The Church Mouse

“Hear what the Lord says: Rise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice. Hear, you mountains, the case of the Lord, and you enduring foundations of the earth, for the Lord has a case against his people, and he will contend with Israel. … He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:1–2, 8) “When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down, … Read more

Jesus bids us shine, then, for all around, Many kinds of darkness in the world abound; Sin and want and sorrow, so we must shine, You in your small corner And I in mine. (From “Jesus Bids Us Shine” Verse 3, by Susan Warner) From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 4:17) This has been a really hard week, hasn’t it, my Bethel friends. It feels like we’ve watched the scaffolding of international norms wobble in public. We’ve watched power posture as if it were policy. We’ve watched leaders treat … Read more

The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. (John 1:35–39) … Read more

“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.” (Matthew 11:10) “My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.” (Psalm 31:15) My first child was overdue, about 10 days past my expected due date. Now – I had read all the books and understood what they were saying, but honestly, it was the LONGEST 10 days of my life. I wanted to meet this baby so badly, and honestly, my belly was so large and uncomfortable that I felt like I couldn’t … Read more

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’ ” (Matthew 3:1–3) I’m not sure how many of you know this, but I used to teach Behavioural Science at the college in Kingston. I also ran the program there. I liked the job a lot – it was busy, to be fair – but I’m … Read more

This Sunday is Advent 1. I personally love the season of Advent — to me it’s a time of warm invitation into our life of faith. It’s that quiet, hushed, anticipatory waiting for a tiny baby born to be our Saviour.    I confess I also really like the glitter and lights of the North American Christmas. I enjoy the gift-giving and the sense of celebration. I don’t much care for many aspects of what our social Christmas can become — the stress, the materialism, the weight of expectations in fractured families. But maybe that’s part of the whole of who we are: a mixture of hushed faithful … Read more

“As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous…” [Joshua 1:5–6] “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation… I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” [Philippians 4:12–13] I used to run in some fairly serious music circles. When I was a late teen, I studied music in the U.S. and was convinced I wanted to be a professional musician. I’d come from a fairly small musician-pond—I’d rubbed elbows with very talented people and had an excellent … Read more

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:3–5) I was in my late 40s when I returned to Queen’s for my M.Div. Learning in your 40s is a very different pilgrimage than learning in your late teens or early 20s. Some parts were easier: I knew how to focus, juggle responsibilities, and keep my eye on the prize. In our younger years, the “What will I be when I grow up?” question looms … Read more

Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed.” (Psalm 2:1–2) “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be. With God as our Father, brothers all are we. Let me walk with my brother in perfect harmony. Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now. With ev’ry step I take, let this be my solemn vow: to take each … Read more

“Did none of them return to give glory to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:18–19) “Here the outcast and the stranger bear the image of God’s face.” (From “Let Us Build a House” by Marty Haugen, published in More Voices) “There are no strangers here, only friends you have yet to meet.” (William Butler Yeats) When I was in high school, I played on the Midget Girls basketball team. I know—I don’t exactly scream “high school athlete,” and truth be told, I … Read more