SMILE FOR THE DAY

 

As you have probably noticed I have been doing more humor pieces. 

These articles are no more designed to put a smile on you face and lighten

up you day.  In the movie, "Far Away," with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman,

there is one line that is priceless.  Tom Cruise is sitting in a pub being moody

and cranky.  A man come up to him and saying, "Lighten up lad, your to young

to be drowning in your drink."  So Slave Lake, lighten up and eenjoy these

little glossary of medical terms and homespun alternate meanings.

 

Benign:  What you be after you be eight,

Artery:  The study of paintings.

Bacteria:  Back door to a cafeteria.

Barium:  What doctors do when patients die.

Cesarean Section:  A neighborhood in Rome.

Cat Scan:  Searching for the kitty.

Colic:  A sheep dog.

Coma:  A punctuation mark.

Dilate:  To live long.

Enema:  Not a friend.

Fester:  Quicker than someone else.

Fibula:  A small lie.

Genital:  A Non Jewish person.

Hang Nail:  What you hang you coat on.

Labor Pain:  Getting hurt at work.

Morbid:  A Higher bid than I made.

Pap Smear:  A fatherhood test.

Pelvis:  A second cousin to Elvis

Tumor:  More than one.

Urine:  Opposite of your out.

Rectum:  Darn near killed him.

Recovery Room:  Place to do upholstery.

 

     Well for all the nurses, doctors and workers in the medical field.  These were

especially for you.  The rest of us will just rub our heads in confusion and take

two aspirins and mail in the five dollars. 

IN THE MOOD

 

My wife told me one day that you can always tell what kind of mood I am

by the way of I write.  I write funny pithy columns when I am happy or feeling a

little weird.  I write serious and informative columns when I feel reflective.  I

write humorous columns when I feel lighthearted.  I write straight forward and

no nonsense when I am concerned about morality or the state of the family.

Today I am more no nonsense.  I am concerned about the family.  I am concerned

about the fact that Canadian children have lost their moral compass.  I am deeply

concerned about what is being taught in schools and on playgrounds.  I feel that

many of our colleges and universities have become breeding grounds for leftist

anti-family, anti-home and anti-traditional values. 

            I want to ask several important questions?  First what is wrong with wanting

to teach your children morality, responsibility and truth?  What is wrong with

telling parents to stay together and work out their differences?  What is wrong

with teaching that honesty, integrity and values are important and necessary?

What is wrong with telling parents to put good boundaries and using forms of

discipline to keep children from hurting themselves and others.  When did

standing up for a traditional family consisting of a man and woman become

bigoted and outdated?  Why is it that politicians feel that power and dishonesty

is more important than integrity and honesty?  Sorry got off track.

            Now I want to state that I did not recently have someone phone me up

or chew me out because of what I wrote or believe.  I'm writing this because

our Canadian society seems to be getting more and more mixed up as time goes

on.  On one hand I see more and more younger families wanting to turn back to

more traditional values but on the other side I see a small groups of left wing

social activists working to undermine the anchor of society the home. 

            To the people who wish to once again want to have a home with balance

and stability keep reading.  To those that insist on trying every knew and crazy

idea coming down the pike, close the paper I don't want to agitate you any more.

           

HOME

 

Turn Your Heart Towards Home - By Robert Dean Steel

Pastor of Cornerstone Pentecostal Fellowship

 

            Home is a wonderful thing.  It conjures up so many difference images. 

To some it is a nice two story cape cod home with a white picket fence and

a porch swing.  For others it is a family sitting around a table eating, laughing

and enjoying each others company.  This article is going to be the comments

of three famous people on the home.

            Billy Graham wrote, "On the average three and a half marriages out of

six in North America end in the divorce courts.  Seven hundred and fifty thousand

children become half orphans yearly because of broken homes, some total

orphans.  Said a national psychiatrist: There is little or no happiness in ninety

per cent of North American homes."  Many homes have become war zones and children are growing up thinking that anger and manipulation are ways of getting their way.  I have also been surprised about how normal it has become for children to spend their time bouncing between homes and families.  One young lady I talk too said, she spent two weeks a month with dad and the same with Mom.  I asked her how she felt about it and she said, “It is the way it is, even thought I don’t like it.”  I then asked her if she wanted to spend her life with one life partner too which she said resoundingly, “Yes,” I then asked, “why?  She responded by saying, “I never want to put my kids through what I have had to go through.”  I think that sums it up nicely.

            Eighty per cent of our criminals come from broken an unsympathetic

homes.  Our nation is sadly in need of the rebirth of a simple life.  A return to

the days when God was part of each household, when families arose in the

morning with a prayer on their lips and ended the day by gathering to place

themselves in His care.

            If there is any hope or future for our nation or others.  If there is to be

any peace and happiness in our homes, then we as a nation must turn to God

and the practice of daily family prayer.  J Edgar Hoover.

            Rev. Albert S. Taylor wrote, "One per cent of the child's time is spent

under the influence of a Sunday School, 7 per cent under the influence of the

public school and 92 per cent under the influence of the home."  This tells us that our influence is important.  What are we saying to our children and how are we influencing them for good? 

            James Dobson coined a phrase over 20 years ago, "Turn your heart

towards home."  Home is what you make it.  It takes work, creativity, wisdom

and insight to make a good home.  It means taking the resources available to

you and applying them.  It takes commitment on the part of all the participants

and it means being willing to forgive and forget.  Home is a great place for

safety and security.  Make God the center of your home and you will have a

home that will stand the test of the changing winds of society and be an anchor

and example for others around you.  I remember one time a person came to me

and said, "You know Dean, I have look at your family and have come to the

conclusion that if you can make it as weird as you are, I can."  The truth is my

wife and I have a pure and simply relationship.  She's pure and I'm simply.

Works for me.  Have a great week.

 

LIFE LONG LEARNER

 

The Life Long Learner

 

Pastor Robert Dean Steel

Cornerstone Community Church

 

            I have heard is said that to be wise you have to be a lifelong learner.  Not

long ago I took a course called the seven laws of the learner.  The gist of the course

was to remind us that life is a class room and we are learning something every day.  God has many wonderful things He wishes us to know. 

I have discovered that if you keep your eyes, mind and heart open there is no

end of the things you can learn.  For example not long ago I learned driving in the

hills without all the right equipment means you could have to walk.  One Saturday

morning last summer I decided to take one of our two four wheel drive vehicles

out for a spin.  I was bumping along one of the back roads when all of a sudden I

heard a large bang.  I stopped the jeep and found one of the tires had popped.  So

I went to change the tire and discovered we have a lock washer nut complete with

lock on the spare and that is when I discovered we didn't have a key.  So I have to

walk out four kilometers before I could even get a signal for the cell phone I was

carried.  Hey, I wasn't totally unprepared.  Long story short I spent most of the

day getting a tire on and getting the jeep out of the bush.  I learned that when you

go in the bush be well prepared and don't take anything for granted.

            Just recently the back brakes on my Jeep finally gave out.  So I contacted my son in law who in the past had put in my front brakes in to install the new ones for me.  He came over the following Saturday and as expected the first brake shoes went in without incident.  As we took out the old shoes on the other side everything began to go wrong.  What should have taken an hour took almost eight hours and many lessons were learned.  I learned never assume that everything will go easy.  That diligence and patience is not one of my strongest characteristics and I have a great family and friends because it was only their mechanical ability that things were done.  Life is a journey and many twists and turns will come with it.  The marvelous thing is that God will be with you all the way.  He promised in Matt 28:20 that He would never leave or forsake us. 

            Here is a little story about being a life long learner.  An observer at the University of Berlin in the late 1850"s reported:  "We used to see a little white haired old and happy looking man."  This was Alexander Von Humboldt, the founder of the science of natural history department at the University.  He came to review what he had neglected in his youth.  He would sit in the classes and take notes like any other student.

            During the lecture on physical geography, the lecturer a well known scholar

himself quoted, Von Humboldt as his authority and source of material.  All eyes

turned upon the white haired scientist, who rose slightly from his seat, bowed and

then resumed taking notes. 

            Let me leave you with a quote from Winston Churchill.  "Personally I am always

ready to learn.  I do not always like be taught."  Learn your lessons well because

if you don't you may have to repeat them until you do. 

 

 

QUOTES FOR JUNE 21, 2026

 

TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES

 

Truth or Consequences - By Pastor Robert Dean Steel

 

            When I was growing up I use to watch two television programs.  One was

called, "To tell the Truth," and the other was called, "Truth or Consequences."

Later I discovered that in New Mexico there was actually a city called Truth or

Consequences.  Telling the truth is always the best policy but how does one

react when a child tells us a lie.  This article will give us some ideas.  Proverbs 22:6 states  “Train a child in the way they should go and they will not depart from it. 

            The real secret in curbing lying in a child is to discourage it.  First, do not

over react to lies in children under five, but don't let them get away with either. 

Gently but firmly help them to sort fact from fantasy.  Tell them, "It's exciting

to see a monster under the table or the closet, isn't it?  But you didn't really see

did you?" 

            Next, look at your relationship with your child.  Ask yourself  honestly.  Do

I provide motivation to lie by having unrealistic expectations, demanding perfection

and competitiveness or constantly expressing disapproval?  Do I make my children

to want my acceptance at any cost?  Do I let them know that I love them for who

they are and accept them for the way God made them?  Our acceptance must never

based upon performance, their loving us or on what they give us return for what we

give or do for them.

            Thirdly, tell your children that lying to cover up makes a wrongdoing more

serious.  Encourage them that correction, punishment and discipline will be less

severe when they confess honestly.  My parent always told me that the punishment

would be harder if I lied.

            Allow you children to be honest about their feelings while remaining

respectful.  Listen to what they have to say.  If children feel that you have given them

a fair hearing they will be less likely to do things behind your back.  Children want

to be seen and heard.  This also helps lessens frustration and resentment.  Open

communication is the key.

            Stay calm in the face of a lie.  Exploding in anger makes it much harder for

a child to come clean and tell the truth.  They fear your anger and want to keep the

peace.  Anger is always a grounds in the mind of child to lie. 

            If a child lies and causes dissension or division.  Help them to develop

skills that will help them gain confidence with others and gain entrance in social

groups.  Talk about how honesty and trust will help people build strong friendships.

            When a lie occurs, discuss with the child the reasons for the particular lie.

Have you ever had a child that fake sickness to avoid school?  There is usually something happening that day the child is trying to avoid.  Find out what it is.  Many times it is a bully or another child who at the time is making your child miserable.  When you find out correct the problem as soon as possible.

            Lastly and above all else, set the example for honesty and integrity.  Your

insistence that lying is wrong must be back up by a life style that backs up what you

say.  Don't ask your children to do something you are not willing to so.  You and

I as parents are called to mentor and model honesty before our children.  Your

children will value and respect you as a person of integrity if you neither lie or

cheat.  Start today, even bad examples can be corrected when tackled with

honesty. 

            I decided to bring a more practical message on truth.  Jesus said He was the way, the truth and the life.  No one could come to the Father but by Him.  That is truth. 

           

BEING MARRIED

 

            Being married is a wonderful privilege to be enjoyed not endured but

one secret of staying married is practicing forgiveness and forgetfulness.   The

bible says that love does keep a record of wrongs.  Unfortunately we all know

someone that keeps a ledger of wrongs to use against us or other when it is

convenient.  True love walks in love, acceptance and forgiveness. 

            In my years as a counselor and family advocate I have come accross

my share of couples that have said they have forgiven each other but refuse

to forget.  In a relationship a bad memory is essential in keeping a relationship

healthy.  When asked by our spouse to forgive us it is imperative that we

forgive and forget.  No one likes to have our past mistakes brought up

especially when we were told that we were forgiven.  Nothing breaks down trust

and creates strife like having a forgiven offense re-introduced into a conversation.

Forgiveness comes with no strings attached like true love.  I am not saying that

one who breaks trust should not have to earn back the trust but it is also not

our right as the offended party to continue to use the offense as a weapon or

control mechanism. 

            Lord Balfour wrote, "The best thing to bive your enemy is forgiveness,

to an opponent, tolerance, to a friend, your heart.  To your child, be a good example.

To a father, make him proud.  To a mother, conduct that will make her proud of you.

To yourself, respect and to all men love and charity.

            I often tell my children that forgiveness is a choice which we make before

any offense happens.  Everyday when I pray I ask the Lord to help me practice

instantaneous, complete and overcoming forgiveness.  I have determined before

I am offended how I am going to react when I am confronted with a situation where

I could be offended.  I have determined that no matter what that person does I

will not do the same to them.  I will treat them how I would want to be treated. 

Now forgiveness is never easy but I have discovered that when face with offense

I become not the victim but the victor.  I am not conquered I am the conqueror.

I have discovered that unresolved hurt, bitterness and unforgiveness make us

victims because everything we see and so are colored through the eyes of hurt,

the ears of pain and the smell or bitterness.  These are chains which I refuse to

be jailed with.  So choose to forgive and get release from your prison of pain and

suffering. 

QUOTES FOR JUNE 20, 2026

 

ZECHARIAH

 

Zech 4:6 – Zechariah the Man who Saw Tomorrow!

 

Intro:  Today we will be looking at the book of Zechariah.  He was a man who had the privilege of seeing in the spiritual realm.  He was an extra ordinary prophet and sees the Messiah in ways no other prophet did.

 

Background.

 

1.  From our notes we learn that Zechariah was the younger contemporary of Haggai.  He

     Has the same mandate as Haggai to encourage the people to rebuild the temple.   He

     Spoke to  Zerubabbel and Joshua the High Priest.

 

a.  Zechariah’s name means, “The Lord remembers.”  He was a prophet, poet and priest. 

    Who wrote this book around 525-520 B.C.  He was the son of a man named Iddo

b.  Zechariah love to quote other prophets to bring home the point of God’s earlier

     redemptive work.  He reminds his audience and us that, “what God has done before,

   He will do again.” 

c.  He helps his audience or readers to look forward to the future Kingdom of God with

     its many scriptural promises.  

d.  The book of Zechariah was you see from your notes talks about 8 different visions.

     Each having a specific reference to Jesus or His coming Kingdom.

 

a.  The myrtles trees and horses.                                           1:7-17

b.  Four horns and craftsman.                                              1:18-21

c.  The plump line.                                                                 Ch 2

d.  The cleansing of the High Priest.                                    Ch 3

e.  Golden lamp stand and olive trees.                                  Ch 4

f.  The flying scroll.                                                               5:1-4

g.  Woman in the basket.                                                       5:5-11

h.  Four chariots and the crowning of the High Priest.      6:1-15

 

1.  So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel.  Not by might nor by

     Power, but my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.”

 

a.  Talk about how Zechariah and Haggai went to Zerubbabel.  This is his

     encouragement, exhortation or prophetic statement.  This is God’s word for him and

     us.

b.  It is not by might, human effort, cunning, wisdom, experience, manipulation or

     strength.  It is not by power, the exercise of human authority, sheer strength of will,

     character, nature or desire of man.  It will not be done through a legislative body or

     human government.  It will be done by the Spirit.  No religious institution or religion

     will change human history or a heart.  It is Spirit.

 

 

 

 

c.  The Holy Spirit is God.  He has the power to saved, regenerate, heal and delivered. 

     He can do in five seconds what a human being could never do.  He can transform both

     An individual and society.  Because He is God there is nothing He cannot do. 

     Zechariah reminds Zerubbabel and the leaders, that no human force, government or

     Heavenly entity can stop the Spirit.  No throne, dominion, authority, principality,

     Power, ruler or spiritual host can stop the Holy Spirit.  Amen.  In fact in the

      Following verses.  Zechariah states the through the grace of God every mountain

      becomes a plain or level place. 

 

2.   As Zechariah ministered to Judah and the people of Jerusalem, he called them to

      Rebuild the house of God, to prosper, to finish the work they were called to do.

 

a.  He spoke against religious indifference.  The church in Canada, is plagued by apathy,

     procrastination, lethargy and apostasy, all cause by sedition, division, strife and plain

     old rebellion.  But God is still calling His people to draw near, call unto Him, seek

     His face, pray, humble ourselves, refuse to compromise, watch, be strong, be

      transformed, walk in unity, refuse to be drawn into small controversy, live

      righteously, read, His word, make His house a topic priority and remember HHis

     promises.

b.  Zechariah had four main themes. 

 

1.  The true glory of a city or individual is found in their devotion to God.  Is Jesus

     Number one. 

2.  The pastor or shepherd’s are to guard, feed and guide the flock.  He had very strong

      Words for those who did not.

3.  Fating is useless if a heart is not pouring itself out to God. 

4.  The godly have present assurance of a future hope.

 

c.  Zechariah sees the conflict, capital, encouragement and judgment that individuals and

     nations face.  He spoke against the motives and secret sins of spiritual enterprises.

     He saw that people could do things in the Lord name from selfish and perverted

     Motives. 

d.  Zechariah had incredible visions where He saw Jesus.  He saw Him as the Prince of

     Peace and how His coming would usher in peace both now and in the future.

e. .He saw Jesus, coming in lowliness, crucified, forsaken and despised.   Zechariah in

     his writing gave 59 distinct messages from God.  What has He said to you today?

    

 

 

MALACHI

 

Nov 8 -2009 – Malachi 4:2– The man who peered into the future.

 

Intro;  Today we will look at the book of Malachi and also will focus at the end of our service on Communion. 

 

Background

 

-  Malachi wrote the last book of the Old Testament around 525-450 B.C.

-  His name means messenger. He had one final message to the returned exiles before there would over 400 years of silence.  It is interesting to note that this last voice of the Old Testament introduces the first voice of the New Testament.  He was the last of the Old Testament prophets until John the Baptist. 

- He was a contemporary of Nehemiah and Ezra.  He was also one of three prophets that ministered to the returning exiles.

-  Malachi had a forward view.  He saw things not as they were but as they would become.  In his 28 distinct messages from God.  Malachi saw Jesus and John the Baptist.

 

But you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings and you will go out like calves released from the stall.

 

1.  Malachi stood at the crossroads of one of the most significant time periods of history. 

     After him written prophecy would become silent for over 400 years.   

2.  Prophets had come and gone, the priests of his day had become corrupt and because of

     Their example the people were no better.  God in his justice was about to put a curse

     On the priests and those that had robbed them 

3.  Malachi revealed that God had brought judgement on Edom, he had cut off those who

     Had intermarried after being warned for 4 generations.

4.  But this book has powerful statements like this.  To those that revere His name.  Those

     Who love, worship, fear, honour and exalt His name, there is this promise.  The Sun

     Or Son of Righteousness will rise with healing in His wings.  The Son of God, the

     One is righteous and makes us righteous through his broken body and shed blood will

     Rise with healing in his wings.  This is an analogy for the presence of God.  In the

     Presence of God is fullness of Joy.  The Son of righteousness comes with healing,

     Physically, spiritually, emotionally and intellectually.  He brings healing for every

     Situation and circumstance.  He is Jehovah Rophi, our healer, By His stripes we were

     Healed.  Amen.

5.  When He heals you, you will be like a calf released from the stall. 

6.  There is nothing like freedom in Christ. Remember it is not who you are in Christ but

     Who Christ is in you.  It is about Him not you..  You can do nothing without Him. 

     The focus is Him. 

 

2.  The main message of Malachi is turn from your wicked ways and love of House of

     Israel.

 

a.  Malachi love his nation and the people of Israel.  So he brings them six things to

     remember.

 

1.  The Lord will give the remnant a story of grace and love for His people.  God always

     Shows unconditional love, acceptance and forgiveness and so much we.  Love is

     Especially important it shows that we are His disciples.

2.  There is an offer to His faithful servants that one day there will be a Son of

     Righteousness.  I love living today.  We have what Malachi dreamed about we have

     Accepted and live in what he saw.

3.  The Day of the Lord will be glorious in the sight of the Lord.  Malachi spoke about

      Jesus and John the Baptist.  He looked forward to them.  We have the privilege of

      Looking back at them and enjoy the benefits of what they did.

4.  Malachi says divorce is something People of God should not engage in.  It breaks

     God`s heart and destroys a sacred covenant made before God and Man.  Malachi

     stated God hates what divorce does.  He sees how is destroys individuals, families and

     society.  Yet we also know that God can heal this and restore lives even after it has

     been done.  For the believer there are only two legitimate reasons for divorce, from

     the Bible.  Jesus said adultery, Paul said, being married to an unbeliever who wishes

     to be released from the marriage.  After careful consideration I have a personal third

     reason, spousal abuse.  Yet I also believe you must do everything you can to reconcile

     if possible, divorce should be the last option.

5.  Carelessness in worship may be the first step to spiritual decline.   Be careful how

     You worship and the reasons you worship.

6.  Instead of airing our doubts to others, we may speak in secret to God about our

     Doubts so He may guide us into truth and peace.  Malachi saw first hand how this

     Led to spiritual decline of those around him.

 

3.  Malachi was forceful and creative in his presentation of the Word of God.  He told the

     People to honor God’s name instead of sinners.  To stop offering blemish sacrifices,

     Justifying sin & with holding their tithes.  I actually know Christians who have done

     This because they did not like the pastor, a board member or someone in the church. 

     This is wrong because all our resources belong to God and it dishonors Him when we

     with hold it.   There are consequences when we do, If we with hold it He with holds

     His blessing but it we do not He opens the heavens and pours out His blessings.

 

a.  Malachi saw the spiritual decline of  the exiles and how it made them dishonest in

     business, over look or participate in social injustice or sin.  Allow sorcery, impurity

     and oppression. 

b.  Yet it is not a negative book or writing.  As we prepare for communion or the Lord’s

     supper.  Here are four promises given from Malachi.

 

1.  The prophecy of John the Baptist as the messenger of the coming covenant.

2.  Outpouring of great blessing.

3.  Saints as God’s treasurers.  We are God’s channel for blessings and His jewels.

4.  A new day of righteousness before the Day of the Lord. 

 

 

 

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