A Seething Anger

The young man that sat with me was slumped in his seat. His head was down and his voice shaken. The words poured from his mouth as he described the angry actions of his former spouse.

“I can’t understand why she is does what she does.”

Everything that can be done by his former spouse to make his life miserable is done. There are times that it seems that she must stay awake to concoct another scheme to increase the misery. It is a classic case of marital breakdown. The part that is hard to understand is that it has continued for over 10 years now. Both are now married to other people. Both have new lives.

How can anyone hate that long? There must be a “hate lab” where you can get your “hate-r” adjusted and have a new battery put in it. There has to be a place that is available to groom hate to keep it alive so long.

As I have been studying the Bible on this subject the results are growing more real and becoming clearer each day. A verse that jumps out says, “An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins.” Proverbs 29:22. It is clear that this kind of person has a major problem inside.

On the other hand I have watched with amazement another situation where the divorce has taken place long ago. The couple that I came to know lived happily together. They also lived happily, in their relationships, with the former spouse of the husband. In fact the two wives were friendly with each other.

I know that this is likely the oddity in most family counseling offices.

The discovery in the Bible of the cause of anger is amazing. Proverbs 25:23 says, “As a north wind brings rain, so a sly tongue brings angry looks.”

No doubt about it a tongue can cause huge amounts of anger. It has to wag just the right amount in the right setting to produce a very wrong and terrifying result. Over a hot cup of coffee, at a meal time, and even in a church foyer… a nicely wagged tongue can set up someone for anger. If it is done often enough it can get a following.

During the World War 2 this kind of tongue wagging was done well by Hitler. In the right settings, with people that listened, he simply planted stories and made rulings about the Jewish people that would destroy millions in the events we now call the Holocaust. It is definitely an example of a sly tongue that has caused great damage.

Politicians are a great at this. Sly tongues produce anger in any audience. Used properly and effectively a “good politician” is able to get themselves elected… and have everyone hating his opponent(s).

Angry and jaded women or men can continue to destroy lives around them – especially former spouse whom they hate!

Oh – and it happens in church all the time. Last Sunday in the foyer it happened at least three times with in 15 minutes of the service close. One situation I witnessed personally. Two others were reported to me before the end of the day. Imagine after spending at least 90 minutes in the presence of God, listening to prayers to God and hearing a sermon about God – they got angry… and exploded again. (All three people are known to have been and still are angry about something.)

A prayer for today…
“Oh God help me to avoid these kind of sly tongues today – just one 24 hour period. First off God I ask for help. I want you to help me guard my own tongue. Next Lord, I need you to help me move away from people that are just plain nasty with their words. Help me to hear the nasty and then get away from it… far from it. Forgive me for my own nasty, tongue wagging over these years. Then Lord, please help the others around me.

I pray especially for the political steam that is building in our country. Help our political men and women to avoid building anger in surrounding groups to help themselves get elected.”

And God… I ask that you would heal the hearts of the young couple that have lost so much. Heal angry hearts and sly tongues today.

In Jesus name I ask it… Amen.”

The Weaving In Our lives

Today as I sit and consider yesterday’s activities I am overwhelmed. It was a very full Sunday. Yesterday I met with an amazing family again. The family has two amazing “little men” with great potential. One little man is named Jonah and the other is Samsun. Both are sons of George and Jessica.

Jonah is just under two years old. His brother Samsun is 5 months old.

Yesterday we came together in the afternoon to Dedicate/Christen young Samsun. George and Jessica brought their sons and asked me to pray for them. What an honour, as a pastor, to be included in this growing family.

Background…
To back up a little I should share with you that I was invited to be a part of this family by George and Jessica – but most importantly by God himself. That was four years ago when they were married. I was given the privilege to officiate at their marriage ceremony. At that ceremony I made them a promise that I would pray for them every time God brought them to my mind. I began that journey with them even though we did not see each other all that often after the ceremony. There were occasional meetings in the community following their marriage – and again I would pray.

At one point I had heard that Jessica was going to have a baby. That news prompted me to pray for them again.

A number of months went by. One evening I was called to the hospital to help in a crisis situation of a family. Following that crisis I was leaving the hospital. It was late and the halls were empty. As I followed the hallway toward the exit I met Jessica’s mother. Her mouth dropped open and she declared something like, “I can’t believe it – you’re here!” I asked how Jessica and George were doing. She was visibly shaken as she poured her story out. Jessica and George were upstairs in the birthing unit of the hospital and the situation was serious.

Their brand new baby was in a serious condition and tests were being run at that time. We wouldn’t know until later how serious it really was. Baby Jonah was born with many problems and was struggling to breath on his own. Together we prayed that God would intervene for this small family and for Jonah in particular.

God has brought Jonah, Jessica and George to my mind many times since that time. Each time I heard of another surgery/crisis that they were undergoing I prayed.

Last month Jessica called to help me catch up on their family events. One of the great bits of news was that Jonah now had a brand new baby brother, named Samsun. Yes, that is Samsun, with a “u” – not an “o”, because as Jessica puts it, he is “sunshine” for their family. The call was to request that I Dedicate/Christen Samsun.

Yesterday, I was deeply moved with the wonderful events that I was witnessing before me. Before me, was George and Jessica, a young couple that have matured and grown much stronger. In the past four years they have been tried and tested resulting in a deeper in love for each other. There was a glow about them.

George carried Samsun and Jessica held Jonah. Together, they came with their close friends, the God-parents, to stand in front of their families. At that moment I had an awesome sense of God’s presence as I prayed for this family. God was confirming that he was going to do even more for them in the days to come. This is an ongoing work that God himself is doing for this family.

Both boys have the brightest eyes you will ever see.

The need for more prayer…
Next month Jonah will undergo more surgery to begin the necessary re-positioning of his internal organs. It will be about six hours of surgery for this little guy. Then there will be the long days of recovery.

Jonah can’t speak but rather has learned to speak with “sign language”, each month adding more to his vocabulary. He doesn’t walk yet but is now standing with some help. He definitely can express himself. I don’t believe that he likes men with beards at this point. Both of his grand fathers have beards of some sort and when they tried to hold him, he let them know his displeasure.

Samsun on the other hand is a growing boy that Jonah recognizes and loves.

The Weaving...
During the dedication I shared a story of the weaver and his loom. The fibers that come from the back of the loom towards the working area are all different colours and kinds. I described how the loom works and how the weaver uses his ability to create the fabric that will be produced.

In our life there is weaving taking place all the time. There is a “weaver” at work now. The fibers are the people and situations in our lives. In a family it is all of the members that make up the great array that makes it so unique. Some of the fibers are dark and others are light. Some are difficulties and some are great blessings. These fibers are all linked together with one strand that is passed from side to side as a shuttle moves back and forth. Each time the shuttle passes through and the weaver skillfully applies his love to his creation more strength is made into the cloth – and greater beauty can be seen.

In our lives, the final product is a piece of cloth that has great beauty and also can provide warmth as it is wrapped around us. God is the master weaver and his Holy Spirit is that strand that weaves into all areas and circumstances.

A family produces a fabric made on a loom of life. In the course of living there are good and not so good things that happen, tough and easy times, and a variety of people that come together to support and be a part of it all.

Jessica and George are creating a new blanket love for both sons. Their families are supporting them in unique ways. What a privilege to be close enough to witness it happen. Both of these boys have a wonderful opportunity to move ahead in life. But there will be more trials to come.
This story is not yet finished. There is more to come I am sure. But I pause in the telling with a Bible verse that has even more meaning today(Jeremiah 29: 11 14 - below) . God has a plan for us all. He has a plan for Samsun and for Jonah. He has one for Jessica and George…. And for you and me.

Stay tuned…there is more to come….

~ Pastor Murray ~

Jeremiah 29: 11 - 14
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD…

I Know God Will Meet My Needs

By Brenda v.

When I first came to Northview church, in April 1998, it took me some time to understand that God wanted me to Trust Him as I had trusted some people in my life. These are people I should have been able to trust but it didn't work out that way.

Because I had been badly hurt, I was slow to Trust in that absolute way again. But God accepts us where we are--every Sunday. I found something that really spoke to my heart---a hymn, a testimony, a sermon, and the relationships that were slowly developing with the folk who were Ministering. I was growing in myself and in God.

One day during Communion I really stopped and Realized that Jesus had Died for Me!! It was so personal and so wonderful. I was getting some Hope back again---eventually I was water Baptized and this was a big step forward--a public statement that I had accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour.

In July, 2000 my husband Winston(age 56 then) was laid-off due to "down-sizing" and at the same time, we became aware he had a real mobility problem. He was given a package deal that saw us through the first year-- and then he went on to E.I. Job applications went nowhere--his balance problem certainly didn't help as it was perfectly obvious to the hiring party. We went through very difficult times--should we sell the house we had built with our retirement in mind, on a piece of property we both loved. Logically we should sell--it was worth something and now too big with our 4 children grown up. But I never felt we were meant to sell. Things just kept working out.

From E.I. my husband was able to take a course and later develop a business he could do from home---these gave us coverage for another year. After that time, it became clear to us and our Doctor that my husband was disabled. He applied to CPP for Disability coverage. Normally this takes quite a while and is often refused the first time around--but Winston was accepted within a few weeks. This was a Miracle to us.

It was really only in retrospect that we could see just How God had Walked us through this time of trial--He was truly Good to us.

I couldn't help but give my whole heart to a God this Caring, Compassionate and Good. I couldn't help but put my Trust in God.

More recently I have been seeking God's Peace--He promises this to us in His Word. Again, many more sermons and services helped me. I was reading a book by Joyce Meyer: In Pursuit of Peace. One of her more riveting statements is that “Peace is our Umpire”. How I wished I had understood that when my husband lost his job. But without understanding, I had used that principal--it took away all my Peace to think in terms of selling our property. We chose to hold on to it and fight it out. Today we own it and hope we can use it to Bless many people down the road.

Lately God has been showing us that Special Space that is His--we are walking in His Spirit more and more. God has walked so closely with us, meeting our needs.

Last week there was a Concert to Benefit people living in poverty. We had purchased our tickets, but had no money to put into the collection plate. We were upset. I almost didn't want to go to the concert. We had just enough money in our chequing account to cover the two bills that would come out the following week.

For some reason, I did phone banking at supper time. Low and behold $164.00 had been deposited into our account!! Neither of us understood what this might be so I did phone banking again and talked to a representative. She kindly looked up the deposit and said it only read "Canada". For some reason the Gov't had graced us with a Deposit!!(We are living on CPP Pensions so something must have been adjusted!)

We were able to attend the Concert, make a Donation and make another one to our church the next morning. We were also able to buy some needed aids for my husband, like a grab bar for the bath-tub. I was So Excited that God would bring this about in this timing--I can Trust This God!

This past week I went to a new Dentist for a 2nd opinion. My former Dentist told me I needed a root canal for over $1000.00. This new Doctor looked at the X-rays and showed me 2 cavities which he believed he could fill without doing a root canal. The cost will be $200.00 Oh why did I spend so much time worrying about that money??!

God is Good.

Yesterday we received our Hydro Bill and it was for $17.00. Wow! They had over-estimated the past two months. When they read the meter in Oct. they saw we had used much less than the estimates.

Our needs are not all monetary. We needed fellowship and encouragement.

We have met good friends through Northview, including Pastor Murray and his wife, Alida. This week two ladies from the church, Iona and Helen, came to visit us and we had a wonderful time sharing about our walks with God and time in prayer. God's Holy Spirit was Very evident. These two ladies have each lost their husbands. Yet the Joy and Peace they exhibited was just amazing. They too put their Trust in God.

The closing line is : Trust in God and He Will Meet Your Needs. Trust Him and walk Forward, whatever the trials may be.

Brenda v.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Thanks Brenda for your beautiful testimony!

~ Pastor Murray ~

Jeremiah 29: 11-14
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD...

Memories Come Flooding Back

As time flies by you hardly realize that you have changed. Other than a few creaks and groans – I am the same. At least I think I am the same.

Have you found that to be true in your life?

The other day some one sent me this old photo. I am the young guy in the photo with dark hair – kneeling in the front row – right side. My wife is the young lady standing on the left – with the brown hair - yellow shirt.

The kids in the photo with us are members of a Kid’s Club that was part of the small church in Yorkton, Saskatchewan – the First Avenue Pentecostal Church. If my memory serves me right we were having a sleep over at the church and breakfast the next morning.

Today a number of these “kids” are married with children of their own. One younger member of the group is now in Afghanistan as a Canadian soldier. His mom is the young lady standing on the left with the dark hair. The potential of this group was amazing and many have gone on to start new careers and touch other lives. (I only wish that I had kept closer contact with them over these years.)

At a wedding this summer some one took our photo. Yikes! What happened to Alida and me? Our hair turned white – OVER NIGHT! We are so much older in this shot than the photo that arrived this week. There are many more groans now and lots more creaking as we get up and get down. This is now serious. We aged.

But Oh, the Memories that we have. Time has not stood still. We are enjoying this life to the fullest – while we have it.

This next photo taken just one year ago is terribly out of date now. The grandkids are all much taller now. In the photo I am standing in the back with my two daughters, Dana on the right, and Anda on the left in the photo. In front of us are my six grandkids. They are lined up according to age. There is Clifford on the right and back. Then there is Jonathan, Thomas, Emma, Michael and finally Christopher. None of these grandkids existed when the person took our photo at Yorkton’s First Avenue Pentecostal Church. Their moms were not even married yet!

The grandkids are filling our thoughts and lives with new memories. These memories are full and very funny. Christopher, the littlest one in the front of the photo, comes out with the most profound statements at times. He is 5 years old now.

A few weeks back he and his brothers were sitting at our dinning room table eating with us. There is a large photo hanging on the wall. It is of my wife and me with our two daughters. It was taken around the same time that the Yorkton First Avenue Pentecostal Church photo was taken (about 1991 or 1992 – Only 14 or 15 years ago). There was a pause in the conversation around the table for few minutes. Christopher looked at the photo on the wall, and then looked back at grandma, then at the photo again and then back to grandma. In his small voice he said, “Grandma, you are old.”

Thank goodness he was looking at grandma! Maybe he never even recognized me – that is even more sobering.

But with all of that we have wonderful memories. We have collected them over all these years and with them we add more each day.

How about you? How is your memory collection today? Why not dust off a few and enjoy them right now? Maybe someone will shock you back to the past too? Savour while you can.

~ Pastor Murray ~

PS – this last photo is from the dark ages of black and white – long, long ago before digital cameras were ever dreamed about… The two young people in the middle are Murray and Alida Lincoln. The date was September 9, 1967 (last century) and they had been married about 30 minutes at this stage. So many memories… so many.

Too Much To Do - Not Enough Time

I have hit another typical fall season problem head on… too much to do and not enough time! Have you ever been at that juncture in life?

It seems that the cold weather sneaks up on me and all the yard work just piles up. In our area and on our property we are surrounded with trees and trees have leaves – lots of leaves. Add to that our driveway is a magnetic place drawing leaves from all the other houses on our street. When I looked closely at the leaves that are there this AM – I don’t even have that kind of tree.
Many came from a tree two lots away.

There were a few snow flakes early on Tuesday AM. That little hint alone means that I had better get the snow shovel out soon and clean off the snow blower – or it might be late. This “creeping in” of the winter scene last year found my snow blower buried in the shed behind a snow drift and the shovels with it. That was fun kicking snow out of the way to get at the shovels!

It is all coming fast again. It may be my age – but instead of slowing down I have to hurry up. The light changes quicker now as I cross the street. Cars drive faster than they used to… but the speed limit is the same.

I remember when the first computer that I was able to buy was not able to hook to the Internet – there was no Internet. I remember when there was no hard drive in the box we called a computer. Now I am sounding like a person that “remembers when …” and I am a little slower and little older and little wiser.

Yesterday, in a Coffee Shop, a young lady I came to know over these past 8 years saw me. She smiled and asked me in her greeting, “How are you?” I looked at her and answered as well as I could… “Older and wiser, thanks.” It was the best that I could muster at that the moment.

I am older today than yesterday. It is all coming very fast today.

Two days ago the news broadcast mentioned a story about a man that had been hurt. They talked about this elderly gentleman that had been hurt. He was apparently crossing a street when a speeding car hit him. I pictured some poor old senior out for his afternoon stroll being hit by a car that was going too fast again.

The shock came as the announcer stated his age as 5 years older than I am… Go figure! Life has propelled me to the ultimate end of a fast paced run… I am old(er).

When I complained to my older friend about what had happened, his eyes twinkled as he heard me describe the fast pace around me. He asked my age and grinned when I told him. He said slowly, “Wait till you hit 82, then you will know what it is all about. Even the water runs too fast for me.”

The part that is causing a conflict in me now is the quantity that is to yet be done, and the time to do it all in. Today is another full day with only a few hours to do it all.

“I have to run now… sorry… I will catch you tomorrow okay? Maybe we can meet at Brother John’s funeral. We can have coffee together okay? Someday we will have more time.”

Gifts Galore

The following words are borrowed from a devotional that comes my way. These are so appropriate as we approach this 2006 season. I I doubt that can compose something better today. Hope it stirs your heart as it did mine.

~ Pastor Murray ~

Some years back we were getting ready to take down our Christmas tree. It had been a wonderful season of celebrating the Lord's birth with fun, food and, of course, gift giving. But as we took off the cloth that covered the base of the tree, we made a surprising discovery. One of the presents had slipped under the tree skirt and never gotten opened.

When we surrender our lives to Christ and the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us, the Spirit gives each of us one or more gifts. Unfortunately some Christians never open the gift given them. It like the present under the tree skirt--unwrapped and unused. Let's see what God's Word says about that.

What Does God Say?
"God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly" (Romans 12:6-8, NLT).

• According to these verses, what is the basis for God's gifts?
• How are we to respond to the opportunities to use our gifts?
• List some of the gifts mentioned above.

My Thoughts
Although this passage in Romans 12:6-8 is not meant to be exhaustive, it does point out what our attitude should be toward God's gifts. How enthused are you about using your spiritual gift? What is preventing you from exercising your gift more freely?

My Part
Some Christians don't know what their spiritual gift is. If you aren't sure about your spiritual gift, ask your pastor for a spiritual gift inventory (or look one up on the Internet). You might also ask other Christians who know you well what they feel your gift might be.
Additional Scripture: Ephesians 4:11, 1 Corinthians 12:1-12, 28

The Box of Crayons

While walking in a toy store
the day before today,
I over heard a Crayon box,
With many things say.

"I don't like Red!" said the Yellow.
And Green said, "Nor do I !"
"And no one here likes Orange,
But no one knows quite why."

"We are a box of crayons,
that really doesn't get along",
said the Blue to all the others.
"Something here is wrong!"

Well, I bought that boix of crayons,
And took it home with me,
And laid out all the crayons,
So that crayons all could see.

They watched me as I coloured,
With Red and Blue and Green,
And Balck and White and Orange,
and every colour in between.

They watched as Green become grass,
And Blue became the sky.
The Yellow sun was shining bright,
on White clouds drifting by.

Colours changed as they touched,
becoming something new.
They watched me as I coloured.
They watched until I was through.

And when I'd finished,
I began to walk away.
And as I did the Crayon box,
had something to say...

"I do like Red!" said the Yellow,
And Green said so do I !"
"And Blue you are terrific!
So high up in the sky."

"We are a Box of Crayons,
Each of us unique,
But when we get together,
The picture is complete."

- Authour Unknown -

Cute poem right? But more powerful in today's world than we may think. The other evening I was told that a person doesn't attend church anymore because they are angry with one other person. They like everyone - but one person. So... they don't attend church. The part that stinks... is the person they are angry with is me. Shish! How do you handle that one?

I have yet to find a minister that can stay home when he doesn't like some one.

The thoughts about the "Emotional Jug" are still there stirring my soul and mind.

This simple poem makes so much sense. We need each other.

~ Pastor Murray ~

The Emotional Jug

The Illustration was so powerful. It was a graphic of a “Jug” – the shape of an old Water Pot. The mouth of the jug was wider, the neck some what narrower, then the stomach of the jug flared out finally tapering to a bottom that was smaller.

My grandmother had a butter churn that was shaped something like the jug on the screen in front of us.

Unfortunately I can’t draw pictures for you in this medium… the words I use will have to do. Why not take pen and draw what I describe for you?

(By the way the Illustration that was on the screen was part of Pete Scavvero’s teaching on Emotionally Healthy Spirituality at our conference this week in Brampton. I described this conference in the last posting.)

Back to the Jug….
As you outline the jug on your paper (or in your mind) draw a cork that will fit the top – make the cork as if it is lifting on one side - as if it is popping. Beside the cork you can put the words, “Pop your cork”, “Blow your top” with a small arrow pointing up.

Around the neck of the jug you can print the words, “Lid of Indifference”.

Next label your jug at the top with the words, “The Emotional Jug”.
Below these words form a list with the following words in this order…

• Mad
• Sad
• Scared
• Relief
• Ease
• Happiness
• Pleasure
• Desire
• Love

You will immediately realize that there is a break between the words Scared and Relief. As you move to the word Relief something has taken place with the description. With all the words in place the jug is full and ready to pop – or blows its top. Relieving the Jug of the top three alleviates the pressure.

The process of removing the top three can be taken away by a beginning exercise of simply identifying what they are and then making a conscious choice of giving them up. (That is actually where I find God helping me the most… He takes the anger, sadness and things I am frightened of… as I give them up)

Ask yourself these questions…

• “What am I Mad about?” (make a list..)
• “What am I Sad about?” (make a list..)
• “What am I scared about?” (make a list..)

The simple listing will produce a new awareness and a better ability to deal with the raging thought patterns. Now give up the list. The person sitting next to me tore up the paper list he had made and tossed it away.

Now suppose the jug stays full to the brim…
If the stopper is on and the jug is full to bursting what will happen? If the “Lid of Indifference” is tightly fastened what happens? The answer is simple – the contents will begin to leak out through the sides. In fact, if it is a clay jug, small cracks will appear with the pressure and the contents will begin leaking out.

This is the next part of your art work(if you haven’t crumpled the paper up and thrown it away..). On the left and right of the jug you will need to make two lists. Here they are…
On the left outside write the words…
Leaks through…

• Dirty Fighting
• Sarcasm
• Ridiculing
• Threatening
• Accusing
• Labeling
• Taunting
• Laughing at..

On the right outside write the words…

Leaks through…

• Assuming
• Sneering
• Contempt
• Ignoring
• Blaming
• Stone walling

These fourteen listed issues of “leaking” come from a life that is too full of emotions that are hurting everything about the jug. Eventually the jug will explode – or it blows its top/pops a cork.

As I prepared my list of the top three things, names and very difficult things surfaced with ease that shook me. I hadn’t realized how significant these situations and people were for me. With God’s help I began to deal with these. I am still on the journey this week in my thoughts as the list continues to grow and God deals with each issue.

I have recognized that sadly there has been a leaking of different things from my life over the years. That has been the hardest part to face up to – history.

The Hope for Emotional Health…
You will quickly have picked up on the fact that when the top three are dealt with it leaves a good mix of emotions in the old jug. The combination of Relief, Ease, Happiness, Pleasure, Desire and Love is the balance that we all seek.

You will also quickly realize that the mess of Mad, Sad and Scared will cover the good stuff below. Now keep on the "Lid of Indifference" and you will have problems.

As I said at the beginning…. “The Illustration was so powerful.”

Well… today I have some homework to do as I go about my business. I am continuing to clean the old jug by making some lists. I am asking for God’s help too. I just can’t do it alone.

Anyone want to begin their own journey along with me?

~ Pastor Murray ~

The Effects of Giants in Our Lives

Over the first three days of this week my wife and I met with some Giants. I hope that statement will take you deeper into what is written below.

The Giants we met were not the kind that stands very tall in a physical way – but rather giants that stand tall emotionally and spiritually. We met these Giants on Tuesday and Wednesday.

We attended a joint conference our ministers and their wives held in Brampton, Ontario. The “joint conference” as it was called brought together the ministers of the Eastern Ontario and Western Ontario Districts of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC) – for which we are a part.

I would like to describe the Wednesday Giants first.

Wednesday was planned as a special day to discuss the future for the Masters College and Seminary (MCS). MCS is our Eastern Canadian Bible College that trains men and women for the ministry in PAOC churches and students for future service in the community.

Background…
For many years MCS, once known as Eastern Pentecostal Bible College, was situated in Peterborough, Ontario. In fact our church, Northview Pentecostal Church was a supporting church and had many of the students attend our worship services. This had continued for over 60 years with students being a part of our church since its early days on Water Street, then to Dublin Street Pentecostal Church and finally to our present location at Northview Pentecostal Church.

A few years ago this college was moved from Peterborough to the Toronto area. It was a difficult move for our church as a number of the lay people in our church worked in the college – moving meant losing their jobs. Also the professors that worked in the college as teachers would eventually leave as well. The drop locally was a tragic one for our assembly as we felt the losses numerically as well as spiritually as families were deeply affected with the loss of jobs etc.

Our congregants were very close friends with all of the folks that were “moved” from positions they served in over these years. The minister/professors would eventually get new positions and/or move to new areas. The lay people however were not so fortunate. Many still do not have jobs to this day. The affect was great.

The attendance of the college has dropped. This may have happened for a number of reasons. Some have felt that it is a trend that is happening with the higher education in all things Biblical. Others were convinced that the move to Toronto was just too expensive for most students and their families that support them. Still others felt that it was just plain wrong and not in God’s plan. There were many reasons.

On Wednesday in Brampton a very large group of men and women listened to the reports that updated us on the present state of MCS in many areas.

With Dr. Evon Horton having been called to a new responsibility in Florida, MCS was in need of a new President. On Wednesday it was announced that Rev. David Hazzard was to begin his duties as Acting President at MCS. David has been serving in the National Headquarters of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada in Mississauga, Ontario. For 18 months he will be in the college for 1/3 rd of his time and the other 2/3 rd of his time at the NHQ.

This announcement of David Hazzard becoming Acting President, was warmly received by all in attendance.

Much discussion followed with all the participants responding to a series of questions that helped give feed back to the MCS Board of Governors.

It was at this point one of the leaders demonstrated his attitudes and qualities to our ministers. Rev. David Shepherd came to the microphone and apologized for the harm that had been done to anyone in the process of the move of the college over these past years. The expression from him was one that was deep and sincere, genuinely from his heart. It was at this point we all witnessed a "Giant" of a leader that is with us.

My personal feeling is… perhaps we will begin to witness the new beginnings of MCS. What the final answers are and the future plans are we do not yet know. But we have all taken a great first step as forgiveness is being sought by all.

Tuesday Giants…
Tuesday was a powerful days as both Alida and myself met with old Giants. These are Giants that we were not really aware of but powerful and relevant in so many ways. Some were good Giants and others were not so good. Let me explain…

Pastor Pete and Geri Scazzero ministered to our conference in amazing ways. Pete is the author of two powerful books entitled “The Emotionally Healthy Church” and the “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality”. They are the pastors of a church in New York City. Through personal challenges the two books have been written. They have also formed The Center for Emotionally Healthy Spirituality.

There is no way that I can sum up their total ministry to all of us in a short few paragraphs of this Blog. It would take me a long time to describe what happened in the full day from 9:00 AM through to 5:00 PM. I can say it was AMAZING! The journey we walked through together was another turning point for the two of us.

Pete and Geri lead us to look at our own families and the powerful affect that they had on the way that we became what we are today. And most importantly how these family influences strengthen and possibly weaken what we are today.

That is where the second set of Giants appeared for me. The power of what we are (or the lack of power) is so strongly linked with these Giants of the past.

I will not share my personal journey at this point. I need more time to assimilate all that I experienced. I will share more in time as God leads me – but perhaps that will be on more of a personal basis.

Pete Scazzero shared numerous stories of how God has led them to their discoveries. One example, Pete’s family has strong ties with anger and hatred. His description of the dysfunctional family included the fact that a grandfather on his mother’s side… was from the Mafioso… the strong criminal element in the Italian culture.

Geri and Pete led us through the use of one tool that was an eye opener to say the least. It is a tool that helps you to take a look at the family you came from and its powerful affect on your life (good and not so good at times). It was the first time I had heard of a “Genogram”. The best way to describe this is that it is communication tool. One Web Site describes it this way… “Welcome to the world of genograms! We’re glad you’re here to learn more about family patterns of communication and how those patterns are manifest from generation to generation.”

Some of the Giants that showed up during this very full day included; Grief, Anger, Forgiveness and Freedom – to name just a few.

Again there is too much to share on this page.

The one Giant that joined my gait on the way out of that meeting of Tuesday was Freedom. He promised that he will walk closer and remind me more of his presence when I most need him. He has brought a new realization what God has done for me.

I know I AM FREE! And I am realizing more each day that this FREEDOM is not earned by me – but rather by my God who gave and showed me his Amazing Grace.

It was a very, very full week!

Oh… by the way… you may have already guessed… it was so important to have met the Tuesday Giants before I met with the many Giants of Wednesday…

~ Pastor Murray ~
Pete Scazzero's Two Books

The Strength of the Roots

Over this weekend we began taking out the different flowers that are now dieing. The frost, that our area has been hit by, has killed some of the plants. Others have simply run their course for the year.

I would like to describe one of the plants that has given us much pleasure over this spring, summer and early fall. This plant is my wife’s Marigolds. They are amazing to say the least.

One of the rows of Marigolds was the first to come out as the weathering had been fairly heavy. I grabbed the plant and pulled. It came out with some effort. In my hand was a plant that was about 12 inches across and it had a stem of about one a half inch in diameter. The base of the stem where it entered the ground was a maze of roots that spread to about one half of the top part of the plant. There was over six inches of roots in all directions and below. I suspect that they actually went much further in that the smaller ones broke off as I extracted the plant.

This Marigold came from the tiny seed way back in the spring. A little mite of a seed carried within it all the ability to become the glorious flower that edged our yard this summer. What power and what intelligence packed into this small wonder of a plant.

Through the summer this plant had produced hundreds of blossoms, each unique in colour and shape. But as each blossom died and was dried, within it was the bundle of new seeds ready for planting next year. From one plant alone I am guessing that you may well have enough seeds to populate our entire backyard next season. We had perhaps close to a hundred Marigolds this year.

The Marigold’s strength is in many areas. One of the strengths is the hidden part. The root system is strong. It didn’t begin that way however. When Alida, my wife, placed the first seeds in the ground they were all closer together. After they reached about one inch in height she gently lifted them from their birth place and replanted them in other areas – further apart to allow the plant to grow as it did so well. The six inch ball of roots started from the one small and delicate root stem over six months before.

Over the summer the wind and rain had battered our yard. The large trees lost fairly large branches in two storms. The long grasses that are in the flower garden took beatings and the small flowers close to the ground scattered here and there were pounded almost flat by the heavy rain at times.

Through it all the Marigolds alone stood as stocky soldiers declaring the ability to be beautiful and hardy. Nothing shook them. The roots and the stem that they developed quickly at first had carried them through the entire summer.

Even in its fall death and eventual removal from our garden, the Marigold still declares its life and ability – if you are willing to listen as you watch.

Pause here…
Over these past months I have been drawn into another family as we together have visited their mother. She is 89 now and has lost her resilience and vibrancy that once adorned her life. Yet as I have met with her in her hospital room, listened to her stories and watched her react to her surroundings, I have seen the evidence of the roots. Even in her old age there is a beauty in her life.

The other day she pointed out the photo of her great grand child. It was tacked to a small bulletin board in her room. The pride in her description of this little one was beautiful. Though it was just a photo of a little one that lives far away it represented what she was.

The child’s picture represents a future that makes all great grandmothers happy. “We will go on from here.” This new seed will carry on a family and a memory. And it only happens with strong roots.

I have witnessed this kind of family strength over and over again as I attend to the last days… walking through the months of waiting for our goodbyes to be given. Time and time again I see the great strength of the roots of the life in front of me. The power and ability that has been maintained was supported by deep and strong roots.

A simple fact about all roots in our plants or our lives… few people can see them and give little thought of what is buried below the rich foliage above.

A Bible verse written long ago concerning God’s chosen people… says…

Jeremiah 29: 11-14
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD,”

God knows and has carried us all the way along – through storms and tragedies – through sunshine and strength. Through it all our lives are better. Our roots go deep and are the source of our lives. Wow! What a thought.

In The Middle of the Muddle

It would be foolish to think that after we experience a great change in our lives with the Sin being taken away – everything will always be wonderful.

That is the problem I face in the “spiritual service industry” (SSI). (That’s my way of describing everyday pastoral work.) I am called upon when people are facing crisis or complications. A few call when they are on top of it all or have experienced some wonderful revelation. Ordinary living by most people doesn’t require too much intervention on my part as a minister.

Having said that, there are two highlights for the - SSI (“spiritual service industry”) are weddings and funerals. Both events are tremendous and a blessing to be involved in helping families.

It is however, the ordinary days in between that need help more than all the other highs and lows. It is the everyday things that need the greatest strengthening.

Yesterday I listened to another minister share some poignant thoughts dealing with a stressful life that we all face. He referred us to Ecclesiastes 3:3-5 – where the writer states there is ....
3. a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4. a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5. a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain

There are twelve things that are mentioned here. Six sets actually each with two distinct thoughts to consider. It pretty much describes the life of an average person. It is living in the ordinary days.

Ordinary days need a balance. When there are extreme things with one event – there is a balancing “something” to that event. At least there should be.

Real Life…
Real life has its ups and downs. There are times when we laugh and times when we cry. Each is connected in some way to memories – the “then” and with the making of memories – the “now”.
My friend yesterday spoke of the need that we all have to seek some laughter to balance out the other stuff that always comes our way.

Personally that is my number one need most of the time. When I have days filled with mostly painful stories, I need to find the pockets of laughter.

Let me illustrate this further with a real story.

This past Wednesday was difficult for me. I was drawn further into some very complicated and painful discussions with a major office conflict. A number of the office staff had been asking for help. I accepted the role that I was asked to do and attempted to help by listening to a number of the people involved. The crisis points to one person’s personal problems. There however is not going to be an easy answer.

The weight that I have felt coming from the different meetings with members of the staff has been overwhelming at times. Wednesday was a day that almost buried me. Thursday followed with huge weights of its own. By Thursday evening I thought I would be smothered by what was happening around me.

(If you were not depressed before you began reading this – you may be now.)

The words that my friend spoke of on Thursday AM about laughter hit home deeply. Stress had again taken its complete toll. I was almost unable to breathe let alone function properly.

Then I heard my wife laughing. She had found something that was very funny and was giggling on her own. I listened to her account and began to grin too.

On Wednesday evening, we visited some special friends that have gone through some difficult times in their family and in their personal lives. We shared with them and were blessed. What we shared was laughter… belly rolling laughter – sometimes about the silliest things. That laughter and the things we talked about had stuck with me into the next day and was provided as a great help to the weight I was under.

Without knowing it I was being ministered to by the laughter. The stress was relieved and the weight was decreased.

Now to Peace…
Peace as I described it earlier is something that seems euphoric and fleeting for some. If it there is not a perfect setting for it we will never achieve it.

Peace is more than euphoric for me… it is pain mixed with laughter, it is everyday living and coping with that life that I live. It is realizing that I am okay in the middle of the muddle.

Isaiah 26:2-4
2 Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, the nation that keeps faith.
3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
4 Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.

~ Pastor Murray ~

Brand New

As I pondered further this idea of Sin that has been a part of my life (and yours) I realized that this cleansing of the garbage and the trash is permanent – BUT it is not all that happens.

My thoughts continued along this path as I meditated on this. At the moment that God and I agree on allowing him to begin the disposal program of my Sin, something else happens. He takes out the old and dirty Sin – and replaces it with blessings of all sorts. He knows what will fit better in the places that he empties.

There are basic things that are the same in each life. Each life he works in gets its own refit and its own kind of blessing. Each has its own requirements. What is good for one is not so good for another. Each has its own past that relates to the world of the present.

I illustrate this idea this way. A person that was addicted or had a habit of using alcohol will not likely continue using any more. He or she will stay clear of that kind of thing that has pulled them so low. In fact this need to avoid is so great that groups like Alcoholics Anonymous – “AA” – have been very successful in their assistance of people walking into their new lives.

A gossiper will stay clear of “sharing” the latest thing they have heard about someone else. A thief will avoid being alone in a secluded part of a store where temptation will be great. A prostitute will avoid being in places of great need where they may be driven to lower themselves to further degradation.

How can they change is the question/thought that hounds me?

Jesus describes what begins to happen… in John 14: 26 - 28
26. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
28. "You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.

It is Peace that he begins to flood into our hearts and our lives – filling the crevices and the rooms where Sin was once present.

Imagine your life as house that has been emptied of the old contents and the cleaning begins before you move in and take possession. The carpet and the walls are not completely clean. There is a need to begin scrubbing and painting.

I am visualizing the work of the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised us in the words above. His words - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. – are so powerful!

He begins flooding the new truck loads of Peace into the cleaning process of my life. The Sin is gone – and now He applies the Peace. He himself is Peace.

As I thought of this wonder that God does – he doesn’t just apply a little spot of Peace Paint to this are or that area of my life. He floods my life with a fullness that is amazing. In my life it is piled up to the ceiling of the old house! Instead of measuring the Peace in gallons or litres – we need to see it in train loads!

Isaiah 26: 2-4 describes the keeping power of Peace.
2. Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, the nation that keeps faith. 3. You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. 4. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.

As I consider this new Brand New factor – when the Sin is removed like the Trash – God replaces it with Peace. His application of Peace is of his doing entirely. I am only a recipient of all the Peace He will give me.

This past weekend was an almost perfect weekend for a Canadian Autumn. The temperature was perfect – not hot and not cold. The leaves had turned every colour imaginable. There was no wind and the sun shone brightly in a perfectly blue sky. As I stood in our back yard the sense of perfect peace was there – all around me. There was a Peaceful Stillness. It was amazing to take it all in. Not a sound of confusion any where.

That is the way that my life needs to be. I desire that more than anything else these days.

BUT – that is not what happens on the outside – this week has been something else for stress and confusion… but that is life.

But this AM as I pause and sense again what God is doing – the new truck load of His Peace just arrived and it is been applied to my life again.

Lamentations 3:22-24
22. Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."

Trash

In a recent dialogue with a friend of mine we were discussing “Sin” and how God deals with it. What does God remember and not remember about our Sin? We know that he forgives us – but does He forget?

Interesting thoughts for sure…

First off I do not believe that we need to run scared from a Loving God. That is where the Grace factor needs to be nailed on our heart’s door and remembered often. God loves us. He doesn’t love our Sin though and will do all that he can to save us from that Sin. In fact he let his Son Jesus die for that Sin that we held so close to our hearts and were so deeply involved in over time.

As I pondered this thought I was taking out the garbage today. In our area we take out the Blue Box with a certain kind of waste in it… one of which is the Old Newspapers. In the other large green bags that we use I place the refuse from the kitchen – all the food stuff.

As I stared at what I had just dragged to the curbside I realized that I would never see it again. It is garbage. I do not need it any more. The newspaper that I read yesterday is gone. The cross word puzzle that I did in the paper is now history. The phone number that I wrote in the column of page three when someone called me – is gone.

In fact if I go back to last year, the fifteenth week and the second day of that week… the headlines of that Newspaper are gone… I don’t remember what the article was all about. I can’t recall what was said and was happening that day.

On the thirtieth day of 1967 at 5:15 PM, in that really bad snow storm, when I tried to cook my meal that night, it failed terribly. Instead of trying to eat what I cooked – I threw it out in the garbage.

My point is…. My Sin and Your SIN is the same as what we have thrown out. The garbage man came and took it all away. I have no idea where it is today. God promised me he would take care of it all. He did it when he allowed his only son to die on that cross.

Wow! It feels like Easter all over again today.

Taking Control of Imagination

In the last posting I referred to the change that happens in our lives when we lose Imagination. I shared how that has happened to me as I moved into these later years. One time I could imagine and dream anything… but with the changes around me I slip into a kind of “Frozen with Fear” state of mind.

Maybe you have noticed that in your life as well. Because of circumstances around you; a bad report from a doctor, a sudden and rapid change at your work place, or some mounting problem within your family explodes and destroys dreams that fostered the imagination that was once there.

I know this for sure – it doesn’t take much to have the great dreams sidelined. Oh – imagination is still there. It is just filled with Fear and Frustration making it incapable of the drive that it normally has to propel life forward.

Again… please read the words of J. Hudson Taylor...(1832-1905)
One of the quotes that he is attributed as having said was as follows…

Use Your Imagination!
“Imagination lit every lamp in this country, produced every article we use, built every church, made every discovery, performed every act of kindness and progress, created more and better things for more people. It is the priceless ingredient for a better day.”

Oh how powerfully true that is!

As I read what Taylor said I stop to think – what if the “imagination” quality was never allowed? What would we have today? Not much I assume.

Second, I ask, what if Imagination was frozen or unable to function as it should? Perhaps because of circumstances it is filled with an obsession to protect and run away. Maybe because the situation that is there surrounding the “Imaginer” – he or she is unable to move forward with the great potential that God had designed for them.

In the Bible we read that Paul addressed this potential change in the lives of some of the Christians that he taught. It is found in the letter that he wrote to the Philippians (4:8)…
4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

This short but powerful verse is preceded with these words…

6. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

It appears that Paul is telling the folks that read the letter that whatever it is that have come your way to make you anxious, get you off track and pull you away from what you were doing so well – you need to get away from this thinking and start a new way of traveling.

We are in control of what we allow our minds to think.

If we allow horrible thoughts to flood our thinking it will not be long before we are immobile and not moving ahead. But if we entertain good thoughts and dwell on stuff that is positive we will very quickly make some radical changes. The horror that we faced moments ago will flee when we start rehearsing what God has done and is doing in our lives.

Let’s try this for new way of thinking that Paul suggests for just 10 minutes. Sit quietly and “force yourself” to think about the most positive things that have happened to you over these past 6 months. Please notice that I have shortened the time of the exercise and also the period of time to glean the thoughts from. You need to grab something quickly and use it for only a short period of time.

At the end of the 10 minutes what is the reaction and the feeling that you are experiencing?

Now when you are ready take a little longer time and open the time span that you think of to be larger. It would be good to write down what you are pulling up as positive and good things that have happened to you. Also write down what is happening to the feelings and reaction.

This kind of exercise is simply meditating on something. It is a spiritual discipline that is used throughout the Bible and encouraged by God himself.

One man did a lot of this kind of exercise and after all was said and done it became a great book of the Bible entitled “Psalms”.

Please read what is recorded in Joshua 1….
6. "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Lately…
As I began thinking this new way, God moved in and asked if I really meant it. Yes, was my answer and he replied with some amazing opportunities that have flooded my life.

How about you? Are you ready for a change? Maybe I should ask – do you realize the need you have for change? How is your imagination? What are your impossibilities? Now what are your possibilities?

Mine are GREAT… God is in charge.

Pastor Murray

Use It or Lose It - Imagination

J. Hudson Taylor (1832-1905) was known as a great Missionary in his time. He was an English missionary to China. He founded the China Inland Mission which at his death included 205 mission stations with over 800 missionaries, and 125,000 Chinese Christians.

One of the quotes that he is attributed as having said was as follows…

Use Your Imagination!
“Imagination lit every lamp in this country, produced every article we use, built every church, made every discovery, performed every act of kindness and progress, created more and better things for more people. It is the priceless ingredient for a better day.”

Oh how powerfully true that is!

Now consider that Hudson Taylor made this statement in one of his recruiting calls for new Missionaries to serve with him in China – in the late 1800s.

Later, in 1924, Eric Liddell, a Scott and a student at Cambridge in Britain, represented his country as an Olympian in Paris, France. Eric heard similar words as he received “his call” to do Missionary Service in China where he would eventually die. (The “Chariots of Fire” movie)

Imagination
Take a look around you today and maybe look over the last six months of time. Where has Imagination shown up in your life?

I can remember the latest Space Shuttle Discovery – perhaps you do as well. It seemed to all start in our generation with a little and odd shaped object thrown out into space. Can you remember back to when the space programs first began – away back in Oct 4, 1957? That was only 50 years ago this past week when the launch of the first human-made Earth satellite, Sputnik 1 was made.

I can remember the hospital visit I made in June when the staff saved the life of a man they brought into Emerge. The equipment that they used never existed just a few years prior to this.

All of what I use, this computer, my cell phone, and the TV I watch never existed 25 years ago.

Someone had the imagination and then a drive to create it. Someone dared to let their imagination go and then follow it.

The last words in the Hudson Taylor quote again…
“It is the priceless ingredient for a better day.”

I was searching through an old box the other day and found a photo of myself that is “old”. My hair was brown and I had longer side-burns. The clothing was definitely from the 1970s when I was half the age I am now. As I sat and looked at the photo I remembered where and when the photo was taken. I could recall the simple way we lived and the drive that was alive in me as we imagined what we were going to do next. Imagination was alive and well.

I was at a celebration for an older gentleman the other day. All the photos on the memory board jumped out to tell a story that was filled with imagination.

The Great Danger
Somewhere along the way as we age – Imagination out runs us. Something happened that we could no longer catch the dreams as we desperately tried to reach them. I am not sure why that is other than aging takes its cruel toll on the active mind – just because we are tired.

As I look back to the brown haired, side-burned, polyester clothed young man who had such big dreams; I wonder what happened to him.

I think a “Fear” over took him at one stage when anger attacked his vision. When stubborn people said “No” so often, he recoiled and watched. And especially when he became tired of trying to show his “imagination” to people that could care less. Yep, that is my story and I am sticking to it!

The Turn Around
The other day I was at my eleven year old grandson’s first official football game. He was dressed in a new uniform, which covered gigantic pads to protect his body. He ran on to the field to begin a new journey of getting a dirty ball across a goal line up ahead. In order to get there he had to work with a team that all believed they could do it. Some powerful words, from a great coach, had convinced them that they should do this – even though the other team was bigger and better than they were.

As I looked on I saw the guys he faced as at least One Foot taller! His team attempted to tackle one of the big guys and he dragged three players down the field before the weight of the boys became too much.

They have “Imagination” to get the job done. And guess what – THEY WON!

This fall I have taken a new step forward to become young again. No the body will continue to be the same – I know. But with God’s help I intend to let him reignite my imagination again. He did it in the past. And I know he can do it again.

As I began thinking this new way, God moved in and asked if I really meant it. Yes, was my answer and he replied with some amazing opportunities that have flooded my life.

How about you? Are you ready for a change? Maybe I should ask – do you realize the need you have for change? How is your imagination? What are your impossibilities? Now what are your possibilities?

Mine are GREAT… God is in charge.

Pastor Murray

What Do You See?

This is a beautiful fall “photo” that is shown here. Isn’t it? I am certain that you will agree. It is even more special than what is actually shown in the “photo”. If you look closer – you can see.

There are beautiful trees in the photo for sure. But standing with the trees are three men. Oh I know that with this size of photo you can’t really see who they are. If you knew them – you could see the miracle that they all represent. Then the “photo” would be complete. Actually – this is a “God photo” come to think of it…

Two of the men in the photo are men that have spent a number of years in prison. The third man in the photo faces another kind of prison at this time – no – not the kind with bars. Let me explain… his physical balance is at risk all the time.

Meet the “Lord of this Estate”…he is called “Win”. The short form of his name is really the best word to describe his attitude and heart – he is a “Winner”. The problem is Win’s inner ear mechanism, that should help to hold him upright, is almost gone. For all the years he has stood on the property he has had complete control. Now he needs his cane and a great deal of will power to walk the property – in fact each walk and each task on the property is a chore. The chain saw that is being used in the photo is 19 years old and was purchased to help clear the land to build his house. But that doesn’t stop him.

As you look closer at the photo you will see more. Win is with two men that he has just met for the first time. They are my friends. As I said earlier they are men that have spent time in prison. Uniquely – they have shared the same cell block together inside of a Canadian prison. Sorry… there are no names written here to help them. (It just isn’t cool to publish names.) Now they do different tasks together…. Today it is cutting wood.

The wood that is being cut was placed in this pile by Win months (and maybe even years) ago. He uses his small John Deere tractor to pull the logs up the hill to this spot. But with no balance it is not real good to operate a chain saw – even if he was good at doing so over all these years.

That is where the new “ friends” came into the photo. They are good at using chain saws – one at least. The other is a super at helping. Together they are a “Mercy Team”. I have given them the name.

God’s Mercy has reached their hearts and begun the process of cleaning their lives. Today they are discovering Jesus. A year, even a few months ago, Jesus wasn’t a factor in their lives and they wanted nothing to do with the “God People”. Today they meet with me weekly and are the first two to ask if they can pray. Both read the Bible with me in our Bible studies together. And finally – they want to offer other people their love and support. Doing stuff for people is right up their alley. They offer Mercy now… to anyone that needs it.

It has caused me more problems than I can handle at times. They keep asking – “Is there anyone else that needs help?”…and “When can we do it”.

The photo is coming in clearly now… the one that God sees. In the midst of the beautiful fall photo – there is another miracle happening…. Today is one man’s 10th month of being out of prison. The other fellow is delighted to report that he is at 17th months and it will soon be 2 years in his description. Both are filled with hope.

I am in the “photo” as well… you just can’t see me. I am behind the camera as you have guessed. But I am behind another camera as well. Both of the men will be with my wife and me for Thanksgiving this year. They will celebrate with us around our table. We are all excited…. They are excited because this Thanksgiving is not at the Prison Cafeteria – but outside and with people that are loving them… for the first time. My wife and I because we are loved in return.

What a blessing this “photo” is to me.

Pastor Murray

You Don’t Need a Title To Be A Leader

The following is taken from Maximum Impact News – which is sent to me daily from John Maxwell. It is taken from a new book written by Mark Sanborn – entitled – “You Don’t Need a Title To Be A Leader” It is placed in the Blog today with hopes that you may obtain a copy to read personally. It is a bit longer than other posts - but definitely worth reading!

Pastor Murray

AN INVITATION TO GREATNESS
If you're big enough for your dream, your dream isn't big enough for you. --Erwin Raphael McManus, pastor and author

WHO IS A LEADER?
One day, my assistant informed me over the intercom, "There is a Cadet Green on line two. I think you'll want to talk to him."

That was my introduction to Cadet Shawn Green, U.S. Air Force Academy.
The Air Force Academy had been in the papers a great deal lately for various challenges it was facing, and none of the recent news had been positive.

Shawn Green called me to tell me he had read my first book, The Fred Factor. He believed the book offered a message that needed to be shared at the Academy. So he took the initiative to call me out of the blue to ask if I would be willing to come and speak. "I'm just a person who wants to make things better," he told me.

This exceptional individual was undaunted by the challenge of contacting people he didn't know who he thought could help. He couldn't afford to pay the people he was contacting to appear. In fact, he actually had to get official approval for us to appear for free. Cadet Green didn't have a title, but he was certainly a leader.

As a result of his bold request, both bestselling author Stephen Covey and I came to speak to the graduating class of freshman cadets. Meeting so many of the best of the best who were determined to serve their country was a memorable experience, one that I will not soon forget.

People who lead--whether or not they have a title--strive to make things better.

We all want to have an impact on the world around us. No one wants to be blown sideways in life by forces they can't control.

Part of growing up is figuring out how much influence we have over our environment, from parents to friends, from school to careers.

Our choices in life have a huge impact on the kind of education we get, the kinds of jobs we land, the relationships we develop and become involved in, and the quality of the lives we live. The desire to influence the world around us is what real leadership is all about.

DO YOU THINK YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
When you first look in the mirror in the morning, do you say to yourself, "Today, I'm going to change the world!"?

Probably not.

And yet we do change history every day, not just for ourselves but for our families, communities, employers, and country. Some of the ways we effect change are significant: landing a huge account, raising money for charity, helping to coach a youth soccer team. Others are small: letting someone merge ahead of us in traffic, taking an interest in a colleague who needs someone to listen. But none are trivial.

I'm not suggesting that simple acts of courtesy in and of themselves constitute acts of leadership. Yet leaders, untitled or otherwise, realize the extraordinary impact they can have on others and the world around them. They consciously choose to exercise their abilities, skills, and knowledge to help make a difference.

WHAT IS IT YOU WANT?
Professor of sociology and speaker Tony Campolo claims that if you ask most parents what they want for their children, they will say they want their children to be happy.

Campolo goes on to say that he grew up in a home where his father didn't care if he was happy. You see, his father wanted more for his children than just to be happy. He wanted each of them to be good, to be an ethical person who makes a positive contribution. Sometimes that requires hard work and self sacrifice, putting another's needs ahead of your own. These are things that might not, in the short term, make us "happy." But they do help us to do good and make a difference. Being happy is enviable, but being good is truly admirable. It requires character, integrity, and perseverance.

Sometimes being "good" isn't aiming high enough. As Erwin McManus, the pastor of Mosaic Church in Los Angeles, said, "We spend so much time worrying about our kids being good--not breaking the rules, getting into trouble, and basically behaving--that we often forget to invite them to be great."

In fact, I define true leadership as "an invitation to greatness that we extend to others." There is a catch, though. We can't give what we don't have. We can't extend an invitation we haven't already accepted.

At a recent convention, a member of the association sponsoring the event volunteered to work as backstage manager and assist with everything that happened behind the scenes at the general sessions. Because Rick was busy preparing between general sessions, he gave up the chance to attend most of the sessions during the conference. He didn't receive any payment, other than the appreciation of the association leaders, and he still paid a full registration fee for his attendance.

He was an example of one of the many who serve as untitled leaders, who handle the necessary but often unglamorous jobs that need to be done.

Volunteers for important or high-profile tasks are never in short supply. While I don't want to short change the importance of "the big show," I am even more impressed by the leaders who know what must be done behind the scenes to make the big show happen. They take on difficult and time-consuming assignments not because they want to be praised or noticed-- just because those tasks have to be done. As a result, everyone benefits.

The reality is that we all work "backstage" in our lives at times. Real leaders bring the same commitment to excellence to whatever they do, whether on the stage or behind it.

DON'T CONFUSE LEADERSHIP WITH FAME
Recently, the Discovery Channel aired a four-part special on the top 100 greatest Americans. Matt Lauer hosted the show each week for one month; half a million nominations were gathered online. At the end, the top twenty-five Americans were announced. The results were what most people would call a mixed bag: Among those on the list were Abraham Lincoln and Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bill Clinton and Billy Graham, Thomas Jefferson and Tom Cruise, Walt Disney and John F. Kennedy, Dr. Phil and Michael Moore. The mixture of historically great leaders and entertainers like Michael Jackson and real estate mogul Donald Trump begs the question: What do we think "greatness" is?

In my opinion, fame is based on what we get in life, but true greatness is based on what we give in life. It is contribution through action.

BARBARA STAMMER
Barbara Stammer's career plans changed when she was nineteen years old. At the time, she was attending college with the intention of becoming a schoolteacher. Then the guy she planned to marry broke off the engagement and she left college to pick up the pieces and "find herself”. "All my plans were down the tubes," Barbara recalls. "I remember thinking, “What will I do with my life?'"

As luck would have it, a budding restaurateur named Bobby Merritt was hiring. Only months earlier, he had been employed driving a bread truck. Then he had a bad accident that changed his life forever. "I was in and out of hospitals over the next few years and was left with a permanent disability," says Bobby.

While recovering and considering how to take care of his wife and three small children, he found a help-wanted ad in the local newspaper. A restaurant chain called Sonic was looking for a managing partner in Las Cruces, New Mexico. And that's how Bobby got started in the restaurant business.

Barbara was the first employee Bobby hired. He knew her mother, who ran a commissary at a military base, from his bread truck route and her mother's own attitude and loyalty had always impressed him. As he expected, these traits run in the family. Barbara's can-do attitude and enthusiasm quickly helped her to learn the Sonic business.

Merritt bought out his original partners and started expanding. In December, as he prepared to open up a new drive-in restaurant, he asked Barbara to help train the crew. It was the first time she had helped to train someone else. "Soon I was ordering equipment and uniforms and doing everything necessary to get ready for a new opening." She discovered that not only was she good at doing her job, she was good at teaching others, as well.

"Barb," Bobby remembers, "was high-energy. She always wanted to make whatever she did better."

With her strong work ethic and sense of integrity, Barbara treated the business as if it were her own. Her passion and sense of responsibility made her a stellar employee, and Bobby continued to increase her responsibilities.

Yet she didn't have a title. Nor did she have one for the next fifteen or twenty years, until one day "Sonic Corporate said we had grown so much we needed an org chart," she said, laughing. "Bobby stopped by my office and asked me if I would like to be president. I said I would think about it. I never got back to him, but at the next company convention he announced that I had agreed to be president!"

Barbara Stammer helped Bobby Merritt build the largest Sonic franchise system in the United States, with 5,500 employees, 130-plus stores, $160 million in revenues, and some of the highest performance numbers in the business. And Barbara didn't need a title to do it (although she came to earn one in time).

BEING A LEADER
Genuine leaders make things better not just for themselves but for others, whether or not their contribution results in financial reward or popular recognition. A few leaders achieve both fame and greatness, and we read about them in history books. But most of the people I think of as leaders are untitled people like Barbara Stammer; they achieve greatness by working quietly in their organizations and communities, in their own lives, and in helping those around them.

Neighbourhood Block Party

To put it simply it was an amazing event. About 27 people arrived on Saturday evening to enjoy our Neighbourhood Block Party. It began at 5:00 PM and the last folks to leave carried their lawn chairs home at about 9:00 PM.

It all happened in our driveway and at the front of our garage. It began about two months ago with some simple planning and then more intense planning as we came into August and the September. A simple flyer was prepared and hand delivered to each door – both sides of the street along our block. My wife took care of all of this.

The costs were small. We paid for the meat and buns. They contributed a loonie per person and either a salad or a dessert. There was just enough food with a little left over. There was enough money as well to cover the meat costs as well.

The goal we had was simple - to welcome everyone to and from our street. There were some older community people that have lived here more than 35 years and then the newer folks that arrived in the last few months. We shared names and stories about the street – and lots of laughter. We shared old stories and new ones too. It is amazing to hear where each of the folks had lived over these years.

This is the 4th time we have held this street celebration on our block.

Along with the happiness and the stories shared, there was some sadness shared too. A neighbour just across the street attended last year – this year his widow was unable to come. Another couple that live to the south end of the street were not in attendance either. Last week he had a massive heart attack and was rushed to the hospital in Toronto. The mixture of happiness and heart break shared over food is what a neighbourhood block party is all about.

I think this one has helped me to realize the importance of “NOW”. Next week and next month may be too late to touch base with each other. None of us know how long we have to connect with someone else – specially our neighbours.

We have come to realize that our neighbours are happy people – and I hope they have found us to be the same. There was no preaching – or any heavy religious stuff. We just enjoyed each other’s company.

I have noticed something since we began this 4 years ago… people toot their horns and wave when they pull out of their driveways and drive past our house. They wave at each other when they see each other. We have grown toward each other. We help each other and we care for each other. This may be growing into the happiest street in Peterborough – where more people care for one another than anywhere else.

As we were about ready to each go our separate ways… – one neighbour had mentioned that he was to have surgery this week. With a small nudge by the Spirit, I told him I would be praying for him. There was a genuine, “Thanks.” from the two of them.

The simple lesson that is rising to the top of this effort… “Caring Counts”, to all of our neighbours. It matters to me as well.

Neighbour Murray…