As I write this posting, several images are flashing across the screen of my mind.  I see her sitting on our deck in the early morning, coffee and a piece of toast on the table, her Bible in hand.  This is her quiet time.  She doesn't always see me, but I see her and know this is in part, her source of strength for the day.

I see her holding our grandson, comforting him.  I have seen this movie before as I watched her comfort and nurture and care for our children as they were growing up.  Though they are no longer 'kids', I often see her offering words of encouragement or support to them; you never stop being a mom. There is a tenderness about her, she has the heart of a loving mother and grandmother.

I see her in the kitchen, preparing homemade soup.  It's not about meal preparation, it's about lovingly caring for me.  I see the same kindness as she gets into the driver's seat to 'accompany' me on an appointment.  We both know this is her way of communicating, 'you're not driving'.  No words are spoken but I know this is non-negotiable and so I tell myself, 'just get in on the passenger's side and enjoy the drive'.

It was 44 years ago this month that one of our youth group leaders literally put her hand in mind when we were roller skating, bringing us together.  Three years later, we joined hands again as we shared our wedding vows. To have walked hand in hand with her for these past 40+ years as my wife is one of the greatest blessings in my life. Words cannot express all that Janice means to me, her commitment to me, her loyalty, her faithfulness, her sense of understanding me, knowing me and loving me.  She has stood beside me through all the ups and downs of our journey.  She has been a constant source of encouragement, strength and joy.  I thank God for her.

In 1985, Janice made what I think was one of the most difficult choices in her life.  She literally uprooted herself from family and friends and our home in Chatham.  We moved to Toronto, so that I could finish Bible College and pursue God's calling in my life, in our lives.  Every weekday morning, she got up early and headed for downtown Toronto and a night to the subway and bus home.  She did that for 3 1/2 years without ever complaining so that I could put all my efforts into my studies and work in the local church.  I remember the time she worked all day and sewed at night, making knitting bags for her co-workers, so we would have some extra money around Christmas.

One of the proudest days of my life was my graduation from Central Baptist Bible College, because it meant so much to Janice.  I can honestly say it meant more to her than it did to me.  In part, because she may have been saying to herself, 'maybe now he'll get a job!'  She sacrificed and share in my joy in a way I will never forget.  Friends, she made a similar sacrifice 16 years ago when we followed God's leading to come the Valley.  Her selfless, sacrificial love is the mark of a godly woman.  Her name means 'gracious' and truly she is a lady of grace and beauty.

I had not been married to Janice very long when I realized the she is a gift from God.  Just to walk with her, to have her beside me, to love her, and to look at that smile that sent me head over heals in love as a 19 year-old kid is a one of God's greatest gifts to me.  I love the life we have built together.  She is a testimony to Gods' wisdom when He said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” (Genesis 2:18)  She is my helper and friend, a godly wife, mother, grandmother and friend.  She is a gift to me, and to the church, for she is the ideal pastor's wife.  She serves alongside me with a quiet and gentle spirit, with love and compassion.  Her love and kindness has allowed me to do all that God has called me to do, and her strength and joy has made up the difference in a home that sometimes feels the effects of being in ministry.

Her journey has not always been easy.  She has endured hardships, challenges, suffering and loss.  The last three years have been particularly wearing on her; when your family hurts, you share their pain. Yet in quiet trust and confident faith she reflects the sustaining grace of her Lord.

As we walk into this week, as I face a second surgery in 4 months and weeks of recovery to follow, I don't think I could do this without Janice by my side.  I am grateful for your support and understanding, for your thoughts and prayers but would ask you to please continue to be a source of blessing and encouragement to Janice and join me in giving thanks to God for her.

ar too often of late, I have found myself in, what is appropriately called a 'waiting room'.  As I sat in one such area recently, I noticed a group of people in line at a registration desk with a sign that read, 'wait behind this line until you are called'.  Another sign nearby instructed patients to have a seat and wait for your number to be called.  After waiting for a few minutes, I was redirected to another area where I was told to have a seat, a technician will be with you shortly. I waited patiently, but I must confess, I don't like to wait.  I don't like to wait in line, I don't like to be put on hold on the phone and I don't like to wait behind an accelerator-challenged driver!  

This was not an anxious kind of waiting, but as I write these words my mind takes me back to times when waiting caused a measure of angst, a feeling of uneasiness and deep concern.  I remember sitting in the waiting room at Sick Children's Hospital in Toronto as our son, Scott was having lung surgery.  The procedure took much longer than anticipated.  After more than 3 hours Janice and I were the only ones left in the room, even the volunteer at the desk had gone home.  That was a much more stressful time of waiting.

We experienced a night-long period of waiting when Scott was admitted to hospital during the early days of Covid; a night I feared for his life.  I will never forget the night Andrea gave birth to Noah and Luke; they were so small, so fragile.  We quietly wondered if they would survive those first few hours.  Sometimes waiting is accompanied by moments of great fear and uncertainty.

Lewis Smedes writes, Waiting is our destiny as creatures who cannot bring about by themselves what they hope for. We wait in darkness for a flame we cannot light; we wait in fear for a happy ending we cannot write. We wait for a not yet that feels like a not ever. Waiting is the hardest part of hope.  But interestingly, over and over again, the Bible exhorts us to wait.

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. (Psalm 37:7)

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. (Psalm 40:1)

I will wait for the Lord...I will put my trust in him. (Isaiah 8:17)

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. (Lamentations 3:25-26)

On the ark, Noah waited.  Abraham and Sarah waited for the birth of their son; for 24 years they waited for the son of promise.  For 400 years God’s people waited in bondage in Egypt.  They waited 70 years in exile.  God had promised a Messiah, but at the end of the Old Testament God’s people are still waiting.  They wait another 400 years while God seemed to be silent. 

Jesus came and lived among us, taught with authority and worked miracles.  His followers waited for Him to restore the Kingdom; to overthrow an oppressive Roman government.  But he was crucified and still God’s people lived in poverty and oppression.  After the resurrection, before ascending to the Father, His followers want to know, Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?  (Acts 1:6)  
 
Do you remember Jesus’ response?  Do not leave Jerusalem but…wait (Acts 1:4).  All through the pages of the Bible we are told to wait.  In the final words of Revelation (22:20), Jesus says I am coming soon.   Soon, but not yet, and so we wait.
 
Waiting gives us time to think and reflect, and as I thought about my experiences of waiting, there are some things I have learned in ‘the waiting room’. While we wait, God is at work. Therefore, I must wait patiently in humility and trust, because waiting ultimately gives way to hope.

What God does while we wait, building in us perseverance and character and hope, is just as important, perhaps more important than what it is for which we are waiting.  Waiting is a confident, expectant but sometimes painful clinging to God.  It is a day-by-day decision to say, ‘God, I trust you, no matter what’.  I must trust that God has good reasons for saying ‘wait’; that God knows what He is doing. I must trust His wisdom and His timing. Even though it’s hard, even though I may be afraid, even though I may not understand, I will trust His heart, for He is faithful and good.  

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  (Isaiah 40:29)

When I’m weary, beat up, worn out, when I’m tired, lonely or afraid, it’s not the time to give up, bail out or turn away from my God.  It’s the very time I need to run to Him, for He is our refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1).  Isaiah says, Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. (Isaiah 40:30-31)  Waiting gives way to hope.  When we wait faithfully, with eager anticipation, when we wait with patient trust and humility, we discover He is faithful; God sees and God cares! And that is enough; that’s enough for me!

There are some tremendous benefits from being in God’s waiting room.  When it seems like everything is falling apart and our strength is gone, that’s when we discover our God is mighty and strong.  He holds us tightly until the storm is past, until our hope is renewed.

Those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength (Isaiah 40:31 - NKJV).

Recently, while waiting to be transported to the Operating Room at Kelowna General Hospital, I found myself sitting quietly, looking at the person I most love in this world, and listening to worship songs.  Janice and I had talked at length, we were both in a good place and the music I was listening to brought a measure of calm to my spirit.
 
At one point I listened to Don Moen’s rendition of the great hymn, ‘O God Our Help in Ages Past’ and the words of the psalmist came to mind: He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2)
 
Michael W. Smith sang, Draw me close to you, never let me go, followed by ‘My Redeemer is Faithful and True’ by Steven Curtis Chapman, and then Kristen Getty singing, Still, my soul, be still and do not fear, God is at your side. When that song ended it was time to be moved to the OR. 
 
The nurse who was taking me, commented, “you don’t seem anxious” and asked if I had any concerns.  I could honestly say I was at peace about the surgery and was just concerned for Janice; waiting is sometimes the hardest part of such a journey.
 
I am grateful for the excellent care I received from the staff at KGH.  The first night was rough but once the pain was under control I was able to rest.  On that second night, I put my earbuds in and pulled up the playlist I was listening to earlier.  The songs brought to mind the words of Scripture and even though I was ‘half asleep’ I was caught up in a wonderful worship experience.
 
You’re all I want, You’re all I’ve ever needed
You’re all I want, help me know You are near (Draw Me Closer – Michael W. Smith)
 
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (James 4:8)
 
It is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God. (Psalm 73:28)
 
All that I long for is found in Your heart
You are everything I need (You Are Everything – Brian Doerksen)
 
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)
 
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
 
I remember hearing the words of the worship chorus we sometimes sing at Valley, He is able, more than able, to accomplish what concerns me today (He Is Able – Rory Noland) and the words of the Apostle Paul came to mind:  Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think… to Him be glory.  (Ephesians 3:20-21)
 
What a good God You’ve been to me
Your goodness and Your grace, everyday I see
 
What loving God You’ve been, what a faithful God You’ve been
What good God You’ve been to me (What a Good God You’ve Been – Tommy Walker)
 
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:6)
 
Still, my soul, be still and do not fear, God is at your side
God, You are my God and I will trust in You and not be shaken
 
Be still, and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)
 
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)
 
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you…in God I trust and am not afraid. (Psalm 56:3-4)
 
My soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.
He is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. (Psalm 63:5-6)
 
As I look back on the road I've travelled,
I see so many times He carried me through;
And if there's one thing that I've learned in my life
My Redeemer is faithful and true.
 
And in every situation, He has proved His love to me
When I lack the understanding, He gives more grace to me
(My Redeemer Is Faithful and True - Steven Curtis Chapman)
 
You will find peace and rest when you…depend on me. You will receive the strength you need when you stay calm and trust in me. (Isaiah 30:15)
 
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. (Isaiah 41:1)
 
This is what the Lord says--
    “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
You are precious and honored in my sight…I love you.
Do not be afraid, for I am with you. (Isaiah 43:1,4-5)
 
I found out the next night that at one point, I was singing along with Steven Curtis Chapman:
 
My Redeemer is faithful and true
Everything He has said He will do
And every morning His mercies are new
My Redeemer is faithful and true
 
One of the nurses said I had perfect pitch!  I think she was just being kind!
 
It was truly an unusual worship experience in which the power of song and the truth of God’s Word ministered to me in a wonderful way, bringing rest to my body and soul—a gift from my good and gracious God.
 
I know, you too, have had your own unique worship experiences, a song or text that spoke to you at a particular time in your journey.  I invite you to share your experience via a response to this posting.

I have learned that those who speak of one's misery hurt,
those who keep silent hurt more.
                                                                                                             C.S. Lewis

Recently a friend observed, 'you look like you're uncomfortable'.  My response was, I guess I'm not hiding it as well as I thought.  I was in fact, very uncomfortable, the pain that has been my unwelcomed companion for months now was almost unbearable, but being wired up the way I am, I sought to dismiss it. But I was challenged by the response of this friend, who said, 'it saddens me that you would feel you have to hide your pain'.  

It will not surprise anyone who knows me, when I confess, I am a very private person, keeping my thoughts and feelings to myself.  In our very first Blog posting I wrote:  For someone who can be very private with his thoughts, the concept of blogging is almost antithetical to the way I am wired up (09/20/2012). Sharing at a more personal level is especially true regarding my health.  But as I have shared more openly regarding my challenges and upcoming surgery, scheduled for two days from now, I have been blessed by friends who have come alongside to encourage me, who are praying for me and Janice, and who simply want to walk with us through this part of our journey.  Thank you for being a source of comfort and strength, you're friendship is a gift from God.

That we would experience difficulties in this world, should not surprise us.  Jesus said, In this world you will have trouble (John 16:23).  While we understand pain is one of the consequences of living in a fallen world, prolonged pain and suffering can undermine our faith and cause us to doubt the goodness of God.  How are we, as a people of faith, going to respond when pain and faith collide?

Biblical theology teaches two parallel truths, the presence of trouble and sorrow (Psalm 90:10), and the presence of a loving, caring, compassionate God who comforts us in all our troubles (1 Corinthians 1:4).  Our pain does not negate the presence God but rather moves us away from a false sense of self-sufficiency, allowing us to see our need for God, that we might find in Him a source of strength and courage that this world cannot offer.  So that we, like the Psalmist, would confess, In you, Lord, I have taken refuge...be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.  Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress...save me in your unfailing love. (Psalm 31:1-2, 9, 16)  It is the presence of God that gives us hope in the midst of our pain.

We may not always understand the 'why' behind our suffering, but we must never lose sight of the One who identifies with us in our suffering.  The Bible says of the Lord Jesus, he was a man of suffering, and familiar with pain (Isaiah 53:3).  On the cross he took up our pain and bore our suffering (Isaiah 53:4) and triumphed over death and the grave (1 Corinthians 15:54).  In the cross pain and suffering collided with the goodness of God, and God's goodness prevailed!  In the kingdom of God, pain and sorrow will not have the last word for God has promised there is coming a day when there will be no more death, no more grief or crying or pain (Revelation 21:4 - GNT).  As we so often say, 'what day, what day that will be'!

When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost
Count your many blessings name them one by one
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done

Count your blessings, name them one by one
Count your blessings, see what God hath done
                                                                                                                     Johnson Oatman Jr.

As I look back on this past year, there are some things I am happy to put in the rearview mirror; for me this has been a particularly challenging season.  Yet through it all, God has been faithful and good. and when I reflect on all His blessings, there is much to celebrate.

I have experienced day-by-day, God's sustaining grace, His divine favor and comfort.  I have known a measure of peace and joy that words cannot express, that give to me a hope that never fails.  His love surrounds me and I am guided by His Word and His Spirit.  

I am blessed to be part of a loving, caring church family.  Your support and encouragement throughout these past months has been a gift to me and Janice.  Thank you for the compassion and grace you have extended to us.  One of the great joys in my life is to be sharing the journey together with friends at Valley.

Beyond our church family, we have also been encouraged by friends who have walked with us for many years.  The older I get the more I have come to appreciate these on-going friendships.  Though time and distance may separate us, the bond of love we share holds us together.  

Our children and grandchildren continue to be a source of joy in our lives.  It's hard to believe our youngest will turn 30 this year, even harder to grasp the fact that we now have four grandsons!  As God continues to write the story of our family, we are overwhelmed by His kindness to us.  ​

The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord.
                                                                                                                                           Proverbs 18:22 - NLT

Of all of the gifts God has given to me, outside of the saving grace of the Lord Jesus, the gift for which I am most grateful is that of a loving wife, who has been a faithful companion and friend these past 40 years.  We have walked the pathway together, through all the ups and downs.  I love the life we have built together! 

It is not an exaggeration to say, 'I don't think I could have navigated this season without Janice by my side. She has literally picked me up when I have fallen.  To call out to her and know her tender care has been one of God's blessings in my life this past year.  It has been humbling to have to let her cut the grass or shovel the driveway because I just couldn't take another step, but if you saw her wave her hand, 'give it to me', you would know I had no choice!  I love her quiet, gentle spirit and caring heart. She tells me she still needs me to open the jar of pickles, so I guess she'll put up with me a little longer!

Friends, I share these reflections to remind us that our God has been and will continue to be gracious and kind as we move into the year 2023.  Happy New Year!

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
                                                                                                                                    ​Numbers 6:24-26

This is our son, Deacon Joel Dolby.  He is almost 11 years old. Deacon has Pans or Pandas Syndrome (auto immune disease that affects the brain). Our world got flipped upside down this past January.  Deacon, one Sunday in January, attempted killing himself several times. That's where our journey begins.

Since the thoughts and attempts couldn't stop, Deacon was taken to hospital in London, ON for answers. We were given some, but still something wasn't right. Through some friends, God showed up and opened some doors. Deacon is seeing the leading doctor for Pandas here in Chatham.  Since then, and many appointments later, Deacon is on a ton of meds; always changing due to circumstances. 

This July we had to call the police on our son because of a 4-hour flare up; that was heart breaking. Deacon was getting better and then we had a setback. Everything around us effects our immune system and for Deacon that much more.  Deacon started school in September and now it is being paused. He is in a zombie- like state and can hardly function. 

He has a very important procedure called IVIG in December. This is a blood transfusion to help bring up his immune system. Please pray that a bed opens sooner, so this can happen sooner.  Please pray for our family. I can't explain all the ups and downs, I can't explain the pain and hurt we have all had. But to watch/listen to your son ask questions about heaven because he can't take it anymore; "Dad my head hurts, it won't stop"; "mom, why am I here, what is heaven going to be like, I want to go soon" -- wow, those moments I can't even begin to explain.  

During this last year our faith has been tested but has not failed; my mental state has been tested and affected, but not failed. We've been affected physically from Deacon, but God continues to give us strength.
We've been tested financially. My wife paused her work career for 6 months to give everything to our son, then figured out a way to start 2 new careers and support our son when he was home. Now we are being asked again to trust God completely as our son and school are being paused, and who knows what the future looks like?

Thank you for all who have prayed and continue to pray for our son Deacon.  Please pray for my daughter Nevaeh too, she has been a champ through all of this, and for Sarah and myself for wisdom, strength, discernment, patience -- for a miracle in Deacon's life, for our financial situation and possible future treatments that could assist him.

God is good all the time!  God bless and have a blessed Christmas season.

If anyone wants a look into our lives, watch "Brain on Fire" on Netflix or "Stolen Childhood" on YouTube.

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another,
be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
                                                                                                                                              2 Corinthians 13:11

These final words from the Apostle Paul to the believers in Corinth are simple, but powerful. While we might be tempted to overlook closing words, dismissing them as common conventions in ancient letter writing; typical of Paul's letters, his final greetings offer a summary of key messages within the letter.  Here, the Apostle closes this letter with five commands, to rejoice, to seek restoration, to encourage one another, to be of one mind and to live in peace.  Each command speaks to what it means to do live together in the church.  There is an emphasis on oneness, unity, fellowship and harmony and the promise of God's blessing...the God of love and peace will be with you.

You've heard me say many times, 'we are not perfect', we are an imperfect church led by an imperfect pastor.  There have been times in our fallenness we have not got it right, but despite our flaws, Valley remains a church that seeks to live in unity, to bless, to encourage one another.

Over the 15 years we have journeyed together with you, we have been blessed to be on the receiving end of such encouragement.  More recently we have been filled with joy through the cards, notes, emails and verbal expressions of love, concern and gratitude that you have shared with us.  At a time when I've been wrestling with thoughts of inadequacy, feeling like I have not, particularly over this past year, been able to do all I would have wanted to do because of an on-going health issue, your words of encouragement have touched me and Janice in a way words cannot adequately capture.

To read: We are so blessed to have you and Janice her with us!  You are loved and appreciated. We ae so fortunate and encouraged to be able to call you and Janice our friends. Thanks for all the good things you have brought into our lives. Thank you for your meaningful teaching and for being you. Your calling is a blessing from God! and all the other expressions of kindness has truly encouraged both Janice and me.  I find myself echoing the words shared by one of you, The Lord God has blessed you in all the work of your hands (Deuteronomy 2:7).

Thank you for cheering me on, for sharing in our journey as husband and wife and for the blessing you have been to our family; thank you for praying, for understanding and for the grace you have extended, particularly this past year.  Thank you for walking with Luke and Noah through their journey and for celebrating Charlie's arrival!  Thank you for being so good to us, for being to us the church -- I am so glad we are part of the family of God at Valley!

Every time we think of you, we thank God for you. Day and night you’re in our prayers as we call to mind your work of faith, your labor of love, and your patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 1:2 - The Message)

I will bless Thee O Lord
I will bless Thee O Lord
With a heart of thanksgiving
I will bless Thee O Lord
​
                                      Words by Esther Watanabe
                                                                                    Copyright 1970 - 1970 New Song Music - CCLI #264120

As we approach Thanksgiving, this song has been in my mind and on my lips.  With the Psalmist, I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving (Psalm 69:30).  On this Thanksgiving 2022, the words of the hymn-writer also come to mind:
     When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
     When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
     Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
     And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
                                                                                         Johnson Oatman, 1987

As I think about the blessings in my life, and name them one by one, here are just a few of the things for which I am grateful.

I am grateful for God's on-going mercy and kindness, for the Father's faithful love; that I worship and serve the God who watches over me.

I am grateful for the Lord Jesus, for His saving grace and for the Holy Spirit who guides my life. 

I am grateful for the beauty of the created world around me, which points me to our Creator.

I am grateful for my wife Janice, my partner for 40 years. I am particularly grateful for the care she has provided for me over this past year, I have been blessed to share life with a loving, caring wife, mother and grandmother.

A truly good wife is the most precious treasure a man can find!
                                                                                                                                           Proverbs 31:10 - CEV

I am grateful for my children, Lisa, Scott and Tiffany, Andrea and Jason, and our grandsons, Riley, Noah and Luke.  I am proud of the persons my kids have become and blessed to continue to share the journey with them.  I am humbled by God's care for our grandsons, Riley and Noah and Luke through the incredible journey they have been on over the past year.  (Celebrating Noah and Luke's Journey)

I am grateful for the church, for friends with whom I share this journey of faith, for the love and support of a church family; truly I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God.

My friends at Valley, on this Thanksgiving week, for what are you grateful...and what then do you say?

Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.
                                                                                                                                               1 Chronicles 16:35

I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought,
and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.
                                                                                                                      G.K. Chesterton

Each year on my Summer Break I 'purge' my personal library, mostly because of limited space.  It is never an easy task to eliminate any book, but over the years it has been a good discipline that forces me to ask, 'do I really need to keep this one'?  I have reduced my inventory to roughly 300 books, which I would conservatively estimate are valued at $10,000.  Two-thirds of these books are reference resources, commentaries, word studies, theological writings and a collection of old hymnals. The remaining books are shelved alphabetically by author, many of them considered 'classics'.

While there is one bookcase of reference material that I have kept over the years, there are a few of those books I consider 'must haves':  The Bible Knowledge Commentary, a two-volume set, Vines Complete Expository Dictionary, The Macmillan Bible Atlas, A Biblical Theology of the Old Testament, George Ladd's A Theology of the New Testament, and  A.T. Robertson's A Harmony of the Gospels and my 'go to' book, Rienecker's Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament.

Of all the books on my shelf, there is one the is prized above all the others that is simply titled The Psalms. It was published over 160 years ago, the author is unknown, identified only as G.V.W.  It is a rendering of the Psalms written in old King James language and using the Hebrew names of God, such as Elohim and Jehovah.

The Psalms begins with the words, Blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of Jehovah (LORD -- the covenant name for God), and ends with, Let everything that hath breath praise Jah (the Lord).  In the psalms, God reveals Himself to us.  We read about His great mercy and His faithfulness; Thy mercy, O Jehovah is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds (Psalm 36:5).  As readers we are drawn to the One who is our Helper; Elohim is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).

His divine attributes are revealed to us throughout the Psalms.  He is the Almighty (Psalm 59:5), the One who created all things (Psalm 148:5), the God who watches over us (Psalm 121:8), and the One who guides us (Psalm 25:5).  He is holy (Psalm 99:3), righteous and just (Psalm 89:14), compassionate, gracious (Psalm 86:15)  and loving (Psalm 144:2).  He is our source of joy (Psalm 1:11) and hope (Psalm 62:5).

The psalms speak to our humanity and the relationship we have with the Divine; they invite us to worship and praise our God, in every circumstance.  I will bless Jehovah at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth (Psalm 34:1).  We are exhorted to, taste and see that Jehovah is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him (Psalm 34:8).  How often do we find ourselves turning the psalms to find comfort, praying as the Psalmist did,  May your unfailing love be my comfort (Psalm 119:76)?  How many of us have turned to David's 23rd Psalm for reassurance, to be reminded, The Lord is my shepherd...Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (23:1,6)?

As I take some time to rest, refresh and renew, I will be withdrawing to my place of refuge, our back deck, to spend some time with my Lord, to meet Him once again in the pages of the Psalms.  May you too, find encouragement, hope and joy as you meditate on the Psalms.

Years ago (1984), Twila Paris wrote a song entitled The Warrior Is a Child.  She was just 22, her career as a Christian artist on the rise, when she wrote these words the capture the struggle of our inner frailty:

Lately I've been winning battles left and right
But even winners can get wounded in the fight
People say that I'm amazing, strong beyond my years
But they don't see inside of me I'm hiding all the tears

Unafraid because His armor is the best
But even soldiers need a quiet place to rest
People say that I'm amazing, never face retreat
But they don't see the enemies that lay me at His feet

Chorus:  They don't know that I go running home when I fall down
              They don't know who picks me up when no one is around
              I drop my sword and cry for just a while
             'Cause deep inside this armor, the warrior is a child

Copyright 1984 - New Spring - CCLI #264120

It is a bit embarrassing to admit, but these words resonate deeply with me.  For the past 35+ years in serving as a pastor, I have felt the vulnerability that is captured in the words of this song.  I have been blessed with a measure of strength that comes from the Lord but inside, sometimes I feel like a child.  So like the song writer I run to the One who is my refuge and strength.

'Refuge', the dictionary defines this word as: a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble, a place of safety, security, a port in a storm, an oasis. God is all that more to us!

I like the way the Expanded Bible captures the words of the Psalmist:
     God is our protection [refuge] and our strength.
     He always helps [is an every present / timely help] in times of troube [distress].

     So we will not be afraid even if the earth shakes [quakes] or the mountains fall [reel; totter]
     into the heart of the sea...

     The Lord All-Powerful is with us; the God of Jacob is our defender [refuge; fortress].
     (Psalm 46:1-2, 7)

Maybe it's Covid fatigue or the simple recognition that life in this world is sometimes hard, it just is, but for we who walk by faith, aren't you glad we have One we can run to who is our refuge, our place of safety and security, a port when the storms of life threaten to overwhelm us?  

Friends, I just wanted to write these words to encourage you to run to Him.

I drop my sword and look up for a smile
Because deep inside this armor, the warrior is a child

When I think about what Christmas means to me, the words of the prophet Isaiah immediately come to mind...unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given.  There is something wonderful about the traditions we embrace as we celebrate each year, but for me the it is all first and foremost about the Lord Jesus.

Christmas means...

...retelling the story of Jesus -- coming back again and again to Luke chapter 2.

...gathering for our Christmas Eve service.

...embracing our family traditions -- watching Janice decorate as she listens to Christmas music.

...the anticipation of the kids 'coming home' -- just being together.

​...a time to slow down and reflect and give thanks for all of God's blessings.

From Janet Armstrong

Christmas means...

...frankincense the smell, so thick and strong overwhelming with warmth and comfort i didn’t understand.

...sitting in the old wooden high back pews of the little Church of my memory.

...looking upon the Nativity with baby Jesus -- His love, is what i didn’t understand. --now i do --that is Christmas to me.

From Edna Barisoff

Christmas means...

...celebrating the birth of Jesus -- remembering that God loves us so much that he sent His son Jesus that we by faith will have everlasting life.

...spending time with family, to share our love for others and to help other’s in need.

...singing and listening to Christmas Carols.

...attending the Valley Christmas Eve Service with family.

From Lia Pinske

Christmas is a very meaningful time for Bob and me -- it begins with putting our nativity scene on our lawn for all to see who drive by!

Jesus is the reason for the season and that to us is the most important reason for celebrating!

It’s about church, family, lighting up our homes and decorating!

The first few years of my life, we celebrated Sinter Klaas as they did in Holland on December 5th. When I got to school age my Mom and Dad added Christmas on the 25th, but still kept the Dutch tradition!

We pray everyone has a Blessed Christmas!.

It is a phrase we heard often last year at this time, "it's a different Christmas".   Another surge in the coronavirus had led to more restrictions, and to what was truly unprecedented in our lifetime, as we were unable to gather in-person to celebrate Christmas.  Who would have thought then, that year later we would still be saying, "it's a different Christmas"?

The newest variant of this virus, that has gripped the world since early 2020, once again threatens our Christmas traditions and celebrations.  While we hope and pray we will be able to continue to gather together with family and friends and as a community of faith, we also recognize the unknown nature of this variant may yet lead to more measures to protect us--not a place any of us want to go, particulary this time of the year.

For Janice and me, this is indeed "a different Christmas".  While there is great hopefulness with Noah and Luke, there is still a cloud of uncertainty about where they will be on Christmas morning; perhaps still in the NICU at Women's Hospital in Vancouver, perhaps in the NICU at Kelowna General Hosptial, or dare we even think, maybe even 'home for Christmas'?  We continue to covet your prayers to that end!  We celebrate the progress they have made and rejoice in God's grace to them, but we know Christmas this year will be different.  Add to that, still unanswered questions about a personal health matter, and we must confess Christmas just isn't the same this year.

But...in the words of the song writer, I still believe in Christmas, that God so loved this broken world, He sent His only Son (John 3:16).  He left his home in heaven to make heaven my home; my Emmanuel is with me and I'll never be alone. I still believe in healing for the weary and the hurt; and in a world that's so divided, I still believe in peace on earth.  I still believe that love is strong enough to conquer hate; and in a world that won't believe it, I still believe enough to say, God so loved this broken world He sent His only Son. (I Still Believe in Christmas by Anne Wilson)

Every year at Christmas, regardless of what is happening in the world around us, we come back to the wonder and beauty of the baby born in Bethlehem; to the awe-inspiring truth of the incarnation; that God sent His Son to redeem lost mankind, to reconcile us to the Father.  The Christmas story reminds us, we are loved by God. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:10)

For me, if I can bask in the wonder of such love, if I can hold on by faith to the truth that I am the beloved of the Father, if I can rest in the peace and joy I find in Christ, then "a different Christmas" cannot steal away the hope that is ours in Jesus Christ.  

We might not find much in this world to believe in, but...I still believe in Jesus, the name above all names. (I Still Believe in Christmas by Anne Wilson)

May God help us to believe, and in believing may we be seized again by the wonder and joy of Christmas!

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.