It was Friday morning October 2, 1999, and I was busy studying about heaven.
Monday and Friday are days I leave totally clear to study and prepare for Sunday. So there I was immersed in jottings, books and commentaries piled high on the table when the phone rang. As usual I had no idea of who it would be or what they would want when I picked up the receiver.
The voice on the phone sounded weak and frail. He told me his name and then commented that he had occasionally attended a church I pastored many years ago.
The present pastor of the church apparently would not visit someone who was not a member of the church so he did not have a minister to call on.
He said what many people do when starting to tell their story, “I don’t know where to begin.” Then he went on, “Basically I’m dying. The chemo didn’t work. The cancer has spread everywhere. I’m kinda left to die and it’s hard to do. Can you come and say a prayer over me?”
Continue reading '“I’m kinda left to die, and it’s hard to do.”'»
For all Christians, the real joy of living is to know that God is with us and helping us every day.
We also have the expectation of seeing Him and being with Him forever.
This is cause enough to celebrate.
But, did you know, that you can actually have Jesus in your home this Christmas and have Him enjoy the day with you from rising in the morning through the turkey dinner until bed at night?
There is no question that you can set the table for an extra person, have a stocking for your guest, and even a few presents wrapped with His name on them.
Well, just how do you have Jesus in your home for the day this Christmas to sit around the tree and open presents, join in on the laughter, and the whole thing?
Actually it is so simple that I am embarrassed to mention it.
Continue reading 'How to have Jesus in your home at Christmas'»
In our last newsletter we told the story of Donna, (not her real name), and how she came to faith in Christ. As you may recall she gave us an assignment that we pray she would die soon. Well, we did pray and the Lord heard our prayers.
I received a phone call one Friday morning from the nursing staff that Donna wished to see me immediately. The staff explained that she had only hours to live.
I decided to go that afternoon as our car was in for repairs that morning. Susan urged me to find a way to go immediately, so I made arrangements to go within the hour to the nursing home.
When I arrived, Donna was conscious and knew me. I spoke to her about her favourite view of Christ.
Continue reading 'A Quiet Celebration'»
The Bible calls on all of us to examine ourselves to see what possible evil lurks beneath the surface of our skin.
For example Paul says in 1 Cor. 11:28 “A man ought to examine himself.”
In Hebrews it says “See to it brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.” (3:12)
Paul even calls on Christians to “…examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.” 2 Cor. 13:5.
So we ought to check and make sure we are even Christians.
Then the Bible even goes farther in our responsibility to check up on ourselves.
Sometimes we may hear someone say this to us when we have suggested that their actions are not right. They become defensive and tell us off with this statement.
Continue reading '“You’re not my judge!”'»
His name was Billy and he lived near Orillia, Ontario. However, he was now in the oncology unit of Sick Children’s Hospital.
I was visiting him at the request of his mother. She was a single mom and had to work during the week, so could not visit her only child, Billy until the weekends.
I had taken a hand held ham radio in to the unit with me to play with him and allow him to talk to some people around the province.
He was fascinated by the fact the short little antenna could send a signal that people could read a hundred miles away. We had some fun and he enjoyed himself.
Continue reading '“Mr. Rumford, are there dogs in heaven?”'»
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