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When you work on behalf of someone else, the joy is in the serving.  At least, I find enjoyment in that opportunity.

I suppose one of the greatest thrills then is when you can provide a benefit to a person – and they respond with an unexpected gift.

Some days this winter I have shovelled snow for my neighbours.  This is an early morning enjoyment of mine.  Besides, it keeps me healthy and in shape.

The other day one of the recipients of my enjoyment came by.  Just to say how much they appreciated this – and could they give a gift to me for my upcoming wedding. 

Totally unexpected!  Gladly welcomed. 

So, although we are not asking for wedding gifts (we contemplated a gift registry – for about a minute – and then decided a garage sale on our part was what we needed!), we have our first gift! 

And we are thankful. 

With such a great group of people surrounding me, I just want to say what a great block I live on!!

Yes, the Bible actually mentions Freedom 55!  And you thought it was only a marketing gimmick (and we now see parodies on it – Freedom 95, etc.)

Go to the last chapter of II Kings (25) and the last part (27-30).  Funny things you find as you do daily readings through the Bible.

Let’s start counting.  Back in 24:8 we are told that Jehoiachin was 18 years old.  He was dethroned quickly and led into captivity.  Now in 25:27 we are told he is in his 37th year of captivity. 

18 + 37 = 55!!

At 55 Jehoiachin is released from prison – given his FREEDOM.

At this point he is given a retirement allowance.  He got new clothes, he ate at the king’s table and he was given a place of status.

Interesting that  this is how II Kings ends.  So I skipped over to the book of Matthew and in the first chapter saw that Jehoiachin was in the lineage of Jesus Christ.  From Freedom to Freedom.  There may be a lesson in this??

This weekend had great plans.  A trip to teach a class, extended time with my fiance and future plans outlined.

As it happened, snow happened.  The class was canceled, the time with my fiance was drastically shortened and the future plans were outlined – only in a sketchy manner.

I have often stated that God is in charge.  I don’t doubt that.  I just wonder what the plan is. 

Maybe because it’s not my plan!

And so, for the hours past, and the hours coming – God, this is you planet, this is your country, this is your province, this is your town, this is your house, this is me!  As I plan and work for this day, may I put you first place and trust you to do your thing!!

This morning I was riding my exercise bike and reading an ordination paper (and also a college assignment paper) by my associate pastor, Ryan Lee.

I was blown away.  I should be getting used to it.  Last week his sermon on Luke 11 mined some thoughts that I have not heard explained anywhere else. 

This article is on the church.  Ryan uses the Greek of the original Biblical text, he searches the early church and relates to our current Canadian situation.  Then he comes to the end of his paper.  He tells us the church is not a group of lapdogs but a gathering of wolves!  Here I will quote some of his thoughts – hopefully you will catch where he is going!

The origins of the assembly of Christ in Canada could not be described by anything resembling a lapdog. The explorers, pioneers, and settlers of our wild Nation, boldly relied on God and his calling.

Not lapdogs, but wolves.  Majestic animals that work together in a pack, an assembly even, they work together in perfect unison to accomplish their goal to maintain their survival. Wolves cry out, with an eerily beautiful call, to the great light in the darkness, joined by the song of brothers and sisters, chilling the very blood of their enemies.

The assembly of Christ in Canada needs to be wolves once again. Crying out with the Gospel [of] Jesus, the great light in the darkness, a cry which gathers the voices of all the brothers and sisters of His assembly. It is that chorus of howls which will shake the very gates of Hell to dust in our Nation.