Wednesday, June 11, 2025

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.” (2 Thessalonians 2: 16 – 17, New Living Translation)

 (I will be on hiatus for a couple of weeks or so as we make our big move to Whitby this week; not sure when the internet will be hooked up. Blessings.)

           Eulogy for my big, blue comfy recliner. Thank you for your embracive welcome as I sat in you over the last several years. Thank you for allowing me to snuggle in your soft solace when I was recovering from shoulder surgery and other illnesses. Thank you for the hours spent in you watching baseball games by the score. Thank you for giving me moments of reflection from where some of these blogs were inspired from. I have watched church services, watched family videos, participated in on-line committee meetings, played endless video games, all from the comfort of your hugging hold on me. I am grateful for all those years but the time has come to say good-bye as we make this move. Parting is such sweet sorrow…

            You might be thinking, “Get a grip, Soble. You’re losing it! You're off your rocker.” (Pay attention - it's a recliner.) 

            But it has me thinking about comfort. What gives you comfort in your life? It might be as simple as some ice cream or a cold drink on a hot day to something more serious like the good company of friends and family during times of stress and challenges. It might be a favourite Psalm or the Lord’s Prayer. It might be recalling favourite memories or spending time sitting on a dock along the water.  It might be the love from a pet. It might be reading a good book or taking time to meditate or pray.  We all find comfort in different ways and we all need comfort from time to time in, Comfort is the time we take to catch our breath, find our equilibrium, refocus on what matters, seek guidance, repurpose ourselves and seek strength and courage.

            Jesus understood the need for comfort. “God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4) We mourn not only after the loss of a loved one but we may mourn lost loves, loss of faith, loss of a job, loss of a marriage, loss of a friend, loss of health, loss of youth and its vitality. We look for comfort in these types of occasions, something which will give up some energy, some hope, some encouragement or some reassurance. We need something which nurtures our spirits and boosts our morale.

            Of course, Jesus promised that we would never face anything alone in our lives. “No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you.” (John 14:18) Not only does this point to a hopeful future, Jesus also recognized that we need his Spirit in the here and now. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.” (John 14:16) Some translations use the word “Comforter” instead of “Advocate”. Either way, we are never alone, never without Someone on our side and in our corner and invested in our well-being.  “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.” (Romans 8:26)

            The idea of a force that will never leave us is a source of great comfort. ”Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and staff protect and comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)

It was a very comfortable chair. But, whereas chairs get old and lumpy over time, God through Christ and the Holy Spirit covers me constantly with their  Love, Grace and Mercy. And that never gets old or tired! 

Dale

Wednesday, June 4, 2025

“What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God. From now on, don’t let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus.” (Galatians 6: 15 =-17, New Living Translation)

           Finally, my car has gone to the collision repair shop to have its ugly dented hood and fender replaced. It has been several weeks since our horrendous ice storm here in Peterborough.  A huge tree limb fell on the hood during that storm.  It was a grievous blemish on a brand-new car. I was reminded of it every time I got in the car. So, I am relieved that it is going to be repaired and hopefully it will be as good as new.

            Would that human scars could be so easily repaired and our hearts, souls and minds made new. “I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.” (Psalm 73: 14) Many of the Psalms speak honestly, frankly and unabashedly about the burden of conflicts, suffering, hopelessness and despair which get between themselves and others or between themselves and God. They pour out their hearts and souls with complaints, confusion, weariness and fear. ‘I am on the verge of collapse, facing constant pain.” (Psalm 38:17) They often refer to the scars left my enemies, opponents, critics, judgers and all those who seek them harm. Sometimes, the hurt comes from someone close and beloved: “It is not an enemy who taunts me - I could bear that… Instead, it is you—my equal, my companion and close friend. What good fellowship we once enjoyed as we walked together to the house of God.” (Psalm 55: 12 -14)  

            So yes, we all carry scars, I believe. Some may be physical as well as mental as in cases of abusive relationships.  We may have emotional scars from someone who has taunted us, ridiculed us, argued with us, told lies about us, insulted us, ignored us, told us off, hated us or treated us as unimportant and insignificant. These wounds hurt; they fester; their toxins spread; they leave their nasty mark on our soul and psyche. And one just can’t drive into the body shop and leave it there and come back when it is fixed. These types of scars tend to be forever visible and present, an ugly reminder of the past. “I am suffering and in pain. Rescue me, O God, by your saving power.” (Psalm 69:29)

            So, what is a person supposed to do? Of course, the answer is to turn your life over to Jesus Christ. (Hey, I am not much of a preacher/writer if I don’t say that, am I?)  Specifically, I am thinking along the lines of what Paul wrote a number of times, “to have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:2) We choose intentionally not to give into all the negativity, all the disturbing noise, all the disapproval, all the nastiness and pain.  Rather, we fill our minds, hearts and souls with the positivity, the wellness, the redemption which Jesus Christ gives us. “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” (Philippians 2:5)   

Have the same mind; try to think and act as if Jesus was by your side and encouraging you every step of the way. It may take some time or some practice to have the mind of Jesus. Get to know him more deeply by reading about him in the Gospels; pray more often; think about what he does and what he asks of us.  Ask yourself how you can be more like him, hour by hour, day by day.  The scars and pain will become less vivid, less sore, less intrusive, less destructive.” So, you have pain now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.”  (John 16:12) With this new mindset, those scars now signify that you belong to Jesus.

“Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse… Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.” (Philippians 4: 8-9, The Message Bible)

Dale

Wednesday, May 28, 2025

“Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.” (2 Timothy 3:16, The Message Bible)

(I am doing a pulpit supply at First Baptist Church, Port Hope, for a few Sundays. Service time is 11:00 a.m. I have found the people to be very warm and friendly. If you live in the area, we would love to see you.)

                 Books, books and more books. We could fill  a small library. As we sort and sift through our household in preparation for the big move into an apartment in June, we realize just how many books we have.  Fantasy. Mystery, Science Fiction, Novels. History. Bird books. Cook books by the score. I gave away over half of my personal library when I retired but I still brought home 6 or 7 boxes of theology, commentaries, and favorite authors like Walter Brueggemann, William Willimon  and N.T. Wright. Haven’t touched them since I brought them home.  I don’t just want to throw them out either. There should be book rescues like there are pet rescues. Do you know a good home for a commentary on Timothy? A lot of our other books are going to be donated to the “Friends of the Library” for their annual book sale, but I doubt there is much market for a preachers’ library.

                There are some who might say that the only book I really need is the Bible. There is much truth in that thought. It has been my constant companion for my whole professional career and then some. It has been the first source for my sermons. It has been my personal guide and inspiration. The Bible has been the cornerstone for the growth and development of my theology.  The scriptures have painted a picture and forged an understanding of God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. I wouldn’t and couldn’t write this blog without my reliance on the Bible. In short, where I go, my Bible goes.

                But you don’t have to be a pastor or a theologian to enjoy the grace, beauty and message of our Bible. “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119: 105, The Living Translation) There are some parts that hard difficult to read (e.g. Leviticus) or perhaps to see their relevance. But for the most part, the Bible teems with wisdom, inspiration, moral checkpoints, encouragement, and best of all, perhaps, the stories about Jesus. “Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil.” (Psalm 119: 133)

                We Baptists (as well as others, of course) affirm the Bible as the sole authority over our discipleship and within our churches. It doesn’t mean we all agree in our interpretations and understanding. As has been often said about Baptists, when you put two Baptists in a room together, you will  end up with  three opinions. Sadly, we have had some very deep divisions  in our Baptist history over the use of scripture. Even today there are significant divides between us,  over women in ministry, church memberships, sexual orientation, and so on.

                Traditionally, Baptists have practiced what is known as Soul Liberty. “Soul liberty is the freedom to choose what one's conscience or soul dictates is right in the religious realm. It is the freedom to worship according to one's own conscience. Every individual, whether a believer or an unbeliever, is accountable to God personally. Soul liberty asks the believer to accept responsibility for his own actions and not try to force anyone else to do or believe anything contrary to his own conscience.” This definition has also embraced our understanding of scripture. It doesn’t mean that any old meaning will do to suit our purposes. Even Satan can quote scriptures (cf. Matthew 4:6) But it allows us the freedom of thought, of choice in picking our path toward the truth, without any external authority

                Yet, I also believe that our mutual discussion and conversations, even preaching to a congregation, enrich and enhance our understanding of the Bible. We need to gather together around God’s Word.  Not only do we need to read it on our own in our daily or weekly devotional times but we deepen our understanding when we listen to others share their relationship with scriptures. “The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever.” (Psalm 119: 160) It is always better to get to that essence by reading, listening and sharing together “Focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.” (1 Timothy 4: 13)

                “This commandment that I’m commanding you today isn’t too much for you, it’s not out of your reach. It’s not on a high mountain—you don’t have to get mountaineers to climb the peak and bring it down to your level and explain it before you can live it. And it’s not across the ocean—you don’t have to send sailors out to get it, bring it back, and then explain it before you can live it. No. The word is right here and now—as near as the tongue in your mouth, as near as the heart in your chest. Just do it!” (Deuteronomy 30: 11 -14 The Message Bible)

Dale

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.” (Philippians 3: 8 - 9)

                I’d like to think of ourselves as savers, not hoarders. Our adult children may be  thinking otherwise.

                They have stepped up and, on their weekends, our kids are emptying our house of all the junk and detritus in order to get us ready for our big move in June. They are sorting through 20 years of stuff that has amassed over that time. I suspect that there are boxes that came from Brantford when we moved here which were never unpacked. The kids have sorted out their old rooms and now some of our junk is their junk. Nathaniel took home a huge tub of action figures which I am sure delighted  Declan and Naomi, our grandchildren. But we really have no one to blame for the amount of junk than ourselves. Both the sunroom (now immaculately empty) and the garage became easy dumping grounds for whatever we weren’t using or didn’t need. Things pile up over 20 years and after a while I don’t think we even saw any of it anymore. The vast majority of it is worthless garbage. And we don’t need to take any of of it with us to Whitby.

                In our text, Paul is looking back on all the religious baggage that he has stored up over his lifetime up to then and   he came to the conclusion that it really wasn’t worth anything. He uses words like worthless or garbage which, when more literally translated, means something far stronger; “dog dung” is how the Message Bible translates it.  I don’t think he was saying that his life was worthless but that all that religious weight of rules, regulations, proscriptions and dogmas (i.e. the Law) were of no value in living a life in Jesus Christ. Mind you, Paul never gave up on the Law but he put it in in its proper, secondary perspective, “so that I could gain Christ and become one with him.”

                It can be very difficult to put the past behind us. We tend to have good (?) memories and we collect and hold on to all sorts of worthless stuff. We hold grudges, for example. We hang on to hurts, insults and broken promises. I know that this is not really what Paul is writing about but I think it can be applied. Sometimes, we can’t let go of old biases, prejudices, assumptions or judgments. We continue to see others in stereotypes and old paradigms. We cling to tired old religious doctrines and dogmatic labels. We fail to discard that which weighs us down, takes up room in our minds and hearts, and piles up to our detriment. There comes a time when we need to let go and let Christ free us from all that garbage. “So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.” (Galatians 5:1)

                When we make our move to Whitby, it will be a new start, free of all that stuff we have accumulated over the years. When we are in Christ, we let go of the past; we let go of emotional baggage; we let go of old physic and spiritual damages; we let go of failures and disappointments; we let go of Sin. It is freeing. It is liberating. It is redemptive. “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; look, new things have come into being!” (2 Corinthians 5: 17)

                It may seem daunting (our move to a new home has seemed that way, at times) but  to let go and let Christ become the centre of your life offers you a whole new future, rich in possibilities and opportunities, especially to love, to do good, to fill your new space with harmony, joy, hope and love.

                Let’s make room for God’s best: “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” (Matthew 6:38)

                Where did I put that broom?

Dale

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

God, investigate my life;
    get all the facts firsthand. I’m an open book to you;
    even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking.
You know when I leave and when I get back;
I’m never out of your sight. You know everything I’m going to say
    before I start the first sentence.
I look behind me and you’re there,
    then up ahead and you’re there, too—
    your reassuring presence, coming and going.
This is too much, too wonderful;
I can’t take it all in! (Psalm 139: 1-6, The Message Bible)

                It would be easier to buy a house than it is to rent an apartment these days.

                The rental companies ask for deeply personal  details about our financial trustworthiness. They want proof and documentation about everything.  Credit ratings. Proof of government pensions. Copies of our house sale. Bank statements. ID authentications. We have totally opened and exposed ourselves to their scrutiny.  We have hidden nothing and they know our financial situation as well as we do, maybe better. The good news is that we passed their examination and as of June 1^st, we have a place to live in Whitby.  Whew! (I think our children were fearing that we would be living in their spare rooms and they really don’t have any.)

                ‘You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body.” (Psalm 139: 15)  That profound divine knowledge about us might make some of us squirm just  a tad or more.  I read somewhere recently that every person has about seven deep secrets about themselves which they never share with anyone. But God knows about them. Scripture tells us that God knows the numbers of hairs on our head (Luke 12:7). I expect God doesn’t actually count the hairs on our heads (surely, God has better things to do) but the text means that God knows us intimately, all  our inner thoughts, all our tendencies, our attitudes, our egos, and everything that makes you and me you and me. That includes our sins, warts and failings but, as well, our goodness, our good works, our successes and triumphs. As Adam and Eve found out from the very beginning, one cannot hide from God. “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” (Genesis 3: 10) God will always find us.  He has seen us naked, fully exposed, fully known, fully examined.

                But wait a minute. That is not as bad as it sounds. God has amazing filters in his examination of us.  God is able to sort out the bad from the good. God certainly sees our sins and shortcomings but God is also able to practice his grace upon us and protect us from ourselves with his everlasting Love. “Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me. For troubles surround me - too many to count! My sins pile up so high; I can’t see my way out. They outnumber the hairs on my head. I have lost all courage.” (Psalm 40: 11 -12, New Living Translation)

                Just as in the parable of the Lost Sheep, God goes to the fullest lengths in order to find us and pull the brambles from our souls. “For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:19) I have met many people who think that they are worthless and that God could never love them and it was hard to try to convince them otherwise. But the truth is that God gets to know us completely in order to love us just as completely. No one is out of his range of his Vision of Love or left exposed to fear, despair and separation. It is not what is on the outside; it is what is inside. “It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation.” (Galatians 6: 15) God can take what we are and change what he sees, making us into someone he loves deeply and joyfully.

                “Search me, O God, and know my heart;  test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” (Psalm 139: 23 -24)

 

Dale

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

“You throw me into the whirlwind and destroy me in the storm.” (Job 30:22, New Living Translation)

“Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind…” (Job 40:6)

             Stop the world; I want to get off.

Over the last several weeks, certainly ever since the ice storm, but even before that, it has felt that Susan and I have been living in a whirlwind of circumstances beyond our control. It seems to be one dang thing after another to weary our souls, sap our energy and even test our faith. There are, no doubt, thousands of people worse off than us by far but when one is going through one’s own personal challenges, that thought is of little comfort. I will spare you all the details but a recent example has been the sudden decision to sell our house.  We have talked about it but had really done very little to move forward. The preparation to put the house in order for selling  was daunting, to say the least. But reality reared its ugly head and it became a leading priority.

We listed a week ago this past Sunday (better the day, better the deed as my mother would say). In little more than a week, we sold the house just last night. Yikes!  We don’t even know where we will be living other than it will be an apartment, probably in Whitby where our daughter can keep an eye on us. We have to be out of here by mid-June. Double yikes!!

We are in the midst of this whirlwind and feeling just a bit overwhelmed to say the least. But sometimes you just have to put your face into the wind, trust God and move forward. I am not saying that we have to like it or enjoy it, but like Abraham and Sarah who were sent out by God into unfamiliar territory, so Susan and I are plunging into the unknown and the unfamiliar, a new chapter in our lives.  Thankfully, we have the full support and help of our family. It could be far worse. It will be interesting. I will be thankful when the dust settles.

Yet, having complained somewhat like Job, we have also discovered that God is there in the whirlwind. Even the selling of the house has God’s fingerprints on it.  We have discovered hidden resources that we didn’t know we had but came along just at the right time. God has had our backs in more ways than one.  God speaks to us out of the whirlwinds in our lives. It is still all a whirlwind but we know that we are not alone.

Of course, I cannot help but think of that stormy night on the sea of Galilee. The disciples are caught out in the storm in their small fishing boat. “But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.” (Mark 4:37) Despite the storm, Jesus is asleep in the back of the boat. The terrified disciples are aghast that Jesus is sleeping while they are in danger of drowning. They shake him awake. “When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Silence! Be still!’ Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.” (4:39)

A great calm.  That sums up my hope right now. I am waiting through the whirlwind in faith that there will be a great calm, a peace, a sanctuary, a time to catch our breath and feel safe once again after all the turmoil. “But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.” (2 Timothy 1;12) Jesus is in your and my boats, even if we feel we are going against the wind without a paddle. Jesus is nestled in our storms and upheavals and he does have the spiritual power to bring calm to our situations. It is hard, I know, (believe me, I know) to trust in that powerful Love and Mercy. But it is that or be swept away in despair, anxiety and worry.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” (Proverbs 3: 5 -6)

 

Dale

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

“Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.”  (Luke 10:36, New Living Translation)

                You know you’re pegged as a senior when the neighbours start checking up on you.

                When we suffered through the horrific ice storm a few weeks ago here in Peterborough, we discovered some very caring and helpful neighbours. We are not a chummy sort of neighbour and we have not really gotten to know many of our neighbours over all the years that  we have lived here. A friendly wave, a brief hello and that is about it. I know their dogs’ names better than I know their names.

                Yet on that horrible Sunday morning, with the hydro out, trees down and a state of emergency being announced, we encountered some very caring neighbours. First of all, a neighbour from a couple of doors down came to our door to make sure we were all right and if we needed anything. She gave us her cell number and told us to call if we needed anything. With horror, I had watched a huge limb fall off the maple tree beside our driveway, ending up across the hood of my brand new car (I only had it a month). But another neighbour stopped by to check on us and offered to remove the limb on the car after a friend of his would arrive with a chainsaw. He, too, had some trees down. Then our son-in-law, Gary, came and took us to Whitby. When we returned four days later, the tree limb was gone off the car. All of the branches, debris, limbs, etc. were piled up alongside the street curb. I discovered that a volunteer group of retired veterans were responsible for the clean-up. There is still a lot of damage left but it was incredible to have so much support. I don’t know how to thank everyone adequately.

                I have often read about how neighbours would rally in the face of some disaster but it is another thing to experience it oneself. Appreciation doesn’t begin to express our gratitude. Sometimes, you have to count on the kindness of strangers.

                Jesus believed in and affirmed the strength of good neighbourliness. When asked about which are the greatest commandments, the first was loving God but the second was also critical, “The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” (Mark 12:31) The familiar parable of the Good Samaritan underscores the value of helping others, no matter the inconvenience, the cost, or the bother. It is often too easy to walk on by, avoid eye contact, leave it to somebody else, or be too discriminatory when we see someone who needs our help. The least likely person to help a suffering Jewish mugging victim would be a Samaritan. They were usually bitter enemies.  But Jesus had this covered, too, in his teachings. “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” (Matthew 5:43 - 44)

                Of course, if the Samaritan had just stopped and prayed for the fallen victim, that wouldn’t have been much help. Faith without the deeds to back that faith up is dead as James the epistle writer wrote. “Dear friends, do you think you’ll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, “Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!” and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?” (James 2: 14 -17, The Message Bible)

                We’re told that the Samaritan, “soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’” (Luke 10: 34 -35.) Talk about going the extra mile or giving the coat off your back.  

                Our neighbours were terrific. But they also remind me that I should always pay back their kindness by paying it forward, helping someone else, friend, stranger, alien, enemy, everyone or anyone. We are not living in a very neighbourly society these days. There is so much animosity, prejudice, selfishness and me-first attitudes. We all need to get back to the basics of loving all of our neighbours as ourselves. “For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:14)

                Go on; give your neighbour a smile and a helping hand. You’ll be glad you did.

 Dale