Blessed Beyond Measure

Dear friends, thanks for your love and prayers as I make my journey across England. I have been encouraged day by day as I've sensed God's presence in a wonderful way. He is faithful and worthy to be praised. Enjoy His love today!

From Bristol, England,

David

Note: Be sure to check out my latest posts on Pilgrim Scribblings!

87 Cents

Last night while waiting at the Toronto airport, I read a quote by J. Hudson Taylor that thrilled me. I'm not quoting this exactly but the essence of what he said is this, "I only have 87 cents but I have all the promises of God." Yes, friends, God does provide and has always kept His promises. Be encouraged today!

Honesty & Transparency

Greetings, my friends! This morning I went digging in the Pilgrim Scribblings archive mine and came up with a post that evoked more response than most of my other writing. As I read it I realized that I am still "there". I still haven't learned to trust Him more implicitly. I'm still edgy as I "wait for the salvation of the Lord".

During these uncertain days I'm cast upon the Lord like never before. May I learn to trust Him more, the One who is completely trustworthy, the One who changes not and always keeps His word.

Here is that post. May the God of all grace use it to challenge you today!

I wrote:

Time and time again I go back to a book, Bright Days, Dark Nights, penned by a favorite writer of mine, Elizabeth Skoglund (see my links). She writes on subjects such as confidence, depression, anxiety, change and transition using the writings of the Prince of Preachers, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, to illustrate her point.

The following quote by Spurgeon mirrors a statement that I used to make quite honestly and quite often. But now, I must confess, I don't know that I'm able to truthfully say it any more. The ravages of uncertainly, the stresses of being "down to the wire", the scariness of "not knowing" have played havoc with "all I once held dear".

Admitting this is difficult! What I once declared may have sounded very "noble", very "spiritual", very "right" but the years have taken their toll.

Let me give you Spurgeon's quote before I continue... "If I might have any choice between having abundant wealth, or being brought to absolute dependence upon daily supplies, if, in the latter case, I could have greater power to exhibit and to exert faith in Christ, I must confess that I should prefer the mode of living which would give me most room to enjoy the luxury of depending upon my God. I believe it is more happy and more divine a life to live from hand to mouth, dependant upon the provinces of God, and having the confidence to trust Him, than it is to have all the abundance of this world, but to have nothing about which faith may exercise itself." - Charles Haddon Spurgeon

There it is! As I said, I used to echo these thoughts although not so eloquently. Do I want to trust God implicitly? Of course! Do I believe that He can provide all I need? Absolutely! Do I want abundant wealth in a worldly way? Definitely not!

So, as I find myself in uncertain waters, I am crying out to God to be the Great Provider. He has been that in the past for me and He will never change.

Living on the edge has made me edgy and that can be a good thing.

For example...

Positively speaking:

1. I could be on the edge of another God-thing...another miracle that has no explanation other than that God did it!
2. I could be on the edge of a breakthrough where I experience deeper intimacy with God than ever before.
3. I could be on the edge of a new career path...a new vocation where God continues to be at the center.

Or, in a negative sense:

1. I could be on the edge of financial ruin.
2. I could be on the edge of unexpected grief or pain.
3. I could be on the edge of something that could shatter hope.

So, as I begin a new day with my hand held firmly by a Sovereign God I will say, "Surely God is my salvation. I will trust and not be afraid." - Isaiah 12:2

Yes, the unknown is scary! Yes, I want to truthfully say what Spurgeon said! But, for now, I will say this, "Moment by moment I'm kept in His love."

I'll choose to look at the positive "edges" and "expect great things from God."

Thanks for your prayers during my bumpy pilgrimage!

Transparently,

David

February 15th, 2007 note: I trust that you will be encouraged after reading this post in which I bared my heart and soul. Step out by faith and trust Him wholly. Because... "those who trust Him wholly, find Him wholly true" as the hymnwwriter has so ably written.

Trust Him today!

Encouraging Athletes For 32 Years

Please keep EPISTLE SPORTS MINISTRIES in your prayers.

We are into our 32nd season of ministry to professional and amateur athletes and we are trusting God to do great things this year.

We depend on the prayers and financial support of the Lord's people.

Last night we had 21 of the Peterborough Petes in attendance at our bi-weekly MONDAY WE HAVE FISH Bible studies.

Thanks again, dear friends!

"We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ." - Colossians 3:28 (NIV)

Babbling Brook

On Christmas day I took a walk in the woods behind our home, down to the creek that runs across the corner of our lot. I hadn't been down there for a couple of months. Usually by this time the snow has made the path impassible but we have no snow and I was able to get down to the creek.

When I got there I saw that I had left our Adirondack chair down there last fall so I sat down and thought deeply for awhile. The sound of the "babbling brook" was music to my ears.

Normally I would be disappointed if we didn't get a White Christmas but not this year. Christmas came and went so quickly! And remember...the days are already getting longer! Hallelujah!

Regardless of the weather, we have a God who care for His own and I have much to thank Him for as we approach the end of another year. It's been a difficult year but the Lord has been faithful and good. He walked with this pilgrim each step of the way even when I wondered what was going to happen next.

I'm reminded afresh of the verse which my Grandma Fisher taught me many years ago:

"The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knoweth them that trust in Him." - Nahum 1:7

He Takes Note...

One of the scripture verses which keeps me going was written by the author of Hebrews. He reminds us that what we do for God and His kingdom doesn't go unnoticed. Be encouraged today! He is taking note...

"For God is not unrighteous to forget or overlook your labor and the love which you have shown for His name's sake in ministering to the needs of the saints (His own consecrated people), as you still do." - Hebrews 6:10 (The Amplified Bible)

2nd Blogiversary For Pilgrim Scribblings

This weekend we are celebrating the 2nd anniversary of our 1st blog, Pilgrim Scribblings. We posted our first article on November 25th, 2004 and have added over 1,000 posts since that time.

Please visit PILGRIM SCRIBBLINGS and leave a comment this weekend. We are celebrating the faithfulness of God! What an awesome God we serve!

Let me leave you with one of my all-time favorite verses of scripture, Psalm 37:25.

"I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread."

Be encouraged this weekend, dear friends!

Encouragement Headquarters

Dear Friends:

Greetings! I pray that you will have "a good and godly weekend" as Woodrow Kroll from the Back to the Bible Broadcast would say.

Just thought you'd like to see the desk where "the Barnabas Blog" originates. My friends and colleagues enjoy visiting my office. They comment on the peacefulness of the decor and the surroundings. I certainly enjoy the time spent there.

Thanks again for your enthusiastic response to "the Barnabas Blog". Your positive comments encourage me to write even more.

"Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it."

- 1 Thessalonians 5:24 (KJV)

He did the calling! He'll do the doing! Just give Him the opportunity!