April 9, 2021As you probably know, I am a huge hockey fan. Growing up in Montreal, when there were only six teams in the National Hockey League (NHL), I met a player (Reggie Fleming) whose parents lived on the same street as I did. Receiving his autographed photograph was a highlight of one summer. Little did I know then that I would meet a few other players when I was older, including Doug Jarvis, who achieved a remarkable record for the most consecutive games played: 964. In the following article, Doug is pictured beside the late Gordie Howe, who was known as “Mr. Hockey.” Howe’s record for most games played in the NHL is being approached this month by Patrick Marleau (born in Saskatchewan, like Gordie Howe was): https://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/one-game-at-a-time-31-years-on-canucks-coach-doug-jarvis-iron-man-streak-still-stands.
In the 1970s, I met Doug Jarvis, who went roller blading with the youth group of the church where I became a member in my late teens. He was just starting his career with the Montreal Canadiens and little did I know, that I would see him again many years later at an event held by Hockey Ministries International. Doug loves the Lord and is an inspiration to all who desire to live a life of integrity and dedication to the One who loved the world so much that He sent His only Son to die on the cross for our sins, as we remembered last week. If you have never asked God’s forgiveness for your sins, what are you waiting for? The apostle Paul, whose life was radically changed when he met the Lord, wrote to his protégé, Timothy (please see “Scripture for the weekend”), to encourage him to put God first in his life. To read some of Paul’s words, please visit: ARE YOU TRAINING IN GODLINESS? – Hockey Ministries International.
While driving in Montreal yesterday, I heard Dr. David Jeremiah tell of the transformation of a man whose conversion to Christ has amazed people in the Middle East: https://www.davidjeremiah.org/radio/player?id=3528. I thank the Lord for saving me 579 months ago today. Moses, who helped the people of Israel see the greatness of God, wrote: “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). In his book “The Journey of Desire,” John Eldredge writes: “We are at war, and the bloody battle is over our hearts. I am astounded how few Christians see this, how little they protect their hearts. We act as though we live in a sleepy little town during peacetime. We don’t. We live in the spiritual equivalent of a war-torn country. Act like it. Watch over your heart. Don’t let just anything in; don’t let it go just anywhere.”
If you would like to join a study of the gospel of Luke for men on Zoom, please contact me. Our second meeting is scheduled for tomorrow at 10 a.m. Eastern time.
Scripture for the weekend: “… that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all … ” 1 Timothy 2:2-6 (NKJV)
Thought for the weekend: “It is very sweet, as life passes by, to be able to look back on dark and mysterious events, and to trace the hand of God where we once saw only the malice and cruelty of man.” – F.B. Meyer (from the book “A Man of Integrity and Forgiveness: Joseph” by Charles R. Swindoll, published by Word Publishing, Inc., Nashville, Tennesee)
Steve