A few minutes ago the handle on the driver door of my car broke off in my hand. I heard a few small components clink their way into the nether regions of the door itself. Which means, of course, that it's time to get back on the praise bandwagon, raise my eyes to the Lord, and trust Him to resolve this and other incidental nuisances that have been falling into my lap like fiery arrows.
Without further ado...
25 June 2009
Another day of visitation. Again it was rife with personal and confidential moments between fellow members of our church family. This time we stayed in the Yarmouth area, whereas we had trekked to Argyle the day before. AJ and I enjoyed a nice lunch meeting with Matt B., but there were certainly a few other highlights throughout the day.
26 June 2009
I had an appointment with my doctor to discuss the results of X-rays taken a month prior. It turns out that my spine, which has some abnormal curvatures, is not quite as bad as the physical exam suggested. I did find out I have lowered bone density, however, which runs in the family. My physician was also concerned about the kidney episode (already mentioned in this blog), so he gave me referral forms for an ultrasound, as well as for a bone density test. And here is where I would like to make explicit mention of just how diligently God has been parting the waves for me, which He will no doubt accomplish regarding my student loan application (prayers welcome!) and all the other outstanding issues. Normally it takes 2-3 months to book an ultrasound, which would not accommodate my move in August. But thanks to a wonderful godincidence I was able to return to the hospital three hours later, so that test was taken care of the very same day! My bone density test was earlier this afternoon.
I also need a bite plate, as I grind my teeth in my sleep, and God reduced the cost of that to 25% of what my dentist first told me. Praise Him!
28 June 2009
We had a nice morning service at church, after which I served with two Christian brothers at the local jail. We brought the gospel to some of the inmates, and it remains one of my favourite ministries in the whole world. Hopefully there will be an opportunity to pursue this in Saskatchewan. That evening I visited with Matt B. after he had put his kids to bed. We chatted about many things until midnight or so. I realize some of these things may seem like trifling matters to unbelievers, but I assure you waking up in the morning is a tremendous blessing, let alone opportunities to fellowship with wonderful people over the course of a given day. God ought to be recognized for the simple things as well as the elaborate.
29 June 2009
So yeah, I am a little bummed out about my car, but there are some positives to report from today. I received some encouraging news from a former coworker, and I also had some textbooks waiting for me when I got home from Yarmouth. Looking forward to digging into those and getting a head start on my return to school.
May God be praised for all these wonderful things, and for all the things He's done and doing in your lives!
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Philippians 4:6)
Monday, June 29, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
College Updates and a Day of Fellowship
More praises for the Lord coming atcha!
22 June 2009
I was able to grap dinner with Matt B., who was instrumental in God's plan to redeem me, and we shared a lot of good news about our lives. We then went back to his place and enjoyed an evening of fellowship. I'm going to miss him when I'm away at school.
That evening when I got home I had an email from Briercrest with instructions about course registration. I was up until 2:00 a.m. selecting classes for the fall session. If you could have seen me, I probably appeared as if I were planning a gala for one thousand people. I had sheets of scrap paper scattered about my desk, juggling estimated workloads and other such permutations. Exciting stuff!
23 June 2009
I downloaded syllabi for my courses and ordered several of the assigned textbooks, which will allow me to get an early crack at my studies over the summer. Again, this was just so surreal. Praise the Lord for encouraging me with these great little teasers as I wait for my funding to be approved. :)
24 June 2009
Today I volunteered to serve alongside our visitation team at church for a year end "blitz." Pastor AJ and I spent the whole day fellowshipping with people from our church family. God really blessed our time today, and I can't thank Him enough.
And I just found out that the Lord has placed it on the hearts of the wonderful people at Briercrest to accept a transfer of eight credits from my academic history!! This is significant, as a full course load for one year is 10. God just keeps blessing me, and I want the whole world to know it. He is more faithful than we can imagine.
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." (1 Corinthians 2:9)
22 June 2009
I was able to grap dinner with Matt B., who was instrumental in God's plan to redeem me, and we shared a lot of good news about our lives. We then went back to his place and enjoyed an evening of fellowship. I'm going to miss him when I'm away at school.
That evening when I got home I had an email from Briercrest with instructions about course registration. I was up until 2:00 a.m. selecting classes for the fall session. If you could have seen me, I probably appeared as if I were planning a gala for one thousand people. I had sheets of scrap paper scattered about my desk, juggling estimated workloads and other such permutations. Exciting stuff!
23 June 2009
I downloaded syllabi for my courses and ordered several of the assigned textbooks, which will allow me to get an early crack at my studies over the summer. Again, this was just so surreal. Praise the Lord for encouraging me with these great little teasers as I wait for my funding to be approved. :)
24 June 2009
Today I volunteered to serve alongside our visitation team at church for a year end "blitz." Pastor AJ and I spent the whole day fellowshipping with people from our church family. God really blessed our time today, and I can't thank Him enough.
And I just found out that the Lord has placed it on the hearts of the wonderful people at Briercrest to accept a transfer of eight credits from my academic history!! This is significant, as a full course load for one year is 10. God just keeps blessing me, and I want the whole world to know it. He is more faithful than we can imagine.
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." (1 Corinthians 2:9)
Monday, June 22, 2009
College Acceptance and Retreat Weekend
I've been quite busy of late, but I am determined to keep this blog current.
Today I would like to recap some praise notes from this past weekend.
19 June 2009
Our Bible study group had booked Camp Peniel for the weekend, so I went to church for 4:00 to pick up Pastor AJ. After fetching some drive-thru at McDonald's we proceeded up Starrs Road in Yarmouth toward Highway 101. Before we could turn onto the highway, my phone rang. It was an admissions advisor from Briercrest College calling to inform me that my application had been accepted. I don't have words to describe the weight that was lifted, but it was comparable to the lightheadedness I felt on 14 June when I had finished preaching my first sermon. But the point is that God had reassured me throughout the application process that He had reserved a place for me, and that I was to trust in Him to bring it to fulfillment. He truly is faithful beyond our understanding!
AJ and I chatted about many things on the way to the camp. When we got there we received a short tour from the resident director then unpacked our things from the car as we awaited the rest of the group. After a couple more people showed up we decided to kill some time by taking a brief, black-fly-dominated canoe ride in the lake. At this point I should also praise the Lord for how diligently His people have worked to maintain that camp! I didn't attend any Christian camps as a youth, but I've heard that few are as gorgeous as Peniel.
That evening we played several team building games, and I can honestly say that I've been truly blessed to have had these people as my peers over the last year and a half. As I tried to fall asleep, I reflected on just how much my life had changed since I was saved in October 2007.
20 June 2009
After a pretty late night of fellowship, we met for breakfast then enjoyed a time of devotion. We studied and prayed on the significance of the gospel in our lives. Following that, we had more people show up who were unable to attend Friday evening/night. We shared many jokes and stories, and although I am usually very detail-oriented, I just couldn't write out all the wonderful moments I experienced at the retreat.
As it happened, two of my aunts had made the trip to Tusket, so when I arrived home from camp I was expecting to see them. They were visiting another relative in the hospital, so I got cleaned up and then we enjoyed a nice creamed lobster meal as a family.
21 June 2009
We had a special treat at church, as Geoff Moore was visiting to lead worship and spread the word about Compassion Canada. He really seemed like he has a servant's heart, and it truly is a beautiful cause.
I truly thank God for all these wonderful blessings, and may He enrich your lives as well! Praise Him!
Today I would like to recap some praise notes from this past weekend.
19 June 2009
Our Bible study group had booked Camp Peniel for the weekend, so I went to church for 4:00 to pick up Pastor AJ. After fetching some drive-thru at McDonald's we proceeded up Starrs Road in Yarmouth toward Highway 101. Before we could turn onto the highway, my phone rang. It was an admissions advisor from Briercrest College calling to inform me that my application had been accepted. I don't have words to describe the weight that was lifted, but it was comparable to the lightheadedness I felt on 14 June when I had finished preaching my first sermon. But the point is that God had reassured me throughout the application process that He had reserved a place for me, and that I was to trust in Him to bring it to fulfillment. He truly is faithful beyond our understanding!
AJ and I chatted about many things on the way to the camp. When we got there we received a short tour from the resident director then unpacked our things from the car as we awaited the rest of the group. After a couple more people showed up we decided to kill some time by taking a brief, black-fly-dominated canoe ride in the lake. At this point I should also praise the Lord for how diligently His people have worked to maintain that camp! I didn't attend any Christian camps as a youth, but I've heard that few are as gorgeous as Peniel.
That evening we played several team building games, and I can honestly say that I've been truly blessed to have had these people as my peers over the last year and a half. As I tried to fall asleep, I reflected on just how much my life had changed since I was saved in October 2007.
20 June 2009
After a pretty late night of fellowship, we met for breakfast then enjoyed a time of devotion. We studied and prayed on the significance of the gospel in our lives. Following that, we had more people show up who were unable to attend Friday evening/night. We shared many jokes and stories, and although I am usually very detail-oriented, I just couldn't write out all the wonderful moments I experienced at the retreat.
As it happened, two of my aunts had made the trip to Tusket, so when I arrived home from camp I was expecting to see them. They were visiting another relative in the hospital, so I got cleaned up and then we enjoyed a nice creamed lobster meal as a family.
21 June 2009
We had a special treat at church, as Geoff Moore was visiting to lead worship and spread the word about Compassion Canada. He really seemed like he has a servant's heart, and it truly is a beautiful cause.
I truly thank God for all these wonderful blessings, and may He enrich your lives as well! Praise Him!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Replenished Cranberry Juice
The Widow at Zarephath (1 Kings 17:7-15)
Earlier today I went for a three kilometre walk. I felt a strange pain in my abdomen, but I thought nothing of it until I got home. As I went about my toiletries, I noticed my urine was very red. I have a history of kidney stones and presumed I had passed one without knowing it.
I prayed to God for healing, noting that it was quite interesting that the day after I encouraged people to praise Him even during times of trial I was given an opportunity to do just that! I resolved to focus on Him today, but I also figured it might not hurt to take a short trip to town to pick up some cranberry juice to cleanse my system.
When I got home, I poured myself a huge glass of it, noticing my pain had already subsided. (This was roughly three hours ago.)
A few minutes ago I went to get more, and I noted that the jug was full!
Thank you, Lord! :)
Earlier today I went for a three kilometre walk. I felt a strange pain in my abdomen, but I thought nothing of it until I got home. As I went about my toiletries, I noticed my urine was very red. I have a history of kidney stones and presumed I had passed one without knowing it.
I prayed to God for healing, noting that it was quite interesting that the day after I encouraged people to praise Him even during times of trial I was given an opportunity to do just that! I resolved to focus on Him today, but I also figured it might not hurt to take a short trip to town to pick up some cranberry juice to cleanse my system.
When I got home, I poured myself a huge glass of it, noticing my pain had already subsided. (This was roughly three hours ago.)
A few minutes ago I went to get more, and I noted that the jug was full!
Thank you, Lord! :)
Mission Statement
Last night I preached for the first time, and I couldn't feel more privileged that God would use someone like me to deliver a message to His people. As soon as I have a chance to complete all necessary citations, I will post my sermon notes as an ongoing endeavour to share the gospel with everyone.
In the meantime, I'd just like to note that the message God laid on my heart for yesterday evening concerned sharing our testimonies with one another. That is precisely what I aim to do with this humble blog.
In the meantime, I'd just like to note that the message God laid on my heart for yesterday evening concerned sharing our testimonies with one another. That is precisely what I aim to do with this humble blog.
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