life

  • God's Incubator

    chicken brooding over eggs“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”
                                                     Genesis 1:1-2
    Last week I was blessed to spend my recovery time at camp.  While there I was able to catch up with a friend I used to live near.  She told me that she was going through a confusing time and didn’t understand what God was up to in her life.  She explained this weird unsettling feeling, sensing that God was doing something, wanting to know what was ahead.  She was in God’s incubator!
    As Edna spoke the verse from Genesis came to mind.  The word used for God’s activity before creating the earth is translated “hovering” in most Bible versions, but the original Hebrew meaning comes from the root of the word “brood”.  I learned on my Uncle’s farm that birds brood by hovering over the eggs keeping them hot like a baby in an incubator.   The farmer has to wait until the brooding time is over and the chicks are hatched.
    So often before God is going to bring something new into the world, or into our lives, the Holy Spirit “hovers and broods” over our spirits.   It’s a time when we are unsettled.  Frequently, God moves us into “hot spots” and makes us wait for an undetermined amount of time.  The old ways are no longer comfortable, but lack fulfillment.  There is this sensing that things are about to change, but you don’t know how…or when!  Much like the feeling of a pregnant mother when the baby is getting close to the delivery date.
    If you are sensing this in your life, be encouraged.  God IS up to something good.  Relax and wait for His perfect timing.  Incredible things are birthed in God’s Incubator!
    PRAYER
    Father…I thank-you for what you are doing in my life.  I may not understand it, but I trust that what you are doing will bring life!  Help me to patiently wait while you brood over me.   In Jesus Name…Amen!

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  • {Pentecost} Authority That Brings LIFE!

    
 “Now God has equipped us to be capable
servants of the new covenant,
not by authority of the written law
which only brings death,
but by the Spirit who brings life.”
2 Corinthians 3:6 (The Voice)

    I love holidays so we can get off work and have an excuse for a family feast. With my family, there’s always lots of laughs, lots of love and way too much food!Yesterday (Sunday the 8th) was the day Jewish people celebrated The Feast of Pentecost, 50 days after Passover.
    The first Day of Pentecost was celebrated 50 days after the Israelites found deliverance from their enemy by crossing over the red sea, Moses went up Mount Sinai and received the Law. God kept him up there for a bit and in the waiting, the people rebelled. They gave their gold, created an idol of a calf and began worshipping it. It just seems so crazy, but it’s true! When Moses came down the mountain it made God so mad that 3000 people lost their lives in his judgment. The first day of Pentecost was marked by rebellion of the people. The law brought death.
    The next Pentecost that is famous in the Bible is the one recorded in Acts 2. This one was celebrated 50 Day after Jesus was crucified as the sacrificial lamb at Passover.
    True deliverance came to not only the Israelites but also the whole world that day! The events of this Pentecost Celebration have been talked about for centuries and caused a lot of debate, but history books confirm the biblical account. As Peter testified to the deliverance that comes through what Christ did on the cross, just 50 days before, the Bible says that, “about three thousand were added to their number that day.” This day of Pentecost was marked by salvation of the people.  The spirit brought life, to make us powerful witnesses for Christ!
    You see Jesus didn’t come to give you more rules. Jesus came to give you LIFE, and life more abundantly! Celebrate Pentecost in your hearts this week and be thankful for the deliverance you have in Christ!

    Prayer

    Father…I thank-you for sending your son Jesus into this world to save me from my sins. May I never take for granted all that Christ did that sets me from the judgment I deserve. Help me to live my life in gratitude for the life you gave.   Let my life bring You glory!  In Jesus Name…Amen.

    Soul H2O BookIf you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.

    #Dare2Share
    Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!

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  • Friends & Family

    IMG_3706
    Girlfriends

    This past week was incredible for me!  It’s been crazy busy, but crazy fun!  I’ve seen more friends and family than I have in a very long time…visited with old friends and made some wonderful new ones!  It started off with Monika (friend since youth camp) and I driving to Toronto and only missing one exit off of the highway!  We met up with Annemarie (friend since College) and her lovely daughter Molina (new friend) for one of the LONGEST lunches I’ve ever had the privilege of eating!  Not that I knew what I was eating, but I liked all of it–save the curried chicken 🙂  Annemarie is living such an exotic life now that we at a Vietnamese restaurant!  Soooo good!
    Next, Monika and I were off to the Grad ceremonies with Annemarie for our former Bible College.  It was awesome seeing so many friends that I hadn’t seen in years, Profs, Deans and our former School President.  I think the highlight was that the Dean of Women Sue Rodney James remembered me and was so happy to see me!  She yelled out “Sherry Fletcher” and opened her arms wide 🙂  How awesome is that!  I made so many incredible friends in College.  Bonnie I wish you could have been there!  Two of our classmates were honoured!  Craig Burton received a lifetime award for his years of service as the Chairman of the Board and Dale Sanger was the valedectorian for Seminary students as he completed his Masters Degree.  Many friends I’ve stayed in touch with and we’ve been through so much together…love found, love lost, ministry achievements, ministry heartaches, children born, children lost, children married…  Our friendships have sometimes been the hope that kept us going when everything within us wanted to give up!

    Monika and I headed to the hotel in Ajax where I was the retreat speaker for two friends churches from Peterborough.  Such an awesome time seeing old friends and making new ones.  I even saw more College friends that attend their churches!  I met the cutest little Worship Leader on the planet and I LOVE her music!  I can’t stop listening to her CD.  You need to check out her website http://www.melina-d.ca and get a copy!  Melina Dulluku I love you 🙂  There were too Amazing worship leaders for the weekend, fun games and a really great time connecting with God!  I couldn’t have managed this weekend without my incredible friend Monika!  Mon, thanks for ALL you did 🙂

    The last event was filled with family and friends!  I drove down to speak at the Simcoe, ON Spring Fling Event with my mother-in-law and got to visit with my mom!  At the event I saw Braeside friends, unexpected college friends, some of my old youth group and met some new friends too!  Busy Week yes!  Amazing Week YES!!!  It just makes me realize how important it is to build friendships and keep them growing.  You never know where you’ll be when you might just need one!  Love you all!  ~Sherry

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