Creating Something From Nothing

I wonder if He’s done? You know, Genesis 2:2. Just so you don’t have to look it up it says, “God had finished the work he had been doing.”. But was that the end? Just the other day, I was out doing some late fall things and I was interrupted by a good number of lady beetles. There were lots of them and later on that night I heard about more of them on the news. I guess it’s their time of the year to make themselves known. Is it the first time I have seen them? No, but not like this. Then there was the news article the other week that told up of 100 new species or animals that humans have never seen before. Some of you will think that is far fetched. After all, we have subdued the world like no other time. How could there be more of what we have never seen?
So, I have to ask myself, is God still in the business of creating? Scientists tell us there are new stars begin created each and every second. My bible also tells me He names every one of them. Wow! That is beyond me.
I remember watching my father a good number of years ago. I was in high school and he worked as a carpenter for the Board of Education. My teacher asked me to make a mechanical drawing up for a new book case he wanted made for his classroom. The next day I was to meet with the man who was going to build it. So, there I waited for him right near where the bookcase would stand. To my surprise, it was my dad who came in the door. I was so proud of my drawing, as I talked about what I drew. He looked at it, measured the opening and said he would be back the next day. I offered him the drawing but he said that wouldn’t be necessary. The next day, dad showed up with the bookcase. He didn’t need it. He had been there before.
Wonder if God is like that? Made something once and knows how to do it again? Doesn’t need a drawing let alone someone to draw it up? Just looks and instantly there is something new. Something never seen before.
If God can do that out of nothing, then what can He do in me, or should I say, with me? I get to think about me as I read the words of David, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Ps 51. Not only create but makes something like new.
We are ever changing and being made into the likeness of God. My heart sores as I realize, that God is not only making things every day, but he reaches down to us and seeks to make us new.
Something to think about.
Rob

Never Alone

There is one in every crowd. But that depends on how big the crowd is. So, I guess we need to say, there is one in every group of ten people. Does that sound reasonable? Okay, we will let that stand. Not knowing what the statistics is we will go with that. We also have to remember that 80% of all statistics are probably wrong or made up to suit the situation.
Suffice to say there is one close by you.
At church the other month I noticed the one. They are the ones that just sit there and quietly observe and take it all in. Whatever “all” is. Seldom do they stand around with all the other talkers. Probably because they don’t believe they have much to say. Not that they don’t have much to say, because they probably do.
We are all the same. All created by God with two eyes, two ears and one mouth. For some people, you would think they have more then one mouth was ever meant to say. I look at it this way, I need to hear twice as much as I say. For a preacher, it’s hard . . . sometimes really hard. I even know some people who went into the ministry because they like the sound of their own voices. Not a good reason.
But back to the person, sitting quietly taking it all in. At the time, I figured it was time to talk to them. As I walked toward the person, their head went down and I believe they were trying to blend into the woodwork and were probably, because their head was down, praying I would keep walking past them. I didn’t. In fact, I sat down beside them and engaged them.
Interesting what you learn when you sit down and take time to listen. I had a delightful time with them that morning and so begun a new friendship with someone who not only has lots to say, but now has someone to say it to.
I also learned something else. They needed me as much as I needed them. No one comes to church to be alone. No one is in this life to be alone. We are all in need of each other. Yes, we all have Jesus who is there listening to our every cry, but . . .
I have been in a lot of churches over the years. I have met a lot of people and developed lots of friendships. In all those years, none of them have been insignificant. I am what I am, because of those who touched my life and the lives I have touched.
In the middle of it all, is Jesus. Was it Jesus who prompted me to walk over and sit down? Maybe. All I know is, I have a new friend who has a friend who listens. The winter won’t be as cold and alone, start a new friendship today. Go ahead, walk over, sit down.
Something to think about
Rob

Smilin' To Myself

I found myself smiling to myself the other day. Call me strange or admit, you have done it as well. It just happened while I was driving along by myself. Just before this interesting experience, I had offered a friend a ride home. When they got in the car, I turned the radio off so we could talk. Nothing too deep but not ephemeral either. It’s not a long drive from where we started to their home but it was nice to have time to just talk and say hello.
Our lives are filled with all kinds of conversations. Some never get beyond the nice day, how are you talks. Others go deeper with each passing conversation when all at once you realize you have a friend and you are a friend. Our conversation that day was somewhere in between. Just enough time to open the door a little more and see the heart within. I pray it was reciprocal. Two things happened that morning. First I missed the turn. We were so enjoying the conversation, I actually missed the turn. Secondly, we now had a few more minutes together as we traveled those extra few blocks. It was such a great day. A short stop at the side walkway and I was on my way again. Didn’t even turn the radio on.
And then it happened, I was smiling to myself. Life felt good all around me. It wasn’t anything we said to each other, it most likely wasn’t anything we shared in that morning at the lodge. How can I explain this? It just felt great to be alive and to be with someone else who enjoys being alive as much as me.
Some people do that to us. Just being with them we feel better about the world, about them, about ourselves, and they about us. Maybe that was it. Maybe. I knew it was a better day just by having spent time with a friend. But then I smiled when I thought of the possibility that I inspired the same feeling in someone else. I think I did and I do.
How would we feel if we were to walk beside the Son of God. Maybe walking along the beach talking and listening. Hearing what He is talking about and listening to the soft sound of the waves coming ashore and feeling the warm sun in the cloudless azure blue sky beating down on both our shoulders. Would we be smiling? Maybe that is what happened last week. Maybe I drove with Jesus unaware.
Something to think about.
Rob

It's A Struggle

Living the Christian life is not an easy one for someone who is so human. But then again, losing weight and being on a diet isn’t too easy either. By the way, this is for those who struggle with both. It is such a struggle for many of us to keep the weight off. The doctor once said, “you could afford to lose a few pounds.” Nice and polite. We smile and say we will try. As time marched on, or is that past us, there were a few more chocolate bars, sugar-coated deserts and then the next doctors visit. This time she said, “I see you’ve gained a few more pounds.” I didn’t know if it was a statement or question so I just smile and acted coy. I guess it shows in our freshly acquired wardrobe.
The next visit is not a happy one. For four or five days we have tried to lose the ten extra pounds we have put on since the last visit. Oh, we feel fine but we know she is also going to say something about, “you are at that age you know.” There you sit, ready to hear those dreaded words. But they don’t come like they use too as hints or suggestions. They come with a word no one ever wants to hear, “You are over weight and you need to get serious. You need to lose that weight, after all, being 50 with baby fat isn’t cute any more.” We are cut to the bone. Time to do something or so you say on your way through the donut drive through.
So then we wonder about the Christian life. At first it is new and exciting and the love you feel in your heart is amazing. Jesus has made you new and sent to Holy Spirit to live in you.
Oops. I can’t believe I did that. The New Testament writer said it better then me, “the things I should do I don’t do and the things I shouldn’t do I do.” Words to not live by. We, or I should refer back to the many of us, struggle. As with weight, we struggle living the life God intended for us. A life of joy, peace, love and hope. All wonderful things we so desperately needed before Christ. And now, we are having difficulty. Life is getting in the way. Too much time out of God’s presence and more time in our own. Life is a struggle and just like a diet, it takes time and energy and commitment and determination, and dedication to Christ to walk the way He laid it out.
I have encouraging words for you. If we struggle, it tells us God is near. If we don’t struggle, we forgot Him. We have not forgotten the one who will never forget us. The wonderful difference I feel and you feel is God doesn’t have to remind us, He just stands there with tears in His eyes and we know.
I’m on both diets, are you?
Something to think about
Rob

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

Over the years I have written a number of things about the 24 hours of Thanksgiving. They were not necessarily about the day, but more about the objects of Thanksgiving. On other occasions I wrote about being thankful every day. Some would say it’s normal and expected for all of us to be thankful especially on the second Monday of October. I on the other hand would probably say, on that specific day I have exceptions - turkey, cabbage and cranberry sauce.
We are blessed here in Canada to have our lives filled with so many specific special calendar days. Most are specifically set aside to celebrate things we cherish in life, like Mother’s and Father’s Day. Many more have to do with people, birthdays, anniversaries, Canada Day, Easter, Christmas . . . you get the idea. In fact most of you may not realize that Oct. is Minister Appreciation Month with the first Sunday of October being, Minister Appreciation Sunday. Too late. Maybe next year.
I think that each one of these special days and celebrations have significance to most of us. This is over against the grouchy old man within me who would sometimes say we should put them all on the same day, get it over with and relax the rest of the year . . . Not really. A number of years ago I wrote about the significance of each and every weekend. I love it, can’t keep up with them, but I love it. I actually have a weekly calendar sent to my inbox to tell me of all the special days coming up in the next week. The reason I do this is, I don’t want to miss one of them. Yes, there is some frivolity, while others stir our hearts. Ice Cream Day in June was one of my favourites, while, Kiss a Fool Day, is a little further down the list.
Lucky for all of us, we have one that stands out high above all the rest. We call it Sunday. If we think back to a simpler time, we can remind ourselves it was called, The Lord’s Day. It comes once a week, every week, not because we need to be reminded but because He is deserving of our worship and praise. In a week, 168 hours, God is faithful to walks with us and talks with us and He tell us we are His own. What does it take for us to spend one of those hours, thanking Him?
Especially on Thanksgiving Sunday.
Something To Think About
Rob
Happy Thanksgiving!