2020: Year of Wonders

Will you look back on 2020 as a “Year of Wonders” for you personally? Perhaps on January 1 you looked forward to 2020 with great anticipation, not just for the new year, but also for a new decade bringing revival and heaven to earth. Today, there is a battle day by day to maintain this great hope.

This year, 2020, is not the first year a pandemic has disrupted the world. Between 1665-66 the Bubonic Plague ravaged the nations. Sir Isaac Newton was 23 at the time, attending Cambridge University in London. The threat of death from the Plague was so intense the University closed. Newton went to his home, Woolsthorpe, experiencing what we call “self isolation” or “social distancing.”

Later in life, as he reviewed his world changing theories on calculus, optics, and the laws of motion and gravity, all of which occurred during the time of self quarantine, he said it was the most intellectually fruitful period of his whole life. He referred to the year 1666 as “The Year of Wonders.”

Many humorous social media posts refer to 2020 as the year of a baby boom. Hopefully the most popular baby name will not be “Corona” or some derivative of it! On a more serious note—let’s all get pregnant! This is the perfect time to become pregnant with the purposes of God for our life. How many inventions, creative solutions to problems, screen plays, masterpieces of art or music, could be birthed at the end of this time of sequestration with Holy Spirit? Yes, even in the midst of what seems to be chaos: kids out of school, working remotely, or not working at all, His banner over you is love—love is always fruitful. You may not end up in the history books like Newton, but your life’s work will be recorded in Heaven’s museum of history.

Steps to conceive Heaven’s vision and carry it to full-term:

1. Take more time to be with Jesus.

2. Turn off all unnecessary distractions – it is hard to be intimate with CNN or FOX news blaring in the room.

3. Go over all the dreams and prophecies and scriptures of the past that have been part of your love relationship with Him. Let your heart be stirred by them again. Allow Him to give you creative solutions to see these come to fruition in the midst of a topsy-turvy world.

4. Take time every day to adore your Beloved.

5. Talk to Him about this vision that you are carrying. Work together with Him to ensure healthy growth and delivery.

6. Giggle a lot with Him about the future. It is going to be wonder- filled!

Celebrating with you 2020 — The Year of Wonders!

Week 4: Don't Stop Celebrating!

I hope your Christmas has been truly special. I wonder, how did you celebrate? Perhaps some of us were alone, or with a small number of friends or family. For others, I know you’ve spent this past week at some of the largest family gatherings of the year! However you like to celebrate, there is so much to celebrate. In addition to the unique ways God has blessed each one of us, we are engaging in a worldwide celebration of the birth of Christ! I can hardly think of anything more awesome.

I am sure 2019 has looked very different for each of us. This week, I encourage you to take time to journal about the highs and lows of this year. Be honest with yourself about the disappointments and sadness you’ve experienced, and be sure to remember all the ways God has blessed you and made Himself known to you. I feel confident each of us have so much to celebrate.
 
Although Christmas is past, I feel something important about continuing our celebrations into the New Year. What better way to prepare ourselves for 2020 than to proclaim how good God has been to us?

I want to leave you with some extracts from the Bible. The Bible is full of celebration – and it has so much to say about  it! As you read through these verses, allow the Holy Spirit to inspire you. How do you like to celebrate? And how can you remind yourself how good God is to you?

Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! Psalm 47:1

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls 1 Peter 1:8-9

And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:11

They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness And will shout joyfully of Your righteousness. Psalm 145:7

Then on the fifteenth day of the seventh month you shall have a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work, and you shall observe a feast to the LORD for seven days Numbers 29:12

But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind Luke 14:13

Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord Ephesians 5:19

Worship the Lord with reverence and rejoice with trembling Psalm 2:11

And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. Luke 15:23-24

The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad. Psalm 126:3

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full John 15:11

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God 1 Corinthians 10:31

With heartfelt blessings for the New Year, Faith Blatchford

Week 3: Good News is Coming

How do you feel when something good is about to happen? I know I go through all sorts of emotions. The path towards a good event can involve happiness and thankfulness, but also feelings of suspense and even anxiety.

Have you ever wondered why the angels who greeted Zacharias, Mary, Joseph and the shepherds began their message with “do not be afraid”? It seems odd to me that the announcement of such great news would begin with this kind of reassurance. But the truth is, good news can sometimes be shocking! It might come as a surprise. It doesn’t always meet our expectations. It might invite us to embrace a challenge. It might provoke all kinds of questions. I am thankful that, with the benefit of hindsight, we can look back at the events of Christmas and recognize that God was most definitely up to something good!

“Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy”

I want to encourage you that this Christmas season, God is up to something very good! Don’t be afraid to bring your concerns, desires, requests and questions to Him: He is listening carefully and loves to respond to us. Don’t forget to watch and listen carefully, too. As His children we can confidently remind ourselves that Immanuel, God Himself, is living and moving in our midst.

The Holy Spirit Himself is eagerly bringing us “glad tidings of great joy!” When you go to bed tonight, I invite you to say to yourself “God is up to something good!” Maybe you can write it on a post-it for your spouse, or remind a friend who is anxious about finishing their Christmas shopping! Let’s use every opportunity to rest in the joy of Christ’s arrival. No matter the challenges we face, God is up to something good.

Week 1: The Antidote to Stress

Christmas is such a fun time of year! Yet as the party invitations, shopping lists and errands multiply, it is surprising how easily stress and discontentment can infringe on our intentions to celebrate.

Are you hungry to experience God’s love, joy and peace in a greater measure this Christmas? I’d like to propose that each of us has a very special choice to make: the choice to abide in God. As simple as it sounds, I believe this is the antidote to all kinds of stress and discontentment! But the good news gets better.

Thankfully, the fruits of the Spirit are not the fruits of hard work! They are the result of resting in God, sending our roots down deep into the soil of His love, and allowing His words to bring truth and encouragement to our hearts. When we turn our thoughts towards God, His love for us and His presence with us, our internal world begins to look and feel different. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control all grow naturally.

What does abiding in God look like for you? One of my habits is to begin my week – and as much as possible, each day – with time alone in my soaking room. I’ve kept this space free of distraction, and full of visual reminders and declarations about who God is. I know people who read the Bible on their lunch break, sing to God in the car, or set a daily reminder on their phone to pray. I expect all our routines look different, but I know each of us can make space for His Presence.

How do you make space for His Presence when life gets busy? And is there someone you could help to do the same? I believe this Christmas could be our most peaceful and joyful yet.

Love and blessings - Faith

Anticipating His Advent

Merry Christmas, everyone! If you’ve known me a while, you already know that I have a Christmas tree in my house all year long – not a real one, mind you! It’s my way of remembering Emmanuel – our God is who always with us, always present, always revealing Himself.

This advent, I wanted to take time to encourage you weekly. It’s a special season, but for many of us, it can also be the most challenging time of year. Stay tuned for the first message!

5 Keys to Effective Prayer

For those of us in the U.S., May 2 was the National Day of Prayer, an event first called in 1775 by the Continental Congress, and established by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. In 1952 Congress voted unanimously to establish a National Day of Prayer. The purpose of this day is specifically to pray for the nation and those in authority. According to Paul in 1 Timothy 2:8, we do this so that we will have a peaceable and quiet land.

I believe there are at least 5 Keys to effective prayer for any nation, not just the United States. They are:

1. Forgive those whose political stance we oppose.

2. Forgive those of our own political leanings who have not governed wisely.

3. Forgive the political, media and social groups that have sown evil and discord.

4. Forgive our family, friends, co-workers, and pastors for inaction, silence, or judgments made relative to the government.

5. Forgive ourselves for our own inaction, silence or judgments made relative to the government.

When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray the focus of the prayer Jesus taught them was about the nations and government — on earth as it is in Heaven.  The prayer in Matthew 6:9 begins and ends with reference to the kingdom. Four keys of prayer are referenced: Father God, freedom, food and forgiveness.  I believe that the first three depend on the last one — forgiveness.

Forgiveness was God’s idea and it is only because of His forgiveness that we are in a position to pray to Him as Father.  We are commanded to forgive just as we have been forgiven. Sometimes it is challenging to obey this command when the issue is tied to political and governmental people and issues. Then we find ourselves involved in intellectual debate, questions of right and wrong or righteous indignation.  It may even be difficult to identify our unforgiveness.  However, if we are uncertain, Holy Spirit is able to reveal it in our heart. And it is vitally important to deal with what is in our heart. David said in Psalm 66:18 : “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” (NIV) For me that one verse is enough motivation to allow unforgiveness to be uncovered and dealt with.

Holy Spirit, search our hearts. May we forgive as we have been forgiven, so that our prayers will be heard and our nation will be saved.

Love, Dad ❤

I love Christmas! So much so I leave my tree and inside decorations up all year long. It may sound a bit eccentric but trust me; it saves a lot of work. Plus, I come home to Christmas after every trip.  The only thing lacking is the load of presents under the tree, always a big part of Christmas. I admit, I love the gifts part of Christmas too.

Yes, I was one of those children who drove her parents crazy by discovering the hiding place of the gifts. Knowing in advance did not rob me of the excitement of tearing off the paper to get to the present inside. My mother soon gave up on the fancy wrapping. Why bother? Mother didn't believe in wasting anything so the tag on the gift was always part of one of last year's Christmas cards.

Mother was not only the one who wrapped, but also the one who shopped, based on the long Christmas list I provided from my catalogue shopping. It was always a battle to see who got the first look at the Christmas catalogues. By the time I had gone through them with my red marker it was difficult to see anything on a page because I had circled just about everything.

My father left the bulk of the Christmas preparations to my mother. His Christmas contribution was a small white envelope hidden somewhere in the tree. Not wrapped in fancy paper with a bow, but wrapped in love. Yes, you guessed correctly—there was money in the envelope! He always wrote something on the card and signed it— "Love, Dad." I can still see his handwritten words on the small while note card holding the check.

He is in Heaven celebrating with my mother so there is no white envelope hidden in the tree. But there is this reminder from James that "Every good gift and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights." (James 1:17) So the truth is that every single gift I open has the words "Love, Dad." written on the card. Each one is a gift from my Heavenly Father.

As you open your presents this Christmas, I pray you will experience the extravagant love of your Father, the Giver of every good gift.