I love the signs of summer! Some of my favorites are that it is still light outside at 9:30 pm. Birds are singing by 5 am. Strawberries, corn and blueberries are more abundant. And we end every day exhausted, happy and with extremely dirty feet!

Although we might not have a full-fledged bath every night of summer, I do take the time to clean face, feet and hands before climbing into the sheets.

Last night as I washed my kids’ feet, I made a decision to make that time each night a time where I can take a posture of servanthood for my kids. Jesus washed the feet of His disciples in the upper room. I can picture Him smiling as the others looked at each other in amazement. I will look forward to our feet washing time each night and will use the time to pray for my kids to know that the Jesus who washed the feet of His friends loves them and knows them by name.

Happy Summer!

Posted by: Kimberly Parker ~ forthesakeofJOY

Needing a night out with the girls?!

Why not join us July 24th, 7:00 pm here at the Collegium (on the campus of Trinity Baptist Church) for a movie night?  We are viewing the newly released DVD of our current book selection “Pilgrim’s Progress”

“This is a very well done adaptation of the famous book by John Bunyan. Follow “Christian” on his journey to find the truth about heaven and experience the encounters he meets along the way. This allegory has very good truth presented in this movie with many special effects. It has the right message for anyone who wants to understand more about the real Christian life journey.”

Tickets are $5 (includes movie and snacks) They are available at the WM kiosk, the church office or at the door.

Bring a girlfriend for a night at the movies!

For more info call Twyla at 860-3273 or email her at tschlenker@trinitybaptist.net

There is a discontentment in the air.  I sense it in the hurried sentences,  the frazzled eyes, the hopes for a better pay check, the longing for peace and quiet.  Summer - the hope for many of us that it will be a time of afternoons laying back in a deck chair sipping a sweet creation with beatifully pedicured toe-nails and evenings sitting by candle light savouring the delicate summer breezes. For many, the summer is not what we hoped for - we are still rushing - with company, with children, with too many summer activities. 

 I yearn for the kind of contentment that the apostle Paul had.  He says, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”   (Philippians 4:11 NIV). TO BE CONTENT WHATEVER THE CIRCUMSTANCES.  How do we do that?  Here are 2 things that I use as a guide every day:  No. 1 - Deliberately and intentionally say NO to anything that will cause me to feel resentment. No. 2 - Live in the present moment. Now is all I have.  I need to see events and people as a gift from God - not an interruption, but a divine appointment.

These two guidelines help me every day. Do I do them perfectly? Absolutely not. If I did, I would not be writing about discontentment. But, I will continue to deliberately seek the sweet contentment that comes from knowing God has given me His son to live an abundant life - not frazzled life.

Lovingly, Heidi

I am sitting here late Saturday night writing cards to my huband and reflecting on my father. Tomorrow is Father’s Day.  My Dad has gone on to Heaven. It has been 2 years now and I really lost him to Alzheimers long before that. Dad was a people person who was funny, loved Jesus and was passionate about worshipping Him. He drank too much coffee and would take me for tiger tiger ice cream often! I learned so much from him and have been blessed by the heritage he left me.  

I too have a Heavenly Father who has cared for me, loved me and blessed me so much. He is the heritage my earthly father left to me.  What a privilege to be a daughter of the King!

Happy Father’s Day, Abba Father!

Won’t you open your heart to Him and embrace Him as Father? Open your ears and hear Him singing over you as He holds you close. Taste and see that the Lord is good.

Tamara~wholeandholy

 

 

 

A quote by Gary Thomas I often ponder on is,  “What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?”

I read this statement 4 years ago while flipping through the book at a bookstore.  It blew my mind.  Is it hard for you to wrap your brain around it? The culture around us tells us that if we aren’t happy ….get out! …we don’t have to put up with being unhappy….if the going gets tough…get going.

But what if God’s ways and desires for us are different?  Instead of looking to our spouse to make us happy, what if we look to Him to make us holy by putting our spouse before ourselves, forgiving, serving and loving with a love that will not let go. I believe that in becoming holy before God we become happy!

Tamara~wholeandholy

 

 

Today my family and I had our socks blessed right off of our feet! The BC Children’s Charities held the 2nd annual “Boat For Hope” here in Kelowna and we were invited to attend. Dozens of people donated their time, money, resources and JOY for the purpose of blessing children who have a disability and their families.

There were enough prizes, activities, FOOD, fun and smiles to fill the lake! And the kids were free to just be themselves, without any fear of judgment or strange looks from passer-bys - just whoever they were created to be. And you know what - it was beautiful. Often, as a parent of a child who can be unpredictable in how he reacts in certain circumstances, I fall into the trap of worrying how others perceive our situation. It has gotten better, but I used to be quite bothered when we appeared “different” or “odd” while out in public. That definitely wasn’t the case today. Everyone there was there to celebrate and love on the differences that kids have and support and help the caregivers.

I could fill pages with the acts of unconditional, no-expectation-for-anything-in-return type love that I saw in action today.  Wow!  Our community was in action today at the Kelowna Yacht Club.  The 200+ kids that came were blessed terrifically.

Needless to say, my family is all asleep; tired and happy from a great day.  Makes me want to go and bless someone else’s socks right off of their feet too!  But maybe I’ll get a good night’s sleep first!

Peace.

Submitted by Kim Parker

I was listening to a talk show on the way home from work this week.  The host posed this question and it really got me thinking of how I would respond.  So here it is:

 

“If you knew that you were able to plan your “last supper”, who would you invite, where would you have it, what would you eat, what type of music would there be? (cost not being a factor)

 

HMMM?  The question sounded easy until I really started to put some thought to it……

 Not easy for me to answer……how about you?

 

Still pondering…Twyla

In our small group tonight we read and discussed Chapter One of the book of ACTS.  I had a bit of a chuckle as we read verses 10 & 11.  Basically it reads that while the apostles were gazing into the sky as Jesus was rising up out of their sight, two men appeared and asked, “Why are you looking into the sky?”  

I think if it were me I would have responded with something like, “Because that was the coolest thing I ever did see!”  Can you just imagine watching the risen Jesus being lifted up into the sky?  Wow.

But you know what?  I’ve seen God do some pretty cool stuff right in my midst too.  I don’t have to look far.  I can marvel at the beauty in the vase of flowers on my counter.  At the excitement and energy of my four-year-old.  At the warmth in my heart  as I give thanks for my friends.  I can marvel at the simple fact that before I ever gave Him a fleeting thought, He loved me. How cool is that? 

Posted by Kim Parker

If you see Connie Mitchell, Jodee Webster, Linda Howe or Sharon Dutka - give them a “shout out”, a “woot, woot”, a “you go, girl” or whatever form of good Baptist encouragement you’re comfortable with!  All four of them have made the decision to be baptized at Green Bay this coming weekend and we can’t wait to be there witnessing them take this step of obedience! 

Looking forward to seeing you out at Green Bay….it doesn’t get much better than this,

Candace

Every 2 months I have to go to the oncologist to have a checkup and see if the tumor has come back or if it is still doing what they want it to. I had one such appointment last week.

For the few days prior to each of these appointments, I’ve noticed that I get very apprehensive, fearful and quiet.  Almost heart sick.

My mind goes over what I believe and know to be TRUTH…   “God is good, God is in control of my life regardless of the outcome of the checkup, He will never leave me or forsake me, etc.”

Yet my emotions are hard to keep in line with the TRUTH. I feel fear, sadness, and anxiety. The “what if” question runs crazily through my mind. I withdraw into myself rather than sharing my feelings because if I do, maybe it means I do not have faith. These are LIES.

My next checkup will be in July.

God in Heaven, the God who heals, I thank you for Your grace in this . I ask that I may see through the LIES that trouble my heart and know the TRUTH your Word speaks to me. Give me the courage to ask for prayer prior to these appointments. Thank you for healing me and for the good report I get each time from the doctor. To You be the glory forever, Amen.

Tamara~wholeandholy