July 27th

Lord, it's been an interesting, busy day. The Memorial service went well, and I think I served the family in a way that blessed them and honoured you, and I thank you for this involvement in their lives.

I thank you for the folks in the TK Cabaret as well, but I wonder if I really belong there. Help me discern what's right for me and what will serve that small group best. I know that I enjoy the singing and an opportunity to make new friends, but it's hard to feel truly a part of that group, and I wonder if it's really the right place for me at this time.

July 26th

Lord, thanks a good day of reflection and work, and for all your blessings.

July 25th

Lord, it was a good day, and Lois and I made some good decisions about the house and our renovation plans. Help us move ahead and do the work quickly when it comes time to start. Help this be a good project that helps us have the house we want and a place where we can entertain and offer friendship and hospitality that honours your desire for us to love our neighbours.

July 24th

Thanks God, for a tremendous day of worship, and for all that Darryl and the Praise team offer on Sunday morning.
It really feels like a team and we're providing an ever better sense of your glory thought the music.
Help me continue to serve in a way that truly brings joy and fulfillment to the folks in the pews, and bless all the Praise Team with continued energy and enthusiasm as they lead the worship music.

July 24th: Lowering the Percentage

Spam, or unwanted, unsolicited messages, makes up a full 89% of all Email content. Put another way, 9 out of 10 email messages are unwanted, unnecessary bits of electronic trash. That’s a lot of wasted effort. Of course, one of the reasons the percentage is so high is due to the fact that electronic messaging can be fully automated. Machines are tireless in their efforts and so are a perfect means of spreading garbage over the Internet and into our homes.
Now, most of us, whether we’re part of the world of email or not can take comfort in the fact that we do not distribute such useless stuff. Most of us honest folk don’t send out unwanted or unsolicited mail, whether it’s electronic or the old traditional letter, stamp and envelope kind. We’re just not those kind of people.
Or are we?
Before we pat ourselves on the back for not sending out junk mail, there’s something we need to ask ourselves. Have we ever talked about someone when they weren’t there? Don’t hide, I see you shuffling your feet way in the back over there! Have we ever passed along a bit of information that might or might not be entirely accurate, but is certainly juicy? Ah, I see you diverting your eyes! And, honestly, how many times have we shared a story that came to us from a reliable, but not really first-hand, source? Wow! There are a lot of red faces in the crowd now!
Truth is, we are all willing deliverers and recipients of vocal Spam, otherwise known as gossip. It’s human nature. We want to know about our neighbours and friends. We want to share what’s happening in our lives and the folks that make our lives interesting. We are communicators passing along tidbits that come to us. We just aren’t that discriminating or careful. And sometimes we aren’t too kind, either. It’s just human nature.
Of course, it’s also human nature to think about things. It’s human nature to love folks. It’s human nature to help strangers. It’s human nature to build one another up. These traits are the ones that make the difference between gossip and conversation. Thinking before we speak, offering only what is true and helpful, sharing only what we would have shared about ourselves and generally talking less and listening more are great ways to avoid speaking foolishly.
Of course, it’s your choice. Gossiping or telling the truth? Spreading Spam or saying something useful? Building up or tearing down? I don’t know what the statistics are for gossip in human conversation. One thing I do know, however: it’s up to us to decide to keep it down to less that 89% of the things we say. And if we get it right, we can bring that number down to zero.

July 23rd

Lord, it was a fun wedding today, and I thank you for the part I had in it.
I only pray that somehow that somehow you touch the hearts of the folks that come only for the marriage and move them to at least wonder about the church and perhaps about you.
I try my best to put you and your love in the best light, to show by example and through my message, but it's frustrating that my efforts should fall on deaf ears. Help me find a way to make every one that steps into the church want to come back and learn more about you and how you can make a great, positive impact on their lives.

July 22nd

Thanks, God, for a good day in the office and a good rehearsal this evening. May your blessings be upon Tom and Diane as they prepare for the big day tomorrow.

July 21st

Thanks, God, for a busy and good day. It was great to do some visiting and to catch up with Darryl as well. Continue to bless him as he offers so much to St. James, and help us in turn to be a blessing to him.

July 20th

Thanks God, for a great visit with Stephanie and Todd and for their upcoming wedding. Thanks also for the chance to be involved in such happy events, and being to be part of the lives of great people.
Please help me continue to build and keep good relationships, and please help us find ways to draw more people like Steph and Todd to St. James.

July 19th

Thanks for a quiet, productive day, and a chance look ahead at worship and prepare well in advance for a few things.
Help me continue to plan for St. James, and to hear the voices of those within the church with a vision and direction that honours your will for us.

July 18th

Thanks, God, for a good day with Lois and for a chance to have some fun together without the kids. Bless this time we have so that we can grow closer and build on our relationship.