Friday, January 9, 2009

Friday January 9, 2009

Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips. Prov 27:2.

So far our trip to England has worked out about the way we expected. Flights and bus travel have been uneventful, our times with family and friends on our way here have been enjoyable and the work at our place of service has been manageable. Our visits with family and friends since we arrived have dovetailed nicely with our work at the house and Ann has made a good start with her university work. My health has not been a problem, and except for aches and pains that are the gift of old age we both feel quite healthy.

It’s great to have these times when everything goes according to plan, but times of great encouragement are often followed by a flat time, even a sense of depression. This phenomenon was the most noticeable when I was pastoring churches in the Vancouver area. Sunday was a time of heavy emotional output, often quite exhilarating, but Monday often left me drained and disheartened. This is a well known experience in the pastoral ministry, someone warning me once not to resign on a Monday!

There are two dangers at these times. Firstly we can become proud of ourselves beyond what is appropriate, and even beyond what others may think of us. It is better, as our text says, to let others note the level of our accomplishments and set praise at a suitable level. Secondly, it can also be a time of temptation; pride of accomplishment on one hand and the empty emotional toll on the other both weaken our defences against the tempter’s attacks.

A first line of defence is an awareness of this trap and being prepared to rest during times of fatigue. But more importantly, maintaining humility before God who gives us the opportunities of life and who will take us through times of discouragement will restore balance to our thinking and lives.
Thursday January 8, 2009

Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart. Ecclesiastes 7:3.

Wow! Whatever happened to laughter is the best medicine? Perhaps the introduction of misery clubs will halt heart disease! This would be one up on “laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and you cry alone.” Read 6:12 to 7:6 of this book and you will find death is better than birth, mourning better than feasting, and merriment is the game of fools. Apparently written by the wisest man on earth, and from a Bible claiming that love, joy and peace are the Christian’s lot.

I am sure that in the misery of Gaza there are many that will agree with some of these statements, perhaps wishing they had been killed with other members of their families—death is better than life. This whole text is one about the apparent futility of life. “For who knows what is good for a man in life, during the few and meaningless days he passes through like a shadow?” If Solomon with all his riches and wisdom found life this way what hope is there for any of us lesser mortals?

Some glimpse into the writer’s thinking is contained the thought that “death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart.” To think or talk about death—very much a social taboo in western culture—is to recognize how unprepared we are to face it. Awareness of our imperfection, if not our downright sinfulness, is not only a downer; it reinforces the meaninglessness of life. It is our guilt, conscious or otherwise, that makes both life and death so unappealing we are tempted to drown our fears with “fools . . . in the house of pleasure.”

This reading today prompts us to be in mourning for our own death, not just for the death of others. As long as we are uncertain of our future beyond this life, merriment designed to avoid it is foolish. Better to dwell on Christ’s promise that "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matt 5:3–4. It is those who mourn for their sinfulness that will find forgiveness in Jesus Christ.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Wednesday January 7, 2009

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. Romans 12:6.

Well, we have just about settled in to our new digs, the “mews” cottage that is attached to the large guest house we are managing. Mews cottages, like this one, were originally stables for larger houses, but now that the horses have gone (thank goodness) have now been converted to living accommodation. This one is very modern and comfortable although a cold snap has left the heating system struggling. Temperatures are around minus 3 or 4. Brrrr. This country is trying to compete with Canada but losing, we’re glad to say!

We are thankful for the few days of rest and sleep we had in Oxford—thanks Meg and Dave—it was most opportune, particularly for the busy time up to our arrival there and countering jet lag. Many of us consider our contribution to life around us either limited or inconsequential, but like Meg and Dave’s contribution to us, it can be very meaningful. We all have different gifts according to God’s grace to us whether we recognize it or not. Of course, it is up to us whether we use them.

The rest also prepared us for quite a few busy days when we arrived here. Half a dozen folk arrived at the house the next day, and we found that some work was necessary as the house was virtually closed for a month. We also had some welcome visits: with my sister and her family here, and an invitation to dinner with Christine who will host our girls and grandkids when they arrive later from various parts of the world. Ann has now started her independent study for university and is also arranging an open house here for all members of our respective families at the end of January. I am continuing to edit our book with the publisher, and Dr. Jim Packer has kindly written a foreword to it.

This has all created an up and running start to what promises to be a busy but very enjoyable time here in Worthing. A chance for us to use our gifts, and I’m sure we’ll be dependent on the gifts of others at times. We are very thankful that despite my illness, we both feel extremely well and able to fulfill our obligations and enjoy our extended families. God is so good to us.
Tuesday January 6, 2009

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Phil 4:13.

Here is one of the greatest motivating verses of all time. Anyone attempting anything new—whether a new project or coping with some setback—should be heartened to think they need not fail. But the text raises two questions: what does “everything” include, and how do we measure success? In regard to the first question, it must be obvious that “everything” should be qualified. For instance, it surely does not include murder, deceit, idolatry, slander . . . you get the picture! It must include those things that are constructive and, recognizing the Christian focus, that also please God. We can hardly expect God to support those things that are displeasing to him.

But is this what today’s particular text is referring to? As usual, context is all important to ensure an accurate understanding. If we refer to what goes before and after, Paul is first claiming that he can be content with plenty or in need, whatever life throws at him. Afterward he thanks the Philippian Christians for supporting him in his need. Thus Paul is talking about coping with the ups and downs of life with God as his partner. He is not referring to projects of personal ambition—even “Christian” ones.

This helps with the second question: how do we measure success? To come to a meaningful answer we must recognize that both adversity and prosperity can tempt us to deal with life on our own. Clearly, adversity may suggest that God doesn’t care and seduce us away from him. On the other hand, prosperity may suggest that we can control life for ourselves and have no need of him. Either of these solutions makes nonsense of the text, for dispensing with him means he is not there to strengthen us. Ann and I recognize that if we are to cope successfully with the uncertainty we face, our best chances are to face it with him.

Monday, January 5, 2009

Monday January 5, 2009

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Gal 6:9-10.

We have not only enjoyed the company of good friends and relatives over the past two or three weeks while travelling to our ultimate destination here in Worthing, England, but also the benefits of their kindness and generosity. Much of our travelling would be expensive and isolated if it weren’t for the help we’ve received from those who have “not become weary in doing good.” In particular, we have received delightful hospitality from our daughter and family in Montreal, long time friends and their family in Oxford England and my sister and her family in Brighton. I trust they will all “reap a harvest” in due time.

But on a personal note, facing prostate cancer and the surgery that goes with it would be far more daunting without my wife Ann beside me. I am not the gregarious type she is, and her constant companionship for a lifetime has filled almost all my needs for human company. Needless to say, her need for others and my natural tendency to avoid them creates interesting exchanges on occasion and well expresses our happy incompatibility! But despite our differences—perhaps even because of them—Ann has been a faithful partner in all our earthly adventures for the nearly sixty years we have known each other. Because of this, I know she will be there with me during a period of uncertainty; her care and love my primary mainstay. My confidence for the future is buoyed up by her unwavering closeness and exuberance.

At this point I can almost hear you thinking: “But he said earlier that his confidence was in God. And doesn’t the Bible say we mustn’t put confidence in the flesh?” This idea assumes that confidence in people and confidence in God are mutually exclusive. I have confidence in Ann partly because she is the gift that God has given to me. We have all been created to be interconnected, and God serves us through others. Ann deserves my confidence because of her trust in God and her faithfulness to me through our life together. Therefore, I can have faith in God because of his faithfulness expressed through her.

Without Ann, my life would have been much more difficult and a lot less exciting. She certainly has not wearied in doing good, although I am not necessarily her reward. God could provide for my needs in other ways, but I like it the way it is. Stay the way you are Ann! I love you.