Author: Roberta

I’m a Freelance Copywriter working in beautiful Calgary, Alberta.

Be first

I was listening to a therapist discuss his new book earlier today. He talked about our need to reclaim community among other things. He discussed his concept of radical generosity, deciding to give more than you receive. And then he said the key to building community was to “be first.” Invite the neighbor over first. Start a conversation with that kid in your class first. Just jump in and be first.

I​ loved hearing this. In a way it’s a retelling of the golden rule. If we approach others as we would like to be approached, then we are quick to see their need and not our own. We have less pride and are willing to put ourselves forward. Not everyone will respond the way we’d like and not all plans will work out. But still be first.

I​ remember my grandma counseling a young woman who came to her with a burden of loneliness and despair. She told her to reach out to others, to find people to serve. There was a profoundness in this advice that I didn’t realize at the time. If we want to cure our own heart, we do it best by looking after others.

S​o today I am determined to ‘be first.’

L​uke 6: 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

The sweetness of memory

I am sometimes overwhelmed by the cares of the world. We live in dark days. The last thing I need to do when my own struggles are great is to add the world’s issues to the pile.

Old hymns, from my childhood, come to mind. One particular hymn is rolling around in my head today. I found this lovely version of it and thought I’d share.

What I truly wish I could share is the version that plays in my mind. The song sung by a congregation on a Sunday morning. My grandma humming softly and nodding. Her beautiful clear blue eyes looking down as she smiles with assurance of a person who has walked with God through her life. Just the other side of her is the voice of my grandpa, booming out the baseline; more oompaapaa than opera. But his voice has the strong confidence of singing what he believes.

This is the most beautiful version of this song. My heart warms as I play it over in my mind. Not only are the words a comfort, but so is the connection with a faith that goes back years into my history. The memory of these two people who changed my life and gave me a gift I can never repay. I count their memory among my greatest joys.

So today, let this song play in your mind. I am sure that you also have rich memories. Let these thoughts speak peace and joy into your life. Together we can remember that God is greater than all the trouble in the world.

Hope in the darkness

I​t can be surprising that in places that seem the most oppressive, with the worst governments, Christianity grows. Some modern examples are China and Iran.

I​t would be natural to assume that Christianity grows the best in free and open societies, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Throughout history Christianity has grown in the darkness created by men.

W​hen all else fails Christ can give hope to the hopeless. He offers abundance and life to those with nothing. Like a small slit of light, Christ shows what is possible beyond the veil. He is the Light.

John 12: 46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes
in me should stay in darkness.

(​It is ‘bring your kid to work’ day, so Mari helped me write this.)

The answer

There is just one answer to all of the problems in life. It doesn’t make the problems go away. It doesn’t make the struggle easier. It doesn’t even explain the big why question. It does however give us purpose and hope.

We can have confidence in this answer. We can trust it fully. The gospel is the answer.

Romans 1: 16-17  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

Self-control

Life is overwhelming and fear creeps in and like a slow dripping leak, it begins to do damage to the stability of our thoughts. “Trust and have faith” we say. While I believe we need to do that, what does it look like? How can we protect our minds against fear?

T​he answer is unpopular. We live in a ‘let it all out’ society. Self-expression and being our authentic self are touted as the path to happiness. But what if, what if a bit of restraint and self-discipline is the answer? What if getting control of the messages that fear whispers into our minds, and replacing them with the words of God is a better way?

In order to replace the messages of the world, chaos and disarray with God’s thoughts, we need to know what He has said. We need to spend time in His word. We need to let Him speak into our lives. We have to have the self-awareness to know when our mind is getting off track and when we are letting the vagaries of the world infect our thinking.

The key to this is self-discipline. Self-discipline is also a gift from the Spirit.

2 Timothy 1:7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

Who can we trust?

I don’t remember a time, in my half century of life, with more chaos and confusion. It is hard to know what to believe or who to trust. It can feel like I am struggling to find footing.

If I focus closer to home, I feel less dizzy. The world may be crazy, but I am constantly amazed by the maturity of my children. I’m thankful for my husband and his consistent positive attitude. We have food and we have shelter. God is providing for us.

Several years ago, I was talking with a friend who was distressed that we are watching the implosion of the Western world. She was particularly concerned that like Rome, and other empires before, the American empire seems to be crumbling.

It was during this discussion that I realized that even though the Roman empire fell, Rome and Italy still exist. The people carried on and life moved forward. While the affairs of the powerful ebb and flow the life of the average person continues on.

It helps us carry on and find hope if we remember that we are part of a great Kingdom, greater than any earthly empire. The God we worship does not change or evolve or disappear – we can count on Him. In a world of whirling deceit, He is the truth.

We can hold on to the unchanging God and his son. His son who died for us.

Hebrews 13: 8  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

It’s a dog’s life

I like having my dog around. I love having him come snuggle up for cuddles. Or even follow me around harassing me to take him for a walk. But the best thing is that he is a reminder of what it is to live in the moment.

How much of my life is spent worrying about problems over which I have no control? Or fretting about what might or might not happen tomorrow?

I can get so obsessed with worry that I forget to sit in the sun and enjoy its rays. Or I fail to greet the people I love with an enthusiasm that shows how much I value them. Or I forget to take time to snuggle up with loved ones and pet their bellies. Wait! No – not that one. But maybe I could hug my loved ones more often.

I could learn to be more trusting, like my dog. He doesn’t wonder or worry where his food comes from, he knows his master will provide.

A dog lives now. Not tomorrow, not in the past. Now.

1 Peter 5: 6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

By our fruit

I planted an apple tree in my front yard a few years ago. Last summer I was thrilled to get the first apple. This year nothing. It is still little so I’m assuming in time it will bear fruit. This summer there was no way to identify it as an apple tree (for non-tree experts).

The crab apple in the back yard has blossoms that look similar to any cherry blossom. And yet, it produces little tart apples. The fruit is what defines the tree.

My youngest daughter told me about a conversation she and some group members had during a class discussion. I listened as she explained everyone’s positions, what she said and on. But near the end she said something that made me sit up and take notice. After class one member of the group came up to her and asked, “Are you a Christian?” Mari said that she is. God has a way of reminding us of our greatest blessings!

Matthew 12: 33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

How to do it

I am a practical person. Whenever I seek advice or help, I always ask, ‘What does that look like?’ or ‘How exactly do I do that?’

In life I have been asked, on more than one occasion, to step out in faith and trust that God will look after my future. Sometimes the path forward has been clearer than others.

Recently we have been in a situation where we took a big step off the cliff and believed that God will answer our prayers. At this point it looks like He has a different answer in mind. It can make me feel like he isn’t willing to catch us this time. That he isn’t answering our prayers.

Regardless of my feelings about it I know he is sovereign. How do I maintain my faith and belief in God’s goodness when things seem to be going off the rails. I don’t mean what encouragement do I gather, or how do I intellectually process it, but rather how do I do it?

It came to me late last night. God gave us an example of what to do. He provided a model.

Matthew 26: 36-39 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 

Shameless advertising

A group of readers of this blog have been joining me for a bible study. It is a digital deal with people from various locations. Last year we jumped around and just looked at different passages, with the underlying theme of courage.

This year we are studying Romans.

If you are interested in joining it isn’t too late yet. You can email me at roberta.davis@silverword.ca for more information.