Friday, December 12, 2008

Friday December 12, 2008

Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" Luke 1:45

One little boy’s definition of faith was “believing in something that isn’t true!” Often the adult idea of faith is simply a lever to hope for something that may never happen. Biblical faith is trusting in the truth when there may be no scientific evidence to prove it. This is the experience of millions who believe in the presence of God in daily life even when circumstances seem against its likelihood. In Mary’s case, the most unlikely promise of all history was that she would be the mother of the incarnate God. But it was her firm belief in God’s promise that brought the joy and blessing of God into her life.

One renowned Bible scholar told the story of his son going to the clinic for a vaccination shot. The boy was fearful of the shot and clung tightly to his father who was carrying him to the dreaded needle. His trust in his father to take him through was greater than the fear of the shot. This is a simple picture of the Christian who trusts implicitly in God especially though times of adversity—it is at these times when we cling tighter to God.

The snow is beginning to fall outside. We are warned of blizzard conditions tonight and tomorrow morning. What comfort a warm home, protected from the weather, is when facing the storm. It is a clear reminder that not all of life will be fair weather, and we may not be so easily protected from the storms that may assail us. Although there are social services that provide some relief, in the end we will not find the final solution around us, but only in the assurance of God’s presence with us in the storm.

Thursday December 11, 2008

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19.

The turn of events that first Christmas was certainly something to be pondered. Mary’s reaction reflects our response when things we do not fully understand circulate in our minds. We try to find an answer or at least a meaning in unexpected events that befall us. But it is more than a thought process; as Mary illustrated, it envelops our whole being: heart, mind and spirit. Do our emotions lead our thoughts, and if they do is it helpful? Are our attitudes and actions compromised by emotional reactions?

I have been greatly encouraged by the prayers and positive thoughts that many of you have sent me. There is no doubt that some fight disease while others seem resigned to it. There is some evidence that an energetic response to disease is reflected in activity of the “pacmen” whose work is to gobble up foreign bodies in the human system. Some exercise that gets the heartbeat and breathing revved up doesn’t hurt either. Yep, I climbed all those stairs again today!

Tomorrow’s weather forecast is for blizzard conditions for 24 hours or so. A chance to get caught up on the packing necessary for Monday’s flight to Montreal. Ann and I are thankful for this Christmas with our daughter and family in Montreal before continuing to England. We are thankful for every day he gives, whether in sickness or in health, us as we move into the latter years of our lives. Our relationship to God remains the same as our commitment to each other—for better or for worse! We will be there for each other as we know God, too, is with us all the way. What more encouragement do we need to maintain a positive outlook?

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Wednesday December 10, 2008

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about," Luke 2:15

Oops, Wednesday already and Tuesday’s blog not done! Well, I guess that’s the way it’s going to be for the next while. We leave for Montreal next Monday on the first leg to England for January and February. This week is crowded touching base with numerous people and ensuring everything is in order before we leave. Always something else to be done—including this blog! Then again, there’s not much to tell you about the reason for these blogs—the progress or otherwise of my prostate cancer. It’s pretty much on hold until late March after we return from England.

But the progress of the disease—very slow moving—can probably be slowed even more by a careful diet—remember the cottage cheese and flaxseed oil--and exercise. With regard to the former, it’s really not that bad, I find can eat it by the spoonful if necessary! But in regard to exercise, the shepherds had it over us. Wherever they were minding their sheep they had quite a hike into Bethlehem. No cars or bicycles and I doubt any of the sheep would be willing to play donkey! I really don’t have to hike anywhere, and it’s an added chore for the day to take time for walking, particularly in the Canadian winter.

But, of course, Ann as usual has an answer: walk in the university. Built into the side of a coulee, it not only has long corridors, it has many flights of stairs linking the various buildings—a good half-hour workout first thing in the morning. Well, I must say that it gets the blood flowing which should translate into fresh thinking and more interesting writing. You will be the judge of that! Hits on the blogsite show many of you interested in our ramblings, but be prepared for some gaps as we begin our travels.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Monday December 8, 2008

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests," Luke 2:13-14.

Ah, peace on earth: surely a pathetic wish by a naive few that refuse to accept the verdict of history: conflict and horror in Sudan and Congo, murderous attacks in Mumbai and ferocious rioting in Greece all combine with the record of mankind from his beginnings underlining the total elusiveness of peace. Thank God the attacks of political parties against each other in Ottawa have not degenerated beyond words—although words can veil a more sinister desire—and a brittle alliance of ideological enemies can barely hide their self seeking agendas.

Paul reminds us that those have been justified through faith have peace with God through Jesus Christ. When we have that peace we can have peace with ourselves that in turn fosters peace with others. But a recent correspondent after a term in politics wrote: “As one who has experienced both sides of this [discussion of the recent political upheaval] I would hasten to add that during the time when I served 8 years as an elected politician I never had to deal with the ‘politics’ in that system that I have encountered in the church.” If peace cannot be found here, where is it to be found?

You may be wondering what has this to do with the diary of my journey towards an operating theatre. It has me wondering too. Yet some thought reveals that there are those working tirelessly to oppose the destructive elements of society in many unobserved ways. And that includes our conscientious health professionals whether fighting disease or patching up victims of violence. Peace is not simply eradication of warfare; it is a spiritual victory against sin and its partners disease, decay and death.

I’m glad of the professionals that are committed to ending the battle for supremacy against the intruders in my body! Perhaps it is the myriad of individuals who have found peace with God in body, mind and spirit that is the final evidence of the peace Jesus came to bring.

Sunday December 7, 2008

[Joseph] went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, Luke 2:5-6.

I guess it was inevitable that our devotional guide would eventually get to Christmas, and I note that the coming days are filled with similar reminders. Naturally, this text is meant to remind us of the unmatched gift of God’s Son to the world that first Christmas. But it is fitting that it also carries a reminder of the pain of life as well. The baby was conceived out of wedlock—small potatoes these days, but carrying an enormous stigma in the Jewish culture of the day. The pain that this baby was to bear for our sin was already being reflected, not only in Mary’s pain of childbirth, but also in the ostracism that she would have received from most people around her.

By the age that Ann and I are now, few escape without pain of some sort. And that pain, whether caused by the degrading of relationships or decay of our bodies, has the curse of sin and death as its source. Knowing this, the Christian shouldn’t be the one who questions “why me” when it occurs—in fact, quite the reverse: asking “why me” when we escape without pain? It should be a source of continuing gratitude if we are blessed sufficiently to go through life without that experience.

Our mental well-being depends on how we react to the difficulties of life. If we recognize that adversity will almost certainly find us at some point in life, the better prepared we will be to face it and the less it will disrupt or lives and those around us. But of inestimable value for confronting the barbs of life is the knowledge that our lives are in God’s hands. Then, not only is there a meaning to life as a whole, but our suffering is not meaningless and he will bring us through it. However long it may seem, this life is temporary, our future with him is not.