Tag: joy

  • Waterfalls like streams of living water

    Poured out to enjoy and share

    Cascade Falls, Mission BC

    I really enjoy waterfalls. They can be tiny, like one I know on  Stoney Creek (perhaps 18 inches), or tall like Helmcken Falls (467 feet) near Clearwater. They might be narrow enough to step over or very broad, like Dawson Falls (over 150 feet).

    Most of them carve out basins underneath the drop. The constant falling water erodes everything underneath, down into the bedrock in many cases. It’s almost as if the waterfall wants to keep the water for itself. 

    Waterfalls fail in that task. Eventually, the power of the river pushed out through and beyond the basin. The water won’t be thwarted in its goal to move downstream.

    I’m reminded of God’s marvelous grace when I think of waterfalls. He pours rivers of mercy, healing, blessing, joy, peace, and spiritual gifts into the lives of those who believe on Him.

    Like the basin, we try and keep it all to ourselves. We want the blessings to stay in our lives, yet we hesitate to share them with others, so we build floodgates of “me” and “mine” to hold the blessings in. 

    It is as if we’re afraid that if we share the blessings and grace, somehow God’s supply of those marvelous gifts might run dry. We get prideful about the gifts we have been given and think more highly of ourselves than we ought.

    Ironically, when we open the floodgates and let the grace and mercy flow into the lives of those around us, we’re doubly blessed. God not only continues to pour into our lives, but we also see the blessings of others respond to His life-giving and sustaining gift.

    For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They shall spring up among the grass like willows by flowing streams. Isaiah 44:3-4 ESV

    Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. John 7:38 ESV

    Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. Revelation 22:1 ESV

    Until next time, may you open wide and let the streams of God’s grace and mercy flow through you to bring life to others who are thirsting.

    Kevin

    The greatest gift

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  • Facing Into the Wind

    Dealing with stress and worry

    Frost covered bison - source https://www.rawpixel.com/image/4038803/photo-image-animal-public-domain

    When we lived in the Edmonton area, we frequently visited Elk  Island National Park to observe the bison (buffalo) and other wildlife. It was always a treat. 

    Unlike horses and cattle, the bison often seemed to face into the storm, rather than away from it. Their thick, heavy coats and high metabolism allow them to face cold and storms extremely well. Many police forces had winter coats made of bison hide to keep out the winter.

    I’ve read places where people have romanticized the bison’s behavior as facing into the storm or walking towards it as the best way to get through it. I think that’s a pretty suspect interpretation, but it does make for good imagery.

    How do we react to the storms of life? Do we face up to them or do we try to hide away?

    Life comes with storms of many kinds. They can be like squalls, sudden, unexpected, and short. Or they can be like blizzards, you can often see them coming, they blot out everything, and seem to last forever.

    No matter the type of storm, they are seldom pleasant to endure. I was tempted to write “never pleasant”, but someone would have thought of an exception.

    Believers have a huge advantage over non-believers when the storms come. We’re anchored in Christ and He walks with us, no matter what comes.

    For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

    My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:27-28

    If you aren’t in the middle of a storm right now, rest assured, there is one coming because life is full of them, and God uses them. The storms discipline us, change us, and strengthen us. They teach us to follow His ways and rely on Him.

    When the storm hits, face into it. Trust Jesus, and He will walk you through. 

    Jesus has got whatever you are facing, and with Jesus, you’ve got it too.

    Kevin

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