The Spirit of Prayer

More powerful words from a man who trusted his God to meet every need:

I live in the spirit of prayer.
I pray as I walk, when I lie down, and when I rise.
And the answers are always coming.
Tens of thousands of times have my prayers been answered.
When once I am persuaded that a thing is right,
I go on praying for it.
The great point is never to give up till the answer comes.
The great fault of the children of God is,
They do not continue in prayer;
They do not persevere.
If they desire anything for God's glory,
They should pray until they get it.

~ George Muller

Heavy Load

Yesterday we passed a big 18-wheeler flat truck carrying a heavy load (???). I must admit that I took this photo while driving the car but Carol was ready to grab the wheel if we came too close to the truck.

Heavy load? This cargo was no problem for the transport. It gave us all a good chuckle when we saw the toy dump truck chained to the transport.

My mind went to the scripture written by the psalmist. "Cast your burden on the Lord and He will sustain you." - Psalm 55:22 (KJV)

Often our trials and cares seem overwhelming and we wonder if we will break beneath the load. Why not heed the Lord's invitation to give Him our burdens...our load.

Our cares and concerns, though burdensome for us, will not break Him. They are like a toy truck chained to a mighty transport. Give them to Him today!

Thunder

Our week here at Elim Lodge is coming to a close. Last night we were treated to a dramatic thunder storm. The thunder rattled the windows in our cottage and gave the ground a mighty shake. In the midst of the storm I lay awake with my arm around Nathan (10), comforting him and enjoying the sights and sounds. The Lord game me a poem as I lay there and I got up and write down the words.

Here they are! I trust you will be challenged:

A VOICE IN THE NIGHT

The voice of God thundered in the night sky,
Bringing with it a much-needed rain;
Lightning flashed across the heav’nly highways,
Declaring God’s great glory once again.

Listening as the torrents bathed the parched soil,
A season of refreshing finally here;
O may my hardened heart welcome Thy touch, Lord,
Imparting hope where once reigned doubt and fear.

Renew Your church, O God, send a revival,
A sovereign visitation from on high;
Baptize with fire, give us a holy passion,
Restore our vision, else we’ll surely die.

- David W. Fisher, Elim Lodge, August 24/07

Conferring With the Giants

This afternoon I sat by the lake with two excellent books by my two heroes, men of faith whose lives have shaped mine since I was a young man. My companions were HUDSON TAYLOR'S CHOICE SAYINGS and SPIRITUAL SECRETS of GEORGE MULLER (by Roger Steer).

As I perused the pages, fretting about pressing issues, I sensed a refreshing relief...an assurance that I would be alright, that Jehovah-Jireh would provide. The breeze was brisk, the air cool, raindrops occasionally sprayed on the reader from the leaves of nearby trees. But my heart was warmed.

As I rested there I wrote:

Today I sat with friends of old,

Men of purpose, mighty, bold;

As I mused I was refreshed

Reminded that this present test

Will work for my eternal good

And glory bring to our great God.

I rose determined to press on

Regardless of the raging storm,

Knowing that He will provide

Every pressing need supply;

Today, I may the answer see

But, if not, He'll steady me.

Mighty God, I watch and wait

In Your hands I place my fate,

You alone can turn the tide

Setting fear and doubt aside.

I look to You, naught else will do

Lord, my help cometh from You.

- David Fisher, Elim Lodge, August 23/07

Amy Carmichael

Yesterday I picked up a book entitled Treasury of Prayer...a collection of prayers, prose and poetry from a wide variety of sources...most of them good.

Amy Carmichael is quoted often...thankfully!

Here's one of hers:

THINK THROUGH ME

Think through me, thoughts of God,
My Father, quiet me,
Till in Thy holy presence, hushed,
I think Thy thoughts with Thee.

Think through me, thoughts of God,
That always, everywhere,
The stream that through my being flows,
May homeward pass in prayer.

Think through me, thoughts of God,
And let my own thoughts be
Lost like the sand-pools on the shore
Of the eternal sea.

- Amy Carmichael

Small World

What a small world! On Sunday our son Matthew met another young boy who is staying here at Elim Lodge.

When I asked Caleb what his last name was he quickly replied "Voskamp". I mentioned to him that I check out a web site almost daily that is written by a "Voskamp". He asked if her name was "Ann" and when I responded in the affirmative he said, "that's my mom!"

I have recommended this blog in the past. It's entitled Holy Experience. I've been including a link to Ann's blog under the heading Thought- Provoking Blogs for quite some time. Be sure to check it out. You'll appreciate her work very much!

Note: The picture at the top of this post was borrowed from Holy Experience as was the lower photo of Caleb (left) and his brother Joshua. Wonderful biblical names!

Relaxing...

This week our family is staying at Elim Lodge, a Christian Conference Centre and Conference Grounds where I serve on the board.

Hopefully I'll slow down and relax a bit! Sitting by the lake and hearing the waves lapping against the shore is music to my ears. The week is going far too quickly, sad to say.

All too soon the fall will be here and we'll be back into the hectic routine of school, homework and busy schedules.

"Father, teach me to be still and listen to Your voice. Thank you for the opportunitiy to be away from the noise and hectic pace of everyday life. You are a great God!"

Gabe Is Back

My good friend Gabe Gross is back in the big leagues...with a vengeance. The Milwaukee Brewers recalled him from Nashville earlier in the week and he has gone 5 for 8 since then.

Tonight he went 3 or 4 with a home run. Playing every day with Nashville certainly helped him to get his stroke back. CONGRATULATIONS GABE! I pray that you continue to do well!

STRENGTH & HOPE

The following was posted on our PILGRIM PALS site earlier this week. I've been battling cellulitis again...this time in my arm and elbow. They disconnected me from the intravenous this morning which is a huge relief. I'll continue to take the antibiotics orally for another week. Thanks so much for your prayers!

Good morning, dear ones! I had a good night's rest. Didn't get all tangled up with my intravenous tube. God truly gave me "songs in the night". Now I'm up and preparing to go home for another intravenous treatment. The nurse is scheduled to arrive at 9:30 a.m. We'll see.

Running through my mind this morning as I write this post is the phrase, "strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow". That's what is ours as redeemed children of God. Nobody can take that away. I'm rejoicing in the truths expressed by Thomas Chisholm in his great hymn, Great Is Thy Faithfulness.

Sing it with me today, dear Pilgrim Pals:

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Refrain

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Hallelujah! We DO have blessings that cannot be numbered!

Have a good and godly day!

~ David

NOTE: Special thanks to our beloved friend SAIJA for this excellent photo! We love you, dear one!

Musings on Growing Old

North Side of 60

My body's growing older

My hair is fading fast;

There's much less of a future

So much of life has passed.

---

Yet life is so exciting

So much still left to do;

God's strength, I know, will aid me

I love Him so! Don't you?

---

He'll take this aging body

With all its aches and pains;

And use it for His glory

Some losses mixed with gains.

---

So as I journey homeward

With His hand clasped 'round mine;

I'll trust the Mighty Shepherd

And His great plan divine.

---

So join me weary pilgrim

And lean upon His word;

Let's share the old, old story

The greatest ever heard.

---

There is no greater pastime

Than walking with the Lord;

So leave your "things" behind you

He is your Great Reward!

~ David W. Fisher, August 2007

---

Written during a particularly difficult time when things spiritual, physical, emotional and financial were on a collision course. In the midst of the trial, God's mighty hand was revealed in all His glory! Hallelujah!

Mercy Drops...Then Showers

"Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need,
Mercy drops 'round us are falling
But for the showers we plead."

Gabe's Homer Makes Happy Sounds

Our friend Gabe Gross hit his first home run as a Nashville Sounds outfielder last night, giving the Sounds a 1-0 win over the Portland Beavers. Gabe's homer came in the 9th inning.

Hopefully Gabe will be back in Milwaukee before the September call-ups are announced but until then he will continue to thrive on being in the line-up every day.

CONGRATULATIONS GABE, and, "Hi Kelly!"

Pilgrim Song - New Site Launch

Today we launched a new site entitled Pilgrim Song. This site will be a collection of prose and poetry written by David Fisher over the years.

Be sure to check out the brand new Pilgrim Song @ http://www.thepilgrimsong.blogspot.com

Have a great day, dear friends!