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God Intentionally designed us

Hi Everyone;

Have you ever wondered why you are the way you are?  Have you ever looked around and said, ” If only I was like Jane, or George or Sally…because they have red hair and mine is brown or their eyes are green and mine are blue?”

As humans we are always comparing ourselves to someone else. Why? Because we have failed to grasp that we have been intentionally and uniquely designed by God and have been placed where we are, at this specific time for a unique purpose.

God has put us here to shine for Him…to share His love, in a way that only we are can do. In God’s perspective, there’s no one on this earth that He has not designed for a reason.

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ , Jesus to do good works which He has prepared in advance for us to do.”

In my new book, “Disaster! Around the Bend”, I introduce you to Jan, who is a quirky little twelve-year-old girl. She is the youngest member of her family and feels like she has missed out on the genetic material that she needs to make her special. She hasn’t got the brains of her sister Susan nor the confidence and skill of her brother Brad. She is fearful of everything new and now she is faced with moving away from familiar friends, her family farm and her best friend, Gaston. She looks up to God and asks, “Why?”

But God has made her unique, for a special purpose that she will only discover through trials. You see, just like these majestic mountains are formed through the impact of catastrophic events like volcanoes, and tectonic plate collisions, so, too are we molded and shaped through adversity and trials…for purpose.

Our God is not random…He designs with a plan in mind. Each step chosen to achieve the goal for which He has made us. Never doubt, that our God has a purpose for all of us. Big or small, God loves us all. No matter what the trial…look up and trust, that God is in control.

See you next time

Lynn

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Be Intentional about God

Be INTENTIONAL about God.

Hi Everyone;

I was studying Philippians 4:6,7 this morning in my devotionals and I was struck with the thought of how often I let my worries take over…to dominate my thoughts. They interfere…because I let them.  I realized that I need to give my head a shake, because I know that God has a plan for my life, I know that I am His, I know that I can trust Him. So…I half-heartedly give my woes to Jesus, and He doesn’t instantly take them away. Why not? He is able…the Bible says so. For that matter, why do I have troubles anyway. I am saved, I am assured of eternity…then why am I still burdened?

Because God knows that I need them to grow!

So life goes on…full of troubles, worries and concerns. If allowed, these things can take over our lives. They can dominate our thinking and leave us weak and weary, unable to function. They can swallow up our joy, destroy our relationships and poison our attitudes towards home, work and people.

They can carry us along on a river of despair.

Well, it’s time to jump out of that river…swim for shore, my friends.

But this is Not the life that we are designed for.

This is NOT what our God has planned for these momentary trials.

YES…God is involved in our troubles…He is aware of our problems…

He is not absent when DISASTER strikes.

He says in Romans 8:28

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

We do not control our own destiny, God does.

When worries threaten to sweep us away…

Be INTENTIONAL…give them to God…

And the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds (Phil 4:6,7)

By guard, I think that God means protect…shield from the fiery arrows of Satan, who will blow our problems all out of proportion, so that they dominate our lives. By giving them to God, we take this weapon away from the evil one.

Romans 8:31,32

“…If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Think about it…I certainly will. I am going to be Intentional about trusting God with my problems.

See you next time. Lynn

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Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus


The majesty of God’s Creation

Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His Word, just to rest upon His Promise, Just to know, thus saith the Lord

(Lyricas by Louisa Stead)

Hi Everyone:

I started writing this blog, this morning to share a little bit about the new book that I have written, entitled, ‘Disaster! Around the Bend’. But this song was mentioned in my devotions, earlier and I just can’t kick it out of my head.

I bet most of you have sung this hymn at some point in your lives. It’s a classic, written over 100 years ago, but I think that the words still ring true, today. The world we live in is filled with struggles…wars, famine, family breakdown and financial ruin. But so was the world 100 years ago…even 1000 years ago. Mankind has always struggled and likely will continue to do so.

So that begs the question, “How can I go on, how can I live well in this world?” The only answer lies in this song…JESUS! He alone provides the wisdom to go on (The Bible), and The gift of peace (His promises).

Things will happen to you, that you won’t understand, just as they have happened to me. Often I have looked up (because somehow, I always picture God as sitting in the heavens) and asked God…Why? God, generally does not answer that question in the way that I expect, but directs me to His perfect answer…found in Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

In this passage, God asks us to trust Him…so today, I’m once again going to try to JUST DO IT.

I’m going to try…I know I won’t be perfect at this, since I’ve tried before, but God does not give up on me, nor on you.

So, how does this tie in with my new book? Well, Jesus and faith, tie into practically everything I write and the new book, ‘Disaster! Around the Bend‘ is no exception.

Picture an adventurous family – the MacLeans; a family with a mom, dad and three children. It’s got all the regular family dynamics going on – a brilliant older sister (Susan), who simply knows everything, a middle brother (Brad) who considers himself an expert in all outdoor skills and the youngest sibling (Jan) who is funny, quirky, clumsy, chattery, loud and weird (she talks to donkeys…and all other critters). This is Jan’s story…told by her. Under all of her external characteristics lies a little 12-year-old girl who is afraid. Jan has hidden this guilty secret under her bubbly-blustery veneer for years. But suddenly she can no longer hide it…it spurts out for her whole family to see on their annual canoe trip…then the journey begins!

This book is a story about Jan’s journey from cowardice to courage. It’s a journey that changes her life perspective and her siblings as well. Join the fun…discover the secret that saves.

Disaster! Around the Bend

coming soon

See you next time

Lynn

 

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God is Alive and Active in our lives

Hi Everyone;

Today I want to talk about the role of God in our lives. How do you view God? Do you think of Him as the big guy in the sky, some cuddly angel with wings or do you think of Him at all? Well God has told us in scripture that He is alive and active in our lives. In Psalm 46 it says,

“God is our refuge and our strength, an ever present help in trouble, therefore I will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountain falls into the heart of the sea…”

Around every bend, in every situation, God is there. In fact because He loves each of us He teaches us through all of the adventures and misadventures of life. In Romans 8:28 it says,

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” 

Furthermore, He tells us to trust Him. When things don’t go our way, He asks us to consider the question, “To what purpose has this occurred,” and not “Why me?” In Proverbs 3:5,6 it says,

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on  your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.”

God is for us…not against us, so walk with Him.

Until next time…

Lynn

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Disaster! Around the Bend

Coming Soon!!

My new book is a great story for all ages.  To be released in the winter 2025 Can’t wait!

Here is a quick blurb;

Twelve-year-old Jan Amelia McLean (or Jantastic, as she likes to be called) is afraid of lots of things – like finding new friends, being accepted at a new school and wild rivers, though she tries to hide it under her carefree, rather zany mask. The only person to whom she reveals her true hopes and fears is her best friend, Gaston, who listens well, but speaks little (after all, he is a donkey). After the big move, Jan is excited to go on the annual family canoe trip. Something familiar during this time of change. However, disaster strikes and once again she is proven to be inferior, when she throws down her paddle and hides her eyes, rather than face the, “I don’t wanna chute”.  She is mortified that her cowardice is revealed to her whole family, but is determined to prove that with her new found faith she can overcome this flaw. She devises a plan to take on the challenge of a kids-only canoe trip to the very same chute to prove that she is no longer afraid. But her high hopes seem to be dashed when calamity strikes just around the bend. Will Jan’s faith prove strong enough?

But, what is a donkey doing in a canoe??

Stay tuned – more details to follow.

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Even Pigs…Have Purpose

Good Morning,  Everyone;

I bet that you are wondering about the title of my blog today? Well as you might guess, it has something to do with my Goat Tails books. Above is a picture of Scruffy having trouble again, as he so frequently did in Scruffy Finds His Way and in SuperScruff. In this picture, Scruffy has just landed right smack into the middle of  Pudgy Pig’s mudhole, where he gets pretty stuck. Poor Scruffy, he’s always up to mischief, which usually turns out badly for him, even when he’s trying his best to do something good. I think that many of us are like that too. And sometimes seemingly bad things happen to us or around us that we do not instigate…unwanted and unwarranted…downright unfair.

How are supposed to deal with these events in life? Well, as usual the Bible has some suggestions. It tells us in Romans 8:28 – that ALL things work for good; the good, the bad and the ugly, for those who LOVE the Lord. Now what’s that supposed to mean? It means that even when apparently bad things happen that God has full knowledge (though he doesn’t make them happen) and has a plan to use these events for our good…for KINGDOM goals.

Nothing slips by God. He is always at work and is always aware.  Let me give you an example. I was reading this morning in the book of Esther – chapter 4 about the pivotal time in Esther’s life. A time where one decision on her part could mean her death and the death of her kinspeople – the Jews.  Esther was the Queen and she had the opportunity to save her people from annihilation, but perhaps at the cost of her life. A huge decision and a frightening one. Esther 4:14 it says, ” …and who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Well, Esther prayed and fasted, with her friends, then made the decision to act and her people were saved.

This story and many others teach us that God gifts each one of us for a specific purpose, which He will make known to us as we watch and pray. Each of us are special, placed on purpose in a time and a place to do His work. Ephesians 2:10 says, ” For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

I am so encouraged by this. I have been made for a purpose, and I am special to God and here’s the big news…so are you!

Have a great day, Lynn.

P.S. – A new book in the Goat Tails series will be launched late this fall…entitled, Even Pigs…Have Purpose. Surprise!! Watch for it.

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Ger…it’s not fair!

 

Hi Everyone;

Today I’m going to comment on a topic that I think all of us have thought about at some time in our lives. And that is…”Ger, life is not fair!” (I’m sure some of you are wondering about my spelling of the word…Ger, well that’s kind of a joke. You see, my husband and I were hiking in Newfoundland and found the half-sign that I am pointing at in the picture and it reminded us of the disgruntled sounds our very ferocious Jack Russell Terrier makes when he doesn’t get his way…haha. )

Ok…back on topic. “Ger”…I’m not really complaining, I’m just commenting on the vast number of times that things don’t work out as we think that they should. You know- like when you work really hard at your job or on a project at school- you do your very best and you are certain that your best is good enough to win the prize…the promotion, the recognition, the gold medal. But at the end of the day, some “nobody” who hasn’t worked half as hard as you wins that coveted reward. Outwardly you smile and sometimes congratulate them, but inwardly you scream…”not fair.” In this world we expect to succeed. We expect the rewards for effort. We expect to be able to be “number one” at something…perhaps always. We take aim at our chosen targets, put in our best effort and go for it, with our own power and strength. Then DISASTER strikes. We lose the race, miss the goal, lose our health, lose a loved one, fall off the cliff that we’ve climbed…just when we are about to say…”ta da.” And we sit down and cry, “not fair.” Sometimes we look up and ask, “where are you, God?”

Oh, my, why do we suddenly blame God, when we haven’t really consulted Him before? Probably because we do not wish to blame ourselves. Now that we’ve fallen off of our pedestals, and are sitting in abject defeat, we have time to ponder…our condition, our goals and our relationship to God.

In the Bible, God presents a different picture of our relationship with Him, of our potential goals in life, of what our expectations should be. He says, “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-58 If there was one “person” on this earth that could scream, “Ger…not fair,” it was Jesus, who came to earth to live an unmatched life of service and love, then was judged guilty by sinful mankind and put to death on the cross…for what? For loving us so much, that he sacrificed himself for OUR SINS. Totally not fair, totally LOVE IN ACTION.

So, next time I get lost in my own projects and plans and am tempted to “Ger…not fair,” when things don’t work out, I plan (I hope) to stop, breath and thank the Lord who made me for giving me an opportunity to grow.

See you next time

Lynn

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When disaster strikes…where do you turn?

The storms of life

Hi Everyone;

In my devotions this morning, I read, “The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.” Psalm 145:18 And that got me thinking.

What do I do, when the storms of life hit…you know, the really bad stuff, like sickness that just won’t go away, like a cancer, it just hangs on – ruining your life. Or the death of the person that means the most to you or the loss of the job that has brought meaning to your life. Or the storms that catch you in the middle of a lake, with no place to land- temporary but terrifying. Disasters!! What do I do? Cry, get angry, turn so moody that no one can help me or calmly face them?

Well, I can tell you one thing. I couldn’t possibly face the disasters of this life, without God. He has promised in the verse above to be always near to those who call upon Him. Ah…that’s the key. He never leaves me, nor forsakes me, but I leave Him. When times are good, when I’m paddling in calm waters, I tend to forget the God who got me there- who was with me all the way. I pat myself on the back and offer inward congratulations for a job well done. How foolish I am.

Ah…but when disaster strikes, I run crying to God for help. And He does! Oh, He doesn’t always lift me from the pit that I dug, then fell into, nor does He always cure my health issues nor bring back the person I love. But, He always brings me peace…in the presence of trouble, that sustains me and helps me to go on. So next time the storms of life descend upon you…call, call, call upon Him, while He is near (Isaiah 55:6), because we know that He always hears us.

“God is our refuge and our strength,

an ever-present help in trouble…

therefore, I will not fear,

though the earth gives way

and

the mountain falls into the heart of the sea.”

Psalm 46:1,2

The calm following the storm…Peace.

Until next time, Lynn

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Who is your friend?

 

Hi Everyone;

Today, I want to consider friends. In particular, the friends that we can go to when disaster strikes. My husband, Bob is my best friend. Throughout our 48 years of marriage, we have had tons of adventures…some fun, some really scary. He’s the one person that I would call…go running to when disaster strikes.

Who is the first person that you would call?  Your parents, your siblings, your neighbour, your donkey (cat, dog or guinea pig)? Who?

In my latest story, “Disaster! Around the Bend”, I tell the tale of a young girl, whose best friend, her most important confidant is a pet donkey. She would tell all her deepest secrets, her wildest ideas, her saddest events to him, first. Why? Well, because he has all the qualities of a great friend…he is a great listener, he accepts her as she is, he is always available, he never betrays her trust, he never shows disapproval and he never scolds her- likely because, as a donkey, he can’t really speak. I have a dog that I, also talk to; who has the very same characteristics as this donkey, and I can assure you that he doesn’t always give me good advise (not in words, but in looks and actions).Like when I’m a little turned around (aka- lost) in the bush and I ask him to show me the way home. More often than not, he leads me astray, following some rabbit trail…totally unhelpful in getting home. And while, he doesn’t exactly talk, the looks he gives me, clearly proclaim, that if I am dumb enough to follow him, surely I deserved to be more lost than I was to begin with! A prime example of the necessity of choosing better friends!

Yet, while it might seem perfect to have a critter or a friend that wouldn’t voice their opinion of our actions, I think that most of us value friends, whose opinions are based on love and respect, who are there to help us sort out / live through our disasters. Like I appreciate, Bob’s wise counsel…even though it might make me feel uncomfortable at the time. I know, that his words come from love…from a desire to help me.

Well, the Bible tells us that God is an even better friend, than my husband or my dog…He is the perfect friend. He is all knowing, all wise, mighty in power, all loving, all caring and always available. While He doesn’t always choose to remove my disasters, because my disasters help me to grow, He does promise to be with me, always. An ever present help in trouble. He’s the best friend that I have. He loves me and you beyond understanding.

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

John 15:13

Now…that’s a friend! Tap into that friendship, today…don’t wait for the disasters of tomorrow.

Until next time…Lynn