Launching Out Into 2007

HAPPY NEW YEAR, dear friend! We wish you a year filled with new discoveries of all that God is and has made available for you through Jesus Christ.

We look forward to another year of BLOGGING FOR JESUS. What a privilege to minister through this medium! To all the "Fisher Connection", thank you for your love and encouragement over the past year. It has been a pleasure exchanging comments and blessing one another. We serve a mighty God and it's a joy to share His love with others!

Our slogan, as fellow pilgrims, for the new year is "A Step Closer To Heaven in 2007". Yes, we're getting nearer each day. The lights of "home" are coming into view on the horizon. Let's serve the Lord with gladness in 2007, looking for His glorious appearing.

Blessings, dear friends, and much love in Christ!

David

Something To Think About

My friend Greg Asimakoupoulos penned the following poem, reminding us about our apparent apathy during the Christmas season. It certainly challenged me.


O Little Town of Where-We-Live
A musical prayer of confession
by Greg Asimakoupoulos - Dec. 21, 2006

Note: These lyrics can be sung to the tune of O Little Town of Bethlehem

O little town of Where-We-Live
you surely know the score.
We give to those who give to us
and overlook the poor.
The homeless and the widows
don't have much Christmas cheer.
How can they when they live without
the basics through the year?

But we who live with all we need
take all of it in stride.
The holidays are good to us.
We rarely are denied.
We bake our Christmas cookies
and gather with our friends.
A concert here, a party there
and then the season ends.

But somehow something's missing
in spite of what we do.
If honest, we're quite empty
and joys it seems are few.
We end each year resolving
to break with old routines
and yet come next December
we're like we've always been.

This Christmas may God give us eyes
to see what makes Him cry.
And hearts to feel the pain he knows
when plans for justice die.
As shepherds left their livestock
we're called to leave our flock
to seek the place where Christ is found
uptown or down the block.

The Old Homestead

This Christmas I wrote a poem for mom concerning the home she has lived in and maintained since 1946. What a blessing to have a wonderful place to "come home to"! It's sixty (60) years since we moved in. I was only a year old so I don't remember moving day but I have many, many fond memories of The Old Homestead.

Four of the five verses in the poem are written from a different perspective. The first is what you see when you approach the house from the north. The second is coming from the east, the third from the west and the fourth from the south where Little Lake sits. The last verse is a tribute to my mother, of course. Hope you enjoy it. Mom sure did!

The Old Homestead (1946 – 2006)
Celebrating 60 years of memories…

Down Rogers Street
And cross the tracks
You’ll see the ol’ homestead;
With long white fence
Inviting doors
And shingles that are red.

Ashburnham Drive
Then cross the bridge
There stands our mother’s home
A welcome place
To come back to
Wherever you may roam.

When driving east
From Burnham Street
The house comes into view
Reminding us
Of memories past
I love that house don’t you!

Then coming up
From Little Lake
We see that big back yard
Where we would play
In good old days
When times weren’t quite so hard.

Six kids were raised
In that great home
That’s where we got our start
A cozy place
Adorned with grace
And love from mother’s heart.

David W. Fisher - December 2006

The Grandkids Gallery

One of the many benefits of the Christmas season is receiving new photos of the grandchildren. Our sons Tim & Stephen and their families were with us on separate occasions over the holidays. Tim & Nicole's children are Carissa (11), and the twins Josiah (8) and Daynica (you guessed it...8). Stephen & Denise's children are Rebecca (4) and Michael (2).

Here are some of the photos Carol and I received! Is it alright to say that I'm a proud grandpa! You bet it is!

This is Rebecca's first class picture. She's in JK.

Keep Those Cards & Letters Coming

Tonight I unearthed a copy of a BC comic strip that I had torn out of the newspaper several years ago.

As the founder of Epistle Sports Ministries, a letter-writing outreach, I found this particular "edition" of BC quite appropriate.

Yes, there are still some people who think an epistle is the wife of an apostle. Just kidding!

For Epistle Sports Ministries updates, go to:
www.dwfisher.blogspot.com

Putting 'Em Up Or Taking 'Em Down?

Thanks for this beautiful picture, Saija! Nothing like a good old-fashioned Christmas! We're sure not taking our Christmas lights down yet. I just put them up a week ago.

Hope this picture gives you a little pickup, I mean pick-me-up!

God bless!

Strength For The Journey

This morning I was reading the explanation concerning the logo for Joseph Stowell's STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY devotional ministry.

Here's the logo:













And here's the explanation:

The “leaping” figure in our logo depicts the joy and strength that God and His Word provide for those of us who look to Him for the strength that we need for our journey. But given the fact that life is rarely straight and predictable, the zigzag lines in the figure remind us that in spite of the changing nature of our journey, our Lord fills the unpredictable with His confidence and courage. We agree with what Isaiah said when he wrote, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31).

Good stuff!

Note: Check out the link on this page!

Country Christmas...No Snow

On Christmas day I took a walk in the woods behind our home, down to the creek that runs across the corner of our lot. I hadn't been down there for a couple of months. Usually by this time the snow has made the path impassible but we have no snow and I was able to get down to the creek.

When I got there I saw that I had left our Adirondack chair down there last fall so I sat down and thought deeply for awhile. The sound of the "babbling brook" was music to my ears.

Normally I would be disappointed if we didn't get a White Christmas but not this year. Christmas came and went so quickly! And remember...the days are already getting longer! Hallelujah!

Regardless of the weather, we have a God who care for His own and I have much to thank Him for as we approach the end of another year. It's been a difficult year but the Lord has been faithful and good. He walked with this pilgrim each step of the way even when I wondered what was going to happen next.

I'm reminded afresh of the verse which my Grandma Fisher taught me many years ago:

"The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knoweth them that trust in Him." - Nahum 1:7

Merry Christmas

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah (9:6)

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

Thanks to Claire (Pilot Mom) for this wonderful wreath! Hope you enjoyed having Pilot home for Christmas! See Claire Bug link on this site.

He Shoots, He Snores

Merry Christmas, friends!

Hope you had a great day! This evening I got rid of my inhibitions (no I was NOT drinking...I don't drink) and got all dressed up in my CPAP machine mask (for my recently diagnosed sleep apnea) and my hockey helmet and gloves.

What a sight! We had to take Victoria's dog somewhere else or he would have gone crazy with his incessant barking if he saw me.

Just thought you might be amused but, if you're not, that's alright. This ol' pilgrim has to be crazy sometimes! Right?

GO PETES GO!

Happy Birthday JESUS!

Today we celebrate the birthday of the King! Aren't you glad He came? He's coming back again! What a day that will be!

"But until then, with joy I'll go on singing,
Until then, with joy I'll carry on;
Until the day my eyes behold that city,
Until the day, God calls me home."

Have a blessed Christmas dear friends!

Much love in Christ, David

The 2nd Best Gift

Today I received the 2nd best gift of the Christmas season (the 1st is Jesus, of course). My niece Holly, who many of you have been praying for, came home from Lyndhurst Rehab Hospital in Toronto for the Christmas season.

Our Fisher family Christmas celebration was held at Jim & Karen's home and Holly was taken out there from her parents' home by ambulance. How exciting for her to be home for about 2 weeks! She'll go back to Toronto on January 2nd.

Holly can move her legs and feet now and she can stand briefly but isn't able to take any steps yet.

She told me that being with family today helped to alleviate her pain and that being home was the best Christmas gift she could have.

Thanks so much for your prayers for Holly over the past six months. It's hard to believe that it was the end of June when she was involved in that terrible accident.

I took these pictures of Holly today. Please continue to pray! THANK YOU!

Epistle Christmas Update

Dear fellow pilgrims:

You may be interested in checking out our EPISTLE SPORTS MINISTRIES Christmas Newsletter for 2006. Just click HERE.

It's been a very "interesting" year of ministry. God's grace has sustained us through this period of transition and the prayers of God's people have been appreciated so much.

Please visit us at EPISTLE SPORTS MINISTRIES updates.

Only 6 days left 'til we celebrate the Incarnation! God, manifest in the flesh!

Note: My good friend GABE GROSS is pictured here.

Gettin' Ready

Saija heard about our house-warming party so she quickly started decorating. She only has three places set at the table so it's first come, first seated. Leo will be in his re-upholstered (sp?) recliner and the hostess, Saija, will be somewhere where we can wait on her royally.

Have you sent her a house-warming gift yet? Note: She doesn't want a space heater or an indoor barbecue.

Drop by for a visit HERE and wish them well. Maybe you'll get one of those three chairs.

My Momentum

My friend Tim Coles, Executive Director of Kawartha Youth for Christ, has his own blog and I've added a link to his site on "Pilgrim Scribblings" and "the Barnabas Blog".

Check out Tim's "My Momentum", not because he speaks of our ministry to the Peterborough Petes in one of his posts but just because "it's a great site"!

Enjoy your visit!

House Warming Party

Saija and Leo are getting settled in their new "digs", their condo. As all of the "Fisher Connection" knows, from Saija's posts, they had been praying for God to provide a new place for them to live...and He did...before Christmas. Hallelujah! (Pictures are from Saija's place)

If we are lived in their neighborhood we'd be invited to a house warming party but, alas, we are all separated by many miles.

So, let's all come here to PILGRIM SCRIBBLINGS and then take a visit together to THRO' A GLASS DARKLY and wish Saija and Leo God's blessing as they begin the latest phase of their lives together and with Him.

Drop Saija a note, leave her a comment, let's make them feel welcome!

Have a great week, dear blogging buddies! God is good, Jesus came, fully God and fully man and our lives have been changed forever through faith in Him.

Blessings...

P. S. Saija writes concerning "home":

"Jesus didn't have an earthly home to be born in ... just a stable ... yet, He has given us a home to move to - during this season of celebrating His birth ... i found that so ironic ... and so wonderful ... a present that speaks volumes to me ... it just reminds me again and again, that my true HOME is with Christ ... He knows i think that way ... yet, He gave us this place that we wanted ... and the timing makes me tear up ... a true Christmas present of the heart ..."

In The Mood?

Not feeling in the Christmas spirit yet? Perhaps Terry's (Canadian Blogger) picture will help. Have a wonderful day...in His grace!

Pilgrimage to Detroit

Our son Matthew wanted an early Christmas present...a trip to Detroit to see his Red Wings play. For some reason he has developed a passion for hockey and the Red Wings are his favorite team. Last night was a perfect time to make the trip because his cousin Mike Fisher was in town with the Senators to face the mighty (???) Wings. It was Matthews's first time to see Mike play "LIVE" since his cousin got to the NHL.

By the way, my Sens beat Matthew's Wings 3-2.

Matthew's favorite Detroit player is Robert Lang and he got to meet his hero in the Wives' Lounge after the game. Wow!

In no particular order, here are photos of Matthew waiting for the train in Cobourg, ON, riding on the train, meeting Robert Lang, Mike staying on top of the referee and a shot of the Joe Louis Arena. Another blessing for me was visiting with Red Wings goaltender Joey MacDonald, a former attender of our FISH get togethers with the Petes in Peterborough. I also saw former Peteborough Pete Jamie Tardif who had driven up from Toledo,OH where he plays for the Toledo Storm in the ECHL.

Now we'll catch the train here in Windsor and head for home. A great trip for father and son!

P. S. Mike picked up another assist in the game to make it even more special! Thanks, Mike, for the tickets and for everything else you do!

Laura Gainey

When I first heard the news that Laura Gainey had been washed off the deck of the tall ship she was working on I felt sick to my stomach. What a tragic event to be lost at sea! I know her dad, Bob Gainey, the General Manager of the Montreal Canadiens.

Last night at our Christmas Banquet for the Peterborough Petes we prayed, as a team, for Laura, Bob and the family. Bob lost his wife Cathy to cancer back in 1995.

Please pray for the Gainey family in the days ahead. In God's economy there's still a chance that Laura will be found but hope is diminishing. The search by the Coast Guard has been called off.

Thanks for your prayers!

Proud Grandma

Last Saturday my mom, Mike Fisher's grandma, got to see her 1st Senators' game in Ottawa. It was the first time mom had seen Mike play, "live", since his Junior days.

Mike took time out after the game, before flying to Columbus, to visit with mom!

Great memories!

Proud Papa

This afternoon Matthew made his debut in net with the Don Mills Diamonds. It was the third game of the season but Matthew's first as a goaltender.

He started the game and gave way to the other goalie half way through the game. Matthew allowed four goals but had little or no support from his defencemen. We won handily and 11 year old Matthew was sure excited as we drove home from Toronto!

The Diamonds are made up of boys and young men with various physical or neurological challenges. As I have mentioned in previous posts, Matthew has Asperger's Syndrome, a high-functioning form of autism.

It was a great experience for all of us. We'll be back again December 16th for Matthew's next game.

GOD IS GOOD!

Fish Stories

With a nickname like "FISH" it's ironic that some of my favorite accounts in the New Testament are "fish stories". Now don't get me wrong. I hold a high view of Scripture and I cherish an inerrant Bible in the orinigal autographs.

The stories I enjoy are the ones concerning some of the early disciples who left their nets to follow Jesus. I've preached several times from John 21 where Jesus encounters Peter, John and five other disciples trying to catch fish. They are out in the boat trying unsuccessfully to catch a big one. Meanwhile the Master is onshore cooking up some fish on the fire. You know the rest of the story, I'm sure.

I've entitled my message "From Bed to Breakfast By Way of the Tree". Of course the bed in the manger, breakfast is the beach scene and the tree is Calvary.

I've drawn a parallel between those three vignettes fin the life of Christ and the events of Christmas morning at our home and many others. We go from bed to breakfast by way of the tree. No way that an 11-year-old and a 10-year-old are going to have breakfast before opening those gifts under the tree.

One of the components of our MONDAY WE HAVE FISH Bible studies with the Peterborough Petes is the story-telling time. I've always got a real-life story or two to illustrate the Bible passage I'm dealing with. Yes, these could be called "Fish Stories" but they're always TRUE, just like the biblical accounts.

So...I found it interesting when I saw this sign in the mall in Lansing, Michigan the other day. I just had to bring it home.

Yes, "Fish Stories" are told here on Pilgrim Scribblings but they, too, are genuine, true, reliable accounts of one man's journey home.

We are instructed to be "Fishers of Men"!

Caught anything lately? Any bites?

Deep Valley?

Going through a deep valley? I've gone through my share of them over the years. So did Joseph, Job, Elijah, David, Paul and millions of others. Guess what? They all came out of the valley again.

Paul Mackay posted this incredible photo on his Still Rambling blog. See all the traffic in the valley? Where does the road lead? Out of the valley and up the hill...in both directions. (Click on the photo to get a larger, clearer view)

Do you seem stuck in your valley? Look for a way out! "God will make a way where there seems to be no way!"

"As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools." - Psalm 84:6

Moving In...

GOD ANSWERS PRAYER...

Today Saija and Leo take possession of their condo! After waiting for God's best, they are moving in and will be able to settle and enjoy their new place over the Christmas holidays!


Let's show our love and our gratitude to God by posting lots of comments on Saija's blog, Thro'A Glass Darkly!

Saija has been a blogging buddy right from the start and those in the "Fisher Connection" have come to love and appreciate her.

CONGRATULATIONS, Leo and Saija! We are thrilled on your behalf!

Note: Saija posted the pictured scripture verse on Thro' A Glass Darkly back in October when she and Leo were waiting to see how God would answer prayer. God has truly been good to them!

O. K. go to her blog now and leave a note. She'll appreciate it!

Pictures???

Anyone else having problems downloading pictures on your BLOGGER site today? Any suggestions?

The Pilgrim

They Just Don't Get It

My friend Greg Asimakoupoulos, an excellent writer and pastor, posted the following poem on his site, Rhymes and Reasons, today:

A Politically-Correct Holiday is a Humbug

It's Christmas, but (for what it's worth)
what's grounded in the Savior's birth
is buried neath a holiday
politically correct.

The teachers call it Winter Break.
That makes me mad. For goodness sake,
two billion people in our world
are followers of Christ.

It seems to me a bit absurd.
We sing of Santa's flying herd,
but when it comes to caroling
it is a silent night.

I'm warned about the way I greet
the ones this month I chance to meet.
To wish them "Merry Christmas" is
considered quite uncouth.

Those life-sizes creches on the square
have been outlawed. It's so unfair.
The First Amendment guarantees
my right to celebrate.

Good Lord, these changes make me sick.
What once was yours is now St. Nick's.
The meaning of the virgin's child
is hardly understood.

If only I could help folks see
just what this season's meant to be.
Then maybe, Lord, the world would know
the peace you came to give.

Tree Theft

Terry, the Canadian Blogger, put me up to this. She couldn't understand why I hadn't stolen one of jel's incredible photos from her site entitled My Place. Check it out!

Well here you go, Terry! Satisfied?

I can't just post a picture of a tree without asking my 11 readers (including Brodie) to give me a "catchy caption" for the photo.

Come on friends! Get creative! What should this picture be called?

Perhaps there'll be a prize for the winner. With the number of readers I have, if all 11 of you submit something you'll have a 1 in 11 chance of hitting the jackpot. Submit multiple captions and your chances improve.

Well it's late and I've scribbled enough. This pilgrim is tired and sore!

And, by the way, have you wandered over to "the Barnabas Blog" recently? I'm committed to posting a "fresh" encouragement entry every evening (or morning). I was just trying to use the letter "e".

Good night! Sleep tight! Don't lay awake worrying about your problems. Give them to God! He can handle everything you "cast on Him" and He's going to be up all night anyway.

Hmmmm!

My Moment of Glory

Last night our local paper, the Peterborough Examiner, had an article about past winners of
the Soap Box Derby races here in my hometown. They were looking for former winners to contact the paper so that the organizers of the SBD could build a wall of honor or something like that.

I e-mailed the local contact person to tell him that I had won the Senior Championship waaaaaaaaaay back in 1959. I also attached this photo. At the risk of severely embarrassing myself, I'm posting it here. Please reserve your comments and hold back your laughter. It was, remember, my moment in the sun, my moment of glory. Yes, it was many, many years ago but I still have fond memories.

GO, FISH, GO!

By the way, in case you didn't guess, that's me sitting in my car...the Fisher Flash!

Celebrating Our 2nd Blogiversary

Two years ago, on November 25th, 2004, we launched Pilgrim Scribblings. I will reproduce that first-ever post at the end of this announcement. What a privilege it has been to communicate God's truth and His faithfulness to you during the past two years.

Personally I have experienced more stress, more challenges, more seemingly insurmountable situations than ever before. It has been a difficult two years and I'm understating the facts. Yet, our sovereign God has provided, protected, preserved and continues to perfect as the days have passed.

Thank you for your many comments, your encouragement, your love and support! We praise God for the many new friends we have made over the past two years. We look forward to cultivating even more friendships in the days ahead 'til Jesus returns.

Two weeks ago we launched "the Barnabas Blog", a ministry of encouragement. Please check it out if you haven't already paid a visit.

God has been faithful and will continue to be just that...FAITHFUL!

Here's that initial post from November 2004 entitled
NOISY RESTAURANTS/WHERE WOULD JESUS SIT?

Recently I stopped at a favourite restaurant of mine, hoping to enjoy a quiet, relaxing lunch in the middle of a busy, hectic day of “ministry”. The hostess seated me in a back room away from the buffet area where people were helping themselves.

A few moments later a group of mentally challenged adults, with their caregivers, were seated at a long table next to me. My solitude was short-lived! These people were grunting and groaning, shouting and calling out. Two other families asked if they could be seated in another area of the restaurant when they saw these people arrive. In the midst of the noise, God’s Holy Spirit spoke (or shouted) to my heart. I immediately thought WWJS …”where would Jesus sit?” if He were here. Of course He would be found at the center of that table, showering His love, care and compassion on these dear, precious people. If that’s where Jesus would sit, then I wanted to follow “in His steps” and look upon this intrusion on my “quiet time” as an opportunity to watch God at work.

The caregivers lovingly attended to their clients, helping them with their food and patiently expressing God’s love in a tangible way. The outbursts of these people, created in the image of God, became like a symphony, a choir, to my ears.

I was so intrigued by watching this transpire before my eyes that I lingered at my seat long after I’d finished my meal. As I was leaving, one of these dear people choked on her food and her caregiver handled the situation so well. Tears came to my eyes and I thanked God for my “quiet lunch”.

Oh that we might see people as our loving, compassionate Father sees them! Oh that our hearts might be broken by the things that break His heart! God had noisily got my attention that day!

Let’s look for opportunities today to witness God’s loving care for His people. Let’s ask how we can be His arms extended to His people today, ministering His love, mercy and grace to those who so desperately need His touch! For more information on the organization that these wonderful people are involved with, please check out their web site at: http://www.christian-horizons.org/

Woody Is Home At Last

Long-time friend Woody Williams signed a two-year contract today with his home town Houston Astros. Woody spent this past season in San Diego, his second stint there with the Padres.

We got to know Woody and Kim when he played for the Toronto Blue Jays at the start of his long career. What a great couple! A wonderful family!

CONGRATULATIONS, Woody! We wish you all the best now that you've come home to the Astros!

Thanksgiving Forecast

The following forecast was broadcast yesterday on CSWA radio! That's Cindy Swanson's excellent blog entitled Notes in the Key of Life. It makes me want to find a restaurant today that is serving TURKEY, my favourite meal.

I trust that our American friends had a great day yesterday. We certainly have much to thank the Lord for!

Here's Cindy's forecast:

Thanksgiving Day Forecast

Turkeys will thaw in the morning, then warm in the oven to an afternoon high near 190F. The kitchen will turn hot and humid, and if you bother the cook, be ready for a severe squall or cold shoulder. During the late afternoon and evening, the cold front of a knife will slice through the turkey, causing an accumulation of one to two inches on plates. Mashed potatoes will drift across one side while cranberry sauce creates slippery spots on the other. Please pass the gravy.

A weight watch and indigestion warning have been issued for the entire area, with increased stuffiness around the beltway. During the evening, the turkey will dimish and taper off to leftovers, dropping to a low of 34F in the refrigerator.

Looking ahead to Friday and Saturday, high pressure to eat sandwiches will be established. Flurries of leftovers can be expected both days with a 50 percent chance of scattered soup late in the day. We expect a warming trend where soup develops. By early next week, eating pressure will be low as the only wish left will be the bone.

Happy Thanksgiving Day, and may God richly bless you!

Lacy Limbs

Last night I saw a breathtaking sunset. I didn't have my SONY with me though. Today I took my camera with me to Toronto but I didn't have an opportunity to catch any of God's masterpieces. Paul Mackay did though! He has a collection of incredible photos on his Still Rambling blog. Cruise on over and take a peek!

Here's one of them! WOW!

Don't those bare limbs look lacy against the backdrop of a gorgeous sky!

His Faithfulness

Tonight I stumbled across a web site which features a CD of Amy Carmichael's poems set to lush, orchestral music, sung by incredible soloists. You can actually hear sound clips of each of the songs. I can tell you...I'm going to order this one!

Check out the site at: http://www.jimspencermusic.com

Here are some of the notes from Jim Spencer's site:

His Faithfulness is a refreshingly reflective musical offering combining the rich poetry of Amy Carmichael, 1867-1951, (Irish missionary to India, read more), and the stirring melodies of modern-day songwriter Jim Spencer (Reason for the Rain - Word Records, I'm Gonna Lift Up My Eyes - Lynda Randle for Feed the Children). From the intimate piano/cello arrangement of Rose from Brier to the soaring strings of On Calvary’s Cross, there is a wonderful cohesiveness to this project that provides the sense that you are not simply listening to ten individual songs but that you are gazing upon one grand tapestry; the testimony of God’s great faithfulness in the life of one of His children that will resonate with all.

His Faithfulness enjoys the contributions of some of the finest musicians of our day, including the fabulous production skills of Dan Israel; the inspiring piano arrangements of Brett Turner Francis; the masterful string arranging and conducting of Carl Marsh (Mercy Me, Steven Curtis Chapman, Point of Grace); Nashville’s finest string players; and the gifted vocals of Ingrid Dumosch (vocalist/vocal arranger, CN Productions, UK; vocalist, Daywind Music, Integrity Music), Shannon Wexelberg (Discovery House recording artist, performances with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir and Integrity Music) and Sarah MacIntosh (former Sparrow Records recording artist, background vocals for Michael W. Smith 2002 Worship Again & Come Together and Worship Tours, Horizon Music recording artist).

He Hideth My Soul

One of my favorite hymns is He Hideth My Soul. The words were written by the beloved, blind hymnwriter Fanny Crosby. Click on the song title to hear a wonderful piano rendition of this powerful song. (Depending on what software you have on your computer, you may or may not be able to hear the melody.)

Here are the lyrics:

A wonderful Saviour is Jesus my Lord,
A wonderful Saviour to me;
He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock,
Where rivers of pleasure I see.

Chorus:

He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock
That shadows a dry, thirsty land;
He hideth my life in the depths of His love,
And covers me there with His hand,
And covers me there with His hand.

A wonderful Saviour is Jesus my Lord
He taketh my burden away;
He holdeth me up and I shall not be moved,
He giveth me strength as my day.

With numberless blessings each moment He crowns,
And, filled with His fullness divine,
I sing in my rapture, "O glory to God
For such a Redeemer as mine!"

When clothed in His brightness transported I rise
To meet Him in clouds of the sky,
His perfect salvation, His wonderful love,
I'll shout with the millions on high.

Fanny J. Crosby 1820 - 1915

Morning Beauty

My blogging buddy Saija from Thro' A Glass Darkly posted the following on her blog this morning. All I can say about the picture is WOW! Her comments were worth repeating:

"this was the scene outside my window ... taken just a few moments ago ... before the sun burned the icy hoar frost away ...

isn't God's handiwork, which swirls all around us, just amazingly beautiful? ... doesn't it take your breath away?

and this is just an ordinary morning - but when a few seconds of it are captured and preserved, we see that there is nothing ordinary about the morning!

may you see the every day beauty - that is around you - this weekend ... and may it warm your heart and lift your spirits to know - God put that beauty there, just for you to see ... because HE is there, even though at times we don't SEE ..."

"The simple act of stopping and looking at the beauty around us can be prayer." Patricia Barrett

Landmarks

Rebecca posted this incredible photo of an inukshuk on her Rebecca Writes blog. Her son took the shot while hunting up in the Yukon. An inukshuk is a landmark.



Here's a definition from the Canadian Encyclopedia:

"Inukshuk (singular), meaning "likeness of a person" in Inuktitut (the Inuit language) is a stone figure made by the Inuit. The plural is inuksuit. The Inuit make inuksuit in different forms and for different purposes: to show directions to travellers, to warn of impending danger, to mark a place of respect, or to act as helpers in the hunting of caribou. Similar stone figures were made all over the world in ancient times, but the Arctic is one of the few places where they still stand. An inukshuk can be small or large, a single rock, several rocks balanced on each other, round boulders or flat. Inuit tradition forbids the destruction of inuksuit. "

What landmarks do you have in your life to indicate times when God met you in a significant way? What about me? Landmark occasions have been the morning I met Jesus Christ, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Times when God proved His faithfulness. I trust that each of us have plenty of "inuksuit" along the pilgrim pathway to declare God's faithfulness. He has certainly led us each step of the way.

Why Do I Scribble?

Over the last fifteen years or so, the most dog-eared, marked-up, highlighted book in my library has been THROUGH THE WILDERNESS OF LONELINESS by Tim Hansel. What incredible insights for those of us who spend a seemingly inordinate amount of our lives on the backside of the desert.

Hansel, in his acknowledgments, relates why he writes. My heart resonated with his. He took the words and phrases straight from my soul. Hansel writes:

"One day when I was journaling in one of my notebooks, I asked myself, 'Why do I write?' Here were some of my responses: I write because I want to learn. And for me the best way to learn is to write about it. I write because I enjoy putting words torgether to make them sing. I like the magic that occurs when two unknown words meet and hug their way into a new meaning. I write because it makes me observe life more carefully - and live it more fully. It holds me accountable to the quality of my life. I write so that people will know that it's okay to hurt - and it's okay to dance...all in the same lifetime."

That, my friends, is why I scribble. That's why PILGRIM SCRIBBLINGS and MY BARNABAS BLOG have become such an important part of my life and ministry.

Hansel said it so well. I can hurt and dance at the same time. Well...to be honest...I can't dance, I don't know how and I don't really want to learn...but I can rejoice and shout and live life abundantly in spite of deep-seated hurts and pain.

Pilgrim Scribblings...one way that I can share my love for the King and encourage His subjects at the same time.

Be encouraged today!

THROUGH THE WILDERNESS OF LONELINESS by Tim Hansel, LIFE JOURNEY BOOKS, published by David C. Cook Publishing, copyright 1991.

the Barnabas Blog

Have you made the short journey over to the Barnabas Blog? We've had this new blog, filled with encouragement, up and running for a week now. You can get over there almost instantaneously. Just click here and you'll be transported back 2,000 years to meet Barnabas himself. His name means "son of encouragement". He was such a blessing to the Apostle Paul and his other contemporaries.

Take the journey! You'll be blessed and encouraged! There's at least one new post each day.

Enjoy your visit!

Here's what's written under the title on the Barnabas Blog:

...a sampling of Scriptures, poems, hymns and selections from other blogs that will bring encouragement and hope to the weary traveler. Our mandate is to provide hope in the midst of your storms but to also challenge you to bless others as you have been encouraged. Visit often! Enjoy your stay! Be refreshed! Leave encouraged! "...that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." - Romans 15:4b (ESV) God bless you today!

Where It All Originates

Two of my best friends in the blogging world are Saija and her husband Leo. Check out her blog Thro' A Glass Darkly. Recently Saija posted photos of her computer desks, past and present. It's always good to know where her notes of encouragement originate. Here's the present version. Looks good!

I'm glad you're settling into your rental unit, Saija. When God gives you your own place again He will also provide the grace and strength needed to make the move.

Enjoy the present!

God is good! Thanks for your friendship, Saija (pronounced Sigh Ya)