This past month I finished writing my children’s book called A Better Way – a fictionalized story of Mary and Martha. I also illustrated the book. Join me at my new blog called A Better Way – where I hope God inspires me to write three times a week.

Blessings,
Jan

Fun-for-the-Whole-Family-hour

by Group Publishing

Has your church Sunday School longed to have an evening of fun for the whole family? Do you dread having to plan what to do? Here is a wonderful answer.

Fun-for-the-Whole-Family Hour is a one hour action-packed program for families. The leader’s pack includes:

• Leader Guide
• DVD containing a promotional video and clips from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
• Cd containing clip art, publicity helps, drama script, and PowerPoint song lyrics slides
• Publicity Poster

More information can be found at www.familyhour.group.com

The Continuing Classes and Workshops that I attended stimulated me into renewing God’s call for me to write. What came to me again and again – “the more you write, the better you will become”. In his book, Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell explains that the more we put into a craft, a job, a sport the better we become. I have only read 3 chapters but I can see this extrapolated into all of our existence. I am not in favour of “success” as the world sees it, but I do see how our lives can change in relationship to the amount of time we spend on certain facets of our life.

Consider prayer – how much effort do we put into praying to our God? Do we try to learn, practice, and discuss prayer? In my new blog Under the Cover of Prayer, I hope to delve into the practice of prayer. Can we get better the more we learn, and practice? I believe the answer is yes.

Join me at my new blog and let’s see what God can do when we spend time in prayer.

Blessings,
Jan

God answered. Through a friend from Nova Scotia I linked to a blog about a church group who were helping a school and orphanage run by Karen Huxter, called HATS (Hands Across the Sea). I started to read the blog. I became connected. My heart and prayers are now focussed on that spot in Deschappelles, Haiti.

If you feel led, read the blog and start to pray.

There are many ways to help. God led me to find my way. Have you asked Him to help you find yours?

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has a list of agencies where you can donate.

Thought for the Day:

“Real prayer comes not from gritting our teeth but from falling in love.” —Richard Foster

This is one of the fountains at Leisure World, in Mesa, Arizona.

I have always had a fascination with fountains. Whether it is the white noise – which gives me peace or the visual effects of the droplets continually raining – which give me assurance of continuity of life, fountains bring comfort to my soul.

This time while watching and listening to the water spray in all directions, I thought about the image of fountains in the Bible. Could I learn more from God about fountains?

Deuteronomy 8:7

“For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills;” (Amplified Bible)

What wonderful images. Now I see fountains in more depth. Especially here in the desert where water is precious – God has supplied artesian wells that bring life to the desert. When I see the waste that goes on here it rankles my spirit. The fountains at Leisure World are run on recycled water; so, too, is any irrigation. But, to know that God planned for water – even in a desert – is to me a marvelous thing.

John 4: 13-14

“Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.”" (The Message)

Jesus talked about “living water” so the fountain is an analogy for how God gives us new life as well as the promise of eternal life with Him.

Let us remember that Jesus gave us that fountain within to spread His message so all will know that He is the Saviour of the world.

For more information check Christian Writer’s Expo 09.

Our front garden was a disaster! What had been carefully planted five years ago had become overgrown and was not a pretty sight. There were even three dying bushes and the deer had made havoc of the hostas and lilies. Something had to be done

With gusto and a newfound passion and energy, my husband and I tackled the job. We weeded, pruned, hoed and raked until we had the garden back under control.

It reminded me, as I hoed, that our lives could be like this garden. When we first find Christ – we are new Christians and the light in us shines brightly. Sometimes, though we stop tending to our spiritual needs – LIFE happens and stuff gets in our way. We neglect to study, to pray, to praise and thank God.

Our lives get complicated and like our garden, overgrown and weedy. Our light can no longer shine as brightly.

Pruning is necessary and God is our gardener. Our scripture today says:

“He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit.”

In order to be a strong and sturdy Christian we need that pruning.

Let us help God by clearing away the rumble in our lives and focus on the one who planted us.

A Prayer for Today

Lord, we all have weeds around us, and branches that need your pruning. Help us to discern how to make our lives fruitful for you. Give us wisdom to know where and what needs to be done. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”  John 15: 1,2

“my own vineyard I have neglected.” Song of Songs 1: 6

So now I can see the water and type.

A new learning curve again though. I bought a MAC – so I have to learn all over again. So far it has been excellent. I like Safari which is the Internet Browser. It is quick and reliable.

Conference

The Write! Canada Conference in Guelph was fabulous. Workshops and classes were top notch and it was exciting to see everyone again. Lots of new faces and new friends.