Category: Uncategorized

May Newsletter, 2026

     Sitting alone on a lake-front in Northern Ontario I listened to a distant loon calling out in the late evening.  The wood fire crackled and a gentle breeze moved the water softly against the shore.  Hours passed and the world seemed to stand still.  All the tensions of my day drained away and I was reminded of a new perspective.  

     In reflection I recalled that the three most restful sounds known to man are the sound of wind, water and fire.  And, all of them had combined to soothe and restore my mind, will and emotions; the three elements of the human soul, as theologians describe it.  Being triune beings, the spirit and body are defined, but our soul is slightly more complex.  When King David wrote, “he restores my soul”

he said a mouthful.  Interestingly, he prefaced his statement with the fact that the Lord, “makes me lie down in green pastures,” and “leads me beside the still waters.” (Psalm 23:2-3)  Could it be that Nature itself is used by the Almighty to help, heal and restore us?  

     When I think of the restoration process and how God through His word repeats this thought, I’m reminded that it is His divine purpose.  He wants us restored.  Why else would He repeat this truth so often?    He wants to restore us…our minds, our wills, our emotions!   The restoration process is:  “the act or process of returning something to its original, former, or unimpaired condition.  It involves repairing, renewing, or re-establishing a subject to a previous state of good health, function or appearance.”  Is that why Paul wrote the church in Corinth and said, “If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation…”? (II Corinthians 5:17)  This describes the complete spiritual transformation and restoration a person experiences when they place their faith in Christ Jesus.  

     The promise is that HE RESTORES MY SOUL.  I need that!  I need my mind restored.  I need my will restored.  I need my emotions restored.  How about you?  Here are just a few verses to help.

 

OUR MIND…

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”  Romans 12:2

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”  Isaiah 26:3

OUR WILL…

“Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done.”  Luke 22:42

“I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”  Psalm 40:8

OUR EMOTIONS…

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing…so you may abound in hope…”  Romans 15:13

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted…  Psalm 34:18

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation…” Psalm 51:12

 

      Now, back to the lake, the loon, the fire… and the water lapping gently on the shore.

*****

 

One last thing!

The podcasts on Spotify are reaching a huge audience and we are so humbled and thankful.  If you haven’t checked it out, it’s easy and free.  Just download the Spotify app from your Play Store and then type:                                                           

Rick McPherson RESTORATION

Improving lives with the truth of God’s love, acceptance, and forgiveness

Thank you, sincerely, for your ongoing prayers and financial support for this ministry.

April Newsletter, 2026

Over the years I have used and worn-out several Bibles. I’ve kept them all and occasionally go back and check various verses that have been highlighted and noted with personal references in the margins. All of them, without exception, have Proverbs 3:5-6 marked. In fact, I’ve joked that if I ever get a tattoo, it will be these verses, but to date I have not gotten any ink! If I did, that would be on my skin. Life verses in my case number about a dozen and I find that they rotate in my brain and heart depending on my circumstances. And each time they come to the top of the rotation, like spokes on a wheel, they speak directly to my life.

“Trust” is perhaps our most valuable possession. Amy Rees Anderson said, “Trust takes years to build, seconds to break, and forever to repair.” The word, “trust”, is used almost two hundred times in Scripture, including trusted and trusting, frequently highlighting reliance on God over human strength. Yet we stumble and fret over life’s situations wondering who we should trust? King David wrote, “Some trust in chariots, some in horses…but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.” Psalm 20:7. Guilty as charged, as I remember the times when, “chariots” and “horses” have won me over. It is so tempting to rely on our senses and put our trust in the wrong thing or person. Remember what King Solomon said? “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6.

Will you line up with me and say, “But I want to lean on my OWN understanding!” And, that’s the rub we all experience, isn’t it… my way or God’s way?

That “rub” is illustrated perfectly when Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane and wrestled with His Father about His future and concluded by saying, “Nevertheless not my will but thine be done.” Luke 22:42. His profound statement of submission and trust signifies prioritizing divine purpose over human desires especially in times of suffering or uncertainty. Corrie Ten Boom said, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God!” And never be afraid to go back to your old Bible life verses and review the most valuable possession you have…trust. Join me and commit to the Lord that you will trust HIM and not succumb to the temptation of relying on your own understanding, inclinations, preferences, tendencies…or ways. And thank HIM now that HE will direct your paths. You can trust HIM! As they say on the street, “You can take that to the bank!”

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Your prayer and financial support for this ministry is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your faithfulness and God bless you abundantly!

“Improving lives with the truth of God’s love, acceptance & forgiveness.”

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