A variety of songs, old and new, have come to mind on this my 49th birthday.   Thanks to the multitude of well-wishers who sent e-mails, others who phoned and some who celebrated in person.

Here’s a list of some songs of praise to God for His goodness to me.

I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever….   This chorus reminds me that I have lots to sing about.  God has been merciful to me again and again.  He has not rewarded me according to my sins but according to His mercy and love.

Great is Thy Faithfulness….  This hymn was our school hymn and was sung at our wedding (October ‘83).   God has been faithful to us in so many ways.    Even if I lack faith, and I often do in those difficult situations, God remains faithful.   He cannot lie.  He cannot deny Himself.

Little is Much When God is In It…..    A special thanks to my Aunt Alice Peckover who taught me this hymn many years ago.    It is true.  How many “little things” did God bless when they were offered to Him.   In several messages I’ve asked, “What did the little boy (whose lunch fed 5,000+ men) tell his mom when he arrived home?   Being a good mother, she probably asked, “Did you eat your lunch?”   His reply…. (assuming she wasn’t by the Sea of Galilee) “Mom, you won’t believe what Jesus did….”

“What If I Give All” – Though saddened by Ray Boltz’ lifestyle choices I am still impacted by his music.    This more contemporary song has a great message.   Take a look at my favourite videos from YouTube – and give it a watch.

There are many other favourites – Thank you Lord for saving my soul, Thank you for loving a sinner like me.   O for a Thousand Tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise…. Shall I continue???

At a recent Bible study at Calvary Baptist one of our deacons who was leading that evening commented on the death of various “celebrities” and contrasted their lives and deaths with the entrance into heaven of some of our brothers and sisters in Christ who have died recently.    In commenting on Michael Jackson’s death he noted, “The king of pop met the KING of Kings.”

I was reminded of Isaiah 14 as the prophet portrays a “leader” a “celebrity” on earth entering into eternity.

“The grave below is all astir to meet you at your coming;  it rouses the spirits of the departed to greet you–all those who were leaders in the world; it makes them rise from their thrones–all those who were kings over the nations.   They will all respond, they will say to you, ‘You also have become weak, as we are; you have become like us.’   All your pomp has been brought down to the grave, along with the noise of your harps,…..”

There is no doubt Michael Jackson had a multitude of talents.    I dare say with 3 billion people watching today’s funeral he also had influence.   But in the light of eternity, in the light of Scripture, now that the noise of his “harps” has ceased, now that this planned musical tour was abruptly ended, what really did his life accomplish.

In our Sunday School in Thornloe, from time to time we sang “With Eternity’s Values in View.”   That chorus, not sung much any more, still provides food for thought today.

“With eternity’s values in view, Lord,

With eternity’s values in view….

May I do each day’s work for Jesus,

With eternity’s values in view.”

Toronto's Trash

Here it is – proof positive that Toronto is in the midst of a garbage strike.   I took a quick walk around a parking lot in Scarborough which now serves as a temporary site (1 among many) for local residents to drop their trash.   It is only temporary relief and in due course, perhaps weeks down the road, this garbage must be picked up again and re-disposed of in a more permanent way.

God has a plan for us to eradicate the garbage in our lives – not the kind that fills these bags but the poisonous, destructive sin patterns which must be dealt with.    Paul writes in Ephesians 4:31 “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”

Shouldn’t we help one another get rid of this kind of trash which reeks of the world, the flesh and the devil?    Perhaps Toronto’s current garbage chaos can provide spiritual lessons for Christians.    May God enable “called-out assemblies of believers” (namely churches) to be places where individuals, families, even entire congregations rid themselves of the trash which keeps piling up.

The Albert Mohler Program

Today’s broadcast of a radio show I listen to regularly addresses a huge problem.     Go to the website and take a listen…at the Albert Mohler website.

MON (6/29) – The Dangers of Adultery – With adultery taking prominence in current events, it is important to remember just how dangerous and destructive adultery is. What do you think about adultery? Have you been effected by adultery? What do you think the dangers of adultery are? Post here or call 877-893-8255 (TALK) during the live show (5-6pm Eastern).

Sadly another leader on the “conservative” side has broken his marriage vows.   South Carolina governor Sanford explained yesterday how he had “developed a relationship” with a “dear friend” from Argentina. “It began very innocently … in just a casual e-mail back and forth,” he said.

As wonderful as technology is – I’m a techno-junkie – it is also a minefield of danger.    A casual e-mail back and forth, a posting that “someone has a crush on you,” a Facebook application that lets you declare to the world how attractive you are or how high you scored on a romance quiz – the list goes on.

Growing up on a farm in NorthEastern Ontario I did my share of trap setting.   Mice in particular were my target.    I set multitudes of traps and sometimes was amazed at what a small amount of cheese I had to use in order to catch another one.    At times before the cheese even was eaten the mouse was caught and the trap could be reset for some other foolish rodent.

How many times has Satan set the same trap?    It usually is not the big issues but rather “the little foxes that spoil the vines.”

Lord, help us to be vigilant, to be wise, to avoid sexual immorality, even the hint of it.    Help us to remember that what may begin “very innocently” may lead to disastrous consequences.    There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end, it leads to death.

As the anniversary of Calvin’s birth is marked conferences, books and articles are noting this occasion.    Check out this article .   Frankly I prefer to be known as a follower of Jesus Christ, than a follower of John Calvin.

Consider this quote from C.H. Spurgeon in a sermon entitled “A Defense of Calvinism.”

There is no soul living who holds more firmly to the doctrines of grace than I do, and if any man asks me whether I am ashamed to be called a Calvinist, I answer—I wish to be called nothing but a Christian; but if you ask me, do I hold the doctrinal views which were held by John Calvin, I reply, I do in the main hold them, and rejoice to avow it. But far be it from me even to imagine that Zion contains none but Calvinistic Christians within her walls, or that there are none saved who do not hold our views. Most atrocious things have been spoken about the character and spiritual condition of John Wesley, the modern prince of Arminians. I can only say concerning him that, while I detest many of the doctrines which he preached, yet for the man himself I have a reverence second to no Wesleyan; and if there were wanted two apostles to be added to the number of the twelve, I do not believe that there could be found two men more fit to be so added than George Whitefield and John Wesley. The character of John Wesley stands beyond all imputation for self-sacrifice, zeal, holiness, and communion with God; he lived far above the ordinary level of common Christians, and was one ‘of whom the world was not worthy.’ I believe there are multitudes of men who cannot see these truths, or, at least, cannot see them in the way in which we put them, who nevertheless have received Christ as their Saviour, and are as dear to the heart of the God of grace as the soundest Calvinist in or out of Heaven.

Today would have been my parents 67th wedding anniversary.    June 17, 1942 saw my mom and dad in the middle of the 2nd World War declare their vows before God and in the presence of witnesses in Matheson Gospel Hall.    I have always marvelled at how God convinced my mom to become married.   Her own home, while growing up, was filled with a great deal of anger, conflict and trouble.   She moved to another community to study some business courses and while there stayed with a Christian couple whose home life, marriage and conduct was so different.    Perhaps there was a way to live in peace, to live without constant conflict, to actually enjoy marital harmony.

What impact do our marriages have on others?  What do visitors observe as they watch us interact?    What will our children remember about our words and deeds on a daily basis?

On May 2, 2004 the words “til death do us part” took on new meaning as dad entered the presence of his Lord and Saviour.    I thank God for parents who took their vows seriously and sought to teach us to be men and women of honesty and integrity.    This anniversary date reminds me of special occasions – their 25th, their 40th, their 50th, their 60th when as a family we recognized God’s goodness to them and their commitment to God and to each other.

Today’s meditation from “The Best of Andrew Murray On Prayer” reflects Paul’s counsel to pray for those in authority.

Pray for all people.  As you make your requests, plead for God’s mercy upon them, and give thanks.”  I Tim. 2:1

Murray writes, “Our text is an example of real faith in the power of prayer!   A few weak and despised Christians are to influence the mighty Roman emperors and help secure peace and quietness.  Prayer is a power that is honored by God in His rule of the world.  Let us pray for our country and its rulers, for all the rulers of the world, for rulers in cities or districts in which we are interested.   When God’s people unite, they can count upon their prayer affecting the unseen world more than they know.  …..The prayers that go up to heaven have their share in the history of this earth.”

On my heart this week is the country of Iran, bound in sin and darkness, filled with turmoil as its citizens wrestle over the results of the most recent election.    Would you join me in praying that God’s will be done in IRAN as it is done in heaven?

On my heart this week is the country of Cuba, bound in sin and spiritual darkness, yet deeply impacted by the gospel which is being fearlessly proclaimed by those who believe it.   Should God will I would love to go back and visit brothers and sisters who are much upon my heart.   Would you join me in praying that God’s will be done in CUBA as it is done in heaven?

On my heart this week is the country of Canada,  bound in sin and spiritual darkness reflected in  the “celebration” of the largest gay pride parade and festival in North America to be held next week.    Would you join me in praying that God’s will be done in CANADA as it is done in heaven?

May God’s mercy be extended to rebels in Iran, in Cuba, in Canada.    May He bring many out of darkness into His marvelous light.     Lord, teach us to pray!

My uncle Forde Edwards (Milford Stuart Edwards) lived on the adjacent farm to my parents.    He and my dad were brothers, his wife and my mom were sisters.    I guess that made us “twice” related.

Over the years I had many interesting conversations with Uncle Forde – some times in the blueberry patch, some times outside our front door as he patted our dog and took a brief rest from his walk up the hill.

One of the poems he taught me came to my mind this morning -

“If you your lips would keep from slips

Five things I now declare—

Of whom you speak, to whom you speak and how and why and where.”

This brief poem often recited by Uncle Forde contains great truth.   The book of James urges us to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

I wish someone would craft an “e-mail” equivalent to the above poem.     Somehow the speed of the Internet lures us into quick responses – un-thought through, un-prayed through shots back at the individual who wrote us.    We wouldn’t want to be perceived as neglectful, would we?   We wouldn’t want to let that e-mail INBOX get too full.    Yet how many lies, distortions of reality and misunderstandings have been perpetuated because our brains and hearts were not engaged with God before we wrote.

Lord, may the words of my mouth (and the expressions of my keyboard) and the meditations of my heart (and the reflections I consider) be acceptable in Your sight, my Strength and my Redeemer.

I listened last night to an amazing testimony of sustaining grace.    Here are the key points – Know God; Know Yourself; Know the Gospel; Know Your Purpose.

Check out www.deathisnotdying.com

God’s grace still sustains!  What a rebuke to the health, wealth and prosperity “gospel” preachers!