“In His great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:3)

I must say that I wasn’t looking forward to Winter this past Fall when I considered the Winters of the previous two years. What with record low temperatures, lots of snow and wind, freezes and thaws, Alberta Clippers and Polar Vortexes all combining to keep us on our toes. That brought a record number of water main breaks and many folks had to deal with frozen pipes in their homes. As Autumn gave way to Winter a few months ago, I thought to myself, “Could it be Winter again so soon?” When the projections came in for a milder Winter, I couldn’t have been more hopeful it would be true.

We got away pretty easily this past Winter. It played out just as the computer models said it would. And now Winter is giving way to Spring! Hurray! Spring is just another gift of God’s grace that lifts my spirits in wonderful ways. Spring never ceases to amaze me as the days get longer and the trees bud out and new life springs forth all around. And in the midst of it all, hope abounds.

As I left the parsonage the other day to make my way to the office, the above pictured flowers greeted me. I stopped to take a closer look. Less than two days before, the ground was still covered in snow. Although the snow had melted, the ground is just covered with matted down leaves and sticks and debris placed there by various storms. Even still, the mighty little snow drops pushed their way through it all, standing tall amongst the debris making a statement about life itself. The word that came to mind was hope.

As I gave thanks to God for the beautiful day and the moment of insight, I couldn’t stop thinking of Jesus, the Resurrection, and the hope that it brings. That even in the midst of what seems to be certain uncertainty, we have hope. When conventional wisdom tells us it isn’t so, we have hope. When we find ourselves in that place, feeling piled on by the debris of life, in Christ, we have hope. Hope to rise again. Hope to rise above it all.

Hope to stand tall in the midst of the challenges of life.

God Is Love

“Jesus returned from the Jordan River full of the Holy Spirit, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.” (Luke 4:1)

           Scripture is loaded with stories of events that took place in the wilderness. The word “wilderness” conjures up images of a wild and uncultivated land, like a desert where only wild animals live. It’s not typically the kind of place where one would want to be led by the Spirit. And yet, that’s exactly where the Spirit leads Jesus after he is baptized in the Jordan River.

            Last year I took a trip to Arizona and spent some time in the desert wilderness. It was a stark, remote place that was stunning and beautiful in its own right. It is a risky place where one can get into trouble if certain precautions aren’t taken. One must literally pay attention to each and every step you take as you journey through it. But as you get to that place of keen awareness, you are opened to a truly glorious place where you sense the closeness of God. There is something about the stark, isolated nature of the land that just makes you feel closer to God.

            My wilderness experience last year brought me up close and personal with this prickly pear cactus in the high Sedona Desert. It was truly amazing to stumble upon this “disfigured” cactus in the midst of my desert sojourn. I felt so loved by the “One” who created it all. As the season of Lent unfolds, I pray that you have the opportunity to spend some quiet time in the “wilderness” with God. You never know what you might stumble upon.

Christmas 2015

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.      

(Philippians 4:4-7)

One of the greatest joys of the Christmas season is getting cards and letters from folks we don’t usually hear from. These people may be friends or relatives whom we’ve had a close relationships with in the past, but with whom we’ve become separated from due to life circumstances. A dear friend of mine and I parted company 12 years ago as I was sent to a new church and he moved to Wisconsin. And due to our various busy schedules, we don’t get to see each other that often. What a joy it is to receive a letter from him at Christmas. I really look forward to hearing from him and what is going on in his world.

            It always brightens my day because no matter what the letter says, I am transported back in my mind to the times we were together. He was such a great friend and a positive influence in my life. He was my first mentor in pastoral ministry and he ended up becoming a life long friend. It takes a special person to be able to do that. One who is relational and other-centric from the get-go. He was a person confident in his own skin, yet he never allowed that confidence to make him arrogant. The joy I experienced in his presence I feel today when I have that letter in my hands.

            It’s truly a special gift when someone takes the time to write to someone they care about. The process of giving and receiving a letter has caring written all over it. First comes the gathering of pen and paper or computer keyboard. Then thoughts come to mind of the person you are writing to and what you want to say. You go about your task of choosing the right words to convey your caring. Then reviewing what you wrote to make sure your thoughts transferred to the text. For the one receiving- the anticipation that comes from hearing from someone you care about. You open the letter or e-mail and read the contents. You take your time and digest each word all the while pondering what it says and what the person means to you. It truly is one of the greatest things we can give to or receive from someone we care about.

            I can imagine what the Philippians must have felt when they received this letter from Paul. From the contents of the letter it seems as though Paul really loved them. Within it we find love, compassion, vulnerability and encouragement written all over it. Paul’s caring for them is plainly evident. I wonder if they felt the same joy and anticipation I felt when I received my letter from my friend in Wisconsin? Did they, like I feel transported back in their minds to the time when Paul was in ministry with them side by side almost ten years prior? Were they willing to receive the advice and encouragement he had for them to face the challenges he was addressing?

            One thing I do know is its truly a gift that this letter has been preserved through the ages that we might read it and ponder anew Paul’s words as Advent gives way to Christmas. May we allow the peace of God, which transcends all understanding to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. May that peace arise above the hustle and bustle of this Christmas season. May God’s peace settle our hearts and minds despite the anxious times we live in. And may our hearts be thankful, rejoicing in the Lord always.