We are taking the International Chapel to Aldan Union Church, Aldan, Pennsylvania, later this morning. I am not sure if I will have time or opportunity to post again before Sunday evening.
If you live in the Aldan area (southwest of Philadelphia), stop by for the missions conference, or take a tour of the chapel, and say hi to us and Chaplain David and Trisha Hoy.
We won’t be there all the time. You can make an appointment to see the chapel by calling Cerwin’s cell phone – 717-951-8895.
And now to him who can keep you on your feet, standing tall in his bright presence, fresh and celebrating—to our one God, our only Savior, through Jesus Christ, our Master, be glory, majesty, strength, and rule before all time, and now, and to the end of all time. Yes.
Jude 1:24-25 (The Message)
~~~
I praise you Lord for Your never-changing truths
Your never-changing love toward me
the knowledge
that you will never abandon me
that you will continue working out all the events of my day
and life for my good
that nothing is too difficult for You.
Because of Your faithfulness
I never have to stagger in unbelief
what you have promised
You are able to perform.
Your promises have never failed
not one single word
not one single promise.
I praise You
because you are able to keep us from falling
present us before Your glorious presence
without fault
with great joy.
To the only God our Savior
be glory
majesty
power
and authority
through Jesus Christ our Lord
before all ages
now and forevermore!
Amen.
Inspired by 31 Days of Praise by Ruth Myers
Posted in Day 31 of my Prayer & Praise Journal
~~~
This concludes the excerpts from my prayer journal. It’s been encouraging to hear that many of you were encouraged to begin a prayer & praise journal – or a more comprehensive one.
Tuesday, February 24
Victoria Butterfly Gardens
Our Next Stop
This beautiful place is located near the entrance of Butchart Gardens, and since it was too early for touring there, we chose the Butterfly Gardens.
Wow! Talk about photo opportunities. I took so many pictures, that I will show them to you in segments.
I decided to begin with the Caribbean Flamingos.
The two resident flamingos are a brilliant scarlet pink.
They are filter feeders and find most of their food under water.
After they are finished eating, they spend a long time grooming their feathers.
They never seemed to be still.
Caribbean Flamingos feed upon insects, worms, vegetation and algae. They mainly feed during the day and they sweep their bill upside down through shallow water picking up food as they go.
Flamingo’s pink coloring is caused by the beta carotene in their diet.
They pick up water in their beaks, then use it to groom their feathers.
It was amazing to watch them use their long necks during this process.
Flamingo comes from the latin word for flame.
I could have watched them for hours.
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.
And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20 (New Living Translation)
~~~
I thank You for sending Jesus Christ
the long-awaited Messiah
the Savior who died for for me
for people everywhere.
I praise You
that Your plan includes
and embraces people
from every tribe and language
from every hemisphere
every continent
every tiny island
in the whole world
in all time.
Thank You for calling me
making me a member of
Your royal family
a citizen
and ambassador for Your Kingdom
a representative
in exalting You
in helping spread this good news.
Inspired by 31 Days of Praise by Ruth Myers
Posted in Day 30 of my Prayer & Praise Journal
Tuesday, February 24
Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary
Victoria, British Columbia
Don checks out the information.
Darlene
When in wildlife sanctuaries, I like to be alone – so there is no temptation to talk to anyone. The four of us went different ways.
You’re welcome to come along if you promise to be a silent partner.
There were mallards everywhere near the floating boardwalk.
The American coot looked pretty on this small clump of swamp sod and grass.
A double-crested cormorant pair.
Murray Kuehl tells me the three black ones are Golden Eyes and the brown one is a Merganser. (I first listed them as male and female Mergansers.) Thanks Murray!
I think this is a starling.
Looking at the wildlife center from the other side of the lake.
I noticed that Don (in black) was sitting on the bench in front of the nature center.
A Canada goose.
Female Merganser
My first robin sighting this year.
I was hoping to get a photo of the eagle from the far side of the lake – where the sun was shining on him – but I had to settle for this one – just before we left.
He was soaring overhead most of the time I was walking, but always at a distance.
Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:19 (The Message)
~~~
I am privileged to be a dwelling place
for Your Spirit
Your glorious presence.
Thank You for the day
I let go of the whole burden of my sins
and rested on the atoning work of Christ
on the total payment He made for me on the cross.
Thank You that
today
I can let go of
the burdens of my life
let go of
my inadequacies
and rest on Your present working
in me through the Holy Spirit.
How good it is to transfer these burdens
from my shoulders
to Yours.
Thank You for the gracious way You infuse me
with inner strength through Christ
that I can give myself up
to be led by You
that I can go forward
in an attitude of praise
and rest
letting You manage me.
I am grateful that I can joyfully depend on You
today
expecting You to guide
enlighten
reprove
teach
and use.
Thank You that I can throw the entire weight of my anxieties
on You
because You know me
and tell me that I am a personal concern of Yours.
Inspired by 31 Days of Praise by Ruth Myers
Posted in Day 29 of my Prayer & Praise Journal
Tuesday, February 24
Reflections from Fisherman’s Wharf
Victoria’s Riverfront
Darlene and Don were my partners in “shooting reflections and memories.”
Some of these floating houses are lived in all year round.
How nice to be there on a beautiful morning – before the start of tourist season.
It was a glorious morning!
This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Hebrews 4:15-16 (New Living Translation)
~~~
Thank You for the confidence I can have in You
for the free access to Your presence
and Your throne
through Jesus Christ
that I am welcome anytime
day or night.
Thank You for the mercy You have extended to me
even when I have failed
for grace
when I am in need.
Thank you that I can come to Your throne
boldly
bring my sins
and shortcomings to You
that I can pour out my needs and pain to you
and know You hear me.
Thank You for forgiving my sins
not because I am worthy
but because I serve You.
Where would I be without your forgiveness?
Thank you for the promise that You are God
that I can cease striving
let go
relax
and know You are in control.
I am delighted that You are beyond my understanding
that I can’t figure out what you are going to do next.
Thank You that I can absorb Your peace and strength
it is too much for my understanding.
Inspired by 31 Days of Praise by Ruth Myers
Posted in Day 28 of my Prayer & Praise Journal
Tuesday, February 24
Driving Around Victoria
The beginning of the Trans Canada Highway is at the southern tip of Douglas Street.
We saw lots of Smart Cars. This one was parked next to us at a red light.
We even saw a Smart Car Police Car.
The Empress Hotel has 477 rooms.
Double decker buses
This church sign caught my attention.
Look closely at this building. Not all windows are what they seem. Check out the paintings
~~~
Black and White at the Wharf
An awkward two-point landing!
I will post more photos tomorrow – from our wonderful walk on Fisherman’s Wharf.
God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.
Ephesians 3:20 (The Message)
~~~
Lord I extol You for Your great power in my life
Your tremendous
invincible power
that works in me
and for me.
It is amazing to realize
that it is the same almighty power
You used
when raising Jesus from the dead
and seating Him at Your right hand
far above all other powers
visible
and invisible.
I love to be reminded
that You are able to do
infinitely beyond our highest
prayers
or thoughts
that nothing
positively nothing
is impossible for You.
It is amazing
that when I bring my requests
to You
in simple faith
I plug into Your almighty power
and open a door
for you to rescue me
and bless my life.
Your revolutionary power is so great
that the devils cringe.
I am honored to be part of
an army of people
around the world
who live in full-faced touch with Jesus Christ.
Inspired by 31 Days of Praise by Ruth Myers
Posted in Day 27 of my Prayer & Praise Journal
