WARNING: Listening to Nicole C. Mullen's "Redeemer" while driving may be hazardous to your health!

...but good for the soul!

I discovered this when the song came on the radio this morning while driving to church. As her powerful voice passionately sang even more powerful lyrics, the reality of the words hit me deep in the chest and spread throughout my whole body. I could barely contain myself as I belted out the familiar words. By the second chorus the tears welled up in my eyes, filled them to the brim and quickly overflowed to my cheeks. This was a good thing, because the welling blurred oncoming traffic.

I encountered the second hazard soon after this as I could no longer stand it and had to raise a hand in praise to God. I wasn't slow to return both hands to the 10 and 2 positions while driving through a light drizzle that made the roads slightly slick.

Finally, the last danger was seen as the speedometer crept towards 70km. Thankfully we live pretty close to the church so I made it just fine.

Afterwards I reflected on the beauty of the moment - those few moments alone in my car when I was touched by God through the music and truth of the lyrics. It made me wonder why I don't have more moments like that and I realize it is because of me! Pastor Lewis Massarelli reminded us this evening how much God wants to be in relationship with us - more so than we want relationship with Him. It it is up to me to take the time to allow Him to connect with me on that deep level, to be moved spiritually, challenged actively, stimulated mentally, and touched emotionally.

Have you taken time recently to have those "moments" with God? Can you say "I know that I know that I know that I know... - God loves me - God is with me - I am going to Heaven - My Redeemer lives!!! I hope so - if not, listen to the song "Redeemer" on this link (click on the song title when you get there) not because there is anything "magical" about the song or the music - but the words are from God's Word and they proclaim God's truth and that brings you into an encounter with God. Just don't listen to it while you're driving!

Lyric sample from "Redeemer" by Nicole C. Mullen

Now I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life within me cry
I know my Redeemer, He lives

To take away my shame
And He lives forever, I'll proclaim
That the payment for my sin
Was the precious life He gave
But now He's alive and There's an empty grave

And I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life within me cry
I know my Redeemer, I know my Redeemer I know my Redeemer lives
I know my redeemer lives
I know that I know that I know that I know that I know my redeemer lives
Because He lives I can face tomorrow
I Know I know He lives he lives yeah yeah
I spoke with him this morning
He lives he lives, the tomb is empty,
He lives I gotta tell everybody

Do you know where you are?

This is the driveway leading up to the back bush at Nana and Poppa's

We were having a great time. Beautiful surroundings, enjoying each other's company, feeling good about the activity - but slowly these things were gradually replaced with unfamiliar surroundings, getting on each others nerves, and wondering if we should have done this after all.

This was the experience we had when Dawson and I took a walk in the back bush on my Father-in-law's property. Dawson asked to go exploring so we left the familiar trail and made our way into "uncharted territory". Before long, I didn't recognize the area and wasn't exactly sure how to make our way home. Our tummies were rumbling as it neared dinner time and Dawson realized that we were going in circles! He said "Dad, are we lost?". Trying to put a slight spin on the situation I grinned and replied, "no Bug, we just don't know where we are!!!" After almost an hour stumbling and circling ourselves, we finally spotted the familiar trail (to my great relief!).

I'm wondering today, do you know where you are? Dawson's question made me think of the familiar christian terms that describe people who are followers of Christ and people who are not. Followers of Christ are often referred to as "Saved" while people who do not follow Christ are said to be "Lost". Problem is, "Lost" people often don't even realize their own dire situation! Before they get to a point of utter despair and realize that they truly are lost without Jesus in their life they might feel a slight dissatisfaction, a little something missing, or just general uneasiness in life. If you don't quite "know where you are" with God, I want you to know that you can! We can know where we stand before God and where we will spend eternity because God has promised that if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our Heart that God raised him from the dead, we will be saved!

Don't wonder if you are lost - be sure of where you are...

We were there for a good time, not a long time!!!

Well, we just finished our week of holidays. We had a great time. A nice visit with family from PEI for a couple of days started the week off perfectly. It was nice to see them again - the last time we were together, their 11 year old daughter was my Son's age! (7)

After that, we went to the sandbanks (just like Fish suggests... click here). That was an adventure! The original plan was to stay in Belleville overnight then spend the next day at the sandbanks in the sun and surf. However, when we entered the hotel a sign was posted saying their pool was out of order! That was disappointing seeing that we booked that one because of the pool for the kids. The staff were helpful though and suggested a nice economical resort right on the sandbanks. We called, made the reservations, and were off. After only 3 wrong turns we made it!!!

We all had a nice refreshing dip in the pool, checked out the beach, skipped stones, and went for a walk to explore. After supper from our cooler, we played tennis - all 4 of us! Dawson and Karsyn each made a great ball boy and girl and Robbin discovered that she actually enjoyed tennis! I'm gonna get us racquets and take it up. Dawson had a lot of fun as well. After tennis we were all tired out and went to the room for sleep to be rested for a big day at the beach. It proved to be a beautiful day. We swam at the pool, then took our picnic lunch to the beach for some fun in the sun. This was a short trip, but it was very relaxing and enjoyable.

I will post more soon - I promise!!!

Blog or Bust!

Wow - I think I'm trying to break my record for blogging futility! I thought I should check in with my vast readership and let you all know that I am having a great summer. I suppose I could have documented that with a few posts along the way... but for a quick recap - we hosted a spanish studend for the month of July; I was involved in our VBS Daycamp at Calvary Church; and our family has invaded the pools of all our friends! Our kids love it and our friends seem to as well. Actually, the one who enjoys it the most is probably Robbin.

The last part of summer has a few things to look forward to as well. My cousin from PEI will be stopping in for a visit with his family next week. It will be good to see them - after 4 years! Then Dawson will be attending a hockey camp that we are both very excited about. In between that we are hoping to squeeze in a quick get-away for the 4 of us. And maybe, just maybe - I might be so moved to post something interesting on this thing. As for now, this will just fulfill my requirements to maintain my blogging credentials and retain a spot on the prized 'links' column in "Pilgrim Scribblings..." (I hope "Fish" didn't fall of his chair and hurt himself, or pass out when and if he saw this!!!) Keep writin' David - you are a blogging maniac!!! - you've produced your best stuff in months these past few weeks!