Category Archives: Ramblings

The Greatest Gift Of All

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Christmas Offering by Paul Baloche

 

“Over the skies of Bethlehem appeared a star 
While angels sang to lowly shepherds
Three Wiseman seeking truth they traveled from afar
Hoping to find the child from heaven
Falling on their knees they bow before the humble Prince of Peace”

Do you remember when that light from above shined on you, telling you something special was about to happen? Did you seek out the source of it’s light, searching for a saviour or did you stumble into Bethlehem, ragged and tattered and torn? For most of us the trip to the saving grace of Jesus’ birth, life and atoning death was quite a journey. I wandered through the ‘desert’ for 40 years before coming to a knowledge of God’s only Son.

The first book I read in the bible was John;  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:16-17. I need to fall on my knees daily and thank God for making a way to have everlasting life with Him. I am greatful to be able to declare I AM SAVED! If God doesn’t do another thing for me in this lifetime, that’s ok because he’s already given more than I deserve. I thank God for sending Jesus, the greatest gift of all.

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Here’s a favorite of mine from my childhood:

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Mark 6:41-43
“Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all.  They all ate and were satisfied,  and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish.”

As an  American I sometimes tend to forget that Thanksgiving is an American holiday. As I bask in the smells of the meal cooking away in my oven I’m reminded that there is indeed much to be grateful for. The thing is, every day of my life needs to be thanks-giving day. All that I have, and all that I am is from He who’s grace and mercy far exceed anything I deserve. Regardless of my plans and preparations I am nothing without the God who gives and takes away. He is my sustainer, in spite of myself. Look at the loving kindness Jesus showed to the 5000 when they showed up to hear Him teach. They were so focused on the teaching, so enamored with the one they had heard the miraculous about,  they forgot to pack a meal! The disciples wanted to send everyone away, but Jesus used five loaves and two fishes to sustain those who were in His presence. What a gracious host! But then again, could God be anything else?

Father, I thank You for all that you’ve given, and for not giving me what I deserve. You are the only one deserving my gratitude and praise. Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, to make a way to free me of my sin. I give you all the praise, honor, and glory! In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Where’s the Ambling(s)?

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Psalm 42: 1-2

“As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So pants my soul for You, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?”

Well, it’s been a bit of a dry year for my “amblings”. The past month or so has been a bit trying, but God never gives us more than we can handle. I appreciate everyone who has kept me and my family in prayer. After a few cancelled trips it looks like I’ll be getting out for a long weekend (Saturday-Monday) to the Adirondacks. I’m thirsting for solitude and total immersion in God’s creation. I’m also excited at the prospect of journalling my trip for all of you that have so patiently read my “ramblings” here at WWTS. So off I go – be back soon!

Praise You In This Storm

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Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns

“As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away”

There is a certain beauty in a storm. Fierce winds and torrential rains give way to sunshine, and the promise of a new day. I love the way everything smells fresh and new after the rain. So too are the storms of life, be they physical, mental, or spiritual. If we trust in Him, we will weather whatever comes our way. The apostles showed great fear when the wind and the waves appeared to threaten their very lives, as Jesus slept in the back of the boat. When they cried out “Don’t you care?!” to Jesus, Jesus rebuked the storm and at His word it was immediately calmed. Faith is trusting that God is in control, but first we have to come that place where we realize that we are powerless. In our weakness His strength is made complete. “For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.” (Psalm 33:4 ESV) Don’t ever think that God doesn’t have a wonderful plan for your life. Praise Him in your storm, and if you listen close He will whisper “I’m with you”.

 

A Call To Arms

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Ephesians 6:12
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

I’m posting today to ask my readers to keep me and my family in prayer. I’ve heard it said that you can tell how effective your walk is by whether or not you’re under attack. For a while now the enemy has been very comfortable with my walk, much to my shame. I’ve been struggling with some issues and I guess he spotted my resolve and maybe decided to attack before victory could be had. I received news today that rocked my world, robbing me of something very precious to me. I’m sorry if I’m being cryptic, but giving out details now will only cause more harm than good.

If there is any good news in this, it’s that the enemy has already lost. While I’m in pain, I will overcome because as Philippians 4:13 says; “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  My resolve to finish well has only been further set – my course will be straight, my focus sharp. As the line in the worship song at church today said, “my hope is in the Lord”. I will put on the armor of God every day, and if I don’t finish with a few dents and dings then I didn’t live this Christian life to the fullest.

Beauty Complete

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Beauty of the Cross by Jonny Diaz

“The beauty of the cross is that there’s One who has redeemed my soul
The beauty of the cross is that I’m finally free and letting go
The beauty of the cross is that Your grace has found me just as I am”

One of the priveleges of being a father is also one of the most stressful things as well; watching your children grow up. As they grow older they seek more independence, and make more of their own decisions. As a parent you give them  more room to learn from their own victories and mistakes. Sometimes, you agree and sometimes you don’t.

This past year my daughter attended her junior prom. She went dress shopping with her friends, and came home with a dress of her liking. My wife called me to inform me she got a great deal at an expensive boutique, off the clearance rack. It was a bargain! When I got home and saw the dress I thought to myself, “I can see why it’s on clearance! Who would want that?” I bit my tongue, and on the night of her prom my daughter came out, and she looked absolutely stunning. It wasn’t because of the dress that she was beautiful, it was because of her beauty that the dress looked good. I didn’t see the big picture.

The same thing can be said for the cross. When you look at it alone, there’s hardly anything to inspire thoughts of beauty. In fact, I would venture to say that by itself it’s downright bleak. It’s when you think of the sacrifice that our Saviour Jesus Christ made on that rough piece of wood that the beauty shines through. The cross is barren without Jesus – He makes it’s beauty complete. I’m grateful that the Father saw the big picture.

Father, thank you for giving us a glimpse of beauty complete – thank you for Jesus!

Manna From Heaven

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Numbers 11:4-6

“Now the mixed multitude who were among them yielded to intense craving; so the children of Israel also wept again and said: “Who will give us meat to eat? We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; but now our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!”

I’m surprised more often than I’d like to confess at how quickly I can grumble about my present circumstances, and paint a rosey picture for myself of how things were in the “good old days”. By trade I am a truck driver, having been at it for over 30 years. While I have other skills, this is the area that God has allowed me to be blessed. This is my manna from heaven. He has used my occupation to provide for me and my family, and even though things are good I have a tendency at times to focus on the negative. Just as the Israelites grumbled about all the “good times” in Egypt and forgot about that whole slavery thing, I too have my moments. For example, I complain about traffic, but forget that most of the world’s population has never ridden in an automobile. I complain about all the careless drivers, but forget to praise God for my safe travel. I grumble under my breath about how I hate what I do (sometimes), and forget to thank God that I have a job at all. Like the Israelites I complain about not having “meat”. Instead I should be grateful that God doesn’t give me what I want (or deserve, yikes!)

Now I know that none of you have been there, so you probably can’t relate (tongue thoroughly in cheek), but pray for me since perfection continues to elude me. Actually, I am grateful not be perfect – just imagine what my ramblings might be like then…….

Happy Independence Day!

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Revelation 12:11

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”

Our forefathers valued freedom from tyranny more than their own lives. They were men of faith and morals, and on these things our great country was founded. Sadly, both of these virtues fall by the wayside as we grow further from our roots. That’s not to say all is lost. There are still many great men and women who fight for God and country, and to them I say,” Thank you!“.

Many of us have our own independence day. That’s the day we gave our hearts to the Lord. We too overcame, “by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony”, giving our lives to the One who gave His for us. Now that you’ve died for Him, how will you live for Him? I pray that on this day you’ll remember your “independence day”, and give the Lord your all.

Happy Father’s Day

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Matthew 6:8

“For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him”

How do you pray to your heavenly Father? Sometimes in the hustle and bustle I forget that Jesus gave us the answer to that question. What more perfect prayer could you pray than one that came directly from our Saviour?

Our Father in heaven – the only One worthy of all my praise and the One who thought I was someone worth sending his only Son to die for

Hallowed be Your name – above ALL names

Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth On earth as it is in heaven – because it is and rightfully should be all about You Father

Give us this day our daily bread – because I need You each and every day to sustain me

And forgive us out debts, As we forgive our debtors – I have no right to ask anything of You, but even more so if I am not willing do the same toward others

And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one – Father protect us from ourselves and the temptations of the enemy

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. – I desire to bring praise and glory to You Father in all I do, even when I fall short.

Happy Father’s Day!