SCRIP-BITS

Hosea 9:7.    The days of visitation are come, the days of recompense are come; Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred.
 
Oh Friends, oh Friends, the ole fella’s alive and kicking! Well not kicking as powerfully as I would like, but kicking much better than I was yesterday morning at this time. The knee surgery seems to have been very successful. Would you believe that I have less pain now than before, even though the knee is all cut up? Either the Lord intervened miraculously, or the opiates were real good, or even both. (smile) Oh Friends, it was certainly a spiritually awakening day in my life! I remember lying on the hard, narrow operating room table, laughing and talking with the two nurses and two doctors and listening to some music in the background, then next thing I was waking up in Recovery, bright eyed and bushy tailed, like after a good rest. I don’t have a clue as to what went on in the O.R Room. Thank you medical staff. But what amazes me most Friends, is my total lack of worry or concern over the whole procedure. While my family was anxious and concerned, the ole fella never batted an eyelash in worry. I just wanted to get it over and done with. And surprisingly too, although I had almost a two hour wait above the appointed time, I didn’t even have a small fit. I was cool as a cucumber, not even praying as much as would possibly be expected; just standing strong and surrendering it all to the Lord. And even more heartening is that since I came home, after a short nap, I’ve been up and about, doing my usual do, obviously against my family’s desire, finally getting in the Christmas spirit, singing and munching on some Christmas goodies and generally making a nuisance of myself. (smile) But how to please people eh? When I’m cranky and miserable, they complain. Now that I’m joy filled in the Christian groove, they’re still complaining. Oh my people, all of that just shows and tells me that I’ve climbed another rung in the Christian maturity ladder. Wow! Please join me in a short prayer of thanksgiving. ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, your humble servants praise your Holy Name and offer plenty, plenty, plenty thanks for bringing the ole fella through this surgery so successfully. In particular for allowing me not to miss a beat in continuing to spread your Holy Word. We know that you answer the prayers of those who sincerely seek you, and I know it’s not my prayers alone that you answered yesterday, but also those of all who prayed for me. Oh Father, we sincerely thank you and bless your Holy Name, also asking that you continue to shower us with your mercy and blessings as we continue our efforts to further your kingdom. We humbly pray this in the righteous and victorious blood of your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen!’ And thank you too Friends, who prayed for me, because there’s usually a greater chance of success in numbers. But on a more serious note, it seems that the winter weather is still playing havoc in South Western Ontario, in the Sarnia area, near the U.S border with Detroit. A State of Emergency has been declared in that area, where Police and Emergency Medical Service staff are busy trying to rescue some 300 persons stranded on Highway 402 because of the extreme weather conditions. Even the relief people are having a hard time getting to the scene. In some places plows could not even clear the roads because of reduced visibility caused by the high winds, and many roads remain impassable. Oh Friends let’s pray for all those caught up in that emergency, for if you’ve never been stranded on a lonely, isolated road in a serious snow storm it can get very scary. It’s very easy to get lost or in a serious accident driving in poor visibility. And if you decide to pull over and stop, then you can have someone else run in to your vehicle, or run out of gas and just simply freeze to death in the vehicle. Getting out and trying to walk is possibly the worse thing you can do, for then you’ll definitely get lost and end up freezing to death in some snow bank or snow covered field. So Friends, although the snowy weather may seem romantic and adventurous, it’s no joking matter. I’ve had my fair share of escapades during my thirty odd years in the country and can testify that some have been real scary. Meanwhile out in Alberta, near Edmonton, wild forest fires are burning out of control, and on the West Coast, in Vancouver, the recent shooting of 10 people out there, near to the Mayor’s house, are being linked to gang violence erupting at a house party. Now if it’s not safe close to the Mayor’s residence, where is it safe eh? And on the East Coast of this great country of Canada, much rain and strong winds of up to 130 kms per hour are being forecasted for the early part of the week, another variant of the major storm hitting the U.S North East and Canada. Now Friends, those are only a few of the serious negative things happening within Canada. Can you then imagine the negative situations taking place over the entire world? Right now they surely do seem to outweigh the positive ones. Some of you are possibly even asking, what positive situations are there in our evil, warmongering, greedy, violent, oppressive world. Some of you are even thinking, like Hosea did, that ‘The days of visitations (punishment) are come, the days of recompense are come; Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad (insane), for the multitude (greatness) of thine iniquity, and the great hatred (enmity).’ And you may be right. But Friends, there are positives in our world, positives that are much greater and more powerful than the negatives. And the first and foremost is that the Lord God Jehovah is still sitting on His throne in the high heavens, and He is still running things in the entire universe. And it’s of the utmost importance we believe that, for if we don’t, then all hope is lost. Another important and powerful positive is that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave His innocent life as a sacrifice for our sins, is now sitting at His Father’s right hand, advocating on our behalf. And believe me Friends, there’s no better advocate in all the world than our Jesus! And to back it all up, we have the immense power of the Good Book, God’s infallible Word, which contains all His promises and His faithfulness in keeping those promises if we do His will. That’s a most wonderful positive too! So my people, despite all the evil and confusion currently reigning in our world, things are not completely hopeless, for once the Lord is in control, there’s abundant hope. We just have to believe, to have faith, to work and think positively in accordance with the scriptures, aided by the personal experiences we’ve had as believers. So please, let’s not allow all the negatives in our own lives and the world at large to get us down, because we know and hold the ONE trump card that can turn it all around in a moment; the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is His Name; Creator of the universe and all therein, the Great Provider and Safe Keeper. And Friends, it’s so beautiful and powerful to know that when we rest within His protection, no harm can come to us. Ah mih people, the Bit’s been a bit of a hodge podge, but it contains many essential truths, positive testimony and above all God’s unconditional LOVE, therefore it must be beneficial in many respects. (smile) Tomorrow, God willing, we’ll continue with it. Till then, please, let’s go forth in joy and peace to LOVE our God, SPREAD His Holy Word and LIVE our vibrant and energizing Faith. Much LOVE!…never lose HOPE…for while there is life…HOPE is always present…