The Blog Inn . . .

Inn-Credibly Busy

2006-06-08T07:19:00.000-04:00

Things at The Inn have been incredibly busy the last few weeks. I've been away from the quiet and solitude far too much. A myriad of doctor's appointments for our family have taken us away a lot. My time in Moncton, NB, although relaxing in many ways, was different from sitting on an Adirondack chair on the deck here and listening to the loons.

Hopefully I'll be posting more on this site in the days ahead. Please check out the new format of Pilgrim Scribblings.

"Have a good and godly day" as Woodrow Kroll from Back to the Bible says.

Down in Moncton

2006-05-19T23:45:00.000-04:00

Visitors to the Inn over the next week and a half will find that your host has gone to the Memorial Cup in Moncton, New Brunswick.

For daily updates on the Peterborough Petes quest for the Cup and the daily doings of the Moncton Missionary, check out The Moncton Diary at http://www.monctonman.blogspot.com

I'm missing the quiet at the Inn but I'm enjoying the excitement down here.

God is good!

David

Inn-credible Series

2006-05-12T19:51:00.000-04:00

Last night I drove in from the Inn to take in the Petes' game against London. They were ahead 3-0 in the series and another win would assure them a berth in the Memorial Cup. They outlasted the Knights 4-3 and will leave next week for Moncton, New Brunswick.

It's exciting for me because our ministry to the Peterborough Petes began 10 years ago when we hosted the Memorial Cup. We've been holding our "Monday We Have Fish" Bible studies ever since. A highlight I'll never forget was when my friend David Shantz, the Petes' goaltender asked for a 2nd Championship hat and skated over to the side of the rink and gave it to me. That's the kind of guy Shantzy is! 1st Class all the way!

Go Petes Go!

The Blog Cabin

2006-05-12T00:23:00.000-04:00

BULLETIN!!!

I've persuaded my good friend Brodie MacLeod to come to the Inn from his native PEI (Prince Edward Island) to conduct our 1st ever Blogging Conference. Brodie is (or was) the renowned publisher of the Hope of His Calling blog.

Brodie will offer several workshops that will be worth your while to attend including:

1. Keeping your blog current. Never let a day or two go by without posting something.

2. Staying focused on blogging even though the Montreal Canadiens lost out in the NHL playoffs.

3. Fulfilling your obligations to your blogging mentor. How NOT to disappoint the one who got you started.

As you can see this will be an exceptional time of refreshing. And remember Brodie's challenge, "Do as I say, not as I do (or don't)."

1st-ever Blogging Conference at The Blog Inn - Saurday, May 27th from 9:00 - 4:00

A Gift of Orchids

2006-05-10T23:41:00.000-04:00

Our friends Norm and Nancy dropped in for a visit at the Inn and left a beautiful orchid plant for Carol. We were grateful for the time we were able to spend with them.

Hope you can come by soon! You don't need to bring a gift though. The best gift is the pleasure of your company.

See you soon! Carol may be out in the yard fixing up her gardens but I'll be inside checking out my latest book by Calvin Miller. See you soon!

New Life

2006-05-10T22:52:00.000-04:00

It's apple blossom time here at the Inn. Every spring the grounds burst into brilliant pinks and pure whites as the blossoms on our many apple trees open up. Tonight while cutting the grass I stopped to catch the beauty with my digital camera.

Year after year we enjoy the wonder of new life as our apple trees go through their cycles. All too quickly the blossoms are replaced by apples that, unless we treat them and spray them, will become bitter and wormy.

Similar to our lives...We begin as little babies and, although we are born in sin, we are relatively unscathed by the things of the world. All too quickly the innocence of youth fades and we take on the character of the world around us. The scabs, the scars and, yes, the worms.

How do we avoid this? The Psalmist posed the question and responded within the same passage. "How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed to God's Word."

Let's do it for Jesus' sake!

No Vision?

2006-05-10T17:28:00.000-04:00

Looking out over Cranberry Lake here at the Inn can be a breathtaking experience especially when the western sky is ablaze and God's handiwork is broadcast across the heavens.

Hopefully you can visit some evening to see it first hand. Wow! What a portrait, painted by the Master Designer, the Creator of the universe!

I'm grateful that we have eyes to see the great things which our Father has created! O to have that spiritual vision that sees the need on the harvest field and asks God, "should I go or will you enable me to send another?" We either have to GO or send someone in our place. "Where there is no vision the people perish."

What part does World Missions play in your heart, your life, your family, your church?

Comin' Down the Mountain

2006-05-10T17:17:00.000-04:00

Last Saturday I took a very winding road up the mountain just north of Malibu, CA. It was really an initiation for me just in case I go to Bolivia later this year. My friend Norm Clements has told me about some of his adventures as he's visited his niece on the mission field. On one occasion their car hit a cow (I think) and rolled down the side of the mountain.

I was pleased that there was a 10" ridge of asphalt along the edge of the road but that wouldn't have stopped a car from going over a cliff. It would have given you a good jolt though. As I was coming down the mountain I could see out over the Pacific Ocean and even though it was misty and cloudy, the sight was incredible.

How often have we come down the mountain after an encounter with the living Christ. We come back to reality, the real world of jobs, children, parents, stress, debt, disease, etc. The joy of the mountain-top experience doesn't have to disappear as we come down though. The same God of the mountain is the God of the valley and He will see you through. May you know His peace today!

Back Home at the Inn

2006-05-09T08:26:00.001-04:00

Greetings, guests at the Inn. The Innkeeper has been in Southern California for the last several days and is thrilled to be back home to enjoy the quiet and stillness of the Inn's surroundings. Sure beats the LA Freeways! I'll be posting some pictures from my trip later this week.

It's good to be back and I can't wait to see you and, by the way, can you hear that loon?

NOTE: This is a photo I took of some delightful flowers in the Santa Monica Mountains. Reminded me of the floral beauty found behind the Inn.

No Patches

2006-05-04T07:41:00.000-04:00

Drop by for a surprise visit to the Inn some evening and you may find my friend Diana Johnson sitting at the old grand piano composing a hymn, psalm or spiritual song. She has an incredible voice and is sensitive to the Lord's leading when it comes to writing or composing. Here's a recent composition from this gifted artist:

NO PATCHES
2006. E. Natalie Johnson
The lyrics of this song were inspired by Luke 5:27-39 (Jesus's story ('parable') of the Wineskins).

Outside of knowing Jesus
I wore my prideful rags
Just a thought away from Mercy
I set my distance from His grace

Jesus didn't come to heal the healthy
Change the ones who like the status quo
See your sin and come undone
Claim His power to overcome
He'll give new life and throw away the old

There's joy now in this journey
In responding to His call
I'm surrounded by His mercy
He will never let me fall

THERE ARE NO PATCHES ON ME
NO, I HAVE BEEN SET FREE
JESUS GAVE ME NEW LIFE
HE'S EVERYTHING I NEED, OH...

Sometimes the way is rocky
It's not an easy ride
But abundant grace is there for me
His strength and love abide, 'cause...

Jesus didn't come to heal the healthy
Change the ones who like the status quo
See your sin and come undone
Claim His power to overcome
He'll give new life and throw away the old.

NOTE: While you're at the Inn, check out Diana's CEDAR CHEST. There are lots of treasures to be discovered!

Overwhelm Me...

2006-05-02T21:47:00.000-04:00

Here are the lyrics to a chorus the Lord gave me today as I drove home to the Inn from Toronto. If He gives me a verse or two I'll add them at a later date. May this be the prayer of each of our hearts today!

Overwhelm us...
Overcome us...
Let Your presence fill this place;
Fill my ransomed heart with wonder
God of mercy and of grace.

- David W. Fisher, May 2nd 2006

Brief But Profound

2006-05-01T08:08:00.000-04:00

Saija is a frequent guest at the Inn. Check out her blog at Thro' A Glass Darkly. She posted the following lines by Beth Moore today. Something to think about...

Live life one surrendered day at a time.
Eyes to the East.
Hands to the cross.
Feet to the path ...

- Beth Moore

So, dear guests, keep your eyes on the Eastern sky, your hands to the cross and your feet to the path today! You're nearer "home" than you were yesterday!

Inn-credible Performance

2006-04-30T21:40:00.000-04:00

On Saturday evening Nathan (9) and I left the Inn to go to Peterborough to see the Peterborough Petes tackle the Barrie Colts. The Petes had picked up their first three wins in the series in overtime. Their first win was secured in triple overtime.

The Petes knew that Fish (me) had to be at work by 11:00 p.m. on Saturday so they put away the Colts handily, 7-0, to finish them off. Steve Downie's (pictured) goal from outside the blueline in the 2nd minute of play proved to be all the Petes needed. The Petes now advance to the OHL finals against the London Knights. Our friend, David Shantz, the Petes' goaltender picked up the shutout.

Back at the Inn we've been able to relax today, the Lord's day, knowing that both the Petes and the Ottawa Senators (with Mike Fisher) are advancing in the respective playoff series.

By the way, I'll be leaving the solitude of The Blog Inn to fly to Los Angeles on Thursday evening. Walking the trails behind the Inn is certainly more peaceful that navigating the California freeways.

More later.

Be sure to come out to visit the Inn one of these days!

The Innkeeper

Missionary Slides

2006-04-23T17:59:00.000-04:00

Old (???) people from my generation will remember "missionary slides". Visiting missionaries would come to a mid-week service at the church and show their slides of the jungle and the scantilly-clad natives from the country where they were ministering.

A missionary couple, Mr. & Mrs. Farland, stayed at the Inn recently. This is one of the photos they showed us. What an incredible shot!

I wonder where all of those old, missionary slides ended up. If stretched end to end they would have reached from the Inn to Mozambique and back.

O to go back to those good, ol' days! Drop by the Inn some evening and I'll get out some of my old slides from a missionary trip to Wawa, Ontario when I was 21 years old. All four of us on that team ended up in full-time service. Carl Whitehead and John King have served with Wycliffe Bible Translators for many years. Brice Martin was pastoring the last I heard and me...well you know what I'm doing. Too bad I don't.

Raven...ous

2006-04-23T00:38:00.000-04:00

Today I'll be leaving the Inn to go and preach at Auburn Bible Chapel. My topic? PROPHETS, POTS OF OIL, PHILIP and a PICNIC.

Have I got you curious? I'll be speaking on God's provision for His people at their point of need. The prophets, of course, are Elijah and Elisha. Philip is the voice of reason in the account of the feeding of the 5,000 men plus women and children. What a picnic that was!

What is your greatest need today? Jehovah-Jireh, our Provider, will meet that need! He has promised to! (Philippians 4:19) He may not use ravens but He will keep His promise. Trust Him!

Jim Elliot's Journals

2006-04-20T08:07:00.000-04:00

Looking for a good book that will challenge you? Are you ready to be uncomfortable? Check out Elisabeth Elliot's compilation of her martyred husband's journal entries. This book is the most "checked-out" volume in the expansive library at the Inn. It's 50 years ago that five young missionaries were speared to death in the jungles of Ecuador.

Check out this brief bio of Jim Elliot.

Have a good read!

New Day Dawning

2006-04-20T07:53:00.000-04:00

Good morning, friends! Morning at the Inn is the best time of day. Spectacular sunrises! The symphony of bird songs, a lone loon on Cranberry Lake, the sound of coffee brewing in the kitchen... not to mention the wonderful aroma.

We hope your day is filled with wonder as you experience the goodness of our God. He is great and worthy of our praise! "Early in the morning, my song shall rise to You."

See you soon!

Leaving the Inn

2006-04-19T23:40:00.000-04:00

Our son Matthew and I will leave the Inn later today (Thursday) to travel to a Southern Gospel concert. Our favorite group, Greater Vision, along with the Mark Trammell Trio will present a memorable concert where Jesus Christ will be exalted and we will be refreshed and renewed. When Greater Vision was formed 15 years ago the three members were Gerald Wolfe, Chris Allman and Mark Trammell. Chris and Mark will be re-united with Gerald tonight. Their tight harmonies move me. My friends kid me about my musical tastes but I don't care. I can honestly say that God has used this genre of music to encourage me as I've stumbled along life's rocky road.

Come to the Inn and you'll hear this heavenly music softly playing in the background.

We'll return to the Inn late tonight, tired but glad we made the trek!

Hiking Outback

2006-04-19T23:31:00.000-04:00

Spring is always a wonderful time of year at the Inn. Today I walked into the woods behind the Lodge, following the stream to its source at the highest point of land about 3/4 of a mile from the shore. The buds are out and the vegetation is being transformed from a dull gray to verdant green.

Spring always reminds me of newness of life. How exciting to see a life transformed by the power of God and then watch that life open up into fresh, new beginnings. That's what the dynamic power of God can do!

As the hymnwriter penned, "Chords that were broken will vibrate once more."

Yes, spring at Cranberry Lake is..."the most wonderful time of the year."

Saija...a Frequent Guest

2006-04-18T19:57:00.000-04:00

Saija, a frequent guest at the Inn sends along the following picture. It looks a lot like the shoreline just south of the Inn. The ice just went out last week and I'm looking forward to those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer...at our place of rest, refreshment and renewal.

Check out Saija's site.

Maranatha!

Dreamin' 'Bout the Cove

2006-04-18T19:43:00.000-04:00

One of the most beautiful spots in North American without doubt is the Billy Graham Training Centre in the Smokies just outside of Asheville, NC. The Cove is nestled in the mountains and the fall scenery, as you can see from the photo, is breathtaking.

We had The Cove in mind when we decided on opening The Blog Inn. A place of rest, refreshment and renewal.

If you're ever in the Asheville area, you should take in one of the conferences they host during the spring, summer and fall months.

If you can't afford it...there's always The Blog Inn.

"The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble and He knoweth them that trust in Him." - Nahum 1:7 (KJV)

Inviting and Relaxing

2006-04-18T19:29:00.000-04:00

Here's a photo of our room at the Hampton Inn Airport in Buffalo, NY. We stayed there on Sunday evening! As soon as we entered the room we were made to feel "at home". The furnishings were luxurious without being pretentious. A peaceful place...

That's how we want you to feel when you visit The Blog Inn. The sprig (sp?) of flowers on the night table, the soft, white comforters on the beds and the comfy chairs made our visit a relaxed one...even with three kids. Now that's really a miracle!

So, dear friends, please plan on joining us at the Inn. Every day is an exciting one here. You never know what God is going to do.

See you soon!

Busy Day Away From the Inn

2006-04-18T19:13:00.000-04:00

We had no guests at the Inn today so I was able to slip away and get a few things done. Good, profitable things! This morning a hockey player and I visited a young man in the hospital, Matthew, who had a hip replacement recently. He was thrilled to have this special visit from David, a goaltender with our local Junior team.

David bought me lunch and then we visited the Christian school where our sons attend. We played basketball, soccer and threw a football around during recess. The kids were excited to have David in the playground again today.

Another good friend, Derry, dropped by today with a specially handcrafted bookshelf that is custom-made to fit into a window opening beside my desk. Now I have more room for...all those books...and the new ones I picked up yesterday.

Last night I started reading HUMILITY by C. J. Mahaney (see my recent post). I'm oft reminded of Andrew Murray's quote concerning humility. It goes something like this..."Humility is that grace that, once you think you have it, you suddenly have lost it."

Remember..."the Lord resists the proud but gives grace to the humble." See you at the Inn soon, I hope!

PEACE!

Back With More Books

2006-04-17T23:41:00.000-04:00

Our family had a good Easter weekend in the Buffalo, NY area. We're back at the Inn now with several more books for our well-stocked library. I've heard a lot about C. J. Mahaney lately so I picked up two of his books, "HUMILITY, True Greatness" and "Living the Cross Centered Life". You can sit out on the dock and read them when you come up to Cranberry Lake this summer (or spring).

We celebrated Easter Sunday at a church in Niagara Falls, NY. It was good to sing old favorites like "Christ Arose" and "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today".

Hope you had a meaningful Easter weekend, dear friends.

He is Risen!

2006-04-14T18:33:00.000-04:00

We won't be at the Inn on Sunday but this billboard will great anyone who drives in our road.

We, at The Blog Inn, are followers of Jesus and we celebrate His death, burial and resurrection!

May you know Him as Savior and Lord and worship Him in spirit and in truth this Easter Sunday.

We'll be back at the Inn early next week to prepare for a busy weekend! Did you know that Charles Haddon Spurgeon will be our guest for several days?

Everyone at the Inn says, "He is Risen!" Hallelujah !!!

Blazin' & Fishin'

2006-04-14T18:24:00.000-04:00

Wow! I just looked out the loft window facing Cranberry Lake and this is what I saw. I had to get my digital camera and catch this scene before the sun bid farewell.

You never know what you'll see at The Blog Inn. What a fantastic place! Come and visit REAL soon!

Your Chair is Ready

2006-04-14T12:52:00.000-04:00

Grab a book from your bookshelf or wait 'til you get to The Blog Inn and check out our library! Your chair is waiting on the dock at Cranberry Lake. There's a slight, cool breeze, the sky is blue with a mix of clouds and the air is still!

Your hostess will come down to the dock with some raisin scones and a pot of Earl Grey tea this afternoon around 3:00.

The comforter is turned down on your bed with a home-made chocolate mint on the night table.

Tonight we have a guest who will share his reflections from the mission field. Don't miss Dr. David Livingstone by the fireplace at 8:30.

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot

Sanctuary

2006-04-14T12:00:00.000-04:00

One of our frequent guests, David Fisher of Pilgrim Scribblings, wrote the following poem last summer as he was driving home from an event near Combermere, Ontario.

SANCTUARY

We worship in cathedrals
Tow’ring steeples, organs grand,
Or as the desert mystics
On the wastelands swept with sand.

We hear His voice in forests
As leaves rustle in the breeze
Or pray in tiny closets
In the darkness…on our knees.

We stand beside the ocean
As the mighty billows roll,
Or stand in awe as sunset
Brings deep pleasure to our soul.

We listen to the preacher
As God’s Word he does impart,
But the source of all true worship…
The sanctuary of the heart!

- David W. Fisher

"Above all guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." - Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

Moose on the Loose

2006-04-14T11:33:00.000-04:00

Take a hike along one of The Blog Inn's nature trails! You never know what you'll see. God's unblemished creation here by Cranberry Lake is a playground for moose, elk, a variety of deer and the odd bear will wander by from time to time. Last weekend one of our guests, Pastor Jonathan Edwards, took this photo of a bull moose.

Hopefully we've tweaked your interest in coming to the Inn. Easter weekend is fully booked but we have some openings in early May.

See you soon!

God bless!

Inn-credible Sounds

2006-04-14T08:36:00.000-04:00

This morning I woke to the sounds of a loon looking for fish in the bay across from the Inn. The eerie sound was music to my ears on this quiet Good Friday morning! God's incredible creation is often beyond words!

Just another reason for spending a few days at the Inn where your spiritual batteries can be re-charged.

"For the Lord is good, His unfailing love continues forever and His faithfulness continues to each generation." - Psalm 100:5 (NLT)

Food for the Soul

2006-04-13T21:17:00.000-04:00

At The Blog Inn you'll find a wonderful selection of books that will stimulate your mind, lead you into a more intimate relationship with the Lord and feed your soul. The library is always open...24 hours a day. Please don't wake others up when you slip downstairs from your cozy room at the Inn to the well-stocked library. Pick up a couple of my mother's ginger cookies by the door and enjoy...

See you there. I'm just finishing off a new book... "Father of Faith Missions...the Life and Times of Anthony Norris Groves." Good stuff!

Rest Stop

2006-04-12T22:17:00.000-04:00

THE BLOG INN

- A Place of Rest, Refreshment and Renewal

The Blog Inn is a much-needed rest stop on the highway of life. A place to curl up and relax before resuming your journey. We serve coffee, tea, milk and cookies. A well-stocked library is waiting to be used. Take a walk in the woods behind the Inn. Cool off your tired feet in the cool, meandering stream. Climb to the top of the rise and watch the blazing sunset, then finish off your day talking with the Creator God, the Host of The Blog Inn. You're always welcome at our place! Stay as long as you wish but please invite others to drop by for a visit.