Pathways to health

Psalm 25

To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.
Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD.
Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.

He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant.

Thought for the day:
When God is silent, He is saying; "Keep on going in the same direction!"

The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it upon the waters. Who may ascend the hill of the LORD ? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his savior. Psalm 24:1-5Many people who live in Vancouver, B.C. constantly complain about the rain, but what they don't realize is that the streets and sidewalks are about the cleanest in the world because of the automated washing it gets on a regular basis. It's clean not because of machines or street cleaners...

Likewise, clean hands are found on those who turn to the Lord who graciously cleanses us; not because of what we have done.

Shouts of Joy

It's that time of the year again - Playoffs

Go Canucks Go!

A goal brings the crowd to their feet

Shouting and waving of white playoff towels - playoff atmosphere

The home team skates off triumphant

Reflections for the day:

1. We are created with a capacity for exuberant celebration - we need to tap into that for our worship and praise of God

2. We are crowd people - community is vital for our overall health and growth

Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth! Sing about the glory of his name! Tell the world how glorious he is. Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! Your enemies cringe before your mighty power. Everything on earth will worship you; they will sing your praises, shouting your name in glorious songs.” Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles he performs for people! He made a dry path through the Red Sea, and his people went across on foot. There we rejoiced in him. For by his great power he rules forever. He watches every movement of the nations; let no rebel rise in defiance. Let the whole world bless our God and loudly sing his praises. Our lives are in his hands, and he keeps our feet from stumbling. You have tested us, O God; you have purified us like silver. You captured us in your net and laid the burden of slavery on our backs. Then you put a leader over us. We went through fire and flood, but you brought us to a place of great abundance. Psalm 66:1-12

Spring Speaks

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding. It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.

The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end. Nothing can hide from its heat.
The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever.

The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them. How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:1-14 Three Things that Spring Speaks to me about:

1. Mistakes are not final -God always gives me a "do-over" each time.

2. God is working even if I don't see it. 3. Always hope and wait - the best season is yet to come.

The Cross

The cross is one of the most recognizable symbols on planet earth. It was also one of the most cruel implements of death devised by man. If there were a museum of death – the cross would probably sit side by side with the gallows, the electric chair and the guillotine. Imagine someone wearing an electric chair ornament around their neck? Yet millions wear the cross on chains, bracelets, and pins. They adorn tee-shirts, top off church steeples, and are permanently tattooed on human bodies. The cross represents the innermost workings of evil in man but it also demonstrates the outward demonstration of love, and the heart of God to redeem man to Himself. When he hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing.
Galatians 3:13 The cross – you can’t miss it! The cross – You can’t live without it!

Legend of the Sand Dollar

THERE'S A PRETTY LITTLE LEGEND
THAT I WOULD LIKE TO TELL
OF THE BIRTH AND DEATH OF JESUS
FOUND IN THIS LOWLY SHELL

IF YOU EXAMINE CLOSELY
YOU'LL SEE THAT YOU FIND HERE
FOUR NAIL HOLES AND A FIFTH ONE
MADE BY A ROMAN'S SPEAR

ON ONE SIDE THE EASTER LILY
ITS CENTER IS THE STAR
THAT APPEARED UNTO THE SHEPHERDS
AND LED THEM FROM AFAR

THE CHRISTMAS POINSETTIA
ETCHED ON THE OTHER SIDE
REMINDS US OF HIS BIRTHDAY
OUR HAPPY CHRISTMASTIDE

NOW BREAK THE CENTER OPEN
AND HERE YOU WILL RELEASE
THE FIVE WHITE DOVES AWAITING
TO SPREAD GOOD WILL AND PEACE

THIS SIMPLE LITTLE SYMBOL
CHRIST LEFT FOR YOU AND ME
TO HELP US SPREAD HIS GOSPEL
THROUGH ALL ETERNITY
A simple shell reminds me of The Passion of The Christ:

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing. Psalm 22:1, 16-18

It’s mind boggling how accurate the Psalmist were in prophesying about the death of the Christ; even more amazing is the fact that the words used were literally word for word.

Self Examination

You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night. You have scrutinized me and found nothing wrong. I am determined not to sin in what I say. I have followed your commands, which keep me from following cruel and evil people. My steps have stayed on your path; I have not wavered from following you. Psalm 17:3-5

Thought for the day:
It is a good habit to review the events of the day before you go to bed every night.
You cannot take back what you said or did during the day – but you can take steps to prevent it from repeating the next day.