When Time Flies By

What happened? Where did the week go? It was just yesterday that I was writing something for this blog… yet the dates clearly show that one whole week vanished into thin air. “Poof” is not a time word but it shows up when the changes take place.

I don’t know about you but for me time is not just loping along any more – it is in full gallop. This year has vanished into thin air. The last 365 days are gone – completely.

Yet – when I look back so much has happened. Our family has grown and changed again. Grandkids are older and a lot wiser. Their parents are a little more stretched as they progress toward being parents of teenagers. My wife and I have been witnesses to God’s wonderful grace over and over again. It has been a very interesting year with so many blessings. The blessings all arrived wrapped in God’s wonderful grace in the middle of countless challenges and struggles. It is a wonderful fabric made in 2006. It is a wonderful testament of God’s faithfulness.

Yesterday I listened to a senior man tell his life story of God’s grace and love. His name is Reg. Reg is a fellow minister. He described how in his early ministry God had led him into the ministry. He spoke of low salaries and poor times with struggles mixed into the fiber of his life. Then he shared how God led him into a specialized ministry that would provide a much better salary. Finally he related how in one situation he had befriended an older man across the street from where they lived. He helped the man every time he needed some one. When the man passed away he willed his house to Reg. He then concluded what he was saying with, “It is so wonderful the way that God has looked after us.”

We were sitting together for the second half of the Keenager’s Christmas Banquet. Beside Reg was a man that has been attending our church for a few months now. He is somewhat handicapped. After the dessert was finished and the program portion was being presented, this man leaned over to Reg and said he wanted to go home. Reg listened to him and then told him, “If you want to go home, I will take you. Sure.” Reg left with this man to drive him home in the middle of the Keenager’s program.

In Reg I have found the wonder of God’s grace again. His life is full of giving to who ever he can. Reg is kind hearted and compassionate. I heard the full story of his life and then witnessed the results. Thanks Reg.

This is the way my 2006 has passed by – witnessing the Grace of God in people’s lives.

No, not all stories are so nice. Some have included tragic endings. Some are filled with sorrow that is deep. But through it all God has blessed us over and over again.

The one thing that I do know – God has been there through it all. It is evidence that he will be there through 2007 and beyond as well. Yesterday as I sat looking at the seniors that attended the meeting together I was deeply moved. Some will be in the presence of their Lord this time next year. Time is marching on at a full gallop.

In case you are little upset with this posting, please consider that God has been with you through this past year, this past five years and even further back. This has been your year of blessings. Yet – it is nothing beside what we can expect in 2007. He has promised us that he will never leave us nor forsake us either.

I am ready for Christmas and the New Year celebration. I am ready for this week and this next month. When and as "Time Flies By" – I am ready. How about you? With God’s help we will make it.

~ Pastor Murray ~

Through It All

I've had many tears and sorrows
I've had questions for tomorrow
There've been times I didn't know right from wrong
But in every situation
God gave blessed consolation
That my trials only come to make me strong

I've been a lot of places
And I've seen so many faces
But there've been times I've felt so all alone
But in that lonely hour
In that precious, lonely hour
Jesus let me know I was His own

Through it all
Through it all
I've learned to trust in Jesus
I've learned to trust in God
Through it all
Through it all
I've learned to depend upon His Word

So I thank God for the mountains
And I thank Him for the valleys
I thank Him for the storms He's brought me through
Cause if I never had a problem
I wouldn't know that He could solve them
I wouldn't know what faith in His Word could do

Through it all
Through it all
I've learned to trust in Jesus
I've learned to trust in God
Through it all
Through it all
I've learned to depend upon His Word
Yes, I've learned to depend upon His Word
I've learned to depend upon His Word