Monthly Archives: November 2017

Saturday I will officiate a funeral for Ernal.

Some of you will be unable to pronounce that name properly.  Start with the word “eternal”.  Now just “ernal”.  And you’ve got it!

Maybe eternal was nit a far stretch for Ernal.  He was 99 years old. 

My Grandfather used to proclaim that he would live to be 100 or die in the attempt.

Ernal died in the attempt.  And as you often hear of those of advanced years – “none too soon.”

There is, at 99 years of age, a true sense of a better place.  Better eyesight, better health, better acuity of mind, better natural light (all flowing from God).  Just better!

So, I’d better get moving – on my sermon, on arrangements, and most importantly, on enjoying God here and now with a great future expectation!

I’m at church when one of my favourite children runs up to me.

“My dad is going to buy a seeder!” he triumphantly proclaims.

“Oh”, I reply, “is that a cedar tree, or a seater to sit on.”

The young man bumps his forehead with his hand.  His face is totally contorted in disbelief. 

I start to see the light! 

The best jokes are ones you don’t even know you have made!!!

I was reading a thank you article to those who pastor small churches.  I have been a part of a rural church for almost two decades.  We are more than a handful but less than a football stadium of people.

In the midst of the content was an unsettling insinuation.

Small churches require a sacrifice.  You always want to be getting way bigger than you currently are. 

I say small churches are good to work with.  You can always start another small church if you start growing. 

I’d like to turn the thought on its head.  Small and rural churches require next to no sacrifice.  People can love God and love people – probably easier in a small church.

I guess I need to write a blog about large churches and the sacrifice it takes to be part of the leadership of that church!!

I’m one who chooses real estate based on price, location and feel.  Sometimes the wrong style of floor plan or the paint on the walls will lead to a negative vibe (now I sound like I’m from the 60’s).

My brother used to have just one approach – location, location, location.

So, I’m reading about Solomon’s temple – built on Mount Moriah where David met the Lord.

Sounds innocent enough – until you get the rest of the story.

David had caused a census to be taken.  God didn’t like the idea (showed that David didn’t trust God).  God exacts a punishment on Israel – the worst of which was the death of some of the citizenry.  God sends an angel (messenger) to fulfil the punishment. 

The operation is done swiftly – the messenger approaches Jerusalem (the capital) – God stops the killing / David repents of his sin.  He offers a sacrifice to God at the threshing floor of Arunnah (where God stops the killing) – which he buys from the owner.

And this is where the story gets interesting.  This is the piece of real estate on which the temple is built.  Not for the scenery.  Not for the proximity to the halls of power.  Not for entertainment value.  Not even for the closeness to resources.

This is the place of repentance.  The place where wrong was to be punished.  The place of deep sorrow.  And great joy.  All wrapped in one.

Location, location, location.