It has been said, 'a picture is worth a thousand words'.  When I see this picture of Luke, holding tightly to Andrea's hand, it is, as a friend wisely observed, a reminder that we must hang on to the Giver of Life for our every breath.  

For a month now, these little guys have fought and they continue to fight. Every day they hold on to life is a small victory as their bodies struggle to develop.  THANK YOU for joining in this fight; your prayers matter!

Thank you for your words of encouragement to Janice and me and to Andrea and Jason.  Every day they make their way to the NICU, they see the lights flashing, the alarms beeping, they watch closely the monitors.  To see your little ones struggling, to see their oxygen levels or heart rate fall dangerously low, to watch the dedicated staff move quickly to respond and wonder will they rebound, is heart-wrenching.  As a dad I just want to hold them and reassure them 'it's going to okay', but that isn't possible right now; and so we trust and pray!

The Bible encourages us to, Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.  (James 4:8)  Through all the ups and downs of these past few weeks, our God has been gracious and kind, His faithful love a constant source of strength and joy.  We have also found a source of great blessing in sharing this journey in community, with friends who have stormed the gates of heaven, interceding for Noah and Luke.  THANK YOU for praying!

Right now, we are holding on by faith, our joy tempered by the reality they are still fighting for their lives.  By faith we are looking to that day when they are strong enough to leave the NICU and go home, to that day when they will come to Valley and I can say, 'I would like you to meet my grandsons, Noah and Luke'.  We covet your continued prayers!

The words of the God, as recorded by the prophet Isaiah strengthen and encourage me:  For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you. (Isaiah 41:13)

It is a common experience among all believers.  There are times in our lives when we find ourselves focusing on a particular text of Scripture or the words of a song.  For me, this is a season when I have been reflecting on and holding onto, the words of Isaiah 30:15...in quietness and trust is your strength. 

This is a time when I need to be reminded that, The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. (Psalm 27:8)   This is a season when I just need to know...Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. (Isaiah 12:2)

In some ways, it feels like my heart and mind are being bombarded on many fronts, but in those moments when I draw near to God, I am able to find a measure or rest in the One who has promised to lead me to green pastures and beside still waters, who promises to refresh my soul. (Psalm 23:2-3)

I am finding a source of strength and encouragement from my Lord, but also from God's people.  One of the blessings of being part of a community of faith is the support we receive from one another; how blessed we are to share life together with our friends at Valley.  Thank you for upholding us in prayer, for you prayers for Noah and Luke and Andrea and Jason; this is a time when we are keenly aware of just how dependant we are upon the prayers of the saints.  I think here of the words of the Apostle Paul to Philemon...Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you...have refreshed my heart. (Philemon 1:7) 

With all that is happening in my own life, our family and in the lives of our people at Valley, I am finding a measure of rest, assurance and confidence in the simple words of the hymn writer: 

Be not dismayed whate'er betide, God will take care of you. 

Thro' days of toil when heart doth fail, God will take care of you. 

No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you.  

Over and over the refrain has been playing in my mind: God will take care of you, Thro' every day, o'er all the way; He will take care of you, God will take care of you.

In this I rest secure.

It is a message I have received several times over the past few days, a message that goes something like this:  'Welcome back, I trust you had a good break, that you are rested and refreshed'. While I am grateful for the gift of some time off and I did have a chance to shut down and put aside ministry responsiblitites for a season, and we did enjoy some time with all of our kids together for the first time in two years, to be honest, I'm tired -- the kind of tiredness that is both physical, mental and spiritual.

I don't know about you, but just watching the news these days can be draining!  As a global pandemic continues and Covid numbers in our province, especially in the Interior Health region remain a concern, with a long and devestating wildfire season also impacting our region, a Federal election campaign, with all of its unrest and division, with deep concerns around racial tension and inequality in our nation and around the globe, natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and typhoons, and the conflict in Afghanistan, the human toll is heart-wrenching.

We have been blessed to be able to stay close and engaged with each other over the past 18 months, but it still feels like Covid is hanging over us like a cloud and we are not yet able to engage fully as we might wish we could.  I celebrate the character and strength of Valley that has been revealed through this season but sometimes it just feels like 'too much'.  

Add to all this, a deep concern we have for Andrea and Jason and the unborn twins she is carrying, with a signficant risk for a premature delivery and the possibility she may lose them, you can understand why I am feeling tired; perhaps you are as well.

It is such a blessing to know that God sees and God cares, and He invites us to find rest in Him; that He is the God who makes me lie down in green pastures, who leads me beside quiet waters, who  refreshes my soul. (Psalm 23:2-3)

In Psalm 4, David give us this promise of rest: In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8)

David writes in Psalm 62:  Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.  Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. (Psalm 62:1-2,5)

Asaph offers us these words of encouragment from Psalm 73:  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.  (Psalm 73:6)

To His people, God gives this promise through the prophet Jeremiah,  I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. (Jeremiah 31:25)

Perhaps you have a verse that God has used to encourage you; please share it with us!

For me, as we move into a new ministry year I am choosing to hold on to these words, this promise from God:  My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. (Exodus 33:14)  May we find rest and strength and hope as we walk together with our Lord into the fall season; I am grateful to share the journey with you.

As I write this posting, I am just about to begin my summer break, which has always been a time to rest and renew and reflect.  I anticipate the time off will allow me to slow down and comtemplate the year that has been with all of it's ups and downs.  The familiar words of Psalm 23 speak to my heart...He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.  (Psalm 23:2-3)

This has truly been an unprecedented time as we think about the impact of a global pandemic that still presents a world-wide threat.

I think about the impact Covid-19 has had on our family; I don't think I will ever forget the night Scott was taken to hospital, struggling to catch his breath or how scary it was to hear that Riley, at just 4-weeks old was Covid positive -- how grateful we are for the prayers of the saints which saw all of us through that time. 

Thank you for your prayers for Andrea.  Please continue to pray she will be able to carry the twins to tearm.

I think also of the way the pandemic has touched on our church family, the devestating manner in which this virus swept through McKinney Place and then Sunnybank Centre.  I think of friends who have left us during this season, some due to complications from the coronavirus -- how comforting to know that in Christ we will be able to see again, those we could not say 'goodbye' to this side of heaven.

As I look back, I marvel at the grace of God that allowed us to be able to quickly shift from in-person gatherings to an online presence.  Was it just a coincidence that Valley, through Karen's vision, had already began to record our services or Sandra's vision for a website had already been put in place? 

For me this has been a time of learning, be able to adapt and use the technology availalbe to maintain a virtual connect with our people.  We had to, in a matter only a couple of days, pivot to online simulated Worship Gatherings, then back to in-person gatherings, only to have to shift back again to being online for over six months and now back to gahering on-site once again.  We have had to deal with restrictions and limitations and protocols -- how blessed I've been to lead and serve a people who have been gracious and kind and supportive.  Thank you for following the directives of our governing officials, for exercising good judgment and loving concern for one another and our communties!

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)  See the Archived Message page for August 1, 2021 for a message on this text.

With all that has taken place over the past year and half and more recently with the wildfires and smoke that has threatend our region, it feels very much like we've been on a never-ending roller-coaster ride, but for me, through all that has happened my faith has more than sustained me.  God's providential care and protection, His grace and faithful love has been the one constant in my life; although I would be amiss if I did not mention how blessed I have been to have a life-partner and soulmate in Janice, who has shared this journey with me for almost 40 years.

In all of this I am reminded of the words from the prophet Isaiah...in quietness and trust is your strength (Isaiah 30:15)  and, those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength (Isaiah 40:31).

The writer of Hebrews reminds us...We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. (Hebrews 6:19)

My dear friends at Valley, may you rest secure in this hope!

Recently, as we gathered for prayer on Saturday morning, four of us entered into a spiritual conversastion in which one of our Elders shared from his reading of the Book of Ezekiel.  His comments focused on a four-word phrase that is repeated 21 times in Ezekiel, "Then you will know."  The phrase is used 13 more times in the Old Testament and twice in the New Testament Gospel of John.  

The phrase is almost always followed by a declaration of God's sovereignty.  

Then you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord. (Ezekiel 13:9)

Then you will know that I am the Lord your God. (Exodus 16:12)

Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the Lord your God, and that there is no other.
(Joel 2:27)

The phrase is almost always preceeded by a manifestation of God's presence, His power, His blessing or His judgement, particulary noted in Ezekiel's writing.

I will not look on you with pity; I will not spare you. I will surely repay you for your conduct and for the detestable practices among you. ‘Then you will know that I am the Lord.’ (Ezekiel 7:4)

The inhabited towns will be laid waste and the land will be desolate. Then you will know that I am the Lord. (Ezekiel 12:20)

I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.
(Ezekiel 37:14) 

In Exodus 6:7, the first time we see this phrase being used in the Bible, God says...I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.

In Joshua, God says to the people...When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before.  (Joshua 3:3-4)

Isaiah writes...Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who hope in me will not be disappointed. (Isaiah 49:23)  This has been my experience through all the ups and down on this journey of faith; though there may be some challenges, even heartaches along the way and there will be times when the way forward seems unclear, God is yet faithful and in putting my hope in Him, I am not disappointed.

Jesus said...When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he. (John 8:28)  From the suffering and shame of the cross, He is revealed as Savior and Lord, so that we can know the Father through Him.  He also tells us in John 8:32...Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. Aren't you glad that He has made truth known to us and that through that truth we are free indeed!

One of the great purposes of the written Word, the Holy Bible, is to reveal God to us so that we know that He is the Sovereign Ruler of All.  May the Word become more precious to you in this season of life, so that you will know there is a God and He loves you; that you are in a covenant relationship with Him and His desire is to break into your live and lead you in ways that are consistent with His very best for you; that He will protect and provide for you and when your time on this earth comes to an end, He will lead you home.  The you will know for all of eternity He is the Lord your God!

​Do you have a memory that gives you goosebumps every time you think of it? I do. It was 2004 and my life changed in an instant.

Vic, my husband had just been released from the hospital and we went by the pharmacy to pick up his prescriptions. While standing in line to pay, Vic said he didn’t feel well. He sat down at the nearby blood pressure machine and took his blood pressure, but as I watched him I could tell he was going unconscious. I reached out to grab him as he toppled to the floor and thankfully was able to protect his head. As I removed the blood pressure cuff I noticed everything read 0.  By now the pharmacist had had someone call an ambulance and he and I started first aid.

What I am about to relay to you sounds like I was in a time warp or other dimension and perhaps I was, but I believe Jesus revealed himself to me exactly where I was in the middle of the pharmacy in Oliver. He came along side of me in my moment of need. Everything was happening quickly but for me there was a second dimension. I remember thinking “God help us”, but later learned that I had verbalized the thought out loud for everyone to hear. I heard someone praying and looked around to see who, but saw no one praying. In retrospect I believe Jesus was there praying for me.

The pharmacist could not get a pulse and I could not detect any breathing. I had just completed a refresher first aid course and should have done better than I did, but then perhaps that wasn’t meant to happen. Just as I leaned forward to start compressions Vic went into convulsions. I panicked and forgot everything I had learned. Instead I grabbed Vic by both shoulders and started shaking him rather forcefully while yelling at him that he couldn’t die.

​Jesus was praying and the ambulance was on the way. Vic reached up his hand and touched my cheek. He was alive! We rolled him into the recovery position and the ambulance crew took over shortly after that. As I looked at the pharmacist he was staring at me and finally said “Never in my life have I seen first aid like that.” It certainly wasn’t the first aid St. John Ambulance had taught me but it was the first aid my upbringing had taught me and it worked! The doctor later told us that my shaking Vic jolted his heart and caused it to beat again.

Every time I think of that day I don’t think of the trauma. I remember that split second when I cried out to God for help and Jesus was immediately beside us praying. That gives me goosebumps.

Psalm 50:15 God says, “Call me when trouble comes.  I will help you, and you will honour me.”

My goodness, there have been so many challenges that we have faced recently! Forest fires have caused loss and heartache, unmarked graveyards have been found at Indigenous Residential Schools, Covid health issues have swept around the globe, and wait, there's more -- just this week 5 people died when a construction crane collapsed in downtown Kelowna. There are so many heavy burdens, so much grief and loss, and yet we are assured that we can find an inner peace when our minds are set on Christ, because we trust in Him. 

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.  
(Isaiah 26:3)

On the other hand, It is so good to be able to get together with people again! I have had numerous opportunities to meet with people since the Provincial health orders were recently relaxed. In the last few weeks I have had the privilege of officiating two community weddings and a hockey related baptism. It was so wonderful to gather at a crowded Kelowna beach (Rotary beach) and baptize a junior hockey player. With family and friends gathered on the shore, I was honoured to conduct a baptism in that setting. After all, baptism is a public declaration of our faith in Christ, and it sure was that day! What a significant spiritual marker in that young man's life! 

Lorraine and I look forward to being at Valley with you all on Sunday August 29th. We always enjoy wonderful times of encouragement, worship and fellowship with the Saints on Black Sage Road! 

We are all portraits of grace!

​Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
                                                                                                                                                         John 1:16-17

If you could capture a portrait of your life, a collage of moments that defined who you are and what your life has been about, I wonder what your portrait might reveal, what defining moments from your journey you would include.

At the centre of my portrait of grace would be the image of a 17 year-old kid, who didn't think he needed God in his life, sitting in the corner of the ballroom at the Sheraton Brock motel in Niagara Falls, Ontario, on Good Friday, 1977.  If you looked closely you would see an open Bible as the the youth leader from Emmanuel Baptist Church, explained the way of salvation.  This was THE defining moment in my spiritual journey, when I surrendered to my life to Christ and received His grace and mercy.

When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. (Titus 3:4-5)

As you moved out from the center of my portrait you would see other snapshots of grace, moments when the Lord Jesus poured out more of His love and favor.  You would see a picture of my baptism in July of 1977, the day I married Janice in April of 1982, my graduation from Central Baptist Bible college in the spring of 1988, holding our daughter Lisa in September of 1988 at the back of the auditorium at Centennial Baptist Church as it is announced I had been called to become their next Senior Pastor.

There would be moments of great joy, but also moments of saddeness, when our gracious Father revealed Himself as the God who is our refuge and strength.  You would see me standing with my mom and the bedside of my grandfather shortly before he passed away or sitting on the side of the road, trying to hold it together after the unexpected death of Janice's dad. You would see a moment in time when I stood with the parents of a four year-old as the doctor tells them, 'I'm sorry we did all we could' or standing beside a grieving mother as a police officer informed her that her 25 year-old son had been murdered.  In those moments I experienced the fullness of God's sustaining grace.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Around all of those moments of grace discovered in times of joy or sorrow, would be images of those times when God met me along the path -- defining moments in my spiritual journey.  You would see me kneeling in a moment of surrender at the Clergy Conference in Atlanta; an historic event in which nearly 40,000 pastors from around the world gathered.  In that moment God's calling in my life was re-affirmed, leading to a season of growth in our church in Hamilton as many came to Christ and were baptizied over the next year and half.  You would see a picture of Janice and I sitting in our living room in Orangeville, Ontario with 25 of our closest and most-trusted friends surrounding us, praying for us and cheeering us on during a difficult period.  That moment became the catylyst for change that would eventually lead us to serve here at Valley.

All these moments were times when God broke into my life, to reaffirm His covenant of love, to reassure me of a truth He put on my heart shortly after intercepting my life at the age of 17:  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6) 

My portrait would include numerous times when God stepped in my way, came alongside to walk with me or took me by the hand to lead me, reminding me that His desire is to break into my life and lead me in ways that are consistent with His calling for my life and reflective of His sheer goodness.

On the outise of my portrait would be the faces and names of those God has placed along my path as a means to pour out even more of His grace; friends and co-workers, Christian leaders and brothers and sisters in the Lord who have blessed me and built me up in the faith.  I think of John and Sandra, Don and Audrey, Bruce and Sue, Ray, Mark, Don, Glen and Kim, John and Mary to name only a few; men and women who came along side us at particular times in our journey, who were agents for God's grace at the time.  I have been incredibly blessed by a host of brothers and sisters in Christ who have been gifts of grace!

In all of this, I think of the words of Hebrews 12:  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

We are all portraits of grace!  I wonder what would your portrait reveal?

Let me begin this posting by saying 'thank you'!  Thank you for doing your part to practice good Covid protocols in order to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.  Thank you for you support and kind remarks regarding the recent interview I gave on Global BC in which I was seeking to present a more balanced perspective with regard to honoring public health orders, orders which have limited our ability to gather in-person.  I do understand that the gathering is fundamental to who we are as a church, that we are missing the joy that is ours to worship and fellowship together face-to-face.  Thank you for the sacrfices being made for the greater good.

In talking with many of you, I am encouraged and grateful for the way you are staying connected and seeking to support one another.  Some of us are feeling a measure of Covid fatigue, but we must continue to do the right thing until we are able to gather safely -- we need to continue to pray to that end.

This sense of feeling isolated, being tired of the restrictions in place and wanting to return to some semblance of normalcly is very real.  I look back over the past 10 months and would never imagined that we would be unable to gather for almost half of this time.  I think of friends who have gone home to be with the Lord and lament the inablity to have been able to come alongside them in their final days; in the inabitly to celebrate and honor their lives in community.  I think of friends who are even now dealing with health concerns or are just feeling lonely and while it is good to talk or pray with them on the phone, it's not quite the same as being able to sit with them.

With the current outbreak at Sunnybank, Janice and I are being extra-diligent, staying close to home, only being out when necessary. Even though I have worked from home for years, there is a sense of feeling cooped up a times.  And there of times when I lie awake a night thinking about and praying for the safety of my wife and children and for you, my church family.  I have watched, as I'm sure many of you have, all the events that have been unfolding in our nation and in the United States and sometimes I find myself angered by the blatant disregard for common courtesy and decency, the spirit of defiance I am seeing to often on the nightly news--there is just too much criticism and complaining, opposing and protesting; something within longs for a better day.

In all of this, the Word of God continues to bring rest to my soul.  There is great comfort in hearing God say in His Word...in quietness and trust is your strength (Isaiah 30:15)  There is a peace we experience in hearing Jesus say...Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).

When wonder, how can we find our way forward, God says to us...Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path (Psalm 119:105).  And so we pray...Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long (Psalm 25:4-5).

I share all of this with you, to encourage you to stay the course, to hold on to the vision of that day when we can gather again, take off our masks, sing loudly with great joy, take the hand of one another and bow together in prayer and hug one another!  Until that day, lets keep doing our part to lift up the spirits on one another, to comfort and encourage and support each other and above all to pray for each other.

I am so very proud of all of you!  In all that we have had to endure, I am seeing the character, the strength, the very heart of Valley; you are an amazing group of friends, caring, compassionate and generous and I guess I just wanted to say 'thank you' -- I thank God for you.

I received a call late last night from our son.  Scott had just finished a 16-hour shift, Tiffany and Riley were asleep when he got home and he just needed to debrief.  The ICU unit at the hospital where he works was at capacity; Covid patients who would normally be in the ICU were being sent to the Covid unit, which was also full, over-flowing to another floor, and a make-shift unit has been set up in the parking lot. That staff would feel overwhelmed would an understatement.  Adding to the burden of caring for these patients was a phone call to a family member to inform them their loved one was near death.

With the rising death count at McKinney Place and across our province, the alarming numbers south of the border and the staggering case counts and deaths globally, it's fair to say that Covid-19 has dominated our world in 2020.  Add to this pandemic the injustice, violence and unrest we have witnessed, it is no wonder we are eager to put this year behind us.  As we anticipate a New Year and pause and reflect on the year that has been, we have to work extra hard to identify the blessings that have been mingled with all of this sadness.

As we do just that, pause and reflect, to do as the hymnwriter exhorts, to count our blessings, there is much for which to give thanks.  While many have lost their jobs and have struggled to make ends meet, because of the faithfulness of you, the people of Valley, my salary has not been affected and we have been able to meet all of our expenses and obligations. Janice as an essential worker has continued to work throughout the year, as have all of our kids.  We have a roof over our heads, clothes on back and food on the table, the very things we should never take for granted.

In March we celebrated the arrival of our grandson, who we were able to visit prior to all the travel restrictions being put in place.  We have know the grace and favor of our God as we have called out to Him when Scott was hospitialized with Covid.  We have experienced the love and support of family and friends and in many ways the bond we have in Christ has been strengthened through all that has happened.

For many 2020 will go down as the year of Covid. For those of us who walk with God, this has been a year in which we have seen His great faithfulness, mercy and love. As we dwell on this truth, His Word reinforces just how blessed we have been.

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.  (Lamentations 3:22-23)

You, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. (Psalm 86:15)

The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in him.  (Nahum 1:7)

He is the God who leads us to green pastures and still waters, who restores our our souls and renews our hope (Psalm 23:2-3; Isaiah 40:31).   He is our refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1).  The Lord watches over all who love him (Psalm 14:20).

Friends, for we who know God, who are in a covenant relationship with Him there is always a reason to give thanks, to praise our God for HIs abundant goodness.  Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. (Psalm 106:1)

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalm 18:2)

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says...in quietness and trust is your strength (Isaiah 30:15).

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2)

May you rest in the shadow of the Almighty as we journey together in 2021.

Happy New Year!

 a young man I remember sleeping well at night.  Even when I worked nights, I slept well during the daylight hours.  But for most of my adult life I have not slept well; I have a difficult time shutting my mind off and often lay awake late into the night. I know God's word tells me he grants sleep to those he loves (Psalm 127:2), but I have struggled to claim this promise.

Yet even so, I know that I am in a covenant relationship with the God, never is there a time when I am not under HIs care, He is the God who sits up with me.  By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me. (Palm 42:8) 

I think too of the promises found in Psalm 91: Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. (Psalm 91:1-2,4-5)

Often my thoughts dwell on my kids, on what his happening in their lives, sometimes my heart aches for them.  Sometimes my thoughts are focused on you, the people of Valley, when you hurt, I hurt.  And there are times when my thoughts turn toward what awaits me in the morning; sometimes if feels a bit overwhelming.  But there are also times when I find myself draw to God, to His grace and love for me.

On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.  Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your right hand upholds me. (Psalm 63:6-8)

It is God who gives me peace.  In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8) 

In speaking to Job, Zophar says, You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid. (Job 11:18-19)

​He is always with me, night and day.  He guided (His pepole) with the cloud by day and with light from the fire all night. (Psalm 78:14)

Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”

Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord.   

With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence,  with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (Psalm 16:1-2, 5-8,11) 

The Bible clearly exhorts us as God's people to Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever ( Chronicles 16:34).  Similiarily, the songwriter encourages us to Count your blessings, name them one by one; count your blessings, see what God has done. 

As we come to Thanksgiving 2020, perhaps more so than any other year in recent history, in the year of Covid-19, we need to pause and reflect on the goodness and grace we have experienced from God and to offer to Him our sacrifice of thanksgiving (Psalm 116:17).

As I think about the blessings God has poured out in my life, I am grateful for the covenant relationship I with my Father.  I know that I am loved by Him and that He desires to break into my life and lead me according to His good purposes; that daily He invites me to walk with Him, to fellowship with Him.  Here I think of the words of  God to the prophet Jeremiah: Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth (Jeremiah 9:23-24).

I am also grateful that God watches over me; He is the God who sees and the God who cares, who provides and protects those who belong to Him.  The Psalmist writes:  He will watch over your life;  the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore (Psalm 121:7-8).  As I comtemplate all that has happened in these past months, I am particularly grateful for God's intervening grace in the life of our son Scott.  On the night he was hospitialized with the coronavirus, God revealed Himself once again as the God who sits up with us.  We are grateful for the safe and healthy arrival of our grandson, Riley and for the grace extended to him when he too was diagnosed with Covid-19.  In the early days of the pandemic, that was a scary time but looking back, God has been good to our family.

So, not surprisingly, I am thankful for family and friends; for a church family that is sharing this journey with us.  The Bible says we have been knit together in love (Colossians 2:2 - NKJV); that we should love one another deeply, from the heart (1 Peter 1:22).  Over the past 13 years we have shared some mountain top experiences  and at times we have walked through the valley together and in all things, our God has remained faithful and God.  As I give thanks, I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God.

My friends at Valley, God has been so very good to you, what do you say?

As you pause and reflect this Thanksgiving, I want to invite you to respond to this posting by sharing three things for which you are thankful.  

I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving (Psalm 69:30).

My summer break provides for a time to slow down, to pause and reflect.  Often it is also a time for reading and preparing for the fall, but this year, I literally took a break from almost everything associated with 'my work.  I had a lot of quiet time; time to be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10); to know that God is still on His throne in spite of all that is happening in our world today.  It was for a time to allow Him to lead me to green pastures and still waters, to refresh / restore my soul.  (Psalm 23:2-3)

Over these past three weeks, one verse has occupied my heart and mind.  It is one of my favorite verses in all of Scriptoure, Psalm 34:8:  Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

As I look at all that is happening in nation, in the United States and around the world, the words of this verse rise above all the chaos we have seen in recent months -- the bomb blast in Beirut, the devestation of hurricanes and floods, the senseless loss of lives, the violence and protests and the staggering losses from a global pandemic.  I hear the fear and cries of desparation in the voices of those who have lost their jobs, who are facing financial hardship, from the homeless, the addicted and some many that are grieving.  Where do we turn to find a measure of peace and rest for our bodies, our minds and our souls?

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. (Psalm 34:8)

For those who are feeling overwhelmed, uncertain and afraid, taste and see, and you will discover their is One who is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).  To those who are grieiving, He is the the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3).  To weary He is our our source of rest. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). 

For those who feel trapped, He is our way out, our way forward.  This is what the Lord says...Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God...you are precious and honored in my sight...love you.  (Isaiah 43:1-4)

To hurting world, God says, taste and see, and you will discover that I am good. To those who wonder if there is a way out of this mess, God says, taste and see, and you will discover a better way than the way of despair.  Put your trust in Me and you will find peace and rest and hope.

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. (Psalm 34:8)

As I finish up a few more administrative tasks before starting my summer break; one of which is this blog posting, I am looking forward to a time to rest and replenish.  These past few months have indeed been unprecidented for the church and while it has been good to for the church to be able to regather, we are still a long way from a 'normal' church experience.  This whole journey from the declaration in mid-March of a global pandemic, the shutting down of many aspects of our ministry, the season of adapting on the fly and then preparing to regather has been, quite honestly, draining.  But, as is often the case, it is during such times as this that we gain a fresh perspective about our God and this journey of faith we are share with our God.

For me, I am thankful for:

God' Presence and Protection

There were moments for us as a family when this pandemic hit very close to home; when our son was hospitalized with the virus and our newborn grandson tested positive.  Scott declined so quickly on the day he was taken by ambulance to hospital that through those late night hours, we feared the worst.  But, we have a God who sits up with us, who, in those moments reminded us that our son was in His hands, who assured us and brought a measure of peace.  Scott has recovered and is now working in the Covid unit at Trafalgar Memorial Hospital in Oakville.  Riley had mild symptoms but is today healthy and growing!

God has watched over our church family as we have a called out to Him for protection.  We need to continue to pray for our health care and essential workers and for continued wisdom for decision makers both at a provincial and national level.  This thing is not over and we must not let down our guard regarding safety measures but as Christians we must not let down our guard of prayer.

I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer. (Psalm 17:6)

God's Provision

As I look back on all that has happened regarding the way we do ministry during a crisis, I see the hand of God at work preparing and sustaining His church.  I think back to a few years ago when Sandra raised the idea of a church website -- our site was already established and operational when we most need to develop a greater online presence.  I think also of Karen's iniative to record our worship gatherings.  By the time we had to close the doors of the church we had the means in place to continue to record and post a modified worship experience that was well received by our church family and by many outside Valley.  I'm also grateful for the learning that was 'forced' on me as we figured out the programming and software needed to ramp up our online presence.

Aspah began Psalm 73 with the words, 'Surely God is good to Israel'.  We too must declare, surely God is good to Valley, to His people.  He has provided what we need for such a time as this and through the continued generosity of His people, he has provided for all of our expenses, so that we could continue our ministry and faithfully support our Mission Partners.

God's Encouragement

Here, I think of the words of the hymnwriter, 'Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide' (Great Is Thy Faithfulness).  God has given to us His divine encouragement on this journey through uncharted territory. And much of that encouragement has come through you, the people of Valley.  Thank you for staying in touch with one another, for supporting and building up one another 'from a distance' and for cheering me on in my role as your pastor.  Your support has greatly encouraged me and provided an extra measure of engery to keep going and get done what needed to be done, during a particularly demanding stretch.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  (Romans 15:5-6)

God's Direction, Inspiration and Assurance

Over these past five months, as we interacted as a Leadership Team and church family, as we worked out way through so many unknowns, God was quietly guiding our steps and affirming His leading through a wonderful spirit of unity and a determination and resolve among our people.  I have seen just how precious and meaningful the community faith is during this season.  For me, much of God's inspiration has come through the quiet support of you, the people fo Valley and from many outside sources that have been blessed by our ministry to them during this time.  And, I have been blessed by God during private moments of prayer and contemplation and often when sitting at my desk, stuck in sermon prepartion and the Spirit would provide the right verse, the right word or phrase to keep going. I would whisper a 'thanks, Lord' and then push on.

All along God had directed, inspired and given to me, to us, His assurance.  We still face an unknown future, as I take a break now, I'm not sure what tomorrow may bring, but we can rest assurred because we can trust an unknown future to a known God!

They will be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will then go well for them and for their children after them. I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me.  I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul. (Jeremiah 32:38-41)