daily life as life goes on . . .

There is a curious passage in the Bible.  One of those that is unexpected. 

In the midst of talking about a thing called spiritual gifts, and proper decorum in church services arises a gem.  Here is the passage in I Corinthians:

²⁴ But if all of you are prophesying, and unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your meeting, they will be convicted of sin and judged by what you say. ²⁵ As they listen, their secret thoughts will be exposed, and they will fall to their knees and worship God, declaring, “God is truly here among you.”

How do we display to others that God is with us?  How about a little prophecy in the church?

This thought struck me as  I was listening to our associate pastor, Ryan Lee, preach yesterday.  He is well worth listening to, as he begins a series on prophecy.  You can hear the sermon at http://www.sermoncloud.com/kindersley-alliance/what-is-prophecy-for/

What fun September 21st was this year.  I had a small, short party!  No, the people were not short – the party was short.  Nor were the people small . . . OK, I’ll stop the descriptions there!  All this was held in my office at the church in the morning.  I think I blew out all the candles on the cake, although one was rather stubborn.

Then I traveled up to visit my daughter and the grandkids (Scott was off working in Manitoba).  On the way, I stopped by to see Randy and Connie Friesen.  And there was more cake!

And finally to Alli’s where we had another cake!  And ribs!  And fun around the table. 

The trip was only planned as a birthday party, so I headed back today – with this picture of the family in my mind.

Some started early.  Wishes have been coming in for a happy birthday.  Along with cards and one of those gifts you have to enjoy.

A gift of a new wine skin.  Literally from Spain.  The symbolism is biblical.  The application is contemporary.   There are historical and prophetic implications for me.  Maybe some day I will reveal that to the one who gave the gift.  Sneak preview:  there is a sense of vision and mission attached.  I love it.

Tonight I dine with my daughter and her family.  The cake will be one of the many I enjoy.  She won’t tell me which one.  A birthday surprise. 

This morning one of the ladies of the church will bring by a cake for myself and staff and anyone else who shows up to celebrate.

59 years.  Alive and loving it!!

I hit my 59 birthday on Friday.  In past years, I have found that the birthdays just prior to decadal numbers (20, 30, 40, 50) have signaled changes in my life.

This year has been no different.  In fact, probably this year will have some of the greatest impact!

With Jill’s death I have had to reflect on my own life.  I’m finding protocols and approaches to others have changed.  While married life carries certain restrictions, because of love and respect for each other, singleness also carries certain restrictions.

Matchmakers consider you a new prospect.  Service groups see a person who should have greater time.  Family and friends stop you in public spaces and want to hug and console you. 

None of these are bad.  In fact, they are signs of love and concern.  At the same time, you are still figuring out how you approach members of the opposite sex, how you decide on what religious and civil duties to take on, and how you divide your time between friends and family and the broader community. 

In this case, for the good  of myself and others, I am finding that I must restrict myself.  There is much good, but what is the best.  And in doing so, while encouraging some, I disappoint others.

Oh, the joys of being a widower!