Thursday, June 28, 2012

The Handshake





It would have been inconceivable ten years, five or even two years ago, but this week it happened; the ex-commander of the Provisional I.R.A. shook hands with head of the British Commonwealth. 

Martin Mc Guiness and Elizabeth Windsor, for all the world to see, reached out over years of hatred, bloodshed and internecine warfare and spoke words of peace to each other.

He gave the greeting in Irish she had appropriate words in English and suddenly the future was more important than the past and reconciliation triumphed over retribution.

I am astounded that I have lived to see the unthinkable take place. As long as I can remember there have been the "Troubles" of Northern Ireland, and now not truce but peace.

It all reinforces the hope that the day will come when men everywhere shall beat their swords into ploughshares and the lion shall lie down with the lamb.

Hasten the day Lord Jesus.

JUBILATE.

Ian

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Be Thankful










Within five minutes drive of where I live there are at least a dozen places that serve coffee and fast food, both eat in and take out.

There are clean rest rooms, quick service, cheap prices and lots of variety especially at the Mandarin all-you-can-eat restaurant.
When I say I am thankful, I mean it. Frank Somer my friend from Toronto sent me this photo just in case I ever needed to be reminded.

I like the fact that this lady was brave enough to use her chop sticks while up to her neck in water, but give me a seat next to a window with a view....... and I'll skip the glass of water!

Jubilate.

Ian

Monday, June 25, 2012

Be thankful




I've just put down the phone after speaking to a young lady in Virginia. I feel most honored that she has asked me to conduct her wedding in Dallas in August. Her father is a pastor and I have preached at his church on a number of occasions.

It's going to be quite an affair. She is having eleven bridesmaids and the groom ten ushers, so things are going to be crowded in the Rockwall Wedding Centre.

Of course everything will go perfectly from start to finish including the reception where the menu is already planned.

Having received this picture a couple of weeks ago I suggested, among other things, that we pray for fine weather and that we be delivered from tornadoes, cloudbursts and all other such events that can happen in Dallas at this time of the year.

WE WILL BE THANKFUL LORD FOR A SLIGHT BREEZE, A LITTLE SUNSHINE  AND TEMPERATURES LESS THAN 100F.

Jubilate.

Ian

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Be Thankful






From time to time we need to simply stop, look around, take in the scenery and BE THANKFUL.

I live in Barrie, Ontario, one of the most picturesque places on the planet. Our city is situated on the west side of the twenty mile long, Lake Simcoe. It is at the Southern most end of a tourist area called the Georgian Triangle. We have all the amenities of the modern world, peace and safety on our streets and it is a wonderful place to live.


When I return from my trips to India and Pakistan my wife, Pauline, will find me kissing the carpet at the airport or in my hallway.
The photos explain the reason fully. 

Do you ever thank God for the vehicle you drive, the house in which you live, the good food that you eat, the education you have received, the health you enjoy, the malls in which you shop, the clean wash rooms in which you do your ablutions?

You ought to. One of these days it might be you sitting on the roof of the second coach on the left wishing you were back home!


Jubilate.  1 Thessalonians 5:18.
Ian