Do not resist an evil person.

Good Wednesday morning, my friends.

In a comment posted on my blog about yesterday's prayer, my sister, Beth, mused that the words in the Sermon on the Mount that stood out for her were "Do not resist an evil person".  How hard is it for us to turn the other cheek?  When someone hurts us, we want to strike back - with words or actions.  

I am learning just how difficult this is for me. I have a situation at work where there is someone who is deliberately sabotaging the team I work on.  It makes for a very poisoned work environment and I truly struggle with how to deal with this person.  After an incident last week that angered me I imagined numerous conversations with this person and none of them were pretty, or particularly Christian in nature.  I asked God to give me the strength to forgive and to help me find grace.  In the meantime I decided it was best not to have a conversation with this person, lest I be less than graceful.  At least that was my original intent, but it has been close to a week now and not a word has been spoken.  It is starting to feel more like spite than caution.  

Corrie Ten Boom wrote an incredible book called "The Hiding Place" which details her families attempts to aid Jews in Holland during WWII.  As a result she, her sister and her father ended up in Nazi prison camps where, as you can imagine, they were treated terribly (her sister died there).  After the war, Corrie spoke all over Holland and Germany on the need for forgiveness.  After one of these talks, a man approached her to tell her how much he agreed with her and to ask her personal forgiveness for acts he had committed during the war.  She recognized him as one of the most brutal guards in the camp where she and her sister had been held.  He held out his hand.  Hers would not move.  She could not move it.  At that moment she prayed that God would help her find the strength to forgive and when she was able to shake this mans hand and offer forgiveness, well ... here is what she wrote:

And so woodenly, mechanically, I thrust my hand into the one stretched out to me. And as I did, an incredible thing took place. The current started in my shoulder, raced down my arm, sprang into our joined hands. And then this healing warmth seemed to flood my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes. "I forgive you, brother!" I cried. "With all my heart!"

For a long moment we grasped each other's hands, the former guard and former prisoner. I had never known God's love so intensely as I did then.

(read the entire episode here)

Do not resist an evil person.  I know what I need to do.

Amazing grace and eternal peace be yours today,

Bruce

Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, go back into my memory this day.  

Every hurt that has ever been done to me. ...heal that hurt.  

Every hurt that I have ever caused to another person. ...heal that hurt.  

All the relationships that have been damaged in my whole life that I am not aware of. ... heal those relationships.  

But Lord, if there is anything that I need to do. ...if I need to go to a person because he or she is still suffering from my hand, bring to my awareness that person.  

I choose to forgive, and I ask to be forgiven. 

Remove whatever bitterness may be in my heart, Lord, and fiIl the empty spaces with your Love. 

Thank You Jesus. Amen

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

Don't worry ... Be happy!

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.

Well, I am taking up my own challenge and this morning I read through the Sermon on the Mount.  The passage that struck the strongest chord with me this morning (and there are so many chords in there) was the one on worry - 

 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:25-34

Oh how we tend to worry about so many things: the future, finances, our children, our parents, work, and on and on.  Each morning I wake up with worries, and each day I have to remind myself of these words.  When Jesus said "O you of little faith" I think He was talking to me!  But isn't that all we need - a little faith?  The size of a mustard seed?

Amazing grace and peace that surpasses all understanding be yours today,

Bruce

Lord, some of us are filled with joy for we have seen your hand at work in our lives. 

Some of us are carrying many anxieties and troubles. 

Some in your world, gracious God, face more trouble than we can ever imagine. More heartbreak and pain. 

So we pray for ourselves and we pray for others, that these words may touch our lives and the lives of many. 

Knowing how precious we are to you, help us to live in the present, one day at a time, being clear about our priorities, aligning them to yours, and keeping our fears in perspective. 

We pray that these truths taught by our Lord Jesus would fill our lives and the lives of many. Amen.

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

Blessed are the peacemakers

Good Monday morning, my friends.

As we enter this Holy Week, I want to reflect on Jesus as the Prince of Peace.  There is so much pain and suffering in this world cause by conflict, whether in families, communities, or between nations.  Sometimes it seems that we have simply discarded Jesus' words from the Sermon on the Mount.  I challenge you to read these three chapters every day this week.  See what stands out for you each time you read it.  And remember - Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons (and daughters) of god!

Amazing grace and eternal peace be yours,

Bruce

Most gracious God, look upon the world you have made with the same love from which you formed it. 

Stamp upon every heart the knowledge that all human beings in every place are made in your image, and that we can never renounce our membership in the human family. 

Present and preserve peaceful means of resolviong the strife of nations, and give to all leaders the courage and grace to lead toward a good greater than their own immediate interests. 

Bless those who do not plan wars, but must wage them, and bless those caught in their crossfire. 

These things, we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, who lives with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, maker and lover of the world.

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

Enter into the joy of your Lord!

Good Friday morning, my friends.

The following, beautiful words were penned by St Augustine of Hippo.  I love the humility and hope contained in this prayer. This is as relevant today as when it was written more than 1500 years ago.  May it lift your hear today.

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you,

Bruce

I beg of You, my God, let me know You and love You 

so that I may be happy in You. 

And though I cannot do this fully in this life, 

yet let me improve from day to day till I may do so to the full.

Let me know You more and more in this life, 

that I may know You perfectly in heaven.

Let me know You more and more here, 

so that I may love you perfectly there,

so that my joy may be great in itself here, 

and complete in heaven with You.

O Truthful God, let me receive the happiness of heaven 

which You promise so that my joy may be full.

In the meantime,

let my mind think of it,

let my tongue talk of it,

let my heart long for it,

let my mouth speak of it,

let my soul hunger after it,

let my flesh thirst after it,

let my whole being desire it,

until such time as I may enter through death into the joy of my Lord,

there to continue forever, world without end.

Amen.

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

He will rejoice over you with singing!

Good Thursday morning, my friends.

The LORD your God is with you, 

       he is mighty to save. 

       He will take great delight in you, 

       he will quiet you with his love, 

       he will rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

Doesn't that paint an amazing picture?  You, like me, may feel sometimes like God has no reason to rejoice over you with singing.  But we must not listen to that lie.  We must not dwell on our past or our recent failings.  We have been granted incredible grace and mercy, undeserved, because God loved us enough to send His own Son to pay the complete price for ALL of those things. For you and me.  He loves us THAT much.  He is rejoicing and singing for us.  Wow.

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you,

Bruce

God, it's no wonder to me that you rejoice in yourself, in your perfection, because you are perfect, and utterly praiseworthy.

But to believe that you rejoice in me--not in the abstract "me," the "work of your hands," the vessel of clay, the "very good" humanity that I share with all humankind; but the "me" me, the proud, lazy, gluttonous, greedy, lustful, jealous, faithless me, the all-too-fallen me (though redeemed by your Son)--that's almost too much to believe. 

But you do rejoice in me. You rejoice over me with singing. You dance over me. Because of your Son, yes, but nonetheless, this is me we're talking about. It's too wonderful for me. You are too wonderful for me. But I thank you, in Jesus' name, Amen.

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

I've got your back ...

Good Wednesday morning, my friends.

Have you ever noticed that The Lord's Prayer is a communal prayer and not a personal prayer?  "OUR Father", "Give US this day", "Forgive US", "Lead US", "Deliver US".  It is a prayer for the whole of His Church, His people.  I like that - it means we pray for each other, we've got each other's back.  And that's why I like this prayer.  It is for all of us - I am praying it for each of you, and I really appreciate you praying it for me.

Amazing grace and peace that surpasses all understanding be yours today,

Bruce

Father, I pray today that you may count us worthy of your calling.

Enable us to become increasingly loving, full of integrity, and steeped in the knowledge of you and your Word.

I ask that you work in our lives that we may grow in all things that please you.

Help us to establish and pursue only those plans, goals, and purposes that are in keeping with your will and intent for our lives;

By your power cause every good purpose and faith-prompted act of ours to bear abundant fruit.

I pray this so that the name of the Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in our lives and our lives in Him. Amen.

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

Amazing grace that saved a wretch like me ...

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.

Jesus tells a compelling story in his parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14):

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'

 "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'

 "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

I find myself being that pharisee much too often.  Comparing myself to others, instead of to Jesus.  Looking down on the behavior of others, forgetting that I myself was once (and in truth still am some times) a much bigger sinner than they are ever likely to be.  

May God continually remind me about the amazing grace that saved a wretch like me.

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you,

Bruce

O Lord and Master of my life, 

give me not the spirit of laziness, despair, lust of power, and idle talk. 

But give rather the spirit of sobriety, humility, patience and love to Thy servant. 

Yea, O Lord and King,

grant me to see my own transgressions

and not to judge my brother,

for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen.

(A prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian, 305-373)

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

What's on your mind, God?

Good Monday morning, my friends.

Have  you ever been in a relationship with someone who trusts you enough to come to you with their burdens?  Someone who will confide in you all of the struggles they are going through, knowing you will listen and empathize? 

Have you ever, at the end of a long conversation with this person thought "hmmm, they didn't even ask a single question about what's going on in my life ... it was all about them."

I realized this weekend that a lot of my prayer life has been like that.  I go to God with all of my concerns, needs and questions.  I lift up to him my family, friends, and others in prayer.  But I have rarely ever said to Him "So, God, what is on your heart today?".  Doesn't that make it a very one sided conversation?  Could it be that God has concerns about what is going on in this world?  Things He would like me to be concerned with too?  If you ask, I am sure He will either put you in mind of someone in your life who could use a positive word from you.  Or He will say "Just keep your eyes and ears open today - I will show you who or what is on My mind."  It could be someone living on the street, a co-worker going through a divorce, a family member who is feeling ostracized, a country devastated by a natural tragedy, or an unborn child whose mother is considering not having the baby.

To be in a real relationship with someone means to try to understand their needs, their desires, their hurts.  It is no different in our relationship with God.  

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you today,

Bruce

Almighty God and loving Father, please forgive me for my selfishness in our relationship.

I am so blessed to be able to come to you daily, hourly in prayer; to bring to You my worries, my needs, my family and my friends.  

But Father, I also want to know what is on Your heart today.  I want to align my will with Yours.  I want to walk the path that You set before me.  I want to love those around me who desperately need it.

Show me today, Lord, what concerns you.  Who or what in my life needs my attention this day?  Thank you for the opportunity to serve You in love.

This I pray in Jesus' holy name.  Amen.

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

Teach us to pray

Good Friday morning, my friends.

Prayer is such a confusing thing sometimes.  God knows what we want before we ask it, so why do we need to ask?  He will use all things for the good of those who love Him, so why do we need to come to Him with our petitions?  What I have been learning lately is that by coming before the Throne in prayer, I am given rest and peace.  Asking God to lift my burdens, protect my family, and bring salvation to all - well, just by asking I am reminded that He already knows what I and those around me require.  He knows it so much better than I.  And this reminder gives me peace.  I believe THAT is why we are called on to pray constantly.

The following prayer may be another way of saying what the Apostles said to Jesus: "Teach us to pray".

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you today,

Bruce

Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions 

as may be best for us, 

for you always know what is best, 

and we seldom do. 

Forgive us for trying to inform you 

in what is best for us, 

and teach us to submit to your wisdom, 

love, and kindness, in our praying 

and in our living, 

Amen.

St. Chrysostom

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

Breathe in the love and trust! Breathe out the fear!

Good Thursday morning, my friends.

I found this prayer this morning and really like it.  Meditate on it, pray it through 2 or 3 times.  Release any anxiety you may have.

Amazing grace and peace that surpasses all understanding be yours today,

Bruce

Hear my prayer, Lord Jesus.

Empty me of all that is not of God and fill me with the fruit of the Holy Spirit. 

Clear my mind and open my heart to comprehend the knowledge of Your Word. 

Guide me with Your wisdom and truth. 

Cleanse me with Your Heavenly love. 

Be the keeper of my heart and the forgiver of my soul. 

May my light shine forth with the radiance of Your love. Hear my prayer, Lord Jesus

Breathe in the love and trust! Breathe out the fear!

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

for such a time as this ...

Good Wednesday morning, my friends.

I like the book of Esther in the Old Testament.  A few years ago at work I received an email with a link to a movie that denounced Christianity as being based on myths.  I wondered aloud to some friends about what to do about this and one of them said basically "Bruce, perhaps you were put there for such a time as this?".  I replied "Thanks, Mordecai".  (If you are unfamiliar with the story, have a look at it - a great read.)  God gives all of us opportunities to step out in faith - will you take that opportunity when you get it?

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you today,

Bruce

Jesus, in certain situations I am fearful when You speak to my heart about being obedient.  

When You compel me like you did Esther to do or say something that's not within my comfort zone I become fearful of the outcome which prevents me from stepping out in faith and following through with an obedient heart.  

Would You remind me that there is great blessing when I follow Your leading.  

Help me not to fear the outcome, for that is in Your hands.  

Thank You for Your prompting and for entrusting me to be a part of your grand purpose.  Amen.

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

Parents and children

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.

Rosemary and I were at a conference recently where we were told that 85% of Canadian children do not know Christ.  Compare that to the parable of "The Lost Sheep" where the shepherd left the 99 to search for the one that was lost - it's like leaving 15 to search for the 85!  Perhaps even more discouraging is that the majority of children who ARE in the church will leave it in their teens and twentys.  As parents we worry and pray every day that our children will walk with God their entire lives.  But the world exerts an in credible pull on them to reject the faith.  You may be in the midst of this struggle, or like us trying to prevent it.  Or you may not have children of your own, but you see this going on around you.  Please offer this prayer today for parents and children.

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you,

Bruce

God, we pray today for parents who are enduring the onslaught of discouragement over the choices of their children. 

Give them hope that your promises are never defeated, and that you can make a way through dark places when there seems to be no light. 

Give them, today, sound wisdom to know specifically how love for their child needs to be expressed. 

Then give them the same tomorrow, and then the day after. 

Give them endurance to hope beyond hope. Give them courage, and surprising joy. 

We pray also for the children who are wandering from the ways of wisdom. 

We pray today that they will return. 

Lead them home, coaxing their desires, compelling their dreams, and frustrating their rebellions. 

And when they do make even the smallest step homeward we will welcome them and celebrate the victory. 

God, you are a perfect father, THE Father. We know you share this desire with us. 

Bring our sons and daughters home! We hear your promises and we hold on to them as we hold on to you, and at the same time release our children into your care. 

In Jesus' name. Amen

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

The power of prayer

Good Monday morning, my friends.

This quote comes courtesy of my sister Beth:

I strongly suspect that if we saw all the difference even the tiniest of our prayers to God make, and all the people those little prayers were destined to affect, and all the consequences of those effects down through the centuries, we would be so paralyzed with awe at the power of prayer that we would be unable to get up off our knees for the rest of our lives.

Peter Kreeft

This amazes me.  I know this may sound strange, considering I write these missives, but I have a mediocre prayer life at best.  I am one who struggles with whether my prayers are effective or even heard.  But after having read this quote (and re-reading it several times) I am convinced it is true.  It opens my eyes to the fact that God ALWAYS hears me, always acts, always loves.  It changes my whole perspective on prayer - and I hope it will for you too.  Thanks, Beth!

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you,

Bruce

Heavenly Father, we stand in awe that we can enter your throne room, coming to you directly with our praise, concerns, petitions, and even complaints.

We are so thankful that your Son, Jesus in dying for us, tore the curtain in the temple from top to bottom, removing the separation between You and Your people.

Lord, help us to understand that by coming to You in prayer it shows that we trust You and only You to be the sustaining force in our lives.  We rely on your perfect mercy, justice and wisdom, oh God.

We bring our burdens into Your presence, and leave them with You.  Thank You, Father, for the peace and rest that comes from this incredible privilege.

We lift up this prayer in the holy name of your Son, Jesus.  Amen

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

INTEGRITY

Good Friday morning, my friends.

INTEGRITY.

Dictionary.com defines integrity as "adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty".  Like most people, I considered myself to be moral, ethical and honest.  Well, mostly so.  At least as good as those around me.  If I did anything immoral, unethical, or dishonest it was no worse than what anyone else was doing!  Oh how we justify our thoughts and words and actions.  

In Matthew 5:19, Jesus says "Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven."  God has shown me over and over areas of my life where integrity is still lacking.  Sometimes it is a painful experience, sometimes it is a huge relief.  Sometimes I choose not to listen - at least for a time.  

I believe that, as followers of Christ, integrity is critical to our having credibility in this world.  Yes, it is really difficult sometimes, but if we are trying to be an example to others then we must have high ethical standards.  But, just as important, is to not try to cover up our failures, pretending that we are "perfect".  If we are called out for our misdeeds, they we must be honest with ourselves and others - admit our mistake, ask forgiveness if necessary, make reparations if possible, and thank God for the opportunity to become more Christ-like.

End of sermon.

Amazing grace and peace that surpasses all understanding be to you today,

Bruce

Father, Your Word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against You; for it teaches me to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before You.  

Even when it brings about hurtful circumstances help me to do the right thing in keeping with the Christ-filled nature I received upon the day of my salvation.  

May I not be found lacking in integrity but rather be characterized by my integrity as it honors my Father in heaven.  

In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

Article: "Can we proclaim Jesus in a multi-faith world?"

This is a very interesting article - well worth reading.  Note the source ...

http://www.ucobserver.org/columns/2010/01/decoding_bible_jan_2010/

Blessings,

Bruce

I arise today Through a mighty strength

Good Thursday morning, my friends.

Just a simple prayer this morning to remind us how involved God wants to be in our daily lives.  Take comfort and find peace in these words today.

Amazing Grace and eternal peace to you,

Bruce

I arise today Through a mighty strength: 

God's power to guide me, 

God's might to uphold me, 

God's eyes to watch over me; 

God's ear to hear me, 

God's word to give me speech, 

God's hand to guard me, 

God's way to lie before me, 

God's shield to shelter me, 

God's host to secure me. 

Bridgid of Gael

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

Joy!

Good Wednesday morning, my friends.

I was listening to an interview on CBC radio yesterday.  The interviewee was a dancer and she described the sheer joy she got just from living life.  My first thought was "what does it take to have that attitude?".  And of course the answer was immediately obvious: Salvation!  But, truth be told, I have not had that kind of joy in my life - the joy that comes just from being alive.  At least not until recently.  Joy, along with the other "fruit of the spirit" mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23 - love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control - have been quietly taking root and blossoming in my life.

How is your garden growing?  My prayer for you today is that these fruit are growing in your life as well.

Amazing grace and peace that surpasses all understanding be yours today,

Bruce

Jesus, we place our hope in You knowing that You direct our paths this day.  

There is much on our hearts that we are praying about and believing that You will answer.  

But our faith and joy do not depend only upon Your answering our prayers, but rather the marvelous work that You have done and are doing in our lives. 

You've forgiven us our sins and You've written our names in the Lamb's book of life.  

May we be joyful in You and the ongoing work You are doing in the spiritual realm, invisible to our eyes and the eyes of others, but very much alive in our spirit. 

As we allow You to do Your inner work the outflowing fruit in our lives will reveal the changes You make within us.  

We thank You for it in Jesus' name, Amen.

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.