Win a Genuine Calfskin ESV Study Bible...FREE

If my friend Tim Challies isn't giving away something FREE he's telling us who is.

Now's your chance to win a beautiful calfskin ESV Study Bible from A Boomer in the Pew. Drop by and visit David Porter's A Boomer in the Pew post where he's making this fantastic offer.

Go ahead check it out! I did and I've added A Boomer in the Pew to my bloglist.

Hope you win! No! I hope I do! Selfish? No, I don't think so!

Africa Nurse

Here's a new blog, Africanurse, I'll be following closely.

Christiane Fox is a Canadian nurse from Nova Scotia who recently began her work in the South Sudan serving with SIM Canada. As my faithful readers will know, I too, have been serving with SIM Canada in our Scarborough office for several months now so we have a connection.

Christiane made the following statement that resonated with my heart in a recent post :

"As much as life here in Doro is good, it isn't always easy. But, I have been blessed by the realization that I am feeling, possibly for the very first time, true and genuine appreciation for the little things in life... well, here they are big things. May God give us the Grace and Gratitude to truly appreciate these things no matter what our circumstances."

God bless you, Christiane! We are praying for you!

Kohl's Notes...A Fascinating Read

If the continent of Africa fascinates you and grabs your attention be sure to check out this site by my friends Paul and Lynn Kohls.

Check out their suggested reading list. Follow their quest to return to Kenya. Partner with them as they prepare for another term in Kenya.

This is a well laid out site...or blog. Check it out here.

Booksellers Unite

One of the most fulfilling experiences in life is making a new friend. The other day the Lord gave me a special gift...a new friend...Vaclav.

I called him as requested by a colleague of mine at the missions agency I work for. We "clicked" immediately. Vaclav, a Christian believer, has a deep seated faith and a love for the Lord and for old Christian books. We share so many similar interests.

Please check out Vaclav's web site, Adullam Christian Fellowship, here. If you want some good old books or a reprint of an old Christian classic, Vaclav is your man.

God bless you my new friend!

Raising Bees

I thought we were raising our granddaughter Victoria, not bees.

Last week Victoria had to dress up 80's style for her youth group and Carol put her hair in a Towel of Babel or Bee Hive style.

By the time she arrived home there was a whole hive of bees buzzing inside.

What next?

Plate Platitudes

While returning home from Toronto today I was following a vehicle with this vanity plate:







Good advice! We learn everything except the art of being still...and knowing that He is God.

A Sobering Thought

This morning as the alarm startled me, bringing to a close a good night's rest, a sobering thought took over my mind. It had to be a "God thing" because it stopped me dead in my tracks and caused a holy introspection that I can't shake.

I'm posting the following lines now because I must capture the moment and share it with YOU. You must hold me accountable! My earnest prayer is that change will be affected and my life tranformed by the truth of the matter. GOD does see our every move, knows our every motive and is aware of every detail of our lives. Why are we content with that as long as nobody else sees all our warts? Aren't we ultimately playing out our lives for an audience of One...the God who created us and redeemed us?

May God, by His Spirit, continue to challenge my hard, cold heart in the days ahead. And, if these deep, deep thoughts are from Him, and I believe they are, may He use them to cause others to think as well...for His name's sake.

Here are the opening lines...

Were my whole life a movie
Shown for all to see;
Just how far in do I think we'd get
Before it embarassed me?

Also, I found it very fitting (and frightening) that the verse for today (The Pilgrim Passage shown on the right) from the ESV seemed to fit right in with what I was being challenged with.

Here's that verse:

"Whoever says "I know him" but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked." - 1 John 2:4-6 (ESV)

Another Prayer Request

Another of my blogging buddies and Pilgrim Pals, Victoria Gaines (or Vicki to us) asks for prayer for her husband Richard. Vicki has been such a wonderful source of blessing and encouragement to me so I encourage you to stop as you read this and lift Vicki & Richard up before the Father, asking Him to work out His purposes. THANK YOU!

Vicki writes:

I need to leave a prayer need here. Richard is still dealing with a huge kidney stone that won't break up and pass, even though he's had TWO lithotripsies at the hospital these past two months. At times, he's very uncomfortable, and behind the big stone are several smaller ones, but I'm afraid they will end up doing something more invasive like surgery. His PSA count is also high, and now they're talking about a prostate biopsy if his blood test is still elevated in 3 weeks.

I'd just feel comforted to know all of you were praying for him. We need wisdom and relief. He has missed so much work due to constant labs, scans, x-rays, and outpatient procedures. He is sick and tired. Last night he went to bed before 8pm, he was so exhausted mentally and physically.

Thanks!!!

Vicki

Rodney's Plea...Pray for Australia

My blogging buddy, Rodney Olsen, from Australia posted the following update on the tragic fires that are causing havoc and loss of life in his country. Please pray that these fires will be brought under control. THANK YOU!

Rodney writes:

Fires are continuing to rage across the Australian state of Victoria. Extreme conditions have made the firefighters’ task even more difficult as they battle to bring the flames under control.

The death toll in the Victorian bushfire crisis is expected to rise above 200 in the next day or so as more bodies are discovered. It is the worst ‘natural’ disaster in Australia’s history. It’s difficult to come to terms with the fact that the fires which are causing untold death and destruction were deliberately lit.

There are still over twenty fires across the area with some towns completely wiped out and others still under threat.

Strathewen, with a population of only 200 people before the bushfires, had lost 30 residents in the last official count.

It’s hard to know what to do in a time like this but it seems to be a very natural thing to want to offer some kind of support to those in need.

At 98.5 Sonshine FM we’re encouraging listeners to do whatever they can to help the survivors of the tragedy.

We’ve placed a number of links on the Sonshine FM website to allow people to make a secure online donation to the organisation of their choice.

There’s also opportunity to post a prayer or a few thoughts for others to read online.

Another List

Thanks to my friend Vicki for this meme or list of 32! My challenge to Pilgrim Scribblings readers...almost all the answers are only 1 word. Let me know your answers. THANKS!

Here goes:

Where is your cell phone…pocket
Your hair………graying
Your father……………heaven
Your favorite thing………books
Your dream last night………weird
Your favorite drink………Earl Grey tea
Your dream/goal…Writer who makes a difference
The room you are in……family room
Your fear………..bugs
Where do you want to be in 6 years…retired in a cabin
Muffins………….pumpkin spice
One of your wish list items…getaway
Where you grew up………Peterborough
The last thing you did…………ate dinner
What are you wearing………grubbies
Your TV………hockey
Your pets……………2 cats
Your computer………writing tool
Your life………hectic
Your mood………reflective
Missing someone……father
Your car………Intrepid
Favorite store……any Christian bookstore
Your summer………too short
Your favorite color……blue
When is the last time you laughed…at the dinner table
Last time you cried…watching Fireproof
Three people who email me……Nicole, Paul, Terry
Three of my favorite foods……lemon pie, turkey, blackened swordfish
Three places I would rather be right now…Pigeon Forge, England, Ireland
Three people I think will respond……Paul, Nicole, Terry
Book reading right now……Night by Elie Wiesel

Come on, friends, let me know what your answers are. THANKS!

Worth Repeating

Here are two quotes from two Christians who have gone home to their eternal reward.

Their legacies live on!

"If I ask to be delivered from trial rather than for deliverance out of it, to the praise of His glory; if I forget that the way of the Cross leads to the Cross and not to a bank of flowers; if I regulate my life on these lines, or even unconsciously my thinking, so that I am surprised when the way is rough and think it strange, 'Think it not strange, Count it all joy,' then I know nothing of Calvary love." - Amy Carmichael (1867-1951)

On The Buses

My blogging buddy Paul Wilkinson from Thinking Out Loud posted this bus ad on his site.

The name of Jesus certainly causes a ruckus or makes things pretty quiet doesn't it!

THANKS, Paul!

Men's Hair. Long or Short?

As a rule I don't like long hair on men. There are a few exceptions though. John Newton, the converted slave trader who penned Amazing Grace, Guy Penrod (until recently with the Gaither Vocal Band) and Tim Burke (former big league pitcher, fellowservant with Hockey Ministries International and a good friend) are three exceptions.

Here's one of my favourite Bill Gaither songs with Guy Penrod taking the lead.

Check out Guy Penrod and the Gaither Vocal Band's rendition of The Old Rugged Cross Made the Difference here.

More Bus Blogging

Here's another bus ad from my friend Richard Tham. He writes, "Being an atheist requires too much faith therefore I believe there is a God." Me too, Richard!

Create a bus ad here at this link, copy the URL and e-mail it to me at dwfisher@nexicom.net and I'll post them here on Pilgrim Scribblings.

The "thanksgiving one" is another of my creations.

Go ahead. Check out the link, add your own slogan and send it to me.

Thanks for yours, Richard!

Billy G's John the B

My friend Greg Asimakoupoulos has penned the following words to honour George Beverly Shea on the occasion of his 100th birthday.

Bev Shea has been a favourite singer of mine since I was a kid. The Wonder Of It All is that I'd Rather Have Jesus than silver or gold and my heart resonates when Bev sings How Great Thou Art. The Stranger of Galilee certainly is no stranger to this Canadian-born icon who has sung about the God who accepts me Just As I Am. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Mr. Shea, and thank you for 100 years of faithful service with the King of kings and with Billy Graham. We have the Blessed Assurance of spending eternity together. Even so come, Lord Jesus!

- David

Greg posted this piece on his web site. Check it out here.

Billy G's John the B

A masculine name, a feminine one,
a New York baseball stadium
recall a legend of our time
who sang from second base.

"I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold,"
George Beverly Shea sang out loudly and bold.
For one hundred years this remarkable man
has called us to "rather Him" too.

He's earned a nod from Willard Scott.
From Billy Graham he's owned a slot.
"How Great Thou Art" would grease the skids
before his good friend spoke.

Like John the Baptist, Mr. Shea
prepared the masses to obey
the one who followed and who gave
the very words of God.

One hundred candles celebrate
a life for whom the bus will wait
to chauffer Bev (just as he is)
when times like these shall cease.

* George Beverly Shea was born February 1, 1909 in Winchester, Ontario, Canada. Originally an radio announcer at WMBI radio in Chicago, "Bev" Shea became a member of Billy Graham's Evangelistic Association some sixty years ago. At each crusade service (often held in sports stadiums), he sang immediately before Mr. Graham stood up to preach. The signature songs associated with the Graham Crusades and Mr. Shea are "How Great Thou Art," "In Times Like These," "Just As I Am," and the gospel song composed by"Bev" Shea... "I'd Rather Have Jesus."

Atheists...Move to the Back of the Bus

It was bad enough that England's buses are going to carry messages/ads paid for by atheists.

Now Toronto is getting on board. What is our world coming to?

Pilgrim Scribblings is taking the matter into our own hands. Check out the message we put on this bus.

Seriously...things are getting so bad that there's a web site now where you can generate your own "bus" message. That's where this one came from. Check it out here.

Of course you've heard of the dyslexic atheist? He didn't believe there was a D O G.

Paul Mackay's Cell Group

They say "the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree".

It must be true with Paul Mackay's kids (from the left...Abby, Anna & Taylor).

Ever try carrying on a conversation with your guests when they're all talking on a cell phone? Impossible!

I'm sure this shot was posed and nobody is really talking...knowing Paul's sense of humour.

Why don't you try calling me sometime Paul? I miss you!

Moratorium on Activity

Ouch! A. W. Tozer's prophetic pronouncements are like a burr under my saddle...again. If there wasn't such a measure of truth in what he said, I'd find myself apologizing for quoting him but his voice (from beyond the grave) cannot be silenced and must be heard. - David

Tozer writes:

Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. - Psalm 139:23-24 (KJV)

Moratorium on Activity

I suppose my suggestion will not receive much serious attention, but I should like to suggest that we Bible-believing Christians announce a moratorium on religious activity and set our house in order preparatory to the coming of an afflatus* from above. So carnal is the body of Christians which composes the conservative wing of the Church, so shockingly irreverent are our public services in some quarters, so degraded are our religious tastes in still others, that the need for power could scarcely have been greater at any time in history. I believe we should profit immensely were we to declare a period of silence and self-examination during which each one of us searched his own heart and sought to meet every condition for a real baptism of power from on high.

taken from The Pursuit of Man, page 94

"Lord, I do pray that You would move in the hearts of leaders in churches everywhere to prompt this time of silence and self-examination. So often activity feeds on itself and it takes a conscious effort to step off the treadmill to re-evaluate. Stimulate our hearts, and quiet us today to hear from You. Amen."

David's note: * afflatus - a divine inspiration or powerful impulse (Webster's New World Dictionary)

Arrested

In yet another "dark night of the soul" God has arrested me and ticketed my awful pride. In those lonely, still, contemplative moments before dusk He spoke loud and clear. Words that cut to the core. I rose, penned these words before they fled and thanked Him for His voice that can still be heard in the midst of the clutter.

Here's what He said:

Please hear what He said:

I stood before a holy God

With blood-stained hands

And broken heart

And in that moment

Saw that I

Had driven nails

That held Him there

My sinful pride

Self-righteous ways

Had caused the Saviour

Needless pain

He could have banished me to hell

For all the hurt

That I had caused

Instead He drew me to Himself

Offered forgiveness

Without cost

And in those Eyes

And on that Face

I read these words

"AMAZING GRACE"

~ David