FAMILY TIME

We've just finished three weeks of family vacation, spending time in Philadelphia, New York and Florida. It was great to see our children and catch up over many conversations. Skype is great, but face to face time is always best.
Time with grandchildren is precious especially since we live so far away. Here by popular demand is a photo of Grandma Jan enjoying time with our youngest, Amara, age one.

Our time in Manhattan with Jeannie, Chris and Amara is always unique. Their huge apartment complex is very close to a lovely children's park. Stores selling almost everything and a dozen different restaurants are within walking distance. A subway stop is right on their corner and taxis are always on the street. We know why so many who live in Manhattan do not own a car.
And then there is Florida. Lots of heat but also plenty of swimming pools and lovely beaches. We were happy to visit with Kent, Shelly, 6 year old Simone and 3 year old Cormac. Papa plays with them in the house and in the water. Grandma sews dresses and does a lot of reading with them.
You may be wondering why this blog all about our family? The main reason is to prove to myself that I finally know how to load photos on my blog (about a year after my only other attempts that failed.)
Don't worry I will not continually feature family. I do hope to give you more photos from Hanoi in the days ahead.

PERSPECTIVE AND HEALING

What is your perspective as you read Scripture? What verses catch your attention. In fact, all of us read Scripture with changing perspectives; with eyes that see and appreciate different aspects and truths as we change. For example if you are sensitized to the importance of cities, you will begin to notice how often they are mentioned in Scripture. Or if you are now in your "sixties" you are reading Scripture with a different perspective than someone in their "twenties'. You are much more likely to notice references to the aged, to grey hair, and perhaps to life beyond the grave.
I was reading a familiar passage of Scripture this morning, but noted a verse that I may have read over too quickly in the past.

Then will the eyes of the blind be opened 
    and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
⁶ Then will the lame leap like a deer, 
    and the mute tongue shout for joy. 
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
    and streams in the desert. Isaiah 35:5, 6


There is no one in my immediate family who lives with a significant disability. But in the last year Jan and I have become acquainted with believers who employ and daily work with Vietnamese with disabilities. We have visited the cafe where the employer is committed to hiring  "blind, deaf and lame" to use the words in the above verses. Imagine what good news this verse is to all of those and to the warm hearted woman who runs the cafe - not to make money, but to provide training and employment for those with disabilities who cannot find work elsewhere. 
As these workers read a passage like this with a much different perspective than most of us. Imagine how exciting the promise that all disabilities will disappear is for them. 
I think of an NGO that hires only those who have severe hearing disabilities. Employment is scarce for these young adults, but at this NGO they make greeting cards that are very intricate, lovely stuffed animals and nativity sets that are very unusual. These young men and women are doing well but I am sure they read these verses with a very different perspective than most of us.
While Jesus walked on planet earth, He restored some blinded eyes, unstopped some deaf ears, healed some lame legs. But in Isaiah 35 we find this wonderful promise for all who suffer serious disabilities: total, universal healing is coming!

WHAT WE WANT TO HEAR

I hope you pray regularly for at least one preacher. It is not easy to preach Spirit guided, biblical, well balanced, relevant and practical sermons. We preachers, like everyone else, are influenced (often too much) by our culture - both the culture of our country and the culture of our Christian community. We must guard against the temptation to preach what is acceptable and welcomed by our audience.

They say to the seers, 
    “See no more visions !”
and to the prophets,
    “Give us no more visions of what is right!
Tell us pleasant things, 
    prophesy illusions. 
¹¹ Leave this way, 
    get off this path,
and stop confronting us
    with the Holy One of Israel!” Isaiah 30:10, 11

Sometimes it is not comfortable being confronted by the Holy One of Israel. We'd rather be comforted by the Loving, Gracious, Merciful, Gentle One of Israel. While God is truly all of those things, He is also the One who keeps calling for righteousness, justice and holiness. We'd rather be told "pleasant things and illusions" because our cultures constantly communicate these things to us all the time. But we need a balanced biblical diet and we desperately need to hear the "whole counsel of God."If we are to grow in Christ-likeness; if we are to grow in holiness, we need to be confronted by the Holy One, Our Father in Heaven. So keep praying for those who preach and teach the Word of God.

FOLLOWING THE RULES

We humans are formed by habits, both good and bad. Every Christian congregation develops a form of worship that tends to become ritualized - liturgical - even in groups who consciously reject anything labeled ritual or liturgical. We can't help it. We like patterns and habits; we all tend to like the familiar. So every congregation quickly or gradually develops its own repeated form of worship.
The danger in coming to God is that we can believe He is satisfied if we "keep the rules and follow the right worship forms and practices." (What we think is right will vary of course, depending upon our background and church affiliation.)
So God's Word warns us repeatedly to beware of simply going through the motions. Beware of thinking that God is satisfied, even impressed, by the holy words we sing and say; by the form of our church attendance. God wants much more from us. God wants heart worship. So the prophet Isaiah writes these words of warning: The Lord says:

“These people come near to me with their mouth
    and honor me with their lips, 
    but their hearts are far from me. 
Their worship of me
    is based on merely human rules they have been taught. (19:13)

CUTTING DOWN THE TREES

Here is an interesting little verse, tucked away in Isaiah 14:8.
Even the junipers and the cedars of Lebanon
    gloat over you and say,
“Now that you have been laid low,
    no one comes to cut us down.”

Of course it is poetic! But on the other hand, --- what is it telling us?  I am no "tree hugger". But I wonder, what implications are in this verse about God's Creation? Can we put this together with other verses that encourage us to manage creation well?
Just wondering.

THE HOLY SPIRIT PROVIDES

The words of Isaiah in this passage are specifically speaking of the One to come; the promised Messiah, the Christ who appeared 700 years after Isaiah wrote. We know our Lord (2nd Person of the Trinity) limited Himself while on earth, becoming dependent on the Holy Spirit (3rd Person of the Trinity). (Philippians 2:6 - 8) We also know He taught and lived with great wisdom and power; that He always did "the Father's will".

The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
    the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
    the Spirit of counsel and of might, 
    the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—                            and he will delight in the fear of the Lord. Isaiah 11:2, 3

That same Holy Spirit comes to live within each person who admits sin and need, and trusts in Jesus Christ to meet their need. Every follower of Jesus has the Spirit living within her/him. Who is this Spirit? What can He provide for you?
Look again at the verse from Isaiah. For us He can provide wisdom and understanding; counsel and power; knowledge and the fear of the Lord. Are any of these lacking in your life? Of course they are! As I did this morning, will you pause and confess your need of these? Will you ask God to provide by His Spirit more of each of these qualities? God waits to hear our confession of need and dependence. He wants to move in us fashioning us more and more into the image of Jesus, filled with His Holy Spirit. We want, we need more wisdom, power and fear of the Lord.
As this happens in us, we will grow to delight in the fear of the Lord. In humility to confess how great is our God; how awesome and powerful He is; how His thoughts and ways are far beyond us. We will gladly worship and obey as we delight in the fear of our loving, all powerful God; filled and guided by His Spirit.

THE HOLY SPIRIT PROVIDES

I am finding it hard to keep up with my blog right now. I have limited wifi access and am visiting two special grandchildren that take my time wrestling, reading, swimming, etc. However this morning I want to share several blogs, if I can.

Isaiah 11 is a wonderful chapter about the coming Messiah, the one who is described as "A shoot from the stump of Jesse (King David's father) and a "Branch that will bear fruit." It tells us that He, Jesus the coming Messiah, will have the Spirit resting upon Him, providing wisdom, power, etc.
Then we read this about the way the Messiah will judge.

"He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, 
    or decide by what he hears with his ears; 
 but with righteousness he will judge the needy, 
    with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; 
    with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. 
 Righteousness will be his belt 
    and faithfulness the sash around his waist." Isaiah 11:3 - 5

No wonder we followers of Jesus are warned about judging people with a condemning, punishing attitude. (Matthew 7:1 - 5) First, we don't hear or see accurately. We often hear only what we want to hear or we hear well but then misinterpret what was said. We always look at others through our own personal set of perspectives, history, prejudices, etc. Each of us has these personal "coloured glasses" that keep us from looking at anyone impartially or objectively.
We stand in such absolute contrast to the Jesus the Messiah. He sees and hears much better than we do. More than that He senses and knows far beyond what physical eyes and ears can learn. Jesus knows the past and Jesus knows motives. Therefore, unlike all humans with our limitations and our sin, He judges with righteousness, justice and faithfulness! His judgments are absolutely reliable.
More than that, our God is especially attuned to those described as needy and poor. If God has any prejudice it is toward those who are most often mistreated in our world; those who cannot pay for the best lawyers to protect them; those who don't know powerful people who can speak the right word or "pull the right strings".
We see it in the life of Jesus. He was especially concerned for the poor and downtrodden - and He still is. Isaiah, inspired by God, prophesied this 700 years before Jesus the Messiah came to earth.

LOOKING BACK THE VIEW IS BETTER

I enjoyed a great time last Sunday at Bayview Glen Church. Jan and I were part of that church family for twelve years, the longest church connection since we entered ministry. It still feels like "home", six years later. We were greeted by many folks we knew during our years at Bayview, including one woman aged 97 and two aged 90! At my age it is great to talk with people ten year, twenty or even more years older than me.
One danger for all of us as we grow older - the old days look better and better. It is true whether we are reflecting about society, about music, about safety, or even about parenting. Somehow looking back can too often seem better, the older we grow.
The writer of Ecclesiastes at times seems very cynical. At times is observations seem to clash with truth taught in other Scriptures. However there is much wisdom in this book. For those of us who may "long for the good old days": hear this ancient wisdom.

"Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?”
    For it is not wise to ask such questions." Ecclesiastes 7:10

Perspective, age and fading memories can distort our view of the past and hinder our appreciation of the present. We need to keep "being present in the present" and looking forward, not backward. Even if we reach our 90's.

FATHER'S DAY BUT

In North America, the third Sunday of June is celebrated as Father's Day. For the first time in many years I will have the pleasure to actually be with one of my children on Father's Day. Jan and I will spend this coming weekend in Manhattan where our daughter Jeannie, husband Chris live with their one year old daughter, Amara. Right now we are in Philadelphia with our son Steve and his wife Vanessa.
Although Father's Day is coming soon, my Bible reading today was in the last two chapter's of Proverbs. Thus two comments on wives.
First, the author mentions that their are four things on earth that cause the earth to tremble. One of these is "an unloved woman who is married". (30:23) From observation, such a woman can become very angry and bitter. She can become obsessively focused on her children. She can become a very difficult boss or employee. Actually there should not be such a woman. Married women ought to enjoy the love of their husbands. So my challenge to all Christian husbands: are you loving your wife the way you should? The Bible expects us to love like Christ loves the church. (Ephesians 5:25, 33) Do you let her know you love her? Does she feel loved?
Second, the last section of Proverbs (31:10 - 31) describes the ideal wife and mother. It paints quite a picture of an amazing woman - efficient wife, mother, businesswoman, etc. It tempts me to rave about the woman God gave to me more than 40 years ago. I will resist the temptation, but will say this. I appreciate and love Jan more now, and thank God for her more now, than I did in our early years of marriage. I hope the same growth in appreciation is true for all of you fathers and husbands who read this blog.

WHICH IS WORSE

My wife and I enjoyed an 11 hour bus ride yesterday from Toronto to Philadelphia. Except for the hour long border crossing (two of the passengers were having difficulty getting into the US and caused most of the delay) the trip was uneventful. The bus was comfortable, only half full and the drivers were excellent. However promised wi fi service was very intermittent.
After several tries I was able to get onto the internet - for a few minutes - then suddenly I was off. I tried periodically for a few hours. Occasionally I was connected but again only for a few minutes. One email I managed to send took 18 hours to arrive at its destination.
The question I found myself asking was: which is worse - no offer of wifi or totally unreliable, intermittent internet service? I wasted a lot of time trying to connect. The occasional momentary connection served only to raise my hopes and then leave me frustrated and disappointed. Fortunately my favourite friend, my wife was with me; and I had a good book to read (my kindle was not working either). I finally gave up on the wifi connection.
As a Christian and pastor, I've been wondering since yesterday about a parallel: in God's eyes, which is worse - those who sporadically turn to God in prayer and maybe lifestyle, but usually break off contact very quickly; or those who just don't connect with God at all. They ignore Him, deny His existence or in their pride have decided they can do better without His help.
Many of us would suppose that some contact with God - some reaching out to Him - is better than nothing. However I wonder how God feels about that? I wonder if He wishes we would just "leave Him alone" if we are not serious; if we are not going to work at growing an intentional, faith friendship with Him? I wonder if we are not serious about following Jesus; would He rather we just go ahead and live totally without Him instead of weak, intermittent attempts to reconnect?
I wonder if He would rather we were hot or cold, but not luke warm. (Revelation 3:15, 16)

I KNEW NOTHING

My schedule this week has been crazy. No routine at all since catching a 11:30 pm flight to Calgary, via Tokyo and Dallas. I now write from Toronto. I've had three 7:00 am appointments this week and an interior clock that has been trying to adjust to travelling half way around the globe.
I never have early morning appointments in Hanoi! So my times with God have been scattered instead of my normal regular early morning time with Him. And my reading of Scripture has been less on some days. Today for example I didn't open my Bible until about 4:00 pm. I looked at Proverbs 24 and was jolted by it. Underlined in my Bible, maybe I've not paid attention to this passage since reading through Scripture last year.
Our world is filled with injustice, poverty and spiritual need. Whatever our age and season of life, God expects us to help those in trouble. To do our part, however small. I read the following passage just now and needed to confess and pray. "Lord, please give me strength to do all you want me to do. Please help us to give all you expect us to give. Please help me to pray more for those suffering because of injustice, poverty and spiritual darkness. People need Jesus. People need protection. People need systems to change. Please help us to do our part. We are accountable to You!"
Here is the passage that just challenged me. Perhaps it will challenge you today as well.

If you do nothing in a difficult time,
your strength is limited.
 Rescue those being taken off to death,
and save those stumbling toward slaughter. 
 If you say, “But we didn’t know about this,”
won’t He who weighs hearts consider it?
Won’t He who protects your life know?
Won’t He repay a person according to his work?  Proverbs 24:10 - 12

LESS IS MORE

The natural human tendency (my natural tendency) is to want more; to think that more brings increased happiness; that more strengthens satisfaction. It is easy to think that just a little more would provide more happiness. Many people work long hours often ignoring family relationships in the mistaken belief that gaining wealth is worth the cost. The wisdom of Proverbs corrects that natural but incorrect thinking.
Inner peace and loving relationships are far more important than more money; increased wealth that brings increased inner tension or broken relationships is just not worth it. Sadly too many people learn this lesson too late.
We do well to listen and learn from the simple but profound words of Proverbs.
"Better to have little, with fear for the Lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil. A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate." Proverbs 15:16, 17 (NLV)

RECOVERING IN CANADA

Jan and I left our apartment in Hanoi just after 8:00 pm on Sunday night. We arrived in Calgary just after 1:00 pm on Monday. When you add in a 13 hour time gain, it adds up to 30 hours in transit.
With our interior clocks absolutely reversed I was delighted to sleep for 7&1/2 hours last night. Today I've managed to think and talk clearly (I hope) through several appointments, but it will be several days as we recover from this radical time zone change. Some people do these major (8 hours or more) time zone changes often. And enter major negotiations or make major decisions soon after arrival. I admire them!

We are travelling to four Canadian cities and three US cities during these next five weeks. So I expect my blog will be less consistent than normal during this period.

I am reading in Proverbs this week. Expecting to meet many old and new friends during these days of travel, my prayer is that we enjoy valuable conversations. I want to speak words of encouragement with wisdom as I make these many contacts. In Proverbs 10:11 - 32 there are seven statements about the kind of conversations I'd like to have. Wherever you are living right now, may these describe the way you (and I) speak with others.
"The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life."
"Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning."
"he who holds his tongue is wise."
"The tongue of the righteous is choice silver."
"The lips of the righteous nourish many"
"The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom"
"The lips of he righteous know what is fitting"

May God bless others through our conversations this week.

LIVING BREAD

Wow! I was just "touched, moved, challenged, pleased" by a blog referenced in an article in hermeneutics found through Christianity Today. "aholyexperience.com/2012/05/bible-reading-as-a-family-devotiona/"

I don't know the author at all. But when she writes about her family's daily practice of reading the Word of God together, she makes me wish I could start our family life all over again. Learned from his father, her husband introduced his rare family tradition into their marriage from the beginning.
They never rise from eating "dead food" before eating from the Living Bread. After every meal, Scripture is read - a few verses or more. Their family has practiced this habit for, it appears, at least two decades. With small children and with teens, the tradition continues. In the midst of busy lives, they maintain "eating God's Word" after every meal. Given our need to be shaped by the Living Word, it is a marvellous family practice.
I've never thought of the food I eat as dead food. But it has been picked, plucked, cut or torn from the tree, bush,  ground or animal. It is not alive. Not a pretty adjective, "dead" food. But it makes a startling, helpful contrast to the Living Word that we don't eat often enough.
As one who struggled to sporadically have our family read Scripture together after one meal a day, I recommend the article to you.
Read her blog just for the pleasure of being reminded that as we open Scripture we are spiritually eating God's living words. Read it to be encouraged again that the Bible deserves a major place in your life and mine.

WISDOM, GUIDANCE, PROMISES

Continuing from yesterday: reasons why I should read the Bible regularly. Without going through Psalm 119 in detail, here are four verses (between vs. 89 and 140) providing four reasons that are underlined in my Bible. Good reasons among many, why the Bible is worth much attention.
First the contents of the Bible, words from God, are eternal. That should make reading of them more important than all books, TV shows or movies that I may find informative and entertaining. That is if I respond with a mind set "on things above."
Your word, Lord, is eternal; 
    it stands firm in the heavens.
⁹⁰ Second, many books can provide information, increasing my knowledge and expertise. However the Bible, in an unmatched way, provides wisdom from God.
our commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies.
⁹⁹ I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. 
¹⁰⁰ I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. 
¹⁰¹ Third, when making decisions, whose guidance will help me most? Surveys show that in some countries, for many people, TV talk shows and other programs provide their insights and models for life direction. There are of course many influences that provide guidance as we make daily decisions and occasional major decisions. The Bible can and should provide our foundational guidance. But it has to become a familiar reference for me.
Your word is a lamp for my feet,
    a light on my path.
Fourth, the Bible provides promises from God. Millions of people have believed these promises over thousands of years. Millions would affirm what the psalmist believed. To believe and trust God's promises you have to know what they are - so we read the Bible regularly.
Your promises have been thoroughly tested, 
    and your servant loves them.