Author: Ron Baker

The last 24 hours I have had two impulses forwarded into my ife.

The first was from my friend, John Stuart.  This Sunday he will preach to our congregation.  His topic has variously been described as faith, risk and stepping out.  He will talk about “epiphany” — that which is seen of our lives above the surface that is reflective of “obsessio”, that which is below the surface which we fear.  Our memories of the fears of life need to be addressed.  Jesus has come to set us free, and that includes the dark, the repressed, the unseen and unwanted. 

Come on Sunday to hear a thought provoking sermon.

The same morning my wife and I will share a Sunday School class together.  The topic will be “Sabbath.”  For over two hours this noon we debated, agreed, discussed and generally wandered around the topic.  God instituted the Sabbath as a time of rest.  So, what is “rest”?  This is both an attitude and a day.  A day that is set aside — made holy.

Come a little earlier on Sunday (9:45) to get another thought provoking “sermon”  — of course, we call it teaching!

These have both been inspiring, thought provoking and transforming.  Not a bad thing in a day and age when we can sit at the computer for hours, digesting information and not learning a thing!

‘Tis the season to be full.

I’ve gained no new weight this year — but my middle seems a bit flabbier (a concession to trying to be a look-alike to Santa!).  So over the next few weeks desserts will be lessened and hopefully weight as well.

Christmas Day brought less than “fullness”.  As we drove back from Rosetown, an hour away, we entered Kindersley later in the evening — right past the Super 8 motel.  Not a car, truck or any other vehicle in sight.  Mental note for next year — I’ll bet motels are cheap on Christmas Day!

Hospitals seem to benefit from the holidays.  Usually Boxing Day and the day after New Year’s Day.  I guess people wait until medical personnel they know are back in town. 

I understand that our hopsital’s bed’s were all taken up by patients.  As I walked the hallway today I was practicing my “queen’s wave” as I passed open doors.  The very same hospital where, in the summer, only one bed was occupied for at least a week!

I asked a group of people (about 60 0f them) yesterday to lift their hands if they made New Year’s resolutions.

Not a hand was lifted! 

Is this a case of cynicism?  Or a recognism of reality?  Is one year too long to hold onto a discipline?  Or are we all in a world where promises have been so misused and abused — we don’t want to get caught up in the hypocrisy around us?

Don’t have the answers — not even sure I have the questions! 

But there is something here that may bring back the question of sabbath.  We have turned the one day of reflection that our society allows itself each year into a non-day!  Unless we are constantly, week by week, reflecting on our lives, it’s no wonder a year end reflection and resolution time falls so flat.

At 11:00 this morning was my first.  At 4:00 pm was my second.

The 11:00 appointment was to help tangible boxes and containers enter a house from a diesel truck.  This was truly moving!  By 2:00 all the boxes and other items were in the house.  The new owners were glad to have a group of us available to assist them.  Free pizza and pop!!  John and Annette, may you enjoy Kindersley!

Then at 4:00 I officiated a wedding.  Both were seniors (even though they might not like that designation!).  As widowers this was a second wedding for both of them.  There is something about the steadiness of age and maturity that makes for a memorable occasion.  Art and Gladys, may you have a God blessed wedding.