Family Brings Us Home and Through

Heeding Obvious Warnings

2011-08-07T21:33:00.000-07:00

This past weekend there was a torrential rainstorm in Calgary. One man, 60 years old, became extremely concerned about his car parked on the street being in danger. He told his friend he was going to move it. His friend told him that it wasn't worth the risk. None the less he ran out to the street. Somehow he became trapped user his car. His friends tried to save him but were unsuccessful and he lost his life. How sad it is when we fail to heed the dangers around us and take risks that have dire consequences.

God tells us that the man who plans his life around things is bound to lose them. "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" We need to seek his Kingdom first. How sad it is to be so blinded by the moment that we lose our tomorrow.

Loss

2011-08-04T21:48:00.000-07:00

I found just this past week that an old and good friend had passed away at the end of last April. Albert Baldeo played an intricant and vital roll in my life. A piece of me went with him but his gifts to me and the world around him were beyond measure. Goodbye old friend, one day we will be together again and you can play that big old comb while I sing. You were unique and one of a kind.

Thankfulness for good friends and family

2011-08-04T21:38:00.000-07:00

Without the support of my family, my church, my colleagues and my friends this past six months would have been unbearable. Their prayers, their love and their support has and is giving me strength, peace and hope. Please ocontinue your prayerful support for another month or so.

Rick & Evelyn

When all is lost.

2011-05-18T17:12:00.000-07:00

Our hearts are extended to the people of Slave Lake. In a moment all that was important to them was lost. Fire consumed possessions in just a blink of an eye. More than 7000 people were stripped of everything that was important to them. Their homes, safety, security, jobs disappeared. Peace of mind, peace of heart were lost.

We need to pray for the people of Slave Lake that God will give them the strength and the wherewithal to reestablish their lives.

It makes the things in our lives seem small.

People of Slave Lake we will pray for you and will do what we can to help and be helpful.

Simple Encouragements

2011-04-09T08:02:00.000-07:00

This week I conducted two funerals. People have asked why I conduct so many funerals. After the close of the first funeral a young woman came up to me and thanked me for the service. She said she was going through a rough patch in her life and that my words has spoken to her need. I pray that God will continue the work he has begun in her life. After the second funeral another young woman came and thanked me because my words had touched her heart. She received something she needed - an answer to prayer. I pray for her that god will fertilize and water the ground of her heart and produce fruit for her life.

Sometimes God use simple things to encourage and strengthen us. Thank you Father for the simple encouragements in our lives.

Patience

2011-04-08T13:46:00.000-07:00

For years I sang a song for children about a snail called Herbert.

There was a snail called Herbert who was so very slow
He caused a lot of traffic jams wherever he did go
The ants were always getting mad, the beetles they would fume
But Herbert would just poke along and sing this little tune

HAVE PATIENCE, HAVE PATIENCE DON'T BE IN SUCH A HURRY
WHEN YOU GET IMPATIENT YOU ONLY START TO WORRY
REMEMBER, REMEMBER THAT GOD HAS PATIENCE TOO
THINK ABOUT THE THE THAT OTHERS HAVE TO WAIT FOR YOU

God has been speaking to my heart about patience. Right at this particular moment in time my life is in the hands of others. My natural reaction is to want immediate resolution. God is reminding me to wait upon him. "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up on wings as the eagle, They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.". I am asking God to grant me a patient and peaceful heart - a heart to believe that everything is in his hands. "YEA THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEAT, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL, FOR THOU ART WTH ME."

Help me to learn the lesson of Herbert deep in my heart.

Thankful For Good Health

2011-03-29T18:48:00.000-07:00

Two times today I went to sing for those whose health is declining. In the one nursing home there were about 40 people sitting around tables and spending their day waiting. As I sang hymns for them and prayed with them I was intensely aware that most of them really did not respond. They were in a world of their own. Some responded and were thankul or the service and the hymns

This afternoon I sang at an adult day program. Most of the people are still quite with it and the response was very different. They were singing with me and had all kinds of positive comments.

In spite of all this I became very thankful for the health that I have and that I have a healthy family. Thankful today for good health and a good family.

One Day At a Time

2011-03-28T21:49:00.000-07:00

Somehow today I came to realize that there are lots of bridges to cross. I made the decision to live just in today and to deal with tomorrow when it comes. What a burden to be lifted. I do not know what will happen in the months ahead but I will live in each day as it comes. It seems that Jesus said. "Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof.". He also promised to give us strength for every trial and every mile. One step at a time-god write that on my heart today.

New Battles

2011-03-27T22:48:00.000-07:00

This past week my sister who is 11 years younger than me advised us that her blood count is up and she has spots on her sleen and live. It has been about two years since she was treated for ovarian cancer. We are trusting that God will intervene on her behalf and that shebwill soon be well again. Please parry that everything will be in God's hands and that the she will receive peace and healing from his presence. Psalm 23

We love you Cathie - hang in ther and put your trust in God.

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength

2011-03-20T22:56:00.000-07:00

Today is a day when I am thankful that I can preach on Sunday morning.

Psalm 121

I will lift up my eyes to the hills, from whence does my help come?

My help comes from the Lord that created heaven and earth.

I am thankful that I heve a place to to turn when there seems to be no where else go. Even in

the valley of the deepest darkest shadow.

Each Step I Take

2011-03-14T08:30:00.000-07:00

When I was a child we used to sing a Sunday School chorus -

We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder
We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder
We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder
Soldiers of the cross

Every rung goes higher, higher
Every rung goes higher, higher
Every rung goes higher, higher
Soldiers of the cross

When you choose to begin climbing, you have a goal in mind. You cannot reach that goal without moving upward. The walk of the Christian always leads upward even when the road get rough the ladder wobbles a lot.

2 Peter 1:5-8
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

After the Darkness Comes the Light

2011-03-12T09:03:00.000-08:00

Unless we have gone through the trials and hardships of life we cannot begin to understand the pain and suffering of others. Without the valleys, the rough roads and obstacles along the way we can not appreciate the beauty of the mountaintop. Without the deep darkness of the night in the light of the day we become blind. I remember being out on the farm on the bald prairie where the darkness would penetrate deep into your soul. It seemed totally encompassing and overwhelming. The the sun would peek over the horizon and it's rays would spread and dance across the prairie landscape wiping away the darkness and overcoming fear with the joy of a new morning. We have precious and great promises that overcome the darkness and evil of the night. Take heart my child for joy comes in the morning.

2 Peter 1:4

Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Friends

2011-03-10T20:21:00.000-08:00

During what is turning out to be one of the most traumatic times of my life I am intensetly aware of the importance of friends. My family have been more that super supportive to me. My church family is behind me all the way. My colleagues have also been very supportive. I would like to particularly thank three very special friends who have gone beyond what I would have expected. First, I would like to mention my very special friend and brother in Christ, Roger - his encouragement, advice and his kindness have lifted me up at times when I need it the most. Second, I would like to thank a very special friend and Christian brother, Lorne, who has just been here for me. He has made me laugh, kept me humble and prayed with me. Third, I want to mention a very special new friend and brother in Christ, Bill, who has taken me to places that I would have had trouble going alone. He also is full of advice and knowledge that I would have been lost without. These are only three individuals out of many who are supporting me when I thought I would stand alone. Sometimes we forget the many friends God places in our lives. To all my friends and family I just want to say thank you. I hope I can be as true to you as you have been to me. Love to all!!!

God Loves Us Unconditionally

2011-03-10T08:05:00.000-08:00

We live in a world of expectations. In order for us to fit in many people want us to do things their way. If we don't then we are wrong. Those who live this way demean others in order to elevate themselves. We have expectations of ourselves - if we don't live up to those expectations - we have failed and we am wrong. We look at others and look at ourselves with negative, dark glasses. The Bible tells us that God chose us before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. God loves us without condition - He wants us to rise above the negativity of the world around us. Give me the strength today Lord to see others as you see them and to accept myself, failures and all, as being uncontionally loved even in the moments that I might not love myself.

The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell
It goes beyond the highest star and reaches to the lowest hell.

O love of God, how rich and free, how measureless and strong
It shall forevermore endure, the saints, the angels song.(quote from Hymn - The Love of God)

Eph: 1:4-6 NIV

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

Grace For All

2011-03-09T16:50:00.000-08:00

It is sad that we have to come a place late in our lives in order to realize that our lives are in God's hands (too late; too schmart) . We think it is because of who we are or what we have done that we gain grace in God's eyes. It is is not so. If only we could see that the same applies in our relationships with each other. It is not because of who we are or what we have done that our friends and family love and accept us. I am thankful for those around me who have accepted and continue to love me (THANK YOU). My prayer today is that I will learn to be more loving, kind and patient.

2 Timothy 1:9

He has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time...

Hope comes from above

2011-03-06T20:47:00.000-08:00

Jeremiah 29:11-13

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” -

When things seem at their worst God sometimes sends us some reassurance. My prayer is that this is the absolute truth for our lives at this time. Please pray that God will give direction and preserve hope.

Life brings unexpected & big changes

2011-02-05T06:07:00.000-08:00

Things come into our lives that can take our joy and our will to live away, thankfully our family and friends gather around us to remind us that we are stilled loved, without those who love and support us we would drown.

Sometimes You Can Only Laugh At Yourself

2010-11-13T13:51:00.000-08:00

This was one of those weeks when you have to laugh at yourself. Early in the week I was conducting a funeral. I w as just beginning to lead the congregation in singing Amazing Grace. I put my guitar on my shoulder and after I got the strap adjusted I backed away from the microphone as I normally do when I am singing. As I backed up I felt something against my back. I moved forward a little and to my horror a vase full of flowers crashed to the floor. There was glass and water and flowers all over the carpet. Trying to make the best of it I moved down in front of the pulpit and lead in the singing of the song. As I was singing I noticed that several family members were laughing. It was a particularly sad occasion so I was surprised. When I was finished leading the singing they told me why. It seems that two of the pieces of greenery had stuck behind my guitar strap forming what looked like green wings. They were convinced that somehow the deceased person had a hand in arranging this. She was known for her practical jokes. It was one last joke at my expense. The good part is that it brought some sense of easing the pain of losing a mother, sister and friend.

On Thursday evening we were over at my son's house. I was telling them that I had a funeral the next day. My daughter-in-law was teasing and told to be careful that I didn't fall off the stage (platform). I have been guilty of standing to close to the edge in the past. The next day everything went off without a hitch until I was packing up to leave. I have trifocal glasses and sometimes it can be deceiving if you do not look right down at where you are stepping. I went down one step and looked to avoid a flower vase. I missed the step and went crashing to the ground. In an instant I was on the floor with several men around me, all worried that I was seriously hurt. Fortunately, all I had was a bump on my head, a sore elbow and wounded pride. Sometimes you just have to laugh.

Perhaps we can dream

2010-11-11T08:09:00.000-08:00

An Old Song I used to sing that reminds me of why we remember on Rembrance day. We not only need to remember our soldiers who have given their precious lives but why our freedom is so precious.

Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream
words and music by Ed McCurdy

Last night I had the strangest dream I'd ever dreamed before
I dreamed the world had all agreed
To put an end to war
I dreamed I saw a mighty room
Filled with women and men
And the paper they were signing said
They'd never fight again
And when the paper was all signed
And a million copies made
They all joined hands and bowed their heads
And grateful pray'rs were prayed

And the people in the streets below
Were dancing 'round and 'round
While swords and guns and uniforms
Were scattered on the ground

Last night I had the strangest dream
I'd never dreamed before
I dreamed the world had all agreed
To put an end to war.

TRO-©1950,1951 & 1955 Almanac Music, Inc.New York, N.Y. Copyrights renewedUsed by permission

The Good Things

2010-10-13T22:30:00.000-07:00

What joy it was today to watch the miners from Chile who were set free from their captivity deep under the ground. To see many of them falling on their knees with thanks to God gave me joy! It is good to see good things on television. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

How Do We Help

2010-10-13T22:07:00.000-07:00

I met a young woman this week. She is a very timid and has a lot of responsibility. Her mother just passed away and she is left with the care of her father who suffers from alzhiemers disease. She wants to do the best for her dad but he can be violent - a consequence of his disease. How do you help a person in this situation? It is not enough to tell her that all she has to do is ask God to help her. What do we as Christians do? How do we reach out in love and with compassion? When the Good Samaritan helped the man left at the side of the road, he did so with no strings attached. Often our help goes unrewarded and unacknowledged. Are you willing to reach out a helping hand with no strings or expectations attached? That is the only way that we can truly express the love of Jesus in our hearts. Show God's love to someone who comes into your life today with no thought of return.

Sometimes I am Ashamed to Call Myself a Christian

2010-10-10T22:39:00.000-07:00

I would like to preface my remarks with a simple statement. Along with my fellow evangelical Christians there are certain things that I view as being contrary to the word of God. In my view homosexuality is contrary to scriptural teachings.

That being said I am ashamed of those Christians who feel it necessary to speak publicly and with great vigour with negativity about this subject. Over the past several weeks there have been several news reports regarding the kidnap and torture of gay persons simply because they are gay. There have also been several reports of young rural gay persons who have been driven to suicide because they have been bullied and persecuted because of their lifestyle choice. This is deplorable. Some of those people who have perpetrated this persecution have done so because some churches, ministers and Christians have gone out of their way to declare homosexuality as a sin against God and society. They have been involved with crusades proclaiming homosexuality and homosexuals as being a sin and sinful. It is my belief that this is not our job nor our duty as Christians. We are called to hate the sin but love the sinner. Anything that we do out of hate and fear is not God's will for his people.

Along with many others I find the very thought of homosexual behaviour as being unnatural and against the word of God. I do not, however, agree that this gives us license to behave in hateful and cruel ways. We cannot bring people to Christ by fighting against the sinner. Our job is to proclaim the love, grace and mercy of God. We are called to be ambassadors for the King of Kings.

I would encourage my brethren in the Lord to look closely at their own lives and fight the battle to overcome those things that so easily overtake us in our lives. The sins of pride, anger, hate, envy and the like are just as vile as any other. There are many things that trouble us in the world - fighting against those things does us more damage than fighting the battles within our own hearts and lives. None of us is perfect and not one of us is without sin. Pray for those caught in the terrible chains that bind them. Show them love. The Good Samaritan who helped the man who had been robbed and beaten and thrown in a ditch to die did not ask about the man's life - he only helped and displayed God's love and care for him. Our job is to proclaim that God loves the whole world and sent his Son for the whole world. As for me that is a big enough job for me.

Blogging

2010-04-06T20:53:00.000-07:00

I wonder about the benefit of a blog. Does anyone look at it? Does anyone care what is in it? Do they read it or is it just a waste of time and effort?

Had a funeral today for an 85 year old woman. Only three people at the funeral. It is sad to live 85 years on this earth and to not have anyone who cares when you leave it. The people who attended the funeral were her medical doctor and her pharmacist and her husband. It was nice that they, at least cared. Her daughter didn't care, her siblings didn't care and we don't know what friends she still had. To live your life so alone is sad. If you know someone who is alone and has no one who cares - find a way to show them that you do care.

The Changes of Life

2010-04-03T21:13:00.000-07:00

In 20 days I will turn 65 years old. I know in my heart that 65 is not really that old for the men and women of today, however, I also know in my heart that I have more life behind me than ahead of me. I am particularly aware of the shortness of life this week because one of our fellow ministers, Dwain Saunders, passed away suddenly at the age of 60 just a few days ago. It makes me ever so conscious that it is more and more important to make the most of every day and to appreciate and be thankful for every day we are given. We enter this world naked and with nothing and we leave this world naked and with nothing. Only those things that we have done for Jesus will count when we face our maker. Those times that we have given help to someone in need will count. Those times that we have shown care, love and concern will count. The sacrifices we have made to tell the story of Jesus will count. "Whatever you have done for the least of these my brothers." These words must be the guide for our footsteps and He - Jesus - must be the light for our feet. The Prayer of St. Francis gives us the words - "Where there is hatred let me bring love, where there is darkness - light, sadness - joy; to be loved as to love; to consoled as to console." It is as we give ourselves that we truly find life. Dwain was such a person. He worked among those who live in the inner city and gave them all that he had.

2010-01-28T10:06:00.000-08:00

2010-01-28T09:35:00.000-08:00

Grandfather's Clock

2010-01-19T20:29:00.000-08:00

May The Good Lord Bless and Keep You

2010-01-19T13:10:00.000-08:00

Whispering Hope

2010-01-18T19:51:00.000-08:00

It Is No Secret

2010-01-18T19:12:00.000-08:00

Rick Orsten Singing Life Is Like a Mountain Railroad

2010-01-12T16:11:00.000-08:00

Rick Orsten Singing Wings of a Dove

2010-01-12T14:22:00.000-08:00

The Clock Ticks Slowly But Surely

2009-09-18T21:41:00.000-07:00

How quickly the time passes. It was only a few weeks ago and the flowers were beginning to blossom and the plants began to peek out of the ground. New growth seemed to be there every day. Now the plants are starting to die, the flowers are now losing their bloom and soon we will be harvesting the crops and the old dead growth will be burned and destroyed. The life and beauty that brought so much joy and satisfaction is once again fading away for another year. It won't be long and the snow and cold of winter will replace the green and warmth of the summer. The changing seasons reflect the changing of the times of our lives. In just a twinkling of an eye our lives change from summer to fall and then to winter. Time passes so quickly by and we can do nothing to slow it down. If we only realized "that it is not how long we live but what we do with how long we live that matters". Is the life we live one that brings help and hope to others or is it a life that is lived only for our own selfish wants and desires? Life lived only for self is life not lived at all.

2009-08-30T13:30:00.000-07:00

I have spent the last 10 days beginning to write a book of my life. It is my hope that it will be of interest to my children and grandchildren in the years to come. I have often wondered about my parents and grandparents lives and would like to make it possible for my family to know about my life. What I am finding amazing is the number of instances and remember and the detail that I can remember. Some things it is almost like reliving them all over again the memories are so real.

I would like to think that this would be a good exercise for all of us.

Just How Helpless We Are

2009-07-21T09:23:00.000-07:00

On Saturday July 18 the city of Edmonton was struck with a series of thunderstorms. Two storms, in particular, were very powerful. Trees were knocked down, power outages were present across the city, people were stranded in the wind, rain and hail. Thousands of people were at Capital Ex when the storms hit. Eventually the exhibition grounds were closed down and the people had to leave. Unfortunately, the LRT was not running because of the power outage. There was pandimonium for a time. The winds that struck and the power of the storm was reminescent of the tornado of the 1980's. People hid in their basements and many were afraid. It truly reminded us that in the face of the strong powers of nature man is really helpless.

The forces that God has put in place in nature make us realize that we are human and our power is limited.

Do Unto Others!

2009-07-08T19:08:00.000-07:00

What do we really need in our lives? Do we need two cars, a fifty two inch television, a laptop, a blackberry, an ipod, big houses, fancy meals in a restaurant or one of a hundred different things? This morning I met a young woman who just lost her husband. Matt was just 35 years old. On July fifth he had a heart attack and died. All of those things that we think are important no long matter to him. In just a moment the only thing that really mattered to him was life itself. We get all involved in things and forget that every day that we have is just a gift. The things that matter cannot be held in your hand. The things that matter are not those things that rust, corode or fade away. The things that matter are far deeper than anything we can imagine. That which is important is not that which you get but that which you give away. The help you can be to others, the love you can share with family, friends and neighbours. The gifts you can share with strangers. Do you share your God given gifts with others? Do you share the financial blessings you have been given or do you hold them tight to your chest?

Jesus said it in a simple way, "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and to lose his own soul?"

He also said, "Do onto others as you would have them do onto you."

Be a giver not a taker!

It's a Strange World

2009-07-04T20:52:00.000-07:00

This past week has been rather interesting. People are spending inordinate amounts of time writing, talking and thinking about the life of Michael Jackson. People who have never seen him face to face are crying in front of the cameras. We hear statements about the importance of his life. We see the happy, sad and tragic moments of his life on the television screen. News reporters go on and on about his life and now his death. This coming Tuesday a memorial service is planned. They are giving away free tickets to 17,000 people for the memorial to be held in a stadium format in Los Angeles. They are predicting that millions of people will be watching the service on television. How can the lives of celebrates become so real to people that they grieve so deeply when tragedy occurs? Why do the people of today find their lives so meaningless that they have to find meaning and purpose in the lives of those whose lives are superficial and sometimes extremely tragic?

Also this week another Canadian soldier died in Afghanistan. He was 30 years old and the father of two young children. He was a Canadian hero. There will definitely be a memorial and really nice things will be said about him. It sad that a life thrown away seems to be more important that a live given for the freedom of others. It is sad that the comic opera of Michael Jackson's life is given more credence than the life of this young man who was trying, in his own way, to make this world a better place.

The world is a strange and often a mixed up place. There are many things that make no sense at all. I, for one, choose to honour the memory of the soldiers and the many thousands who have given their lives for others: those who dedicate themselves to bring an end to pain and suffering: those who dedicate themselves to helping children become productive members of our society: those who dedicate themselves to helping in hospitals, in nursing homes, anywhere that the lives of others can be saved or improved: those who live not only for themselves but for others: those who live by the Golden Rule - Love your neighbour as yourself.

Sometimes you just want to enjoy the flowers!!

2009-06-28T07:40:00.001-07:00

Some days there is nothing to say. It is time to just sit down and look at the flowers and appreciate the beauty they provide.

Exciting Day

2009-06-24T18:54:00.001-07:00

Today, along with Evelyn's birthday, is the day that our granddaughter Shea celebrated her grade six farewell. She had a beautiful dress, shoes with heals, a hair doo and twelve year old dreams. She was georgeous - too georgeous for a little girl. I was reminded of her pictures as a little child and a little nostalgic for times gone by. I thought back to the day I left grade six and went on to grade seven. There was no fan fair when we left the school. We didn't get a certificate for successfully completing elementary school. We just received our report cards and went home. I remember the anticipation and fear of going to Junior High is one that I remember very clearly. I wonder what kind of thoughts are going through her mind tonight.

Last night I was surfing the net and found another memory. It was not mine but that of my father's step father who happened to be my grandfather's brother. I never knew my grandfather since he died before my father was born so my father's step father was grandpa to me. We called him "fubro" - I think it was some kind of Norweigian nickname. While surfing I found a website where I was able to download a record of his enlistment papers from January 8, 1916. At that time he was just a few days from his 21st birthday and about to begin a journey that would take him through army boot camp and eventually to the war front in France. It was there he was gased with clorine gas which left him permanently disabled after the war. I never knew my grandfather to be well. He was confined to a wheel chair for many, many years and suffered from rheumatoid arthritus and serious respiratory problems for the best part of his life after the war. It was very neat to see his signature on the "Attestation' papers that he signed prior to enlisting in the army. I would like to know more about his life. I do not know much about his life when he was well.

We all have milestones along the pathway of our lives. Shea had a milestone today that was very significant to her and us. In 1916 my grandfather had a milestone in his life as he began his journey into the Canadian army. I wonder about her thoughts now and his thoughts then.

Grandchildren Are Great!

2009-06-23T16:33:00.000-07:00

I came home today and I was no sooner in the door and my little five year old grandson Kyler came over and rang my doorbell. He handed me a picture of himself in his soccer uniform. He told me that he got to wear the goalie shirt. He looked so cool and was so proud of himself. It is one my greatest joys to share in the happy moments of my children's and grandchildren's lives. I pray that I will be around long enough to enjoy many other happy times.

Tomorrow we go to our granddaughter Shea's school. She is celebrating her Grade Six farewell. Last Saturday she turned 12 and is quickly becoming a beautiful young woman. In some ways to quickly. A couple of weeks ago she phoned to tell us that she was accepted into the school she had been wanting to attend - Mary Butterworth School. She was also accepted into an advanced study program. We are looking forward to see her all dressed up tomorrow. I am sure we will have tears in our eyes as we look on with pride as she celebrates her success.

Our grandson Jayden turned 10 on June 12. He is growing into a young man and we are seeing evidence of him accepting responsibility. He often comes to church with us getting up early on Sunday morning all by himself and he is ready to leave with us by 8:30am. He is becoming a young man with a pleasing personality that we are very proud of.

Our grandson Kian is a holy terror at three - almost four. He is bright, misses nothing and loves bugs. He loves his little cars and can tell you which one is a mustang, a chev or a ford. He sees every SV6 Montana Van or every Grandam and can identify them as they drive down the street. Kian is full of life and never stops. He runs everywhere.

Our granddaughter Brynn is going to be one year old in about 2 months. She can win you with a smile in just a few seconds. To see her eat a cupcake is to know that life is to be enjoyed.

Grandchildren are the greatest invention there ever was. They are designed to fill us with joy when the skies are cloudy. They are full of hope and promise and remind us that life is worth living even as you grow older.

Father’s Day

2009-06-21T21:42:00.000-07:00

Father’s Day is a day to remember fathers but to a father it is more. I remember my father. From the time I was very small he was ill. He had four children to raise and by the time he was in his early thirties he could no longer work to support his family, none the less he never quit trying. Life was difficult for us and for him. He spent many months in hospital over the years and often drank to deal with the pain in his life. He could be impossible but we always knew he cared for us. Up until the time I was about 11 or 12 he gave us a very good life. It wasn’t perfect but we had many happy memories. He gave a lot and expected a lot. He died when I was 23 and he was 48. It was a traumatic time for me and my siblings as well as for my mother. His loss brought back many unhappy memories. The years, however, have filled me with happy memories. There were memories of listening to him play the piano, the guitar – many different instruments. Music came into my heart because of him. I saw that he didn’t quit no matter how hard the road was. He always tried to carry on even when it seemed impossible. He also taught me to look around me when I feel sorry for myself. Many times he said, “Whenever I am feeling sorry for myself I look around and I see someone who has more problems that me.” Dad was an imperfect man but he was my father and I realize now that I loved him then and I love him now. I hope that my children will see me as a good dad and that even though I am an imperfect father I keep on trying to leave them with good memories of their father. I just want to be a dad who loves his children no matter what and who will always be for them as long as I can.

Are there no more absolutes?

2009-06-18T21:08:00.000-07:00

I was listening to CBC radio on Wednesday. The topic being discussed was precipitated by the recent announcement by Cher's daughter that she was going to have her sex changed from female to male. It brought about all kinds of calls from people in favour of transgender persons. As always those who disagree are painted with a wide brush of being bigoted and narrow-minded. Isn't it sad that there is nothing sacred and nothing absolute anymore. It is strange that in the mathematical world of computers everything is either zeros or ones. You are either right or wrong - there is no room for being in between. Anything other than the absolutely correct entry in a computer is rejected. During the discussions on trangenderism one woman phoned in to make the comment - "People have to accept that there is a continuum between male and female - many variations". There really is no continuum - you are either male or female. Where does this nonsense end? Perhaps we need to go back a ways to some of the old absolutes when those things that are wrong are still wrong. Perhaps we need to stop making excuses for people who have developed perverted attitudes and lifestyles. The bank robber is still a violent thief not a person who has had a rough upbringing and whose parents abused him. The wife beater is still a bully. The lazy man is just that and if he wants to eat maybe it would be best for him to work. A thief is still a thief no matter how rich or how poor he is - it is wrong to steal from your employer, your neighbour or a stranger. The person who murders another has taken the most precious gift we have and it is against the laws of God and man to take a life. It is wrong to be proud. It is wrong to be jealous. It is wrong to be envious and covet your neighbour's success, property or anything that your neighbour has. It is wrong to be slothful. It is good and right to want to help those in need. It is good and right to have a generous heart. It is good and right to love your neighbour. It is good and right to sacrifice your time, energy, finances and even your life for others. There is right and wrong - good and evil - up and down -right and left - in and out. It is the natural order of things and there is a reason we have male and female - that is the natural order of things and you cannot change that order just because you want to.

Basically there are absolutes and they provide us with the building blocks of living and the guideposts of where to go and how to get there.

Some days are just dirt days.

2009-06-17T19:46:00.000-07:00

I conducted the funeral for a 92 year old man yesterday. It was a very interesting funeral because the man had written a history of his life several years ago to pass on to his family. It was written in very simple language with very simple thoughts. His three children read the history for him. He related the key events in his life. They were simple events that are typical of many lives. He told of the cost of land in the 1920's and how his father bought a quarter section of land for $2800.00 in 1928. Just after his father purchased the land the price of wheat went from over $1.00 a bushel to $0.24 a bushel. He told about the hungry 30's when his mother sold eggs for 2.5 to 3 cents a dozen and how she had to sell a heifer cow for $12.00 just to be able to get food on the table. His father passed away in 1930 and his mother in 1932 and he was left to care for his younger siblings at the age of 17, and he had to run the farm because his older siblings had all left home. He met a beautiful young woman and walked three miles every weekend to see her for three years. He had to go to her father and ask for permission to marry her. They were married and had a beautiful little boy named Marshall. Tragedy struck and the baby died at the age of 4 months from pneumonia. They carried on in the face of the tragedy and ended up with three children. When he was 32 years old he decided that he needed to find a way to get more money so he went to barber school. He was a barber for many years and turned it into a calling that he carried out until the age of 74. There were many other things in his life, however, the important thing was that he met the difficulties of life with courage and strength. He didn't expect to much and gave all that he could. He was a simple man with simple needs. He appreciated everything that God had given him.

I wonder how many of us truly are appreciative of the many blessings that are ours today. the luxuries we have. He told of harrowing the fields all day long with a team of four horses and walking behind the horses with his shoes full of dirt. Are you willing to continue even when your shoes are full of dirt. Some days are just dirt days.

The Ups & Downs of Life - To Everything There Is A Season - Ecclesiastes 13

2009-06-13T21:02:00.001-07:00

Just over a week ago we were still dealing with frost warnings and cold weather. Today is was 27 degrees C. It was beautiful and the sun was shining hot. You could almost watch the plants in the garden grow. In a matter of just a few days all has changed and with the change a new hope for the summer has arrived. Sometimes we're up and sometimes we're down - all of the changes that come are just new opportunities for living life to its fullest.

Tomorrow, June 14, we are have a pre-celebration for the 100th birthday of Mrs. Mary Arksey. On June 16 (Tuesday) she will have reached her 100th year. She told me last week that she, "Takes life just as it is." What does it mean to live for one full century? The ups and downs she has seen in her life have been many. She has seen death, birth and new things many times over. Her life span has occured during the most changing times in all of history. In North America we have changed from a mainly rural life to almost exclusively urban. We fly around the world in very short periods of times. Television brings the castrophies, joys and sorrows right into our living rooms. Computers and cell phones have changed the very methods in which we communicate. Everything is instant - from instant mashed potatoes and instant pudding to instantaneous communication. We have fast food, fast cars and fast living. Nothing is the way it was when Mrs. Arksey entered this world. Cars are faster and life is busier and seems to pass by more quickly. The old ways have given way to new ways that may not necessarily be better. The gentler qualities of past days are lost in the hustle and bustle of today. How we face each new tomorrow is the most important part of life. Do we face life with joy and expectation or do we face it with aprehension and dread?

Celebrate every day as if it were your 100th birthday. You never know which day might be your last. Make the most of the ups and downs of lving.

Nothing is ever easy or simple.

2009-06-10T21:05:00.000-07:00

Today I thought I would hook up a new plug for my shed. It was an easy job. The wire was already there. All I had to do was put in a new electrical box, strip the wire, feed it into the box and hook it up to a wall plug and put everything back together. Got it all done, plugged in my little grinder and nothing happened. Took the plug apart to make sure I hadn't made a wire connection mistake. Wasn't that. Followed the wire to the switch on the wall and decided to take the cover off the switch and see it everything was connected. Wasn't that. Noticed that the wire went into an outside light box and continued on to the switch. After trying to read the lettering on the sensor light for 10 minutes, finally decided to take the light box apart. Found out the wires went into the box, however, they were not connected to make the circuit complete. Hooked up the wires, taped them and put everything back together. Eureka, finally it worked. I put everything back together and now I have a working plug outlet inside my shed. Thought it would be easy/peasy but it was a lot more complicated than I thought.

How often is life like that? You think you have the solution and it seems so obvious. You hook up the wires and nothing happens. The solution you had was incomplete. After some deeper investigation you find out that there is a lot more to do. Don't assume that it will be easy and simple. Sometimes it requires more work than you planned in the beginning. Be ready for the unexpected - it will usually come. The unexpected is another opportunity to learn and grow. Don't expect the easy way - be ready for anything.

Lawnmowers Can Be Frustrating

2009-06-09T18:35:00.000-07:00

Charged up the battery in the Ariens lawnmower last night. Thought I would start it today. Not as easy as I thought. It turned over and over and would not start. Took the spark plug out, cleaned and tried again. No such luck. Had a new air filter. Tried that, didn't work. Took some things apart and put it back together - still didn't work. Went over and got a new spark plug - put it in - still wouldn't work. Took and second look and noticed that I had missed putting the spark plug wire back on. Put the spark plug wire on, primed it three times turned the ignition - success at last. It was the first time that I had started it this year. Seems every year the first time is the hardest. Cut the grass, fertilized and watered it. Watched the flowers grow for a few minutes and enjoyed the morning. If you keep on trying and don't give up eventually it will all work out. Moral to the story - be like the little engine who kept on trying, eventually you will get up the hill. I am not a mechanic but I kept on trying and it worked.

Life is definitely like the lawnmower. There are times when things just are not working. When you look at the circumstances you might feel like quitting. Circumstances are just that. Sometimes you have to try many things to overcome the problems. I can still hear my grandmother telling me, "If a job is worth doing, it is worth doing right." She also told me many times, "Don't be a quitter, finish what you start." As I was cutting the lawn after I got the lawnmower started it felt really good and the lawnmower ran very well. The motor ran as smooth as glass. Don't be a quitter, eventually the lawnmower will start.

Some days are just sad!

2009-06-08T20:15:00.000-07:00

Today I conducted a funeral for a 58 year old man. He died from cancer on May 26. He lived in the inner city and his life was a difficult one. His son is 29 and did not get to meet his father until he was 18. The son is estranged from both his mother and his father. He was not going to have a funeral service for his dad but some of his dad's friends said they wanted to have a service for him. The sad thing is that after arranging to have this funeral the friends did not show up at his father's funeral. There were only two people at the service. The deceased's son and the ex-wife whom he has been separated from for more than twenty years. After 58 years on the earth there were only two people who cared enough to say goodbye. Some days are just sad. I guess we can only pray for them and hope that the days ahead will be better.

It was good to come home and see pictures of my family and to know that no matter how hard things might get I still have people who care.

My How Time Flies

2009-06-07T20:17:00.000-07:00

I am finally making a post after over a year of not doing so. During that year we have had a new granddaughter born. We have moved from Bon Accord into Edmonton and have gotten one year older. Life goes on and on.

I must be getting philosophical in my old age. I realize just how fast time goes by. We have now been in Edmonton 31 years. That is almost half of my life. Our children have grown up and our grandchildren have come since we have moved to Edmonton from Lethbridge. Our parents have all passed away. Most of the uncles and aunts have left this world. I am still convinced after the passage of all this time that faith is the basis for life. Yet, there are so many who do not consider faith as being important.

After 31 years in Edmonton my music is still the most important part of my ministry. It is because of my music that my ministry is effective. I hope at some point in time to put some songs on the blog.

Hopefully, I will not forget or miss to update the blog again soon.

A Thankful Heart

2008-03-05T20:22:00.000-08:00

It is now the beginning of March six months have passed since my surgery. Everything was successful and I have recovered completely with no evidence of cancer remaining. Thankfulness is my response. Without God this would have been a lot more difficult journey. With God peace has followed. I don't know what tomorrow holds but I do know that God gives me another day, one day at a time. I am thankful for each day and every day. Thankful for my return to good health. Thankful for my family. Thankful for my life.

Home & Recovering

2007-09-24T08:25:00.000-07:00

September 24, 2007

Although I have been home since last Monday. This is the first entry I have made on my computer. I has been 25 difficult days where there have been a few complications. It appears that I am now on the mend and making progress each day, although I am still very weak and sleep a lot. Slow and study wins the race. The good news is that the cancer is all gone and I do not have to have any further treatment. I have had to deal with infection in the incision and a large haematoma in my abdomen. I will have a drain in my side until Friday, September 28 and have Home Care coming each day to change the dressing on my abdomen where the incision is still open. It has been through the help of my beloved wife and loving children that I have been able to come this far. I wonder how those who do not have a large network of support make it through this kind of thing.

None the less, God is in control.

Under His wings and in His care

Rick

D Day

2007-08-30T21:46:00.000-07:00

August 30, 2007

It is 10:50pm and I am just getting ready to go to bed. We have to be up and ready to go to the hospital in Edmonton so that we can be there at 6:00am. That means we have to get up at about 4:00am By this time tomorrow the surgery will be done and I will be out of it.

Not very talkative tonight. Just dealing with the possibilities. In any case "God is in control."

In His Care and Under His Wings

Rick

Countdown

2007-08-25T10:05:00.000-07:00

On Friday Aug 25 I had blood tests. On Monday I have to go to a pre-operation clinic at the Royal Alexander Hospital. On Wednesday evening I begin fasting and on Thursday morning I have to go through a bowel purge - much easier now that when I did it 9 years ago. I had to take a solution called magnisium citrate which tasted awful and was a killer after you had taken two bottles - that had to be drunk over a couple of hours on each evening to two successive days. Exciting stuff.

I am really looking forward to going into the hospital and being stripped naked, left with no clothes except a airy gown that ties in the back. I will be exciting to have needles poked into my body and tubes put in any place they can find a place to put them. (sarcasm of course) What I am looking forward to is the recovery after the surgery. Each day is a step to feeling better again. They surgery itself is over in a very short time. The recovery takes a bit. I am praying for healing for the recovery. My daughter and daughter-in-law are assuring me that they are sure I will be home in 7 to 10 days. My prayer is that everything will go well.

In His Care and Under His Wings

Rick

2007-08-23T17:20:00.000-07:00

Aug 23, 2007 6:30pm

Well there are only 8 days left until surgery day. We have had some good news over the past few days. My wife also had a colonoscopy and they found a large polyp. We had a few anxious days but the pathology came back ok - no cancer. I had a cat scan last Friday and the results were positive. There is no evidence of any further occurences of cancer. Monday I go for a pre-operation clinic prior to the surgery. I expect I'll spend three hours there finding out all of the things I already am aware of. Next Thursday they will phone me after 4pm to tell me when I have to be in the hospital on Friday for surgery. The biggest difficulty I am having is dealing with the extreme fatigue that has hit me over the last few weeks. Apparently this is a symptom of cancer. I am trusting that God will make all things work out well. All the people I have spoken to have the assurance that I will recover quickly. Both my daughter Susan and my daughter-in-law Cindy are convinced I will be out of the hospital and home recovering in 7 to 10 days. Nothing would make me happier.

In his care and under his wings

Rick

Get Ups and Sleeps

2007-08-16T07:37:00.000-07:00

August 16, 2007

The count down is on. 15 sleeps and 15 get ups until the surgery day arrives. I have often said that I am not afraid of falling out of a airplane - it is the hitting the ground that will hurt or I am not afraid of dying - it is the process that I fear. So it is with waiting for surgery - the day of the surgery will come and go and I will be on the way to recovery but the waiting is the hardest. I am glad that God has given us peace and hope but it is contrary to my nature to wait - I am more inclined to go at it and get the job done. Why put off until tomorrow what you can do today?

For those who can and will pray, please pray for patience and peace.

In His Care and Under His Wings

Rick

Making Progress

2007-08-13T14:15:00.001-07:00

Update - August 13, 2007

I met with my surgeon this morning. We discussed the possible course of action. He has advised major surgery where my large intestine would be removed. The surgery is tentatively scheduled for August 31. I will need some further tests and have to go to a hospital pre-operation clinic. I need to get my FCA work organised and have made quite a bit of progress in getting everything ready for the upcoming convention and the renewal packages that will be mailed in mid September. Your continued prayers are appreciate.

Every Day Is Different

2007-08-11T07:01:00.000-07:00

Aug 11, 2007

What a day! What a day! I am still in the midst of waiting. In the midst of the wait I was reminded that whenever life seems to be on hold, it isn't. I was busy preparing my work so that everything is prepared when I go into hospital. Just after lunch I received a telephone call from our sister church, Christian Fellowship Assembly, in Grande Prairie. Their senior pastor is on holidays and there was a crisis for one of the families that attending their church. The family is in Edmonton and had lost their new born baby. Would I know someone who could help? I told the caller that I could and she said she would call the father and get him to call me. Shortly after that he called me and we arranged to meet at the Royal Alexander Hospital in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. I went in and met with the whole family: Dad, mom, three young children and their two cousins. So when I met the family their were five children with us, all under the age of 11. The mother had gone for a routine medical procedure as part of her pregnancy care in Grande Prairie. During the procedure the medical staff made some kind of error and the water sack surrounding the baby was punctured. She was put on complete bed rest for about 2 weeks. The baby was born on July 25 - 14 weeks premature. After over two weeks of hope the little baby, a girl, passed away on August 9. The parents lost their precious child whom they had named, Miracle Ene Jedidiah. She was a symbol of hope in their lives. Their prayers were that this precious little one would live. This family is from Nigeria and are just beginning to build their lives in Canada. They recently have purchased a new home in Grande Prairie and things are very tight for them. They do not have much and the way we deal with death in Canada is very different. We have been able to make arrangements for a funeral on August 15 and I was able to help them through the preparations and pray with them. They are a fine Christian couple.

I remembered, in a moment my father's words, who had been ill for most of his life. He said, "whenever I begin to feel sorry for myself I look around and I see someone who has bigger problems." My heart went out to this family and they reminded me that I still have a purpose and a ministry. God opened my eyes and my heart to see that my problems are in His hands. It doesn't matter how my journey through cancer ends. The thing that matters is how I continue to deal with my life through the journey. He will give me the strength and peace to carry me through to the end.

In His care and under His Wings

Rick

Waiting!!!!

2007-08-09T20:35:00.000-07:00

Today is another day in the journey towards major surgery and recover. I am waiting for a call from my surgeon's partner who will likely be doing my surgery. At this point it is the waiting that is brings anxiety. After the surgery it will be the recovering that makes life harder. I am praying for courage, strength and peace. It is like your life is put on hold until the problem with cancer is dealt with. They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.

In His care and under His wings.

Rick

Cancer & the Christian

2007-08-08T15:08:00.000-07:00

On August 1, 2007 I discovered that I have colon cancer. I will be facing major surgery within the next month to six weeks. I hope to document my journey through treatment and recovery. This is the second time I have been diagnosed with colon cancer. In 1998 I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer and treated with surgery, radiation and then radical surgery. My recovery was difficult but I have been cancer free and healthy for nine years and am thankful to God for his healthy, blessing and peace. I know that it can happen again with the help of my wife, my family, my Christian friends and my community. We have the strong assurance that God will bring us to complete healing once again.