Imagine

John Lennon once asked the world to imagine if there was no Heaven. While Lennon believes that this is easy to do, it’s an image I’d rather not think of. As Christians, we know that Heaven exists, and I believe that I am going to Heaven because of God’s grace.
Grace is defined in my Bible’s dictionary as “Unmerited favour, unearned benefit, undeserved kindness. God’s amazing gift of forgiveness of sin and power to live with dignity in the present and hope for the future”. The concept of grace shows up many times in the Bible. One of the first verses I had to memorize in Sunday School was Ephesians 2: 8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast”.
I’m thankful every day for God’s grace, but every once in a while I’ll really stop to think about it, and the idea of His forgiveness and grace is always overwhelms me. When I think of how many times I have sinned against Him, doubted Him, turned my back on Him …talk about an unmerited favour and an undeserved kindness!

And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.
- Romans 11:6

Later on in the song “Imagine”, John Lennon sings about all the people living for today. I’m all for seizing opportunities, taking chances and living each day as if it’s our last, but I much prefer to live life for my FOREVER with my Lord Jesus Christ, so that one day I can stand before Him and be proud of the life I’ve lived for Him.
We don’t need to imagine a world with a Heaven, because we already have one. I hope to see you all there!

The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
- Romans 5:20-21

Saved By His Grace-

*L

The Graduate!

Two exciting envelopes came in the mail today. My grad pictures were delivered, and along with it came my official notice that my application to graduate was allowed....with Honours!!
Thank you to everyone who sent their congratulations when I posted earlier in the month that I had graduated, and a BIG thank you as well for all the prayers that were sent my way!

So, what's next for me? I still don't know yet-aahh! I've been accepted into some programs, and I'm still waiting to hear back from other programs...and a few job advertisements have caught my eye, so I'm just crossing my fingers, praying hard and waiting for God to reveal His plan to prosper me and not harm me!

In a comment in an earlier post (see how far behind I've gotten!?), "Hebrews 11:1" asked me where I worked for the summer, and that reminded me that I never really said what I was doing this summer. I'm actually working two jobs this summer. I'm going to back to the youth centre in Bells Corners (between Kanata and Ottawa) that I worked at last summer and I'm also working at a barn. I've worked there for years, but when I left for university I had to limit my work to the summer, and then when I started working at the youth centre I only filled in the odd shift at the barn. But, I've missed my friends and I missed the horses, so when I couldn't decide what job to take, I took them both! So far, I'm loving having both jobs, but I'm definitely sleeping soundly every night!

In His Love-

*L

Just For You Terry!!

As requested by Terry, here are some of my Tulip Festival pictures! I went a few days before it officially opened, so some of the flowers were still blooming. I got a lot of great shots, but I only had room to upload a few, so I tried to pick out some highlight ones:






Isn't His creation beautiful!?!

Today was my first day back at work, so I can already feel my eyes wanting to close .... I took two weeks off before going back to work, and I think I got a little too used to sleeping in!
This past week actually hasn't been much of a vacation. I'm been frustrated about a lot of things, so thanks for all your words of encouragement! I've still got work to do tonight for my second job, but if I have time before bed, I'll post more, and if not, hopefully tomorrow!!

In His Love-

*L

Happy to be back!

A few days after my last posting, my Internet died, and with only two weeks left at school, I didn’t bother getting it fixed. I couldn’t believe how much I missed not only writing this blog, but reading everyone else’s!
So much has happened since the last time I wrote, but I’ll stick to the big news for now…I am now a university graduate!!! I wrote my last exam Thursday morning, and I practically skipped out of the room when I was done! I now have my Bachelor of Physical Education (BPHE), hopefully with honours (I find out once my final marks are in).
I just moved back home on Sunday, so half my stuff is still in boxes, so once I unpack my Bible, I'll have more to say!
Also, a great big THANK YOU to everyone who prayed for me this year. It was a very trying and stressful year (although very successful as well!), so all of your prayers are more appreciated than you know!

In His Love;

*L