Lynne Gardiner

Pushing my Buttons

Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. (1 Peter 2:17) Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. (Philippians 2:3) A couple of weeks ago, I received very specific instructions from an acquaintance telling me exactly HOW to dial the telephone to call the hospital.  Emily called it “man-splaining”.  I don’t like that term at all because it assumes that this kind of micro-management is gender specific. The instructions were … Read more

Accretion

Accretion: the process of growth or increase, typically by the gradual accumulation of additional layers or matter. “the accretion of sediments in coastal mangroves” a thing formed or added by gradual growth or increase.   Jesus replied, “It’s written, People won’t live only by bread but by every word spoken by God.”.   Matthew 4: 4   This past week I had a ‘Clergy Day of Rest’; a time away with other Ministry Personnel in the Region to talk about all things church.  It was a good day.  Ministry is a very solitary profession; most of us work alone and work … Read more

Face down in the dirt (or maybe the snow)

While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.”  When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.  (Matthew 17: 5-8) Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.  For whoever wants to save their … Read more

In Community

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  (Galations 5: 22-23) I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  (Ephesians 4: 1-3) The other night, our brains being way too tired to much of anything else, Hugh and I turned on the TV … Read more

Mid-life Crisis

Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.  (1 Thessalonians 5: 11) A couple of weeks ago I was on the phone with a family member and we were talking about some of my childhood friends.  One of them that we discussed quite a bit was a person older enough than me that I didn’t really know him very well, but knew his younger siblings.  Turns out that this guy, who had finished all sorts of higher education and had landed himself quite a prestigious career, had kind of made a bit of … Read more

Snow Days

Be still, my soul, for God is on your side, Bear patiently, the cross of grief or pain. Trust in your God, your saviour and your guide, Who through all changes faithful will remain. Be still, my soul, your best your heavenly friend Through stormy ways leads to a peaceful end (Voices United 652)   Today is a snow day.  Buses were canceled, and the route up to the church is a little too hazardous to attempt the drive.  So, I’m holed up in my home office; well connected to the world but still living in that place of disappointment … Read more

Scrounging for turnips

The people who walked in darkness     have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,     on them has light shone. 3 You have multiplied the nation;     you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you     as with joy at the harvest,     as they are glad when they divide the spoil.  (Isaiah 9:2,3)   I’m not “feelin’ the love” today.   Oh, don’t get my wrong; all of you are awesome.  I’m so grateful for all of your caring and consideration of me.  You are truly God’s light in a pretty … Read more

Whatcha Got?

37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” 39 “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon. 40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and … Read more

Rebellious

46 And Mary said,   “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.     For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,     and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is for those who fear him     from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm;     he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; 52 he has brought … Read more

Fall on your knees

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth! Long lay the world in sin and error pining Till he appear’d and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!   Fall on your knees Oh hear the angel voices Oh night divine Oh night when Christ was born Oh night divine Oh night divine (Placide Cappeau “Cantique de Noel”)   The Clergy Twitterverse (yes, that’s actually a ‘thing’) has blown up with the controversy of “do we or … Read more