Lynne Gardiner

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

Expectation vs Reality

Come, Thou long expected Jesus Born to set Thy people free; From our fears and sins release us, Let us find our rest in Thee.  (Charles Wesley)   There have been these memes on Facebook recently that I have found really amusing; the ‘Expectation vs Reality’.  One of my favourites was the “expectation” picture of a Christmas party with white furniture and silver Christmas Tree decorations and a whole family of well dressed and well groomed people smiling happily as they drank red wine and noshed on a charcuterie board, vs the “reality” of the same family with one kid … Read more

Good Fruit

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the … Read more

Waiting for the bread to rise.

God’s kingdom is like yeast that a woman works into the dough for dozens of loaves of barley bread – and waits while the dough rises.  (Matthew 13: 33) “For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 I’m really late getting this blog written this week.  I normally write my blog on Thursday afternoons so after Prayer and Share, but clearly that didn’t happen.  It didn’t happen for a whole lot of reasons that I won’t go into.  … Read more

New Things

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:5.  I’m taking singing lessons again. Now before you all get impressed with me and my motivation to better my musical expression, the real hard truth of this new venture in my life was because I have been struggling with having my voice ‘heard’ in many different circumstances, and a very wise person (thank you, Jane) recommended that I start ‘reclaiming’ my own voice.  She, of course meant it in … Read more

Pizza with Jesus and Zacchaeus

19 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.   5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed … Read more

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