Monthly Archives: May 2016

I don’t think Old Testament prophets were high on arrogance, being number one, or desiring to stick out in their culture.  They just felt they had a vocation to fulfil.  They were impelled to follow whatever God called them to do.

So, I’m reading Amos 3:7. 

“The Lord does nothing that he has not already revealed to his prophets.”

Pretty heady stuff if you have a big head.  Not so heady if you realize you might get killed for what you say.  I guess being a prophet has it’s good points and not so good points.

Amos was a contemporary to other OT prophets who did not have the easiest life.  No wonder we analyse them as depressive characters, or martyr complex.  Whatever our current psychological terminology – when a call from God is upon you, go for it.

Which brings me to the question for today.  Who are the prophets that God is speaking to today? 

If God is about to do something, who is the prophet telling us that God is about to do something? 

And don’t forget that Balaam was a prophet that God used, even though he was definitely not on the side of God’s people!  Daniel was a well revered prophet embedded in the government.  Ezekiel had visions that we still haven’t figured out.  Isaiah was a literary giant.

Hopefully we aren’t missing the prophets of our day!

Well, the house across the street is ready to demolish.

As of yesterday, I had the contents cleaned out and categorized.  An unexpected windfall!  There were 5 car batteries left in the house.  That was worth $55 at a local shop!

We will now begin the process of setting a time for demolition, alerting our neighbours as to when that will happen, and hopefully setting up lawn chairs to watch!

O happy day!

Tales of ancestors can be inspiring.  As Mother’s Day passed, I was reminded of my aunt’s recollections of her mother (my mother’s mother).  Lorena is slightly older than my mother, her eyesight is waning but her memory is unaffected!  Here is a slightly edited version of what she sent me.

Learning to take the brightness of a situation, no matter how dark, and turn it into a joyous moment.

Your Grandmother (Naomi Lampman Merritt) was a Bell Canada operator in the very early 1900’s.  She was a music teacher, and married our Father at age 25 about.  She was a reserved person, but was the pianist for a great many public and private affairs.  Such a gracious, educated, reserved, loving person.  I always wanted to be like her… although I wasn’t but tried.

She was a great artist, and story teller and loved to read. Each week night from 7 to 9 pm we first had music, singing, playing instruments, etc.  We then finished with a chapter of Uncle Tom’s cabin, or some history and finished with Bible reading.  We were then tucked in bed, kissed good night and then she would winded down by playing classical music on the piano.

I always have liked classical.

What a privilege to have such an educated, wonderful Mom that never yelled at us, always talked to us and as a youth one could talk to her about anything.  After a thoughtful time she always gave good guidance. I always wanted to strive to follow her guidance.

Sitting with my aunts, the words of fun arose.  We were having a great time laughing and learning.  Then this rhyme popped up.  Learned decades ago, but fresh in one aunt’s memory.

I went to church tomorrow

I took a front seat at back

I fell from the floor to the gallery

And skinned the front part of my back