PJ Mondays on a Thursday

PJ Mondays is marked on my calendar.  It is a short form meaning Prayer with Josie.  And for Josie, it means Prayer with Joy.

Josie has been my sister friend since we were 10.  That is a very very long time.  We met at Beausejour Elementary School in Grade 4.  I remember when we met.  She went to school with me until I believe Grade 8 when she then transitioned to MBCI.  It was then in Grade 11 that Josie and I lived together in "the White House" as (then) Mennonite Brethren College called it.  The White House was right next door to Redi-Mart (I think the Red Gym building is there now).  It was 1974-1975 and I am often humbled to think that our parents trusted us that much to live on our own at the age of 16. Two country kids!

Anyhow, I digressed.  I just wanted to say that Josie and I have been besties for a long long long time.  Through thick and thin.  Through weddings, birth of babies, deaths of my parents, moves (for them) from province to province, from country farming to city working.  And the most amazing thing is - for us we don't have to be in one another's space all the time, and aren't.  Life is just like that - and she has more kids than I do, so her life is fuller with family.

BUT the one thing we know is that - we will reach out to one another in good and bad.  And I know that in my friend, and she knows that in me - we will pray for one another.  We have one another's back and families in prayer.  I can't say enough about that part of our relationship.

Almost two years ago, the year that we celebrated 50 years of friendship, Josie and I finished off our 2 night Friend Getaway by sitting in a little park in Carman.  While the sun shone, and people worked around us - we sat there talking and then decided to finish our get away with a concentrated time of prayer.  We prayed for one another, and then for our spouses, and then our children, and our grandchildren.  I am not sure how long we prayed - but as the hour(s) passed, Jo and I stormed the throne room with our prayers.  It was amazing and beautiful.  Tears ran.

Last year, we did not go away for a friend getaway, but we spent the best part of a day in fall at Birds Hill Park.  We made a fire, brought breakfast, thermoses of coffee, lawn chairs.  We ate, laughed, talked and inhaled wood smoke lol .  The day looked to be a wet one, but it did not rain, and in fact I believe the sun shone once in a while.  While we were there, sitting by one another, we again stormed heaven on behalf of one another, our spouses, our kids and our grandkids.  We praised God first of all for the prayers that had been answered on behalf of our kids.  That was the beautiful part, and always is when we can look back and see the faithfulness of God!!  Prayer moves the hand of God I believe and brings us into deeper relationship with the Father.  SO. GOOD.

So after that time, and at the beginning of this year, we decided to pencil in PJ dates on our calendar - once a month.  We say pencil because we know that they travel to see their kids often ... and that depending on life, it may not always be the third Monday of every month that we have a "PJ" happen.  We just know that it will happen at the right time.  

PJ.  Prayer.  I believe firmly in the power of prayer.  Since my early 30's encounter with the Holy Spirit,I have prayed and prayed and prayed.  Prayed over everything. Okay, sorry, no, not everything.  I have not prayed for a parking stall close to store :(I have also had the privilege of being a part of a huge prayer line through our bestie Al Fast who is the hub of this line, sending out requests as they come.  Sometimes that can feel overwhelming, but yet amazing to know that people are there to pray for you.  I will say something here tho - I know that prayer lines can also just be righteous gossip lines and I encourage any of you, if you are part of a prayer line, or prayer team - PRAY.  If you get a request - stop immediately and pray.  Tell the person you prayed for them.  One of the worst things for me is if I have said I would pray and then I forgot, which is why in the past year, I have prayed immediately if at all possible, yes, even with a facebook comment.  BECAUSE our good prayer intentions can be just that ... and intention.  So I encourage you to pray right then and there for someone vs saying "praying" or "I will pray".

Prayer is a big part of my life.  Of the life of my family.  Prayer on behalf of others.  Prayer in person, or by email, or text or like this morning, we face-timed and prayed together.  I believe there are times when we should kneel, or lay prostrate before Him. But I also believe we can pray anywhere, any time, and in any way.  We can sing our prayers, write our prayers in our journal (whole other blog post) ... we can lay hands on people.  We can weep through our prayers and we can also literally cry out to the LORD.  Our eyes can be open or closed!  I think the prayer rules that perhaps some of us grew up with, were just things we thought was good because of reverence to the MAKER ... and I am not saying they aren't good (kneeling by bed before bedtime for instance, or folding hands and bowing heads) ... But what I am saying is I believe God doesn't really care how we come before him, just that we COME.  Like a child comes to their parent, crawls up on our knee, lays their head against our heart, and just talks.  Just like that!  That is how I believe my God wants me to come!!

This morning we came before Him.  Josie and I.  First one and then the other.  In prayer for each other and our walk of faith.  In prayer for our families.  In prayer for our grandchildren.  We prayed.

Coffee cup on one side.  iPhone in our hands.  Hearts and Heads and our voices tuned into Heavens throneroom,   Prayer raising up - transcending time, and space.  From our lips to the heart of the Father.

PJ Mondays happened today on a Thursday.  And it was good.  So good.

Who have you prayed with lately?  Who have you prayed FOR lately?

During this time of world crisis with the COVID-19, we can still pray for one another.

If you are someone who would love prayer - I would love to pray with and for you.

Email me at joyandalvin@gmail.com and we will decide how that happens.  And in the meantime keep brining your voice to the LORD, and know that those things that are too hard to speak of - the WORD says that the Holy Spirit speaks on your behalf.

I am also leaving you with a song from Rosemary which has blessed Alvin and I since we heard it at her concert last December.  PATH OF PRAYER ... please listen - and even subscribe to her channel on Youtube.  You won't be disappointed as her songs will calm your heart.  

Praying together,

with love,

 J

Chickadees, Life Reminders and Singing

They sing. It's early morning, sun is getting up still and I can hear the song of the chickadee. It is unmistakeable and beautiful .


During the day I see them, and many other birds including my Blue Jays (which hold a special significance for me) as they come to the feeders. Yes, I should figure out a different plan, as the squirrels also love the feed that falls though the deck below and sometimes ends up in the vents in our cars! However, I am not really willing to put their feeders anywhere else. Why? Because I love watching them from our front window.


The Blue Jays, the chickadees, the nuthatches, the woodpeckers including the odd appearance of the big Pilated Woodpecker. And oh, even the crows come when they can to take peanuts away from the Jays.


Regardless of the weather - they come. Even when the seeds are down to a minimum, they come.

And they are teaching this gal about life.


What are my lessons today:

- In the midst of the unknown they sing. EVEN IN THE MIDST OF A PREDATOR DANGER

- they do not worry about whether my feeder is full or not, they just go to where they hope there is food, or has been food before

- they trust that what is in the bowl is for their own good

- the internet says they know where the food source is (which is why it is a good thing IF you are feeding birds, to continue to feed them and not just quit)

- they sing and call for many reasons. Did you know that for instance, the cute little black capped chickadees .... have 16 calls!! 8 of them are regular and they believe that their language is complex like the human language!! This to me was unbelievable and so fascinating!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reKoV7pD9CA


The other day, the song HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW was on my heart. An old one, but such a good one. One that I grew up with, and hope that it never evades my memory!

I searched wikipedia and found this re: His Eye is on the Sparrow: "The theme of the song is inspired by the words of David in the Psalms and Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew in the Bible: "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye (Psalm 32:8). "Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" (Matthew 6:26) and "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows" (Matthew 10:29–31).

Civilla Martin, who wrote the lyrics, said of her inspiration to write the song based on the scriptures:

Early in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York. We contracted a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle—true saints of God. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nigh twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheel chair. Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle's reply was simple: "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me. The hymn "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" was the outcome of that experience.


My mom was much like Mrs. Doolittle. Whenever in the hospital, my mom was known by the nurses and doctors as such as the "sweet little lady in Room number ..."      Like Mrs. Doolittle, she was always thankful. I remember the time that she even thanked the nurse who had poked and prodded her for a long time, trying to get the vein to give a sample of blood. My mom lived her life - she was "Jesus with skin on" to those around her. She was sweet and thankful at all times right up until she quit talking and lapsed into her unconsciousness a few days before her heaven going. I know my mom loved watching the birds too ... her bird book was one of the things I wanted when she passed away.

I think that God made the birds to teach us about life. I believe HIS eye is on the sparrow, and the chickadee and the Blue Jay ...  I believe his eye is also on me! 

Me and my anxious heart. Me and my million thoughts that crowd my sleep. Me and the tears that sometimes roll down my cheeks for seemingly no reason.  Me - this 61 year old wife, mom, Granny, sister, aunt, friend ... ME.  

I believe his eye is on the birds of the air such as the lowly Sparrow or the cheery little Chickadee, or the brave Blue Jay -  but that his heart is even more for us - his creation that He put a soul in. It is this soul within me that sees the birds, and is reminded of, and understands HIS love and care towards me. It is the soul within me that knows HE is with me through each day, no matter what. Even though these anxious days of the "Virus" ...  It is the soul within me that looks for His fingerprints all over my day, and also recognizes the tangible presence of the Holy Spirit within.

 If I was the chickadee I would be singing!! Hey ... who needs to be a bird!! He has made me - and  I have a voice to praise Him.  I can sing!  So, the song that was on my heart the other day - I have it here below, by one of my favorite artists - Join Me in praise!!

 

I sing because I'm Happy, I sing because I'm Free

His Eye is on the Sparrow ~ and I know He Watches Me 

love

  J

"

It would be so easy to be anxious ...

Steady my heart
Breathe in, breathe out.
God ... it would be so easy to be anxious ...
Help me to feel YOUR presence in the midst of this.


It seems that this is what I continually need to do - to breathe and let Holy Spirit speak in deeply to the depths of my being.
And he does - no doubt - He really does.

There are things that are happening these days that could cause us to stop dead in our tracks,
and want to run for the hills, with our families all intact with us.
Things that cause us to second guess who we see and how much.
Things that cause us to wonder, did I wash my hands long enough?  How long does it take to sing the ABCD song ..

It feels crazy and sometimes I want to shout STOP IT!!
Like that would make any difference except to give me voice for the angst that can easily build up
Angst like how much worse will it really get?
What if it .......  (you can fill in your blank)

And in the midst of it all, His voice speaks:  Peace!  Be Still.

Peace.
Be
Still


PEACE
BE STILL

And it takes me back to Scripture that I read just a little while ago during my daily reading - in the book of Mark.  Many of you have heard this story of Jesus Calming the Storm.

Mark 4:35-41 New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus Calms the Storm

35 As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” 36 So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). 37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.

38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”

39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. 40 Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

41 The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”

When I think of it, I (we) are like those disciples in the boat.  Now, I don't like the lake per se (almost drowned when I was 12) BUT in my early years, from the age of birth to 10 years old, I crossed our LAKE WINNIPEG many many times.  USUALLY my dad was the driver of the barge that I was riding on.  I had faith in my dad, totally trusted him when he was driving that or the motor boat.  Thing was tho, our Lake Winnipeg can whip up into a nasty storm and believe me, you do NOT want to be on the Lake during that time ... or if you are, you were likely praying that you would get to shore safely.  

If you have had this experience, you know the feeling in the pit of your stomach - of the waves taking your boat up and down - and the water splashing into the boat and onto the people with every wave.  Let alone the fear of not being able to see the shore, or the worry about even getting there.  Then the worries about - what if I end up in the water?   Lake or Sea experiences can be very frightening, and we see that fear expressed in the disciples!  

Thing is, they had yet to find out who Jesus REALLY WAS... which is expressed in their question to Jesus "Teacher don't you care that we are going to drown?"  

Maybe they were tempted to shout "Jesus - wake up - how can you sleep during this?  Get up and help us - do something!"  They did not say that, but really, I think those thoughts were likely on the tip of their tongue.

And Jesus ... He got up.  He rebuked the waves and wind!  And it was still.  

Just like that.  Peaceful.  Calm.  Still

It is an interesting story, placed in between his parable teaching, and then right before Jesus delivered a demon possessed man.  I think it makes so much sense.  

And this is what I am thinking -  (don't shoot me if you don't agree, remember these are MY thoughts on this, and my blog :)

I believe that the enemy/devil knew about the demon possessed man.  He knew that when Jesus and his disciples reached the other side of the lake, the man who had lived in the tombs because of his demonic possession would greet Jesus.  Which he did.  He ran and fell on his knees before Jesus.  The demons within him spoke, addressing Jesus.  The demons name was Legion because he said, "for we are many" and then begged Jesus to send them from the man, into the heard of pigs.  Yes - demons know who Jesus is.  Remember how the devil became the devil?  Demons shudder at the sound of Jesus name.

I believe that the devil knew what Jesus was going to encounter and he didn't like that.  And I think he was likely quite pleased that there was fear in the boat!!  (until Jesus spoke)

The longer it took to cross the Lake the better it was ... I believe the devil knew that he could use those waves to shake the disciples belief, and have fear set in ...

The longer it took for Jesus to meet the demon possessed man ... the better (I think maybe that is what satan thought) as remember the devil likes to kill steal and destroy - but Jesus delivered this man and gave him LIFE TO THE FULL!!

I believe that God is fully in control, and He allows NOTHING to happen without his knowing.  But look at Job, we know that hard things - tragedies do happen.  We may not, NO - clarify - WE DO NOT usually understand why bad things happen ... but God still remains sovereign.   I do not understand why God gives satan permission to shake Job to his core, or to sift Peter like wheat ... and lets be honest, I know I am not the only one that has shouted out WHY GOD WHY... WHY DID YOU .... (again you can fill in the blanks)

I will also say, I think as with any of us who are parents and we have heard the ranting and ravings and tears of our children ... I believe our Father is okay with our stuff too!  We do not have to feel bad, or "sinful" for expressing our heart to our Father God.  

SO ... in the midst of the storm (which I am sure the devil loved to see those waves scaring the life out of the men in the boat) ... Jesus spoke and Peace came!    In the midst of the worst ever life for the demon possessed man in the tombs - Jesus spoke and delivered him and filled him with Peace and gave him LIFE to the full.  

My thoughts are that this Scripture is for me - for you - for us today.    I am not normally an anxious person.  My anxiety started back when I was pastoring after losing my grandson Jay.  I had not know anxiety up to that point.  It felt overwhelming and like I needed to run.  Lately, my anxiety has been big again (starting last summer). While I know have the tools to know why it happens and how to work with it, it still feels like I am being smothered.  I hate it.  Lately I have experienced a bit more, along with a sadness of what is happening.  Thing is, in regards to then latest thing flooding our lives ... we need to listen and pay attention to what our government is encouraging us to do in the midst of COVID-19.  

Is God in the midst of this - I believe He is.  Could he just snap his fingers and kill the virus, I believe He could.  Why doesn't He?  Well, that is a big question that I am not going to tackle here - but what I do want to say is this - I believe in the midst of this "storm" I am hearing HIS voice - Peace!  Be Still.    I believe that the BE STILL part is for me - for my soul, for my anxious heart, Peace.  Be Still.    I believe that God knows this and also knows the end of it, and that somehow the journey through this section of life is going to bring about things that we could never imagine - for our good, and for the good of others, and for HIS good.  

I also however believe that the enemy satan still is the one that wants to kill, steal and destroy and wants us to be fearful in this time.  I believe he loves to see us doubting the goodness of God, or even if He is Sovereign.  I believe that the enemy wants to see us living lives that are fearful, and despair filled, and anxiety laden and whatever else you are feeling, but friends, let's not let satan rob us!  Lets press into Jesus.  Pray!  Sing!  Worship!  Read His Word.  Sit in His presence.  Listen for his voice!

Remember that Jesus warned his disciples and us ... about the thief ... but Jesus said, HE HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD.  Jesus said that in this life we would have trials - but He has come to bring life to the full.    So, in the midst of all of this ... when it would be so easy to be anxious - breathe in - breathe out - and experience all that Jesus has for you - in the midst of these times!  

Those are my thoughts for today,

Trusting my LORD for peace during the midst of this storm!

With love,

J