The God of Hope

Stuff I've Done

Here is a list of Stuff I’ve Done – or not

I came across this list on Jenna’s The Joyful Journey blog. I tweaked it a little bit and just thought it would be great to see what I have done and what I haven’t or what I would like to do. If you’d like to try it, why not copy the list and mark the things you’ve done in bold or whatever colour you’d like to use. I’ve marked mine in red. Enjoy the journey!

• 1. Started my blog
• 2. Slept under the stars            
• 3. Played in a band
• 4. Visited the Holy Land
• 5. Watched a meteor shower
• 6. Given more than I can afford to charity
• 7. Been to Disneyworld
• 8. Climbed a mountain
• 9. Held a praying mantis
• 10. Sung a solo
• 11. Bungee jumped
• 12. Visited Paris
• 13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
• 14. Taught myself an art from scratch
• 15. Adopted a child
• 16. Had food poisoning
• 17. Walked to the top of Table Mountain
• 18. Grown my own vegetables/herbs
• 19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
• 20. Slept on an overnight train
• 21. Had a pillow fight
• 22. Hitchhiked
• 23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
• 24. Built a snow fort
• 25. Held a lamb (does a goat count?)
• 26. Gone skinny dipping
• 27. Run a Marathon/Big Walk
• 28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
• 29. Seen a total eclipse
• 30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
• 31. Hit a home run
• 32. Been on a cruise
• 33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
• 34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors
• 35. Seen an Amish community
• 36. Taught myself a new language
• 37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
• 38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
• 39. Gone rock climbing
• 40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
• 41. Sung karaoke
• 42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
• 43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
• 44. Visited Africa/ Namibia
• 45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
• 46. Been transported in an ambulance
• 47. Had my portrait painted
• 48. Gone deep sea fishing
• 49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
• 50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
• 51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
• 52. Kissed in the rain
• 53. Played in the mud
• 54. Gone to a drive-in theater
• 55. Been in a movie
• 56. Visited the Great Wall of China
• 57. Started a business
• 58. Taken a martial arts class
• 59. Visited Russia
• 60. Served at a soup kitchen
• 61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
• 62. Gone whale watching
• 63. Got flowers for no reason
• 64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
• 65. Gone sky diving
• 66. Visited Mauritius
• 67. Bounced a cheque
• 68. Flown in a helicopter
• 69. Saved a favourite childhood toy
• 70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
• 71. Eaten Caviar
• 72. Pieced a quilt
• 73. Stood in Times Square
• 74. Toured the Everglades
• 75. Sang a song to someone
• 76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
• 77. Broken a bone
• 78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
• 79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
• 80. Published a book
• 81. Visited the Vatican
• 82. Bought a brand new car
• 83. Walked in Jerusalem
• 84. Had my picture in the newspaper
• 85. Read the entire Bible
• 86. Visited the White House
• 87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
• 88. Had chickenpox
• 89. Saved someone’s life
• 90. Met someone famous
• 91. Joined a book club
• 92. Lost a loved one
• 93. Had a baby
• 94. Seen the Alamo in person
• 95. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
• 96. Been involved in a law suit
• 97. Owned a cell phone
• 98. Been stung by a bee
• 99. Visited to Mt. Rushmore
• 100. Learned to play a musical instrument

I hope to try a number of activities on this list. I hope you do too! 

Be Blessed,

Cheryl

The Lord's Prayer

Matthew 6 vs 9 to13

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I often pray the Lord's Prayer the "Our Father, but then I ask myself:

• Do you really know who this father is?

• Do you know whose father this is?

• Do you know where this father is?

I must honestly and truly admit that there are times when I don’t realise that the father in this wonderful prayer is Our Heavenly Father [mine and your father]. Oh and there are times ... times... too many to mention... when I carry on as if I don’t know Him. Has that ever happened to you? It’s happened to me a number of times. Here are two of those occasions. The one was, when I yelled and screamed at the kids when they didn’t do their chores. The other was, when I threw my toys out of the cot when I didn’t get my own way!

Very often I toy with the question in my mind over and over again: “Why do you do this to yourself? My answer to this is almost always the same. I think it’s just because I’m weak and I am a sinner just like everyone else.

Now when I think back and meditate on this prayer, I understand the meaning of the “Our Father” more clearly. I can definitely admit [right now, right here] that He is our father because he made us, loves us and protects us. He [our heavenly father] gives us everything in his good time. And when we do wrong things, he is a blameless father who loves us unconditionally. He doesn’t hold us to ransom about anything. All he is asking us to do is... hold out our hands to Him.

And because of this, we need to acknowledge that he is our God and that we love him. We, as his children, need to pay homage to him. We need to magnify his name and praise him. We need to thank him for all the good he’s done for us. We need to tell him that we are nothing without him. We need to confess to him that we are weak and that we cannot survive without having a close relationship with Him. We need to tell him that we understand that in heaven the angels obey and respect Him. We need to try our level best to be just like those angels. Our hearts need to burn with fire for His word like those angels. We need to ask Him to be the ruler of our hearts here on earth.  We need to ask Him to let his kingdom reign in our lives.

We need to thank Him for our daily bread – the bread he gives us for the nourishment of our soul and body. We need to understand that this daily bread cannot be given to us without prayer. We need to ask him to forgive our sins in the same way as he forgives the sins of those who have hurt or wronged us. We need to ask him to deliver us from difficulties, but also to let our trials make us strong and better people. We need to tell him that we are satisfied with whatever he has planned for us in this life time.

Prayer: Father God, thank you for being OUR FATHER, for loving and protecting us. Help us to acknowledge that we love you and that you are our God. Let us confess that we are sinners and that we need you in our lives. Let us not forget to pray for all our daily needs. Help us to forgive those who hurt us and let our trials not dictate the way we live but let the problems in our lives make us strong and courageous. Amen

Be Blessed,

Cheryl

Valentine's Day

Give thanks to the God of heaven. 

His love endures forever (Psalm 136:26).

Well, it’s that time of season again. Valentine’s Day!  LOVE is in the air and cupid seems to be pointing his silly arrow everywhere. Of course, I can virtually smell the pink and red roses, white lilies and honey blossoms.  And, in my mind I’m already savouring... that delicate, scrumptious, decadent chocolate truffles filled with mouth watering peppermint.  But, I frown when I think about the shopping malls all sprinkled with, love messages, gifts and trinkets for all to splash out on.  That’s taking commercialism to the max!  I have to admit though, that if we had a chat about romance, passion and the works about a year ago, I would have told you that love was not supposed to be like a “Mills and Boon” novel.  Get out of here! 

Yes, it’s that ordinary, quiet girl in me talking again.  This is the very same girl that hides behind her round rimmed glasses and hardly holds a conversation.  She only speaks when she’s spoken to. Can you believe that she’s the same girl that has written love poems most of her life? Yet, she refers to herself as not being much of a romantic. That’s outrageous, I know!  

Now let me permit you into another secret.  If you took a stroll along the streets, you wouldn’t have found her:

• Cuddling up with her guy in public
• Writing love notes to Him in the sand
• Whispering sweet nothings in His ear

This was just never her ‘kinda’ thing. It would have been too un-cool. Embarrassing! Yuk! She was too much of straight laced, prim and proper girl who you’d never find crossing that invisible social line. This was just a no, no. I know, what' you're thinking!  You’re right! She must have been nuts!

I must have been nuts!

But, if you posed that same question to me again right now, I’d definitely answer you differently.


Of course, I’d look at my guy with dreamy eyes.

I’d even blow Him a kiss across a crowded room and wait... patiently for Him to whip that kiss back at me.

I’d clasp His hand in mine and take that romantic stroll on the beach until the moon kissed the sky a sweet night.

Okay!  Of course I’d whisper words in his ear, but these words would not be sweet-nothings. Nor would it be words laced in emptiness.  No! The words would be words of love rolling freely from my lips. These words would be coated in patience, kindness, unselfishness and trust.  Naturally, this love might not be a love that is:

• PERFECT AND
• SELFLESS

Perhaps this love will not endure all things, like the love of God our Father.  And it definitely won’t be a love that never fails. It might not be a love that stands the test of time.  But, this love could possibly be a love filled with hope and promise.  And, with God’s grace this love of ours will at least be able to withstand the chilly winter season.

Prayer:  God, let us not forget to thank you for showering us with the self-less, precious gift of your love. Teach us to love one another with a love that is patient and kind. Amen

Be Blessed,

Cheryl

White Lace and Promises

Song of songs just rolled back the years to 18 December 1993 for me. This was the day I said, “I do” to my hubby Mark. Me dressed up in my white lace and satin wedding gown and Mark looking so handsome in your black tux. My heart still skips a beat when I recall the DJ playing our song, “We’ve only Just Begun” by the Carpenters. And my listening to the lyrics at this point in time, without a doubt has a very different meaning for me now. It is very apt now! It means more than the words itself. On that day- our wedding day, I was so naive and blinded by my love for Mark. I couldn’t think straight. Every moment was a blur. I vaguely remember the promises we made to each other and then it was me sipping away at a glass of champagne and not long thereafter being whisked off my feet to our honeymoon in George. There was no time for thinking about “So many roads to choose or we start our walking and learn to run.” All I wanted to do was “fly before the rising sun.” It never crossed my mind to breathe a word about “sharin’ horizons that are new to us.” Let alone “watchin’ the signs along the way.” And there was no mention about “ talkin’ it over, just the two of us... workin’ together day to day, together... We were both on cloud nine. And who could blame us! We were madly in love!

So, seen that Valentine’s Day is on our doorstep here’s my love letter to you my one and only sparky!

Dear Mark,


At times when I’m awake, I often wonder what goes on in your mind when you’re sound asleep. I listen to your quiet breathing. Do you dream of me? ... I’m always thinking about you. I smile as I remember how your eyes twinkle when we steal a kiss in the kitchen before the kids barge in. They always tease us – and tell us to stop,” coochy coeing!”


Of course, our marriage has gone through many seasons. How can I forget the wonderful summer seasons? The seasons that brought us those two little miracles called David and Nicola. And then there was that chilly winter season. I thought we’d never survive that! But with God’s grace we’ve made it! Yes, when we decided to put our hands in HIS and walk closely with HIM through those tough times, there was no turning back. I’m so glad that our marriage has entered this new season. I call it the season of hope and promise!


Looking back now, we have so many things to be grateful for. Yes, there are so many blessings to be thankful for. I know now that God has designed this love of ours like an unbreakable seal. I pray that God will help us to be forever faithful to each other. I know that with a little bit of patience, we could learn to love and serve each other just like God our Father.


I hope this love of mine will keep on burning for you like an almightly flame.


Your true love,


Cheryl



Prayer: Thank you for blessing us with the gift of love, marriage, children and relationships. Lord, let us never forget to show you how grateful we are for all your mercies. Amen

Love and Reality

When I read the Song of Songs 8:5-7, I noticed that the young woman in the song depended on Solomon. She was so happy because he offered her the support she dearly needed. But, the young woman also wanted everyone to know that she belonged to Solomon. She understood that if she made a vow to Solomon that, that commitment would be binding. In her mind, she knew that they would have their fare share of trials and tribulations. The young woman was also aware of the fact that she would not be happy all the time. But, she was determined to be committed to Solomon. Despite everything, she vowed to stand by him through thick and thin. The young woman strongly believed that her love for Solomon would grow stronger during the battles that they might face. She was certain her love for Solomon would last forever.

But, there is only One Love that would stand the test of time. The only love that is everlasting is God’s love. And nothing can stand in the way of true love. We can never be separated from Christ’s love. No matter what we’re facing, God’s love will always be with us. His love is a free, precious gift. All we have to do us trust God’s love.

Song of Songs 8:5-7

[the chorus of young women of Jerusalem]

5. Who is this coming from the desert?

She is leaning on her lover.

[the Bride]

I woke you under the apple tree.

It was the place where you were born.

It was the time when your mother struggled at your birth.

6. Keep me near you like a *seal.

Keep the *seal on your arm

because love is as strong as death.

Strong love is as strong as death.

It quickly becomes like a flame.

And that flame becomes a great fire!

7. If love were like fire, then even plentiful water could not put it out.

A river can be powerful.

But nothing can stop our love.

A man might offer all his wealth for love.

But someone else would not want this offer.

How fitting are these verses of “Song of Songs” for you on Valentine’s Day, 14 February 2010? Does it conjure up the romantic in you?

Or does it make you think about love in the real sense of the word?

Prayer: Lord, help us to rely on your love no matter what trials we’re facing. Grant us the grace to share the precious gift of your love with those who don’t know you. Amen.

Be Blessed,
 Cheryl

Psalm 23

Father's Love Letter

My Child ~

You may not know me, but I know everything about you ~ Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up ~ Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways ~ Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered ~ Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image ~ Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being ~ Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring ~ Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived ~ Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation ~ Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book ~ Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live ~ Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made ~ Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb ~ Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born ~ Psalm 71:6
I have been mis-represented by those who don't know me ~ John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love ~ 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you ~ 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your father ~ 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could ~ Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father ~ Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand ~ James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs ~ Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope ~ Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love ~ Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore ~ Psalm 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing ~ Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you ~ Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession ~ Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul ~ Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things ~ Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me ~ Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart ~ Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires ~ Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine ~ Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are broken-hearted, I am close to you ~ Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart ~ Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes ~ Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth ~ Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus ~ John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed ~ John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being ~ Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you ~ Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you ~ 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love ~ Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me ~ 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again ~ Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen ~ Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father ~ Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is ~ Will you be my child? ~ John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you ~ Luke 15:11-32  Love, Your Dad, Almighty God