WHEN IT IS HOPELESS

THERE IS HOPE

Tonight, R.A. Dickey, last years Cy Young winner as Major League Baseballs best pitcher is pitching for the Toronto Blue Jays against the Houston Astros.    As baseball's best pitcher Dickey is at the top of his game.   It was not always so.    In fact, there was a time when he wanted to end it all and escape the pain that he felt inside.

 

Perhaps you too have had that feeling.   That there was no hope for your situation.   That you were not worthy or that the hurt inside was unbearable and perhaps even unexplainable.    Dickey's search for healing and redemption is a powerful story of the grace of God that brings hope when there is no hope.

 

R.A. Dickey debuted his knuckleball by breaking one of baseball’s worst pitching records, giving up an unbelievable six home runs in one game.    Sent to the minors and faced with the failure of his pitching dream, Dickey decided to end his life. He duct taped a hose to his car’s exhaust pipe, connected it to the driver’s side window, and placed his hand on the ignition.    It was about more than his dream failing.    It was about the babysitter who molested him as a child, about the man who raped him, his need for cleansing and purpose in life.     He had hoped  baseball would give him meaning and a way to escape the pain of his past, but all that seemed impossible now.    He couldn’t see how R.A. Dickey would one day find healing and redemption and success beyond his wildest dreams.

 

Click the link below to see an incredible video of R.A. Dickey's journey from hopelessness to hope.

 

http://www.iamsecond.com/seconds/ra-dickey/

Please leave your comments in the section below  by clicking on "Comments" or if you are the first "No Comments" or on the little pencil."    Share your thoughts, your stories, your experiences.



30 YEARS

AND THE LOVE GOES ON

In our day of quick marriage and easy divorce, it's refreshing to see people who continue faithful to their marriage vows, not with reluctance but with excitement.

Recently a couple in our church celebrated 30 years of happy marriage.    Jim works for security at the Rogers Centre here in Toronto so he gets to see pretty much every Blue Jays baseball game.     Pat, his wife works in an office.   They are humble hard working people.


On the occasion of their 30th Anniversary,  Jim sat down to do some reflecting.   With his permission,  I've used it for todays blog.    It is a reminder of the ups and downs and the hard work of marriage.    It is also a reminder that good marriages take a lot of hard work, faith, and prayer.    I tip my hat to my friends  Jim and Pat Pezzack.

30^th Wedding Anniversary!

                                                                                  Of

 Patricia Ruth & Alan James 

What’s My Secret to My Marriage? …. Patricia Ruth!.....A Happy Wife =  A Happy Life! 

Well, it’s July 16^th once again….a time to remember that at 3:20 p.m. that Saturday Afternoon on July 16, 1983…..the hottest day of the Summer…..we got married! 

30 Years of Marriage …..the ups and downs …..the moves…..the friends…..the jobs…..the children…..the injuries…..the vacations…..it’s been the best of times…..it’s been the worst of times…..but, our love is here to stay! 

30 Years of Marriage…..the Game of Love…..wearing white was in style even before “Sensation”…..Pat’s Game developed …..especially when there was a strong wind….

.My Game…..1997 and 98 were two very good years!

30 Years of Marriage…..Parents…..the Carson’s side …..the sermons…..the handshakes…..the churches…..the gifts of love…..I cried…..when they were gone!

The Pezzack’s side…..the baby sitting……till illness …..but, the family motto lives on,  to “love one another”! 

30 Years of Marriage…..Parenthood….the work…..the pleasure…..the education…..the movies and TV……from the Elephant Show to Glee…..where did the time go! 

30 Years of Marriage…..Tara and Darryl……starting their careers…..one in Retail…..the other in Movies???.....still living at home…..showing their parents new ways…..new friends……a new baby for the family…..Thor (a dog????)…..and adding financial support to the nest! 

30 Years of Marriage…..New Careers…..Customer Services for Me at the Rogers Centre….

.Crossing Guard for Pat…..both loving the smiling faces of the children as they say, “thank you”!  

30 Years of Marriage…..well, let’s just make it another 30 Years of Marriage….and show the younger generation we still have it…..”A “S.M.I.L.E.” approach that everyone just loves!!! 

My Nightly Prayer…..”Thank you Lord, for Pat, my Wife …..for Life!!!” 

Well, it’s July 16^th once again……a Time the Pezzack’s Love to Remember!!! 

Thank You Lord ….for July 16^th!!!

(Please leave your comments and experiences by clicking on the little pencil found in the grey box at the bottom of this article)

THINGS GOD TAUGHT ME

ON MY VACATION 

(part 3)

 

It’s been several weeks now since my vacation but there are two more things that God taught me about myself that I want to share with you.    I do this, not because I am someone special in who’s life you should be enthralled, or that I have some special insight that others cannot have.    My purpose is that sharing my experience with God might encourage you that while on your own vacation you might be deliberately more sensitive to what God might be saying to you. Since many of us living busy lives face some of the same issues, perhaps God will use these to prime the pump of your own thinking.    The wonderful thing is that God is always willing and even anxious to spend intimate time with us and draw us even closer to Himself. 




I Need To Live A More Disciplined Life Because God Created Me For His Purposes

The business of life leaves us with little time for intimacy with God.     You wake up in the morning and rush off to work.     When you get home the family requires your time and the everyday business of running a home and keeping the car running and the yard looking good cry out for your time.      Add to that your involvement at the church and in the community and there is very little time to invest in time alone with God or for that matter, accomplishing His mission in the world.

The fact is that God is on Mission to redeem the world and our highest calling couples us  
together with that mission.     His mission is our mission, however these everyday life needs seem to leave little room for accomplishing God’s Mission.     Yet, this is exactly why God has redeemed us and there is no greater fulfillment we will ever experience than to know that we are in sync with God in fulfilling this ultimate mission.     Somehow we have to get our lives in sync with the Mission of God (missio dei) to reconcile lost humanity to Himself.

As I thought and prayed about this on my vacation, I came to the conclusion that I need to  live a more disciplined life. It’s not that I don’t work hard, I certainly do.     It’s just that sometimes I’m undisciplined.     For instance, I’ve been wanting to write a course on "How To Study The Bible For Yourself" for several years.      I’ve made some progress but this project is still incomplete.     If I were to develop a project time line with some completion dates and discipline myself to stick to the plan, I could finish that project before the end of the year.      I just need the discipline and the result would be greater honour to God and perhaps a tool that many others could use for their journey.

I know that being physically fit will enable me to serve God longer and better.     I know that I am getting really out of shape.     It does me no good to lament the fact that I’m getting out of shape.      I’ve got to do something about it.     It takes discipline of time and motivation to get to the gym on a regular basis.     I’ve got to discipline my time in order to make it to the gym on a regular basis so I have to schedule it into my week and then I’ve got to discipline myself to stop what I’m doing and go to the gym as scheduled.      No one is going to do it for me.     I have to discipline myself (I’m asking the Holy Spirit for help).

Discipline calls for a plan and the motivation to stick to the plan.      Perhaps you too have things you’d like to accomplish or ministries you’d like to be involved in and it seems you don’t have the time.      Discipline is the key.     It tough.      No one is going to make you do it.      Why not ask God to help you live a more disciplined life, set a target and get to it.

 

I Need To Learn To More Accurately Discern God’s Voice

This is a tough one. How do I know when it’s Rick’s idea and when it’s God’s idea?     I want to walk in God’s ways and accomplish His plan and His will in my life.     I want to tie into what God is up to. In order to do that I need to be able to discern His voice over all the other voices that call for my attention.      I know it involves knowing the Word of God and reliance upon the Holy Spirit.      I’m sure it also involves slowing down and being quiet so that when He whispers in my ear, I can hear. I’m going to be asking Him to help me listen more carefully.

God bless you as you enjoy your vacation this summer.     Remember, your vacation provides you with a great opportunity to slow down and listen to what God might be speaking into your life.     Sure, enjoy time with your family.     Enjoy the sights and sounds and attractions but in the quieter, slower pace of life that vacations provide, but make sure you take some precious time to be with God and listen for what He might want to teach you on your vacation.



THINGS GOD TAUGHT ME

ON VACATION

 

Ah, the lazy crazy days of summer.   After our long and harsh winters, us Canadians have special appreciation for summer vacations when we can get outside and enjoy the fresh air.    Mostly, for me anyway, those vacations are about relaxing and breaking the routine of a busy work schedule.   I don't go on a vacation to write a book or a new sermon series.   I just go for fun.

That doesn't mean however that there is nothing serious going on or that my mind stops working.   In fact, when I slow down for vacation with not much on my agenda,  my life is quieted and the relaxed pace actually allows me to listen more carefully to the voice of God and He is able to speak into my life.    Here's a couple of things He taught me on my recent vacation.

 

I Haven't Been As Dependent On The Holy Spirit As I Ought To Be

The Holy Spirit is not someone I call on for a little bit of power when I need it.   

It is the Spirit who leads me into all truth and to obey everything Jesus commanded.

I am to walk in/with the Spirit not He with me. 

You don’t need the Holy Spirit if you are merely seeking to live a semi-moral life and attend church regularly.  You only need the Holy Spirit’s guidance and help if you truly want to follow the Way of Jesus Christ.

Even in our daily living we can look more like the prophets of Baal 1 as we live our lives, running about in a frenzy, trying to fix our problems, not stopping long enough to call on the power of God Almighty.   Living by the Spirit implies a habitual, continual, and active interaction with the Holy Spirit.

If you can do it yourself, it's not the Holy Spirit.    Frankly, I can't do it.   I don't want to live only in the power of the flesh.   I want to live supernaturally.   I am useless without Him. Without Him I can do nothing.   I cannot preach, I cannot live righteously, I cannot function without Him. I'm tired of trying.

Douglas Copeland, author of several best selling books put it this way:

" My secret is that I need God - that I am sick and can no longer make it alone. I need God to help me give, because I no longer seem to be capable of giving; to help me be kind, as I no longer seem capable of kindness; to help me love, as I seem beyond being able to love."

My heart longs to be daily, moment by moment filled with His Spirit. How about you?    Are you tired of the Christian rat race?    Tired of trying?    Dissatisfied with only what the flesh can do?     Right now, wherever you are, humbly bow in His presence and cast yourself upon Him and ask Him to fill you afresh with His Spirit. Settle for nothing less than supernatural living.

 

I Need To Unplug More From The World In Order To Be More Intimate With God

 

We live in a day of incredible access to information.   I love information.  I love computers and technology.   Yet,  unlimited internet and social media can zap your time.   It also means, that unless you are ready to set boundaries,  that you are always on duty.  People can always contact you.   It's not that I'm against people.  I love people.  I'm an insatiable people person.   Yet if I'm not careful,  all this information and access can eat up a lot of time and leave little time for actually building intimacy with God.   This has actually been a long standing problem, long before the invention of the internet or social media.   It seems the world always cries for our time and leaves little if any of it available for cultivating intimacy with God.  

 

If we are not careful we can reduce the Christian life to simple adherence to a moral code and the learning of Christian truth.   In fact,  the Christian life is about enjoying God and being in deep relationship with Him.    Technology can help us with information about God and there are some great Bible programs for our IPads and IPhones and Blackberries,  they can help us in our Bible reading and research,  but it takes unplugged time alone with God to really build the relationship.

 

On my vacation God taught me that I need to unplug more in order to be more intimate with Him.    There is nothing sweeter, nothing more rewarding,  nothing more exhilarating than to know God and to know Him intimately.   Don't miss it because you're so tied up in texting, Face Book and e-mail.

 

 

(We'll finish up "Things God Taught Me" with the next post) 


1   1 Kings 18:20-29

SUNDAY OUTLINES      There is no higher honour I could have than to be able to preaching the Word of God Sunday after Sunday.   I've been doing it now for almost 40 years.     You can listen to many of the messages I've preached at Parkway Bible Church over the past 12 years by visiting our Sermon Archive at www.parkwaybiblechurch.ca .    

 

Most of you perhaps who read this blog attend church on a more or less regular basis and enjoy the rich teaching of your local Pastor (whom I hope you give great encouragement).    Yet, like me,  perhaps you enjoy listening to other preachers as well and perhaps gleam golden nuggets that enrich your lives.   To that end, on many Sunday afternoons I'll post my sermon outline along with some quotes from the message that might tweak your interest and stimulate your thinking.

 

Presently,  I'm doing a summer series of teaching messages called "LifeRoots:  The Roots of Successful Living" in which we look at key principles for living successful lives to God's glory.   Below is the second message in the series.   It is based on Cain who killed his brother and wandered from God.   Unfortunately the notes don't clearly bring out the exposition of the passage but hopefully will still prove helpful.    If you want to listen to the message, it should be available on the Parkway Bible Church website by early Monday.

 

Tomorrow,  check back for the conclusion of my last blog post "What God Taught Me On My Vacation.

 

The Root of Perspective

# 2 Life Roots - Moses/Cain - Genesis 4:1-15

Introduction
It is important to view life from the proper perspective so that you will be able to live according to a proper perception.　

Three 3 Perspectives You Must Develop.

I. The Personal
Personal success is not far away.
　

1. The Difference Between Success And Failure Is Little.
　
Most people only need to make a few changes to reach their potential.

　
2. The Path To Personal Victory Begins With A Step Of Faith
　
We each need to come to that moment of faith.

II. The Internal

Before you can win the battle on the outside, you need to win the battle on the inside.

God is more concerned about you Character than your Comfort.

1. There Is A Private Battle We All Fight
- It is the battle of character.

　
The war on the inside is the most Difficult and the most Important battle you will ever fight.

If you don’t gain control of what’s happening on the inside, it will show up on the outside.
　
2. You Win The Battle On The Inside By Walking In The Spirit

3. Private Victory Always Precedes Public Victory
** Fruit Of The Spirit = by product of the private life.

III. The Eternal

LIFE ONLY MAKES SENSE WHEN YOU HAVE AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE.

1. This World Is Not Our Home
　
2. We Are Citizens Of The Kingdom Of God
　
3. Successful Living Requires An Eternal Perspective

　
Since our citizenship is in Heaven, we do not live for this world.   We live for the Kingdom of God.

Conclusion
Quote - Joseph Stowell " If heaven is our consistent hope and the King is our guide and the expression of His kingdom is our calling, then life in this world comes more clearly into view. Its disappointments don’t damage or surprise us. We expect little of it, for our reward is yet to come... We live confidently here in light of there, reflecting the culture and values of the Kingdom within and under the authority of the King.

 THINGS GOD TAUGHT ME ON MY VACATION

I have the privilege each week to be paid to delve into God's Word in order to feed myself and the wonderful congregation God has given me to shepherd.   Yet, in the business of ministry it is often difficult to slow down long enough to really hear the voice of God.   Ministry is mostly about putting out and placing the need of others ahead of your own, but if you don't care for your own soul, soon you'll have nothing to give to others.   That's one of the reasons I love vacations and one of the reasons that for at least part of the time I don't plan to do a lot of heavy reading or thinking.  Just gear down and chill out.  it's usually in those times that God most clearly speaks to my soul.

Last week was one of those times.  Wendy and I went camping.   We had no real agenda except to relax and enjoy our time together as we explored the marshes and the beauty of God's creation in and around Pelee National Park, the most southern tip of mainland Canada and perhaps one of the most significant wetlands environment in North America.  We observed the wildlife, breathed in the fresh air, enjoyed the silence and quieted our souls. 1

As we did, God began to speak into my soul and taught me vital things about myself that I needed to know.  Over the next week I'd like to share some of those things with you, not because I want to bear my soul, or have any need for some kind of public confession, but because I suspect that many of you need to be reminded of the same things and perhaps my experience and observations might be an encouragement to you.

Some of these lessons God taught me may seem negative to you.   They are not.   They are gentle loving reminders from my Heavenly Father designed to enrich my life, bring me peace, and glorify Him with my life.    They are sweet and cherished lessons that as I pursue them will bring greater fulfilment, purpose and enjoyment in my life.  Nor are these lessons necessarily new discoveries as if I never knew them before.  In fact, like you, I have known them, and indeed have taught them to others.  They are rather lessons that I, and I suspect you, need to be reminded of on occassion.   These generally are things I need to remember daily or disciplines I need to exercise regularly in my life.

So today, , let me share two things God taught me on my vacation and then another day I'll share a couple more.  I hope you'll take the basic thought and run it through your mind and heart a bit and see if God doesn't bless you too.

 I Am More Loved By God Than I Often Remember

It's easy for me to say that I know God loves me, but it is something altogether different to live daily in light of God's absolutely amazing, unconditional love for me.   I am very well aware of how messed up and undeserving I am.  Though I am not what I was before Christ found and saved me, I am flawed, broken, and imperfect.  How often I think, "If only I could do more.  If only I could be wiser, more understanding, more loving.  If only I could be a better Dad,                                                               a better husband, a better Pastor, a better man?"

I am a Pastor, I am a leader.  Daily I am before people and my imperfections are self evident and open for all to see.  And might I add, some people feel it is their responsibility to remind me of how far I come from meeting their expectations.  I'm sure that you have those people in your life too and I'm sure that even without their help, you're well aware of how messed up you are and how far you fall short of the mark.   There is within most of us that ache that reminds us that we are flawed, less than perfect and therefore unlovable, or at least that sense that we have to somehow earn the love of others, and even the love of God.

How marvellous is our God in that He reminds us that in Christ, His love for is unmeasurable and absolutely unconditional.   I don't have to earn it.  In fact, I can't earn it.  My brokenness and sinfulness make it impossible.   I am reminded that "God demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  God's love for me began when I was wretched and lost.

I am also reminded that now that I am saved and am His child, His love for me is based not on my performace, which is far too often flawed, but on the value and supremacy of His Divine Son Jesus and my union with Him.   He wants me, and He wants you to daily, moment by moment to just rest in His unfailing love.



I Haven't Been Seeking Him As I Should

God said to Israel, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD” (Jer. 29:13–14).

He is worthy to be sought.   It's not that I don't seek Him at all, it's just that at times, perhaps too much of the time I'm not seeking Him with my whole heart.     I mean I love the benefits that I receive when I seek Him wholeheartedly, but I don't always like to put in the effort that it requires.     It is so easy to slip into spiritual neutral.   I think neutral is our default setting but He calls us to seek Him with our whole heart, to get our seeking into high gear.

I know by experience that the most fantastic, the most exciting, the most fulfilling my life can be is when I am in hot pursuit of God Himself.    Sometimes I just don't understand myself.   I don't understand why knowing that;  I'm not more diligent to follow after God and seek Him with my whole heart.   I'm sure you know that feeling too.    In the business of our lives it's not that we forget God, it's often simply that we do not pursue Him as we ought.    Vacation helped me slow down and re calibrate my life. 

I hope and pray that during your vacation this summer you'll have a chance to slow down long enough to hear God's voice and let Him re calibrate your life so that you might have strength for the journey ahead.    God bless you.

1  All of the photos in this post were taken on our vacation.