Wednesday, August 31, 2022

“Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.” (Isaiah 43: 18 -19, The Message Bible)

                 If I remember correctly, I am not a big fan of nostalgia. (Please note the irony of that statement.)

                On the weekend the Toronto Blue Jays made a big splash of the 30th anniversary of their first World Series win in 1992 prior to Saturday’s game. Yes, that win was a grand, unforgettable time for anyone who was a Blue Jays’ fan back then. But I confess I found the pre-game ceremony way too long, somewhat tedious, and over hyped. I am probably in a minority of those who might think that. But it really struck home how long ago that past was when they wheeled out some of the players who played in those games. Boy, they looked old. I barely recognized some. They reminded me how old I now am. And how much has changed in the world over those last thirty years, both good and bad.

 Reminiscing is fine. Sharing fond memories is fine. Retelling family stories over and over again is fine. But nostalgia is more than remembering. It is a vain attempt to want the present to be like the past. It is the desire to live in the past. It is making the past far more glorious and superior than it really was. It is about the “good old days”. Nostalgia is the wistful  longing for something that no longer exists.

When we are stuck in the past, we may hold on to grudges, hurts, prejudices, dislikes and such. We are less open to new opportunities, new ideas, different ways of thinking. We might critically and negatively judge the present based on old assumptions, old traditions, dated concepts.

There are things in all our pasts which we would be better to forget. Don’t keep going over old history, says our text above. Some of us brood over, relive, hold on to and can’t let things go which happened in the past.  Yes, it is true that those who forget the past tend to make the same mistakes, but I am referring to those things in the past that haunt us, keep us stuck, hold us back, bind us to yesterday, and keep us looking over our shoulders for whatever sins are catching up.

God has a good memory. “Can a mother forget the infant at her breast, walk away from the baby she bore? But even if mothers forget, I’d never forget you—never. Look, I’ve written your names on the backs of my hands.” (Isaiah 49: 15, The Message Bible)

But God also has a good ‘forgetry’, too. God desires to forget our sins, to blot out the past that separates us from his Love. “He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” (Psalm  103:12, New Living Translation)

Our text urges us to be open, instead, to the future which God has in store for us. God has something creatively fresh and vital if we trust in his capacity to renew, bring resurrection out of death, bring life out of sin, bring hope out of despair, bring joy out of sorrow. “But I focus on this one thing: forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (Philippians 3: 13 -14, NLT)

The past should not encumber us, weigh us down nor lead us to despair and hopelessness. We do need to remember the things of God’s Love and Grace but these qualities empower our present and future. God’s Love through Jesus Christ moves us forward and is indeed the road through the wilderness.

“Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life? If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God! In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new way. So if the old way, which has been replaced, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new, which remains forever! Since this new way gives us such confidence, we can be very bold.” (2 Corinthians 3: 8 -12, NLT)

Don’t ever forget that!

 Dale

Wednesday, August 24, 2022

“We don’t want you in the dark, friends, about how hard it was when all this came down on us in Asia province. It was so bad we didn’t think we were going to make it. We felt like we’d been sent to death row, that it was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally—not a bad idea since he’s the God who raises the dead!” (2 Corinthians 1: 8 -9)

                 “I’m choosing scars.”

                This was the so-called punchline in a recent Pearls Before Swine daily comic strip. Stephan Pastis’ PBS is probably my favourite daily comic strip. It is the Ecclesiastes of the comic strip world in many ways. Its acerbic wit appeals to me. The three main characters are Rat (no fancy names here) who is  the egotistical, sarcastic, self-centred cynic and skeptic. There is also Goat, the ever-hopeful but often disillusioned, suffering optimist. Then, there is Pig, a kind-hearted but simple character who is always looking for a purpose in life, wanting something more, up against the vanities and vagaries of this world. His best answer is usually “cheese”. Or just staying in bed.

                It is Pig who has climbed the hill to ask the “Wise Ass on the Hill”, “is it possible to get through life unscarred?”  The Wise Ass responds “If you take no risks and live a life that’s no life at all.” Afterwards Pig says to Rat, “I’m choosing scars.”

                It is not so much funny as simply poignant.

                No body chooses scars. Nobody asks for bad things to happen to them.  Nobody wants pain, hurt, suffering, heartache, loss, failure, disappointments, or anything of that nature. But they inevitably happen to all of us. No one gets through life unscathed. These moments, events and circumstances leave their permanent mark. They are part of living – along with the many blessings, joys, happy times, victories, celebrations and people who enrich our lives.

                Perhaps, it can be said that the struggles and sufferings can even make the good times shine better, bolder, more brightly although we are unlikely to think that when we are in the middle of the upset.

                The apostle Paul draws our attention to some bad times in his life. “We were so utterly, unbearably crushed that we despaired of life itself.” (New Revised Standard Version) That is one deep pit in which Paul found himself. Whereas some Christians think they should never despair and always put on a positive, happy,  blissful face, Paul is being totally honest. He had more than his share of enemies, critics, opponents, accusers, attackers, even jailors and punishers.

                “I’ve worked much harder, been jailed more often, beaten up more times than I can count, and at death’s door time after time. I’ve been flogged five times with the Jews’ thirty-nine lashes, beaten by Roman rods three times, pummeled with rocks once. I’ve been shipwrecked three times, and immersed in the open sea for a night and a day. In hard traveling year in and year out, I’ve had to ford rivers, fend off robbers, struggle with friends, struggle with foes. I’ve been at risk in the city, at risk in the country, endangered by desert sun and sea storm, and betrayed by those I thought were my brothers. I’ve known drudgery and hard labor, many a long and lonely night without sleep, many a missed meal, blasted by the cold, naked to the weather.” (2 Corinthians 11: 23 -27 The Message Bible)

                He is no martyr. Most of us might give up  under far less challenging circumstances. He did not choose this life and what his faith cost him. But he learns that the way through it all is to “trust God totally”. He does not give up. He knows his scars are a powerful testament to his faith and reliance  upon God through Jesus Christ.

“I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!” (Philippians 3: 10 -11, NLT)

Paul’s scars are a part of his journey of faith. So, it is with us. Our emotional, mental, experiential scars are a part of our faithful testimony about our long walk with God. They are deeply painful,  for sure, but  in the hands of Christ’s Resurrection power, we are stronger and more determined, more resilient and more robust in all areas of our living.

“None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.” (Romans 8: 38 -39, The Message)

If not that, then maybe, the answer is “cheese”.

Dale

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

“Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh! Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work; Then I can start this day sun-washed, scrubbed clean of the grime of sin. These are the words in my mouth; these are what I chew on and pray. Accept them when I place them on the morning altar, O God, my Altar-Rock,  God, Priest-of-My-Altar.” (Psalm 19: 11 – 14, The Message Bible)

                 Makemake. Acicular. Anthocyanins.

                If you know the meaning of these words, then you know more than I did. I thought I had a quite large vocabulary. But since I started working on a Wordsearch puzzle book recently as part of my bed time routine, I am discovering all sorts of words which are totally unfamiliar to me. I have been looking some of them up.

                Makemake may sound like a Hawaiian fish dinner that you might order at a restaurant. But actually, it is the name of a swarm of objects which circulate around the planet Neptune. Acicular refers to anything needle shaped like crystals or leaves of plants or trees. Anthocyanins are pigments which give some things a reddish or purple colour like purple cauliflower.

                You can’t say this blog isn’t informative or educational!

                I love words. Maybe that is why I became a preacher. My theology professor, Dr. Russel Aldwinckle, my mentor in so many ways, impressed upon me the importance of choosing and using my words wisely and accurately. Clarity and precision were key in expressing oneself, be it on paper in an essay or preaching from the pulpit.

                Words are very important and so also is how we use them. We can sometimes use our words carelessly, thoughtlessly and hurtfully. But words of encouragement, reassurance, support, affection, respect can build up and bolster our relationships, even with strangers.

                We know from Genesis that Creation began with God speaking. Words are indeed creative as we see in books, poetry, sermons, and the like. Sometimes a whole new world is made to come alive in what we read and hear. Words can strike our emotions in a variety of ways. Words define our world. They build bridges between us. Words express our feelings, our ideas, our hearts. Words can get us into trouble but a good spoken apology can also soothe and mend hurt feelings.

                These are the words in my mouth, says the Psalmist, “these are what I chew on and pray.” Some preachers will begin their sermons with these words, but the meaning is far broader than just preaching. They remind us that we are responsible for our words in whatever circumstances that we find ourselves in each and every day.  Words are, in many ways, sacred. Or can be. The epistle writer, James, echoes much the same thought in his familiar words: “But be doers of the word and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.” (James 1:22, Revised Standard Version)

                The word we seek to express in our lives comes from the Word made flesh, Jesus. “Everyone spoke well of him and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips.” (Luke 4:22, NLT)  That should be us, as well. God renews his Creative Word of Love, Grace, Peace and Hope in the person of Jesus. And it is through Jesus that we are all challenged to embody the same words as we live out our lives.

                “Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.” (Ephesians 4:29, The Message Bible)

                Let us endeavour to make our words such a gift.

    Or in the words of those great theologians, the Bee Gees: “It's only words, and words are all I have To take your heart away.”

Dale

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

“I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.” (1 Corinthians 9:23, New Living Translation)

                 Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

                I have only seen it in movies. Back in the day, a young boy is standing on a busy street corner, selling the daily newspaper by yelling out some important headline, hoping to catch some passer-by’s attention, enough for them to buy the newspaper. When you think about it, this was an early version of going on-line and scanning the headlines of some website for our news.

                Once, I was an ardent newspaper reader. I always subscribed to the local rag and often would buy one of the big Toronto newspapers, either the Star or the Globe. The Sun was great for sports but far too right-wing for my taste in news. I often would also read Time or McLeans magazines for more in-depth coverage.

                But I have abandoned newspapers and have become a news grazer. I get my news by reading only the headlines on Google News or CBC news. If something interests me, I will fetch the whole story, a la the street newspaper boy.  But that is rarer than you might think. Or I watch brief descriptions on TV by watching CP24 news. I used to watch the local news broadcast but don’t do that anymore. Every now and then it is interesting to watch CNN and see what the crazy Americans are up to, especially during some national crisis.

                Some of the cause of this superficial intake of the news is that so much of it has been bad news, especially since the beginning of the pandemic. I am world weary of news about mass shootings, wars, climate disasters, politics, covid, violence, etc. etc. etc. So, I largely and intentionally tune a lot of it out. The headlines give me all the information I want or need.  

                What the world could really use is a dose of Good News. At least, I know that I could.  I am not talking about “fireman rescues kitten up a tree” although that is always welcome. I am meaning something that is deeply Good News, deeply informative about things which truly and significantly matter, which uplift, enrich, improve and elevate the human spirit, morale and soul. Maybe, this Good News is even transformative, life-changing or invigorating. News that is a blessing!

                When John the Baptist was thrown into prison by Herod, it must have seemed to him that everything he had worked for, said and done was wasted and gone for naught.  All his high expectations and hopes were crumbling around him. His world was going to hell in a hand-basket. Jesus had become a strange Messiah figure to him, not the one he was expecting. So, he sends his own disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” (Luke 7: 20, NLT) The world is so bad, so in need of a saviour but where is your winnowing fork, Jesus?

                Instead, Jesus gives him some headline news: “Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.”  (7:22, NLT)

                In real, tangible ways, the Good News makes a difference. It nurtures health, wholeness, vitality. It liberates us from our skepticism and cynicism. It points to the depths of God’s Love  for each and every one of us.  It embraces our fears, worries and despair and begins to set us free. It opens door to hope, joy, peace, love.  It builds community, relationships, trust and frees us from enmity, hatred, prejudice.

                Jesus brings us Good News. He is Good News.

                “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes…” (Romans 1:16, NLT)

                Extra! Extra. Read all about it!

 Dale

Wednesday, August 3, 2022

Looking for a loophole, he asked, “And just how would you define ‘neighbor’?” (Luke 10:29, The Message Bible)

                 Let’s see… there’s Bella across the road and Eddy next to her. There is another Charlie to our left and yappy Biscuit behind us.

                I realize that I know our neighbours’ dogs’ names better than I know the names of our human neighbours. The only neighbour’s name I actually know is Ramesh who lives on the other side of us. Interestingly, he doesn’t have a dog.

                We have lived here for 17 years – the longest we have lived anywhere and I have never gotten to know my neighbours. Oh, we wave to each other and occasionally say “hi” but I still do not know their names. From afar, I have watched their children grow up into young adults or from babies into pre-teens, but I still do not know their names. I would help any of them in an instant if asked but they never have asked. Partly, my excuse is that I am an unabashed introvert and it is not my style to go over, stick out my hand and introduce myself. Then again, they have never taken the bother, either.

My ignorance of simply knowing my neighbours’ names reminds me how disconnected from one other we are in our communities. Small wonder then that people are so divided and separate from one another. There is so much animosity, mistrust, prejudice, enmity and deep, critical gaps between one “tribe” of beliefs and views with those of another group. And part of the cause is that we won’t get to know each other or call each other by name rather than calling each other names.

It makes a big difference if we know someone else individually  rather than lumping them into some aspect of general assumptions and stereo-types. Long ago, I had a man in one of my churches tell them that he was quite opposed to divorced pastors – until he meant me and it change his mind.

It is a hoary cliché now, but true nonetheless, that we don’t know someone until we walk a mile in their shoes. But if you are going to ask to borrow their shoes, you just might want to know their name, first.

Our self-righteous lawyer thinks he has Jesus in a corner by asking Jesus, “And just how would you define neighbour?” People you know? Your inner circle of friends?  Members of your own faith community? Family? People who look like me? People who think like me? Implied in the question, I think, is that he is also looking for some parameters as to those who aren’t his neighbour. Who can he ignore? Who can he snub? Who can he look down upon?

The man’s question gives rise to, perhaps, Jesus’ best-known parable, The Good Samaritan. In it, a Samaritan, a Jew’s worst enemy outside of a Gentile, acts as a neighbour to a Jewish man who has been mugged, robbed and left at the side of the road.  Two up-right Jewish citizens cross the road to avoid helping the needy man. But the Samaritan stops and  tends the man’s wounds, takes him to an inn and pays the bill. “What do you think?” Jesus asked. “Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?”

It is not who is a neighbour to me but who can I be a neighbour to?

And the possibilities are endless, diverse, interesting, multi-faceted, sometimes challenging, sometimes risky, but always rewarding and beneficial for both ourselves and our neighbours. It is hard to make enemies if we are friendly, open-minded, gracious and helpful toward others.

Jesus said that the second but equally important commandment is this, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” He had a very broad and inclusive definition of who is our neighbour.

Break out the dog biscuits and meet your neighbours.

 Dale