NICE!

Way too early this morning to be outside fumbling for my keys at minus ten degrees Celsius. I reminded myself that this is how it is. Can’t sleep, things to do, articles to write and places to go and people to see. For a moment I stood there looking up at the starry night. It looked amazing as wafts of clouds scurried by. Almost silent, with the exception of the odd car going by, and I thought to myself, ‘Nice’.

As I pulled out of the driveway on dry roads, I had no idea what was ahead of me. Two blocks down the street a Jack rabbit sprinted across the road in front of me. I thought, ‘Nice’, but why is he up so early? As I turned the bend on the QEW at Guelph Line, the snow started coming and coming faster as I drove east. Things were changing quickly as I took the car off cruise and joined everyone else by slowing in relations to the heavy squall. I thought to myself, ‘Not nice’.

The cackling radio kept us up to date on the snow. “Going north away from the lake is much better”, they kept repeating. Maybe better but still snow was what I was thinking. Well, it was better, and it was still snowing as I continued working my way north on Bronte Road and coming up on Upper Middle. There I was interrupted by what appeared to be a dog trotting in my lane headed in the same direction. As I came closer I realized it wasn’t a dog but what I believe to be a fox. Just short of two car lengths behind him, he turned, saw me and turned to cross over the medium into the south bound lanes. I thought to myself, ‘Nice’.

I parked here at the church, got out of the car and just stood there as the snow continuing to come down. I noticed once again how quiet it is when snow falls. I stood smiling to myself for another minute or so in the cold frigid morning air enjoying the quiet. "Be still and know that I am God". is what He said. Now I knew why He woke me early. I thanked God for the drive and those things that He put in my path to cause me to think again, ‘Nice’.  It’s already a nice day for me, how about you?

Something to think about.

Rob

Throw A Blanket On.

Winter has settled in. So have we. Christmas is over; the late night New Years is a faint memory for those who stayed up long enough to see the old year out. Life now settles as well. No more running around. No gifts to buy, now urgency in our lives. Winter has a habit of doing that to most of us. So, sit back and wait for the arrival of the first Snowbells.

For the adventurous ones, there are outdoor sports and some even love the thought of making snow angels.  Let’s face it, a hot mug of co-co, while sitting in the easy chair, watching reruns on tv fills most of our long dark night. Might I add that we already have almost an hour more of sunlight.

Other than in our physical world, we have long dark nights in our life as well. Not ones dictated by sunrises and sunsets, just long dark nights when we feel cold and all alone. You can feel this in your easy chair just as well in a crowded movie theater. There is no one reason to experience this dark night before the dawn. There are lots of reasons, and each of them, just as important as the rest.

And sometimes it’s just the way life is. We sit inside where it’s warm and cozy. Look out the front picture window of our homes and just think. Think about what was, what is, what could have been, what might of been and what will be. Sometimes we look at this time of year as the time to take a break and just relax from the frantic events of life. It feels so good.

It’s also that time when we can make up for lost time. Admit it. It’s been a while since you opened your bible and read about Jesus and how He changed lives. He still is in the life changing business you know. And His business right now it to change you. Open up the book and turn to the first chapter of John, begin to read and in your slower paced life, envelop your mind and heart in the heart of Jesus as He walked with everyday people like you and me and be changed.

Something to think about.

Rob

yesterday - TODAY - tomorrow

“I’ll do it tomorrow.” Many of us have used that line. Some of us use it all too often. It’s quite the statement when you really think about it. But what are you really saying? I think what we are saying is, and I include myself in this, first, it’s not important right now and second, I have time to get to it some other time. In most cases it is probably true but not in all cases. Life changing decisions need to be dealt with at the time. I can put off washing the car until Friday but I can’t put off sending off that job application. I can do the dishes tomorrow but I can’t wait for another time to do the assignment that is due now.

Here is something else. There are things we can put off and others that we need to do right now to make our lives more enjoyable. ie – Not feeling well and knowing you need to see a doctor. I know someone who put off going to university and now – they think it’s too late. To which I say, “It’s never too late”. Which makes me ask, is there a time when it’s really too late? MMMMM. Here is something else to add to the discussion.  If you have something to do and you get to it right away, you have a long time to enjoy whatever you have done. Paint a picture, enjoy for the rest of your live. Plant a garden and enjoy God’s beauty until the first frost of fall.

Today you have something to do, something that will enrich your life, something that you should not put off until tomorrow because today is the time, and something that will change your life forever. No, I’m not going to tell you about seizing the day or anything like that. I just want to encourage you to do what you need to do so the joy of having a whole life to enjoy it is available to you. Yes, that includes accepting Christ today and living the rest of your life with Him in your heart. 2 Corinthians 6:2 reads in part; ‘I tell you, now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation’.

Something to think about

Rob

Lead By Example

Been thinking of the past lately. No, not 2014, not even 1994. I’ve been thinking of a gentler time. Way back before having lunch at school. Life was in many ways so different. Still makes me smile when I think of what my brother and I got into. But that is another story hidden behind these two ‘innocent’ faces.

There is one thing I remember vividly about those early years. Back then, you could go outside and have a wonderful time and parents didn’t have to worry about us. Yes, there appeared to be nothing to harm you, and you didn’t worry yourself about supervision. Just go outside and play. Then, when the streetlights would come on we would hear our name being called: “Robin, Paul, time for supper”. Those were the days.

I guess there is another side to this free time. We could go and do anything we wanted. Us neighbourhood kids would gather together and start some game or other. Depended on who had a ball and what the temperature outside was. The other side was, our parents trusted us not to get into any trouble. Like a ball through a window, or some other foolish thing a pre-teen would do. They also knew, and so did we, that when our name was called, you came running. You never wanted to hear all your given names ring out across the neighbourhood . . .

Many times we read about the Son of Gods call. Remember when Jesus called the first four? He used those exact words, “Come, follow me....”, and they did. I don’t know about you but as I got older I had questions about coming when I was called. Today they call is selective hearing.  As an adult, would you want to know a few things before you pack up my old kit bag and go? What would you be thinking? In fact, what are you thinking now? What’s the pay, what is the job description, how much training, will I like the job, want the job, and how about the pension plan etc?

Now, we think different and react different but let me tell you, we are all called. It’s not just the select few. As soon as we give our life to God in Christ, He calls your name, and repeats those familiar words, “Come, follow me”. Do you know what you are called to? If not, talk to Him and He will tell you all you need to know. Here is what I know, when He asks me to follow, it’s not going to be boring but exciting, amazing, challenging and rewarding. Are you ready? Hey, He just called your name . . .

Something to think about

Rob