From Across the Sea

Our beloved Felisol has been such an encouragement in recent weeks. Today was no exception. You could read the following sentiments in the "comments" section but I wanted to publicly thank Felisol tonight for her encouragement.

She writes the following from the far across the sea:

Dear Pilgrim Father,

Happy Father's Day from across the sea. You truly are a good father figure to all Pilgrims and I love you for that.

It's in a way only right that you too have to strive with all the difficulties, illness, exhaustion, lack of time and money and all the other things we mortals have to face. By sharing we also get to follow your way through the dark tunnels and into the open. Best of all, never have you forgotten to care about your fellow Pilgrims, not even in your darkest hours.

Let's hope we'll get to wander along further on.

I thank God for leading us and pray that He in His special way will bless this week in a new home for you and your family.

From Felisol

Happy Father's Day

Well, another Father's Day has almost passed. (The picture on the left is of Felisol and her father). We hardly had time to think about it today. We are down to the 11th hour (well, the 8th hour) at our old home. We'll have everything cleared out by midnight tonight, I hope.

I thought of my dad several times throughout the day. What a fine, godly man!

I also thought of LPP and the worsening condition of her father. LPP, we love you and we're praying for your dad.

We can't forget to pray for Terry's father, Dad Golden. God is going to gloriously save him one of these days.

We also pray for Donna's friend's father!

Thanks for your prayers over the past few weeks, dear Pilgrim Pals. You have refreshed the troubled spirit of this stumbling pilgrim. You have been a blessing! In several hours I'll leave for work and I trust I'll have a restful night! Keep abiding in the shadow of the Almighty One. ~ David, the pilgrim

P. S. Thanks for sharing that scripture verse, Laura. It's been a favourite of mine for many years. HE WILL BRING US THROUGH!

For a Little While...

Hi Friends! It's been a long and uncertain week for a few of our Most Special Pals. I've been praying that God would touch you in a very special way and give you an absolute sense of peace. I want to share with you a verse that was recently shared with me. It brought a real sense of calm as I reflected on it....

'And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.' 1 Peter 5:10

~Laura

For Us All!

Dear David...I can see how you were moved to tears.
Just lately Felisol has written a post about her Dad and the precious memories that they shared and this, I believe is what you were thinking about as you played the piano for your dear mom.....the old memories, of you being a naughty boy and not wanting to practise but your mom made you and look at the results!
Here you sit playing the beautiful hymns that must be so heart soothing to that dear widowed Mom of yours.
Just like David played the harp for Saul!
When we left my beloved Manitoba, there was a sing at somebodies house and the song that they sang was. "If We Never Meet Again This Side Of Heaven"
I cannot listen to that song now without out weeping! ...

Donna's Request

Our dear Pilgrim Pal Donna (pictured) has sent out the following request. Let's get behind Donna and send a note of encouragement as a comment on her prayer blog. See the link below or just click here.

Dear Friends,

Father's Day is quickly approaching and I need your help.

The last time I celebrated Father's day with my dad was 26 years ago. He died in 1982, a year and a half after my mom. Fond memories linger of him...his demeanor, his quirks, his smile and laughter, his voice, the roughness of his hands, his never ending efforts to be the best dad he could to eight children. He did not walk me down the aisle at my wedding, he never knew my children or grandbaby. I will always miss him....It seems so long ago that he was here; it seems long ago that I was young; unprepared to lose another parent within such a short span of time.

I have an on-line acquaintance, an internet friend, whose name I cannot mention. I also cannot provide explicit details. In fact, the only thing I can do is tell you the immediate need for prayer. Prayer, because I fear the reality I faced 26 years ago with my dad, may soon become a reality for my young friend..and family members.

I have anguished over the situation; it is delicate, private, and anonymity is imperative. Yet my heart's cry is to reach out into the blogging community for prayer and words of encouragement for my friend....a friend who may be spending the last father's day with a loving earthly dad....

Would you please do two things for me.....would you visit my prayer blog and leave a prayer or words of encouragement ? http://www.bhs-dsb.blogspot.com..... under the Post titled Psalm 46

and then.......

Would you send this email out to as many of your friends...and ask them to please do the same.....

The Christian blogging community has come together many times...we have stood strong in faith and love, bearing the needs of others, lifting our voices in praise and prayer to the Lord....asking for healing, comfort, courage, strength.....Thank you for joining me in prayer once again....

In His Love,

Donna

Moved To Tears

Today I stopped at my mother's home to say "hi" and to play a few hymns on her piano, the one I unwillingly practiced on 50 years ago as a kid.

The hymn book was opened to one of my all-time favourite hymns. You could fittingly classify this one as a missions anthem. It's compelling! It's victorious! It's moving!

As I played this piece of music I couldn't hold back the tears. What a glorious message we have to tell to the nations! Why are so few going, sending or supporting?

Here are those powerful lyrics:

O Zion, haste, thy mission high fulfilling,
To tell to all the world that God is light,
That He who made all nations is not willing
One soul should perish, lost in shades of night.

Chorus:

Publish glad tidings, tidings of peace;
Tidings of Jesus, redemption and release.

Behold how many thousands still are lying
Bound in the darksome prison house of sin,
With none to tell them of the Savior’s dying,
Or of the life He died for them to win.

Proclaim to every people, tongue, and nation
That God, in Whom they live and move, is love;
Tell how He stooped to save His lost creation,
And died on earth that we might live above.

Give of thy sons to bear the message glorious;
Give of thy wealth to speed them on their way;
Pour out thy soul for them in prayer victorious;
O Zion, haste to bring the brighter day.

Prayer for Christian based Job

I've been doing some job searching today and found a job right up my "alley" as they say. It is with a local Christian organization that ministers to the homeless and those going through other difficulties such as addiction recovery. The job is for an administrative assistant to the manager of fundraising. I could definately do the job! There is no doubt in my mind it would be a good fit for me. I just need to get an interview! With the 18 years administrative experience I offer and my heart for the poor - reflected in my Resume under volunteer experience, surely they will take notice of that!

My dear Pals, please ask our Heavenly Father in Jesus Name to open this door....to a new beginning - a fresh start in a job that will be rewarding knowing I am helping the poor in my own community.

Julie - Little Missionary

Where'd the bunny go?

Packing is fun, packing is fun, packing is fun.... whew...I keep saying that but I can't quite convince myself of it.

No....this is not the tower of babel.

Where did that Alfie get to? Alfie, oooh Alfie.....where are you? Come out come out wherever you are!

There you are - you silly bunny. My gosh, Terry said I should be careful not to pack you! Come out of there!

Now come on Alfie.....I promise I'll pack your Senator's blanket.

This packing moment brought to you by....

Julie - Little Packing Missionary!

An Anxious Heart

The following post appears on Pilgrim Scribblings today but I wanted to make sure that each of the Pilgrim Pals read these encouraging words. Be blessed today, dear friends, and be a blessing to others.

My dear friends Stephen and Brooksyne Weber (pictured) carry on a vital ministry of encouragement online. Their Daily Encouragement devotionals are always meaningful, Christ-centered and uplifting. Today's was no exception.

I've already been the recipient of God's loving kindness today. I was battling an anxious heart. Feeling overwhelmed by the cares of life, I called my dear friend and mentor Paul Collet and came away with a refreshed spirit. He cheered me up and my anxiety subsided.

Enjoy Stephen and Brooksyne's thoughts today:

"An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up" (Proverbs 12:25).

Have you personally experienced the first part of today's verse? That is; an "anxious heart""weighs a man down." Of course I know what your answer is to that question. Someone once defined worry as "a small trickle of fear that meanders through the mind, cutting a channel into which all other thoughts flow."

The perspective of trust is at the very heart of being a child of God. It's great to be a child of God today! My sins are forgiven and the God of the universe beckons me to call Him "Father." I have an assurance that He cares for me and His promise is that He will never leave me nor forsake me. Wow, if I just keep that bright perspective the troubling "things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace."

But I still find myself identifying with the first phrase in the daily verse. An inner battle rages between trust and worry. Trust dispels worry, but much like the popup figures in an arcade shooting gallery, worry tends to keep popping back up!

The anxieties of this life really do weigh one down. Sometimes it seems they really press on the heart and one can literally feel the weight (the KJV says it "maketh it stoop"). I'm sure most of you know what I mean. And I wouldn't be surprised if some of you reading this message are experiencing a heavy anxious heart even now.

Thank God for the power of a kind word! I have so often been the recipient of such words. An earnest "I'm praying for you", a caring "How's your health?", or a sincere "I really appreciate you." Words like these really cheer the heart up and in each of the above examples I can recall a specific instance that I continue to draw energy from. The word for "cheer" is literally derived from a Hebrew word meaning to "brighten up."

I hope you receive some kind words today and dispense some kind words yourself, as you fulfill the Biblical principle of sowing what you desire to reap.

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, the cares of this world often press in on us and weigh our hearts down. It's not your desire that we carry a heavy load because You are the Burden Bearer. You use the difficult circumstances of our lives to bring glory to Yourself as You bring spiritual maturity into our relationship with You. Our faith is strengthened and our understanding deepened as You take the evil that Satan hurls at us and turn it into glorious occasion for Your power to be released and deliverance to take place. You are the same God who led us into battle that will also lead us to victory in Jesus name, amen.

Getting Settled

Terry (and all the pals):

Thanks so much for rallying the Pilgrim Pals to pray! It means so much! It was great to encourage one another on the phone last night. Thanks for blessing so many of the Pals.

Last night was the first time I've worked at Christian Horizons since we moved. I spent the evening moving desks and computers with a good friend from the church. I called Terry while I was waiting for John.

By the time I got to work I was exhausted and was sure glad to climb into bed. It's nice getting paid to sleep isn't it!

Today I'm feeling a little better. There is so much to do. The grass is getting real long and I don't have the riding mower here yet.

Thanks so much for your prayerful concern, dear friends! Without your support this transition would be much more difficult than it's been.

God is faithful! I pray that I won't forget it! Felisol always sends my words back to me and I appreciate that so much. I need to heed my own advice.

Blessings!

~ David, the Pilgrim