Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Conversations


I read part of Deuteronomy this morning, I was struck by the emphasis it carried on how we should "talk".

And you must commit yourselves WHOLEHEARTEDLY to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.

I feel as though people's faith seems to be hard to talk about or even "hush-hush" to some.  Having a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus is some much more than going to church one day a week!  It's not something you check-off at the beginning of the week to make sure you're a christian.  We're supposed to talk about the guidance of the Holy Spirit AGAIN and AGAIN.  At home, on the road, in the morning, at night.... that covers A LOT of time during the day.

How much time do you take to talk these things? Sometimes I feel like I'm stuck in an environment where people consistently seem to talk about "other" people.  I believe there is a time and place for that, but there is a fine line between sharing and being nosy/gossiping.  Why do people feel the need to share about their neighbor, 2 houses down whose nephew got a ticket.  Or see a tv box in the garbage of the neighbor to your right and you just have to see if your neighbor on the left saw it. I'm not saying it's wrong to talk.  I do want to ask this question though: are you sharing with other people who TRULY CARE.  By that I mean, they will stand along side of you to pray prayers of thanksgiving or get on their knees and cry out to God for intervention and justice.I'm not going to point fingers or trying to stand above the crowd here.

I know I'm not perfect and I'm not going to pretend am I.  If I'm going to point a finger, it's going to be at myself.  I am however, trying to do the best I can at talking about the things Jesus desires for us. I'm trying to do it WHOLEHEARTEDLY and from the deepest places of my heart, I desire for others to do the same. of talking about somebody else, let talk about our own joys and struggles! Lets ask people about theirs and lets dive into The Word to encourage one another through it all!  I want to hear about YOU, not be a source for information about others. I'm continually learning that life is no cake walk.  I see death, heartbreak, addictions and injustice all around me.  BUT I know I serve a God who is bigger than any of these and his faithfulness will carry me and you through the valleys and the mountain tops.  I want people to know me for the honest, heart-felt, God centered conversations I've had with them.  Not the conversations I've had about other people with them.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

The Best Of 2013... so far!

Over New Year’s the whole Oordt clan piled into 2 trucks and drove out to the Black Hills.  We stayed in a beautiful cabin with a hot tub on the deck.  It was so nice to be in the  mountains surrounded by trees and snow.  We were able to spend some time snowmobiling – had a few incidents but nobody had any serious injuries.  What a blessing to spend time with family and play in the snow!!!  The morning we had to leave, we woke up to over a foot of fresh, light, fluffy snow, blanketing our surroundings.

Mid-January I hit the big 3-0!  I wasn’t "freaking out” about turning 30; but it is kinda weird thinking I’m in a new decade.  Time sure does fly!!!!  I felt incredibly blessed and loved by those both near and far.  My husband surprised me with the BEST CAMPING CHAIR EVER as a gift.  It’s sooooo comfy and cuddly! I love him so much and blessed by him EACH day. 
Last week, I flew to Vancouver to stand with a dear dear friend as she married the man of her dreams.  It was an incredibly beautiful wedding, with a STUNNING bride and probably the best wedding food I’ve ever had (besides my own that is:).  Their love for Jesus was so evident; it brought tears to my eyes as I watched them take communion as man and wife for the first time.  I was one of 8 gals standing next to April and Nathan – and I know each one of them were deeply touched by the depth of their love for Christ and each other. 
This past week has been a time of rekindling old relationships and starting new ones.  It was a privilege and a blessing to be surrounded by such incredible women.  Women who display grace, honour and BEAUTY to all those around them.  




    


I think 2013 has started off pretty well:)