Alberta Pastor in Jail for Holding Church Services

 

Pastor James Coates from GraceLife Church here in MY city of Edmonton, Alberta now sits in a maximum security jail because he refused to turn people away from his church and therefore over stepped the local COVID-19 restrictions.

I have written an email to our Minister of Justice, Kaycee Madu, to protest this. I have included it below and his email address as well in the hope the rest of you will be stirred to action to do something too. To do anything! Most of the people who read this blog are Christians and/or believe in civil liberties. It is good to be nice, law-abiding Canadians but we also have to stand against things that are wrong and even evil, because make no mistake, if you don't take a stand for others there will be nobody left to take a stand when they come for you.

Subject: Incarceration of Justice and Rev. Coates

Dear Mr. Madu,

I am sending this email to respectfully, yet firmly protest the treatment and incarceration of Pastor Coates of GraceLife Church for continuing to hold church services in spite of the Alberta COVID-19 restrictions. Even the breaking of these laws does not carry a jail term.

I ask you to look into the lockdown restrictions in general. I believe they are much to strict and appear to have a pick and choose nature, allowing revenue producing companies great leniency. Or cramming students into schools when they could be online but denying Christians the ability to live out a fundamental tenant of our faith, namely the ability to assemble for worship and gather together.

My great-grandparents settled in Alberta the very year it became a Province and it was not uncommon for them to walk miles in order to attend church. What would they say, and all the hundreds of my family members, who now lay beneath the Alberta soil they spent their lives working and living on, if they were to rise and speak? They would probably ask me why I was remaining silent.

So I'm speaking up to take my stand, voice my adamant displeasure and request you to take action. This is not justice. And as the "servant" of Justice, which is what the word "minister" means, I'm asking you to fulfill that role before the people of Alberta and God.

Sincerely, Laura-Lee Rahn

Edmonton, Alberta

Madu, Kaycee, Honourable Minister of Justice and Solicitor General, Deputy House Leader Office of the Minister Justice and Solicitor General 424 Legislature Building 10800 - 97 Avenue Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6 Phone: 780 427-2339 Fax: 780 422-6621 E-mail: ministryofjustice@gov.ab.ca Mail Label

780 427-2339

Minister of Justice and Solicitor General, Deputy House Leader

Link to an independent news channel to give you the particulars of this situation. 

LINK Rebel News YouTube

LINK GraceLife Church

I am also starting to have problems posting things of a Christian nature on some social media. Especially Facebook. So please do me a favor and take a moment to use the Share buttons below and don't forget to use the Follow by Email button in the right column if you wish to know about future posts.

Also, I have both a Channel and Group through the Telegram app where I can give shorter, daily posts, interact with you and share without the hindrance of censorship. After you download this free and advertisement free app do a search for "LauraLeeWasHere". I hope to see you there. LL

Cinderella: Our Story

I may as well state it up front that I am about to "out" my age on the internet. And on purpose this time. 

The year was 1974 and what a year that was for me! Filled with both good and bad. I was about to have the most tumultuous year I had yet known. We bought my beloved farm in Sundre, Alberta at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, which is still my "Happy Place" that I turn to all these decades later. It was also the last year we would live with my father. But as my seventh birthday approached in May I was unaware of any of those things.

 Mom turned to me one night and asked,

 "Is there anything special you would like to do to celebrate your birthday, Laura-Lee?"

She didn't have to ask twice or even wait for my reply. I answered immediately,

"I'd like to go and see a movie. In a cinema."

It was something I had never done before. 

"Which one do you want to see?"

Mom didn't have to wait for the answer to that either. The " Wonderful World of Disney", which broadcast every Sunday night here in Canada on the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation), had been advertising their animated version of Cinderella pretty steadily and I wanted to see it pretty "badily".

"Cinderella!"

I smile now as I look back remembering that Mom instantaneously knew what Cinema it was playing at and what date and time on my birthday, without consulting a newspaper or phoning anyone.

(God bless our mothers who know us so well!)

But what was a surprise was when the evening of my birthday arrived and Mom was helping me into my "good coat" over my pretty, pink dress and Dad came into the room wearing his jacket too. He was also somewhat dressed up and I asked him,

"Are you going out too, Dad?"

"I most certainly am, Pumpkin." He responded with a wink and continued, 

"I hear you're going to a really good movie and I thought I would come along too."

"Oh. I don't think you'll  like it." I stated bluntly, suddenly feeling the pressure for him enjoying himself considering I was the one who had chosen the film.

"Well then maybe I'll come along just because it's your birthday."

I looked at Mom who was smiling and realized this was the "little surprise" she had been alluding to and I thought,

"I wonder how she talked him into this one."

But I shrugged and said quietly and nonchalantly, 
"Okay. Suit yourself." 

But inside I was feeling all sorts of tension and (though I hate to admit it) I was wishing he would have found a way to worm out of it because this happy experience would be ruined by his presence.

So the emotionally charged stage was set for me to see my first movie-theatre movie.

For anyone who has seen Cinderella, which has since become a Disney classic, you know what an amazing film it is. I even remember glancing at Dad periodically and seeing him actually enjoying himself too.

And with my pop corn tub firmly in my grip, a parent on either side of me, in a pitch black theatre, surrounded by total strangers, on my birthday, that magical story was told yet again. It weaved its way around and into my heart on a foundational level and set my feet on a course. Because ultimately that fairytale of a young orphan girl, abused and mistreated as a servant in her own home, whose destiny it is to marry a prince and rule a kingdom by his side is the story of us all.

We live our lives abused, hurt and betrayed by those who are supposed to be caring for us completely unaware that we are called to something better. Among the ash heap we are  actually princesses in disguise or imprisoned not realizing that the Prince is seeking us diligently and will stop at nothing until He finds us and makes us his Bride.

This past week a recurring theme for me in the Scriptures has been "peace" and Jesus as the "Prince of Peace". I was looking for a way to end an email message and went to all the epistles of the apostle Paul to see how he had signed off his letters (a fascinating study I suggest you also do) and discovered how often he does so by wishing "grace and peace" to the readers. Not to mention the angels who proclaimed the arrival of Jesus to the shepherds living in a field near Bethlehem by saying,

"Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

 'Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (emphasis mine)

 (Luke 2:10-14)

You know, I just couldn't have said it any better myself or wish you anything greater than knowing the Prince of Peace personally.  He has lived with me, and within me, for  many years. He is coming for us soon. Which is something every lonely princess longs for. Even Snow White (and Linda Ronstadt and Barbara Streisand) knew it when she sang, "Someday My Prince Will Come". 

Those words echo in my heart and throughout each day even stronger now than all the previous decades. 

Enjoy a joyful, restful and PEACEful Sabbath everyone.

Love Always, Laura-Lee

Paul’s Valedictory (from his final letter)

I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.  (NIV Emphasis Mine)

(2 Timothy 4:6-8)

Do you long for peace but just can't seem to find it?

That's because true and lasting peace can only be given by the Prince of Peace. He is available. All you have to do is ask Him for it, yield to Him and receive it as His free gift. It is my continuing prayer that you do this.

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  (John 14:27)

LINK All of John 14

Also for your consideration. Cinderella has the memory of a short but glorious dance with the prince, who she loves  before she even knows his true identity. Then she is allowed the joy of holding onto one slipper as a reminder of the brief time they had together.

Also, she tries to make a dress for the ball on her own and, as pretty as it is, it gets ripped to shreds and is pale in comparison to the one she finally gets when she is transformed.

If the slipper fits, wear it. 

 

LINK to Snow White Singing

 "Someday My Prince Will Come" (sigh)

https://youtu.be/HLQ2sYxktMQ

LYRICS Someday My Prince Will Come

Once there was a princess
Was the princess you?
And she fell in love
Was it hard to do?

It was very easy
Anyone could see that the prince was charming
The only one for me
Was he strong and handsome?
Was he big and tall?

There's nobody like him
Anywhere at all
Did he say he love you?
Did he steal a kiss?
He was so romantic
I could not resist

Someday my prince will come
Someday we'll meet again
And away to his castle we'll go
To be happy forever I know

Someday when spring is here
We'll find our love anew
And the birds will sing
And wedding bells will ring

Someday when my dream come true

"Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool."

 (Isaiah 1:18)

I Am Overcome ...

 

 ... WITH SHAME!

I have been scouring the world news sites, especially those from a Christian and/or Conservative POV, and have discovered a truth I didn't expect. 

During this past year as the governments and world leaders are setting up in readiness for the anti-Christ, the atrocities and evil that are shocking the average citizen are things Canada has been doing for years and years already. I've been puzzling why so few people know that Jesus is returning soon and that even fewer care. It's because we have been asleep and ignoring our Bibles and prayers for so long and are unwilling to change now.

 I'm so ashamed of where Canada is and I DO include myself. How many of us have a Prayer Closet? How much time each day have we committed to being alone with Jesus just listening to Him? How many of us obey the Lord no matter what He asks of us? 

Yeah. That's what I thought. None of us even want to ask ourselves these questions, let alone answer them. How many of you are about to bounce away from this blog post?

When I consider the inroads against the family, against the sanctity of human life, against the unborn, then contemplate the advances of the LGBT and pro-choice movements, especially within the Church, how can I say my years of apathy and silence had no bearing on it. 

We didn't allow these things because we faced the loss of freedom (prison sentences) or loss of life (capital punishment) or even job loss, but because we are self-concerned, arrogant, and lazy. 

I especially look to Christian women because we deserted our homes, our husbands, our children, and our families in favor of having more money and with the cry of "I need to feel more fulfilled and I don't want to be inconvenienced." 

I will let God express it through the prophet Ezekiel much better.

"As I live,” says the Lord God, “neither your sister Sodom nor her daughters have done as you and your daughters have done. Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, the fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty and committed abomination before me.

Indeed everyone who quotes proverbs will use this proverb against you: ‘Like mother, like daughter!’ You are your mother’s daughter, loathing husband, and children; and you are the sister of your sisters, who loathed their husbands and children; 

(Excerpts from Ezekiel 16:44-50)

And if you are reading this and thinking I am being too harsh or that this has NOTHING to do with you as a Canadian Christian woman, then I fear we have done this evil and are beyond God's forgiveness. Because before we can be forgiven we must REPENT. And repentance requires truth and humility!

But for those few of us who accept the facts of the atrocities committed in this country and know we could have personally done more to stop them, 

for those of us who feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit and accept the judgment of reality, history, and God, 

there may yet be hope for us if we throw ourselves at Christ's feet and on His mercy.

" Nevertheless, I will remember My covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you. And I will establish My covenant with you. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, that you may remember and be ashamed, and never open your mouth anymore because of your shame when I provide you an atonement for all you have done,” says the Lord God.’ ” 

(Ezekiel 16:60-63)

I am grateful God's mercy is SO huge, His grace STILL sufficient and His love far-reaching and patient. He may not be done with me quite yet and I may still be of use to Him.

Stay tuned.

Speaking the truth, with love, (even when I don't want to hear it),

Always, Laura-Lee

LINK All of Ezekiel 16

"Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” (Luke 7:50)

Sinful woman anoints Jesus' feet with her tears.

LINK Luke 7 ENTIRE Chapter

LINK All of John 12. Mary anoints Jesus' feet with perfume

PRAYER and COMMUNION on ZOOM with Love Lessons

 

ATTENTION CHRISTIANS:  Has it been a long time since you have been able to meet for COMMUNION with your Brothers and Sisters in Jesus?

`IMPORTANT INFO UPFRONT:

Behold Israel Event Link:

https://beholdisrael.org/event/weekly-prayer-meeting-on-zoom-02-15-21/

Behold Israel Youtube Channel:

https://youtube.com/user/beholdisrael

We live in the times I have longed to see most of my life, but as they unfold in front of me I keep saying to myself in amazement, "I can't believe I'd live to see ..." And just like the Bible describes it as being like "birth pangs" (getting more intense and frequent with each moment) it is what is happening on a personal level that is something I didn't expect.

As this pertains to myself, the Scriptures have been opened to me and I'm understanding the Bible more clearly than I ever have before. Jesus is coming in loud and clear. My needs continue to be met miraculously and God is removing from my heart and mind things that have been troubling me and keeping me in bondage as long as I can remember.

At the beginning of 2020 Jesus gave me the message to "Hang on! This year will be amazing". I actually made a post here that said something to the same effect, although I could not have imagined the year that we all really had. In fact, everytime I wrote "2020" I put an exclamation mark next to it. I think you will agree that 2020 was an exclamation mark type of year!

One of the things Jesus did for me just within the past couple of weeks was to miraculously release me from a lifetime of harbouring bitterness and grudges. Mom used to refer to me as an "elephant" because I never forget when somebody hurts me, even when it is painful and I would love to forget it! She would send me to the Love Chapter in  1 Corinthians 13 where it tells us that "Love keeps no record of wrongs" (verse 5). 

 But the deeper the love we have for someone the deeper we are hurt when they harm us. How many times have I laid my hurting  heart before Jesus and pleaded with Him to remove the bitterness? Just a couple of weeks ago I put my bitter heart at the feet of Jesus AGAIN, being thoroughly disgusted with myself for hanging onto all the bitter feelings. Yet I was powerless to remove them on my own. But this time Jesus took them away! I suddenly felt freedom comparable to the moment Jesus forgave my  Sin Debt all those years ago when I originally gave my life to Him. I had no idea how heavy these things were weighing on me until they were gone! I actually feel physically lighter.

 

Since then my prayer life and relationship with Jesus has exponentially exploded (and we had already been moving forward at an amazing rate). But as the world outside grows darker I am growing more full of peace and light, gratitude and (dare I say it?)  joy and excitement within me. And much to my delight I've discovered it's the same for other Christians who have "longed for His appearing". ( 2 Timothy 4:8 ) 

I attend a weekly, international prayer meeting via ZOOM and hosted by the ministry Behold Israel . The Holy Spirit moves mightily upon those who attend and it is the most fun and quickest hour of my week. It is open to the public and I invite you to attend too. You will be so glad you did.

Ever since I was healed of all my bitterness I've been feeling like I wanted to do something to "clinch the deal". Something special to celebrate my new freedom but I didn't know what. Then last Monday at the  Behold Israel  prayer meeting Pastor Mike Golay announced that the next week would be a special  Communion time for those of us who haven't been able to get out to church. I instantly knew it was God presenting me my opportunity to celebrate His healing of me. I've been looking forward to it all week. Then just today God said, "you are not the only one who needs to do this". I knew He wanted me to come here to tell you about it. And if that is not enough, the moment I booted up my little tablet to write this post, a notification from  Behold Israel with all the information about this special Communion showed up on my monitor. So if you are reading this then I'm sure God wants you to be part of it too.

Just let me clarify a couple of things for those of you who may be  new followers of Jesus.  

Communion does not affect your salvation. If you are  Born Again and have put your trust in Jesus and him alone for your salvation, then that is all you need for eternal life.

Protestants do not believe in the transubstantiation like Catholics do. Catholics believe that the wafer and wine literally turn into the body and blood of Jesus. Protestants do it as a reminder of what Jesus did through his sacrifice on the cross. Therefore, if you wish to honor Jesus in this way you are welcome to participate.

(* You are requested to have your Communion elements - bread/cracker and grape juice/wine - ready ahead of time).

I've yakked enough. Here is the information you need to attend. And if  you are feeling too shy to participate via ZOOM it is also being broadcast LIVE on YouTube as well. 

https://beholdisrael.org/event/weekly-prayer-meeting-on-zoom-02-15-21/

Don't be surprised if satan tries to hinder you from going. But I will meet you there because the "one who is in [us] is greater than the one who is in the world."  ( 1 John 4:4)

Speaking the truth, with love,

always, Laura-Lee

PS. I find it interesting that it falls on the occasion of Family Day here in  Canada   which is a statutory holiday for us. The  Behold Israel organizers probably weren't aware of that when they planned this. But God was.

 I also invite everyone to visit my other blogs, specifically my Bible Prophecy blog.

http://DominionComfort.blogspot.com/

ZOOM has a free version. To get it follow this Link OR get the app.

http://zoom.us

You  can also just attend as a Guest at ZOOM without signing up. 

Attend event at Youtube LIVE (or the recorded version after) - time is irrelevant to God!

https://youtube.com/user/beholdisrael

Behold Israel: ZOOM International Prayer Meeting.

Special COMMUNION Edition

MONDAY, February 15, 2021,

10:00 AM - PST

NOTE: You are requested to have your communion elements ready before the meeting begins.

(Piece of bread or cracker. Wine, grape juice or fruit juice. 

Sometimes I've just used tomato juice because it was all I had and it grows on a vine. It is important that you participate even if you don't have the right type of juice)

LINKS:

http://zoom.us/j/96135149236/

Meeting ID:  96135149236

DIRECT LINK: Behold Israel ZOOM Prayer and Communion Event

This Bible reference has great significance to me because I have read it each time I've had communion in the past, but it's never been true until this time.

"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you,  leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift". (Matthew 5:23-24)

If you are someone from my past and you feel I have done you harm, please contact me. I am willing to make amends so that you can taste this same freedom and the joy of reconciliation that I do. The time of Christ's return is so close. Let's not stand before Him as bickering children but as "faithful" men and women of God. My email is located in the right column of this blog. LL

"For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes."

  (1 Corinthians 11:26)

LINK 40 Bible Verses to Explain the Importance of Communion

UPDATE: (Holy Spirit Spooky)

After posting this I saw a sermon by Charles Stanley where he said all of what I did about Love and Unforgiveness and Bitterness. Please go and view it for a more in-depth look at this in his "Love Lessons" sermon. He said it so much better than I could in my small way. LL

Doctrines of Demons: Is my Minister Lying?

 

I have been a Christian for more than four decades and I get asked the above question a lot. And during these Final Days when Jesus says many people will be fooled by "false Christs" coming in His name, it's more important than ever. (Matthew 24) 

My answer is, 

"Bible, Bible, Bible".

 And, 

"Listen, Listen, Listen."

HA! It Looks like someone snuck into my bedroom and took a photo without me knowing it. LL

Filter everything people say by whether or not it contradicts the Bible. (Even what I am writing right now) 

Then listen to what the Holy Spirit tells you. God does not speak to you less because you never went to a Bible College. In these Last Days, God says He will "pour out his Holy Spirit on all flesh." (Acts 2:7) I've attended churches with an amazing abundance of Bible Teachers. Yet, on the flip side, there were seasons of my life when I couldn't attend a Home church, but still utilized my time to get quiet and be focused on being alone with Jesus. So He taught me directly. But remember that the Holy Spirit will never contradict himself by saying something against or different than what is already in the Bible. But it takes TIME to be with Jesus. 

Just like any relationship, if you ignore that person, are too hurried to listen, don't care to promote clarity, and foster understanding between you, then that relationship will suffer. You won't grow closer together, there can be all sorts of misunderstandings and you can be tricked and seduced away by someone else. It's the same thing with your relationship with the Lord.

Spend time with Jesus and be someone who LOVES the truth. Chase after it and settle for nothing less than 100% truth (in yourself and others) and I believe God will respond by showing it TO you and IN you. He will "guide you in paths of righteousness for His name's sake." (Psalm 23)

And don't be too quick to just dismiss what your Pastor says if you think he has got it wrong. Don't stand up in the middle of his sermon and yell "Child of satan!!", but don't just let him off the hook either. If he is teaching sound, Biblical doctrine then he should be able to state what he says without talking in circles and give you Bible verses that are reasonable too. And without cramming his beliefs into them. The truth will stand up under the most intensive scrutiny. But having the Holy Spirit living inside of us warm, sensitive, and stirred up is essential because He will guide us in "all truth". (John 16:13) 

If you are hearing lies and are living sensitive to the Holy Spirit, He will make you feel all sorts of uncomfortable when you are hearing lies. Everything from feeling cranky and like you have ants in your pants, to feeling like somebody gave you a physical nudge or even sometimes a good, solid shove. For me it can run the gamut, depending on the situation. There have been times when it was a niggling feeling that wouldn't leave for days, to something as loud as a fire alarm and with the exact same response. I got up out of my seat and immediately vacated the premises. 

Remember Jesus wants you to know the truth too because it sets you free. If you desire that too and have a good relationship with the Lord, then He will keep you from being duped. He even made sure to have it written down thousands of years ago in the Bible so that you would be forewarned and protected. He's not going to leave you floundering now. But if you are not hearing God or rarely hearing from Him, then you have a problem in your relationship that needs tending to. But that is an issue for another day and another post. 

But the Bible and the Holy Spirit are the keys for those of us who know Jesus because it is how we communicate with Jesus and Him with us. At least ... for now....... (insert goosebumps here!) 

Thanks for stopping in. I hope this helps, my Friends.

Speaking the truth, with love,

Always, Laura-Lee 

If you don't have a relationship with Jesus I want you to know that it is possible. I used to believe that there was a God but He was some vague person who lived up yonder somewhere. Certainly not anywhere near me. Until somebody told me that He was very close and actually waiting for me to invite Him to come into my life. I was desperately lonely and was basically willing to try anything at that point. So I spoke to Jesus and told Him that if He wanted a "shot with my life" he had it. That was 43 years ago! And my relationship with Jesus has been the core of my life ever since. And so I am passing on the same news to you right now.

Life is so massively hard, but you don't have to live it alone and feeling desperate and abandoned. Jesus dying on the cross paid the debt for all our sins and allows us access to God. We go from being guilty of all our sins and unable to pay for them ourselves, to being relieved from that debt and gaining access to God again, when we ask Jesus to forgive them.

You don't need to understand what this is all about. I certainly didn't understand it all at the beginning. You just need to know,

"The wages of sin is death." (Romans 6:23)

If you ask Him to come into your life and forgive you, he hears you and will do it.

I am living proof of it.

"If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. " (Romans 10)

My email is in the right column if you wish to write to me. LL🙋🏻‍♀️