Month: March 2021

The Great King

Jesus rode into Jerusalem to shouts of Hosanna. The triumphant return of the King. If this was a story written by human hands this is where the story would end. The return of the king and goodness to the land.

But this is not where the story of Jesus ends. The great king is killed. Taken down by evil and plotting forces. The great hope for humanity is squelched by evil. All hope is lost.

Until… he returns. This time not only conquering evil but death itself.

Only a great and worthy king could do this. No human could. He lives on. His story lives on. It never ends, replaying every day in the lives of all who follow him.

Hosanna – YouTube

Making bread

The water, measured, temperature checked. Just right.

Sugar, brown today, measured, stirred into water. A pool of brown liquid.

Yeast, measured, magic little life beans, added to water and sugar.

Wait. Wait.

The grains, soaked and ready. Add the yeast mixture, puffy and frothy.

Mix.

Add flour.

I’m blessed to have flour in a bag. I don’t have to grind it or work for it.

Add salt.

It makes everything better. Everything!

Kneed. Work. Push. Set aside lump.

Wait. Wait.

Work dough. Set up in loaf pans.

Wait. Wait.

Cook.

These simple ingredients transformed into life giving food.

John 6: 35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life.
Whoever comes to me will never go hungry,
and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

Power of story

I have been thinking of the “Easter” story and how it has affected my life. I’m not sure I have organized my thoughts yet. I’m not sure it’s possible to organize my thoughts about something so enormous.

This one moment in history changed everything; this moment of Christ on the cross. But not in the way that human events change history! For example a world leader makes this choice and now it sets off a chain reaction and events unfold. These are the world changing events of which history is full.

But… Jesus on the cross is different. It changed the trajectory of the world – yes. It changed how events unfolded and the course of our societies – yes again. But it also changes the direction and course of my life now, of the lives of everyone who interacts with him. His act of sacrifice was not a world changing event, it’s a continuous and on-going world changing event.

God and his work are alive in our world. Seeing his hand and his presence in our own story should be the quest of all who seek him.

I listened to this video this morning and found it incredibly moving.

Andrew Peterson: He Gave Us Stories – YouTube

Seeking a path forward

I’ve had a lot of adjusting to do lately. The night my husband had a stroke everything changed. Our financial situation changed, the dynamic in our family changed, and even my husband’s personality changed.

We joke about it because you may as well laugh when you can. I tell him I feel like I’m living in a bad soap opera and I woke up married to his evil twin. He insists that he’s new and improved! Either way it’s an adjustment.

Every day has been uncertain. A year and a half of putting one foot in front of the other and unable to see where we are going. This has been a struggle. We are doing our best to adapt, but it isn’t easy to say the least.

When I was a child we hiked a lot as a family. There is a particular feeling that comes when you’ve been walking through the bush, only able to see a short way in front and keeping your eye focused on the path and suddenly the trees thin out and you find yourself in an open space. An alpine meadow with vistas that take your breath away. One moment you can only see the tangles of trees and shrubs, the next you are awestruck by the broadness and majesty of the view.

This is where my hope lies. I hope that if I just keep walking at some point the brush will thin out and I’ll have a view that takes my breath away. The reality is this may not come in this life, but whether God reveals his hand to me now or later this is my hope.

The path can be so convoluted and hard to find. Good thing Jesus told us what to do. We don’t need to find the path or our way forward. We need to focus on him. The rest is just noise. I need to keep my eyes fixed on Him and pursue Him.

Matthew 6: 31-33 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

The Lord’s Prayer

“The greatest of all prayers was designed with still another purpose in view, quite as important as either of the others. Jesus foresaw that, as centuries went by, his simple, primitive teaching would gradually become overlain by all sorts of external things which really have nothing whatever to do with it. He foresaw that men who had never known him, relying, quite sincerely, no doubt, upon their own limited intellects, would build up theologies and doctrinal systems, obscuring the direct simplicity of the spiritual message, and actually erecting a wall between God and man. He designed his Prayer in such a way that it would pass safely through those ages without being tampered with. He arranged it with consummate skill, so that it could not be twisted or distorted, or adapted to any man-made system; so that, in fact, it would carry the whole Christ Message within him and yet not have anything on the surface to attract the attention of the restless, managing type of person. So it has turned out that, through all the changes and chances of Christian history, this Prayer has come through to us uncorrupted and unspoiled.”

The Sermon on the Mount (The Lord’s Prayer), by Emmet Fox

I spent years of my life working in the Communication industry. My experience ranged from local newspapers, corporate communications companies, to advertising companies. I saw a wide spectrum of types of communication.

Almost by coincidence I fell into understanding how great of a communicator Christ was. There were several young women who used to come to me for advice. Whatever the issue I was often struck by how applicable the teachings of Christ were. I would often recount stories or parables to them as an explanation of how to see and deal with their problems. They of course thought I was brilliant. I was awe struck with Jesus.

These ideas are not new to me, I came to them through a lens of working in this field. Jesus is by far the best communicator the world has ever seen. But this shouldn’t surprise us, as John calls him at the beginning of his Gospel, the ‘Word.’ We think, create and process with language. This use of language and words is a profoundly human experience.

Jesus’ whole time on earth is a living breathing example that we can look to and follow. He in every way communicated God to humanity. Not only his teaching and preaching, but his very being. He didn’t use words, he was the Word.

As Fox suggests, man can muddle and confuse doctrine. Yet the message from Jesus is simple. Further on in his writing Fox explains how this prayer can be used not as a mantra to parrot over and over, but as a way to see one’s life. The prayer offers daily guidance on how we can live for and serve God. A reforming of our souls.

Matthew 6: 9-13
“This, then, is how you should pray:
‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’”

Fear of a bad outcome

My son had an issue in Junior High with another boy. He had known this boy since kindergarten, and they had been on again off again friends. The other boy left the school for a couple years and then came back. My son invited him into his friend group and before he knew what was happening this other boy was picking on him. Subtly, but acting in an aggressive and dismissive way.

Through school events and play dates etc., I knew this family, knew this boy’s parents. I didn’t see the situation as strange or mystifying. This young man was feeling awkward and desired the position of well-liked kid that my son occupied. It seemed to me that he was trying to replace my son by pushing him out.

I was walking to school with my son one morning, and he expressed his concern with the escalating bullying. I asked what he feared. He said being hit. I acknowledged this fear and then I explained what I saw as the psychology of the situation. I told him that I didn’t think this boy would hit him. He was acting out of jealousy and therefore needed to be subtle in his behaviour. If he hit my son all those other kids he wanted to be friends with would be angry with him, and he would suffer the social consequences of this act. I also then added, that he would only do it once, cause I know his parents and I’m not afraid of them (my inner mamma bear leaked out).

I suggested that he firmly tell him to back off.

Later he told me that he did what I suggested and that the other boy did indeed back off.

How much of what we do or, even more importantly, don’t do, is based on a feared outcome?

We fear one outcome while sometimes not even being aware of another far worse outcome. I wanted my son to understand that it would be worse for him to continue to be angry and upset at being bullied than it would being hit once. Of course, I wouldn’t have suggested this in another situation where it could have been dangerous. But I knew this family and I felt confident of being able to resolve a solution with the parents if need be.

This story came to my mind when I read this verse last week. We fear men and the powerful and what they can do to us. How often do we fear the creator?

Matthew 10: 28 “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

The great banquet

The old man shuffled his way along the sidewalk. It was now dark and his vision was failing, so he moved slowly and deliberately, afraid of falling. He had gone to sit in the park by the ocean as he did most days. He would feed the sea gulls and watch the waves roll in, and he would think of his wife. They used to walk together on the beach.

The old man stayed longer than usual as the sunset was worth the delay. He watched until the sun was tucked behind the ocean and the glory of its rays had succumbed to the blackness of the night. But this made the return journey to his small apartment rather treacherous.

His route took him past some of the grand old mansions built in the time of the shipping magnets. A tall wall surrounds the largest of these old homes. As he approached he heard clanging of dishes and the bustle of activity. Light streamed from the house as though every room was lit up. A smartly dressed servant was walking up and down the street, carrying a little lantern.

“Someone is having a great party,” mused the old man.

He stopped and smiled and wondered what these folks were celebrating.

He turned back to resume his walk and saw the servant coming to meet him. “What does this fellow want?” he asked himself.

“Sir,” said the servant with an elaborate bow, “My master is having a great banquet, he would like for you to come join him.”

“I don’t even know your master, why would he want me to come?” the old man asked.

“My master has prepared a great feast, and he wants you.” said the servant.

“Does he not have enough invited guests?” the old man asked.

“He did, but they did not arrive, they all cancelled at the last minute.” The servant waved toward the driveway where several white vans were parked as workers unloaded food and supplies. “But the party must go on. My master asked me to welcome you and bring you in.”

The old man stood motionless. He thought about his small, dark, lonely apartment and then looked at the brightly lit home before him.

“I guess I’d be happy to oblige your master,” said the old man.

The servant nodded and then motioned as he led him to the front entrance of the great hall.

As the door opened they were not greeted by another servant but by the master of the house.

The master smiled approvingly at the servant and then extended his hand to his guest. “Welcome to my banquet, Walter, I’m so glad you could join me.” He shook the old man’s hand.

The old man stared and then asked, “How do you know my name?”

The master took Walter by the arm and led him to a seat at the elaborately decorated table. “I see you walk to the sea and back every day. Do you think no one can see you? I have watched you for years. You used to go with Susan, your wife, but for many years now you have made the journey on your own.”

The old man sat down in stunned silence.

The master leaned over and said, “Walter, eat and enjoy the banquet I have prepared.” The master patted him on the back and then returned to the door to welcome any new guests. The old man sat motionless as a tear ran down his cheek.

Luke 14: 16-24 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet
and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant
to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’
“But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought
a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ “Another said, ‘I have just
bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’
“Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’
“The servant came back and reported this to his master.
Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant,
‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring
in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’
“‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’
“Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those who were
invited will get a taste of my banquet.'”

Consider the sparrows

I love to watch shows about disasters. One series I recently watched dealt with plane disasters. Grim subject I know, but my interest is in the investigation after. It fascinates me to watch the team as they try to find the problem that caused the accident.

One episode dealt with a plane that burst into flames after landing. They discovered a piece of the wing had dislodged and punctured a gas tank (don’t question my technical knowledge here – cause I know nothing about planes and how they are built). At the end of a long and convoluted investigation they found that a bolt was missing a tiny washer. This washer kept the bolt, which had been designed too small, from falling through and allowing the piece to dislodge.

One seemingly insignificant washer caused an airplane to burst into flames and claim the lives of those who were unable to get off in time.

Sometimes I feel insignificant. I feel as though my voice is a drop in the ocean. I’ve done nothing of interest, nothing of value. This is the way I measure myself when I’m indulging in self-pity.

But maybe I’m that tiny washer. Maybe I can’t see the bigger picture and the part I play. I just need to trust God and trust his plan and believe that he understands and knows what I can’t see. It is enough for me to do my little part and accept that a designer and creator is managing the whole show.

Maybe you are a washer too?

Luke 12: 6-7 “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of
them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

An example of faith

Daniel has been one of my favourite books of the Bible for years. It has all the elements of the great Bible stories, but even more so. For example, Joseph gets framed and falsely accused, and ends up wasting away in jail. But in the book of Daniel jealous elements of the court conspire to frame Daniel, and he gets thrown in a den of lions. No sissy prison for these rulers. Daniel’s friends get thrown in a fiery furnace! These guys ain’t messing around.

To a kid who loved the action of the Old Testament, Daniel is a great book. It combined visual descriptions of dreams and stories with extreme events. As a child this was pure gold!

As an adult, I love the story of the hand writing on the wall. It again is such a visual story. But now I not only react to the imagery but the also to the impact of its meaning. Belshazzar is hosting a banquet and in an act of arrogance he demands to have the spoils from their Jewish conquest, the temple goblets, brought to him. They drink from these and praise their own gods and goddess. It is an act of supremacy over the Jewish people and their God. A hand then appears out of nowhere and writes on the wall. He calls for his wise men to come interpret the writing. They all fail so Daniel is brought in to decipher the meaning.

Daniel 5: 25-30 “This is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN “Here is what these words mean:
Mene: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.
Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.
Peres: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”

Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was clothed in purple, a gold chain
was placed around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in
the kingdom. That very night Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians, was slain,
and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom, at the age of sixty-two.

The idea I like most is the idea of an external judgement. The visual representation of a truth that is separate and beyond the powerful. The reality that the ruler by which we are measured is not held by men, or by the authorities of the day.

The events of our world lately have many people on edge. It can be easy to feel helpless and small in the currents of world affairs. And yet, the scriptures offer a different view. We like Daniel can cling to what we believe to be true. We can hold the line as individuals. This may come with hardship and suffering, but we are fighting for the stronger side. We do not need to feel like victims. We serve the All Mighty.

Kings came and went, but Daniel remained faithful. He served God.

Meeting God

Matthew 3: 16 – 17 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water.
At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending
like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said,
“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Sometimes I sit and imagine what God will say to me when I get to heaven. Will I be greeted the way I deserve? Will every transgression be tossed at my feet? Will I have to answer for every sin? This is a terrifying thought.

But this isn’t how I imagine this happening. Why?

Not because I deserve better. Not because I have earned my place. But because Jesus died for me.

When I was baptised into Jesus, I accepted the sacrifice He made for me. I completed my part of the contract of grace. I take on Jesus as a garment. He clothes me. My acceptance of Jesus and the indwelling of his spirit now change me.

When I meet God I expect to hear, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” God will welcome me, recognizing his Son not me and my sinful nature. Jesus the perfect sacrifice will usher me into the halls of the Great I Am.

I would never be in the presence of God because of my own virtue or value. Thankfully, Jesus offers me His hand. He reaches for me and welcomes me. He guides me to the King. It is as a guest of the Christ that I can approach the God of the universe.

I no longer need to try to be more than I am. I don’t need to let my sins demoralize me. I just need to take the hand offered by Jesus and continue with him. I am blessed to be with the One in whom God is well pleased!