The Thinker

Here's a recent photo of our son Matthew (10) deep in thought. Matthew is the older of our two (2) adopted sons and struggles with Asperger's Syndrome, a high-functioning form of autism.

He is a deep thinker and often amazes us with his observations and conclusions.

"As a man thinketh, so is he."

 

Mothers

Mothers...God's special gift!

Yesterday morning my good friend David told me that his mother had been admitted to the hospital over the Easter weekend. She was unable to enjoy the family's Easter dinner with her children.

Last night I came to work early to cover for a new staff member whose mother had been admitted to hospital in the afternoon. We received word during the evening that she had gone to be with her Lord. We pray for Karl this morning.

Later in the evening I received a phone call advising me that my own mother had been admitted to hospital after having severe abdomenal pains. I'm going to visit her this morning.

Often we take our mothers for granted!

Please tell your mother today...if possible...that you love her. She is a special gift from the Father!

P. S. Please pray for David's mom, my mom and Karl's family!

Thank you!

Unworthy...and Yet

Bloggy buddy Becky is back! Becky has gone through a rough year but her faith in the One who shed His blood for her is strong and intact! Becky wrote the following poem which appears on her web site! Welcome back, dear friend!

Unworthy

i
stood at the foot
of the cross
and looked up
at Him
and He
looked down at me
and droplets
of His blood
splashed
at my feet
and my tears
fell
and mingled
and i knew
i
was not worthy
to stand here
and He said
My blood
your tears
mix
and you are cleansed
and you are loved
and you are forgiven
nd you are Mine
i fell
forward
and kissed His feet
i felt
true love
and i knew
oh
i knew
it was for me
for me
for me
He died
and i cried
because
i
was not
worthy

- Becky P.

Place of Refreshment

A guy can dream can't he? Do you like my Inn?

I've finally opened my Inn...something I've wanted to do for years. You can read about it at http://www.inn45.blogspot.com Hopefully you'll make The Inn part of your vacation plans. You'll be glad you did. Check out the web site and then come and see us. No reservations required!

Man of Few Words

I've seen this before but I received it in an e-mail today and thought I'd post it on Pilgrim Scribblings. It's the gospel story in 50 words.

God made
Adam bit
Noah arked
Abraham split
Joseph ruled
Jacob fooled
Bush talked
Moses balked
Pharaoh plagued
People walked
Sea divided
Tablets guided
Promise landed
Saul freaked
David peeked
Prophets warned
Jesus born
God walked
Love talked
Anger crucified
Hope died
Love rose
Spirit flamed
Word spread
God remained.

Papal Blessing

Old friends, new friends, good friends, bad friends (is there such a thing?) all seem to congregate at my mother's house. The other day my old friend and neighbour from my school days, Gord Shannon, stopped at mom's place when he saw me getting out of my van. A few minutes later a more recent friend, Paul Mackay, arrived. He's a border at mom's house and has been a great friend for a few years now. Actually Paul took this picture as I was waving goodbye to Gord. He thought I looked like the Pope giving his Easter blessing (I guess)! Rather than looking like a Pope, I think I look more like a "dope". No comments, pleeeeease...

You've gotta watch that Paul Mackay guy when he's got camera in hand. Check out his web site and you'll see why. Those "fence" shots were taken at mom's house as well.

Funny thing about standing in front of mom's place...you can't be there for more than 41 seconds without someone driving past who knows you. Seriously...it happens every time.

Changes

My 2nd cousin (my dad's cousin), Jenny Venville Nicol, from British Columbia sent me the following lyrics to an old hymn this morning. Thanks, Jenny! Our changeless, eternal God walks with us through the many and varied changes of life! Hallelujah!

Through all the changing scenes of life,
In trouble and in joy,
The praises of my God shall still
My heart and tongue employ.

Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
With me exalt His name;
When in distress to Him I called,
He to my rescue came.

The hosts of God encamp around
The dwellings of the just;
Deliverance He affords to all
Who on His succor trust.

Oh, make but trial of His love,
Experience will decide
How blest they are, and only they,
Who in His truth confide.

Fear Him, ye saints, and you will then
Have nothing else to fear;
Make you His service your delight,
Your wants shall be His care.

I Found a Friend

Today I bought a used CD by Diane Susek at Value Village for $3.99. It was one of those special "finds", a treasure. Her song, I Found a Friend, has thrilled me over the years and I hadn't heard it for a long, long time. Here's the audio post I filed while driving to work tonight.

Do you know "my Friend"?

WHY???

THE BIG QUESTION...WHY?

Cindy Sheehan asked President Bush, "Why did my son have to die in Iraq?"

Another mother asked President Kennedy, "Why did my son have to die in Viet Nam?"

Another mother asked President Truman, "Why did my son have to die in Korea?

Another mother asked President F.D. Roosevelt, "Why did my son have to die at Iwo Jima?"

Another mother asked President W. Wilson, "Why did my son have to die on the battlefield of France?"

Yet another mother asked President Lincoln, "Why did my son have to die at Gettysburg?"

And yet another mother asked President G. Washington, "Why did my son have to die near Valley Forge?"

Then long, long ago, a mother asked, "Heavenly Father, why did my Son have to die on a cross outside of Jerusalem?"

The answers to all these are similar . . .

"that others may have life and dwell in peace, happiness and freedom."

54 Years on the Road

HAPPY 54TH SPIRITUAL BIRTHDAY...

Yesterday (April 6th) I celebrated my 54th spiritual birthday. Yes, I've been on the journey "home" now for 54 long but meaningful years. It was early in the morning on Sunday, April 6th, 1952 that I bowed my head at our kitchen table in Toronto, repented of my sin, trusted God for forgiveness and asked His Son Jesus Christ to save me. HE DID!

The journey hasn't always been smooth but He never promised it would be. What I do know is that "He will bring me to my desired haven". God is faithful and I thank Him for all He has done!

What about you? Do you remember the year, the day, the hour, when God changed your life forever?

Check out last year's "post" when I announced my 53rd spiritual birthday. There's a link to an article concerning my 50th "birthday".

Fish Back...Sens Buffaloed

It was great to see Mike Fisher back in the Ottawa Senators' line-up tonight after missing 9 games with an ankle sprain.

"Fish" assisted on Daniel Alfredsson's goal but the Sens went on to lose 5-4 in overtime to the Sabres. Welcome back, Mike!

Gabe Goes Yard

My good friend Gabe Gross was traded by the Blue Jays to the Brewers in the off-season. I'm sure going to miss him. Last night he clubbed a two-run homer to lead the Brewers to a 7-5- victory over the Pirates. Way to go, dear brother! I pray that you'll have a break-out season with the Brew Crew!

The King's Highway

This morning I awoke with a composite of songs, choruses and scriptures running through my mind. I arranged those into a brief poem/chorus and sang it back to the One who gives me life and breath...JESUS!

Here it is:

"I'm on the Glory Road to heaven,
Walking on the King's Highway;
Though there be trials along the journey,
The Morning Star will lead the way."

May you experience His guiding hand today as you journey towards Home.

- A fellow pilgrim

Wedding Bells

Recently I had the privilege of meeting my friend Todd Anderson's future bride, Heather, while shopping at Emmaus Family Books in Peterborough.

CONGRATULATIONS!

I forget the wedding date but I'm happy for you. Guess we won't be having any more late night chats at Christian Horizons House 11, eh.

God bless you both!

Attractive Drabness VII

The latest addition to my Attractive Drabness collection (#7) was taken by Saija through her windshield. Glad you didn't hit a tree, my friend. That wouldn't have been very "attractive".

God's creation looks incredibly beautiful regardless of the weather doesn't it! Now where did I put my umbrella?

A Different Season

Well, the Toronto Blue Jays opened their 30th season on a winning note, beating the visiting Minnesota Twins 6-3. Bengie Molina (pictured) picked up his first home run as a Blue Jay.

Although I was glad to see the Jays get the win, it was a bittersweet day for the Big Fish. This is the first Opening Day in the Jays' history that I haven't been a part of the team.

Many of you know that I resigned as the Baseball Chapel leader on February 1st after serving for 29 enjoyable years. This Thursday I'll take my successor, Nigel Wheeler, on a tour of Rogers Center to introduce him to the security guards, ushers, team personnel, etc. so that his first Sunday (this Sunday) as the new chapel leader will run as smoothly as possible.

As I pass the torch to my friend Nigel I pray that God will use him mightily and that there will be an excellent response this season by the Blue Jays to the Baseball Chapel ministry.

Go Jays Go! Have a profitable, spiritually productive season, Nigel!

Faces In The Crowd

Over the past year and a half (almost), I've included pictures of many of the Heroes of the Faith on this Pilgrim Scribblings blog. I'm re-posting a dozen of them and asking my readers to identify them. The first one to correctly name each of the pictured Christians will receive a copy of a recently released book. I'll let you know which book it is in another post. Go ahead, try to figure out who these people are. Check my archives if you must but see how many you can identify...without looking. List your answers starting at the top and moving to the bottom. E-mail me at dwfisher@nexicom.net with your answers. THANKS!

Fish Is An Angel

I bet you thought I was writing about me. No! I'm far from being an angel (of any sort). My friend Tim Salmon (on the right) won a roster spot with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim after being out with injuries since August of 2004. I spoke with Tim the other night and he seemed confident that if the Lord wanted him back in the lineup he'd be there. CONGRATULATIONS, TIM! By the way, Tim has the same nickname as I do. With a name like "SALMON" what do you expect!

Here's a note from the Angels' web site:

ANAHEIM -- Tim Salmon said he had a strong feeling at least a few days before the Angels announced their Opening Day roster that he would be one of the 25 players heading to Seattle for the opener. After Saturday's Freeway Series game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, it was made official.

Considering he hasn't played in a regular-season game since August 2004, that was the best news Salmon could have received.

"These last couple days, I haven't been as nervous as you might expect," Salmon said.

"I was relieved and excited, but I kind of expected it - it wasn't a shocker."

The Angels' career leader in home runs with 290, Salmon underwent surgery on his left shoulder and his left knee following the 2004 season, and as a result, missed all of last year. He rehabilitated throughout the winter at his Scottsdale, Ariz., home and came to Spring Training as a non-roster invitee.

I'm Gonna Miss Ya

Corey Koskie (pictured)only played one season with the Toronto Blue Jays but he became a good friend and I'm really going to miss him this season. Koskie and my other close friend, Gabe Gross, were both traded to the Milwaukee Brewers during the off-season. Guess I'll be flying to Wisconsin this season.

Have a great year, Corey and Gabe!