Monthly Archives: October 2010

For the last 1/2 a year I have been working with a small team to pull together a drug and alcohol awareness day for high schoolers in Unity, Saskatchewan.  We’ve called it TTYL (Talking To Youth Live). 

We began with the premise that fun could make things stick in your mind.  And hands-on was always better than just being lectured.  Add to that a random choice of those attending so that you are not goofing off with friends and this should work.

It means I’m off early to Unity, a bit more than an hour’s drive.  I’ll need to be there by 8:00 in the morning.  The day’s activity in Unity will finish around 2:30 or 3:00.  Then I’ll head back as soon as a few things are cleaned up, watch our local high school team play a bit of football, then – after a suitable supper repast – head off to our church’s youth group.  By 111:00 in the evening I should be back in my bed.

I’ll call this my youth day.  I enjoy working with youth.  I enjoy working with those who work with youth. 

Should be an enjoyable day!!

I have been given strength for this day.  As I approach a busy season, my early morning rising means that by mid-evening I’m coming to an end.  Not a total stop, just an end of activity.

So, now I’m sitting here at the computer and resting in the soft swoosh of the computer keyboard and the blinking cursor that keeps my mind focused.

There is truly a sense of accomplishment when a day finishes with measurable achievements.  Today I could measure that in people talked to, an administration load lessened, and a children’s club attended.

And what makes that even more exciting is that the tasks help other people accomplish their own goals and increase their opportunities for relationship.  Above all that are the God Times where I sense God’s pleasure in what I do, and I sense others sensing God Moments in their own lives.

And so, as I write this, I’m tired but satisfied.  May your day also be blessed with that type of ending!!

I’m a sucker for the question – “Can you help me organize . . . ?”

This morning I was working on my sermon for this coming Sunday.  My wife entered our office area and made that enquiry.  There were just a few shelves.  The photo albums were particularly pressing.

Now, at 7:30 in the evening I am feeling quite rejuvenated as I tuck away that last piece that needed to be put into place.

So, if you are looking for someone to just drop by and organize the place, give me a call.  I’ll take a day off and come give you a hand!!

Early in our marriage we had been heading down separate paths.  Not with premeditation or malice.  Just with busyness.  Everyday activity that kept us both engaged, but not with each other.

I still remember one day having one of those discussions married couples have.  More like a debate – or should we say an outright verbal fight.  Both of us recognized, after a few minutes, that we were on the same page, just coloring with different crayons.

So, we took a scrap piece of paper.  One of those sheets that are part of everyday life.  And we scrawled on it – “We will work together” (or some close paraphrase to that).  Then I placed it with a magnet on our file cabinet (which I am currently sitting beside). 

Although the memory may have faded over the years, the idea has not.  Jill and I work together in partnership – and love it.  We know that we must if we are to live successfully together!

God helping we will continue on – for more years to come.