Wednesday, December 19, 2018 (for Advent Four)

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”  (1 John 4:7)

(The Unconventional Baptist is going to take a two-week Christmas break. See you in January!) 

                There were times when I was in pastoral ministry that during Advent and Christmas I would wonder what, if anything, I could preach about the baby Jesus which might sound fresh, new and creative. Not that the Nativity Story, itself, is boring but there is only so much that one can say about Hope, Peace, Joy and Love before I feared that it might become too repetitive and people begin to tune out.  We’ve heard this before. There is nothing new here to see or hear.

It’s a wonderful story, but so what? What does it really got to do with you or your world or your life except it is a pleasant distraction for a few days of the year – at least, if one can afford it, or get along with family over turkey dinner or manage the stress and worry.

It is all too easy to gaze into a manger and become blasé about this curious event in Bethlehem.

How many hundreds of times have we sung the same old Christmas carols over and over again?

How many Christmas pageants have we, as parents and grandparents, attended and seen the same old dressing gowns, baby Jesus doll and shepherds’ costumes?

How many candles have we lit on Christmas Eve?

How many times have we heard Luke 2: 1 -20 be read?

Here is an incredible, wondrous and highly imaginative and inspired Story which tries to bring the Love of God down to earth, just for us. Let us not take this Story for granted or assume that there is no relevant, current, contemporary   message that could renew, re- animate, and re-introduce the themes, the majesty, the glory of Christmas for each and every one of us.

Paul wrote, “But when the right time finally came, God sent his own Son. He came as the son of a human mother and lived under the Jewish Law, to redeem those who were under the Law, so that we might become God's children.” (Galatians 4: 4 -5, Good News Bible)

When the right time came – I would suggest that our present time too - today, this Christmas -  is especially also the right time for the Love of God to be seen and felt and to engage the world in which we live.  There is no more appropriate time than right Now for the fresh Word of Love to become flesh and blood and bone to bring a message of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. Heaven knows that we could use this Message, especially in this day and age.

I haven’t done the homework about who chose them or when these themes were chosen for Advent. But I know that as I observe the world in which we live I am struck as to how critically important these four themes are for the times in which we live. I am not prepared to sentimentalize these themes into cozy, warm, Christmas-y feelings. They are deep-seated, tough themes for hard times as they challenge the political, secular, worldly drift that, as surely as Caesar Augustus’ decree, treats us as commodities and political bases to maintain power and coercion.

Ignore them at your peril.

Perhaps, that doesn’t sound very Merry Christmas-like. But what I am trying to say is that the Birth of Jesus is a sweeping venture by God to re-engage humanity in the Work of God’s Love and Grace, which we name as Redemption.  This Birth is highly imaginative, creative, lively, all-encompassing even in its simplicity and mystery. Don’t underestimate the sacred power which permeates its core and purpose.

Find yourself in embedded in the lives of Elizabeth and Zechariah, or Mary and Joseph or the shepherds’ field, or the innkeeper or the magi or even Herod. Find yourself swaddled in the dynamic of the imagery and subtle overtones of God taking on the arrogance and pride of the Roman world with a message of all things, Love.  

Blows your mind!  Have a truly wonder-filled Christmas!

Dale

Wednesday, December 12, 2018 (for Advent Three)

“So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.” (John 16:22)

 We have been watching a lot of what I call sappy, romantic, Christmas TV movies this year. I have even suggested doing so some of the time. It shows how desperate I am – OK, I will confess that I actually have enjoyed one or two, but don’t tell anyone!

The plot for almost each and every movie is pretty much the same – a pretty, unsettled woman who is usually in an unrewarding career in the big city, as well as in an unhappy and unsatisfactory relationship with a nice but work-driven man goes home for Christmas, (usually  a warm and fuzzy, friendly small-town, USA) to think things out, but gets caught up in some local, altruistic Christmas cause and in so doing meets another man whom at first she doesn’t like but who is always charming, understanding and compassionate. (Well, I didn’t say these movies were realistic, did I?) There is some crisis of misunderstanding between them but by the end of the movie they are madly in love, Christmas is saved and we are to presume they will live joyfully ever after.

Wouldn’t it be lovely if our lives could be a Christmas TV movie? We would all live happily ever after! With all hearts’ desires. With love in the air! With peace on earth and goodwill to everybody! Joy to the world, indeed

Although there is a co-relation between pleasure, happiness and joy. All three can be good but the concept of biblical joy stands out above the rest, I think.

When our dog, Kramer, ate the huge chunk of Christmas cake which he had stolen off the kitchen counter, I’m sure that he took momentary pleasure out of the feast. But he could have had a severe stomach ache and the pleasure was only temporary. He’ll be looking for what he can scarf next.

Susan and I were very happy last week-end when we took William and Henry to see the movie “The Grinch”. It was 3-year-old Henry’s first movie and it was fun, pleasurable and satisfying. But the experience quickly becomes a pleasant and happy memory and we move on, while treasuring it in our hearts.

Joy is a spiritual, emotional, transformative, redemptive experience which lasts throughout one’s whole life, no matter what happens or how it happens or when it happens. You can’t take it away because it has been absorbed into our spiritual DNA. It colours how we see the world and interact with it. For example, when the women found the empty tomb of Jesus they were filled with great joy and the resurrection experience changed their lives forever.

Joy is one of God’s gifts to lift us out of the depths of our lives and throw us into God’s Grace and Love and enable us to hurry towards Bethlehem and see this thing that has been promised to us. “Don’t be afraid! I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.” (Luke 2:20)

It is not something so much we can create but that which is given. We open up our minds, hearts and souls to allow this Joy to shape and condition our whole being. It comes to us as we put our trust, our hope, our faith, our being into God’s hands.

This Joy is about Good News. We are not forgotten nor abandoned by God. We are not alone to face our sorrows and losses. We are not lost or surrendered to Evil in any form. We are not deemed to be worthless or insignificant. Note the parable in which the angels themselves rejoice every time when God rescues one of his children, every son of Adam, every daughter of Eve.

This Joy gives us confidence to meet the predators in our lives, to resist the temptations and desires that do not satisfy or complete us. This Joy fills in the gaps with the creative laughter of the Spirit who stands with us in the hard times so that we are never overcome or overwhelmed. This Joy brazenly promises New Life even when faced with death.

 “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)

Dale

Wednesday, December 5, 2018 (for Advent Two)

“They don’t know where to find peace.”   (Romans 3:17, New Living Translation) 

                What is your idea of peace and quiet? How would you define a sense of well-being or what it would mean to have a spirit of tranquility? What quiets your soul? When do you stop and smell the roses or the coffee or whatever it takes to enjoy life and rest easy in the moment?

                My notion of being in that peaceful space is sitting in a big Muskoka chair on a deck facing a large body of water and just watching the clouds go by and listen to the birds or watch for fish jumping and doing absolutely nothing but swat away the occasional fly or mosquito.

It doesn’t sound like much but maybe that is the genius of perfect peace, sometimes. Not striving; not doing; not accomplishing; not scurrying around; not busy-ness; not being driven by agendas and timetables and spread sheets.

But there are people who don’t know how or where or when to find peace.

For one, there are a lot of us Martha-type personalities – can’t sit still for a moment, always on to the next thing to be done, work ethic up to the wazoo, always on the phone or off to the next appointment, the kind of personality of whom Jesus gently chastises, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details!” (Luke 10:41)  Most Marthas whom I know take some offense at this uncomfortable encounter, just a little.

Christmas can be associated with stress and anxiety over all the details that need to be finished by December 25^th. Shopping, baking, decorating, cleaning, entertaining, wrapping, concerts, special church events, and the list goes on. High Christmas expectations and lofty goals of wanting a perfect Christmas can drain a person and by Christmas Eve one can be too pooped to participate or enjoy the fruits of all their labours. Christmas has become an endurance test or a race to the finish.

There is also another way to cloud peace.

Paul is stringing together biblical concepts to underscore his estimate of human sinfulness. It is not a pretty picture – not so much as an ounce of kindness, compassion, truthfulness or morality. They are as far away from peace (shalom) as they possibly can get. Their lives are hectic, frazzled, chaotic, exhausted by sinfulness and selfishness and the way of peace they have not known.

But Advent carries the weight of peace in its spirit and breath. The Christmas angels sang of peace and goodwill. It is a poignant message given to an oppressed people in a land which had very little peace, except for the “Roman Pax” or Roman Peace, administered at the end of a spear or  by a slave collar or the threat of a cross. Yet God’s Peace breaks the impossible burdens of power and oppression. We are no longer slaves to sin or need to earn our freedom or salvation by works and deeds. We are given Peace, not as the world gives, but as God chooses to freely give.

Do not let this Peace get buried under all the Christmas buzz and activity.  Make yourself a cup of tea, cut a slice of Christmas cake for yourself, ask Google to play some quiet Christmas music, put your feet up and breathe deeply. Think on this – God loves you and cares for you; God has your well-being close to his heart. God once stirred the heavens so that you and I might cherish the creative beauty and wondrous sanctity of our lives and the world around us.

Have a silent night and find some calm. You just might discover the Christ child… the Prince of Peace!

Dale

Wednesday, November 28, 2018 (Advent One)

“But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” (Romans 8:25, New Living Translation)

                It must be getting closer to Christmas.

                I can tell because, like the infamous grinch’s heart, the stack of Christmas advertising, flyers, brochures, and the like has grown two sizes bigger than what we would normally get in our mid-week paper. It must be at least three inches thick. Grocery stores, Canadian Tire, Walmart, clothing stores, jewelry stores, toy stores, etc. etc. – all clamoring for my Christmas shopping and money. Black Friday deals, cyber Monday deals, sales and discounts – oh my!

                Remember the good old days when all a boy needed was his Sears’ Wish Book or the Eaton’s Christmas catalogue. What a Christmas wish list I could fashion from just a few pages – everything a boy could imagine. Skip the clothing section – right to the toy pages. Alas, those days are ancient history; now I am inundated with a plethora of Christmas marketing telling me what I desperately should want for Christmas or must buy for my loved ones.

The ones which really make me laugh are the TV car ads which portray people who are buying new cars for their spouses or children as a gift for Christmas. One even shows a man buying TWO trucks and surprising his wife, although I don’t know how he got both trucks onto his driveway at the same time or better yet, how he could afford two brand new trucks to begin with.

Far more realistic was the news story of a young family with a one year old and both mom and dad will be losing their jobs at Oshawa’s GM plant next year. They are deeply concerned about what will happen to them. Will they lose their home?  Will they be able to cope on less income? It is scary for them. As was stated on a TV comedy show last night, the G in GM stands for grinch. Except it isn’t funny at all. Why do big corporations always seem to do this kind of lay-off right before Christmas?

                What worth is all the Christmas advertising to this family or anyone else who may be struggling with worry about the future?  I can throw it all into the recycling bin, often without even scanning it, but one cannot do the same with poverty, huger, unemployment, sickness, homelessness and the fear of providing adequately for one’s family or even just oneself.

                Yesterday was declared (by whom I don’t know) as “Giving Tuesday” to which I say “Whooopee Doo!” – one day out of 365 or even 25 shopping days or whatever a year. It just warms the cockles of my heart at the implied generosity of devoting a whole day (!) to ease the burden of my personal want and presumed need. If you missed it, do you wait a while year before you give something back?

                Advent and therefore Christmas itself is not, in the least, about self gratification and piling up the goodies and gifts that the secular world insists we should have. There is nothing implicitly wrong in having nice things and demonstrating one’s love for close family with gifts or enjoying good food and drink. When we can afford this Christmas lifestyle, make sure we give thanks to God.

We can afford to spoil our grandchildren somewhat at Christmas, and not to sound self-righteous about it, we also often include a donation to World Wildlife Federation in their name. There are donations to local food banks. I won’t pass a pan-handler without giving him something. Susan and I aren’t filthy rich but we are blessed by what we have and then some. My mother also was a very generous person – we still get mail for her from the several chariotries which she supported – I am kind of proud of her.

The deep sense of hope as defined by the Bible is the perseverant waiting for God, once and for all, to change this world into its maximum possibility where love, generosity, true satisfaction, no more thirst or hunger, peace and love take the stage. We don’t see that culmination just yet, except in all the small ways when we are generous, compassionate, thoughtful, sharing and loving.  Advent reminds us that we are waiting with confidence and trust that real human need is not met by advertising and Christmas shopping  but met by the gracious, active, ongoing Love exhibited by God’s people on earth.

Dale

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

“But love will last forever!”  (1 Corinthians 13: 8) 

                And they said it wouldn’t last…

                On the weekend Susan and I celebrated our 40^TH wedding anniversary.  Yeah, I can hear some of you wondering how she has put up with me for so long. Believe me when I say that I sometimes wonder that myself.

                We rented a very large, century house in Goderich for the weekend. All our adult children joined us for some of the time, at least. Being surrounded by our children and two of the four grandkids made us realize just how much has happened in our 40 years.

                We were married in Walmer Road Baptist Church in Toronto. Susan remembers the weather being rain showers while I remember snow flurries. She was fifteen minutes late – but worth every minute of the wait, I should add, quickly. Her father, Bruce Neal, did the honours of tying the knot. We drove to New Orleans for our honeymoon where I could indulge myself in my love of jazz music.     

In forty years, a lot has happened. I am not much for nostalgia but memories do begin to flood in. My first church was in Wainfleet, Ontario where I was ordained. The journey with Susan begins there. It is journey which has taken us to Montreal, Ottawa, Brantford and Peterborough. Susan has been wonderfully understanding whenever I got the wanderlust as she is more of a roots and stability kind of person and I thrive on change and chaos. She once described me as the sort of person who, whenever things are running smoothly and going well, will shake things up just for the fun of it.

                Forty years. Raising four great children and now watching them as they raise our four grandsons. Rental cottages in Ontario.  Family trip to the Maritimes. Vacations in Nova Scotia. Little did we know when we joined forces what the future would bring. It hasn’t been all sunshine and roses, of course, but together and with much love, trust and courage we have few complaints and much to thank God for.

                I know that I couldn’t have done any of it without Susan. Nor would it have been as much fun, joyful and successful. By and large we have been greatly blessed.

                Of course, the journey continues and I can’t wait to see what happens next. Our large family is never dull, I can say that much!

                First Corinthians 13 is often used at weddings. Truly, it is a masterpiece of writing. It sets forth a model of love based on God’s Love (Agape). “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” (1 Corinthians 13: 4 -7)

                Sometimes we test the limits of such love in our lives and relationships. Sadly, sometimes love gets lost in pain, abuse, hurt and anger.  But even so, love can be such strong stuff - an energy, a power, a resource which keeps us together. Love can be thrilling and dynamic. But it can also be a steady, calming force which fills in the gaps, build bridges in the hard times, and channels the rough waters into streams and pools from which to draw.  Love is a gift, a treasure and a necessity for rich, healthy, future-oriented and sustainable living. We all need it, deserve it, pine for it and celebrate it when we find it, however we find it.

                Like Paul said, “I will show you a still more excellent way.” (1 Corinthians 12:31) 

Dale

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

“We went through fire and flood, but you brought us to a place of great abundance…” (Psalm 66:12, New Living translation)

                I have been watching the horrendous stories and film about the uncontrollable wildfires which are raging in California. The loss of thousands and thousands of acres of forest, along with wildlife, property and even whole cities is staggering. The loss of so much of human life is sad and fearsome. All told, it becomes overwhelming to take in or imagine. This must be hell for those who are trying to live through it.

                It is no wonder that the imagery of a Holy Fire became the frequently used, biblical image of God’s judgment, discipline, righteous anger and the ultimate penalty for God’s enemies. “Who can stand before his fierce anger? Who can survive his burning fury? His rage blazes forth like fire, and the mountains crumble to dust in his presence.”  (Nahum 1:6)  Even our dear, loving, compassionate  Jesus occasionally refers to the fiery hell of Gehenna, a smouldering garbage heap outside Jerusalem as the place suitable for the very worst of us.  “The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.” (Matthew 7:13)

                Not a very pleasant thought, is it? Small wonder that many a Christian wants to avoid the topic altogether and instead nestle safe and sound in the loving arms of a much kinder and gentler God. I have heard no one, not even among the most conservative, right-wing Christian politico, claiming that these wild fires are an act of God.  Well, maybe the insurance companies will; they must be cringing at the cost of this devastation.

                I should point out that neither am I blaming God for these fires. On a piece on PBS last night there are several reasons why these fires have become so large and consuming – climate change, people who are now living in these forests, human carelessness, poor forest management, dry conditions, and the frequents winds that come from all directions. God wasn’t mentioned.

                But maybe there is a solid, contemporary definition of Hell in this stark picture.  People are consumed by changes in their lives which they can’t or won’t control.  We choose to live in the wrong places, putting ourselves in harm’s way. We become careless and thoughtless about our words, actions and behaviour. We manage our lives and our relationships poorly and inconsistently.  The spiritual side of our living becomes arid by our inattention and neglect. We are blown in all sorts of directions by the winds of secularism, consumerism, politics, and social media. It is Job who said that sin (adultery specifically in this case) is “a fire that burns all the way to hell. It would wipe out everything I own.” (Job 31: 12, NLT)

                Once upon time, fiery, blistering preachers were known for preaching “fire and brimstone” sermons, designed to scare you into heaven, I suppose – scaring the hell right of you, literally. There are probably a few who still try.  It has never been my style, but I recognize and believe that Hell is very real - a serious, troubling, nasty, evil effect of living without God in my life.

                Jesus said, “For everyone will be tested with fire.” (Mark 9:49) We face our hells in life and death and pray that the fires which are burning up our lives will, with God’s help and Christ’s Love, (as noted in our text at the top, above) lead to our refining; coming out of these terrible moments, occasions, events, mistakes, sins so that we become better, more whole, redeemed and saved persons.  We become as refined gold and silver. “But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value.” (1 Corinthians 3: 12 – 13, NLT)

Although I also like how the Message interprets this verse, “Take particular care in picking out your building materials. Eventually there is going to be an inspection. If you use cheap or inferior materials, you'll be found out. The inspection will be thorough and rigorous. You won't get by with a thing.”

I don’t about you but I could use a really good, reliable, spiritual fire extinguisher.

Dale

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us….” (Hebrews 12: 1, New Living Translation)

                While digging into some of our family history, Susan discovered  the existence of someone in our family tree whom I had never known had existed, but who has played an unexpected role in our family, nonetheless.

This would be my Grandma Soble’s brother William Anson Smith. He was wounded during World War I in one of the major battles, dying a few days later of a gunshot to the head. We have even found a picture of my great uncle in his uniform through our on-line genealogical search. Grandma must have named my father, William Frederick, after him. Subsequently, our son, Nathaniel, also has “William” as part of his full name and we have a grandson also named William.  But little did we know that this was an unintentional tribute to this brave soldier. He was only nineteen when he was killed.

It adds another poignant level to this coming Remembrance Day. I also lost my uncle Russell Soble (Dad’s brother) during WWII.

Although memory of war and death leaves me profoundly sad at the tragic loss of good, young men and women who died for what they believed was a just cause, I am deeply moved when their stories, however unfortunately brief, remind us that these were men and women with hopes, dreams, families, and lives full of possibilities. They were real people living real lives. And their lives were cut short by the madness of war. (As an aside, I look at the video games that depict war games of various natures and wonder whether those who play them lose that perspective of the horrors of war when they so casually shoot and kill their enemies or can simply press restart if and when they lose.)

It is sometimes hard emotionally to relate to Remembrance Day until there is a name and a face which remind us that our own families have been forever affected by the loss of loved ones. War leaves us the question, “What if…”

The writer of Hebrews has spent all of chapter eleven extoling the virtue of faith as practiced by the heroes of our faith. Faith encouraged, emboldened, strengthened, enabled them to do and accomplish things that were very difficult and challenging. “By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them… Their weakness was turned to strength...” (Hebrews 11: 33-34) Others faced persecution, torture, and death, becoming destitute and refugees. They were all to be “commended for their faith” (11:39).

These heroes are lifted up to us to inspire us and motivate us to honour them with our own legacy of faith and courage in our own day and age. Let me express it the way that The Message Bible does: “Do you see what this means - all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running - and never quit!” (12:1)

We may not be fighting on actual battlefields but we are engaged in struggles with evil and terrible wrongness and injustices all around us, or we need to face those who bring ruin and chaos into our lives and world, or stand against those who abuse power  or who take advantages of the weak and powerless, or speak up on behalf of the poor, the war-torn, the hungry, the homeless, the refugee, and the children. (I am dismayed and overwhelmed how little our political leaders are doing but talk about the severe, catastrophic starvation of hundreds of thousands in Yemen, mostly women and children. Shame on them all!)

So, thank you, Uncle William, for in knowing you even a little, I hope that my family can make you proud!

Dale

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

“People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” (Luke 21:26, New Revised Standard Version)

                Boo! Did I scare you – after all today is Hallowe’en.

                Our young grandsons are all reacting somewhat differently to Hallowe’en this year. William, age 5, is really getting into the Hallowe’en spirit. He wanted to have a real scary face carved on his jack-o-lantern. He loves the house down their street because it is decorated with lots of real spooky stuff, causing him to think they will give out great Hallowe’en candy, too. Henry, age 3, is less taken with this shrine to Hallowe’en, finding it a bit too scary. His pumpkin has a great big, happy face!

                Spencer, age 2, is OK with Hallowe’en, for the most part.   But he does insist that Mom or Dad close the living room curtains so that he can’t see the skeleton face hanging in the window.

                These three grandsons – our fourth, Declan, is not quite old enough to create his own reaction just yet – seem to represent how any of us might handle our fears and qualms. Some face their fears and deal with them head on, like William. Some put on a happy face and avoid their fears, like Henry. Some pull the curtains on life’s terrors and try to avoid their fears, like Spencer.

                I think I may be with Spencer on this one. During this past week there has been enough horrible, awful, scary, evil, terrifying, dreadful things happening in the world and in our lives that I would just as soon close the curtains on the face of the world and not ever peek behind the drapes for life nor money.  This whole Fall has seemed to be one hellish thing after another.

                Fear can be a good or healthy thing. It can warn us of risks, dangers, problems, threats and menaces. Fear can make us take a more cautious and careful approach to matters - to look before we leap. Fear can even energize us to action and dealing with hazardous life situations.

                But fear can also paralyze, intimidate, disable, or bully us.  Fear can take over our lives or become debilitating phobias. Fear can force us into making bad choices or rash decisions. Fear can make us lose heart, lead us into despair, and give up on hope and drain us of joy and peace.

                Our text is embedded in a passage which forewarns the people about a time in which the world will be in a deep, deep mess. Even heaven is shaken by the events of chaos and upheaval, like a tidal wave of disorder and darkness.

                It seems ominous and foreboding indeed. But there is also a bright light of hope in this passage. There is a fresh, energizing appearance of the “Son of Man”, i.e. Jesus Christ, who takes power over the chaos and turbulence and restores his Shalom (peace) and Creation itself.  We are not abandoned to the evils of this world. We are not left to face the world’s terrors by ourselves.  In fact, the passage ends on a note of encouragement and hopefulness. “When all this starts to happen, up on your feet. Stand tall with your heads high. Help is on the way!" (Luke 21:28, The Message Bible)

                It leads me to the confrontation between Light and Darkness, a theme that runs throughout the Gospel of John. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” (John 1:5, NRSV) John asserts time and time again that Jesus is that one-of-a-kind light who takes on all various forms of evil, sinfulness and chaos. "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life," (John 8:12, NRSV).  He is ever present in this battle against the deeds and habits of darkness, “I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness.” (John 12:46, NRSV) All those who trust in Christ need to hang on to the hope that “the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.” (1 John 2:8)

                So take that that – you big, scary and chilling masks of darkness. I’ve got your number, and you have no power over me or my family or our friends, or the world for that matter, because perfect love casts out fear. Or as Jesus once said, “But take courage; I have conquered the world!" (John 16:33, NRSV)

Dale      

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

“Then Jesus added, ‘Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given —and you will receive even more.’” (Mark 4:24, New Living Translation) 

                One of the recurring criticisms of our municipal government during the recent election was that the elected representatives on our City Council “weren’t listening to the people”.  I am not convinced that this was actually the case as much as they tried to listen to all the voices, no matter how contrary the various ideas and opinions, and ended up, sometimes, paralyzed in doing anything, lest it might offend someone.  Afterall, various City Councils have been debating the idea of a Parkway through Peterborough for over 50 years! And still they are nowhere close to getting it done or forgetting about it altogether. Yikes!

                But, more to the point, it seems to be that often when someone accuses others that they are not listening to them that the only way they will ever be convinced that they are being heard is if  the listeners agree totally with what has been said. “You aren’t listening” may become “You aren’t doing what I want you to do” or “why aren’t you agreeing with me?” or “You must know that I absolutely right about this!”

                Of course, it is entirely possible that I have indeed listened, heard, understood and comprehended everything that another has said, but that even after listening I simply don’t agree with the proffered point of view. But it doesn’t necessarily mean that I didn’t listen at all.

                Don’t get me wrong, there are many, many instances in our human communications when listening gets lost in the process. We become defensive or argumentative, stubborn, and become too busy forming our own little speeches wanting to win the debate or argument at any cost, so that any attempt at sincere listening gets drowned out by loud and frustrated voices.

I would say even that our rampant, embroiled, uncivil discourse in our current culture is indeed because we aren’t listening to each other very well. We are drowning each other out by our heated rhetoric, unfiltered animosity towards those who are different, and the overemphasis on individualism fanned by technology  which all, therefore, leads to the loss of deeper community.

                The loss of listening happens in all sorts of our human relationships and institutions: dating, marriage, family, organizations, churches, and so on. When we stop listening and then accuse others of also not listening because we are so convinced of our rightness, it is small wonder we can’t keep from hating each other, call others names, labeling others, and refusing to get along with anyone who doesn’t agree with us. “Everybody is sinful, but you and me and I am not too sure about you!”

                Listening is hard work. I am probably the last person who should be giving advice about listening which some of my critics from my churches would quickly tell you.  Nevertheless, listening takes effort, patience, time, and commitment. One usually needs to suspend making facile, quick, immediate judgements. Often, one should be slow in speaking or offering opinions, if at all, until the appropriate moment. Wait until the other person is finished, with little or no interruption. Ask clarifying questions. Then repeat back to the other person what you think you have heard to see if you actually got any of it right.  Even if you disagree with what the other says, one responds with courtesy, respect, civility and, dare I say it, with love!

                I think about Job’s three friends who came to console him during his terrible afflictions and trials. Everything was going so well - until they opened their mouths and started to tell Job all the ways he was wrong.

                “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.”  (James 1:19, NLT)

Dale

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

“The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18, New Living Translation) 

                I noticed an interesting bumper sticker on a car yesterday.

                By using the symbols that traditionally represent the major faith groups of the world it spelled out the word “co-exist” – a meaningful, relevant and evocative message, one too easily lost or, worse, mangled in our secular society.

                The last letter in this rebus was the letter “t”. This, of course, represents the Christian tradition, particularly the cross, the means of death upon which our Lord and Saviour was inhumanely and brutally crucified. I think that everybody would agree that the cross is the universal symbol for us who are Christians. We may not always agree on just what that symbol means but, in one way or another, it defines a chief tenet of our faith, maybe the chief tenet.

                Therefore, it baffles me, somewhat, that the new government in Quebec has decided that in its discriminatory ban on all religious symbols among their civil servants the cross has been deemed not a religious symbol, but merely a cultural icon  from its history.

                I think I am offended. I once lived in Quebec and if I was still there I would be writing a strong letter of protest that in solidarity for the principle of religious freedom of expression if other religious symbols are being banned so should the cross. Otherwise, this unique symbol which speaks to the means and purpose of Jesus’ redemptive sacrifice and death is at risk of becoming irrelevant, domesticated, immaterial and an out-of-date artifact. Whereas the other symbols seem to be dangerous in this government’s secular agenda and mind, the cross has become a pleasant memory, and simply not worth the bother of excising from public space.

                The cross is an enigma. The Quebec government is not the first government in our history to deem the cross foolishness in one sense or another as Paul wrote. But for Paul the cross was a potent, scandalous, unprecedented way for God to act. Even some Christians struggle with why God would use such an horrendous implement to allow his son to be so grossly executed. After all, “when he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’” (Galatians 3:13, NLT)

                Of course, even we Christians have polished up the cross, sanded off the rough edges,  shellacked and varnished it and made it to look pretty. We wear it as jewellery in many forms. We trudge it out once a year on Good Friday and even that name indicates we need it to make it sound better than it actually was for Jesus. Good for us – but not so much so for Jesus.

                I am reminded of a documentary which I saw many ears ago about one of the American mega churches. The lead pastor was asked why there was no cross in their worship centre. The pastor explained that they didn’t want to offend the new seekers who were worshipping with them, saying, to the effect, that the cross sent the wrong message to newbies in the faith.

                Move over Quebec government, you have company!

                There are a few meaningful ways to absorb the full meaning of the cross which I won’t get into here. But I would make the point that one needs to stand at the foot of the cross in order to begin to understand its power, meaning and the purpose behind Jesus’ ignominious death.  The ugly side of humanity is fully exposed there – humanity’s proclivity for evil and sinfulness, cruelty, injustice, suffering and abuse of power.  Jesus believed that his death would challenge and defeat the power of such things and the Power behind such things. “He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.”  (Colossians 2:14, NLT)

                The cross – the power of God.

                Forgive them Lord; they know not what they are doing. 

Dale

               

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1, New Living Translation)

                 All Saints Day is not until November 1^st, but I have been thinking about a few saints who, over many, many years, have surrounded our family and invested their love and time in our lives and ministry.

                There was Marian Marr in Wainfleet, with Marian always an eager babysitter for baby Nicholas. In Montreal there were Bill and Nora Boulet or Marian Lane who took extra care of our children and us. In Ottawa we were “adopted” by Naomi Andrew or “Omi” as young Nathaniel called her who was like a grandmother to our children and held a very special place in our hearts. These are just a few of the saints who have graced and blessed our lives. We will never forget them for their generosity, love and kindnesses.

                But there are two more who must be mentioned. They are Kay and Roy Porteous who are Susan’s Aunt and Uncle, Kay being the sister of Susan’s mother. Roy, at the age of 82, died suddenly last week of pancreatic cancer. They live about a half hour outside of Ottawa. When we lived in Ottawa in the early 90s, Kay and Roy were virtually our kids’ alternate set of grandparents. Quietly and generously they embraced our family in so many wonderful ways.

                There were family dinners at their home or cottage. There were boat rides and sea-doo rides on the Rideau River, allowing young Nicholas even help steer the boat. They looked after toddler Nathaniel on one of our trips to Florida. They have attended many a birthday party over the years. They have travelled to all of our children’s weddings.

                Roy was a wonderful man, always eager to help or serve others. He was deeply involved in his community. We didn’t really realize what a musician he had been until yesterday at his Service of Thanksgiving (as my father-in-law described it). He played the saxophone for a band, back in the day, at one of the local establishments. He was an active and involved Christian at the Osgoode Baptist/Vernon United Church.

                But really his sainthood (he would probably humbly scoff at the notion) was based on a strong character of faith, sensitivity, compassion and caring. He never looked for praise or credit. He had a quiet and dry sense of humour and seemed, at times unflappable. He was open-hearted and open-minded, never judgmental or even critical, except for the occasional wry comment about something. He was generous with his time, with his gifts, with his service.

                Once, when they were visiting our home here in Peterborough, the kitchen sink suddenly started leaking. Before we knew it, Roy was under the sink, finding the cause of the problem and making a temporary fix until we got the plumber in.

                Saints inspire us, lead by example and encourage all of us to be better people. Saintliness is not about piety, pomposity, religiosity, or pretentious shows of “look-at-me” works. I recall Jesus’ disappointment in the Pharisee strutting around the temple boasting of his righteousness: “I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.” (Luke 18: 11-12, NLT) The other person in this parable is meek and humble, a sinner. But Jesus commends the humility and modesty of this man: “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14, NLT)

                Think about the saints in your life and be thankful! Better yet, who might need your saintliness these days?

Dale

Wednesday, October 3, 2018

“The Lord God made all sorts of trees grow up from the ground—trees that were beautiful and that produced delicious fruit. In the middle of the garden he placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” (Genesis 2:9, New Living Translation)

                “Along the lines of smoky hills/ The crimson forest stands…” Back in the day, many an elementary student of my generation (i.e. old) probably had to memorize this wonderful poem by Canadian poet, William Wilfred Campbell, from his book of poetry, Lake Lyrics (1889). 

It is quintessentially captures the beauty of our Canadian autumns, bursting with colour and resplendent beauty – very appropriate as we head into our Thanksgiving Weekend.  I was reminded of it when my mother-in-law included it in my birthday card this week.

“Now by the brook the maple leans/ With all its glory spread;/ And all the sumacs on the hills/ Have turned their green to red.”

Trees are not something we should take for granted. As noted in our text, trees were Creation’s sources for humankind’s nourishment, life and health.  There is nothing better than a good tree under which to sit to symbolize God’s grace and love. “But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.”  (Micah 4:4)

By the end of the bible just as there was in the beginning, the tree of life is offered to the faithful once again, fruit free from the rot of our sinfulness, ever since humankind’s fall from grace by disobeying God and eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. “Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.” (Revelation 22: 1 – 2)

There is a tree just down the street from our house that is a brilliant red today. Even on a dreary day it catches one’s eyes. Its colours are vibrant, bold and audacious, standing out in a sometimes drab and weary environment.

One of the Psalms asserts that the faithful are “like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.” (Psalm 1:3, NLT) Maybe, what this is saying is that you and I need to be continually vibrant in our faith, constantly bold in our witness of good works, and stand out with the colours of love, hope, peace, joy, goodness and justice in a dingy and exhausted world.

Let your colours show! Let the beauty of your character and faith catch people’s eyes! Let the magnificent, colourful burst of mercy, forgiveness of others, and unconditional compassion for all be a remarkable display of transformation and a promise of the life to come.

“Let the trees of the forest sing for joy.” (Psalm 96:12, NLT) 

Dale

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders.” (Luke 15: 4 -5, New Living Translation)

                There are a considerable number of idioms that have to do with our shoulders. You look like you are carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. Are you giving him the cold shoulder? Get that chip off your shoulder! She can take it; she has broad shoulders. Do you need a shoulder to cry on? He is head and shoulders above the rest of the class. We are going to do this together, shoulder to shoulder. Look at us; look at whom we are rubbing shoulders with. Let’s put our shoulder to the wheel and get this done! I’ve done all I can do; it’s on your shoulders now.

                One of the “joys” of becoming older is to discover that I have considerable damage in my shoulders from arthritis.  It would wake me up at night with the pain. Fortunately, a recent cortisone shot has much alleviated most of the problem, for now. At least, it gives me an excuse not to rake all our leaves this Fall and let our lawn-care people do it instead.

                I have often counseled people who are living through some major crisis and are deeply emotionally conflicted and confused and questioning where God is in all this, that it is perfectly OK to express anger, frustration, hurt, and distress in one one’s prayers and admonitions towards God. Afterall, God has very big and broad shoulders.

Encounter Job who rails and protests long and loud about the unfair position that God has allowed to happen to him. Read many of the Psalms which are deep laments and angry complaints: “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help?” (Psalm 22: 1, NLT). Although I am somewhat captivated by The Message Bible’s interpretation of the same verse: “God, God . . . my God! Why did you dump me miles from nowhere?”  

                If one has ever been to the Holy Land the chances are pretty good that you have come home with a carved, wooden statue depicting the Good Shepherd with a lamb being carried upon his shoulders. I now have the one which I gave to my mother after my trip many, many years ago. Although there are many biblical images of God as Shepherd and therefore Jesus, too, the parable from Luke always seems to me to be  the one which best expresses the perseverant, tenacious, resolve of a compassionate and loving God to find us in our wildernesses and carry us home, back to the fold.

As it is affirmed in John’s Gospel, Jesus, himself, acts out the God as the Good Shepherd motif. Consequently, our Shepherd knows our names. We are apt to go astray, find ourselves in unfamiliar and unsafe circumstances, think the grass is greener on some other hill and not see the fast-flowing and dangerous river between, and yet, the parable assures us that God does not give up on us ever and will continually look for us until he finds us and leads us back to greener pastures and still waters. “The one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.”  (Deuteronomy 33:12, New International Version)

Finally, this is an example for us, as well, to help shoulder the burdens of others when we can. “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2, NLT) We cannot always fix the problems and issues that others are facing, nor should we try necessarily, but we can be a listening and empathetic ear, give a shoulder to cry upon, or be a voice of encouragement and affirmation. Find the good shepherd in yourself and be supportive and caring. As the old song goes, you’re not heavy; you’re my brother/sister.

Dale

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

“Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.” (Philippians 2:18, New Living Translation) 

                Being three years old is a wondrous, joyful, exciting, awesome time of life. It almost makes me anticipate my second childhood in my old age.

                Our grandson, Henry, had his three-year old birthday party on Sunday – a family affair. As gifts arrived he would look at them with excitement and wonder, constantly asking whether he could open them - like NOW! But he waited until the party began. But I don’t think angels rejoicing had anything on Henry once the festivities commenced. It wasn’t a greedy sense of getting stuff but rather a spirit of marvel and joy and appreciation as he began opening his gifts.      Even birthday cards, especially if they played music or made sounds, were opened and viewed with appreciation.

The expressions on his face were bursting with happiness and exhilaration as new toys appeared. There were books and clothes, too. It was as much as a little three-year-old could take in, and to top it all off there was chocolate cake and ice cream! We all shared in his joy, gladness and cheerfulness. His joy was infectious and easily spread among the rest of us.

Maybe Jesus was thinking of the pure, uncomplicated spirit of a child’s utter joy when he said, “I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” (Luke 18:17, NLT)

As I see it we, many of us adults make joy very conditional on what is happening or worse what is not happening to us in our small corner of our personal worlds. We hinge joy, celebration, happiness on what we have or own. We define satisfaction and contentment on success, achievements, victories, and rewards. I am not suggesting that these are necessarily even “bad” things but life is more precious than just those things.  At times we are so serious and sober and humourless and cynical that it saps any sense of enjoyment we might otherwise find.

We now know that depression is a serious mental health problem. People seem sadder and more melancholy than ever before.  There are times when I look at what is going on in the world right now and it can be hard to put a sincere smile on my face.  I want to hide under the covers until this great wave of negativity (like an emotional tsunami) is over. There seems to be so much hostility, anger, and fear which distort and diminish our capacity to find a real and lasting sense of joy. I am reminded of Jesus’ words, “So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.” (John 16:22, NLT)

What robs you of your joy?

Find the three-year-old child in you.  Remind yourself each and every day that there are deep, meaningful stories of joy happening all around you. There are gifts of people and occasions of serendipitous things which put a smile on your face and a little happy music in your heart and soul. It may be only the red flash of a Cardinal in my front yard tree that reminds me that there is still much beauty and splendour in the world after all but it makes me glad.

“This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118: 24, NLT)

And then as Paul suggested – share the joy. Spread it around. This will, in turn, actually increase your joy.  God intends for us to be a community of joyful people, to be people who find our authentic voices for praise, delight, blessings, and enjoyment of all God’s gifts in Creation.

Don’t let anyone or any thing rob you of that joy.

“I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” (John 15:11, NLT) 

Dale

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

“O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land.” (Psalm 63:1, New Revised Version) 

                Psalm 63 is one of the most beautiful poems in the whole of the Psalter. Its rich depths of faith and trust in God rise off the page in a crescendo of praise and confidence in God. “Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name.” (63: 3-4) The Psalmist has known spiritual emptiness and emotional fatigue. It looks as if he has lain awake at night, meditating on the ways God has reached out to him in his need.  “For you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” (63:7)

                If you are down in the dumps, feeling anxious and uneasy, feeling uncertain about the future and lying awake at night with worry and fear I couldn’t recommend a better, spiritually uplifting text than Psalm 63.

                At least the first eight verses…

                I have to be honest, verses nine to ten just don’t seem to fit the mood of the first part of the Psalm. I think somebody else may have tagged these verses onto this poem for some strange reason. Maybe, it sounded too sentimental or unrealistic. The poet’s mind, if it is the same person, is torn away from his lofty thoughts of God and now seeks harm and vengeance on his enemies. “But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth; they shall be given over to the power of the sword, they shall be prey for jackals.” (63: 9-10) Then the king (where did he come from?) is going to use his conviction in God to shut up his opponents.

                It is a confounding and disappointing ending to a wonderful Psalm.

                But perhaps our human nature is revealed in the contradictions which this poem as a whole presents. We can ride the crests of faith, assurance and renewed hope and peace but become distracted by everyday realities, problems and conflicts. We become preoccupied with the pains and aches of daily living and need to take it out on somebody else. Then before you know it, our ascending faith falls flat and we are overtaken by our darker thoughts.

                My advice – go back and read the first eight verses again. And stop! 

                Or I might also add listening to Jesus who had some very clear advice about retaliation and revenge – you know them I’m sure: “But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.” (Matthew 5:39) or “But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” (5:44).

                Our hearts can be ruled by Love or Hate.  Our Faith can soar to heights of immense trust or plummet into cold and spiteful payback.  Our moods can be enriched by beauty or smeared with vindictive and ugly anger.  We can reach out to God or we can give in to our own hurtful thoughts.

                “My flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”

The choice is ours to make.

Dale