UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE...

Well it certainly has been an interesting new year so far. And 2010 is only two weeks old.

I entered it with a pinched nerve in my leg (sciatica). It remains with me to this day but, thankfully, not as severe.  I even had to resort to using a cane to get around.

As you know, at the end of the first week of 2010, my mother died. That immediately threw me into a whirlwind of a million things to do to prepare for her wake and funeral.

Then came two full days of post-funeral business I had to take care of as I also happen to be my mother's executor.

And to top things off, one of my younger brothers (the one on the far right in the photo I posted on Wednesday) just suffered a heart attack. He is from the west coast in British Columbia and was still in town when it hit Wednesday night. He is OK and is expected to fully recover, so long as he makes some much needed lifestyle changes.

I have been going full throttle since January 7 without being able to take care of my leg. In other words...rest. I thought I'd give that a whirl for a while as the dust begins to settle. There is, also, still much for me to do regarding my mother's estate that I hope to be able to do most from home. I am deeply grateful to God for answering prayers that gave me the neeeded grace and strength to endure the challenges of this past week.

As a result, therefore, of my need for rest, until further notice, I will be taking a break from The Word Street Journal. I am behind in posting the various things I wanted to post but more important things came up, as you can understand.

I can't tell you how much Kim and I are looking forward to being able to get back out on the streets and share the gospel with people again. It is so much a part of our "normal" life and we miss being out there. The Lord did give us a couple of opportunities to share our faith this past week with family and friends and we are grateful for that.

For those who have been in prayer for us, we offer you our deepest thanks. We are now seeking the Lord's help in getting things back to our regular lifestyle which would include this thorn in my side (left leg) to heal up. Your continued prayers for that are coveted. Thank you.

All is well. God be praised, as always!

So, until next time, as some freakishly tall radio host would say: "Now go and serve your King!" 

A THOUSAND WORDS

As a former photojournalist, I enjoy viewing life photos that tell a story.

And though many images we see can stand on their own, some are better appreciated with underlying context.

I love this photo. I love this moment.

Context: My mother's funeral. Three of my four brothers console each other at the conclusion of the graveside ceremony. My wife, Kim, stands to the side, eyes closed in prayer.

The photo: I had just left Kim's side to cross over and console a dear cousin of mine who was very close to my mother all her life. Kim stayed where she was and entered her heart into prayer. My brothers gathered together at the same time .

One of my sisters-in-law, standing beside my cousin and me, caught the photo of Kim and my brothers at that moment. I think there is much that can be said about what is going on in the picture aside from that is it just a nice photograph.
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From this Christian's perspective,  a believer in Jesus, my Savior, "a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering" and provider of all earthly and eternal comfort, it is what Kim is doing that touches me the most.

Let us not forget to share the saving gospel of Jesus to all we come in contact with that they, too, may share in the great assurance that lies beyond the grave and forever more.

                  "Where, O death, thy victory?
                   Where, O death, is thy sting?" 
                                                     Hosea 13:14
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Note: click on pic to view larger image.

SAYING GOODBYE TO MOM

My Mom died yesterday.

She became very sick at her nursing home a few days ago and we knew her time was not for long, but nobody thought this soon. The Lord, as in most cases, had other plans.

Kim and I were pleased to have made it over the day before yesterday to talk with her and pray for her. She clearly heard my prayer as I held her.

My prayer for her was one of intercession. My prayer for her was one of hope. My prayer for her was that, within her final hours, God, by His grace, mercy, will and power, would lovingly regenerate my mother's heart and present her with the gifts of true repentance and faith; that once and for all, she would be granted the free gift of God's grace and receive Jesus, the Christ, as her Lord and Savior.

My prayer was that our Sovereign Lord would lavish upon her the same mercy he lavished upon me, forgive her sins, adorn her with a robe of righteousness purchased for her by the shed blood of Jesus on the cross and welcome her into His eternal kingdom to be with Him, to worship Him and glorify Him forever. I closed my prayer with heartfelt thanksgiving for the love of our Heavenly Father and for the love of my earthly mother.  

With a hug and a kiss, a smile and a wink, an assurance of mutual love and, of course, some tears, we said our goodbyes. 

Time does not allow me to elaborate, but I left her room with more than a sense of fleeting hope. This was not a 'feelgood' sensation just to help me feel better, nonewhatsoever. But I have every confidence that I will one day see my mother again when, by God's grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, I enter the realm of eternal glory. Until then...

...good-bye, Mom.

I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE (TRUE) GOSPEL

Still on the couch.

My next ten minutes will consist of listening, once again, to this 10 minute clip from one of Paul Washer's classic sermons. We can never get enough of gospel truth being faithfully preached, can we?

Care to join me? Not on the couch. I'm taking up the whole thing. Pull up a floor and stay awhile. :)

Be blessed.

OUT OF (GREAT) COMMISSION

To give answer to my own question from my first post of the year, "Are You Ready?", I join my buddy Isaiah and respond with an enthusiastic "Here am I. Send me!"

All good and dandy to be ready to proclaim the gospel.  Unfortunately for me, however, that's all I have been since January 1: ready. My evangelistic plans for the unforseen future dashed. The problem?...my spirit is willing but my leg is weak. Painfully weak.

Out of the blue, I find myself suffering from sciatica in my left leg. A major sciatic nerve pinch. Never had that before. Never knew pain like that before. And there is only one thing I can do at home for relief: lie down with my leg propped up. Can't sit for long nor stand for long without experiencing excruciating, vice-gripping, burning-like pain all down my leg.

Don't know what sciatica is? Google it. I cannot sit in this chair long enough to explain it. Let me just say you wouldn't want it.

Not looking for sympathy here, but prayers would be coveted and appreciated. I'm all right if I am lying. May as well take advantage of it. This is the only time I can lie without breaking the 9th commandment. :)

You will be pleased, and probably not surprised, to know that I am the recipient of unrelenting TLC from my wife and for that I am deeply grateful.

Things I am doing to pass the time productively whilst horizontal: praying, reading, listening to sermons and teachings on tape (remember "tape"?), chat on the phone, chat with Kim, listen to radio, and, most importantly, think about how I can better serve the Lord this year in the bringing of His saving gospel to the public square and beyond.

Not sure how long I'll be laid up for. Doctor says a few weeks. My chiropractor promises less. And thanks to the chiropractic L-5 vertabrae treatments, so far, the pain is not as severe as it was, but I'm still flat out for now. Obviously, I'm off work (which I miss) until this clears up, as well.

Best thing about it all?...God is completely sovereign in my situation. My loving Father has His reasons for keeping me down at this time. I'm in the palm of His hands. I just have to trust Him with His will for me - and I do. All will be well in His time. It is such a great blessing to be at peace with Him.

So, for those of you soldiers who are up and able, carry on! The proclamation of the gospel must not stop! I'll be back on my horse as soon as the Lord allows.

In the meantime, I must remain still, patient, trusting and willing to learn new things like: how to lie on the couch for hours on end without turning into a potato.

ARE YOU READY - 2010

Whoever you may be, the big question for you in 2010 is:

        UNBELIEVER:  Are you ready to stand before your Creator, God Almighty, should you die some day in this New Year, starting today?  Are you ready to give an account to your Judge, Jesus Christ, for everything you ever thought, for every word you ever said and every deed you ever committed in your life?

Are you good enough to make it into Heaven?
Find out here to be sure !

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." 
(John 3:16)

     BELIEVER:  Are you ready to step out of your comfort zone and make a sincere effort this New Year to bring to and share the Good News of the saving gospel of Jesus Christ with the lost, starting today?  Are you ready to deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow the Lord's leading to seek and save that which is lost?

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear."  (1 Peter 3:15)

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    LET US GO AND SERVE
    OUR  KING  IN  2010 !

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