Resting for Renewal

And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” 
Mark 6:31

The last couple of weeks have been simply wonderful. Kathy and I enjoyed a time away from work and official ministry responsibilities. 

It was not a vacation, but as is now the popular term, a “staycation”. We had the joy of just “staying put” and relaxing in our new home. And yes, even amongst all the new home chores, it was very restful.

All too often when we hear the term “rest” we immediately think about sleeping in for a few days in a row, or doing some fun things with the family.  Many of us could certainly use that kind of rest and relaxed connection time with our loved ones. 

However, on this time off from my usual weekly routine, I was able to enjoy more than just physical rest, summertime fun, and family get-togethers.

I was able to use the change of pace to really slow down and connect with the Lord and renew my confidence and trust in Him as the Leader and Guide for my life.  I came to realize with certainty that I need to be more intentional about setting aside regularly scheduled times throughout the year (not just at “staycation” times) to “come away … and rest awhile.”  These times renew my trust, confidence, and spiritual strength in the Lord. 

May all of you have/take/make this opportunity a reality at some time this summer. I like what F.B. Meyer said about rest: “The place where we lie down to rest is under the shadow of the Cross.”

What are your strategies for spiritual rest this summer? I’d love to hear from you.

Every Blessing,

Alan

Discontentment temptation

Half full or half empty?

One of my roles in life is that of a preacher. One of the problems with preaching is that the preacher must preach to him/herself first...even if the topic is difficult! As those who attend my church know, I was assigned the topic of contentment. The problem is it's just a little absurd to preach on contentment in a society where most of our dogs live better lives than many of the world's human beings! So I had to do some soul searching. Why do I sometimes feel discontent?

Undoubtedly, some of my moments of discontent have to do with wrongful comparisons, inflexibility on my part, and maybe having too much stuff so that rather than owning my stuff my stuff now owns me!

But then I had reason to read of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1-7). In the context of the perfect Garden of Eden they saw (more accurately; were shown) something they didn't have that "was good for food and pleasing to the eye and also desireable for gaining wisdom" (Gen 3:6, NIV)...and they fell into the discontentment trap! Yes, I know there was more going on in Genesis 3 but their sense of lack was present even in the most perfect environment ever known to humankind.

I also had reason to read of the temptation of none other than Jesus! In Matthew 4, the devil tries to tempt Jesus with discontentment; with natural desire ("tell these stones to become bread"), and with self-preservation ("throw yourself down. He will command his angels...they will lift you up"), and with personal pride ("all this I will give you if you will bow down and worship me").

If Adam, Eve and Jesus--the only sinless human beings to every grace this earth--were tempted, it's simplistic and arrogant to think I won't be tempted with discontentment.

This doesn't solve my problem but it does give me some comfort that I'm not the only one tempted with discontentment. I guess I'd better prepare that sermon on contentment. Listen to it on-line and see how I do!

Clothing and Evangelism?

Golf Anyone?

I was walking my dog Seamus the other day and a man stopped me to ask for directions to a downtown golf driving range.  I noticed that there were a number of people that he passed by that he could have stopped to ask before he got to me but he didn't.  After thinking about it for a bit I figured out why he chose me in particular.  I think that he assumed I was a golfer...I was wearing plaid shorts and a 'poor boy' hat at the time.  

What I was wearing created an opportunity for conversation with a complete stranger.  

This brief interaction reminded me of something the Apostle Paul wrote in Colossians 3:12-14.

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Our clothing communicates something about who we are in a physical and spiritual sense.  When we clothe ourselves with these virtues mentioned by the Apostle Paul we are saying that we are God's chosen people.  

No doubt that by asking the Holy Spirit to empower us to dress this way each day conversation opportunities with others are are bound to happen.  People whom God is calling to Himself will recognize you as someone they can approach to ask for directions.

Can you relate?  Have this ever happened to you?   

Pastor Gary

A path to the unexpected grace of God

Exodus 33:13

Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people."  (NKJV)

In Exodus 33, Moses was at Mount Sinai once again but with a renewed sense of the need for the presence and knowledge of God. But what I find interesting is the order of his request: (1) grace from God, (2) to know God’s way, (3) to know God himself, (4) to receive even more grace.  Maybe there’s a pattern to follow in this verse! Recognizing that God has been gracious, leads us to know and obey his ways, which in turn results in personal knowledge of HIM, which results in even more of God’s beneficence (“grace”). It reminds me that every time I want to experience more of God’s goodness, maybe I should be working on my obedience and knowledge of him first. Then I can expect the unexpected grace of God!  

What do you think?

Stop Watching...Start Doing

Do you ever feel like a video camera operator? Let me rephrase that: do you ever feel like you're doing the job of a camera operator, just without the camera and film?

With the help of a few minutes here and there spent watching "reality" TV shows, I've realized that I am often doing the same thing as the video camera operators.  Camera guys and girls who seek to creatively film the complete chaos and dysfunction of the families and people do just that.  They film.  They don’t help the people, they don’t offer advice or guidance to the families, they don’t do anything other than record and report back to the editors, producers, etc.

I regularly do the same thing.  The only difference is that I don’t use film.  I walk down the streets of Toronto and watch the interaction between people asking for change and those who ignorantly walk by.  I see mothers preparing to carry their babies and strollers up and down the stairs at the subway.  I hear about questionable choices my friends are making.  The list doesn’t end there, by my example does. 

My point is that I watch these things happen and like the camera operators, and I don’t do anything about it.  I simply let it happen and then later tell others about what I saw.  Changes need to be made!  We need to actively engage in these everyday occurrences and not just let them pass us by.

Usually I would ask: So what are you going to do about it this week?  This time I’m not.  I’m simply urging you to pay attention to these things and to do something about them.  You know that there are needs to be met.  Meet them.

Love your neighbours.  Read Luke 10: 25-38 for some how-to instructions.

Much Love,

Dave

Loving Worship!

Reflecting on God’s work in my life—both past and present-- causes me to break out in worship of Him.  As well as personal worship, I truly enjoyed this past weekend worshiping the Lord with my church family. 

During the service it was such a joy to be able to be free to fully engage in my own personal moments of praise and worship with my Heavenly Father.

It also encourages and inspires me to observe my Christian brothers and sisters offering up songs, prayers and open hearts to the Lord.

Yes, I love worshipping God; I love watching others worship God; and I love preparing a new generation in their worship of our awesome God.

Yet, more importantly, how much greater is God’s joy in us as He alone rightfully receives our humble offerings of praise and worship.

How do you worship God when you’re on your own? How do you prepare to worship God with the rest of the church family? I’d love to know.

Every Blessing,

Alan

"Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD: 19 that he looked down from his holy height; from heaven the LORD looked at the earth, 20 to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die, 21 that they may declare in Zion the name of the LORD, and in Jerusalem his praise, 22 when peoples gather together, and kingdoms, to worship the LORD."

Psalm 102:18-22

Affluent Temptations

Some Bible passages just seem to stick with you! Whether it reminds you of a special time in your life or important lesson in life, certain verses just become favourites. Proverbs 30-7-9 is one of mine:

"Two things I ask of you, O Lord; 

do not refuse me before I die: 

Keep falsehood and lies far from me; 
give me neither poverty nor riches, 
but give me only my daily bread. 
Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?'
Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God."

I love the honesty of Agur (the author). He was so in-touch with himself that he knew how he might react given the situations he imagines. And he was so in-touch with God that he could be blunt and expecting in his prayer.

But beyond the lesson of personal honesty is a lesson of temptation...the temptation of greed! As I read these words again I couldn't help but think that many of my temptations come because I have too much not too little. Through these verses I am reminded that, compared to most of the world, I have too much and am in danger of saying "Who is the Lord?"

By God's grace, may it never be!