My Perspective

God’s Beauty Treatment

by Deborah Blackburn

Canadians and Americans spend billions of dollars every year on cosmetics. The big thing now for women is, getting a complete make over. I think most women deep down are quite intrigued by the idea of having a complete make-over and many would love to give it go. Moreover; it sure would be fun to see the "before" and "after" images.

However; as fun as it sounds, the best beauty treatment for us is not found in a bottle, but in a book : the Bible. Proverbs 31:30 and 1Peter3:3-5 reveal God’s beauty treatment for women. . "Do not let adornment by arranging hair, wearing gold or putting on fine apparel determine one’s beauty - rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with a gentle quiet spirit decide upon one’s real beauty, which is precious in the sight of God."

God is clear in reminding us that it is not make up on her face but the make up of a woman’s heart that truly makes her beautiful.

I wonder how many of us spend as much money and time on our spiritual beauty as we do on our physical beauty? In this day and age I think Christian women seriously have to consider this question and understand that; God’s standards for determining a woman’s real beauty is what really matters most in the end.

We certainly can’t all be fashion models, but we can all be fashioned by grace as models of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Thanksgiving Message

Executive Privileges

By Deborah Blackburn

Here are just a couple of news headlines from 2007:

"Bangladesh Floods maroon Thousands."
" Bridge Disaster in Minneapolis...dozens injured, 9 dead."
"American Pastor and Wife Shot Dead in Islamabad."
"Hurricane Dean’s Death Toll Rises to 26."
"UN Reports Cholera Outbreak in Northern Iraq."
" Christian Leaders Detained in Zimbabwe for "Unauthorized" Prayer Meeting."
"Deadly Fires Takes Toll on Greece’s Spirit, 64 Dead."
"Ravaged Gulf Coast Still Struggling 2 Years After Katrina."
" 10 Civilians Killed in Attack on US Base in Afghanistan."

Really...Need I say more about :) What am I thankful for?
Natural Disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and fires continue to plague our world. According to the World Disasters Report, natural disasters have risen about 65 per cent over the last decade. Typically the poor are the worst hit as they do not have the resources to rebuild.

While I feel no matter where we live that we are all vulnerable to disasters; I am very thankful I live in a country where I have never experienced a severe and devastating disaster.

Political and social unrest’s potential for violence exists in all societies to some degree. We never know what is brewing on the horizon even here in Canada. However; I am thankful to live in rich democratic country that ranks 9th overall in the world for health and happiness. Think about the many societies around our Globe that are suffering immensely due to political injustice.

Christian persecution continues to run rampant in our world today. It started with Jesus Himself. In the two thousand years since, about 70 million believers have been killed for their faith. I am thankful I can freely worship my God not only on Sunday mornings but any day of the week without fear.

I understand that tragedy can strike at anytime especially as I read our local news headlines about our city’s crumbling infrastructure . Yet, I cannot deny that we have so much to be thankful for here in Canada. If one were to consider that each year more than eight million people around the world will die because they are too poor to stay alive one would surly thank God for our abundant blessings? Nearly three billion people live on less than two dollars a day!

We really do have "executive privileges" compared to billions of people all around us.

The privilege that I am most thankful for is having the freedom to know Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. I can write about Him, sing about Him, rejoice in Him, worship Him, pray to Him and trust Him every single day of my life...and no one has tried to stop me yet! I realize that my "executive privileges" I enjoy so freely here in Canada should never be taken for granted as things change.

However, Jesus Christ, in what is one of the most documented facts in history, rose victoriously from the grave. In this troubled world, today we can take hope in the risen Christ. In this troubled world, today we can be thankful Jesus loves us.

This Thanksgiving what are you thankful for???