Pastor Mike’s Garage June 23, 2022

*Pastor Mike’s Garage-June 23/2022*

So, I’ve had an interesting couple weeks to say the least. It all began
early last Dec when my farm was broken into. It was clear by the amount of
stuff they went through and took they were there for hours. While they got
away with about $3000 in stuff, it could have been worse because they had
some larger ticket items ready to go and left without them. I had always
suspected they’d be back! Then at the end of December I had a hip
replacement which led to some complications leaving me wearing a catheter
for three months awaiting prostate surgery. The hip healed fine, and I
recovered far better and sooner from that than I anticipated. I had
prostate surgery on Mar 30. Initially everything seemed a complete success,
I was literally feeling, and functioning, better than I have in a long
time. Unfortunately, around the time we went to the ACOP national
conference in Calgary in the middle of May I started bleeding internally. I
still felt fine but at times there was a disturbing amount of blood coming
out of me which leads to last week’s events. Remember how I had the feeling
that my new farm friends from last fall would be back sometime? I can’t say
with certainty that it was the same people but on four different occasions
I had people in my farmyard last week which resulted in sheds being broken
into, a truck being stolen, and another car being severely damaged in an
attempted theft. The cost of last week’s events probably come close to
another $5-6000. To complete the week, I had a scope done on Friday to look
(literally) into the internal bleeding. The doctor says it’s not cancer or
anything but apparently my prostate is growing back at a rapid rate and
they may have to look at surgery again!

Which bring me to the point I’m actually trying to make in this pastor’s
garage besides airing all my dirty laundry! Early this last Sunday morning
I was stewing and in a grumpy mood! I was angry at the thieves, frustrated
at the RCMP, and questioning the competence of our medical system. I was
fixating on the loss of my truck. It’s not that it was any kind of amazing
truck, but I had some plans for it and I got it at a deal, probably half of
what its gonna cost me to replace it if I want to continue with those plans
let alone the fact that it was a bit of hard truck to find in the first
place. It was while I was in the middle of my stew that I heard a still
quite voice in my inner being say “Don’t you think I know where that truck
is? Don’t you think I could lead the police right to it? Don’t you think I
could give the doctors wisdom?” I was quickly brought back to reality. For
quite some time now God has laid our local police force on my heart and I
have sought to find some way to make a connection with them. God had laid
my urologist on my heart as well, I even offered to pray for him in an
operating room after a procedure. I have always had a soft spot for those
struggling in life who quite often find themselves operating outside the
law. I realized that while I was feeling sorry for myself and lamenting the
loss of some material possessions, I was missing the opportunity to share
the hope I have found in Jesus with the very people I have been saying God
has laid on my heart!

This morning while I was thinking about all of this a verse from
Philippians came to mind where Paul says he counts all things loss for the
glory of knowing Christ. Now it’s easy to agree and say we count all things
loss as long as we still have good health, a loving family, a camper, a
quad, nice house, a cool old car, newer vehicles, etc, etc. It’s a
different thing once we start experiencing the loss of some of those very
things! Yet in the midst of that scenario another thought came to my mind
this morning. Through Ben playing ball I have gotten closer to some
families in town that I don’t usually hang out with. Funny thing, as soon
as I get to know someone better and start liking them, I inevitably start
thinking about how I can introduce them to Jesus! I don’t care if they know
I have a 1963 Ford Galaxie, or a side by side, or newer snowmobile, but I
do care if they know Jesus! That’s what’s truly important! We are God’s
children but as I step back and take a look at my situation, I have to
admit I’m probably one of His spoiled brats! The reality is that although I
have faced some loss and health trials in the recent past, by the world’s
standards I am still extremely wealthy and blessed. I can complain about
our healthcare but the reality is in many other countries I’d just be dead
now or in a wheelchair! I have so much to be thankful for, chief among
these is the hope and peace I have in Jesus as my security!

I will close this PG with some verses that came to mind. “I once thought
these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of
what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with
the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have
discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain
Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness
through obeying the law; rather, become righteous through faith in Christ.”
Philippians 3:7-9. “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind
come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that
when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it
grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and
complete, needing nothing.” James1:2-4 “And we know that God causes
everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are
called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28

Pastor Mike

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