Pilgrim's Progress/Fish Tales

Greetings, beloved friends!

This site has become such a busy place! Every time I check my e-mails there are a bunch of new ones from my PILGRIM PALS. Each time one of you post something new I get an e-mail notification. I've been strangely silent today for several reasons.

Let me elaborate...

Carol went to Toronto to see our family doctor today. She has been having a number of health concerns and she wanted to get some answers...definite ones. The doctor sent her to the hospital for a battery of tests including some that are heart-related. She called several hours ago to say that she was on her way to the hospital but we haven't heard from her since. We're concerned!

I've been spending time with Nathan (10) today. He has been attending a basketball camp every morning this week. It's an outreach sponsored by a local church.

With Victoria counseling at Graphite Bible Camp and Matthew getting deer fly bites at Camp Medeba, things are quiet around here.

Tamara, the young lady who we provide care for, is here so it's just the three of us. I cooked up some hamburgers on the barbecue tonight. No, Terry, I didn't cook any fish!

Oops, sounds like Carol just came in the door. False alarm! She just called from Toronto to say that she's leaving the hospital. Of course she doesn't know how the tests went.

I finally got my laptop computer back this afternoon. It seems to be alright now...$159.00 later. Ouch!

Today a friend dropped by to pick up a couple of things that we wanted him to have. He also is in a "faith ministry" and we "talked shop" for quite awhile. He, like me, is doing some "tent-making" (like the apostle Paul did) to make ends meet. It was refreshing for us to open up and talk from our hearts about the stresses involved in not having a steady income. Bob at Passing-Thru, you know what I mean!

I've been too busy to read all the posts and the accompanying comments on PILGRIM PALS but I've caught a few of them. Good stuff!

We need to be clear about where we stand as Christians and often that means using different teminology to differentiate ourselves from imposters who pose as Christians.

Too bad there isn't a term which leaves no doubt about where we stand. Instead we have to have a long, drawn-out definition to set us apart. That's not a bad thing but often the non-believers don't understand the words we use.

Recently we had a situation where a family that belongs to a cult tried to identify themselves as Christians and they went as far as to agree with the statement of faith of an organization that I'm involved with. It has forced us to re-visit the wording of our documents.

We need to state clearly that the Bible, the inspired, inerrant, God-breathed scriptures are the ONLY basis for faith and doctrine. Also, we need to state without apology that Jesus Christ is the ONLY way for us to gain access to God and heaven by trusting in His finished cross-work at Calvary. Exclusive? Yes! But Jesus said it and I'm not going to water it down. I'm starting to preach like brother Bob! Go ahead, Bob, preach it!

Tonight I leave for work around 10:30 p.m. Carol may not be home by then so I may have to call in to say that I'll be a bit late.

When I finally lay my head on my pillow I'll be able to say that it's been a good day, we serve a good God and I'm so grateful for my salvation.

Please pray for us as we continue to pack up our "stuff", give some away, put some in storage and prepare to sell our home. God may still perform a miracle at the 11th hour or even at 11:59 but until then, we have to prepare to make changes.

Pray for Carol's health, please!

Pray that the stresses we encounter daily will not be debilitating but that we will be refreshed and renewed as we wait on the Lord.

That, my PILGRIM PALS, is my PILGRIM'S PROGRESS for today. No FISH TALES, just the honest truth.

Much love in Christ, my friends,

David, the wayfaring pilgrim