Cleaning Out the Cobwebs

There are many things I’ve been meaning to do and haven’t, such as organizing my desk and cleaning out my bedroom closet, and this week has given me time and drive to do just that. Sometimes the way out of a slump is to get into those corners and dark places in the home and get cleaning.

I begin by taking everything out and then decide what goes (to the garbage or thrift store) and what stays.

When Jesus saved me, many years ago, He reached into the darkest corners of my being, shone His light on them, and cleaned me thoroughly. Yet over time I have collected a lot of junk that doesn’t get used or isn’t needed...both in my spirit and in my house.  Speaking in Biblical terms we collect dirt on our feet as we walk along the path and our feet need continual cleaning so we don’t get dirty diseased feet that cannot carry us on down the road of life. This also goes for the home. I do my usual every day and weekly cleaning, tidying up the kitchen and bathrooms, doing laundry, etc, but I have my clutter areas that collect stuff that “I will get to later when I have time”...but that time keeps escaping me, as other more urgent or demanding situations keep diverting my attention in other directions.

In my spirit I have collected memories that are good and beneficial, but also have stored away things that were hurtful and unhealthy, things that I have kept in the deeper recesses, the closets of my being. Just like the closet in my home, these areas deep in my being need cleaning out as well.

Today as I clean my bedroom closet I will be praying that Jesus will clean these deeper areas in my life where I have been storing things that once again require His light to shine brightly illuminating what needs sorting out and throwing out. Let the clutter not hinder my walk, but may I truly serve the Lord by serving others with clean hands and feet and a clean heart that is filled with His perfect light.

Proverbs 4:14-19 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.

For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.

But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

Will it be a long, cold winter?

Winters here in Ontario Canada can be bitter cold, but the last three winters here in Southern Ontario have been relatively mild, thankfully 😊. But last week we had a snowstorm that we don’t usually begin having until about the beginning of January, and although the snow is melting today, this time of year we usually only have flurries and light dusting that disappear the same day it touches down.

This photo was taken last Friday, snowed last Tuesday and Wednesday 

So...perhaps we are in for a long and very cold winter. 

I barely got my tulip and daffodil bulbs into the ground the week before that storm hit. I can hardly wait until spring!!! For several reasons, lol. I hope and pray you will enjoy a wonderful winter wherever you are, and remember that even when we endure difficult times, the joy when we see our Creator and Redeemer will be all the greater. I am still having technical issues with blogger. I may have to begin anew with a new profile. If and when that is the case I shall provide links. Sometimes you just need to start over I guess...

These are what the bulbs are supposed to be like when they bloom...the black tulips will have a slight tinge of purple to them. 

Treasures from “Trash”

Lately I’ve been watching videos on YouTube of people getting junk from thrift stores and yard sales. They see the beauty in that junk which they transform into beautiful houseware items or items of clothing, etc. ; cast offs, what has been rejected by others, to make lovely things. It brings to mind the Proverbs 31 woman who is industrious and does much with little.

It also brings to my mind the fact that Jesus was rejected, and He is received by “the dogs” (Gentiles), as we also, if we are found in Him, are rejected by this world and He takes us “rejects” and makes us new, a new creation. Our old purpose that has outlived whatever usefulness it might have had is repurposed into a new one that we never could have imagined in our “old life”.

Matthew 21:42

Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? 

Praise the Lord that He makes us through His power and wisdom, it is He who deserves all the praise and glory. He made the universe and everything in it out of nothing, and takes broken and humble lives and makes something out of our nothing. He puts the treasure of who He is in us to transform us by His mercy and grace. 

Mormon Encounters

We just recently came home from a wonderful trip to Hawaii. One of the things we did while there was visit the Polynesian Village on Oahu. Although they had some very nice shows and we took part in their luau which was just....well I cannot find words to say how good it was. Even so, what stood out for me regarding this attraction is the fact that it is owned and run by the Mormon church.

The first person who approached me upon entering the park was a young lady who wanted to bring me into some lecture or perhaps a film (I don’t really know how they present it because I declined the offer of participating in it) that introduces visitors to what they want visitors to their park to know about their “Mormon temples”.

Then on our return trip home we had a connecting flight from Salt Lake City and again encountered many Mormons.

I myself had joined the Mormon church right after high school, and even had a temple recommend, just as a little background, but don’t wish to go into all the details about it. I say this only so you might understand that my feelings about this excursion are different than if I had never had that in my past.

While I was at the Polynesian Village, I also had a chance meeting with a young woman who was waiting for her fiancé to finish his work shift. Everything about it was so supernatural, my husband and I sensed the power of God bringing all of it together. We had a wonderful conversation with Ahule-ee (I’m probably misspelling her name, but that is how she pronounced it) and pray that Jesus will reveal the real truth to her and send other Christians to her who can help her transition out of all the lies and the facade.

Ahule-ee came to mind again yesterday when I watched a video series on YouTube. Sandra Tanner is a great granddaughter of Brigham Young. She saw the truth at an early age and thankfully did not become an atheist as a result. About half of the people that leave Mormonism give up on there being a true God altogether and become atheists. Sandra encourages Mormons leaving Mormonism to seek the Lord Jesus out truly, to study the Bible without the Mormon books and teachings, and to do a proper research on the authenticity of the Bible.

This is part one of a 4 part interview with Sandra Tanner