Oprah & Eckhart...A Dangerous Alliance

In an earlier post I waxed poetic and mentioned Oprah Winfrey and Eckhart Tolle. Tolle seems to be the latest new age practitioner that Oprah has latched onto. It's scary because Oprah has such a widespread influence. When she puts forward someone's ideas that are contrary to scripture, millions could potentially be guided away from the Truth, Jesus Christ and into the quagmire of falsehood.

Donald Whitney (pictured) is an author who I respect. He has written about the errors that Eckhart Tolle is presenting as truth in his book A New Earth.

Check this link, read Whitney's review and then make a decision on the side of Truth.

Jesus Christ IS the ONLY Way! He said it! That's the Truth!

Old Hat

Do you recognize this baseball cap? I certainly do! For many years I was the chapel leader for the Montreal Expos. I miss those days. Apparently Paul Mackay misses the Expos too. Check out his blog.

Hopefully our Christian experience never becomes "old hat". His mercies are new every morning and the life of a believer in Jesus Christ need never be boring.

Enjoy God's presence today and be sure to remove your cap when you bow before Him.

Finding Leah

Periodically I check out the stats concerning Pilgrim Scribblings on my Sitemeter. It's always interesting to see who is checking out our blog and where they're from.

Today I discovered that Leah (pictured) had made another visit. Sitemeter led me to her blog and I enjoyed what she had posted. It's rare these days to find a young woman who loves old hymns.

Leah posted the lyrics to the great, old hymn Be Thou My Vision. I've included those lyrics here.

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;

Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.

Thou my best thought, by day or by night,

Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, Thou my true Word;

I ever with Thee, Thou with me, Lord;

Thou my great Father, I thy true son;

Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,

Thou mine inheritance, now and always:

Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,

High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of heaven, my victory won,

May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heav'ns Son!

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,

Still be my vision, O ruler of all.

Leah, if you read this post, e-mail me so I can write back. Have a great day and may the Lord enrich your life as you trust Him daily.

God bless!

~ David, the Pilgrim

Cherry's Coat of Many Colors

Canadian hockey icon, Don Cherry, has signed on with the American sports network ESPN. Cherry with his garish suits and sports jackets has been a fixture on Coach's Corner on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada for years.

We congratulate "Grapes" as does his tailor. More exposure for those crazy suits, shirts and ties although I bet he'll tone down his wardrobe when he appears south of the border.

We'll have to wait and see!

Packing A Punch

What does a young professional ballplayer pack in his carry on bag when leaving for a road trip? Maybe some of them wouldn't want us to know. Others, like Gabe Gross of the Tampa Bay Rays, pull out a book by a long-gone Church of England Bishop, J. C. Ryle, and relate how relevant his writings are.

In this 21st century when much of the Christian publishing fare is "fluff", it's encouraging to know that some of the greatest writers (and preachers) still have a readership. When Gabe showed me the book (pictured) and asked if I had heard of the author, I was thrilled to know what he was reading. The Baseball Chapel leader in Milwaukee where Gabe played before a recent trade, Wayne Beilgard, had given Ryle's book to him.

What does a professional ballplayer pack in his bag? The "cream of the crop" take along books that are life-changing and challenging, books that still pack a punch.

Now you know!

Mistaken Identity

Last night I caught the last half of the Blue Jays' game against the Tampa Bay Rays. It was a last-minute decision and I went out for dinner following the game with Gabe Gross, former Blue Jay, who is now with the Rays. Usually I try to request my credentials at least 24 hours before game time but last night circumstances prevented that.

When I picked up my VIP Pass at Gate 9 my affiliation was listed as BASEBALL CHAPEL. As many of you know, I resigned from BASEBALL CHAPEL over two years ago. Last night I was walking around the "bowels" of the Rogers Centre as DAVID FISHER of BASEBALL CHAPEL instead of DAVID FISHER with EPISTLE SPORTS MINISTRIES. Mistaken identity.

Many people move around, parading themselves as someone they're not. They put on a false front, a phony face. They say they are one thing but in reality they're something completely different.

People pretend to be Christians, followers of Jesus Christ, but they have never had a life-changing, salvation experience where God, by His Son, transforms an individual and gives new life.

What about you? Are you pretending to be someone that you're not! Let's be real! If you're a believer, live like it. If not - I'll pray that you truly become one of His.

Seasons Change...God Doesn't

Thank you Saija for this excellent graphic!

As I read these words, "He changes times and seasons" my poetic juices began to gurgle beneath the surface...

He changes times and seasons
According to His will
He always has His reasons
And they are best but still...

We question things and wonder
Why God allows the pain
The storms, the rain, the thunder
Are meant but for our gain.

The icy cold of winter
Yields to the warmth of spring
Our trials though they seem bitter
Will end and sweetness bring.

God changes times and seasons
And when the pain we've stood
We'll learn the Father's reasons
He planned them for our good!

~ David W. Fisher, May 2008

My Heroes of the Faith

This was an enjoyable exercise making this "old" movie/slide show of some of my heroes of the faith. The song in the background, Hero of the Faith, was written by Roger Bennett who played the piano for the Cathedral Quartet for many years and then founded the group Legacy Five along with Scott Fowler. Roger, no doubt, was refering to Glen Payne (and likely George Younce) who mentored him and encouraged him to get involved in gospel music. Roger, after battling cancer for several years, succombed and is now in the presence of the Lord with his heroes of the faith.

I wish I had a photo of Keith Price who so graciously mentored me. As soon as I receive a picture from his family I will add it to this gallery of my heroes.

Praise God for the Heroes of the Faith who paved the way for us. May we, by God's grace, do the same for others and, as Steve Green so powerfully sings, "may those who come behind us find us faithful." AMEN!

Check out slide.com and make one for yourself. ENJOY!

Happy Birthday!

Today would have been my dad's 86th birthday! Each year I buy a birthday card for him even though he's in the presence of the Lord. I write what I would have written had he still be with us. I seal the envelope and place it in my dresser drawer. Dad passed away on May 21st, 1992 shortly after his 70th birthday.

My good friend David Shantz is also celebrating a birthday today. He turned 22! David, a goaltender who played for the Peterborough Petes 2 years ago, divided his season between the Rochester Americans in the AHL and the Florida Everblades in the ECHL.

Happy birthday to two of my favorite people!

Faulty Assumptions

My friends Stephen and Brooksyne Weber from Mount Joy, PA must have considered my post regarding the Tim Hortons' Drive Thru escapade worth repeating. They included it in their Daily Encouragement today.

Stephen writes:

"Faulty Assumptions"

"But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the LORD; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out" (Numbers 32:23).

David Fisher is a sports chaplain and fellow encourager friend of ours from Canada. Several years ago we met after he stopped by our home and joined us for dinner. He was here for a game when the Toronto Blue Jays played Baltimore. Today I want to share an illustrative experience that David sent us regarding a visit to a Canadian Drive Thru restaurant:

"Recently I was with several family members and we stopped for a coffee at Canada's favorite watering hole, "Tim Hortons". We didn't go into the coffee shop; we went through the famous Drive Thru.

We paused to give the attendant our order and waited for what seemed like an eternity, but nobody was coming on the intercom to take our order. One of us began to murmur and complain using phrases like: "They are awfully slow here." "I've had trouble here before." "There's nobody else in line." "What's the problem?" I added that I had experienced a few "slow" attendants at this particular Tims. The driver was getting very exasperated.

It was then that I observed and realized, much to our chagrin, that we had stopped at the menu board, not at the place with the microphone and speaker where you place your order. We were "barking up the wrong tree" so to speak. We drove ahead a few feet, placed our order and were on our way in moments. Great service...and quick, once we got to the right spot!"

The above illustration indicates that there was some misunderstanding among David's family members. They had drawn the wrong conclusion regarding where to place their order. I have to admit I've made the same mistake at drive through windows, but caught on just a bit quicker than his party! We can so easily draw the wrong conclusions and make faulty assumptions in life.

Chapter 32 of Numbers has some interesting thoughts about misunderstandings and assumptions in human relationships. Let's consider the historical background: the new generation of Israelites is camped east of the Jordan. Leaders from the tribes of Reuben and Gad made a request to Moses to settle and consider as their inheritance the lands east of the Jordan, which were suitable for livestock. Moses initially misunderstood their request, assuming they were attempting to dodge their responsibilities in the conquest of Canaan.

However, the leaders further clarified their proposal indicating that they would indeed be sending their fighting men to assist the other tribes and pledging that they would not return until the conquest was complete. Moses' tone changed with the clarification and he accepted their proposal, but reminded them of the consequences of failing to keep their word in our daily verse. Tracking through the history of the conquest we see they did indeed keep their word and were commended by Joshua for their faithfulness in Joshua 22.

There's a lot of good teaching in this chapter but let me just focus on the initial faulty assumption and reaction by Moses. I believe it typifies situations that occur frequently in life which leads to strife-filled relationships in the home, church, work and elsewhere. When the tribal leaders approached Moses he drew the wrong conclusion, assuming they were not going to do their part. (Perhaps the tribal leaders also erred in not being clearer in their initial proposal.)

Have you ever been like Moses and come to the wrong conclusion? I sure have. Communication and clarification can do a lot to bring healing and understanding in relationships. May God help us today to listen to one another and clarify as needed. And be careful with assumptions, you just may be "barking up the wrong tree!"

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, help us to be slow to speak, quick to listen, and eager to give the benefit of the doubt to others. We often jump to conclusions that are erroneous due to our own preconceived ideas or based on our past experiences. Give each of us an understanding heart and discerning spirit in our relations with others we intersect with on our daily paths. In the name of Jesus we pray, amen.

Care Packages and a God Who Cares

Today I received another care package in the mail! I was blessed, encouraged and thrilled! Even though this special friend is a Montreal Canadiens fan (so is Paul Mackay), she has been such a blessing to me (and many others) over the last year or so. THANK YOU FOR WHAT CAME IN THE MAIL TODAY!!!

She has also blessed Paul Mackay, as I read today. When I read the following comment from her I just "knew" who that blogger was that she referred to...my dear friend Paul.

She wrote:

The second encouragement I have for you dear Pals...is reach out and encourage those around you and you will be blessed beyond measure. Three of my siblings and I put together a package for someone on Pilgrim's blogroll whose blog we really enjoyed. It was a simple package, and I just hoped it would encourage him as his blog had blessed us. It so happened to arrive on just the day when he needed to be encouraged the most, and blessed him. When I read his post about it last night, the tears streamed down my face and they keep threatening to today...who would have thought something so simple would mean so much?! But God used it like we could never have dreamed! "Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. As we have opportunity therefore, let us do good to all men, especially them that are of the household of faith." Galatians 6:9-10.

For those of you who don't know this, Paul is a border at my mother's home. Due to a variety of circumstances he has not been a mom's for several weeks and has been hanging his hat (Canadiens' hat, I bet) at his own place in Brantford. Paul and I are kindred spirits. We love the same music, we feel the same way about most things and we are great friends.

Please check here to read Paul's blog, Still Rambling, where he mentions the care package he received from our mutual Pilgrim Pal.

God does use bloggers to encourage one another. It has happened countless times with me and I continue to thank Him for this media whereby we can lift those who are downhearted. Pilgrim Pals and Pilgrim Scribblings are making a difference from the comments I receive. Thank You, Father!

Thanks for your friendship, LPP, and Paul. You are both loved!

~ David, the Pilgrim

Note: Please pray for LPP's father and for Paul Mackay. THANKS!

Prepare To Be Opposed

The following thoughts appeared on David Jeremiah's Turning Point online devotional today:

For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. Hebrews 12:3

In 1786, a young Englishman named William Carey raised the subject of world evangelization with a group of ministers. He was reportedly told, "Young man, sit down; when God pleases to convert the heathen, He will do it without your aid and mine." But he would not be dissuaded. By 1792, he published a revolutionary book on the church's responsibility in world missions and founded a missionary society with several other ministerial supporters. When he prepared to sail to India to preach the Gospel, his wife refused to accompany him, though she eventually agreed.

The resistance William Carey encountered is not unusual. Young David's family resisted his efforts to slay Goliath. Jesus' family and friends thought He was crazy (Mark 3:21). And Paul's friends tried to talk him out of his obedience to God. There will always be opposition against those who desire to carry out God's will for their life.If you have something you want to do for God, prepare to be opposed. If you are being opposed now, commit your way to the Lord (Proverbs 3:5-6).

The Word of God never yet prospered in the world without opposition. Iain H. Murray

Pilgrims Hiking

Yesterday Matthew and I went for a hike. Nathan wasn't able to join us for our usual Sunday afternoon adventure.

We walked down a road (pictured) that we had attempted to navigate last Sunday. The roadside sign advised us that we would drive it "at our own risk" and we decided that the foot-deep ruts in the mud were adequate warning NOT to attempt the ridiculous. Walking was a much better alternative so that's what we did yesterday.

The hike gave me a lot of fodder for future Pilgrim Scribblings posts. The book I'm working on will be entitled "TAKING THE BUMPY ROAD HOME...Pilgrim Scribblings by a fellow pilgrim on the journey home". The road we traveled was certainly a bumpy one...not unlike my life's journey.

In the midst of the dirt, mud, dust and dead leaves we saw new life bursting forth. These small, white flowers (pictured) reminded me of new life that springs forth when a life is touched by and redeemed by our Creator, God.

It was a great pilgrimage and the sense of the presence of God along the path was rich and meaningful.

Prone To Wander

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness like a fetter
Bind my wandring heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love
Here's my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

~ Robert Robinson

Sad to say, the hymnwriter who penned these lyrics wandered far from the God he loved after the hymn was written. God used a Christian lady who "happened" to be riding in a coach with him to get his attention and point him back to the One he had deserted.

"Father, keep us, as struggling pilgrims, from leaving the path and forsaking the One who redeemed us and calls us by name. Thank You that You are mighty to save and able to keep. We pray in the strong and powerful name of Jesus, our Lord. AMEN."

The Only True God

With so many "new" gods these days, we need to determine where our allegiance lies and stand for truth in the midst of all the perversions.

It's frightening to see how large a following Oprah Winfrey and her latest flavor of the month, Eckhart Tolle, have garnered. Their "cyberchurch" is numbering in the millions.

"Father, give us discernment during these troubled times. May we seek after truth and follow the One who said, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God and God, the Son. AMEN!"

These random scribblings were born out of my concern:

THE ONLY TRUE GOD

God, we know, is awesome, holy,
Not the god of Eckhart Tolle;
He, the Sovereign, reigns on high,
Those who trust Him never die.

God, we know, is faithful, mighty,
Not the god of Oprah Winfrey;
His Son Jesus died one day
Now He is the only Way.

God, we know, must get the glory
His Word, truth, inerrant wholly;
Trustworthy in every line
How I love to call Him mine.

He, with passion, we pursue,
Not some strange New Age guru,
He's my King, Ancient of Days,
To this God, I give my praise.

~ David W. Fisher, April 27th, 2008

Swamped?

Feeling swamped today? Mired in the mud of a mad busyness? Is that sinking sensation threatening to pull you under? Desperation flooding your soul? The clouds of uncertainty moving in unabated?

I've been there! And, when it seemed like hope had evaporated, God whispered forcefully yet lovingly, "Be still and know that I am God."

Hear His still small voice today in the midst of your crisis. Fall into His arms. Give up your striving and yield every thread of your being to Him. He cares! He really does!

"Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you. " - 2 Chronicles 20:15,17 (NIV)

God Still Provides

If you take note of the comments that readers post on Pilgrim Scribblings you will have read the following testimony. If not, be blessed as you read this current account of God's provision:

A good friend of mine writes:

"I've been learning a lot about prayer from men like Hudson Taylor and George Muller who pursued God and trusted in Him. Prayer, over the last 3 months, has been a focus of mine (or rather of God with me) and I have been blessed incredibly by a new and greater passion for it.

Just today a very cool answer to prayer (akin to the work God did in the lives of Taylor and Muller). I have a friend who is going to Columbia to work among orphans and I wanted to support him. Sunday I asked how much was still lacking. He responded "$200", which I very much wanted to cover. He leaves Thursday, and I could not make the money available by then - however God has blessed both of us!

This morning I received a phone call (very unexpected) from a company in Ajax who wishes to hire me for a Scuba dive. $250 for ten minutes work - cash paid on site! After my expenses, this will leave $200 for the work! (I made no effort on my own to obtain this work and I only do about 8 dives a year in Peterborough, an hour away - God clearly is the provider)."

Yes, God is still Jehovah Jireh - our Provider.

Gabe's A Ray

My good friend Gabe Gross was traded yesterday by the Milwaukee Brewers to the Tampa Bay Rays. I haven't spoken with Gabe or heard from him by e-mail so I don't know what his reaction to the trade has been.

From my perspective I'll get to see him when the Rays come to Toronto for three series this season as he will be back in the American League again. The Brewers have two other outfielders who will be activated this week and Gabe's playing time there would have been reduced. It seems that he would get more playing time in Tampa.

Regardless, Gabe and his wife Kelly have placed their trust in a sovereign God who makes no mistakes and they will continue to let Him lead them and use them for His glory. God bless you, Gabe, as you begin a new chapter!

The Place of Prayer

The following words were penned by one of my favorite authors, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. What a challenge! Too often we shove prayer to the background while carrying on the "important" things of life. Father forgive me for not availing myself of the access I have into Your very presence!

Dr. Lloyd-Jones writes:

"What is the place of prayer in your life? What prominence does it have in our lives?

It is a question that I address to all. It is as necessary that it should reach the man who is well versed in the Scripture, and who has a knowledge of its doctrine and its theology, as that it should reach anyone else. What part does prayer play in our lives and how essential is it to us? Do we realize that without it we faint?

Our ultimate position as Christians is tested by the character of our prayer life. It is more important than knowledge and understanding. Do not imagine that I am detracting from the importance of knowledge. I spend most of my life trying to show the importance of having a knowledge of truth and an understanding of it. That is vitally important. There is only one thing that is more important, and that is prayer.

The ultimate test of my understanding of the Scriptural teaching is the amount of time I spend in prayer. As theology is ultimately the knowledge of God, the more theology I know, the more it should drive me to seek to know God. Not to know about Him, but to know Him. The whole object of salvation is to bring me to a knowledge of God.

I may talk learnedly about regeneration, but what is eternal life? It is that they might know Thee, the only true God in Jesus Christ whom God has sent. If all my knowledge does not lead me to prayer there is something wrong somewhere. It is meant to do that. The value of the knowledge is that it gives me such an understanding of the value of prayer, that I devote time to prayer and delight in prayer.

If it does not product these results in my life, there is something wrong and spurious about it, or else I am handling it in a wrong manner." - D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Barking Up The Wrong Tree

Recently several family members pulled off for a coffee at Canada's favorite watering hole, Tim Hortons. Actually we didn't stop we went through the famous Drive Thru.

We paused to give the attendant our order and waited for what seemed like an eternity. Nobody was coming on the intercom to take our order.

One of us, and I won't reveal which one, began to murmur and complain. "They are awfully slow here. I've had trouble here before. There's nobody else in line. What's the problem?" I added that I had experienced a few "slow" attendants at this particular Tims.

The driver (it wasn't me...or Carol, I might add) was getting exasperated when I observed and realized, much to our chagrin, that we had stopped at the menu board, not the speaker where you place your order. We were "barking up the wrong tree" so to speak. We drove ahead a few feet, placed our order and we were on our way in moments. Great service...and quick!

How often do we park ourselves at God's menu board, where all His blessings and gifts are listed. Instead of moving ahead and thanking Him for what He has given us, we linger and wait, expecting more. Need a fresh infusion of grace, mercy or power? Go to the source of "every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ". Speak to the Father, don't linger at the blessing board.

Background Worship

Our worship of the King should always be at the forefront of our lives but I enjoy listening to Spirit-anointed background music while working at my office desk.

This song (click here), although previously unknown to me, has been a blessing. Check out some of the other hymns and worship songs played so reverently by this organist/pianist.

What's In Your Stack?

There's always a stack of books beside our bed. Carol gets upset when the stack becomes a skyscraper and asks me to sort through them and take some back downstairs to my office. About eight (8) is the maximum number that can be stacked. I bet some of our readers do the same thing. Am I right?

Anyhow, I'm wondering what books are in "your stack". I took a picture of mine. I'm presently either reading or re-reading all of these. Thanks to Tim Challies for his excellent book, The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment and for his recommendation to read Vintage Jesus (Mark Driscoll) and A Tale of Two Sons (John MacArthur).

Now, tell me, what's in your stack? Let me know. Leave a comment. THANKS!

If Need Be

Today I received the following in an e-mail update from someone I have never met but have corresponded with, Billy Daws, at ReFocus Ministry. This is excellent and I wanted to pass it along to our Pilgrim Scribblings readers. Thanks Billy!

Billy writes:

The call comes that ushers you into the worst crisis of your life. Over time, hope begins to disappear. You are well aware of your utter helplessness. It is time to stand still and consider your God.

If need be, God can speak and hang the sun and the moon.
If need be, God can operate, remove a rib, and create a helpmate.
If need be, God can cause it to rain for 40 days and nights.
If need be, God can send confusion to a mis-directed building crew.
If need be, God can direct you to a land you do not know.
If need be, God can provide a sacrifice when one is needed.
If need be, God can cause a womb to flourish even when it is past the time of child bearing.
If need be, God can bring you out of prison and give you the position of Vice President.
If need be, God can protect a baby in a crocodile infested Nile.
If need be, God can speak from a burning bush that is not consumed.
If need be, God can cause a rod to turn into a snake.
If need be, God can send frogs, flies, boils, gnats, locusts, darkness, disease, and death to our enemy.
If need be, God can cause our enemy to give us his gold and silver.
If need be, God can part the sea.
If need be, God can dry up muddy ground so we can walk on it.
If need be, God can drown the whole advancing enemy army.
If need be, God can give water from a rock.
If need be, God can send manna in the morning every day for 40 years.
If need be, God can cause clothes and shoes not to wear out for 40 years.
If need be, God can speak from the darkness.
If need be, God can give us the land occupied by others.
If need be, God can defeat our enemies and drive them out of the land.
If need be, God can send angels to surround us.
If need be, God can raise up a righteous judge.
If need be, God can bring down the house using a blind strong man.
If need be, God can stop the rain.
If need be, God can use a 17 year old boy to slay a giant.
If need be, God can remove a king.
If need be, God can shut the mouths of lions.
If need be, God can cause the sun and the planets to stand still.
If need be, God can rescue a prophet out of a well.
If need be, God can provide plenty of food for two widow ladies.
If need be, God can arrange a wedding for you with your kinsman redeemer.
If need be, God can provide food for you during a famine.
If need be, God can take your last container of oil and flour and fill it up again and again.
If need be, God can restore life to your son.
If need be, God can remove the reproach of barrenness and give you a child who will bless God.
If need be, God can cause a whale to swallow you to get you back on course.
If need be, God can send fire to consume a soggy altar and sacrifice.
If need be, God can stand with you in the fire, insuring that not even your hair gets singed.
If need be, God can turn a king into a crazy man in order for the king to give God glory.
If need be, God can give you a dream.
If need be, God can interpret the dream.
If need be, God can feed you with ravens.
If need be, God can pay taxes from a fish you catch.
If need be, God can make the lame walk.
If need be, God can calm the sea.
If need be, God can cause writing to appear on a blank wall.
If need be, God can make a donkey talk.
If need be, God can multiply fish and bread.
If need be, God can heal a leprous hand.
If need be, God can touch a little girl and restore life.
If need be, God can roll the stone away.
If need be, God can knock the hell out of the grave.
If need be, God can do anything He wants to do.

So why do we ever worry?

2 Chron. 20:12-18 (NLT) - "O our God, won't you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help." As all the men of Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones, wives, and children, the Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men standing there. His name was Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite who was a descendant of Asaph. He said, "Listen, King Jehoshaphat! Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don't be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God's. Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord's victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out there tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!" Then King Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground. And all the people of Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping the Lord. "

Miller Going To The Dogs

Peterborough Petes Head Trainer Brian Miller (pictured) has joined the Saint John SeaDogs of the QMJHL on an interim basis as Equipment Manager. The SeaDogs approached the Petes about borrowing Miller on an interim basis for the playoffs while their Equipment Manager attends a wedding in Cuba.

Brian is familiar with Saint John after spending six seasons with the Saint John Flames of the American Hockey League before joining the Petes in 2003. Miller will be in Saint John for approximately 10 days.

Note: Brian is a Christian and attends our local church, Auburn Bible Chapel. He and I work closely with the MONDAY WE HAVE FISH chapel program that we offer to the Peterborough Petes. Pray that Brian's time in St. John will be well spent. THANKS!

It's All Over But the Crying

What more can I say?

The Senators just didn't have it! We're left to wonder what might have happened if Mike Fisher hadn't been hurt and if Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley hadn't gone into their post-season funk. Remember Anaheim last year?

Guys like Antoine Vermette and Dean McAmmond have nothing to hang their heads about. Chris Neil was hurt. These three guys hold a special place in my heart (like Mike does) so it's hard to remain objective when writing about them.

The Sens President, Roy Mlakar, is a good friend so I grieve along with him today as well.

Like we always say, "Oh well, we'll get 'em next year." Maybe we've run out of chances though.

Prayer Changes the Man

Here's another gem from the pen of the late A. W. Tozer:

"And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." - John 14:13-14 (KJV)

In all our praying, however, it is important that we keep in mind that God will not alter His eternal purposes at the word of a man. We do not pray in order to persuade God to change His mind. Prayer is not an assault upon the reluctance of God, nor an effort to secure a suspension of His will for us or for those for whom we pray.

Prayer is not intended to overcome God and "move His arm." God will never be other than Himself, no matter how many people pray, nor how long nor how earnestly.

God's love desires the best for all of us, and He desires to give us the best at any cost. He will open rivers in desert places, still turbulent waves, quiet the wind, bring water from the rock, send an angel to release an apostle from prison, feed an orphanage, open a land long closed to the gospel.

All these things and a thousand others He has done and will do in answer to prayer, but only because it had been His will to do it from the beginning. No one persuades Him.

What the praying man does is to bring his will into line with the will of God so God can do what He has all along been willing to do. Thus prayer changes the man and enables God to change things in answer to man's prayer.

from The Price of Neglect, pp. 51-52

He Giveth More Grace

Lately I heard that a dear lady who is awaiting cancer surgery has been reading these Pilgrim Scribblings and has been blessed during these uncertain days. Our prayer is that Christians and non-believers alike would be encouraged and uplifted by these random, scattered "scribblings".

Pilgrim Scribblings was born out of my own struggles and pain. When we turn our trials around and use them as stepping stones instead of stumbling blocks others can be enriched in their own walk with God. That is our prayer.

A singer who never ceases to bless my soul is Larry Ford. He has often appeared on the Gaither videos and his rich tenor voice can move me to tears. Of course the lyrics play a huge part as well.

Horatio Spafford wrote It Is Well With My Soul after tragically losing his daughters at sea. Click here to hear Larry Ford's powerful rendition of this beloved hymn. Then when you have been blessed by this song, click here to hear him sing He Giveth More Grace. I praise God that He often uses music to minister to our spirits.

(Note: With both of these links, the YouTube screen will come up and you may have to click on the screen again for the song to continue.)

May these wonderful hymns lift you up and give you a sense of His presence as you journey home.

~ David, the Pilgrim

United We Stand...and Skate

...but is it too little too late. The Senators top line will be re-united tonight as they attempt to stave off elimination. They will need a miracle tonight and then three more miracles...

Possible?

I'm not going to answer that question...

I can only hope and pray...

Mountain Reflections

Our Pilgrim Pal Lisa J. often posts her Morning Coffee on her excellent blog - Thoughts From the Teahouse. She always combines a photo with a passage of scripture. Here's one of Lisa's recent posts. ENJOY!

"You make springs gush forth in the valleys;
they flow between the hills;
they give drink to every beast of the field;
the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell;
they sing among the branches.
From your lofty abode you water the mountains;
the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work."
- Psalm 104:10-13