Blog Archives

Love: The Fulfillment of the Law

2/29/2016

Jesus taught much about love while he was on earth, it is the principle theme of the bible.

In Romans it tell us it is of such great importance, that it fulfills all the law. This is something that deserves some careful scrutiny.

Rom 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

If I love my neighbor I will not want to speak evil of them, even if I disagree with them.

If I love my neighbor I will not want to gossip and slander their name, destroying their reputation, and their character.

If I love my neighbor I will not want to demean them, make them feel inferior in any way, especially in public.

If I love my neighbor I will not want to cause them torment, either mentally, emotionally, or physically.

If I love my neighbor I will not want to delight in seeing them suffer, use them as a source of sport.

If I love my neighbor I will not want to overcome them with tactics of bullying, crushing their spirits, and rendering them paralyzed.

If I love my neighbor I will not want to destroy what God is doing in their lives, and if they are in ministry; I will not want to work to undermine it and bring it to destruction. If I do, one day I will give account for my actions.

Some thoughts to ponder on the subject of love.

A Turn In The Road

2/15/2016

It’s been several years since this ministry and this blog was started. Within the archives listed, there is a myriad of posts that cover a wide range of issues concerning care giving, medical topics, articles with helpful information and videos concerning many topics in all ranges of the medical realm, and concerns for those with disabilities. I hope anyone who visits this site will go through them, and be able to find something that may help them. There is also the Resource and Inspiration pages of Two Sparrows, which has a lot to offer, I hope anyone who visits here will check them out.

The focus of this site will always include topics concerning care giving and medical information. But, I will also begin to include issues and articles that go into other areas, especially concerning Christian faith and walking it out in the difficult days believer’s face today. Such as dealing with adversity, temptation, failure, staying the course, even when we fall, and being honest about being human; and being a Christian in that humanity.

Life has seasons, and turns in the road in the journey. This blog has come to that place of a turn in the road.

This is a turn I’ve been avoiding, because I know it will take me down paths that will not be comfortable or easy. Walking with Christ is worth anything we go through in this life, but he never said it would be easy. He promised He would be there with us all the way, and strength for that journey. He keeps his promises.

So each time a new post is put here, you never know what it may be about. But, I know that when the Lord moves, and wants something to be done; he has very specific reasons for it, and people he wants to reach because of it. This site is His, and for his glory. May he find this a place He can use to prick hearts, bring conviction, draw to himself, and change lives.

There have been times in my own life that I’ve read something, or heard something that God would use for months, even years, to bring me to a place of changing my mind, my heart, and cause me to walk with Him into a deeper realm. Sometimes the things I’d read would make me angry, because it convicted me, and God was dealing with my heart. We are at war with the flesh, and sometimes it’s quite a battle until we finally surrender. When this happened it was totally an act of God, because the author of the book or testimony I was reading was from someone who I had never met, and who did not know me or ever heard of me.

When Jesus walked the earth, he dealt with every issue we face in life, and his responses to those situations speaks to us of his compassion, mercy, healing power, and power to restore. He never rejected anyone who came to him, but many walked away. He always gives us free choice. Those issues will be brought out also.

As the turn in the road begins here, I hope you will continue to visit and that God will use it to speak to you in some way, inspire, and encourage. That is the goal of this ministry.

True Treasures

2/5/2016

During the years of working with the elderly, and dying I learned many things from them.

People reflect a lot when they are faced with their own mortality. Each experience a variety of emotions, as expected: denial, fear, anger, remorse, more denial and eventually acceptance.

As a caregiver, and dealing with each individual, I learned never to underestimate someone's capacity for change, and restoration. Some changes were phenomenal.

Many expressed regrets they had or anything they would do differently, and common themes surfaced. Here are the most common five:

1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

This was the most common regret of all. When people realize that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people have not honored even half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they’d made, or not made.

It’s important to try to honor at least some of your dreams along the way. It’s too late once you lose your health. Health brings a freedom very few realize, until they no longer have it.

2. I wish I didn't work so hard.

Men are the ones who speak of this the most. They missed their children's youth and their partner's companionship. Women also speak of this regret. But as most are from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence.

By simplifying your lifestyle and making conscious choices along the way, it is possible to not need the income that you think you do. And by creating more space in your life, you become happier and more open to new opportunities, ones more suited to your new lifestyle.

3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.

Many people suppress their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settle for a mediocre existence and never become who they were truly capable of becoming. Many develop illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carry as a result.

We cannot control the reactions of others. However, although people may initially react when you change the way you are by speaking honestly, in the end it raises the relationship to a whole new and healthier level. Either that or it releases the unhealthy relationship from your life. Either way, you win.

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

Often they do not truly realize the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks, and it was not always possible to track them down. Many become so caught up in their own lives that they let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort they deserve. Everyone misses their friends when they are dying.

It is common for anyone in a busy lifestyle to let friendships slip. But when you are faced with your approaching death, the physical details of life fall away. People do want to get their financial affairs in order if possible. But it is not money or status that holds the true importance for them. They want to get things in order more for the benefit of those they love. Usually though, they are too ill and weary to ever manage this task. It all comes down to love and relationships in the end. That is all that remains in the final weeks: love and relationships.

5. I should have been more forgiving, and reached out in reconciliation more.

There is no one exempt from sorrows, grief, and being hurt by others; it goes with life. However, like happiness, forgiveness is a choice also. Many people I’ve taken care of have expressed regrets of not settling a disagreement, and reaching out for reconciliation with people in their lives that have hurt them, and those they have hurt. When this happens, it eats away at the persons soul, and leaves them with the knowing that they are leaving something undone, that should have been taken care of. For themselves even more than the other’s involved. Forgiveness, and restoration in relationships brings the needed peace to be able to leave this world, having made amends as much as possible. This is God’s way.

6. I wish I’d been more serious about seeking my purpose in this life, and what eternity holds.

In the business of life, we tend to push to the back of our minds the fact that we are here for only a short time. We place our importance on the things in this life that we will all leave behind someday. Most people will not even open themselves enough to have an honest conversation about death. They run from it, and they run from God, but all the time, every day we live, we are taking another step in His direction, whether we like it or not. One day we will face Him. This is another reason why the choices we make in this life are so important; and eternal.

In John 14:6 Jesus says “I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by Me.”

The crucial question for you is, have you come to Jesus? Do you know him as your Savior and Lord? If not, don’t delay; come to Him, ask Him to forgive your sins, and accept Him into your heart. You will never regret it. Then you are ready to face your last day here, and enter into heaven.

7. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

This is a surprisingly common one. Many do not realize until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called “comfort” of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to themselves, that they were content. When deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again.

When you are on your deathbed, what others think of you is a long way from your mind. How wonderful to be able to let go and smile again, long before you are dying.

Life is a choice. It is your life. Choose consciously, choose wisely and choose honestly. Choose happiness.

Jesus spoke of this often, and one scripture that describes His will for us in this life is one we should take very seriously.

Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Lorna Couillard
2008

Snapshots of Faith: Conquering Through Suffering

2/5/2016

These were the many scriptures I would speak aloud, and use as a prayer, and strengthen my spirit many times when living in the midst of great trial and affliction. They sustained me during the period my husband and I were divorced, and praying for a reconciliation. During the crisis of his heart attack, and the years he lived; and the suffering he went through. Many years were spent believing God for his healing, and salvation. In the years working with the elderly, and praying for them, as they faced death. The power of these scriptures have kept me in every situation; and caused me to stand in faith, and overcome in each circumstance.

I MUST TRUST GOD TO DELIVER ME THROUGH WHATEVER SUFFERING AFFLICTS ME NO MATTER ITS SEVERITY

2Co 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
2Co 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
2Co 1:5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
2Co 1:6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
2Co 1:7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
2Co 1:8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
2Co 1:9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
2Co 1:10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
2Co 1:11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Joh 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Joh 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Psa 103:17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

Psa 108:4 For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.

Lam 3:22 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

Isa 40:1 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.

1Th 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

2Co 1:6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
2Co 1:7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Php 2:1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

Php 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

2Co 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
2Co 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

2Ti 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Heb 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

2Pe 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

Jer 1:8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.

Rom 15:30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
Rom 15:31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;

Php 1:19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

Jas 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

2. I MUST CONQUER MY SUFFERINGS, MY THORN IN THE FLESH, FOR CHRIST’S SAKE

2Co 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
2Co 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Gal 4:13 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.
Gal 4:14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
Gal 4:15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.

Gal 6:11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.

2Co 10:10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.

Mat 26:36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
Mat 26:37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
Mat 26:38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
Mat 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
Mat 26:40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
Mat 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Mat 26:42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
Mat 26:43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
Mat 26:44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
Mat 26:45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Mat 26:46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

Mat 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Mat 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

Luk 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Eph 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

Eph 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Isa 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isa 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Isa 43:1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
Isa 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

3. I MUST TRIUMPH OVER ALL SUFFERING, ALL THE TRIALS AND TEMPTATIONS THAT ATTACK ME

Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

2Co 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

I hope these scriptures will be a source of strength, and comfort for you, in whatever trial you may be facing. There is power in the word of God, and the blood of Jesus Christ.
Lorna Couillard

Love: The Fulfillment of the Law

A Turn In The Road﻿

True Treasures

Snapshots of Faith: Conquering Through Suffering

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A Turn In The Road