Life is... (September 2022)
How would you finish the sentence? Life is _______________ .
Some might say, “Life is great!” Others, though, would respond, “Life is hard.”
Various other answers might be:
Life is complicated. Life is confusing.
Particularly as we round yet another curve and approach the fall after the challenges of a third summer
influenced in various ways by the many waves of the pandemic, there are different ways to describe
“life” and how we are experiencing it.
The Bible is God’s word to human beings — both to us as individuals and as a community.
David in Psalm 39 says, “Each one’s life is but a breath.” — and the word “Selah” immediately
afterwards invites us to ponder that. (Psalm 39:5)
Job, in the midst of great and grievous trials, in talking to God says the same: “Remember, O God, that
my life is but a breath” and goes on to lament that “my eyes will never see happiness again.” (Job 7:7)
David in Psalm 31 seems to have been in the same place: “My life is consumed by anguish and my years
by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak.” (Psalm 31:10) — but
he is not stuck there. He goes on to assert, “But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times
are in your hands.” (Psalm 31:14-15)
How is it possible for one to be both despairing and hopeful? There is a clue in Paul’s testimony to the
Corinthians: “So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.” (2 Corinthians 4:12)
Recognizing that Jesus both died and rose to life again is the key to grasping and maintaining a healthy
perception on life. In addressing the Colossians, Paul puts it like this: “We always carry around in our
body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” (2 Corinthians 4:10)
When life is hard, and when our lives entail suffering, it is essential that we know and lean on the reality
that Jesus lived among us as one of us, for us. He identifies with us in the different hardships of life — in
hunger, thirst, homelessness, loneliness, desertion, betrayal, travel, work, and weariness. To place our
faith in Jesus is to affirm that He both lived and died for us.
Jesus died to fulfill God’s purpose to take upon himself the consequences of all our human failings and
shortcomings — and then with God’s blessing and through His power was raised to life again. His
resurrection is the basis for sharing new life both now and eternally with all whose lives are connected to
Jesus in faith. Paul says to the Colossians and to us: “For you died, and your life is now hidden with
Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:3). To believe in the resurrection of Jesus is to affirm not only that Jesus
rose to life, but that we live in Him.
John, the apostle whom we are told Jesus loved, wrote in his first letter: “And this is the testimony: God
has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” (1 John 5:11)
Jesus said, “Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.” (Luke 12:23)
The psalmist tells us that “the ransom for a life is costly” (Psalm 49: 8); our lives cost Jesus His own.
The wise author of Proverbs says of wisdom, “Life is in her right hand.” (Proverbs 3:16), and we are
invited to embrace Christ who is both the “power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24).
Paul tells us that Jesus “was raised to life for our justification” (Romans 4:25) and “is at the right hand
of God and is also interceding for us.” (Romans 8:34)
As we try to complete the sentence, “Life is …. “ let us find and affirm life is in God’s Son, Jesus, and
as we live our lives rooted and centred in Jesus, aim to point others to Jesus by our example — even
and especially as life is for each and all of us by times all of these: complicated, confused, hard, and
great.
Your pastor, thankful to have found and to continue to find life in Jesus,
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In memoriam and in gratitude - Queen Elizabeth II (October 2022)
One of the blessings in being able to join in following the livestream of the funeral service for the late
Queen Elizabeth II was to hear and to sing the hymn, “The day Thou gavest, Lord, is ended”, the text
of which was written by John Ellerton. It has long been a favourite hymn for evening worship, but to
sing it at six o’clock in the morning was a first for me!
The day Thou gavest, Lord, is ended,
The darkness falls at Thy behest;
To Thee our morning hymns ascended,
Thy praise shall sanctify our rest.
We thank Thee that Thy church unsleeping,
While earth rolls onward into light,
Through all the world her watch is keeping,
And rests not now by day or night.
As o’er each continent and island
The dawn leads on another day,
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The voice of prayer is never silent,
Nor dies the strain of praise away.
The sun that bids us rest is waking
Our brethren ’neath the western sky,
And hour by hour fresh lips are making
Thy wondrous doings heard on high.
So be it, Lord; Thy throne shall never,
Like earth’s proud empires, pass away;
Thy kingdom stands, and grows for ever,
Till all Thy creatures own thy sway.
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Though an evening hymn, as Peter Bush pointed out in a timely Facebook post, it is a remarkably fresh
and inspired thought to consider the hymn as a funeral hymn.
I have always been struck by the powerful phrase “life’s little day”, which is found in the second verse of
another hymn, “Abide with me”, by Henry Francis Lute:
“Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day; Earth's joys grow dim, its glories away: Change and decay in
all around I see; O thou, who changest not, abide with me!”
To ponder life as a little or short “day”, and to realize how swiftly evening comes, is essential to taking the
true measure of life.
The apostle James sets a sober challenge before us: “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a
little while and then vanishes.” (James 4:14, NIV)
To be constantly obsessed with death is unhealthy, and to think about death every evening could be
challenged as being morbid and unnatural. In the context, however, of the natural death of the Queen at the
age of 96 years, after so long and full a life, including 70 years and more working and serving as the
reigning Sovereign of the Commonwealth, it is a vibrant, healthy, and energizing thought to consider her
life as simply “a day that has just gone by”.
Let us assume for a moment that she might have had some influence on the selection of the hymn to be
sung at her funeral, or at least let us grant that those closest to her or best positioned to offer spiritual
counsel to her family made the choice. Set in the context of a state funeral among a people governed by
a long line of kings and queens reaching back a thousand years, it is a testament to her faith and self-assessment
to consider that she could and would view her life as “a day” come to a close in “an evening”.
It was a life of privilege and power, but lived as a life of service, seeding faith — holding in trust
faithfully the responsibilities of leadership in the civil realm assigned by Christ Jesus the supreme King,
and gently and encouraging all to look to Jesus as the author and perfecter of that faith which is the gift of
God to all who believe.
We have sung on many occasions, “God save the Queen”. God has heard and generously answered the
prayers “long may she reign”. In both life, through her faithful devotion to duty and service, and in death,
through the quiet and consistent humble witness that grounds her great life and work of 96 years including
fully 70 as the reigning Queen as a day’s labour now finished in the evening, we are blessed to sing:
So be it, Lord; Thy throne shall never, Like earth’s proud empires, pass away;
Thy kingdom stands, and grows for ever, Till all Thy creatures own thy sway.
Your pastor, thankful for our late Queen — and subject and servant, of both our new earthly King Charles
III, and of Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords,
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Knowing our neighbours (November 2022)
How well do we know our neighbour?
At a recent meeting of the outreach strategy working group, we were challenged with
the question, "Who is my neighbour?"
Jesus posed a similar question before telling the story that we know as the Parable of
the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37). The answer to be concluded from the story is
that my neighbour is the one who is in need whoever that might be, when the life and life-need of such a
one intersects with my life.
Yet the question, "How well do I know my neighbour?" is also worth some attention. Not all "needs" are as obvious as those of one found bleeding, bruised, and bare of clothing lying on the road. To address the needs of our neighbours requires that we know what those needs are -- and to know those needs means we need, at least in part, to know our neighbours.
More than responding to "need", Christians are called to positively and intentionally bless and benefit our
neighbours. Paul writes in his letter to the Romans:
Each of us should please his neighbour for his good, to build him up. (Romans 15:2, NIV)
God's design for humanity is that we should live in community, together, and with the riches and blessings that God provides and bestows generously upon us. The author of the letter to the Hebrews is looking forward to the renewal of life under God's new covenant: "No longer will a man teach his neighbour, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord', because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest" (Hebrews 8: 11, NIV). He is in fact quoting, word for word, from the ancient prophet Jeremiah:
"No longer will a man teach his neighbour, or a man his brother, saying, "Know the Lord', because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest", declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 31: 34, NIV)
That time and age, though ushered in by the coming of Jesus into the world, has yet to be fully realized. In
a society that values the individual above the community, and amid what we continue to wish to be the
tailwinds of the recent pandemic, there are significant barriers to overcome to meet, let alone to know, our
neighbours.
What then can we do to hasten its realization?
We are called -- counterculturally in a world that addresses and feeds the self -- to direct our attention to
our neighbours.
With respect to our place of residence: Do we know the person or family or the household of people who
live next door, on either side, and across the way whether "the door" is down the street or across the
hall?
With respect to our place of work: Do we know the person at the next desk, or in the next cubicle, or office?
With respect to our place of learning: Do we know the one who sits beside, or in front, or behind, or
whose locker is "next door"?
With respect to our place of worship: Do we know the person at the end of the pew, or in the one in front
or behind where we are sitting?
Perhaps we start with sharing our name, and asking theirs. A word of greeting, and "I'm glad you are here!" is a good start. Each of us needs to be intentional about welcoming others. That may push us beyond our "comfort zone". Do we recognize and accept that "I am here" not first for me -- but for the other? Each of us is, in the providence of God, in a unique place to greet those around us, and to begin to build neighbourly bridges. The results may surprise us! God is honoured when we please our neighbours,
for their good. Those who bless others often find that they have been blessed in the doing, and so gain
rather than lose.
We are, in truth, called to community, and we build that community when we give attention and care to
our neighbour.
Your pastor, seeking to be a blessing to neighbour, and eager that neighbours bless each other,
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A Christmas List? (December 2022 - January 2023)
The mandate for celebrating Christmas can be drawn from these words in Luke's gospel:
"So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about
this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. The
shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were
just as they had been told." (Luke 2:16-18, 20, NIV)
Clearly, those who first were told (by the angels) about Jesus birth (the shepherds), had reason to
celebrate, and to share that celebration with others.
In our present-day culture, there are many things that have come to be part of Christmas celebrations
that have nothing to do with Jesus. People make lists of all sorts of things to get and to do in and for the
period leading up to Christmas. There are things on our Christmas lists unrelated to the real
celebration of Christ. We may wish to reduce the clutter on our lists by striking off a few, so as to have
time and energy to celebrate, enjoy, and honour the One who really matters.
In discerning what are legitimate parts of a Christ-centred celebration, here are some items for a list
headed: Christmas is _______ . For fun, all start with the letter C. For challenge, a few are
accompanied by questions for reflection.
1 - Christmas is Celebration - We celebrate Jesus life among us, and our life together with Him.
2 - Christmas is Constellation - A star in the sky stood over Bethlehem, pointing the way to Jesus.
Question: How can I point the way to Jesus for others?
3 - Christmas is Carols - The angels sang praises over Jesus birth, and gave us words to sing.
Question: What carol do I most want to sing?
4 - Christmas is Choir - We join the angels, shepherds, and the choir of the ages to sing Jesus praises.
5 - Christmas is Carnation - Carnation, carnification, or commonly incarnation all mean the same:
God Who is spirit has taken on flesh, and become one of us.
6 - Christmas is Conversion - When Christ is born in each of our hearts, each of us is re-born.
7 - Christmas is Conversation - When Christ lives in us, Christ speaks through us as we converse with
others.
8 - Christmas is Communication - God, in Jesus, is communicating good news to us: God loves us.
Question: What am I communicating to others about Jesus?
9 - Christmas is Community - Christians are individuals, and a community together with Christ and all
Christians.
10 - Christmas is Caring - Tangible expressions of love and care share the presence of Christ.
11 - Christmas is Charity - Freely given to us, we freely share Jesus with others through our gifts.
Question: Whom am I blessing with my gifts?
12 - Christmas is Cards - Words augmented by images help those who are visual to see and hear.
Question: Who needs a card to see and know of my care for them?
13 - Christmas is Candles - Jesus said, I am the light of the world. and You are the light of the world.
Question: How is my light shining for Jesus?
14 - Christmas is Coming - Jesus came once, and is coming again.
Question: Am I ready for Jesus to return, or to call me home to Him?
15 - Christmas is Christ - Christ is centre of all that matters. Centred in Christ, we will truly celebrate.
Question: Are my plans for Christmas centred in Christ?
"Making a list, and checking it twice" might have new meaning if we try this for the first half of
December, and check it again through the second half.
Your pastor, who often avoids lists, but is glad, humbly, to share this one,
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Foundation leads to... (February 2023)
Matthew 7:24-27 - "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is
like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds
blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But
everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who
built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that
house, and it fell with a great crash."(NIV)
A recent Sunday evening (January 29th) brought together a small group of young adults for an
interactive time of worship and study, centred upon the parable of the wise and foolish builders, told by
Jesus at the end of the Sermon on the Mount.
One of the key insights shared and discussed was that digging a foundation down to solid rock to ensure
stability for the structure to be built is much more difficult, in time, cost, and labour, than simply
building on the shifting surface of the ground. Two buildings, side by side, might go up, and look the
same, and the one built without the work of laying a firm foundation might well go up far more quickly
and be finished first -- only to be "finished" when it comes crashing down when tested by a rain and
wind storms. The slow and painstaking work of laying a deep foundation is necessary if the upper
structure is to be supported and enabled to stand the test and challenge of wind and rain.
Jesus' intention in using this illustration is to point to the necessity of building life on a sure foundation --
that foundation being Jesus Himself. He is the chief cornerstone laid by God in Zion (Isaiah 28:16),
for the building of Christ's church. The wise one, according to Jesus, is the one who "hears these words
of mine and puts them into practice", while the fool is the one who hears the words of Jesus but fails to put them into practice.
We noted that keeping in view the structure that is to rise on the foundation -- individual lives that
blossom with the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and the city of God, or the church, of "glorious things
are said of you" (Psalm 87:3) -- is essential while doing the hard work of putting into practice Jesus'
words and teachings. Dreaming of, or at least keeping in view, the home to be enjoyed with family and
friends, helps provide essential inspiration while one is digging the ground underneath the house that is
yet to rise. Indeed, the higher the structure, the deeper and greater needs be the foundation. If we desire
and hope for excellence, we need attend to the ordinary and the mundane. Similarly, we need keep in
view while we are doing the hard work of discipleship that God sees Jesus' disciples as "a chosen
people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God", as Peter reminds us. (1 Peter 2:9)
Of God s beloved church, the psalmist delights to say, "Of Zion it will be said, 'This one and that one
were born in her, and the Most High himself will establish her'." (Psalm 87:5)
February is a short month that often seems long. In Ottawa and environs -- where many of us reside --
cold days and colder nights, and piles of snow that we push or throw on to the top of existing piles, can
be a bit wearying. Many long for spring, and brighter days and lighter clothes.
Underneath all that snow, however, many seeds and plants lie dormant, holding the promise of new life --
flowers that will bloom in beauty and trees that will produce fresh fruit. Recognizing what will yet
grow from such seemingly small and insignificant things is key to our holding a healthy perspective on
the challenges and hardships of winter, from which spring will emerge.
The laying of a solid foundation often entails much monotonous digging and slogging, but if we keep in
mind what may yet emerge as a finished building on that foundation, we will be encouraged to slog or
dig on -- with purpose and care, and inspiration and hope. Let us each give heed to building our lives,
and together the life of Christ's Church.
Ephesians 2:19-22 - "You are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow-citizens with God s people and
members of God s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus
himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy
temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives
by his Spirit." (NIV)
Your pastor, seeking and striving to build on the foundation laid, which is Christ Jesus,
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Grace to give (March 2023)
In the past month, the world has witnessed the devastation and disruption caused by massive
earthquakes, affecting millions of people in Turkiye and Syria.
This past week, it was encouraging to hear from the family of one of the former adherents of our
congregation. Following his death last year, the familiy returned to Turkiye, and are safe, having been
living in a part of the country far from the earthquakes, but have recently travelled to the areas affected to
offer help to those most in need.
I am reminded — and challenged — by several passages of Scripture which stir us to reflection and
action — especially those of us who are well settled and comfortable, but also all who have received
grace from our gracious, giving God.
When writing to the church in Corinth to encourage them to fulfill their pledges, Paul cites as an example
the churches of Macedonia — also located in southeastern Europe, in relative terms not far north and
west of modern Turkiye:
2 Corinthians 8:1-4 “
We want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian
churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich
generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely
on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the
saints.” (NIV)
Clearly, the Spirit of God moved people — not people who were rich, but people who were poor — to
give generously. Not only to give, but to “plead” — or beg — to give — to share in the relief of others in
need. Grace received is grace to give. John says of Jesus, “From the fullness of his grace we have all
received one blessing after another.” (John 1:16)
Jesus not only said “Blessed are the poor in spirit” — “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew
5:4), but: “Looking at his disciples, he said: “‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of
God.’” (Luke 6:20)
Jesus, at the temple, observed “a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ‘I tell you the truth,’ he
said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their
wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.’” (Luke 21:24)
Clearly, the amount of the gift is far less important in God’s sight than the percentage of “what we
possess” with which we are willing to part.
Not just to individuals is this observation applied by Jesus. In the book of Revelation, “the Alpha and the
Omega” — the Lord God — says to John: “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the
words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions
and your poverty — yet you are rich.” (Revelation 2:89)
The church in Smyrna is commended. Though “poor” in the eyes of the world, and perhaps also in their
own eyes, the church in Smyrna is said by the Lord to be “rich”. All of us, whether “well off” or
“struggling to make ends meet”, would do well in these days of Lent to examine ourselves, remembering
that Jesus taught his disciples to pray, “Give us our daily bread”, echoing the wisdom of Proverbs: “Give
me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.” (Proverbs 30:8)
Jesus, the Lord God of glory incarnate, lived here on earth, travelling from place to place, often with no
fixed address, borrowing boats, lodging with friends, travelling light, and came at the last to possess only
a cross and to use, temporarily, a borrowed tomb.
How shall we live — and what shall we give?
Rich, maybe too rich, in the measure of the world, but thankful for grace, and praying to have grace to give,
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The Day (April 2023)
In watching recent news coverage and video footage of the devastating tornadoes in Mississippi, I was
struck by how in the dark of the night the whirlwind took whole neighbourhoods of houses and instantly
reduced them to scattered rubble. The morning light of the next day revealed the extent of the
destruction. Lives were lost, livelihoods taken away, and survivors left injured, bereft of loved ones, and
homeless. All this was brought to pass by the sudden blowing of the wind.
In Hebrew, the same word -- ruach -- is used to specify wind, breath, or spirit. The wind, or breath, or
spirit, of God blows where it wills, as Jesus tells us: "The wind blows wherever it pleases". (John 3:8)
Several of those interviewed in the aftermath of the storm acknowledged they had prayed in the name of
Jesus for God s mercy and help, and were alive to say so: shaken, but alive. I am reminded of the words
of the prophet Amos: "Seek the Lord and live". (Amos 5:6)
Sudden, cataclysmic change has come upon so many in such scattered places in recent days and months.
In some instances, it is of human origin: as the barrage of missiles signalling the onslaught of war in
Ukraine and the resulting displacement of millions of refugees, or the explosion of a chocolate factory in
the middle of a town in Pennsylvania signalling the loss of employment for hundreds of people. In other
situations, though, the origins are beyond immediate human control: the massive and violent earthquakes
in Syria and Turkiye, or the torrential flooding in Malawi. In all of these circumstances, we can be led to
wonder, "Does this signal that the day of the Lord near?"
In writing to the early church in Thessalonica, the apostle Paul says, "You know very well that the day of
the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety", destruction will
come on them suddenly". (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3, NIV)
Jesus anticipated his followers would face such circumstances, and provided Christian disciples counsel
and comfort: :When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen
first, but the end will not come right away. ...Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against
kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, and fearful events
and great signs from heaven". (Luke 21:9-11) He went on to say: "But before all this, they will lay hands
on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought
before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. This will result in your being witnesses to
them". (verses 12-13)
Disciples of Jesus in the first century of the life of the church were called to suffering, and in the midst of
such suffering were called to bear a faithful testimony to Jesus: some would die, others would live, and
more time would pass. In God's time -- "when the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled" (verse 24) -- at
that time -- "they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory". (verse 27)
Jesus return and "the day of the Lord" will come, as surely as Jesus birth, death, and resurrection are
well-attested, both foretold by prophets and fulfilled in history.
Paul again wrote to the Thessalonians: "Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being
gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled..." (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2)
Among his prophetic words, Amos said, "Therefore the prudent man keeps quiet in such times, for the
times are evil. Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just
as you say he is ... Woe to you who long for the day of the Lord! Why do you long for the day of the
Lord? That day will be darkness, not light. It will be as though a man fled from a lion only to meet a bear,
as though he entered his house and rested his hand on the wall only to have a snake bite him". (Amos
5:13-14, 18-19)
Let us give thanks for the dawning of the day -- this day -- another day to celebrate the resurrection of
Jesus Christ, who is the Light and brings us light, and let us not fear the darkness that is a sign of the
coming day of the Lord.
"Keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come". (Matthew 24:42)
Watchful, thankful, and trusting in Jesus, your pastor,
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A day in life of a pastor (May 2023)
(or Why a regular day off floating down the river in a canoe is a good thing!)
Some people wonder what a pastor does on "the other six days". After all, preaching a sermon and leading
a worship service for an hour is easy work, right?
Here is an recent example of a day an ordinary Wednesday remembered and recorded backwards
from 9:00PM to 9:00AM.
Attended, at 7:30PM, for an hour and a half, a meeting of the Policy and Planning Team, discussing such
things as how to plan for effective communication during disruptions of electrical power, the timetable for
efficient preparation of the annual budget, and facilitating co-operation among different groups using the
church building.
Entertained and encouraged participants during the dinner hour beginning at 5:30PM at our LOGOS midweek
children s programme.
Reviewed, by telephone, with the clerk of session, the draft agenda, and related matters, for the next session meeting.
Visited, at the request of the staff chaplain, at 4:00PM, a patient in the Queensway-Carleton Hospital who
had requested a pastoral visit from a presbyterian minister.
Participated, via Zoom conference, at 2:00PM in an hour-long meeting with three others to plan a pending
presbyterial visit to a neighbouring congregation.
Proofread, at 1:00PM, with the Administrative Assistant, the draft of the bulletin and the powerpoint slides
for the next Sunday morning worship service.
Sent, by e-mail, in batches during the day, a quarterly letter, to a hundred friends of CanHave, seeking to
raise financial support for AIDS orphans in Uganda for payment of their school fees.
Completed, around noon, with the Administrative Assistant, the draft bulletin for a memorial service
planned for later in the week for the parents of one of our members.
Learned, during the morning, from one of the members of the Pastoral Care Team, of the death of a former
adherent of the congregation, and called the family to express sympathy.
Booked, with the Events Co-ordinator, space for various meetings next month, and reviewed the monthly
bookings calendar.
Received, as clerk of the presbytery, and printed and arranged to deliver the last of the annual statistical
returns to the appropriate convener for review.
Followed up, via telephone, on an enquiry from a student, seeking information.
Arrived, at 9:00AM, to find and respond to several voicemail and e-mail messages arising from an e-mail
scam in which an impersonator, using a false e-mail address, was trying to deceive members of the
congregation into parting with money under the illusion of helping the pastor to surprise people ill
with cancer.
Oh, yes, and found time somewhere amid or after the day's activities to eat three meals, pick up and read
the mail, put gas in the car, take out the trash and recycling bins, and watch the 11:00PM evening news!
It was and is vital to begin the day, as usual, by reading a chapter of the Bible, and to pray for wisdom,
strength, and peace in all things to honour Christ Jesus.
By scheduled rotation, the reading for the day described above began and ended this way:
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the Lord's servant must not
quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must
gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,
and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive
to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:1, and 24-26, NIV)
Your pastor, thankful for grace, and praying for strength,
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Beavers at work (June 2023 - not published during July & August)
Proverbs 6:6 - “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!” (NIV)
God is “spirit” (Hebrew: roo’-akh). God uses the wind (roo’-akh) to communicate with us. God’s Spirit
often “speaks” through the “voice” of His creation.
Recently, this was forcefully pressed home to my attention during
a walk in a wilderness park. Although beavers are not mentioned
in the Bible — perhaps because they are not native to the middle
eastern lands in which Biblical revelation was first given — the
beaver offers a vivid illustration of the truth that the Spirit of God
is calling us to learn from the ant. Here is wisdom.
I have long known that beavers eat the bark of trees, and that they
also use the branches from those trees to make houses in which to
live — houses which come to sit both on top of and under the water. To protect their houses, and ensure
sufficient water, the beavers build dams to create water ponds to surround their homes.
The extent the beaver’s industry, however, recently caught my attention
during a walk on a trail that ran alongside a creek. Across the path, many
trees had fallen, and one needed carefully to climb over trees that had been
felled, or duck under those hanging across the path which were not yet lying
flat on the ground. None of these trees had been felled by axes or saws, or
by any human work, but had been felled by the teeth a busy beaver.
In the instance shown in the first photo below, all of the bark both on the branches and the trunk of a large tree had been chewed by a beaver, with its teeth marks clearly visible.
In the second photo, one sees the size of the base of the tree —
and there were several — which had been similarly chewed down for food and cut up for transport to the nearby site of the beaver’s house, which is seen in the third photo.
In Canada, we have always claimed the beaver as a national
symbol. A beaver appeared on the first postage stamp issued in
Canada, in 1851. The distinctive food offered in winter in our
nation’s capital today is a “beavertail”. Rather than regarding
the beaver as the source for fur for hats and thus as an industrial
commodity, we would do well to consider the beaver as a Godgiven
illustration of industry.
Proverbs 6, verses 7 and 8, goes on to say of the ant: “It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it
stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” Solomon goes on, in verse 9, to use the
illustration of the ant to rebuke the lazy: “How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get
up from your sleep?”
Put positively, God is calling us to a wise and industrious use of the time, talent, and resources which He
provides. The beaver, as much as the ant, illustrates this for us.
Jesus, at work healing among those to whom He was sent, said, “As long as it is day, we must do the
work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.” (John 9:4, NIV)
Beavers work largely at night; we are called to work by day. Do we have as much to show for a day’s
work as a beaver has for a night’s work?
As we give our attention to eating, sharpening our teeth, and sustaining our
bodies, and as we work to build and maintain our houses and protect our
homes, let us appreciate and value the connection between eating and
working so vividly illustrated by the beaver. Let us be inspired to work
efficiently and productively. Perhaps God by His Spirit is speaking in a
manner that we can hear.
Your pastor, continuing to learn from the ant — and the beaver,
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