Do You Want to be Adopted?

I was fortunate to grow up in a home with both my father and mother.

Although it started out kind of rough for them — my dad was black and my mom is white — they hung in there through prejudice against them, and made it work! That was unusual 60 years ago.

That they stayed together has been a real gift and glowing example to me when things got rough in my own marriage.

As great as my parents were, though, there was always something in me that wanted to be adopted! There was something glamorous about it in my mind. I remember searching the attic for “adoption papers” to prove I was adopted. There were none (smile).

I realize a lot of people don’t know the security of seeing parents walk through the good and the bad for over 50 years, and actually fulfill their vows of: “til death do us part.” But one of the greatest joys of my heart has been to see friends and strangers come to know the love of a Father who will never leave them nor forsake them, who promised to be there for eternity.

God, our Heavenly Father, loved us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to make a way for us to be adopted into His family. When I believed that Jesus was God’s Son, the Heavenly Father adopted me as His own child. “He came into the world — the world he had created — and the world failed to recognize him. He came to his own creation, and his own people would not accept him. Yet wherever men did accept him he gave them the power to become sons of God.”

(John 1:11, 12 JB Phillips) We are not “all God’s children” until we accept what Jesus did for us on the cross. So, it turns out, I was adopted after all!

Have you ever wanted to be adopted into a caring family and know the security of a loving Father who wants only the best for you? One who will spend time with you and encourage you to be all He created you to be? Well, Jesus made a way for you, just like He did for me.

Your life does not have to be all together or perfect to be part of God’s family.

Jesus came to seek and save the lost and orphaned. By accepting Jesus’ gift, bought for you on the cross, you can know the love of the Heavenly Father. He formed and created you. He has an amazing plan to prosper and bless you. It’s as simple as asking, and believing that Jesus has made it possible.

When you are truly a child of God, you will discover that you have brothers and sisters of all shapes and sizes, colours and persuasions, because God accepts us all when we come to Him. Why not come to the Father today and join the family?

Oh, and Happy Father’s Day!

Seek the Lord, not experiences

I believe in angels. I even believe I know the names of some of the angels who have been assigned to me. I also believe that some, including Saint Paul, have been caught up to Heaven and have seen Jesus and God the Father there. I believe there are many spiritual experiences that are possible in the here and now.

But I am concerned about the huge preoccupation with this kind of thing right now. People get distracted by these extraneous experiences to the exclusion of their relationship with Jesus. I want, and need all the help I can get! And I do believe we are supposed to be walking in miracles NOW and there isn’t a whole lot of that in the Church.

I asked the Lord what He thought about all this, and I would like to share what I believe He told me, for your consideration.

“Holly, I do send My angels to minister to you, and it is not wrong to be aware of them or look for them. But it is not to take away from our relationship, nor are you to put them ahead of Me or seek them instead of Me. SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM, then all these things will be added unto you.

You have been asking Me to open your eyes and to show you Heavenly things. I will. You just have to seek Me first and you will see My Kingdom. Be aware, like you are the signs of the times. Ask Me for My power to be manifest through My Spirit, and if angels are needed, I will send them. But YOU TOO can walk in these things because My Spirit is within you. I have given you the tools that you need, and I will send My angels to help you.

There is a lot of emphasis on going to Heaven and seeing angels and things that are not bad in and of themselves, but as soon as they become the focus, they become idols. Do NOT have any other gods before Me. It will not produce the fruit you want. Guard your heart and mind, or you will pay the price. Keep your eyes on Me, your hands clean and your heart pure. Then you will walk in power and be able to rise up into Heavenly places and see what you need to see.

I have shown you who you are. I will train your hands for battle and your arms will bend a bow of bronze against the enemy. You will prevail and win against him if you stay close to Me and follow close behind Me. I will give you what you need, when you need it.

If you are hungry for more, all you have to do is ask. I have given you the power to obey My call. Ask Me and I will send angels to go minister and even fight for you. But it is more important to seek Me while I may be found. Call on Me while I Am near."

Isaiah 55 can guide us in discerning the way we should go.

1 “Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink—even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk—it’s all free! 2 Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food.
3 “Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David…

6 Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. 7 Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.
8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts….

11 It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. 12 You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! …

One Warm Line -

Crossing Canada’s Northwest Passage on Hwy 16 

John and I are traveling across Canada from Seattle, WA to Halifax, NS. We decided to take the “high road” this time from British Columbia to Alberta along Hwy 16 and through Jasper National Park. (for more pictures, check my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155067469637489&set=pcb.10155067550457489&type=3&theater)

While leaving BC, we had introduced a couple of people to Stan Rogers, a Cape Bretoner, who wrote a song about going through the Northwest Passage (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIjFpwsXhuI). It is a powerful song. Once it gets started in my head, it does NOT go away easily (not that I’m complaining ☺️).

All of that to say, I was very aware of the trek we were taking along Hwy 16 on beautifully maintained 2 and 4 lane paved highways. Any of the vistas at any given point would take your breath away. I couldn’t help thinking about the prisoners who came through for the first time. The imposing mountains, the vastness of the rugged terrain, the brutal forces of nature, all through land that had never before been seen let alone mapped. How did they survive the severity of it all?

And the backdrop to it all, running over and over again in my mind, was Stan Roger’s “One Warm Line”.

I truly felt like we were travelling the “one warm line on land”. Franklin and his men did it by sea, but we were following in the footsteps of those who had conquered that quest by land. And what a privilege it is to be able to follow where they plowed through.

Canada is a big empty country in so many ways, but it is not because there is nothing there. There are parts of this nation that may never be seen by human eyes, but the Creator of it all looks down with delight, I am convinced, because He knows all the little animals and plants and rivers and lakes that are hidden away and are there just for Him to enjoy. I am thankful though, that He has put it in the hearts of men and women to seek out these treasures, and then gives them the fortitude, the strength of character and conviction to follow their dreams.

It has been my pleasure and delight to be able to cross the North American Continent 6 times now. Sometimes through the US and sometimes through Canada. It shows me parts of God that I would never have seen. His extravagant use of color and hue, multitudes of texture, the unending variety of birds and plants and flowers, His love of open spaces and peace.

I love Canada and the US and am grateful that God has planted me here. I see myself as Bi-Coastal (Eastern Canada and West Coast BC and Washington), and Bi-polar - of the north and south persuasion :) allowing me to embrace two of my native countries - Canada and the United States.

As I trek back and forth across this awesome land, my prayer is that I can encourage those I meet, as I have been encouraged and inspired by those who have opened the way for me. If I could show the way for those coming behind me and leave a warm line for them to travel, my hope is that it would lead to the Maker of all this beauty and majesty, for He is more impressive than all of it put together.

Northwest Passage
By Stan Rogers

Ah, for just one time I would take the Northwest Passage
   
To find the hand of Franklin reaching for the Beaufort Sea;
   
Tracing one warm line through a land so wide and savage
   
And make a Northwest Passage to the sea.

Westward from the Davis Strait 'tis there 'twas said to lie

The sea route to the Orient for which so many died;

Seeking gold and glory, leaving weathered, broken bones

And a long-forgotten lonely cairn of stones.

Ah, for just one time I would take the Northwest Passage
   
To find the hand of Franklin reaching for the Beaufort Sea;
   
Tracing one warm line through a land so wide and savage
   
And make a Northwest Passage to the sea.

Three centuries thereafter, I take passage overland

In the footsteps of brave Kelso, where his "sea of flowers" began

Watching cities rise before me, then behind me sink again

This tardiest explorer, driving hard across the plain.

Ah, for just one time I would take the Northwest Passage
   
To find the hand of Franklin reaching for the Beaufort Sea;
   
Tracing one warm line through a land so wide and savage
   
And make a Northwest Passage to the sea.

And through the night, behind the wheel, the mileage clicking west

I think upon Mackenzie, David Thompson and the rest

Who cracked the mountain ramparts and did show a path for me

To race the roaring Fraser to the sea.

Ah, for just one time I would take the Northwest Passage
   
To find the hand of Franklin reaching for the Beaufort Sea;
   
Tracing one warm line through a land so wide and savage
   
And make a Northwest Passage to the sea.

How then am I so different from the first men through this way?
Like them, I left a settled life, I threw it all away.

To seek a Northwest Passage at the call of many men

To find there but the road back home again.

Ah, for just one time I would take the Northwest Passage
   
To find the hand of Franklin reaching for the Beaufort Sea;
   
Tracing one warm line through a land so wide and savage
   

And make a Northwest Passage to the sea.

A Slave or Not A Slave? That is the question!

A Slave or Not A Slave? That is the question!

By Holly M. Roddam

The story of the first American missionaries to Burma* got me thinking about how slavery has been part of man’s history since the beginning. Time magazine reported in January 2010 that despite more than a dozen international bans on slavery in the past 150 years, there are more slaves today than any other time in human history.

Being only three generations out of slavery myself, I can’t comprehend people thinking they can own others, and treat them with such brutality. And yet, I don't always treat people the way I should. Maybe it shouldn't be so hard to understand!

It was with curiosity and interest that I read Pulitzer Prize winner, Alex Tizon's final story for The Atlantic magazine, “My Family’s Slave” **, a moving story about how Alex’s family came to America in 1964 from the Philippines, and brought Lola, a Filipino slave, with them. She served the family for 56 years until she died.

I was struck by the power of Lola’s love and ability to put a family who often mistreated her, before herself. Obviously, I don't believe in slavery, but I admire how Lola demonstrated what St Paul said, "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Phil 4:12-13 NIV

I wonder if Lola knew Jesus. She certainly lived like Jesus! There was nothing to say that she even knew Him, but I wonder too, that there aren’t many who meet Jesus in a way that our Evangelical model would never consider or believe! Scripture says that creation witnesses to the love of God, and Jesus is a friend to the outcast and sinner. There is no excuse for not knowing Him.

My hope is that I too will know the secret of being content in my situation. I have been privileged in so many ways, and yet, mostly I have seen what I haven't had, or what the Lord hasn't done for me. But I am learning. You can be free on the outside but a slave inside, and you can be a slave on the outside, but truly free on the inside.

I don't understand suffering, especially when people are pouring their lives out for God. Adoniram Judson and all the first American Overseas missionaries, willingly, and painfully, gave up their lives for the sake of the gospel. Today hundreds of thousands of Christians are tortured and martyred for their faith. But I do know that God's ways are higher. I trust that He is good and what He does is good, whether I understand it or not. I am thankful for the lives of those who have lived this truth for the rest of us to see.

Please, Jesus, may my life encourage those coming behind me.

 *http://christianaudio.com/adoniram-judson-janet-benge-geoff-benge-audiobook-download
** https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/06/lolas-story/524490/

IT MIGHT BE FRIDAY...

I saw a sign that said, give blood on Friday. 
I read it twice, then I realized, 
“This is Good Friday! I don’t have to give blood. 
Jesus already did!” 

 




 
I know the sign was about a blood drive, and I believe in them, but it hit me that Jesus was a blood donor of a rare sort. The gift of His blood saved the entire world. It wasn’t because it was going to be infused into someone’s veins in a hospital, but because it has the power to wash away our sins forever. Jesus’ blood was enough to cover all our sins for all time, over and over again.

Today is the Saturday between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. I read a post on Facebook by Greg Goebel http://anglicanpastor.com/im-not-an-anglican/ and he made me think of something I had never considered in all the years of celebrating Easter. What was it like on Saturday??
                                
Jesus was dead. So many people were in shock and mourning. So many more weren’t even aware of the significance of all that had happened the day before. Even the disciples didn’t realize what really happened! Jesus was gone and now what were they going to do? Their whole world had crumbled around them. And yet, their countrymen went on as if nothing had changed.

Greg had a great perspective.

“On Holy Saturday I’m always torn between the routines of family life and the utter silence of all creation while Christ lies in the tomb. How can things go on as normal? Why did the earth continue to revolve and people to eat, drink, and be merry as Christ lay in the tomb, dead. Death is silent to the living. He was not moving. He was not there. When will God answer? We had hoped for more. This hope is not just an Anglican hope, its a human hope.”

Yesterday, was also the 9th anniversary of my Dad’s passing. I remember sensing Heaven being much closer now that Dad was there too. I didn’t feel an emptiness because, unlike the disciples, I knew Dad was alive and with the Living Saviour. The disciples didn’t know what was going on. But God had a plan and was working everything together for their good.

Death is not my problem 😇. It’s living each day before that graduation day. And like the disciples, I am often bewildered by “what the heck” is going on and “where is God when I need Him most?” But this Easter, I take away a new lesson.

On this Easter Saturday, I am going to “Be still and know that He is God” because God still has a plan. He is still working everything together for my good. Now I just need to remember, it might be Friday... it might be Saturday... but Sunday’s coming! And I think we all know what that means!

The Lord is Risen!!!
He is Risen Indeed!!!
HALLELUJAH!!! 🎉💕😇


HAPPY EASTER!

A Little Truth about Going Our Own Way

“Speaking the Truth in Love”

A Little Truth about Going Our Own Way

In the past couple of decades, we have been bullied into keeping our opinions, thoughts, and even beliefs to ourselves, because of “political correctness”. We are to believe that there is no right or wrong, except what is right for me, and wrong for you to think about me!

We have lost our moral compass and so anything goes, and no one can tell me what to do! But look where it has gotten us. “Causes” and “rights” have created a world where there is more selfishness, division and destruction than we have seen in decades, if not centuries.

Proverbs 14:12 tells us “There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” This is repeated in Prov 16:25. I think the Lord was trying to tell us something! When we leave His will and ways behind, thinking we are being “free”, we often are just deceived into following a pathway that leads us away from God and into destruction.

Jesus came to show us the Way. In fact, He said He was the way, and He leads us to the Throne of Grace where a loving Heavenly Father waits for us to “come home.” He leads us out of darkness and into His eternal light. He invited us to, “Repent and sin no more.”

Sin is rebellion against God. Knowing “better that Him” or declaring, “It’s my life, I can do what I want with it. It isn’t hurting anyone else.” It’s true, you can do what you want, but remember, the way is broad that leads to destruction, and narrow is the path that leads to life eternal. (Matt 7:13) And actually, we are interrelated, so what you do does affect others in your life. When we do what is right in our own eyes and ignore what the Creator declared was the way of life, we are sinning.

God wants us to be holy, as He is holy. Not perfect, but consecrated, set apart for a life that honours Him and His Son. A life that allows the Holy Spirit to move in and through us to make us who the Creator fashioned us to be.

The Truth is, there IS a right and wrong way to live our lives. If we want the most out of life, we should find out what the Father intended for us. “If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for Me, you will find it.” (Matt 10:39 NLT) Jesus invites us to the most exciting journey you could ever imagine. Forget about “political correctness”, and discover God’s correct way for your life. There’s no life like it - not even the Marine Corps :)

If you haven’t asked Jesus to forgive your sins and be the Lord and Saviour of your life, why not ask Him today? Discover the Truth about who you are in Him, and just how much He loves you.

Peace & Love,
Holly M. <><
 

Speaking the Truth in Love - Why I’m writing this blog    Mar 15, 2017

I, Holly, started this blog because I am utterly amazed at the viciousness of people’s reactions - on both sides of the border, since November’s election!! I thought, “What would Jesus think about all this?” He certainly did not shy away from controversy, but He taught that when we speak, we should speak the truth in LOVE.
Paul brought it home to us in 1 Cor 13:1 (NIV) “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” Because Jesus is the Truth, we are called to speak in such a way that it sets people free.

Words are often used as weapons and to prove our point, or make us better than someone else. Or, we allow ourselves to be shut down because of political correctness.

I have always been one to speak my mind, but just because I might think I’m right, doesn’t mean other people will think that! BUT if I share my opinions with love and curtesy, and listen to their  thoughts, we can actually have a DIALOGUE! and who knows, we might both learn something!! :)

I am a firm believer in “the Truth will set you free,” and if there is Truth being spoken, and I want  Truth, then there will be a witness, and I would be smart to listen!

Christians can play an important part in real communication happening at this crazy time.

Jim Denison, speaks and writes on cultural and contemporary issues. In his column “Texas Congressmen Driving to DC Go Viral” https://www.denisonforum.org/?utm_source=Cultural+Commentary&utm_campaign=ead6f2781b-Texas+congressmen+driving+to+DC+go+viral&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_51f776a552-ead6f2781b-273466309&mc_cid=ead6f2781b&mc_eid=5b258397ae , he wrote: “We are commanded to defend our beliefs ‘with gentleness and respect’ (1 Peter 3:15) by ‘speaking the truth in love’ (Ephesians 4:15). The greater our opposition, the greater our opportunity.”
Light shines in the darkness!

Shane Claiborne is a social activist, advocating for nonviolence and service to the poor. He put it well when he said, “…There are lots of people speaking the truth with no love, and there are a lot of people talking about love without much truth.”

The Church has the Truth. We HAVE to speak out. But it is not going to do anyone any good if we are just as angry as the people we are talking to. Can we show the difference that Jesus makes when He comes to live inside? Can we love our enemies and pray for those who despitefully use us (see my blog “Love Your Enemies Pt 1 http://hollymroddam.blogspot.com/)? Can we show the way forward by speaking the truth with respect, giving dignity to others, and rising above to love our enemies?

I for one will be trying.

Are You a Son of Issachar?

Are you a Son of Issachar?
1 Chronicles 12:32a "...the sons of Issachar had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do..."

Many years ago, the Lord told me to "pay attention" to what is going on in the world. I wasn’t to do anything about it necessarily, but to be aware. Then I heard about the Sons of Issachar who knew the signs of the times and understood what needed to be done. I prayed to be like them.

 
As Christians, we are to be aware of things that most people ignore. Jesus said we are to "Watch and Pray". Look for what God might be doing in a situation instead of buying hook, line and sinker what the media wants you to believe.

We have gone a long way from the morality and values that have blessed our lives. Yet we are surprised that there is so much evil in the world. We have closed God out of our lives and substituted Him with "political correctness" and being “loving", because we are afraid to stand for truth. The church has become silent, and taken up the causes of the world instead of the Gospel of Peace.

Jesus said that in the last days men would call good evil, and evil good. When Michael Jackson's song "Bad" came out, I was stunned that this was a literal fulfillment of this scripture! Now, when someone said you were “bad”, that was a good thing! "You're bad man!" meant you were really cool! Not that we can’t have slang and use expressions for things, but it was exactly what scripture said.

Is 5:20-23 (KJV)
20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;        
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;…
21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
And prudent in their own sight!…
23 Who justify the wicked for a bribe,
And take away justice from the righteous man!

The Sons of Issachar knew what was going on. They also knew how to correct things and bring them back to centre. They knew the Word and the commandments of God, and called things for what they were.

I am very saddened by how 2 Tim 3 is such a reflection of our way of life today:

2 Timothy 3 (KJV)
1 … in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away… 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth…
So many people today have been brought up without any knowledge of scripture and the love of the Father. Let us walk in the ways of God, showing the way, and teaching our children scripture, which is able to make them wise unto salvation through faith in Jesus.

It’s time to pay attention to the signs of the times, and realign our lives with Jesus.

Run the Race

Run the Race                                                 
They said Secretariat was a horse “built by God”.  Physically, Secretariat was built perfectly to run. His heart was twice as big as any other horse but he also had endurance, a rare combination. He seemed to take pleasure in starting out in last place, just to pass everyone on his way to a new track or race record. But when Secretariat ran the 3rd race in the Triple Crown in 1973, he started out first and kept on going! By the time he finished, he was a full 31 lengths ahead of Sham who ran the race of his life, only to come in a distant second.

In the 2010 movie “Secretariat”, the groom played Gospel music when he was grooming Secretariat and it was like the horse knew he had been created to run for God's pleasure, and to win. When he didn't win, he would go to the back of his stall and "think" about it. The next race, he would win with a new record! 

As I watched this movie, I understood life in a new way. God takes pleasure in hiding treasure so that man has the pleasure of discovering it. God doesn't withhold things from us, He invites, challenges, and cajoles us into really pursuing something! He invites us to allow the Holy Spirit to put wings on our feet and the wind at our back and do what we were built to do!

There have been many things in my heart over the years: writing books, doing concerts, seeing whole communities live for God, seeing nations come to the Lord in a day… I have seen partial fulfillment of some of these things, but I want to be more like Jesus and Paul, who seeing the prize set before them, ran their races and did not falter or give up when things got tough.

The Race of Faith  Hebrews 12:1b-2  (NKJV)

12 1…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Please, Jesus, help me to push past the things that would distract or hinder me. Let me become stronger in the process, and if I don't get it the first time, give me the strength to get up and go at it again until I get it right!

Thank You, Jesus, for the example of Secretariat. Thank You that You have built me to run the race that is set before me. Let me leave the devil in the dust, a full 31 lengths behind me.  Thanks!

- HMR <><

Love Your Enemies Pt 1

We are called as the Church to bring GOOD NEWS to the world that is lost and hopeless and hurting. Many are willing to speak the truth, but it is often used as a weapon, “Well, I was just being honest!” But if we speak the truth in LOVE we dispel the darkness and lies of the enemy.

Jesus said, "Love your enemies and pray for those who despitefully use you." What do you pray for someone who despitefully uses you? That they will come to know the truth and be set free from the lies that make them think they are doing good.

How did Germany get to a place where a Holocaust of millions of Jews could happen? People were lulled into it and didn't pay attention to the signs of the times. The Church was silent and then it was too late.

It seems impossible for us to think that could take place today, and yet, the same scenario is lining up, and again, we are asleep at the wheel. The Church needs to rise up, not in fear or compromise, but in LOVE and speak Jesus' TRUTH.

If we are only speaking the truth of "civil rights", we fool ourselves if we think that is how "We shall overcome." We will not overcome without Jesus. The Church, has the key - The Good News of the Prince of Peace. We need to tell people how much God LOVES them and has sent Jesus to die that we might not live under the tyranny of religion and rules that put individuals and whole people groups in bondage. He died that we might have life and have it ABUNDANTLY. People need to know this truth! God is FOR them, not against them. But if we are asleep or fearful of sharing, we are going to end up in a world that was like Nazi Germany all over again.

This is not a time to complain and gripe and bad-mouth people for things we disagree about. This is a time to pray for peace on earth and become part of the solution.

WE have the GOOD NEWS. Jesus left us with one commandment - “Go and preach the Gospel to every nation. Teach them to observe everything I have taught you.” He taught Truth in Love - not condemnation, not judgement, not compromising the truth to make people feel better about their sin, but speaking the truth that can set people free.  ONLY the truth will set you free, and Jesus is the Truth.

Through The Door

THROUGH THE DOOR -  2017.01
                                      

Most of my life I have struggled to understand my purpose and place in this world. I have been in a hurry to “get to reach my destiny” and understand all that the Lord has been doing in my life.

Brought up a Baptist, I was taken to a Roman Catholic church with my grandmother. I was “adopted” into a Plymouth Brethren family which is as opposite as you can get from both, and ended up married to an Anglican priest!

Born on  Canada's east coast, I ended up living on the west coast where I thought Vancouver was Heaven on Earth, only to be called to Seattle, WA (really Lord??!!!). That became home like no other place I’d been.

Called to ministry as a teen, I ended up being in the shadows of my husband who was the “real” minister (paid and everything!!) and found that I was an artist - in three genres! (Music, writing and painting).

I have never really felt like I belonged anywhere, but rather “homeless” 5 times in my life, and at present, we are not settled anywhere. I have been “through with doors” for a long time!

But finally, I am coming to grips with what my spirit seems to have known in 2004 when I wrote this poem. I didn’t want to go through doors, I just wanted to be finished with them! But Jesus is patient (Thank You Jesus!).

Jesus has been teaching me that it is not the destination He’s interested in because He’s able to keep me from falling, and to present me faultless before the presence of His glory (Jude 24). And I am confident that He who has begun this good work in me will carry it on to completion. (Phil 1:6) He can do that!

No, Jesus is more interested in what I do with what’s through the door than in getting to the door. Will I embrace what He sets before me and realize that He is helping me develop character and fruit that will last? Will I recognize that what I encounter through the door are opportunities to behave and respond like Jesus, and thereby become more like Him? I have to embrace my life. It doesn’t do me any good to wish it would just go away or be what it isn’t.

I have to embrace the door; see it, touch it, feel it, listen to what it has to tell me, and taste and see that the Lord is good. After 6 years of ignoring the door before me, I think I am FINALLY ready to experience the adventure that awaits me Through the Door.

Peace & Love to you as you journey through your doors.

- Holly M. <><