Where is the Enemy?

Two news reports caught my attention this weekend. The first was the sectarian violence that has erupted in Cairo between Muslims and Coptic Christians. Read the story at http://www.canada.com/life/Crisis+meeting+after+Cairo+sectarian+violence/4747268/story.html.

The second was the rape in Cairo of female Journalist, Lara Logan, during the demonstrations against Mubarak. Read the story at http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2011/04/28/20110428lara-logan-speaks-about-cairo.html#ixzz1LlqHGsGH.

The first story apparently began when Muslim men believed that Christian women converted to Islam and were held in a Christian church against their will. The Christians denied it. A dozen or so have died and over 100 were injured. Lara Logan was brutally gang-raped in Tahrir Square during the Egyptian uprising. She thought she would die slowly and painfully until rescued by some women and soldiers.

I have always maintained that people the world over have a basic desire to bring up their families in peace and safety. Many Muslim families that we know are glad to do just that in western countries. But these two stories show that men committed to radical Muslim faith believe Christian “infidels” are a threat to their faith, and that women are chattels owned by the men.

This radical belief is greatest at the Islamist terrorist threat, and decreases to still dangerous levels in some Muslim sects, until it moderates in those Muslims seeking a peaceful existence. However much we may point to the Koran, or its interpretation, in fomenting this strife, we cannot paint all Muslims with the same brush.

In fact, we experience extremes of belief in our own Christian backyard. The paradox of radical Christianity, often acclaimed as highly spiritual, can result in the grossest arrogance and destructive elitism, considering all others, Christians and non-Christians alike, as inferior—history reveals, even worthy of death.

It may be difficult to believe all others—think of bin Laden—are made in the image of God, with a dignity deserving gentleness and respect. If there is anything radical about Christianity, that is its hallmark. “For 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).

Election Afterglow?

It depends on your political persuasion whether you are now basking in or bewailing the election. The electorate, polarized right or left, has left a sparsely populated centre. I have to assume that nearly 40% that didn’t vote are content to accept any result.

While I would prefer a greater voter turnout, an election is not a priority for many, reminding us that we can become too animated about the result. A pleasant drive to Calgary yesterday helped bring some balance.

We left Lethbridge early heading west, a bright rising sun behind us. The Rocky Mountains, in a fresh garment of snow, spread in fluorescent relief before us to north and south for over 100 miles, like a chain of frosted jewels draping the skyline.

I ruminated on the turbulent Trudeau years, the beginning of my Canadian history as a British transplant, to the recent fractious minority governments; on what has often been a bumpy ride between frustration and elation over the years.

But those mountains, solid and vast in their serene beauty stood firm long before my time and will remain long after I am gone. Despite my misgivings or hope for the future of Canada, this great country will continue to display its beauty despite its leaders’ political shenanigans.

I was reminded again of our unchanging Creator; “the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin” (Exodus 34:6-7).

Far more permanent, vast and trustworthy than even those mountains, a life sheltered in His care can ride out all the storms of this life, political or personal, we may encounter. And while we justly involve ourselves in the future direction of our country, our leaders will never be the final influence in our lives.

It is this assurance that places the events of this world into manageable perspective. The actions and attitudes of those who govern us will never be the ultimate focus of our lives, or guarantee of our future.

A Momentous Long Weekend

Well, this has been quite a long weekend: The enormous outpouring of Joy for that Friday wedding; the beatification of Pope John Paul with a million in attendance; Osama Bin laden brought to justice, and Canada’s Election Day today.

But I can top all that; today is my 75th birthday!

I doubt the occasion will have quite the worldwide attention of the other events, and I don’t expect many paparazzi camped on my doorstep. I do expect the fancy foods that mark birthdays will hinder my journey to optimum health and weight, and I recognize that I have passed my ‘best before’ date.

However, I’ve had my cancer and my heart attack and have a clean bill of health at this point. My father died at 79; his father at 93 (not 103, as I recently told a number of people), so I may have, on average, a few good years left. And at age of 75 I’ve found the comfortable rut I’ve been seeking all my life.

But today is especially an encouragement to persist in what I wish to accomplish, certain that God will not call me home until I have completed what He has ordained for me to do. I look forward to these glowing fall years with anticipation.

In our early married life, the scripture below, became a meaningful promise to me for several years. With the passage of time, it slipped my memory until I read it again during my devotions this past week. Not only was it a fresh encouragement, I realized that He kept his promise for the last 50 or more years.

Fifty years is a blip compared with eternity, but if He can keep his promises for our turbulent time on earth, He can certainly do the same while dwelling safely with Him for eternity.

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10.

That Wedding!

It’s not possible to pass the recent royal wedding without comment, whatever one’s view of royalty. It is probably the most significant event in history to date—barring the incarnation—judging by a third of the world’s population watching it. That may only be capped by the return of the planet’s King when “every eye will see Him.”

If nothing else, it is a small glimpse into the glory to be accorded Jesus Christ upon His return to earth and His marriage supper, when all the kings of the earth will bring their riches to Him. If you don’t like some pomp and ceremony, you might want to miss that!

I thought it a pity the boys had to remove their caps for the ceremony. It revealed Will’s thinning pate, and Harry’s unruly hair reminded me of his sometimes unruly behaviour. Both belied the pageantry the occasion required!

I find the adulation shown for specific human beings because of their position or heritage a misplaced form of worship. Perhaps for some, if God is absent from their lives, this provides a convenient alternative. But that doesn’t mean that respect should not be shown for those in authority over us. Even if their shenanigans are reprehensible, we are still called to pray for them and respect the office.

The royal family, as with all authorized ruling officials, have my respect, if not always my admiration. But Will and Kate—oops, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge—provide a welcome breath of cleaner air to the royals. The relative simplicity of Kate’s dress—if a male may be permitted and opinion—suggested a moderate and measured approach to her new life. Surprised to miss painted nails, but I guess the train was inevitable!

Despite their lofty privilege, they resonate as a normal earthly couple. Their long friendship has inspired genuine affection, and bodes well for some stability to the royal heritage, sadly missing from the previous generation. This is especially important when they are models for so many.

Let us pray the vows they made and the Christian principles their ceremony espoused will guide their lives. Perhaps their example will bring more stability to the lives of their people and beyond. I doubt they will read this blog and thank me; nevertheless, they have my congratulations and prayers.

What Does the World Believe aout God

Ipsos/Reuters conducted a survey of over 28,000 people worldwide to assess global belief in God. In a world of six billion, it’s a very small sample, but nevertheless raises food for thought. Read the report at http://www.canada.com/life/Belief+supreme+being+strong+worldwide+Poll/4669884/story.html .

It should go without saying that there is no absolute proof of the existence of a supreme being or an afterlife, so a consensus is unlikely, but, according to the poll, about half the world’s population believes in both.

18% said they don’t believe in a god, leaving about a third uncertain. Some in Asia believe in many gods, while the proportion of those who don’t believe in any god reach 40% in Europe and Scandinavia.

Of those believing in an afterlife, 7% thought we are reincarnated, strangely, the largest percentage from Hungary. Other ideas about an afterlife mostly included heaven, less believing in hell, while others were unsure what to expect. Those not believing in an afterlife thought “you simply cease to exist.”

Of course, the safest belief, if true, is that we all die like dogs, and a rotting body is all that remains. That avoids the sticky question of accountability for behaviour in this life. The most frightening scenario is not that there is no afterlife, but that there might be.

The most surprising result of this poll is that so many believe in some deity and an afterlife, considering there is no certain way of confirming either, and the enlightenment has tried eroding this idea for centuries. The growing data of natural reasoning for existence should have convinced the whole world that spiritual beliefs are simply superstition.

Evolution was the last brick in this modern Tower of Babel that attempts to dispense with need for God. Few believe in fairies or Santa Claus, so why should we hold to other apparently improbable beliefs? In fact, why should we even have the capacity to think in spiritual terms if only the physical world exists?

This all-natural approach that we evolved from microscopic life begs the question of why any life form should develop the idea of unseen realities. The jump from simply utilitarian behaviour of animals to the human assumption of an alternate existence is a huge conjectural leap.

Of course, once belief in God is established, the implantation of desire for Him, evidenced in the search for God since history began, becomes a reasonable assumption. It takes determined effort not to wonder about the ultimate meaning and purpose of life, beyond simply preserving its existence.

It’s easy to dismiss the idea of God in prosperity when it appears we control our destiny. Under those conditions God is unnecessary and not worth keeping. The three billion who believe and the two billion who are uncertain are simply ignorant, deluded, or just fools. (We are left to wonder who the fools are, Psalm 53:1).

If what we observe with our senses is all there is, what’s the point of maintaining the miserable existence of the majority on earth? Culling makes the most reasonable, horrific sense. But the human soul is totally dissatisfied with such a philosophy, and when hard rubber hits the road, all the reasonable disbelief in the world is cold comfort.

No wonder most of the world seeks Him who is beyond it.

A Personal Easter Reflection

The events of life continually offer fresh insights into the crucifixion. I am reminded of my surgery for prostate cancer two years ago, which strange to say, added real meaning to the cross for me.

Two weeks before surgery, I received an armband with name and barcode on it, together with dire warnings not to remove it or “you’ll get no blood transfusions, nothin’ if you don’t have it on for surgery.”

My surgeon told me I lost a lot of blood during extended surgery time and I received two transfusions. I’m glad I kept that armband on!

It feels a little peculiar to think that I have someone else’s blood flowing through my arteries and veins and I am particularly grateful for that one who donated blood for me. My blood type is AB negative, the rarest of the ABO group. The donor needed the right blood necessary for my survival.

The parallel is all too clear: I am eternally grateful for the blood given for me at the cross—blood of a type suited for my particular need. Human blood gives me earthly existence, but life that gives me meaning is the transcendent life gained from the blood of Jesus Christ.

Because his blood was real, purpose for this life and assurance for the next is also real.