Calling out the Treasure

I know, it's been a long time. But I think life is so busy (and Facebook so awesome) that blogging takes a back seat! But today I just had some thoughts to share.

Aila has had some trouble in school. In June, a troubled child threatened to 'slit Aila's throat', and when the school did nothing, we stepped in. This incident has precipitated a lot of changes and struggles. First, we removed Aila from the school because the school refused to remove the child. Aila was just supposed to go back the next day like nothing was wrong. What?! The troubled child was given sessions with a counsellor, other support was sent to "assist her" in how to deal better with her rage issues. But Aila was sent home crying, and nothing more was done. Zero support offered. This was the tipping point for a kid who was generally anxious. But this pushed things to a new level. The following days and weeks can only be described as 'hell', as we watched our girl have what we now can describe as a 'breakdown'. And we were devastated. We not only removed her from school for the remainder of the year, but ended up moving schools completely. (After a fight with the school board, and various notes from doctors supporting our request) The summer was long and full of angst, as Aila had a new anxiety/fear level that we had never seen before. She spent weeks seeing a life-saving therapist. My little girl was struggling so fiercely...and it was so hard to watch.

September came, and she entered a new school. However, anxiety doesn't leave when your surroundings change. So she still struggles with severe anxiety. One of the largest issues is how she responds to other kids. Because of the traumatic incident in the other school, she now is very mistrustful. Her first assumption is to feel unsafe. Instead of assuming she is loved and accepted, she assumes the opposite. What I love about Aila is that despite being hurt, she remains a soft-hearted kid. It's a lovely trait, but it leaves her open to wounding until she matures to find a balance that is healthy.

When there is conflict, or a child isn't kind....she doesn't cope well. What do you do when a kid is mean? When a kid tells her that her wolf shirt is 'dumb', or she is 'annoying'. How can she respond? (besides crying)

"Aila....call out the treasure in them!" I said.

 There is a truth that defuses the hardest heart. Hard hearts are hard for a reason: They have been wounded. A lot.

"Aila...you can help bring healing to a hard heart like this: Look deep into that person. It might be hard to find, but there is a treasure. There is something that is beautiful. Something that is special. They might have lovely blue eyes. They might be good at something. There is beauty in them even if they can't see it. That is their treasure. In some instances, the treasure might have been buried and replaced with a lie. They may believe they are ugly, but the truth...the treasure is that they are beautiful. God has made them special...and that is the truth. We have the ability to call that out! And it looks like this: You look into that person...you find that thing...you reach in....you pull it out....and you hold it in your hands and you show it to them. You show them that you SEE the treasure...and that you see it as special. And you do all that with a simple phrase in response to their negative comments. "Aila, your shirt is so dumb." *wait a few minutes and then return to them* "You are a really great artist. I love how you draw".  Don't give a glib compliment, but find a truth and speak it over them. That's how you call out the treasure. And it will defuse them. Love always wins."

Just talking with her about it reminded me of so many instances in my own life where someone called out the treasure in me. Or when I have searched deep and wide for the treasure in others. It reminded me to daily be calling out the treasure in my kids...in my husband. The power of speaking truth over people...its an amazing tool.

Try it! Love wins.... :)

Unsatisfied

My heart has known You
In a place so wondrous
I can’t describe
Try to put into words
How close You have come
How deeply I’ve known You
Close enough
To feel the heat
To feel the breath
To hear Your heart
To share Your secrets
And there I am loved
Good and bad
As I am
Just me
In Your presence
Longing, waiting, knowing, finding
And now I’m ruined
For anything less
And I won’t apologize
If I’m unsatisfied

Which is more Godly?

Which is more Godly:
to be happy?
or to be suffering?

I'm curious what your (my!) response would be to this question. Sometimes we answer what we think is the correct (or Godly) answer, but in truth, we live a different way. Think about it...what do you believe about this statement, and how does it affect how you live?

Please...feel free to comment!

PLEASE comment anonymously

1) so that we can be be truthful about what you honestly think you believe deep down...and
2) that our answers don't affect other responses based on relationships we all may have to each other



(PS: define the words as you wish...I'm just throwing it out there as a discussion point that raises honest questions for me!)

Business God's way...

I was looking over my 'book keeping' program at all the late invoices I have. Stink. I really could use that income. Why don't people pay? I don't quite understand that...frustrating.

I figure the best way to get people to pay you is not to nag them...but pray that God blesses their business. Oh...I'm not dumb...I do send late notices...and keep my nose in their door etc. But if they aren't just lazy...if they really can't pay at this moment...isn't the best solution prayer?

I learned this from Jason years ago.

When he applied for the job at Friesens, there was another guy who they had narrowed it down to as well. The two of them were the last standing. I remember asking Jason how to approach this...because saying "God...please give me the job!!" works well for YOU...but what about the other guy? Doesn't God love him too? Wasn't his wife at home just as hopeful as I was? I remember Jason saying to me "I will NOT pray that I get the job....I will only pray that God brings a better job...more blessing, greater opportunity etc for the other guy." I thought that was awesome. I mean...we really felt this was the job for Jason. But instead of focusing our prayer on "oh God...me me me me...", Jason turned it into real, true caring intercession for the other applicant. It wasn't just lip service...he really started to pray for this guy's life!

I wonder what ever happened to that guy.

Anyway...we seem to make prayer this event that is just simply all about what we need, or don't have...instead of flipping it, and making it about the person on the other end. I don't need to pray that God blesses my business...as much as I need to be praying that God blesses my customers! Can you imagine? Can you imagine how amazing it would be if when your client was in your office...you were praying the blessing of God on their lives? Who knows what kind of spiritual chain reaction that could cause....

I truly believe that life in God's economy is so drastically different than this word's economy. As Christians, we are part of a greater Kingdom, aren't we? And what makes a Kingdom a Kingdom anyway? Simply that it has a King! And our King does things much differently than man. His rule is different...his laws are different...and there is an invitation for us to experience what business and careers look like in HIS Kingdom. Why are you bored with your job? Perhaps you aren't looking at it like He does. Your job is your ministry. How fruitful is it?

This is where Jason and my passion for the marketplace stems from. Imagine Christians looking at their jobs in a new way. Not just your pay-cheque...but an opportunity to see the Kingdom coming on earth (as it is in heaven, right?) ...righteous behaviour, people living by upside-down Godly principals. And incredible, unfathomable blessing coming on businesses who adhere to these simple principals.

This economy may be in a recession...but God's isn't. What does that look like? And not just in the spiritual realm...but in the nuts and bolts of the business world.

I could write forever on this...but I have to get back to work! :)

Worship Sets

I've been watching these 'worship sets' since January. It's the 2009" One Thing" Conference.

Amazing...if you have a couple hours. I just put them on...and have them run in the background while I work.

After experiencing worship like this....whole hearted...prophetic...ugh...I'm just ruined!! "Singing songs"...not touching the throne...just doesn't cut it.

http://www.god.tv/video/play?video=1063

what do you see?

There is an amazing billboard up around Ottawa. The ad is for a paint store, but here is the jist:

A wide open wheat field...and in the centre...this big white wall. The text under it says
"What do you see? A wall or a canvas?"

I LOVE this ad. Its really saying so much more than we realize. To some, we see an unsightly wall in the middle of a gorgeous scene and think "Ugh...that's horrible!" Others see the same wall and see the potential to be creative.

Life is like that. We have walls popping up all over our lives in different situations. We can pout, stomp, sit down in a snit and complain about how big the wall is, how we can't see over it, how it bothers us, how it could fall down someday, how it blocks our view, how it keeps the sun out etc etc. OR we can get out our paint cans, and make the wall the best part of our lives. Paint it lovely. Make it something you love to look at, make it something so unique and interesting that you couldn't imagine your wall not being there. Because the fact is....as long as you can move AROUND or over it...it's actually not a wall. It's just a canvas. And all you have to do is change your position from in front of it, to next to it...and your perspective can change!

And the only difference? Your attitude...and how you choose to see things.

So what will it be:
Wall?
or Canvas?

Waking Up

My neighbours are Muslim. I love them to pieces! We get along with them so well...it's been such a blessing moving here, and having friends live next door. Their son and Anneka are friends, and we share a trampoline, a lawn mower, and the task of caring for our large joined yard. We really love and admire them.

I am always in awe of the fact that they are called to prayer 5x a day. Now, I have my thoughts about their faith...about where Truth is, and the rest of it. But you gotta admit....Islam puts us to shame when it comes to putting aside time for God. In Islam its part of the rules. No such rule exists in Christianity...but rather an invitation.

Problem? We rarely accept this invitation to time with God. Prayer is seen as a long and boring task. Most of us aren't very good at it.

This week Jason and I were at a wonderful conference, and one of the suggestions they made was what they called "The Daily Office". Its an ancient idea really, something monks still do. It's simply this: Taking a small moment, a couple times a day...to connect with God. Doesn't have to be long. Just a connection time.

I looked at it like when you pick up the phone during your day and quickly call your spouse. You ask how things are going today...you listen to their heart for a moment, share how your day has been, say "I love you!" and then go on with your day.

Because I get so distracted during the day, I wondered just how on earth I could find time, or even remember to do this with God.

It dawned on me as the speaker was sharing. I got my phone out of my purse, and set my alarm to ring every day at 10:30, and 2:30. When my phone beeps, I simply turn off my computer monitor, push myself back from the desk, lean back, close my eyes....and 'check in' with God. One minute. Not long. If I want...I can take more time...but it's not about how long. Its about taking a breath from your day, and communing with the Father. Just being still before Him.

Corey Russell suggests that we stop a few times a day, and simply pray one prayer. "God, wake me UP!" So much of the church is asleep. Unaware. God...wake me up!

It's only been 2 days...but I'm already amazed at how refreshing its been. My very own Call to Prayer, twice a day.

A friend mentioned that she may do it too. Set her phone to ring at the same time, so that we'd be having our Call to Prayer at the same time each day. I thought that was so cool!!

I wondered if my friend in Wpg would want to join us. (Setting her clock to 9:30am, and 1:30pm so that despite the time change, we'd all be pausing at the same time) Wouldn't that be cool? A group of women, called to prayer each day....in unison. How cool would that be!!

Wanna join us?

New Fav!

I'm hooked on a worship leader named Todd Lout. He is a worshipleader/pastor in California, at a house of prayer that is associated with the Bethel church in Redding CA. His songs are born in the prayer room, and are full of scripture, intimacy and longing.

His CD is available here for download (with previews)

LOVE IT!!

Missing Trees

Last night, I invited a couple friends out for dinner. It's kinda my "Ottawa version" of our Winnipeg "Girls at Earls".

I sent out invites, with the following 'assignment'

We want to get to know each other!

If you could think of one word or one symbol that tells us who you are...in a simple way...what would it be? Perhaps it represents where you have been, or what you love, or what your dreams are. There are no wrong answers! Please bring a little 'something' that represents who you are at this stage of your life. We'll then have a time of sharing our item, and why we chose it.

One of the girls brought a slightly wilted piece of a tree branch. She explained that they had had this one large lovely tree in their yard, and for some reason, it had to be cut down. She is a real lover of the outdoors, and used to love hearing the wind in the tree, and watch the branches sway. She explained that she felt silly, but that she was really grieving the loss of that tree. Her yard is now bare and open...and she has felt this tinge of sadness all week.

I couldn't help thinking that we all have "trees" in our lives that we can wake up and find 'gone'. And others may not think them super significant, they were things of joy for us...and we have to deal with that open space where there once was shade and enjoyment. I think I have a few missing trees myself...and I can't help but fear that it will take 10 years until a 'new tree' is as lovely and fruitful as the old one was.

For her, it was a simple...and even silly thing she had thrown in her purse as a last minute 'item' to share with us. But I couldn't help thinking how profound it really was...and wondered how many other missing trees there are in her life, and in the lives of the other women at the table.

It was a good night of sharing, and I left the restaurant feeling that my heart was full!

A Muslim's encounter with Jesus

Got 20 minutes? Beautiful!!!!!

Lots to think about...

Not much to say really. Lotsa work lately...keeping me busy. I'm also reading a book called "The Natasha's" about human trafficking. Heartbreaking....

We're slowly trying to find our way through the setting up of Exodus Cry here in Canada. The non-profit status stuff...lotsa legalese. In the meantime, Jason and I are working our way through a library of books on the topic of human trafficking. It's unbelievable that this is happening all around us. Not just far away, but in our city. In your city...

I used to say the old phrase "If what I'm doing helps just one person...then it's all worth it." Now, I have a different perspective. I don't wanna just help one person...c'mon now...this is far beyond 'one person'. I'm not giving my life, and my future for the sake of 'one peron'....heck no....I wanna change the world! At least, that's the perspective I wanna have. Helping one person isn't acceptable to me in a world where the most unacceptable things are occuring. Sure...lets start with one...and move forward from there.

Exodus Cry

Kansas City

Well, this is our last day in Kansas City.

Jason and I flew here on Friday for a series of meetings. We've not made it public yet, but now I guess it's official.

Here's what we're up to:

www.exoduscry.ca

Exodus Cry is a community of intercessors focused on praying for the ending of Human Trafficking & the Sex Trade. They also work to rescue girls from this life, and see them put into safehouses, and restored. We're not talking just about adult women. In fact, most of these girls are just that. Girls. Little ones....4 years old. Twelve years old.....just children.

A couple months ago, I walked into the livingroom to find Jason weeping as he cuddled with Aila on the floor. He looked up at me, and said "There are little Ailas kept in cages in parts of the world and used as sex slaves. They are forced to service up to 40 men a day. How can that be okay? And what wouldn't I do to rescue Aila out of that life??! There isn't anything I wouldn't do!! I'd give my life for it. But Yvonne, my heart just doesn't distinguish between "those girls" or my girls. They ARE my girls...those are my Ailas...and I HAVE to do something."

So this is what we're doing.

Some people may ask "What good is praying?" and our answer is this: Unless Angels and Demons move, nothing is going to change. Justice is empty without the power of God behind it. So we are starting there.

Look Who's Watching?

It's all about the heart...

Lately I've witnessed a couple situations in which people have become offended by the words or actions of others. Since I've been on the outside of these situations, I have tried to stand back and watch the reactions of people who are offended.

Offense makes us say really harsh things. We are so quick to assume the worst about a person. We throw around words like "arrogant" or "insensitive"... "ignorant" or "judgmental". A person who we once considered a friend becomes the recipient of rather harsh character traits.

I've been on both sides of these issues for many years. I've been hurt, and then assumed the worst about people. (therefore, judging their motivation, assuming that the reason they did what they did was because of their arrogance or ignorance) I've also been misunderstood, and had people say horrible things about me....and my intentions.

In all of these instances....there is one common denominator. Misunderstanding.

No, he didn't mean to fatally wound me. She wasn't out to break my heart and isolate me. They weren't really acting out of arrogance, and I wasn't the one they were thinking about when they said that.

I've learned a very important thing:

We must always always look at someone's HEART!

In one instance when I was hurt, I immediately (and naturally) assumed that the person's motivation was nothing but pure evil. Okay...maybe not evil, but they certainly were throwing around words that I was sure were meant just to puncture my innocent heart. They were bad people....I was a victim. Of course, this wasn't accurate...but by the way I felt about them in my heart....you would have thought they had just sprouted horns and a tail.

Firstly....if I had called this person "friend" just hours before...wouldn't that make me a really bad judge of character? I should pick my friends more carefully perhaps...

OR

Perhaps I wasn't correct in my perception. Perhaps they were just broken people, and perhaps their intent wasn't as evil and malicious as I thought. Perhaps they weren't trying to be hurtful, prideful, mean, or push me down. Perhaps they were making the best decision they could in that moment, and it truly wasn't intended to wound me. Perhaps they were just like me....and perhaps they were misunderstood too.

In these situations, I try really hard to immediately take a step back and ask myself "Ok...stop. What is their heart?"

Is their heart really to be a prideful jerk? Is their heart to hurt me? Is their heart really that dark? that sinister? Or maybe...their heart is really quite good. Maybe wounded...maybe fearful...maybe frustrated by life...maybe misunderstood, and maybe feeling defensive. Maybe...just maybe...

It's so important to judge people by their heart....by the good things they've contributed to your life instead of the one harsh word or situation of misunderstanding.

It is really all about the heart...

Little Mosque

Great....one post about Celebrity Rehab, and now all my ads are about drugs! Geez!!

Ooo....I had to tell you about another show I'm loving.
"Little Mosque on the Prairie"

I have Muslim neighbours, so I thought I'd watch an episode of Little Mosque...just to see what I could learn. I'm learning lots about Islamic tradition (even if it's a sit-com, and not everything is 100% accurate) but the characters are really cute, and it's quite funny! I have read some books on Islam, so I can see what parts of the show are not quite accurate (like flirting between male and female characters...something not done in Islam) and which parts really are accurate.

It seems that all information, books, websites written by Christians about Islam are very alarmist. I want to get some information, without someone telling me how worried I should be, or how wrong their theology is. I just want to know some cultural information so that I'm not an idiot when I talk to my neighbour. Being a Christian my entire life, I can draw my own conclusions about the faith-parts...thanks. I don't need to be freaking out about how they are gonna take-over the world. I just wanna love my neighbour! And not being ignorant about her culture is a great way to build a bridge.

So yeah...I'm enjoying the show. A fun way to 'study' an important issue....

Like Mike?

Bickle that is...

If you know me, you know that I'm not especially fond of listening to teaching stuff. I'm much to ADD for that...it's not terribly interactive, so my mind wanders.

BUT

This is a beautiful teaching that Mike Bickle did on Mother's day. It's called "The Worth of a Woman"...so a bit about women....but actually more for Husbands on understanding and finding what moves your wife's heart etc. It's a parallel to God's love for us as his bride. There's some great stuff on parenting too.

Really.....you should hear it. (Especially if you're a guy) . And it's less than an hour...so it's an easy listen.

DOWNLOAD IT HERE
(this link will stop working in 6 days)

The Shack

A friend gave me this book to read. She said it was amazing...and I'm always up for a good book.

It's not often the you read a book that makes you cry. A book that you think about for days after your done reading. A book that you NEED to read again, just to absorb it all. This is one of those, folks. It's called "The Shack". It's about a man named Mack who has just had an unthinkable loss, and his journey back to the place where it occurred. (An old abandoned shack) What he encounters is not what he expected. He meets God in the shack.

Now...I'll say that I'm suuuurre there are some theological issues....as there are anytime you write a book where God is speaking. I mean...how can we completely know what His nature would be like? HOWEVER...this book is an amazing experience...ESPECIALLY if you have ever questioned God, had tragedy, loss, or dissapointment with God and/or religion.

It's like fresh air...

Click on the book to see it on Amazon. And if you read it...let me know.

Moving on

Okay...so having Renee move away has been harder than I anticipated. I kinda thought I could just look at the perks, and not miss her so much. By perks, I mean: Having a guest room, more room in my cupboard, an extra drawer in the fridge etc. Yeah...not working. hehe.

Her room is empty, and I keep the door closed. I don't like it empty. I mentioned decorating it for guests, and Anneka got upset. She's not ready yet. She doesn't like when we mention Renee. Ah yes...my little denial clone. "It makes me sad to think about her. So don't talk about her right now." Poor thing.

Otherwise, work has been slow...which is nice. It seems that God knows when I need a break (or a slow time) and my work flow adjusts. Sometimes I just need a break from "pressure to do", and just take some time to "be".

In other news, we've started worshiping with friends once in a while in our home. It's been so refreshing. Its just a small group, but safe. It feels like "home" to have people over. I've always loved that...having people over, but specifically having people worship in our home. I want it to be a place of peace, safety, and encounter. And I think God has been moving in people...which is SO exciting! The more I'm here...the more I realize that I only desire one thing. To truly encounter Jesus, and facilitate others encountering Him too.

So often I'm struck by the realization that I just don't know Him...that I fall so short. I see that I'm so self centred....broken, and consumed with whatever is causing me pain in life. Having people encounter Him in my home focuses me. It gets me out of my own head....and looking outward and upward.

It's a good thing.

Growing

Today I met a girl named Rachel. Okay...a woman named Rachel. She's probebly my age...or close to it. I shared with her about moving here to Ottawa, and how hard it is. I feel uncomfortable. Anxious. Nothing is "the same". I feel my old issues being triggered, as I fumble for a way to deal with the new stress. I try to push the feelings away, because I'm afraid they may overwhelm me. (And who has time for THAT?) hehe.

She could totally relate. She herself is in recovery from addiction. And in that area, she often feels the uncertainty that sobriety brings. How do you function in a world without all that you had to keep you safe? So this is the thought that I walked away with thanks to my talk with Rachel:

Feeling safe feels really good, but you don't grow in that place. When you are uncomfortable you can be sure that you are moving. You now have a choice....which direction will you move? Forward or Backwards? Into the new growth God has for you? Or back to the old 'safe' things that you worked so hard to escape from?

I never thought of the uncomfortable-ness as being a good thing. I just tried to find ways to avoid it. Push it out of my mind, push past it etc. But what if I allow it (as God's process) to refine me? What if I let the fire burn instead of hunting for ways to extinguish it? What kind of treasure could be found in the end?

Lovely sentiment.....but a whole other thing to walk out.

Okay..I just started to giggle. I thought of a great book title idea. "A Pain in the Ash."