February 29th

Our new place in Peterborough

The day we've anticipated with bittersweet emotions has finally arrived.  Today is the closing date for the sale of the house we bought  3 1/2 years ago.  

Buying that home wasn't bittersweet.  At the time it was mostly painful as we had downsized...moving from our "dream home" in Cavan.  

It took us a couple of years to really feell at home in Douro-Dummer township but Carol really fixed our home up nicely and by the time we sold it...a couple of months ago...we hated the prospect of leaving it.

Today begins another chapter in our lives.  We have moved into Peterborough  after enjoying rural life for close to 18 years.  Our expenses will be reduced significantly.  Our boys will be able to get around town easier.  There's bus service just down the street.  With gas prices being what they are, we will save a lot just in fuel costs.

So, as we close out the month of February in this Leap Year, we take a leap of faith trusting that God will provide providentially as He has so faithfully done in the past.

As we march into March (or stumble in) we do so wondering what God has in store for us in the days ahead.

We value your prayers as we step into the unknown with the One who holds the future...holding us in His everlasting arms.

THANK YOU!

Gracious Living

Moving day has come and gone for the "pilgrim" and his family.  With it came a drastic lifestyle adjustment.  Last week we sold our beautiful solid oak dining room suite.  We were sad to say "goodbye" to a beautiful piece(s) of furniture but we don't have room it at our new home.

For the past several days we used a molded plastic folding table and some folding chairs.  As I sat down to a delicious meal provided by friends from our church I noticed that brand name of the table...molded into the plastic..."GRACIOUS LIVING".  With an inaudible chuckle I thought "Gracious Living"?  We just sold a dining room suite that more closely resembled "gracious living" than this cheap table does.

We forgot to bring our fancy table with us yesterday (we still have a few small things to move).  So...this morning we didn't have any table so we used the piano bench.

I got to wondering..."What did the children of Isreal use when they ate the manna that God provided every day"?  Did they have tables or did they sit on the ground?

Gracious living?  As believers in Jesus Christ we are the recipients of God's amazing grace.  By appropriating His grace we are able to rise above the daily frustrations that accompany a move like we just made.

But we must appropriate...and that's where I struggle.

Note:  The accompanying photos are not the actual tables which we have used in the past week.

Pilgrim's Progress

The moving on day has finally come.  Even though we've been moving the smaller things, boxes, etc., today is the BIG day.

Today is when the moving van backs up to the house and takes everything away.

We could look at this as the end of an era but I'll choose to think of it as a brand new start.

The children of Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. We are much better off than they were.

THANK YOU for your prayers today!

Sorry...gotta run!  The movers just backed in.

More on our progress tomorrow!

Daytona/Oscars

Two HUGE events were on the calendar for today, Sunday, February 26th, 2012.  The Daytona 500, NASCAR racing's showcase, and the Academy Awards.

Unfortunately rain postponed the Daytona 500 but the Academy Awards should proceed without a hitch tonight.

Back here in Peterborough we've been packing and moving boxes getting ready for the moving van to come tomorrow morning.

So far Carol and I are still speaking to one another.  Moving has to be right at the top of the Stress List.

Anyhow, we are thankful that we will have a roof over our heads, food in our stomachs...strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.

Hopefully the rain that cancelled Daytona won't pour out it's wrath on us tomorrow.

Which film will be voted Best Picture?

Who cares?

Pilgrim Ploddings

Today's post from the pilgrim is a plea for prayer as we pack and prepare to move to our new place.  Did you notice the seven (7) P's in that opening sentence?  

I'll add five (5) more...PLEASE PRAY for patience, persistence and perseverance.

THANK YOU!

Silent/Loud

Today's Pilgrim Scribblings post is written by my friend Greg Asimakoupoulos. I haven't seen the movie "The Artist" but I certainly share Greg's sentiments regarding the power of our actions. Greg writes:

"The Artist" is a silent film
with hopes for Oscar gold.*
It is a brand new movie
even tho it seems quite old.

There's music, but no dialog.
The actions are the key
to making sense of what goes on
as we can plainly see.

The same applies if we feel called
to share what we believe.
To preach and quote the Bible
just might make our listeners leave.

Our actions matter more than talk.
Our doing trumps our words.
The former is received with joy.
The latter's least preferred.

I'd rather see a sermon
that just hear one any day.**
The artist who can act out love
won't need that much to say.

* "The Artist" is nominated for several Academy Awards this year. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1655442/

** This phrase was borrowed from a line in a poem by Edgar Guest.

Yesterday/Today

I'm not going to let yesterday's setbacks hold me back today.

This (today) is the day that the Lord has made.  I will rejoice and be glad in it.

Have a great day, friends!

Moving On

Today's post is an original, not a re-post, although the sentiments expressed have been penned many times before.

Today we take possession of our new (to us) home.  We have a week to transition into our place before we give up our present home so the "move" doesn't have to be made in one day.  We're certainly grateful for that!

I've never met anyone yet who enjoys the stress (and pain) of moving all personal possessions from one home to another and if anyone told me they liked the process I'd tell them they were crazy.

So...words that are meaningful during this stressful time are:

STILL

QUIET

RELAX

BREATH DEEPLY

Easier said than done.

The psalmist's word are welcomed today as we busy ourselves with the move.

"Be still and know that I am God." - Psalm 46:10 (KJV)

Everlasting Arms

Today's re-post was originally penned by Moses many centuries ago.

This verse has sustained me over the years and I consider it to be one of my favourites.

It's as true today as it was the day it was written.

Receive strength and hope today as you meditate on this truth on this, the 21st day of February.

Moses wrote:

"The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." - Deuteronomy 33:27 (KJV)

True Sanctuary

Here's another re-post from my Pilgrim Song site on this, the 20th day of February.

Sanctuary of the Heart

We worship in cathedrals
Tow’ring steeples, organs grand,
Or as the desert mystics
On the wastelands swept with sand.
We hear His voice in forests
As leaves rustle in the breeze
Or pray in tiny closets
In the darkness…on our knees.
We stand beside the ocean
As the mighty billows roll,
Or stand in awe as sunset
Brings deep pleasure to our soul.
We listen to the preacher
As God’s Word he does impart,
But the source of all true worship…
The sanctuary of the heart!

- David W. Fisher, July 2005

"Above all guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." - Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

Growing Old(er)

 This is a re-post of a poem written over 6 years ago when
I was a very young man.  How things have changed! Ha! Ha!

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!

Jagged Rocks

Re-post # 18 on this the 18th day of February.
 
UPDATE ON GOD'S ACTIVITY TODAY...

HE IS ALIVE AND IN CONTROL!!!

The rocky black and white

Stark against the clouds

Can leave me cold and damp

While it the brightness shrouds

But far above the jagged rocks

God is enthroned and hears the knocks

When I am overcome with fear

And long to sense Him close and near

He answers with a powerful word

And I'm at peace...

Thus saith the Lord.

~ David Fisher - September 24th, 2007

Hero's Homecall

Gary Carter

One Hero Has Gone "Home"

Yesterday one of my heroes (of whom I wrote in many previous posts) went "home" to be with Jesus.  The Hall of Famer, Gary Carter, who for many years guarded home plate for the Montreal Expos and the New York Mets succumbed to brain cancer and received the ultimate reward...meeting his Savior, Jesus Christ.

I will be posting a tribute to this wonderful son, husband, father, grandfather, friend, ballplayer and human being this weekend.

Please pray for Gary's beloved wife Sandy, his children and his grandchildren.

Thanks for your friendship, Gary!  You are "safely home".  We will see you again!

Here's a previous post:

In the corner of my office sit two baseball bats. Both have special stories behind them. Both belonged to heroes of mine whose lives are presently going in opposite directions.

Gary Carter, Hall of Fame catcher, gave me one of his bats during the 1976 season while playing for the Montreal Expos. As a result of the special friendship forged with Carter an outreach to professional athletes, Epistle Sports Ministries, was born.

Now, over 35 years later Gary Carter is battling for his life with stage 4 brain cancer taking its toll on this fine man. Our prayers go up on behalf of Gary, his wife Sandy and his incredible family.

The other bat belonged to Mike Matheny, one of the finest men I had the pleasure of meeting in the game of baseball. Matheny only spent one season with the Toronto Blue Jays (1999) but we became good friends. One Sunday following the chapel service Mike presented me with a beautiful black Louisville Slugger bat with a very personal inscription written with a silver Sharpie. There’s a story behind that bat but I’ll leave that for another time.


Earlier this week Mike Matheny was named manager of the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals taking over from Tony LaRussa who retired after leading the Cards to their World Series victory. As one headline stated, “Matheny is short on managing experience but long on character”. He is a fine, godly man. So is Gary Carter.

Mike Matheny

Two bats, two godly men, two divergent courses of life. One wonders why God allows such a special husband, father, grandfather, friend as Gary Carter to go through this horrendous struggle for his life. “Why Gary?”, I mumbled last night. “Why him?” Meanwhile Mike Matheny is realizing his dream. Managing the Cardinals for whom he played and coached.

God has His reasons for allowing these circumstances to intersect with the lives of His people. Somehow, through it all, God will receive glory and lives will be impacted for eternity.

The two bats are a constant reminder of the blessing that these two men have brought to my life. Please pray for both of them. They both are facing challenges that seem immense but “with God all things are possible.”  

Pilgrim Reflections

Here's re-post #16 for February 16th taken from my Pilgrim Song site...a reflection by the pilgrim on my journey "home".

Reflections as I close another day on life's pilgrimage:

The journey's long, the going tough
And oft' the pathway's very rough
But sovereign grace will be enough
'Til I get home.

The storms may rage, the billows roll
And fears assail my troubled soul
But I won't let them take their toll
While here I roam.

The Lord is strong and holds my hand
And while I sojourn in this land
A member of the pilgrim band
I'm nearing home.

Encouraged by my brother's prayers
That lift me o'er my daily cares
Every burden Christ now bears
'Til I get home.

When I arrive on heaven's shore
The cares of life concern no more
I'll praise my God and Master...for
I'm finally home.

~ David W. Fisher, September 14th, 2007

Sin Soup

Here's another re-post from my Pilgrim Song site on this the 15th day of February...re-post month.

SIN SOUP

Last night I began reading Jerry Bridges new book, Respectable Sins. I was reminded again that we tend to categorize sin and use synonyms that make the word "sin" more palatable. SIN is SIN! Don't fool yourself! Call it what it is! We can't escape its reality but we can get freedom over its clutches.

I've had an idea percolating in my mind all day and I've finally put it in writing. I'm serving it up here for all to sample.

Here's that little rhyme mixed with some thyme:

Misdemeanours, mistakes, misdeeds, indiscretions,
Mix them together and add some transgressions;
Throw in some seasoning to make them more tasty,
Boil, then let simmer, now don't get too hasty.
When you smell the aroma from the things you've put in
Just take off the lid, there's a pot filled with SIN.

~ David W. Fisher - November 17th, 2007

Your Invitation

Dear Friend:

Today, the road may have seemed steep, and you feel alone.

Someone you trust has disappointed you.

God sees your tears...He feels your pain.

He longs to comfort you,

for He is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

 God loves you so much

that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die in your place.

He will forgive you for every sin you have committed,

if you are willing to leave your sins

and turn from them.

Maybe you feel,

"He won't forgive my sins

for they are too great.

You don't know the sins I've committed,

I strayed too far from His love."

 I understand your thoughts, dear friend.

I, too, felt unworthy and undeserving of His love.

I stood at the foot of the cross pleading for mercy,

but such is the grace of our God.

The Scripture says,

"...I came not to call the righteous, 

but sinners to repentance."

       ~ Mark 2:17b

Friend, that includes you and me.

No matter how far into the pit you have fallen, 

God's grace is greater still.

The dirty, despondent souls, He came to save.

He'll reach down His hand to hold yours.

With every heart bowed,

slip up your hand if you can say with me

" I am a sinner.

I've been a sinner all of my life.

Forgive me, Lord."

Maybe you are a gambler.

You've gambled your family's money away.

You regret the mistakes of your past,

and you want to be forgiven.

God bless you dear soul!

Are there any other sinners here tonight?

Maybe some of you are like that fallen sinner.

She came to Jesus, knowing He was the One who could save her.

With tears streaming down her face,

she began to wash His feet with tears,

and did wipe them with her hair.

He said,"Her sins, which are many, are forgiven..."

Soul, can He say that of you tonight?

Many of you have tears streaming down your face

as you can relate to her.

Maybe you're not a prostitute,

but you've committed adultery

and you want to be forgiven.

Slip up your hand if you can say with me,

"Forgive me for my wrong doings.

It was never intended for evil,

they were friendly thoughts.

Forgive me for the evil I have done."

You're as guilty as she was,

but the same Jesus who's forgiven her

will also forgive you tonight.

One day you will stand before the Lord,

transparent in His presence.

The books of your life will be open to be judged.

Every thought... every word... every motive of your heart

will be revealed in His illuminating light.

What shall you say in His presence?

Slip up your hand if you can say with me,

"I've made a mess out of my life, I want to be forgiven."

God sees your hand, dear soul.

Sure, you made wrong choices, but He still loves you!

Whenever I pass a cemetery, I remember my time will come.

It might be the end of the road for some of you pretty soon.

Maybe you thought about giving your life to Christ,

but put it off for one reason or another.

"Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts."

                         ~ Hebrews 4:7b

The Scripture says,

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

                        ~ Romans 3:23

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,

and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead,

thou shalt be saved."

                        ~ Romans 10:9

Don't fall asleep without Jesus

until you are assured of a place in heaven.

Tonight, if you would like to receive the gift of eternal life,

first you must believe in the Lord.

You have to ask for your sins to be forgiven

and put your trust in the Lord.

There's only one way to heaven and that's through the Lord Jesus.

That's God's wonderful plan of salvation.

You can begin a personal relationship with Him

by praying from your heart a prayer such as the following:

"O God, I am a sinner.

I am sorry for my sins.

I want to turn from my sin.

I receive Jesus Christ as my Savior;

I confess Him as my Lord.

From now on I want to follow Him.

In Jesus' name, Amen."

If you have received the Lord Jesus as your personal Savior

after reading this invitation, please let us know.

We would love to hear from you. Your first name is sufficient.

Seasons Change

On this the 14th day of February (Happy Valentines Day) I'm reposting another of my poems from the Pilgrim Song blog.  I hope it speaks to your heart.

(Thank you to my friend Saija for this excellent graphic!)

As I read these words, "He changes times and seasons" my poetic juices began to gurgle beneath the surface...

Seasons Change 

He changes times and seasons
According to His will
He always has His reasons
And they are best but still...

We question things and wonder
Why God allows the pain
The storms, the rain, the thunder
Are meant but for our gain.

The icy cold of winter
Yields to the warmth of spring
Our trials though they're bitter
Will end and sweetness bring.

God changes times and seasons
And when the pain we've stood
We'll learn the Father's reasons
He planned them for our good!

 ~ David W. Fisher, May 2008

Grace...Amazing

I'm re-posting earlier articles from my other blogs during the month of February.  

This week I will post items that I have written in the past that appeared on my Pilgrim Song blog. 

Here is the first one for day # 13 of February.  

I pray that you will benefit from these thoughts.

Amazing Grace...

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:

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 W. Fisher – February 2009

God's Delight

Here's another re-post from my Barnabas Blog site on Day # 12 of February.  Revel in God's love today!

One of my favorite Old Testament verses is Zephaniah 3:7 where we read the following:

"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." (NIV)

Although these promises were written to the nation of Judah during the reign of King Josiah, the principles apply to believers today and we can take solace in the fact that our Father feels the same way about us.

Revel in these facts:

He is with us.
He is mighty to save.
He takes great delight in us. (can you imagine that?)
He quiets us with His love.
He rejoices over us with singing. (I struggle to get a handle on that. God actually sings with joy because of me? Wow!)

What a mighty God we serve! O that we might know Him better and rest in His loving embrace!

Bonhoeffer's Prayer

Day # 11 repost from my Barnabas Blog site.


Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote this incredible prayer for his fellow inmates while incarcerated in a Nazi prison awaiting his death.

MORNING PRAYER

O God, early in the morning I cry to you.
Help me to pray
And to concentrate my thoughts on you:
I cannot do this alone.
In me there is darkness,
But with you there is light;
I am lonely, but you do not leave me;
I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help;
I am restless, but with you there is peace.
In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience;
I do not understand your ways,
But you know the way for me…
Restore me to liberty,
And enable me to live now
That I may answer before you and before me.
Lord, whatever this day may bring,
Your name be praised.

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

My Midnights

Day # 10 of February reposts from my Barnabas Blog.  "Go unto Him at midnight."  Have a great weekend!

Last night I was awake for quite some time...my mind racing as it often does. I picked up an old copy of Springs in the Valley, edited by Mrs. Chas. E. Cowman, and found the following thought:

"Go unto Him at midnight!" Let us go when all other doors are barred and even the heavens seem brass, for the gates of prayer are open evermore; and it is only when the sun is gone down and our pillow is but a stone of the wilderness, that we behold the ladder that reaches unto heaven with our Infinite God above it, and the angels of His Providence ascending and descending for our help and deliverance. He is a friend in extremity. He is able for the hardest occasions. He is seated on His throne for the very purpose of giving help in time of need.

No matter if the case is wholly hopeless, and your situation one where you have nothing, and the hour is dark as midnight, "GO UNTO HIM". Go unto Him at midnight. He loves the hour of extremity. It is His chosen time of Almighty interposition.

There's a budding morrow in midnight

So fold your griefs away,

And wait for the bud to open,

A fragrant and fair new day.

Wait for the bud to open,

Cease to worry and to grope;

There's a budding tomorrow in midnight

It's name is The Dawn of Hope.

So today, my friend, remember - He is a friend in extremity! Run to Him and let Him enfold you in His everlasting arms.

"Go unto Him at midnight." - Luke 11:5 (KJV)

Strange Place

Last night we watched an excellent documentary on depression hosted by Off The Record's Michael Landsberg.

I thought it was only fitting that I repost this article on depression from my Barnabas Blog.

This is date # 9 of my February re-postings.  I hope you are encouraged knowing that the Lord will be your strength in any situation.

STRANGE PLACE


Depression can be ugly. Believe me, I've been there. You can mask it for awhile but eventually the ugliness breaks through.

But the Man of Sorrows, Jesus, knows every detail, every nuance, every heartache, every gut-wrenching situation and stands ready to help carry us through the darkest hell.

The other night I couldn't sleep. My mind played games. Ruminating can be disastrous.  But words and phrases that came to mind were placed in sentences and random thoughts became poetry, albeit frightening stuff.

Here's what I wrote about the strange place I found myself in:

This strange place in which I stand

Is neither hell nor promised land;

But shards of both now pierce my soul,

O God, please make me well and whole!

This strange place in which I sit

Can be a throne or deep, dark pit;

But hidden from the Son's warm ray

O God, please take the pain away!

This strange place in which I lie

With dread cry out "O let me die";

Now where I lie or sit or stand,

O God, please take my trembling hand.

This strange place so fraught with pain

Beset by loss and seldom gain;

Can be the place You've brought me to

Where all I have is me...

And YOU!

Copyright © 2011 - David W. Fisher 

God has a way of bringing us out into a better place.  During those dark, depressing hours I reread the 18th Psalm where David joyfully states, "He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me." - Psalm 18:19 (NIV)  

Note:  Your comments are greatly appreciated.  Thank you!

Strength/Hope

Thomas Chisholm

"Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow."  What more could we ask for and be assured by God's promises that we could have what we needed?  This is the 8th post taken from my Barnabas Blog for the month of February.  I pray that you will be blessed and encouraged knowing that we have a great and faithful Father.

Thomas Chisholm's (pictured) powerful hymn Great Is Thy Faithfulness never ceases to move me. What a mighty God we serve! He truly is faithful! He gives strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. Isn't that what we need? Praise Him today for His love!

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!

How Long?

We're almost through the first week of February.  Here's another post from my Barnabas Blog.  I pray that these thoughts will encourage you today on this, the 7th day of February.

The 13th Psalm has been especially meaningful to me over the past two months. The Psalmist David cries out to God and asks, "how long?" four (4) times.  Then he petitions God to respond. Finally his tone takes an abrupt U turn and he praises God for His unfailing love, His salvation and His goodness.

May the final two verses of the Psalm be our testimony today even though our circumstances would cause us to ask "how long?".

"How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?

How long will you hide your face from me?

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart?

How long will my enemy triumph over me?

"Look on me and answer, O LORD my God.

Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death

My enemy will say, "I have overcome him" and my foes will rejoice when I fall."

"But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.

I will sing to the LORD for he has been good to me." - Psalm 13 (NIV

God Understands

Another post from the archives of the Barnabas Blog for the 6th day of February: 

Several weeks ago the Lord gave me the melody to a song as I drove home from Toronto.  I couldn't wait to get to my mother's home to play it on the piano to "lock" the tune into my mind.

A few days later these words came to me. I trust they will be a blessing to you. Come and hear me perform in Carnegie Hall in New York City to hear the melody. Dream along, David!
 

Here are the words and, as you read them, remember that God really does understand the circumstances and nuances of our complicated lives.

GOD UNDERSTANDS

Have you been struggling? No peace can you find

Life is so barren and dry

Darkness surrounds you and friends seem to fail

Clouds always cover your sky.

Chorus:

Hold to His hand,

He’ll understand

He’ll be your refuge and strength

When all around you brings heartache and pain

God will restore and sustain.

He’ll give you joy once again. (after 3rd verse)

When you’ve decided that life is too hard

Worry and fear brought you down

Lift up your eyes to the Savior, my friend

He always cares for His own.

When clouds have lifted and sunshine breaks through

Darkness and gloom pushed aside

You can point others to this Friend divine

And in His arms safely hide.

© David W. Fisher – October 2009

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Be still and know that I am God.” - Psalm 46:1,10 (NIV)

Fully Pardoned

I've posted the 5th article from the Barnabas Blog on this, the 5th day of February:

Lately I’ve been marveling at the extent of God’s forgiveness. When did you last tell someone that they were partially forgiven? You forgave them for 1/3 of what they did but they will have to indefinitely carry the guilt and shame of the other 2/3? If we don’t treat others this way, how much more forgiving must our Father be!

I’ve been considering a particular phrase that the prophet Isaiah penned so long ago. He urged the wicked sinner to forsake his waywardness and turn to the Lord. The wording used in the King James Version is “abundantly pardon”. That’s God’s response to our confession and repentance! There’s no stinted measure of forgiveness there! It’s full and complete pardon!

Horatio G. Spafford, after losing his daughters at sea, wrote the lyrics to one of the most beloved hymns of all time, It Is Well With My Soul. Revel with me as you read (and sing along perhaps) the third stanza: “My sin – O, the bliss of this glorious tho’t- My sin – not in part, but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!” Half-forgiven? NO! They’ve been cast into the sea of God’s forgetfulness, never to be remembered against us again . . . no more. (Note the double negative).

Be encouraged today, dear friend! Rejoice in the Father’s undeserved and unreserved pardon!

“Let the wicked forsake His way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God; for He will abundantly pardon.” – Isaiah 55:7 (KJV)