Waiting and Walking

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.

Waiting and walking.  Waiting for God to show His presence, or walking with Him on this strange and wonderful journey.  I always seem to be in one of these 2 modes.  My problem is, I rarely see the first one for what it is - a time to learn and grow.  I usually see it as a time to complain and whine.  May I (and we) learn to trust Him more in those times and understand that He has a purpose in the waiting.

Amazing grace and His eternal peace to you today,

Bruce

Father, we know that we must do more than just read Your Word, but we must apply Your truths so that we see Your Spirit at work in the daily challenges we encounter.  

The Israelites looked to You for guidance in the cloud by day and the fire by night. They learned when to wait and when to walk.  

It is in the waiting times that we learn endurance for the present and it is in the walking times that we learn to trust You for the future. 

Whether You are moving us forward or keeping us still our hope is in You all the day long.  

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.

Do this with gentleness and respect ...

Good Monday morning, my friends!

I received a number of wonderful and interesting emails on my Thursday/Friday missives.  Based on those, I thought I would clarify a couple of things.

I am not advocating that we be silent on these issues (the growth of Islam, attacks on Christianity, etc.), only that we face them with without fear or hatred or violence.  

We, as followers of Christ, offer an alternative to what "the world" and other religions present.  Ours is a personal God who loves us enough to have done EVERYTHING it takes for ALL who want to enter Heaven to do so.  We do not have to do ANYTHING, other than accept that gift.  That's the irony of the criticism of our faith being "exclusive" when in reality it is all inclusive!  

Any faith (such as Islam) that puts the onus on us to earn our way into Heaven is flawed from the outset - there is absolutely no way any of us could be "good enough" to enter into eternity with a pure and holy God.  As Paul says in Romans 3:23: "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God".  Anyone can know God - He reaches out to all.  But the God of Islam is not the God of Christianity - there are significant differences between the two.  Both cannot be right. 

So we need to be able to differentiate our faith from others.  But it is HOW we do that that I take issue with.  In the words of Peter: "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15)

I do not believe that all paths lead to God, but, in the words of  William Paul Young (author of The Shack - a GREAT read), God will travel down any road to find us. He certainly traveled some interesting paths to find me!

I love hearing your comments and questions - please feel free to post them on the blog as well (The Celtic Christian) For me, this is best when it becomes a conversation where all can be involved. 

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you,

Bruce

Father, Your warnings regarding the deluge of deceitful tactics from the enemy is evidenced all around us – through the media, books, false prophets and even well-meaning but confused individuals.  

Your Word is the stabilizing and authoritative doctrinal manual for all that I need for life and godliness.  

You promise to bring maturity into my Christian walk as I apply Your teaching so that I attain to the fullness of Your Son, Jesus Christ, the chief cornerstone. 

Help me to be wise, studied, and vigilant so that I correctly discern good from bad, truth from error. 

In Your holy 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.

On this rock I will build my church

Good Friday morning, my friends.

At least I hope you are still my friends!  It occurred to me yesterday after I sent out my prayer that some of you are the ones who send me the emails I mentioned.  Please don't take what I said as being judgmental or critical.  Indeed, in the past I have agreed with the sentiment of many of those emails, but a friend of mine recently opened my eyes to the reality of their content.  And made the connection to the Sermon on the Mount.  I just wanted to do the same for you.

One of the particular brands of emails that I refer to are the ones decrying how Islam is taking over many Western countries and will eventually crush Christianity.  Yes, the demographics are scary, but I want you to remember the words of Jesus when he instituted the Church: "on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." (Matthew 16:18).  Doesn't that make Islam a lot less scary?  Let's stop looking at them as the enemy, and take every opportunity to open a dialog with people from all faiths.  Love them and listen to them.  As the old expression goes: "you catch more flies with honey".

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you,

Bruce

Father, when we face struggles with a confident heart instead of a cringing fear we give testimony to Your active power in our lives. 

There is nothing that we cannot overcome by Your grace as You work out the details and the timing.  

A complaining spirit only leads to self-pity while a thankful spirit visualizes a hopeful outlook. 

Our confidence grows as we look beyond the current world situation to You, our Great Deliverer, who has done so many wondrous works that the whole world is not big enough to contain the books that would describe Your miraculous, delivering power.  

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.

Only light can drive out darkness

Good Thursday morning, my friends.

I have received so many emails lately decrying various groups as "the enemy", telling me that I need to take a stand, tell people to become more "Canadian", or telling me to resist the latest assault on Christianity.  These messages are typically filled with such intolerance that it makes me cringe.  How is this possibly living out the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount?  You know, where He tells us to LOVE our enemies, to PRAY for our enemies, and to turn the other cheek?  How are we going to have ANY influence to change people if we don't try to see them as God sees them?

Here are some thoughts from the late Martin Luther King Jr. that I feel are relevant to this subject...

Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.

To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.

Can we be known as a people that cultivate love and peace, rather than distrust and fear?  I believe we can.

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you,

Bruce

Forgive us dear Lord for walking in darkness. 

We ask you Father to fill us today with love that transforms us.. love that drives out hate.. loves that sheds light on our dark ways. 

We desire dear Lord to be agents of reconciliation and hope.. fill us with peace and cause us to pursue peace with those who are different from us.. help us to see all people as your children. 

Lord fill us with hope.. we need your hope to replace our cynicism and fatalism.. we desire to follow you.. we need to be filled today.. cause love, peace and hope to spring fresh from our hearts today. 

And cause us Lord to be people who 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.

The Gospel in 4 paragraphs

Good Wednesday morning, my friends.

This prayer summarizes the Gospel in 4 beautiful paragraphs.  It offers praise to God; thanks Him for the work of His Son and the gift of His Spirit; expresses our desire to share all of this with others; and asks forgiveness for our failure to love those He has put in our path.  Quiet your heart and lift this prayer to our Abba, Father.

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you,

Bruce

We lift up our hearts to you in humble adoration and praise, our dear Father in Heaven. We give you thanks for the privilege of entering into your presence through the power of and in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I give you thanks, dear Father, for the inner peace which Your Spirit imparts to those who take refuge in You. May more-and-more people learn of your desire to impart mercy to all who draw near your throne of grace.

Help us, dear Father, to find ways of making a difference in the lives of others through the things we say and do. Please help the masses of humans who surround us who seem to be living lives of not-so-quiet desperation to find peace...to find Jesus...to find Jesus in each of us...to find Jesus in me.

Please forgive me, dear Lord, for the times when I have seen others only from a human perspective. Help me to see them as you see them--not for what they are, but for what they can be through your power and grace. Help me to live tranparently so that others can see the change you have made in me.

In the mighty name of 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.

Tuesday March 2, 1010 - Have you read your Bible this week?

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.

How much time have you spent reading your Bible this past week?  This has been a good week for me in terms of reading the Word - but every week is not like that.  There are times when I either don't think about it, or just try to avoid it.  

Some times particular chapters or verses speak strongly to me.  The past few days, it has been Ephesians 4 and 5.

If you have not opened your Bible lately (or listened to it on your MP3 player), then try to spend some time there today.  Open your heart and mind and let Him speak to you.

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you,

Bruce

O Holy God, write Your Word on the tablet of my life. 

May it flood my heart and shine its light of truth into every dark corner of my conscience. 

May it enlighten my eyes and be the filter through which I see all things. 

May it fill my mind so that all my thoughts will be captive and obedient to Christ. 

May it direct my steps into Your good, pleasing and perfect will. 

May it guide my hands into the work of ministry. 

May it guard the doorway of my life so that all of my comings and goings may pass under the scrutiny of Your divine wisdom.

May Your Word, O God; be the constant employer of my spirit, soul and body.

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.

Calluses of the heart

Good Monday morning, my friends.

I think I have figured something out.  

Since coming to faith a number of years ago I have had a real struggle trying to understand the concept of loving God with all my heart (let alone my soul, mind and strength!).  I have come to understand that the problem lies with "calluses of the heart".  Very similar to calluses you would get on your hands.   

Let me explain.  When I was younger, I spent my summers working on various farms.  Farm work requires a lot of manual labour, and as a result I developed calluses on my hands.  These calluses were my bodies natural reaction to protect me from the friction caused by whatever implement I was holding, whether a shovel, hoe, rake, or pitch fork.  Without the calluses I would have had to deal with painful blisters.  They are the body's defense mechanism, but a side effect of this is a noticeable reduction in sensitivity - my hands could no longer feel the way they used to.  

How does this relate to my heart, you ask?  Well, many bad decisions I have made over the years, coupled with events from my childhood, have caused a lot of "friction" on my heart.  As a defensive mechanism, my heart has developed "calluses" to protect itself.  The result - my heart has lost some of its ability to feel.  It causes me to doubt sometimes that God exists, that He loves me, and that He has saved me.  But with less friction now those calluses are beginning to fade!  It doesn't happen over night, but it is happening.  

I don't know if you can relate to this, but I suspect some of you can.  If this is you, then please be patient.  Be patient with God as He is patient with you.

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you,

Bruce

Dear heavenly Father, I know there are so many times when I doubt or disbelieve Your Word.  There are areas in my life that I struggle with so much day after day.

It's easy to imagine that you are really fed up with me.  But thank You for showing me that You are patient, compassionate, and gracious.

You love me just the way I am.  And even though You are totally committed to my becoming like Jesus, You don't force or push me.  You gently draw me to Yourself so You can change me.  

And even when I'm afraid of letting you work in me, You patiently love me.  I want to give You my full permission now to do in me and through me all that You desire.

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.

Thursday February 25, 2010 - Refined by challenges

Good Thursday morning, my friends!

Some challenges I have faced recently have helped me to have a better perspective on what is truly important in my life.  Often I have prayed that these challenges be removed, but as I look back I can see that these things have had a purpose in my walk of faith.  So as I contemplate the current challenges, I say "thank you, God" for these.  It is a half-hearted thank you, though.  It is difficult to be thankful for a trial while we endure it, but I can look forward to looking back and seeing His hand at work in my life once again.

How about you - what challenges are you facing?  Have major challenges in your past turned out to be blessings?  Can you trust that God is working this out for your good?

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you,

Bruce

Father, we don’t pray for a life of ease since we know that virtues listed in Scripture are often refined in our lives through the challenges, the overcomings, the mistakes and the hours we spend in prayer seeking You above all else. 

May the nature of Christ be much more visible than our human nature so that we are truly a reflection of Your image that is stamped deep in our hearts. 

We desire to “follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and meekness” so that we are truly fruitful in our pursuit of holiness. 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.

Wednesday February 24, 2010 - Do you want to be an overcomer?

Good Wednesday morning, my friends.

I was reminded recently of some incredible promises Jesus makes in the book of Revelation.  I have been reading them and meditating on them and I find them very inspiring and reassuring.  Ponder these today, and then ask yourself this question:  "Do I want to be an overcomer?"

Revelation 2:7 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.' 

Revelation 2:11 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.' 

Revelation 2:17 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.' 

Revelation 2:25-29 ‘But hold fast what you have till I come. And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations – He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels – as I also have received from My father; and I will give him the morning star.’ 

Revelation 3:5 'He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.’ 

Revelation 3:12 'He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and I will write on him My new name.’ 

Revelation 22:14 ‘Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.’ 

Revelation 21:7 ‘He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.’

I want to be an overcomer.  I want to stand strong until the end.  I want Him to be my God, and me to be His son.  Forever.  How about you?

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you,

Bruce

There are dark places in my Being, God. 

There are memories, circumstances, and scars that are unspeakable to me as I come before you. 

Heal my broken places, Dear God, and help me to feel my Wholeness. 

Bring me into the Light with You, God, and let me feel my fullness of Being as a Child of God.

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.

Tuesday February 23, 2010 - God's patience

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.

This prayer speaks of the coming judgement, and God's patience as he waits for all who will come to repentance.   I am tempted to say (and in fact started to type) that I am grateful for the extra time so that I can clean up my own act.  Then I realized the danger and error in that thought.  It would have meant that I can do something for my own salvation.  Which, of course, I cannot.  It has all been done for me.  So while God gives me more time I will work to clean up some of those spots, but not because I think it will get me a better seat at the banquet, rather because I love God enough to obey Him and desire wholeheartedly not to disappoint Him.  Sounds like a parent/child relationship - maybe I am making some progress!

Do you too sometimes fall into that snare of works vs faith?  Remember, salvation comes by faith and faith alone.

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you,

Bruce

Father, I can’t determine the exact day You will judge the earth, but the Bible judges the thoughts and attitudes of my heart each time I read it or meditate upon its truths.  

Help me to apply Your promises and commands to my life so that when the day of the Lord comes like a thief I will be prepared.  

Help me to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with You.  

Father God, Your patience means salvation for the many who will soon come to repentance.  

I want to  diligently pray for their souls, be bold in my witness, and exemplary in my Christian walk as I await the day of Your appearing.  

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.

Monday February 22, 2010 - How much do you have to hate someone?

Good Monday morning, my friends.

Jesus challenges us, no, commands us, to share the Gospel with others.  But most of us (myself for sure) finds this one of the most difficult parts of our walk of faith.  Yesterday during the sermon our minister used a short video clip to demonstrate how important this task is.  It shows Penn Jillette (from Penn & Teller) describing why he respects Christians who want to tell others about Heaven and Hell - and Penn is an atheist.  He asks "how much do you have to hate someone not to tell them?"  Ouch.  You can find the clip here. 

Let us pray that we will be given opportunities today to share the Gospel, and the courage to take those opportunities.

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you,

Bruce

Father, we are a chosen generation, a royal people who have been called out of darkness into Your marvelous light.  

Through the power of Your Holy Spirit we go forth and shine Your light through our works, our attitudes, our holy lives, and by our verbal witness.  

May we bring You glory as others see Your light shining through us.  

And we pray that others will come to Christ through our witness.  

It is in His name that we 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.

Friday February 19, 2010 - Lay your burdens down

Good Friday morning, my friends.

Reading this prayer this morning, I could feel my shoulders relax and tension leave my body.  It helped me to lay down the burdens of my day.  I pray it does for you too.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you,

Bruce

Dear Lord,

You are my Father, and you love me. You desire only what is best in my life. Help me to rest in You, to abide in You, and to trust in You.

Shine the light of Your word on my path that I might follow in Your footsteps instead of making my own way in the world.

Pour Your love in and through me that I might love those you bring into my life. Sometimes it is hard, Lord, especially when they give so many reasons to be hurt or angry instead.

Teach me to judge only the thoughts and intents of my own heart, to give to You that which causes my heart to become hard and callous, and to become pliable in Your Hand.

May I learn to trust you more each day, to thank you for each blessing you bestow, and to cherish every breath.

May I treasure every loved one, forgive their mistakes and misdeeds, and remember that they won't be around forever.

And, Lord let Your presence be with those whose hearts are hurting so deeply today. Help them to know Your love and comfort.

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.

Thursday February 18, 2010 - Being tested and humbled in the desert

Good Thursday morning, my friends.

This morning as I was listening to the radio, I heard this scripture referenced:  Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. (Deuteronomy 8:2)

This got me thinking about yesterday's prayer (I never promised you a rose garden), about when there are times we just don't feel like doing the "God thing".  Sometimes we choose to do follow Him, sometimes not.  This scripture connected the dots for me.  God leads us through these times in the desert, times where we do not feel his presence, where we feel alone, in order to test and humble us.  The key is to be aware of it, recognize it for what it is, and choose to follow.  He wants our obedience, and there is great rejoicing in heaven when we choose to obey.  Why not join in the rejoicing?

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you,

Bruce

We ask him to strengthen you by his glorious might with all the power you need to patiently endure everything with joy.

(Colossians 1:11)

Almighty God, who has given me the desire to do right and helped me to do your service, strengthen me to persevere.

Give me the endurance to serve you, and perform my duties.

When I am weary in my good efforts, remind me that the ways of sin are pathways to destruction.

In my darkness of discouragement, give me the light of your presence.

Your Word tells us that, “he who endures to the end shall be saved.” Help me to endure and not fall from your grace.

I ask 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.

Wednesday February 17, 2010 - I never promised you a rose garden

Good Wednesday morning, my friends.

I never promised you a rose garden.

Along with the sunshine, 

There's gotta be a little rain sometimes.

I am sure most of you recognize those lyrics from a song sung by Lynn Anderson (written by Joe South).  I think those words could have been spoken by Jesus about the difficulty of following Him.  Some days (many days) it is simply hard.  Some days I don't feel like worshiping; I don't feel close to God.  I don't want to avoid all the things this world has to offer that I know aren't good for me.  And, to be honest, there are days that I simply don't follow Him.  I rebel, I reject.  But like a patient parent waiting for the tantrum to end, He is there when I come to my senses and turn back to Him (my own version of the Prodigal Son parable?). His grace is sufficient.  Thank you Lord.

Grace and peace to you today,

Bruce

Father, there is no one or no thing that is worthy of our complete allegiance, but You, our Lord, who has the words of eternal life.  

Though others may refuse to listen or turn away from the message of salvation we choose to persevere.  

We persevere in trial and in victory, in the ups and downs and in the in-betweens of everyday circumstances.  

We seek to do Your will in all things so that we will be richly rewarded with eternity in Your holy, glorious presence.  In the name of Jesus we persevere.   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.

Tuesday February 16, 2010 - Godly Messengers and Spiritual Hunger

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.

A number of years ago now (10 maybe?), we as a family were led by my beautiful wife, Rosemary, to "check out" a small church not far from where we live.  It was there that we met "godly messengers", people who had a deep, personal relationship with God and wanted to share it with others.  The leaders of this church instilled in us a spiritual hunger that continues to this day.  We are so grateful to God and to these people for their commitment and love.  Please pray for the godly messengers in your life, and pray for spiritual hunger that will be satisfied only by the Bread of Life - Jesus Christ.

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you,

Bruce

Father, we thank You for godly messengers who faithfully feed Your children by diligently teaching the whole counsel of Your Holy Word.  

Sometimes we attend church with an intense spiritual hunger, while other times we may be there out of a sense of duty or simply to be seen by others.  

Give us a hungry heart that yearns for more of You so that our lives are set apart to honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all that we do.  

May we be attentive to Your life-transforming truths as You impart them to our hearts in our personal devotions and through Your annointed messengers.  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.

Prayer for peace officers in Vancouver during the Olympics

Hi folks - received this from my friend, Drew Snider, in Vancouver.  Please offer this prayer up today.
Bruce

Hi all!
I'm firing this out to as many as I can think of on short notice to ask for your prayers in this: last night, following the Winter Olympics opening ceremonies, there was a confrontation involving anti-Olympics protesters.  One of my friends with Vancouver Police told me this morning that a couple of officers were taken to hospital with injuries after people threw paint bombs and glass; who knows how many others were hurt but didn't need to be hospitalized.  More demonstrations are expected this morning -- starting at 9am Pacific, in fact.

 

Could you please join me in a prayer for peace in this situation and protection for police and other law enforcement people?  May I suggest:

 

Father, we lift up to You our law enforcement officers -- police, firefighters, soldiers, corrections officials, and all others sworn to protect us and keep the peace -- in Jesus' Name.

 

We ask for Your protection and blessing on them as they carry out their duties: protect them from harm and give them the wisdom and strength they need to defuse situations before they become violent and to stand in the face of any violence that may erupt.

 

We ask also that You will reveal Yourself to the protesters and bring Your Truth to their lives.  Make them aware of the impact of their actions and show them what Your will is in society and how they can help accomplish it.

 

Above all, let Your peace reign over the situation and the city as a whole.

 

In Jesus' Name we pray.

 

Amen.

 

 

 

Grace and peace to you all,

Drew

Monday February 15, 2010 - Love!

Good Monday morning, my friends.

In honour of yesterday being Valentine's Day, I thought it only appropriate to use a prayer on Love.  This prayer is derived from what has become one of my favorite scriptures: 1 Corinthians 13.

I say "become" because I used to yawn every time I heard it.  Which was, of course, at (almost) every wedding I have ever been too, including my own. 

But God has spoken to me several times through this passage.  The first time was when He revealed to me that it is does not only apply to the husband/wife relationship, but to every relationship we will ever have, however short or long.  The second was when He revealed to me that it describes a love that is not truly possible for humans (which was load lightening because I always felt inadequate when I heard it): instead, it is the love that God has for us.

Grace, peace, faith, hope and love to you today,

Bruce

We ask you Lord to fill us with a love with a love that is patient and kind; a love that does not envy or boast and is not arrogant, rude, selfish, irritable or resentful.

We ask you Lord to fill us with a love that rejoices with the truth; a love that bears all things; a love that believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

We ask you to fill us with your kind of love because that love is everlasting; that kind of love hangs in there when all other love stops. 

We praise you Father for the gifts of faith, hope and love, but especially for love.. because it is the greatest gift.. because of love you gave your only begotten Son.. help us to love with that kind of love.

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.

Friday February 12, 2010 - Pride

Good Friday morning, my friends.

I don't know about you, but I have a constant struggle with my pride. There is an old story about a monk who had this difficulty, and decided to humble himself by walking up and down a busy street all day wearing a sandwich board sign which said that "Jesus saves sinners like me" (or something to that effect). When he got back to his room that evening, he said to himself - "wow - not just anybody could do something like that!" So much for the humility. And that is the great catch-22 with humility - as soon as we think we have it, it's gone. So the key is to focus on God and not us, to loose ourselves in Him, and to give all the credit and glory to Him. Please pray this for me and for you today.

Grace and peace to you,

Bruce

P.S. - it was bound to happen sooner or later. I started collecting these messages in a blog I have started. You can find them here --> The Celtic Christian.

Today, make known to me, and take from my heart, every kind, form and degree of pride.

Today, empty me of self, and awaken in me the deepest depth and truth of that humility which can make me capable of your revealing light.

Today, do not allow attribution to me, for the good that you perform in me and through me, but rather, that all honor be to you.

Today, may your presence in me, and your work through me, testify of your holiness and saving grace.

Help me to die to self each day, and continuously seek your glorification in all that I think or do.

This I ask in the name of Jesus Christ, the exemplar of humility.

Amen.

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / 613.489.4174(Home) 613.720.0821(Cell) 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.