Notice Any Similarities?

For over five years we at Pilgrim Scribblings have tried to sidestep controversy and, at times, our posts may have been bland and as tasteless as cold mashed potatoes (as the late Christian apologist Paul Little has termed bland Christianity). I hope not. Tell me they haven't been. Please!

I couldn't resist the temptation to compare two You Tube videos that have very noticeable similarities.

Check them out here!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrkR7ih6f3M&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THRKrXMDHss&feature=related

What do you think?

Keep your jackets on, folks!

Hiding in the Shadow of His Wings

My fellow writer Mitzi Busby has penned the following words. I must confess that I get a bit uncomfortable when scribes put words in Jesus' mouth and write as though they are equal to "holy writ".

I don't believe that Mitzi is doing this. What she has written can be backed up by scripture. Read it for what it's worth and ask the Spirit of God to use it in your life where He deems necessary.

Mitzi writes:

"Today begins your breakthrough, the relief that you have been longing for and praying for. I have heard your cries and will give you the desires of your heart. I am more than able and more than enough for anything that you face. Your destiny and future will be realized as nothing can hold back what heaven has ordained. Receive My light and hope. You will begin to walk in faith more than ever. Stand in the Power of My might and walk in love by My Spirit. There is an acceleration of time and all things will be brought into order. Trust Me, My Child. I love you and long to give you good things. You are my Beloved, My Precious One. I uphold you and give you the power to soar on wings of eagles. Hold fast, I'm here and working on your behalf. Surely you will see my goodness, mercy, favor and blessings upon your life. Do not look at what is going on in the world, only keep your eyes on me and do all that I instruct you to do. I love you with an everlasting love that is stronger than any force in existence. I am showering you with My love and peace even now.

I’m taking you to the place that I always intended for you to be. The journey has not been easy or comfortable, but necessary in the shaping process for you to reach your destiny in Me. It is all for My Kingdom’s Purpose that you had to stand in faith against the pressures and take back ground. It is time to walk out of the fire with all of its testing and refining and soar with Me in a higher place. I require all of your faith and trust. The keys have released you from the past bondage and you are held together in Me.

You have yielded control of your life in total surrender to Me. No more worrying or anxiety-only relying in faith and total trust on My guiding hand upon your life. I will light your path even in the darkness and show you every step to take and every word to say. Do not move unless My Spirit says move. Do not turn to the right or left. I will make the way clear. You will walk in total victory over any circumstance-not by might or power, but by My Spirit. Stand firm in Me as I do not shake. I see the beginning from the end. You are held in Me. Feast on My faithfulness as I Am more than enough. Let My will be done on earth even as it is in heaven. Walk in the fullness of My Power and Glory. It rests upon you and is rising up in you now. Now is the time to step into your destiny for My Kingdom and to realize the meaning behind all that I have shown you and promised you. Walk closely behind Me in My shadow. Believe all that I have spoken to you.

Under the shadow of My wings come and hide. Rest in Me and cease striving. I will lead you beside the still, quiet, restful waters. I will restore your soul. I will show you the beauty that you hold inside. This beauty was placed there by Me. My spirit gives all the strength, love and power that you will ever need. My nature is love. I love you outrageously and deeply. Receive My love that I pour over you now. You will always and forever be My Beloved. Nothing can ever change that. Rest in Me. Still your thoughts and busyness. Rest, relax, bask in My love for you.

Trust Me. I Am bringing you through to the land of milk and honey. I AM lifting you above all of the snares. Walk with Me hand in hand and I will direct you. I will show you the course for the race. Keep pressing forward and don’t look back. I Am healing past hurts and pains that they will have no effect on where you travel today. Rest in My love for you. I have plans for a hope and a future for you. The enemy cannot stop what I set forth in your life. Newness is coming, it is breaking forth. The life I give is not as the world gives. I Am bringing heaven to earth and the natural things will operate according to My spiritual laws. You don’t need to understand it all. Just trust in My leading."

No Cannons in Lighthouses

"We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won't need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don't fire cannons to call attention to their shining--they just shine."

- Dwight L. Moody (American evangelist and publisher who founded Moody Memorial Church)

Along Came a Spider

SIM (Serving in Mission) missionary Christiane Fox posted the following story on her African Nurse blog. Check her site out here.

This is why thousands of us are not missionaries. Fear of bugs and snakes...and huge ugly spiders.

Christiane writes:

Ok, so I JUST killed THE MOST disgusting and BIGGEST spider that I’ve seen since I’ve been in SUDAN... and it was IN my HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!! Ahhh... now I’m all twitchy and creepy and feel like there are more lingering around every bottle or book in my hut! :P Seriously it was BIG... and not one of those flat black ones.. it was HUGE and stood OFF the ground like a full inch – the body was ROUND (not flat like all the others) and was so big it actually had a PATTERN on it!! Black, white and brown... and it had eyes... RED ones that reflected in my head lamp light!!! SOO Creepy!

Anyway, he was on my table, casually chilling out on the side of one of my big clear containers that holds all my spice containers... so I prayed (out loud, b/c that’s the only way I can cope with these crazy things), grabbed my “fly” swatter, and swung as hard and fast as I could... I hit it, but as I suspected, couldn’t kill it b/c it was TOO big for the swatter’s force – I worked up my nerve and peered underneath my table cloth were, again as I suspected, it was clinging to the underside (creeeeepy). So I took a deep breath and unleashed the wrath of my “doom” can on it, where it ran (even now I’m getting the shivers) to the far under-side of my table... I could see it’s grotesque legs twitching from where I was squatted, so again – with the doom pointed at this horrid creature, I sprayed until I was certain he would not be long for this world. :) Within 10 seconds the dizzy eight legged monster dropped to the floor, trying to flee for its life, but it was no use... for I was NOT going to let it get away (lest it be a very sleep-less night for me!)... I hit it two more times with my “fly” swatter before I was satisfied enough that it was dead. So I scooped it up onto my swatter and, with MUCH adrenaline pumping through me, gingerly maneuvered through the mosquito net at my door (keeps the bats off my porch), and out of my hut to go and get some well deserved praise from whoever was still awake in the dining hall! It was show-and-tell of the most disgusting kind :)

Needless to say I am just a little proud of myself :) (but still looking over my shoulder!)

Note: This is NOT the actual spider that Christiane is writing about.

"The Nails" by Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

The following post by Stephen and Brooksyne Weber appeared on their Daily Encouragement web site on Tuesday, March 30th, 2010.

Stephen and Brooksyne are good friends of ours and I encourage you to check out their site. It's a good one! Why not subscribe to their Daily Encouragement e-mails while you are there. They are well-written and very pertinent for today's generation.

"This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross" (Acts 2:23).

The Tremont Nail Company in Wareham, Massachusetts, is the oldest continuously operating nail manufacturer in the United States, making nails since the early 1800's and they're still stamping them out! When I lived in New England I would periodically drive by the Company and, although they didn’t have plant tours, I recall curiously looking through the windows to watch. The nails they manufacture are not the round kind we typically see, but square, peg-like. At the little country gift store across the street I bought three of the longest ones I could find. I still have them though I misplaced one. Holding these nails, rubbing my fingers across their coarse surface, and considering their lethal purpose in Christ's crucifixion illustrates more vividly the price Jesus paid for our redemption.

King David provided "a large amount of iron to make nails for the doors of the gateways and for the fittings" of the Temple (I Chronicles 22:3). Until the end of the 18th century, they were made by hand; an artisan known as a Nailer providing them with a head and point. We have no photographs nor are details given regarding the nails that affixed our Savior to the cross, but they were likely iron spikes five to seven inches long. In the daily text the action of nailing our Lord to the cross is taken from the Greek word "prospegnumi” and literally means “to impale.” Did you notice that the English word "peg" is in the middle of the Greek word? How indescribably horrible this form of death was.

To partially identify with the humanity of Christ, perhaps in a rather basic way, I recall getting splinters in my hands and feet when I played outdoors as a child. I dreaded telling my mom, for I knew she would want to dig it out and it would be a painful process. But if she could find a needle with a very sharpened small point the pain was less than a needle with a large point. To this day if I have a splinter I will carefully select a sharp pointed needle to lessen the pain of the piercing required for the needle to prick my skin.


Certainly Christ felt the physical agony of those long, thick, spikes driven into His hands and feet, in addition to the other horrible wounds He received. But surely He also felt another type of pain or “nail” as He hung on that Cross for our sins.

1. The nail of blasphemy: This was demonstrated by the soldiers, the thieves crucified beside Him, the religious officials and the onlookers as recorded in Matthew 27:27-44. They mocked and hurled insults at Him, blaspheming the very One who willingly laid down His life for their sins. The opposite of blasphemy is worship and we are called to worship the Lord John 4:23-24.

2. The nail of rejection: This was demonstrated by the “other” unrepentant crucified criminal who hung on a cross beside Christ as recorded in Luke 23:39. He rejected Christ to his dying breath. The opposite of rejection is acceptance as taught in John 1:12.

3. The nail of denial: This was demonstrated by Peter and is recorded in Mark 14:66-72 The opposite of denial is confession and we are called to confess with our mouth that, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead. Romans 10:8-10

4. The nail of indifference: This was demonstrated by the soldiers playing games at the foot of the Cross as recorded in John 19:23-24. The opposite of indifference is attentiveness and this is taught in Hebrews 12:1-3.

5. The nail of unbelief: This was demonstrated by so many: those who stood watching from a distance; those who participated in the sordid events leading up to the crucifixion; those who carried out the crucifixion and this unbelief was most famously initially exemplified by the disciple, Thomas, in John 20:25. The opposite of unbelief of course is belief and as Christ reached out to Thomas he fully believed, declaring, "My Lord and my God!" as recorded in John 20:27-29.

Tragically, the majority of people continue to respond to the claims of Christ either by blasphemy, rejection, denial, indifference or unbelief. But we who look upon and embrace Jesus' nail-pierced hands respond by crying out with Thomas: "My Lord and my God."

We give thanks for those nails knowing that He was pierced for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities. Surely He bore our sorrows and by His stripes we are healed.

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, we know that Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of man ordained by You for a miraculous birth, along with many signs and wonders that You performed through Him. He was handed over to wicked men and gruesomely crucified by the nails that bore Him to the cross. This was done by Your set purpose and in Your foreknowedge. But God, You raised Him from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keeps its hold on Him. And now He is exalted to Your right hand making intercession for us. "What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss to bear the dreadful curse for my soul!"

(Prayer based on Acts 2)

One-Day-At-A-Time Healing

My good friend, writer and blogger Vicki Gaines wrote the following post that appeared recently on her blog Windows to My Soul. She echoes my feelings exactly. Thank you for sharing from your heart Vicki! God bless! - David

Even though I'm freed in Christ from self and sin, and rejoice in my new identity in Him, my healing hasn't come easily or instantly. Maybe because I've been a bit of an artful dodger instead of living out of my union with Him.

If we're only able to trust to the extent we intimately know someone, I'm afraid for many years I didn't know Jesus very well. I belonged to Him, and my salvation was secure. But I had only begun the knowing.

Funny, but the more I know Him, the more I sense my need. To my relief, the only thing grace requires is a need. "The bigger the hole, the more grace there is to fill it," someone once said. True. And so this same grace reveals through pain and troubles, just how broken I really am.

This is not something the unwounded life, the self-sufficient life, can relate to. Only the broken heart cries for healing, not ashamed to admit sheer need of the One who loves and gives, protects and heals.

Yet we're slow to wait on Him, distracted by many things. I, for one, have turned to others for remedies before I ever let Him feed me the mystery of His hidden manna.

But in turning back, I find that He works in quiet, little by little, revealing Himself, dissolving self-focus, increasing His vision; healing and satisfying need where the heart is surrendered. This is my one-day-at-a-time healing, where I'm conscious of His presence, His Spirit drawing me to the written Word, to worship and offer up my need. There in the quiet, I'm nourished. There too, I'm baffled at any prior resistance, knowing full well the need is too great to ignore Him.

All these years I collected quite a library of truths in my head from the Bible, desiring to change; eager not only to escape any trifle or pain - but to cover it up, and appear oh-so-spiritual and do for others. I certainly believed (and still do) that "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free," but a cerebral study of truths couldn't heal me, only Jesus.

My healing comes the more I know and experience Him as my life. No shortcuts. The regurgitated spiritual food of others can't sustain me, only His manna will do. And in my brokenness, powerlessness, and weakness... Jesus rises up strong in me.

Through the Lord, I'm learning to stop 'jerking' from crisis to crisis, and rest in radical trust. Underneath are the Everlasting Arms. Amen!

Looking Back...Insights from Arkansas

Since arriving here at the Minirth Ranch in the Arkansas Ozarks, the Lord has been teaching me so much.

The pristine beauty of the hills and valleys, the rivers and creeks has helped to speed the recovery of this burnt out child of the King.

Depression when brought under control of a sovereign God, can be subdued and ultimately defeated as we submit to His Lordship and the wise godly counsel of men like Dr. Frank Minirth.

As we walked down to Big Creek the other day and skipped smooth stones across its clear surface, I was reminded of many things just by observing. As the great New York Yankee ballplayer Yogi Berra once stated, "You can observe a lot by just watching.

As I passed by a bonfire pit with the charred remains of a once-blazing fire, I thought of my own life and the experience of many other pastors and Christian leaders who have suddenly found themselves burnt out.

Only a fresh encounter with the living Christ of God can re-ignite the flame which once burned unabated for the King of kings.

This, plus wise, sound, biblical counsel can "get us back" as Dr. Minirth has repeatedly expressed to me. The good doctor and the God of heaven are determined to "get me back".

As I continued to walk leisurely along the banks of the creel , I noticed the massive root network under a "big old tree".

I was reminded that in order to get our lives under control we have to "get to the root" of the problem. With my depression it was a series or significant losses over the past five years plus some unresolved issues from my teen years and early 20's that had precipitated my defeatist state of mind.

As we got to the root of the problem I began to understand why I was in the midst of this gut-wrenching battle.

Much of our depression is caused by our failure to be kind to ourselves. I'm learning that many depressed people are very kind to others but they fail to be kind to themselves. This can lead to destructive behaviors and, then, inaccurate thinking. The downward spiral continues until we get help. The help I've been receiving has been life-changing.

Walking on, I saw some awesome vines creeping over a rocky ledge and dropping to the ground below. As I mused on these sights, I realized again that unless we are super-naturally connected to the true Vine, Jesus Christ Himself, we will never truly be healed and fulfilled. He alone is the source of life and wellness.

Where are you at, dear friend? Has the raging battle brought you down and robbed you of any hope? There is hope and a future for those who know the eternal God, through Christ Jesus. Take His hand and let Him lead your through. If He can do it for me, He can accomplish the same for you. Give Him a chance.

The Pilgrim Has Returned

The pilgrim has returned from his 6-week stay in Dallas, TX and the Ozarks in Arkansas. I was there getting treatment for my depression and other issues I've been struggling with. I am feeling much better but there is still a long journey ahead of me.

My writing juices which had pretty well dried up have started to gurgle beneath the surface and I'm grateful to God for that.

This evening I went back and read all of my entries on my Pilgrim Song web site. As I read the posts, prose and poems I was reminded of where I once was...before the deep depression began to strangle and choke me. The last year has been horrendous. I haven't posted on Pilgrim Song for over 1 year. I was dry. I'm still dry but at least I'm thirsty.

Please pray for the pilgrim as he re-adjusts to life in the real world.

Check out the posts on Pilgrim Song where I have shared some of my poems written in some of the darkest hours over the past five years.

Temporary Home

I'm not sure what all the buzz surrounding Mike Fisher and Carrie Underwood is all about. Great hockey player (and Christian) meets great singer (and Christian). Some would say this is a match made in heaven.

Carrie's song Temporary Home has a message worth sharing. I love the song...and the video.

Check it out here.

Yes, this is only our temporary home. We are looking for a city whose builder and maker is God. Someday soon all of us who know Jesus Christ personally will settle down in our eternal home. Until then, let's not get too caught up with our "temporary home".

Yes, Mike is my nephew and we are thrilled that Carrie will soon be part of the Fisher family.

Kick Start...Finally

You may have noticed...and maybe not...that I haven't posted anything on Scribblings for exactly two months. Writer's cramp? Not sure. Lots to write about. Too much as a matter of fact.

I discovered this afternoon that the best way to get shaken out of my doldrums was to visit a prolific blogger. The best, in my opinion.

Carol and I visited the Voscamp farm where Darryl, Ann (no E), four boys, Caleb, Joshua, Levi & Malachi and two girls, Hope and Shalom raise little
porkers (pigs).

I've enjoyed Ann's blog, Holy Experience, for five years and finally got to meet her today.

Please check it out. She's an incredibly gifted wordsmith.

Thanks, Ann, for giving me a kick today. I needed it.

Prolonged Absence From Blogging

Dear Friends:

As you have noticed I have not posted here on Pilgrim Scribblings for over a month. My creative writing skills have dried up temporarily and it's been hard to articulate my thoughts as I battle this severe depression that has beset me.

I value your prayers as I seek to get well again. We are trusting God to guide us to the proper treatment facility and we now see a possible source of help on the horizon.

Thank you for standing with me and my family during this very difficult season of my life.

The Lord continues to uphold us with His strong, righteous right hand.

In His Great Love,

David

Ten Thousand Years

Here's a moving rendition of an old favourite of mine, Ten Thousand Years sung by a trio and the choir at Sevier Heights Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee:

Christmas At Rock-Away Rest

As I conduct monthly chapel services at one of our local Seniors' Residences I couldn't resist posting this on Pilgrim Scribblings.

Don't laugh too hard. If the Lord doesn't return and we live to a ripe old age, this poem will be about me and YOU.

CHRISTMAS AT ROCK-AWAY REST

'Twas the night before Christmas at Rock-Away Rest,
and all of us seniors were looking our best.
Our glasses, how sparkly, our wrinkles, how merry;
Our punchbowl held prune juice plus three drops of sherry.

A bedsock was taped to each walker, in hope
That Santa would bring us soft candy and soap.
We surely were lucky to be there with friends,
Secure in this residence and in our Depends.

Our grandkids had sent us some Christmasy crafts,
Like angels in snowsuits and penguins on rafts.
The dental assistant had borrowed our teeth,
And from them she'd crafted a holiday wreath.

The bed pans, so shiny, all stood in a row,
Reflecting our candle's magnificent glow.
Our supper so festive -- the joy wouldn't stop --
Was creamy warm oatmeal with sprinkles on top.

Our salad was Jell-O, so jiggly and great,
Then puree of fruitcake was spooned on each plate.
The social director then had us play games,
Like "Where Are You Living?" and "What Are Your Names?"

Old Grandfather Looper was feeling his oats,
Proclaiming that reindeer were nothing but goats.
Our resident wand'rer was tied to her chair,
In hopes that at bedtime she still would be there.

Security lights on the new fallen snow
Made outdoors seem noon to the old folks below.
Then out on the porch there arose quite a clatter
(But we are so deaf that it just didn't matter).

A strange little fellow flew in through the door,
Then tripped on the sill and fell flat on the floor.
'Twas just our director, all togged out in red.
He jiggled and chuckled and patted each head.

We knew from the way that he strutted and jived
Our social- security checks had arrived.
We sang -- how we sang -- in our monotone croak,
Till the clock? tinkled out its soft eight-p.m. stroke.

And soon we were snuggling deep in our beds.
While nurses distributed nocturnal meds.
And so ends our Christmas at Rock-Away Rest.
'fore long you'll be with us, We wish you the best!

Author Unknown

Fisher Carries the Torch

As he held aloft the flame that never ceases to capture the attention of the world, Mike Fisher was filled with a mix of emotions.

But on a frosty Friday night in Gatineau, one thought was so clear and so unmistakable.

"I was proud to be Canadian," the Ottawa Senators centre said after doing his part to bring the Olympic Torch Relay into the national capital region.

Clad in a white track suit with the words 'Vancouver 2010' emblazoned on the pant legs with a Winter Games toque protecting him from the chill of the wintry winds, Fisher jogged for 300 metres down Boulevard du Carrefour in Gatineau to a round of cheers that also included a few 'Go Sens Go' chants.

"Everything they've got going on here, it's pretty neat to be a part of it," Fisher said after running behind the convoy of vehicles that is leading the coast-to-coast torch relay.

Just after making the turn onto Boulevard de la Cité, Fisher stopped to light a torch held by Jean Labonté, the captain of Canada's national sledge hockey team. Labonté brought the flame into Place de la Cité and, after making his way through a wildly cheering throng, mounted a stage and lit the Olympic cauldron.

Fisher enjoyed his own share of cheers, starting from the moment he climbed into a van that carried the torchbearers to their designated starting points. He was mobbed by fans after his run was done, sharing a keepsake photo with a number of them.

The entire experience brought the Olympic spirit a little closer to Fisher, something he clearly felt as he took his turn carrying the torch.

"Just that I was proud to be Canadian, and the Olympics and everything that it represents," Fisher said when asked afterward about his thoughts as he ran with the torch. "A lot of different things and emotions. I'm very fortunate to do it and it was neat."

There's one moment that might possibly top it — playing for Team Canada at the Vancouver Games. Fisher's hot start with the Senators this season has at least put his name into the conversation for a spot on that team.

"Just that I was proud to be Canadian, and the Olympics and everything that it represents. A lot of different things and emotions. I'm very fortunate to do it and it was neat." - Mike Fisher

"That would be even better," Fisher said about the prospect of suiting up for Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics. "It would be a dream come true if I was able to put the Canadian jersey on (in Vancouver)."

The torch relay will spend the weekend in Ottawa-Gatineau, with three other members of the Senators organization taking part in it. Ottawa general manager Bryan Murray will carry the flame from the Alexandra Bridge into Ottawa around 12:10 p.m. on Saturday. Then on Sunday morning, the relay will wind its way down Palladium Drive past Scotiabank Place, with Bill Courchaine, the Sens' director of sales and corporate partnership, carrying the torch at 8:40 a.m.


On Monday at about 7 a.m,, Senators president Cyril Leeder takes the torch down King Edward Avenue in downtown Ottawa, between Laurier Avenue East and Osgoode Street.

The 106-day relay, which involves 12,000 torchbearers, will visit more than 1,000 Canadian communities. Traversing in excess of 45,000 kilometres, it is the longest torch relay in Olympic history, culminating in the opening ceremony of the Vancouver Games on Feb. 12.

The following article by Bruce Garrioch appeared in the Ottawa Sun before Fisher carried the torch:

Mike Fisher hopes he doesn’t flame out carrying the Olympic torch through Gatineau Friday night.

“I’m going to have do some training this week. I haven’t run that far in a while,” the Senators centre joked about his 300-metre opportunity of a lifetime.

GM Bryan Murray gets his chance Saturday; on Monday it will be team president Cyril Leeder.

Fisher will become only the second NHLer to carry the Vancouver-bound torch after Sidney Crosby did the honours last month in his hometown of Cole Harbour, N.S.

A grateful Fisher didn’t think he’d ever get the chance.

“It’s an honour for me and it’s exciting,” said Fisher, who will receive the torch from the Preservation Centre at about 6:50 p.m. and carry it along du Carrefour Blvd. to the intersection of de la Cite Blvd.

Murray, who will receive the torch at 12:10 p.m. Saturday as the relay crosses the Alexandra Bridge to St. Patrick St., was surprised to be given the opportunity.

“I’m pleased and honoured to be one of a large team of people who have had the opportunity,” he said. “I take with pride that I’m able to participate. It’s a great event.”

Of course, Fisher wouldn’t mind seeing the Olympic torch again while suiting up for Team Canada in February. His strong play has certainly put him on the radar screen for executive director Steve Yzerman, but Fisher is realistic about his chances.

“It’d be a nice surprise if that (playing for Canada) ever happened, but I’m just focused on what I’ve got to do (with the Senators),” said Fisher. “It’s so hard to make the team. You never know really. I’m probably a longshot, but who knows?

With 13 goals, Fisher has already equalled his total from last season. He also has 12 assists in 28 games. He is skating better, shooting the puck more and, as always, is diligent in his own end.

“I feel like I’m playing pretty good and I’ve just got to keep that going,” said Fisher. “That’s kind of my focus. I’m not (worrying) about anything else right now.”

There was talk Yzerman was in the building last night, but he was actually at home in Detroit flipping through channels on his hockey package.

Fisher, who is likely in competition for a spot with Flyers centre Mike Richards, said he isn’t sure if the fact he can play wing will help.

“I know I can play both. Maybe that helps, but who knows?” asked Fisher. “I just want to play as hard as I can.”

It Won't Rain Always

Janet Paschal is one of my favourite singers. Check out this YouTube video of Janet singing a powerful song, It Won't Rain Always.

I needed to hear this song today. I trust that as you listen to Janet pouring out her heart...your spirit will be refreshed and renewed by His Spirit, the blessed Holy Spirit.

Thank you, Cathy Simpson,(from Melodies and Hymnsongs) for pointing me to this song.

Quotables - Here & There

If God wants us "home" no doctor can keep us here and if God wants us here no disease can take us "home". - John Piper

Treasures Unseen

Recently our son Matthew and I attended a Greater Vision concert in Pickering, Ontario. The tight harmonies and godly living of this Southern Gospel trio have endeared themselves to many Christians.

That night Greater Vision sang a song that I hadn't heard before and it really ministered to my tired and hurting spirit. The song entitled Treasures Unseen speaks of those hidden, eternal treasures that the children of God possess even when the riches of this world have evaded them.

Click here to enjoy Greater Vision's rendition of this great song. Gerald Wolfe is playing the keyboard, Rodney Griffin is playing the bass guitar and their great, new tenor Jacob Kitson does a marvelous job hitting the high notes.

Enjoy and let the Spirit of God minister to you.

Statement of Faith

We recently bought the latest CD release by one of our favourite Southern Gospel groups, Legacy Five (pictured). After our 1st "listen" my son Matthew and I agreed upon our favourite song, Statement of Faith.

Here's a YouTube rendition of this incredibly powerful song. The graphics aren't the best and the sound towards the end is not good. Still, your will be blessed by the affirmation of "those things which we believe."

The groups that joined in on this song were Greater Vision, the Hoppers, Legacy Five & the Booth Brothers.

Click here and be blessed.

Here's a comment from another web site concerning this song:

Statement Of Faith

This is the song that features not only Legacy Five but The Hoppers, Greater Vision and The Booth Brothers. It is a very powerful song that has already shown at NQC that the people will love it. I love the addition of the reading at the end by Gerald Wolfe. The Legacy Five guys that were featured on this song, were Scott Howard and Scott Fowler. But the standout moment vocally comes from Jacob Kitson the tenor for Greater Vision. He really sings his line with power. I truly hope these groups will strive to live by the message in this song. And one that I hope people listening to will take on in their own lives.

Pilgrim's Update

Dear Fellow Pilgrims:

Just a brief update to let you know what's been happening to the Pilgrim and how you can pray for him (me).

This week I began my Day Hospital Program at North York General Hospital (pictured) in Toronto. This is a 3-week long program, 5 days a week, designed to assist those who are going through the throes of deep depression. The first week has been very profitable and I'm looking forward to going back on Monday morning. The group sessions have been particularly helpful.

This deep-seated depression has been affecting all parts of my life and our family's lives. Please pray that we will get relief from this dreadful, debilitating disease.

We continue to change my medication in an attempt to find the correct dosage and medicine. Please pray that we will soon find the best meds.

I'm grateful for the support of all my friends. Your comments here and on my Facebook account have been very encouraging and much appreciated. THANK YOU!

Journeying home,

David

Pilgrims Heading Homeward

While perusing some "old" scribblings I came across a poem written five years ago. The last verse is particularly meaningful as I navigate through the raging waters of depression. Enjoy! We are getting nearer "home" each day.

Here’s that last verse:

The trials endured
As pilgrims heading homeward;
Are temporary and
Will not last too long.
So hand in hand
We’ll cross the final valley;
Eyes fixed on “home”
We sing redemption’s song.

- David W. Fisher (Dec. 13th, 2004)

New Book Launch Coming Soon

After much encouragement from many friends, I am compiling some of the most popular and meaningful posts from this Pilgrim Scribblings blog in a forthcoming book.

Naturally the book will be entitled Pilgrim Scibblings with the byline being "Personal Reflections by a Fellow Pilgrim on the Journey Home", just like the blog's heading.

If there is a particular post or posts that have been very meaningful to you, please let me know. If you have time, please click on "older posts" at the bottom of this page and check out some of the earlier posts. Next week we will celebrate our 5th Anniversary of Pilgrim Scribblings. To date there have been over 1850 posts although they have been less frequent of late.

Thank you for your enouragement and your readership over these last 5 years. By God's grace and His enablement we hope to get back to posting on a daily basis.

"The Lord is good..." (Nahum 1:7)

URGENT REQUEST...for Julie

Hi Julie:

I don't have an e-mail address, phone number or any contact information so I can't get in touch with you. Please e-mail me @ dwfisher@nexicom.net and we will get back to you ASAP.

Please get in touch! We can help! We understand your pain!

Thank you!

David

David Fisher - Pilgrim Scribblings

If you got to this particular post from a search engine, click here.

Regular readers of this blog will spot the title of this one and be scratching their heads wondering what on earth this is all about. And it might leave readers on the Alltop aggregator guessing, too.

One thing I’ve never done a lot of on this blog is self-promotion. Unfortunately however, there is a lot more complexity to blogging these days than ever before and some of this involves how search engine web-crawl spiders connect to different parts of the web. It turns out that this blog was missing a post like this one, so I needed to do this at least once. You might want to consider doing something like this on your blog, also. This section will disappear after about five days leaving only the section in black type below.

So… if you’re a regular reader, this isn’t for you…

Now...this one is for our regular Pilgrim Scribblings readers.

Today we had a visit at our church from a fellow blogger and good friend, Paul Wilkinson from over at Thinking Out Loud. His posts are always thought-provoking and we agree on many issues. There are some preachers who we have differing opinions on but I'm sure Paul will come around to my way of thinking sooner or later. Ha! Ha! We have both been involved in Christian bookselling for many years and now we blog together.

I'm anxious to see if Paul writes a post concerning their family's visit to Auburn Bible Chapel this morning. I'll be checking daily to see if he has. I check daily anyway. It's a regular stop along my daily blogging route.

I encourage you to check him/it out too.

Hope your Sunday was a good one and that you met with the King today!

Going Without...For a Year

Recently I read about a guy who went for a year without using toilet paper. Oops, I should have used another word instead of "went". That pun was NOT intended.

Got me thinking. What would it be difficult to go without...for a year? I need your comments. Your insights?

Just mention "things"...NOT people.

To get you...and me...started, here are a few things that I would find it hard to live without for a week...let alone a year.

• A good book
• A Tylenol
• A Tim Horton's coffee (even though I don't like them sometimes)
• Lemon meringue pie

That's just a start. Send me your lists.

What couldn't you do without for a year?

Lowe-Down on the Kawartha Komets

Dale Lowe from the local radio station KRUZ FM is one of many interested/concerned/compassionate citizens who have jumped onboard the Komet and are riding with us as we launch out. Dale posted the following article on his blog The Lowe - Down and we thank him for his support and encouragement.

Dale writes:

On the surface, it may have looked like any typical Saturday morning at the Kinsmen arena - - a church league game on one ice pad...a practise on the other. But, if you looked closely at that group of youngsters practising, you got to witness a dream become a reality.

For the past several years, David and Carol Fisher have been driving their son Matthew to Toronto, to play hockey for the Don Mills Diamonds...a team of players who have autism or Aspergers Syndrome. Realizing that Peterborough is Hockeytown, David and Carol wondered why it couldn't be possible to have a team in Matthew's hometown for kids with similar special needs.

And one year later, with Saturday's inaugural practise (sporting brand new jerseys), the Kawartha Komets are here.

It's difficult to describe the emotion that was in the arena...so far removed from what many of us have witnessed in minor hockey (like parents yelling at referees...or screaming at their kids, fully convinced their child will be the next NHL superstar).

No. There were no NHL expectations here... as they gathered around the boards encouraging their children on...giving hugs and high-fives...snapping pictures and taking videos...with smiles that seemed to go from one blue line to the other. For the first time, their children were able to experience something that so many others take for granted - - to play hockey, on a team.

The Kawartha Komets will actually be putting two teams on the ice this year, featuring players between the of ages between 6 and 20...with a varying range of hockey skills. That's where I come into the picture. My daughter Emily and I have volunteered, as Pete Dalliday has as well, to help these incredible children develop on the ice. David and Carol have also recruited their nephew to be the Honourary Captain of the Komets...some guy by the name of Mike Fisher of the Ottawa Senators. The NHL Players Association has also just confirmed a generous donation of 16 full sets of equipment for the team.

Autism and Aspergers present unique challenges for some of these children in order to play hockey. For some with sensitivities to the sensation of touch, the feeling of having equipment on is an issue in itself. For others, the rationale behind taking turns on the ice or understanding rules of the game will be an issue.

But, as I talked to some of the kids and parents, I came to the realization on Saturday that these challenges are merely obstacles that (with understanding, patience and commitment on our part) will be overcome...just as many other so-called obstacles have been overcome in their lives.

I have so much respect for the moms and dads I met this weekend...who deal with these challenges every day...and will do whatever it takes to allow their child to experience new things, to grow and explore their limitless potential.

The Kawartha Komets will play an exhibition game this Sunday afternoon at the Kinsmen (2pm). Hope you can drop by and give them some moral support in the stands.

Note: Please check out the Kawartha Komets blog here.

God Understands

Several weeks ago the Lord gave me the melody to a song as I drove home to Peterborough from my position with SIM Canada in Scarborough, ON. I couldn't wait to get to my mother's home to play it on the piano to "lock" the tune into my mind.

Yesterday it was my turn to lead the chapel service at SIM Canada and I wanted to teach my colleagues the song. But, alas, there were no lyrics.

On Sunday evening these words came to me. I trust they will be a blessing to you. Come and hear me perform in Carnegie Hall in New York City to hear the melody. Dream along, David!

Here are the words and, as you read them, remember that God really does understand the circumstances and nuances of our complicated lives.

GOD UNDERSTANDS

Have you been struggling? No peace can you find
Life is so barren and dry
Darkness surrounds you and friends seem to fail
Clouds always cover your sky.

Chorus:

Hold to His hand,
He’ll understand
He’ll be your refuge and strength
When all around you brings heartache and pain
God will restore and sustain.
He’ll give you joy once again. (after 3rd verse)

When you’ve decided that life is too hard
Worry and fear brought you down
Lift up your eyes to the Savior, my friend
He always cares for His own.

When clouds have lifted and sunshine breaks through
Darkness and gloom pushed aside
You can point others to this Friend divine
And in His arms safely hide.

© David W. Fisher – October 2009

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Be still and know that I am God.” - Psalm 46:1,10 (NIV)

Afraid? Dismayed?

For the past year I have subscribed to an excellent blog, The Blazing Center. These posts are written by Mark and Stephen Altrogge and I've been blessed, comforted and challenged by their writing. This week Mark wrote a post entitled Afraid? Dismayed? It touched my heart right where I am.

Here is that post:

Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s….Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.” (2 CH 20.15, 17)

When we face a “great horde”, be it actual enemies, financial problems, rebellious children, marital problems, sickness, or our own gigantic sin that looms before us, we can be tempted in two ways. We can be tempted to be afraid and tempted to be dismayed. God told Jehoshaphat two times not to give in to these temptations.

Do not be afraid or dismayed. Don’t fear and don’t be discouraged.

God tells us not to yield to fear or discouragement, for the battle belongs to him. He is waging war against the sin in our life and in the life of that rebellious teen. He is fighting the fear and unbelief in our hearts. He is fighting for our holiness and joy. The battle is not ours but God’s.

We must guard against this double-edged temptation. We must battle fear and discouragement.

“Do not be dismayed” has to do with the present. We can be dismayed at the state of our marriage or how our kids are doing. We can be discouraged at our slow progress to conquer a sin.

“Do not be afraid” has to do with the future. We fear for our teen if she continues the direction she’s going. We fear there won’t be enough money next month. We fear that this pain won’t go away. God tells us not to be fearful for the future, nor be discouraged about the present.

A sister I know had been battling depression and was experiencing powerful emotions of discouragement and fear. One day on her way into a store, she passed a Salvation Army Lady collecting money. She’d just heard a message about casting our bread upon the waters, so she went back and gave a dollar, and the lady gave her a little envelope with a card inside. She opened it and the card read:

Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.’

God specifically spoke to her about the very emotions she was struggling with and greatly encouraged her that day, and he wants to encourage you today. Do not be dismayed at what you see, nor afraid of what may be – the battle is the Lord’s.