Changing Homes

Thirteen years ago this morning, our family was busily making funeral arrangements for my father, Chester W. Fisher. Dad passed into the presence of the King just before midnight on the 21st of May, 1992. How we miss him!

Over the course of several months dad changed "homes" several times. He went from the family home he helped to build in the mid 4o's to his home in the hospital and then to his eternal, heavenly home that Jesus had gone to prepare. His body went made a brief stop at the funeral home and then was laid to rest at Rosemount Gardens.


The Old Homestead

Dad was finally "home" with Grandma and Grandpa Fisher (his parents), Uncle Frank (his brother who had died from a wasp sting in 1961) and millions of others who had trusted Christ as Savior and Lord and settled their eternal destiny (and destination).

As Christian pilgrims (ones who have committed our lives to Jesus Christ) we are all heading to that "home" where God reigns and all tears will be wiped from our eyes. We will see Jesus, the One who gave His life to give us eternal life.

Are you on the road to heaven today? Or, are you still wandering in sin, without God and without hope in this world. Confess your sin, accept God's forgiveness, begin the journey "home" today and thank God for His marvelous, amazing grace.

See you at "home"!

Wings

Today I went to a Garage Sale put on by a Christian Day Camp close to Peterborough. The sale is a fund-raiser for the camp and is held the same weekend every spring. This evening I came home with several boxfuls of treasures. I was like a kid in a candy shop, spending less than $50.00 for a selection of books that I would have to pay 10 times that much for. One book alone, Explore the Book by J. Sidlow Baxter would have cost me close to $50.00. I'm still smiling from ear to ear, excited about the additions to my library.

One of the books is entitled Wings and it's a daily devotional book by Jill Briscoe, an excellent writer. She begins the book with the following poem. She echoes the prayer of my heart as I continue to send out encouraging cards and letters through Epistle Sports Ministries. My Pilgrim Scribblings are also published to my web site with the prayer that God will use them to bless and encourage my readers. May the Lord bless you this weekend and give you a real sense of His presence.

Wings...

"Give my words wings, Lord.
May they alight gently on the branches of men's minds
Bending them to the winds of Your will.
May they fly high enough to touch the lofty,
Low enough to breathe the breath
Of sweet encouragement upon the downcast soul.

Give my words wings, Lord.
May they fly swift and far,
Winning the race with the words of the worldly wise,
To the heart of men.

Give my words wings, Lord.
See them now nesting -
Down at Thy feet.
Silenced into ecstasy,
Home at last."

- Jill Briscoe

"The Lord God has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens me morning by morning, He awakens my ear to hear as the learned."
- Isaiah 50:4

Transformation

I've just read the story of how Scott Harrison's life was transformed. He is now a volunteer Photo Journalist serving with Mercy Ships. Please check out his blog. I've added his link at the top of my "blog list" or you can click on the link at the end of this "post". I'll be writing more about Scott and how God dramatically changed his life but, for now, check out his site and rejoice at what God is doing around the world for His name's sake.

Scott Harrison - http://onamercyship.com/blog.html
Here's another link to Scott - http://onamercyship.com
Mercy Ships Web Site - http://www.mercyships.org

Advice for Bloggers

Dear Friends:

I'm not sure who prepared this list so I can't give credit where it is due. If and when I find out who put it together, I'll let you know. It's excellent material though!

Note: I've just been advised of the source for these excellent points for bloggers. Check out Keith's site, Under the Acacias at:
http://voiceinthedesert.netfirms.com/keith/archives/2005/02/biblical_advice.html - May 26th, 2005

Biblical Advice for Bloggers:

I've been pondering what guidance the Bible has for bloggers. What does it say about how we should blog? what we should blog about? what we read in blogs? how we relate to other bloggers and comments? Here are a few exhortations with questions to ask ourselves for starters:

1. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your blog, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs. (Eph. 4:29) Is what comes from our blogs wholesome? Is what we are writing helpful for building others up? Or does it tear them down?

2. Blog about others as you would have them blog about you (Luke 6:31) The golden rule. If we blog about others, do we do it with love, respect, and integrity?

3. But in your blogs set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience... (1 Peter 3:15,16) Are we consciously allowing Jesus Christ to rule over our blogs? When people disagree with us, do we respond with gentleness and respect?

4. Each one should use whatever blog he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms (1Peter 4:10) Are we using our blogs to serve others? To encourage, stimulate, and help others? To build them up in Christ? Or to blow our own trumpet?

5. Let us therefore make every effort to blog what leads to peace and to mutual edification. (Ro 14:19) And be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the blog of peace (Eph. 4:2) Do we make every effort to maintain peace and unity in the body of Christ? Or do we focus on what divides us? When we disagree, are we humble and gentle?

6. Accept him whose blog is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters...Let us stop blogging judgment on one another... whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. (Romans 14: 1-22) Let us be careful not to condemn ourselves by dividing the body of Christ over disputable matters, or by judging the spiritual state of our brothers and sisters with whom we disagree.

7. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - blog about such things. (Phil. 4:8) Amen!

An Appointed Way

Here's another great quote from Robert J. Morgan's "The Red Sea Rules". This time Dr. A. W. Tozer is the godly man who made this statement:

"To the child of God there is no such thing as an accident. He travels an appointed way. Accidents may indeed appeaer to befall him and misfortune stalk his way; but these evils will be so in appearance only and will seem evils only because we cannot read the secret script of God's hidden providence." (taken from "We Travel An Appointed Way" published by Christian Publications, Camp Hill, PA in 1988)


An Appointed Way - Photo by S. Lowe

No accidents my friends! The steps of a good man (or woman) are ordered by the Lord. He is in control and we travel an appointed way. Hallelujah!

Quotable Vance Havner

Vance Havner from North Carolina was a great preacher and an excellent writer. He has been quoted often by other writers due to his pithy, pertinent, provocative pronouncements. Tonight I was reading The Red Sea Rules (again) by Robert J. Morgan and came across one of Havner's better-known quotes.


The Beloved Vance Havner

Havner said, "God marks across some of our days, 'Will explain later'." So true! The explanations often aren't forthcoming and we can wait for years without getting the reasons or the answers. C. S. Lewis once said that the most-heard word when we finally get "home" will be "OH!". The explanations (if we even need them) will resolve all our misgivings, doubts and misunderstandings. Personally I believe that the reasons won't have to be articulated by our omniscient God. My sense is that we will instantly understand when we stand before the King of Glory. We won't need to know anything or anyone but Him. We will spend the "ages to come" enjoying the riches of His grace with all our questions left behind.

But, back to Vance Havner . . . I got to preaching there didn't I!

He writes, following the homecall of his beloved wife, "When before the throne we stand in Him complete, all the riddles that puzzle us here will fall into place and we shall know in fulfillment what we now believe in faith - that all things work together for good in His eternal purpose. No longer will we cry "My God, why?" Instead, "alas" will become "Alleluia". All question marks will be straightened into exclamation points, sorrow will change to singing and pain will be lost in praise."

Wow! Vance Havner certainly gives us something to think about and look forward to!

For more info on Robert J. Morgan's book, The Red Sea Rules, check out my earlier post at:
http://pilgrimscribblings.blogspot.com/2005/03/red-sea-rules.html

A Pedaling Pilgrim

George Cutting was a British evangelist who obeyed the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Click on the link below for a remarkable story (it's brief but powerful) of how God touched a life through a man who obeyed Him. Note: This story was taken from Robert J. Morgan's wonderful devotional book entitled, "From This Verse", published by Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Thanks for your visit to Pilgrim Scribblings! Please tell others about this site and come back often yourself. Have a great day!

First Things First

One of my blogging friends, Maurice, shared this quote from George Muller on his site. Muller has been one of my Christian heroes since I was a little boy and I've read this quote many times. Now I just need to put it into practice. Hope you are challenged by this snippet of truth. For more on Muller, click on the link at the bottom of this "post".

Muller writes:

"The point is this: I saw more clearly than ever, that the first and great primary business to which I ought to attend every day was, to have my soul happy in the Lord. The first thing to be concerned about was not, how much I might serve the Lord, how I might glorify the Lord; but how I might get my soul into a happy state, and how my inner man might be nourished. For I might seek to set the truth before the unconverted, I might in other ways seek to benefit believers, I might seek to relieve the distressed, I might in other ways seek to behave myself as it becomes a child of God in this world; and yet, not being happy in the Lord, and not being nourished and strenthened in my inner man day by day, all this might not be attended to in a right spirit." (George Muller)


George Muller

My earlier "post" on George Muller: http://pilgrimscribblings.blogspot.com/2005/03/musings-on-muller.html

Check out The Great Adventure at: http://www.mauriceahern.blogspot.com

A Personal Greeting

Thanks for your visit today. I've added a personal greeting and I pray that you will be blessed and encouraged as you listen. Thanks again for dropping by. May the Lord bless you and keep you in His everlasting arms. - David

Determine the Difference

As you can see from my profile (above) James MacDonald is one of my favorite preachers. This morning I caught a few minutes of his "Walk in the Word" broadcast as I was driving. Not being able to write down his actual words, I think I captured the essence of what he was trying to drive home. It just "happens" that the four main words (my words) begin with the letter "D"... for you preachers out there.

MacDonald's point was that we need to have discernment so we can determine the difference between personal preference and right and wrong. He mentioned the ongoing church squabbles about music tastes and styles of worship. How many churches have been tragically divided over this issue? Far too many!

Music preferences have been a touchy subject throughout church history. When Ira Sankey, D. L. Moody's song leader in his crusades, tried to introduce hymns into evangelistic services he met with much opposition. Now, when many churches are gradually removing those same hymns, there is an uproar from some quarters. My personal preference? I'm an 80-20 guy. 80% hymns with a few biblical, well-written worship choruses thrown in. But that is personal preference. Is there a right or wrong? I'm not 100% sure but until then I will pray for God's Holy Spirit to enable me to "develop the discernment to determine the difference between personal preference and right or wrong". I trust that you will do the same...for the health of His Body, the Church.

Arrows in God's Quiver

This morning I stopped briefly at my office in town to pick up a book (what else?). I paused to read the devotional thought on my Chuck Swindoll desk calendar. It was a good one, good enough to pass along.


A Quiver Full

"Learn your lessons well in the schoolroom of obscurity. God is preparing you as His chosen arrow. As yet your shaft is hidden in His quiver but at the precise moment at which it will tell the greatest effect, He will reach for you and launch you to that place of His appointment." - Chuck Swindoll from "Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life"

"...He made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in His quiver." - Isaiah 49:2(b) NIV

The Desires of Your Heart

Dr. Charles Stanley in his on-line "In Touch" devotional for today (May 16th) had an excellent commentary on what Psalms 37:4 "really" means. "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." - Psalm 37:4 (NIV)


Delight in the Lord

Often we have taken the wrong meaning from this verse. Read your Bible every day, say a few prayers, do the "right" things and God will give you everything you ask for. WRONG!

These thoughts from Dr. Stanley give a much more realistic and truthful perspective:

"God's greatest interest is not giving us a hand-out, but rather giving us more of Himself. Our self-indulgent prayers overlook the first requirement the promise's fulfilllment: delight in the Lord. We are to take pleasure in time spent communing with Him or serving Him. As we read Scripture and share our heart with God in prayer, we will experience His work in our life and our trust in Him will deepen. Over time, our growing confidence in God means that we begin to appropriate His ways of thinking. Commiting to God's plan, which is the second requirement, reforms our heart's desires until they look like His own wishes for us. Even so, sometimes what God provides appears very different from what we requested. But when He hears our short-sighted appeals, He answers based on His infinite knowledge and great love-instead of giving us what we think we want, He bestows the perfect answer to our prayer. "

Let's delight in who He is today! Rejoice in His goodness, revel in His holiness, be refreshed by His mercies which are new every morning!

He Giveth More Grace

Note: The following account of God's provision of much-needed grace happened 6 or 7 years ago. Keith Price is now "home" in the presence of the Lord where there is "fulness of joy" and "pleasures for everymore" (Psalm 16:11).

I walked out to our mailbox, despondent, weary, broken and ready to quit! Why did "ministry" have to be so draining, so taxing, so uncertain, so hard? My spirit was wounded, my resolve depleted and the joy of serving Jesus had dissolved in tears. What would the mailbox hold for me that day? Bills, bills and more bills, collection notices, junk mail or maybe, just maybe, a generous donation or a note of encouragement? That mailbox has been the bearer of many, many blessings over the years and a few unwelcome surprises. As I opened it I recognized the beautiful penmanship of Keith Price, a mentor, wonderful friend, gentleman and faithful servant of Jesus. He enclosed the following poem by Annie Johnson Flint. Tears filled my eyes as I read this encouraging word. I'd heard and read this poem/song many times before but this day it was just for me, a divine affirmation and endorsement of God's great faithfulness. My steps quickened as I made the trip back to the house. That piece of mail from a dear friend had been a life saver!

Be encouraged today, dear friend! His grace is sufficient and in that hour when you feel you can't take another hit, another disappointment, another heartbreaking, gut-wrenching problem, He stands with arms open wide!

"Cast all your anxiety on Him...because He cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)


Abounding Grace for Every Need

He Giveth More Grace

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercy;
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

Chorus:

His love has no limit; His grace has no measure,
His pow'r has no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father's full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

- Annie Johnson Flint

2 Corinthians 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."

The Love I Leaned On

My blogging friend, Becky, included the following poem from Annie Johnson Flint with one of her recent "posts". Flint's poems have been such a blessing to me over the years.

Check out Becky's site! She writes honestly and with much transparency!

"I prayed for strength, and then I lost awhile
All sense of nearness, human and divine;
The love I leaned on failed and pierced my heart,
The hands I clung to loosed themselves from mine;
But while I swayed, weak, trembling, and alone,
The everlasting arms upheld my own."

-Annie Johnson Flint (selected part)


A godly woman...an excellent writer!

"The love I leaned on failed and pierced my heart." How true for many of us. How true that we have all leaned on something other than Jesus at some point in our lives and felt it crumble away beneath us, leaving a swaying, trembling, weak, and lonely soul. It may have been someone close to us. It may have been financial success. Perhaps physical prowess. Maybe even 'the church'. I am learning, on this journey, that God is a jealous God. He wants us to lean wholly on Him. Clutch only His arm. Seek only His approval. Strive only to please Him. Everyone else can fail us. Jesus never fails. Everything else can be lost in a moment. Jesus never leaves. Every thought, every great idea, every true intention means nothing if it doesn't find it's origin in Christ. That is why He must be the author and finisher of our faith. That is why He is the Alpha and Omega. It all begins and ends with Him. I am learning daily to lean on His everlasting arms and rest in His promises that when everyone and everything seems lost to me, He is still behind, before, beneath and beside me.

Check out Becky's site at http://www.chinsup.blogspot.com

For Annie Johnson Flint's story please check out: http://www.blessedquietness.com/journal/homemake/ajf-annie.htm

Blogging Friends

How does someone get in touch with the biographer of one of his favorite authors, touch base with someone who was mentored by an expository preacher who I've respected for years or someone who has been associated with one of the most beloved pastors in American? By mentioning these men, J. Sidlow Baxter, Stephen Olford and Adrian Rogers in my blog, Pilgrim Scribbings.


Stephen Olford Preaching

Here's the story:

Recently an author was doing a Google search for one of my favorite preachers from the past, J. Sidlow Baxter. As Baxter is mentioned in my profile (see above) this writer came across my blog in his search. He noticed that I had mentioned three men that he was close to, Baxter, Stephen Olford and Adrian Rogers. The author thought I might enjoyed a recently published biography of Baxter and wrote to tell me about the book. He never once mentioned that he, himself, was the author. I recognized his name though because I had purchased the book, a biography of Baxter entitled "A Heart Awake".


A Heart Awake

I wrote him back to tell him that I had the book and that I recognized his name (E. A. Johnston) as being the author. Now we are e-mail buddies. Stephen Olford was his mentor until he (Olford) was called home and Adrian Rogers pastored Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, TN until his recent retirement. I know the lady who furnished some of the photos for the book, Clara Caddell, who attends The Peoples Church in Toronto (where I often heard Dr. Baxter preach).


Adrian Rogers

Small word eh! Thanks, E. A. (Ernest), for your labor of love in penning this excellent bio of one of my favorite preachers from a bygone era! Thanks, too, for e-mailing me to tell me about the book!

For those who have enjoyed J. Sidlow Baxter's ministry over the years, why not order the book from your local Christian bookstore. It is published by Baker Books.

J. Sidlow Baxter, A Heart Awake: The Authorized Biography by Ernest Johnston, E. A. JOHNSTON
Publisher: Baker Books ISBN: 0801012740

His Strong Right Hand

This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. It says it all! Why don't I simply trust Him and rest in His strong hand?


He Will Uphold You!

Write me at dwfisher@nexicom.net and tell me how the Lord has sustained you in the midst of your storms. I'll reprint several of them on this Pilgrim Scribblings site.

Mighty Minnow

Tonight I attended the annual Awards Ceremony/Banquet for the Lindsay Muskies hockey club, one of the teams that I provide chapel services for. My nephew, Bud Fisher, came away with two trophies, the Playoff MVP Award and the Player's Choice Award. I was so proud of Bud (Greg is his "real" name) as he received this well-deserved recognition.


Greg "Bud" Fisher

Before each game Bud prayed with his teammates just before they went on the ice. He had a solid, consistent testimony and the Player's Choice Award was voted on by his teammates. It's obvious that they love and respect him. CONGRATULATIONS, Bud! You made me proud.

Looking Back

Seems like this is a week for reminiscing. Looking back on the "good old days". I've included a picture of our "extended family" as we were six short (or long) years ago. Our five biological children are grown and gone and have given us several wonderful grandchildren. The photo below shows our two adopted sons, Matthew and Nathan, our granddaughter Victoria who has been with us since she was 3 and our foster daughter Amanda who we cared for for 8 years. The plans Carol and I had to be world travelers and "relaxed old fogies" (sp?) went up in smoke I guess. Ha! Ha!


As we were 6 years ago...David, Nathan (2), Carol, Matthew (3), Amanda (14) and Victoria (6)

We have been blessed (and stressed) over the last few years. There's a trite saying out there that goes like this..."I'm too blessed to be stressed". Get real! Life is full of challenges! Just live in our home for 24 hours. But, in the midst of those challenges and stresses, we have seen the blessing of God.

Be blessed and encouraged today, friends!
"The blessing of the Lord it maketh rich..." - Proverbs 10:22 (KJV)

Happy Anniversary

Today we celebrate mom & dad's 61st wedding anniversary. Dad is in heaven in the presence of the Lord he loved and served. He is "home" in the house that Jesus went to prepare for him. Mom is here in the house that dad built for her 60 years ago. Even though they are apart, we look forward to that great reunion day when they will be together again...forever. What a "blessed hope" we have as believers, as committed followers of Jesus Christ!


My Godly Parents

We celebrate their life today. We rejoice that they taught us Christian principles and values and lived them out before us. I honor them today and rejoice in their godly lives. I'll see you later today, mom! Dad, I'll see you soon!

"But until then, my heart will go on singing,
Until then, with joy I'll carry on;
Until that day my eyes behold that City
Until the day God calls me home."

A commandment with promise:
"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." - Exodus 20:12

Five Days in the Life

Five Days in the Life of a Sports Chaplain and Other Reflections...

Greetings, friends! I've been reminded afresh over the last five days that my job description is dynamic (always changing) and NOT static (not moving, not active). I'm excited about that! I never know from one day to the next what's going to happen.

Last Saturday I had the distinct pleasure of helping to co-ordinate the visit of over 90 U. S. troops and their sons to a ballgame at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. Charlie Chaplain, actually Chaplain Charles Reynolds, brought this group from Fort Drum Army Base in upstate New York to Toronto as part of a Father/Son weekend of special activities. This group of soldiers will be deployed to Afghanistan early next year. What a joy to watch many of the Toronto Blue Jay players interact with fathers and sons, signing autographs and speaking with the kids! John Gibbons, the Jays' manager, provided official major league baseballs for all of the kids. I had the pleasure of praying with the entire group down at field level before the gates opened and the rest of the fans came into the stadium.

Sunday was "ministry" as usual with chapel services for the Chicago White Sox, the Toronto Blue Jays and a visit to the umpires' clubhouse to pray with them before the game. I pray that these chapel services will never become commonplace for me after all these years. If you do the math, I've been at the ballpark for over 350 Sundays in the past 29 years, and we conduct 2 chapels each week (one for each team) so I've been involved in over 700 services. Each week is different, each service has its own flavor and when God shows up at the ballpark we can expect great things to happen.

Today, as I was driving to the ballpark, I received a phone message from another chaplain, a prison chaplain, asking if I could arrange to get a piece of Toronto Blue Jays memorabilia signed by a player for a prisoner who only has a day or two to live. This prisoner has been released from prison after serving 35 years of his sentence so he could die peacefully in a community setting. Baseball Chapel policy doesn't allow us to ask players for autographs or items of memorabilia for obvious reasons. We are there to serve NOT to get "stuff". After receiving this last-minute request, I called the Jays' equipment manager as I drove to the ballpark. He arranged for one of the marquis players to sign a Blue Jays' jersey and personalize it to this dying man. I didn't stay for the game but drove home to meet the chaplain at the hospital in Peterborough. We surprised this dear man (he's a convict but seeing an older man lying in a hospital bed with not many hours left in this life makes you look upon him in a different light) with the gift from the Blue Jays and took a number of pictures of him with the jersey. What a joy to cheer someone up in this manner! He has been a Toronto Blue Jays fan from day one but has been incarcerated throughout the Jays' history and was never able to attend a game. Before I left his hospital room, I was asked by the prison & hospital chaplains if I'd pray with this man and his family members. We joined hands and I committed him to the Father's care. Tears flowed and I left the room moved with compassion and grateful to God for the way He has orchestrated things over the last five days.

So, dear friends, that's what's been happening in the past week. Exciting opportunities! Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you, our roof at home was leaking and we had to get it re-shingled on Monday and Tuesday. One other thing, the transmission in our van quit on Carol on Saturday while I was at the ballpark and we had to get it rebuilt Monday and Tuesday. Into every life a little rain (or a monsoon) must fall but the showers of blessing from Saturday, Sunday and today far outweighed the setbacks.

Tomorrow is another day but tonight I sit back and rejoice that God has called me to share His love with soldiers, ballplayers and prisoners (and the guy who shingled our roof).

Thanks for your prayers, your encouragement and your friendship! We continue to trust God to lead us and use us for His glory.

In His embrace,

David

Grandpa David

Here's a more recent photo of Grandpa David with Tim (our son) and Nicole's children.


Carissa, Grandpa David, Josiah and Daynica (the one with the sign)

It's fun being a grandpa! We have nine grandchildren now. I'm getting old, I guess!

P. S. I've already received a number of positive comments about this photo. The smiles on my grandkid's faces brought smiles to our reader's faces. They didn't say anything about "the old guy in the middle" though.

Precious Memories

Our family attended McDonnel Street Gospel Hall when I was a child. I have many "precious memories" of my time in that small Brethren assembly. The property was expropriated many years ago and the local police station now sits there. How I wish I could go back and pay a visit to that special place. Fond memories of Children's Meetings with Uncle Herb (Meeks) and intimate "Breaking of Bread" services where "Old Mister Norton" started the hymns often flood my mind. Those were special times when God was shaping a young life to later serve Him.


Small but sacred assembly hall where my life was shaped!

Looking Through the Archives

Here are two more pictures from the archives. Like the majority of couples, our pictures are in boxes and we have a dozen empty photo albums sitting on the shelf.


Baby Dedication that I performed. David 56 years ago

One of my regular visits as a young man getting involved in the Lord's work was to a tiny church in nearby Norwood, Ontario, Pine Street Gospel Chapel. I was dedicating a baby to the Lord just before this picture was taken. The other picture is one of the earliest photos I have of me. Cute little guy, eh?

Geeksville

Recently I went through a box of old pictures. It was good for a laugh but I wanted to share the fun (???) so I posted a couple of pix. Go ahead, have a good belly laugh! I can't believe they let this guy into Major League Baseball clubhouses. Why would any church allow this weirdo in their pulpit? What did Carol see in this funny-looking geek? I don't know if the passing of time is improving things or whether I should start wearing a bag over my head.


Who is this geek?

Comments are gladly welcomed and will promptly be removed from my site. Just kidding! "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine" so go ahead...be merry at my expense. It won't hurt my feelings!

Matthew's House

Our son Matthew asked me to put his masterpiece on my web site. How could I say "no"? Now you know what our home, our yard, our cat and the surrundings look like. Sad to say, he didn't include me in the picture. Maybe that's me at the left of the house.


Michaelangelo or Matthew?

The elders at our church have asked him to paint something on the ceiling of the chapel? I'll send along a photo when it's done. Ha! Ha!

Today's Breakfast Special

"The early bird gets the worm", they say. While the robin finishes his breakfast, I'll continue to write my poem/story. Check back SOON for the finished product, worms and all.


Breakfast At Last

See you later! Visit soon! Bring a friend along!

Weary? Don't Give Up!

Three scripture verses have encouraged me to "keep keeping on" when I've been ready to "pack it in". The verse shown below (Galatians 6:9), Hebrews 6:10 and 1 Corinthians 15:58 have all been such an encouragement!


Frustrated, discouraged, perplexed? "Fix your eyes on Jesus." - Hebrews 12:2

Fellow pilgrim, don't give up! You will reap a bountiful harvest if you "faint not!"

Blogging Buddies

Tonight I pause to thank my Blogging Buddies for blessing my life! Several of you stay in touch regularly. Your "posts" have touched me deeply, taught me richly and encouraged me daily. Thank you for your ministry! Thanks for taking the time to write and comment on my "scribblings". We are all fellow pilgrims on the journey home. Some of us are going through deep waters and facing monumental decisions but we walk with our hand firmly grasped in His, the King of Glory, the Great Shepherd of the sheep.


Blessings to my Blogging Buddies

Thank you again for sharing your hearts.

"Fix your eyes on Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of our faith." - Hebrews 12:2

The Language of Tears

My friend Stephen Kennedy recently sent me a note of encouragement which touched my heart deeply. Steve and his brother David are two of the finest preachers I know and their ministry has the anointing of God upon it. Steve is not afraid to let his tears flow when he's in the pulpit. What a compassionate (and passionate), caring man! Steve serves with Asian Outreach and has previously pastored in a local church setting. Now we're sharing his giftedness with the rest of the world, the Asian countries in particular.


Steve Kennedy, Thinker, Preacher, Friend

Thank you, Steve, for your thought-provoking messages. Your writing skills are going to be appreciated on a much broader scale in the days ahead. You have such a way with words! Both Steve and David paid tribute to their father recently at Don Kennedy's funeral. Moving, masterful messages!


Asian Outreach

Thanks for your friendship, Steve! Never hesitate to let those tears flow. You have impacted many fellow pilgrims and you will see the harvest in that coming day! I love you, friend!

"Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy." - Psalm 126:5

A Powerful Investment

Having been involved in a letter-writing ministry of encouragement (Epistle Sports Ministries) for over 30 years, I've come to appreciate more and more the value of a greeting card...sent with love. Over the years I've sent literally thousands of cards. I've also received more than my share of heartfelt greetings. They are always such a pick-me-up. One such card from a dear friend changed the course of my life when I was ready to leave the ministry. I've given this card (pictured below) to several godly men who have impacted my life with their biblical counsel and Christ-like living. Recently I received the same card from my friend David. I didn't feel worthy of the sentiment but I was certainly grateful and moved by his expression of Christian love.


"A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." - Proverbs 25:11

There are so many excellent cards available in Christian bookstores these days. The Dayspring card line like this one is exceptional. Our own Canadian company, Lawson Falle, have some excellent lines of cards. I've always been partial to Hallmark cards and they print some great sentiments as well.

When I think of the impact that can be made by sending a card, I wish more Christians would avail themselves of this ministry. A single card can be fairly pricey but you can buy a box of 12 cards for $5.00 or $6.00. This brings the price of a single card down to approximately 50 cents. Add a stamp and you can encourage and refresh a weary pilgrim for only $1.00 and, perhaps, literally change their life.

So, fellow pilgrims, from an experienced veteran, I challenge you to write a friend today. Pick up some cards at your local Christian bookstore, write your Spirit-inspired greeting, add a stamp, drop the envelope in the mailbox and trust God to do His work of blessing and refreshing!

"A generous man (or woman) will prosper; he who refreshes others with himself be refreshed." - Proverbs 11:25

More Thoughts on Mother

Mother of My Heart

"Mother"

You have been mommy, mom and now

“mother” to me. I pray that I will never

take for granted the blessing of having

a godly mother. So many others have lost

their “mother” recently. I want to enjoy you

and honour you while I have the opportunity.

Therefore, I will continue to refer to you as

“mother” because you are everything that a

true “mother” should be. You gave me a safe,

loving home and then introduced me to the One

who is preparing a heavenly home. You took

me to church rather than sending me. You

led by example and gave me all the tools

to become a follower of Jesus. When

you had lots to criticize me for, you

loved me unconditionally instead.

Now it’s my pleasure to "rise

up and call you blessed”.

Lots of love! - David

A Mother, Like None Other

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, MOM! I love you very much. Thanks for introducing me to Jesus back in 1952! I'll always be grateful to you for that moment!

Here's an article that I posted earlier but I'm sharing it again for those who missed it.

The following was written for my mother as an anniversary gift on what would have been her 57th wedding anniversary. Dad went home to be with the Lord on May 21st, 1992. Mom is still doing well and will celebrate her 80th birthday on January 7th, 2005.

Mother's House

Unconditional love,
a listening ear,
concern for what the kids are doing,
encouragement in stressful times,
the latest family news,
updates from the mission field,
a piano waiting to be played,
a challenging game of Scrabble,
hang a picture or two,
pick a book up off the shelf to borrow for awhile,
a smile,
a hug,
a cookie or two.
This is what I’ve come to find at . . .
Mother’s House!

Thanks, Mom!

– David

May 12, 2001



My mother (and father)

You Deserve a Medal!

People often say to Carol and me, "you deserve a medal"! It's usually in reference to our adopting two young boys at our advanced (?) age or the crazy schedules we both keep with volunteering, ministry and the regular duties of raising children and grandchildren. We just laught it off. Today I received a medal, well it's actually a medallion but I will cherish it forever.


You Deserve a Medal


I had the distinct pleasure today of helping to co-ordinate the visit of some 90 soldiers and their sons from the army base at Fort Drum in upstate New York. Their chaplain, Charles Reynolds, arranged the trip in conjuction with Bryan Hickerson, the Baseball Chapel leader for the Chicago White Sox. Bryan couldn't make the trip at the last minute due to a funeral in Indiana so I picked up the ball and ran with it.

These troops spent the last couple of days doing "fathering" type activities. They had some seminars and did some other activities like an obstacle course at the base. They came up today in school buses to see the Jays/White Sox game. They arrived early and were ushered down to field level where a number of Blue Jay players interacted with them and signed autographs for the sons (and some dads too). The Jays' manager, John Gibbons, arranged for all the boys to get a genuine major league baseball which they got signed by the players.

It was my pleasure to pray with the troops and their sons, asking God to give them a great day, a safe trip back and to protect them when they are deployed to Afghanistan early next year. Six of the soldiers in uniform marched into the ballpark as the color guard just before the anthems were sung.

What a pleasure to meet these men and their sons and to watch the Blue Jays personnel interact with them. Before I left one of the soldiers gave me this medallion and, if you can read it, it says, "Climb to Glory". This is the medallion for the Spartans, the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. They gave me this as a token of their visit. It will remind me to pray for these men as they prepare to go overseas. Next month they will be in another part of America training before their deployment.

"Cimb to Glory"...that's what I'm going to do when Jesus calls me home. Until then I want to be "a soldier of the cross", telling others of His love.

It was a great day! Tomorrow I'm back to conduct the chapels for the two teams. What a privilege to lift up Jesus wherever He places me!

Fine Food & Fiery Furnaces

The following outline will be used on Sunday in the Baseball Chapel services in Toronto with the Chicago White Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays. Thought you might be interested. Just a skeleton outline but you can fill in the blanks.

WANTED . . . A FEW STAND-OUTS

Qualifications:
- Must be from royalty or nobility
- Young men
- No physical defects
- Handsome
- Aptitude for learning
- Well informed
- Quick to understand
Men with these characteristics would be qualified to serve.
Required Commitment:
- Willing to serve a three-year apprenticeship
Benefits:
- Will enjoy a daily portion of fine food and wine from the king’s table
Successful Candidates:
- Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
Daniel’s Resolve:
- Not to defile himself with the royal food & wine
The Ten-Day Experiment:
- Vegetables & Water vs. Fine Food & Wine
And The Winner Is:
Daniel & the Vegetable Boys
The King’s Decree and the Young Men’s Decision
- When the music plays, bow down & worship
- The music started & the 3 stand-outs stayed standing
The King’s Punishment:
Throw them into the fiery furnace
The Stand-Outs Statement: “The God we serve is able to save us from the it (fiery furnace) and He will rescue us from your hand, O king, but even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17,18)
The Fourth Man & the Stand-Out’s Deliverance:
How About You?
Are you willing to stand out from the crowd?
To go against the flow?
To not settle for mediocrity?
To forget about peer pressure?
To stand for God and righteousness regardless of the consequences?
God is looking for a few good men!
Will you be a stand-out for Him?
Will you answer His call?
I pray that you will for His name’s sake!

My Tribute...My Father

My father, Chester Warren Fisher, would have turned 83 today (May 5th) had the Lord not called him home 13 years ago after a battle with cancer. On dad's birthday 13 years ago, I drove to the hospital in Kingston with a Tribute Book that I had compiled. About 60 people had contributed to this book. Missionaries, Christian leaders, employees, politicians, civic leaders, friends and family took time out to let dad know how his life had impacted theirs. Dad was in tears as he turned the pages and read the entries.

Certain words appeared numerous times in these tributes...words like integrity, generosity, missions, Elim Lodge, family, etc. Dad was truly a man of God! He served on the boards of many Christian and secular organizations. He had a heart for missions and my parents entertained preachers and missionaries in our home often. Dad's impact at Fisher Gauge Ltd. (now FisherCast Global Corporation) was far-reaching. He managed by "walking around". The employees knew he cared. His contributions at Elim Lodge will never be forgotten. His "cruises for missions" on the boats he captained raised funds for missionaries and Christian workers around the world.

Dad is certainly missed. I know I miss him more now than ever before. Over the years I've made a habit of buying dad a birthday card on May 5th and picking out a Father's Day card when that day rolls around. I still have a father, he's just in a better place, in the presence of the King!


My Father, a Giver, a Sender, a Missionary Statesman

I'm so grateful for a godly dad who blazed a trail for me. It can certainly be said about dad, "He was a good man!" I miss you dad...but I'll see you soon. Thanks for modeling the Christian life before me. "He being dead, yet speaketh."

Check out my article earlier this week entitled "They Blazed a Trail" for a portrait of mom and dad.

Blogging Words

My blogging friend, Debra, penned the following thoughts which I heartily agree with. What do you think? It's a thought-provoking subject! Check out Debra's other "posts" at: http://www.debrasotherthoughts.blogspot.com

Debra writes:

"I've read a few blog posts written by Christians which say we should be able to write anything and everything in our blogs that rattles around in our heads. That, after all, it's our blog and a blog is rather like a diary and in a diary, one lets it all hang out. Well, uh, no. For me, that does not ring true on many levels. For one, your diary hidden under your mattress is your diary hidden under your mattress. But a publicly-shared blog is a publicly-shared blog.

People are involved...souls are involved...Words.... The Bible has tons to say about the power of our words. Remember how in driver's ed. we were taught that a car is a weapon? Well, just as a car is a weapon and can be used for great things or harmful ones, so can our words. After all, the power of life and death is in our tongues...the words we share......and..."Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him." Proverbs 29:20

Speaking in haste, to me, can mean sharing my words before putting them through any kind of a filter for those who are listening to (or reading) my words.A filter like this:"But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble and sin [that is, who entices him or hinders him in right conduct or thought], it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be sunk in the depth of the sea." Matthew 18:6

That is one filter which causes me to ask myself: Will my words create doubt in a new Christian's mind? Will my depressing words remove hope from someone who needs it desperately? Will this gossip poison someone's mind? Will my complaining cause others to be dissatisfied with their own lives? ..and on and on...I could never tell everyone to say whatever they want to in their publicly-shared blog. Not in a million years. That would be like telling people that God thinks it's just fine and dandy to say out loud anything that pops into our heads.And I cannot believe that."***"For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." ... Matthew 12:37

Bird Houses and Bouquets

My friends Stephen & Brooksyne Weber live in Lancaster County, PA and I enjoy their Daily Encouragement devotions on-line each week day. While walking recently they saw these wildflowers and Stephen challenged Brooksyne to make a floral arrangement. She did and now we can share this bouquet with friends around the world, like they did. Why not check out their web site at: www.dailyencouragement.net and subscribe to receive their daily musings! They are always fresh and relevant. Thanks to the Webers for their encouragement in my life.


Bird Houses & Bouquets from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Nearer Home Than Yesterday

Two excellent entries from Saija's blog! Check it out at: http://www.saija.blogspot.com

"One sweetly solemn thought
Comes to me o'er and o'er;
I am nearer home today
Than I ever have been before."
- Phoebe Cary

"Making yourself at home in God now is a good 'getting-ready' for heaven. When we arrive at the house made ready in the heavens, it will be glorious beyond our poor words to say. But we'll feel at home. For that is where we'll be!"
- Vance Havner, from A Treasury of Vance Havner

Our Inner Room

Another great note from my blogging friend, David Barnett. Check out his site at:
http://www.davidbarnett.blogspot.com

What are you listening to?

"Listening to the voice of love requires that we direct our minds and hearts toward that voice with all our attention. How can we do that? The most fruitful way--in my experience--is to take a simple prayer, a sentence, or a word, and slowly repeat it. We can use the Lord's Prayer, the Jesus Prayer, the name of Jesus, or any word that reminds us of God's love and put it in the center of our inner room, like a candle in a dark space." - Henri Nouwen

I have done this in the past with the word - Abba. This helps me think of God as a loving father who loves me unconditionally. This also brings to my mind the picture of a father holding his son with his large hands, very tenderly and lovingly. The son is secure, safe, and loved. I haven't been listening lately to the voice of love. The sound track I have been playing recently in my mind has been one of self criticism and regret. It is time to start listening to the voice of love. "Whatever is lovely....think about these things."

Getting The Word Out

Recently I made up some cards to pass out letting people know about the Pilgrim Scribblings site. It's always exciting when I find that someone has "stumbled" on this "blog" and has been blessed by the contents. We want to pass the word along.


Getting the Word Out

If you've enjoyed reading these "posts" why not help us get the word out. If you have your own blog, why not add a link so people can pay us a visit. Let your friends know about Pilgrim Scribblings. It might just help them on their journey "home". Thanks so much!

Those Good Old Days

Recently I found this Couriers for Christ prayer card and my mind went back to those days in the mid to late 60's when a team of young people from the Peterborough area went around singing and preaching. Those were good old days. On Sunday evenings we'd sing in a park in Lakefield as part of Lakefield Gospel Chapel's Open-Air Services. One summer John King, Carl Whitehead, Brice Martin and I drove to Wawa, north of Sault Ste. Marie, and did door-to-door tract distribution. We took a tent trailer and stayed at a campground in the area. Each night we would put on a concert (???) in the park. John would play his saw, yes, that's right, his saw, Carl would squeeze some tunes out of his accordian and I had an old pump organ that kept my legs busy. We'd always draw a crowd. Maybe they wondered what the racket was. We had great times back then.


Starting Out In Ministry

I'm grateful that God touched my heart back in those days and called me to serve Him. For many years I owned the local Christian bookstore and preached a lot on the weekends. Epistle Sports Ministries was formed in 1975 and continues to this day. John King went with Wycliffe Bible Translators and still serves with them. I played the organ at John & Laura's wedding. Carl also serves with Wycliffe in Papua, New Guinea with his wife Pat. I was Carl's best man at their wedding in Winnipeg. Brice went to seminary and went on to pastor a church. We all got our start with Couriers for Christ, a makeshift ministry that we started when we were young men.

Those are fond memories! Paul challenged Timothy and told him to let nobody despise his youth. God calls and uses young people to accomplish His purposes. I'm grateful for those early opportunities to serve Him.

Just goes to prove that the Lord of the Harvest can use anybody. Let Him use you to make a difference!

They Blazed a Trail

On May 12th my parents would have celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary! Dad went "home" on May 31st, 1992 after faithfully serving the Lord for many years. His 83rd birthday would have been on May 5th. So, the month of May is chock full of important dates. Mom is still doing well and living in the family homestead that was built almost 60 years ago. (See the post in the December archives entitled Hometown Reflections for a picture of our home).


My Godly Parents

I'll be writing a tribute to Dad and posting his portrait in a day or two so please check back to read about a godly man who loved the Lord and had a servant's heart. I praise the Lord for godly parents who taught me that Jesus loves me and died to give me eternal life.

A Fish Out Of Water

For those of you who requested a picture on my blog, here's the one that's posted on the Baseball Chapel web site and on the WANTED board at the local police station. Try blowing it up and get out the darts. Just kidding!


Big Fish

Aren't those passport and driver's license pictures flattering? Now go on to the next "post" PLEASE!

Oughts and Ifs

The following quote by Henri Nouwen appeared on my friend David's blog recently. Check out his site at: http://www.davidbarnett.blogspot.com

"The real enemies of our lives are the "oughts" and the "ifs." They pull us back into the unalterable past and forward into the unpredictable future. But real life takes place in the here and now. God is a God of the present. God is always in the moment, be that moment hard or easy, joyful or painful. When Jesus spoke about God, He always spoke about God as being when and where we are. 'When you see me, you see God. When you hear me you hear God.' God is not someone who was or will be, but the One who is, and who is for me in the present moment. That's why Jesus came to wipe away the burden of the past and the worries of the future. He wants us to discover God right where we are, here and now." - Henri Nouwen

Wonderful Companions

Old Treasures

There's no friend like a good old book! Wherever I go I try to take a book along. I've got them in the car, in both offices, stacked by my bed, at my Christian Horizons workplace. There are always books in my suitcase just in case I forget to pack them.

Books, like people, come in all sizes, colors and shapes. I love to take the dust jacket off a hardcover book and check out the binding, the color, the title engraved on the spine. The different type faces and paper colors intrigue me. The bibliographies, notes and indexes in the back always fascinate me. The dedications in the front of the book are very telling.

The cover can either make me want to dig into the book or it can turn me off reading it. Maybe I have a book fetish. If that's wrong, so be it. I'm guilty!

Want to make me happy? Give me a book! Want to upset me? Borrow a book and don't give it back.

When I take the train to Montreal or the plane to Florida, I'm always weighed down with books. What great companions! They keep me company, they never argue, never talk back and they can change my life if I allow the Holy Spirit to speak through them.

Having a good book in hand affords the blessing of a one-on-one visit with the author, quietly discovering what makes him/her tick. How else can we engage with Augustine, Madame Guyon, Nouwen or Lewis?

Yes, I'm an incurable bookaholic! It's almost bed time but I better read a chapter or three.

Good night!

Who Says There's No God?

When you see the beauty of creation, how can anyone deny that there was a Master Designer who spoke the universe into existence?


The Handiwork of our Creator

It takes more faith to deny the reality of God than to believe that He created this universe. What a mighty God we serve!

May Flowers

As we were transitioning from April to May I thought of a crazy joke that we've heard at our church and our Christian school:

"If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring?"

One Sunday when this question was posed at our church, one of our members shouted, "Pilgrims". Get it? The pilgrims came over to America on the Mayflower and landed at Plymouth Rock.


The Mayflower 2

We have two families of Pilgrims at our church, Tim & Lori Pilgrim and Jim & Mary Jane Pilgrim.

The true Church, the Body of Christ, is made up entirely of "pilgrims". As the lyrics of a song I recently posted declare, "We are on a journey, destination - heaven."

How is your pilgrimage going? Have you chosen your destination? Are you "bound for the Promised Land"? Have you made the decision to trust Jesus Christ and spend eternity with Him? If so, you are part of that Band of Believers that's marching home.

Speaking of April showers bringing May flowers . . . today is looking pretty cloudly. What do May showers bring? Time to get out John Deere and begin cutting the grass for another season.


Ontario's Flower - The Trillium

Have a good and godly day (as Woodrow Kroll from the Back to the Bible Broadcast says).

Jays Win, Jays Win

THE TORONTO BLUE JAYS DID IT! They took 2 out of 3 games from the mighty Yankees in the Bronx. Maybe that New York dynasty is beginning to crumble. At least there are signs of hope that the Jays might be able to contend. But, it's only the first of May. Lots can happen, and will, before October 1st rolls around. But, regardless, it looks like the team will be fun to watch this season!

GO JAYS GO!

His Embrace

Recently we watched a brief video clip during a morning service at our church. A young man had set out on a hike around a lake carrying his 1-year-old son in a harness on his back . When they were halfway through their trek it started to rain and soon there was a full-blown thunderstorm. The little boy was crying and worried as the loving father took him in his arms and tried to comfort him. The most important thing on the father's mind was to carry his son home to safety. The father repeatedly whispered to his son that he loved him and that things would be alright. The child didn't fully undertand and was still fearful about the storm.

I think you already get the application. In the storms of life our loving, heavenly Father desires to carry us safely to our destination. Often we reject His overtures towards us and complain about the circumstances instead of falling back into His embrace and letting Him bring us home.

As I watched the clip the following thought came to mind:

"Your grip of grace,
Your warm embrace;
You know the way
On a rainy day.
I'll trust in You
You'll see me through,
No more to roam
You'll lead me home.
And now I see,
You'll carry me."

- David W. Fisher

Rest in our loving Father's warm embrace today and let Him lead you home.

The Lord's Day

It's a beautiful sunny (but cool) day here in rural Cavan, Ontario. I can attend our local church with my family today as the Toronto Blue Jays are in New York and I don't need to be at the ballpark in Toronto to conduct chapel services. I'm looking forward to worshiping my God and King this morning. How about you? Let's exalt Him today and give Him glory for He is worthy of our praise!


He is Worthy to be Praised!

"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever." - Psalm 118:24,28,29 (NIV)

5 Months, 5,000 Visitors

On November 27th, 2004 I posted my first article on the Pilgrim Scribblings blog. It was entitled Noisy Restaurants and chronicled an encounter with some Christian Horizons staff and individuals in an Elmira, ON restaurant (check the November archives to the left).

Now, 5 months later, I'm writing this note from a Christian Horizons home where I'm employed. Who would have thought 5 months ago that I'd be here? Not me!

Also, who would have thought that I'd be maintaining this Pilgrim Scribblings site 5 months later, enjoying every minute of it (except when things break down like they did this week).

Five months and 5,000 visitors later I'm grateful to a faithful God for this small opportunity to impact lives in a positive, eternal manner.

Thanks for your encouragement, friends! Thanks to my fellow "bloggers" who have paved the way and blazed a trail.

May Jesus Christ be praised!

P. S. Your comments are always welcomed and appreciated! Go ahead, let me know that you paid me a visit. Come back again soon!

Smashing Idols

When I think of smashing idols, my mind goes back to an old black and white movie about Martin Luther's life. He struggled with many of the teachings of the Roman Catholic church and, at one point in the movie, is seen destroying some graven images.

Many years later an eccentric, troubled English poet and hymnwriter, William Cowper, penned these words:

"The dearest idol I have known,
What e'er that idol be,
Help me to tear it from Thy throne
And worship only Thee."

Cowper was in and out of insane asylums during his life but had a deep faith and a strong friendship with John Newton.

Our idols may not be graven images. They could be cars, boats, a motorcycle, a relationship, a hobby, anything that comes between us and a holy God.

What idol am I bowing down before? What about you? Get rid of it and worship only Him!

Marvelous Thought

Jim McGuiggan in his book, "Celebrating the Wrath of God" (Waterbrook Press) quotes an unknown poet who penned these words:

God loves to be longed for,
He longs to be sought;
For He sought us Himself
With such longing and love.
He died for desire of us,
Marvelous thought;
And He longs for us now
To be with Him above.

Can you fathom such love? I struggle to understand His desire for me! O that I might long for Him the way He seeks my affection!