Pilgrim Scribblings

David Fisher - Pilgrim Scribblings

2009-11-01T19:32:00.004-05:00

If you got to this particular post from a search engine, click here.

Regular readers of this blog will spot the title of this one and be scratching their heads wondering what on earth this is all about. And it might leave readers on the Alltop aggregator guessing, too.

One thing I’ve never done a lot of on this blog is self-promotion. Unfortunately however, there is a lot more complexity to blogging these days than ever before and some of this involves how search engine web-crawl spiders connect to different parts of the web. It turns out that this blog was missing a post like this one, so I needed to do this at least once. You might want to consider doing something like this on your blog, also. This section will disappear after about five days leaving only the section in black type below.

So… if you’re a regular reader, this isn’t for you…

Now...this one is for our regular Pilgrim Scribblings readers.

Today we had a visit at our church from a fellow blogger and good friend, Paul Wilkinson from over at Thinking Out Loud. His posts are always thought-provoking and we agree on many issues. There are some preachers who we have differing opinions on but I'm sure Paul will come around to my way of thinking sooner or later. Ha! Ha! We have both been involved in Christian bookselling for many years and now we blog together.

I'm anxious to see if Paul writes a post concerning their family's visit to Auburn Bible Chapel this morning. I'll be checking daily to see if he has. I check daily anyway. It's a regular stop along my daily blogging route.

I encourage you to check him/it out too.

Hope your Sunday was a good one and that you met with the King today!

Going Without...For a Year

2009-10-29T16:30:00.005-04:00

Recently I read about a guy who went for a year without using toilet paper. Oops, I should have used another word instead of "went". That pun was NOT intended.

Got me thinking. What would it be difficult to go without...for a year? I need your comments. Your insights?

Just mention "things"...NOT people.

To get you...and me...started, here are a few things that I would find it hard to live without for a week...let alone a year.

A good book
A Tylenol
A Tim Horton's coffee (even though I don't like them sometimes)
Lemon meringue pie

That's just a start. Send me your lists.

What couldn't you do without for a year?

Lowe-Down on the Kawartha Komets

2009-10-27T23:04:00.002-04:00

Dale Lowe from the local radio station KRUZ FM is one of many interested/concerned/compassionate citizens who have jumped onboard the Komet and are riding with us as we launch out. Dale posted the following article on his blog The Lowe - Down and we thank him for his support and encouragement.

Dale writes:

On the surface, it may have looked like any typical Saturday morning at the Kinsmen arena - - a church league game on one ice pad...a practise on the other. But, if you looked closely at that group of youngsters practising, you got to witness a dream become a reality.

For the past several years, David and Carol Fisher have been driving their son Matthew to Toronto, to play hockey for the Don Mills Diamonds...a team of players who have autism or Aspergers Syndrome. Realizing that Peterborough is Hockeytown, David and Carol wondered why it couldn't be possible to have a team in Matthew's hometown for kids with similar special needs.

And one year later, with Saturday's inaugural practise (sporting brand new jerseys), the Kawartha Komets are here.

It's difficult to describe the emotion that was in the arena...so far removed from what many of us have witnessed in minor hockey (like parents yelling at referees...or screaming at their kids, fully convinced their child will be the next NHL superstar).

No. There were no NHL expectations here... as they gathered around the boards encouraging their children on...giving hugs and high-fives...snapping pictures and taking videos...with smiles that seemed to go from one blue line to the other. For the first time, their children were able to experience something that so many others take for granted - - to play hockey, on a team.

The Kawartha Komets will actually be putting two teams on the ice this year, featuring players between the of ages between 6 and 20...with a varying range of hockey skills. That's where I come into the picture. My daughter Emily and I have volunteered, as Pete Dalliday has as well, to help these incredible children develop on the ice. David and Carol have also recruited their nephew to be the Honourary Captain of the Komets...some guy by the name of Mike Fisher of the Ottawa Senators. The NHL Players Association has also just confirmed a generous donation of 16 full sets of equipment for the team.

Autism and Aspergers present unique challenges for some of these children in order to play hockey. For some with sensitivities to the sensation of touch, the feeling of having equipment on is an issue in itself. For others, the rationale behind taking turns on the ice or understanding rules of the game will be an issue.

But, as I talked to some of the kids and parents, I came to the realization on Saturday that these challenges are merely obstacles that (with understanding, patience and commitment on our part) will be overcome...just as many other so-called obstacles have been overcome in their lives.

I have so much respect for the moms and dads I met this weekend...who deal with these challenges every day...and will do whatever it takes to allow their child to experience new things, to grow and explore their limitless potential.

The Kawartha Komets will play an exhibition game this Sunday afternoon at the Kinsmen (2pm). Hope you can drop by and give them some moral support in the stands.

Note: Please check out the Kawartha Komets blog here.

God Understands

2009-10-27T09:17:00.006-04:00

Several weeks ago the Lord gave me the melody to a song as I drove home to Peterborough from my position with SIM Canada in Scarborough, ON. I couldn't wait to get to my mother's home to play it on the piano to "lock" the tune into my mind.

Yesterday it was my turn to lead the chapel service at SIM Canada and I wanted to teach my colleagues the song. But, alas, there were no lyrics.

On Sunday evening these words came to me. I trust they will be a blessing to you. Come and hear me perform in Carnegie Hall in New York City to hear the melody. Dream along, David!

Here are the words and, as you read them, remember that God really does understand the circumstances and nuances of our complicated lives.

GOD UNDERSTANDS

Have you been struggling? No peace can you find
Life is so barren and dry
Darkness surrounds you and friends seem to fail
Clouds always cover your sky.

Chorus:

Hold to His hand,
He’ll understand
He’ll be your refuge and strength
When all around you brings heartache and pain
God will restore and sustain.
He’ll give you joy once again. (after 3rd verse)

When you’ve decided that life is too hard
Worry and fear brought you down
Lift up your eyes to the Savior, my friend
He always cares for His own.

When clouds have lifted and sunshine breaks through
Darkness and gloom pushed aside
You can point others to this Friend divine
And in His arms safely hide.

© David W. Fisher – October 2009

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Be still and know that I am God.” - Psalm 46:1,10 (NIV)

Afraid? Dismayed?

2009-10-24T10:33:00.004-04:00

For the past year I have subscribed to an excellent blog, The Blazing Center. These posts are written by Mark and Stephen Altrogge and I've been blessed, comforted and challenged by their writing. This week Mark wrote a post entitled Afraid? Dismayed? It touched my heart right where I am.

Here is that post:

Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s….Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.” (2 CH 20.15, 17)

When we face a “great horde”, be it actual enemies, financial problems, rebellious children, marital problems, sickness, or our own gigantic sin that looms before us, we can be tempted in two ways. We can be tempted to be afraid and tempted to be dismayed. God told Jehoshaphat two times not to give in to these temptations.

Do not be afraid or dismayed. Don’t fear and don’t be discouraged.

God tells us not to yield to fear or discouragement, for the battle belongs to him. He is waging war against the sin in our life and in the life of that rebellious teen. He is fighting the fear and unbelief in our hearts. He is fighting for our holiness and joy. The battle is not ours but God’s.

We must guard against this double-edged temptation. We must battle fear and discouragement.

“Do not be dismayed” has to do with the present. We can be dismayed at the state of our marriage or how our kids are doing. We can be discouraged at our slow progress to conquer a sin.

“Do not be afraid” has to do with the future. We fear for our teen if she continues the direction she’s going. We fear there won’t be enough money next month. We fear that this pain won’t go away. God tells us not to be fearful for the future, nor be discouraged about the present.

A sister I know had been battling depression and was experiencing powerful emotions of discouragement and fear. One day on her way into a store, she passed a Salvation Army Lady collecting money. She’d just heard a message about casting our bread upon the waters, so she went back and gave a dollar, and the lady gave her a little envelope with a card inside. She opened it and the card read:

Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.’

God specifically spoke to her about the very emotions she was struggling with and greatly encouraged her that day, and he wants to encourage you today. Do not be dismayed at what you see, nor afraid of what may be – the battle is the Lord’s.

A Difficult Confession

2009-10-21T18:15:00.006-04:00

The following post was written over four (4) years ago but the struggles I chronicled then are even more exaggerated as I re-issue this post. I received numerous comments when this was first published and, hopefully, it will elicit some serious thought again. God bless you as you read.

Here it is:

Time and time again I go back to a book, Bright Days, Dark Nights, penned by a favorite writer of mine, Elizabeth Skoglund. She writes on subjects such as confidence, depression, anxiety, change and transition using the writings of the Prince of Preachers, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, to illustrate her point.

The following quote by Spurgeon mirrors a statement that I used to make quite honestly and quite often. But now, I must confess, I don't know that I'm able to truthfully say it any more. The ravages of uncertainty, the stresses of being "down to the wire", the scariness of "not knowing" have played havoc with "all I once held dear".

Admitting this is difficult! What I once declared may have sounded very "noble", very "spiritual", very "right" but the years have taken their toll.

Let me give you Spurgeon's quote before I continue..."If I might have any choice between having abundant wealth, or being brought to absolute dependence upon daily supplies, if, in the latter case, I could have greater power to exhibit and to exert faith in Christ, I must confess that I should prefer the mode of living which would give me most room to enjoy the luxury of depending upon my God. I believe it is more happy and more divine a life to live from hand to mouth, dependant upon the provinces of God, and having the confidence to trust Him, than it is to have all the abundance of this world, but to have nothing about which faith may exercise itself." - Charles Haddon Spurgeon

There it is! As I said, I used to echo these thoughts although not so eloquently. Do I want to trust God implicitly? Of course! Do I believe that He can provide all I need? Absolutely! Do I want abundant wealth in a worldly way? Definitely not!

So, as I find myself in uncertain waters, I am crying out to God to be the Great Provider. He has been that in the past for me and He will never change.

Living on the edge has made me edgy and that can be a good thing.

For example...

Positively speaking:

1. I could be on the edge of another God-thing...another miracle that has no explanation other than that God did it!

2. I could be on the edge of a breakthrough where I experience deeper intimacy with God than ever before.

3. I could be on the edge of a new career path...a new vocation where God continues to be at the center.

Or, in a negative sense:

1. I could be on the edge of financial ruin.

2. I could be on the edge of unexpected grief or pain.

3. I could be on the edge of something that could shatter hope.

So, as I begin a new day with my hand held firmly by a Sovereign God I will say, "Surely God is my salvation. I will trust and not be afraid." - Isaiah 12:2

Yes, the unknown is scary! Yes, I want to truthfully say what Spurgeon said! But, for now, I will say this, "Moment by moment I'm kept in His love." I'll choose to look at the positive "edges" and "expect great things from God."

Thanks for your prayers during my bumpy pilgrimage!

Transparently,

David

The Dispenser Lady

2009-10-18T18:40:00.007-04:00

Do a Google search for PEZ, click on "images" and you'll find pages and pages of pictures of PEZ candy dispensers that have been produced over the years. Most of us have had a PEZ dispenser at one time or another. The PEZ candies weren't that exciting or tasty...at least I thought they weren't. The fun was in getting them out of the dispenser, whether it was Elvis, Mickey Mouse or Bart Simpson who was dishing them out.

The posted picture shows the PEZ lady in an ad from a by-gone day.

I know a modern day PEZ lady. Actually she's a dispenser lady whose name is ROZ WINNEY. ROZ dispenses candies at her desk at the office where I work. She always has a great selection of mints, hard candies, life savers and other tasty treats. Need a bottle of Diet Pepsi? There are always a few at the dispenser lady's desk.

More important than the candies and drinks that are always in good supply, you can get more important, life-changing goodies at Roz's desk. Things that money can't buy. Encouragement, a word of prayer, a funny joke, a friendly smile, a verse of scripture to lift a troubled soul. Yes, Roz is a great dispenser of love, joy, peace and blessing and I count it a privilege to have my office next to hers.

And, by the way, Roz will often bring me a hot cup of Tim Horton's coffee and leave it at my door.

Thanks, Dispenser Lady. ROZ beats PEZ any day!

Ruminations, Rat Poison and Rickshaws

2009-10-03T17:21:00.014-04:00

What do you write about when you have nothing to write about or you can't break out of the dreaded writer's block? Well, there's always a multitude of things to ruminate on...thus the "ruminations" in this post's title.

Rat Poison? My cardiologist is recommending a change in my heart medication and so "rat poison" made it to the title.

Rickshaws? I don't have a clue. I had to add something that begins with R didn't I?

Well, here's my solution! I'll write about such a miscellaneous collection of unrelated things that something here might be of interest to someone. Will this post inspire or encourage? Hopefully? Will anyone get a much-needed laugh? I trust someone will. Will a few folks get angry? Maybe!

So here goes...in no specific order:

Things I think about when I'm driving, dozing or falling asleep in church:

Chicago loses out on bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics! Yeah! Rio de Janiero gets the games in spite of Obama and Oprah and hoopla going over to Helsinki or wherever they went. Why not save babies from the abortionist's scalpel instead of trying to secure the Olympics for the USA? That trip must have cost a penny or two.

Road Rage! Yesterday afternoon I tried coming home from Toronto early to beat the Friday afternoon traffic. I should have left at 5:45 in the morning. Oops, that's when I left Peterboorugh to drive in to work at SIM Canada. I left Toronto at 2:30 and arrived home at 9:15. Actually I stopped at two different malls to get the circulation moving in my legs from sitting still so long on Highway 401. Finally I turned around and went back to Toronto. Every alternate route I tried had resulted in more frustration. I went back to my room at work and waited it out. Lots of fun.

End of an Era? Yesterday's disclosure that the Toronto Blue Jays' players are upset with the management style of manager Cito Gaston caught some by surprise. Apparently a mutiny would be imminent if the season's end wasn't Sunday. Many sources say that Cito had "lost" the "room" or the clubhouse. I'm sure the players have their reasons. I must add that Cito has always been very supportive of my work with the players while I served with Baseball Chapel. During his 2nd term of office he has been very helpful and cordial.

The Jays' GM, J. P. Ricciardi, is apparently on his way out too. J. P., like Cito has been a great friend to me and I will be sad to see him go if he, in fact, moves on. Yes, it seems like it's the end of an era and I will miss these two classy men.

...to be continued when I think of more to write...

BREAKING NEWS...

Shortly after posting these "Ruminations" I read that J. P. Ricciardi (pictured) has been fired by the Toronto Blue Jays. Farewell, good friend! Thanks for being in my corner for the last 8 seasons! I will miss you!

For more on J. P. check here.

Holy Experience

2009-09-23T19:50:00.002-04:00

I have mentioned Ann Voskamp's blog entitled Holy Experience several times in the past and have a link to her site here on Pilgrim Scribblings.

There is only one reason why I don't stop by to visit with Ann every day. That is due to the fact that she is such an incredible writer that I feel my work could never come close to matching hers. I know it's a crazy reason to miss out on her incredible perspective on life but...

Please go and see what she so poignantly, transparently and honestly writes. What a woman! What a great God she serves! Check out her site! If you don't know her God...He is worth discovering and you can do that here at Holy Experience.

Black

2009-09-23T19:06:00.004-04:00

I've gone fishing in the archive pond again. As I battle this present bout with depression I often find solace in things I have written in the past while I looked up from the bottom of the pit. Here's one from 2 years ago:

Long-time friends of the Pilgrim might recall this post from the "dark ages". This dreaded guest, clothed in black, came knocking again this weekend and especially this morning, causing me to recall this post. Through the support of friends and the Spirit of God I was able to right my ship before it hit the rocks. THANKS.

Here's that post:

Lately another guest, or maybe I should call him a predator has been lingering around my "house". The dreaded "D" word...depression... has been lurking. Many of you, no doubt, have had to deal with this unwelcome visitor.

Back in January I penned a brief "post" entitled Dark Night of the Soul. In the midst of our darkness may we experience His deliverance, His delight, His divine presence.

Dark Night of the Soul

Fear
Pain
Panic
Terror
Shaking
Hot Sweats
Desperation
Cold Sweats
Apprehension
Introspection
Uncertainty
Trembling
Heartache
Insomnia
Anxiety
Horror
Dread
Guilt

"The peace of God which passes all understanding shall GUARD and GARRISON your hearts, through Christ Jesus our Lord." - Philippians 4:7

Held By His Strong Hand

2009-09-23T07:36:00.005-04:00

During another "dark night of the soul" recently, the Lord upheld me by His strong, powerful hand. Through it all I sensed His hand sustaining me and shielding me. I shudder to think what might happen to those of us who battle depression if God's almighty and everlasting arms weren't there to bear us up.

These words came to mind, I took pen in hand to capture them and I share them with you, my fellow pilgrims:

HIS HAND

By faith I stand in Canaan's land
And trace the outline of His hand.

As fear and doubt encompass me
Jehovah-Jireh is my plea.

Into His hand my cares I thrust,
In Him alone I place my trust.

And when this present battle's done,
My faith renewed, the vict'ry won.

I'll praise Him for His outstretched hand
That pulled me from the sinking sand.

My faith still stands in no one less,
My sovereign God...His name I bless!

Thanks for your prayers today, dear pilgrim!

Lift Up Your Eyes

2009-09-14T11:00:00.006-04:00

On the weekend I sat by our pool gazing into the clear, starry sky and marvelled at God's incredible handiwork. How can anyone stare into space and think that this incredible masterpiece "just happened randomly"? There is an Intelligent Designer and He is eternally existent in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. What an awesome God we serve!

My friends over at The Blazing Center added this post to their site today and it fits right in with what I was feeling as I gazed heavenward on the weekend.

Please read on and then pause to thank God for who He is and for what He has done.

From The Blazing Center:

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center estimates that there are 10 to the 21st power number of stars in space. That’s a 10 with 21 zeros following it. They can only estimate because the Hubble telescope can’t see all the stars that exist.

Depending on who you read, within the part of the universe we can observe, there are from 100 to 240 billion galaxies, each composed of billions of stars. In other words, we really have no idea how many stars there are. Astronomers can only guess.

Sometimes we can feel like God has forsaken us in this vast universe, or he has lost track of us. After all, how can God keep tabs on a single speck of dust amidst hundreds of billions of stars? Surely he’s got too much on his plate to be aware of our trifling troubles.

When Israel felt forsaken, God reminded them of his infinite power and care:

Lift up your eyes on high and see:who created these?He who brings out their host by number,calling them all by name,by the greatness of his might,and because he is strong in powernot one is missing.Why do you say, O Jacob,and speak, O Israel,“My way is hidden from the Lord,and my right is disregarded by my God”? (IS 40.26-27).

First God says he brings out every star by number, calls each by name, and never forgets what he called them. Next he says his infinite power guarantees that not one star in the whole universe ever goes missing. He never forgets nor loses track of the most far-flung star in the heavens.

Then God challenges his people, saying, “If I assign a specific number and name to each and every star and uphold each one by my might so that not a single one is ever lost, why do you say ‘My way is hidden from the Lord?’ If I don’t lose track of a single star, I won’t lose track of you. If my almighty power can uphold hundreds of billions of galaxies of untold numbers of stars, my power can certainly uphold you.”

Take heart, your way is not hidden from the Lord. He knows every detail in your life. He called you by name and he hasn’t forgotten you. You are more valuable to Jesus than all the stars in heaven, because he purchased you with his precious blood. He’s more concerned about a single one of his own children than all of the galaxies combined. I care infinitely more about the well-being of my children than all my possessions. How much more is God concerned for you.

God’s universe-sustaining might upholds you and he will preserve you to the end.

No one can snatch you out of his hand. He never takes his eyes off you, even when you are sleeping. He is continually and actively doing good to you moment by moment. He will certainly strengthen and help you and bring forth his glory in your life.

photo by Pipe F&FF

Blogging Buddies and Joseph Scriven

2009-09-12T17:15:00.010-04:00

This afternoon my blogging buddy Paul Wilkinson and I had a serendipitous meeting in Memorial Park in beautiful Port Hope, Ontario.

This weekend the town is hosting a Memorial Celebration to commemorate the life of Joseph Scriven, best known for writing the lyrics to the popular hymn What A Friend We Have In Jesus. Scriven's life was marked by tragedy. After leaving Ireland following the tragic death of his fiancee on the eve of their wedding, Scriven settled in Port Hope, about 20 miles south of my hometown of Peterborough.

A monument to Scriven has been moved several times and it now stands in Memorial Park, complete with a new plaque that was unveiled today. The Honourable David C. Onley, The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and his wife Ruth Ann were present and David presided over the unveiling.

David and Ruth Ann are long-time friends of mine and David represents the Queen of England (see photo) at a variety of functions here in Ontario. He also champions the cause of disabled people who require greater levels of accessibility than others. David himself gets around in a motorized scooter. Not only does he represent the Queen well but he also is a committed Christian who takes opportunities to share his faith. His wife Ruth Ann is an accomplished soloist and is often present with David at functions like today's.

It was exciting to see Joseph Scriven, a godly, Christian man, get recognized in such a public forum. The ceremony was very tastefully done and many other events are taking place today and tomorrow. You can check out the happenings here on this web site.

George Hamilton IV (pictured), renowned country singer from Nashville, heard about the celebrations taking place this weekend and asked if he could participate...at his own expense. George, along with the Salvation Army Band, led the attendees in a rousing rendition of What A Friend We Have In Jesus. Thank you, George, for your desire to add your classiness to this event.

My friend, Paul Wilkinson, has become a very prolific blogger over at Thinking Out Loud. Be sure to check out his frequent, thought-provoking posts here. We had a good visit during the celebration.

And...don't forget that we have a wonderful friend in Jesus, the One who gave His life for our salvation.

POST SCRIPT: Blogging buddy Paul Wilkinson has now added a post concerning Joseph Scriven to his Thinking Out Loud blog. Check it out here!

Will Explain Later

2009-09-09T09:23:00.004-04:00

Vance Havner from North Carolina was a great preacher and an excellent writer. He has been quoted often by other writers due to his pithy, pertinent, provocative pronouncements. Recently I was reading The Red Sea Rules (again) by Robert J. Morgan and came across one of Havner's better-known quotes:

"God marks across some of our days, 'Will explain later'."

So true! The explanations often aren't forthcoming and we can wait for years without getting the reasons or the answers. C. S. Lewis once said that the most-heard word when we finally get "home" will be "OH!". The explanations (if we even need them) will resolve all our misgivings, doubts and misunderstandings. Personally I believe that the reasons won't have to be articulated by our omniscient God. My sense is that we will instantly understand when we stand before the King of Glory. We won't need to know anything or anyone but Him. We will spend the "ages to come" enjoying the riches of His grace with all our questions left behind.

But, back to Vance Havner . . . I got to preaching there didn't I!

He writes, following the homecall of his beloved wife, "When before the throne we stand in Him complete, all the riddles that puzzle us here will fall into place and we shall know in fulfillment what we now believe in faith - that all things work together for good in His eternal purpose. No longer will we cry "My God, why?" Instead, "alas" will become "Alleluia". All question marks will be straightened into exclamation points, sorrow will change to singing and pain will be lost in praise."

Wow! Vance Havner certainly gives us something to think about and look forward to!

So, dear friends, are we willing to wait for God to explain later? Looking back we'll see that "His appointed way" was truly the best plan.

Eternal God, give us Your strength to stand against the enemies of doubt, defeat and discouragement. Through You we will find grace to help in time of need. Thank You, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN!

Kent Bottenfield Makes Sweet Music

2009-09-07T22:49:00.006-04:00

Some of my best years were spent as the chapel leader for the Montreal Expos before they left town to become the Washington Nationals.

I have many fond memories of the years I spent ministering to those players. Many of them continue to be good friends and I stay in touch with as many of them as I can. Players like Andre Dawson, Gary Carter, Darren Fletcher, Tom Foley, Tim Burke, Doug Flynn, Andy McGaffigan, Terry Francona and many others.

One of those players, Kent Bottenfield, went on to be a very accomplished singer after his major league baseball career was over.

Check out his song I Can't Wait To Go Home here. You will be blessed.

God bless you, Kent!

How Long?

2009-09-07T14:16:00.003-04:00

The 13th Psalm has been especially meaningful to me over the past two months. The Psalmist David cries out to God and asks, "how long?" four (4) times.

Then he petitions God to respond.

Finally his tone takes an abrupt U turn and he praises God for His unfailing love, His salvation and His goodness.

May the final two verses of the Psalm be our testimony today even though our circumstances would cause us to ask "how long?".

"How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?

Look on me and answer, O LORD my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death
My enemy will say, "I have overcome him" and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD for he has been good to me."

Psalm 13 (NIV)

What a Rush!

2009-09-07T13:53:00.004-04:00

Last Saturday the boys and I attended the Air Show at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto.

The U. S. Navy's Blue Angels acrobatic team were the star of the show and it was thrilling to watch them do their magic over the waterfront by Ontario Place. The sound of six (6) F-18's flying in formation at low altitude gave me a "rush" that's hard to explain.

I've always loved airplanes and I've always enjoyed watching planes landing and taking off at airports. I'm also a NASCAR fan and often the beginning of a race is announced with a fighter jet flying overhead just as the drivers are told to start their engines.

The Air Show was exceptional at the CNE and we were glad we made the effort to be there!

Baby, You're A Rich Man

2009-08-31T14:40:00.003-04:00

As my writer's wall or blogger's block continues unabated I'm forced to fish in my archive pool or share posts from other blogging friends.

I subscribe to The Blazing Centre so I get Stephen & Mark Altrogge's posts in my e-mail box each time they write a new one. They are always excellent and throught-provoking by the wayes.

Here's Mark's latest offering:

"Baby, You're a Rich Man." So goes one of my favorite Beatle songs.

I don’t know how it feels to be one of the beautiful people (first line in the song), but I’m a rich man. Not monetarily, but spiritually. And if you’re a child of God, you’re rich too.

If there’s one thing the health and wealth guys have right, it’s that God is rich. And he’s generous. Combine the fuel of God’s wealth with the fire of his generosity and you’ve got an explosion of blessing for us who realize we have nothing to offer the galaxy-Maker, but that he has the storehouses of heaven to shower on us.

"To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ." (Eph 3.8)

The whole universe can’t hold the wealth of Christ, for his riches are “unsearchable” - immeasurable, unimaginable, unfathomable. If the whole universe were bursting with treasure, jewels, crowns and coins, we could eventually search them all out, given enough time. But for all eternity we’ll keep discovering new troves of treasures in Christ, for they are “unsearchable.” After 10,000 years, we won’t even have made a dent exploring the vastness of God’s glory in Jesus.

And because believers are joined to Christ, all that is Christ’s is ours!

So what do you need today? Do you need mercy? Ask for it and don’t expect a mere trickle - Jesus has a tsunami of mercy for you. Need comfort? Faith? Wisdom? Strength? Jesus has unlimited supplies. God’s not like the shopping network. He never runs out, never has to back order. There are no hidden shipping charges - his riches are all free! The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning. Great is his faithfulness.

Take heart today. Jesus is a vast storehouse of joy, mercy, and help for you.

As John Bunyan said, "God has bags and bags of grace stored up for you."

Baby, you’re a rich man.

Hi, I'm Cliff...Drop Over Sometime

2009-08-25T08:13:00.006-04:00

Nothing like a good book and a cup of coffee! Here my friend Cliff sits on the edge of a cliff on a recent camping trip enjoying some quiet time.

Camping? We like to do our "camping" in a five star hotel not in the bush but others, like Cliff, venture out with the bears and wolves.

Thanks for your friendship, Cliff. As soon as the snow flies we'll see you in our driveway with your trusted snowblower.

Until then, stay strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.

The Dirty "D" - Depression

2009-08-24T00:27:00.004-04:00

Have you ever watched a TV interview where the guest mirrored your sentiments so exactly that it was uncanny? That happened last night as I watched an interview on Night Lite Live, a production of 100 Huntley Street.

Scott Forbes (pictured with a young boy from Zambia) was being interview by Paul Willoughby and I couldn't turn it off. Check out a similar interview here that Jim Cantelon conducted with Scott Forbes.

Hopefully this will help many people to understand depression. It helped me!

On Being Falsely Accused

2009-08-11T11:25:00.004-04:00

As I've been afflicted with writer's block for an extended period of time I've gone fishing in the Pilgrim Scribblings' archive pool and felt that the following post was worth repeating. I trust that it will be a blessing to you.

Here it is:

Several years ago I was falsely accused and when my accuser was asked to name the crime, he wouldn't be specific. Naturally I was surprised, shocked, stunned, saddened and sickened by the incident. For the next few weeks I went over the details of that conversation in my mind time and time again.

Shorty after that accusation was made I picked up an excellent book by Lloyd Ogilvie, Chaplain to the U. S. Senate, entitled "Facing the Future Without Fear". Ogilvie lists a dozen prescriptions for overcoming fear.

Prescription # 7 was meant just for me. "You are secure in God's love. Do not surrender your self-worth to the opinions and judgments of others. When you are rejected, do not retaliate; when you are hurt, allow God to heal you. And knowing the pain or rejection, seek to love those who suffer from its anguish". The writer goes on to say, "Unjust criticism or hostile rejection nearly always says more about the one doing the rejecting than about those who are rejected. In the light of God, we can see the real power at work behind people's hostile words and actions. The King of our lives knows! If we are to blame, it cannot be hidden from Him. And when we are unjustly criticized or condemned, He understands. If the hurt has been caused by distorted attitudes in those who have rejected us, Christ gives us the strength to forgive them."

Perhaps you, too, have been attacked, criticized or falsely accused recently. Your immediate reaction may have been to get even with the accuser. Why not let God deal with it. Rest in the knowledge that God knows your heart. He will vindicate you.

For we know Him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay." (Hebrews 10:30) He will give His peace in the midst of the storm. "For He Himself is our peace." (Ephesians 2:14)

Communications Centre

2009-08-03T09:20:00.003-04:00

Now that I have renovated the Pilgrim Scribblings communications headquarters you should be reading our posts more consistently.

It took awhile to complete the data centre but we are finally up and running.

You'll be hearing from me soon!

Our Omnipresent God

2009-08-01T07:48:00.005-04:00

One of the many reasons why I enjoy the old hymns is their rich, theological content. Here's another example:

Omnipresence by Isaac Watts:

In all my vast concerns with Thee,
In vain my soul would try
To shun Thy presence, Lord, or flee
The notice of Thine eye.

Thy all-surrounding sight surveys
My rising and my rest;
My public walks, my private ways,
And secrets of my breast.

My thoughts lie open to the Lord,
Before they’re form’d within;
And ere my lips pronounce the word
He knows the sense! mean.

Oh wondrous knowledge, deep, and high;
Where can a creature hide?
Within Thy circling arms I lie,
Beset on every side.

So let Thy grace surround me still,
And like a bulwark prove,
To guard my soul from every ill,
Secured by sovereign love.

Lord, where shall guilty souls retire,
Forgotten and unknown?
In hell they meet Thy dreadful fire,
In heaven Thy glorious throne.

Should I suppress my vital breath
To ‘scape Thy wrath divine;
Thy voice would break the bars of death,
And make the grave resign.

If wing’d with beams of morning light,
I fly beyond the west;
Thy hand, which must support my flight,
Would soon betray my rest.

If o’er my sins I think to draw
The curtains of the night;
Those flaming eyes that guard Thy law
Would turn the shades to light.

The beams of noon, the midnight hour,
Are both alike to Thee:
Oh, may I ne’er provoke that power
From which I cannot flee!

Urgent Note to Anonymous

2009-07-29T07:54:00.004-04:00

A Note To Our Readers:

I have received a note from one of our readers in which he/she explained the reason behind some comments which had been left on the Pilgrim Scribblings blog. Please pray for this person who has made some very significant strides back to a relationship with the Lord. THANK YOU!

Dear Anonymous:

Thank you so much for your comment. I know that you signed your name at the end of your note but I'm sure you would rather I not use it here. Thanks for letting me know your name. You are forgiven for the comments you left in the past. I was always quick to erase them for fear of our Pilgrim Scribblings readers being offended but I sensed that there was a story behind your anger.

I'm so pleased that you have returned to the Lord and that your life seems to be meaningful and purposeful now. Please continue to lean heavily on the Lord even though life can be desperately lonely, hurtful and frustrating at times.

Please e-mail us @ dwfisher@nexicom.net with your e-mail address so we can continue to encourage you and walk with you as you come out of the darkness and the deep valley that we all go through so often.

Be encouraged today. Your comment to me has been a big step in your healing. You are in our prayers and we look forward to hearing from you again.

Standing with you,

David, a fellow pilgrim

Victoria's Amish Adventure

2009-07-22T14:30:00.003-04:00

Our friends Stephen and Brooksyne Weber arranged for our granddaughter Victoria to spend two weeks with an Amish family in Lancaster County, PA. Here is an entry that Stephen posted on their Daily Encouragement web site.

Stephen writes:

We want to share some of our photos from this past weekend beginning Friday afternoon when we introduced some of our friends to the Lapp family and had lunch at their place. Almost everything we had was grown on the farm and was delicious!

David Fisher is a Canadian friend I met many years ago through a connection with these daily encouragement messages. He and his wife Carol brought their granddaughter, Victoria, down to spend two weeks on the Lapp dairy farm. For many years David was the chaplain for the Toronto Blue Jays. He is a great writer, sharing many of the same interests that we do and blogs prolifically at Pilgrim Scibblings.