Monthly Archives: March 2012

The temperature rose to such a height that things were melting.  As the evaporated H20 rose to the sky, I would have thought a rainbow would appear.

Well, maybe it didn’t.  But this winter has been one of those rainbow events.  Somewhere over the rainbow, bluebirds sing – or maybe crows caw and green growth appears.

All of this year seems like a dream of rainbow proportion.  Not that winter is over – the past decades show that the vast majority of records indicate snow will fall after spring comes on March 21st.  But the snow will melt quickly and the rivers of cold water will wash our streets clean.

All that to say – I still can’t believe it.  Here in Saskatchewan today, one town was up to 17 degrees Celcius.  My thermometer showed at least 9 degrees Celcius.  Not bad for a winter day!!

These last few days my daily Bible readings have taken me into the Gospel of John.

Now, I’ve always found this an interesting story book.  Not in the sense of fiction – this is true non-fiction!  Rather, in the sense of narratives that are purposeful in their intent – like an Aesop’s fable only better!!

I’d also have to say that the stories themselves leave me hanging.  I remember the first time I read some of the narratives of Jesus around the supper table of his final meal.  I finally just picked out the verses that I could understand and left the rest for later.

Which is now.

So, here’s one of those interesting thoughts.  I’ve been concentrating on Sabbathing.  In other words, finding time to rest and relax – at least once a day.  And to putter at least some time in each day.

Imagine, then, coming to Jesus healing a man on the Sabbath.  The religious leaders figured Jesus shouldn’t have told the man he healed to carry his mat – that was working (John 5:10).  These Jews then persecuted Jesus because he was doing these things on the Sabbath.

Hear his reply!  “Jesus said to them, ‘My Father works constantly up until this very point of time, and I also am working.” (RJB version).   And that is about what Jesus does on the Sabbath.  He never stops working.  On a day of rest.

How does that work?

Spending time with youth means freshness.  There is constant activity and newness of life.  On the other hand, there is the older crowd!  They talk of knee replacements and cataract surgery and new parts replacing what has worn out.

I enjoy both groups.  I’m moving quickly towards being a part of the oldies but still can run with the younger ones.

I suppose that living is full of dying.  I’d like to deny that.  In fact, I’d like to think that things get better and better.  Some things do!  My prospects for an afterlife are brighter than ever, and through Jesus, I’m excited for what is to come.

But in this earth, my compost pile continues to grow.  My recycling piles up.  My furnace breaks down.  My plumbing and roofing need occasional repair.

As replacement parts people, we do get a better life after repair.  But I must remind myself that this is temporary.  I look for a better body and a better life.  But while I’m here, God has given me the great opportunity to enjoy this life.

So, may God give you joy this day – regardless of the shape you’re in!

Well, today we had our international worker, Don Love, speaking.

Over the past few years we have worked in a seamless link relationship with the Loves – who work in Japan.  Part of the great pleasure is to realize that the Japanese have probably more to say to us, than we have to say to them.

In the area of reaching our society, Don made some very good points about sharing our faith.  Check out his sermon on our website – check under the sermon tab at www.kindersleyalliance.com. 

I think I would characterize his idea as – relax!!  Let your own daily points of relationship lead you to share your life in God through Jesus.  Interestingly he says that if we share with 3 people each year, and over 8 years see one person become a Christian – and if all Christians were doing this – within 100 years we would have a Christian nation.  What a thought!!

Thanks, Don!