Love ... Joy ... Life!

"... her motherhood was of a different kind. Those on whom it fell went back to their natural parents loving them more. Few men looked on her without becoming, in a certain fashion, her lovers. But it was the kind of love that made them not less true, but truer, to their own wives. ... Every beast and bird that came near her had its place in her love. In her they became themselves. And now the abundance of life she has in Christ from the Father flows over into them. ... It is like when you throw a stone into a pool, and the concentric waves spread out further and further. Who knows where it will end? Redeemed humanity is still young, it has hardly come to its full strength. But already there is joy enough in the little finger of a great saint such as yonder lady to waken all the dead things of the universe into life."

C.S.Lewis
"The Great Divorce"

Truth Matters

Until your heart embraces the truth you will never become the “TRUE YOU,” that person your Creator designed you should be initially and now seeks to restore.

Glory

In the Kingdom of God character trumps splendor and popularity every time!

I lost a Lifelong Friend Today ... Or Should I say ...

I lost a lifelong Friend today.

Or should I say, “Doug Buchanan beat me Home today!”

I’ve known Doug since we first met in a Camp outside Thamesford, a small village not far from London, Ontario, Canada. It was one of those places Kids get attached to and always remember fondly. We were in our mid-teens the first year we met and hung out there for several Summers, through at least 3 or 4 girlfriends. We next connected in College. Roberts Wesleyan to be specific. He was one of those “science” guys. I was an English/Religion major. Doug never let his cerebral superiority affect who he was. He was kinda cool, walked straight and seemed taller than he was, quite at ease with himself and other people, and comfortable to be around.

The last time I saw him was at the old Campground, then sophisticated enough to have its own name – Maple Grove. I can’t remember the year but it was Summer and I was among the Staff. Doug was, well, “Doug.” We hung out with the same ease as though we’d never been as far away in geographical terms or elapsed time as we had been. I’m especially grateful, today, that we had that short time, in that special place, once more!

One day we’ll walk a more sacred ground, if there could be grounds more sacred than those. I know there are. And he’ll be the same laidback guy with that unaffected way of his and another project in the works. He is, after all, one of the King’s boys and there’s always a Mission afoot for those guys!

My belief in Doug’s integrity and nobility were affirmed when I received the Announcement of his Memorial Service, apparently prepared and mailed out by his Family. What they chose to close their communiqué establishes beyond doubt that their Dad, my Friend, gave them a legacy that has no limits nor leaves no uncertainties!

This is what they wrote. “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. . . . Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honour depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. . . . One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving.” Psalm 62 (select verses)

Doug, I’m proud of you, My Friend …

You're A "Child-of-God-Self"

The next time you’re tempted to believe the messages that ring in your head and heart telling you you’re a failure; second class; with no particular purpose and little or no value talk back to that whimpering little voice. Tell it what God says. “You are my Child. I have chosen to welcome you into my Family. I have great plans for you. And, if you’ll trust me, I’ll make sure they’re fulfilled to a degree that will amaze you! Your achievements will be even greater than those of the Son of Man Himself!”

Life that Makes Sense of Human Existence

You can actually bear the unmistakable resemblance of the Creator in whose image you were initially designed. You can, if you’ll love Him with your whole heart, soul, mind, and strength come to reflect His character. Your life will begin to “make sense of human existence.”

Forget Your Perfect Offering

Ring the bells that still can ring.
Forget your perfect offering.
There is a crack in everything.
That is how the light gets in.
-Author Unknown

Thanks to Carol Hattaway-Richey