The wave of economic recession that began with a CNN report is now impacting most of our lives.  
Just yesterday I received a plea for prayer as a couple stand to lose their small business and home.

Before my Grandfather (a very Godly man) passed away I asked him what he could tell me about God.
He thought for a while and then said…

 “God is faithful”…

 At first I was disappointed in Opa’s answer because I thought it lack profoundness.

Then he explained how when the second world war crashed on Europe (My Grandfather lived in rural Germany)
like a massive title wave he was separated from his wife and children for along time and yet God brought them back together.

There was no one to protected his wife and children as the war forced them to move and relocate several times but the Lord was their fortress.

There was little food but they never starved. The war was very difficult but the Lord was very faithful .

When it was all over he had little or nothing to his name and yet God  made a way for his family (seven children) to come to Canada and start over.

God has prospered all of my grandfathers children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Though an army besiege me,
       my heart will not fear;
       though war break out against me,
       even then will I be confident.

 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.

 For in the day of trouble
       he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
       he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
       and set me high upon a rock.
Psalm 27:3-5

Have a Great Day!

Psalm 51 is a plea for mercy and forgiveness written by David after his affair with Bathsheba. David’s sin escalated from adultery to murder. And as David focused on his own pleasures, he spiraled away from God.

Finally he prayed, “Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me—now let me rejoice.” (Psalm 51:7-8, NLT). In the wreckage of his own plans, David remembered the joy only God can give.

Brokenness is often every bit as painful as it sounds. But remember that God is a good God and wants good things for you. If sometimes he needs to allow you to be broken, you can be sure that he intends to build something far more beautiful from the wreckage then you could imagine

Jesus . . . said to him, ’One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor . . . and come, take up the cross, and follow Me’
—Mark 10:21

“One thing you lack” . . . From Jesus Christ’s perspective, oneness with Him, with nothing between, is the only good thing.

“. . . sell whatever you have . . . .”

Have you ever had to carry a bag of books or a backpack for a long distance?
Doesn’t it feel good to finally put that bundle down?

Many people carry around a burden everyday that could easily be released: the burden of sin.
Sin isn’t just open rebellion against God; it’s also trying to live by your own wisdom, your own strength, your own effort.

It doesn’t take too long to figure out this world is more than any one person can handle.
But God has been saying for a long time: “Now I will take the load from your shoulders; I will free your hands from their heavy tasks.” (Psalm 81:6, NLT)

I want to dedicate today’s scripture to our dear friends Randy and Shannon who in the midst of extremely trying circumstances find their peace and hope in God’s promises and His presence. God’s a safe-house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times.

The moment you arrive, you relax; you’re never sorry you knocked.
Psalm 9:10

People with their minds set on You, You (oh God) keep completely whole,
Steady on their feet, because they keep at it and don’t quit.
Isaiah 26:3

Be Encouraged.

I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13:16

Paul identifies himself a messenger of Jesus Christ. Paul could rejoice in being in prison if it served to advance the Gospel.

What is a amazing is how he would not be derailed from his mission by countless imprisonments, rod beatings, being stoned or shipwrecks.

As Paul did I also identify myself as a messenger of Jesus Christ but I am embarrassed by how anything that challenges my comfort derails me.

I daily enjoy time with God in the morning as I drive to the office. A few minutes after my usual Tim Horton’s stop I realized that some delinquent employee gave me a bacon lettuce tomato sandwich instead of my standard breakfast sandwich. To make matters worse there was only one piece of bacon.

This really bugged me.

God bring us to the place where we can say “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Phl 1:21

Ouch or Amen

I came across this slightly obscure verse that says something about what God values.

‘But I will not take the whole kingdom out of Solomon’s hand;
I have made him ruler all the days of his life for the sake of David my servant,
whom I chose and who observed my commands and statutes.
 I will take the kingdom from his son’s hands and give you ten tribes.
1 Kings 11:34,35

Solomon was the smartest guy on the earth.
Solomon was a brilliant architect and builder but did not impress God.

Solomon cherished many women (700 wives and 300 concubines) but God got left out.

For all Solomon accomplished on this earth – God deemed him unfaithful – maybe because it was all about Solomon.

David was a man who cherished God and cherished by God.

For all our doing what captures the heart of God is a person longs and pursues God’s heart.

Seek Him.

Yesterday a weary broken man wandered into The House (our totally cozy student lounge).

He sat at the coffee bar and struck up a conversation with a young man who was studying.
With joy and tears these two strangers shared their stories. The talked for several hours
The young man marveled at the  profound impact of this experience.

Both men left the building changed.

One of the most valuable things we can do to heal one another is listen to each other’s stories.”
Rebecca Falls

Have a Great Day!