Carrying Books or Burdens

My Pilgrim Pal friend Saija posted this comic but graphic picture on her Thro' A Glass Darkly blog recently.

How the Father longs to carry our burdens and yet we struggle beneath the weight of them all.

"Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall." - Psalm 55:22 (NIV)

~ David

Felisol's Dad Arne Ljung

Arne Ljung born January 27th 1921

This fine looking Christian gentleman is our Felisol's father.
This picture was taken two years ago by Gunnar on Dad Ljung's birthday.
His name "Arne" means, "Eagle".
Felisol has a lovely poem on her blog which her dad loved.
I have found a nice recitation of it on You Tube.
Blessings to the Ljung family and our prayers are always with you.
We will all see Dad Ljung again.
What a promise from the Lord Himself!

http://felisol.blogspot.com/



Dad Ljung went home to be with the Lord Jesus June 1 2007.

Revelation 14:13
"And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them."

Standing on the Promises of God

A rose from our garden for all Pilgrim Pals specially for Terry, David and Maria. With my prayers for God 's healing touch and grace.
Standing on the Promises of God is one of my favourite songs.
The Startler Brothers sing it with such vigor.



Posted by Amrita

THANK YOU!

Dear Pals:

Thank you for lifting up our dear friend Terry before the Lord in your prayers. She is such a supportive and caring Pilgrim Pal.

Please keep me in your prayers this week. On Thursday I'm having one of those dreaded colonoscopys and I'm not looking forward to it. I've been having severe abdominal discomfort for quite some time and the specialist wants to get to the bottom (pun not intended) of the situation.

The procedure will take place in a Toronto hospital this Thursday morning at 10:30. Thanks for your prayers.

And finally, it was such a blessing to meet LPP (Little Pilgrim Pal), Little Montreal Girl and their brother at the Hockey Ministries International outreach breakfast last Saturday morning! What a wonderful surprise! More about that later.

God's best to you all!

~ David

For All Of My Pals

Love Terry

Prayers For Terry

Our sweet Terry is in need of our prayers......I do not have all the intricate details of her situation, but do know that she has been diagnosed with myotonis dystrophy, which may mean heart surgery. She has been referred to the doctor
of her sister Betty.

Please, please, please keep her in your prayers and thoughts....

dear Lord please heal, comfort and strengthen our dear friend and sister
Terry......

.....more later.

blessings
donna

P.S. Terry I couldn't wait a day longer to rally the
troops here at pilgrim pals....so hope you don't mind..

Hi from LPP!

Hi Pals!

I am so sorry I have been absent from Pals for ages...you probably forgot all about me and my family, right?! Just teasing... Well, I haven't forgotten any of you and keep all of you in prayer.

Today was a special day in many ways for me...I got to cover an event I have been looking forward to since April...I got to interview hockey greats I have only dreamed of meeting (and they were so easy to interview and so kind to a beginning journalist like me!)...

and guess who my brother and sister and I got to meet there at this event?

Pilgrim Fisher himself!!! Yes, we had the priviledge of meeting David Fisher, and what a special person he is! I was just picking up my ticket when I turned around and saw him standing a few feet behind me at the silent auction table. I turned to PrayingSensFan aka Little Montreal Girl and said, "Look! There's Mr. Fisher...I think!" In a few minutes we made our way, and sure enough it was him! And would you believe it, he even paid for my ticket (sorry, Mr. Fisher, I just had to mention that! It meant a lot to me!). Oh, and the event? The HMI All-Star Breakfast in Montreal! Wow, was it ever a great event. I'll have a story up on my aunt's website next week, Lord willing...her website has been having a lot of problems lately that she's trying to iron out.

Okay, I have to run...I have been so busy lately with writing (right now for three different publications!) and last week I was named co-ordinator and contact person for an upcoming movie night at our church (we're showing Fireproof on Valentine's Eve!).

I do miss y'all on Pals...by the way, where is everyone???

Love and Prayers,
LPP, who is very grateful for God's unchanging faithfulness and unwaivering love!

Please pray for my family

Sister Anju and BIL Prem
Mahima and Ash

Mahima

Dear Fellow Pilgrims ,I am sending this prayer request on behalf of my sister Anju and BIL Matthew Premkumar. The company he worked for in NB has closed down.Prem is looking for a job and it means they have to sell their house and re-locate. My niece Mahima would be graduating from High School next year. She will take it very badly when she hears she may have to leave her School. This is a tender period of her life and she is a part of a group of 9 very close girlfriends. They call them the nine sisters.Her parents have not broken this news to her yet.And for this reason I am not posting this on my blog, as she reads it. Prem, Anju, Mahima and son Ash (college) are very strong and committed Christians. Please pray for peace and comfort and God 's direction in their lives.For God to open new doors for Prem and Anju.And please pray specially for Mahima - that God may prepare her heart to receive this news which will cause dismay and disappointment. We all have been very upset and troubled by this news, but God is comforting us. Thank you for your prayers.

Posted by AMRITA

Hello!

Hello Everyone!

This is my very first post on this blog!

I'm a Christian, and my #1 desire is to serve and honer him!

I'm a Nazarene and my dad is a Nazarene evangelist and goes and preaches around the U.S.A.

I also have another blog, Powerplay 4 Him, you can all check that one out as well! You will be able to read my profile to read more about me, and you all can be sure to LEAVE A COMMENT!

I can't wait to post, and I love knowing that if there is anything I need to request prayer for I know I can post and ask all of you!

Thank you,

and

God Bless !!!!

I will start right out by asking for some prayer for my grandparents, my G'ma hasn't been feeling well lately.

THANK YOU!

~Nikki

I added a link to my other blog on the sidebar!

It' s,

Powerplay4him

What can wash away my sins?

Location of Allahabad

Pilgrims taking a holy bath

(Below) Sangam the holy confluence of 3 rivers

All these photos are from the www.

A month long Hindu festival or religious congregation is taking place on the banks of the Ganges River in my city. The Hindus believe that if they take a sacred bath in the river on certain auspicious days their sins will be washed away and they come closer to heaven.

Here is what I found on the web.

The Biggest Bath in the World
Magh Mela is underway in Northern India, a cleansing ritual in the troubled Ganges for millions of pilgrims.
At the water’s edge, Magh Mela in Allahabad Photo: Alf Berg
At the new moon, during the sun’s season in Capricorn, the faithful come to Allahabad in Northern India. Here three rivers cross: the sacred Ganga (Ganges), the Yamuna, and the Saraswarti. (The latter, mentioned over and over in the Rig Veda, was long considered mythological, but scientists are proving otherwise; it’s real.)
This confluence, considered one of the most sacred sites in all India, draws believers each January for the Magh Mela, a 15-day festival of bathing. “Tents and huts sprout along the banks which come alive to chanted mantras, and chiming bells, sacred dips and the fragrance of incense and flowers. A huge township springs up on over 25 acres of vacant land, and elaborate arrangements are made to provide security and regular infrastructure to the approximately 40,000 sadhus, 500,000 kalpavasis and 20,000 people who come for a few days.”
__________________

What can wash away my sins

Nothing but the blood of Jesus

Posted by Amrita

When Your Sails No Longer Have Wind

I receive a daily devotional by email - thought I'd share this one:

Julie (LM)

When Your Sails No Longer Have Wind

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman01-09-2009
He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven (Ps 107:29-30).
Imagine for a moment you began an exciting sailing adventure. You've been trained to navigate and sail on the ocean and be ready should trouble arise. You are confident you can handle the challenge. However, midway in the journey your resources have dried up. It almost seems God has intentionally destroyed all the skills you have to deal with the weather and the obstacles and your sails are now damaged. Even your engine has broken down. And to make matters even worse, your oars were lost overboard. You are stuck in the middle of the ocean and there is no wind to propel your boat. You are, as they say, "up the creek without a paddle."
All of this leads you to the end of yourself and you say, "Lord, I don't know why you brought me out here only to die." The silence is deafening.
Finally, the Lord speaks, "Yes, you are right. I did bring you out here. I did destroy your sails. I did break your engine. And yes, I do want you dead. Not in a physical sense, mind you, but in a spiritual sense. In order that you may LIVE."
"You see my child, you are nothing without Me. You cannot do anything without my grace and power in your life." The sailor quietly yields. Suddenly, a gentle wave lifts the front of the boat. An easterly wind blows through the broken sail moving the boat in the right direction. You realize God is moving your boat! Your role now is to steer it.
Do your sails no longer have wind to move you? Is your engine broken? Does it feel like God has propelled you into the open sea only to stop midway with no options? Perhaps He is saying it is time to die in order that He might live through you. Give the Lord total control today and you will see His wind moving through your tattered sails.

Pilot-Mom Claire Is The Birthday Girl!

Happy Birthday, Special Treasure

God gave a gift to the world when you were born—
a person who loves, who cares,
who sees a person’s need and fills it,
who encourages and lifts people up,
who spends energy on others
rather than herself,
someone who touches each life she enters,
and makes a difference in the world,
because ripples of kindness flow outward
as each person you have touched, touches others.

Your birthday deserves to be a national holiday,
because you are a special treasure
for all that you’ve done.

May the love you have shown to others
return to you, multiplied.
We wish you the happiest of birthdays,
and many, many more,
so that others have time to appreciate you
as much as we do.


By Joanna Fuchs

Happy Birthday Pilot-Mom from all of the Pilgrim Pals!
[in three shades of green...your favourite color!]

Happy Birthday Pilot Mom

Today is our Pilgrim Pal Pilot Mom's birthday. Claire (her "real" name) hasn't been dropping by for many visits to Pilgrim Pals lately but we love her and cherish her friendship. Maybe by lavishing her with Birthday Greetings we can encourage her to visit more often. So, Pilot Mom, we wish you God's richest blessings in the year ahead and trust that you will continue to bask in His love. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, friend!

Check out Pilot Mom's blog here.

Happy Birthday Mom Fisher

Proverbs 31:
10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her
16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.



This I found at Pilgrim Fisher's blog

David writes,
"I'm not sure if I've ever posted this picture but if I did it was a couple of years ago at least. Thought you might like to meet my siblings and my mom. The picture was taken at a family wedding here in Peterborough.

Front left to right: Mark, Dan, David, Beth, Jim, Mom and Jon

People run when they see us coming! Seriously, the Lord has richly blessed me with a wonderful family. It was mom who led me to the Lord 55 years ago! THANKS, MOM!"

Here is Mom Fisher's and all of the Pilgrim Pal's hero, Mike Fisher, Mom's beloved nephew!



HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR LADY JEAN
.......Love from all of the Pilgrim Pals!

Welcome Nikki

Dear Pals:

Greetings! I'd like to introduce a new Pilgrim Pal, Nikki Rittgers (pictured here...the one in the middle). I wrote about Nikki and her sister Tori recently here on Pilgrim Pals. Here's the link to that post

Let's welcome our newest (and youngest) Pilgrim Pal. What a great addition!

~ David

Nikki writes:

Hello:

I'm new, and am a CHRISTian, I have another blog also, it is:

http://wwwnikkisnotes.blogspot.com

You can check it out. My posts are going to be prayer requests and I will also come here for some support! I love the Lord with all of my heart!!!

I can't wait to get to know all of you and become good friends! I have to go eat supper, but I thought I would just check in and say hi!!! But I will post later and give you all some more information on myself!

God Bless,
~Nikki

God's chosen people once more are under attack.
A whole world is as always turning their back to Israel's problems.
Pray for peace and that the Israelites must be allowed to live behind safe borders.
Psalm 137:5
If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.

Prayer Request From Amrita

I want to wish all my buddies a
VERY HAPPY AND PEACEFUL
2009
Thank you for your greetings.
_________________
This is quite a crazy time for my family and me.
My Dad 's elder brother 's widow
80+ year old Aunt Virginia was in pain since
Dec 21st.Mama and I are her only relatives. (She does not have children
and her brother 's children don 't care.)
We got a doctor to examine her and it was discovered that she has
fractured her hip bone and needs to have a steel
rod inserted through surgery.
On Dec 31st we got her admitted in the hospital.
Jan 1st was a crazy day as we had to arrange for a
blood donor. My Pastor and his wife were a tremendous help. Around midnight he found a donor.
The surgery was scheduled for Jan 2nd at 9 am.
We all assembled in the hospital ,
the nurses prepared auntie.
Prayers were said and we waited for them to wheel
her into the OT.
After a long wait (10.30am)
they told us that the operation
has been postponed till Jan 3rd. as
one of the surgeons on the team took off on an emergency leave.
So we have to go through the whole process this morning which is very draining emotionally and physically.
_________________
Apart from all this I 've been
trying to juggle other activities like
a birthday celebration
a wedding reception
a pre-wedding ceremony (today Jan 3)
a cousin 's wedding (Jan 5th)
Hospitality
guests and visitors
Taking care of Mom 's needs and
house chores.
Sonia is a great help.
________________
PRAYER REQUEST
Please pray for Aunt Virginia.
The doctors have cautioned us that the surgery
is risky due to her age is weak physical condition.
We are very anxious and worried because of that.
Posted by Amrita at Saturday, January 03, 2009

A Bit of Spurgeon

"Continue in prayer."
Colossians 4:2

It is interesting to remark how large a portion of Sacred Writ is occupied with the subject of prayer, either in furnishing examples, enforcing precepts, or pronouncing promises. We scarcely open the Bible before we read, "Then began men to call upon the name of the Lord;" and just as we are about to close the volume, the "Amen" of an earnest supplication meets our ear. Instances are plentiful. Here we find a wrestling Jacob-there a Daniel who prayed three times a day-and a David who with all his heart called upon his God. On the mountain we see Elias; in the dungeon Paul and Silas. We have multitudes of commands, and myriads of promises. What does this teach us, but the sacred importance and necessity of prayer? We may be certain that whatever God has made prominent in his Word, he intended to be conspicuous in our lives. If he has said much about prayer, it is because he knows we have much need of it. So deep are our necessities, that until we are in heaven we must not cease to pray. Dost thou want nothing? Then, I fear thou dost not know thy poverty. Hast thou no mercy to ask of God? Then, may the Lord's mercy show thee thy misery! A prayerless soul is a Christless soul. Prayer is the lisping of the believing infant, the shout of the fighting believer, the requiem of the dying saint falling asleep in Jesus. It is the breath, the watchword, the comfort, the strength, the honour of a Christian. If thou be a child of God, thou wilt seek thy Father's face, and live in thy Father's love. Pray that this year thou mayst be holy, humble, zealous, and patient; have closer communion with Christ, and enter oftener into the banqueting-house of his love. Pray that thou mayst be an example and a blessing unto others, and that thou mayst live more to the glory of thy Master.
The motto for this year must be,
"Continue in prayer."



Charles Spurgeon
Morning Devotion
Heartlight 01/02/09



posted by donna