Wednesday, May 17, 2023

“For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” (Romans 14:8, New Living Translation)

                Allow me to ask you a question. Which adage appeals to you more? Live today like it is the first day of your life. Or, live today like it is the last day of your life.

                If it is the first one, we might fill the day with a whole new optimism, seek out a fresh start, resolve to be a better, happier, more whole person. Begin to check things off our bucket list. Resolve to renew and heal relationships. Take care of ourselves, spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically. Put the past behind us and move forward with a renewed confidence and high expectations.

                If it is the second one, we might fill the day with the things that are meaningful or the people who are most precious and valued. We might take the time to reflect back on our past and appreciate the joy, the satisfaction, the accomplishments, either big or small, that have filled our lives with purpose. We might want to make amends with people we have hurt. We might want to take in one more sunset, have one more favourite meal, have one more walk with our beloved dog. But we know the day is special and needs to be lived to the fullest.

                What has got me to thinking about this is another visit to see a patient who was at the end of her life at our hospital. I was the on-call chaplain on Monday. I would say that when I get called, it is a very rare exception that it is not an end-of-life scenario. It seems that it is almost always just that. Family and friends have asked for a chaplain, even if they, the family, have very little faith background. Perhaps their loved one once was a more active Christian, but even then, not always. It almost intuitive, it seems, that this occasion calls for some sort of spiritual care.

                It is very humbling to be called into such a situation. The best I can offer is a prayer for the patient who is usually not conscious and for the family who are already grieving. I feel very inadequate sometimes, trying to find the right words for this sacred moment. Yet, almost always, after the prayer, the Spirit seems to have touched the family’s lives in some manner. I can usually sense a spirit of peace or comfort or acceptance at the bedside. I am never there for very long and I can only hope and pray that the family has found some solace in the words spoken.

                Paul’s words have nothing much to do with end-of-life scenarios. He has been challenging his readers to get over themselves and to get along. Quit being so judgmental. It’s not about oneself but how one gets along with others that matters more. Verses 7 to 9 seem almost an insertion into his line of thought. Off topic. But I suppose he is saying that each of us is a part of bigger picture. You or I are not individually the centre of the universe. We are part of a community. We are enmeshed in a brotherhood and sisterhood of relationships with Christ at the very core of it all. “Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.” (v.9)

                When we extrapolate these verses to honour those who have died, we are saying that all of life and death is embraced by the Love of God through Jesus Christ. We are proclaiming that all of life and death happens within a fellowship that exudes and is committed to that Love. We are never alone, neither in life nor in death.  We embody the life that now is and is yet to come in hope.

We live both as if this is the first day of our lives and yet also as if it is the last day of our lives. We live for Christ’s sake and for one another’s sake. We live that if we were to die today, we may have confidence that our home will be with God. Our lives will be filled with works of Love today so that God’s Love welcomes us in his New Reality in some tomorrow.

“Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing.” (2 Corinthians 2: 15, NLT)

It makes me see this day just a little differently.

 Dale      

Wednesday, May 10, 2023

“Let me set this before you as plainly as I can. If a person climbs over or through the fence of a sheep pen instead of going through the gate, you know he’s up to no good—a sheep rustler! The shepherd walks right up to the gate. The gatekeeper opens the gate to him and the sheep recognize his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he gets them all out, he leads them and they follow because they are familiar with his voice. They won’t follow a stranger’s voice but will scatter because they aren’t used to the sound of it.”  (John 10: 3 -5, The Message Bible)

                I can remember back in my childhood days the ads in my comic books that were on the back cover. There were X-rays glasses, sea monkeys, joy buzzers, dribble cups, and other magic tricks. There was an ad featuring a muscular bully kicking sand in the face of some skinny wimp which promised that if one used their exercise programme, you could turn yourself into a muscle-bound hero and turn the tables on the bully.

               The ad that intrigued me the most was the one which promised to teach me to “throw my voice.” I have always been a sucker for a good ventriloquist act. I took books out of the library on ventriloquism. I even wanted my own ventriloquist dummy. I never did.  I grew up with a huge crush on Shari Lewis with Lambchop and Charlie Horse. Today, I really enjoy Jeff Dunham and his cast of characters. Throwing my voice had an allure.

                What spurred this trip down memory lane was a story that I read just this morning about an old-time baseball player who could throw his voice.  Back in the late 1800’s, there was a pitcher by the name of Jack "Waddy" Wadsworth. (No, grand-kids, I don’t remember him.) He wasn’t a very good pitcher but he excelled in the ability to throw his voice. He was so good that he would use his “gift” from the dugout and get other players, usually up-to-bat, in trouble with the umpires. Wadsworth made it appear that the innocent player was saying something derogatory about the ump who would then throw the player out of the game. Wadsworth must have been really good or the umpires were really dumb. Either way it worked many a time until they all finally cottoned onto Wadsworth skill to throw his voice.

                Voices are thrown at us in many ways. There are so many voices in our world which clamor for attention. We are inundated with voices from all sorts of sources including TV, social media, magazines trying to convince us to buy what they are selling.  The voices of conspiracy theories are tantalizing, and convince many people despite their absurdity. The voices that shame body shapes, age, looks, etc. are little if any better. Voices that ridicule, judge or condemn people based on race, sexuality, gender, and the like are misleading and hateful. Not all the voices are as bad as all that, but like Wadsworth proved, false voices can get us into trouble.

                Our text from John’s Gospel reminds us not to follow a stranger’s voice. They are the voices who want to steal our faith, our authenticity, our integrity and lure us away from the safety of the Shepherd’s fold. They are false voices, thrown in our way, to lead us down crooked paths. Stranger, Danger!

                Rather, we capable of recognizing the Master’s Voice.  We hear him call us by name. The false voices care nothing for our names or our identities. But the Good Shepherd knows us each by name and he is the one who leads us into green pastures and by still waters. “Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure.” (Psalm 23: 4, TMB) This Voice is trustworthy, consistent, dependable and focused on leading us on the paths of righteousness, love, grace, forgiveness and peace.

                “My sheep recognize my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them real and eternal life. They are protected from the Destroyer for good. No one can steal them from out of my hand. The Father who put them under my care is so much greater than the Destroyer and Thief. No one could ever get them away from him. I and the Father are one heart and mind.” (John 10: 27 30, TMB)

                So, let’s not be somebody else’s dummy. Instead, let us be a conduit for the Voice of Jesus and follow the authentic message that calls us to live a good life of faith and trust.

Dale

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

“Notice what large letters I use as I write these closing words in my own handwriting.” (Galatians 6:11, New Living Translation)

               NOTE TO SELF: Next time I preach, please ensure that I use 12-font instead of 11 for my sermon manuscript.

                I don’t think that I have preached a sermon since before Covid. So, I was delighted to be asked to preach last Sunday at the little Baptist church in Fenelon Falls. I have always used the 11-font size of print to write my sermons. It read fine at home. But when I got into the pulpit and the manuscript was a little farther away from my eyes, it was a bit of a struggle to follow the words as I preached. Sigh! Another sign of growing older. But I refuse to go any higher than 12-font; maybe 14, 16 at tops.

                My personal theory that Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7) may have been a serious sight impediment. After his Damascus Road experience when he lost his eyesight, I wonder if poor eyesight became an ongoing issue for him even though he was healed. He prayed that he be relieved of his condition. But he also learned to accept the reality of his handicap whatever it may have been. “Then he (Jesus) told me, ‘My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.’ Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.” (2 Corinthians 12: 8 -10, The Message Bible)

                If I take those words and match them with our text from Galatians, where he is commenting that he has written some of the letter himself, instead of his secretary, even with big, bold handwriting, I do wonder whether his eyesight was an issue for him.

                Be that as it may, in this age of emails, Facebook, Twitter et al., letter writing has fallen into disarray. We are in danger of losing that special, personal, highly relational vibe that a handwritten letter used to give. I am terrible at reading emails on a regular basis. We use Messenger to keep in touch with our immediate family. Our church, Yorkminster Park B.C. contacts us by email. No doubt, Paul himself would use these communication vehicles if he were practicing his ministry today. But then, we might not have his New Testament letters as we do have them today. Real letters are harder to delete. They are worth saving.

                “We are writing to God’s holy people in the city of Colosse, who are faithful brothers and sisters in Christ. May God our Father give you grace and peace.” (Colossians 1:2, NLT)

                Paul pours his heart out to his churches through his letters. In some cases, they are love letters. He could praise his people; he could be stern and critical; he could be an encourager; he could be a defender of the faith; he could call out opponents and challenge his critics. His letters have shaped Christianity throughout the ages. “Our letters have been straightforward, and there is nothing written between the lines and nothing you can’t understand. I hope someday you will fully understand us, even if you don’t understand us now. Then on the day when the Lord Jesus returns, you will be proud of us in the same way we are proud of you.”

                It is meaningful and touching, then, when Paul writes that the local church (in Corinth) is itself a letter. “Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you. Christ himself wrote it—not with ink, but with God’s living Spirit; not chiseled into stone, but carved into human lives—and we publish it.” (1 Corinthians 3: 2 -2, TMB) The people’ faith are a living testimony to the work of the Gospel both in their lives and in their actions.  It is more than just words of faith but deeds of faith. They don’t just talk a good faith; they live it out.  ^“Regarding life together and getting along with each other, you don’t need me to tell you what to do. You’re God-taught in these matters. Just love one another! You’re already good at it... Keep it up; get better and better at it.” (1 Thessalonians 4: 9, TMB)

                You are a Love letter. Put your signature on a life that exudes the Love of Jesus Christ. Have Christ be your co-signer. Dot your “i’s”; cross your “ “t’s” and fill the “page” with the details of a life well-spent for Christ.

The bolder, the bigger the font size, the better!

Dale

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

“This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.”  (Colossians 1:6, New Living Translation)

                Oh, the horror! Oh, the indignity! Oh, the inhumanity!

                Am I referring to the war in the Ukraine? Or, perhaps, then, the war in Sudan?  Or maybe the many mass shootings in the United States since the beginning of the new year.

                Nothing so serious as all that.

                No, the disaster, I have recently discovered, is that McDonald’s is changing its traditional, tried and true recipes for its hamburgers. They are replacing chopped, raw onions with seared, caramelized onions. What gall! There has not been such an outrageous scandal since Coca-Cola tried to change its recipe many years ago. McDonald aficionados are outraged; up in arms; threatening boycotts. How dare McDonalds change its whole raison d’etre! The nerve of some people!

                Personally, I like caramelized onions, but that’s just me.

                Change seems seldom welcome or wanted by a lot of people. Just try changing something in the order of a church service and you will see what I mean. It will usually illicit strong protests, especially if it is a swing to more modern worship songs. Or try to change one’s habits, like smoking, dieting, and one sees that change can be very hard even if it is good for you. Or try changing one’s lifestyle or relationships or work habits or whatever, and many folk will get upset even at the mere suggestion that we should change in any way.

                Can a leopard take away or change its spots, asked Jeremiah. “Generations come and generations go, but the earth never changes.” (Ecclesiastes 1:4, NLT) To borrow a saying from Jesus which is not too far off the mark, “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” (Matthew 19:24, NLT) Few of us intentionally seek out or enjoy or welcome change.

                But change is the very essence of Gospel living. “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”  (2 Corinthians 5:7, NLT) Some might squirm with such an “old-fashioned” term like “repentance.” But it captures the dynamic of what it means to change under the influence of Jesus Christ. “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20, NLT)

                This is no trivial change. It is the radical, deep-seated change that alters our thinking, our attitudes, our behaviour. It is the change that challenges us to see the world and especially others differently – without malice, prejudice, hatred, fear. It is the change that ignites compassion, forgiveness, justice, love. It is the change that builds character and responsibility.

                “Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life.” (2 Corinthians 5: 14, NLT)

                Our faith should always be growing, expanding, developing and open to new possibilities. We need to keep our minds and hearts open to fresh visions, new expressions of grace and love. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to blow us in new directions and towards new horizons.

                God’s call upon to be ready to change is everywhere in a scripture. Just think of Sarah and Abraham who in their old age are called to leave house and kin and travel to a strange, new land. Likewise, when we are in relationship with Christ, we are emboldened to be part of the New Kingdom.

                “Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.” (Ephesians 4: 21 -24, The Message Bible)

                Trust me, caramelized onions aren’t that bad!

Dale

 Wednesday, April 19, 2023

“Then Jonah prayed to his God from the belly of the fish…” (Jonah 2: 1, The Message Bible)

                I prefer my fish pan-fried in garlic butter and in my belly; not praying from the belly of a fish.

                Praying from the belly of a fish as Jonah did becomes a metaphor for being caught in some deep, perilous, painful, dire set of circumstances from which we seemingly can’t get out. Maybe you are in debt up to your eyebrows. Maybe you are in a bad relationship. Maybe you have worries which keep you awake at night. Perhaps, your health is letting you down. The list is endless, but you get the idea.

                Something has swallowed us whole. We’re in too deep.  We can’t see a way out. We are floundering. (Sorry, bad fish joke; couldn’t resist.)

                Sometimes, but not always, we have nobody to blame but ourselves for getting ourselves in these pickled herrings. (Yikes, I did it again.)  Jonah ran away from God. He didn’t want to listen to or obey God. He thought he could escape from God and hide from his responsibilities.

                I get it really. There were lots of times in my pastoral ministry when I really didn’t want to do the task at hand. For example, for the longest while, I did not enjoy doing weekday services in seniors’ homes.  They seemed pointless and it seemed hard to engage with so many of the congregants. I did the services out of duty, but no sense of great love. It is a story for another time about an experience that totally changed my attitude, but, after that experience, I gladly served these occasions. Let’s just say that Jesus strongly showed me a better way.

                God is going to find us and get our attention. Sometimes, we have to pray from the belly of our fishes to figure it out.

The second chapter of Jonah contains the prayer that Jonah lifted up while he was contemplating his predicament from the belly of that humongous fish. It is quite an amazing prayer when you consider the circumstances. Perhaps, one could argue that it was the prayer of a desperate man, but, even so, it is a very honest self-assessment of his predicament and a re-affirmation of his faith and trust in God.

“From the belly of the grave I cried, ‘Help!’” To get out of the dark bellies we are in, we need to understand that we need help. We can’t go it alone. In this case, Jonah needed God’s intervention. We all need God to listen to our prayers for help, guidance, wisdom, encouragement, and support.   

We also must admit where we have gone wrong and have complicated the situation through our own actions and sins. “Ocean gripped me by the throat. The ancient Abyss grabbed me and held tight. My head was all tangled in seaweed.”   We get tangled up in our mistakes, selfishness and  bad decisions.

It is never too late to remember that God is on our side. “When my life was slipping away, I remembered God…”

Here comes the strange part. “But I’m worshiping you, God, calling out in thanksgiving!” Thanksgiving? I’m in the belly of a fish, Lord. It’s dark and it stinks and I am nothing but fish-food. What I am to be thankful for?  Maybe, it is just the fact that I am still alive, or that God is “out there” and is listening. God is not done with me yet. So, I find some grace in my moment of failure and distress. “Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.”  (1 Thessalonians 5: 16 -18, TMB) I know this is hard, but it is also part of how we get out of those bellies we are in. We look for resurrection.

Finally, the prayer expresses Jonah’s desire to participate willingly in God’s call on his life and gifts. “And I’ll do what I promised I’d do! Salvation belongs to God!”  If we are looking for easy answers, simple rescue, or salvation, we might have to wait a while. But when we are ready to respond, take responsibility, act out our faith, take risks and face the future, “Then God spoke to the fish, and it vomited up Jonah on the seashore.” 

Thank God. We’re out.

It still isn’t very pretty, I’ll admit, and there is still always much to do. He couldn’t just sit on the shore, glad that was all over, and pick seaweed out of his nose. There is still Nineveh ahead; work to be done.  We are all called to acts of faith, love, compassion.

So, yes, brush the seaweed off your shoulders, get off the beach, ignore the fact that you smell like fish and move forward.

“Since then, you’ve been cleaned up and given a fresh start by Jesus, our Master, our Messiah, and by our God present in us, the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 6:11, TMB)

Dale

 Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Three days later, the Israelite officers went through the camp, giving these instructions to the people: “When you see the Levitical priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord your God, move out from your positions and follow them. Since you have never traveled this way before, they will guide you.”  (Joshua 3: 2-4, New Living Translation)

               Usually, I have a pretty good sense of direction. Some folk can barely cross the street without consulting their GPS. The one place where I can totally get turned around is in Kitchener when we visit our son and family. I need all the help I can get. Even the GPS leads me astray. (Okay, it’s a poor workman who blames his tools.) We get to their place eventually, but in a very round-about way. Susan is a very good navigator and I would be literally lost without her. But Kitchener? Yikes!

                In today’s text, Joshua, who has taken over the leadership of the wandering Hebrew tribes from Moses, has led his people to the banks of the Jordan river. They set up camp while they figure out their next steps. Across the river is the Promised Land.  They need to get across somehow. The way forward is unclear. But soon, the order goes out that on the next day, the people are to follow the priests who will be carrying the Ark of the Covenant. They will need to put their trust in God. “Today you will know that the living God is among you.” (Joshua 3: 10, NLT)

                So, they set out. They have never been this way before. It is something new.  It is indeed the road less travelled. The people must have wondered what was going on when they reached the banks of the Jordan river. How were they going to cross to the other side?  But the Ark carriers waded right in. And like the Red Sea, the waters parted revealing a new road indeed thought the waters of the Jordan, pointing a way to the other side. Who could imagine?

                The future is often a way we have not travelled before. Sometimes, we see and fear the obstacles which are in our way. How do we get across? Even then, the Promised Land, i.e. the future, is full of a adversaries, problems, conundrums and frustrations.  The Israelites were going to have to deal with the Canaanites et al. if they were to inhabit and enjoy this land. But it is also potentially full of fresh beginnings, new possibilities and great potential.

                It takes some gumption to walk through deep water. Or a better way to put it, it takes trust, faith and having confidence in God.  If we hope to wade into the future, we need to rely upon  God who has a plan for us to move forward. It may not be the easiest way forward but it is the right and best way to reach certain destinations that measure up as the experience of a Promised Land. “Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure.”  (Psalm 23: 4, The Message Bible)

                The disciple Thomas, known for his doubts, once challenged Jesus, “Master, we have no idea where you’re going. How do you expect us to know the road?” (John 15:5, TMB) Jesus’ response gave us the wonderful words, “I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life.” (TMB)  Jesus is the living Ark of the Covenant. He leads us through even the most perplexing obstacles, even when there are crosses along the way.  He is the one who invites us, “Follow me.”

                We have just celebrated Jesus’ Resurrection. It, too, is a brand-new road, never travelled. But now, we are given a new hope, a new way, a new freedom, a new possibility which leads us forward.

                “Since this new way gives us such confidence, we can be very bold.” (2 Corinthians 3:12, NLT)

                Let us walk in the Light of God!

Dale

Resurrection Sunday (Easter), April 9 – Bystanders at the Resurrection

Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in.  She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying. “Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her. (John 20: 11 -13, New Living Translation)

            The last time we saw Mary Magdalene, she was with the women who had set up watch outside Jesus’ tomb (Matthew 27:61). Eventually, probably, weariness overcame her and she went home, intending, as we see, to come back early in the morning. Or maybe, the guards at the tomb chased her away.

However, it was still dark when she approached the tomb. Luke tells us that the women were coming to the tomb with more spices for the body.  How they were going to move the huge stone that blocked the tomb was beyond them. Perhaps, Mary was the first to arrive.

It was dark. The stone had been rolled away. The body was missing. The logical conclusion that she came to was that someone had stolen Jesus’ body.

Let’s just stop right there for a moment.

We all are in the dark as to what exactly happened overnight before Easter morning. We have returned to the tomb, expecting one thing, and are stunned by what we see or don’t see. We haven’t any idea how to roll away stones and boulders which block our path and sight, and, yet, we discover that they are gone, just the same. We try to arrive at logical, rational, feasible conclusions to explain the first impressions of our experience.  

It's hard. It is enough to make one cry.

Why are we crying? We weep as if it couldn’t get any worse, but it has. Even angels can’t dissuade us from the evidence that someone has stolen or removed the body of Jesus and hid it elsewhere.

Why are we crying? Because the ignominy of death is deepened by his absence from the tomb, where he was supposed to be, where he was meant to be, where he was dead to rights to be.

Why are we crying? “They took my Master,” she said, “and I don’t know where they put him.”

There is always a thorny problem when we don’t know or understand where Jesus is.

But like Mary, we need to stop staring at an empty tomb and see who stands behind us. We need to stop allowing death to set the agenda and hear the voice which speaks our name.  We need to trust the promises he made and recognize the One who made them in the first place.

“I saw the Master!” (John 20:18, TMB)

No more crying!

Instead, there he is, the reality of the Resurrection standing before us. Perhaps, it takes a moment or two for the truth to sink in.  Our focus was on the tomb, but now it needs to be upon the Risen One.

It seems appropriate that this revelation take place in a garden. All of Creation began with an ideal Garden which humanity tossed away in sin.  Scriptures also end with a Garden, restored, complete, where “never again will anything be cursed.”  (Revelation 22:3, TMB) The Risen Lord stands in the middle of those two gardens and reveals new Hope, new Joy, new Possibilities, new Life.

“I saw the Master!”  

He is the beginning of that journey to all that God intends for us. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” (Revelation 22:13, NLT)

“I saw the Master!”

These words are the words of faith, discipleship and assurance. These are the words of the Way, the Truth and the Life. These are the words of those of us who dare believe in something so incredibly outrageous and preposterous as Resurrection. Something so radical. Something so provocative. Something so contrary to the laws of nature. Something that is thrilling beyond all measure.

“I saw the Master!” 

            Use your words this Resurrections Sunday. Who do you see?

            I come to the garden alone
            While the dew is still on the roses
            And the voice I hear, falling on my ear
            The Son of God discloses

            And He walks with me, and He talks with me
            And He tells me I am His own
            And the joy we share as we tarry there
            None other has ever known

 Dale