Shine Jesus Shine!

As I was looking around the internet this last week I came upon a very interesting site that talked all about light in our world and LED lighting.  With a number of satellite images it demonstrated the increase of night time light. It was fascinating to see but also interesting due to the new LED streetlight outside my bedroom window.

Since they put up that light (the first in our area I might add), I have had to grow accustom to a brighter not so dark bedroom. No problem but it’s still strong. I have also replaced all the light bulbs in our home as well. Lots of light and, ready, lower electricity costs. In the last two months we have only used $35. in electricity. Marvelous if I do say so myself. In the article they also talked about how the night time animals have had to get accustom to all this new light. Don’t worry, they’ll be fine.

The interesting thing that came to mind was, as important as light is at night, more so is light needed in our hearts and world. Jesus said two important things. One, He told us that He was the light of the world. His light dispels the darkness. More and more of the world is endeavouring to turn Christ’s light off. It’s a dark place out there and getting darker with each passing day. The reason is connected with the second thing Christ had to say. He said that we are the light of the world and unlike what the rest of the story said, we hide this light under a bushel of sin and darkness in the world we live in. Some of us are afraid to let that light shine and the darkness gets ever darker.

It is past time that we replace the incandescent light of life with the LED light of Christ. Our true understanding of all this is we are in need of getting connected to the source of this true light and letting His light shine in us as the verse tells us, “let you light so shine before men that they may see you good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” The song is true, “Shine Jesus Shine”.

Something to think about.  

Rob

Just Singing In The Rain

Weather sure has a positive effect on people. On Saturday, when most people would have been just starting to think about getting up a week or so ago, I saw more people out doing, walking, talking and so many other things. And it was only 6:45am.

Two neighbours were standing at that time talking while they leaned on their leaf rakes. What a change. The sun was coming up and more people than I see at 8:30 were already in gear. Even at the gym, more individuals and more conversations. What a change. I don’t know if it was the sun in the sky or the warm temperature or just people so glad to see spring finally arriving.

I remember, yes, here I go again, when Easter was that day. The day spring was supposed to arrive and outdoor activities would start to fall into place. (no pun intended) My brother and I would of course go investigate things. We lived near woods and streams and lots of spring runoff pools. It was a wonderful time for young boys to live and play in the mud. I feel sorry for kids nowadays. The only real fun they ever have is just after a rain where they can splash in puddles before the water goes down the drain. I doubt there are many kids that have ever heard of rubber boots or Wellies.   

Then as now, Easter didn’t just bring spring, it brought a greater understanding of new life in Christ. When we take the normal things of life at spring time, and see in them a reflection of Christ and God bringing new life to our hearts, we feel great. It is because the ‘Son’ of God has arrived, we are warmed by His presence and our days are brighter because He shines in our lives. Maybe it’s also another opportunity, another time to see how life connects with our spiritual awakening. Maybe it’s also the season to come out of hibernation, when weather is no longer a good excuse to not make it out to church.

Something to think about.

Rob

Small or Big, Give It To Him

Most of us are affected by the myriad of little things in life and we tremble when the little things join together like an army and disarm us and we get lost as we try to migrate through life’s inconveniences. Statistics tell us 92% of the little things never amount to a hill of beans and in most cases disappear before we can fix them. Then again there are others of us that forget about the little things and attack with great gusto the big things of life. You will be one or the other.

Well, this week I decided to work on both at the same time. I decided to first concentrate on more important things for a change. I started by pushed aside worrying about winter weather in April. After getting rid of the small annoyance I also decided not to listen to the news. After all, some of it can be a real downer. I was feeling better by 7am. Worked at it and calmed myself enough to not worry about those impolite drivers who, if they had started out ten minutes earlier wouldn’t be winding in and out of traffic. I just said to them through the window, “go get’m buddy”. Five minutes later I pull up beside him and just smile.

As I sat there smiling to myself I remembered one of my Bible College professors who taught me more about the Christian life than I think he even realized. One day, he interrupted himself as he started to reply to a question with startling clarity. In answering the question he clarified our role under God.  He told the class that years ago he learned to let God deal with the big thing.

He told us at one time he worried about world peace and wars and the country’s economy.  Now, he said he deals with the small things,(not little things) like, what car to buy, where to live, what to teach in ‘Hebrew’ class. Then he leaves all the big things to God and as far as he could figure, it was working out quite well thank you very much. Thank you Mr. Simmons.

That night I went to sleep knowing God stays up all night watching over me. During my day, I put away 92% of those other worries and concerned myself with getting to know Him better.

Something to think about

Rob

Just Walking & Smilin'

Have you ever tried to smile when there was little to smile about? Like driving in a spring snow storm. When I was in school I had difficulty smiling when it came to sports. You see, everyone else was usually picked before me. In the end, someone had to have the last kid so, indirectly, I smiled slightly. Even in high school, Bill & I ran as hard as we could trying not to be the last one across the finish line.

When I was older, and part of a church youth group, I became the president, but only because- no one else wanted the position. I again smiled slightly. It was also because I was the only male there until we started doing some awesome things and then more guys showed up. Then we all smiled as the group grew. I even thought for a while the girls picked me because they were all looking for a boyfriend. Yah, right.

Nineteen eighty was another one of those experiences. School was finished and God’s call on my life was going to be fulfilled as we packed up and moved to rural Saskatchewan. Smiling was easy at first. But mom was sick. In spite of her cancer, she jumped on a bus and rode 3000 km with my little sister just to see us and where we were. She had little to smile about, but we all did when they arrived. After only a few days, things changed and she needed to go home. The day before she left she called me into her room and with a smile that filled the room she asked me to feel her soft new hair because, “it feels just like it did when I was a teenager.” She was the one who taught me to let our smiles come out of our heart, not our circumstance.

Many of us have had similar experiences and lived to tell the tale. But isn’t life good? Doesn’t it all work out in the end? Of course. So I encourage young kids, and adults alike - keep smiling! Life gets better and the gifts God has blessed you with will be well used by the time you have figured out it really was a life filled with smiles. Then you will smile broadly and will totally understand, because God, who had experienced the same thing, walks with you through it all wearing sandals.