Musings with PWC

  O Great Revealer, maybe I’ll spend today dusting off my trophies and moving my diplomas closer to  eye level. I know, I know, one day they’ll be in a garbage dump and I’ll be in a grave, but still, redecorating  might be a fun way to spend my afternoon. I wonder how often these antics bring you to tears. (Steven James.  A Heart Exposed) Just yesterday I was looking for a particular picture that my dad had in his possession of the the Vineland volunteer fire department.  The photo was taken back in the 1960’s.  I went to my closet to get out my ‘dad box.’  Yep, that’s what is left of my dad.  In my parents heyday they had stuff and lots of it.  When they immigrated to Canada in 1952 they brought one chest, a couple of suitcases and $80.00—that’s it!  Then that progressed to filling a fairly large house.  Now, my one box is in the bottom of my closet! Then I read Steven James’ prayer the other morning and thought about my parents… and then eventually about me and m

My wife often asks me… what do you want to eat for supper?   My standard answer— “food.”   Not helpful, I know.   I like most things and eat whatever is given me. What about my spiritual appetite?  What about yours? Allow me to give you a few helpful guidelines: # 1.  Eat the Bible —lots! Your number one choice is reading the Bible yourself.  Read it lots!  I recommend reading 15 minutes to 30 minutes per day.  You cannot read too much of the Bible.  50% of your spiritual diet should come from your personal reading of scripture.  # 2.  Eat whatever your church/ congregation is serving. This is the second choice for spiritual food.  Your church leadership is preaching, teaching, writing stuff FOR you.  And, stuff that fits into the vision and mission the Lord has given your church.  A couple of things here.  First, eat everything.  Listen to every sermon, every video.  Read every hand out, every blog.  You do understand that the leadership is preparing material especially for

Prophecy or Problems:   How to function in the prophetic God told me:  Prophetic guidelines.  #1.   Accountability.   Within a group of prophetic type persons  A-  Recall Caiaphas: John 11:(NLT) 49 Caiaphas, who was high priest at that time, said, “You don’t know what you’re talking about! 50 You don’t realize that it’s better for you that one man should die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed.” 51 He did not say this on his own; as high priest at that time he was led to prophesy that Jesus would die for the entire nation. 52 And not only for that nation, but to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world. Don’t confuse one’s ability to prophesy with one’s relationship with the LORD.  As a prophetic type person, we need always to check our hearts, guard our hearts and seek the Lord continually about us!   B-  Stay in check and accountable to prophetic type persons.  This is important.   Remember this is not a competition

  Screen Fast The other day I was in a pastor’s study.  It was a ‘normal’ office—nothing overly outstanding.   Not large, not small—just medium.  A couple of guitar cases tucked under the front of his desk.  A couple of the walls were lined with shelves and stuffed with books.  His desk, to be honest was quite messy (much like mine right now).  But it was weird as I looked at his messy desk—there was no computer.  I noticed then his computer was stuffed on a shelf to my left as I stood there.  I thought to myself—that’s strange, perhaps the computer is broken.  Wow, how do you survive with a broken computer? Later that day I heard the pastor made an interesting statement.  He told a group of other pastors he was on a ‘screen fast.’  He described this as no T.V., no phone, no ipad, no computer—just like he said—‘I am taking a screen fast for a few days.’    Let me tell you a couple of things up front.  First—his age.  I’m guessing early to mid 30’s, so we are not dealing with an o

  Deep down inside this is what I believe. Life is treacherous!  It is dangerous! Cancer Colds Cataracts Cardiac Arrest Payments Bankruptcy High Interest Huge mortgages Alcoholism Drug addiction Gambling addiction Sexual addiction Car accidents Car payments Flat tires Blown engines  Death Pain Sorrow Sadness  Tragedy Bankruptcy Job Loss Too much week…too little finances Overweight Anxiety Depression Prozac Glasses Hearing aids Wheelchairs Braces Broken Window Broken Arm Broken Soul Broken Heart Lost keys Lost wallet Lost relationships Lost children Life is simply a huge risk! Life is simply an opportunity to invite difficulties. Life is tough …it really is! It is hazardous It is precarious It is uncertain All of these things are true and so we as humans go through life— With a stiff upper lip we work hard at the great balancing act of life. We succumb to the pains of life and eek out an existence. We soothe the pains of