At 70 years old, I didn’t expect to be saying this—but this past year has been one of the Top 10 years of my life.
What makes that even more surprising is how the year began.
It didn’t start with opportunity, success, or blessing. It started with God gently pointing something out—that I had drifted from my first love. Not outwardly. Not visibly. I was still serving, teaching, leading worship, and staying busy. But somewhere along the way, affection had quietly cooled.
And in His kindness, the Father called me back.
This year has been about restoration—restoring love for God, restoring joy in His presence, restoring simplicity in my walk with Him. I made a small but intentional shift: each morning I begin the day by simply telling God, “I love You.”
Not rushing. Not asking. Just loving.
What I didn’t anticipate was how much would flow from that one act of returning.
Blessings That Followed Love
As my love for God was being renewed, I watched Him pour out grace in ways I could never have planned.
He gave me excellent health, strength for ministry, travel, teaching, and recreation. I’ve enjoyed playing pickleball three to four times a week, grateful for a body that still responds and a life that remains active.
There was also a significant increase in income, an unexpected provision that removed pressure and brought peace. Not something I pursued—but something God supplied.
One of the most life-giving moments of the year was leading worship in Banff for four days with over 500 pastors, spouses, and ministry teams. It was one of my Top 5 worship-leading experiences ever. What made it even more meaningful was having my daughter Stephanie join me from California, along with some of my favorite musicians. Family, calling, friendship, and worship converged in a way that felt unmistakably God-ordained.
Anna and I were blessed with multiple visits with our children and grandchildren in Toronto, Calgary and Napa, as well as time in Vancouver for a family reunion. We also were blessed with our fourth grandchild this year. These moments feel richer and more sacred as the years go by.
We also experienced a free, first-class vacation to Maui, shared with cousins—a gift of rest and joy. Later in the year, we took a missions trip to Istanbul and Albania, followed by a side trip to Italy to visit Anna’s family. Once again, ministry and family walked hand in hand.
At home, I continued leading worship weekly at Neighbourhood Church, watching the worship team grow musically, spiritually, and relationally. We also ran Alpha in our home, and seeing multiple people come to faith reminded me how powerful simple hospitality can be.
God even met a very practical need by providing a free used car in excellent condition—something we had been praying about. Quiet provision. Personal care.
Generational Fruit
Some of the deepest joy this year has come from teaching my grandchildren piano, singing and guitar and watching them use their gifts in their churches. Faith and worship being passed on naturally—not forced, not flashy.
I’ve also had the privilege of mentoring my daughter Stephanie as God opened the door for her to serve as a worship pastor in Napa. Walking with her through leadership, calling, and discernment has been sacred ground for me as a father.
This has been my busiest and most satisfying year of teaching, with over 30 students—many of them potential future worship leaders. Pouring into the next generation continues to be one of the great joys of my life.
One Sunday this year brought many of these threads together. On the same day, our children and grandchildren in Napa were ministering in their church, our children and grandchildren in Toronto were serving in theirs, and Anna and I were leading in our church in Calgary. Different cities. Different congregations. One Lord.
It didn’t feel like an achievement—it felt like a gift entrusted over time.
Anna and I celebrated 42 years of marriage, watching our love deepen rather than fade. She herself had a remarkable year—officiating weddings and fundraising for Christian organizations, serving with joy and purpose.
Our home has been filled with life: weekly dinners with godly friends, conversations that nourish the soul. And I’ve watched my blog have its best year ever, reaching hundreds of thousands of readers around the world—encouraging pastors, worship leaders, and believers I may never meet this side of heaven.
What I’m Learning
One verse has stayed with me:
“True humility and fear of the Lord
lead to riches, honor, and long life.” (Proverbs 22:4)
I’m beginning to understand that this promise isn’t transactional. It’s relational. When love is restored, alignment follows. When alignment follows, fruit appears—often quietly, often over time.
At 70, I’m deeply grateful. Not because life has been easy—but because God has been faithful. This year has reminded me that the greatest blessing is not what we do for God, but what happens when we return to our first love.
Everything else flows from there.
