Thursday July 16, 2009
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"—and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Psalm 32:4-5.
I sleep soundly at night, but many people do not. When Ann asks me how I sleep so well, I answer that it’s due to contentment and a clear conscience. It’s true that I am content most of the time, but the latter part of my explanation is patently false! The closer our walk with the Lord the more troublesome our conscience becomes; the nearer to the light the more detail can be seen. So dealing with guilt is a major part of our lives, whether we feel guilty or even recognize our guilt. It can be ignored, suppressed or even forgotten, but still remains in our subconscious.
Guilt may express itself in a number of ways: a sense that something is not right; emptiness in the soul; irritability or an obsession with ethical causes: peace or the environment. It can be covered up by partying, drinking or drugs, work, or even endeavouring to live a “good” life. But it’s in the middle of the night when there are few distractions that fear of the future and death—prompted by guilt—may be the greatest. I remember hearing a girl once express: “we have overcome the taboos and mystery of sex, now we have to work on the next obstacle to life: death”!
Punishment may pay the debt that sin creates, but it does not erase the guilt; it only covers it. The only cure for guilt is forgiveness. But forgiveness is light years away if we do not recognize or we deny or rationalise it. The route to forgiveness is by acknowledging and confessing our guilt and repenting of our sin. We may rightly seek forgiveness from those we have wronged, but ultimate forgiveness is only available from the one who created us and who instilled our conscience and sense of justice. David, the psalmist, understood that, and for us there is the clear offer of forgiveness available at the cross.
Of course, there are a variety of other causes for sleeplessness, but if it is guilt, why would we ignore this gracious offer when the knowledge that our future can be settled is available to us? And there’s nothing like a good night’s sleep to prepare us for the stresses of the day.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Monday July 13, 2009
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. Romans 1:16.
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It has been a whirlwind of a couple of weeks, culminating in my attendance at the yearly Conference of the Congregational Christian Churches in Canada. The force of the above text was brought home by one of the speakers concentrating on the defence of the faith. One of the reasons for proclamation of the gospel is because it is the truth—not one of a smorgasbord ideas about spirituality—it is objectively true. That is to say it can be shown to be true by objective facts that can themselves be seen to be true.
This is in contrast to much of what passes for spirituality for many, that we all carry our own “truth” with us so what we believe is true for us! This is based on the idea that all truth is relative; there is no such thing as absolute truth. A moment’s thought will perceive how contradictory that statement is because the statement itself claims to be absolute. It could be rephrased: “It is absolutely true that there is no absolute truth”! Needless to say, much of what passes for spirituality today is totally subjective opinion with no authority behind it to establish truth.
Eventually, those beliefs founded on speculative ideas will fail the believer; it is the truth that will stand the test of time and provide clear guidance for life. You, like me, have probably been frustrated in buttoning a shirt or blouse to find a button left over because you started with the wrong button! Life can be much the same. If our lives are not based on a truthful understanding of God and his universe, all our thinking will be skewed. We don’t have to look far in current western society to see the deteriorating effects of the fading of Christian belief.
Perhaps the most recent example of this is the latest twist in thinking by the homosexual lobby. They claim that only 5–10% of us are “monosexual.” That is, very few humans are attracted to only one sex, but the remaining 90% can have sexual encounters with any form of sexual orientation. The sex we have is a choice from a smorgasbord of equally good options. Thus they assert that saying we are “born” one way or another is patently untrue of most of us and demeaning to those who practice homosexuality. Sexual experience is a choice.
Welcome to the world where the sex we have is now totally unrelated to the sex we are! Perhaps at this point you may want to even check the sex you are; the physical appearance could be misleading. If you have had children you will now be giving a sigh of relief that you probably guessed right—although remember that you can have sex without having children, but you can also have children without sex! Which button should I start from now?
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. Romans 1:16.
\
It has been a whirlwind of a couple of weeks, culminating in my attendance at the yearly Conference of the Congregational Christian Churches in Canada. The force of the above text was brought home by one of the speakers concentrating on the defence of the faith. One of the reasons for proclamation of the gospel is because it is the truth—not one of a smorgasbord ideas about spirituality—it is objectively true. That is to say it can be shown to be true by objective facts that can themselves be seen to be true.
This is in contrast to much of what passes for spirituality for many, that we all carry our own “truth” with us so what we believe is true for us! This is based on the idea that all truth is relative; there is no such thing as absolute truth. A moment’s thought will perceive how contradictory that statement is because the statement itself claims to be absolute. It could be rephrased: “It is absolutely true that there is no absolute truth”! Needless to say, much of what passes for spirituality today is totally subjective opinion with no authority behind it to establish truth.
Eventually, those beliefs founded on speculative ideas will fail the believer; it is the truth that will stand the test of time and provide clear guidance for life. You, like me, have probably been frustrated in buttoning a shirt or blouse to find a button left over because you started with the wrong button! Life can be much the same. If our lives are not based on a truthful understanding of God and his universe, all our thinking will be skewed. We don’t have to look far in current western society to see the deteriorating effects of the fading of Christian belief.
Perhaps the most recent example of this is the latest twist in thinking by the homosexual lobby. They claim that only 5–10% of us are “monosexual.” That is, very few humans are attracted to only one sex, but the remaining 90% can have sexual encounters with any form of sexual orientation. The sex we have is a choice from a smorgasbord of equally good options. Thus they assert that saying we are “born” one way or another is patently untrue of most of us and demeaning to those who practice homosexuality. Sexual experience is a choice.
Welcome to the world where the sex we have is now totally unrelated to the sex we are! Perhaps at this point you may want to even check the sex you are; the physical appearance could be misleading. If you have had children you will now be giving a sigh of relief that you probably guessed right—although remember that you can have sex without having children, but you can also have children without sex! Which button should I start from now?
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Wednesday July 8, 2009
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26.
The last blog painted a dismal picture of my car’s health, but I am glad to say that it performed well on our return to Lethbridge, so much so, that I felt it would be fine for the journey out to Langley and back again. In fact, on the journey out it performed flawlessly and I am now comfortably ensconced in a spartan but restful environment at Trinity Western University—probably thanks to your prayers for me and it! I thank God for this and an uneventful thirteen hour drive, and pray the same for my return to Lethbridge Saturday.
I am increasingly thankful every day for my health, especially after some drastic surgery to remove a cancerous prostate. Again, not only is my car’s health—at least for this journey—in God’s hands, but I am progressively more aware that “God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” I managed to remember to put some CDs in the car, and listened to an old CD of Alex’s—I Will Praise Him—made by the Doug Moody Group here at the coast. I was reminded of the words “Thou hast multiplied thy mercies unto me; I will give praises unto Him,” words that ring truer the longer I live.
The reason for my journey here is twofold. It is the yearly conference of the Christian Congregation Churches in Canada (CCCC for short) and there are many old friends I have not seen for a decade to catch up with. Also I have a book signing at the Trinity Western bookstore on Friday, and trust that the book, or at least posters of it, will find their way to all parts of Canada—from Vancouver Island to the Rock (PEI). We are gratified at the publicity the book is getting, primarily owing to the hard promotional work by Ann.
So family and friends, we covet your prayers for protection and meaningful ministry while Ann and I are apart and for a joyful reunion again on Saturday. May God bless you all.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26.
The last blog painted a dismal picture of my car’s health, but I am glad to say that it performed well on our return to Lethbridge, so much so, that I felt it would be fine for the journey out to Langley and back again. In fact, on the journey out it performed flawlessly and I am now comfortably ensconced in a spartan but restful environment at Trinity Western University—probably thanks to your prayers for me and it! I thank God for this and an uneventful thirteen hour drive, and pray the same for my return to Lethbridge Saturday.
I am increasingly thankful every day for my health, especially after some drastic surgery to remove a cancerous prostate. Again, not only is my car’s health—at least for this journey—in God’s hands, but I am progressively more aware that “God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” I managed to remember to put some CDs in the car, and listened to an old CD of Alex’s—I Will Praise Him—made by the Doug Moody Group here at the coast. I was reminded of the words “Thou hast multiplied thy mercies unto me; I will give praises unto Him,” words that ring truer the longer I live.
The reason for my journey here is twofold. It is the yearly conference of the Christian Congregation Churches in Canada (CCCC for short) and there are many old friends I have not seen for a decade to catch up with. Also I have a book signing at the Trinity Western bookstore on Friday, and trust that the book, or at least posters of it, will find their way to all parts of Canada—from Vancouver Island to the Rock (PEI). We are gratified at the publicity the book is getting, primarily owing to the hard promotional work by Ann.
So family and friends, we covet your prayers for protection and meaningful ministry while Ann and I are apart and for a joyful reunion again on Saturday. May God bless you all.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Saturday July 4, 2009
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1.
Well, here we are in Vancouver and ready to begin the journey home today. We have had a meaningful trip so far with generally good reception for our book with bookstores, people and churches we have been able to contact. Yesterday we visited the offices of BC Christian News who have shown interest in using some meditations for their Christian Living column. Today we plan an early trip to Richmond to retrieve Ann’s purse left there yesterday, then a lunchtime signing opportunity at the House of James in Abbotsford, then a drive to Kelowna for an overnight stay and tomorrow the rest of the trip to Lethbridge.
However, like us, our car is showing signs of age. The automatic transmission is dropping in with a jolt at low speeds giving us concern about its ability to see us home. We certainly appreciate your prayers for an uneventful journey. It also places my return trip in doubt to Trinity Western University in Langley for a denominational conference where I have a book signing planned. Pastors from across the country will be there possibly giving our book some broad coverage. But first, of course, we have to arrive home.
The text at the top of our blogs is taken from a daily diary devotional by the Bible League of Canada. Today’s text reminds us of God’s overall power in the universe, which certainly covers small things like car transmissions. Interestingly enough, we had lunch with Dr. Jim Packer on Thursday. He is one of the editors of the latest bible translation, the English Standard Version, and he kindly presented me with a copy. He signed it, referencing Psalm 19! I guess that is going to be our confidence for the next two days.
To close, let me quote from the caption to today’s text from the Bible League diary. ”As you go through your day, see God in the world around you. See his power. See his creativity. See his beauty. See his attention to detail. See his use of variety.” That is the God we serve and who guards and guides our lives.
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1.
Well, here we are in Vancouver and ready to begin the journey home today. We have had a meaningful trip so far with generally good reception for our book with bookstores, people and churches we have been able to contact. Yesterday we visited the offices of BC Christian News who have shown interest in using some meditations for their Christian Living column. Today we plan an early trip to Richmond to retrieve Ann’s purse left there yesterday, then a lunchtime signing opportunity at the House of James in Abbotsford, then a drive to Kelowna for an overnight stay and tomorrow the rest of the trip to Lethbridge.
However, like us, our car is showing signs of age. The automatic transmission is dropping in with a jolt at low speeds giving us concern about its ability to see us home. We certainly appreciate your prayers for an uneventful journey. It also places my return trip in doubt to Trinity Western University in Langley for a denominational conference where I have a book signing planned. Pastors from across the country will be there possibly giving our book some broad coverage. But first, of course, we have to arrive home.
The text at the top of our blogs is taken from a daily diary devotional by the Bible League of Canada. Today’s text reminds us of God’s overall power in the universe, which certainly covers small things like car transmissions. Interestingly enough, we had lunch with Dr. Jim Packer on Thursday. He is one of the editors of the latest bible translation, the English Standard Version, and he kindly presented me with a copy. He signed it, referencing Psalm 19! I guess that is going to be our confidence for the next two days.
To close, let me quote from the caption to today’s text from the Bible League diary. ”As you go through your day, see God in the world around you. See his power. See his creativity. See his beauty. See his attention to detail. See his use of variety.” That is the God we serve and who guards and guides our lives.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Tuesday June 30, 2009
I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:27.
For me, this text conjures up pictures of Muslims marching and flailing their bare backs in a gesture of repentance. Certainly Paul preached repentance, but I doubt that he had this particular physical exercise in mind when writing these words. He was more concerned that the appetites of the body did not control his desires, but quite the opposite, his body was going to serve him and the ministry he was called to. Of course, there is a full range of bodily appetites, but my first reaction is to think of food! After all, the definition of “appetite” is ’appy while you’re eating and tight when you’ve finished.
Ann is determined to ensure I “eat right.” She falls short of blaming my poor food habits for causing my cancer, but never-the-less is rightly aware that food choices and health are linked. So we have a daily debate over the intake of “fruit and vegetables” in my diet—especially as salad is my fear factor. Any suicide thoughts I may have would be prompted by the hope there is no salad in heaven! Surely my diet has to be balanced by some food I really enjoy—it is less the Canada food guide balance and more a balance of obligation and joy. It seems to be a truism that food is either enjoyable or “good for you,” and never the twain shall meet.
All this, of course, is symptomatic of Paul’s desire that his daily life choices do not interfere with ability to fulfill his calling. It reminds me that our food intake is a spiritual matter. As far as it lies within our capacity, we need to make choices that will keep us healthy if we wish to complete God’s calling on our lives. This is especially true as we approach the end of life and the time left may be insufficient to finalise what we feel called to do. Old age certainly gives added meaning to the phrase “redeeming the time”!
I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:27.
For me, this text conjures up pictures of Muslims marching and flailing their bare backs in a gesture of repentance. Certainly Paul preached repentance, but I doubt that he had this particular physical exercise in mind when writing these words. He was more concerned that the appetites of the body did not control his desires, but quite the opposite, his body was going to serve him and the ministry he was called to. Of course, there is a full range of bodily appetites, but my first reaction is to think of food! After all, the definition of “appetite” is ’appy while you’re eating and tight when you’ve finished.
Ann is determined to ensure I “eat right.” She falls short of blaming my poor food habits for causing my cancer, but never-the-less is rightly aware that food choices and health are linked. So we have a daily debate over the intake of “fruit and vegetables” in my diet—especially as salad is my fear factor. Any suicide thoughts I may have would be prompted by the hope there is no salad in heaven! Surely my diet has to be balanced by some food I really enjoy—it is less the Canada food guide balance and more a balance of obligation and joy. It seems to be a truism that food is either enjoyable or “good for you,” and never the twain shall meet.
All this, of course, is symptomatic of Paul’s desire that his daily life choices do not interfere with ability to fulfill his calling. It reminds me that our food intake is a spiritual matter. As far as it lies within our capacity, we need to make choices that will keep us healthy if we wish to complete God’s calling on our lives. This is especially true as we approach the end of life and the time left may be insufficient to finalise what we feel called to do. Old age certainly gives added meaning to the phrase “redeeming the time”!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Friday June 26, 2009
For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:13.
Tomorrow Ann and I leave home for a trip to Calgary, Kelowna and the west coast to promote our book Happy Together. We are booked into several bookstores for signing events in Kelowna and the Vancouver area. It is a chance to visit with our family in Calgary. Heather’s Father–in–law has had a stroke, and her husband and youngest son are in town from New Zealand. We also plan to meet and catch up with a number of friends and alumni from Regent College that we have known while living at the coast but have missed since we left for Lethbridge. And while we are away, the painters will be in to freshen up our home.
The trip will help us gain wider coverage, particularly with an event at the Congregational Christian Churches in Canada Conference, where pastors from across Canada will be in attendance. While we naturally hope to recover our investment in the book, we are more concerned that the book will have a positive impact on marriage across the western world—especially in the Christian community. Quite a far-reaching goal, but we have the ability and experience for the task. Above all we feel it is God’s calling for these latter years of our lives, and believe that it is God who will work in us to complete his good purpose.
For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:13.
Tomorrow Ann and I leave home for a trip to Calgary, Kelowna and the west coast to promote our book Happy Together. We are booked into several bookstores for signing events in Kelowna and the Vancouver area. It is a chance to visit with our family in Calgary. Heather’s Father–in–law has had a stroke, and her husband and youngest son are in town from New Zealand. We also plan to meet and catch up with a number of friends and alumni from Regent College that we have known while living at the coast but have missed since we left for Lethbridge. And while we are away, the painters will be in to freshen up our home.
The trip will help us gain wider coverage, particularly with an event at the Congregational Christian Churches in Canada Conference, where pastors from across Canada will be in attendance. While we naturally hope to recover our investment in the book, we are more concerned that the book will have a positive impact on marriage across the western world—especially in the Christian community. Quite a far-reaching goal, but we have the ability and experience for the task. Above all we feel it is God’s calling for these latter years of our lives, and believe that it is God who will work in us to complete his good purpose.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Tuesday June 23, 2009
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deut 6:6-7
During our book promotion we met up with Greg McCombs of Calgary. He is responsible for a new venture of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada called The Canadian Marriage and Family Network. Details of this ministry can be found at www.cmfn.ca. One of its ministries is the Faith @ Home Movement devoted to encouraging parents to teach their children the faith at home. Perhaps one of the causes for losses of children from the faith is a sense that church is the place for this to be taught, combined with neglect for teaching as part of life.
Today’s text emphasises the importance of teaching the faith as part of everyday life. It should be a natural part of the Christian’s experience, not a compartmentalised section that appears separated and even irrelevant to daily living. It is in the common tasks of life that there are opportunities for teaching the faith “when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” If this seems difficult or strange, then perhaps we have lost contact with the meaning of our faith in the routine of ordinary life.
During my bout with prostate cancer I was immensely thankful for a competent surgeon to perform the necessary surgery. It was too easy to credit his skill with my recovery, and feel that God was really irrelevant to the process. In fact God had his hand in my healing in three ways. First, he created a body that has the ability to heal itself, something the surgeon could not do after carving up my inside. Secondly, the necessary knowledge and skills of the doctor and surgeon are also part of God’s creation, to provide help and healing in sickness.
Finally, I have been reminded by my surgeon on several occasions how aggressive his surgery had to be. After originally suggesting that I would be in the hospital for two or three days, I was there for six. He found on opening me up was that the cancer was further advanced than previous tests had indicated, requiring more extensive surgery than anticipated. Despite this, five weeks after surgery I felt back to normal. While there are some side effects that I still have to deal with, I feel perfectly healthy—apart from the aging process!
I have no doubt that God had his hand in the whole unfortunate story, certainly in the “normal” process of diagnosis and surgery, but particularly in the quick healing that took place. As if confirming this, I saw the surgeon last week and he expressed surprise at how well the incision had healed!
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deut 6:6-7
During our book promotion we met up with Greg McCombs of Calgary. He is responsible for a new venture of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada called The Canadian Marriage and Family Network. Details of this ministry can be found at www.cmfn.ca. One of its ministries is the Faith @ Home Movement devoted to encouraging parents to teach their children the faith at home. Perhaps one of the causes for losses of children from the faith is a sense that church is the place for this to be taught, combined with neglect for teaching as part of life.
Today’s text emphasises the importance of teaching the faith as part of everyday life. It should be a natural part of the Christian’s experience, not a compartmentalised section that appears separated and even irrelevant to daily living. It is in the common tasks of life that there are opportunities for teaching the faith “when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” If this seems difficult or strange, then perhaps we have lost contact with the meaning of our faith in the routine of ordinary life.
During my bout with prostate cancer I was immensely thankful for a competent surgeon to perform the necessary surgery. It was too easy to credit his skill with my recovery, and feel that God was really irrelevant to the process. In fact God had his hand in my healing in three ways. First, he created a body that has the ability to heal itself, something the surgeon could not do after carving up my inside. Secondly, the necessary knowledge and skills of the doctor and surgeon are also part of God’s creation, to provide help and healing in sickness.
Finally, I have been reminded by my surgeon on several occasions how aggressive his surgery had to be. After originally suggesting that I would be in the hospital for two or three days, I was there for six. He found on opening me up was that the cancer was further advanced than previous tests had indicated, requiring more extensive surgery than anticipated. Despite this, five weeks after surgery I felt back to normal. While there are some side effects that I still have to deal with, I feel perfectly healthy—apart from the aging process!
I have no doubt that God had his hand in the whole unfortunate story, certainly in the “normal” process of diagnosis and surgery, but particularly in the quick healing that took place. As if confirming this, I saw the surgeon last week and he expressed surprise at how well the incision had healed!
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