Aches and Praise Two Hundred & Forty Seven

Dear friends,
 

Yesterday I had the privilege of visiting J.P. in Montreal. I wrote three weeks ago that he had phoned me at the exact moment that I was typing the title of the latest CD of Pastor Michel Martel’s messages entitled “Overcoming a ‘down’”. After seeing J.P. yesterday, I am starting to get a better understanding of the challenges that he faces. One of them is to stop smoking, a habit that has gripped him for more than 40 years. I asked his permission to share this prayer request and he was glad to know that people would be praying for him.

I also had the privilege yesterday of talking with Allan McGuirl, co-founder of Galcom International. He is one of the most humble servants of the Lord that I have ever met. I just finished reading his biography “Waves of Hope” which he gave me at a Missions conference at Redeemer Bible Church in Niagara Falls. He told me that there are two frequencies available for an FM station in Quebec City and that an engineer from Galcom will be meeting with officials of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in Ottawa on Monday, June 6th, to discuss Galcom’s request to have one of the frequencies in order to establish a Christian station in Quebec’s capital. Please pray that this request will be granted so that the gospel will be proclaimed in the days to come.

 
Karen heard the broadcast of “Family Talk” (http://drjamesdobson.org/) this week in which Rabbi Jonathan Cahn delivered a powerful message in Washington, D.C. on the U.S. National Day of Prayer. To listen to this stirring address, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fL7QFD9fNdM.
 

An historic event took place in Ottawa yesterday. This is how the CBC described what took place: “Prime Minister Justin Trudeau raised a Pride flag on Parliament Hill today for the first time in the country’s history, in recognition of the people who have “fought a long time” to secure equal rights for LGBT Canadians. The multi-colour rainbow flag — widely recognized as a symbol of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans community — will be flown on a temporary flag pole in front of Centre Block to mark the beginning of Pride Month, a time to celebrate sexual and gender diversity.”

Earlier this week I read some of what C.S. Lewis wrote about pride. A chapter entitled “The Great Sin” is available at:

http://www.fellowshipofthemartyrs.com/articles/60-spiritual-tuneup/191-mere-christianity-chapter-8-qthe-great-sinq-cs-lewis. Isn’t it ironic that the rainbow is a symbol of pride for those who promote a lifestyle that is contrary to the teaching of the Bible, which reveals the purpose of the rainbow in Genesis 9, namely to declare God’s covenant with mankind to never again destroy the earth? May the light of God’s Word pierce the darkness of hearts that have been hardened by sin, so that many may come to know the One who died so that we might live.

Scripture for the weekend: “For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.” Romans 1:25 (NASB)

Thought for the weekend: “If anyone would like to acquire humility, I can, I think, tell him the first step. The first step is to realize that one is proud. And a biggish step, too. At least, nothing whatever can be done before it. If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed.” – C.S. Lewis (from his book “Mere Christianity”)

By His grace,

Steve


^