Message - Frances Jones - Sept. 15, 2024 Stick and Stones . . . Do we all remember the little rhyme we used to sing: 'Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names, or words, will never hurt me!'? Is this really true? Do you think mere words can be harmful? As we know, they can be used to encourage, to compliment, to praise and to build up. And we all need words of affirmation; comments that give us the confidence to keep going in a similar direction. Unfortunately, words can also be used to discourage, to find fault, and to tear down. And those words that are spoken in anger or by using sarcasm; those that are meant to insult or to label another human being, can have very serious consequences, leaving permanent, yet invisible, scars. It has been said that the tongue has no bones, and yet it's strong enough to break a heart. And some individuals have become so accustomed to being on the receiving end of name-calling or labelling that they begin to believe that they don't deserve anything better. We've heard the expression, 'think before you speak'. But how many times have we blurted out some defensive comment in response to some condescending comments by another? And most of us could probably admit that we've spoken words that we later regretted. All of a sudden, there they are! The words have left the building! And, we all know that we can't just put them back where they came from. There is no 'unspeaking' those words. That could be compared to attempting to put tooth paste back into the tube after squeezing out too much. And, if you've ever tried that, you know how that works – or doesn't! Today we are discussing the thoughts that James expressed in our Scripture reading which seemed to be two-fold – first of all, our inability to tame or to control the words that roll so freely off our tongues; and secondly, where these words actually originate. I was discussing this message concerning taming the tongue with my daughter, Amanda, and she shared some interesting comments with me. A poster that she had read said: 'Before you speak, let your words pass through three gates: Is it true?; Is it necessary?; Is it kind?' My mother used to say, 'If you can't say anything good, don't say anything at all'. I've also heard the expression, 'We have two ears and one mouth for a reason. Maybe we need to listen twice as much as we speak'. But, as my daughter pointed out, silence is not always healthy; however, taking a pause and listening to God, and truly hearing others may help us to choose words more wisely as we consider the feelings of others. None of us is perfect. We all have our faults and challenges. And sometimes the words that come pouring out of our mouths and rolling off our tongues are very good examples of our imperfections. And how quickly we can forget that one person is not superior to another. Does one person's opinion or point of view take priority over another? How many times have we listened (at least in part) to another person's viewpoint when, even before they have finished expressing themselves, we're planning what we want to say in return? Easier said than done is the advice to pause and to think before speaking in order to allow God to guide our comments. Words, words, words – they really do have an effect – good or bad - whether spoken aloud, written, or communicated by using sign language. We've heard so much about the effect that bullying has on individuals. These condescending messages, however they are delivered, have caused young people to believe that they are totally unworthy. Matthew and Luke both revealed Jesus' words concerning where all of these words originate. “A tree is known by the kind of fruit it bears . . . how can you say good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” (Matthew 12: 33) (Luke 6:45) It's time for apple harvesting. So, maybe we could compare what Jesus said to you and me entering the orchard, expecting to find lovely, red delicious apples hanging from the branches. But instead, we quickly become disappointed as we find nothing but lemons. Aren't these apple trees? So, why are lemons hanging from their branches? You and I claim that we are Christians. But does everything that we produce – thoughts, words, actions - demonstrate what we profess? And, as Christians, what exactly is it that we profess? Our reading from Mark's gospel revealed Jesus' curiosity about what words people were using to express his identity. When he asked this of his disciples, some of them revealed to Jesus what they had heard people say about him. But, then he asked this question directly to them, “But what about you? Who do you say I am?” (Mark 8:29). The answer to this question seemed to be what mattered most to Jesus. These particular individuals were the ones who professed their loyalty to him and to his ministry, but what did they really believe in their hearts? It's not surprising that Peter was the one who spoke up in response (as he often did) professing the words, “You are the Christ”. Was Peter so sure in his heart about Jesus' identity that it didn't matter to him what other people were saying? Unfortunately, just by listening to their words, we cannot know for sure if people are truthfully speaking from their hearts. Could their words be merely a reflection of other people's ideas, or words that they believe are acceptable; those that others want to hear? You and I have been given the freedom to think for ourselves. We are free to express ourselves openly – through words and actions. However, along with that freedom is the responsibility to determine whether or not those words and actions demonstrate what is real and what is true. If you and I were a fruit tree, would we be able to be identified by the fruit that we are producing; or could we be compared to the apple tree that produced nothing but lemons? Words roll off our tongues quite freely – sometimes before we've taken time to pause and to think about which words we should choose to use. And we realize just how important, and how revealing, those words can be. So, as Jesus questioned his loyal followers concerning their understanding of his true identity, might he also be asking us - “What about YOU? Who do YOU say that I am?” So, before we respond to this question, might we need to take the time to carefully ponder our word choices?
Message - Karen Lackey Ryan - Sept. 8, 2024 What is happening when nothing seems to be happening? Time passes, we are entering the fall season; how do we persist in faith that things will get better, that civil society will survive and evolve in a positive direction, that we will continue to live in peace and contentment? We complain about the lack of leadership; what is our role? Our reading from Proverbs is a reminder of several well-known sayings. Verse 1: A good name is more desirable than great riches! How do we present ourselves? In nursing I could look at my schedule for weeks ahead and have a good idea of how every shift would go based on who was scheduled to work at the same time. Our reputation precedes us. In terms of trust firemen rank the highest. Firemen run into burning buildings; more precisely firemen respond as fast as possible to a real and present danger with a plan and a team and a clear purpose, which is to save lives. And, despite our cynical age there are other unsung heroes, people who every day actively work to help those less fortunate. James 2: 8 tells us in direct terms: If you really keep the royal law found in scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. We do discriminate in the sense of being able to make reasonable choices. I readily admit that I discriminate. There are things and people I like and things and people I don’t like. However my behavior has to be respectful of all. An urban legend or real story that seems drawn directly from James: Two men went to a car dealership to buy a car. One man was dressed in jeans and a casual shirt. The other man was dressed in a suit and wearing large gold rings. The salesmen paid a lot of attention to the man in the suit assuming that he had money. The man in jeans paid cash. We are taught not to judge a book by its cover, but we do it all the time. According to James, considering our present day and worldwide circumstances, we are in the midst of criminals posing as leaders who are robbing the poor and destroying those with no access to power of any kind. What do we do with the poor? Who are they? How did they get that way? Is it generational, children like parent ad infinitum? It resembles our approach to mental illness; no one knows exactly what to do when the problem persists and doesn’t go away no matter how much time and resources are thrown at it. Even Jesus says “The poor you will always have with you” Mark 14:7. We go along with our daily routines until something more dramatic affects us. Change happens. It is easy to identify with the woman described in Mark who, desperate to do anything to help her daughter, approaches Jesus and falls at his feet. She is not ashamed to be begging. Jesus rewards her persistence. Her daughter is healed. Imagine being poor in every sense of the word, with no health care, no money, no doctors; begging at the feet of Jesus would be the most sensible thing to do! Today this is exactly the same situation in which many, near and far, find themselves. How to match resources with the persons who need them? Proverbs 22:6: Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. This seems obvious until we consider the word “should.” The parents “should” know how to parent. The parent “should” have the means to provide for the child. The child “should” be inclined to listen and obey; to follow the good example that the parents “should” be providing. What of the parent/parents who cannot meet these requirements? What of the child who expresses their own identity at an early age, rebelling against authority as they find their own way? There are a lot of “shoulds” in life. “Should” is a trigger word, conditional on ideal circumstances and understanding that may or may not exist. As believers who still attend church in this secular age, we are continuing in the way we have been taught, we follow the guidance of scripture, we listen to those who can shed light on what we read, we share common beliefs and interpretations. It reminds me of when we talk about ethics. We have a Universal Charter of Human Rights, we have National charters of human rights, down to the levels of provincial and professional charters. This is all well and good, and reflects our good intentions. But, it is all just words on paper if no one acts on these recommended guidelines. It is all emptiness and hopelessness if our needs are not met, if our physical environment is polluted by war or chemicals, if we feel abandoned by friends and family, if our work is futile and our hopes are dashed. What is left when everything has been taken away? We need one good idea, and that best idea is Jesus. How do I get to Jesus if I am dispossessed and living in a refugee camp? How do I get to Jesus if I am indigenous and living rough in a first world country? How do I get to Jesus if I am dying alone? How can I appreciate love and beauty if I have no food or shelter? Which comes first, Jesus or the food and water? Another story might help: Two men are in a shared Hospital room. One is sitting next to the window; the other is bedridden on the opposite side. Every day the man next to the window tells the other man what he can see from the window. How there is a park with people playing, kids running around, couples walking, dogs running around,... this filled the other man's days as he could only stare at the ceiling. When the man next to the window was released he wished a rapid recovery to the bedridden man. A few weeks later the man did recover and walked to the window, but to his surprise he saw that there was no park, the window faced a wall. Talking to the nurse about what happened, the man came to the conclusion that the other man was making up all those stories about the park to help him cope and give him hope to recover faster and go back to his life outside. This has been the question of the ages: how to face the emptiness with love and hope, rather than fear and violence. The wishful song Imagine, by John Lennon was outlawed by George W. Bush, but speaks to the longing in our hearts for a different way of life. Imagine there's no countries It isn't hard to do Nothing to kill or die for And no religion, too Imagine all the people Livin' life in peace You, You may say I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will be as one Imagine no possessions I wonder if you can No need for greed or hunger A brotherhood of man Imagine all the people Sharing all the world…. https://www.google.com/search?q=imagine+lyrics+john+lennon We often act as though we are ignorant, as if we didn’t already know that love is the answer. As if we were the only ones struggling with the constraints of nature and heredity. Options do exist! As Jeremiah 31:31, 33-34:long ago told us: 31 “The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant . . .33 This is the covenant I will make . . .” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the LORD. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” God is love and Jesus the example, our example of how to act, how to live, how to share. Rise up, rise up Oh, rise and share your power Rise up, rise up We're dancing to the sun Rise up, rise up In clear-eyed celebration Rise up, rise up The spirit's time has come
We want loving, want laughter again We want heartbeat, want madness to end We want dancing, want to run in the streets We want freedom to live in its peace https://genius.com/The-parachute-club-rise-up-lyrics
Thanks be to God,
Message - Karen Lackey - Aug, 11, 2024 Are you busy as bees? Are you working on projects or repairs that cannot be accomplished in the winter months? I am an eager customer of hardware stores. Part of springtime in Canada is the pilgrimage to your favorite supply store to pick up flowers and tools. Everyone emerges from the cozy cocoons of winter to start working outside. Summer in Canada is a time to get things done before the snow comes again. Man is the tool maker, and needs tools to keep things working well. When about to start a project on the house or car, field or furnace, it is common for people to say, “There’s always something…it’s never ending.” Have you had days when you think that an evil spirit is out to get you, when everything goes from bad to worse and things break down; something always needs fixing? Like Murphy’s Law: "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong, and at the worst possible time." It is not your imagination! From physics we have the second law of thermodynamics, or the Order of Disorder, which states that: Entropy is a measure of disorder and affects all aspects of our daily lives. You can think of it as nature’s tax.[2] Entropy naturally increases over time. Problems arise: your house gets messy, your garden gets weeds, and the heat from your coffee spreads out. Businesses fail, crimes and revolutions occur, and relationships end. In the long run, everything naturally decays, and disorder always increases. Disorder is not a mistake; it is the default. Order is always artificial and temporary. https://fs.blog/entropy/ When we are physically able, and have the resources, the appropriate tools, and hired help or friendly help, it is fairly easy to get things done. When resources of all kinds are lacking, when we are no longer physically able, then life takes on a different aspect. Things that were once simple to fix, now takes planning, time management and finding the help we need. There is a demand for skilled tradespersons. At some point we all have need of carpenters, plumbers, roofers, electricians and others; machines do not last forever, and then there is planned obsolescence, the intentional limits of efficient function. We want things to last, we buy quality things hoping that they will serve us for a long time, and we can be disappointed when they don’t last. Part of the appeal of the voluntary simplicity movement, and even the current decluttering recommendations, is to spend less time taking care of things, and spend more time taking care of our spirits, our inner selves, and others. The idea is to choose and prioritize what and where we want to spend our time and energy. Of course, it also depends on our natural skill set. We have preferences in what we are inclined and able to do easily. Some of us are better with our hands, some are better with our minds. Either way there is an investment of time and energy; tools are expensive, as is an education. Both are needed. Joan Chittister comments in the Rule of Benedict, ch. 48: “The function of the spiritual life is not to escape into the next world; it is to live well in this one…engage in creative work as a way to be responsible for the upbuilding of the community…Work and prayer are opposite sides of the great coin of a life that is both holy and useful, immersed in God and dedicated to the transcendent in the human.” Is all of life just a constant fix-it job? Do I have any control over the apparent karma or circumstances of my life? Why do some seem to have it so easy, while others seem to be hit by every wave of disaster? How do I minimize the number of mishaps, and maximize the quality of my life and belongings? Frustrated persons ask, Where is God in all this? Why isn’t God solving this problem Right Now! It is safe to admit that relationships are also subject to entropy. If we don’t care for ourselves and our relationships then spirits and friendships are neglected, broken, in need of attention or repair. Some relationships, like most things, run their course; we decide what to build up and what to let go. Haggai calls out those of us who are preoccupied with our own property, and neglect the temple of God. The Temple Mount in the old city of Jerusalem is considered to be the most hotly fought over building and piece of real estate in the world. It is sacred to Jews, Christians and Moslems. It is currently occupied with the main praying hall of al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, near the center of the hill, which was completed in 692 CE, making it one of the oldest extant Islamic structures in the world. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_Mount Many Christians and Jews believe that there will be a third temple built on the Temple Mount. Christians believe that this third temple will signal the return of Jesus, the Messiah. https://www.connectthecultures.com/why-is-temple-mount-important/ We have had our own discussions about church buildings. New Testament scriptures are not talking about a physical structure. The disciples and Paul write about changed minds and hearts as a result of knowing and following Jesus. Jesus is the solid rock on which to build. As we hear in 1 Corinthians 3: 10, 11: But each one should build with care.For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. A few verses later Paul emphasizes: 16Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst? 17If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person; for God's temple is sacred, and you together are that temple. So, what are we building? How are we building? How do we repair our brokenness? We hear of increased mental health problems which no one knows how to fix. Broken hearts are notoriously difficult to heal. We rely on talk and medications. We rely on thoughts and prayers. We rely on friends, family and community for supportive interactions. For believers we have our faith, we have scripture, and a religious community. But many of our deepest fears and anguish is kept carefully hidden, protected from embarrassment, shyness, or shame. It is often difficult to ask for help. 1 Peter 1: 13-15 gives a suggestion: Therefore prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” We may not feel very holy, and we may resist the call to be holy. Being holy is a continuous practice; a discipline, a daily decision to follow the path of Jesus- to love, to build, to repair, to share, to heal, to accompany the broken hearted, to give comfort as we are able. A smile and a helping hand may not seem like much, but we may never know the beneficial effect of even very small gestures. As Mother Teresa has said, Persist indoing small things with great love
Message - Frances Jones - Aug, 18, 2024 Wise, Crafty, or Shrewd? I've heard it said that you have to live one life in order to learn how to live the next. Wisdom, if we ever attain it, doesn't seem to come to us until we are older and have already made several mistakes, bad judgements, and have chosen possibly a few wrong directions in our quest for the truth. According to James, there are two kinds of wisdom – earthly wisdom and the wisdom that comes from heaven. So, I guess we need to ask ourselves which kind of wisdom we are actually seeking. In 2024 what does it mean to be wise? Does it mean the same thing as it did last year, and years before that? The dictionary's definition states, insight, having good judgement, sensitivity, understanding and perception. Could we also add to this list, having good common sense? Nowadays, it's common for individuals to be more highly educated than ever before as they acquire degrees, diplomas and certificates covering many subjects. Much can also be learned on the internet. Regardless of which search engine we use on our computers, we can find a myriad of information concerning just about any topic right at our fingertips. Whether this information is all true or accurate is a question we might want to ask ourselves. Besides all the smart technology that we enjoy – computers, phones, watches, TVs etc., - we also have smart appliances – fridges, stoves, washing machines, and even vacuum cleaners and lawn mowers. And yet we seem to always be strapped for time, even with all of these conveniences. Something that is quite new in the world of technology is AI or Artificial Intelligence. That's quite a revealing name, don't you think? However, just think how smart it might make us appear to be? Doesn't that sound great?! My son-in-law down in PEI was showing my husband Tom how this AI works. On his computer he typed a specific topic, then requested AI to type a one-page paper on that subject. There was absolutely no hesitation whatsoever. There was no 'whirring' sound as the request was being processed. Immediately, the machine spewed out the one-page document on that particular subject in a matter of seconds. Wow! How easy is that! Where was this AI when we were attending school? There are many intelligent people in the world today, always coming up with new technology, new and improved products to make our lives easier or more satisfying. However, today we are searching for something more elusive than knowledge or convenience. As Christians we need the kind of wisdom that comes from God to help us to make the right choices, to be able to discern what is true and what is false. But how and where can we find it? Our Scripture reading from the Book of 1 Kings revealed to us that, in a dream, God asked young Solomon, King David's son, what he desired most from him now that he had become king after his father's death. Instead of asking God for wealth and popularity, Solomon asked for wisdom. He wanted to have a discerning heart in order to be able to distinguish between right and wrong when governing the people. And in our follow-up reading, we learned how Solomon was able to put this gift of wisdom to use. Because two women each insisted that a baby belonged to her, and there was no DNA testing available, Solomon relied on his gift from God – a discerning heart and wisdom. Only then was he able to discover the real truth – which one of these women was the real mother. After what seemed to be an extremely harsh judgement call from Solomon to cut this child in two, he found out right away the answer he was seeking. And we can imagine this mother's cry in desperation as she exclaimed, 'forget about my request; she can have the baby; just let the child live!'. There was then no doubt in Solomon's mind as to whom the child should go. Jesus' parable or lesson that we read about in Luke's gospel concerning the shrewd manager might enlighten our understanding of the difference between being smart and being wise. This story concerned a very cunning manager who had mismanaged his boss's money, and, because of his dishonesty, he was about to lose his position as manager. The words, “You're fired!” were probably ringing in his ears as his boss discovered how dishonest his manager had been. Now what would he do? Without employment, he would have no money, no place to live, no food, and maybe no friends. So, the wheels started spinning in his head. Finally, a great idea came to his scheming mind. He knew that his boss was a wealthy man so surely he wouldn't miss a few more coins here and there. So he decided to excuse a portion of each farmer's debt to his boss, the wealthy owner of the land. This manager's thinking was that those who were heavily indebted to the boss would be so grateful and indebted to him, the manager, for excusing a portion of what they owed that they would surely befriend him and offer him lodging and food when he no longer had a job. What a clever idea!, thought this manager. We have to admit that this guy was thinking ahead, and his calculating ideas seemed like a good idea at the time - until his whole scheme backfired! The farmers, instead of praising him for his actions, went directly to the lord who owned the land and who held their debts and praised him – this man who had nothing whatsoever to do with the idea. They praised him for being so kind and generous to them. And, of course, they were willing to work even more diligently for him, making him even more wealthy and more successful. We might assume that this dishonest manager would have been fired on the spot for once again mismanaging the land-owner's money. But, not so! Quite the contrary. Instead of throwing him out on his ear, this boss praised him highly for his shrewdness. What a crafty fellow you are! We can imagine him slapping him on the back and praising him for his clever scheme. You're a smart guy! You got these farmers to work even harder for me. We're going to get along just fine. Great minds think alike! What do you suppose was going through this manager's mind at this time? If his boss' thinking was as cunning and as shrewd as his own, might he have to watch his own back? How tempting it might be to point fingers of guilt at this shrewd manager. However, maybe we should ask ourselves what our motives are for doing some of the things we do. Are we serving the Lord freely and honestly when we offer kindness to others, or are we serving with conditions? Are we looking for opportunities to be honoured in the community? Do we expect praise and edification? Or are we simply doing to others as God has already done unto us? We know we have been forgiven; do we, in turn, forgive others? God overlooks my faults; do I do the same for others? Is our interpretation of wisdom the same as how we might describe success – striving for the top jobs, the best education, and owning the most possessions? If so, and if we are still not completely satisfied, does that mean that we're not very wise after all? Not necessarily. It might mean however that we possess what James refers to as earthly wisdom. James warns us that where there is envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and evil practices; not wisdom from God. However, if our wisdom demonstrates honesty and peacefulness, and if we are considerate of others, fair and sincere, and if we can be impartial even when we want things to go our way, and if we can be real in the midst of phonies, then we know that this wisdom comes from God. But the question remains: why does this wisdom come to us so late in life, if at all?? In our Call to Worship we stated that we are seeking the life-giving Spirit of Wisdom. And in our upcoming hymn we are advised to ask God, to seek in his Word, to knock persistently, never giving up, and eventually we will find – both his will and his wisdom for each of our lives. I believe we need to be mindful and thankful to all who have touched our lives through their words, but mostly through their examples, as they have demonstrated what wisdom looks like. And, thanks to stories like that of Solomon and the Shrewd Manager, we can better understand the difference between earthly wisdom and the kind of wisdom that comes from God. Which will we choose? I would like to close with the poem entitled “The Question” from The Book of Virtues, by William Bennett. Were the whole world good as you – not an atom better Were it just as pure and true, just as pure and true as you; Just as strong in faith and works, just as free from crafty quirks; All extortion, all deceit; schemes its neighbours to defeat . . . Would this world be better? If the whole world followed you – followed to the letter Would it be a nobler world, All deceit and falsehood hurled from it altogether; Malice, selfishness and lust banished from beneath the crust Covering human hearts from view – Tell me, if it followed you, Would the world be better?
AMEN! Frances Jones – August 18, 2014
Message - Karen Lackey Ryan - July 14, 2024 Is there anything in life that leaves you awe-inspired? Do you ever have “Aha” moments when you feel that there is some force or being that makes sense of life on earth; that beauty and love really exist and are greater than the forces of evil? In the movie based on the book, Roots, Omoro, the father of Kunta Kinte, [holding his infant son up to starry sky] declares: “Kunta Kinte, behold the only thing greater than yourself!” In Canada we are blessed with a majestic and demanding geography, snow-capped mountains, roaring rivers, exquisite prairies and gardens, surrounded by oceans. Mother Nature can make us feel small in the presence of so much grandeur. Does our desire to worship arise from fear of the dangers inherent in nature? Did we need someone to call when overcome by tornadoes, avalanches and roaring rivers, among other potential natural threats to our lives? Were we mesmerized by the flames of fire, the beauty of sunsets, the smiles of our children, the occasional unexplained miracle? You may agree with this quote by Pete Seeger, a folk singer and social activist: "I feel most spiritual when I’m out in the wood, Or looking up at the stars. I feel part of nature. I used to say that I was an atheist. Now I say, it’s all according to your definition of God. According to my definition of God, I’m not an atheist. Because I think God is everything . . . whenever I open my eyes." Whenever someone tells me that they are atheist, I ask them how they can look at a rose in full bloom and not see beauty and mystery. There is something called sacred geometry, where repeat patterns of mathematical sophistication show up over and over in nature. Do these patterns suggest an intentional cosmic design? Is there a Mind, a Higher Power, a Master Geometer planning everything? This is impossible for many to believe. How arrogant it seems to think that we can do all on our own. We think we know so much and yet continually discover that we know so little. But it is not just nature that can be awe inspiring. What often turns us to look for God or some meaning at least, is suffering. We may not feel that we need a God until things stop going our way. Why is this pain happening to me or to my loved ones? Why is this happening to my child/spouse/neighbor? Why is my loved one making such counterproductive choices? Why does so much in my life go so badly? Why does my body betray me so often and so dramatically? We scream that basic question: Why do bad things happen to good people? Or, more directly, Why is this happening to me? If I am a fatalist I might say that this is just the way being human works. If I am atheist I might say that there is no ulterior meaning, we just have to make the best of it, then we die. If I am a believer I might say that there is a lesson here somewhere, if I can only find it, I just have to have faith. If I am practical I might say that I get by with a little help from my friends. We might say with the suffering boy’s father, “I do believe, help my unbelief.” Mark 9: 24. Where does this religious impulse come from? Are we born spiritual, with respect and caring in our DNA? What comes to mind is this verse from Luke 11:11: “Which of you fathers, (or Mothers) if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Is Faith simply an outcome of concern for our children? The Bible records reverence as the instinctive response of everyone who encounters the awesome magnificence and splendor of the Lord God Almighty (Leviticus 19:30, Numbers 20:6; Judges 13:20; 1 Chronicles 21:16). These passages define reverence as having a deeply profound, awe-inspiring respect.https://www.christianity.com/wiki/god/what-does-it-mean-to-have-reverence The problem of worshipping a god for some is the necessity to “bow down,” submit, obey, give one’s all to an ideal or deity; in other words give up any idea of control and give it to something that may turn out to be an illusion. Whether out of fear, out of awe, out of desperation, habit or training, (social conditioning) in worship we acknowledge something greater than ourselves, some answer to the questions: Why am I here, does any of it matter, and does my life mean anything to anyone? There is a definition of family that I find slightly disturbing: “Family is the place where when you knock they have to take you in.” For those of you in families, you may understand that there is sometimes a reluctance to opening that door. Yet, that is exactly what we want an inclusive religion or spiritual belief and community to do, take us in as we are, help us, provide a centre of faith, hope, love and meaning; someone to call when there is no one to call, someone to care when no one seems to care. This is a tall order for any family or for any church/religion/spiritual community. And yet we love. We attend church services. We participate actively or passively in hearing the word of God, and share community with like-minded believers. We try to love our neighbor as ourselves. We also bemoan the lack of attendance at regular church services; we worry about whether we will continue to exist past financial viability. I suggest that there is no lack of worship. There is considerable worship of the “golden calf,” and any number of God alternatives that help us through the night or help us to escape the more terrifying questions of human life on Earth. The Ten Commandments are useful guidelines that summarize the main questions relating to the topic of today: “You shall have no other gods before me. “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. It is not a question of whether to burn incense or not, or whether to say certain words in a certain way, although wars have been fought over what seem to be relatively minor differences. The question is, what are the consequences of our thoughts, speech and actions at home and in the public arena? Do we know to whom we give our allegiance? Do we practice the sacred in our daily lives? Whether we like it or not, our reputation precedes us. According to Paul in Romans 1: 20-23we cannot claim to not know the consequences: For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. God is love. With God I have a center, I have love and hope, I have forgiveness and community. Without these qualities I would be lost in the universe, as it seems so many are today.
Where there is no vision, the people perish...Proverbs 29:18 . The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. Psalm 14:1.If we don’t have a God then we create idols.We humans need an ideal that can transcend the daily trials, the suffering, the loneliness, the fear, the lack of meaning, the loss of hope, and the abandonment of all that we hold dear. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8
Message - Karen Lackey Ryan - June 30, 2024 In our peaceful rural existence it may seem that the world on the brink of disaster and global war are only figments of the imagination; although disturbing, Far away and Nothing to do with us. Yet it is natural to be preoccupied with the state of the world and the multiplying effect of unbridled conflict, Ukraine and the Middle East being the main focus. Our beliefs and point of view determines what news we agree with and what hope we have for the future. Or, perhaps we prefer to ignore it and hope that it all goes away. World events always seem to be asking, “What do you humans really want?” At the moment it is evident that war is the main game in town. War is a great money maker for a chosen few, those who are in positions of power, who we expect to be safeguarding citizen well-being, but instead are counting dollars and amounts of weaponry ready for action. On the other hand there are those, Christian, secular, and other, who are predicting the ultimate end of the world, Armageddon, then the Rapture and the return of the blessed Christ, ruler of all in peace and love. Scripture is being used to justify acts of aggression on those labelled less than human: The Other, not like me, my enemy who is in my way. Do we believe that scripture is literally true, or a timeless and metaphorical road map guiding us through the phases, questions and difficulties of being human? We live in a time of great uncertainty, when in Western urban (and rural) cities people are homeless, living in makeshift tents, or worse, where food insecurity is becoming the norm for too many, where the assumed economic order is questioned, and the firm foundation on which to stand seems more and more like quicksand. I googled “predictions for apocalyptic events,” and found pages and pages listing predictions beginning in 66 CE until the present. The fear of and preoccupation with the end of the world has been around for a long, long time. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_dates_predicted_for_apocalyptic_events The use of the atomic bomb in WW2 has increased apocalyptic preoccupations. The insanity of unlimited and highly technological warfare seems increasingly obvious, yet the well-established “industrial military complex” operative in all areas of the world, has taken on a life of its own driven by big egos who think that more guns are the answer. Referring to selected scripture it is easy to believe that the end is near. As Jesus states in Matthew, “ 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.There will be faminesand earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. Hasn’t this been going on for a long, long time? This is the stuff of history. This is the basic drama of life on Earth, the battle between Good and Evil. As 2 Peter tells us from centuries past, 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised?Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” Isaiah 13 is a pretty scary chapter. The title of the chapter is A Prophecy Against Babylon. Babylon is literally situated in Iraq, and symbolically represents wickedness and evil.Chapter 13 describes what many people of the present day are actually living as warheads land on them, reducing all to rubble. “Wail, for the day of the Lord is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty.” There are those who justify this destruction as required on the path to the second coming: The simplest definition of premillennialism is the belief that after a period of severe tribulation of the earth, the Lord Jesus Christ will visibly and bodily return to earth (His Second Coming/Advent or Parousia) and will then rule and reign on the earth for a period of one thousand years (a millennium) of peace and prosperity. The scripture reference most often given for this order of events is Revelation 19:11- 20:6.https://web.oru.edu/currenta part of which follows: 11 I saw heaven standing openand there before me was a white horse, whose rideris called Faithful and True.With justice he judges and wages war.And I saw an angel coming 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan,and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss… Is there really a linear progression of history, with a projected end, however terrifying or idyllic? Or are we in an endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth, whether by resurrection or reincarnation? No one really knows. It is all speculation! Saying this is heretical for someone who believes in the literal word of scripture. So, where is my faith? What do I believe? Perhaps an anecdote or two will illustrate my thinking. My water pump recently was overtired; I did too much laundry all at once. The pump was trying to recuperate and was running non-stop. I tried focusing on God, not the problem. The pump continued to whine. I called a friend for help and advice. I said that I was praying, but nothing improved. My friend replied, “God is not a plumber, I am a plumber!” Good point. Thankfully the pump resumed working properly by itself. There is a story about a man caught in a flood. As the waters rose higher and higher, he found himself on the roof as the water rushed by. A person in a small boat came by and said, “Jump in, I’ll take you to safety.” No, said the man on the roof, “I prayed to God, he will save me.” Okay, said the man in the boat, and he paddled away. A helicopter flew overhead, a rope was lowered, and he was told, “Grab hold and come up, we are here to help.” No, said the man, “I prayed to God, he will save me.” Unfortunately the waters overtook the man and he ended up before God. He complained saying, “God, I prayed to you and you didn’t save me.” God replied, “I sent a boat and a helicopter and you refused both. Now you are here with me.” It is easy and demanding to wait for a Savior to rescue us from ourselves, especially when we don’t even recognize help when it is offered. It is much more difficult to live into the uncertain future and work on ourselves to live a dedicated, God-informed life of service. The choices are few: press a button for the ultimate solution, wait for a Messiah/Christ to rescue us, or work on ourselves daily, with hope and love and forgiveness, helping each other rather than hurting. There is nature and there is spirit. I am thankful to live in safety, security, and not feel threatened by war. However, I remember meeting evangelicals who always ask, “Are you saved?” I never think in those spiritual terms, and any hesitation indicates a sorry spiritual state. What does it mean to be saved spiritually? John 5:24 states,|“I tell you the truth, those who listen tomy message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.” So according to scripture and my beliefs I am saved. Mark 12: 17 advises, “Jesus said to them, give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and give to God what is God’s.” How many times do we have to hear Micah 6: 8 speaking to us from long ago? “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Imagine if world leaders and their military followed this ancient and relevant advice? Philippians 4: 6, 7 assures us: The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Andthe peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. We pray for peace. We continue to work for peace in ourselves, in our families and in our society, using all the divine and human resources at our disposal, for as long as we are able, until we also meet God face to face. Thanks be to God, Amen
Message - Frances Jones - June 16, 2024 A Love Without End . . . Amen! This title for today's message I borrowed from a song sung by country singer, George Strait. In this song, he expresses how a father's love is firm and true, even when his son makes some questionable choices along his way growing up. No matter the predicament that the young person finds himself in, he is assured that this father's love is indeed a love without end – amen. It would be wonderful if that were true in all circumstances; however, we realize that some children feel like they are a disappointment to their dad. It could be that the children made some unconventional choices along their journey, or maybe they decided not to follow in their father's footsteps, but chose a life and career of their own instead of participating in, or taking over, the family business. And, in some situations, it is the father who feels inadequate. For a variety reasons, a dad can feel like he has failed at measuring up to be a loving and responsible father. Today we celebrate all types of fathers – biological dads, step-fathers, and adopted dads. To quote again our opening sentence - “It is not flesh and blood, but the heart, which makes fathers and sons.” There are some men who never had the chance to become a father for different reasons. The same is true of some women who have never known motherhood. And some children never had the opportunity to know one or both of their parents. However, isn't it comforting to know that we – men and women – are all sons and daughters/brothers and sisters because we are considered children in the family of God. In our reading from Luke's gospel, we revisited Jesus' familiar parable of the Lost or Prodigal Son (also referred to as the story of the loving father). Couldn't we almost feel the heart-break, or maybe we should say, the disappointment, experienced by this father as he waved good-bye to his son who chose a path that he believed would bring him excitement and adventure. Besides reminding us about what a caring, accepting, forgiving and loving God we have, does this parable also teach us a truth about ourselves? This younger of two sons was well provided for on his father's farm. He had food, shelter, security and the love of family. But that was not enough for him. He was searching for something different – something that would bring him pleasure, adventure, excitement. As we think about our own relationship with our God as Father and Creator, how many of us have experienced similar feelings - 'this is not enough; I want more – more experiences that will bring me pleasure; something new and different'. Then, when that doesn't turn out as wonderful as we thought it might, where do we go when we find ourselves at the bottom of the heap? We noticed in Jesus' parable that he emphasized the fact that this wandering son was forced to face up to his own mistakes before he was able to go and face his loving father in order to ask forgiveness. How amazing, and surprising, it must have been for this young fellow to have received such a warm welcome upon his return. As undeserving as he was, his loving father, who had never given up on him, knew he was worth a great feast and a celebration in his honour - because this boy who was lost, now was found! So, if and when we feel that we've been away too long; that it's too late for us; we've made too many bad decisions; just think about a love like this. A love without end indeed! From Matthew's gospel we heard about Joseph, a very unique father specifically chosen by God to take on a very unusual and serious responsibility. He was to be Dad to a child that was not his own - God's own Son. We are familiar with this story and how Joseph struggled with the news of his beloved Mary's pregnancy. What was expected of him was not a part of his original plan for his life. Neither was it a part of his beloved Mary's plan. This young couple were planning to be married, to have a family of their own, and to settle in the small town of Nazareth where they would be surrounded by loving family and friends. Haven't we heard that, when God has a plan, people's lives can be turned upside down? And that's what happened to Joseph and Mary. Joseph, after struggling with the realization that he must follow God's lead, had to overcome many obstacles. There was the long trip to Bethlehem where he cared for Mary as she endured the birth of this miracle baby in a stable because no one had room for them. Then he was forced to relocate the family from place to place in order to stay safe. This was not an easy task for Joseph, but it was his devotion to God and family that proved him worthy to be Dad to this miracle baby Jesus. Regardless of how organized we believe we are, or how many plans we make, we know that life can be very unpredictable. If you and I take a look at our lives today, we might ask ourselves, 'did I really expect to be doing what I am now doing?' It doesn't seem to matter how many side roads or meandering paths we choose to take along our way, when God has a plan, change is inevitable. Maybe we would like to be labeled the best Dad or the best Mom (and we've got the T-shirt to prove it!). However, none of us is born knowing everything there is to know about good parenting. I believe we learn as we go. We are all human and we all make mistakes. All we can do is give it our best shot – with God's help! Whenever we have feelings of inadequacy or unimportance, let's take a lesson from Jesus' parable of the mustard seed. Can't we find reassurance in the fact that something as tiny and seemingly insignificant as that little seed can accomplish great things? This tiny little mustard seed grew into a strong tree that branched out in order to provide safe lodging and protection for birds. As small as it was at the beginning, it grew and made a significant difference. So, as the song from the More Voices hymn book says, 'Go, make a difference, we can make a difference . . . Go, make a difference in the world.' Fathers - biological, adopted, step-dads, foster dads, etc. - today let us remember that it is not flesh and blood, but the heart, which makes fathers and sons. In particular, today we honour our Creator, the Living Spirit – our loving Father - for his acceptance of us in spite of our weaknesses - because his is a love without end – amen!
Rev. David's Blog - June 7, 2024 June 3, 2024 Rev. David wrote these words as he sits with his mom. Her body is in decline but her spirit prepares to soar!! I woke this morning at 4h30 and spent some time at Mom’s bedside. She has had a peaceful night. Tears, releasing her to new life led to these words… I cried when I entered this world, Mom’s pain in childbirth gave me life, I cried through many dark and growing times, good-bye’s to grandmothers (Grace and Myrtle) and losses, I cried with Mom and family when Rebecca, Ruth and Joe lived their endings and cry still in gentle remembrance, I cried when Dad died and we celebrated his life, I cry as I care for my beautiful Mom, giving blessing and gratitude from the richness of all I have received, I cry as I hold vigil beside her bed (with siblings and family caring, loving, releasing,) /We will cry in days to come, we will laugh at the oddities we will uncover in the house, I/We will cry singing the hymns she chose, sung through the generations, I/We will wrap ourselves in quilts, will sit in the garden, and live the cycle of living, dying and rising again. These tears give release, express love and the hope that God “will wipe every tear from their eyes, death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more…” (Revelation 21: 4) Amen. So be it. Allelui - Rev. David
Message - Karen Lackey Ryan - June 2, 2024 For this second Sunday after Pentecost and Environment Sunday, I question how these topics relate? The United Church Resources website offered “In Truth and Action, A Service for Earth Day,” which was April 22. A bit of a surprise to see this resource, with a scathing reflection, listing many abuses of workers and the environment including prayers for justice against Canadian mining companies. The list of these crimes is long. Our prayer of confession includes a part of one of these prayers. Credit goes to the United Church for bringing awareness to this injustice. The reports about Canadian mine abuses are not pleasant to hear and go against the Canadian image of ourselves as courteous do-gooders. Doing a little research, I discovered that, Canada is home to an estimated 60 percent of the world's mining companies. (another source puts it at 75%) They operate in all corners of the globe, including countries where mining activities have been linked to human rights violations….Canadian mining companies currently operate in all corners of the world. Regrettably, they've acquired a particularly bad reputation globally for causing serious human rights abuses. To make matters worse, in many of these places, it can be very hard if not impossible to hold a powerful multinational company accountable, so such companies escape justice. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/ideas/canadian-mining-abusesThis is from an article introducing the journey of lawyer James Yap, member of a legislative group representing (slave) workers in Eritrea against the Canadian mining company, Nevsun, based in B.C. This is a relatively new process of foreign workers bringing cases to court in Canada. Of course many of these countries need the money, and there are often no protections whatsoever for their own citizens. Perhaps you have heard of the abuses of Canadian mining companies in the Philippines. What follows is a quote from an article:https://springmag.ca/why-canada-is-at-the-centre-of-global-mining-atrocities: Chandu Claver, an Indigenous land defender, in a recorded presentation to attendees of the April 19 virtual launch of the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines – Toronto chapter (ICHRP-Toronto). states, “Abra River is now dead thanks to Ivanhoe and Lepanto,” he said. He added that tailings from the mine disposed into the river have had a harmful impact on fish, and heavy metals have poisoned agricultural lands. But Ivanhoe Mines is not the only Canadian company operating in the Philippines. While Claver said corporate mining ownership has been difficult for civil society to track due to a “global practice of changing company names and using proxies and fronts,” other industry players have been identified. TVI Pacific Inc., Besra Gold Inc. (formerly Olympus Pacific Minerals), and ExGen Resources Inc. (formerly Boxxer Gold Corp.) have known operations in the country, according to Claver. These companies are part of a global mining sector predominantly based in Canada and infamous for unchecked environmental and human rights abuses. https://springmag.ca/why-canada-is-at-the-centre-of-global-mining-atrocities Unfortunately, these abuses are not just happening overseas, but are also happening in our own backyards. There is what is called “environmental racism” which means that I can put my garbage on indigenous land or ship it off to a third world country.The following is a local Canadian example of NIMBYISM, not in my backyard, also from the Truth in Action Earth Day service: “For as long as I can remember, the waters of B.C.’s Quesnel Lake played an important role in my community,” said Jacinda Mack, coordinator of First Nations Women Advocating Responsible Mining. “We fished for trout and swam in its depths, camped along its shores and picked berries and medicines in the surrounding Cariboo Mountains. The entire time, we were sharing our Xat’sull language and culture with our children.” Jacinda’s community has been devastated by the mine waste spill and the ongoing contamination of the water through mine activities. Despite calls from affected communities, church groups, and environmental organizations, there has been no accountability or justice for the people, for the animals, for all life living near Quesnel Lake. The United Church makes a stand and speaks against abuses in a polite and reasonable voice.However, it is hypocritical to say that we live in God’s world and honor his creation, and yet so easily destroy, and easily rationalize our neglect of the natural world. We ridicule and marginalize the indigenous all around the world whose land and relation to the land are labelled undeveloped, “primitive” and childish. Meanwhile we gasp for breath in polluted air and our souls suffer as our natural resources, our global home is desecrated.
We say to ourselves, “Who am I,” and, “What can I do about anything?” especially when those who stand for Mother Earth are threatened and murdered. Perhaps like Samuel we are being called; called to be good stewards of God’s creation and God’s people. It is easy to mistake the inner voice that guides us. It is easy to sit passively and hope for the best.
Historically, Christians have used Genesis 1:26 as defining our relationship with nature:26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may RULE over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” NIV The King James version is even more directive: 26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have DOMINION over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Alternatively, the belief that nature and humans are all part of the Divine is considered heretical, going against the hierarchy of the supremacy of God, with the angels just below, humans next, down to the fishes and animals and all created things. Googling the word “pantheism” brings up a confusion of alternative views, definitions, and efforts to unite nature and the sacred.
Our creed makes a smooth reconciliation of God and nature, recognizing the majesty of God and his creation: We are not alone, we live in God’s world. We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit.
The term “Husbandry” is relevant although rarely used today. It clarifies our responsibility and relationship to the Earth.
The term husbandman means “farmer” or “worker of the soil.” Husbandry is an agricultural term related to the production of crops or livestock. And to husband is to manage something well, showing prudence and economic sense. The word husbandman is not often used anymore.
In the New Testament, the word husbandman is a translation of the Greek word georgos, as in 2 Timothy 2:6 and James 5: 7. In the Old Testament, the word husbandman comes from the Hebrew word adamah, which simply means “land” or “of the earth.” This is the same Hebrew word from which we get Adam, the name of the first man, whom God placed in Eden “to work it and take care of it” (Genesis 2:15; cf. 5:2). In Genesis 9:20, Noah is called a husbandman when he plants a vineyard. The word husbandman is found primarily in the King James Version of the Bible. Other versions use the word gardener, vine-dresser, or farmer, … Jesus compared God to a husbandman in John 15:1–2: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit” (KJV). A good husbandman works the earth, cultivates his plants, and naturally expects them to produce fruit commensurate with the amount of effort he has invested in them. Our heavenly Father, the divine Husbandman, seeks to produce fruit through us as we abide in Christ. https://www.gotquestions.org/husbandman-in-the-Bible.html
We are called to care for each other and care for the Earth which supports us, as we maintain our close connection to God. Helping Mom with the dishes and learning how to effectively dispose of our garbage is a start where we are. Our efforts may seem futile, but it is better to do our small efforts than give in to despair. And to remember that with God all things are possible. That is our hope.
