June 16th, 2026
Hi Friends,
Did you hear the news? People are flocking (pardon the bad pun) to Inglewood Bird Sanctuary to view a very rare visitor to Calgary. I was going to make this the focus of my letter this week but then I saw a line in an article that changed my mind. Jody Allair with Birds Canada, said, “I would encourage people to go down to Inglewood and see it," He added, ”It won't be difficult. You just go where all the people are standing with their giant cameras.
I laughed when I read that line. Think of the number of times that you’ve “spotted” an animal when, in reality, you simply stopped where others had stopped along the road or the path and focused on what someone else had already observed. Granted, you don’t really feel like a naturalist sighting a creature after carefully seeking it for a long time, but do you care? You’re seeing the animal and it’s great!
Now, let’s just say that you wanted to see a Red-headed woodpecker here in Calgary. What do you need to do to see one?
Like last week, this is not a trick question. The answer is, “Get you butt down to the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and look for the group of photographers. If they are there and you are not blind, you will see the thing you desire to see.
Now, let me apply this to a life of seeking to know God, his will and his guidance. It constantly amazes me how many people genuinely want this and yet don’t do the number one thing that makes it possible. They don’t spend time reading God’s word.
“Oh, here we go again,” I hear you saying, “another sermonette about reading God’s word.” Rather than that, let me offer you some practical questions and answers.
1. How do I make sense out of life? “I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your decrees are my meditation.” Through your precepts I get understanding/ therefore I hate every false way.” (Ps. 119: 99; 104)
2. How do I find guidance for my life? “The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.” “How can young people keep their way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” (Ps. 119: 130; 9)
3. How can I sort out my motives? “Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12)
4. What does it take to live well and be successful? “This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful.” (Jos. 1:8)
I could go on and on, but you get the point. If you want to hear from God, you have to read or listen to his word. It’s his primary means of communicating with us. The “bird” is there. The question is, “Will you take a look.” Unlike, bird watching, a one-time sighting won’t answer your questions. You have to keep at it.
Blessings!
Doug