Happy New Year Pals

Let everything that has breath,
praise the Lord.



as the heavens spill white powder onto a darkened earth and harsh winter winds howl against the window's pane, words from the morning devotional fall to the parchment; questions to ponder as another measure of time passes away;

how has God blessed you, your family, friends, church this year?
what mighty work has he accomplished?
what progress have you
made in an area in which you've struggled?
what prayers has God answered?
what new attributes or aspects of God have you discovered
or experienced in the past year ?

strains of the year echo in my mind...show me the way Lord, show me how to honor and serve my husband, my family, give me tenderness Lord to soothe the hurts and fears of others, let me be a powerful witness and encouragement to others, constantly abiding in You....let my heart be that of a servant..willing to reach beyond my comfort zone...

on my knees, I ask and ignore, ask and ignore...He answers, I ignore....why that way Lord....why not my way....Your way requires too much..... too much giving up, giving in, giving over...

over and over again the depths of my ignorance revealed until the heart is bare and nothing more can be done....nothing except to yield to Him

through ......obedience.....


walk in obedience to ME in ALL that you do....

on this, the last day of this precious year...I ponder those questions above....I reflect on my greatest accomplishments, biggest disappointments, saddest hours, most joyous moments....the love of my husband and children, the men and women He has brought together to pray for one another, for their family and friends.....for the friendships He has orchestrated....may I never abuse that which He has entrusted me with...to encourage others to seek Him, to uphold the precious word of Jesus whatever the cost....for the privilege to pray for all things in His name.....

the winds subside; the rays of light burst through ...the snow in the field behind the house...white....amd pure....twinkling......shimmering...glistening......




another snow storm passes through , another measure of time eases to year's end...a
a year of yesterdays, todays, tomorrows...time of reflection, prayer, hope, friendship, love, peace....

May your journey into the new year continue with Jesus as your constant guide....
abiding in HIM...loving one another


Praise Ye the Lord



blessings all
donna

Time for a new Pic!

Thought it was time for an up to date picture - well, November 2007 is pretty up to date. The other one David posted is May 2006 and at least I'm smiling in this one. Just like the other one, this one was taken on mission in a garbage dump in Mexico City. I actually didn't take pictures on my last trip because it was my 4th trip there - nothing much else to take pictures of - plus my batteries kept dying when I did attempt a few pics. Thankfully my friend Cheryl took some pics - some funny ones which I am waiting for her to send me by email and I'll post a few.
Well Pals, what a year! It wasn't one I'll look back on with too much fondness overall. However, there were some blessed moments and I'm trying to focus on them. I still have a roof over my head, a bed to lay on, food on my table, clothes, supportive friends, a job (even though I am unable to work right now), medical benefits to see me through a tough time, Pilgrim Pals to cheer me up and meeting Lauren was a great way to end the year. And best of all, although I often feel deep in a spiritual desert, my heart testifies to me that God is near - He is always near to the brokenhearted. God bless you Pilgrim Pals - Blessings on your New Year!

Little Missionary

Pilgrim Connections

How exciting to know that two of our Pilgrim Pals got together for coffee in Ottawa recently.

Lauren-Mary (left) and Julie (Little Missionary) are both from the Ottawa area and they connected for mutual encouragement recently.

I keep promising our local girl Laura that I will surprise her by dropping by the medical clinic where she works but it hasn't happened yet!

Happy New Year, Pilgrim Pals, and may the Lord do a mighty work in each of us in the coming year. HE IS GOOD!

Pilgrim Father Update

Dear Pals:

Thank you for your prayers over the past few days. Things have been very difficult as we've had so many problems with our home. We had some good news yesterday though. Carol went into the hospital on Sunday evening thinking she might have a blood clot in her leg. After tests and then an ultrasound yesterday morning, they determined that she does NOT have a blood clot. We praise God for that.

Here's what's been happening:

• We have a leaking basement wall that will need to be repaired. This will be very costly.
  
• We discovered that our sump pump needs to be replaced and, due to flooding in our area, there isn't one to be found anywhere nearby.
  
• Two sections of our back fence blew over two days ago when we had gale force winds. One of the uprights snapped off at the base so these two sections will have to be rebuilt.
• We had car problems two nights ago and the car is in the repair shop. Another expense we didn't need.
• Numerous other little frustrations that seemed to pile up all at once

Please pray for Carol, me and the boys as we work through these interruptions. It's been a struggle to stay positive during the last few days.

Thanks, pals! You are appreciated more than I can express.

Lots of love,

David

Two More Pals Meet

Just wanted to share...two more Pals managed to finally meet face to face! Lauren and I had a nice chat over coffee today. It was great to finally meet one of the Pals! We talked a bit about our hopes and dreams....oh and comforted each other in regards to our beloved Ottawa Senators hockey team who are struggling so much this year. We still love them! Maybe, just maybe we can catch a game together this winter, and wouldn't it be fab if we shared that game with Big Fish - David!
God bless!

Julie - Little Missionary

Finding Friends of Faith

This week I received comments on my Pilgrim Scribblings blog from two sisters, Nikki and Tori. We have become Blogging Buddies and these two girls might end up being Pilgrim Pals. When we corresponded this week it reminded me of the history behind each of my Pilgrim Pals. At some point over the last year or two, each of you got in touch with me and a friendship began that led to you becoming a Pilgrim Pal. God brings His people together in such unique ways. Please check out the links I've shown here in this post and drop Nikki and Tori a line. THANKS, PALS!

Here's that post:

Today I received two comments here on Pilgrim Scribblings from two daughters of a Church of the Nazarene evangelist from Iowa. I've never met Nikki or Tori Rittgers (pictured) before but it's amazing how many similarities there are between this old 63 year old grandfather and these two girls, aged 10 and 15.

I've posted the "favorites" from Tori's blog and bolded, italicized and posted in RED the ones that I share. It's amazing how God's children can be so different and yet so similar.

Welcome to my family of blogging friends, Nikki and Tori!

Here are those favorites:

* Playing the piano
* ice hockey (GO BLACK HAWKS!!)
* singing
* writing stories
* reading
* receiving massages
* the computer
* photography
* scrapbooking
* food (pepperoni pizza/black olives/black jellybeans being my favorites!)
* watching movies
* playing games
* drinking French Vanilla cappachino
* shopping
* ultimate frisbee
* playing with my dog
* sports
* receiving comments on my blog

Favorite Movies

* The Princess Diaries 1 & 2
* What I did for Love
* Love Comes Softly series
* Gomer Pyle
* Andy Griffith
* Little House on the Prairie
* Facing the Giants
* What Not to Wear
* Trading Spaces
* The Cosby Show
* I Love Lucy
* Wheel of Fortune
* Judge Judy
* Roman Holiday
* Anne of Green Gables
* Fireproof
* Believe In Me

Favorite Music

* The Cathedrals
* Gaithers
* Candy Christmas
* Gaither Vocal Band
* Ernie Haase and Signature Sound
* The Wissmann Family
* The Browns
* Beach Boys
* '50's music
* Janet Paschal
* Adam's Voice
* Vance and Jeannie Sharpe
* Southern Gospel
* Jimmy Dell
* Dr. Elmo's Christmas CDs
* Go Fish

Favorite Books

* The Bible
* A Proper Pursuit
* Eve's Daughters
* Chronicles of the King's series
* A Woman's Place
* The Preacher's Daughter series
* Annie's People series
* The Heritage of Lancaster County series
* The Courtship of Nellie Fisher books
* Redemption of Sarah Cain

Check out their blogs here:

Nikki's Powerplay 4 Him

Tori's Dare to be Different

6:45 A.M.

It's 6:35 in the morning and I am:

• too tired to get up and
• too awake to go back to sleep

and so I:

• rehearse everything that has gone wrong and
• worry about everything else that could go wrong

when I should be:

• praising the Lord for all the good things He has done and
• being thankful that nothing happens in my life that He doesn't allow

and so I determine to:

• pray about all the things that concern me and cause me to worry
• commit everything to the Lord and trust Him

but instead I fall asleep and:

• wake up an hour and a half later and
  
• wonder why I was in such a worried state of mind

so now I'm humming the words (in my mind) to an old song that goes like this:

• Why worry when you can pray?
• Trust Jesus, He'll be your stay;
• Don't be a doubting Thomas
• Just take Him at His promise
• Why worry, worry, worry, worry
• When you can pray?

It's now 8:05 a.m. and the Lord will walk with me today, each step of the way.

Witnessing Over Dinner - not really

Thanks to those of you who prayed last Monday. I'm sorry to report that....well...there isn't much to report!
While out for dinner with my atheist friend, (personally I think he is more agnostic but he calls himself an atheist), I really didn't find a good opportunity to witness...or so I thought. In hindsight there probably were lots of tiny moments that I could have said something about Jesus being my strength and how it is a gift from Him that I have medical benefits in order to be off work and heal. My friend knows about my difficulties over the last couple years and I didn't once credit Jesus for being my ultimate source of strength. I don't think I actually thought about it until after our get-together. How could I not think about the difference Jesus makes? Perhaps I did think about it and so quickly dismissed the thought I barely noticed I had the thought!? Why would I do that? As I thought about this over the last couple days this question occurred to me: do I still truly believe Jesus has been my ultimate strength over the last two years of personal difficulties? Do I really believe that without Him the last two plus years would have been far worse? Truthfully, if I were totally convinced that Jesus has made all the difference I would be only too glad to tell others about Him. But, there's the rub my friends....I don't think I'm so convinced anymore. At least not the way I used to believe it. At one time I would never hesitate to speak of my trust in God. I didn't care who I was speaking to...atheist, agnostic, friend or foe....I believed, therefore I shared with a convinced spirit, soul, mind and heart. So why am I no longer totally convinced that God loves me with a fierce love? Though I have long forgiven, (to the best of my human ability), the two Christians who deeply hurt me over two years ago, the consequences of their lack of love and caring about me as a human being...never mind their sister in Christ, has left deep scar tissue. The scars have effected my ability to trust in the Lord, which leads to a lack of desire to share Christ with others. If I am not convinced, neither with those I share with be convinced - they will sense my hesitation and lack of personal conviction.

Friends, please pray that in 2009 I will know once again how long, deep and wide the love of God is for me.

Julie (LM)

Christmas Birthday Girl

Dear Vicki...I am glad that we have more than one little bird in here that is not afraid to spill the beans!
Wishing you a very Happy Birthday and a Merry Christmas!!!!!Love Terry


Sorry excuse for a cake this is for sure!

Vicki's Birthday

LATE BREAKING NEWS!!!

Hey Pals! I just learned that today is our Southern belle Vicki's birthday. I know which birthday it is but I'm not telling.

She has already turned 40 but she's not 60 yet. Somewhere in between.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Vicki! We love you and praise God that you are a faithful, praying PILGRIM PAL!

Have a great day, sharing your birthday with JESUS!

Laura's Favourites...

I've taken the liberty of "stealing" the following post from Laura's blog entitled A Perfecting Love. I'm sure she won't mind. Good stuff! - David

Laura writes:

I've posted them before, but here are my favourite stanzas from familiar carols. - Laura

The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight

Holy Infant so tender and mild

Twas a humble birthplace, but oh how much, God gave to us that day, From the manger bed, what a path was led, what a perfect, holy way

Then pauled the bells more loud and deep

God is not dead, nor doth He sleep

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail

With peace on earth, good will to men

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is place

Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother

And in His name all oppression shall cease!

The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,

In all our trials, born to be our friend,

He knows our need - to our weakness no stranger!

Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing

Christmas Greetings to all the Pilgrim Pals

Greetings, pals! Don't you wish we could all be together to celebrate the birth of our Wonderful Savior, Jesus Christ, Emmanuel.

Rodney in Australia, Amrita in India, Felisol in Norway, all our American pals and the Canucks from here in Canada. Wouldn't it be great to have a pre-heaven retreat? What stories we could tell of God's faithfulness.

I wish each of you God's best on this very special day. May the King of Glory meet your every need as you trust Him.

You are all very special to me and I thank God for your prayers, your friendship, your encouragement and your partnership in the gospel.

O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!

~ David for all the Pilgrim Pals

Praise Report

Thank you for praying dear Pals.

The Lord diffused the strife attack in my church.

The unpleasant couple came to us and

invited us for Christmas lunch

at their house.

We are not surprised because they

are God 's children, and when we are

listening to Him, He shows us the way.

My church

____________________

If my Dad was alive it would

have been my parent 's

50th wedding anniversary today.

I posted their photos

on MY BLOG

Love Joy and Peace to all of you at Christmas

Posted by Amrita

Share Him

if you have difficulty reading this,
click on the picture to enlarge it.

blessings
donna

Joy To The World!!

Hi Pals!

It has always made me sad to hear about things like Christmas celebrations being banned in schools and stores not being allowed to hang banners or make window decorations that say "Merry Christmas". It seems that as the years go by Christmas becomes less and less about Christ's birth. That's why I was OVERJOYED today to be sitting in the staff room eating my lunch when the sounds of "Joy to the World" could be heard coming out of the children's room down the hall. At the library we have a children's group that comes in every Monday afternoon to sing songs and play games. To hear all their little voices singing out "Joy to the world, the Lord is come" has kept a smile on my face all afternoon! Christmas plans are becoming a pain this year with everyone fighting over what to do (my grandmother even threatened to sit in her apartment all alone on Christmas! Luckily, that's been resolved), that I've kind of enjoyed being isolated from it all and just focusing on work, but it's always nice to get a boost of Christmas spirit. What are all the Pals favourite Christmas carols? My all-time favourite is O Holy Night...it gives me chills everytime I hear it!

Also, I was thinking about all the Pals and their Christmas plans, and was thinking that maybe we could put together a list of all the Pals who are travelling this Christmas, or who have family and friends travelling? That way we can all pray for each other's safe travel. I'm headed back to Ottawa for a week and I'll be leaving Tuesday around lunchtime. Anyone else on the roads or in the air?

~Lauren-Mary

Need your Prayers

Hindu fundamentalist groups issued a warning to the Government that if by Dec 15th the murderers of their leader are not arrested they would strike back at Christians in Orissa on Christmas Day.
\On Dec 15th the Hindu organization's ultimatum to the government expired . Their demands have not been met: even though the police have detained two more people for questioning in connection with the murder of a Hindu leader on August 23, no one has been actually charged with the murder. The stage is now set for them to carry out their threat to force everything in Orissa to close on Christmas Day. Since Christmas is already a holiday, they are expected to march out against anyone celebrating Christmas.They are likely to turn violent.
In the mean time the Maoist (communists) who have already claimed to have killed the Hindu priest, have sent a threat letter to another important Hindu leader in Orissa - the Shankarachariya of Puri.
Christians in Orissa and everywhere else are in grave danger.
Prayers are needed.
______________________________
I am writing with a rather heavy heart .
Today after church a strife like situation developed in a business meeting.In a leadership position you cannot be a people pleaser , sometimes you have to say "No" which leads to someone trying to step on your face.It involved me and a husband and wife. I explained my position and the husband took it very decently but the wife was very hostile.She has been that like since several days.
My Mom and I were deeply affected by this.In the evening the Lord sent a lovely Christian family to cheer us up and we had a long talk with my sister and BIL ending with a prayer time over the Internet which comforted us. Please pray for us.My mother is feeling very low and depressed and I am having occasional anxiety attacks....the devil 's fiery darts.
Also a man who did some building work for the church presented us with a unfair extra bill after we paid him. He is a vicious man and could be of formidable danger to us.
Goliath has reared his ugly head.Prayers are needed

Posted by Amrita

In My Email This Morning

What Child Is This?

READ: Luke 2:25-35
This Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel . . . that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. -Luke 2:34-35
One of our most beloved Christmas carols was written in 1865 by William Dix, an Englishman who managed a maritime insurance company and loved to write hymns. Sung to the English melody "Greensleeves," some versions use the latter half of the first verse as a chorus for the other verses:
This, this is Christ the King,Whom shepherds guardand angels sing;Haste, haste to bring Him laud-The Babe, the Son of Mary.
But in other versions, each stanza is unique. The second verse, rarely sung today, looks beyond the manger to the cross:
Why lies He in such mean estate,Where ox and ass are feeding?Good Christian, fear, for sinners here,The silent Word is pleading.Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,The cross be borne for me, for you.Hail, hail the Word made flesh,The Babe, the Son of Mary.
Simeon said to Mary, "This Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed" (Luke 2:34-35).
The Child of Christmas came to be our Savior. "Joy, joy for Christ is born, the Babe, the Son of Mary." - David C. McCasland
The birth of Christ brought God to man; the cross of Christ brings man to God



posted by Terry

Help!!!

Dear Pals:

I'm frustrated! The new layout doesn't show up on my desktop. I can't read the posts and the snowflake design won't download no matter how long I wait.

Amrita, did you have to pay for the design you're using? If not, I'd like to change back to something that I can manage more easily.

What do the rest of you think? Please let me know! Many thanks.

~ David, the Pilgrim Father

P. S. While I'm posting, here's a prayer request from our friend Paul Mackay. Please pray for his mother.

Paul writes:

Update on Mom

Mom has been on oxygen pretty much full time since May…. Her official diagnosis is
[ and please pardon the spelling ] Bronchiactis and COPD ….. scar tissue lines the lungs, making her lungs very weak and with a severe cough that often brings up blood…)

Yesterday was mom’s 70th birthday … we celebrated in a small way, as the official family party is after Christmas when all the kids and grand kids can be there…
Mom went out for supper at Kelsey’s … and came home feeling good, at least that is what we assumed from what she said.

Around midnight, she complained of a large pain in her right shoulder… something she’d never felt before…. She took some Muscle Relaxants and went right to sleep….

But awoke around 3:15 or so…. She told dad that she was going to increase the oxygen … as she was having a hard time breathing. When that didn’t work, she told dad that he had better call the ambulance .... the panic factor is not being able to breathe is something I can't imagine.....

At 3:45 the ambulance arrived and gave her more oxygen with Ventolin … which didn’t seem to help. They took her to the Belleville General ER just before 4 am…..

They took her right in, though they made dad and I wait in the waiting room… it was hard for dad to just sit there, as you can imagine.

Shortly after they took her in, they did an X Ray and discovered the right lung had collapsed. They froze her right side, and inserted a tube into her lung….. Once the tube was in, the oxygen level went right back to normal….

This was at about 6 AM ….. and mom began to rest comfortably, able to breathe again.

Dad and I came home around 6:30 and by 7:55, dad went back to the hospital and stayed pretty much all day. He is home resting now. Bruce and his family and Carol and her family have been in several times today and we are going to all take shifts tonight staying in ER with mom so that she is not alone.

The prognosis at this point is this : the tube is inserted and is allowing the lung to function properly. They are going to admit mom as soon as a room is available …. They will monitor the tube for a couple of days, and then clamp it off…. And watch her again for a couple of days to see if the lung will function without the tube. They HOPE that she will be home in 4 or 5 days… we hope it will be before Christmas!

Mom is comfortable now, and has her twinkle and sense of humour still intact!!

We are a little anxious as to how well her lung will bounce back…. Without the tube, and are really hoping she can be home for Christmas.

Thank you for the many many who emailed and called and have been praying. I have very much felt comforted today and I know this is because of your prayers!

Thank you!

Request

Next Monday, December 22, I am supposed to meet a friend for dinner. He is not a Believer (he says he is an Atheist - which I don't believe!). I do think he is very mixed up in his view of who our God really is. Anyway, dear friends, if you think of it, please pray that I have an opening to tell him about Jesus and why He came into our world. Pray that my friend's heart is opened for the planting of the seed of the Gospel, and that the seed would take strong root.

Thanks.

Julie (LM)

Friday Surgery

Good evening Pals....

I found out a few minutes ago that Vicki's husband is
scheduled for out-patient surgery on Friday...for a
kidney stone that is causing a blockage....I apologize
I don't know any more than that....please keep him and
Vicki in your prayers...

blessings
donna

Ring in the new

Dear friends,
I went plunged ahead and changed the background.i hope you all don 't mind. If you don 't like it I can revert to the old one.
Its kinda seasonal I thought.

Posted by Amrita

CHRISTMAS BOX

Hello Pilgrim Pals,

I've met this good and kind author on the internet, called John Cowart.
He and his son David have made a Christmas video.
Thought you might like to watch it.
http://www.cowart.info/blog/index.php

From Felisol

Blessings on Your Day

A little something to share before I head out the door
to Sunday Morning Worship.......time and time again the
few words written below have spoken to me and benefited
me richly in my walk with the Lord....


"Remaining faithful
in spite of opposition
will give us an opportunity
to make a difference."

...taken from a wise soul

Have a blessed day in the Lord.
donna

Questions?

Aren 't we cool?

No sorry

My real question is -

Would you like a template change?

If so I can install a new one.

It will not wipe out the contents of the page.

I like the new header photo.
Posted by Amrita

Pilgrim Scribbings - December's Featured Blog

NOTE to Terry and all the Pals:

Thanks for your vote of confidence. As you can see, I've added PILGRIM SCRIBBLINGS as the featured blog for December. Please come and visit me. I'm lonely! - David

Dear Pals...I don't know how to put the featured December blog in so the next best thing for me to do is post it!

If you want my opinion, I would really think that we feature, "Pilgrim Scribblings".Yep David Fisher himself!

When I first started blogging three years ago this December, I found a friend.
David Fisher had the same favourite southern Gospel group as I had and that is "Greater Vision".

And that is how I found him! From the first day I met David, his blog has been such an encouragement to me!

Alas! After David created Pilgrim Pals, his blog was not the first one that I checked every morning, nor the last one I checked every night. My daily comments made to him slowly slipped away and I was forever at the Pilgrim Pals.

I think that it is high time that we start to visit the old boy again and so that is why I vote him the featured bog of December.

What say Pals, eh?

Love Terry

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

Dear Pilgrim Pals,
Please pray for my blog friend Jeremy. He lives in CA. He is a brother in Christ, . Has been suffering from a very painful disease since the past 3 years. He is in constant pain and very very depressed at the point of ending his life. His medical insurance is also running out. He sees no hope in sight.He is in desperate need of prayer.

Posted by Amrita

God 's Cake

God's Cake

Sometimes we wonder, "What did I do to deserve this?" or "Why did God have to do this to me?" Here is a wonderful explanation!A daughter is telling her Mother how everything is going wrong, she's failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away.Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, "Absolutely Mom, I love your cake.""Here, have some cooking oil," her Mother offers. "Yuck" says her daughter."How about a couple raw eggs?" "Gross, Mom!""Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?" "Mom, those are all yucky!"To which the mother replies: "Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake! "God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning.Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.

_______________________________

I found this story on a blog and want to share it with all my Pals.

Great lesson to remember.

I will keep that in mind when I am baking a cake.

Posted by Amrita

388 Years Later...Still Going Strong

DID YOU KNOW???

Look at the date in fine print below the Pilgrims picture at the top of our blog. December 11th, 1620. The Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock 388 years ago today after leaving England where these non-conformists refused to adhere to the statutes of the Church of England.

Now, 388 years after the Mayflower's landing off the coast of American, the Pilgrim Pals are still going strong.

Not confined to the USA, we have Pilgrims in India, Norway, Australia, and even, yes "even" in Canada.

What a special group of Pals we are! Praying Pals who care for one another.

That's real Pilgrim's Progress!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

~ David

Don't Tell A Soul!

TODAY IS FELISOL'S AND GUNNAR'S BIRTHDAY!!!!

posted by Terry

Happy Birthday Felisol

Christian Glitter by http://www.christianglitter/.

Dear Felisol

Have a glorious Day with your loving family and friends.
May the Lord bless you and keep you safe and strong in the year to come.
I have posted a music video of Greig 's piano concerto for you to enjoy.
Love, Amrita

Happy birthday to Gunnar also.

Its wonderful both of you can celebrate together

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY

Posted by Amrita

Were it not for grace

Here is an excerpt of lyrics from one of my favourite songs.....If you were to cut me open, I am quite sure you'd find these words written all over my heart.

Were it not for grace

I can tell you where I'd be

Wandering down some pointless road to nowhere

With my salvation up to me

I know how that would go

The battles I would face

Forever running but losing the race

Were it not for grace

Posted by Laura

Kimberly, Erin's Mom Needs Our Prayers

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 06, 2008 10:51 AM, CST
Just wanted to Thank everyone for your prayers and words of encouragement also to update everyone, Kimberly came home this morning and is feeling better. She has to do several follow ups with different Drs. Her test results showed some concerns that she may have possibly MS or Lupus that is effecting her in several ways. Kimberly has 2 aunts with Lupus and it more fits her signs and symptoms as well. We continue to rely on God to supply our needs and answer our cries of prayer. We know he is the ultimate healer and supplier but as we all know His ways arent always our ways!!!! We Thank you in advance for your continued prayer and support during these trying Holiday times. As if these holidays werent going to be hard enough , and we already knew I have to have neck surgery Dec 22,now we have Kimberlys issues as well. I know God says he will never put more on us than we can stand, so I guess hes just making sure of the difference he has made in our lives, to have TOTAL and ULTIMATE Faith in Christ to provide and meet our very present needs!!! God Bless Everyone and Merry Christmas.
Erin, I Love and Miss you more than words could ever say but Im soooo glad to know you are just that extra special Angel Mommy, Dadddy and I need!!!!

Brian Malone
Kingsport, TN
United States

Dear Terry

Get Well Soon Terry
Love and

Hugs from Amrita

Posted by Amrita

Waiting on the Lord...

Hi Pals!

I have watched the brand-new movie "Fireproof" four times in the last 2 weeks....yes, I love it, and no, you can't buy it yet, but you can request it to review it, as I found out! There is a song on there that really struck me...it is called "While I'm Waiting" and it's by John Waller. I researched it and found the following verses that he put with it...here they are below:

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. Psalm 5:3

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. Psalm 27:14

Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield. Psalm 33:20

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Psalm 37:7

For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God. Psalm 38:15

I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1

And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him. Isaiah 3

The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. Lamentations 3:24


His explanation for the song is:

"The explanation for this song is simple, I was waiting on God and I was hurting when I wrote the lyrics. I probably wouldn’t have written
a song if my friend, Mike, hadn’t encouraged me to document what I was going through during that time. I’m sure there are few people
who can’t relate to this song, but the important thing to remember while we’re waiting on God is to not just wait but to actively wait.
Serve, worship and be faithful with what you have, where you are… “even while (you) wait.”

The song really hit home for me, so I am posting it here...I hope it encourages you, too. The scene in this youtube video is from Fireproof. When you see where it is in sequence of the movie, it is extremely touching...I cried the first few times when I watched that scene!



Enjoy, and God bless you as you patiently wait on Him!

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31

Love and Prayers,
Lil Pilgrim Pal

Prayers for Terry

Dear Pals,

Our dear sweet Terry is not feeeling well.....she is very weak, her legs are weak and she is not able to walk much.....please pray for her...she has said she is
calling the doctor (hopefuly tomorrow) to see if she can be seen now instead of
waiting for January.....Terry please keep us informed....you are deeply loved
by all of us....

blessings
donna

TRUST

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
I had an appointment today at my bank regarding a small Mutual Fund that I have had for the last four years. I, like many other people, have taken a major cut on investments over the last few months: I'm not one to take risks financially so I wanted to be sure that I could pull out my contributions to the fund before I lost a significant amount. As I left my appointment I couldn't help but think that in the midst of this crazy economic crisis (that's impacting the entire world), I am so thankful that we have a Savior that NEVER changes...a Savior who remains as faithful when the stocks crash as He is when they are soaring, a Savior whose promises are true...and a Savior we can have TOTAL CONFIDENCE in!!!

So many people place their trust...their security...their hope in the things of this world. Whether it's in finances, status and position, relationships, etc., they are placing their trust in things that can change, things that can be shaken, things that can fall apart. I'm so thankful, that we can place our trust in the name of the LORD...that we can live in joy and have perfect peace in knowing that our trust in HIM is stable and sure, regardless of what is going on in the world around us!! We can be certain that He is who He says He is!!!
Psalm 20:7

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

-Kelley-

'Tis the season!!

Usually Monday's are a bit of a drag, but this morning I woke up with a smile on my face. Why? In my mind, it's the first day of Christmas! I can't help it, every December 1 I get that same feeling of excitement...my favourite time of year has arrived! As much as I'm not a winter person, I absolutely love Christmas. I don't know, maybe it was the extra sugar from my advent calendar chocolate mixed with the joy of Christmas, but I was practically giddy all day today! I just wanted to be the first Pal to wish everyone else a very Merry Christmas season!
The theme of joy was in my morning devotions too. I read Romans chapter 12, and one verse stuck out in my mind:
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
-Romans 12:12
I thought about this verse all day. I love it when a verse or passage from a devotion stays with me for the day...amd I the only one? During my lunchbreak I was reading over some old Pilgrim Pal posts from the past year, and it really struck me how many trials and struggles we've all faced. I wanted to share this verse in particular with the Pals, so hopefully you will find as much encouragement in it as I did today. I kept repeating to myself "be patient in affliction" and reminding myself to take my worries and give them to God.

With all these winter storms hitting, I hope everyone stays safe!

~lauren-mary

I 've got a ticket to ride

Found this amazing photo on a

blog from missionaries in Kenya

Read the post

Posted by Amrita

God's presence in our storms...

"If you have the Shepherd, you have grace for every sin, direction for every turn, a candle for every corner, and an ANCHOR FOR EVERY STORM" (Quote by Max Lucado)

Last week I posted the following post on my blog "Dwelling in His Presence". I'm sharing it with you here as well but I'm also adding to the end of it some thoughts that I came across today as I was reading a Max Lucado Devotional on Matthew 14:25-33 (Jesus walked on water).

(Nov 21, 2008) This week I've found myself feeling like I'm in the midst of a storm...not really sure on how to accurately describe it except to say that I've had a lot of unrest. There are a few areas of my life that currently have a big "?" on them and this week those Question marks for whatever reason seem to have gotten even bigger.
As I type this we are expecting another major snow storm (2nd one this week) and they have been talking all day about how this storm is going to hit quickly and be extremely intense over this part of the Island. I'm thinking tonight about storms in our lives and how so often they seem to come out of no where and we find our selves in the midst of a storm, not knowing how we got there or how we can get out of it.
I AM SO THANKFUL that in the midst of the storm...in the midst of the confusion, doubts, unknowns and Question Marks...there is a GOD who is able to calm the storm and see us through the storm!!!
I'm so encouraged tonight by Job 40:6 "Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm:", this verse has been such a timely reminder to me of how even in the Midst of a storm...God STILL SPEAKS!!!
Whatever you may be facing today...be encouraged to know that you are not alone in the Storm...and that God will walk through the Storm with you...He will guide you and will speak to you through this time...Rest in HIM...
Psalm 107:28-30 28 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. 29 He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. 30 They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.

God's Presence (Max Lucado-on Matthew 14:25-33)

Their Question--What hope do we have of surviving a stormy night?

My Question--Where is God when his world is stormy?

Doubtstorms: turbulent days when the enemy is too big, the task too great, the future too bleak and the answers too few. Every so often a storm will come and I'll look up into the blackening sky and say, "God, a little light, please?" The light came for the disciples. A figure came to them walking on the water. It wasn't what they expected. Perhaps they were looking for angels to descend or heaven to open. Maybe they were listening for a divine proclamation to still the storm. We don't know what they were looking for. But one thing is for sure, they weren't looking for Jesus to come walking on the water..and since Jesus came in a way they didn't expect, they almost missed seeing the answer to their prayers. And unless we look, and listen closely, we risk making the same mistake. God's lights in our dark nights are as numerous as the stars, if only we'll look for them. "When Jesus comes," the disciples in the boat may have thought, "he'll split the sky. The sea will calm. The clouds will disperse." "When God comes," we doubters think, "all pain will flee. Life will be tranquil. No questions will remain." And because we look for the bonfire, we miss the candle. Because we listen for the shout, we miss the whisper. But it is in the burnished candles that God comes, and through whispered promises he speaks: "When you doubt, look around; I am closer than you think."

**I (Kelley) am still in the midst of a storm, but as this week has gone on God's lights in my dark nights are becoming clearer with each moment--I'm seeking to find the purpose in this storm--determined to be joyful in the midst of the storm--and confident that HE IS WITH ME THROUGH THE STORM!!! Be encouraged today....whatever you may find yourself in the midst of...to know that with HIM we truly have an ANCHOR FOR EVERY STORM!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, My American Pals

Happy Thanksgiving to our beloved American friends.

Wish I could join you for a big turkey dinner today.

We have so much to thank the Lord for! He has blessed us abundantly and we praise Him for everything He has showered upon us.

Have a wonderful day, dear friends, and don't eat too much!

Be blessed!

Gratefully,

David

Prayer Request

Will everybody please pray for Amrita.
There has been a terrorist attack in India and I don't even know how close she and her Mama are to it but it has me worried..Please pray for her and her fellow India Christians...........Love Terry

Happy Thanksgiving

Have a blessed Thanksgiving America Pilgrim Pals....love from your Canadian, Norwegian, Indian and Australian Pilgrim Pals!


posted by Terry

Biblical legacy of America

I received this article from my from my friend, and elder brother in Christ Vishal Mangalwadi. I taught his daughter too and his wife is a close friend of mine. They live in California now. Check out his website which I have linked.Vishal is an author, speaker and thinker of international fame. (International lecturer, social reformer and political commentator) He has written 13 books on Eastern religions and the New Age, India 's social problems and the impact of the Bible on the western world.He travels all over the world speaking in top universities, presenting Christ and engaging in open forums and debates.He is really a radical thinker. This is what he says about President Elect Barack Obama.SHOULD BARACK OBAMA SWEAR ON THE BIBLE ?Same-sex marriage is now being framed as a new Civil Right movement. Since the opposing view comes from the Bible, it will be cast as the enemy of progress, liberty and human rights. Will President-Elect Obama come under pressure to break with the past and "change" the tradition of a new President swearing on the Bible to take the Oath of Office? He may not succumb, but those concerned need to spark a public discussion on the place of the Bible in the past and future of American civilization?Most people have no idea that Mr. Obama was elected because of the Bible. It was the Bible that inspired America to abolish slavery, institute civil rights, and transform Europe's aristocratic culture (that would have elected Hillary Clinton or John McCain) in favor of meritocracy that elected a little-known member of a racial minority to its highest office. As you will see below, the Bible supplied the values that forced Hillary Clinton to support her opponent.A national conversation on the Bible is needed urgently because America has drifted so far from its heritage that the above claims would seem outrageous to most people. I presented a cultural case for the Bible in a lecture series at the University of Minnesota: "Must the Sun Set on the West? An Indian Explores the Soul of Western Civilization" (available from http://www.vishalmangalwadi.com/).The following are some of my reasons: Why Obama Should Swear on the Bible on January 20, '09 (Please strengthen, add or challenge this summary) 1st Segment: (5-7 minutes) Obama was Elected Because the Bible Made America a Meritocracy President-Elect Barrack Obama should place his hand on the Bible to take the Oath of Office because he owes his election to the Bible. How could Americans select Obama over distinguished rivals such as Hillary Clinton (former First Lady and Senior Senator from New York) and Senator McCain (war hero, Senior Senator with a distinguished pedigree and a wealthy, glamorous, socialite wife)? Negative reasons such as economic fears and an unpopular President were real factors behind Obama's success, but they would not have elected him in any other culture. America elected Obama because through the Puritans the Bible wrote the principle of meritocracy into the very DNA of America. John Winthrop, the first Governor of New England was not a nobleman. Class conscious English aristocrats would have never chosen him to lead the Company that came to colonize America. The Puritans accepted him as their leader only because they followed the Bible in putting ability above class and connections. (Expound David, Jesus and the 12 Apostles, 1 Corinthians 1:26-28 etc.) The Bible's emphasis that God prefers humble and capable follower-leaders is the reason why people coming from class-oriented European society metamorphosed into meritocracy in America. Obama won because (rightly or wrongly) the voters perceived him as the better leader. This American/biblical tradition of putting merit before pedigree, wealth or connections is one of the most important cultural reasons for America's intellectual and economic ascent over the rest of the world. By undermining the Bible, America will undermine its very soul - the secret of its corporate success: educational, scientific, technological, economic and political.2nd Segment: (5-7 Minutes) Obama was elected because the Bible ensured that Hillary Clinton had to Support Him Senator Hillary Clinton needed to do nothing to ensure that her supporters voted for McCain in order to defeat Obama. But her support for Obama was passionate, powerful and unequivocal, even if it came out of a broken heart. If Hillary Clinton were an Indian politician she would have gone as far as seeking a McCain-Clinton ticket! American culture, however, required her to support an opponent who had defeated her in an emotionally charged primary. Such trivial issues split Indian political parties that not one of our 900 registered political parties can even imagine holding "primaries". During the Democratic Convention, Mrs. Clinton asked her foot soldiers why they were campaigning for her during the primaries. She claimed that her election campaign was never about her. It was about America's greater good. She was fighting, she said, for certain moral principles and values and if her supporters understood her and cared for what she cared for, then they would have to rise above personal hurts and campaign vigorously (along with their former in-house rivals) to elect Obama. As an Indian, I want to understand what makes American politicians different from Indian politicians. Why didn't Hillary Clinton follow secular postmodern/Nietzschean "will to power?" Why was she able to submit the 'quest for personal power' to (what she considered) higher "moral" principles? When I heard her speech, as an Indian I assumed that her appeal was nothing more than political necessity; she could not be sincere; she could not really want her supporters to work for Obama. Yet, as the election unfolded it became clear that most of her supporters believed her and worked for Obama. I was still an Indian in my subconscious thinking but her supporters were biblical at the core of their being, even if they reject the Bible at a conscious level. I doubted Hillary's sincerity because secular universities deny that we live in a moral universe where moral laws are real and moral principles matter more than personal power. By doing so, secular intellectuals have made themselves incapable of helping our countries understand why American democracy still works. Hillary Clinton acted the way she did because she is an American and has the DNA of the American culture which was written by the Puritans who came seeking - not just gold - but the Kingdom of God. People followed the Lord Jesus in search of the Kingdom of God. He taught them that they cannot have God's Kingdom unless they deny themselves, take up their cross and follow him in sacrificing themselves for others. America loves to condemn its Puritan past. But the reality is that at its core American culture continues to be Puritan rather than postmodern. Had the Bible not been the soul of Western civilization, Obama could not have become the President. Therefore, it will be wise for him to honor the Bible at his inauguration. 3rd Segment; (5-7 minutes) Obama was elected because the Bible wrote the Truth of Human Equality into America's DNA Many American women supported Hillary Clinton because they do not experience themselves as equal to men. Indeed, it was "self-evident" that the secular media did not treat Governor Sarah Palin as a candidate "equal" to Joe Biden. The blacks voted for Obama because it has never been self-evident to them that they are equal to the whites. Human equality has never been self-evident in any culture at any period of history because it is not an observable, empirical, self-evident, scientific fact. Inequality is the observable fact. Equality appeared self-evident to the American Fathers only because their mental lenses were colored by the Bible. If the American Constitution were being written today, it would have to read, "We hold these truths self-evident that all human beings have evolved equal . . ." That would be an absurd statement because evolution is an explanation for the observable fact of inequality. No amount of intellectual juggling could build a case for equality on the basis of a belief in evolution. [The segment will discuss the historical and theological basis for America's faith in human equality, its relationship to Obama's election and why it would be a huge mistake if he saw himself as the answer to the hopes and dreams of the oppressed in our world. The best thing that he can do for the minorities in America and the oppressed for the world is to turn their attention to the Bible]
Posted by Amrita