Category: sabbatical 2024

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12) The Lord has given me time to rest, to reflect and to be renewed. Someone asked me why I was posting about each day. They were concerned that this was not a restful way to spend my time.

Tuesday, May 7, 2024 I am celebrating my 58th birthday. Thank you for all you birthday greetings and prayers. Went for my morning 6k walk. It was a great morning for a walk. I took advantage of Starbuck’s birthday bonus, and bought the biggest, most expensive drink I could get. Nathan aso gave me the…

Monday, May 6, 2024 Today was a quiet day. I spent my time doing more routine and relaxing tasks, things that needed to be done. Jesus is as much a part of the routine as the more ‘spiritual’ activities. If Jesus is with us always to the very end (Matthew 28:20), we can experience whatever we…

Sunday, May 5, 2024 Today I had the opportunity to go to church with my son, daughter-in-law and grandsons. This is not something I’ve been able to do before. There was a freedom in just being there, not being responsible for anything, no expectations of me, and no pressure to bring a message. To just…

Saturday, May 4, 2024 I’ve always taken Saturdays off from work. But because the next day is sermon day, I am usually pondering the message in the mind. Not today! I did much of the same kind of stuff I normally do on a Saturday, but my mind was freer, more relaxed. That was nice….

Friday, May 3, 2024 A trip down memory lane. My brother Greg and I went to Hamilton to walk through the places we lived, played and went to school. As we shared memories, more memories surfaced, and our perspective added to the others’. It struck us both how our memories are positive, and what a…

Thursday, May 2, 2024 Worked on my trailer again. I’m installing a new mini fridge. Went for a long walk with my backpack. I walked into Galt, then through Preston, then along Blair and back home. It was a 5 hour walk with a 1 hour break at Tim Hortons. Cut the grass, then made…

Wednesday, May 1, 2024 A brief record of my daily activities. If you are reading this, I am not writing this for you but for myself. Writing is therapeutic for me, and a good way to remember how I experienced this sabbatical gift. But you are welcome to join me for the journey. Morning walk….

We are looking forward to spending time in Europe visiting the Netherlands and seeing our daughter and son-in-law. But being away from home and leaving it empty for so long does make us nervous. For this reason we are thankful for this guy, our second born son. Nathan’s been living with us for two months…

“They left their nets and followed him.” (Mark 1:18) How could they just leave their nets, what they had been doing for years. I wonder if they had second thoughts, or if their minds went back to the boats and nets and fish? It is interesting to note that after the crucifixion and resurrection, the disciples…