Consider this

 If you have the wrong information to begin with, you will come to the wrong conclusion.  On this Father’s Day, a lesson to make sure we see our heavenly Father correctly…. and how that changes everything else.  https://youtu.be/p1hIX_toBXo  

                 “1N73LLIG3NC3 15 7H3 4BILI7Y 70 4D4P4P7 70 CH4NG3.” Isn’t that something?   You can read that phrase even though there is not one English word in it.   Your brain is trained to look for patterns, and because it knows what English words and syntax look like, it adapts what you see to make it make sense.   Your brain does not see what is there.   Rather, your brain sees what you have trained it to see and reacts accordingly.   The same rainstorm that makes a farmer happy makes a golfer mad.   Therefore, it is important to train our brains well.   Here are two truths that will help. First, God is in control.   While life may feel chaotic and random, scripture reminds us that this is untrue.   “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8...

 Sometimes, God puts limits on us. Other times, we limit ourselves when we should not. Some thoughts on why there are things we should not do, what happens when we do not do what we should, and how to tell the difference.  https://youtu.be/JBtrLo5rAvU    

  I loved the Kenosee Lake Super Slides! I loved the Freefall. I loved the Bonzi runs. However, as I got a little older, I started to enjoy the Lazy River. The Lazy River was the part at the bottom of the slides where you could sit on an inner tube, drink a Coke, and float around. The river slowly moved you around the park. There was nothing for you to do but sit back and enjoy the sunshine and the ride. Hanging out on the Lazy River is great for a while, but you never get anywhere. It always wraps back around to the place where you began. Also, because you are just floating along, it requires nothing from you, so there are no amazing stories to tell about it. In our real lives, it is easy to get caught in the Lazy River. It is tempting to do what everyone else is doing, not because we have chosen it, but because it seems to be the thing to do. We want to fit in, so we float along, assuming that wherever we are going is the right place to be. Often, though, the Lazy Ri...

We experience life not as it is, but how we see it.   Scripture can help us see things better.   Here are two patterns we need to learn to see.  https://youtu.be/LiDKGWm9iKQ  

One day, in 1888, Alfred Nobel awoke to a surprise; He found out he was dead!   In fact, it was Alfred’s brother, Ludvig, who had passed away, but a French newspaper mistakenly ran Alfred’s obituary instead, and Alfred did not like what he saw. The headline said, “The Merchant of Death is Dead!” The rest of the article described Alfred as a greedy, terrible man who invented dynamite and made his fortune at the misfortune of others. He was remembered as one whose invention escalated wars around the world and tore families apart forever. Alfred was disturbed by this harsh assessment of his life, so he decided to change it.   You may not have known that Alfred Nobel invented dynamite. It is more likely that you remember him for a much better legacy, the Nobel Prizes. Instead of giving his fortune to his family, he set up prizes for “those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the benefit on mankind” in various disciplines. First given out in 1901, they conti...

 One short verse that will help us focus on what is best and use our days well.  https://youtu.be/B-o2fUTjGKA  

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). The last part of Jesus’ statement is comforting. The first part, not so much. If trouble is a guarantee, the question becomes, “What can we do when it happens? What is the best response?” The book of Job has some good advice for us, as seen in the initial actions of his three friends.   First, they show up! “When Job’s three friends… heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out… to go and sympathize with him and comfort him” (Job 2:11). We like to believe that everyone wants privacy, and we should mind our own business, but that is not true! Especially in times of trouble, we need connection and visible expressions of care. Listen to Paul’s words as he reflects on a difficult time in his life, “God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus… so that my joy was greater than ever” (2 Corinthians 7:6-7). Showing up matters, and it makes a di...

 Everyone has regrets! You do not get through life without them.  So, the question becomes, "What do you do with those feelings?"  The good news is that God can use them for our good and the good of others, if we let him. Here is how. https://youtu.be/xTBmvPta3lQ  

 Job may sound like an odd place to go to for a Mother's Day lesson. However, his friends do three things that we need to be reminded to do. They are things that Mothers do naturally. You can make a difference if you respond this way. https://youtu.be/Q7aIy2Us-jQ   

   In 1980, Terry Fox, a victim of cancer that took half of his right leg, decided to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research.  He ran 26 miles per day for 143 days until his cancer returned and forced him to stop at Thunder Bay, Ontario.  Sadly, Terry did not live to see the results of his efforts.  However, his run and foundation have since raised over $900 million.   Inspired by Terry, Steve Fonyo began his Journey for Lives run across the country in 1984.  He completed it in 425 days, raising $13.5 million.  Though his later life was fraught with problems, for a moment, Steve Fonyo inspired others.      Also inspired by Terry, Rick Hansen embarked on his Man in Motion tour in 1985.  Over the next two years, he wheeled around the world and raised $26 million for spinal cord research.         Terry Fox took a terrible circumstance and used it to help others.  His action ins...

                 While studying for my Easter Sunday lesson, I noticed something I had never seen before.   See if you see it too.                  “The women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples” (Matthew 28:8). “Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb” (Mark 16:8).                “When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others” (Luke 24:9). “Then the disciples all went back to their homes” (John 20:10). Did you catch it?   No one stayed at the tomb!   History’s most important event had just happened right there, and no one hung around.   They took a quick look and left!   Is that not strange?   T...

You have a lot more power than you realize! https://youtu.be/uvaWyxQt_5k

   When Ben Patterson agreed to join three friends climbing Mount Lyell, the highest point in Yosemite National Park, he did not realize what he was signing up for.  Early in the day, it became clear that he was completely unprepared for the task.  In an effort to keep up with his more experienced friends, Ben took a shortcut.  It did not occur to him that there might be a reason the others had not selected this route, but he soon found out why.  Ben became stuck on the glacier.  He could not move up, down or sideways and one wrong move would send him sliding down a forty-five-degree slope to the valley floor miles below.   That is when one of his friends came to the rescue. His buddy leaned over the edge and carved some footholds in the ice.  He told Ben to step to the first foothold and immediately swing his other foot to the second, then his buddy would pull him to safety.  Lastly, his friend gave him one more piece of advice....

When it comes to faith, a little is a lot....  https://youtu.be/oab6WVPOrP4  

In the fall of 1989, when our Bible college and high school moved from North Weyburn, Saskatchewan to Dauphin, Manitoba, a bunch of us decided to mark the occasion by doing a torch relay.  We built a bonfire at the old campus, lit a torch, put the torch on a mountain bike and headed to Dauphin.   For the first few hours, everyone was excited about riding the bike.  Then the excitement wore off.  Instead of getting on the bike and pedalling against the wind, some decided to stay in the nice warm van that was following along.     Eventually, we came to the Fort Qu’appelle hill.  I was on the bike, and seeing this hill made me smile.  It was long and steep, and the highway was in good condition.  It was perfect for coasting!  If I remember correctly, the driver of the van said that I was going more than 30 mph when I hit the bottom of the hill.  It felt even faster.  Coasting downhill was great!   However, there was a problem...

 This question has changed much of my thinking (for the better) over the last 5 years. I think it will help you too.  

“The Lord God is a sun and a shield” (Psalm 84:11). The sun provides light, heat, and energy, and it promotes growth. A shield provides safety and protection. Describing God as a sun and a shield is appropriate because he provides and protects. However, someone reading this is thinking, “God is not much of a provider because I still do not have what I need!” Others are wondering, “If God is such a great protector, why am I going through all this trouble?” Is scripture wrong? No, but we need to understand how God provides and protects. First, God provides daily, not all at once. Think about the Israelites during the Exodus. God provided food in the form of manna, but that manna had to be collected every day (Exodus 16:4-5). It was not able to be stored. The blessing came one day at a time. Similarly, it is unlikely that God will unload the spiritual blessing dump truck on you. Like so many before us such as Noah, Abraham, Joseph and even the apostles, we must wait on God’s t...

Country music legend Kenny Rogers stated that he always sang better when he sang with someone else.  When pressed to explain, he said (paraphrasing), “Say you were to go out and run the 100-meter dash.  You would run as fast as you could.  However, if they put someone on the track with you, someone who was a little bit faster, you would probably run harder to try and beat them.  That is what always happened when I sang with someone else.  For example, I would go in and put down my vocal track and think it was good.  Then, Dolly Parton would go in and do her part, and it would be so much better than mine that I would go back and re-record my vocals.  She would listen to mine and decide that she wanted to re-do hers, and she would get better.  Of course, in a live performance, we would play off each other.  I can sing alone, but everyone sings better in a duet!”   It is tempting to live independently.  It is common to think, “I do not...

  Do you ever find yourself disappointed with God?  Do you ever wonder what he is doing and why? God keeps his promises.  The problem is that he does not keep them in the way we expect. These few verses will help us avoid disappointment and walk closer to the real God - not one that we made up.  https://youtu.be/8j4IDaJxjio  

In 1908, just five years after their first successful powered flight, the Wright brothers held a public demonstration of their new technology. While most were amazed and thrilled, a writer from England was not as impressed. In his article, he wrote, “Airplanes will never surpass airships (blimps)”. Then he pointed out the many ways this new technology was inferior to the old one.   First, airplanes needed runways while airships did not. Next, most airships could carry fifty to one hundred people while the Wright brother’s craft could transport only one. On top of that, airships could hover in one place making them useful for military observations and therefore, in the writer’s mind, making the airplane a non-factor in wartime. Lastly, blimps could fly higher and were easier to control. Thus, the writer concluded that, while heavier-than-air flying machines were interesting, they were impractical and nothing more than a passing novelty.   Change is hard! It is difficu...

 I believe that Christians are meant to be different.... in a good way! Here is one fundamental starting point.   https://youtu.be/rB_iOYWEF50  

  Who is the saddest person in the Bible? My vote goes to a woman we meet in Luke 7. We do not know her name, age, or what happened to her husband or, for that matter, her son. All we know is that she is a widow who lives in the little village of Nain and, when we meet her, her worst nightmare has just come true.  She is accompanying her only son’s body as they take him to the cemetery to be buried. Being a widow in New Testament times was difficult.  Being a widow who lost her only son was a disaster!  Women did not work outside the home.  They relied on their husband or their male children to provide for them.  In other words, not only was this woman sad and grieving, but she was also in big trouble!  Fortunately, her situation was about to change again.  She was about to meet Jesus. Scripture tells us that when Jesus saw her, “His heart went out to her” (Luke 7:13).  Other translations say, “He felt deep (or great) compa...

 Are you ever uncertain about how God sees you? Do you ever wonder if your relationship with God is what it ought to be?  The truth is that we do not have to wonder or worry. Here is why.....  https://youtu.be/uCWGXOhcxpI  

  Justin Bourne seemed to have it all.   The son of former NHL star Bob Bourne, Justin was playing in the minors, one step from the big leagues.   He had a wife and a couple of kids.   Unfortunately, he also had a huge drinking problem!   With his life spiralling out of control, he checked into rehab.   During one of the sessions, the class leader handed everyone a piece of paper and told them to list the most important things in their lives.   Justin did not even have to think about the answer and immediately wrote “Family” at the top of his list.   When the instructor looked at Justin’s list he said, “You are wrong!”    Justin was confused.   How could family be the wrong answer?   The instructor said, “What you should have put at the top of your list was ‘Stay Sober!’   That is the most important thing in your life because if that does not happen, you will lose all the other good things on your list!” It is easy...

 It is easy to not commit to anything. It is easy to just look after yourself. It is easy to say, "That is not my problem!" It is easy to disengage.  It is easy..... but it is not spiritually healthy.  We are built to be part of something bigger. We are built to live differently.  Here are two thoughts that will keep us on track. https://youtu.be/ehAWkSlB4W0  

Churches have all sorts of missions statements these days.  Leaders are tasked with coming up with a unique vision for the ministry.  What would happen if we just went back to the original idea?  https://youtu.be/cbH9XyoJmFY  

     Manasseh, King of Judah (700 BC), was terrible!  He came from a good family.  His father, Hezekiah, was a great king who respected God and his people.  His son did not.  After listing all the evil things Manasseh did, the Biblical writer sums up his influence by saying, “Manasseh led Judah and the people of Jerusalem astray, so that they did more evil than the nations [who did not know God] (2 Chronicles 33:9).      God tried to get Manasseh’s attention.  He sent messengers and prophets, and yet, nothing changed.  Eventually, God allowed Manasseh’s enemies to attack.  They captured the king, put a ring in his nose and shackles on his hands and feet and took him back to Babylon as a prisoner.  It is here that the story becomes really interesting.       2 Chronicles 33:12-13 says, “In his [Manasseh’s] distress, he sought the favour of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God o...

 When we think about ways to maintain our faith, we usually focus on things like prayer, Bible reading and going to church.  The three instructions that Romans 12 gives us may not be as obvious, but they are just as important (or even more so).  https://youtu.be/TrxmTiyLlcE  

  It is 1924 and you are an airmail pilot tasked with flying from New York to San Francisco without radar or radio to guide you on your way.  What do you do?  How do you navigate?  How do you avoid missing the next airport and running out of fuel? The answer: Look for the 70-foot-long yellow concrete arrow on the ground! As unbelievable as it sounds, the United States Postal Service built a series of huge arrows on the ground and spaced them approximately 10 miles apart so the pilots could find their way.  Later, lights were installed at these same sites to facilitate night flying.  Many of these arrows still exist all across the country. I like the idea of a big, bright arrow on the ground that points the way to the next big, bright arrow so that someone can find the path.  In fact, I think that is a good job description for each of us. No one can make anyone do anything.  I cannot make your decisions for you.  I cannot force y...

 When you find yourself in the wrong place in life, remember these two facts.... From 2 Chronicles 33  https://youtu.be/0Lz4QVDU7Ws  

                 We are never given a physical description of God, but we have many descriptions of his character.   He is called the God of peace, the God of love, and the God of all comfort just to name a few.   Each of those phrases is important, but there is one more that tops them all.                In a prayer for his readers, the apostle Paul says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).                  I love that God is called the God of Hope because hope is powerful and life-changing.   Struggling marriages can be put back together if there is hope!   Those going through emotional or physical distress can not only han...