Book Review

 

God and the Pandemic

A Christian Reflection on the Corona virus and its Aftermath 

                               --  By:  N.T Wright 

 

Let’s start by learning more of N.T. Wright.  Wright is a research professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at the University of St Andrew and a senior research fellow at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford.  Previously he was Bishop of Durham, Canon Theologian of Westminster, Dean of Litchfield and fellow, tutor and chaplain of Worcester College, Oxford.  He is also the author of over eighty books.  I became familiar with his work when I started a Lenten devotion he had written for the You Version Bible App.   

 The book is short (only 80+ pages) and was written in July 2020 soon after the pandemic had begun and when we were all hoping it would be short lived.  He states the aim of this book is not to offer solutions to the questions raised by the pandemic but to help us resist the knee jerk reactions which are so easy to accept. He feels we need a time of lament, of restraint.  He feels if we spend time in the prayer of lament, new light may come.

Wright begins with the Hebrew Scriptures and asks us to consider how early Jewish people responded to their tragedy of the Babylonian exile. He guides us through some of the Psalms and the book of Job.  Wright suggests “we are simply to lament, we are to complain, we are to state the case, and leave it with God”.  

He then turns to Jesus and the New Testament.  He uses stories from the Bible to point us to how early Christians responded to the tragedies of their times.  Wright notes that these early Christians do not attempt to lay blame, call for repentance or assume that Jesus is returning soon.  Rather, “they ask three simple questions: 

1. Who is going to be at special risk when this happens? 

1. What can we do to help? 

1. And who shall we send?”  

Wright reminds us throughout history; Jesus’ followers have started hospitals, cared for the wounded, fed the hungry and tended to the dying. 

Early in this book Wright refers to the “End Times” and how many Christians feel the pandemic is heralding these times.  I find it difficult to explain how, but Wright develops a clear argument of how he feels that this is NOT what the pandemic is about.  Instead Wright takes the reader through the Gospels and explains that Jesus is God’s sign and that God’s kingdom is now.  You will have to read this book yourself as I found my own ideas about God and Jesus changed as I read both the book and the scriptures Wright uses. The author wants the reader to look at what is happening, to be prayerful and look for what may come.     

E-book is available on Amazon for $5.99 

 Thanks to Linda Cliff for this week's blog.

 

 

 

 

 

Travelogue

As our world moves toward the end of COVID many are dreaming of travelling again. Meantime, Barb Lyon has sent us this report of a trip she took in 2019 where she "met" an ancestor.

     My cousins and I planned a trip for September 2020 to travel to Germany, Austria and Italy, travelling by train along the way. Our trip was, of course, cancelled due to Covid 19 travel restrictions but we did manage a trip the previous year to England.
     My cousin Gerry and her husband Ray have visited England previously and were posted there for five years during Ray’s career in the Canadian Navy. I couldn’t have asked for more knowledgeable, kind and accommodating travel companions.
     One of our stops was West Bromwich in the West Midlands area of England. There we visited the grave of our great, great, great, great uncle James Eaton.

Born in London in 1783, Eaton entered the navy in 1799 during the French Revolutionary Wars. He was appointed signal midshipman aboard HMS Temeraire by 1805, and served as such at The Battle of Trafalgar with Lord Nelson on the HMS Victory during the Napoleonic wars.

HMS Victory

The HMS Tremeraire was broken up after the war but we did visit the HMS Victory in Portsmouth.

It was James Eaton, as signal midshipman, who repeated Lord Nelson’s command at the start of the Battle of Trafalgar that “England expects that every man this day shall do his duty”.
     James Eaton is buried at All Saints Church in West Bromwich. The Warden there was very generous of his time and gave us am interesting tour of the Church and its grounds.
This is a picture of my cousin Gerry with the Warden and myself at James Eaton’s grave site.

We visited Hill House in West Bromwich where James Eaton lived until his death in 1857. We knocked on the door hoping for a brief look around but the current owners were not at home

Hill House, Dagger Lane, W. Bromwich

 
Built in the early 16th century, Hill House became the home of Captain James Eaton in 1839. It is believed Charles Dickens was a visitor to Hill House while he wrote "the Old Curiosity Shop." 

     The next day we travelled from Portsmouth by ferry to the Isle of Wight.There we visited Osborne House which Queen Victoria and Prince Albert built between 1845 and 1951. Prince Albert designed the house himself in the style of an Italian Renaissance palazzo. The Royal Family enjoyed the House as a change from the stuffiness of Buckingham Palace and the more relaxed atmosphere for their 11 children. The family used it as a summer home and rural retreat.

Osborne House

We greatly enjoyed our tour of the House and the extensive grounds.
     Queen Victoria died at Osborne House on January 1 1901 and even though her will expressed her desire that the House be kept in the Royal Family, Queen Victoria’s heir Prince Edward VII donated the House to the state in 1902. As such it is the first and only royal residence to be enjoyed by only one generation of the Royal Family. 

     We look forward to the day when we can enjoy each other's company again and travel God's magnificent Creation.

Thanks for the armchair tour, Barb. Imagine being the man who passed along the order "England expects . . . his duty."

Lament

On Tuesday of last week the Lenten devotional used Psalm 77 as the scripture. This passage is a lament, meant to sung. As a side note, we learned that at least one third of the Psalms are laments. That got me to thinking, why so many laments in the Psalms? Why a whole book of Lamentations? Even Jesus lamented saying " if Thou be willing, take this cup from me." Matt.22:42 

A bit of research turned up this definition of lament: a passionate expression of grief or sorrow. Another authority points out that the lament is an expression of sorrow, whereas grief is suffering. The expression part may be missing. 

In every age and clime humans have known heartbreak. For as long as we have a record, the lament has been part of our literature. Often it is purely instrumental. Think of our Remembrance Day ceremonies. One of the most moving moments is when the piper plays the Lament. The heart pours out its grief in pure emotion, no cerebral interference. If laments are so much a part of our being, they must serve some deep human need.

Lamentation, then, is about release, about letting the painful emotions flow:fear, doubt, bewilderment, anger, shame and guilt, perhaps, as well as sadness. 

                                                                              from Psychology Today 

The article goes on to "lament" our modern need to apologize for expressing grief. 

But, I still wonder why there is so much lamenting in the Bible. Didn't God chastise the Israelites in the wilderness for murmuring and complaining? Surely faith should make us joyful. More research . . .

  "Lament is prayer to God." 

So, my complaint is "I'm sick to death of this pandemic!" My lament would be "Dear God, I'm sick to death of this pandemic. Help me."

Note, in the lament example, I'm speaking to God, so my lament is a prayer. The lament is also an expression of faith. If I didn't think God had power to act, or compassion for my grief, there would be no point in telling Him of my distress.

Speaker and writer Niki Hardy puts it this way. 

3 Ways to Tell the Difference between Complaining and Lamenting

• A complaint goes to another person while a lament is given solely to God
• A complaint focuses solely on our grievance but a lament grounds our pain in the truth of who God is.
• Complaints are screamed into the silence while a lament is uttered within the music of our praise

During our devotional time I jokingly said I might give up writing my list of thanksgivings and start a list of laments. Rev. Irwin was quick to point out I needed the thanksgivings too. His advice is Biblical. The pattern established in the Psalms is to cry out to God, let Him have a full description of my anger, sorrow, disappointment, grief, hurt -- give Him the full list of wrongs endured. I can go ahead and yell about a lost Christmas, missed celebrations, lonely funerals, grandchildren missing grandparents, family holidays cancelled. As Dr. Kirk used to say, "God has broad shoulders."

But, using Psalm 77 as a pattern, we see the change in verse 11. Now the writer remembers and meditates on God's mighty acts. In reminding God of His goodness, the psalmist also reminds himself and his hearers. Here my list of wrongs done unto me shifts to a list of mercies shown unto me. Our God is Holy, He works miracles, He has saved the nation, He controls the thunder and the sea. 

I turn to my list of thanksgivings. Remember it is 1000 items long and growing.

Finally, in the last verse of Psalm 77 the writer says God led His people like a shepherd. The Good Shepherd. Our friend, protector, provider, nurturer, comforter. 

We often hear that the Bible is a blueprint for living. Since broken hearts are part of living, God provided the blueprint for how to lament. . . and how to trust Him.

When I finished writing my lament, I stepped outside into the sunshine and found this happy little crocus pushing up from the frosty ground. Something to add to my list of thanksgivings.

Note: To join the Lenten Devotional every weekday morning at 9:00 am, follow the link sent our in Rev. Irwin's weekly letter, or call the office - (250) 656 -2241-  for assistance.

Give up winter for Lent?

Wouldn't you know, our latest blast of winter happened over a weekend. Last Sunday the shovellers were out early clearing a path into the parking lot for the few people needed to run our livestreamed service. 

On Tuesday Tore was clearing snow preparatory to Wednesday's in-person session meeting and was joined by one of the Tai Chi ladies and later by a cyclist who'd parked in our lot before taking her ride. Nice to have the help and nice to connect with our neighbours -- even if it is shovelling snow.

Snow hasn't stopped the bottle collection at SPPC. If you have empties to donate, call Joan (250 656-6130) and she'll come and pick them up for you. Proceeds go to our mission in the Dominican Republic.

 

Painting by Marianna Rosetto SAH

  Time to add a new skill to your     repertoire.  Rev. Irwin has set up a   zoom room where we can all meet at   9:00 am every weekday morning through Lent. The link was sent to everyone in the weekly mail out, but, if you lost it or never got it, you can call the office to have it re-sent.

The devotional we are using is one prepared by St. Andrew's Hall in Vancouver. The pdf for it is available here so, even if you don't "zoom," you can read the devotional for yourself.

It's not the same as our normal Bible Study--you have to make your own coffee for one thing, and there is no pre-study chat time. However, Irwin has offered to leave the room open for a while after the devotional if we want to "talk among ourselves." On Thursday we talked about "waiting for the Lord" and "waiting for the pandemic to end." 

  The discussion was short but left me with lots to think about. e.g. what are we doing with our waiting time? The Israelites wandered in the wilderness to prepare to enter the Promised Land. As we wander in the pandemic, how can each of us prepare for a return to church?

  I've missed all my Bible Study friends as well as the rest of the congregation. Even waving to you on screen would lift my heart. If you haven't already given it a try, please join in any morning you are able. 

  While we wait, here's a hopeful image. Thanks to Linda's gardening work last summer, Tore found this determined daffodil poking through the snow in the church's front garden. Brighter days will come.

Our most recent livestreamed service is here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWrLvhAPTal9KXHGnDLeAfA/live

Heart to Heart

 Happy Valentine's!  

The Times-Colonist has been printing heart flags over the past months as a way to say thank you to front line workers. The most recent issue inspired Tore to put a red heart on our building. The logo can be read as "thank you" or "happy Valentine's" or "love." Whatever interpretation you use, it's a cheerful sign in the midst of our snowstorm. 

Update on the soup sale: We received around fifty orders for soup. Joan got out ahead of the snow and made all the deliveries. There are a few servings left so you can still purchase some for yourself. (Call Joan 250 656-6130) Proceeds go to the Session Discretionary Fund. 

Noel's eye treatment has been so successful he is driving his car again.

Happy Birthday to Patricia Lawson-Gaw who turns 90 today. Thanks to Joan and Darlene, Patricia received a cake from SPPC. No party, I'm afraid. By the time we meet again in person we'll need a dozen cakes to catch up with all the celebrations we've missed this year.

Our Hope

 The link for this week's live-streamed service is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SczYOyDl9PY&feature=youtu.be

I've been stumped about what to post on this week's blog. There is not much happening at the church since we are closed! Looking for inspiration I paged through the last ten years of February blogs. I found that Jerusha and Felicity celebrate birthdays this month, but all the other posts dealt with stuff like winter blahs, the annual congregational meeting and funerals! 

Given the current restrictions on meeting and travel, no one needs a post on winter blahs. The ACM is postponed until we can meet in person. Holding a funeral under COVID rules adds another layer of sorrow to the already bereaved. 

So, what do we need on this page in February 2021. I think the answer is hope. Researchers, doctors and psychologists vary in how they define hope but in general hope means a desire for things to change for the better, and to want that better situation very much. Hope implies that there is the possibility of a better future, according to the famed hope researcher C.R. Snyder. When things are dire and difficult, hope can keep us going. 

But hope is more than just wishing. Hope is active.

Hope keeps us involved. Hope helps us cope with troubles. Hope is a necessity for good mental health. Hope doesn't sit back and wait for COVID to end. Hope takes action. Hope looks for ways to make things better for each of us right now. That might mean a phone call or a card in the mailbox. If you live with others fixing a special treat for dinner is an act of hope. Even if you eat alone, or especially if you eat alone, fix yourself a special treat and raise your spirits.

Relationships are vital to a hopeful attitude. With COVID around, our relationships are curtailed but they are not impossible. I've spent more hours on the telephone in the past year than I have in the previous ten. It's not a perfect substitute for in-person meetings, but it is something and much better than nothing.

I've learned to "zoom." The blasted technology keeps getting in the way, but when I finally see a loved one's face on the screen, my heart lifts. I hope for a better future.

E-mails can keep relationships alive, even from a distance. I have developed a very close friendship with a woman in Australia. We met in an on-line course and exchanged progress reports once a week. The course lasted six weeks but our friendship has lasted for years. We've met in person only twice, when she visited B.C. yet our friendship is rich and sustaining. I look forward to Mondays because that's the day I'll hear from her. 

One of the complaints I hear about our lives these days is the monotony. Each day seems the same as the last until we lose track of the days of the week and settle into lethargy. Hope can move you from that dark place. Hope is a motivator. Hope pushes you to reach for something better. Hope beckons you outside to enjoy a sunny day. A sunny day encourages gratitude. Gratitude opens your mind to God.

And here we have the greatest gift of all. 

fire at Notre Dame

While the secular world may wish for an end to the pandemic that hope may be filled with doubt. Our hope is founded on God's promise and there is no doubt that God keeps His promises. Scripture abounds with these assurances.

Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
 Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” 

Romans 5:5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Proverbs 23:18 There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

 We have many worldly hopes -- and on the pandemic front Dr. Henry hinted that church services may resume soon -- but our true hope rests in Jesus Christ. Trust in Him. Hope in Him and you will know joy and peace and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Search for Blessings

 The link for our livestreamed service this week is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBw_cyaoSZc&feature=youtu.be  

 

someone called the church to thank us for this sign.

     

  It's been a gloomy week. Grey weather, bad news on the     vaccine front, case numbers   climbing on the Island. Dr.   Henry's "do more" is met with a   grumpy "I already am" from a tired   population.

 

A bit hard to follow   Paul's behest, "in every thing,   give thanks." I Thessalonians 5:18

  Thinking on this I recalled that some years ago our Bible Study group did a semester on Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts. The challenge she presented was to record our blessings, great and small, every day for a year and try to reach 1000. I took up the dare and listed my thanksgivings every day for a year in a lovely leather journal, a gift from my niece. It was tough to get started, but once I got the hang of it, I saw blessings all around. After a year, I'd reached 921 on my list. 80 short of my goal, but the effect of practising gratitude every day, had a profound effect on my life.

   That was in 2014. Seems like a lifetime ago. 2020 changed everything. But it didn't change the Holy Spirit, our encourager, comforter, advocate, helper, guide and friend. John 14 So, with the help of the Holy Spirit, let's pick up that challenge to find three blessings every day (3 x 365 = 1095) even during the pandemic.

   I'll start. 

1. The daffodil bulbs have sprouted at the church. This is a double blessing not only because of its promise of spring and beauty, but because it makes Linda very happy to see the rewards of her work last summer.

 

 2. The amaryllis has put on a magnificent display of colour.

Another two for one. The flowers are a delight to the eye and the plant was a gift, drawing me close to my far away family and raising happy memories in my soul.

3. Jigsaw puzzles. They are a great way to wile away time while stuck indoors. There is satisfaction in placing each piece that fits. In my case, I get the pleasure of the cat "helping." Even as I pick up and replace the scattered pieces, I have to laugh.

Bonus: Writing this list has cheered me up. 

   I wish we had Bible Study so we could all meet and compare lists and draw strength from one another, but . . . Meanwhile it's great that you can use the comments section below to add your gratitudes. Go ahead and share. It will make you feel better and lift the spirits of other readers.

Open your hand to the simple, daily gifts, writing down all the unique and ordinary things you notice, from the grand and obvious to the humble and hidden. Praise Him for the unexpected and the unlikely, for the daily and the difficult, and the graces in disguise. The more you count, the more gifts you will see. Do not disdain the small. The moments add up, and we might come to believe it --the whole earth is full of His glory! -- Ann Voskamp, one thousand gifts devotional Zondervan, © 2013