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A season of “planting” …

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January and February have been a very interesting time for me … challenging, refreshing, discouraging, inspiring, unsettling … well, you get the picture: a bit of an emotional roller coaster.

I think coming off such a busy December (the Glory and Peace Tour out east and days on end of performing with full band) … to well … two months of pretty much no performing or ministry will do this to you …

God opened my eyes this last Sunday in my Quiet Time to what this last couple months has been in this season of my life and ministry from a passage in Ecclesiastes I have read many, many times before – a passage that is quoted often:

“There is an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth … a right time to plant and another to reap” (Eccl. 3: 1-2 – Message)

Bang! God had my attention. I wrote the following words as a prayer in my journal as I reflected on this wisdom penned by Solomon through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit:

“Lord, you have brought to my attention that this time of slower ministry activity has been a time to “plant” – building the new basement studio, researching a new CD project, re-thinking your ministry through me, developing a fresh Personal Mission Statement … all this has been “planting”. This will “reap” much fruit in the future. A strong foundation is the key to sustainable growth in this ministry. Lord help me (help us as a family) to get the most out of life – to live to the fullest with child-like wonder, joy and vibrancy”.

Until next time … TD

East Coast Tour – New Brunswick – Day 6

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The band and I leave for Moncton in a few hours to get ready for performance #2 of 8 of “The Living Christmas Tree – The Cradle that Rocked the World” at Moncton Wesleyan Church. The size and scope of this production is truly amazing. As of three days ago, already well over ten thousand tickets have been sold!

Here are a few pics from the opening night …

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The last few days have been very restful in this little lakeside paradise at Lakeview Inn  in New Horton, New Brunswick. We are recharged and ready to go for the next intensive leg of this tour.  It sure is great to have Brad Toews (keys) with the band again – a true brother and friend … He has moved to Halifax with his family … this East Coast opportunity has enabled him to join the band once more so it has been a great reunion.The rest has enabled me to get back into a good exercise routine … running, core body work on the physio ball and lot’s of stretching.  My quiet times have been equally refreshing. Before I go, I want to share a couple of verses that have been a challenge and encouragement:

“Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on track … (Prov. 3:6)

“Blessed the man, blessed the woman, who listens to Me [God Wisdom], awake and ready for me each morning, alert and responsive as I start my day’s work. When you find Me, you find life, real life … (Prov. 8:34-35)

“Suddenly, God’s Angel stood among them and God’s Glory blazed around them. They were terrified. the Angel said, don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide … Glory to God in the heavenly heights, peace to all men and women on earth who please Him … Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us. They left running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met …” 

May we truly listen and be alert and responsive to God’s voice in all we do and wherever we are. His revelation is right in front of us. As we approach this beautiful Christmas season, may we see Him in His Glory and Peace in a fresh way. May we run to that “manger” and be spurred on to tell others … TD

Starting The Day Right … A Quiet Time

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Ok … I must admit, I love my morning coffee! It is a really nice part of my morning routine …

… but in one of my first blog posts, The Steps of My Soul, I briefly wrote about something much more important to me … my morning “Quiet Time” with God … where I open my bible and “let Him read His words to [me]” – a time to be be still, quiet, listen … and as a pastor friend used to tell me, “breath deep the breath of God!”

Another “quiet timer” friend, Brad Kurtz, chair of my music ministry board (Flyingbow) and leader of the men’s ministry at my home church of Lakeside, regularly sends out emails to keep the idea of Quiet Time front and center in our busy lives. Here he uses excerpts from Jean Fleming’s book: Feeding Your Soul – A Quiet Time Handbook.

Quiet Time?

There are three basic reasons for forming a lifetime of meetings with God:

· God desires to meet with you.
· You need it.
· The world desperately needs to see Christ in you.

God desires to meet with you. As incredible as that may sound the full weight of His book supports the idea that He wants to meet with you.

We know that God is great. He is all knowing, all powerful, in control, all loving, infinite, and holy. We sometimes forget that He has emotions like ours: God loves (John 3:16), is deeply moved and troubled (John 11:33), and weeps (John 11:35) just to name a few. The emotions we feel help us to identify with the scope of God’s emotions. Remember that God longs for a deep relationship with you (Matthew 23:37).

Why a quiet time? Because God desires to meet with you. Understanding this, shifts the focus to God and it no longer revolves around you. Not “What do I get out of it?” but “How has our relationship been enriched?” You meet with God Almighty because He requests the pleasure of your company. Your God, the creator of the universe, wants you to know Him and to love Him. I’m thinking that’s reason enough but there’s more.

As you devote this time to God you allow Him to tell you things He is yearning to tell you. You may forget from time to time how much He loves you; in your quiet time He’ll tell you again and again. The God of all that is longs to show Himself to you, to open His heart and mind to you. He wants to bring you into His inner circle, into the boardroom where company strategies are disclosed and directions are formed. Jesus said, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead I call you friends, for everything I learned from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15).

Yes, God communicates to us all the time not just during quiet time. But the hectic schedule of life can blur your focus and it is easy to miss His overtures, His whispers. Sometimes you just forget to look up. Quiet time is His idea to help you to refocus. A date for just the two of you. How cool is that!

Next week, “You need it”.

Let’s take the time each week to spend in quiet meditation with the King of the Universe who wants to be our Intimate Friend. This takes an act of our will (discipline) to make it happen! Until next time … TD