daily life as life goes on . . .

I must admit that I’m still the optimist and idealist.  I like to think culture is an open venue for God’s kingdom – all we need to do is get out there and spread the Word. 

I’m not as inclined to be an isolationist creating my own subculture in some far off place.  I like the idea of a subculture (a true sub-culture that is part of the dominant culture, but totally holy in relation to that culture) that seeps into the cracks and crevices of those around me.

I used to think it would be a warm day in the netherworld when I would say I was getting old.  Now, I have no choice, but hopefully in my choices I’m still wanting to open myself up to God’s kingdom come – which means reexamining old views of how I thought God’s kingdom had to come, and looking for the new wine of God’s kingdom.

Interestingly this does not arise from a recent election in the United States.  This arises from a desire to be sure my own heart is not becoming hardened or fossilized.  Fear can freeze us, frenzy can destroy our environment, and freedom can elude us.  But we are called to love, joy and peace. 

May Jesus lead me securely in his path, with greater reaches of risk and reward!!

A bacteria culture is used to let bacteria grow.  That way a small sample can become a great mass – easily examined and diagnosed.

Marriage has entered a new stage.  We are not able to easily say that the culture is yet large enough to examine definitively.  Why are we looking at this new culture of marriage?  In our day and age we recognize the symptoms of a new dis-ease, a completely new strain that was unknown years ago.  And we are not completely at ease with what we see.

I say that in relation to a story of one of my relatives.  She was married in the early 1950’s.  As the story goes, they had seen each other a few times.  Never “gone out”.  The marriage proposal was before they had ever officially gone out, and the wedding was arranged with a quick call to a pastor.  They both remained working following the wedding (in different towns) until they were able to arrange for a honeymoon and move in together.  More than a half century later he passed away – both quite contented with this marriage!

No living together – they would figure each other out in the bounds of their marriage.  No short-term commitment – this was for life.  No huge wedding ceremony – they would accommodate their schedules as needed.  No thoughts of adultery or other versions of marriage – one man, one woman, was good enough for them.  The grounding stone in the relationship was Jesus Christ – God brought to them in the Spirit of Jesus. 

We are living in a new day.  Marriage is cultured in a whole new set of ideals.  As we continue to open the ripened fruit of contemporary marriage, what will we find?

While elections are an overview of a moment in time, the results last for an extended time. 

Canadians had it easy in this latest American election.  I went to bed early, and didn’t have to jump awake in the morning to find out who the President was.  The farther from the center of the election, the easier it is to be objective.

Somewhat.

Canadian know that the chess movement of our next door player affects our own security.  The media outlets today were about dissecting the election.  The final dissection will not take place for four more years.  Even then, the death of a term in office doesn’t seem to kill the good or the bad.

The shadow of our lives linger over the lives of our children and their children.

And so, I wonder what the shadow will be from this most recent election? 

One of my great enjoyments in life is leading hymn sings. 

Yesterday, I chose about 10 or 12 favourite hymns from a listing of “100 favourite hymns of all time”.  If the internet is good for anything, making lists seems to create an overflow online!

As we began to sing, I could tell we had a full four part harmony group.  After a few lively piano-accompanied songs, acappella singing resonated throughout the room.  There is nothing like a good running bass line to make a song pop.

As we continued on, I could see various expressions on people’s faces.  Songs often attach themselves to past events.  A death, an anniversary, a holiday, a meaningful spiritual experience.  The first chord seems to trigger that memory.  There were smiles and some tears.

The end of the evening focused on heaven songs.  For many who were present, this is the “next big thing” in their lives.  They have lived a good life and now anticipate a great life in the next life.

There are many reasons to enjoy music.  I just like making music with others who like making music to express their own joys, sorrows and life experiences – and to lift that music up to God!