Whatever He Says

I sat quietly last sabbath- so desperately needing a touch from the Master's hand. I was worn from a week of busyness...my heart dry,my soul thirsting...I willed my mind to empty of the grime and find, amid the chaos of my thoughts... a place of rest. I wanted to trade my agitation for His peace. To this place of worship, I brought my burdens and laid them down. I allowed my voice to lift up His praise in song with that of the others. All week God had prepared my heart for what I was about to hear. There was a small space of stillness before Kayla was introduced to share her experiences from her summer's mission trip. A second-year, mechanical engineering student, she went to Tanzania, Africa with Campus Crusade For Christ. Kayla spoke quietly yet she spoke with conviction and an intensity that moved me. She shared how her trip to Africa changed her life. Kayla learned to speak Swahili and to assimilate into their culture. Kayla described how in North America, our culture focus...

I had just taken my coat off when Brenda came upstairs. I noticed immediately that something was different about her hair. Normally it is dark blonde with lighter blonde hi-lights, but stripes of dark purple had appeared since I last saw her. I tried hard to appear casual when she anxiously asked me if it looked okay—these situations calling for tact and diplomacy. Wanting to look her best for a special weekend at church with two big concerts, she had gone to one of the more upscale salons in the mall and asked for chunky blonde hi-lights. When Brenda gazed into the mirror after her hair was shampooed her eyes widened in disbelief and horror. Her hair had purplish stripes alternating with brassy blond. The stylist seeing the look on her face, in the mirror, asked a question to which the answer should have been obvious, “Don’t you like it?” Stunned, Brenda said, “This is not what I was expecting.” “I can fix it,” said the stylist. “No,” said Brenda, “don’t touch it! I just want to leave...

The old familiar story, first heard in Sunday School, or perhaps read to me by my 1st Grade teacher rang true once more. We were sitting in a large circle, doing devotions before the start of our last day of leadership training in Orillia. We were looking again at the life of Joseph, attempting to glean from his experience and example, some lessons in godly leadership. The message that came through to me was simple. No matter what the circumstances, no matter how dire or hopelss or unjust the situation, God would eventually use it to bless Joseph and to position him to effectively channel God's blessing to others - sometimes those who had most despitefully used him. And depending on the attitude I choose (sometime even in spite of it!) God will do, and has done, and continues to do, the same for me - as he will for anyone else, too. Tonight, I knelt beside the bed of a little blonde curly-haired boy with blue eyes and skin like porcelain, my grandson, Mikey. I held his hand as, eye...

The wind blows over Lake Couchiching on this cold, gray, morning; its distant roar the first sound I hear as I wake in my cozy bed at Geneva Park YMCA Retreat and Leadership Training Centre, where I am for two and a half days of training. In the bathroom, from somewhere nearby I hear skin squeaking against bathtub, and bumping as someone steps out; a shower starts to run, then a hairdryer—the sounds of co-workers in adjoining rooms starting their days. It’s a refreshing break to be here; a time to learn and grow as a large team, but as I open up my Daily Light this morning I am drawn to another place and feel a longing for the day when time loses its meaning and there is no ending. Psalm 27:4 One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. At breakfast I sit with Dennis, Gord, Jon, Janet, Marianne and Carolyn and we soon are engaged in conversation tha...

Ephesians 5:3-5 (New International Version) 3 But among you there must not be…greed…but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No…greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. These mentions of greed are scattered among references to more obvious sins in Ephesians 5:3-5. It is one of the sins of our society in which we have more than previous generations would have ever dreamed of. What is it that keeps us hungering for more? Our culture encourages greed and our economy runs on it. There is a never ending deluge of advertising flyers in our mailboxes. It is the “acceptable sin” of our day and we don’t even see it for what it is. I realize that I have choices to make when I see that what is acceptable in our culture is not acceptable to God. There is ugliness to greed below the surface glitter. The antidote to the disease of greed is thanksgiving--being grateful for the blessings of shelter, food and clothing; family and ...

I look and see him gazing, At the snow so softly falling Through the window In the hallway by his room, The quiet, calling. 5:40 in the dawning Thick icing coats the rooftops, While the streetlights still reflect Descending flakes. White coated morning. I wrap my arms around him And we breathe in silent wonder At the world pristine and perfect Wearing frosty robes of splendor. I wake the other small ones Say, “the snow is here, come see.” Eyes open with a smile inside That hours uncommon glee Rejoicing in their voices “Let me see Mom! Dad it’s here!” They bundle up in snowsuits Off we go, the bus is near Deep angels, real, impressions As we wait they roll and play Both the laughter and the romping Keep me warm O’ such a day. They clamber on the school bus And she chugs off Up the hill. Smell of diesel on the air And my heart has had its fill. I return to house and hearth now Where flames are gently glowing. Out my window Like a picture The canopy keeps snowing. I love the first snow. T...

Exodus 14:13-14 (New International Version) 13 Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." Sometimes we are actively engaged in battles that no-one sees in our daily lives; battles against negativity, misunderstandings; struggles within our own hearts. What a powerful encouragement these verses are for just such a circumstance. The battle belongs to the Lord; I need only to "be still." Only to "be still?" Is it really that simple? Yes, for in his presence we find that "peace which transcends all understanding." (Philippians 4:7) In his presence our hearts are turned from the twin sins of pride and Self. In his presence our hearts are turned from earth towards heaven. In his presence we are changed. I Googled "being still" and found these questions a...