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Tonight we sat with two young people.  They have a varied background and are looking for more.  More than addictions or friends or society can provide.  We are introducing them to Jesus. 

What fun!  To watch as a new concept or understanding lights up their faces. 

There really is something to this "pass it on" thing.  When we have a place to let others know the best news we’ve come across, then life takes on new excitement.

We’ll be together again over the next few weeks.  I look forward to seeing where this goes!!

Take a look at the view out our back window (OK, it’s the Kindersley Alliance Church back window view)!  The seniors housing is coming along well, despite a wind last Thursday that threatened to dismantle the whole building.  Today 28 of us sat down to eat lunch together with more than half of those being the construction crew.  They are great guys (and one gal)!

That’s what I heard today.  About our drug and alcohol abuse  in Kindersley.  A year ago things were bad, now they are worse.

I sat with our RCMP detachment commander as he talked about the current situation.  I sat with regional personnel from health, schools, clergy, education, social services and other areas.  They echoed the same concerns.  A network is being formed and hopefully a strategy will soon be implemented.

The consequence of not addressing this could be disastrous.  Well, I guess it already is! 

My question always is:  "What is at the root?"  We can work to fix behavior but will that transform a person?  Probably not.  There needs to be a total heart renovation before the problem can truly be addressed.  And the only lasting change will come with a new version of what life implanted in those who try to find fulfilment in drugs and alcohol.

Which then brings forward the question of God!  God truly wants us to find out what we have been created for -  which includes life beyond this one, but within this life the realization that true life is only found in knowing God through Jesus Christ.

That doesn’t mean we don’t work at harm reduction along the way, just that there has to be something more than just reducing harm, but rather brining positive change.

Thoughts on riding the road:

Today, I entered into the rain and came out of the rain.  In between, I sat in an auditorium that was unheated, and ate in a kitchen area warmed by ovens and people. 

This was the 75th anniversary of our local camp, Luseland Bible Camp.  30 years ago I directed a camp here.  Now, I sit as a pastor of one of the sponsoring churches.  In the beginning this was a family camp, missions conference, revival meetings camp.  People literally brought their graineries in to serve as cabins while camp was on.  I imagine they dragged them home afterwards and stored their crop in them until the next camp session.  Now the camp serves children and youth, and will branch out for a seniors weekend this summer.

More than once I have seen the rain roll into the camp grounds.  The roads are still unpaved and my white car was shaded brown by the time I arrived home.   A quick car wash was in order!

As I drove home I could see the demarcation where rain abated and sunshine flowed.  As I came closer my eyes had to adjust.  When you live in rain, everything is one color.  In the brightness of sunshine the colors are myriad.  Just a quick reminder that light exposes beauty while the mushiness of  gray obliterates the highlights.  Give me the light any day!!