Monday March 16, 2009
For by him [Jesus] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17.
The claims of this text are ultimate and necessary for faith. That the world as we know it was self-created by accident does not make common sense to the common man. That’s why nearly half of Americans continue to believe “Charles Darwin was wrong where it mattered most.” (National Geographic, Nov. 2004, p. 6.) Whatever the merits or demerits of evolution, this text maintains that Jesus, the incarnate Son of God was before all of it. And in the final analysis, if life is an accident, then life has no real meaning beyond daily mechanical animal survival.
The problems of life conceived by accident are many. Where did ethics come from? An innate knowledge of right and wrong is common only to humans; animals, beyond training, do not have it. Of greater mystery is why humans even conceptualize the idea of God; animals don’t. The search for God in some form is what most of history is about and the desire for spirituality of some sort is still alive and well in the new millennium—even in the “secular” west. Paul’s claims of the eternal nature of God, and his handiwork in creating and sustaining the universe, make the most sense to most people, even if they consider it irrelevant to life.
But what we believe has consequences. The knowledge of right and wrong and a God who in the ultimate sense created us implies accountability for the life he gave us and freedom to live as we please. That is what makes God and death so frightening. The idea that there is no existence beyond the grave is a hope concocted to allay our fears, for our fear is that there might be!
But there is a further consequence. If, as I believe, Paul’s claims are true, then there is relief for our fears when we put our faith in that same God as our only and final hope. The God who might condemn is also the one who has the power and right to forgive. And Paul’s claim that Jesus Christ is the one who holds ultimate power means that no-one can gainsay or interfere with his desire to reconcile us to himself through his death: the sacrifice of God himself for us.
This belief in turn has a consequence for the way we live. Christ’s power to create and sustain means that his power to sustain individuals like us is also ultimate. Once we accept his claims and place ourselves in God’s mercy, nothing in life can harm us. As I face surgery in two week’s time, I can rest secure in the knowledge that he has ultimate control over my life—whatever the outcome. That gives my life ultimate meaning. I am not simply subject to the whims of an accidental universe.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Friday March 13, 2009
Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. Joel 3:14.
Home! At last! It’s been a week since my last blog, but that time has seen us fly from England to Montreal, spend some time with Alex our daughter and family there and fly back to Lethbridge, arriving Wednesday evening. As you can imagine, the last day has been spent unpacking, opening a ton of mail, renewing expired insurances and licences, trying to remember where everything is, or was when we left and generally reorienting ourselves to life as we remember it, gratefully assisted by two nights in our own bed!
We are both exhausted from a particularly busy time at the house in Worthing, rounds of visits with family and—in the space of the last few days—two time zone changes and clocks put forward an hour. We are taking a few days to do only what is absolutely necessary plus some enjoyable pottering before we plunge into the coming few weeks. My surgery for prostate removal is slated for March 30th and a pre-op on the 16th. Ann has to give permission today for some minor foot surgery which is scheduled for April 7th in Cardston. She also has papers for an independent university study due before the end of April. Life doesn’t change—still searching for that comfortable rut!
But we are thankful to God for the opportunities given us to serve and keep in touch with our family, in spite of the heavy schedule we have followed. We recognize our lives are mostly the result of decisions we have made and looking back we would not have done most things differently. Our text today reminds us that we will all be judged according to the decisions we have made, and the ungodly practices of the nations will one day be judged on the Day of the Lord—there will be a true and final justice for all. It is a sharp reminder that our decision for or against the claims of the righteous Judge of all the earth will have ultimate consequences for eternity.
Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. Joel 3:14.
Home! At last! It’s been a week since my last blog, but that time has seen us fly from England to Montreal, spend some time with Alex our daughter and family there and fly back to Lethbridge, arriving Wednesday evening. As you can imagine, the last day has been spent unpacking, opening a ton of mail, renewing expired insurances and licences, trying to remember where everything is, or was when we left and generally reorienting ourselves to life as we remember it, gratefully assisted by two nights in our own bed!
We are both exhausted from a particularly busy time at the house in Worthing, rounds of visits with family and—in the space of the last few days—two time zone changes and clocks put forward an hour. We are taking a few days to do only what is absolutely necessary plus some enjoyable pottering before we plunge into the coming few weeks. My surgery for prostate removal is slated for March 30th and a pre-op on the 16th. Ann has to give permission today for some minor foot surgery which is scheduled for April 7th in Cardston. She also has papers for an independent university study due before the end of April. Life doesn’t change—still searching for that comfortable rut!
But we are thankful to God for the opportunities given us to serve and keep in touch with our family, in spite of the heavy schedule we have followed. We recognize our lives are mostly the result of decisions we have made and looking back we would not have done most things differently. Our text today reminds us that we will all be judged according to the decisions we have made, and the ungodly practices of the nations will one day be judged on the Day of the Lord—there will be a true and final justice for all. It is a sharp reminder that our decision for or against the claims of the righteous Judge of all the earth will have ultimate consequences for eternity.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Friday March 6, 2009
Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12.
Our daughter in New Zealand asked us our opinion of The Shack, a bestselling and widely accepted novel recounting one man’s spiritual journey following the violent death of his child. But the Christian response has been mixed. Many Christians who have read it enjoyed it, but some “authorities” on the Christian faith continue to condemn it. Its besetting sin appears to be the symbolic nature of the novel. For instance: God the Father is portrayed as a big African Mama. Not particularly theological, but exhibits part of the nature of God that the author experienced.
The allegorical approach to Christianity has a long and honoured history. Tolkien’s Rings novels and the Narnia series by C. S. Lewis, are generally accepted as symbolic representations of the Christian message, although greatly extended through imagination. However, Christian response has not been consistent. Dan Brown has been roundly castigated for imaginatively falsifying Christian Scripture and history in his Da Vinci Code novel. However, there has been no whisper of complaint against the Left Behind series of books by Tim La Haye that uses generous speculation on biblical prophecies for his novels.
Both can be classed in the same genre as The Shack; each novel expresses one man’s opinion either for or against the faith, but each carries the same danger of mixing biblical fact and speculative fantasy which the average person cannot separate. Either allegorical writing carries sufficient imagination that it cannot be theologically sound and must be burned, or should be recognized as symbolizing in imaginative and readable ways parts or all of the faith Christians believe. For example, the creatures in Tolkiens’ novels clearly reflect the subject of today’s text!
But the dispute over these writings misses the bigger picture. The truth is guarded by freedom of expression, not repression of it. The truth by its very nature must ultimately prevail. Attempts to preserve it by censorship reflect unease about the truth we believe. It may even eventually harbour error that cannot be sustained. The Shack and other examples of the genre are ways in which readers may engage with the faith to explore it further or not as their inclination may be. But without them the work of the Holy Spirit could be limited and entry into spiritual things would be impoverished.
Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12.
Our daughter in New Zealand asked us our opinion of The Shack, a bestselling and widely accepted novel recounting one man’s spiritual journey following the violent death of his child. But the Christian response has been mixed. Many Christians who have read it enjoyed it, but some “authorities” on the Christian faith continue to condemn it. Its besetting sin appears to be the symbolic nature of the novel. For instance: God the Father is portrayed as a big African Mama. Not particularly theological, but exhibits part of the nature of God that the author experienced.
The allegorical approach to Christianity has a long and honoured history. Tolkien’s Rings novels and the Narnia series by C. S. Lewis, are generally accepted as symbolic representations of the Christian message, although greatly extended through imagination. However, Christian response has not been consistent. Dan Brown has been roundly castigated for imaginatively falsifying Christian Scripture and history in his Da Vinci Code novel. However, there has been no whisper of complaint against the Left Behind series of books by Tim La Haye that uses generous speculation on biblical prophecies for his novels.
Both can be classed in the same genre as The Shack; each novel expresses one man’s opinion either for or against the faith, but each carries the same danger of mixing biblical fact and speculative fantasy which the average person cannot separate. Either allegorical writing carries sufficient imagination that it cannot be theologically sound and must be burned, or should be recognized as symbolizing in imaginative and readable ways parts or all of the faith Christians believe. For example, the creatures in Tolkiens’ novels clearly reflect the subject of today’s text!
But the dispute over these writings misses the bigger picture. The truth is guarded by freedom of expression, not repression of it. The truth by its very nature must ultimately prevail. Attempts to preserve it by censorship reflect unease about the truth we believe. It may even eventually harbour error that cannot be sustained. The Shack and other examples of the genre are ways in which readers may engage with the faith to explore it further or not as their inclination may be. But without them the work of the Holy Spirit could be limited and entry into spiritual things would be impoverished.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Thursday March 5, 2009
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth . . . so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10–11.
Achievement: what we all desire unless the reverses of life have despaired us of all hope. Without hope, despair leads to inaction. Hope, like love and faith, is necessary to give life meaning and direction. The text above provides hope to those who trust its message: that God will give meaning to life whatever setbacks are experienced. During our time here in England, someone suggested that the English are “dogged.” It is perhaps the heritage of faith that has given the English the reputation of obstinacy—particularly the ability to cope when their backs are against the wall.
Over the last two days we have been able to complete some of the final nostalgic trips that we planned. While our family was here, we would like to have travelled to the town of Upminster, east of London, where my sister and I grew up, but it was too far and we had insufficient time. However, on Tuesday, Ann joined my sister Heather and me as we were able to visit the home of our childhood, the school we attended and other of the places we recalled from our childhood. We even stopped for a cream tea in the same department store that our mother and grandmother would take us after school.
Of particular interest was the house that my sister and I grew up in. Built in 1934, our parents had bought it new and lived in it until our move to Eastbourne in 1950. Now, it sports a poorly planned addition built by the current owners. They were very gracious and invited us in to look the place over. But the interior exhibited all the signs of the fading hope they expressed; every room was littered, stacked and cramped with belongings, decorations were in poor condition and peeling from the walls.
In an attempt to start clean up, they erected a large shed in the back garden to store some of this stuff, but poor health of the wife and a failing husband’s business were clearly taking their toll and undermining whatever motivation they had left. In fact, the impression left was a problem getting worse, not better. Ann in her usual and resourceful way made suggestions to encourage them to persevere.
I left with the sense that a fading struggle to cope had mastered them and thankfulness that we had a hope that transcends the failing abilities of life; that God’s plan for our lives is still a reachable goal, and that His word and work in us will achieve the purpose for which he called us.
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth . . . so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10–11.
Achievement: what we all desire unless the reverses of life have despaired us of all hope. Without hope, despair leads to inaction. Hope, like love and faith, is necessary to give life meaning and direction. The text above provides hope to those who trust its message: that God will give meaning to life whatever setbacks are experienced. During our time here in England, someone suggested that the English are “dogged.” It is perhaps the heritage of faith that has given the English the reputation of obstinacy—particularly the ability to cope when their backs are against the wall.
Over the last two days we have been able to complete some of the final nostalgic trips that we planned. While our family was here, we would like to have travelled to the town of Upminster, east of London, where my sister and I grew up, but it was too far and we had insufficient time. However, on Tuesday, Ann joined my sister Heather and me as we were able to visit the home of our childhood, the school we attended and other of the places we recalled from our childhood. We even stopped for a cream tea in the same department store that our mother and grandmother would take us after school.
Of particular interest was the house that my sister and I grew up in. Built in 1934, our parents had bought it new and lived in it until our move to Eastbourne in 1950. Now, it sports a poorly planned addition built by the current owners. They were very gracious and invited us in to look the place over. But the interior exhibited all the signs of the fading hope they expressed; every room was littered, stacked and cramped with belongings, decorations were in poor condition and peeling from the walls.
In an attempt to start clean up, they erected a large shed in the back garden to store some of this stuff, but poor health of the wife and a failing husband’s business were clearly taking their toll and undermining whatever motivation they had left. In fact, the impression left was a problem getting worse, not better. Ann in her usual and resourceful way made suggestions to encourage them to persevere.
I left with the sense that a fading struggle to cope had mastered them and thankfulness that we had a hope that transcends the failing abilities of life; that God’s plan for our lives is still a reachable goal, and that His word and work in us will achieve the purpose for which he called us.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Monday March 2, 2009
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24.
I must admit, the above seems a tall order for me, and knowing me, for even God himself to deliver! However, although I might strive to achieve that and fail, I am so glad my final acceptance by God is purely through the sacrifice of Jesus to pay my debt. Not only is keeping out of mischief a major concern, it is a purely negative goal; what is of greater concern is the constructive use of any time so sanctified. Our striving is to help fulfil the prayer that “your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
Thus it is that Ann and I look back on our time at Winchelsea, and the hard work that it was at times, with satisfaction. As we relax for a week before returning to Canada there is that sense of pleasure as the tiredness drains away. It is like the experience of stiff and aching muscles at the end of a day of physical labour—a strange mixture of pain and pleasure at fulfilment. So the idea of remaining blameless is one of accomplishment not just avoidance. And the idea the that although the coming of Jesus Christ will herald the completion of God’s work on earth, the sense of meaning for this life is having had a part working towards that completion.
I guess a meaningful part of life is what has been accomplished in those that we have conceived and fostered and whose future is still to be played out. Looking back over our earlier life here in England causes us to realize the extent that the story of our lives—both the good and bad—has had and is still having on others. Because there is a sense that blamelessness is partly a positive outcome for those who follow us, it gives meaning to the mundane of daily life.
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24.
I must admit, the above seems a tall order for me, and knowing me, for even God himself to deliver! However, although I might strive to achieve that and fail, I am so glad my final acceptance by God is purely through the sacrifice of Jesus to pay my debt. Not only is keeping out of mischief a major concern, it is a purely negative goal; what is of greater concern is the constructive use of any time so sanctified. Our striving is to help fulfil the prayer that “your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
Thus it is that Ann and I look back on our time at Winchelsea, and the hard work that it was at times, with satisfaction. As we relax for a week before returning to Canada there is that sense of pleasure as the tiredness drains away. It is like the experience of stiff and aching muscles at the end of a day of physical labour—a strange mixture of pain and pleasure at fulfilment. So the idea of remaining blameless is one of accomplishment not just avoidance. And the idea the that although the coming of Jesus Christ will herald the completion of God’s work on earth, the sense of meaning for this life is having had a part working towards that completion.
I guess a meaningful part of life is what has been accomplished in those that we have conceived and fostered and whose future is still to be played out. Looking back over our earlier life here in England causes us to realize the extent that the story of our lives—both the good and bad—has had and is still having on others. Because there is a sense that blamelessness is partly a positive outcome for those who follow us, it gives meaning to the mundane of daily life.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Saturday February 28, 2009
The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. Joshua 10:13.
Joshua had some pull to get a day extended so he could get his work done. I wonder if he had jetlag as result. We can get a day extended artificially by flying west around the world, but there is always a payback time on the return trip. Ann and I could have done with a couple of extended days to get our work done—but on second thoughts the standard day is tiring enough. I can’t believe that it is Saturday already; just too busy this week to keep you up to date on this blog. Perhaps as we wind down our organized confusion will abate some also.
Jack and Rae, our replacements, arrived Thursday as planned, and the time to date has been orientation for them from us, together with the inevitable round of introductions and farewells this part of our journey provokes. We are genuinely sorry to say goodbye to the folks here who have been so gracious and an inspiration to us both. Our next trip to England is uncertain. Not only are increasing age and possible decreasing health a hindrance, we have other places to go as well—New Zealand is calling again: no time to stop yet!
We may not get any extended days—probably just as well—but we have started on an extended journey home. We moved out of our Mews residence into Winchelsea on Wednesday to make room for Jack and Rae, and leave room 5 here today. Then a week with my sister in Brighton with a few last trips planned for the week. Next Saturday we fly to Montreal for a few days with Alex, our youngest daughter and husband, and Luciano our youngest grandchild. Then finally home in the middle of the following week!
Perhaps then we will have time to think about the immediate future, particularly surgery which is always simmering on the back burner. But also a time to reflect on the unusual cold and snow, but above all the memorable times we have had here—and especially God’s goodness in providing these opportunities.
The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. Joshua 10:13.
Joshua had some pull to get a day extended so he could get his work done. I wonder if he had jetlag as result. We can get a day extended artificially by flying west around the world, but there is always a payback time on the return trip. Ann and I could have done with a couple of extended days to get our work done—but on second thoughts the standard day is tiring enough. I can’t believe that it is Saturday already; just too busy this week to keep you up to date on this blog. Perhaps as we wind down our organized confusion will abate some also.
Jack and Rae, our replacements, arrived Thursday as planned, and the time to date has been orientation for them from us, together with the inevitable round of introductions and farewells this part of our journey provokes. We are genuinely sorry to say goodbye to the folks here who have been so gracious and an inspiration to us both. Our next trip to England is uncertain. Not only are increasing age and possible decreasing health a hindrance, we have other places to go as well—New Zealand is calling again: no time to stop yet!
We may not get any extended days—probably just as well—but we have started on an extended journey home. We moved out of our Mews residence into Winchelsea on Wednesday to make room for Jack and Rae, and leave room 5 here today. Then a week with my sister in Brighton with a few last trips planned for the week. Next Saturday we fly to Montreal for a few days with Alex, our youngest daughter and husband, and Luciano our youngest grandchild. Then finally home in the middle of the following week!
Perhaps then we will have time to think about the immediate future, particularly surgery which is always simmering on the back burner. But also a time to reflect on the unusual cold and snow, but above all the memorable times we have had here—and especially God’s goodness in providing these opportunities.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Monday February 23, 2009
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7
Monday already, and well into the final week here at Winchelsea. Not only has it been busy, but the place has provided us with some problems to add to the experience. The heat in the car we were using went out, and the heat in our bathroom went out in sympathy, all during the coldest and snowiest winter for two decades. Then radiators in the house started joining in over a two week period. Yesterday the heating system finally gave up the ghost giving no heat anywhere.
So an assortment of electric heaters is now spread through the occupied rooms giving out their attempts at comfort. Fortunately, the occupant count is low, enabling us to leave a large section of the house at the mercy of the elements. Furthermore, the temperatures are now in the double digits during the day and comfortably cool nights have descended to aid our sleep and blanket use. Getting this antiquated system repaired may take time as the forces available for this work are in great demand, probably for the same reason in a town that boasts many stately homes with the same stately heating systems!
Thursday is another trip to Heathrow airport to pick up our replacements. Then two days of orientation before we move on to a quieter week at my sister’s house in Brighton. But in the meantime, laundry to be completed; Ann’s papers to be completed; all scripture references for our book to be repaginated, and we need to start packing. Nothing like a challenge to motivate us—I’ll be looking for those songs of deliverance later this week.
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7
Monday already, and well into the final week here at Winchelsea. Not only has it been busy, but the place has provided us with some problems to add to the experience. The heat in the car we were using went out, and the heat in our bathroom went out in sympathy, all during the coldest and snowiest winter for two decades. Then radiators in the house started joining in over a two week period. Yesterday the heating system finally gave up the ghost giving no heat anywhere.
So an assortment of electric heaters is now spread through the occupied rooms giving out their attempts at comfort. Fortunately, the occupant count is low, enabling us to leave a large section of the house at the mercy of the elements. Furthermore, the temperatures are now in the double digits during the day and comfortably cool nights have descended to aid our sleep and blanket use. Getting this antiquated system repaired may take time as the forces available for this work are in great demand, probably for the same reason in a town that boasts many stately homes with the same stately heating systems!
Thursday is another trip to Heathrow airport to pick up our replacements. Then two days of orientation before we move on to a quieter week at my sister’s house in Brighton. But in the meantime, laundry to be completed; Ann’s papers to be completed; all scripture references for our book to be repaginated, and we need to start packing. Nothing like a challenge to motivate us—I’ll be looking for those songs of deliverance later this week.
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