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I’ve lasted long enough in life to know that plans become very real when they sit on paper.  As I have been courting, the plans we discussed have covered the basic areas of excitement and concern – both our own and others.

Yesterday we sat, taking snippets of thoughts and scraps of paper, and put things into some type of order on paper.  We discussed timelines more thoroughly.  We looked at contacts and talked about moving – all topics we had touched on in our conversations and now were pulling together.

To-do lists are great.  They give direction.  They can also put a whole new perspective on life.  When things are laid out in front of you, you realize that, “we are really going to do this, aren’t we.” 

I’m enjoying taking one step at a time.  Note that I did not say that I always like the next step.  Sometimes the tough – against the flow – type of advance feels just that, tough.  But I do not want to become a stagnant pool, so one step at a time it is!

Now, where is that list??

For the last while I have approached the miraculous with a very close view. 

I asked God to heal me – and I watch every day as he gives me strength and daily health.  I no longer take medications and trust God for physical vitality. 

I listened to God a few years ago talk about 2×2.  This was the idea, now in a very real way reality, of seeing a congregation, in two years, grow in Sunday service attendance from around 60 or 65 to double that amount. 

A few years ago we, as  a church, we watched the unexpected happen.  We had wanted an intern, but for five years we could not find one.  Then God gave us the unexpected (which resulted in a full time staff member), and we continue to watch to see where our staffing will go next. 

I had asked for years for healing for my wife Jill, and God chose to provide a complete healing.  And for me, God has given an enlarged heart as I look forward to a new marriage.

So, I’m trying to process what should just be common knowledge.  God answers prayer.  In both the small and the big.

And I ask myself as I consider prayer with God – what world should I live in – a small one of little hope, or a big one where God speaks and creation is born?

OK, couldn’t hold back! 

I am now officially engaged to be married to Cynthia Bellamy!  Now, if I say much more you won’t have any questions or comments for me.  Nevertheless, a slight further detail – wedding set for Kindersley, Saskatchewan on July 13th.

Yesterday two incidents reminded me of change.

I have newly come into a responsibility working with our museum here in town.  As such, I contacted the chair of the museum board.  The idea was to just sit and hear what was expected and where we were headed as a board.

The willingness was there and the time was available.  The discussion was profitable but there was within the chatting a sense of the past hindering the future.  Where there were disappointments with such things as volunteers and financing, there was a desire for better but a realism that could hold them back.    That mourning of the past and excitement for the future was very real.

The second group was planning a youth event related in part to drug and alcohol.  This event has run for the last three years.  Not a long history.  A whole new scenario was put before us.  Requiring a new way of thinking.  Last year’s schedule was to be completely thrown out.  A new schedule required more flexibility.  At first those who had been a part in the previous few years could see only the turn in the road and not the destination.  After much talk, the old was affirmed.  The great thing was that the new achieved the same purpose, just in a different way.  After 1 1/2 hours of discussion the group was ready to set aside the old and try something new.

Old and new need not conflict.  Each can be a fulfilment of the purpose for the life of the institution or event.  Paths may exhibit gravel at one point and asphalt at another – the real question is whether they continue in the same direction!