If you were to ask me, ‘how am I doing,’ and I didn’t have the option of offering the politically correct
and socially acceptable response, ‘I’m fine, just fine,’ I would have to say, I’m tired.  As I engage in my summer break, I am looking forward to a time to rest and renew, to lay aside the mantle of leadership and responsibility and to slow down and allow God / His Word to speak into my life.
 
There are times in all of our lives when we have to ask, what do you do when you’re feeling weary, beat up, weighed down by the cares of life?  Where do you turn?
 
David writes in Psalm 34: I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.  This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.  The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.  Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.  (4-8)
 
The psalmist reminds us in Psalm 46 that God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  (46:1)
 
There are times when we have to recalibrate our lives, our hearts and minds; to centre our lives in the truth of God’s Word – truths that anchor our souls and renew our resolve to continue on this journey of faith; that bring strength and encouragement, comfort and joy.
 
All of us, especially those who have walked by faith for a long time, all of us have those portions of God’s Word that speak into our lives.  One of those texts for me is Jesus’ words in Matthew 11, Come to me -- what a simple and yet deeply profound and beautiful invitation!  Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  (28-29)
 
I wonder is anyone else feeling tired; weary?  Is anyone longing for rest? Maybe like me, you need to hear Jesus say to you, ‘come to me’.
 
Is anyone feeling uncertain, even fearful as you wonder what tomorrow might bring?  The psalmist reminds us:  The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?   The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?  (Psalm 27:1)

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.  In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. (Psalm 56:3-4)
 
Sometimes we just need to come back to these precious portions of His Word and remind ourselves that when I am afraid / I am weak, He is strong.  Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.  The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense.  (Isaiah 12:2)
 
And, He is abundantly good!  The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.  (Psalm 145:8)  He is abounding in love and He wants us to rest in, to abide in that love.
 
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress.  (Psalm 91:1-2)
 
In Isaiah 40:31 we have the sure promise of God that Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

When I come back to these truths, I am reminded that all of God’s Word, His promises to us can be trust, for they rest in His character, in His sheer goodness and grace and above all His faithfulness.  I can find strength in His Word because He is a true to His Word; He is a promise-keeping, covenant–keeping God.  And I know we are in a relationship together, a covenant relationship and I know, I know that I am loved by the Father, cherished by Him. And I know that His desire is to break into my life and to lead and direct my life in a way that is consistent with His very best for me.
 
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)  I have lived in the truth of this promise for 40 years, since God intercepted my life as a 17-year-old kid--I know that He can be trusted.
 
And, I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.  (2 Timothy 1:12)  Until that day, that day He calls me home or comes for me, I can rest confidently in His love, not because of anything I have done, but because of Jesus Christ – my faith and hope is in Christ alone!
 
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. (Jeremiah 17:7)

The recent passing of another friend at Valley has caused me to reflect again on those who have crossed my path over the past 10 years.  It's somewhat staggering to realize just how many people have in some way become part of my life; some for just a passing moment and some for a much more extended period of time--some, as a think beyond just our time at Valley, some for years, some for a lifetime.  Some I have know casually and some in much deeper ways, but all in some way have influenced my life.

Paul writes in Philippians 1:3, I thank my God every time I remember you.  How incredibly blessed we are when we pause to reflect and to give thanks for those who have crossed our paths, intercepted our lives at critical crossroads and helped us along the journey--family and friends, neighbors,  co-workers, teammates and,  brothers and sisters in the Lord and spiritual leaders who have helped us grow up in our faith.

I think of friends like Mark Ottaway, who was God's agent in leading me to Christ and Mike Stevens, both of whom I have know since elementary school, again I realize how blessed I am.  (Mark's dad, Lloyd was a godly man whose passion for the Lord, the church and worship has made a lasting impact on my life.)  And through the years other close friends have crossed my path, men like Bruce Bacon, who was my mentor and prayer partner as a young pastor in Markham and Glen Amis who was my prayer partner in Hamilton.  It's hard to calculate the number of hours spend in conversation and prayer we shared together.

I think too of men like Dr. Brackstone, my first pastor, whose passion for the Lord and powerful messages made a significant impact on my life as a young Christian.  Phil Stairs was the pastor who married Janice and me; he had an important role to play in my life as I served at Emmanuel Baptist and then began training for ministry at Central Baptist Bible College.  Phil is still 'my pastor' -- we keep in touch, sharing a love for the Lord, His church and the Boston Bruins.  Rick Baker followed Pastor Stairs at Emmanuel; Rick is a fellow servant and friend and Bruins fan! his son Graydon is familiar to many of you as one of our mission partners. 

I have been blessed by men like Dr. Michael Haykin and Dr. David Barker, professors who gave to me a hunger for God's Word, for church history and inspired my passion to serve the Lord and the local church.  It was at Bible College that I met Benjamin Hegeman, a man who's passion to serve our Lord continues to inspire me; I am blessed to call him a fellow servant and friend.

I think also of those who have meant so much to me through a 30 years association with Hockey Ministries International; men like Ray and Mark and Don and Bob and Neil, Don Liesemer, Bruce Smith, Dean Prentice, Laurie Boschman and Mark Osborne -- men I served with for years, some for a 30 year run, at hockey camp.  I think of 'my campers', those young entrusted to my care and the many late night conversations about matters of faith -- watching them grow up as young men who became church leaders; several with whom I still have contact today; what a blessing!  And through HMI I have come more recently to cross paths with Don Richmond, a friend of Valley and ministry partner.

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.  (Proverbs 27:17)

I look back on the years and to my mind come the faces of some many that have crossed my paths at various points in the journey. I think of classmates, some who make me wonder, 'whatever happened to...?' I think of those with whom I have served in ministry settings and in the various in the  communities in which we have lived.  I think of all the people with whom we have worshipped and served together in the churches I have had the joy of pastoring.  More recently the men and woman with whom I serve at Desert Valley Hospice are also among those who have blessed my life.

In all of us this, my greatest joy has been to have shared life for the past 35+  years with Janice; to know the love and care and kindness of one who has been my partner in life and ministry is indeed one of the greatest blessings of my life!  Having three wonderful kids and being able to watch them grow up and pursue their dreams has also been a source of great pride and joy.  And just to fill my heart a little more, I've been blessed over the past 15 years by two four-legged friends -- it's been four years now since we had to say good-bye to Shady -- I still miss her but we're grateful to have Chara in our home!

As I head out on my break, my last thought in writing this posting are words of gratitude to you, are friends at Valley:  I share with you these words from the Apostle Paul:  We always thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.  (2 Thessalonians 1:3)

Thanks for sharing the last ten years of the journey together!