IMMANUEL

IMMANUEL

The word Immanuel appears in in chapters 7-8 of the Book of Isaiah and in Matthew 1:22-23. It is a Hebrew word meaning God with us.

In Exodus 33:20 Moses was explicitly told by God; You cannot see my face. No one can see me and live.

Who is God? He is the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity.

How is He with us?

At a practical and unusual time in history God came to be with us himself. The high and lofty became lowly and humble and helpless. He put himself at the mercy of a young teenager who was engaged to be married. That in itself made things a little complicated.

Don’t look up, God said to Moses. Now the shepherds are looking down at him wrapped in cloths that came from who knows where and laying in a bed of hay. His name shall be called Jesus.

For the last twenty centuries, the story is told whether seen as absurb or holy, the world takes notice.

This event changed the course of history. We date our letters and checks, our children’s birth and loved one’s death by what happened so many years ago. It has impacted art, literature, political institutions and our understanding about ourselves. While he never wrote a book or a song, libraries of the world could not hold the books written about him. He has inspired more songwriters to write about him than any other theme.

While many of our Christmas traditions stem from pagan rituals it has evolved into a celebration that resonates around the world. The lit-up streets and homes, the carolers, the food, cards and presents; the world is telling a story.

One of my favorite memories of Christmas other than the excitement of receiving gifts as a child was Christmas Eve 1995. Our family attended the Christmas Eve Service at St. John the Evangelist Church on St James Street and Wellington. The church was built in 1888. Its tree lined walk, gothic stained glass windows, among them to the west wall was one honoring those who served in the war; The pipe organ and the choir created a spectacular atmosphere of celebrating the season. I will never forget the message given that evening. The minister talked about the Christ and the manger and the one quote that has stayed with me all these years; ‘The manger is within.’  As we left the service the 14 bell Carillon rang out the news at midnight, as large flakes of snow came gently falling on the evergreens. It was Christmas Day!!  

The story of Christmas was re-birthed in me on that occasion in a way that I had not previously experienced it.

The word became human and made his home among us. John 1:14 NLT

No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us. John 1:18 NLT

It’s the face of the one who was born that night that the world has been haunted by for some 20 centuries. Immanuel: God with us.

STORMS

 

STORMS

One day Jesus said to his disciples,” let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into their boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

The disciples went and woke him up, saying, “Master, Master we are going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided and all was calm. (Mark 4:35)

There is something comforting about hearing the wind howl when inside my cozy little condo. I am surrounded by three inner walls so the drafts from the wind are minimal. My balcony protects the outer wall from the elements. My car is in the underground garage. All is well.

 As the trees display their enormous strength against the powerful wind, the sky a thick layer of pewter, there is a sense of peace and security because of my shelter.

Storms appear in multifarious forms; snow, dust, rain, wind, ice storms. A snow storm will change the earths landscape to a winter wonderland. Torrential rains, hurricanes, and ice storms will play havoc on the land and individual property.

In spite of the destruction caused by hurricanes, it is said to be important rainmakers in certain regions of the world. It helps to maintain global heat balance and assists in cycling nutrients from the sea floor among others.

Storm chasers who fly into hurricanes report that there is an amazing calm in the eye of the storm. There is no wind, nothing moves, silence.  The eye has an average diameter of 30- 60 km. Above the plane is clear blue sky with the sun streaming into the windows. Surrounding them is total darkness of the eyewall thunderstorms and below them the roaring ocean stirring up waves up to 60 feet high.

The storm ceases and we see the sun scorching its way through a hole in the clouds, as there has never been a storm that didn’t end.

The storms of life; we have experienced them, all of them. We have been caught in them, helplessly lost in them and sometimes, because of our own making. We’ve been blown of course with clouds of fear, helplessness, doubt, insecurity, losses, but we survived. Life is precious.

In the storms of life, God speaks to us.  Sometimes in the eye of the storm, in the dead silence of life when there doesn’t seem to be any sense to anything. Through the little things, the nonsense of life. Nothing profound like written in the stars or reveled in a dream. Just a word or a thought like, don’t give up, show grace, forgive, keep going.

We must keep walking through the storm and not fear the darkness of the eyewall as nothing can separate us from the one who calms the storm.

It is sometimes in the storm that we see real miracles. They are not the miracles that create faith because we saw something. They are miracles that it takes faith to see.

Go to the other side, who knows where that is in our lives or what awaits us. No matter what happens, we have Jesus asleep in the boat, which gives us hope and courage.

Nothing can compare to the mystery of the absolute knowing that even in the silence, whether it is in the eye of the storm or the calm after the storm, that the presence of his holiness is there. Listen for it.

As we keep going to the other side may the one who sleeps in the boat become awake in us.

Eccrentic Joy

Eccentric Joy

If I were to open my eyes and look at the clock, it is probably showing 6AM. Another half an hour and I will slide out from under the covers.

A flight path zooms over my condo. I am approximately eight minutes from the Edmonton International Airport. The planes start around 6am and keep busy until midnight. As a matter of fact, there is one flying over as I write. To some it may be a distraction, to me it is music in my ears and a beautiful sight.

Eccentric. Webster’s explains the word as that of being unusual character, odd personality, unconventional among others.

When the word eccentric is used as an adjective to describe how I feel about the blessings of life, it may seem to others as emotional distraction.

This location only makes me three hours from my Son and his family who live in Phoenix, Az. This is about the same time it takes to visit my daughter in Okotoks.

Before moving to Leduc, I was 2 1/2 hours away from the airport so when I hear the noise of that plane or I see a jet flying over Safeway on its final path to a landing strip, it makes me happy!!

 Eccentric??

It’s time to take a break. I sit on my balcony and enjoy a refreshing beverage and a nacho snack. I am admiring one of the 200 species of geraniums, along with beautiful bright yellow pansies hanging on my balcony pouches. They are just adorable.

My condo is close to the downtown and faces the alley. Across the alley a vacant lot is shaded by large elms which furnishes for me the most pleasant view.

Through the little windows of the branches I can see a sign which only gives me portions of the words seen fully reads; Leduc Food Bank. It is a great reminder of the many blessings that have come my way and also the blessings that this community effort offers so many in our city.

Here goes another plane!!

I am also reminded today of the little blessing we would say at the table as children:

Thank you for the world so sweet

Thank you for the food we eat

Thank you for the birds that sing

Thank you God for everything!

 

The simple joys will never truly die.

 

Listen to your life, see it for the fathomless mystery that it is. In the boredom and pain of it, no less than in the excitement and gladness. Taste, smell your way to the holy hidden heart of it. Because in the last analysis, all moments are key moments and life itself is grace.  Fredrick Buechner

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit, Blessed are those who mourn, Blessed are the meek, Blessed are the persecuted. Jesus Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 would have been seen in secular society as that of being odd, unusual, unconventional.

 Eccentric??  Eccentric Joy!!

WE ARE HIS MESSENGERS

We are His Messengers

 

I must admit, I’m a social media fan. I also must confess; it is sort of a daily habit. Occasionally I will take a day to detox

I have connected with friends and acquaintances that I had lost contact with for too many years. Doing catch up on their children, grandchildren, hearing the stories of their journeys has been a precious gift.

That being said, we have all observed that it can become a platform for almost any issue or agenda.

An issue that has concerned me of late are the manner in which Christians verbalize their political opinions and are using this tool as a platform to complain. Social media can be used for arguments of any issue from politics, sports and religion.

We are blessed to live in a democratic society where we have freedom of speech, and the right to vote the political party that most expresses our values. As Christian leaders in our society, we need to be even more aware of the messages we send out.

When Paul instructed us as to how to treat those in authority, he was living under Roman rule, who hated and killed Christians. He instructed us in Romans 13; Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves…….for the one in authority is God’s servant; and he continues through verse 7 with instructions as to how we are to respond to those in authority.

Praying for those in authority is a biblical command. 1 Timothy 2:2 tells us to pray for kings and all who are in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives.

 When Jesus was approached by the Pharisees regarding paying taxes, he instructed them to give to Caesar what belonged to him and to God what belongs to God.

Are we seeking to glorify God in social media?  That doesn’t mean we are to preach a sermon or give a thought for the day. If we want to do that, then we can start our own ‘Thought for Today” sight and have people subscribe. It may be somewhat humiliating if we were depending on our followers to make us feel accomplished!

Does our speech build up or tear down?  James 3:10 tells us that it is not beneficial for praise and cursing to come out of the same mouth. Social media is rampant with gossip, pessimism and complaining. May the words of my mouth and the medication of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

Do people see the light of Christ in us based on what we post? Matt 5:16; Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good deed and glorify your Father in heaven.   While it isn’t necessary to give the four spiritual laws on your page there can be amazing opportunities to tell your story about God’s grace.

The following is a prayer I found on my fb newsfeed shortly after our present Prime Minister was elected. I very seldom share newsfeeds; however, I did this one.

Lord, whisper to his heart, and the hearts of our new leaders,

Light in him a new fire of Holy accountability and fill his dreams with visions of Your will that cannot be shaken off upon waking.

His idealism and inexperience are strengths. Take this soft clay and shape it. Take this raw ore and refine it. His newness to the vicious arena of politics has not yet hardened him with cynicism or bitterness.

Lord direct his feet in the way they should go.

Give him eyes to see what you have him to see.

Surround him with wise counsel; let him hear it and embrace it.

Protect his marriage and his children.

Protect his body and his mind.

Lord shape him into a champion

Amen

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Way of the Geese

The Way of the Geese

It is Sunday, May 1 2016 and my first walk of the season around Telford Lake, in the city of Leduc where I reside.

Nature’s market has opened its doors for business. A variety of species seem to be endeavoring to mark out their territory, as they outdo each other in their own cultural language.

The Geese are what seems to be getting more of my attention as I sit at the water’s edge and observe their industrious pattern of doing things.  They are fascinating creatures even though they are considered pests.

I am amazed how they can fly over the lake and land as smoothly as a 747. As I observe their activity, they seem to never fly alone and have a keen sense of ownership of the community they call home.  Probably one of the most phenomenal geese facts is that their desire to return to their place every year is so strong that they will often fly up to 5000 kilometers to get there.

They fascinated me to the point that I came home and did some research of geese, and discovered there’s a lot to be learned from the way of the geese, especially for those in either secular or faith based leadership.

1.       Geese fly in a V formation. By doing so, as each goose flaps its wings, creating an uplift for the birds that follow which adds 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone. This exemplifies great team work. People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier when working together.

 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NIV: Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.

 

2.       When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone, and will move back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front of it. How often in leadership we see weakness in the team, either because we depend too much on the leader or the leader feels the need to carry the load.

Romans 15:1 NIV: We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.

 

3.       When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position. It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese people need each other’s skills, capabilities and gifts to accomplish the task.

 

1 Peter 4:10 ESV: As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.

 

 

4.       One of the honking theories is that geese honk to encourage those in the front to keep up their speed. We need to be sure that when we honk it is encouragement. In spite of the seminars and workshops on team work, it is still quite common to hear horror stories of supervisors and managers who degrade and humiliate their co-workers.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:11:  Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. It goes on to say to honor those who work hard and live in peace.

 

 

5.       When a goose gets sick, wounded, or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with the wounded goose until it dies or is able to fly. Standing by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong would be a lesson well learned.

Gal 6:2 NIV: Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

 

Another interesting fact about geese is that they have a strong sense of family and group loyalty. In a world of constant change, where loyalties to leaderships, organizations and the family unit is on the decline, we could well learn something from the Way of the Geese.

 

 

 

Where is your Paradise?

Where is your Paradise?

 

 

Don’t you just love that Expedia commercial?

 I have walked a thousand coastlines along the shores of a dozen seas, blistered my feet on the sun baked sand of a thousand beaches, fleshed seared, thirst unquenched I searched and searched, finally found this Paradise, and you friend what brought you here?

Waterton Park is a Paradise, Santa Barbara is a paradise, Disneyland is a paradise, for those who choose to live off the grid, that is paradise (no modern conveniences). It all depends on one’s perspective.

The word paradise is associated with heaven the ultimate abode of the just. The first garden is also referred to as paradise.

Whatever we call it, there is a sense of longing at one time or another for a little piece of paradise.  It can be as simple as having an over extended bubble bath surrounded by candles and soft music, or a quiet walk along a water’s edge.

The Bible tells us in Psalm 19 that God’s glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon. Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening. Their words aren’t heard, their voices aren’t recorded, but their silence fills the earth; unspoken truth is spoken everywhere. (MSG)

The world is a beautiful place offering us magnificent wonder. Nature produces its own language from the great harmony in the rustling leaves swaying in the wind to the beautiful chords of the quiet stream rippling over the rocks.

It may not be necessary to walk a thousand coastlines to find your paradise. You may find it in a multitude of small delights, even in your own backyard. One can experience strength by just contemplating the beauty of their surroundings.

We cannot limit our view of Paradise on earth to the beauty of white sand beaches, exotic vegetation and the aqua seas.

 Allow your spirit to find warmth in the snow as it kisses the trees and the cold night air blankets them in a spectacular view of hora frost glistening-like diamonds in the sun.

Enjoy the smell of the earth as you watch the first sign of new growth in early spring. Take time to smell the lilacs, they don’t stay around too long.

 The long dusks of summer allow us to walk through scents of cut grass, fresh flowers and gardens of growing things, and drinking in the beauty of the sunset. The earth is alive with a new population of migrants returning to stock up on the abundant supply of food.

Has anyone mastered a painting of the true colors of fall? What we would miss if we didn’t live in a world with Octobers. It is kind of like the grand finale of nature’s production.

Whatever season of the soul or nature that you are in, take a moment to reflect. Your paradise is closer than you think. Breathe in the beautiful fragrance of God’s love, meditate, relax. There are quiet streams, green pastures and an abundance of all that is good.