Friday, July 30, 2010

Moving Toward Sunday

Hi, Folks!

Just wanted to take a moment to let you know that you are in my thoughts and prayers today as I pray toward Sunday at Ridge Road Wesleyan. I'll continue my series on living Fearlessly with a message entitled, "I Fear I'm Disappointing God." So many of you are talking about this particular series and the help it has been to you. Me, too!

If you've been away for a while, please come back soon. We miss you. If possible, make contact with me so we can catch up on how you are.

I've been in office seeking quiet this afternoon so that I might gain some quality time in the Word. The Bible is so amazing, and particularly relevant, as we race toward the end of the world and the return of Jesus Christ. In fact, I'll be speaking about the end times on August 15th at 10:30 a.m. I pray you make a special effort to be here for that message. You can catch all my sermons at www.ridgeroadwesleyan.com.

Know that with this blog post comes my deep love and thankfulness for you. You really are special and I pray you realize just how much God loves you and wants you to be on fire for Him and His cause during these warm and sunny summer days.

Pastor Dean
"Reaching and Serving 1% of our Region for God"

Friday, July 23, 2010

My Help and My Deliverer

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

1I waited patiently for the LORD;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
3He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the LORD.
4Blessed is the man who makes
the LORD his trust,
who does not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after a lie!
5You have multiplied, O LORD my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
none can compare with you!
I will proclaim and tell of them,
yet they are more than can be told.

6 In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted,
but you have given me an open ear.
Burnt offering and sin offering
you have not required.
7Then I said, "Behold, I have come;
in the scroll of the book it is written of me:
8 I delight to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart."

9I have told the glad news of deliverance
in the great congregation;
behold, I have not restrained my lips,
as you know, O LORD.
10I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
from the great congregation.

11As for you, O LORD, you will not restrain
your mercy from me;
your steadfast love and your faithfulness will
ever preserve me!
12For evils have encompassed me
beyond number;
my iniquities have overtaken me,
and I cannot see;
they are more than the hairs of my head;
my heart fails me.

13 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me!
O LORD, make haste to help me!
14 Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether
who seek to snatch away my life;
let those be turned back and brought to dishonor
who delight in my hurt!
15Let those be appalled because of their shame
who say to me, "Aha, Aha!"

16But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation
say continually, "Great is the LORD!"
17As for me, I am poor and needy,
but the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
do not delay, O my God!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

What Sweeter Music?

Robert Herrick (1591-1674) penned these Christmas words so long ago and his work could have been easily forgotten or overlooked by the mass of music that fills our worship services today. Gratefully, John Rutter, one of my favourite composers, has embraced this poem and linked to it this stirring choral arrangement (I'll leave the link to YouTube below so you can give it a listen). The world is better for it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLkxe6q6UyE

What sweeter music can we bring

Than a carol, for to sing

The birth of this our heavenly King?

Awake the voice! Awake the string!

Dark and dull night, fly hence away,

And give the honor to this day,

That sees December turned to May.

Why does the chilling winter’s morn

Smile, like a field beset with corn?

Or smell like a meadow newly-shorn,

Thus, on the sudden? Come and see

The cause, why things thus fragrant be:


‘Tis He is born, whose quickening birth

Gives life and luster, public mirth,

To heaven, and the under-earth.

We see him come, and know him ours,

Who, with his sunshine and his showers,

Turns all the patient ground to flowers.


The darling of the world is come,

And fit it is, we find a room

To welcome him.

The nobler part

Of all the house here, is the heart.
Which we will give him; and bequeath

This holly, and this ivy wreath,

To do him honour, who’s our King,

And Lord of all this revelling.

What sweeter music can we bring,

Than a carol for to sing

The birth of this our heavenly King?

Friday, July 2, 2010

Canada and Her Queen

"This nation has dedicated itself to being a caring home for its own, a sanctuary for others and an example to the world." (Queen Elizabeth II in 2010)

While the Globe and Mail suggested that the monarchy may be "a relic of our colonial past" (July 2, 2010), I believe that the Queen represents what is still an important institution for us as Canadians as we anchor to an instructive English past in order to build a more authentic Canadian future.

God Save the Queen!