Drawn in

For anyone who can write music here is a song that has been put on my heart for a while.
I would love to collaborate with someone on it. Let me know if you are interested.

Drawn In: Chantal McDougall
January 15, 2010

Verse 1:

Here I am humbled again
At the throne of grace
Humbled by your love for me
Drawn into your embrace

Verse 2:

You see me for who I am
My desires revealed
My sins covered by your blood
You have drawn me in

Chorus

Here I stand
Blameless and free
Seeking more of your majesty
Longing to be closer to you
Refresh me Jesus, revive me

Bridge:

Deeper is where I want to be
Deeper is where I want to be
Deeper is where I want to be
Deeper into your love where I am free

Complaining What Good Does Is It Do? Story of Inspiration

So this weekend I went to work determined to be compassionate on the phones no matter what the situation was. I prayed before I started and I asked God to send me people who needed to hear about his love for them, people who wanted hope. That he did. One stuck out however, because this call had tears coming down my cheeks. For those that know me they know it takes a lot for me to cry, so this was one of those calls that God had sent for me.

It was a woman who went through hell and back due to someone stalking her. Her friends, family and herself were threatened. Her life has been flipped upside down by one individual who has no remorse and who is still not yet caught. She had spent money on lawyers and got no results. What had me was the fact that she was so faithful to God throughout all of it. She didn't even pray for God to change the situation all she wanted was justice, and for this man to be struck by the love of God and be changed forever. Fact is that this woman had incredible amount of strength and I knew she was dependent on God. Everything around her was  falling apart but she remained faithful, and strong. She told me she used to complain to him about her situation but it was only when she stopped complaining did she find peace and restoration. Only Jesus can give the strength that woman has. She did not complain to me or what prayer for everything to stop she just wanted Jesus to show her what to do next. She was determined not to let her emotions and fear of one man keep her from what the Lord has for her. 

I have never wanted to hug anyone or bear any one's pain like I wanted to hug her and bear hers. I truly feel that the Lord used me as an intercessor (someone to bear her pain for a short while to give her a break). He put that pain on me temporarily. I was placed in her shoes. I felt her tears, I felt her chest pain, I was shown the fear that the woman had dealt with everyday. I was also shown the forgiveness she had for this man. She wanted justice but not revenge. She wanted the Lord's help to 1) remain strong   2) for the pain in her body (due to accidents the stalker caused) to go away  3) she wanted to know her next step.

This story touched my heart because I have complained over silly things these past few weeks as I am sure anyone who reads this has probably done as well. We complain about dishes not being done, house not being clean, relationships that are not perfect.. needless to say we complain. I am honestly going to have to hit myself the next time I complain.
The Lord showed me that complaining just prolongs the annoyance/suffering. He wants us to be thankful for what we do have and trust him to figure out the rest. Yes I said it.. let HIM figure it out NOT YOU. Fact is that it is human nature to complain when we do not get things we want. We also try to make it happen by either annoying someone to do what we are asking them to do or sulking until it is done. But the fact of the matter is IT DOES NOTHING but aggravate those around us and ourselves. Is it worth it??

 So I challenge you and myself as well... the next time you have a bad day or someone annoys you or makes you angry, either rant to a mirror or choose to run to God so that he may give you peace instead of complaining which just brings aggravation.  Choose to let him fix the situation instead of taking it upon yourself. When we surrender it to him that is when we begin to see progress and change.  


For all those people in relationships this is for you:
In trying to get our own way, we should remember that kisses are sweeter than whine. ~Author Unknown

Pina Colada Cheescake

Pina Colada Cheese Cake

*Recipe for those that like to be bold and try something a little more challenging.
It is worth any struggle.

1 cup fine dry cooke crumbs

1 cup flaked coconut

1/4 cup melted butter

1 can crushed pineapple in its own juice

1/4 cup light rum

1 envelope unflavoured gelatin

3 egg yolks

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup coconut milk*

1 lb cream cheese

3 egg whites

1/4 cup sugar...

 

Directions:

First mix together cookie crumbs, coconut and melted butter. Remember to reserve 1/2 cup for topping. Press remainder into bottom of 9" springform pan. Then drain pineapple, reserving 1/2 cup of juice.

 

In small saucepan, combine pineapple juice and rum; sprinkle gelatin into liquid; stir over low heat until dissolved. Remove from heat.

 

In small heavy saucepan, whisk together egg yolks 3/4 cup sugar salt and milk. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until slighly thickened do not boil. Add gelatin mixture.

 

Beat cream cheese until smooth, and beat in gelatin mixture; stir in drained pineapple; chill until very slightly thickened, stirring once or twice. Beat egg whites to soft peaks; gradually add 1/4 cup sugar, beating constantly to stiff peaks. Fold into cream cheese mixture. Pour into prepared pan. Sprinkle reserved crumbs on top. Chill until set at least 4 hours.

 

And once all that work is done enjoy!

 

P.S This recipe is great for get togethers but not recommended for chidren. It is also a recipe that is not the simplest but it produces great results. My friend Brianne gave it to me and I am inspired to make it. Anyone want to take the challenge?

 

:)

Ashes to Beauty

 I was thinking a lot about the things lately in my own life that I have pushed aside and not dealt with, either because I wasn't ready or because I did not know how to go about it. Have you ever felt like the negative things such as bad habits in your life seem to be a result of the ashes from the past mistakes and things that have not been dealt with? Pressing forward can often be difficult when undealt issues and past emotions start resurfacing. I am talking about the things in our lives that we try to hide from others or ones that we know have not been conquered. I know my biggest one has been commitment and openness in relationships. This has affected my life in many ways and now I have finally grasped a truth that I would like to share.

 I have had a hard time being committed to people and it has been a struggle to trust others. However, lately the Lord has revealed to me his love and commitment towards me even before I was in the womb he approved me. He saved me through a very dark time in my life and he has been a constant in my life. It is amazing to me how the love of God can turn even the coldest heart, bring light to complete darkness and bring joy in despair. He has taken my ashes and in turn given me beauty. He has taken the things that at one point bound me and he has set me free from them and given me a beautiful testimony. What I love the most is something I found in Isaiah 61:1-3 is he " grants consolation and joy to those who mourn-to give them an ornament of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a heavy burdened and failing spirit... that he may be glorified. "

He takes our ashes, things of our past and uses them to bring beauty. Nothing is hidden from the Lord he will take the things undealt and help you deal with them and it will bring glory to his name. Beauty in God's eyes is in everything he has created and it is in seeing where we are now from where we have been.

Power of Our Words

Words are powerful. They can touch the core of who we are. Words that are spoken with authority can change our circumstances and our attitude dramatically. It can influence our thoughts and our perceptions of others. There are numerous amounts of words that people use everyday. Question is are the words that we speak bringing life or death? Are they showing Jesus in us or are we allowing our emotions to dictate what we say?

Letters often speak truth and words that have been unsaid for a certain amount of time. They can produce a positive or negative emotional response. They can uplift and offer encouragement and be a testimony of goodness and love. They also have the power to make our minds reflect and meditate on the things mentioned, until eventually confusion slowly enters into our hearts. What brought this topic on was a letter that I received from someone I care about. It revealed truths, hidden thoughts and emotional responses, and listed future goals in the new year. It was very difficult and emotional for me to read. It caused me to see this person differently than before. Questions like if only he said these things earlier? If only we had talked about them before making rash decisions? If only...
He voiced clearly that while we were together he saw something different inside of me. It was a testimony of God's love and passion in my own life that was passed on to this person and changed their perception of God. When he came to church with me he saw life instead of religion. He saw freedom instead of bondage. He saw love. It touched the core of me for this person's heart was revealed and for the first time I felt like I was unclear of how to respond and what to think. Has anyone been here before?

I know from experience and from my walk with Jesus that he brings peace and understanding when we need it. He shows us where we may have went wrong and offers correction. He carries us when we are weak, and in his presence there is no confusion just rest and love for all those who draw near. So when I received this letter a few tears were shed, but then I turned to my Heavenly Father and entered in and I received peace and rest. I am still unsure of tomorrow or the day after.
But thank God I need not worry for He knows my tomorrow. He provides for the birds in the sky and the lillies in the valley. He is my provider and He alread knows where I will be tomorrow.
{Reading of Matthew 6: 24-34}

The most precious thing in my opinion is that I can leave the confusion aside and have all the rest I need in him. It is hard to remember to turn to Jesus in the midst of emotional confusion and chaos. For the world says that emotions dictate where we go and what we do. However, as believers we have Christ in us that can not only calm our emotions and bring peace, but he also gives us a light unto our path which is in his word, that offers all the guidance we need. So I encourage anyone reading this including myself to look toward the book of life and draw near to Jesus in times of confusion instead of letting our emotions get the best of us.