Between the Raindrops

 The link for this week's live-streamed service is here.

A hole in one at the 18th

This week the Lord watered our thirsty land. The trees and the streams and the fish and the birds gave thanks.

The organizers of events at SPPC might feel a little differently. We've been lulled by the hot, dry weather and make our arrangements with no thought to wet weather. But, we were fortunate. Both the mini-golf and the rose garden events were staged between the raindrops.

On Wednesday, 15 people gathered at the Island View Mini-Golf course for two hours of missed shots, made shots, much hilarity and Olympic sized cheers. 

 We didn't have anyone to vet these score cards so declaring a winner is suspect. Still, Bill had the lowest score. Three players claimed a hole-in-one, Pam, Bill and David. Congratulations!

We had just finished playing, when the rain started up. Interestingly, by the time we met at the Waddling Dog for lunch, our numbers had grown to 28. Do the math and you'll find 13 people did not "earn" their lunch, but they had a good time anyway.

On Thursday, after a very wet night, Friendship Coffee met at the rose garden in Sidney. A friendly crowd braved the damp grass and the lowering clouds to enjoy a visit and share a treat. The next gathering will be Sept. 12.

Anything for a cuppa!

By Friday the rain had settled in for a long stay. Again the parched land rejoiced. Thanks be to God.

FYI: Larry's quartet will play a concert at SPPC, August 31 at 6:00 pm.

Whatsoever Things

 Link to this week's live-streamed service is here.

Recently, I had the pleasure of attending a 50th  anniversary party.  Popular opinion used to set the divorce rate at nearly 50% of all marriages. That was always an exaggeration and over the past fifty years the divorce rate in Canada has been declining.  Even so, fifty years is a milestone worth celebrating. We were so pleased to be invited, to share memories with our friends and to catch up with "the kids."

As part of their commemoration, the couple renewed their vows -- with their children in attendance. A bit different from the first time!

The ceremony included the reading of Philippians 4: 8. That's the bit about "whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest . . . think on these things." It is one of my favourite passages of scripture but not one I had associated with weddings.

But, when I think about it, it seems a perfect accompaniment to the wedding vows. Fifty years ago, with stars in their eyes, my friends pledged their lives to each other. But "real life" is not one prolonged honeymoon. They have faced disappointments, struggles, separation (he was in the navy) and being uprooted from their home.

They could have spent the entire anniversary weekend listing the troubles they had endured. Psychologists call this ruminating. 

We all do it, repeating in our minds the events that hurt our feelings, composing  "I should have said. . ." sentences to inflict the hurt onto someone else. We can work ourselves into a proper state -- angry, resentful, hard-hearted. We can even destroy our relationships by refusing to let go of a perceived wrong.

How much better then to think on the things that are just, pure, lovely, have virtue and are worthy of praise.  How much happier we would be if we let go of negative feelings and  "ruminated" on joyful events instead -- like long and loving marriages.

Earlier verses in Philippians 4 remind us to "rejoice in the Lord always,"  to bring our requests before Him in prayer, and promises that 

 the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Pastor George has given us two sermons this summer on the "Be-attitudes." Paul's letter to the Philippians gives us plentiful examples of attitudes that enrich our lives and are pleasing to God. 

As we enjoy these last weeks of summer, let us "think on these things."

The Race that is Set

 The link for this week's live-streamed service is here.

I'm not big on sports, but like most of the world, for the past two weeks, I've been caught up in the Olympics. I've watched sports I didn't know existed, like kayak cross, i.e. mayhem on the water where the rules allow you to push, shove and impede your opponent. Huh? I've become very knowing about "sticking the landing" in gymnastics, and I've learned how ringing the bell in the Stade de France contributes to the rebuilding of Notre Dame Cathedral.

I've stood up and cheered when a Canadian wins a medal. I love how their smiles light up the stadium, my television screen, and my own heart. Joy is contagious. It is also a "fruit of the spirit" so spread it around.

In nearly every recorded interview the athlete remarks on the importance of family and friends in the stands. Those who competed in the last games where no spectators were allowed due to COVID 19, are especially grateful for "the roar of the crowd." 

There have been unexpected wins--men's 4x100m relay anyone? And there have been startling disappointments. A pulled muscle, illness, a rain-soaked field -- even with all their preparation, no one can assure a perfect performance on "the day." Athletes must compete in the event that is set, regardless.

The Book of Hebrews reminds us that God calls us to "run with endurance the race that is set before us."  (ESV) These words were written to a young Christian community faced with such determined persecution, they considered abandoning their faith. 

They weren't just suffering from a bad break on the day of competition. Their very lives were in danger because of their allegiance to Jesus Christ. Yet the letter writer exhorts them to keep in the race. He even reminds them they have their own cheering section in the stands, " we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses." Hebrews 12:1 

An Olympic gold medal requires courage and sacrifice and dedication and years of training, yet athletes consider it all worth while when they stand on the podium as the best in the world.

But the prize the Christian races for is not a bit of metal, however precious, it is a "crown of righteousness," and the invitation for the faithful servant to "enter into the joy of your master"  Matthew 25:21 (ESV.) 

While the Book of Hebrews encourages us to persevere, 2 Timothy speaks of the reward to the faithful.

2 Timothy 4:6-8  (ESV) For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

The Olympic Games are wonderful and exciting and mesmerizing. How much greater is the race that God sets before the faithful. Let us cheer on our athletes, but let us never lose sight of the prize for which we are made.

Awe Walking

 

The link for this week's live-streamed service is here.

I learned a new concept this week. It's called "awe walking." Apparently it has been around for a few years but it's new to me. At least, the term is new to me, the concept of experiencing awe is old hat. 

As believers we, at SPPC, live in awe of our Lord every day. Our hymns resound with wonder.  "Oh Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder/consider all the worlds Thy hands have made." "The heaven's are telling the glory of God." "Lo, God is here! Let us adore," "He plants His footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm." Our worship and praise and prayer are all committed to an awe-ful God.

Being filled with awe is not new, but now that the psychologists and scientists have caught up to the priests and prophets, awe is in vogue.

The psychologists describe awe as "the feeling of wonder and amazement at being in the presence of something vast that transcends one’s current under-standing (Keltner & Haidt, 2003).  They go on to say that we often experience awe when viewing nature, experiencing virtuosity (think music/art/athleticism. . .), magnanimity and religious experiences.

Many of us have experienced awe when standing amid the giant trees of Cathedral Forest, or watching a display of lightning forking across a gun-metal grey sky. Those who saw the Northern Lights earlier this summer were awe-struck.

Compassion can elicit awe. Earlier this month I saw an interview with Brian Oates, manager of an RV park near Valemont, B.C. He had opened his grounds to those fleeing the fire in Jasper, offering food, water, shelter and compassion simply because folk needed it. His facility was stretched beyond capacity but there was no end to his capacity to love his fellow Canadians in need. 

Such kindness and generosity fill me with awe.

The reason "awe-walking" has become a "thing" is because scientists have discovered its beneficial effects on physical and mental health. Researcher Dacher Keltner, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, says “It’s hard to think of a single thing that you can do for your mind and body that’s better than a little dose of awe.” 

He, and his team of researchers found that awe can

• reduce stress,  
• lessen inflammation, 
• stimulate creativity, 
• and make you happy.

My experience of awe usually includes the vastness of something,  But Keltner and company say I needn't climb to the top of John Dean park or even hike up Horth Hill to find an awe-inspiring moment.

An awe walk can be a fifteen minute excursion around your own neighbourhood. Of course, you need to disconnect from electronic devices and quiet the imp in your brain that keeps exhorting you to get on with the to-do list and stop wasting time wandering aimlessly. 

Once I've cleared my mind, the aim is to open my senses to the wonders around. And forget about counting steps.

So, here is what I found in my fifteen minutes.

       

•  the perfect symmetry of the petals in this dahlia fill me with awe. Each small petal, perfectly curled into itself, each curl nestled precicesly into the next. I counted up to 200 of them, but there are more. The detail is exquisite, and fills me with awe.

• I experienced tactile pleasure when I drew my fingers over a soapstone carving at an art gallery. I love the cool, smooth, curve of the sculpture. I saw lovely paintings which did not inspire me with awe but must have done so for the artists who painted them.
• I heard a toddler in the street having a screaming fit. A woman coming toward me laughed and said "I remember those days." We shared a smile and went on our way. I enjoyed the brief connection with a stranger. Awe is something that takes you out of yourself, so maybe that little moment counts, but I don't think so.

• Then, just as my time ran out, I found it. Vast, awesome, spirit-lifting, on a street corner in Sidney. An enormous, cedar tree. It's trunk twisted and gnarled. It's branches spreading and dense. Awe!

I headed home with a heart full of gratitude and wonder. 

But, God is full of surprises. I'd put away the camera when I came upon this sign in a shop window. 

May you all have an awe-filled week.

Smelling the Roses

 The link for this week's live-streamed service is here.

Happy Anniversary to Rev. Irwin and Diane on Thursday, Aug. 1.

This week was the monthly Friendship Coffee meeting. Normally, we hold it in the hall at the church, but this time we met in the rose garden beside the Sidney library. That tradition started with COVID when indoor meetings were not allowed. The rose garden visit proved so popular, our hosts have maintained the tradition during the good weather months.

The lovely weather -- warm but not too hot -- seemed to bring out the loveliness in the folk gathered in a corner of the garden. In the church, we have two host couples, the Lawrences and the Krahns. 

Outdoors bins of cookies appeared from many households.

 The rule is "bring your own coffee" but urns and paper cups were there for sharing.

  

 

When I arrived there were about twenty-five people present but within the hour there must have been close to forty. A stroll among the flowers and a leisurely chat with friends proved an irresistable combination.  

Of course, this fluffy little dog drew chuckles and pats from everyone present. 

It was a lovely morning with a real summertime vibe.

He hath made everything beautiful in its time. Eccl. 3:11

While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. Gn 8:11

And God saw everything that He had made and, behold, it was very good. . . Gn 1:31

Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, regoice. Phil. 4:4 

Bloom where you're planted

 The link for this week's live-streamed service is here.

While weeding in my flower bed, I came across a vigorous little plant that had "volunteered" in a poor setting. It grew in soil that was heavy and didn't receive much water. It was crowded in amongst other plants, inhibiting its own growth and theirs.

I wanted my little volunteer to thrive, so I dug it up, with a good root ball, and set it into a different spot, one where it got light and air and water. 

In the way of transplants, my little seedling drooped its head, let it's branches brush the ground and generally behaved like a toddler having a tantrum. It did not trust the gardener.

The next day, however, my plant stood up straight, fluffed up its

leaves and took a deep breath. Now it is coming into bloom. At last it knows that the gardener's plan was meant to prosper it and give it hope.

When I watch the news today, my world seems uncertain and troubled. I worry. I feel overwhelmed. I am fearful. Sometimes I wonder if God knows what He is doing. But my little green plant reminds me that the Master Gardener has a plan, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." The quote comes from Jeremiah 29:11. 

The prophet wrote those words to a nation in exile. King  Nebuchadnezzar had carried off the leaders and artisans and prophets and nobles from Jerusalem and held them captive in Babylon. If ever a people were entitled to question God's plans, the Hebrews of Jeremiah's day were justified in their despair. Yet God did not leave them alone in their exile. He sent prophets like Isaiah. He protected faithful servants like Daniel, and, with the fall of Babylon to Cyrus the Great, the exiles were allowed to return to Israel.  

In their most troubled times, God was faithful to His people. 

My little plant cannot know me or trust me, but we know God. We must trust Him, believe His plans for us are to do us good and not harm. We can flourish in His care.

Ed. Note:  This post grew out a conversation with a friend. Thanks Diane, for planting the seed.

For Want of a Comma

 The link to this week's live-streamed service is here.

Rev. Irwin's reference to L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables sent me to my "keeper" shelf to browse my collection. I chose Anne of Avonlea for a re-read. To my surprise the story contained a theological lesson. Davy Keith, an orphaned scamp that Anne has charge of, declared that there would be lots of jam in heaven. When questioned, he explained that his catchism declared that "God makes preserves, and redeems us." 

If you've ever considered dropping the commas in your writing, that statement should give you pause. For the grammatically and/or the theologically challenged, the line should read "God makes, preserves, and redeems us."

We don't hear much about catechisms these days, or memory work in general. Perhaps Google makes it too easy to "look it up" without having the words in your heart, although in Deut. 11:18 we are commanded to "lay up these words in your heart."

If you don't have a copy of a catechism in your home or church, there are many examples on the internet. Follow this link for the "The Westminster Shorter Catchism" which is one of the founding documents for the Presbyterian Church in Canada. Question 11 does mention "preserving" so maybe that's where Davy got confused.

People often ask where I get blog ideas. Sometimes it seems like serendipity or, to use a phrase popular in L. M. Montgomery's work, Divine Providence. This week was one of those. I began to write this post on Wednesday but hadn't developed a satisfactory ending for it. Then, on Sunday morning, Rev. Irwin preached on creeds, or statements of faith. If you want to explore the subject further, I recommend listening to the Sunday sermon. The link is at the top of this post. 

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When we celebrated our grads at the end of June, Quinn was unable to attend. However, he has sent along his graduation picture for the blog. Congratulations, Quinn. Best of luck in the coming year.