Blog Post March 11, 2018

Blog post March 11, 2018
The trouble with going to church When you are retired minister,  is that you can keep re-preaching the sermon that the minister as delivered. We keep going to the same church because we like the minister. He does his homework. And we often learn something that we didn’t know before, or haven’t thought of.
Today’s sermon was based on the passage from John chapter 7 where Jesus says “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink ... Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” And also the passage from John 19 where Jesus is on the cross and says, “I thirst”.
Today the minister talked about people being thirsty for God but trying to fulfill that thirst with other things. possessions, status, relationships, etc. So far, I was in complete agreement with him. But then, he took Jesus statement on the cross, “I thirst”, out of context. He was suggesting that Jesus thirst was somehow for us, perhaps for us to find the satisfaction of our thirst through having faith in Jesus. That’s where I disagree. In that passage Jesus statement about Thirst was so that a prophecy would be fulfilled from Psalm 69:21 “They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.” John the author of the gospel reports that Jesus says he thirsts in order to fulfill the prophecy of Psalm 69. It wasn’t symbolic of Jesus thirsting for our spiritual thirst to be satisfied.
If we take the accounts of the Bible as being something that actually happened, perhaps Jesus did say “I thirst”. And maybe he said it because he was actually thirsty. After all, He’d been beaten and scourged and spat on and lost a bunch of blood. I can well imagine he was actually physically thirsty. And I can imagine that those standing by, who had mocked him and were rejoicing in his suffering would have given him gall (vomit) and vinegar to drink to add insult to his injury. I can imagine these things to be true. But, the gospel writers commentary on why he did these things was just that. Commentary. The gospel writers were trying to make sense of and find meaning in what had happened to Jesus. Personally, I believe Jesus lived more than just an exemplary life. I believe he made enemies by telling the truth. And I believe he was tortured and died on the cross. I also believe he rose from the dead somehow after death, and made his resurrected presence known to people. So, it might be natural for the gospel writers to assume that everything happened according to a divine plan. IE. He was thirsty in order to fulfill prophecy. From my point of view, the gospel writer was reaching to find meaning in the events of the crucifixion. And the minister today was doing the same, reaching to fit Jesus’ thirst into his sermon theme.
Does Jesus thirst (or long for us) to find our spiritual fulfillment in God through Him. Yes, I’m sure He does. Was His thirsting on the cross symbolic of that longing? Only if we make it that way! We have to impose that meaning on it!
I’d be happier to say Jesus thirsting on the Cross just highlighted his humanity. It doesn’t diminish his divinity any, as far as I’m concerned. But it connects Him to us ever more strongly. Jesus experience of life in this world was just like ours. He thirsted physically. He thirsted spiritually. He felt pain and humiliation. He knew injustice intimately. And he gave up his spirit. Jesus gave up and died. The powers of this world defeated Him.
That was Good Friday. And in faith we know that when Easter dawned, Jesus rose from the grave, defeating sin and death. He completely overturned their victory. But, Easter hasn’t come yet. We still live in a Good Friday world amidst humiliation, derision, injustice and defeat.
Oh, I’m not completely down and out in the life I live. Most of us aren’t. We live with more comfort and ease than almost any generation before us. We have better health care. I don’t live hand to mouth. But, I am familiar with injustice. I can identify with those who suffer injustice. I can identify with Jesus. I’ve been humiliated before. I know what that’s like. I haven’t had anybody spit in my face literally, but they sure have figuratively. I know what betrayal feels like. All the things Jesus went through, I can identify with. And so, when he’s on the Cross and he cries out, “I thirst!” His cry resonates in me and it draws me closer to Him. Here’s a guy that knows what I’ve gone through. Here’s a guy that knows what I’m going through. I’m not alone. I have a Friend!
It’s not Easter yet, but I’ve peaked into the future, and I know that my friend defeats the things that have defeated the two of us before. He has found a way! He has opened the way! He has blazed the trail for me to follow! No longer am I defeated and trapped by evil, or sin, or death. I can follow my friend Jesus through to victory.
However I still live in a Good Friday world. Evil, injustice, sin and death swirl around me still and threaten to trip me up. But, because of my friend Jesus, I know the future. So I can lift my head up and press on towards the goal and follow my friend Jesus.
Do you know my friend Jesus? Is he your friend too? Let’s keep our heads up and follow!

May 30, 2017

May 30, '17
1 Peter 3.8-17
"Finally, all of you should agree and have concern and love for each other. You should also be kind and humble.  Don't be hateful and insult people just because they are hateful and insult you. Instead, treat everyone with kindness. You are God's chosen ones, and he will bless you. The Scriptures say, "Do you really love life? Do you want to be happy? Then stop saying cruel things and quit telling lies. Give up your evil ways and do right, as you find and follow the road that leads to peace. The Lord watches over everyone who obeys him, and he listens to their prayers. But he opposes everyone who does evil."
Can anyone really harm you for being eager to do good deeds?  Even if you have to suffer for doing good things, God will bless you. So stop being afraid and don't worry about what people might do.  Honor Christ and let him be the Lord of your life.
Always be ready to give an answer when someone asks you about your hope.  Give a kind and respectful answer and keep your conscience clear. This way you will make people ashamed for saying bad things about your good conduct as a follower of Christ.  You are better off to obey God and suffer for doing right than to suffer for doing wrong."
~~~
Being a Christian is about living our lives in a particular way. The author of first Peter admonishes us to be kind to everyone and humble. The way of the world seems to be to say cruel things to others and to tell lies, to be hateful and insulting.  But, that's not the road that leads to peace and happiness.
Hatefulness, cruelty, insults and lies only seem to beget more of the same. If I say something nasty about you, you will probably be inclined to give it right back to me. But, if one of us breaks the cycle of ugliness, and does something kind for the other, the war will probably stop. Not necessarily, but probably. Kindness and love really is the road to happiness and peace. Even if the other person continues their campaign of hate, and I look for kind things to do and say, the condition of my soul, and my existence, has got to be happier and more peaceful. You see, I am no longer carrying enmity or a grudge around. Enmity is a heavy burden. Hate drains life out of the hater, much more so than the one they hate. Because the hated one is often oblivious to the fact. But, if you are carrying a hatred for someone, you are never oblivious to it. You are always on your guard. You are always alert. It never gives you rest. And if you think you've set it aside, it can sneak up on you and ambush you!
On the other hand, if you sow kindness wherever you go, and with everyone you meet, the burden you carry is light. You see, you are always giving something away. A smile, a kind word, a helping hand, a vote of confidence, a tangible gift. In doing so you are continually lightening your load. In addition, the recipients of your kindness generally feel warm and friendly towards you. They regard you in a positive light. Now, you don't sow kindness to get that sort of thing back. If you do it to get something in return, well, it does no good for your soul. You'll be keeping accounts, and storing resentments, and waiting for repayment. And you're back to carrying burdens again.
No! Sow kindness freely and gladly, rejoicing as you do that you can make a positive difference for somebody. Doing good is it's own reward. Enjoy the smile you create, the look of relief, whatever sign you can see that your kindness hit its target and made life better even just for a moment. And enjoy the lightness of possessing an unburdened heart.
Gracious Saviour, thank you for providing us with a way of life to follow as your people. It's the way of love ... the way of kindness ... the Way of Christ. Amen.

May 14, 2017 Mother's Day

May 14, 2017 - Mothers Day

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." Exodus 20:12

This isn't the Bible Reading for Mother's Day. I think it's a better one than what the Canadian Bible Society offered. The scripture text above is the fourth commandment in the Ten Commandments. A good text to think about on Mothers Day and Fathers Day. Why would God consider honoring fathers and mothers? What makes our parents so important in God's social order? What follows is speculation on my part, but may have some support from other more accomplished faithful thinkers.
Mother and father form the nucleus of the family. The basic unit and foundation of society. Without parents, children wouldn't exist. Neither would they have nurture or protection or education in survival. Not every parent is a paragon of virtue, but the vast majority of parents do their very best to provide for their children, and prepare them for independence. Parents provide the first experience and example of love, as the basis for successful relationships and social exchange.
In previous societies, and societies in less developed parts of the world, the extended family was the social safety net. The extended family worked in cooperation to provide for everyone. The young, the sick, the troubled, the elderly all fell under the care of the extended family or clan. The care extended to the young, the ill, the troubled was temporary- until they grew up, became well, or became fully functional again. But, the care of the elderly was more like a reward for their years of productivity and care giving. It was permanent until death.
Why was their a need for a commandment about honoring or caring for mother and father? Evidently, even way back then, there were members of the younger generation who were self absorbed, and had no inclination to share time or resources with father and mother. So, the commandment was necessary to remind children and grandchildren of the social obligation to honor father and mother. And it was especially important to honor mother, since women (the ones who didn't die in childbirth) outlived their men, and had no social status outside the family. A mother abandoned by her children would have a shortened life and would suffer great indignity.
Today, Mother's Day 2017, after church I took my wife to a restaurant for lunch, having spent time with family yesterday. We were surrounded by large tables of young families that had an elder mom and dad, or just a mom with them. Some of the older folks were beaming, soaking up the attention being paid to them. Others sat quietly, being ignored, in the midst of a family absorbed in one another, but not in Mom.
Our society has provided all kinds of social safety nets for people in need. Hospitals, nursing homes, seniors residences, family and children's services resources, and so on. We have pensions and senior discounts. But, one thing the government cannot provide is an antidote to loneliness, meaninglessness, and purposelessness. As people age they face the loss of work and the meaning and purpose it gave to life, the loss of life partners, and the shrinking of social networks. If they also lose their place in the family, the isolation can provoke hopelessness and despair. Who am I? What do I matter?
Honoring mother and father in our society doesn't have to involve a lot of financial expenditure. But, it should involve an intentional making of space for them in the lives of children and grandchildren. Ensuring they have a place of value in the younger family unit. Basically, include parents in the life that will go on beyond them.
Mother's Day and Father's Day are wonderful observances that can provide a special focus on the value the family has for mom and dad. Everybody loves a party! But honoring mother and father is best done as a year round activity.
And for those of us whose mother and father are no longer alive? Honor happens in the memory. Honor is accompanied by a profound sense of appreciation and gratitude. At the very least, our parents gave us the gift of life. An opportunity to participate in the amazing adventure of being alive. Though some of us may feel that's all we ever got, I believe the vast majority of us carry a gratitude within us for so much more. Love, encouragement, assistance, cheerleading, education, values, faith ...
Gracious God, you also are the Divine Parent, all life, and all good gifts in life have come from you. Thank you for my(our) parents. I shall be eternally grateful to them, and to you! Amen.

May 9 2017

Canadian Bible Society Daily Bible Reading for May 9th 2017
Acts 6.8-7.8
God gave Stephen the power to work great miracles and wonders among the people.  But some Jews from Cyrene and Alexandria were members of a group who called themselves "Free Men." They started arguing with Stephen. Some others from Cilicia and Asia also argued with him.  But they were no match for Stephen, who spoke with the great wisdom that the Spirit gave him.  So they talked some men into saying, "We heard Stephen say terrible things against Moses and God!"
They turned the people and their leaders and the teachers of the Law of Moses against Stephen. Then they all grabbed Stephen and dragged him in front of the council.
Some men agreed to tell lies about Stephen, and they said, "This man keeps on saying terrible things about this holy temple and the Law of Moses.  We have heard him claim that Jesus from Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses gave us."  Then all the council members stared at Stephen. They saw that his face looked like the face of an angel.
The high priest asked Stephen, "Are they telling the truth about you?"
Stephen answered:
Friends, listen to me. Our glorious God appeared to our ancestor Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he had moved to Haran.  God told him, "Leave your country and your relatives and go to a land that I will show you."  Then Abraham left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran.
After his father died, Abraham came and settled in this land where you now live.  God didn't give him any part of it, not even a square foot. But God did promise to give it to him and his family forever, even though Abraham didn't have any children.  God said that Abraham's descendants would live for a while in a foreign land. There they would be slaves and would be mistreated four hundred years.  But he also said, "I will punish the nation that makes them slaves. Then later they will come and worship me in this place."
God said to Abraham, "Every son in each family must be circumcised to show that you have kept your agreement with me." So when Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him. Later, Isaac circumcised his son Jacob, and Jacob circumcised his twelve sons.
~~~~~
Religious persecution. Stephen, an early convert to Christianity, was the one appointed  in the early Jerusalem church to organize the mission to the poor. Feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, welcoming the stranger, etc. He was a good man. He also wasn't shy about sharing the good news about Jesus (He died to set us free from sin and death, He rose from the dead and is alive in us on earth, and in heaven, He is always with us, He is at work in the world in and through us and through others. Therefore, we are never alone.)
Stephen faced opposition from Jews from places other than Jerusalem. (Cyrene and Alexandria, Cilicia and Asia). When they couldn't defeat Stephen and the new Christian faith with their arguments, they took to spreading lies about him. The passage above doesn't tell us the end result, but if we read on in the book of Acts, we discover that Stephen is stoned to death for proclaiming his Christian faith. He was the first Christian martyr.
Just after Easter this year, MP Candace Bergen made a statement in the House of Commons, outlining the violent persecution of Christians in the Middle East, specifically citing the Palm Sunday massacre of Christians at worship in Egypt. She went on to declare that Christians are the most persecuted religious group in the world today.
In reading various posts about persecution of Christians on the Internet, it's clear that such persecution is happening. And, it's also clear that there are many out there who have no issue with this persecution. In fact, I saw several posts justifying the persecution of evangelical or conservative Christians, as if their persecution was justified. Apparently, denying a person their civil rights or their life is acceptable if they are evangelical or conservative Christians. Is this attitude towards Christians pervasive in our society? I fear that it is! And I fear that if the persecution of evangelical Christians is acceptable today, the persecution of all Christians will be acceptable tomorrow. (IE. the near future). Persecution of any group of people is unacceptable in my view.
Recently, I heard a report on TV of an Ipsos Reid poll on the religious landscape in Canada. The percentage of the population that identifies themselves as Christian is down to 48% from nearly 80% a decade ago. While a new category has arisen.  20% of the population now say they are spiritual but not religious. An Angus Reid poll earlier in the year divided the population into three religious categories. 30% are inclined to embrace religion, 26% are inclined to reject religion, and 44% are somewhere in between. However, among the 44% nearly 2/3 of them believe in a God who cares for them personally, and many still engage in religious practices. I think it means that organized religion is on the decline, but spirituality is alive and well, just taking different forms. Nevertheless, the bottom line is that religion is on the decline in Canada.
The Angus Reid poll also measured the level of tolerance each group has towards the others. To the point of religious persecution, 63% of non-religious people are uncomfortable with religiously devout people. 45% of the ambivalent group are uncomfortable with religiously devout people. And 43% of all people are uncomfortable. While only 22% of all people are uncomfortable with those who have no use for religion. Clearly, the climate for religious persecution exists in Canada.
So, what can I learn from Stephen? I don't look forward to being persecuted. And I don't want to get into a big struggle. A holy war. Neither did Stephen. But, in the face of opposition and lies, he stayed true to himself and his faith. He didn't back down. I hope I have the courage to stand my ground as firmly as Stephen did, defending my faith if the need ever arises. And in the meantime, I think I should be promoting my faith as often as I can. Not by diminishing the faith of others, but by demonstrating the value of mine, and being invitational towards others who show an interest. I don't know if Christianity's decline in Canada can be reversed. But, I feel I need to do my part.
Lord Jesus Christ, I thank you for the faith I have. I believe it is a gift from you. Give me the courage to be true to my faith in difficult times, and to promote it as often and generously as I can. Amen.

May 4, 2017

May 4, 2017
Proverbs 30.7-32
There are two things, Lord, I want you to do for me before I die: Make me absolutely honest and don't let me be too poor or too rich. Give me just what I need. If I have too much to eat, I might forget about you; if I don't have enough, I might steal and disgrace your name.
Don't tell a slave owner something bad about one of the slaves. That slave will curse you, and you will be in trouble.
Some people curse their father and even their mother; others think they are perfect, but they are stained by sin. Some people are stuck-up and act like snobs; others are so greedy that they gobble down the poor and homeless.
Greed has twins, each named "Give me!" There are three or four things that are never satisfied: The world of the dead and a childless wife, the thirsty earth and a flaming fire.
Don't make fun of your father or disobey your mother— crows will peck out your eyes, and buzzards will eat the rest of you.
There are three or four things I cannot understand: How eagles fly so high or snakes crawl on rocks, how ships sail the ocean or people fall in love.
An unfaithful wife says, "Sleeping with another man is as natural as eating."
There are three or four things that make the earth tremble and are unbearable: A slave who becomes king, a fool who eats too much, a hateful woman who finds a husband, and a slave who takes the place of the woman who owns her.
On this earth four things are small but very wise: Ants, who seem to be feeble, but store up food all summer long; badgers, who seem to be weak, but live among the rocks; locusts, who have no king, but march like an army; lizards, which can be caught in your hand, but sneak into palaces.
Three or four creatures really strut around: Those fearless lions who rule the jungle, those proud roosters, those mountain goats, and those rulers who have no enemies.
If you are foolishly bragging or planning something evil, then stop it now!
~~~~
Some Bible passages are rich gold mines for spiritual growth. Others - not so much! For me, this one falls into the not so much category. But it does give me a chuckle. The author's opening request is for God to give him just enough. He regards wealth as spiritually dangerous, and poverty as uncomfortable, and he wants to be comfortable. Like Goldie Locks's porridge, the authors of proverbs wants his life to be just right! Then further on he declares that greed has twins, both named "give me". "Gimme Gimme never gets!" Isn't that what the author has just done? "Gimme a comfortable life!" The advice giver, speaking out of both sides of his mouth made me chuckle. And then I had to think, how many times do I speak out of both sides of my mouth? How consistent and systematic am I in the expression of my faith?
The Proverb winter points his finger at a number of things he considers evil. Malicious gossip (about the slave). Cursing or idolizing parents (as a parent I'd prefer the latter!) Snobbery and greed. He visits greed twice. He also condemns adulterous women twice. And on the subject of wives he declares that a hateful woman who finds a husband makes the earth tremble and is unbearable. I'm beginning to wonder about the relationship the author has with his wife!
He also talks about gluttony, and about stepping above your station in life. He really doesn't like the idea of the slave becoming King. That last sin, stepping above your station in life, really flies in the face of a Christian imperative. The one who wants to be first must be the servant of all. Christian greatness lies in service. The slave becomes King!
After rambling on about things he doesn't understand, and naming the sins that are so common, the author concludes with the one thing that makes sense to me. If you're bragging about or planning to do something wrong, stop now.
Most of us have a pretty clear sense of right and wrong. The first principle in the hypocratic oath says it very simply. "Do no harm!" We don't have to be medical practitioners to apply that dictum to our lives. If we make a practice of mentally assessing our actions, before we do things, we'll live life with a pretty clear conscience. But, more importantly, our impact in the world will be much more positive than negative. The quality of life for those around us will be better. --- remember Christian greatness lies in service.
Lord Jesus Christ you came to serve and not to be served, help us to life our lives in a "do no harm" manner. And thank you for your example of sel-sacrificing service. Amen.

May 2 2017

May 2, 2017
Canadian Bible Society Daily Bible Reading
Acts 2.40-47
Peter told them many other things as well. Then he said, "I beg you to save yourselves from what will happen to all these evil people."  On that day about three thousand believed his message and were baptized.  They spent their time learning from the apostles, and they were like family to each other. They also broke bread and prayed together.
Life among the Lord's Followers
Everyone was amazed by the many miracles and wonders that the apostles worked.  All the Lord's followers often met together, and they shared everything they had.  They would sell their property and possessions and give the money to whoever needed it.  Day after day they met together in the temple. They broke bread together in different homes and shared their food happily and freely,  while praising God. Everyone liked them, and each day the Lord added to their group others who were being saved. ~~~~~~~
On the Day of Pentecost, when the first Christians began to speak in tongues, an international crowd gathered to see what.was going on. The apostle Peter got their attention and made a speech explaining what had happened to Jesus, and that he was risen from the dead. Today's Scripture gives the end of the speech (an appeal to be saved), and tells what happened next. It's really the story of the expansion of the church. They started on the day of Pentecost (a traditional Jewish celebration) with the 11 remaining disciples, and a few others like the women who had supported Jesus. Really, there were only a handful of people, probably fewer than 20. Then after Peter's speech, 3000 people believed, were baptized and became part of the Christian community. Imagine, 3000 people who were strangers to each other suddenly changed from living independently of each other to living in community. The passage says they were like family to each other - they broke bread and prayed together.
I find myself longing for that kind of close community. In our society we are so isolated from each other. My generation used to be called the "me" generation. Today's younger generation has been labeled the "entitlement" generation. Really, we are all the same. Individualism is our focus, more than community. The communities we form are around our individual common interests. We'll join a gourmet cooking class and that will be our source of community. But, it's temporary. When the class is over we separate, and go home to our isolation. Our involvement with faith and church can be the same. Momentary and temporary once a week, or month, or season. When the last hymn is sung, we go home to our isolated individualism. The fact, I think, is that we like being somewhat isolated. When I'm isolated I can do my own thing without obligations to others interrupting me. However, the part of community I miss so much is that nobody feels any sense of obligation to me. I'm on my own!
I know the answer to my dilemma very well. If I want the benefits of being part of a community I have to let go some of my cherished individualism and isolation (I righteously call it solitude) and intentionally start thinking and behaving communally. Seeking connection with my fellow Christians. Certainly, that involves attending worship. But, it's more. It's making thle effort to get to know others, caring about their journey through life, and offering what I can to help them. It also involves being open with others about my life - letting other people in.
Oh, but how I cherish my own inner space, and how I fear becoming more vulnerable. I might be taken advantage of! Shifting from living individualistically to living communally is no small task! How did those first Christians do it? Maybe their shift happened as a result of placing their faith totally in Jesus Christ.
Lord Jesus, I want to be totally committed to you, and I want to be part of your loving, caring community. I also cherish privacy and my individual pursuits. Please help me to navigate this dilemma and sacrifice at least some of my individualism for the sake of your community. Amen.

April 25, 2017
The Scripture selection for today is Mark16:9-20. Most versions of the Bible have the Gospel of Mark ending abruptly at Chapter 16 verse 8. And acknowledge that verses 9-20 were added later. I presume they were added later because they held a lesson for the early Christians. In the story, Jesus has appeared to Mary Magdalene and. She goes to tell the disciples, but they don't believe her. Then Jesus appears to two of them in a different form. The rest of the disciples don't believe them either. Then Jesus appears to all 11 of the remaining disciples and scolds them for their earlier disbelief. The passage goes on to give a version of the great commission - to go and spread the word everywhere. Two things caught my attention in this passage. The scepticism of the disciples and Jesus' scolding them for it. And then there was the bit about Jesus appearing to the two "in a different form". It made me think of the idea that the risen Christ dwells in and is manifest through each of us. I guess I have certain expectations of people who are going to represent Christ to me. "Weirdos" don't qualify. But if I think back over my life, when I've been in trouble, or in some need. It has frequently been a "weirdo" who has been most compassionate and helpful when I needed it. And at the time they didn't seem like "weirdos" any more. But, in time their behavior, or looks, or values departed from my expectations, and once again they were "weirdos"! How could I forget? How could I disbelieve the presence of Christ in them?

Lord Jesus Christ, you are the author of love and compassion. You are the one who showed us how to reach out and help those needing help. And you are the one who chooses whom you will use as an instrument of your grace. Forgiving Saviour, I know better than to categorize some people as unworthy or unfit to be an instrument of your grace. But, I find that I keep doing it. Help me to look at everyone with the expectation that something of you is in them. Help me to honor all people as I would honor you. And as I think about the scepticism of  your first disciples, I recognize my own scepticism, even as I declare loudly that I believe, and with all the integrity I can muster. Your first disciples went on to accomplish great things in extending your kingdom. Help me Lord, to not let scepticism stand in the way of loving and serving you. Amen.