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There are some written booklets that are just too thick for a regular stapler and too thin for the “heavy duty” machine! 

Such was our Annual Report for 2009!

The day was going well.  The cover and contents were looking good.  The printer was doing it’s job.  

Then the stapling became a slippery slope of sloppiness.  The heavy duty stapler placed protrusions in plain sight of unsuspecting readers.  The standard stapler was insufficient – the staples could not penetrate the profusion of profundity found within!

Now, remember, this is small town Saskatchewan.  In “the city”, any number of stationery stores could have provided us with appropriate fare.   Perhaps the most appropriate store would have been “Staples”, where the needed staples were going for $3.99.

Alas, Kindersley does not have a Staples store.  Our town’s Walmart is slightly smaller than (fill in the blank).  Standard staples were only found packaged with sleek staplers – the package deal being shown off at unreasonable prices.  Another store in town carried staples, but not the specialty we were seeking.

With some persuasion, we twisted 1/3 of the reports together with inferior staples.  Tomorrow will dawn a new day.  Our hope is not punctured.  We will find another creative way to approach this most pointed dilemma. 

Until then – may your life be stapled together with the love of God, the connection with friends, and the hope of a new day.

Our current teaching time on Sunday morning at the Kindersley Alliance church is called Family Bible School.  During that time we have looked at various subjects for all ages.

This week I will substitute teach for our adult class.  The teacher has been speaking on random thoughts and miscellaneous ideas.  These are things he cogitates on during the week – finds articles or video.

So, I’ve gathered some YouTube videos, snippets of books and a song or two.  I enjoy this approach – it tends to touch down on current topics with discussion to follow.

As the week progresses, I’m sure more thoughts will come to mind.  Right now I plan on touching on Postmodernism, how God chips away at our lives and even a bit on compassionate giving as a part of our everyday life.

Drop in – 9:45 Sunday morning!

I usually complete my sermon on Saturday.  During the week I think through angles and points and puzzle connections.  I rest on the ideas and often awake with whole paragraphs completed in my head.

This week has been different.  I began with a project we are calling our 50 days of prayer.  A weekly study guide had been completed by one of our denomination’s pastors.  I skimmed them over a few weeks ago when they first arrived on my computer.

Monday morning I took a closer look.  Monday afternoon I thought there was a gathering storm of ideas that could work.  The devotionals and a sermon which had been prepared as an introduction to the 50 days of prayer, rolled around my head last night.

As I sat at my desk this morning I sensed some editing, rearrangement and original input could make next Sunday’s talk work!  By late afternoon the sermon was completed. 

Now, from experience I know that sermons are never completed until the words issue from your mouth.  Completing a sermon early means I will cogitate on it over the week.  Hopefully I’ll be able to improve on what I’ve started.

One thing – I’ll have a little more time this week to rest and relax – a sabbath might occur this week!

As the day progresses, ideas and situations continue to arise.  Much of life is about limiting stress and finding hope.  The best option in that regard is to pass the burden off.

That’s what I find difficult day by day.  Bringing to God my cares and concerns and then just leaving them there. 

Not picking them up again.  Not arranging for someone to oversee them.  Not doing my best to do my best.

No, just leaving them there.

Each day is an opportunity to put this into practice.  Today was a slow start day.  I trust tomorrow I will have a quicker beginning.

In that is hope and peace and joy and comfort . . . and a few other qualities of life I want to cultivate!

And so, as I end this day, . . . may your day, tomorrow, begin in God, with God and for God.