Consider this

 Some hopeful thoughts in a strange year.  

                   Imagine being a shepherd watching sheep at night.   Now imagine watching sheep for years and years of nights.   That does not sound very interesting or overly exciting.   Yet, one night, was unlike any other.                 “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.   An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified” (Luke 2:8-9).                 Of course they were terrified!   However, that fear did not last for long because the angel said, “I bring you good news of great joy… a saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord!” (verses 10-11).                   Then that strange night became even more strange when a crowd of heavenly beings appeared saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on e

 Three small gifts that can have a huge impact both now and forever.  

 When we are frustrated or on the the edge, we often take it out on those closest to us. Here is a better option.  

 Admitting how you really feel is the first step to feeling better.  

                   I picked the wrong day to go to the post office!                 The line was so long that it started outside the building.   When I finally made it in, I saw the problem immediately.   An older lady was trying to ship several huge packages and she was having a lot of trouble.   First, she could barely lift any of the parcels onto the counter.   Then she could not hear what the Canada Post worker was telling her.   The insurance options were confusing her, and she had no idea what to do with the tracking number she was given.                 As I stood there watching this, I thought, “Oh come on!   There are 29 people in this line, and you are taking forever!   I have better things to do than stand here all day!”                   Then I overheard the lady say, “I am sending these presents to my grandkids.   They wer

 If we are ever going to find the peace that we need, we must look in the right place.  

 Things may seem dark right now... but don't worry! God is not asleep!  

 Most of us are waiting for something right now. How we do that waiting will determine whether this time is useful or wasted  

 Some say that all rules are legalistic and bad. That is not true... not even close!  

 Life is about choices. Here is an easy one that has a huge impact  

 Too often we get so focused on the end result that we forget about today... but today is the most important part!  

             When I was a kid, I spent hours pouring over the Sears Christmas Wish Book, marking all the important pages.   I can still see the blue and yellow remote-controlled airplane that I wanted so badly.   I spent hours staring at the Toronto Maple Leafs jerseys trying to decide whether I liked the blue or the white ones better.   I read the description of the Electronic Quarterback video game so many times that I could probably repeat it word for word.   I dreamed about having a real Cooper goalie mask.                 My mom was great, and we got a lot of the things we wanted.   In fact, I have two Maple Leafs jerseys, one white and one blue, and my old Electronic Quarterback game in a box at my house. My goalie mask hangs on the wall in my garage right now.   Getting those presents meant a lot to me, but I realize now that part o

 When we remember what God has done for us...we will not be worried about what he will do with us.  

   Getting out of our own way is half the battle.  

 "God protects his people" - yes! But be very careful how you apply that truth.  

Christians are supposed to live differently, but sometimes we do that in a way that just makes us look weird. Colossians 2 gives us some better options. Ones that may even be attractive to others.  

 Most of our success will be measured over the long term... not the short term  

                   Every September, the staff at Sara’s school have a party to celebrate the start of the new school year and to welcome new staff to the group.   This year’s event was the best one ever!                 One of the teachers said that he would host everyone in his backyard.   Then, he made a great decision.   He brought his Alexa, a voice operated computer that is hooked to the internet, out into the yard and said, “We are going to go around the circle and you have to tell Alexa to play a song and then you have to explain why you like that song and what it means to you”.                 People would ask Alexa to play a song and then say, “This was our graduation song”, or “This is the first song that we dance to at our wedding”.   Someone else would play one and then tell about seeing that band in concert.   I was surprised, not only by the r

Most Christians want to help build the body of Christ, but they not know where to start. Here are three powerful ways you can contribute... starting today!  

 If we love God, everything should be easy, right? No! Not by a long shot!  

 We all know what makes us miserable... maybe it is time to focus on what could help us be happy.  

 It is easy to form the church so that it fits us. Unfortunately, having a church that fits us has never been the goal. We need a better approach.  

 It is tempting to jump to conclusions, but sometimes we just do not have enough information to know what is really going on.  

 I may have underestimated the power of prayer. Maybe you have too.  

                   It seemed almost impossible.   They had lost everything.   The Babylonians took their land, crushed their cities, and deported God’s people to a new home a thousand kilometers away.                   For seventy years, they lived in that strange land until God brought them back home.   Finally, they could rebuild their houses, their lives, and, most importantly, the temple of God in Jerusalem.                 Unfortunately, their initial enthusiasm did not last long.   They finished their homes, but they hardly touched the temple.   In fact, when they started working on it, they encountered so much opposition that they decided that it was going to be too hard and they quit.   They had no resources.   They had no support from their neighbours.   It seemed as if everything was against them and, in their discouragement, they just gave up (Haggai 1:2).                 Does any of this sound familiar?   Granted, we have not had our land taken away by some foreign ar

   Understanding and celebrating our spiritual journey  

  You never know when everything will change. All you need is a starting point.    

  You may feel stuck, but the truth is that things change..... and, for believers, that change is always for the better. 

   It is easy to get confused, or to think that we need something more.... but there is nothing more important than Jesus  

   Too often we dwell on bad memories. Here is one simple shift that can help.  

   If you ever wished that you could go back to being a kid, here is some good news!  

                  The Thanksgiving long weekend has just ended, and I hope you enjoyed it.   I cannot think of another year where we have needed a reminder to be thankful more than this one.                 People are tired.   They are depressed.   They are worn out and, when that happens, it becomes much easier to worry, awfulize, and focus on what we think is wrong all around us.                 However, the truth is that most of what makes our lives good remains relatively untouched by the odd circumstances of this year.   Even in the most difficult times, there are many things for which we can be thankful.                 Oftentimes, the scriptures that we know and love the most, were written to, or by, those who were in bad situations.   Listen to the apostle Paul as he wr

 It is the Thanksgiving Day long weekend... and I can't think of a year when we have needed thanksgiving more than this one. This lesson will add to your thankful list.  

   We like to believe that life ought to be easy. It never has been. It never will be..... but don't let that stop you!

   Thankful thoughts change how we feel. Here is a simple way to promote those thoughts today.  

   Often, we want the right results, but we go about it in the wrong way. This lesson from Colossians 1 will help put us on the right path  

  Loneliness is real and it is difficult. It is easy to feel as if no one cares. But there is a place where you are always welcome and always belong. 

   You have a choice.... every single day! Choose Joy!  

                    In 1986, Robert Fulghum wrote a book called, “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten”.   The premise was that life would be better if adults remembered to be kind, share, help one another and clean up after themselves.     The book was a best seller and it is still in print twenty-five years later.                 That got me thinking that I should write a book called, “All that I Really Need to Know About God I Learned in Sunday School”.    Think about the lessons you learned there.                 I remember a flannel board covered with pictures of animals, a big ship, and a man and his family.   We were told how God looked after Noah and how, even after forty days and nights of rain, God protected him.   When it was over, God put a rainbow in the sky to remind us of his promise to never destroy the w

   Focusing on our faithfulness is good... focusing on God's faithfulness is better.  

  God keeps trying. Are we listening?    

  As the days get shorter, this topic becomes more important  

  Going back to the basics is often the way forward.  

   Independence is good... but we are better when we are together  

  You may not always get to see the results, but do good anyway  

                      While looking through the newspaper flyers, I noticed that one of my favourite stores had oil filters and grinding wheels on sale.   Needing both, I went and purchased them.   On the way out of the store, I looked at the bill which said, “Total: $20.45” and, happily, “Today you saved: $41.33”.                 I love that “Today you saved” line!   It always makes me feel good to see a big number there.   Everyone likes getting more than they paid for which, of course, is why the store includes that line on the bill in the first place.   Everyone likes bargains!                 That being the case, here is an even better offer for you:   “He [God] saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, bu

  One slight shift in our understanding can make all the difference!  

 The way we see the past, present and the future influences how we feel overall.  

  If God says something, do it. With everyone else, we need a different approach  

 If you are struggling in your faith, here is a good place to look  

   Sort out 1/2 your problems and make someone's day with this one action  

   There is a lot of advice out there about how to get ahead... here is what Jesus said about it.  

                  Bob was in intensive care and not doing well.   Sometimes he was alert, but mostly he slept.   When his friend, Lee, went to visit, he was not sure what to do.   Should he just sit there?   Should he read scripture to Bob?   He decided that, since they had spent many years together in church singing hymns about heaven, joy, and hope, he would sing those songs to his sleeping friend.                 Near the end of one of the visits, Lee said, “I should get going”.   Bob opened his eyes, smiled, and said, “That is ok!   Even when you are not here, I can still hear you singing”.                 I like that Lee left his friend with something hopeful to think about.   That made me wonder, “What do people remember about my visits after I leave?   Do I leave people feeling better, or do I just weigh them down with all

   A reminder about God, us, and what we have to share  

   Heaven is coming, but until then we still need to live this life well.  

   Try your best, but know that you will never be perfect.... and that is ok.  

   Knowing who you are changes everything... including the most difficult things in your life.  

 

   Sometimes I think and do stupid things. Here is one of those times... and what I learned from it.  

 Three words for your mental and spiritual health

                    When I was a kid camping with my family at Buffalo Pound Provincial Park, I always looked forward to going to the park store and buying Creamsicles.   You know, the orange popsicle sort of thing with ice cream in the middle.   I loved them!   Eventually, though, that fad passed, and I did not think about Creamsicles again.                     About a month ago, my family was, once again, at Buffalo Pound and as we wandered into the store, I wondered, “Do they even make Creamsicles anymore?”    The answer: Yes, they do!   And they are as good as I remembered.                 Interestingly, though I have not bought a Creamsicle for more than forty years, someone somewhere continued making them and when I finally decided I wanted one again, it was ready and waiting for me.                 This incident made me think about how God is always providing what I need.   Even when I am completely unaware of it and do not understand, he cares for me and is working behind

 Sometimes, we all need a little reminder  

Traditions are great... but it is nice to know you can start again when you need to.  

 What we think is bad for us is not always bad for us  

 It is hard to get the right ending when you start in the wrong way.

One simple understanding that will help us be happier

One key insight that will help every time!

We missed in-person worship for 140 days.  Here is what (I hope) we learned.....

                The keys were on the table.   The truck was in the driveway.   I had never driven a standard transmission vehicle before, but how hard could it be?                 I had just turned sixteen years old and I was watching my uncle and aunt’s house while they were away.   No one was there to stop me, so I grabbed the truck keys and decided to give it a try.                 I started the engine, put the truck in reverse, let the clutch out, and slowly backed out into the street.   After a herky-jerky start in first gear, I made it all the way around the block, stalling the engine only as I tried to climb the curb to get the truck back in the driveway.   It was not perfect, but I had learned something.                 Life most often comes down to choices, chances, and changes.   You must make a choice to tak

Faith is not only about what God does for us, or what we do for him....

You cannot count everything in dollars and cents!

Sometimes you feel alone... then you get a reminder!

                  “You are still in Estevan?”                   That statement was said with a mixture of amazement and questioning, with the emphasis on the “still” part.                   My college buddy could not believe that I was still here.   Since our graduation, he had moved four times, always climbing the ladder to bigger churches.   In fact, he has become so well-known that he is now in demand as a speaker at many large events.                 Meanwhile, I am still in Estevan.   June 4 th marked the end of my 30 th year here and I could not be happier!   I love the people of this congregation so much that they have become like family.   I love living in a smaller city where you can not only get to know people well, but you see them often.   I love being involved with the speedway and going to Bruin games.   I love the fact that I do n

Trying hard is great, but it is not the starting point!

You cannot control everything, but you can choose how you respond.

It is good to be reminded that things change - even when they seem to stay the same.

It is easy to look, talk and act like a follower of Jesus, but that is not enough

I don't like the darkness, but without the darkness I can't see the stars

We need to keep connecting to God... and one another!

Somewhere between being a goof-off and trying to be perfect, we find the truth.

You never know when your life is going to change for the better....

Thoughts on suffering, faith and how we can help each other.

Happiness starts with sharing.

Everyone goes through emotional ups and downs.... and that is not only ok, it is completely normal.

Urgent and important are not always the same

I like helping people, but I don't like asking for help... and that is a problem.

Having choices is a good thing, except in this case......

 You get to choose how you think and speak.... choose wisely!

It is great to do something big and spectacular, but we need to learn to find joy in the simple and everyday as well.

It is great to have nothing to do.... for a while.... then we need a reason to get up in the morning.

Self improvement is good, but what we need is a deeper transformation

The long weekend is here.  Time to turn down the stress level

Circumstances change -  the important things don't.

A goal that really changes things!

5 tips for dealing with issues in our relationships

Finding the fuel to go on Happy Mother's Day! 

  You may not know all the steps, but you likely know the next right one.

We must constantly fight to focus on and remember the good.

Every life leaves an impression.... what is yours?

Life alone would be easier, but it would lose a lot too.

This video is a little shaky, so I should have re-shot it.  However, sitting in your front yard talking to no one while all your neighours walk by and stare at you is weird enough when you do it once..... I did not dare trying it again!  :)

When it comes to serving God, you are more prepared than you know and you have more advantages than you realize.

Just in case we need to be reminded that kindness makes everything better.... ________________                 The Golden Rule of motorcycle travel is, “Never miss an opportunity to fill your tank”.   Motorcycle tanks are so small and gas stations are so far apart that it is unwise to think, “Bah, I can probably make it!”                 Unfortunately, my brother and I are unwise!                 A couple of years ago, we were riding through Montana, on our way to Yellowstone National Park, when we drove right past the last gas station.                 Several miles later, I found myself standing on the side of the highway while Kurt walked back to a highway sign trying to see if there was a town nearby.   Then I saw a truck stop.   Then Kurt got in.   When the truck got to me, Kurt jumped out and said, “This lady lives just up the road and she will give us some gas if we follow her”.   So away we went.                 I am not sure what the lady’s husband thought as