Uncertain Times

Here's another devotional from David Jeremiah's Turning Point online ministry.

UNCERTAIN TIMES...The Pleasure of Grace

Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. - 2 Corinthians 12:9

God's faithfulness is not proved by the absence of trouble, tension, calamity, disaster, or personal pain. Indeed, His faithfulness is seen most clearly in those times when we question His plan and feel the pain of our circumstances.

Besides Jesus himself, no one suffered as consistently for God's sake as did the apostle Paul. In 2 Corinthians 6:3-10 and 11:21-30, he catalogs the varieties of pain and hardship he experienced. God's faithfulness to Paul was not seen in the avoidance of pain but in the supply of grace needed to endure it. Paul had such a deep understanding of the role of grace in his life that he said he took "pleasure" in what he suffered for Christ's sake because it resulted in a greater revelation of God's grace (2 Corinthians 12:10). When we arrive at the place of glorying more in the presence of grace than in the absence of pain, we know we are making strides toward maturity.

If you are in the midst of trouble right now, develop the discipline of pleasuring in the experience of grace—the greatest indicator of God's faithfulness.

"The end of life is not to be happy, nor to achieve pleasure and avoid pain, but to do the will of God, come what may." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Never Deny A Man His Coffee

Over the years I've been blessed and enriched by the written ministry of Lloyd Ogilvie. Several of his books are on my shelves. This morning I read the following story on my friend Stephen Weber's online devotional site.

Here's the story:

One Sunday when Lloyd Ogilvie was the Senior Pastor of Hollywood Presbyterian Church, he awoke early because he wanted to go over his sermon a few more times.

Before he left his home, he grabbed some bills from the top of his dresser so that he could buy a cup of coffee on the way to his study. When he arrived at a convenience store near the church, he parked his car and got out.

Suddenly, a group of men emerged from the darkness and surrounded him ominously. One of them said in a rough voice, “We want you to buy us some coffee.” Obviously this was not what Lloyd had planned to do with his time or his money. But he sensed the danger of the moment, and wanted to act with kindness even in this situation. So he counted the seven men who stood before him, and then counted the bills in his pocket. Luckily, or perhaps providentially, he had seven one-dollar bills, which he doled out to the men. As they retreated into the shadows and Lloyd started to get back into his car without a cup of coffee, one of the man said, “Thanks, Dr. Ogilvie.” With a start, Lloyd realized that this man knew who he was.

Later that morning, this same man came to the worship service where Lloyd was preaching. After the service he came forward for prayer. He needed healing in his life in a desperate way, and found elders of the church who were willing to pray for and care for him. Lloyd felt grateful that he had fought off the temptation to deny the men the coffee that they had demanded. Perhaps God had used his kindness to make a real difference in the life of this one troubled individual.

Years later, when Lloyd was Chaplain of the Senate, he flew to Alaska to lead a prayer breakfast there. The morning of the breakfast, he awoke early to go to the venue and be sure everything was ready. As he emerged from the elevator, he faced an impeccably dressed man who was a leader of the prayer breakfast. This impressive man said to Lloyd: “Dr. Ogilvie, you don’t remember me. But many years ago, some men and I asked you for coffee outside of the Seven-Eleven store. Your kindness got me to church that day, where God began to turn my life around. Now I’m a vice president of a radio station up here, and God is doing wonderful things in my life.”

Before Dark

Many of us start the Christian race strong but the rigours of the journey sidetrack some and they fail to finish well. Some lives are, in the words of the apostle Paul, shipwrecked. What a tragedy!

I read the following quote this morning in David Jeremiah's devotional. May this be the prayer of every believer today:

"Few, they tell me, finish well. Lord, let me get home before dark." - Robertson McQuilkin

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." - 2 Timothy 4:7,8 (NIV)

The Blessing of Brokenness

The following devotional thought appears today on David Jeremiah's Turning Point online devotional. Food for thought!

My heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake. - Jeremiah 23:9

The word "broken" occurs 28 times in the book of Jeremiah, and 3 more times in his book of Lamentations. He was a man whose heart was broken by the sins of his people and the tragedies of his times. We feel his sadness throughout the book as he says things like: "Why did I come forth from the womb to see labor and sorrow?" (Jeremiah 20:18).

Yet think of how greatly God used Jeremiah despite—or because of—his broken heart! He drew people to God in his own day, he predicted the return of Israel from exile in future days, and his book has been ministering to the world for 2600 years.

The Bible says that God is able to comfort others with the comfort He gives to us in broken times (2 Corinthians 1:3-7).

We can't always avoid broken hearts, broken relationships, broken promises, and even broken items. But when our brokenness is laid at the feet of Jesus, He can use our shattered circumstances to draw others to Him, and we can rejoice in spite of our pain. After all, Jesus himself was broken and spilled out for us.

"Come, oh come, with thy broken heart, weary and worn with care; Come and kneel at the open door, Jesus is waiting there." - Fanny Crosby

The Quiet Place

Everyone needs a place. A quiet place. A safe place. A spot where tears can flow. Broken hearts can be mended. Burdens unloaded. Do you have "a place"?

My office is a gift from the Father. Some of my colleagues call it a library. One wall is lined with books, about a thousand of them. There are four other bookshelves interspersed throughout my "place".

A comfortable occasional chair sits on an angle in a corner. Guests to my office hesitate to sit there because they become "too comfortable". They might fall asleep.

Background music plays softly from my laptop computer. A box of tissues is always nearby should tears emerge. This is my quiet place!

This morning I needed a gentle touch from the Almighty. A reminder that He cares deeply about the things which trouble me. From time to time I engage in an exercise that I wouldn't usually recommend.

I reached for the wisdom and counsel of others. Taking four devotional books from my shelves I turned to June 26th to see what timely words had been penned by Jill Briscoe, Watchman Nee, John MacArthur and Amy Carmichael. My prayer was that at least one of these writers would speak words of peace to my burdened soul.

Earlier I cautioned my readers that this isn't an exercise I would always recommend. Why? We need to find our ultimate direction from God's inerrant word, the Bible. Books only supplement the truths we find throughout the scriptures. All too often we look for a quick fix in a volume penned by mortals rather than searching the scriptures for God's eternal word to us.

Anyhow, Jill Briscoe had written about humility and how it is grown and cultivated in the desert places of our lives. She wrote of Elijah and John the Baptist and how their character was divinely shaped in the literal and spiritual desert experiences of life. She writes, "If we have humility we know we can tell Jesus when we're weak. Humility helps us to be strong even when we are in a prison of death, doubt or despair. Prideful people won't ask. They try to figure it all out for themselves. But, then, pride doesn't live in the desert...with God."

So, dear friends, where is your quiet place? Today it may seem like a desert place. Does God seem absent? Looking back you will discover that He was there all along, holding you with His everlasting arms.

Today, be still and know...that He is God and He is cultivating humility in you...if you will but let Him.

"The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." - Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)

Does His promise seem too good to be true? Is your spirit parched from a prolonged desert experience? Let Him pour the water of life into your life...freely. HE CARES and He's cultivating humility. Rest in Him!

No Comment

Sometimes the best response to something or someone is "no comment". At times our own opinions are best left unsaid.

For blog writers (and readers) like myself we thrive on comments, positive or otherwise. At least we know we're being read.

These pilgrim scribblings have been penned now for over 3 and a half years. Comments have been widespread...usually positive. Lately though they have been almost non-existent. Are the scribblings becoming stale? Are the readers too busy to add a comment? I'm not sure. Every so often I'll hear about someone whose life has been enriched by a devotional thought or a real-life experience that I have scribbled on this blog. It's always encouraging to hear or read these remarks.

The mother of a dear friend of ours has been visiting this site in recent months. Apparently she has been encouraged. That excites me!

How about you? Why not leave me a note. Let me know it these thoughts are meeting a need.

Thanks so much for your visits, dear friends!

May the God of all grace touch your life today and minister peace and hope through Jesus Christ our wonderful Lord. AMEN!

~ David

Morning and Evening

This morning Psalm 141 caught my attention. Our first thoughts upon rising should be heavenward, a prayer of thanksgiving and commitment to the Father. Why wait until the cares of the day have distracted us? We petition God, "hasten to me". We should rush to Him at the beginning of a new day invoking His strength and presence as we embark on another adventure.

As I child I remember hearing the question posed, "Do the members of an orchestra tune their instruments after a concert or before?" Of course we know the answer. In the same way, we should be in touch with the Giver of Life as we begin the day rather than waiting until we fall into bed exhausted at day's end.

So, we begin our day in prayer, which God counts as precious incense, pleasing to Him. Hours later after a full day we raise our hands (figuratively or actually depending on our preference) in praise and thanksgiving as our evening sacrifice.

Will we offer our sovereign God the incense and sacrifice due to His name today?

A Psalm of David

"O LORD, I call upon you; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to you! Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice! Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!

But my eyes are toward you, O GOD, my Lord; in you I seek refuge..." - Psalm 141:1-3,8(a) (ESV)

Bad News...Good News

Friday! Bad news...good news! Two friends go in two different directions.

Tuning in to The Fan 590 I learned that my friend John Gibbons, the manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, had been fired. I wasn't shocked but I was certainly disappointed. John is such a good guy. Down to earth, easy to like, affable, always accommodating. He was always so good to me. I'll miss him but we'll stay in touch.

Later in the day another friend, Zach Bogosian, was picked 3rd overall in the NHL draft by the Atlanta Thrashers. Zach's dream is to play in the NHL at 18 years of age. He will. We'll miss him here in Peterborough with the Petes. Zach and his parents became good friends during his sojourn in Peterborough. Now he's on a fast track to the NHL.

Two friends, two different directions. That's sports. That's life. That's what my life and ministry, Epistle Sports Ministries, is all about. Consoling athletes during the tough times. Congratulating them when things are going well. And...all the time...pointing them to Jesus.

God bless you John and Zach! Our friendship will continue no matter what!

Grass

"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." - Isaiah 40:8 (NIV)

"All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever." - 1 Peter 1:24,25 (NIV)

"If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!" - Luke 12:28 (NIV)

Next time we complain about having to cut the grass let's remember these verses.

The Day God Dropped By

God gently knocked on my office door. With halting words I welcomed Him. He had dropped by before. Many times. This time he wore a crisply ironed blue dress shirt and a complimentary yellow tie. Coffee in hand, He looked dapper, not ostentatious. That rare mix of professionalism and humility.

First, he listened to my troubled heart. As I unburdened my cares the Burden Bearer cared. Then He spoke peace. No pat answers. No clichés. “This is NOT a today thing”, he said. “We will get it done!”

His empathy touched me deeply. As tears surfaced He reached behind me, took a tissue from the box and lovingly handed it to me.

As quietly as He entered the room, He was gone. My dark day lightened. My anxious spirit was lifted. His presence lingered.

Looking back on this serendipitous meeting, I praise God that He chooses to engage us at the point of our deepest need. I required the counsel of an accountant. He came as a CA, a good one.

My accountant was truly a CA yesterday. Christ’s Ambassador. He represented his Master well. He always does. A man of integrity for sure.

Have you had a life-changing encounter with the Burden Bearer lately?

Listen! He may be knocking at the door!

~ David W. Fisher, May 18th, 2008

Change Me First

Thank you Saija for this excellent graphic. How true! We wait for God to change our circumstances when it might be us who needs to undergo some renovations.

"Father, change me if that's what is needed. I may balk at first but deep down inside I'm convinced that You know best. Through Jesus Christ I pray, AMEN!"

Morning Mercies

Morning Meditations, Morning Mercies

"Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD." - Lamentations 3:21-26

Slipping Into the Shadows

Today we drove away from our Cavan home for the last time. Carol and I had gone in separate vehicles so we didn't get to talk about our feelings as we pulled away. Maybe that's a good thing! The pain was almost unbearable. I didn't want to talk to anybody for fear of hearing pat answers.

Tonight was the year-end program at our children's Christian school. It was a great evening but I didn't want to be there. I didn't want to see anyone. Didn't want to talk. Just wanted to bury my head...and cry.

I'll be alright though. The sovereign God of the universe is also this pilgrim's heavenly Father and He chooses to draw me close and whisper "peace". What a tender, gracious Father to those who grieve the loss of things we deem important!

Tonight I feel like I'm slipping into the shadows. Even if I do, He will go with me there and bring me back into His glorious Light.

Thus...the following poem came easily this evening. Please pray for Carol and me. Carol is experiencing her own grief and loss. We perceive things differently, grieve in different ways but both feel the same pain. Thanks for praying, precious Pilgrim Pals.

SHADOWS

Darkness surrounds me
Discouragement buffets me
Despair is waiting just 'round the next bend,
Can't seem to shake it
Don't want to fake it
Slipping into the shadows
Where fear bares its teeth.

Nothing excites me
Everything frightens me
When will this cloudy sky turn into blue?
Frustrated, angry
Wondering...why me
Groping round in the shadows
God's hiding from me.

This is the heartcry
Of many who pass by
How can I ever escape from this pain?
Father can see you
Jesus will free you
From dark, fearful shadows and
Fill you with Light.

- David W. Fisher - June 16th, 2008

O Zion Haste

Today I stopped at my mother's home to say "hi" and to play a few hymns on her piano, the one I unwillingly practiced on 50 years ago as a kid.

The hymn book was opened to one of my all-time favourite hymns. You could fittingly classify this one as a missions anthem. It's compelling! It's victorious! It's moving!

As I played this piece of music I couldn't hold back the tears. What a glorious message we have to tell to the nations! Why are so few going, sending or supporting?

Here are those powerful lyrics:

O Zion, haste, thy mission high fulfilling,
To tell to all the world that God is light,
That He who made all nations is not willing
One soul should perish, lost in shades of night.

Chorus:

Publish glad tidings, tidings of peace;
Tidings of Jesus, redemption and release.

Behold how many thousands still are lying
Bound in the darksome prison house of sin,
With none to tell them of the Savior’s dying,
Or of the life He died for them to win.

Proclaim to every people, tongue, and nation
That God, in Whom they live and move, is love;
Tell how He stooped to save His lost creation,
And died on earth that we might live above.

Give of thy sons to bear the message glorious;
Give of thy wealth to speed them on their way;
Pour out thy soul for them in prayer victorious;
O Zion, haste to bring the brighter day.

Encouraging Words

Encouragement for weary pilgrims comes in many forms. We can be certain that our unchanging, faithful God will choose various and sundry means by which to lift His beloved children. The ultimate source, without question, is His inerrant word, the Bible.

Today I was enriched as I read Psalm 70. David, the psalmist, was desperate for God's intervention and wanted His help immediately. He writes in verse 1, "Hasten, O God, to save me; O LORD, come quickly to help me." He then closes with another petition for quick aid, "come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay." That was my heart's cry this morning as I sought the Lord's help.

God's timing is always right. We seek a quick response. He often chooses to let us wait. Regardless, He is passionately concerned with our spiritual wellbeing and will come to our aid in His perfect way and time. We need to trust Him.

Hypocrites Amongst Us

Want to be challenged? How long since you've really been convicted by the indwelling Spirit of God?

Nathan White has written a compelling post concerning hypocrisy on his Shepherd the Flock blog that is MUST reading for every born-again Christian who claims to be a child of God. I was cut to the bone by Nathan's challenge.

Read it here or ignore it to your peril. Thanks, Nathan, for speaking the truth...in love.

Because They're Right

This morning I read this quote and thought, how true. It's easier said than done though. Are we willing to stand for what is right...at all costs?

Here's that quote:

"My basic principle is that you don't make decisions because they are easy; you don't make them because they're popular; you make them because they're right." - Theodore Hesburgh

An Anxious Heart

My dear friends Stephen and Brooksyne Weber (pictured) carry on a vital ministry of encouragement online. Their Daily Encouragement devotionals are always meaningful, Christ-centered and uplifting. Today's was no exception.

I've already been the recipient of God's loving kindness today. I was battling an anxious heart. Feeling overwhelmed by the cares of life, I called my dear friend and mentor Paul Collet and came away with a refreshed spirit. He cheered me up and my anxiety subsided.

Enjoy Stephen and Brooksyne's thoughts today:

"An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up" (Proverbs 12:25).

Have you personally experienced the first part of today's verse? That is; an "anxious heart""weighs a man down." Of course I know what your answer is to that question. Someone once defined worry as "a small trickle of fear that meanders through the mind, cutting a channel into which all other thoughts flow."

The perspective of trust is at the very heart of being a child of God. It's great to be a child of God today! My sins are forgiven and the God of the universe beckons me to call Him "Father." I have an assurance that He cares for me and His promise is that He will never leave me nor forsake me. Wow, if I just keep that bright perspective the troubling "things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace."

But I still find myself identifying with the first phrase in the daily verse. An inner battle rages between trust and worry. Trust dispels worry, but much like the popup figures in an arcade shooting gallery, worry tends to keep popping back up!

The anxieties of this life really do weigh one down. Sometimes it seems they really press on the heart and one can literally feel the weight (the KJV says it "maketh it stoop"). I'm sure most of you know what I mean. And I wouldn't be surprised if some of you reading this message are experiencing a heavy anxious heart even now.

Thank God for the power of a kind word! I have so often been the recipient of such words. An earnest "I'm praying for you", a caring "How's your health?", or a sincere "I really appreciate you." Words like these really cheer the heart up and in each of the above examples I can recall a specific instance that I continue to draw energy from. The word for "cheer" is literally derived from a Hebrew word meaning to "brighten up."

I hope you receive some kind words today and dispense some kind words yourself, as you fulfill the Biblical principle of sowing what you desire to reap.

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, the cares of this world often press in on us and weigh our hearts down. It's not your desire that we carry a heavy load because You are the Burden Bearer. You use the difficult circumstances of our lives to bring glory to Yourself as You bring spiritual maturity into our relationship with You. Our faith is strengthened and our understanding deepened as You take the evil that Satan hurls at us and turn it into glorious occasion for Your power to be released and deliverance to take place. You are the same God who led us into battle that will also lead us to victory in Jesus name, amen.

Movin' On Up

“Well we're movin’ on up, to the east side.” Viewers of the television series The Jeffersons heard these lyrics each week as the popular show was introduced.

Like the Jeffersons, we’re movin’ on up to the east side. June is moving month and we’re bidding farewell to the beautiful Millbrook/Cavan area and re-locating to the east side of Peterborough.

Moving month? Seems like we’ve been packing for six months or more. Our house sold last December and the search for another home began in earnest. By the end of February or early March the offer on our “new to us” home was accepted and we began packing. Every room is piled high with boxes. In decorating terms, the “look” is transitional.

After garage sales on three consecutive Saturdays and donations of toys and clothing to numerous charities we’re still buried in “stuff”. My library of 4,000 volumes has almost been cut in half and we don’t know where we’re going to put the ones I’ve kept.

We recently emptied the two storage units we had rented. My friend and I loaded up the rental truck twice and deposited the contents in mom’s garage. After an evening of sluggin’ we were so stiff we could hardly move.

Moving! It ranks right up there with root canals and cold brussel spouts. Not a fun experience, especially for two pack rats. Fourteen years ago when we moved to Cavan from Toronto we thought we’d never relocate again. But here we go. At least we’ve had six months to prepare for it…or dread it.

One day we will make our final move. For those who have made preparations for the final journey they’ll be moving on up again. This time it will be like the lyrics of an old gospel song. “Movin’, movin’, movin’ up to Gloryland.”

For the redeemed child of God heaven will be our destination. How do we prepare? Not by packing boxes but by entrusting our lives to a faithful God who has given us eternal life through His Son. Another gospel song states, “My bags are all packed and I’m ready to go!”

How about you? Are you ready?

“I am going to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me.” – John 14:3 (NIV)

Note: No, that's not our new home. It's the tool shed in the back yard. Pretty nice though.

Moving Day(s)

Today and tomorrow we are moving (in earnest) and we value your prayer support!

Thanks so much for your encouragement during this difficult time. God is good and we praise Him for the added strength He is graciously providing.

More scribblings later... David

The Pilgrim's Progress

Yesterday we received the keys for our "new to us" home (pictured in the winter) and began moving van loads of boxes to the new location.

Today was more of the same. Tonight Victoria, our granddaughter, and I rewarded ourselves for all our hard work by relaxing in the outdoor hot tub.

The new house is smaller with only a fraction of the acreage but there are a few perks like an inground pool and the hot tub.

Tomorrow we'll load up the van a few more times. Friday and Saturday will be moving days for the big stuff, the furniture.

Thanks for your prayers as we make this transition. It isn't easy but we are trusting God to give us the strength we need. THANK YOU!

An Appreciation

Recently I enjoyed a Southern Gospel concert featuring Greater Vision (pictured) and The Browns. I'm often ridiculed (lovingly, I think) for my taste in music. I don't care! When I hear a group like Greater Vision (my favorite) sing the anthem-like hymn A Mighty Fortress is our God with such power and emotion I'm moved to tears. Time and time again God has ministered to this pilgrim's weary spirit through this genre of music. Think what you want, I thank God for this style of music. The other evening I wondered if I could possibly express my appreciation for Southern Gospel music in 100 words or less. Being a writer I always enjoy the challenge of reducing my word count.

So, my friends, here's my attempt. You will note that the italicized, bolded words are song titles:

‘Til the storm passes by I’ll have a deep appreciation for Southern Gospel music. In other words, until I die or God calls me home.

Four-part harmony (or three) accompanied by a skilled pianist singing tunes that tell of God’s amazing grace moves me to the core.

I need reminders that I’m sheltered in the arms of God and that farther along I’ll know all about it and…I’ll understand why.

No one ever cared so much as Jesus and hearing godly men like Gerald, Rodney and Jason sing of God’s faithfulness refreshes my spirit.

There it is, my friends! 94 words. By the way, did I make myself clear?

Post # 1600 - But We See Jesus

Here we are at post # 1600 on Pilgrim Scribblings! We've been at this for 3 1/2 years and what a blessing it has been!

To celebrate our 1,600th post I'm adding the poem/hymn from today's devotional in OUR DAILY BREAD.

"But we see Jesus! Oh, what peace!
What balm for troubled heart!
His very name brings rest and calm
And bids the fears depart." - Adams

Have a blessed day!

~ David - the Pilgrim

Never Doubt in the Dark

Night

I fished this out of the archive pool. This is how I felt this morning. Again. Funny how history repeats itself. ~ David the Pilgrim

Tossing, turning
Can’t get to sleep
Rehearsing what may happen
But never does.
Every hour
On the hour
Will morning ever come?
Suddenly night is gone
A new day has broken
I arise and
Put on my clothes
But can’t
Put off the blackness.
Friends come alongside
Some understand
Others don’t.
I write when
Nothing else helps.
I wrote an author
Who understands.
Just that simple act
That only took five minutes
Lifted the burden
Tore away the curtain
That veiled His face.
Rain began to fall
Outside my window
But the sunshine of
God’s love
Beat upon my spirit.
I had turned the corner
I would be alright.
God is still on the throne
He will care for His own
He did today
He will tomorrow.
I will rest in peace
Tonight.
Because God will be up
All night
And I gave Him
My concerns.
Good night!