Amanda Charlebois – Heartstrong

02 Dec 2024

Receive with Boldness

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." John 10:10 (ESV). As I turn the knob to the front door of my home, I notice something strange: it is unlocked. I hesitate. Is someone, or something, in my house? Have they been watching me or waiting for me to come home? As I step through the door, I hold my breath, timidly listening for evidence of danger. I feel alone, vulnerable, and unprepared. Suddenly, a dark shadow emerges at the top of t[...]

28 Oct 2024

Amanda Charlebois

An Invitation Into the Empty Spaces

"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but, emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." Philippians 2:5-8 (ESV) I trudged silently, five paces behind my husband. Only the crunch of my steps in the snow would let him know I was still[...]

06 May 2024

Amanda Charlebois

A Dwelling Place

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? John 14:1-2 (NLT). Up in the safety of the tree branches, baby birds sit comfortably amongst the scrounged up twigs, leaves and fluff, awaiting their morning grub. Rabbits nestle deep underground in the warmth of their chambers and tunnels. And, sheep lounge around, secure in their walled enclos[...]

12 Feb 2024

Amanda Charlebois

Drop the Stones

By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. 1 John 3:19-20 (ESV). My breathing was shallow, my hands shaky, and my conscience full of shame. Even though it was a cold February day, I was sweating profusely in my snow pants. It was one of those winter days when that cold stuck your nose hairs together when you breathed in. But that didn’t stop us, kids, from suiting up and playin[...]

15 Jan 2024

Andreas Basson

Care for Yourself

We live in this odd tension of ever-changing rhythms, rediscovered purposes, and many emotions. The good news is God's view of us remains the same, and we are His beloved children. We must remind ourselves of this truth and treat God's creation (you) with the same love He has for you! Here are a few things to remember. Be kind to yourself. Find moments to do things you enjoy and things that fill your heart. Practice positive thinking. The content of our hearts begins with what we think or believe in our min[...]

17 Jul 2023

Amanda Charlebois

Scattered Identity

“I will say to the north, give up, and to the south, do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” - Isaiah 43:6-7 ESV. Sitting on the floor in the quiet living room, I looked around at everything I owned. All the creature comforts are neatly placed where they belong. As I admired the completeness, I heard God say, “What do you fear losing?” I paused and took inventory of m[...]

03 Jul 2023

Andreas Basson

Hope

I often check a person's hope meter, especially if they struggle emotionally because losing hope is like losing everything. Hope is the belief that my tomorrow will be better than my today. Psalm 42:1 "As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God." It sounds as if everything is okay with David. But it's not. Psalm 42:3 "My tears have been my food day and night...". When your tears are your food day and night, that means you are really suffering from hopelessness. Yet, he says he[...]

10 Apr 2023

Andreas Basson

Save Your Words – Trust His Word

“Watch your words and hold your tongue; you’ll save yourself a lot of grief.” Proverbs 21:23 (MSG). We have all been misunderstood. We get frustrated by wrong judgments and decisions based on wrong information. Yet often, these moments are some of our most defining, not because of what was said, but because of our response. I was told a few days ago I drive like a “moron” because I stuck to the speed limit. I was tempted to waste my time with a response, but I refrained. Jesus never wasted words o[...]

09 Jan 2023

Andreas Basson

Christianity is about Love

The book of 1 John is packed with so much truth and conviction. The writer John was one of the closest eyewitnesses to the life of Jesus and has lived the remainder of his life spreading the gospel. He writes his letters to the new Christians in the Roman empire, focusing on love. John displays two aspects of love essential for Christians — we need to love God, and we need to love others! The kind of love that Jesus has for us is the same love we are to show to one another. John seems to recall this in his[...]

21 Nov 2022

Andreas Basson

God Speaks.

The world is a very loud place. We are bombarded with social media and news, everyone sharing their personal opinions, and it all seems to bring us to "information overload." How are we supposed to hear what God has to say about life in this world we are living in? There's a passage in the Bible, 1 Kings 19, that talks about this very issue of not knowing where God is in the midst of the chaos and noise. Elijah was longing for God's voice. God asked him to stand at the mouth of the cave. There was a terribl[...]