Wednesday, June 12, 2019

“When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.” (1 Corinthians 13:11, New Living Translation) 

                The older I get I am finding that my tastes are changing, both literally and figuratively.

                For instance, I used to enjoy sweet things like licorice all-sorts and milk chocolate and sweet desserts, but now these are far too sweet and I go for dark chocolate and like its slightly more bitter taste. I prefer dark, strong coffee.  I used to love spaghetti but tomato sauces are now unappealing and a turn-off. I like sour tastes like lemonade. I’d rather have fresh fruit than candy or cake.

                My taste in music is far different than when I was in my teens.  I never listen to pop music today and wouldn’t know a top ten artist or a song if my life depended on it. I grew up with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, the great music of the 60’s. Now I prefer Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday and various Blues and Jazz artists, even though some of them were more my parent’s generation than mine. Oh, I still can’t stand most opera, so some things haven’t changed although Gilbert and Sullivan has always appealed somewhat. 

                Perhaps as I eventually drift into my second childhood, my tastes will shift even further.

                I have never been a big fan of nostalgia. I seldom ever lament the so-called “good ol’ days”. The past is the past as far as I am concerned and try to leave it there the best that I can. I don’t always like change but neither do I fight it or overtly resist it. I have always thought that change can be healthy, renewing, invigorating and an opportunity for something new to arise. Susan has accused me that I would deliberately instigate change in any of my churches if and whenever church-life became routine, predictable or safe. She may not be wrong.

                I know that Jesus once said that we should become like children in order to engage in the kingdom of God life. But I don’t think this was suggesting that we should be immature, childish, or stuck in a Sunday School-like faith only. It may be appealing to keep our walk of faith as simple as we can, to maintain a black-and-white creed, and desire that “old time religion”. After all, if it was good enough for Peter…

But a mature life needs a mature faith also, especially to meet the complex and complicated issues and challenges that make up our lives, our culture and politics in our world.

I wonder how Paul would have understood Jesus’ comment. Paul was one to commend a mature faith, steeped deeply in the principles of faith and practice.  He chastises the “saints” in Corinth, “But for right now, friends, I'm completely frustrated by your unspiritual dealings with each other and with God. You're acting like infants in relation to Christ, capable of nothing much more than nursing at the breast. Well, then, I'll nurse you since you don't seem capable of anything more,” (1 Corinthians 3: 1 -2, The Message Bible

The writer of Hebrews is also frustrated with the lack of Christian maturity among his readers. “By this time, you ought to be teachers yourselves, yet here I find you need someone to sit down with you and go over the basics on God again, starting from square one - baby's milk, when you should have been on solid food long ago! Milk is for beginners, inexperienced in God's ways; solid food is for the mature, who have some practice in telling right from wrong.” (Hebrews 5: 12 -15, The Message)

Our faith needs to grow, evolve, progress, ripen, and become richer and deeper as we grow older. Some of our ideas about God, Jesus or matters of faith may change or need to be altered as our understanding, appreciation and knowledge increases. That is the only way to have a tough enough, strong enough, lasting faith that leads us through all the days of being.

Dale

Wednesday, June 5, 2019

“I compare you, my love, to as mare among Pharaoh’s chariots…” (Songs of Solomon 1:9, New Revised Standard version)

                I am pretty sure that most woman, i.e. wives or girlfriends, wouldn’t appreciate being compared to a horse, no matter how complimentary it was meant.  But when you read the Songs of Solomon, this compliment, at least, doesn’t make you blush and feel that you are reading someone’s private, romantic mail between two lovers. “Your rounded thighs are like jewels, the work of a master hand. Your navel is a rounded bowl, that never lacks mixed wine. Your belly is a heap of wheat encircle with lilies. Your breasts are like two fans, twins of a gazelle…” (7: 1 3). Too much information here!

And what’s with all the animal analogies, “Your eyes are like doves…your hair is like a flock of goats moving down the slops of Gilead. Your teeth are like flock of shorn ewes that have comes up from the washing…” (4:1 – 2).

This man really knows how to turn a woman’s head!

But it leads me to some commentary which we watched on PBS recently – knowing how to take a compliment. And it has got me to thinking…

Many of us are not very good at it – taking a compliment. We deflect, brush off, ignore, trivialize, and make light of the good, complimentary things that may come our way.  Sometimes, it’s humility that stands in the way of the compliment. Sometimes, it because we don’t feel that we deserve it or have earned it or some have a very low self-image.  Some of us grew up believing that our good works were simply expected and one should never expect praise or commendation. It certainly was taboo to boast and toot your own horn. Actions called for modesty and self-deflection.

Worse is that we remember the uncomplimentary things people say about us far better than the complimentary things. One little criticism can overshadow a dozen nice things which were said and then eat away at us for some time. I was a master at that, worrying away at some small, unkind remark even while many others were patting me on the back. I even knew what I was doing to myself but found it hard not to dwell on the negativity, despite the praise.

The woman on PBS suggested that we keep a diary of the complimentary things that people say to us or about us. At first, that may sound a little egotistical, but I would agree that it may help remind us, especially in the rough times, that we are more capable and worthy and well-intentioned than we give ourselves credit for. Therefore, it encourages us to repeat our victories, no matter how small, and this helps build character and mindfulness and patterns of goodness (righteousness). Accepting a compliment, when deserved, lightens the soul, engages the heart, and uplifts the spirit.

It is not un-Christian to take a compliment. I might rather argue that it is more un-Christian to be judgmental, critical and hurtful toward others. It is more un-Christian not to pass compliments on to people around us, not flattery or fake praise, but a sincere acknowledgment when someone has done their best. Let them know it!

The apostle Paul could be a bit of a grumpy old cuss, at times, but he was always lavish with praise and gratefulness for his fellow-workers or the people in his churches.  They weren’t perfect but he encouraged them with his appreciation for their faith and labours. E.g. “We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ,” (1 Thessalonians 1: 2 -3, NRSV)

So, when someone says somethings good to you or about you, receive it with joy and thanksgiving.  Then, pass it on to someone else. Seek the good and it will come back to you!

Let your words and deeds be like a sack full of squealing, little piglets…  oh, you know what I mean!

Dale

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.” (Psalm 100:1, New Revised Standard) 

                Keep it down out there, would ya! 

                Last week, my son-in-law, Gary, treated me to a baseball game in Toronto, an afternoon game. He parked in his favourite parking garage, a five-minute walk or so to the stadium. As we hit the street, I was almost physically overwhelmed by the cacophonous noise of the “big city”. The sounds of construction, constant traffic, machinery and so many people flooded my auditory senses with a tangible overload. It was such a sharp and discordant contrast to my quiet, little, reclusive life here in Peterborough. I can sit outside and the biggest “noise” might be the mourning doves cooing or a cardinal whistling or a car occasionally going by or the odd lawnmower now and then.  The little dog who lives behind us and yaps all the time – well, don’t bet me started on it. But, really, not much to complain about. 

                I have inherited my mother’s aversion to noise, especially big or constant noise. Sudden crashes send me up the wall and put my nerves on edge. Noisy rooms give me a sense of claustrophobia and anxiety.  I have always lived in a quiet environment, even growing up. 

                When Susan and I started dating, it was quite an experience to sit around the dining room table with her four younger siblings and parents. The noise of all sorts of happy, exited conversations taking place, seemingly all at once, was daunting for me, at first. Mind you, now with our own four children  and grandchildren we are just as noisy and rambunctious, maybe more so. I love it but it still sometimes overwhelms me. 

                Somewhere, somewhen, Christian worship became a sedate, orderly routine – conducted with calm dignity, composure, serenity and respectful ways. Everything had its liturgical place and deviations were few and far between. Heaven forbid, if anything intruded on that staid and sober order of worship. 

                Over the last 30 years or so, the introduction of drums, guitars, saxophones and so-called “contemporary” music has set worship experiences on its ear. Not everyone has adjusted. I remember one man insisting that the use of guitars and drums was the work of the devil. I have had people in my congregations wanting to ban applause during worship services. People have threatened to leave the church if we have “that kind of music.”    

            

                But the fact is that this isn’t contemporary at all. Scripture calls for exuberance, liveliness, passion, excitement in forms of worship and praise. “Sing! Beat the tambourine. Play the sweet lyre and the harp” (Psalm 81:2, New Living Translation).  Worship was about sound, movement, flow, rhythms, dancing, moving with the beat.  “I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks amid the sound of a great celebration!” (Psalm 42:4)                

                There are times for silences and quiet reflection, but hardy or robust worship comes with a lot of noise, the sounds of trumpets and rams’ horns. “Come, everyone! Clap your hands! Shout to God with joyful praise!” (Psalm 47:1, NLT) 

                Our faith is something that should be bursting for holistic expression. Our delight in our God who loves us should be given full-bodied voice. “With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God.” (Psalm 84: 2, NLT) 

                Some one may tell you to pipe down during worship, they’re trying to catch up on their rest or sleep, but others want to “shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy!” (Psalm 98:4, NLT) 

                Go for it!

Dale

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

“Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” (Psalm 34: 8, New Living Translation) 

                Instead of a security blanket, our fourteen-month old grandson, Declan, has invested his trust in a wooden spoon which he carries about wherever he goes. I suppose that I could make a crack about not trusting in wooden idols, but actually I like his moxie!

                I see a lot of symbolism in his choice. For example, perhaps he will become a great chef someday or maybe a food critic or own a restaurant. But that only scratches the surface.

                Even more so, I think it could mean that he is ready to feast on all the world has to offer, all its beauty, joys, celebrations, festivities and bounty that surrounds him. He is anticipating and prepared for the banquet that can be life itself. He is hungry for Creation’s goodness, satisfaction, enjoyments and delights.  His old grandpa hopes he will never become a ravenous, greedy, gluttonous consumer but rather he will be always someone who can feast with thanksgiving, appreciation and humility on the abundance that God may give to any of us.

                “Give us our daily bread.” Declan has come prepared!

                It reminds me of that soup-for-the soul sort of story about the terminally-ill woman who told her pastor that along with her bible she also wanted to be buried with a fork in her hand. The woman’s explanation was as follows: “Because over the years, I attended many a potluck at this parish. And every time the people came to take my dinner plate, they would tell me to keep my fork for the dessert. Them telling me to keep my fork was always my favorite part of the dinner, because it always meant that something better was coming. I know that I don’t have long, but I know in my heart that something better is coming…”

                I don’t think we just have to wait until the joys of heaven feed our beings. I also think that there is a here-and-now quality to the nourishing blessings which may come our way. At its best, life can be savoury, a feast for our senses, a sacred joy, a gift, especially when we give ourselves away and not become stingy, selfish, materialistic consumers. “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.” (Luke 6:38, NLT)

                For sure, life sometimes leaves a bitter taste and seems less than fulfilling. There is real hunger and poverty in our country and the world where having enough daily bread is a challenge for families. For some, their lives seem more empty than not. Others are never satisfied, no matter what. Some measure fulfillment by the money, power, privilege and success they can accrue. There is that old saying, each according to their own individual tastes.

                The Bible suggests a different way. The first book of the Bible, Genesis, speaks with bold imagery as to the beauty and bounty of Creation for humankind: “Then God blessed them and said, ‘Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.’ Then God said, ‘Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food...’  And that is what happened. Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!”  (Genesis 1:28 – 29, 30 -31, NLT)

                And if all that goodness at hand  doesn’t make you want to pick up a spoon or fork, at least every now and then, to taste and see that the Lord is good and so is life, in order to discover the combined bounty of love, joy, happiness, satisfaction, and nurture, then  get yourself immediately into line for God’s “food-bank”, a cornucopia of his Love, Grace, Mercy and Justice.  God has no appetite for you to go hungry - spiritually, physically or relationally.

                But you’ve got to pick up your spoon!

Dale

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.” (Philippians 1:20, New Revised Standard Version) 

                I am discovering – much to my regret – that I seem to have acquired a “super-power” in my retirement years.

                I can pass within two or three feet of a table or a counter and my magnetic (?) personality will knock something off the afore-mentioned table or counter. Cutlery are the bane of my existence but just about anything might – mysteriously, I must add – take a flyer. I refuse to believe that my elbows or my arms or my hips or my feet which can suddenly get entangled by sneaky, predatory plastic bags or any part of my body has become so clumsy that I awkwardly and accidently brush something off to the floor.

I take this very personally whenever it happens, with loud and impolite language. Just when I am sure that I have firmly placed that full glass on the end table, some mysterious power comes along and immediately knocks it off.

I am like a cat. Cats are known for deliberately knocking things off tables and counters. It is said that if the world was really flat, cats would have knocked everything off the edge by now.

Sadly, I am coming to the realization that if my body is like a temple, the roof is leaking, the basement is flooded and the fuel bill is past due. I don’t need a Fit-bit to tell me how my heart rate is doing or how many steps I have walked or my sleeping patterns. My arthritic shoulders and other sore joints keep me very well-informed. I don’t need to send my spit into Ancestry.com to tell me that my forebears were prone to scurvy, halitosis or hang-nails. I know that I am overweight, drink too much and don’t exercise enough. It is a good day just to get up every morning and greet the day!

But darn it, I aim to die happy.

The apostle Paul uses a lot of body language to express his theology of humanity. For example, his use of the word “flesh” indicates our mortal, physical, corruptible, tangible existence – the flesh and blood of everyday living and being. By and large, he is not too complimentary about the topic. “For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, indeed it cannot…, (Romans 8:7, NRSV)

Our physical bodies including our minds and thoughts are vulnerable to clumsiness, awkwardness, ineptness, summed up as sinfulness when it comes to the choices we make, the ways we behave and the lives we lead. “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.” (Romans 8:5, NRSV)

                Body-shaming aside,  Paul also accepts that it is incumbent upon him  to make the most and the best of the physical side of his life. Christ will be exalted in  his body, he wrote. “And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.” (New Living Translation) He reminds us that our bodies do not just belong to us alone but are imprinted by God’s love and grace. Afterall we have been created in God’s image, “for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”  (1 Cor. 6:20, NLT)

                What is important is that you and I demonstrate that as long as we walk this planet, we make the effort to be Christ-like in all that we do. We may trip over ourselves every once in a while, but we get back up and keep on moving in the right direction, our eye on the prize at the end of the journey. As we are able, we continue to walk the walk, talk the talk and live our whole lives, mind, body and spirit, for satisfying, meaningful and purposeful lives and to make God proud!

                Now, if I just could find my walker…

Dale

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

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

                Joy is playing catch with my six-year old grandson on a warm Sunday afternoon and then watching a basketball game with him, even though I am not a big basketball fan.

                So, how was your weekend?

                We spent time with three of our four grandsons this past week-end. I cannot begin to tell you how much joy that brings us.

                I am not totally sure how one can really describe joy.  It embraces happiness but it is somehow more than that. It gives one pleasure but that’s sounds too self-centred. Joy makes you smile and feel satisfied but this too doesn’t capture all of its experience.  Joy is not just a feeling but a deep-seated approach to taking on  life. It becomes not so much momentary but a character trait. It is the opposite of dire sadness and gives us strength and courage in the face of grief and loss.

I think that I would have tried to include it somehow as a piece of the armour of faith from Ephesians 6: “Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet.” ( Ephesians 6:13, The Message Bible) It’s not on the list but joy, real, deep-seated joy somehow helps a person shield oneself from the slings and arrows of life or becomes an elixir that nourishes the heart, spirit and soul of folk like us.

Joy is not looking at life through rose-coloured glasses and a sappy smile on our faces. It is not pretending that everything is hunky-dory when it obviously isn’t. It generally is not found in massing material goods.  I would argue that neither is it found in ego, self-centredness, selfishness or the like.

Joy is the fruit of our relationships or the   demonstration of compassion or found in our ability to hold on to faith, hope and love even in the face of adversity. Joy is a blessing, a gift, a herald of a fresh spring breezes changing our still, stuffy days.

Joy is, I believe, always a shared experience. Indeed, joy may be our gift to others, lifting their spirits, offering encouragement,  seeking their good, esteeming another’s worth. Perhaps then, joy becomes the gift that also comes our way – unconditional, undeserved, unearned  - freely washing over us with ita unlimited supply of blessing and contentment.

I am not sure at all that one can define joy with a few simple words. You just know when it is in your heart and mind. You don’t try to explain it or analyze it – just enjoy it! Joy is a little bit of heaven on earth which captures our imaginations and holds on to us, reminding us that life has so much more to give when we are open to the Spirit.

Joy can be found in the small, unspectacular, ordinary moments of our lives through a touch, a smile, a gesture, a serendipitous moment shared together.  Joy is a resurrection moment when life is good as God would like it to be for us – abundant, overflowing with mercy and grace,  free from sin, redeemed and transformed.

“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)

How simply was I reminded of all that on a warm, sunny Sunday afternoon!

Dale

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

“…so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world.” (Philippians 2: 15), New Revised standard Version) 

                Our 12-year dog, Charlie, has just had his annual shearing. He has gone from a shaggy, unkempt Australian Shepherd to looking like an Australian Cattle dog.

Generally, one wouldn’t shave an Aussie down to the nubs like this but his coat gets so matted, tangled, thick, dirty  and unmanageable that it’s the only way to get him clean and hygienic.  But he seems to like the cool freedom of his short hair and it makes him look younger. Our other Aussie, Kramer, will eventually just get a good brushing, clipped and a bath at the groomer.

                Charlie has a small but visible wart right in the middle of his back which now is quite noticeable after his hair cut. I warned the groomer so that she wouldn’t accidently clip it during the grooming. So now, it stands out like a zit on a teenager. The vet has told us not to worry about it unless it changes in someway. It is a blemish that usually is hidden under a thick coat of fur and sometimes it can be even hard to find under all that mass of fuzz and fur.

                Would that we could hide our own blemishes of character and sinfulness under something so that our faults and culpabilities would be hard to see or find. Nobody is perfect – to err is human and all that – but there are times when my short-comings seem all too obvious. I am not the person that I would like to be or want to be. 

What does Paul write? “I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time. It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up.” (Romans 7: 19 -21, The Message Bible)

In this age of social media we can’t hide anything.  I am not sure this is always a good thing especially when something way back in one’s past or youth is exposed (except for certain cases of wrong doing) but there is no getting away from our warts, these days. Once the furry, fuzzy layers are cut away, the character and behavioural lumps and warts are clearly seen. We try to put on  a brave face,  deny it, make excuses, pretend it’s nothing, blame others,  justify it or use some sort of moral make-up or camouflage to  hide the blemish – but there it is. Everyone else sees it.

In our text from Philippians, Paul is exhorting his readers to be shining lights in the world. This is not passive and innate, not instinctive.  We have to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. He is not saying that salvation comes by works but rather, the salvation we have through Jesus Christ must show clear evidence of an active Christian lifestyle and behaviour. People will know we are Christians by our active love.

Christians have warts just like anybody else but we can’t let them define us or limit us. We overcome their blemish-ness by striving for making a difference in the world around us.

Catch the same verse from the Message Bible. “Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night.”

Be a breath of fresh air – I like that!

Charlie gives us love and joy regardless of his wart. So should we walk in the world and shine like stars with the Love of Jesus Christ being expressed by our words and actions.

Dale