I am on vacation at this time and while I am beaching it up I will have guest blogs once a week. Today’s blog is from Dr. Bruce Pritchard, who is a retired physician.

You never know where a path may lead so travel carefully, looking to the future and asking for God’s guidance.

It’s now strawberry time and that reminds me of experiences from the past.

When I was 15, I looked very hard for a summer job.  Good summer jobs in the late 50s were difficult to find if you were not yet 16.

I was the envy of my friends when I found one that paid 5 cents for every basket of strawberries I could pick.  The work was at the Experimental Farm in Ottawa.  Each day started with a wagon ride to the fields at 7:30 in the morning.

The berries were the best you could get anywhere and although you could not carry any home in your hand, you could eat as many as you wanted while you were on the job.  They were large, firm, sweet and absolutely delicious but for some reason, after three days of picking and eating, I didn’t care if I ever saw one again.  The job lasted a few weeks.  Having enjoyed the benefits of earning what seemed like a lot of money in a short time, I wanted to find further employment.

I remember praying with my mom and dad about finding another job.  On the last morning in the strawberry field, I was offered work cleaning out Experimental Farm chicken coops.  This was not the most desirable employment but I was promised that if I did a good job and something more attractive came up, I might be able to move on.  Chicken coop cleaning was about as much fun as it sounds.  Apart from having to work in small, very hot, very stinky, dirty rooms, the job was fine.  There were lots of chickens and they had produced not-so-hidden treasures all over the place.  The work was tolerable as by then I was earning 65 cents an hour.  I had so much money I couldn’t spend it all even after putting half in the bank as savings.

After a couple of weeks, I moved on to cleaning out and cataloging the contents of a chemical storeroom that supplied a number of labs in a research building.  Some of the chemicals had not been used or moved for years.  The job was fascinating.  The full time staff person I was working for showed me lots of very interesting chemical reactions.  One reaction conducted in an outdoor court yard attracted the attention of several fire trucks, police and security.  It was suggested that we not repeat that particular demonstration.

Research scientists came to me for their supplies.  They made me feel much more important than I was as before I was on the scene, they simply came into the storeroom and got what they needed.  I started to become very interested in science.  The next year I went back to working in the same storeroom initially but then I was offered a job in a real scientific laboratory.

A large part of the new job involved conducting long experiments in a basement lab that was kept at a few degrees above freezing.  We were expected to be present in the cold room for 3 to 4 hours at a time at intervals around the clock when the experiments were running.  This may sound like a great way to spend the hot summer as we were working in buildings that were not air conditioned.  The main lab was on the fourth floor and that was the only storage area for the parkas that we wore when working in the cold lab.  Many times I recall wearing my heavy parka in 85 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit Ottawa summer heat while carrying bottles of chemicals and riding down on the elevator to the amazement and wonder of fellow riders.  Did I mention that some of my companions in the experiments were specially selected white rats?  The 30 or so rats felt the same enthusiasm as I did when it came to collecting daily blood samples.  Apparently the rats had not read the manual where it said they would not be bothered by sampling from the tips of their tails.

The next summer I worked in a lab again.  This time I was working on nozzle design for aircraft involved with spraying DDT to control the spruce budworm population in New Brunswick.  Thankfully I was never in contact with DDT.  The lab technician who worked with the pesticide for many years had so many unusual symptoms that even then, at my level of non-expertise, it suggested dangerous toxicity.  I decided DDT research was not for me.

My summer experiences in different areas of scientific research led me to take university courses majoring in chemistry and physics.  University classes led to several summers of work for the Department of National Defense in Suffield, Alberta.  But that is another story.

Who would have thought that picking strawberries in Ottawa would lead to researching characteristics of human skin permeability in far-off Suffield?

The point of this tale is that we never know where our life experiences may lead.  Working hard even in unattractive jobs can pay off in unimaginable ways.  I believe that asking God to guide our steps is the most important part of following life’s path.

Question: How has God guided your steps along life’s path?  Leave your comments below.

Recently our 17 month old learned how to say NO!  She had been very good at saying YEAH enthusiastically for months now, which has made her an incredibly agreeable person to be around.  However, along with NO comes a whole new battle of willpower.  Don’t get me wrong, NO has plenty of valuable assets in conversation with a child who only knows about a dozen words, but definitely knows what she wants.  For instance, this evening, my wife asked her if she would like a carrot.  She emphatically replied with a strong NO, thus exerting her opinions and desires about said carrot.  This can be very helpful in distinguishing what one wants in life.  The YEAH’s and NO’s of daily conversation have helped us to understand what our daughter needs and wants more readily.

However, as true as the above is, when both the YEAH’s and NO’s make themselves apparent in regards to a singular topic or event, one can only conclude that she has no concept of logic as of yet, but definitely wants to assert her own will.  Case in point:

Shar:      “Alana, do you want to go swimming in your pool?”

Alana:   “YEAH!!!!”

Shar:      “Okay, let’s put your bathing suit on.”

Alana:   “No.”

Shar:      “I thought you wanted to go swimming.”

Alana:   “YEAH!!!!”

Shar:      “Then you need to put your swimsuit on!”

Alana:   “No.”

This conversation could have continued into eternity had Shar not forgone patiently reasoning with the unreasonable, and enforced parental will upon our daughter.  Needless to say, Alana had a great afternoon swimming in her pool … with her bathing suit on.  Shockingly, this same conversation has replayed itself out more than once this past week.

As futile as the above conversation may seem, these are the types of situations that God uses to reveal an “Aha” moment.  My wife was struck by the realization how our infinitely patient Father in Heaven must think that we all act like a bunch of irrational 17 month olds.  Proverbs 3:1 says, “My child, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in mind.  Then you will live a long time, and your life will be successful.” (NCV)  The bible is full of these assurances that if “a” is done then “b” will result.

“If you want to go swimming, then you put on a bathing suit.”

“If you want to have a successful life, then follow God’s commands.”

Sounds easy, doesn’t it?  Then why is it that we have such difficulty following such simple logic?  Why is it we always seem to falter somewhere along the line?  Why is it that following God’s simple commands to love, trust, honour  and obey turns into us trying to assert our own will over our lives?  Clearly He knows best, He did create us after all, and He created us to love Him with all of our heart, soul and mind.  It’s during these sorts of moments that I begin to realize how close to infancy I am in my faith, how much more like a 17 month old I am then like a 28 year old.  It surely is a marvelous thing that God’s ways are not my ways.  May we praise Him together for his incredible patience in withholding His judgement just so that He could provide the only way to reconciliation.  Thank you father for loving us as your own and gently showing us the truth of your will, your promises, your glory … the proper way to go swimming.

Sincerely

Stephen and Sharilyn De Bliek.

Question: In what ways do you assert your own will over your life?  Leave your comments below.

Next week I start my vacation. Until this week I have had pleasant thoughts about my time away.  But right now, this week, all I can think of is the list that’s in front of me.

I don’t always make lists, but when I’m under pressure or feel time is closing in on me, I start to make them.  Sometimes I use my smart phone and check items off electronically.  Sometimes I enter them into my computer calendar, so they’re scheduled in my day.  But when I am really under the strain of a deadline, I get out a pad of paper and I write them down.

I do that because there is little satisfaction in checking something off with a click.  But when you take a pen and scribble lines through a task, completely obliterating it from the page (but not carving a hole in the paper), that really satisfies pent up frustration.  I think that when you completely eradicate an item on your list it releases endorphins in your system giving you a sense of euphoria.  Well, that is, until you think of something else you need to add to the list. Then one just cancels out the other.

It bugs me that I can never think of everything at once, so as something gets crossed off other things get added.  It’s like the list that never ends (that reminds me of a song).  Like a child can’t have dessert unless he finishes his meal, I can’t leave for vacation until that list is done, gets crumpled up and thrown in the trash … usually tossed like a basketball into the garbage can.  (There’s an extra sense of satisfaction if it goes in with a swish!)

I should be dreaming sweet dreams of my vacation but instead I’m tossing and turning at night because of that list.  With the list ever before me this week, I can have no fun.  Even if what I am doing is fun, the list haunts me and calls me back to look at it, even stare at it sometimes, as if I could complete some tasks just by thinking about them.

What I do know is this:  next week, there will be no list.  No focusing all my attention on getting things done.  No worries of deadlines.  No finding contentment in scribbling things out on a piece of paper.  It will all be done, finished, complete, and I will be reclining on a beach, sipping a nice cold Dr. Pepper (I mean, bottle of water), soaking up the sun and waves on Lake Huron.

Here’s the thing:  In life, I need to stay focused on who I live for.  I need to keep Christ before me like this list has been with me all week.  Everywhere I go and in everything I do, Christ should be on my mind.  Christ should be involved in my thinking, how I process information, how I respond to life, and what I produce in life.

One day this life will be over and I won’t have to keep Christ before me – that will be an unforced, natural rhythm for me in heaven.  It will all happen in an instant, like the start of vacation.  But for now, I must work at keeping Christ before me, and dream of a time when it will all be as easy as sitting on a beach.

Until Next Time!

Pastor Paul

Question:  What keeps you from staying centered on Christ?  Leave your comments below.

I remember when gas stations were full service – you would drive up to the pumps and the guy would come out to your car, ask you how much gas you wanted, and proceed to fill your tank for you.  He would even clean your windshield and check your oil.

Just think about that for a moment.  You never had to leave your car.  The pump jockey would even take your cash from your car window.  You could have them put in even $5 of gas and your gas gauge would actually move.  When I was a kid I remember hearing my dad say to the attendant, “Just put in a couple of bucks” . . . and he wasn’t embarrassed saying that!  Oh, how times have changed.

Personally, I like pumping my own gas (well, except when it’s -25 C in a strong north wind).  I don’t have to wait for anyone, and it gives me a chance to stretch.  But, I would like it if someone else cleaned my windows.

So, when I drove up to the gas station the other day, and there were a couple of girls cleaning windshields, I thought, “Hey, this will be great!”  These girls seemed friendly, and were talking to the people while they cleaned and the drivers pumped gas.

While I pumped gas, I waited for one of these girls to come over to wash my car windows, but it didn’t happen.  They completely ignored me.  I’m not sure if they took a look at my windshield and decided there were too many bugs on it (from a recent trip on the 401) or whether they thought I looked too muscular and didn’t need the help.  But I was a little hurt that they didn’t come over.  I felt like calling to them, “Over here; don’t forget my car”, but I didn’t say anything.  I just got the squeegee and started scrubbing my windshield (the bugs were practically glued on).

Feeling a little slighted, I went in, and paid for my gas.  On the way out, I noticed that these girls were not just cleaning people’s windshields for fun.  They were selling a repair service to fix cracks and dings in windshields.  Then I thought, “Well, that was good.  Not having them clean my windshield saved me having to endure a sales pitch.”

Here’s the thing:  There have been times when I have asked God for things, sometimes with much passion.  And then I’ve felt slighted, and even hurt when He hasn’t answered me.  Some of these requests were very worthy requests.  He just seemed to ignore me and answered someone else’s requests instead.

It was only later that I realized I really hadn’t wanted that request answered in the way I thought.  I was glad He didn’t answer the request because I was way off in what I was asking.  It’s interesting how I don’t often thank God for those answers.  I should be as thankful when God says “no” to me as I am when He says “yes”.

Oh, and by the way, I’m glad I had to clean my own windshield … I’m sure I did a better job than they would have anyway.

Until Next Time!

Pastor Paul

Question: To what request has God said “no” that you are now thankful He did? Leave your comment below.

Normally, I have a good handle on where my belongings are, but recently I’ve been misplacing things. I’ve been forgetting a lot of things lately, like hats, glasses and keys.  In early June, I couldn’t find my ball cap.  No big deal, right?  Well, not to me! – this ball cap is the only one I have ever found that fits my melon!  I looked everywhere and couldn’t find it.

The good thing is, I’m pretty good at retracing my steps and finding things.  So, I thought maybe I had taken it up to our trailer in May and left it there.  I took comfort in that thought.  But later in June when we were there, the hat didn’t turn up.  I was at a loss to know where it might be, but mainly upset that I had lost this one-of-a-kind (at least in the known world) ball cap that fits my head.  I’ve since found it (a month later) in a mostly unused compartment of my computer bag.

I have also lost my reading glasses on a number of occasions in the last few months. One of those times I never did find them again.  So last week when I came home from a board meeting and couldn’t find my newest pair, I definitely was perturbed.  I searched high and low.  In the morning, I found them in a room at the church – they had been clipped to my shirt and evidently fell off when I was moving tables.

This Sunday, however, was a record day for me in the “leaving things behind” department.  It started when I woke up and I forgot to take my pills … first time I’ve done that.  And I didn’t realize I had forgotten until the next day!  I also forgot a video camera we needed for a baptism at church.

But to top it all off, when we were leaving for church, I couldn’t find my keys.  We searched everywhere until finally we just had to go.  What really bugged me was not being able to figure out where I could have left them.  We were two streets from home when I looked in my rearview mirror and saw my bike rack on the back of the car.  At that moment I remembered!  The day before I had put my keys on the trunk when I took my bike off the rack.

We stopped the car, but the keys weren’t on the trunk.  So we drove slowly back the way we came, and sure enough, they were lying in the middle of the road. They had slid off the trunk when we made the first turn off our street.

All this misplacing, forgetting, leaving things behind bothers me.  I don’t like it.  It makes me feel like I’ve blown it.

So I wonder how we‘ll feel when we get to heaven and realize we’ve left not someTHING but someONE behind.  I know we can’t make people follow Jesus, but if we forget, or neglect, or miss opportunities to tell them, isn’t it like we’ve left something behind?  God hasn’t asked us to do His job (saving people) but He has called us to tell others about Him, and in doing that, we’re not leaving people we care about behind. I need to be better at this.

Until Next Time!

Pastor Paul

Question: What could you say to point people in your life to follow Jesus?  Leave your comment below.

Welcome to Kingston Alliance’s blog.

We are just getting started and in a few days we will start adding posts to this blog.

We hope you will check back April 26, 2012 when the first post will be available.

We plan to add about 2 posts per week.