Captain's Blog

Punishment, disaster, sin any link?

General — Posted by Alanne @ 10/28/06,11:51
One question that I know many people have asked is "Why do bad things happen to good people?". I'd like to rephrase it to get a more accurate answer.

How many bad things would happen if we didn't sin? But is that a fair question? Well yes and no. First of all obviously we are all sinners the Bible tells us that. Isaiah 53:6. But for the sake of arguement how many"bad things" are tied to sin? The Bible says that the wages of sin is death. Romans 3:23. Is physical death the only consequence of sin? Some people don't even see death as a consequence for sin.

Suffering and sickness can be a result of sin. Suffering can also remind us of God's goodness. What? Those don't sound like they can go together. Well it's complicated. But think back to a tough time in your life. You really wanted something to happen a certain way and it didn't or you didn't want something to happen and it did. At the time you can't see past the situation you are in. You can't think past how you felt at that time. I couldn't several times. I can say for sure one of those times, I'm glad things didn't work out the way I wanted. My life would have been very different. The other thing I'm still working through. I don't see how it would have been so bad but I need to remember He knows best. He's God I'm not!

God as we wrestle with the questions we have please help us keep in mind that you are the focus not the question or the answer.

Big blessings as you seek Him and He will walk with you whether He lets you in on the answers or not. You are not alone.

If you have a chance check out the family room website. http://www.covlife.org/familyroom/

A great resource for families. I love their title at the top!

Alanne.


Give me a love for dishes!

General — Posted by Alanne @ 10/23/06,08:50

So learning life lessons is hard. School/work learning I enjoy cause I can apply it and get instant results, instant gratification ,a pat on the back.


House work doesn't get me a promotion or a pat on the back most days. It's just there constantly. It has to be done and it has to be done in a way that my husband is happy with it. I could care less about dishes. I want to be out, away from home.

Lord give me a love for housework. Give me a personal desire to make it happen. God you want to see marriages succeed and I don't want to have a bitter heart about doing housework so please help.

Being honest. Been there?

Alanne.


People First

General — Posted by Alanne @ 10/18/06,21:22

So there's this cool band that I am really into right now. It's called Need to Breathe and like my "sista" said it's probably just what I needed right now. The music and to keep breathing. (And drink more water!)


What does that have to do with People first? Nothing just check out the band. People first not titles. When you meet someone or hear about someone our mind has expectations that it sets. Mainly cultural I'd say. Do they meet the North American standard, below average or exceed. PUT A STOP TO THAT. Work on it. It will take time. People first then titles. Something on my sisters blog might help.

Recently I was downtown when a filthy, smelly, somewhat intoxicated man asked me for loose change. I gave him the few coins in my pocket. Before we took ten steps, my wife wondered why we weren't buying him supper. So "Bear", Carla and I sat in McDonald's (his choice) eating Big Mac's and fries and I got to hear his story. I learned that he is a man. A man with emotions, needs, likes, and dislikes. A man with children who love him and long for him to clean up. A man who has never been able to get past the emotion of his father's death. A man.

Blessings as you be real, love and set boundaries. (a reminder to me too)

Alanne.


Tithe and Time

General — Posted by Alanne @ 10/18/06,13:35
I find it extremely interesting that Tithe and Time both start with T and both have I in it. Maybe that doesn't mean much but both need to be treated the same.

Both your Tithe and your Time need to have God considered first. How much does He want you to give? In what form? To where?

This week has been brutal! And I thought our mornings were tough in Nanaimo!

So God really wants me to learn not only Money Management but Time Management as well. When I get time mangament down it will include an eating schedule, exercise schedule, quiet time schedule all on top of everything else I have to do in a day.

When I had school and work in my life, life was a whole lot easier because someone else managed the majority of my day. Now that I am the manager with a very tight schedule it's tough.

Anyhow ladies,

As you think of it please pray for me. And have a look at your day and see that God is considered first.

Blessings,

Alanne.


Greetings from Edmonton!

General — Posted by Alanne @ 10/05/06,08:47

Good morning Ladies,

Sorry it has been a while. I've been bit busy and overwhelmed by the move.

Highlights so far.....


Driving here following Kevin through the mountains and seeing thick fog that was blue, pink, yellow and other colors as well. I've never seen anything like it.

After every construction site they have a sign that says "End Construction" It struck me funny.

Yesterday (the first day the boys attended school) The principal after making the announcments comes back on and says "Oh I forgot one very important announcement. Tomorrow is the start of the Edmonton Oilers Season and they would like the whole city to honor that by wearing Blue and Copper the colors of the Edmonton Oilers."

GO OILERS GO!

I miss my dear friends from Nanaimo. Bless you. I love you. Thanks for your prayers as there has been hard times as well as these great times. As a great friend told me, read the below from www.girltalk.blogs.com

Lots of love,

Alanne.

Unspeakable Peace

“In all your ways acknowledge him.” Proverbs 3:6

It’s a familiar verse. One we are often quick to quote and slow to apply. And yet, if obeyed, it can produce peace in your soul and mine during busy seasons. Charles Bridges’ provides fresh insight into this little verse. Consider his comments carefully:

"Take one step at a time, every step under Divine warrant and direction. Ever plan for yourself in simple dependence on God. It is nothing less than self-idolatry to conceive that we can carry on even the ordinary matters of the day without his counsel. He loves to be consulted...Consider no circumstances too clear to need his direction. In all thy ways, small as well as great; in all thy concerns, personal or relative, temporal or eternal, let him be supreme. Who of us has not found the unspeakable 'peace' of bringing to God matters too minute or individual to be entrusted to the most confidential ear?"

Proverbs 3:6 is our go-to verse when we’re faced with a big decision. We are often quick to acknowledge the Lord and seek His guidance in extraordinary situations. However, we assume we can “carry on…the ordinary matters of the day without his counsel.” God calls this self-idolatry and pride.
How often I live as if I don’t need God in order to clean my bathroom, or discipline the boys, or get dinner on the table—as if I am sufficient in and of my self to handle most things! My lack of dependence upon God is pronounced in these “ordinary matters.”

And yet, as Mr. Bridges points out, “God loves to be consulted…no circumstance [is] too clear to need his direction!” He wants us to bring to him all our little decisions, our minor frustrations, our small dilemmas. He doesn’t just tolerate our questions—God LOVES to be consulted! Hasn’t he commanded us to acknowledge Him in all our ways?

A season of busyness may tempt you to anxiety, but as Christians, we are truly meant to experience peace in our souls each and every day. This precious, “unspeakable peace,” comes when we bring to God all of the ordinary matters of our day. 

So what were you going to do next? Before you get up from your computer, pause, read this verse and quote again, and acknowledge Him. Unspeakable peace can be yours for the rest of the day.

Posted by Kristin Chesemore on October 04, 2006 at 01:07 PM in Living Purposefully |


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