
There doesn’t seem to be much water in my bucket right now, to give to others. Just barely keeping my own head above water, as it is. My stream of posts seems to have run relatively dry. I’m not looking for sympathy, just telling it like it is. There are logical reasons why this is so, situations changing, increasing requirements, from multiple areas, and pulling some muscles in my back recently hasn’t helped, with consequential lack of sleep. Withstanding continual discomfort and pain has never been one of my strong suits. Physical healing takes a bit longer at my age and I’m thinking that is another factor, in and of its self. It’s hard to give to others when your own bucket needs filling and the need for giving more, just doesn’t stop. So one does the best that one can, but what one gives doesn’t always present as well as it should. A little less exuberance in my general demeanour is apparently noticeable.
Jesus still guides, forgives and leads, and grants me His grace, but my patience with myself and others has taken a bit of a hit. My own selfcenteredness and my awareness of the shortsightedness of others at times, seems to be more apparent to me right now, and that also isn’t a good thing. Plus my awareness of my “light” affliction, as compared to what many others have to endure. B+’s and A’s seem to be out of my reach right now and a nominal “C” seems to be the best that I can do. No flag waving here, but I’m still showing up. I’ll probably be quiet for a while. God willing, this too shall pass.
(Update) It would appear my last sentence above about “this too shall pass” was closer to the truth than I thought. Apparently I am in the process of passing a kidney stone. Not fun!
Love in Christ – Bruce
Worthy is the Lamb! Blessings!
🙏Heavenly Father, please help Bruce’s back get better, and fast! Grant him the physical, emotional , and spiritual strength to lead his family during this time. Thank you for using him to minister to others—on, and off the web. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.
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Thank you, David.❤️
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Amen to that prayer too! 🙏
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Amen indeed!
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Amen!
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I love you Dad, please allow me to help! I’ll see you a little later today and bring you guys supper. You mean the world to me, please take some time to get some rest, love you xo
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Thank you my favourite son (this comment will self destruct in five minutes). Looking forward to seeing you, love Dad!
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I love it, men. My “Nick “ is my oldest son, Levi. We plan to FaceTime tonight.
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Great! We’re fortunate in that all of our three sons and two daughters live here locally. Hence the self-destructing comment that says Nick is my favourite. I say that to all of them! Blessings Dave!
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I have two sons and a daughter, and I tell them all that they are my favorite. My favorite older son, my favorite younger son, and my favorite only daughter. ❤ ❤ ❤
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Well, there ya go! Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)! Blessings!
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Bruce, know that what you give from what you have is an abundance of blessing for many, including me. May you heal physically and may Christ fill you with his love and peace!
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Thank you, Tim!❤️
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May your bucket be overflowing soon. Prayers, my friend and brother.
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Thank you, Steve!❤️
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I am sorry for the pain that you have been enduring and pain is not something that anyone enjoys at all. May our Lord give you the strength one day at a time, perhaps this is the time that you need to Be still and Know that He is God (Psalm 46:10) we all need to do that once in awhile. My prayers are with you my friend,
Blessings
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Thank you, Eileen!❤️
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You are welcome Bruce
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Bruce what you give out to others on your blog, even when you may feel you’re not overflowing, is such a blessing. Even a drop from your bucket is precious my friend. I thought of the picture the Lord gave me a few months ago and the word about Adjusting your overflow. I hope you get the chance to read that post as it might be a timely word. May you know the grace and strength of the Almighty at this time. Bless you.
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I think I did but I will check it again, Nicola! Yep, still sound advice. Thanks Nicola! Blessings!
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Dear Bruce,
It is hard to be forthright about our weaknesses; you are setting an admirable example while also helping others (including me) know better how to pray for you. May the Lord, by His great grace, and through the blessed Holy Spirit, pour out His love into your heart to overflowing until it floats you above your troubles and into His arms.
Love in Christ,
Craig
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Thank you, Craig!❤️
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Here’s the thing about your bucket, Bruce. It’s not filled with water, but with same good wine that Jesus created at Cana. So a drop from your bucket means a whole lot more than a cupful from the ordinary kind. Take care of yourself, rest, pray and relax. You are not Jesus, but you are a wonderful disciple.
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Kind words, Sy. Thank you!❤️
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Praying the Lord would encourage you in a special way today, Bruce.
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Thank you, Kim!❤️
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I am glad to see that you have a lot of quality online friends as well as your own family and friends Bruce. I had campfire stories last night with a flock of generations of relatives (family reunion). Food, laughter, love, loss all shared. In all our seasons God is there. Some dry and some overflowing. I pray God fills your bucket again in his time. you are in my prayer notebook.
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A good place to be. Thank you, Gary!❤️
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I am praying with you brother!
Also, thanks for your comments to SJ. I am very concerned.
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Me too, Michael. Didn’t see that coming at all! I gave her some really good contacts if she is interested. Blessings!
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I am active on Twitter and saw it happen in real time over the last few months. I am praying!
Soli Deo Gloria
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Am doing the same here, Michael. Thank you and blessings!
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Oh Bruce, I wish I could pop over with a plate of my famous oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. They’re huge discs filled with chocolate and butterscotch and walnuts and raisins and great for breakfast coffee dunking! I’d bring a big (gentle) hug and a huge smile too. I love you. Praying for that back and a fresh refilling asap! Deb
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Thank you for your prayers, Deb! Those cookies sound tempting! God’s blessings to you and yours too!
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We all have our empty bucket days. I struggled to get back into writing after I overcame COVID recently. I had plenty to write about, but there was so much inertia. One a roll, then stopped, and so hard to get started again. You have a great voice, and you will regain something in that bucket.
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I’m sure I will, Mark. Thank you! Blessings!
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Bruce, You are my favorite Canadian brother! I hope you can see how much we all love you! I pray you are back to your old self soon. If I lived closer, I would bring something from the bakery. (I don’t bake. haha) I know it will be amazing when we all get to Heaven and meet each other! Love you, Brother! God bless you!
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Thank you, Cindy! I really had my heart set on those baked goods! Blessings!❤️
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