Uncategorized

Star of Wonder

Star of Wonder, Star of Night,     Star with Royal Beauty bright,             Westward leading,             Still proceeding,     Guide us to Thy perfect Light. (as printed in Hopkins, Carols, Hymns, and Songs, 1st ed., 1863)   Today is Epiphany.  The day in the church calendar year where we celebrate the Magi coming to Bethlehem to honor Jesus after following a star ‘in the East’ for many years.  I don’t know how many Christmas pageants that I’ve participated in where the 3 Kings had star billing.  In my head I can see the 3 boys with paper crowns and some … Read more

Solid Rocks and Shifting Sand

Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of mine, and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man, who built his house on the sand. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it fell—and great was its fall— Matthew … Read more

Joy is like the rain

I saw raindrops on the window, Joy is like the rain. Laughter runs across my pane, Slips away and comes again, Joy is like the rain.   I saw raindrops on the river, Joy is like the rain. Bit by bit the river grows, Till all at once it overflows. Joy is like the rain. ~ Sr. Miriam Therese Winter   That’s why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn’t stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I’d think of … Read more

Negative Bias and Advent 1

 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.  At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21: 25-28 “Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My”.  The Wizard of … Read more

“What is Truth?” retorted Pilate

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” “What is truth?” retorted Pilate.  (John 13: 37,38). “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13) “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13: 34) This week I have been following two news items:  the Kyle Rittenhouse trial and the petition of a number of Canadian veterans to have Jess Randall Larochelle … Read more

In God’s Image even on Zoom

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well. ( Psalm 139: 14) Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. (Genesis 1: 26-27) I spend a … Read more

God’s Time

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Matthew 6:33 My times are in Your hands.  Psalm 31:15. The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. John 3:8 Time changes.  Ugh.  If there was ever a government policy that no longer makes sense to me it’s the need to change times twice a year.  ‘In theory’ we were supposed to gain an extra hour of … Read more

Commodities

3 When I consider your heavens,     the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars,     which you have set in place, 4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,     human beings that you care for them? (Psalm 8) This past week I had the amazing opportunity to Zoom into a webinar on CRISPR technology, put on by the Canadian Council of Churches.  I only know the bare bones of this new science – basically its tool for editing genomes, meaning it allows researchers to easily alter DNA sequences and modify gene function. It can … Read more

One of these things is not like the other.

One of these things is not like the other, One of these things just doesn’t belong Can you guess which thing is not like the other? Before I finish my song? (Sesame Street)   The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 … Read more

I am not ashamed

Romans 1: 16 I’m proud of the good news! It is God’s powerful way of saving all people who have faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. 17 The good news tells how God accepts everyone who has faith, but only those who have faith. It is just as the Scriptures say, “The people God accepts because of their faith will live.”   I’ve just finished binge watching a show on Netflix called “Midnight Mass”.  Now before you all go and watch it, I need to warn you all; this is a horror series.  It’s not a feel-good watch.  In … Read more