Oh my my Oh Hell yes Honey put on that party dress

I'm preparing this afternoon to share with the residents where I work.

As I'm preparing I'm focusing on my main point being God is in pursuit of you!

I don't know what they've been up to today but God has been pursuing them all day!

Out of nowhere I'm broadsided by the truth - God has been pursuing me all day today too!

Boom! - A great sense of His presence comes into being!

We all go through seasons in life. Sometimes they each come upon us very quickly. Other times we can be in a season for an extended period.

Spring - everything is exciting, new, growing & fresh.
Summer - life is fun, refreshing, sunlit & soothing.
Fall - challenges present themselves in the form of age, sickness, kids getting older & leaving home or not leaving home.
Winter - we feel shut in and alone trying to keep some warmth in our relationship with God - we struggle & ask questions like "God, where are you - don't you care?"

Bottom line: God pursues us in every season of life!

God created the seasons & He's present in every one of them!

Hope of a Better Past

"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift. That's why they call it 'the present.'"

Great "fortune cookie" type line from Kung Fu Panda. The kids got out early from school yesterday so we took them to see it (we're all big fans of Jack Black - he's the man!)!

Loved the movie!

That line stood out for me because it holds a lot of truth for me in this period of my life.

My spiritual director told me some months ago that his impression of me (as he was listening to me speak) was that I seem to be stewing over past regrets, consumed with future fears and missing out on the present moment.

Six weeks ago I went to a weekend 'personal growth' workshop in the city of champions. That weekend another similar statement hit home "I finally gave up hope of having a better past."

The present moment truly is a gift. I'm not saying don't learn from the past and don't prepare for the future but when they both consume (like they sometimes do with me) the moment passes and I've missed out.

I'm still learning...

The View From Here

Who could ask for anything more!?

I was waiting in the Doctor's office last week and I was flipping through a magazine. I came across a VISA ad that listed probably 25 things the man pictured in the ad wanted to do before he died - bungee jump, ski in BC, etc. etc. I began thinking to myself - what would I like to do? I couldn't think of anything. I have no list.

I began to wonder - am I boring or dreamless? Why no list?

As I thought on this some more I realized there is truly nothing I want - not because I'm boring or dreamless but because I'm satisfied. I've been to Europe, Bahamas & South America; I've lived in Bermuda; I've lived both inland & on the coast; I've lived in some of the greatest cities & towns in Canada (the rest I've visited); I've been to the greatest city on Earth - NYC & that at the greatest time of the year, Christmas; I've cruised to Mexico; I've attended hockey games at some of the greatest arenas in the game - The Forum & Bell Centre, Maple Leaf Gardens & the ACC, MSG, Mellon Arena, the Saddledome; I've seen Gretzky, Lemieux & Crosby play live; I've met Ron Hextall, Patrick Roy, Joe Sakic, Steve Shutt to name a few; I've seen P.O.D. 3 times, Ozzy, Bon Jovi, Linkin Park, even ZZ Top; I've vacationed with my wife & kids in some of Canada's most picturesque National Parks - Algonquin, Banff, Kootenay, Gros Morne - & the memories we've made in the mountains & on lakes either out in our tent or tent trailer, priceless - SERIOUSLY, the list of blessings goes on & on!

I've been, done, met & experienced everything I've wanted to.

I have the greatest family in my wife & 3 kids and I've got friends in all of the 12 places I've lived to date - with a few close friends to boot.

I really can't think of anything else I'd like to do - God, don't take that as I'm ready to go coz' I ain't yet!

An Empty Trap

Our spiritual life is not one that can be measured, calculated or predicted. The only certainty we have is our uncertainty. But that is not a bad thing. It is indeed quite exciting, spontaneous and full of expectation! So we should not be floundering around, waiting, looking even longing for a certain (steady & predictable) route.

To be certain of God means we are uncertain in oursleves. We are uncertain what each day will bring, but certain in God. We are uncertain of what will happen to us, but certain in God. We are uncertain of where we are going and where life will take us, but we are certain in God.

We are not uncertain of God, just uncertain of what he will do next.

Unfortunately, many 'churched' people-- dare I say 'Christians', lead empty, lifeless and unexciting lives. Why? Because often as churched people, we have become advocates of our creed. Our doctrines, our traditions, and our rules. We are not certain in God, we are only certain in our belief about him.

It is time to put down the stale meaningless life and begin to enjoy the freshness of the abundant life.