http://www.gailrodgers.ca/index.php/site/index.php/ The Devotionals and Blog of Gail Rodgers http://www.gailrodgers.ca/index.php/site/blogItem/fresh_love/ http://www.gailrodgers.ca/index.php/site/blogItem/fresh_love/#When:22:55:53Z In those moments when you have a fresh appreciation for a friend; a surge of fresh love for someone dear; or a warming of your heart to someone new in your life… how do you express it? Sometimes we give gifts, write a note, call or spend some extra time together. We find ways to say, “You are important to me”.  And it feels good to express it. Yesterday we thought about what we might do to symbolize giving of ourselves in a fresh way to God as we approach the Easter season. Rather than doing an external physical act like fasting from some food or activity, why not consider this….. http://www.gailrodgers.ca/index.php/site/blogItem/spring_time_for_your_soul/ http://www.gailrodgers.ca/index.php/site/blogItem/spring_time_for_your_soul/#When:17:54:28Z The snowy ruts in the road are gradually diminishing. The huge piles of snow are being hauled away and the long days of our Canadian winter are getting noticeably shorter. Nearly every day we hear someone exclaim,  “I’m so ready for spring!” Whether or not we live where the snow flies, we all endure winter seasons of the soul and we often find ourselves longing for springtime, for new life and fresh sunshine. Are you ready to pause from your busyness and find new life for your soul? This week we have the opportunity to ready our hearts for that springtime. Aren’t you ready to open the widows of your heart and let the fresh breezes of God’s love and faithfulness bring you refreshing? http://www.gailrodgers.ca/index.php/site/blogItem/the_beginning_and_the_end/ http://www.gailrodgers.ca/index.php/site/blogItem/the_beginning_and_the_end/#When:15:52:48Z A New Beginning unfolds for all of us in the freshness of a new year. It reminds me that The Lord God is also called the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. As the exciting and challenging maze of the new year stretches before us we know there will be twists and turns, blind corners and potholes along with periods of sunny skies and star filled nights. http://www.gailrodgers.ca/index.php/site/devotionalItem/week_04_-_the_candle_of_peace/ http://www.gailrodgers.ca/index.php/site/devotionalItem/week_04_-_the_candle_of_peace/#When:13:32:47Z The angels proclaimed “Peace on Earth” when the Baby Jesus was born. Today we wonder as we listen to the evening news…is peace possible? http://www.gailrodgers.ca/index.php/site/devotionalItem/week_03_-_the_candle_of_love/ http://www.gailrodgers.ca/index.php/site/devotionalItem/week_03_-_the_candle_of_love/#When:16:52:49Z The ring was special! It signified she belonged to the organization. As she wore it she was aware of all it represented and of who it said she was. With it she was more conscious of how she acted. As a follower of Jesus you wear a distinguishing mark as well. Is it visible? http://www.gailrodgers.ca/index.php/site/devotionalItem/advent_-_week_02_-_the_candle_of_joy/ http://www.gailrodgers.ca/index.php/site/devotionalItem/advent_-_week_02_-_the_candle_of_joy/#When:20:09:02Z More than just a Baby As I re-juggled my “to do” list of Christmas preparations my thoughts bounced around the changes that have come and how Christmas will be somewhat different this year.  Changes…good changes, challenging changes, hard changes…the interesting mosaic of life. It’s different for all of us, yet we all share in that changing landscape of life. Sometimes finding joy in the changes is easy…sometimes very challenging. http://www.gailrodgers.ca/index.php/site/devotionalItem/advent_-_week_01/ http://www.gailrodgers.ca/index.php/site/devotionalItem/advent_-_week_01/#When:15:50:12Z Preparing Our Heart For Christmas Christmas is coming!  Loved ones to see, gifts to give, baking to share. We prepare our homes for the celebration. Yet even more important than this outward preparation is the preparation of our heart. The Advent season is a beautiful reminder to prepare our hearts, as we prepare our homes, to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus! Today we light the first of the four candles in the Advent Wreath, the candle of Hope. http://www.gailrodgers.ca/index.php/site/blogItem/giving_gifts_that_money_cant_buy/ http://www.gailrodgers.ca/index.php/site/blogItem/giving_gifts_that_money_cant_buy/#When:14:15:07Z Christmas is a time for giving. Yet the Christmas shopping list can often be overwhelming in what it requires in both time and money. Here are some thoughts about giving gifts from the heart that money can’t buy. http://www.gailrodgers.ca/index.php/site/blogItem/the_power_of_pausing/ http://www.gailrodgers.ca/index.php/site/blogItem/the_power_of_pausing/#When:16:05:05Z The value in taking time to pause. What an inspiring thought from a devotional this morning by Lysa TerKeurst I have paused much too long in making my blog entries and received a gentle nudge from a fellow author.  We all run too hard and too fast most days. We can take the thought of the PAUSE and ask ourselves two questions: http://www.gailrodgers.ca/index.php/site/blogItem/making_the_choice/ http://www.gailrodgers.ca/index.php/site/blogItem/making_the_choice/#When:17:12:37Z When peace eludes us and anxiety seems to rule our hearts and minds we have a resource to use and a choice to make. Listen to the great WISDOM God offers to us in Colossians 3: 15-17…