Sunrise Sampler

Saturday morning I enjoyed my favorite breakfast at the Cracker Barrel in Buffalo, NY. I usually order the Sunrise Sampler with eggs over medium, a sampling of breakfast meats, hash brown casserole, fried apples, biscuits, grits & maple syrup, juice and coffee.

This morning I had another Sunrise Sampler as I paused on my way home from work at Christian Horizons to catch some shots of the sunrise. What a spectacle it was! Here's a sampling!

"The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth His handiwork." - Psalm 19:1 (KJV)

Nathan Is Framed

My dear friend Terry (Canadian Blogger) has taken my previously posted sunrise picture by our son Nathan (10) and nicely framed it, adding a picture of the artist in the corner. Nice work, Terry!

We waved to you as we drove over the Skyway in St. Catharines. Did you see us? We had a good time away although we were disappointed to see our nephew Bud (the goalie for the Quinnipiac Bobcats) lose to the Niagara University Purple Eagles last night.

Have a great weekend, dear friends!

Reflection of the Sun by my Son

Our son Nathan brought home this masterpiece from school today.

It's a reflection of the sun on a lake. The teacher had the students mount their pictures on an angle on the black background so it was too big for me to capture the entire picture on my scanner.

I guess we could call it either a sunrise or a sunset. For weeks our blogging friend Terry was looking for a sunrise and finally found one to
send to Julie. Do you like this one Terry?

Great work Nathan!

32 Years

Please keep EPISTLE SPORTS MINISTRIES in your prayers.

We are into our 32nd season of ministry to professional and amateur athletes and we are trusting God to do great things this year.

We depend on the prayers and financial support of the Lord's people.

Last night we had 21 of the Peterborough Petes in attendance at our bi-weekly MONDAY WE HAVE FISH Bible studies.

Thanks again, dear friends!

Sweet Hush of God

My friend Pauline Stringer penned the following masterpiece of prose and passed it along to me. I previously posted the poem, Sweet Hush of God, that Pauline refers to. I'm adding it to this post for those who didn't read it before. Great work, my friend!

ENFOLDED IN LOVE

Taking a stroll down memory lane can often lead a person into the nooks and crannies of their most favourite places. For me, that journey back in time is graced with the pleasure of settling down into an old, cozy wing chair nestled into the farthest corner of my family room. I am transported back over a decade to a much younger, (and thinner, I might add) me. No longer is my hair speckled with gray; nor does my face harbour any wrinkles. I am a young mom. The old chair is an oasis, a resting place from the unending activity of raising five small children close in age. It is a place where that which is simple delights the soul. To slowly sip a cup of coffee in the early morning light, to read a treasured portion of Scripture, as if seeing it for the first time or to daydream of exotic places yet unseen are the gifts the chair offers me.

The most prized moments come, however, when one of my little ones sneaks downstairs to crawl onto my lap just to be alone with me as the sun rises. In my usual custom, I wrap them up under my housecoat, cocooning them in my love. There they lie, relishing the warmth of my arms around them, sometimes drifting back to sleep to the rhythm of my heartbeat. Such precious remembrances are those cuddling times shared between mother and child, where hugs and kisses flow. Pure bliss!

At eveningtide, that priceless, old chair would once again be my refuge after the whirlwind of another day. Tucked away in my corner, I would sit longing to talk to God, yet far too weary to formulate the words I knew He was longing to hear. It was at this point, when the house echoed of quietude, my babies fast asleep, that God would visit me right there in my chair. Only now, it was I who would climb upon His lap where He would tenderly enfold me in His robes of righteousness, drawing me close to Himself. Often, feeling the need, I would make another deliberate attempt to articulate something, anything in the form of prayer. Then I would hear God’s gentle “Shhh.” Closing my eyes, I knew no words were necessary, only His embrace. The sweet hush of God! In this intimate bond, I knew I was His child. Once more, the old chair offered to me its simplistic joy. I loved God and He loved me.

The following poem was penned many years ago to capture the essence of these precious moments. As you might have guessed, it was written in the blessed solitude of my favourite chair.

SWEET HUSH OF GOD

In the stillness
Where I find You
There I know You
And I love You;
In the stillness
Of Your presence
Where I find
My hiding place.

Sweet hush of God,
Sweet hush of God,
Breathe on me now
Sweet hush of God.

In the stillness
I will listen
To Your heartbeat
I surrender.
In the stillness
I will trust You
As You enfold me
In Your love.

Moments

My dear blogging friend Elizabeth Natalie has completely reworked her Cedar Chest and it's looking great. Check it out. I'm reproducing her Moment By Moment post. It's excellent! Keep up the great work, my friend.

MOMENT BY MOMENT

A new year of moments.
Of promise and blessing.
Of struggles, uncertainties, doubts, and fearing the unknown.
Moments for examining my heart, and seeking God's heart.
What moments do you look forward to in 2007?
The start of a new job, new courses at school, a new relationship?
Moments when you will have to say goodbye?
Moments when your life and gifts will impact those around you?
The moment when you step through an open door onto a new path with a glad heart?
The moment you are stopped in your tracks when a gateway is unexpectedly shut and locked before you?
Moments when you need to wait patiently, and let your heart be content. To rest in the peace of God which always seems to pass our human understanding, but somewhere deep inside still knowing His promises are true?
Moments when you can't bear a burden by yourself, and a friend comes along side you and holds you steady for a while?
Moments when God's supernatural strength is revealed in you, because you reached out to your Creator, the God of the universe, your Messiah who knew you before you were born and stepped out of paradise to pursue your heart?
Moments to realize God's Spirit dwells within each one of us who believes?
Moments to use the breath we're given simply to worship God and to dwell in the beauty of His holiness?
Moments when you are freed from your clouded perspective, His light shines brilliantly, bringing focus into your life and suddenly you're aware that His perfect plan is unfolding for you......?

moment by moment.

A Great Story

Dear friends, have you checked out the STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY link on this site? It's worth the visit. I hope you'll go back often and get strength for your journey through the inciteful thoughts of Joseph Stowell. In today's devotional he shares one of his favorite stories. I'm not going to go any further. Drop over for a visit. Be thrilled by this account of God's intervention! Enjoy!

To make it even easier, here's the link!

God's best to you today!

NOTE: If you are checking out the STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY site on any day but January 16th, 2007, go to the archives and enter the January 16th date. You'll be directed to this wonderful story.

Ridin' the Rails

Oh the marvels of modern technology! I'm sitting here on the VIA rail train on my way to Windsor on a cloudy January Sunday morning. Tonight I will attend a special retirement banquet for my good friend Chuck Congram. Chuck has pastored Lakeshore St. Andrews Presbyterian Church near Windsor for 35 years as is "hanging 'em up", so to speak, after all these years of faithful, God-honouring ministry.

I'm connected to the internet, have my faithful SONY digital with me and I'm actually relaxing as we rumble along!

God is good and He has blessed me with wonderful friends like Chuck over the years. I'm looking forward to the festivities later today!

Makes a Chaplain Proud

David Shantz, a committed Christian, quickly became a great friend of our whole family last year, his one and only season with the Peterborough Petes. He graduated and went on to play in the ECHL with the Florida Everblades, an affiliate of the Florida Panthers who drafted him. Every day we pray for David and check on his progress via the internet. He is doing very well, alternating with another goaltender, and will be going to the ECHL All Star Game in Boise, ID later this month.

Here's the headline on the Everblades web site after last night's contest against South Carolina:

Everblades stay hot, edge the Stingrays 2-1 in shootout!

"The Florida Everblades (24-10-0) picked up their fourth straight win thanks to the goaltending of David Shantz, edging past the South Carolina Stingrays (19-14-3) in a 2-1 shootout victory Friday night at Germain Arena in front of a crowd of 5,831."

It makes a chaplain proud to see his understudies doing well. Reminds me of the apostle John's comment in his 3rd epistle, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." - 3rd John verse 4

Photo Ops I Wish I'd Missed

It's amazing what you can find when you go looking for something. Here's what I mean...

I guess you can tell which ones are baby pictures. Then there are those two pictures where Big Fish is tall and skinny. There are two photos taken in Pine Street Gospel Chapel after I had conducted baby dedications. A shot with my brothers Jon and Dan with our hockey sweaters on. The black and white head and shoulders shot with all the hair was taken when I owned the local Christian book store. The other head and shoulders shot was taken at The Peoples Church in Toronto when I was on staff there. Then there's the photo in the Winner's Circle after winning the Senior Championship in the Soap Box Derby back in 1959.

I thought you needed a good laugh, fellow pilgrims!

Lists Unlimited

Rebecca over at Rebecca Writes is looking for lists this month...any type of list. I passed along my list of stores that I'd have in my mall (if I had one). Check out her site (see below) and then go to her comments to find a selection of various and sundry lists.

And, speaking of lists, here's another one. Some of the best known authors, preachers, missionaries and Christian leaders over the centuries have been known by two initials and then their last name.

Here's a list of a few of them:

A. W. Tozer

F. B. Meyer

D. L. Moody

C. H. Mackintosh

J. N. Darby

A. P. Gibbs

J. C. Ryle

W. E. Vine

J. B. Phillips

H. A. Ironside

R. A. Torrey
A. T. Robertson

W. H. Griffith Thomas

A. B. Simpson
W. T. P. Wolston
C. A. Coates

R. C. Chapman

C. T. Studd

A. W. Pink

R. C. Sproul

B. B. Warfield

R. T. Kendall
C. S. Lewis (pictured)

G. K. Chesterton
C. H. Spurgeon (although often refered to by his full name, Charles Haddon Spurgeon)

Go ahead, add some of your own. This is my "initial" list of initialed Heroes of the Faith.

D. W. Fisher

Note: I'm still having trouble adding links using BLOGGER. Are you? Check out Rebecca Writes at: http://www.everydaymusings.blogspot.com

Thursday Thirteens

Greetings, friends! Today we drove to Erie, PA from Buffalo. The kids and I went to Splash Lagoon, an indoor water park, while Carol went to Millcreek Mall to spend some of the money she received for Christmas.

I'm different from most guys in that I love shopping. I was wishing that it was me shopping instead of Carol.

Here's a little game that I've been thinking of for quite some time. Here's how it works. You are given a strip mall or one of those big box malls and you can decide which stores go into it. If you had your choice (on this Thursday...or Friday by the time most of you read this) which thirteen (13) stores would you include in your mall? You can have any mixture of retail stores but you need to have two (2) restaurants and eleven (11) retail stores. Which of your favorites would you include?

Here are my lists. One is Canadian, the other is American.

CANADIAN:

Chapters

Future Shop

Staples

Christian Book Store

Mark's Work Wearhouse

Hallmark

National Sports

Best Buy

The Bay

Winners

Homesense

Kelseys

Swiss Chalet

AMERICAN:

Target

Family Christian Stores

Hallmark

J. C. Penney

Marshalls

T. J. Maxx

Office Depot

Best Buy

Wal Mart

Eddie Bauer

Timberland

Chilis's

Applebee's

O.K. Let me know what your choices would be! THANKS!

P. S. I'll be home Friday evening!

Blogging Sabbatical

Hi friends! I'm sitting in the lobby of a hotel in Buffalo, NY writing this post. Posting will be sporadic for the next few days while we're getting a much-needed break.

Have a good and godly day, my friends!

The Pilgrim

Books & Friends

I certainly agree with the renowned theologian Ziggy on this subject...books and friends. My most prized possessions outside of my relationship with God and my family are my books and friends.

Ministry responsibilities take me away from home and family but I always have friends with me. Friends I can read...books, good books, life-changing books. I always try to keep some in the car...just in case. Thank God for books and friends!

Under His Wings

Today I listened to an old favorite song entitled Under His Wings. I played it over and over again, thrilled with the old melody AND with the very meaningful lyrics.

Under His wings I am safely abiding;
Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,
Still I can trust Him, I know He will keep me;
He has redeemed me, and I am His child.

Chorus:

Under His wings, under His wings,
Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
Safely abide forever.

Under His wings--what a refuge in sorrow!
How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing,
There I find comfort, and there I am blest.

Under His wings--oh, what precious enjoyment!
There will I hide till life's trials are o'er;
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me;
Resting in Jesus I'm safe evermore.

Launching Out Into 2007

HAPPY NEW YEAR, dear friend! We wish you a year filled with new discoveries of all that God is and has made available for you through Jesus Christ.

We look forward to another year of BLOGGING FOR JESUS. What a privilege to minister through this medium! To all the "Fisher Connection", thank you for your love and encouragement over the past year. It has been a pleasure exchanging comments and blessing one another. We serve a mighty God and it's a joy to share His love with others!

Our slogan, as fellow pilgrims, for the new year is "A Step Closer To Heaven in 2007". Yes, we're getting nearer each day. The lights of "home" are coming into view on the horizon. Let's serve the Lord with gladness in 2007, looking for His glorious appearing.

Blessings, dear friends, and much love in Christ!

David

Something To Think About

My friend Greg Asimakoupoulos penned the following poem, reminding us about our apparent apathy during the Christmas season. It certainly challenged me.


O Little Town of Where-We-Live
A musical prayer of confession
by Greg Asimakoupoulos - Dec. 21, 2006

Note: These lyrics can be sung to the tune of O Little Town of Bethlehem

O little town of Where-We-Live
you surely know the score.
We give to those who give to us
and overlook the poor.
The homeless and the widows
don't have much Christmas cheer.
How can they when they live without
the basics through the year?

But we who live with all we need
take all of it in stride.
The holidays are good to us.
We rarely are denied.
We bake our Christmas cookies
and gather with our friends.
A concert here, a party there
and then the season ends.

But somehow something's missing
in spite of what we do.
If honest, we're quite empty
and joys it seems are few.
We end each year resolving
to break with old routines
and yet come next December
we're like we've always been.

This Christmas may God give us eyes
to see what makes Him cry.
And hearts to feel the pain he knows
when plans for justice die.
As shepherds left their livestock
we're called to leave our flock
to seek the place where Christ is found
uptown or down the block.

The Old Homestead

This Christmas I wrote a poem for mom concerning the home she has lived in and maintained since 1946. What a blessing to have a wonderful place to "come home to"! It's sixty (60) years since we moved in. I was only a year old so I don't remember moving day but I have many, many fond memories of The Old Homestead.

Four of the five verses in the poem are written from a different perspective. The first is what you see when you approach the house from the north. The second is coming from the east, the third from the west and the fourth from the south where Little Lake sits. The last verse is a tribute to my mother, of course. Hope you enjoy it. Mom sure did!

The Old Homestead (1946 – 2006)
Celebrating 60 years of memories…

Down Rogers Street
And cross the tracks
You’ll see the ol’ homestead;
With long white fence
Inviting doors
And shingles that are red.

Ashburnham Drive
Then cross the bridge
There stands our mother’s home
A welcome place
To come back to
Wherever you may roam.

When driving east
From Burnham Street
The house comes into view
Reminding us
Of memories past
I love that house don’t you!

Then coming up
From Little Lake
We see that big back yard
Where we would play
In good old days
When times weren’t quite so hard.

Six kids were raised
In that great home
That’s where we got our start
A cozy place
Adorned with grace
And love from mother’s heart.

David W. Fisher - December 2006

The Grandkids Gallery

One of the many benefits of the Christmas season is receiving new photos of the grandchildren. Our sons Tim & Stephen and their families were with us on separate occasions over the holidays. Tim & Nicole's children are Carissa (11), and the twins Josiah (8) and Daynica (you guessed it...8). Stephen & Denise's children are Rebecca (4) and Michael (2).

Here are some of the photos Carol and I received! Is it alright to say that I'm a proud grandpa! You bet it is!

This is Rebecca's first class picture. She's in JK.

Keep Those Cards & Letters Coming

Tonight I unearthed a copy of a BC comic strip that I had torn out of the newspaper several years ago.

As the founder of Epistle Sports Ministries, a letter-writing outreach, I found this particular "edition" of BC quite appropriate.

Yes, there are still some people who think an epistle is the wife of an apostle. Just kidding!

For Epistle Sports Ministries updates, go to:
www.dwfisher.blogspot.com

Putting 'Em Up Or Taking 'Em Down?

Thanks for this beautiful picture, Saija! Nothing like a good old-fashioned Christmas! We're sure not taking our Christmas lights down yet. I just put them up a week ago.

Hope this picture gives you a little pickup, I mean pick-me-up!

God bless!

Strength For The Journey

This morning I was reading the explanation concerning the logo for Joseph Stowell's STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY devotional ministry.

Here's the logo:













And here's the explanation:

The “leaping” figure in our logo depicts the joy and strength that God and His Word provide for those of us who look to Him for the strength that we need for our journey. But given the fact that life is rarely straight and predictable, the zigzag lines in the figure remind us that in spite of the changing nature of our journey, our Lord fills the unpredictable with His confidence and courage. We agree with what Isaiah said when he wrote, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31).

Good stuff!

Note: Check out the link on this page!

Country Christmas...No Snow

On Christmas day I took a walk in the woods behind our home, down to the creek that runs across the corner of our lot. I hadn't been down there for a couple of months. Usually by this time the snow has made the path impassible but we have no snow and I was able to get down to the creek.

When I got there I saw that I had left our Adirondack chair down there last fall so I sat down and thought deeply for awhile. The sound of the "babbling brook" was music to my ears.

Normally I would be disappointed if we didn't get a White Christmas but not this year. Christmas came and went so quickly! And remember...the days are already getting longer! Hallelujah!

Regardless of the weather, we have a God who care for His own and I have much to thank Him for as we approach the end of another year. It's been a difficult year but the Lord has been faithful and good. He walked with this pilgrim each step of the way even when I wondered what was going to happen next.

I'm reminded afresh of the verse which my Grandma Fisher taught me many years ago:

"The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knoweth them that trust in Him." - Nahum 1:7

Merry Christmas

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah (9:6)

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

Thanks to Claire (Pilot Mom) for this wonderful wreath! Hope you enjoyed having Pilot home for Christmas! See Claire Bug link on this site.

He Shoots, He Snores

Merry Christmas, friends!

Hope you had a great day! This evening I got rid of my inhibitions (no I was NOT drinking...I don't drink) and got all dressed up in my CPAP machine mask (for my recently diagnosed sleep apnea) and my hockey helmet and gloves.

What a sight! We had to take Victoria's dog somewhere else or he would have gone crazy with his incessant barking if he saw me.

Just thought you might be amused but, if you're not, that's alright. This ol' pilgrim has to be crazy sometimes! Right?

GO PETES GO!

Happy Birthday JESUS!

Today we celebrate the birthday of the King! Aren't you glad He came? He's coming back again! What a day that will be!

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

Have a blessed Christmas dear friends!

Much love in Christ, David

The 2nd Best Gift

Today I received the 2nd best gift of the Christmas season (the 1st is Jesus, of course). My niece Holly, who many of you have been praying for, came home from Lyndhurst Rehab Hospital in Toronto for the Christmas season.

Our Fisher family Christmas celebration was held at Jim & Karen's home and Holly was taken out there from her parents' home by ambulance. How exciting for her to be home for about 2 weeks! She'll go back to Toronto on January 2nd.

Holly can move her legs and feet now and she can stand briefly but isn't able to take any steps yet.

She told me that being with family today helped to alleviate her pain and that being home was the best Christmas gift she could have.

Thanks so much for your prayers for Holly over the past six months. It's hard to believe that it was the end of June when she was involved in that terrible accident.

I took these pictures of Holly today. Please continue to pray! THANK YOU!

Epistle Christmas Update

Dear fellow pilgrims:

You may be interested in checking out our EPISTLE SPORTS MINISTRIES Christmas Newsletter for 2006. Just click HERE.

It's been a very "interesting" year of ministry. God's grace has sustained us through this period of transition and the prayers of God's people have been appreciated so much.

Please visit us at EPISTLE SPORTS MINISTRIES updates.

Only 6 days left 'til we celebrate the Incarnation! God, manifest in the flesh!

Note: My good friend GABE GROSS is pictured here.

Gettin' Ready

Saija heard about our house-warming party so she quickly started decorating. She only has three places set at the table so it's first come, first seated. Leo will be in his re-upholstered (sp?) recliner and the hostess, Saija, will be somewhere where we can wait on her royally.

Have you sent her a house-warming gift yet? Note: She doesn't want a space heater or an indoor barbecue.

Drop by for a visit HERE and wish them well. Maybe you'll get one of those three chairs.

My Momentum

My friend Tim Coles, Executive Director of Kawartha Youth for Christ, has his own blog and I've added a link to his site on "Pilgrim Scribblings" and "the Barnabas Blog".

Check out Tim's "My Momentum", not because he speaks of our ministry to the Peterborough Petes in one of his posts but just because "it's a great site"!

Enjoy your visit!

House Warming Party

Saija and Leo are getting settled in their new "digs", their condo. As all of the "Fisher Connection" knows, from Saija's posts, they had been praying for God to provide a new place for them to live...and He did...before Christmas. Hallelujah! (Pictures are from Saija's place)

If we are lived in their neighborhood we'd be invited to a house warming party but, alas, we are all separated by many miles.

So, let's all come here to PILGRIM SCRIBBLINGS and then take a visit together to THRO' A GLASS DARKLY and wish Saija and Leo God's blessing as they begin the latest phase of their lives together and with Him.

Drop Saija a note, leave her a comment, let's make them feel welcome!

Have a great week, dear blogging buddies! God is good, Jesus came, fully God and fully man and our lives have been changed forever through faith in Him.

Blessings...

P. S. Saija writes concerning "home":

"Jesus didn't have an earthly home to be born in ... just a stable ... yet, He has given us a home to move to - during this season of celebrating His birth ... i found that so ironic ... and so wonderful ... a present that speaks volumes to me ... it just reminds me again and again, that my true HOME is with Christ ... He knows i think that way ... yet, He gave us this place that we wanted ... and the timing makes me tear up ... a true Christmas present of the heart ..."

In The Mood?

Not feeling in the Christmas spirit yet? Perhaps Terry's (Canadian Blogger) picture will help. Have a wonderful day...in His grace!