One Thousand Gifts (Continued)

"Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God.'"

(Matthew 14:29-33)

 I love what our intern pastor said about this passage yesterday in church. Some highlights from yesterday's sermon are... Storms will come, and we too often doubt like Peter did. However, we need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. We need to trust in Him and have faith in Him, not in what we are able to accomplish. Even in our times of doubt, Jesus has compassion and mercy and he "reaches out his hand". How comforting! And what does He do during our storms? He climbs into the boat with us!

 Continuing to give thanks... 

#2727-#2752

 -the Lord's compassion and mercy

 -He climbs into the boat with us 

-He calms our storms

 -Canada's birthday

 -freedom 

-beautiful sunsets

-anxiously awaiting his first sunset

-patiently waiting for the sun to go down

-"beach, summer, fun" (Deborah's favourite line)

-playing games while camping -grand parents visiting for the day
-our first camping trip of the summer -a great success!!

-celebrating 18 years of marriage with fun loving, devoted husband

-fun on the rocks

-games on the beach

-relaxing on the beach
 -sound of the waves
 -feel of the sand on the feet

-chasing sea gulls

-spending time with just the 6 of us
-playing with each other all week
-family
-siblings

 

-summer break!

-a break from work

-no more lunches to pack for awhile
-no more rushed mornings for awhile

-origami bowls   

One Thousand Gifts (Continued)

"The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: 'I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.'" (Jeremiah 31:3)

Another wonderful concert!!!
Ernie Haase was amazing! 

Reason Enough

by:  Ernie Haase, Joel Lindsey, Wayne Haun

You have walked me through the valley Of the shadows dark and low And that's reason enough to believe You have shown me endless mercy Oh why, I'll never know And that's reason enough to believe.

Chorus: So I won't wait for signs and wonders To teach me how to trust Cause You've already proven Lord The depths of Your great love You took the cross so willingly And spilled Your precious blood And that's reason enough to believe Yes, that's reason enough for me.

When I took Your grace for granted I was granted even more And that's reason enough to believe With compassion You convinced me I'm not hopeless anymore And that's reason enough to believe.

Chorus: So I won't wait for signs and wonders To teach me how to trust Cause You've already proven Lord The depths of Your great love You took the cross so willingly And spilled Your precious blood And that's reason enough to believe Yes, that's reason enough for me. That's reason, that's reason, That's reason, ohh...

Continuing to give thanks...
#2704-#2726

-the depth of Christ's love
-His precious blood -spilt for me
-His compassion
-gospel music and the gospel message
-another fabulous concert

-uplifting and eternal music

-singing praise to God with hundreds of other believers

-great music and great company!!

-making new friends

-going back in time
-an educational, fun class trip

-our precious children!

-another fun class trip
-friends and class mates
-last week of school
-our Christian school and Christian teachers
-celebrating Father's Day
-a wonderful father-in-law
-Paul- the best dad who I would want for my children!
-getting together with family
-remembering my father and giving thanks for his life
-the life of my friend's mother being spared

-God's beautiful creatures- both great and small

One Thousand Gifts (Continuned)

"Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken" 

(Isaiah 40:4,5). 

Life has its ups and downs, a bit like a roller coaster. We have all experienced those exciting, mountain top experiences and those difficult lows in valleys. However, God is always with us in valleys and on the mountain tops. As Lynda Randle says, "The God of the mountain will see you through life's valleys." Take comfort, you are never alone.

God On The Mountain Lyrics (sung by Lynda Randle) 

 Life is easy when you're up on the mountain And you've got peace of mind like you've never known. But then things change and you're down in the valley. Don't lose faith for you're never alone. For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley. When things go wrong, He'll make it right. And the God of the good times is still God in the bad times. The God of the day is still God in the night. 

 http://www.6lyrics.com/god_on_the_mountain1-lyrics-lynda_randle.aspx 

You talk of faith when you're up on the mountain. Oh but the talk comes easy when life's at its best. But it's down in the valley of trials and temptation That's when faith is really put to the test. For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley. When things go wrong, He'll make it right. 

And the God of the good times is still God in the bad times. The God of the day is still God in the night. For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley. When things go wrong, He'll make it right. And the God of the good times is still God in the bad times. The God of the day is still God in the night. The God of the day is still God in the night.

Continuing to give thanks...
#2685-#2703
-I am never alone -the God on the mountain is still God in the valley
-growing through the valleys
-looking from the mountain tops and seeing that it was God who brought me through the valleys
-talking the afternoon away with a friend
-the two oldest laughing and having so much fun together

-reliving my youth  -having fun together

-sharing 10 hours of pure fun and thrills with a friend  -safety when descending 80 degrees

-Curtis becoming more brave  -Nicole, a good sport

-Deborah, sharing in the excitement of the day!

-a rain free, fun day

-musical talents   -encouraging piano teachers

-beautiful sunsets while driving home

-Paul's new appreciation for Tim Horton's employees  -the fun Paul had with his friends helping at Tim Horton's for camp day  -record numbers for camp day

One Thousand Gifts (Continued)

"Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble" (1 Peter 3:8).

It was a long day. He had spent the whole day building our new gazebo.  He needed my help with the roof.  I am thankful to say that we were able to work together without any squabbles (even in the rain)!  Almost 18 years of marriage, and we continue to "live in harmony with one another"!

Continuing to give thanks...
#2658-#2684

-living in harmony with one another   -a patient, hard working husband  -(almost) 18 years of marriage

-reaffirmation of vows  -church weddings  -a handsome, sweet couple

-wonderful in laws  -great fellowship while dining

-proud, beautiful parents

-creative, sleeping arrangements  -Nicole's patience

-a good night's rest

-the fun that was had with our gazebo box!

-a creative teacher, teaching about the planets in a fun way!

-a masterpiece!

-"ponder anew what the almighty can do"- the baptism of the quadruplets
-a full church
-the public profession of faith of young people
-the power of prayer
-being united in prayer
-communal prayer
-an empty greenhouse!!! 
-having a husband home more!
-an exceptionally successful shipping season
-working on home projects
-Deborah's time spent at the greenhouse
-Curtis' excitement about soccer before he even had his first practice