2012 - A New Start to a New Year

I saw this Osprey nest yesterday while out for a drive with my family. Initially I thought that it would make a good picture....sort of unique. Then this morning, the Lord showed me something. This nest once served a purpose, is now empty, but it will be used again. Much like my life...that is why I am excited - 2012 will be a year of renewal. Just yesterday morning while reading the Bible - this is what popped out at me....“This is what the LORD says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:16, 18-19 NIV

2011 is over - and I am so glad that it is. Now it is time to focus on future, not to dwell in the past!

Streams of living water are going to flow, wastelands will be made fertile, and paths through the wilderness will lead to amazing accomplishments! 

My family and I are SO looking forward to this New Year !!!

'Tis the season...

It's been over a month since I updated my Blog...A lot has been going on. The one thing that has been stirring at my heart is this..."How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone." James 4:14... Life is really short. Some can live for more than 90 years, others only minutes. But I started to really think about this...if by God's grace I live to 90, I'm almost half way there. Time is really short. You may think that this is morbid to be talking about death so close to Christmas, but hear me out. This year I've witnessed a younger cousin pass away from cancer, my wife had a miscarriage, another member of the family is very close to meeting the Lord because of cancer, and add to this other family members suffering with debilitating diseases - it is a reality check. But this is what gets me...all this is going on and then I see friends, family and loved ones bickering and fighting over petty meaningless prideful crap. (I'd use other language but this is a family friendly Blog.)

It is a dangerous game to play with bitterness. Bitterness is that root that takes hold and grows faster than any weed in a garden. It chokes life from family, it poisons friendships, it withers joy from the leaves of life. As I started out - life is short...sometimes a lot shorter than you think. Do yourself a favour - this Christmas season, let go of the bitterness. Let go of the offense. Let go of the hurt (because most bitterness has been caused because you have been hurt) It will help your friends. It will help your family, but most of all, it will help you. And by the way....Jesus gave a stern warning in Matthew 6:14-15. Like anything the choice is yours to believe it or not...“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins."

Show love. mercy and forgiveness this season friends. Life really is short.
Merry Christmas.

A little town called Peace

There once was a person who enjoyed life. Each morning as the sun arose he would look outside at the wonderful colours of the sunrise. Red, orange, yellow and purple as the suns rays reflected off of the morning clouds. It was beautiful in this place called Peace.

Then one day a terrible thing happened. A storm came from out of nowhere. The clouds darkened a blackish green colour. The wind all but ceased. Stillness was in the air as all the birds stopped their singing.

The person got scared, but instead of staying in the shelter of Peace, he ventured onto a path - just a small path - called Anger's Path. At first, the path brought some relief. His back was now to the storm. Leaving Peace behind almost felt good. The storm was getting stronger, thunder, lightening and hail - but it was behind him now.

Looking up ahead there was a clearing...then another road - a road called Bitterness. This road was wider, smoother and well traveled. It went as far as the eye could see and the great thing was that it was going away from the storm. He walked, and walked and walked some more. Great distance was traveled, but no matter how far he walked...the storm was still in the rear. 

The person grew tired. It took a lot of energy and time to run from the storm. But guess what - Soon the person noticed that there were others. People just like him - People called: Loneliness, Hunger, Thirst, Pain, Struggle, Anxiety and Fear - All running, all on a road that lead to a place called Nowhere.

The person stopped to look back from where he had come, his heart sank - the storm was still there. The clouds where black and lightening flashed - but there was something else... In front of those black as night clouds a rainbow appeared. Red, Orange, Yellow - Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet - brilliant colours. Made more brilliant by the storm behind.

Then it hit him - Running from the storm of life was just that - running. If he had just rested in the shelter of Peace while the storm raged - eventually the storm would pass. The sun would shine and the birds would sing again. The air would be fresh and the flowers would bloom. Peace - the place that gives you shelter in the storm.

John 14:27 - Jesus said "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

What not to say...you cannot un-ring a bell

It's been a while friends since I have updated my Blog. I can't promise I'll be writing as much - things are really busy in my and my families lives right now. I had a few minutes tonight, so here goes.....About seven weeks ago, I had very unfortunate experience....this is what I had started to write, then I stopped...

"You see, my wife and I are expecting again and it is suppose to be a happy time. Funny how one persons happiness, is used by others to rip and tear you down. Some people just don't think...Or maybe they do think, but have no filter between the brain and the mouth? Here are some words NOT to say when someone tells you they are expecting: These are things that I heard in the last couple of days. I am not saying by who or whom, but I heard it more than once.

"I guess you weren't using birth control"

"Really, another one?"

"Oh No...you already have your hands full"

"I guess I should congratulate you?" "

So that was 7 weeks ago. Last week, I sat beside my wife in the hospital, holding her hand, crying with her as she miscarried. I now reflect on those words that were said a few weeks earlier... I am trying not to get bitter. I am trying not to be angry. But it reminds me of how hurtful and damaging words can be. So instead I reflect on how fabulous the nurses were. They treated my wife with compassion and professionalism. One of them cried with her, and they all showed amazing compassion. The doctor was caring. He was very helpful and forthcoming. 

Now here is part 2 of things not to say....this is what was said to me the day after the miscarriage to my wife. "You know, there is a new study out that siblings are 20% more likely to have autism if one sibling has already been diagnosed. So maybe this was a blessing?"

My wife responded - "Well you know that nothing surprises the Lord, so why would this child have to worry"

the response...."Well the Lord took the child...didn't He."

I was amazed....totally speechless.

I actually had to preach the next day. Emotions were flowing. Pain was in my heart. While I sat beside my wife, Jeremiah 29:11-13 came to mind.  

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart...so that is what I spoke on. A few verses on hope. A few verses of encouragement :)

I had studied and planned on speaking on Psalm 51. While studying, I read about King David losing his son with Bathsheba. When he lost his son, he said - "my son cannot come back to me, but I can go to him." That was on the Monday of the ultrasound....the morning we found out that the baby did not make it. 

I really believe that the Lord was preparing my heart for what was to take place over the next several days.

So in summary we will carry on -  trying to make light of what was said - looking for the best in everything. When all is said and done, it boils down to how you view a child. You see, I believe that children are a gift from God. They are to be loved, cherished, supported and cared for. They are not a "mistake."  You can agree with me, you can disagree with me...but you know what - I'm tired and not in the mood for a fight. Blessings to everyone of you that are reading this :)

Keep Looking UP ↑: Avoiding the obvious - God's Will

Keep Looking UP ↑: Avoiding the obvious - God's Will: "Psalm 23 - The Lord is my Shepherd Have you ever been going down the railroad of life...and your train becomes derailed? So many time, p..."