Heeding Obvious Warnings

This past weekend there was a torrential rainstorm in Calgary. One man, 60 years old, became extremely concerned about his car parked on the street being in danger. He told his friend he was going to move it. His friend told him that it wasn't worth the risk. None the less he ran out to the street. Somehow he became trapped user his car. His friends tried to save him but were unsuccessful and he lost his life. How sad it is when we fail to heed the dangers around us and take risks that have dire consequences.

God tells us that the man who plans his life around things is bound to lose them. "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" We need to seek his Kingdom first. How sad it is to be so blinded by the moment that we lose our tomorrow.

Loss

I found just this past week that an old and good friend had passed away at the end of last April. Albert Baldeo played an intricant and vital roll in my life. A piece of me went with him but his gifts to me and the world around him were beyond measure. Goodbye old friend, one day we will be together again and you can play that big old comb while I sing. You were unique and one of a kind.

Thankfulness for good friends and family

Without the support of my family, my church, my colleagues and my friends this past six months would have been unbearable. Their prayers, their love and their support has and is giving me strength, peace and hope. Please ocontinue your prayerful support for another month or so.

Rick & Evelyn

When all is lost.

Our hearts are extended to the people of Slave Lake. In a moment all that was important to them was lost. Fire consumed possessions in just a blink of an eye. More than 7000 people were stripped of everything that was important to them. Their homes, safety, security, jobs disappeared. Peace of mind, peace of heart were lost.

We need to pray for the people of Slave Lake that God will give them the strength and the wherewithal to reestablish their lives.

It makes the things in our lives seem small.

People of Slave Lake we will pray for you and will do what we can to help and be helpful.

Simple Encouragements

This week I conducted two funerals. People have asked why I conduct so many funerals. After the close of the first funeral a young woman came up to me and thanked me for the service. She said she was going through a rough patch in her life and that my words has spoken to her need. I pray that God will continue the work he has begun in her life. After the second funeral another young woman came and thanked me because my words had touched her heart. She received something she needed - an answer to prayer. I pray for her that god will fertilize and water the ground of her heart and produce fruit for her life.

Sometimes God use simple things to encourage and strengthen us. Thank you Father for the simple encouragements in our lives.

Patience

For years I sang a song for children about a snail called Herbert.

There was a snail called Herbert who was so very slow
He caused a lot of traffic jams wherever he did go
The ants were always getting mad, the beetles they would fume
But Herbert would just poke along and sing this little tune

HAVE PATIENCE, HAVE PATIENCE DON'T BE IN SUCH A HURRY
WHEN YOU GET IMPATIENT YOU ONLY START TO WORRY
REMEMBER, REMEMBER THAT GOD HAS PATIENCE TOO
THINK ABOUT THE THE THAT OTHERS HAVE TO WAIT FOR YOU

God has been speaking to my heart about patience. Right at this particular moment in time my life is in the hands of others. My natural reaction is to want immediate resolution. God is reminding me to wait upon him. "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up on wings as the eagle, They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.". I am asking God to grant me a patient and peaceful heart - a heart to believe that everything is in his hands. "YEA THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEAT, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL, FOR THOU ART WTH ME."

Help me to learn the lesson of Herbert deep in my heart.

Thankful For Good Health

Two times today I went to sing for those whose health is declining. In the one nursing home there were about 40 people sitting around tables and spending their day waiting. As I sang hymns for them and prayed with them I was intensely aware that most of them really did not respond. They were in a world of their own. Some responded and were thankul or the service and the hymns

This afternoon I sang at an adult day program. Most of the people are still quite with it and the response was very different. They were singing with me and had all kinds of positive comments.

In spite of all this I became very thankful for the health that I have and that I have a healthy family. Thankful today for good health and a good family.

One Day At a Time

Somehow today I came to realize that there are lots of bridges to cross. I made the decision to live just in today and to deal with tomorrow when it comes. What a burden to be lifted. I do not know what will happen in the months ahead but I will live in each day as it comes. It seems that Jesus said. "Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof.". He also promised to give us strength for every trial and every mile. One step at a time-god write that on my heart today.