Some Inspirational Sayings - C.S. Lewis, Thomas L. Johns, Eugene Peterson

Snowsquall - Sunshine - all in a hour

An interesting way to start the day – woke up, snowing out side...then I looked again, I was REALLY snowing outside. I'm not complaining, I like snow and it is January, but this stuff was really coming down. I figure that the school buses would be cancelled – and they were. So I take a look on the radar (http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/radar/index_e.html?id=WSO)    and yep, we were under a large squall. Now for anyone who doesn't live beside a great lake, let me explain a squall to you. Picture this – you are looking outside, the sun is shining and then – within minutes – you cannot see your neighbours house across the street because of the snow. I kid you not. We actually got about 15 cm's (6 inches) of snow in one hour. Add to that strong North winds and the drifts are a couple of feet. Then a half hour later, blue sky. So my daughter still wanted to go to school, so I started up the truck and a way we went. Not a very nice drive. None of the town streets were plowed, but it was snowing hard and it came down really fast. I would not dare venturing out of town on a morning like this. At least in town, the houses block some of the wind so the snow doesn't blow like it does out in the country. And I figure why would I risk my life and the life of the emergency workers that would have to come rescue me? My rule - If it's storming, I'm staying home until it clears up.

After dropping my daughter off I spent a ½ hour blowing out my driveway and I figure by noon I'll have to fire it up again. By then the snow plow would have gone by, filling the end of my driveway with a 2 foot high bank of snow.

The joys of living in Ontario !

Elijah's darkest hour....a prophets battle with depression

The storms of life are just that...storms...they will pass by :)

On Tuesday I touched on a subject that many people have to deal with every day. Depression. A lot are good at masking what is really going on inside of their heads. And for anyone who is doing this, they know that it is very tiring trying to keep a happy face, positive attitude and optimistic outlook on life. I also noted that I once wrote about the prophet Elijah and his battle with depression. I had the opportunity to preach about this at a couple of United Churches in the South Western Ontario area. I wasn't really sure of how they would receive me ( having a Pentecostal background) – but you know what, God was faithful – both congregations were loving and generous. And I felt very welcomed.

Anyways, here is the outline – I encourage you to read 1 Kings Chapters 17 – 19 to get the full picture of this outline. I originally wrote this back in 2007 - before the recession.

Proverbs 18:14 The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit?

What a time we are living in. Things are happening all around us, and it appears as if the ordinary person can do nothing to stop or even slow down what is happening. Jobs are being lost at an incredible rate, especially here in Ontario. We have been told be several economic forecasters to hold on – this ride is going to be a rough one.

Add this to the normal everyday circumstances and you may be wondering – “How much more can I endour?”

It is one thing to get sick, a cold or a broken arm/leg, it is another to have your spirit crushed. Proverbs 18:14 talks of this very thing.

“the human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit?” this question is not a rhetorical one, it is asking you – how much can you stand? Well let me tell you of a man in the Old Testament, who was going through a very tough time as well.

This takes place in 1 Kings Chapters 17 through 19.

Elijah the prophet had the following happen to him:

1. 3.5 years of running & hiding. (A very lonely time with loss of relationships).

2. Nobody liked him. His reputation was destroyed.

3. The emotional face off with Ahab, the prophets and the children of Israel. Elijah was on one side and everyone else was on the other side. When he asked – If Baal is god, serve him, If the God of Israel is your God – serve Him….and the answer the people gave him was this....….silence Elijah stood alone against the crowd.

4. Elijah slays the prophets (no small emotional trauma).

5. He runs over six miles back to the city. (great fatigue).

6. He hears that Jezebel wants to kill him. "What's the use?" enters into his mind.

7. He had emotions of frustration and anger.

8. He had emotions of self pity.

9. He wanted God to kill him – he had sunk into depression.

What was God's reaction to Elijah? ...The Lord uses Bold & powerful ways to reveal himself to us.... But often He reveals Himself through quiet & subtle means.

• It is a mistake to just expect the miraculous.

What can we do about worry?

Worry

90 % never happens

6% you can't do anything about

4% happens

Changes we can make

- Have you had and unfair situation or have you been hurt...how did you respond to that? Our reaction to an event is just as important as the event itself. Ask God to help you forgive.

- begin to listen to some good wholesome music with Christ centred lyrics.

- Don't watch so much T.V. ...I once hear that the 4 main reasons of depression in the U.S.A. are...ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX) ….a little humour

- Go help some one else - it eliminates self pity. The other person is probably worse off than you are.

- Put some laughter in your life

• Begin a program of reading your Bible. Mark all the promises you read.

Jn 14:27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

Phil. 4:6,7 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

I know this is just an outline – but it has a lot of meat to it when you read it with the corresponding Bible chapters.

Have a great day friends !

Blue Monday is past...what can I do with depression?

Well it's Tuesday. Yesterday was "Blue Monday" Supposedly the most depressing day of the year. I try to stay positive, encouraged and good humoured. But you know, sometimes it is a struggle. It's like treading water for hours on end - I eventually get tired and start to gulp water. It's the times when I start to gulp water that are the hardest. I realize that "I'm running out of strength." I realize "This is getting hard." I realize "I need help - really soon."

That is when I look up. I say "Lord, I'm tired...Lord, this is hard...Lord, please help me." Sometimes the help comes as a sun shining day. Sometimes the help comes as a friend calling out of the blue. Sometimes the help comes by seeing a doctor...yep - seeing a doctor. My thoughts are that doctors are gifts from God. No one thinks twice about seeing a dentist if there are problems with your teeth, an eye doctor if there are problems with your eyes, a heart specialist if there are problems with heart....so why is there so much resistance if the signals in the brain aren't working correctly in getting medication from a doctor to help the brain work smoothly? Just my thoughts...

I do know that there are also a lot of things that I can do...

   1. Get exercise – go for a walk, swim or ride your bike.

2. Make time for pleasurable activities – do a craft, watch a movie, listen to uplifting music.
   
   
3. Spend time with someone who will support you – hugs help, just have a nice talk.
   
   
4. Relax – take a bubble bath, read a good book, get some sun.
   
   
5. Set simple goals and small steps – set goals that are attainable, acknowledge your accomplishments, don't try to solve big problems at once.
   
   
6. Eat balanced nutritious meals – cut down on junk food, avoid alcohol, include lots of fruit and vegetables.
   
   
7. Pray – tell God you problems (He already knows them, but there is something renewing when you verbalize them.)
   
   
8. Read my Bible – the Bible is full of encouragement! Did you know that Elijah the prophet – yes the one that called fire down from heaven -  had a bout with depression! (I've got a study on that....maybe later in the week I'll post it)
   

One of my favourite verses is Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." I have held on to this verse throughout my life. 

I know that everyone is different, and I am not writing this with anyone in mind but myself. I find that a little bit of self help and self examination helps keep me on the right path.

Have a great day !

New Photo Blog

Well I did some thinking this week. I have posted some of my pictures on this blog, and then the thought came to me....why not start another blog, just for pictures? So that is what I did and it's called  "Timothy's Nature Photography" So my thoughts are that I'll keep this one primarily for thoughts, encouragement and pondering...and my new blog will feature a hobby of mine - nature photography. Yes, I know that I am not a professional, and I have now formal training - but I love taking pictures. Here is the link to my new blog if you're interested. 

http://tellisphotography.blogspot.com




Have a great day

Some NFL and a little bit of hockey for the weekend

Well I watched a couple of football games in the last 24 hours. Something I haven't done in a very long time. Last night I enjoyed watching the Ravens and the Steelers. It was exciting, fast and the winner wasn't decided until late in the game. I missed the second quarter - I ate supper just before the game, and I went downstairs to watch the game with a stomach full roast beef, potatoes and vegetables...add that to a couch, couple pillows and a blanket, a power nap was sure to happen. I even turned up the home theater (gives it a more realistic feel) and the power nap still happened. 
After the game I took 2 of my children to watch some hockey at the arena. The Palmerston 81's were playing the Durham Huskies - that was an interesting game also - Palmerston won 4 to 1. I think the kids highlight of the game was not the incredible amount of penalties, but the hot french fries that I bought them between the 1st and 2nd period.
Today after church I watched the Bears play the Seahawks... I was an ok game, but the Bears dominated. I just kept thinking "The Bears"...if you remember back to 1985-86 - it was a popular saying.
The Patriots and Jets are playing now...I don't like either of those teams, and I'm just putting in some time until church tonight.
Have a great evening everyone !