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Listen while you read: "Sound The Battle Cry"1 (Lyrics) |
Job 31:6 – Let me be weighed in a just balance, and let God know my integrity! (NRSVA)
What fun we have with some of the novices who come to visit our region in the summer. We have a plethora of possibilities when it comes to watercraft — from kayak to canoe, from tender to sailboat. One thing the tourists all have in common is finding balance, and many of the water novices who come to visit lack balance in watercraft. Hopefully, they have mastered swimming!
During the North American Indigenous Games in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, in July 2023, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joined the canoers on Lake Banook and later offered these comments on the art of canoeing: "It requires, first of all, for you to be in balance. If you're not centred in who you are, in where you are… your first step in a canoe may be your first step into a swim."
Yes, some of our visitors have experienced such a swim. By the time when they leave, they have often mastered balance in canoe or tender — and maybe in their lives.
Likewise, the Bible invites us to be in balance. Every one of us needs to find that centre where our lives take on balance. We need to "strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness" (Matthew 6:33a NRSVA) and learn to know God's peace and presence, for He says, "Be still, and know that I am God!" (Psalm 46:10a NRSVA) If you're still feeling unbalanced, you might turn to Isaiah 41:10 to find the hand that will hold you steady: "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand." (NRSVA)
Philippians 4:8 – Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (NRSVA)
You may still find yourself taking a swim from time to time, but even that may prepare you for what is coming next as you seek to balance your life in Christ!
Prayer: God, You know how often we've lost our balance in life. Help us today to attain that balance in all areas of our lives and find that more excellent way in Jesus Christ. Amen.
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Monday, March 24, 2025 – In the Middle East — We recently received a message telling us that one of our dear local friends has passed away. This was so hard, as we are on home assignment which makes it even harder. Please pray with us that the Lord will comfort his family and children and that Christ's name will be glorified. Help them to stay strong in their faith in the face of opposition..
friend: "Update March 21, 2025; Please continue to pray for Hilde who has had dizziness for many months..." 
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Love this! So true.
Thank you. I need to find that balance.
Thanks, Kenn, for the encouraging words.
Thanks for the great post and reminder Kenn, God bless!
Great truth Kenn. Balance is much needed in our crazy world. Thanks for your writing.
Thanks Kenn. I was able to identify your authorship early and enjoyed it, for recognizing the voice has become a joy in reading these devotionals.
(ON)
Thanks, Kenn, “Be Still and know I am God” is a favourite Bible verse of mine, I feel if we follow this it will help us find our balance, for “He is our God” and will strengthen us. Blessings to you and your family.
Thanks Kenn for this devotional. A good analogy of gaining balance in a canoe and the excellent balance we have when we invite Jesus into our lives. His love and care truly keeps us on the best path each and every day. Blessings for this special writing.
Thank you for your devotional and emphasis of having balance in the scriptures. Some of your passages gave me a recall of a mathematical formula in Philippians 4 that came to me many years ago — 6+7=13. and then you add the prayer verse to the verse about doing things through Christ, 13+6 brings you to verse 19 as a summary.
Hi Kenn,
Thanks for the good word reminding us of the need to be centred and balanced. I learned about getting into the swim by way of a kayak!
I also liked the music, a gospel song that I haven’t heard in years and have probably never actually sung. Do the writers of these devotionals get to choose the hymns that go with them? This one has to be one of the liveliest in the repertoire.
Blessings on you down east (out east?) in Nova Scotia.
(ON)
Thank you for these thoughts.
I had my 84th birthday recently. What surprises me is that I still need to work at balance, especially balance of my time.
What a hard lesson it is to learn that we each have 24 hours in a day.
As I age, I find that many things take more time. Ah, then there is less time for something else. I need to balance my needs with my wants and wishes, and with that constant fact that I still only have 24 hours.
God bless you and your writing,
(ON)
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. Balance is so needed in our lives! As a child I learned that on my two-wheel bicycle and on my roller skates! Without it I had many a skinned knee! Blessings.
Hello Kenn,
Your devotional was such a delight to come back to! Thank you. Your devotionals always inspire me. I will be thinking today about balance.
May the rest of your summer be blessed by an awareness of God’s constant presence enabling you to stay balanced.
Isaiah 41:10 is one of my favorite verses. I love the image of his mighty right hand reaching down to me.