What Faith Can Do - Kutless

You don't need to read any words from me; the lyrics say it all.
(Lyrics are posted below video.)

Enjoy.




What Faith Can Do - Kutless
( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7elxC8LXfzE )


What Faith Can Do
Everybody falls sometimes
You gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think its more than you can take
But you're stronger, stronger than you know

And don't you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do

It doesn't matter what you've heard
Impossible is not a word
It's just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody's scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
But it'll be all right

Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing


Overcome the odds
When you don't have a chance
(That's what faith can do)
When the world says you can't
It will tell you that you can

Praying For You - The Katinas

Oh, praying for each other is so important.

And I apologize to you. I am guilty of not praying enough for all of you. Usually it ends up being "help me" prayers..... help Blake feel better, help us with our finances, help our car to keep working, help my bad attitude.....

.... me.... me.... me....

I must think it's all about me (or is it about YOU, Blake? hahaha)

It's just something that I need to remind myself of more often.... not only being more thankful for what I already have.... but for being mindful of others and the trials that THEY are going through.

We're all hurting or going through a rough time. Most people, I've discovered, don't let anyone else know the trial(s) they're experiencing.... they keep it quiet. Sometimes, we can't share the details because it hurts someone else. That makes it even harder, leaving people wondering what's really going on.

But the Lord knows what's going on. HE knows the details. But he calls us to be intercessors. He wants us to lift up others in prayer before Him.

Yesterday in church we watched a video by The Katinas. The first thing that got my attention was the magnificent harmonies; but as I listened, and then played the video again today, I realized how we need to be praying for each other.

Last week I spoke to a friend (some guy I found in a ditch [wink, wink, Johnny K.]) and he mentioned that we should "do an experiment" and pray for each other in a certain area of our lives. I was so excited about that!.... making a determined effort to lift up a friend before the Lord.

Will you do that, friends? Will you choose someone, or a situation, to pray about? Maybe it's a friend; maybe it's a situation (like Haiti or Chile's recent disasters); maybe it's someone in your church...... pick SOMETHING and commit to pray.

After all, we are directed to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Shouldn't we be at least making the effort?

[Not pointing fingers, folks.... I'm preachin' to myself here.....]

Watch the video and make a decisive effort to reach out in prayer.

Praying for you. XO

The Bible

THE BIBLE

This book contains: the mind of God, the state of mankind, the way of salvation, the fate of sinners, and the happiness of believers.

Its doctrine is holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy.

It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveller's map, the pilgrim's staff, the soldier's sword, the pilot's compass, and the Christian's charter. Here heaven is open, and the gates of hell disclosed.

Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet.

Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, health to the soul, and a river of pleasure. It is given to you here in this life, will be opened at judgement, and is established forever.

It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labour, and condemn all who trifle with its contents.

Text from

Canadian Bible Society

Toronto, Ontario

www.biblesociety.ca

O Praise Him

I haven't posted a video in a long time, and I thought this would be a great one. I like the boldness and bravery of this young fellow. Oh that we could have a fraction of this courage!

And in keeping with the "praise" theme, ponder this thought:

"Praise is more spontaneous when things go right;
but it is more precious when things go wrong."

It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night. Psalm 92:1-2 NIV




O Praise Him - David Crowder Band

Happy Family Day

Today is Ontario's Family Day.... a day set aside by our provincial government encouraging us to spend time with our family, tightening the bond, strengthening our relationships......

.....hmmmm....

Jake slept in until after noon.....

Jon was up fairly early but just went back to bed to "take a nap" (that was a few minutes after noon).....

Jared slept in a little bit, then did his Math homework, and is currently in the rec-room playing hockey on the XBox.....

I had breakfast and got dishes loaded in the dishwasher......

And it just doesn't feel like "Family Day" without Blake here with us.

So what's on the agenda for the rest of the day? Likely nothing. Think we need to bring in some firewood for the woodstove..... I need to knock down some cobwebs (where on earth do those things come from? YES, by the way, we DO live in a pig sty)..... I need to scrape off about an inch of dust off the furniture in this house.... I meant to get recycling out to the roadside, but assumed they wouldn't be running because of the holiday; however, I was incorrect and the truck came and the truck went and my recycling is still sitting in the woodhouse! Ooodles of it.

It IS nice, though, to have a day of just lazing around.... the weekend was so busy with hockey games. Jared had Rep games in Stirling (win), Picton (win), and Lindsay (loss); Jake had a late game last night in Picton (win). What am I going to do when hockey season is over??? I enjoy it so much. Very proud to watch those boys out there!

With regards to an update on Blake's health, he is feeling great. Says he's not in any pain or discomfort. I am relieved when he tells me that.

I received a call from the Specialist's office with some "temporary" "bad" news. She indicated the authorization for the financial coverage of Blake's medication was not approved for Remicade... the good ol' government doesn't want to fork out money for Remicade; they'd like Dr. D to put Blake on a different medication (one that is not so expensive, but ultimately not as effective either!). However, Dr. D wrote them back and said that other medications have been tried and that Blake's condition is severe enough that he insists on Remicade for Blake's treatment.

We will AGAIN play "the waiting game" until the review panel takes a look at Dr. D's letter and once again makes a decision. Please pray that the hearts of the folks on the panel are compassionate and that they approve Remicade for Blake.

Once again, in order to alleviate any confusion, and just to clarify the process that we're experiencing.... We applied to the Ontario Government's Trillium Drug Program to pay for medicines that Blake needs. Trillium HAS approved Blake and will reimburse for any meds that he needs EXCEPT Remicade. In order for Trillium to pay for Remicade, they need a Section 8 approval from the government. Once the government authorizes it, we can administer Remicade to Blake and Trillium will pay for it.

Trillium CANNOT pay for the Remicade UNTIL the government says so. And THAT is what we're waiting for. So please continue to ask the Lord to stir the hearts of the folks on this government review panel, that they will approve Trillium to cover the cost of Blake's Remicade. And from what I understand, it is not a one-time thing... apparently this is something that has to be reviewed every few months (grrrreeaaat!!!!).

Sorry, I thought we lived in Canada. [insert sarcasm]

Anyways, gang, I'd better get this Maple Leaf butt in gear and get some tidying up done. I hope you're all having a relaxing Family Day!

Happy Hockey Day.... I mean, VALENTINE's Day

Ahhhhhh...... Valentine's Day......

That special one day of the year where the atmosphere is filled with:

the smell of a dozen fresh roses......

the taste of sweet chocolates......

the touch of your loved one's hand......

the sound of romantic violin music......

the sight of your sweetheart, gazing into your eyes......


Huh???

Is THAT what it's supposed to be like this Sunday?


It would appear that it's going to be more like this:


the smell of musty ol' hockey equipment......

the taste of a hot coffee......

the touch of the cold-noise-maker can......

the sound of the Ref's whistle, the period-ending buzzer, and the loud-mouthed parent (not ME, by the way!) screaming "Get some glasses, Ref!"......

the sight of the goalie making another amazing glove save......


Yaaaahhhhhh....

That's what I'M talkin' about........


Yes, I'll be in the arenas on Valentine's Day with our "babies".... along with some other hockey parents (Right Jennifer S.???).

(And yes, folks, "arenas" is plural... not a typo! Jake & Jared... two games... two different towns...)


Not really under the "romantic" category; but, you know what? I honestly and truly wouldn't have it any other way.


Oh, but Jonny??? I WILL still take that Valentine's Day foot rub!

Happy Valentine's Day to my sweethearts: Jon, Blake, Jake, & Jared.
XOXOXOXO

What Are YOU Doing Here???

Saturday was turning out to be another typical busy day.

After spending the better part of the day at the local arena where Jared had to play two house league games back to back, we headed home. I tidied the kitchen and prepared some quesadillas for supper. The Midget A Rep team was playing in Deseronto that night, and although Jake or Jared do not play on that team, we knew it would be a good game and wanted to go and support the boys' friends. So off we went.

After an exciting game we returned home to put our feet up and watch the rest of the Maple Leafs' game on the tube. (YES!!!! 5-0 shut out for the Leafs'. Welcome Mr. Giguere!)

The phone rang. It was Blake.

Everything was OK with him. I had told him earlier in the week that I had received a survey in the mail requesting Blake to answer some questions regarding his stay at Kingston General Hospital back in October. Rather than mail the survey to him, I asked him to give me a call on the weekend when he had a few minutes, and he could just give me his answers, I'd mark the box for him, and then get the survey returned.

We were somewhere around question #6 when someone knocked on the door. I said, "Hold on, Blake, there's someone at the door". I walked to the door and, lo and behold, there's our "adopted son" Billy. He stood there looking at me with this really goofy smile on his face. I exclaimed, "BILLY!!!! HEY!!!! How're ya doin'?? Come in!!! Hey, I'm on the phone with Blake...." and I handed the phone to Billy so he could talk to his buddy Blake.

Billy takes the phone and says, "Hey Blake, how are ya?"

Blake says, "Fine, Billy, how are you?......"

You might be asking yourself right now how "I" knew what BLAKE said while BILLY was the one with his ear to the phone.......

I knew what Blake said BECAUSE..... the little pooper was WALKING THROUGH MY DOOR WHILE HE WAS TALKING INTO HIS OWN PHONE!!!!

My jaw dropped.

Blake and Billy are BOTH laughing their heads off.... Blake is keeled right over just splittin' a gut!

I am standing there in shock, not quite sure what is happening, and if perhaps I have absent-mindedly slept the whole month of February away and woke up on March 1st, the date that Blake is supposed to be home for Reading Week.

My next thought, once I realized that I was conscious and DID have the correct date in my head, was that perhaps Blake was sick and Billy had driven to New Brunswick to bring Blake home for a treatment without telling me.

But when I realized that Blake was standing in front of me laughing, and had good colour, and wasn't all sickly-like, I knew something else was up.

I blurted out, "WHAT are you DOING HERE????"

Amidst his and Billy's tears from laughing so hard, Blake managed to say that one of his professors had to come to the area for a funeral and had contacted Blake to see if he'd like to ride with them and spend the weekend at home.

WHEW! Blake is not sick, I am NOT losing my mind, I do not have to kill Billy for keeping secrets!

So we continued to laugh and tee-hee about the whole thing for a while longer. I was still in shock that one of my baby birds had returned home to the nest unexpectedly.

Blake and Billy had already stopped at my parents' house to surprise them as well. And from the look on BILLY's face at my door, I think HE's the one who enjoyed this little scenario more than ANY of us. hahahaha. I wish I'd captured it on camera. It was priceless.

So Billy sent Aunt Danielle an email saying that he had a surprise for her, and that Mom (me) would be bringing it to church the next morning.

Dani was, of course, shocked when she saw Blake. About fifteen minutes into the service, our Worship Leader was at the pulpit giving the announcements and then shouted out "BLAKE!!!! HEY EVERYBODY.... BLAKE'S HERE!!!!" hahaha. Guess he must've been concentrating on God or something because he hadn't even noticed everyone else at the back making a fuss over Blake.

Then this afternoon, I had to take Jared to a hockey fundraiser, so Danielle took Blake over to Wannett's to surprise HER. He certainly has an excited family this weekend. Then again, it IS "all about Blake!!!!". hahahhaa

Tonight we are getting together for Super Bowl supper, even though I haven't got a clue about football at ALL, other than knowing they wear helmets and carry, throw, and kick an odd-shaped pig-skinned ball.

I don't really have football on my mind.... it's HOCKEY.... because right now I'm typing this post in the cold arena while Jared is on the ice at his hockey practice. We'll head back to Wannett's to eat and then come back here for Jake's evening game. I have no internet connection here because I don't know the community centre's wireless password; so I will have to post this later when I get a connection.

(Sorry, Jon, that I "stole" the computer from the house. I thought you'd still be working at the garage. I have a feeling you're going through withdrawal, not bein' able to check your Facebook.......)

It was a really nice surprise to have Blake home. Thank you, Dr. Elliott, for thinking of Blake and bringing him home for a few days. The world is a better place today because Momma Bird got a visit from one of her flock.

Folks, I really must go and get my gloves back on.... it's FREEZING in here. And something is wrong with the 'k' button on this keyboard.... it is not working properly and it's driving me CRAZY. I wonder if Jonny might have some popcorn stuck under the 'k' key!!!! (Jon, I said please don't eat or drink near the computer! No computer = No Facebook = Sad Jonny)

Anyways, I just wanted to share my happy news with you. Blake will head back to New Brunswick early Monday afternoon from Kingston. Please pray for travelling mercies as they will travel right through the afternoon and evening until the wee hours of Tuesday morning.

Thanks, Blake, for the surprise! You got me good! (Dad thinks you're just homesick, hahahha).

Thanks again, Dr. Elliott, for providing an expected ride home for Blake.

And thanks to you too, Billy, for your part in this scheme. You're a good kid. I just wish I could've got a pic of the look on your face when I opened the door. Priceless.