Jerry's Big Day

For a week, Jerry (almost 9) kept telling us that his big day was coming up, and on Sunday it finally arrived. After the morning service, Jerry, and three others were baptised. About a month ago, Jerry and his Dad sat down with our pastor and talked about baptism...something Jerry had asked about several times, but had not really been persistent about until recently. Even though Jerry had asked the Lord to save him way back in August, 2006, I was surprised that he was able to remember every detail, including the message that was preached the day before he accepted the Lord. Just as we never lead a child in a sinner's prayer, we did not tell Jerry that he needed to get baptised. It's important that even a child comes to these decisions on their own.

If you asked me if I'm 100% positive that Jerry is saved, I'd say, "No I'm not," but then I'm not 100% positive about anyone but myself! What I do know is that Jerry has a very soft heart, he loves the Lord, and wants to serve him. To stop a child, who claims Jesus as Saviour, from taking that step of obedience, baptism, would be wrong, and we want to do all that we can to encourage our children to follow the Lord. If sometime down the road Jerry has doubts about his salvation, we will tell him to base his salvation not on a prayer, but on the condition of his heart.

So, he entered the baptismal and professed his salvation.

He went down, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

buried in the likeness of Christ's death,

and raised in the likeness of his resurrection!

And the people said AMEN!

And every big day should end with a great sunset!

Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Counting Our Blessings

Lately, I’ve been thinking about how blessed we are to be a part of our church, Golden Plains Baptist Church. It has taken me many years to fully appreciate what we have, as Christians living in Canada, more specifically, in Manitoba. I know just how few churches there are that have what we have.

For instance, we have a beautiful church building, with no debt, on a sixteen acre piece of property that allows us to have many activities without going somewhere else. But more important than that are the families who fill that church; the people who work together for the Lord in so many areas of service.

We have a pastor who preaches the whole council of God, with passion, and with compassion; a pastor who upholds the inerrant, inspired, preserved word of God, as the standard by which we are to live, worship and serve; a pastor who works tirelessly studying, counseling, teaching and preaching, and yet he spends more time than any other man in the church, working physically to complete the building project. On top of all of that, he still takes the time to play ping pong or chess with our kids, or to join the teens in a soda pop tasting contest. I know there are many nights he doesn’t get the sleep that he should, and it’s only in God’s strength that he is able to do all that he does.

But I think there’s another reason that he is able to keep going….the Lord has provided him with an amazing help– his wife. I have watched her enlist help in projects with her infectious enthusiasm and positive outlook, and I’ve heard her respond patiently and sweetly to comments that could only be described as disrespectful. I’ve seen her work as tirelessly as her husband to finish any jobs around the church that she is able to, and I’ve experienced personally, her willingness to help others with projects that are important to them.

I’ve been thinking too, just how much our church does for our kids, to help them to grow spiritually, to learn to serve and to build friendships with other Christians. Every Sunday evening, our church has a time of fellowship, with couples taking turns supervising a playtime for the younger children.. Wednesday evenings, during prayer time, our kids have their own prayer and craft time. This fall, that will be expanded into a ‘kids club;’ a program that will help train our children to serve the Lord, but also a time of fun and games.

Every summer, we hold a camp meeting, where our kids have an opportunity to hear many preachers, as well as meet families from churches across Canada.
Our Juniors also attend camp, and this year we will be adding Daily Vacation Bible School.

As our boys reach their teens, they participate in our ‘Teen Lightening,’ during spring break, and teen camp, in the summer. If they choose to attend college or go on a mission trip, the church helps to make that possible.

After reading this, you may be thinking that we are way too busy at our church, but after many years of ‘nominal’ Christian service, and feeling like we couldn’t serve in certain areas, I couldn’t be happier! I can’t think of a better place for our family to work, play and grow together than at church!

Romans 13:11,12 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
Colossians 3:2,4 Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.
When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Ephesians 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Bouquets Of Blessings

Our Mother Daughter Banquet is over for another year! The food was wonderful, and of course our team did the lovely decorations! The third ladies team put together the program, called Hannah's Heart. The skit was very good, with lots of songs included, and it just so happens that the lady who heads up that team has a little son named Samuel. He did a great job of playing his part...he slept through the whole thing! His bigger brother played the part of Samuel when he went to the temple.

After the skit, we heard from our special speaker, Mrs. Laura Holt, and also surprised our Pastor's wife, Mrs. Susan Carlson, by honoring her. Someone managed to find gifts to go along with our theme, and they were beautiful! This is Mrs. Carlson & Mrs. Holt in front of our beautiful centerpiece. By the way...they didn't plan the matching outfits!

A few months ago, I wrote a song for the skit, Hannah's Heart.

Hannah’s heart was grieved, as she prayed, and she wept sore.
Though in bitterness of soul, she trusted in the Lord.
Hannah’s heart poured out, as she asked God for a son,
Vowing she would give him back until his days were done.
Hannah’s heart was calmed, and her face no longer sad.
She had lain her burden down, and left it in God’s hands.
Hannah’s heart rejoiced when God answered her request.
Soon the child, Samuel, unto the Lord was lent.
Hannah’s heart was strong in faith,
for through her sorrow and her pain,
The Lord had taught her of his grace,
and how blessings come to those who trust and pray.
Hannah’s heart had learned to trust and pray.

Hannah’s heart was broken. Though she longed to have a son, the Lord had shut up her womb. What made matters worse was the fact that Hannah’s husband had another wife who was able to bear children, and she took pleasure in Hannah’s heartbreak. It would have been easy for Hannah to become bitter and angry at God for allowing such circumstances, and for awhile it does seem that Hannah is wallowing in self pity. But eventually she realizes that her attitude is also hurting her husband. She remembers who it is that is in control of all things, and though she is still in bitterness of soul, she takes her petition to the Lord, and pours it all out to him. After giving her burden to the Lord, her countenance is no longer sad.
What a difference it makes when we just put our trust in the Lord, and realize, as Hannah did, that There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God! Once again, I’m reminded that God’s plan, God’s way and God’s timing are always perfect.

1 Samuel 1:1 –1 Samuel 2:21
Jeremiah 17:7,8 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

Decorating For Mother/Daughter Banquet

Our theme - "Bouquets of Blessings."

Still in the midst of decorating...explains the ladder!

The bouquets on the walls have pictures of family (our blessings) in the center of each flower.

All set up for the banquet in our new gymnasium.

More pictures of the gymnasium that gave me the free time to begin blogging! It was definitely worth all the hours without my husband to have such a beautiful place for our banquet...not to mention a place for our kids to run!

Our special speaker is Mrs. Laura Holt. She and her husband are missionaries to Sierra Leone, sent out of Bible Baptist Church in DeLand Florida(Pastor James Knox) Mrs. Holt helped with the decorating, and did most of the work on this beautiful bouquet in the center. She has already been such a blessing!

I'll be posting more tomorrow, after the banquet.

Sunday's Here!

I wrote yesterday about God being our high tower and our shelter. But God has also given us another shelter from the storms of this life, and that’s the local church. Until I was in a situation where I couldn’t attend church regularly, I really didn’t know just how much strength I gain from being a part of my church family. Sharing our prayer requests and praying together draws us closer to one another as well as closer to the Lord, and there’s just something about singing my Lord’s praises with other believers that lifts my spirits and lightens my burdens. Whether the message is uplifting, inspiring, or convicting, the preaching of God’s word is what I need to maintain a close relationship with my Lord. When I walk out the door, I’m ready to face the beginning of another week.

Monday morning I woke to a storm,

and great clouds seemed to gather around me.
Through the day I’d just smile and say,

“Praise the Lord, cause Sunday’s coming!”
Wednesday evening I prayed with the saints,

and the storm clouds began subsiding.
I gave thanks, as I praised my Lord,

“Hallelujah, Sunday’s coming!”
On Sunday morning the sun will shine brighter

when I sing God’s praise with the choir,
and my burdens will soon be much lighter,

as my prayers are lifted up higher.
God will show his power mightier,

when the preaching sets my heart on fire.
So I give myself this reminder,

“Sunday’s coming so hold on tighter!”

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much more, as ye see the day approaching.

Sitting In The Window

He’s sitting in the window, checking out the view;
wondering which way he should go, questioning what is true.
He’s sitting with one foot in, leaning further out.
Feeling the tug of some sin, he’s giving in to his doubts.
She’s sitting in the window, seeing things so new;
Feeling so very alone, desiring what is true.
She’s peaking in from the world, edging further in.
Feeling the tug of the Lord, she’s longing for peace within.
Someone’s sitting in the window, choosing for eternity.
A view of the Saviour is their heart’s greatest need.
To see his grace and love shine through you and me,
May pull them through that window to faith that sets them free.

So many kids who grow up in church go through a period of questioning and doubting. Some of them feel like they are missing out, and are drawn to the world. They’re in church, but they’re on the verge of walking away. Saved or lost, these kids are about to make a decision that will have lasting consequences. On the other hand, there are kids who have not been raised in church, and know very little, if anything about God or Christ. Some have experienced pain and rejection, even abuse, or perhaps they just have the feeling that something is missing in their life. Sometimes those kids have an opportunity to visit church, or to spend time with a Christian family. Whether they are looking out, or peaking in from the world, these kids all have the same need; Jesus Christ! They need to see that the love of Christ is real. Seeing the Lord at work in our lives may be what makes the difference in which way they choose to go.

Acts 20:9a And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus,

Thanks for joining me! ~~~Deb

What A Work The Lord Can Do!

We’re siblings in a family, and at times we disagree,
but we’re here to serve our Saviour; there’s no time for rivalry.
God has placed us in this family, each with talents for his use.
If we all support each other, what a work the Lord can do!
We’re runners in this life’s race, and we’re looking for the prize,
but we’ve lost sight of our Saviour, if we’ll push someone aside.
God has placed us on our own track,

and he’s mapped out each one’s route.
If we’ll all just run our own race, what a work the Lord can do!
We’re soldiers in God’s army, contending for the faith.
We’ve been called to serve our Saviour;

stand for mercy, truth and grace.
God has placed us in this company; we must help each other through.
If we’ll march as one together, what a work the Lord can do!
What a work the Lord can do, when we speak with love and grace;
When we lift each other up, and don’t need to be first place.
What a work the Lord can do, when we’re all in one accord;
When our eyes are fixed on Jesus, and we’re guided by his word.

God has created each of us with our own unique personality and he has given each of us specific talents. He doesn’t expect or want us all to be the same, or to serve him in exactly the same capacity. However, he does require that we serve him together, in our local church. Some are called to positions of leadership, while some of us are given ‘supporting roles.’ When we work in cooperation, not competition, what a work the Lord can do!


Philippians 2:3,4 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory;