Points to Ponder

The Plan

The stock market goes up & down.
We all have experienced or heard or read about
the volatility of the markets.
Even though the general direction of the markets
is up, 90 % of the people who invest in stocks
loose money
So why does the market tend to go up and up
and up while the majority of traders see their
investing accounts go down and down and down.
One of the big reasons is that successful traders
are successful because they have and stick to a
detailed plan. You have heard it said that
“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail."

Some of us like planning and some of us hate
it we just like to be spontaneous and go with
the flow but we all have experienced the value
of planning whether we like it or not.

There is a plan that is much bigger and more
significant the planning how to trade stocks or
to budget our finances or our daily, weekly or
family schedule
.
There is a plan to make each and everyone of
us fulfilled & successful in life.

God tells us in Jeremiah 29 that He has a
plan for us. A plan to prosper us, to give us
hope and a future.

Isaiah 49 16 tells us That He has graven us
– you and me - upon the palms of His hands.

God has plan for our lives, for our success
and for our future.

We understand the plan of salvation but
sometimes we struggle to understand
and apply God plan for us at specific time
or in a specific situation or area of our life.

Joshua 1 and Psalms 1 tells us that if we meditate
on the Word of God day and night that we shall be
prosperous, have good success and be like the tree
planted by the river whose does not wither and who
brings for it’s fruit in due season.

2 Corinthians 10 5 says to Cast down imaginations
and every high thing that exalteth itself against
the knowledge of God, to bringing into captivity
every thought to the obedience of Christ;

While Philippians 4 8 Says to think on the things
that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, that
are of good report...

God has a good plan for my life, for your life,
for your future. I’m realizing the more we get
the Word into our hearts and we choose to
think and act on the things that agree with
the Word the more we will know and experience
the full abundant life that that God has planned
for each and every one of us.

video clips to check out

Check out this clips - hope you enjoy them

http://www.videosift.com/video/Africa-Acapella-cover

http://www.theinterviewwithgod.com

Summer 2009

Dear Friends

It has been a while since I’ve written. Partly I’ve been busy and partly I felt I had nothing to say. It’s not that God has not been doing things in my life. There just was nothing big or dynamic but then when God is involved even the ‘small’ things are big and important.

So for those who have been asking – here it is.

As I’ve already stated there have been no significant changes.

Over the last six months it has been more that God has been renewing, refreshing and expanding and dovetailing everything together.

I’ve finished reading through the Old Testament except for Psalms and Proverbs which I will come back to later. Currently I’ve started reading and studying though the New Testament.

The main highlight was from Isaiah. God really began to speak to me about His love. So basic but nothing could be more powerful. Oh I know about Gods unconditional, agape love. I get it. But what God was reminding me that there is more to His love. He loves me not only as God, Father and as Savoir but He also wants to love me as a friend. It was like it was a fresh revelation. He was making His love more personal; He was touching and melting something deep inside of me...

Then from Jeremiah God was showing me some interesting things concerning sin and the consequences of it but then that is a whole other subject that we’ll leave for now. The bottom line is our best response is to be holy as He is holy. To pray to the Lord of the Harvest to send forth labours onto the harvest and to go and make disciples of all nations.

Earlier in the summer I felt led to start to volunteer with VON P.A.T.E.R.

I could have passed it off and found reasons not to but felt it were important at this time to step out in faith and do it…

After a three - four week application process I started with them late June.

So who is VON P.A.T.E.R. and what do they do?

VON – Victorian Order of Nurses which is Canada's largest, national, not-for-profit, charitable home and community care organization, which oversees P.A.T.E.R. They are best known for their home health care services were nurses go to peoples homes and help them with their various health issues. The VON however is much more than that and P.A.T.E.R. is a part of it.

P.A.T.E.R. – People Assisting Transporting Elderly Residences.

In other words I help drive primarily seniors to doctor appointments, groceries shopping, banking etc. It could be because they no longer drive and / or can not afford expensive taxis, and / or do not have a family member or friend who can help them at that time. This helps seniors maintain a level of independence so they can stay in their own home during this season in their life.

Books read

‘Father to the Fatherless – The Charles Mulli Story’ by Paul H. Boge

I had the pleasure to meet some of the Mulli family this spring.

A lovely family with a great story...

If you have a chance to read this biography and/ or to catch

The Mully Children’s Family tour this fall (Oct. – Dec.) I think you will be glad you did. The tour is in process of being set up.

To book them or for details as they develop check this web site

http://www.mcfcf.ca/NorthAmericanSafariChoirTourFall09/tabid/185/Default.aspx

or to read more about them see http://www.mullychildrensfamily.org/

Book two

‘Who switched off my brain’ by Dr. Caroline Leaf

We all know scriptures like Romans 12: 1 – 2, Philippians 4: 8 - 9 and 1 Thessalonians 5 : 16 – 18. What Dr. Leaf does in ‘Who switched off my brain’ is to deal with our thought life and how it affects us as she explains in laymen terms the physiologic process that actually happens.

Dr. Leaf then ends up with the best most rounded out detox program I’ve seen.

This link will take you a one page summary of the book if you are interested.

https://www.drleaf.net/osc/thoughtlife.php?osCsid=1d021aac9c8a4955393dac118be19253

Detox summary by Dr. Caroline Leaf from ‘Who switched off my brain?’

1. Control your thoughts.
Negative emotions evolve out of fear. Positive emotions evolve out of faith.

2. Your words – positive words backed up with honesty and integrity

3. Express your emotions appropriately

4. Take responsibility

5. dream analysis

6. Forgiveness

7. Love

8. Touch

9. Play and laugh. A good belly laugh can make cortisol drop by 39%, adrenaline by 70%
and increase the ‘feel good hormone’ endorphin by 29% and growth hormones by 87%

10. Exercise – break a sweat

11. Diet

12. Know God

13. Relax

Conference - Be in Health with Henry Wright.

Interestingly I had just finished reading, ‘Who switched off my brain’ and Henry spent a lot of time talking about our thought life and how it affects us.

He also started off talking about Gods Love. You guessed it. It dovetailed with my reading in Isaiah.

Also ended up meeting some friends there and we were able to go for supper together – it was good. A good time...

God has also been renewing my personal worship times.

It would be hard to pick out just one song that has impacted or spoke to me during this time. Here are the top three with web links to play them.

You Are Worthy of My Praise (David Ruis)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlaPNoI2vqo (3.25 min long) or

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEcWkt7rxrg

(6:25 min. long with better graphics - sung by Vineyard)

I will worship (I will worship)
With all of my heart (with all of my heart)
I will praise You (I will praise You)
With all of my strength (all my strength)
I will seek You (I will seek You)
All of my days (all of my days)
And I will follow (I will follow)
All of Your ways (all Your ways)

I will give You all my worship
I will give You all my praise
You alone I long to worship
You alone are worthy of my praise

I will bow down (I will bow down)
Hail You as king (hail You as king)
And I will serve You (I will serve You)
Give You everything (give You everything)
I will lift up (I will lift up)
My eyes to Your throne (my eyes to Your throne)
And I will trust You (I will trust You)
I will trust You alone (trust You alone)

I will give You all my worship
I will give You all my praise
You alone I long to worship
You alone are worthy of my praise

Hillsong - Desert Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WYK6TxWX7s (4:32 min long)

Verse 1:
This is my prayer in the desert
And all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in the hunger in me
My God is a God who provides

Verse 2:
And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames

Chorus:
And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon forged against me shall remain

I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

Verse 3:
And this is my prayer in the battle
And triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand

Bridge:
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

Verse 4:
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be empited again
The seed I've recieved I will sow

As the deer panteth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8PSfmsrQ3c&feature=related (2:49 long)

As the deer panteth

As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after you
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship you

You alone are my strength, my shield
To you alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship you

I want you more than gold or silver,
only you can satisfy.
You alone are the real joy giver
and the apple of my eye.

You alone are my strength, my shield
To you alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship you

You're my friend and you are my brother
Even though you are a king
I love you more than any other
So much more than anything

You alone are my strength, my shield
To you alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship you

This is the air I breathe by Hillsongs.

While this song did not make the top three it is a good song and I am going to give it honourable mention.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjkBVn_eUec (6:34 min long)

Until next time

B l e s s I n g s B e y o n d Me a s u r e

Scott Smith

Feb. 2009

Newsletter 2009 – Edition 1 – Jan.

The theme for 2008 was Matt. 6:33 ‘Seek first the kingdom of God.’

This verse really set the course for the year.

I began to focus and read though the Word starting in Genesis; making notes – writing it down as God spoke. As I did this I found God speaking even more to me. I found healing, freedom, revelation, understanding flowing in fresh ways. A year later I find a fresh love for the Word of God has grown deep within and my time with God is more precious to me than ever. It’s become my life source. While Matt. 6: 33 was theme for 2008 2 Timothy 1: 7 also had a big impact on me…

As we approached 2009 I was asking ‘God what is your word for 2009’...

He spoke Ps. 37: 4 ‘Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart’...

This was a significant verse for me and I entered 2009 excited about God and what the year ahead would hold although I had no clue about what it might be.

To date I’ve spent about five weeks studying this verse and have made lots of notes. A year ago if you told me I spend over a month studying one verse and have over 20 pages of typed notes (and I’m still not done) I would have raised my eyebrows and thought anything is possible but me – likely not.

But God’s Word is changing me... As I’ve got more and more into the Word, the Word is doing it’s work and as I read books, hear teaching cd’s and the word on Sundays I’m hearing with new ears. Oh the words may be the same but I hearing things , seeing things in a whole new light and depth I thought I knew before but now it’s like I only ‘had a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof’ 2 Timothy 3: 5

Oh I’ve not arrived but any means but being in the Word 2008 has laid a foundation that is allowing me to go to new levels (as long as I continue therein)... highlights to follow as I discover them.

The Motions by Matthew West best summarize in song where I’m at.

Check it out.

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=VLJF9vaIJ_0

The Motions by Matthew West

This might hurt
It’s not safe
But I know that I’ve gotta make a change
I don’t care
If I break
At least I’ll be feeling something
‘Cause just ok
Is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of life

I don’t wanna go through the motions
I don’t wanna go one more day
Without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don’t wanna spend my whole life asking
What if I had given everything?
Instead of going through the motions

No regrets
Not this time
I’m gonna let my heart defeat my mind
Let Your love
Make me whole
I think I’m finally feeling something

Take me all the way
Take me all the way
Take me all the way

My favorite web sites to assist me in the study of the Word are

www.biblegateway.com and www.biblecrosswalk.com.

My favorite radio station continues to be www.praise1065.com

Books I’m reading are ‘The Divine Mentor’ by Wayne Cordeiro and ‘The Blood Covenant’ by E. W. Kenyon.

Let’s end up with some humour.

Proverbs 17: 22 tell us that “a merry heart doeth good like a medicine”.

Maybe one of these jokes will bring a smile to your face and heart today.

Little Johnny wanted to go to the zoo and pestered his parents for days. Finally his mother talked his reluctant father into taking him.

"So how was it?" his mother asked when they returned home.

"Great," Little Johnny replied.

"Did you and your father have a good time?" asked his mother.

"Yeah, Daddy especially liked it," exclaimed Little Johnny excitedly, "especially when one of the animals came home at 30 to 1!"

*Thanks to Pastor Tim for this joke!*

Worship brings all kinds of responses, as I observed in church recently. An elderly woman was standing with eyes closed and hands raised in prayer and praise. The three-year-old standing in the pew in front of her turned around and gave her a high-five!

—Jennifer Smith, Fort Gratiot, Michigan. Christian Reader, "Kids of the Kingdom."

According to a recent article I just read on nutrition, they said eating right doesn't have to be complicated. Nutritionists say there is a simple way to tell if you're eating right. Colours. Fill your plates with bright colors. Greens, reds, yellows.

In fact, I did that this morning. I had an entire bowl of M&M's. It was delicious! I never knew eating right could be so easy.

I now have a whole new outlook on life.

*Thanks to Pastor Tim for this joke!*
http://www.cybersalt.org/cleanlaugh

B l e s s I n g s B e y o n d Me a s u r e in 2009.

Scott

Christmas greetings 2008

M e r r y C H I S T m a s

2000 years ago Jesus came as a baby to redeem a world lost and without hope. He came and they said there is no room so he was laid in a manger. Thirty years later he still had no place to lay his head but He persisted to love an unlovely world. Finally He laid down his life and declared mission accomplished so each and everyone one of us might find room to fully embrace Him - His love, life and blessing. Today we have the privilege to share that good news with those who have not yet heard that they might know the Savior of the world in 2009.

In 2009 I am challenging myself to live in light of eternity. To live daily, weekly and monthly in a way that counts for eternity - to pray, to share, to give, and to go in a way in a way never done before. The time is NOW. For some eternity is only a breathe away but Gods heart remains that they will join us and many others from each and every tribe, nation and language around the throne of God for eternity.

Will you join me in making a difference this year for eternity in a fresh way?

M e r r y C H I S T m a s

a n d a

B l e s s e d N e w Y e a r ! !!

Closing thoughts

A one legged school teacher from Scotland offered himself for service in China. “With only one leg, why do you think of going as a missionary?” asked a friend. I do not see people with two legs going,” replied the one legged candidate for missionary service. He was accepted!

Psalm 22:27 all the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.

Revelation 5: 9 ‘and they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;’

Psalm 95: 6 ‘O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.’

O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him

O come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord.

For He alone is worthy
For He alone is worthy
For He alone is worthy
Christ the Lord.

We Bow Down by Twila Paris

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tblhqgHfVrI

Challenge - How can I better seek, live, worship, serve and die if need be for my Lord and Saviour in 2009?

If something is not worth dying for then it’s not worth living for.

If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice is too great for me to make for Him. C. T. Studd

May your 2009 be

B l e s s e d b e y o n d m e a s u r e.

fall 2008

Greetings

Much of the year has been quiet and fairly uneventful.

In Aug. however there are three things that stand out to me.

One was I was able to able to go and see ‘Vows in Paradise’ at Walter Dinner Theater at the end of Aug. It was absolutely funny and clean humour that every one could relate to even if you were not Amish. What made this a highlight was I had wanted to see it when in Pennsylvania in 2006 and 2007 but never worked out so God brought them here. This was their first time to this area but will be back next year with the sequel and yes, I was able to get a ticket before they sold out.

Another highlight was receiving a call from a friend, Doug, asking if I would like to go hiking along the Bruce trail. While we had talked about doing it sometime it all end up being every last min. Through out Aug it almost never stopped raining for more than a few hours or a day or two at best. Rain and more rain was on the agenda for the weekend but we headed out any ways and ended up with three perfect days of hiking weather. We hiked the Bruce trail from Cape Croker to south of Wairton with Sunday being our longest day of 32 km. (And it only stared to rain until on the drive home).

For some time, I had been thinking about getting a digital camera but since it was not high on my priority list I never got around to it until after the hike. It was then I decided it was time to move up to the modern world so I began asking questions, figuring out what I wanted and needed, and doing some research so I could make an informed and intelligent decision. That’s when I came across a cannon camera normally selling between $149 and $179 depending on where you bought it from before tax and shipping if applicable.

It was at this point that God blessed me with a deal at the last minute were I was able not only buy the camera but also a carrying case, battery charger with two sets of high end batteries, two – 2KB memory cards, the first 25 prints free plus tax included for only $172.08.

Then in October it was my birthday. My Mom took me to see The Lipizzaner Stallions and out for supper to a Chinese restaurant. Ray & Barb Lee friends from the church arranged it so I received a bunch of surprise emails with birthday greetings and encouraging words. They also brought a cake to a leadership meeting we had at the church that evening and prayed over me. It was special day and I really felt blessed.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and this year if fell in Oct... see footnote 2.

This year I’ve been reading through the Word. By Aug I was in 1^st & 2^nd Chronicles.
It was here that God spoke to me about turning failures into success. I’m so thankful His
Word always remains fresh and relevant. See footnote 1 for more detail.

Blessings.
Scott

Scott

Footnote 1

1 Chronicles 13: 6 - 14 & 15: 11 - 15
Included is some of my notes. When I was done I asked God for application. What he spoke was interesting because it could be applied to any area of life however He amazed and surprised when he said trading (stocks). It was the last thing on my mind at the time. It was not what i expected to hear but when I started applying it, not only did I see it's relevance but also how much it paralleled with where i was at.

The passage deals when David wanting to bring the ark back to Jerusalem. and UZZA dropped dead when the ox stumbled and he reached out to grab and stabilize the ark from falling. David was really ticked with God about this. He could have easily turned his back from God or at least from following Him with his whole heart. David could have given up on the plan or he could have ignorantly carried on with the plan and blamed Uzza death on a freak accident or circumstances and reasoned this tragedy away but David did not do any of this.

This caused me to ask myself '"when I fail do I blame God (or others or circumstances) for my failures or do I seek Him." Someone once said, 'If we do what we have always done we will get what we have always gotten.'
Anyways back to the story.

For the next three months the ark stayed at Obededom house while David figured out what was going on and what to do next.
David did not give up. He sought God. It took three months til he got answers and brought the ark home to Jerusalem. This time it came home in great victory and celebration. What a day it was!

It was at this point God spoke to me about the keys of turning failure to success even with my trading. This was the back drop to this power point lesson He gave to me that summarize up the passage and the things He had already been speaking to me about.

Keys in turning failure to success:

1. Take responsibility – don’t blame God, others & circumstances.

2. Seek God – regardless of how long it takes (seeking includes listening).

3. Prepare - get knowledge, wisdom, understanding. Get a detail plan together. Get whatever resources and manpower ready and in place. Set the required time aside to properly fulfill the plan.

4. Sanctify yourself before God - this is not just a one time event but a daily one. It’s spiritually preparing ourselves. It's submitting yourself and decisions to the Lord. It's making sure we our fresh in our relationship with the Lord daily. It's making sure we are walking holy and pure before Him.

5. Act – follow though. It's time to step out and take action. (because 1 - 4
is complete, fresh and current we can now step out in confidence not presumption, in boldness not pride, in faith not in fear).

6. Give God glory – acknowledge Him in the success. David held nothing back. (1 Chronicles 15: 27 -16: 3 and 2 Sam. 6: 12 - 19) Give God due response for the each and every victory.

7. Repeat.

Footnote 2

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will

of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

1 Thessalonians 5: 18

IAM THANKFUL: FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS ON THE SOFA
BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

FOR THE TEENAGER
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME,
NOT ON THE STREETS.

FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED.

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE

FOR A LAWN THAT

NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME.

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING
I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

FOR THE PARKING SPOT
I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING

AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION.

FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.

FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH
WHO SINGS OFF KEY BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF
IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

Live well, Laugh often, & Love with all of your heart!