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)

The exhortation in Scripture is clear...always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6:18)

We cannot escape the responsibility we have to pray for one another. 

On a daily basis, I receive prayer requests, my list seems never-ending and at times a challenge to 'manage'. To complicate matters for me, I have never been a 'daily devotions' person.  While I applaud readings such as Our Daily Bread or other devotional materials and often encourage their use, in my spiritual development I have found a more informal approach has served me well.  I like to read large portions of Scripture at a time and often find myself meditating on particular portions of what I read.  I do use a prayer list and seek to have a daily time of prayer, but I have also found those moments when I am just talking to the Lord to be times of rich fellowship with my God and a meaningful way to engage in prayer for others.

Several years ago I read The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence; it revolutionized by approach to prayer.  Brother Lawrence, struggled with set times of prayer but found his informal times of just talking to God as he served in the kitchen to be most meaningful to him.  My set times are an important discipline, as I work through a prayer list that includes my family, friends, our church family and ministry colleagues and partners, but so too are those moments throughout the day when I just share what's on my heart and mind with God.  In this, I have often been able to incorporate the prayers requests I receive from you and from our mission partners.

I always look forward to reading the updates and emails from our partners and often they will include times of prayer. To honor their ask for prayer, I will often pray as I read their updates or a specific email.  And very often I will respond, 'I have taken this matter to our Lord'.  I also find it encouraging when the Spirit of God brings these matters to mind and prompts me to pray again or to follow up on those things for which I have been praying.  This dynamic strengthens the bond we have in Christ, the partnership we have with our missionaries.

I think of the number of times over the past years when a note has come in from Asher or Don or Mike or Ken or the Baker's or Unger's or Duncan's; times when I have read with great interest what is happening in their lives and I have taken the opportunity to pray for them.  There have been seasons when these friends have faced enormous challenges as they work in a sometimes hostile environment.  It is both a responsibility and a joy to pray for their protection, for God's gracious provision, for a breakthrough or for strength to endure.  I have known the joy of praying for these servants of our Lord and the blessing of knowing they are praying for me.  I have seen God respond in answer to prayer and have had my own faith strengthened in those moments of simply whispering 'thank you, Father'.

In this season of our lives, as we recognize we may not have the physical strength and energy to do all that we once did, we can still pray for and encourage one another. One of the greatest joys we will know as we walk by faith is in doing just that, praying for the people we care about, cheering them on and sharing in the blessing of answered prayer.

Therefore, my friends at Valley...pray for each other. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.  (James 5:16)  And take the time to let them know you are praying for them.  A simple, 'I'm praying for you today', just might be that which gives them the courage to go on, to move forward with a renewed sense of strength and hope and joy.  Remember, we never know when or how God may break through in answer to our prayers, but we do know He is faithful and good!

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!

As a church family at Valley, we join with many across our nation, in the United States and around the world to pray for God’s mercy and grace into the lives of so many who are broken and deeply wounded; who are experiencing grief and sorrow.  We lament the brutal and senseless death of Mr. George Floyd and many others who have died unjustly. We know that such injustice and division grieve the heart of God and stand in contrast to His love and His Word.
 
We pray for comfort for those mourning.  We pray for forgiveness, healing and reconciliation--those things that reflect the truth we find in the Holy Scriptures; that reflect God’s heart to all mankind.  We affirm the truth of Colossians 1:20 that reminds us that God, through the Lord Jesus was pleased to reconcile to himself all things…by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 
 
We, as the people of God reject inequality as being contrary to God’s will and ways.  We recognize this as a problem not only beyond the borders of our nation but within our borders as well.  As we listen to the voices of minority groups in our land, we cannot dismiss the truth that racial prejudice affects many Canadians.  We affirm God’s desire to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.  (Ephesians 1:10)
 
We confess and declare the truth of the Bible that all human beings are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27) and as such, everyone has value and dignity.  Further, we confess and declare that there is no place for the kind of hostility and division that is so prevalent today.  While we condemn any abuse of power, we also recognize that there are those in authority over us (Romans 13:1-7).  They deserve our respect and cooperation.  We give thanks for police officers, firefighters and first responders who serve with honor and routinely put their lives on the line to protect and serve our communities.
 
Our commitment at Valley is to be a people and place where all are treated with Christ-like love, and where we honor and serve one another as we are exhorted to do in the Bible (Romans 12:10; Galatians 5:13). To this end, we will listen and learn that we may be part of the solution and agents of blessing in a hurting world.  Where we have fallen short, we ask for forgiveness.  We accept our responsibility to embrace and proclaim the truth of the Gospel and its implications regarding racial diversity, for we are all one in Christ (Galatians 3:28).
 
We humble ourselves and seek God’s wisdom and guidance, for He has said, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.     (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Like many of you, we first began to hear about Covid-19, early in the New Year.  By the end of January we were hearing reports of presumptive cases in Canada and in our own province, but it wasn't until mid-March when a global pandemic was declared that we began to hear the term 'social distancing' and talk of 'staying at home'; about flights being cancelled and schools and businesses closing -- within a few days, things had radically changed.

It was during this time that Janice and I were preparing to travel to Ontario to visit with Scott and Tiffany and see our grandson.  Just hours before we were scheduled to leave I received notice that our flights had been changed, but the changes only took as far as Edmonton! I spend two hours just trying to get through to the ariline and another two hours on hold before we could get this matter resolved; to say it was a bit stressful would be an understatement! But, we are so grateful to have had a few days with them, to hold Riley and celebrate his birth.

But even during that week, there was concern about what was unfolding and about getting back home; in the end Janice cut her visit short and we were able to return together. I was also in discussion with our Leadership Team Chair, Don Hargrave about the possibility of having to cancel our Worship Gatherings, which we did, to comply with the directives from our government leaders and health officials. 

When we arrived home on the 21st of March, it was indeed a different world for all of us.  We scrambled to take our Worship Gathering online, to record a modified worship experience for our people.  I am grateful that this has been a means to connect and stay 'in the Word' over the past eight weeks -- thank you for all the positive comments received.  It's not a perfect solution and we are limited in what we can do, but we've been able to make it work for our purposes.  It has been for me, a steep learning curve to prepare and quickly get up to speed with some new software / technology; I am grateful for your patience and kindness!

As many of you know it was shortly after arriving home from Ontario that we learned our son had been infected, he spiralled quickly and within hours was in hospital in Hamilton; that was a very difficult night. Scott spend four days in hospital and has been off work since the end of March.  He has now received a second negative report and is able to go back to work this week. Riley was also infected but thankfully had mild symptoms and has recovered -- they are all doing well now.  Thank you for sharing that journey with us and for all your prayers and words of support and encouragement.

In some ways we have 'settled' into a new and much different routine, as we all have had to do.  It has been a time of reflection and a time to re-affirm what it is we have as a people of faith.  We have been able to continue to experience the hand of God leading and blessing our lives.  We have what we need and have been able to stay safe and stay connected. 

For me, the overwhelming sense I have right now is that of gratitude.  I think of the words of the worship song we have used in our Online Gathering the past two Sundays...I come before You today and there is just one thing I want to say, thank You, Lord.  For all You've given to me, for all the blessings I cannot see, thank You, Lord.  To you, my friends at Valley, 'thank you' for sharing this journey together.  Give thanks to Lord, for He is good.  (1 Chronicles 16:34)

It was the news we had been waiting to hear; four words that brought to me a measure of great joy...'you have a grandson'.  There was a sense of relief in knowing the baby was healthy and that his mom was recovering well after a caesarian birth -- and that dad was okay!  We were thrilled for Scott and Tiffany, excited to see pictures and to Skype with them and across the miles to share in their joy.  We have been blessed by so many that have shared in this joy with us, including our church family at Valley.
​

It doesn't seem that long ago that we welcomed our son into the world.  To watch him grow into the man he has become has been one of my greatest joys as a dad. Seeing him now holding his son is indescribable -- truly this is has to be one of our proudest moments as parents.  

Janice and I have been so blessed to be the mom and dad of three incredible children; we have watched them grow, launch out on their own and pursue their dreams.  We have shared in all the significant moments of their lives, we have walked with them through the hard times and celebrate their accomplishments -- I think that's what God had in mind when He gave them to us!

That we would be entrusted to help shape their lives is truly a sacred responsibility.  The greatest investment of our time and resources has been given to our kids; it's a choice for which have absolutely no regrets.  For me as a dad, I have always needed to know 'my kids are okay'; that God is watching over them, particularly as we have faced the challenges of having great distances between us.  God has been so good, so faithful to us as a mom and dad; as we often sing, 'what a good God You've been, what a faithful God You've been, what a loving God You've been to me'.

I think back to a number of times when I said from the pulpit, 'we only have them for a season and that season passes so quickly'.  I often wonder, 'where has the time gone'?  It seems only yesterday they were carefree, playing in the yard, enjoying their childhood.  We have some wonderful memories of their growing up years!  When they were young, some friends, who were ahead of us as parents, gave us some of the best advice we have ever received...'enjoy every season with them'.  Every season has brought us great joy!

And now we are into a new season and I can't wait to see what God has in store for them and for us!  That which gives me great confidence as we continue this journey is the assurance that our good God will continue to guide and direct their lives; that the One who has been so faithful will continue to pour out His grace and favor upon them and now upon the next generation.  In this, I claim the promise of God to His people...The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs...you will find your joy in the Lord.  (Isaiah 58:11,14)

To Lisa, Scott & Tiffany and Riley, Andrea and Jason, these are the words I pray into your lives...may you always know His guidance, may You be satisfied in Him and may your lives be marked with same joy your mom and I have found in living a life of faith.

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. (Psalm 28:7)

The promise of God to His people is simple in its essence and profound in its beauty; it is a core belief of our faith: The Lord watches over all who love him.  (Psalm 145:20)  It is a promised reiterated over and over again in the pages of the Bible.  

God promised Jacob:  I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.  (Genesis 28:15)  To Moses, God would say:  My presence will go with you and I will give you rest.  (Exodus 33: 14)  To Joshua he gave this promise:  As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.  (Joshua 1:5) 

God speaks to David in Psalm 32 and gives him this promise: I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.  (Psalm 32:8) 

In Psalm 121 we have these words that re-enforce this truth: The Lord watches over you--the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm--he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. (Psalm 121:5-8)

The presence of God that abides with us, that leads us and protects us gives us assurance in a world that can be a scary place at times.  When I feel vulnerable and afraid, when the path before me is uncertain, when I cannot find rest for my soul, when my own strength fails me and I have no where else turn, God is there, watching over me -- in this I find a measure peace and joy.  

God has said through the prophet Jeremiah:  I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.  (Jeremiah 33:6).  In this world, any sense of lasting security is fleeting, but in the Lord we find what our hearts truly long for; a sense of belonging, to feel safe and secure.  Through faith, we have a hope that is for us an anchor for our souls.  (Hebrews 6:19)

In the word of Peter, we confess:  “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.  (John 6:68)  We have One who is to us our refuge and strength, who invites us:  “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.  (Matthew 11:28-29)

It's no wonder David could say:  Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. (Psalm 23:4)  

As we continue our journey through this life what greater assurance could we find than to know there is a God who loves us, who cares for us, who walk with us; you tell me, where else can you find such assurance;  where else can you turn to find rest and security? 

Like the Psalmist, we pray:  ​Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge.  (Psalm 16:1)  And we confess:  Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.  (Psalm 16:5)

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

The words are explicit and powerful:  They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42)   They are words that describe the early church and words that speak to the church today.  This one verse gives to us four pillars of our faith as we seek to be the church in our world today.

The word 'devoted' expresses the idea of holding firmly and not letting go, persevering or exercising diligence and doing so a body of believers, sharing life together.

They held firmly to the message, the authoritative teaching and doctrine that was passed on to them.  In the same way, the church today must hold the message, the authoritative teaching and doctrine we find in the Word of God.  It is truly a pillar of our faith.

The early church understood the necessity and value of fellowship.  Read the story of the early church and you will be struck by the powerful image of togetherness; they had to stick together, they needed each other and so do we.  At a time when matters of faith have become personal and private we need to come back to this value of a shared experience in the community of faith and hold to it firmly as a critical pillar of our faith.  

The breaking of the bread is another example of togetherness, the gathering of God's people to worship and celebrate the very core of our faith, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It is in and through the Lord Jesus that we find forgiveness of sin, a restored relationship with the Father and the hope of eternal life.  The coming together of God's people to worship and remember is absolutely critical to our spiritual well-being.  So hear me again, my friends at Valley...'whatever you do, don't miss the gathering'!

They also devoted themselves to prayer.  As we noted last Sunday, this is the same message declared by the Apostle Paul in Colossians 4:2:  Devote yourselves to prayer.  Prayer really is the pathway to God's presence and the pathway to God's power.  Prayer changes us and prayer changes what is possible.  And, as we saw last week we just never now when or how or in what way God is going to break through in answer to our prayers, so we must persistent in prayer.  It is one of the pillars of our faith.

Luke goes on in Acts 2 to reveal what happens we God's people devote themselves these things:  Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.  (Acts 2:43-47)

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place.
When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray,
 just as John taught his disciples.”
                                                                                                                                                              Luke 11:1

Within the heart of every Christ-follower is a longing to be more like Him; this is the very essence of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.  As we follow our Rabbi, we, like the first disciples, see in Him a wonderous attraction and something within wants to imitate what we see.  So it's  no surprise when the disciples observed Jesus praying they ask of Him... 'Lord, teach us to pray'.

I wish I could say, after 40+ years of walking with the Lord that I have mastered the discipline of prayer but I am still learning, still growing.  At times prayer has been an absolutely wonderful experience; the conversation with my Lord flows easily and the sense of fellowship is indescribable.  But there have been other times when it has been much more difficult to lay hold of God in prayer; times when I have been casual and complacent about prayer, or easily distracted or simply tired.  It's in these times that I call on the disciplines and practices that have helped me recalibrate my heart.

Over the years I have introduced into my spiritual development some disciplines and practices that have proven to be helpful as I continue to learn to pray.  One such practice is 'my prayer list' which I have used for many years.  It's a very simple tool; I take a blank sheet of paper and fold it into 8 sections, one for each day of the week and one as my daily list.   By using this tool, I am able to 'manage' what has become a very long list.  

I keep Monday's page blank; it is reminder for me to spend time alone with my Lord and to allow Him to direct my prayers. It is amazing how often, when I'm quiet and listening, how many times God brings to mind those for whom I should be praying.  On Tuesday and Wednesday, I pray for ministry friends and colleagues; what used to be one day is now two days as that list has grown over the years and continues to be added to regularly.  On Thursday I pray for Hockey Ministry friends; a list that is 30+ years in the making.  On Friday, I pray for our friends we have know through the years; my list now includes children and grandchildren.  On Saturday, I pray for Valley, often using our directory and bringing every name before the Lord.  On Sunday I pray for 'the church', for our Worship Gathering -- my Sunday list is intentionally brief.  Daily I pray for my family and the Lord and I talk about whatever is on my heart and, if I'm really listening, those things that are on His heart, that He wants to share with me.

My list has evolved over the year but it is still a simple resource to help me seek to be faithful in praying for those for whom I have the privilege of interceding.  In the past I have sometimes written out  my prayers or kept a prayer journal.  I have sometimes gone on a 'prayer walk' or scheduled time just to be alone with the Lord.  I have been blessed and encouraged by reading the prayers of great men and women of the faith and by reading the thoughts and reflections of their writings.

At the end of the day, each of us is responsible our own spiritual development; to find and embrace the disciplines and practices that work for us.  What works for you, may not work for me and conversely, what you have found helpful just might prove to me beneficial to me.  So, I'm curious, what are those practises and disciplines that have encouraged you in your journey of faith?  Use the reply form below to share your thoughts with us!

Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  (Hebrews 10:24)

We have walked this path before, we have known this time is coming for the past year and half, but that does not make it easier or change the profound sadness we are experiencing as we anticipate having to say goodbye to our beloved dog, Chara.  Her battle with cancer is coming to an end and once again 'cancer wins'.  Right now I'm holding on to this one last night just to love her; one last night to gently pet her and tell her what good dog she has been.  

Over the past few days we have watched as this one whose name means 'joy' slowly slips away; as does the joy that has been ours to have her in our home.  The cancer has taken its toll and we know it's time to let her go so that she does not suffer in the end, but it just feels sad; another loss.  The anticipation of what tomorrow will bring leaves a knot in my stomach.

I know that we have been blessed to have this beautiful dog in our lives for the past five years and in a sense we have had some 'bonus time' for the past year and half, but that only makes saying goodbye that much harder.  Call it irrational and sentimental if you wish, but we come to love those with whom we share life so deeply that we are going to hurt when they leave us.  Right now, it hurts.

I'm sure there is more that she will teach me as we walk this path and reflect again on all she has taught me about life and faith, but right now those clever analogies escape me.  Tonight I am holding to a truth that has been so meaningful in the past; the words of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Tonight I pray for peace; tomorrow I pray for the courage to let go graciously, giving thanks for the season we shared together. 

7/20/2019

​Late Friday afternoon we said 'goodbye' to Chara. I puttered around the yard all afternoon with Chara close by; she no longer had the energy to do much more than lie under her favourite tree, but to the end she was able to receive our love.  Those hours allowed me to experience a settled-ness in my spirit, confirming it was time to let her go.  The prayer for God's peace was answered; I was able to thank God for the time we shared with her and although not easy, to make the hard choice to say goodbye.  In the end Janice cradled her head as she slipped into the sleep of death.  She is free from the cancer that had destroyed her body, but now the house feels much more empty.

Knowing heaven will be a place of beauty and great joy, I can't help but wonder if one day this beautiful creature of God will greet me again!

7/23/2019

​Six years ago I wrote a blog entry when we had to say goodbye to our dog Shady.  Putting words to paper was a means to express the thoughts of my heart. I did not know at the time that such thoughts would resonate deeply with many others.  'Goodbye Shady' speaks to all who have ever lost a much-loved family pet, to anyone who has lost a loved one; it speaks about life and faith.  To date the page has been accessed over 100,000 times and I continue to receive messages from dog-lovers I have never met.

When we brought Chara into our home and into our lives five years ago, I continued to write, often expressing the lessons I was learning as we journeyed with this beautiful black lab mix who quickly stole our hearts.  I know not everyone can relate to stories about a dog, but we can all relate to times when the path becomes difficult and the empty feeling of missing one we have loved.

Over the past few days, so many little things continue to remind me she's gone.  We walk in the door and expect her to be waiting to greet us, her tail thumping in excitement--'you're home'. I pulled the car into the garage yesterday and started unloading and for a split second I thought, 'I need to let Chara out', but quickly remembered, I don't have to do that any more.  I walk up the stairs to go to bed and I want to call for her, to let her out one last time, but she's not there.  Most nights she would come back in, sit for a treat and then disappear as I turned off the lights and headed to the bedroom.  I would always find her on the bed and we'd go through the same drill...'you can't sleep there, that's my spot'.  She would reluctantly make some space, hang out with us for a little bit and then jump down, almost as if to make sure all is well before falling asleep.  The house feels a little less secure at night.  She'd be back in the morning, jumping up on the bed to remind us it was time to get up.  Our mornings are much quieter now.  

I've tried to distract myself, but Chara was my distraction.  She would often come in and lay by my desk when I was working and if I needed a break, she was there to share the moment.  We would often sit on the back deck, my place of refuge, where I could sit quietly and think and talk to my Lord, with Chara by my side.  When I work around the yard, one of my favorite things to do, she was right there with me.  Don Moen wrote a song entitled, I Just Want to Be Where You Are; that was Chara!   As I write these words, Janice is at work and the house feels empty.  Quiet is good for getting my work done, but I'm missing my four-legged friend.

In all of this I am reminded things are not as they should be, we live in a fallen world, but one day that will all change.  The word of God promises the renewal of all things (Matthew 19:28).  The Bible speaks of a time when there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain (Revelation 21:4).  On that day we won't have to say 'goodbye' and as you've heard me say so very often, what a day...what a day that will be!

There will be no pulpit, no open Bible, no expounding the Holy Scriptures; no prayers, no worship songs.  It is not a worship gathering, nor is it an evangelistic service, so how can this be the church?  How is this any different than any other organization?

This is being presented by a church?  No thanks.  I don't want to be drawn into a different setting but get hit with the same old message; I don't need to hear a preacher.  Why doesn't the church just stay in their own back yard and provide whatever it is they do to those who need that sort of thing?

There you have it, two opposing views, both talking about the same event. 

As we prepare to bring Michael Hingson to the valley to share his story of faith and trust and triumph, some have quietly wondered, what makes this different than any other organization that may bring in a motivational speaker?  Others as they process an invitation to come and hear his story or attend the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast question this on a different level, wondering if the church has a 'hidden agenda'.  Some in their skepticism will choose to stay away, just to err on the side of caution.

Perhaps these kinds of thoughts have gone through your mind; perhaps you have asked these questions from one side of the equation or the other, or both.  For me, I can only cycle back to what prompted the initial ask of Mr. Hingson and my understanding of the Great Commission and the scared  responsibility to share our faith.

I first came across Michael's story in the context of preparing for a series of messages on Psalm 23.  His story from 9-11 served as an illustration in making the observation: when we face a crisis, when we face uncertainty, when we are overwhelmed with fear, we all look for a guide.  Psalm 23, verse 1 tells us, The Lord is my shepherd, my Guide.

Guided to Safety is an opportunity for us to hear Michael's remarkable story and as we've been saying for the past number of weeks, to be invitational, to enter into conversation about life and faith and to demonstrate to a sometimes skeptical world that the church still has a place within our communities; that we are a force for good, with a message of hope; a message that is not only proclaimed from our pulpits but lived out in our daily lives.

The words of the Great Commission encourage us to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:19-10)  As we are going, as we are living our lives day-by-day, sharing our lives with one another and those in our sphere of influence we have the opportunity to live out the message of grace and hope we find in Christ. By being invitational, by entering into conversations around the opportunity to come and hear Michael's story we are sharing that message; through Michael as he speaks about his faith and trust but perhaps more importantly through the conversations we are now having and the conversations we will continue to have in the days and weeks ahead. And, we never know how God might use one of those conversations and our prayers to inspire and encourage and bless someone in our relational world.  It might just be that which leads them to 'taste and see' that the Lord is good.

I wonder, do you believe that?  Will you pray to that end?

For me, I have watched as a few of us first connected to consider this opportunity, as we prayed about it, gave generously, planned and prepared and stepped up to offer to help in various ways.  I have seen God lead and open doors; I have had opportunity to enter into conversation and have witnessed you doing the same.  I have sensed God is at work among us, in us and through us.

Over the next week to ten days, we will in a special way be the church 'on display' in our communities; may we steward well this sacred trust, praying that God will honor the step of faith we have taken to do this and surprise us with an out-pouring of His grace.

As we continue to abide in the ‘place of prayer’ at Valley; meditating on the Lord’s prayer during our current teaching series, inviting God to take us deeper into Himself as we, like the disciples of old say, teach us to pray (Luke 11:1) and interceding on behalf of one another:
 
To all (at Valley) who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.  (Romans 1:7)
 
I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus.  (Philippians 1:4-5)

To our Father in heaven, we lift our eyes as we come into His holy presence, rejoicing in His love and grace.
 
We confess that we have often strayed, choosing our own way and in so doing, missing out on the fullness of our Father’s blessing.  I pray that God would forgive us and restore us.
 
We confess, we don’t always love perfectly, so I pray that our Father would make our love increase and overflow for each other.  (1 Thessalonians 3:13)
 
I pray that we, being rooted and built up in (Christ)…might be strengthened in the faith as (we have been) taught, and (that we would overflow) with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:7)
 
I pray that our friends and loved ones who need an extra measure of the strength and courage and grace that only God can provide, would find in Him all they need.  And I pray that the Holy Spirit would lead us and enable us to come alongside and be agents of blessing in the lives of those who are fearful and lonely; may we encourage and build up one another as we have been called to do.
 
I pray that we would have grateful hearts as we acknowledge all that we enjoy in this life is a good from the hand of our good and gracious Father, who is more than able to supply at that we need.
 
I pray that our God would lead us in the way we should go and teach us to wait upon Him; to walk in faith and trust.  I pray that He would meet us when the way seems dark and bring us the green pastures and still waters that we might find rest for our souls.
 
Above all, I pray that we as His people would be lost in the wonder and awe of the Father’s love for us; that we would recognize nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of Christ.
 
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  (Romans 8:38-39)
 
I pray that God might be honored in our lives, hour homes and families and our church.
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”  (Revelation 5:16)

Each time our Leadership Team meets, we begin with a devotional time that is led by various members of the team.  It is a rich part of our time together; it sets the tone for the meeting and allows a time of refection as truth is shared and time is spent in prayer.  What makes it even more meaningful is that what is shared often reflects not only where we are as a church and Leadership Team, but very much reflects the heart of the one leading; where they are in their own journey of faith—in this we learn from and inspire one another.
 
This past week I had the privilege of leading that time with the team.  My focus was on a thought that has been on my mind as we talk these days about the role prayer plays in our walk of faith.  In particular I have been thinking about what it is we pray about as we come to God.  It’s been my observation that we do well in interceding for one another about concerns we have for our health and well-being and those that we care about as family and friends.  But, as I asked the team, what are we asking God to do among us Valley beyond providing healing grace and strength and rest for who are dealing with health concerns.
 
I was intrigued by one phrase I see over and over again in Scripture: “I pray that”.
 
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.  (Ephesians 1:17-19)
 
Paul’s request was very specific; praying for spiritual enlightenment so that these Christians would know, would experience the hope that is ours in Christ and the power of Christ at work in us.
 
There is an unmistakeable pattern in Scripture of this kind of specific ‘ask’ in prayer.
 
There was a time when, the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness. 
Because of their lack of faith and trust, God send snakes to inflict the people and many died.  The people came to Moses with a very specific request for deliverance. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.  (Numbers 21:7)
 
Another time, the people asked Jeremiah to, pray that the Lord your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do.  (Jeremiah 42:3)
 
People / remnant are fearful of the Babylonians – want to flee to Egypt
Approach Jeremiah to seek God’s guidance
 
To the church at Ephesus, Paul would write:  I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  (Ephesians 3:16-19)
 
Paul also asked for their prayer support: Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (Ephesians 6:19-20)
 
As I have asked myself, as I asked of the Leadership Team, I now ask of all of us at Valley, what specifically are we praying for our church/ what are we asking God to do among us?  I look forward to interacting with you as we take this to our Lord and wait upon Him to lead and direct us as we call out to Him in prayer.

The words are familiar to many of us, we them by memory as we recite ‘The Lord’s Prayer…forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.  (Matthew 6:12)
 
The key word in this text is the little word ‘as’, the conjunction that joins the first half of this petition with the second half.  When Jesus says ‘as’, He is setting up a comparison, a contrast between the way we extend forgiveness to others and the way God responds to us.  This text says that we set the standard, we establish the pattern and God responds to us accordingly.  What I am asking is for God to deal with me the same way I deal with other people in this matter of forgiveness. 
 
I have to ask, as each of us must, how does that truth settle with my soul?
 
What am I saying, if my heart and mind are holding onto thoughts such as:  I’m angry at him, I will not forgive him; she’s been ungrateful, I will not extent kindness to her; I just want to get even!  If my heart is soft before God and my heart is open to the truth of His Word, these kinds of thoughts should frighten me.
 
St. Augustine called this text “a terrible petition”.  He pointed out that if you pray these words while harboring an unforgiving spirit you are actually asking God not to forgive you.  We are asking God to give us what we are unwilling to give to someone else. Jesus tells us in this text, we cannot have it both ways.  If I want to be forgiven, I have to forgive others.
 
You might wonder is that what this text is really saying?   Is God’s forgiveness of us somehow linked to our forgiveness of others? The answer is yes; the words of Jesus are straight forward, we cannot claim ignorance or ambiguity. 
 
Jesus gives us this pattern of prayer in verses 9-13 of Matthew 6 and then singles out one part, and only one part for additional teaching. He spells it out so clearly, there is no doubt.  For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.  (Matthew 6:14-15)
 
I must ask myself as you must ask yourself, do I still want to nurse that grudge? I do still want to hold on to that anger?
 
As strange as it may sound, there is such a thing as an “unforgiven” Christian; not that our salvation is in jeopardy; that would render the cross insufficient.  But rather in the sense that the channel of God’s grace and favor is blocked.  It means we are choosing to hang on to anger and to forfeit the fullness of God’s blessing in our lives.  
 
When we refuse to forgive, we make a mockery of the cross, we block the flow of God’s blessing in our lives, we waste our time nursing old wounds and become enslaved to anger and resentment, our prayers go unanswered and our faith is rendered powerless--and that is a very scary place to be.
 
If God has already forgiven my sins through the blood of Jesus Christ, am I then going to withhold forgiveness from another?  That’s really the issue.  How could I be unforgiving after what Jesus Christ did for me on the cross?
 
Jesus is telling us that there is a vital link between the way we treat other people and the way God is going to respond to us. If you are a Christian, a genuine believer in Jesus Christ, if your sins have been forgiven, then you can forgive another.  What God has done for you, you can, you must do for others.  If you won’t forgive just know…if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Many of you know I recently headed back east to spend a few days with my son Scott and with my mom, who I haven't seen since we were in Ontario in July of 2015.  I've been asked a number of times since returning, 'how was your trip'? 

As I boarded a plane in Penticton for a short flight to Calgary and then a connecting flight to Toronto, the attendant scanned my passport and informed me it was about to expire soon, really soon:  'It's okay today but if you try to use it tomorrow it won't be valid'.  In all the details of putting this trip together I had neglected to notice my passport was expiring. (My trip included three days in Boston, so a valid passport seemed important!)

For the next hour as I sat on the plane there was nothing I could do but upon arriving in Calgary I contacted Janice and Scott; all three of us began to research passport renewal and border crossings.  I knew immediately it did not look good.  U.S. customs requires a valid passport for the entire time of your visit and renewal would be a least a two day process.  As I boarded the plane to Toronto it appeared as if we would have to cancel our flight to Boston, motel reservations and seek to re-sell our tickets to the Bruins' games.  To say I was disappointed would be an understatement.  I literally felt sick about what was happening.

Just before shutting down my phone I texted Scott to say we might have to come up with a 'plan B'; I expressed my disappointment to him.  I received a quick reply:  I was disappointed when you said we might have to cancel our trip to Boston but then I thought, I get to spend three days with my dad and that's what's most important.

Though we had planned this trip to connect around a couple of games in Boston, my biggest reason for going was a sense that I just needed to spend some time with my son and to see my mom again.  I began to gain a measure of perspective; not quite what I was planning, but we'd make the best of it -- maybe stay a couple of days in Niagara Falls; a place where we had visited often when the kids where younger.  We could just hang out and watch the games together.  It would be okay.

Yet, I was still disappointed as the plane lifted off; my head was spinning as I thought about all the little things we would need to address to alter our plans.  I replayed the words of a conversation I had with Janice and her words, 'I'm praying for you'.  In the midst of a sense of panic, I really had not shared this with my heavenly Father.  I closed my eyes and in my spirit began to talk to the One who has been so faithful and good to me:  Lord, I'm okay if this doesn't work out the way we had planned.  I don't need to go to Boston but if there's some way that it can work out, I think it would be a blessing to Scott; either way Lord I just want to enjoy my time with him. 

Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.  (Psalm 37:4)

I'm not sure if the thought came to me in answer to prayer but somehow I sensed a leading from God to seek to cross the border -- perhaps hoping the agent would be sympathetic to our situation.  We had planned to cross the next morning to catch a flight from Buffalo to Boston but decided to head to the border that evening while my passport was still valid; at least we would know if there was any possibility of continuing as planned.  In the car I texted Janice:  heading to the border.  The reply came back:  praying for you.

To make a long story short, we crossed the border without incidence; the agent looked at my passport and either did not  notice or was not concerned with the expiry date.  I used the same passport to board the plane in Buffalo and then again on the return flight from Boston.  We still had to cross back into Canada, but somehow that seemed less daunting. 

Again, we crossed without incidence.  I spent the next couple of days visiting my mom, watched the Bruins game with Scott on Saturday night and returned home the next day, using my driver's licence to board the plane in Toronto and Calgary.  I have my passport renewal form filled out and ready to be dropped off next week!

A lucky break?  Maybe.  A coincidence?  Maybe.  But I really did have a sense of God's peace and leading as we made our way through the border on that Monday evening.  And I have no doubt my heavenly Father was looking after us.  I think He smiled as Scott and I walked into the TD Gardens on Tuesday night.  Maybe I should have prayed for the Bruins; they lost both games!