Category: Uncategorized

Where has the time gone!

My apologies for not writing in my Blog since March….For many of us the world has been upside down. But in our house we remain focused on what is important during this crisis the world has been go through.

In early March we went to Georgia for 6 days, and while we were gone so many things changed. Upon our return to Canada we had to self quarantine for 14 days. That sure was interesting, no opportunities to leave our home. Many of you were faced with the same thing.

It was during day 2 of our quarantine that an idea dropped into my mind and I know that the idea was from God. I went on Facebook live on March 18th to encourage all my friends. Giving a daily message of hope and inspiration.

Today was Day 111 of the “Live at 9” Facebook posts…. People are telling me that they are being encouraged and that is why I continue them to today. I am trying to remind people that the Lord is with us and that He will never fail us. The calls are between 10 and 15 minutes in length. For someone who doesn’t like being in front of the camera it has been interesting.

That is also the reason why I have not been writing the Blog, much of my spare time is used to get ready for the calls.

I have also started to mentor some individuals using technology to communicate and that has been an absolute blessing to me.

I know that this time has very difficult for many people, but I know that we are going to get to the other side. I don’t want to be the same, and I don’t others to be the same. During a crisis we can grow and I have seen so much growth in my life, and I thank God for that. I have realized more than ever that I want to be used by God to impact people. He is currently using the Facebook live calls and I am so grateful for that.

I know that God has big plans for all of us, we just have to be open and receptive to His leading. It’s July 8th, let’s use the last half of the year to really make a positive difference in the lives of people.

The 2 hips are now just over 15 months old and are doing great. I still will say without hesitation if you need your hips replaced, do both at the same time if the doctor makes that offer. With the “hips” being 15 months old I am reminded that I have now been retired for 20 months. I still am enjoying retirement, and I know I would not be able to do all the things I am doing if I was still working.

Yesterday I was on my hands and knees staining our deck for about 3 hours and did not have any issues at all. Another blessing from the Lord. Without the new hips there is no way I could have done the work.

I have also been spending more time with my parents as one never knows how much time they will have left. Roxanne and I recently took them to Jasper with us and everyone had a great time. Cherish every moment that you have with family. As for travel I think there will be lots of “Travel Alberta” vacations this year.

  • Mountain view in Jasper National Park

We are going to get through the Corona Virus, we are going to get through everything that is going on at present and when we do we can be reminded that God is faithful.

Psalms 126:5-6 (Passion Translation) tells us this, and we can always be confident that He will be with us.

5 Those who sow their tears as seeds
will reap a harvest with joyful shouts of glee.
6 They may weep as they go out carrying their seed to sow,
but they will return with joyful laughter and shouting with gladness
as they bring back armloads of blessing and a harvest overflowing!

I appreciate your time in reading today, and I do commit to writing on a more frequent basis.

Have an amazing day everyone and remember God Loves You So Very Much.

This is the day!!!!!!!!

This indeed is the day that the Lord has made we will rejoice and be glad in it…. I shared the “BHAP” (Big Hairy Audacious Prayers) thought with a few people and they thought that it was great. So in our house going forward we will be praying Big Hairy Audacious Prayers). We serve a big God who is still in the prayer answering business.

With that in mind if you have any prayer requests, PLEASE send me a message. Roxanne and I will commit to praying for you daily.

Since I wrote the last paragraph our door bell rang, and it was a strong reminder that HE does answer BIG PRAYERS. Last spring one of our neighbors told us that they were wanting to have a baby but had not been yet successful in getting pregnant. We let her know we would be praying, which we did consistently. She eventually let us know when she was pregnant and this morning they brought over the little baby to meet us.

What a great reminder from the Lord of HIS goodness, and answered prayers. A powerful confirmation to me as I had started writing about prayer this morning, and then answer to prayer showed up at our door.

Once again if you need prayer send me your requests and we will pray for you.

Last week I had my 12 month follow for the bi-lateral hip replacement surgery. It was actually held at 11 months and I passed with flying colors. During one of the tests I walked at 1.79 meters per second which is one of the fastest paces they had seen. I don’t have to go back for follow for another 3 years so that is indeed a blessing. I also met 3 men contemplating hip surgery. I told them what I went through and I told them I could now walk any distance with no pain whatsoever…I told them I am now able to enjoy doing physical activities again. I am trying my best to walk at least 20 miles per week and I really enjoy being active.

Just a short post today and with the ringing of the door bell, I am reminded that this indeed is the day that the Lord has made. Trusting that all of you have an amazing day.

BHAP!!!!!!!!

Do you remember from the business world BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) and how it is is vital to a company and the employees????

Two weeks ago at a night of prayer at our church there were 6 of us in attendance. Myself, Roxanne and 4 others. I don’t know why but I started talking about BHAG and all of sudden the thought came to me. BHAP!!! For a believer we need to believe in BHAP. We need to have that mindset when we pray. IT MUST BE BIG HAIRY AUDACIOUS PRAYERS. We need to pray and then we need to believe God for the answer.

We need to believe that no prayer is too big for God. I have the 6 of us using the phrase BHAP now. I am wondering if this is something that can catch on? How many of you reading would say BHAP?

I have no idea where the original thought came from. Maybe it was myself and maybe God planted the thought in my head. Roxanne and I are choosing to pray that way going forward.

Not only Big Prayers, we also want to have Big Impact on People. With God’s help we want to make a difference in the lives of people.

What a way to start today’s Blog Post!!

I just finished driving my home from California, more about that in future writings. At this point I will say it was fun and memorable.

Beautiful morning in Palm Springs

I flew to Palm Springs on the 29th, and we left on the 1st of February. Before we left Palm Springs one early morning I went for a walk and saw a robin. The robin was sitting in a tree enjoying the sunshine. Then I thought I wonder where that robin goes when winter is over? Does it fly to Alberta? Where does it go for the summer? I know it probably does not stay in Palm Springs but flies somewhere. Seeing the robin reminded me that it has a BHAG. It’s goal is so big, that little bird migrates. A small bird flies miles and miles and miles. It sets big goals and knows that it will achieve that goal. That confirmed to me that we need to have the BIG PRAYERS.

Watching that robin was a powerful lesson and I know that lesson came to me that morning from God. The bigger question is what am I going to do with that lesson?

Just a short post for today, but I wanted to share the story about BHAP.

Have a great weekend everyone, and I look forward to hearing from those of you who will start using the phrase BHAP in your life.

Thanks for reading today blessings to you.

Eating Healthy On A Cold Winter Day

Daniel Fast Meal

A very quick post for today. Trust that everyone is having an amazing day. Roxanne and I have started the year doing a “Daniel Fast” that we started on the 6th of January. Since that time in addition to the prayer time we have been able to improve our diet considerably. I don’t even miss not drinking “Coke”!!!!!!

Last night’s dinner which I made was easy to make and very healthy. I wanted to share it with all of you. The taste far exceeded my expectations.

Ingredients.

Garlic….Onions……Mushrooms…..Zucchini….Red Peppers….Tomatoes…..

It was very easy to make and took very little time. The meal made for a perfect dinner.

That is another benefit of retirement, I have really enjoyed spending more time learning how to work in the kitchen.

Everyone have a great day, I have to get on the treadmill as I have committed to doing 20 miles per week of walking to enhance my recovery.

Have a wonderful and blessed day everyone.

10 Months!!!!!!

It is so hard to believe that today is exactly 10 months since the bi-lateral hip replacement. Time has gone so very fast. Yet in some respects it feels just like yesterday. Bottom line I have to thank The Lord so much for being with me during the recovery. With out a doubt that I would not have progressed this far or this fast without His help. I am walking far more now than I have in the past several years. I looked at my FitBit last night and it showed that I walked 25 miles last week. That distance included shoveling snow several times and I truly enjoyed shoveling the snow and was pain free. I really missed not shoveling snow last winter and am making up for it now as I try to do the snow of neighbors as well. Many have asked my opinion on hip replacements. I stand firm in my belief that because I needed 2 done, doing them at the same time the right thing to do for me. Everyone has to make their own decision, I made the right one for me. I look forward to the coming summer and being very active outside. I appreciate all the comments and support from all my friends during the recovery process.

In addition to being 10 months since hip surgery, today is exactly 446 days since I retired from RBC. I have learned to really love Sunday afternoons. While working, many Sunday afternoons around 4:00 I started feeling a little anxious as my mind started going over all the things that I had to do in the coming week. The joy of the weekend slowly disappeared thinking about the coming week. I know many of you have the same feeling as you have told me so or acknowledged it to me when I asked the question. Now Sunday afternoons are perfect. No concerns whatsoever about Monday morning. It is such a wonderful feeling. But it does also have a downside.

I truly do miss the freedom of not working for the Bank but I do miss one thing in particular. I really miss not leading and impacting people as their coach. Leading and impacting people for 30 years was such a wonderful blessing. I know I was a good coach, and I truly miss not coaching, impacting and leading people. I have come to the realization that I will never lead people again, and I will have to find different ways to impact people. I don’t know what those ways are yet, but I know I have to find them. For me to be truly fulfilled I need to impact people. I need to use the talents and abilities that have been given to me. Who knows maybe I will be able to impact just one person who reads this BLOG.

This past weekend Roxanne and I were blessed to be able to host the International Messengers booth at The One Conference (Previously called Breakforth). IM is the organization that we have gone to Ukraine 6 times with. We met lots of great people, heard lots of great speaking/music and had many wonderful interactions. Our neighbors to each side in the booth area were also fantastic. We were blessed to meet Eliud and Gina from Intercede International and Robb and Lois from Global Leadership Network. Both couples were absolutely dynamic and were a joy to talk to. We have met some new friends and you can never have enough friends. The weekend was so great being in an atmosphere where the name of The Lord was proclaimed everywhere.

One Conference

I think I forgot to let everyone know that I am working part-time. I realized during my recovery that I could not just sit around the house so I am working as a part-time travel agent. It is lots of fun, I am learning lots and also closing some business. I will give more updates on this in the future.

I think it is time to go for today, and I know I have said it before but I commit to write on a more regular basis. I appreciate you taking the time read my BLOG. Have a wonderful and blessed week everyone.