Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026

“You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.” (1 Corinthians 9: 24 -25, The Message Bible)

                Some of us are old enough to remember the opening words of the old TV show “The Wide World of Sports” on ABC, “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.” The latter was visually illustrated by a snow-skier epically wiping out on his downhill run.  Yikes!

                Susan and I have been watching a fair amount of the Olympics on TV lately.  Thus, we have seen both the thrills and the spills. We have seen both the tears of joy and the tears of defeat. We’ve heard stories about athletes who have overcome serious injurious, past failures, hardships, even cancer. Some were doubted when they began their sport’s journey. Yet here they were, finding themselves among some of the elite athletes of the world.

The winter Olympics features some of the most dare-devilish sports in the world. Sliding down a long icy chute on your back, riding on not much more than a sled which looks much like a cafeteria tray is not anywhere on my bucket list of things to do in my life. But we listened as these athletes explain how much they love their sport, how hard they have trained, the sacrifices they have made, what they have had to deal with and how grateful they are for those who have helped them along the way, for their families and coaches, their constant cheerleaders. All of them, win or lose, are proud to be Olympic athletes.

Several times, Paul uses athletic imagery to describe the Christian life. Not that Christianity is a sport, but he is encouraging excellence in our Christians endeavours. We don’t rest on our past laurels, but “press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (Philippians 3:14, New Living Translation) It suggests that we should not settle down in our comfortable (?) pews and sink into lethargy, apathy, indifference and inactivity, thinking that we have it made or that we have punched our ticket into heaven.  Being a follower of Jesus requires movement, actions, intent, practice and setting our goals and aims for being the best we can be for Christ.

We are not alone in this ambition. Like the Olympic athletes we too, are surrounded by encouragers. So often, I heard one of the athletes talk about how “it takes a village” to get them to this point in their sport.  My prayer would be that we all are blessed by some community of believes who have walked beside us with their own examples, their encouragement, their support and their teaching. “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)

There are always excuses for avoiding the authentic work which we need to exercise our Christian faith and practice. Right now, I am blaming the weather or my bad leg or something for not getting any exercise. It is all too easy to sit at home and watch church on my screen. But there are things any of us can do even if we feel “disabled” in some way, ways which we can exercise our faith by reaching out to others, caring for others, supporting our church financially. We can pray; we can study our scriptures; we can offer kind, encouraging words becoming part of the village.

Ash Wednesday begins the Lenten season, a season of reflection, self-examination and a re-kindling of faith in Jesus Christ who walked the road to Gethsemane for us.  But I don’t think that it should be just a passive undertaking. Jesus cleared the obstacles of sin, hell and even death so that we may live fully and abundantly. He has opened a way for us to do remarkable things in bis name: “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” (John 14:12) He has prepared us to strive for goodness, to achieve the best standards of love we can, to run the race before us.

“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.” (Hebrews 12: 2 -3)

Strap on your faith and see what you can do! You ‘ll be amazed.

 Prayer:

Our Loving God, as we begin this season of Lent, we are encouraged to follow the footsteps of Jesus. Help us to understand the amazing sacrifice which he took upon himself for our sakes, so that we may have life and life abundantly. Encourage us so that we may honour him by doing our best and giving it our all. Help us to accept the challenges which we face and yet, strive for gold standard of Love in all we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

“God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5: 4, New Living Translation)

                I  was going to write a happy piece on the joys of dancing, but after I read about the mass shootings in British Columbia, this morning, when I got up, and the nine deaths and so many injuries, I gotta tell you that I don’t feel much like dancing, even if I could.

                There are not enough words to begin to describe the deep-down sadness and despair that this terrible incident has on us all, even if we don’t know a single individual who has been tragically affected. Perhaps, like me, you may also be feeling frustration, anger, fear, unsafe, gloom that such violence can happen – anywhere, any time, any place. It is not a too-big generalization to think that the world is going to hell in a handbasket, these days. These things challenge our faith, our hope, our assurances in God and in each other.  I echo the Psalm: “O Lord, come back to us! How long will you delay? Take pity on your servants!” (Psalm 90: 13)

                Despite our scripture text today, there will most likely be little, true comfort for those who have lost their loved ones, so unnecessarily and senselessly. Hopefully, they will be surrounded by their families, their neighbours, their town, their places of worship if they have one, their province, our whole country, but none of that can barely begin to erase the pain and sorrow they are going through.

No matter what our theology may be, what our faith tells us, what answers we look for, there will be, naturally, a brokenness in seeking any answer to as why this happened or where God was when it happened. In fact, we would trivialize their loss and sorrow if we tried to tender glib, facile, shallow bromides no matter what scripture or spiritual counsel we may offer.

Sometimes, the “right” response is not to say a blessed thing at all, to be like Job’s comforters when they first came to him: “Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words.” (Job 2: 13) It was when they opened their mouths and preached at Job with their religious clichés were they of no help. It was not that their words were wrong, per se, but rather their words failed to bring Job any earthly comfort whatsoever. They should have kept their silence.

Usually, we need to feel all the pain and sorrow under the circumstances we’re in, right down to our bootstraps. This depth of sorrow, walking through the valleys of the shadow of death, is part of the sacred reality of being and will, or at least may, lead us towards  healing within our souls, spirits, psyches and lives and even reconciliation with God, “From the depths of despair, O Lord, I call for your help.” (Psalm 130:1) It is never easy or simple. Resurrection never is!

Yet, and it is a bitter-sweet yet, we are not abandoned even in these depths. I have no real, satisfactory answers as to why bad things happen to good people, whether it be a mass shooting or cancer; so, yes, I have to turn to God, regardless, and place my hope in him. I am free to cry out to God in pain, anger, grief or loss because if I have not God to turn to, I end up in total despair and hopelessness. We are then utterly lost, in that case. So it is, with even tear-stained hands, I hear Jesus’ Voice in the wilderness: “I tell you the truth… You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy.” (John 16:20) Maybe, not today; not tomorrow, not even a month or two from now. But someday.  Whatever your sorrow, whatever your grief, whatever your sadness and mourning, God finds you and wraps his loving arms around you and holds precious your tears.

Maybe, just maybe, come back next week and I will feel more like dancing!

 

Prayer:

 Our Loving God, we pray for all who are grieving today. Be present to our brokenness and shattered experiences so that we may, one day, rise to experience your joy anew. May we be examples of your living Word who offer to come alongside those who feel sorrow and pain. May we find your peace, your hope, your love even in the depths of our questions and doubts. Hold us in your ever-present Love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

“Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?” (Matthew 6:26)

                 Last week, I came across an article that suggested we need to focus more on the little things in life in order to deal with the cold and sometimes bleak winter and the stressful news cycle we are currently experiencing. There was nothing particularly startling or revelatory in what it suggested. Listening to music. Get away from our devices. Reading a book. Going for a walk. Nonetheless, I appreciated the idea that it is through the little things in our lives – the unexciting, slower-paced, gentle, reflective activities – that we find equilibrium and comfort.

                Coincidently, a few weeks ago, long before I even read the article, I had some words that were swimming around in my mind. (Lots of room – I hear you.) I couldn’t get them out of my mind until I wrote them down. The connection is that the piece is called “The Little Things.” It’s kind of sappy and sentimental. But hey, behind this gruff, grumpy exterior is just an sentimental, old fool. But I share it with you. (If you want a tune to go with it, the opening lines from The Rose, “love is like a river…” seems to work. Not coincidently, one of my all-time favourite songs) 

The Little Things
It only takes a little breeze to make the air so sweet.
It only takes your little smile to make the heart skip a beat.
It only takes one soft look to know that we are loved.
It only takes a little prayer to reach our God above.

It only takes a little word to make someone smile.
It only takes a child’s small hand in ours to feel that we’re worthwhile.
It only takes a little kiss to make the pain go away.
It only takes a gentle look to make it through the day.

These are the little things that matter in our lives.
Dandelion fluff and puppy dog tails
May matter the most when all else fails.
Falling snow and ice cream treats
Make our lives both sacred and complete.

It only takes a little sun to chase away the clouds,
It only takes a little blue sky to shout our praise out loud.
It only takes a little hope to face the day in brand new light
It only takes a little joy to lift our spirits like a kite.

It only takes a little peace to settle all our wars
It only takes a little love to heal the ugly scars.
It only takes God’s still small voice to bring us to our knees.
It only takes a little faith to plant the hopeful seeds.

We are blessed by these little things in each and every day.
Their bounty may come to us in wondrous, many ways.
God gives to all, the big and the small, the short and the tall,
The little things which are always just right and never too small.

Prayer:

Our Creator God, we know that your eye is on us just as much as it is on the little sparrow. We give you our loving gratitude for the myriads of little things that touch our lives with joys, blessings, laughter, love and hope.  Help us to open our eyes, minds and spirits to your many expressions of your creative touch. In Jesus’ name, amen.