Our Little Gift from God Arrived

Well, our little girl arrived on April 23, 2007 at 9:30 p.m. She was 8 lbs. 2 oz. and 20 inches long. Her name is Varynia Janne Fisher. Her first name is pronounced Ver-in-eea. For her middle name, my Mom's name is Jan and we took the spelling from combining my wife and my middle names (James and Le-Anne). She is such a blessing. Thank you, Lord, for such a wonderful, healthy, sweet baby girl.

I'm sorry that I haven't blogged in a while. Okay, I know... I fell off the face of the earth. The past three weeks or so, we received my wife's belongings from Canada (have I metioned I love the whole immigration process?) :), moved in, unpacked, had a yard sale, prepared for the baby's arrival, prepared the house for company (my in-laws are here for two weeks from Canada), and then received our little bundle of joy. It's just been crazy busy. I promise... I will attempt to keep up now. :) I finally have a little bit more time to breath. :)

I'll look forward to hearing from you all and getting caught back up with your lives and your blogs. :)

Our Story

My wife, Krista, and I met in person for the first time October, 2004. Believe it or not, we unofficially met prior to that through an online Christian dating service. Go figure! Who would have thought? I know I never would have, if you asked me ten years ago. Krista is from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. We were born, geographically, about three hours from each other and we met approximately 3,000 miles apart. Amazing how the Lord works! Anyways, Krista became a Christian about 7 years ago, which has been great to have a fresh perspective on being a Christian. Krista was married before. About nine months after getting married, her husband had an anurism and she was already pregnant. She has had a VERY difficult road, but has shined through it. We just got married this past April, 2006, so we haven't even been married for a year yet. The song that I wrote and sang to Krista for the wedding is...

"Never Thought It'd Be You"

For many years I knew just how my life would look
We’d meet and fall in love just like a fairy tale book
I knew I’d had it all planned, down to the last detail
But, now I know that God knew how my plan would fail
CHORUS
Never thought it'd be you to make my life complete
And open up my heart where dreams and love would meet
Never thought it'd be true that love could be so real
And in my heart I'd feel… It could only be you.

The first time we met, I knew my plan was wrong
I guess I never knew, that love could be so strong
Yes, it was untraditional, the way we fell in love
But, there is not a doubt, you were sent from God above.
CHORUS
Never thought it'd be you to make my life complete
And open up my heart where dreams and love would meet
Never thought it'd be true that love could be so real
And in my heart I'd feel… It could only be you.

BRIDGE
Here we stand where family and friends have gathered ‘round
I never knew a love like this could ever be found.
CHORUS
Never thought it'd be you to make my life complete
And open up my heart where dreams and love would meet
Never thought it'd be true that love could be so real
And in my heart I'd feel… It could only be you.

I am thoroughly enjoying being a dad. I am planning to adopt "our" daughter and, thank the Lord, she was at a nice age that the transition has been fairly smooth. Its wonderful to hear her call me, "Daddy". We are expecting another daughter in April. What a way to spend the first year aniversary, huh? For those that caught it, that is why I have 2 children listed but a picture of only one. Trust me... I will have plenty of pictures of the new born when she arrives.

I wrote vows, which I read to "our" daughter. To My Little Girl,

Today, your mommy and I have come together to wed
There’s not just two of you, now, but three of us instead
I’ve pledged my life and love to your kind and loving mommy
But only with our little girl, will we truly be a happy family

I pledge to love you as my own ‘til death do us part
But as your Daddy I think that pledge, is just a simple start
For I pledge to follow Jesus and to live for Him each day
So, as you grow and seek His will, I’ll have helped to show the way

I know the years will come and go and you’ll be a lovely lady
But, I just pray that through the years you’ll be proud to call me, “Daddy”
Here I give this little ring to remind you of my love,
Which will not fade or pass away, only true love is from above.

I love you,

From, Your Daddy

As far as meeting for the first time, it was very unique but good. I met her brother for the first time about 2 minutes after I met Krista. I met her aunt about 45 minutes later and then I met her parents the next morning. That was in October and she met my parents and most of my immediate family over Thanksgiving that same year.

The Lord is good and faithful.

Entitlement

Why do I act like I'm entitled to something? I was reading this morning in Romans 11. The verse, which seemed to be the theme of the chapter, is verse 18. "Do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you."

I had a great time working in the yard this past weekend. The analogy that Paul used in reference to the branches and root was very fresh on my mind. Through my mouth and my mind, I know I am nothing without God but why do I act like I'm entitled to something. I'm entitled to have a nice place to live in, I'm entitled to have a family, I'm entitled to have everything go my way, I'm entitled to serve God in the manner that I choose, I'm entitled to have what other Christians have, and the list goes on. Paul tries to express... hey, how in the world can you look at another branch (person/people) and make any comparison at all. Without the root (Jesus) you are nothing. I immediately picture some of the branches that I cut down this past weekend which are now withered, dried and dead. "Lord, may I never forget and maintain a focus that you do not need me or anything that I have to offer... for all that I am, all that I have and all that I may produce is supported and receives its life from You."

What is church?

The more that I peel away the layers of dogma that inundated my years of growing up in church, I begin to have a different perspective on church. Each piece that I've peeled away has drawn me closer to the core... the truth... the heart of God. I've realized church is not about whether hymns were sung in the service; or which instrument was used how often; or who sat in which pew; or whether I happened to read God's Word from my Bible, a handout or a screen; or who talked to me that day or who did not; or which version of the Bible the person next to me was using; or whether I agree or felt comfortable with everything that happened; or who wrote or performed the song that was used for special music; or that the order of service was the exact same as I'm use to; or whether someone raised their hands during a congregational song with their eyes closed; or whether or not everyone in the church was wearing their "Sunday best"; or whether someone shared something that was a different experience with God than I have experienced. The closer that I came to the core... it became evident. We have made so many issues out of things in the "name" of God that we have forgotten to make it about God. Simply... "love the Lord your with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind" and "love your neighbor as yourself". It's about GOD... simply about God... giving Him my praise, worship and undivided attention to learn from Him. With all the things going on in our churches... do we above all feel love... do we offer love? I Corinthians 13 makes it very clear... even if we have the gift of tongues, or prophecy or have all the faith in the world... we are nothing without love. Unfortunately, I believe we have placed all of these layers upon the Spirit of God. We have hindered the Holy Spirit in our churches with good intentions wrapped decoratively with our own levels of comfort.

Don't Let Me Let Go

My life has typified the event of Peter walking out on the water to meet Jesus. I have great intentions but when the storm gets rough around me... I don't turn my back on God... I just take my eyes off of Him. I let go... trying to steady myself. Instead of trusting God enough for Him to be the Rock that steadies me. I constantly find myself puting the reigns back in my own hands... as if the Creator of the universe cannot handle my little problem. Often times my excuse is simply, "Well, I'm really busy, though." After I realized these things about myself, I wrote this song.

I know what Your Word says, I've heard it a thousand times before
You'll never leave me or forsake me and You've promised even more
But, this burden really troubles me and I have to know what's true
Please, tell me, sweet Jesus... what happens when I leave you
CHORUS
Don't let me let go...
Help me hold to you so tight
I will follow what is right
Don't let me let go...
I wanna feel Your nail scarred hands
While You lead me in Your plans
Oh, Jesus... don't let me let go

Lord, save me from myself, I know it’s to you that I belong
I’m as close to you as I choose to be, yet I find I’m doing wrong
I want to follow close beside you, and wait for You to lead
But, I find I go my own way, oh, hear my longing plea
CHORUS
Don’t let me let go
Help me hold to you so tight
I will follow what is right
Don’t let me let go
I want to feel your nail-scarred hands
While you lead me in Your plans
Oh, Jesus, don’t let me let go.

Life with God

Life with God is a journey of constant learning. I am finding that I make the Christian life more difficult than what it is meant to be. Letting go... showing "Perfect Surrender" is an extremely difficult thing to do especially in this "control freak" and fast paced society.

Where are you in your journey with God? (None of us have "arrived", nor WILL we, until we have arrived home, in His arms)