The day God intervened

It was a nice day for Vancouver, and we decided we'd take the kids to Chilliwack to Flintstones Park. Off in the east though, the dark clouds were looming and it wasn't looking good for weather. It rains a lot in that part of the country, but we decided we'd give it a go anyway.
We had moved from Nova Scotia to Port Hardy a year or so previous to this day and were visiting my wife's parents at the time in Vancouver.
We set out on the trip to Chilliwack. While driving through Vancouver though, apparently I ran a yellow light. At least this is what the motorcycle cop was telling me as I sat furiously fuming, but very tight lipped and silent about the 75 dollar ticket he was about to give me!
When I pulled over, I pulled off on a side street to be clear of traffic, and after I received my reward from the nice officer, I wasn't able to get back on the street I pulled off from. Something to do with one way streets. In the course of trying to get back to where we were, we ended up quite lost, my frustration and fuming about my ticket not helping  matters in the least!
After about an hour or so we ended up in an area that my wife recognized and used to live, and knew where she was at least. So, after that, we decided to change our plans for the day and go to the Vancouver science center, as the weather by this time had started to change for the worse anyway.
We found parking and went inside and no sooner got in the door when one of the kids yelled out "There's the Manthornes!"
The Manthornes, were our pastor and his family from the church we attended while in Nova Scotia. They however, were on their way out while we were on our way in, so we visited briefly, and made plans to meet them in Stanley park the next day, and we had a great visit and time catching up the next afternoon!
When we got home to Port Hardy from Vancouver a week later, in our mail box was a letter from the Manthornes saying they would be in Vancouver at such a time, and how great it would be if we could meet up!
How sad we would have been to read that letter if God had not intervened and brought nine people together that day in the middle of 2 million others, in Vancouver.
Some people call these coincidences. Not me. I call them God-incidences. Some times God intervenes in our lives and some times He chooses not too. He's God, we're not! But, when He does, there is no doubt it was Him.
After all that, the 75 dollar ticket didn't seem quite so bad, a small price to pay for quality time spent with good friends, and seeing first hand, God at work. God is good!

" In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps" Proverbs 16:9

c.mcgrath

Politically correct?

Political correctness, what does it mean,

is there meaning in it, that only some glean?

Should we set aside all common sense,

and kill the unborn who have no defense?

Do we really have rights to destroy family trees,

when Jesus said, let the children come unto me?

Do we have the right to declare ourselves gay,

When Jesus said clearly, that it's not the way?

How prideful and arrogant we have become,

we think we know more than God's only Son.

We pray for God's blessing, and His words we don't keep,

then wonder where He's at, when we all weep.

His Word stands forever, honest and true,

He make no suggestions, for me and for you.

He clearly and firmly says, this is the way,

and if we hold to it, we'll firmly stay.

If political correctness, is the path that you choose,

don't be surprised in the end if you lose.

The best gift of all, God gave everyone,

His precious and only, begotton Son...

c.mcgrath

Season of darkness

Season of darkness just let me be,
you seem to enjoy what you're doing to me.
My mind is fogged up and cloudy all day,
why must you torture this vessel of clay?

An oppressive demon is just what you are,
but God just allows you to take me so far.
His strength is greater, His promises true,
You're full of lies, cause that's all you can do.

Season of darkness is just what you are,
a season that comes and sets things ajar.
You just can't last long, try as you might,
with each passing season, I get stronger to fight.

I choose the light where you can't exist,
in God's Holy presence there's no hit or miss.
It matters not what methods you employ,
in God's Holy presence there's fullness of Joy!

Season of darkness, it's past time to go,
back to your devilish, hellish abode.
Should in future you choose to bother me more,
expect God's Holy Spirit, to answer the door...

" You will show me the path of life: in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.".... Psalm 16:11

c.mcgrath

Reason to shout and not pout

If ye be down in the mouth and sporting a pout,
life's really too short for all that.
Jump up and down and get rid of that frown,
or maybe just eat some non-fat.

Sometimes it helps to soak in the tub,
it can help much more than ye think.
A little scrub here, a little scrub there,
sure helps to get rid of some stink.

So jump all around turn that frown upside down,
just do whatever it takes.
Life's just too short to be moping about,
and there really is too much at stake.

So this time of year spread ye some cheer,
sing, laugh, and dance all about.
It was this time of year, that Jesus came here,

and that's reason too shout!... and not pout!

Merry Christmas!

c.mcgrath

Let's not forget

Let's not forget this time of year,
that Jesus Christ was born.
Let's not forget He humbly came.
He left His glorious home.

Let's not forget He didn't stay,
a babe in manger long,
Let's not forget, He in stature grew,
He lived and did no wrong.

Let's not forget for us He died,
and undeservedly so.
That we may go and be with Him,
throughout forevermore.

Let's not forget He'll soon be back,
this time a babe, won't be.
He's King of Kings and Lord of Lord's
Throughout eternity!

So, let's not forget, though a babe was born,
It's certainly no small thing.
He's Sovereign LORD and Most High GOD.
Come bow before your KING!

cmcgrath

Holiday Season

Tomorrow we get our holiday tree,

Cause the holiday season is here.

Politically correct we must always be,

We must keep our holiday cheer.

Holiday presents and holiday friends,

Holiday madness it just never ends.

Holiday this and holiday that,

And let's not forget the holiday spat.

Holiday pushes and holiday shoves,

A holiday finger or two.

One never knows how each holiday ends,

Most likely with holiday blues.

So this year we'll burn the holiday logs,.

Well into the holiday nights.

We'll try not to say any offensive words,

And not start a political fight.

You may disagree with the stance we take here,

You certainly do have the right.

So I'll say very clear, and start earlier this year,

Merry Christmas to all!.... and good night!

Pearl of great price...

What is your pearl of great price? A better job? A new car or truck? A nice vacation? An early retirement? Wealth? Being in great physical condition? I could go on and on. We all have one. We're all seeking after something to help us feel fulfilled, satisfied, secure.

There's nothing wrong with any of these things.Many of them we need today and some even help us and do us good. They are however all temporal things that will not last.

I was reminded again this week about the brevity of life and how quickly it passes. I lost a good friend on Sunday, a former co-worker, school mate, room mate, we had some great and crazy times together. Those are all memories now. He's gone...

In one of the last conversations I had with him. He talked about the OT ( overtime) he'd be working on his days off. Of all the money he was making because of it. There's nothing wrong with making money, but I wonder if looking back now, if he could, would he have taken a few more days off and skipped the OT?

Life goes by so quickly. We're all racing around making a living which we need to do, but what about the part that comes next? The part that my friend is now experiencing. Are we preparing for that?

The part that bothers me the most about his passing is that I was no help to him in preparing for what comes next. As far as I'm aware anyway. When we were hanging and working together for years, I was no testimony for the Lord. Quite the opposite actually.

I can only hope now that he read some of the things I've put on facebook the last couple of years, and that something stuck with him. Or that someone else told him about Jesus. Only God knows. I don't feel good about the way I handled that friendship. I knew better but did nothing directly about it. Would he have listened? I don't know. I'm left wondering now if I'll see him again one day. I hope I do...

I'm not suggesting there's another way to heaven except through Jesus Christ, because there isn't. But I take comfort in this verse.

"Far be it from you to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?”

Jesus will judge all of us one day. He will look at our hearts. He will do what's right.

Jesus is the Pearl of great price. He will last for forever and we who put our trust and faith in Him, have everything in Him. We become joint heirs with Christ. Everything he has is ours, and He has everything. He will never leave us or forsake us. In Him we have complete security. He's the Sovereign God of the universe who loves us and wants nothing but the best for us. Why would we run away from that? In God's presence there is fullness of joy, and, in His joy we find our strength.

What is your pearl of great price?

Let it be Jesus Christ. With Him you gain everything. Without Him, you gain nothing...

"Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it."....  Matt 13:46