts, some that may not even last through the holiday or may never be used. I’m sure we have all gotten gifts that were the wrong size, not our taste, maybe even damaged and we lay them aside as rather useless. But we have a Gift Giver that outshines all others, for Jesus not only gave us life when we were born but offers us eternal life when we receive His gift of salvation.

But maybe we should ask ourselves if we appreciate all the many wonderful gifts we receive each day from the Lord but don’t’ really notice but pass them by without much thought. That is like only living life on the surface and missing out on His treasures for us!  We have so many Psalms that are full of words of praise for the gifts given us and sometimes the response is dancing, singing, playing an instrument, and even shouting and clapping. (Psalm 47:1)

But I am being challenged by Esther De Waal who wrote Lost in Wonder, and she exhorts us to be attentive and look around us with eyes wide open with astonishment by God’s gifts. We are to look beyond the surface and experience all of life as a gift, much like children. They seem to get excited over what they see in nature, something as simple as a flower or a leaf. We too, need to look beyond and see with the eyes of our hearts, and see the beauty of God’s handiwork and all the wonders He displays for us to take in. It is more than looking and is rather seeing beyond.

I will close with the words from Michael Mayne who wrote, “I guess that, in the end, the giving of proper attention to what lies all about us and within us, and to whoever or whatever is before our eyes, is much more than the beginning of wonder. For it’s also a pretty good definition of love. And therefore, it is also the surest, swiftest way to God, who is both our journey and our journey’s end.”

Challenge for today: Sit quietly really take in what you are seeing and express gratitude to the Lord for His amazing gifts.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

December 17, 2024

December 17, 2024 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope your day is full of wonder! We watched the Vikings last night as they had a good win. EmojiEmojiThis morning I have Women’s Bible study and then we are invited to friends this afternoon for coffee and fellowship. Prayers have been requested for the father of one of Kurt’s former co-workers who is Bill Babjak and having open heart surgery on Dec. 26th. Please keep him in your prayers.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Life is full of mystery and there will always be more to discover. But let us also accept that there are things in life that will remain a mystery, and we will never fully know, so let us give up the need to have an answer to everything. More importantly, is the need to see with the eyes of our hearts. Let us find beauty in the things God has made for us to enjoy and let our imagination and sense of wonder see Him in everything.

How do we handle mysteries? Philip Toynbee wrote in his journal as he saw the connection between seeing and loving, he hoped he might become increasingly aware of “the presence of those holy mysteries which surround us all… mysteries (that) are not problems to be solved but realities to be contemplated.” As we look about us, do we sense God speaking and want to strip off whatever may cloud our eyes from seeing Him. There are deep things that are beyond understanding and words and explanations. For the Lord is present in all that He has made and does. Ben Okri said it simply, ”I think we need more of the wordless in our lives. We need more stillness, more of a sense of wonder, a feeling for the mystery of life.”

For all of us in our busy lives, we need also to have times to gear down and to be quiet and to sit in silence if we are to understand things that are beyond words and explanations. It takes humility and openness of heart to take time to wonder and see the Lord in ways that have been hidden to us before. Like the 2 blind men, let us pray, “Lord let our eyes be opened.” Matt. 20:33

Challenge for today: Sit in a quiet place, preferably in nature, and just be with the Lord without words or wanting anything but being together.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

“Toxic Femininity”

December 16, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Mark Hemingway wrote a insightful article in the Federalist entitled, “We need to have a national conversation about ‘Toxic Femininity.'” While the author agrees that male violence and misogyny need to be addressed, the rise of internet culture has given rise to “toxic” masculinity.  By “successfully branding men as toxic,” Hemingway point out,  “no one hesitates anymore before disparaging men, whereas huge swaths of Americans are loathe to criticize feminism or make generalizations about women. Even when we can say that feminism has become, very literally toxic.”  

Hemingway maintains that many women don’t fully understand that everything is not about them.  “I don’t doubt,” he notes, “that years of reflective belittling of men affected the way they voted in this election.”  He goes on to say, “Men between ages 18-29 shifted a staggering 30 points to the right (and, worth noting women in the same age cohort also swung right, albeit less dramatically).” But he does not think “men voted for Trump to intentionally to spite women, or that they were susceptible to political programming.”

He points out that it is the women who have been radicalized.  The “discourse” has for a long time been  focused on men being inherently bad.  Many women have forgotten that, “men have their own needs and aspirations that don’t resolve around accepting a lowly place in an intersectional hierarchy.”  

Hemingway then makes a statement, which I can embrace.  “The problem is that healthy masculinity is best realized not by erasing the distinctions between men and women or catering to one over the other, but by embracing the complementarity of the two sexes.  Whether they resent this being mansplaining or not, women have a responsibility to be the nurturing and moderating influence on men the same way men have a responsibility to channel their aggressive tendencies to provide for and defend women.”  

He concludes by saying, “I don’t have any ideas about how to go about helping these women find peace, but the conversation we need to have can’t begin and end with threatening men, ceding to radically left-wing political demands……For now, the first step is to admit you have a problem, and toxic femininity is a real thing we’re going to have to confront and deal with before it drags the whole country over the edge.”

Again, I am politically neutral, but I do believe that this past election cycle indicated a widening gap between man and female attitudes about the sexuality, especially the younger population.  I desire the courage to address the damaging effects of “toxic femininity,” while keeping a focus on the failure of men in our culture.  I want to speak up for men, while admitting the toxicity of both men and women.   Here is what it means for me.

First, live informed by a  Christian worldview.   I have assurance in being created in the image of God as a man.  God declared, “Then God created man, he made him in the likeness of God.  He created them male and female and blessed them.” (Gen 5:1-2).   This is God’s design for human relationships. 

Secondly, my affirmation as a man, comes from my heavenly Father,  As I receive assurance of my masculinity, I can walk in integrity and not apologize for being a man,  be simplify myself, secure in my masculinity.   This has been a lifelong journey, often very painful and confusing.   

Thirdly, I will humbly walk out the implication of being a man, while acknowledging the harm done to women. Because of sin, both male and female can be “toxic.”

Fourthly, I will celebrate the need of the feminine in my journey to wholeness as a man. Thank God for my wife of 59 years. 

 

December 16, 2024

December 16, 2024 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you had a great weekend and are finding joy as you prepare for Christmas. I plan to bake and go to Aldi’s and my exercise class this morning. Devotions from Judy’s heart
Lately I have been reminded of how important our thoughts are and can make the difference in how we view our day. Our mood can go quickly south if we begin letting our mind dwell on something negative and soon our conversation gets negative, and we lose our joy.  How sad as we will miss all the good things the Lord has for us in our day. The choice is ours of what we fill our minds with from the time we wake up until we go to bed.

I read a Psalm the first thing one morning that made me picture someone who wanted to think rightly and he said, “I will sing to the Lord throughout my life. I will make music to praise my God as long as I live. May my thoughts be pleasing to Him. I will find joy in the Lord.” (Psalm 104:33-34) That Psalmist also starts the Psalm with, “Praise the Lord, O my soul!” and ends with the same words, as he declaring praise to the One who is worthy of all praise.

If God is in charge of our lives, then we can know that if something happens that is not as we would choose, yet He has a purpose for it. We don’t need to get down and complain and splash our negativity on others but like the Psalmist look around at the greatness and beauty of all God has created and is doing and give Him praise.  I also read from Psalm 97 and in verse 11 it says, “Light-seeds are planted in the souls of God’s people, Joy-seeds are planted in good heart-soil.” I like that imagery for His light will shine in the places that seem dark to us and joy seeds will erupt in our souls.

Let us fill our thoughts with praise to the Lord and cast aside all negative thoughts for we have a big God who reigns over all things.

Challenge for today: Begin your day with praise and purpose to find joy in Him no matter what happens.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

December 14, 2024

December 14, 2024 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope you wake with eyes open for the Lord. We had a fun and festive Christmas dinner party last night with caroling, game etc. Today I plan to clean and work in the kitchen etc.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
When I was reading from Psalm 105, I loved what the Psalmist had to say, “Live a happy life! Keep your eyes open for God, watch for His works; be alert for signs of His presence. Remember the world of wonders He has made, His miracles, and the verdicts He’s rendered.”  I thought of how wonderfully important it is to find the Lord in our lives each day and to be aware of His presence and just enjoy Him. It’s not always that we have to do more, in fact, often we may be told to let go of some less important things to give more margin to our lives and time for Him.

We may do spiritual practices to help us be mindful of the Lord and some may involve other people and some we do alone but there should be balance in our lives. I am more introverted so like time to be alone to read and write and pray. Others may want more time spent with others and into activities and action. One friend likes to light a candle when having her quiet time as she is more sensate and another, likes to go for walks in nature. Maybe you are one who is loving the Lord through music or liturgical dance. So many ways to grow and discover the Lord in new ways. We always need to be open to new seasons as the Lord may be steering us in a different direction and has a new plan for our life that we don’t want to miss. Things may seem to get worse at first, but we need to stay with it, until the Lord brings us out into the light of what He has planned for us.

Community is good for us as those who are ahead on the journey can light the way for us, by their example, their persistence; and by their humility we learn to be patient, to wait for the Lord’s timing and to find joy in the present moment. To love Jesus and become like Him should be the main point of each day. We can do it right where we are at right now.  Let us say yes as the Holy Spirit points everything back to Him.

Challenge for today: Keep your eyes and heart open to new ways the Lord is at work in your life.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

December 13, 2024

December 13, 2024 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Happy weekend to you! We have cold weather with -8 last night and today our high is 12! I plan to bake today and tonight we are having a Christmas dinner party here with fun gifts for everyone.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Today is not a usual devotional but more like a thank you to all of you for your prayers. I want you to know prayers can be experienced in a deep way and I felt carried by prayers as I had my EMG and NCS tests on Tuesday. I slept like a baby the night before and had a sense of calm and peace all the way through it. (even when we went to the wrong place, we had enough time to get to the right one) We were warned of all the possible complications and the Neurologist also said she’s had patients get up and run out in the middle of it but still there was peace. I don’t have a fear of needles, so had only minimal pain with all the many pricks. electrical currents and stimulation. I told the Dr. that I had many praying for me, and we visited as she did the testing.
But when I got the test results back, I was surprised as it wasn’t what I expected. What a lesson to me that we be always open and ready for the new things the Lord may be trying to get through to us. We must not come to conclusions before we see the whole picture. In my case it is the nerves in my back being compressed by the spinal cord that is giving me the pain. The problem is really “upstream”!  It is a reminder to keep open and not settle before the big picture is given to us.  Maybe we have a problem and need healing, and we get ministry and think it is all solved, but the Lord wants to us to go so much deeper, so we get to the root of things. My feet symptoms of numbness, burning, and pain told me something was wrong, but it was not the root cause or source of them. I will need x-rays and some manipulation etc. to relieve the compression where the nerves join the spinal cord etc. I will have to have more treatments in the days to come just like with some of our problems, that don’t just heal overnight but is an ongoing process for some time. Of course, we would all prefer a quick healing, but our part is to surrender to Him and He will do it His way. “Therefore, do not be foolish but understand what the Lord’s will is.” (Eph. 5:7)
Challenge for today: Don’t be quick to get answers but pray and wait on the Lord.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

December 12, 2024

December 12, 2024 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
I am sorry that you got a devotion early this morning that I sent out last week. I usually don’t send out the devotion I write on that very day, but one I write ahead of time and put in my draft. Unfortunately, I put one of the devotions in with two numbers two which resulted in a repeat this morning.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
How many of us live to get through another day but find ourselves lacking in purpose. I have been reading of King Solomon who had everything his heart could desire and did anything his heart desired but it was not enough. He said in Eccl. 2:18, “And I hated everything I’d accomplished and accumulated on this earth. I can’t take it with me-no, I have to leave it to whoever comes after me.” He says they may be worthless and have never lifted a finger and yet they take over the earthly results of his hard work. What a bummer!

It is important for all of us to live with purpose each day.  I keep telling Al I want to finish strong! I don’t want to just exist, but I want to make a difference for His kingdom. Hopefully that is in all of our hearts and we need to ask the Lord what His purpose is for us. After all, He has given each of us the gifts to accomplish what He planned for our us to do with our lives. So why not ask the One who created us?  Al and I taught on spiritual gifts in each church where we have been, and it was so exciting when people discovered their gifts. They began to know why they reacted a certain way, and not necessarily like someone else. They got joy out of using their gifts and discovered their unique motivations. Of course, it is not enough to just know your gifts but to use them for His glory. As we do this, we will feel useful for His kingdom and have purpose in our lives that results in joy and sense of fulfillment.

Each day we make a choice if we are going to fulfill the desires of our flesh and go our own way or if we are going to go God’s way and accomplish God’s purpose in our lives. Let us live with His purpose in mind.

Challenge for today: Ask God to reveal how He has gifted you and be purposeful in how you live the day for Him.

December 12, 2024

December 12, 2024 / / 0 Comments
Dear Ones,
Hope your day is filled with good news! Burrr it has turned cold and was -11 last night. Today is Donut Day here and I go for a treatment before Bible Study. Tomorrow is a fun party night here! Emoji
Devotions from Judy’s heart
When we get good news, we most likely like to share it right away with those closest to us. It’s hard to keep it inside and we share that we are now a grandparent, or we got engaged, maybe that our overseas children are coming home for Christmas, or our cancer is in remission, etc. When I find an unbelievable sale, I like to tell my friends so they can get in on it too! Good news is just waiting to be shared and of course the best news is Jesus came, He died, He rose again, and He will one day come back for us to spend eternity with Him and all who believe. Now that news trumps anything and Christmas is a time when we can share the real meaning of Christmas with others who may not realize why we celebrate.

I was reading today from John’s gospel, and John was closest to Jesus when He was on earth. He called himself, “the one whom Jesus loved.” ((John 13:23) We can all add that for ourselves also, for He loved us enough to die for us! It’s one thing to know that in our minds but does our heart really grab hold of that? If we receive His love, then we will want to naturally share Him with others, but we have to know His love first in our own hearts. We can’t give away something we have not received ourselves.

 Andrew was one of the first disciples who heard John the Baptist tell who Jesus was and you know what he did? It says in John 1:41, “Andrew at once founds his brother Simon and told him, ‘We have found the Messiah (which means ‘Christ’). Andrew brought him to Jesus.” The next day Jesus found Philip who then found Nathanael and of course the list goes on and on. When we find Jesus, we want to share Him with all who will listen. Let us not keep the good news to ourselves but as the song goes, “Go tell it on the mountains, over the hills and everywhere! Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ was born!”

Challenge for today: Ask the Lord to make openings for you to share Him with others. (Don’t forget those closest to you!)
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy
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