Just Once ...

"Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you."

(Ephesians 4.32 - The Message)

Like all of North America I have been inundated with media coverage of the U.S. presidential election in the last few weeks (months, years...). With significant economic and social challenges on the plate it would seem to me that it would be in the best interest of American politicians (as well as Canadian) to work together, to pool resources, to encourage each other - to face these challenges with the strength of the whole community. 

What happens instead? Our leaders go at each other as though they were facing their most bitter enemy and their only agenda was to defame them. It makes my heart ache to see our leaders tear into each other with such animosity and disrespect. In Canada it happens during election campaigns and then continues throughout the term of office with mutual bashing in Question Period, through comments to the media - whenever "dialogue" regarding opposing parties occurs.

"Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand."

(Philippians 2:3 The Message"-- )

Just once, I would like to hear an election candidate speak well of their fellow candidates for office. What a relief it would be to hear Gov. Romney say that he appreciates the work of Mr. Obama, and seeks to be a partner with him in serving Americans. Just once, it would be a joy to hear the president comment that Mr. Romney was a gift to the office he serves and a welcome addition to the White House, should he be elected. When and how did serving the common good become a "no holds barred" all-out fight to have the biggest ego?

Tragically, this is how some of our leaders act, and they do it in front of our children, our youth, and our young adults. This is unacceptable. As humans, as children of God, made in God's amazing image, we have the capacity to love each other, build each other up, and in so doing, to create healthy, life-giving communities. Those who chose to lead are called to lives that reflect the best of humanity, that inspire us to grow, to become, to realize Christ's love in and through us. And some of our politicians do engage their work in this way; not all seek to kick sand and throw stones. I know some men and women who lead with honor, whose deep care for their communities brings out the best in those whom they meet. Problem is, they are not the ones who get the media coverage.

So maybe I ask too much. Perhaps the change will need to begin in our homes. If our leaders won't stand up to the challenge then we will do so at a grassroots level. Here's how: speak well of everyone. When you cannot speak well of someone - bite your tongue. Do not gossip. Look for every opportunity to encourage and build each other up. If someone gets the job you want - celebrate with them. When another wins the trophy - share in their glory. If we do this in front of our children, youth and young adults there is hope for our race. In the end, a word of encouragement goes much further to build a beautiful world than volumes of criticism and judgment ever could.

I leave the last word to musician Roger Dawson:

"Treat everyone you meet as though they are the most important person you'll meet today.”

Pax,

Pastor Bill

Light

shines

from

your heart

Will

you

conceal it

or

let

it 

shine

and change

the world

You

are

loved

Breathe

 [First published November 6, 2012]

Diamonds in the Dirt

"The more the diamond is cut the brighter it sparkles; and in what seems hard dealing, there God has no end in view but to perfect His people. "

(Thomas Guthrie)

This week I took in a completely delicious performance of the stage play, "Jake's Gift" at the Daysland Palace Theatre. The story is set in France where WW2 vets were returning for the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Normandy. One of the three characters (all acted by one woman) was a crusty old Canadian veteran who has returned to Juno Beach for the first time in 60 years; he returns to visit the grave of his brother who died in the war. The vet is bent over, shaky and employs rather colorful language as he converses with an impetuous 10-year-old girl.

Within the first few minutes of the conversation, adequately salted with expletives and various profanities, a patron nearby began to comment on the character's use of course language. "Oh my... tch, tch... oh, the language..." and so on. It was a bit like being in a surround-sound theatre - sound from the stage and sound from behind! This person was so distracted by their judgment of the kind of language being used that they were missing a beautiful story of grief and healing and hope. 

There are times we do not see the diamonds for the dirt. The lenses through which we view our world can obscure the beauty that lies before us. We will judge someone, write them off, pigeon-hole them in stereotypes and in so doing we miss the gift, the beauty, the wonder that is hidden within. 

"Jake's Gift" is not a story about profanity, it is a love story about an old man reconnecting with life. It is about a young girl's innocence causing a wounded soldier to remember who he is. How sad to miss this because our sense of morality, or whatever lens we happen to be wearing, obscures our vision. I think though, that the patron behind me must have changed lenses during the performance as they were drawn into the story. Instead of judgment I heard laughter and the silence of tears being shed. 

Each of us is, to varying degrees, composed of diamonds and dirt. Knowing this, perhaps our best work in this life is to be a miner - digging deep for the diamond in the rough that lies beneath the surface of life in those we encounter.

Take your glasses off, look deep into the soil of this world and see what God sees - glittering beauty waiting to be found. 

Dig deep!

I leave the last word to John:

"Do not judge by appearances, but judge rightly with your head and your heart"

(John 7.24)

Heading down the mine shaft with you,

Pastor Bill

Three deep breaths

in

out

then look

and

see

Beauty

awaits

inside you

inside

me

smile

and

breathe

[First published October 31, 2012]

Music in Your Soul!

"After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music."

(Aldous Huxley)

Sitting in my living room at home, my feet up on a footstool, I can be instantly transported to a path through the woods in the Appalachian mountains of North Carolina; all it takes is a song. "A New Soul" by Yael Naim plays and suddenly I smell the flowers and hear the sounds of Brasstown N.C. - such is the power of music. 

Music works its way into the cracks of our being like water seeping into the soil. It fills empty places we didn't even know we had, giving voice to the un-voicable of humanity's passions, pains and hopes. The power of music calls the masses to stand against tyranny; the gentleness of music soothes a crying baby to sleep. I stand is awe of music as it courses through my being, caressing my soul, enlivening my thoughts, making my very un-dancing body jump up to dance.

"I was born with music inside me. Music was one of my parts. Like my ribs, my kidneys, my liver, my heart. Like my blood. It was a force already within me when I arrived on the scene. It was a necessity for me-

 like food or water."

(Ray Charles)

If we want to reach into the hearts of children and youth, music opens that door; those suffering with dementia will come alive when familiar music strums their thoughts; some cultures use music to heal emotional and spiritual wounds. And our Christian Scriptures allude to music and singing over 300 times... 

"Whenever the bad depression from God tormented Saul, David got out his harp and played. That would calm Saul down, and he would feel better as the moodiness lifted."

(1 Samuel 16.23 - The Message)

What songs make you feel good, alive, hopeful, strong, healed, renewed, playful, joyful, thoughtful, melancholy? If you get a moment tell me about a song that is particularly meaningful for you.

Music is for all of us, not just those who sing, or play an instrument; when God made you He planted music within your soul. Take time today to listen to a piece of music that stirs you and for just a moment - let there be nothing but you and that song.

I leave the last word to Moses:

"The Lord is my strength and song"

(Exodus 15.2)

Singing with you,

Pastor Bill

Slow down

and breathe

just

be

listen

a song plays

you

hear it

in

your

heart

Ah music

you

stir

me

[First published October 24, 2012]

Turning Despair Around

"The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or

confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, 

who can tolerate not knowing... not healing, not curing... that is a friend who cares."

(Henri Nouwen)

Have you ever thought, "I don't know how much more I can take?"

There is an "at my wit's end" flavor to such thoughts, and it is a dangerous place to be. There are times in life when the stresses we experience threaten to overwhelm us, pressures and expectations swamping the boat of our being. The demands of our job, our commitments (or over-commitments) to community endeavors, the needs of our family and other relationships - add all of this up and there is a very real possibility that we may feel that we are unable to cope.

Sad thing is, when this happens we often think that we are the only person on earth experiencing it. Everyone else is walking around looking like they are holding it all together, and we're falling to pieces. So we don't talk about it, we paint on the "I'm fine" face and we continue to crumble on the inside where nobody can see.

If you, or someone you know, is experiencing this kind of stress then I want to give you some encouragement. Find someone to talk with - a friend, a counselor, a pastor, and tell them how you feel. Even if you are embarrassed or ashamed, dig deep and find the courage to open up - simply sharing our feelings with someone we trust can bring a world of healing to us. 

And then cut back - carve a little space into your life so that you can breathe and have some rest. Let go of, or take a leave of absence from committees or other volunteer work, cut back on work hours for a while if you are able, ask a friend or relative to provide some relief from parenting... wherever or however, create some healing space in your life and do those things that rejuvenate you.

You see, you are worth it because there is only one "you" on this earth, and nobody can replace you. And seeing as how God took such tremendous care to create you with all of your gifts and wisdom and love - we don't want to lose you.

"What we call our despair is often only the painful eagerness of unfed hope. '

(George Eliot)

There is no loss, no stress, no expectation that is so significant that you cannot survive, and even thrive in the face of it; but you will need love and support to do so. Reach out and find that support so that you may be the best you that you can be. At the very least, if you don't know where to turn, call me and we'll work together to find your road to renewal.

I leave the last word to the Psalmist:

Is anyone crying for help?

God is listening, ready to rescue you.

If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there;

if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.

Disciples so often get into trouble;

still, God is there every time.

He’s your bodyguard, shielding every bone;

not even a finger gets broken.

(Psalm 34.17-20, The Message)

Pax,

Pastor Bill

[First published October 17, 2012]

No Difference

“The only difference between man and man all the world over

 is one of degree, and not of kind, 

even as there is between trees of the same species.

Where in is the cause for anger, envy or discrimination?” 

(Mahatma Gandhi)

I have grown up in a culture pregnant with prejudice. As a child I learned (not from my parents, mind you) some rather distasteful ideas about our First-Nations brothers and sisters and those "East Indian" immigrants. On the surface I did not accept these perceptions and attitudes and I have always considered myself open to the beauty of all colors and flavors of the human race. Nonetheless, planted below the surface of my thoughts are some insidious racist seeds. I know they are there, lying dormant because sometimes when I cross paths with someone who is visually distinctive as a First-Nations person something in me reacts. A tiny voice whispers, "Indian, less, other, danger." I hear that voice and I acknowledge it even as I move past it. Still, it is there.

Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.

(1 John 2:9, ESV)

How incredibly sad that such a voice exists at all. I cannot imagine what it is in humanity that causes us to hate each other so thoroughly. We are one species, all created in the image of God, all loved by Christ. And still, racial discrimination flourishes world-wide. What is wrong with us?

“Hating people because of their color is wrong. 

And it doesn't matter which color does the hating.

It's just plain wrong.”

(Cassius Clay - Muhammad Ali)

As one committed to the path of Love I find myself in conflict with this discrimination. Racial based jokes are not funny (though I have too often laughed along with the crowd) and I no longer want to laugh to withhold offending the teller. I feel sad for all of us when we think that we can wound one part of humanity, laugh at the wounding, and not know that we have just wounded ourselves.

To be healers of our world will involve removing the warped lenses of bigotry and racism. It will require a commitment to seeing each other beyond color, race, creed or any other discriminator. The minute differences that arise from race or nationality are meaningless next to our common humanness. Look at that woman, at that man - they bleed, they yearn, they grieve, they hope, they laugh, they cry, they fail, they succeed... just like me. Just like you. Is it really so much to ask that we simply be open to the experience of someone else's life? To hear their story, to offer compassion? 

Those committed to the path of Love and healing have hard work ahead of them - not the work of changing the world, but that of changing ourselves. Perhaps it is time to remove our blinders, to see the gift of humanity's diversity, to know our unity beyond that diversity.

I leave the last word to Jesus:

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you,

do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

(Matthew 7:12, ESV)

 Pax

Pastor Bill

Be

Be still

Be still and know

that God

is

Love

And so

Are

You

Be true

to you

Breathe

[First published October 10, 2012]

Now is the Time

“The value of a moment is immeasurable.

The power of just ONE moment can propel you to success and happiness or chain you to failure and misery.” 

(Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free)

I remember it with surprising clarity - an October morning five years ago.

I had recently left the Armena parish to pursue the rather nebulous idea of facilitating retreats on the theme of "what makes life meaningful"; to that end I was busying myself writing presentation material. I recall sitting at our kitchen table, sipping tea and glancing idly out the window (trying to avoid the writers block I was experiencing). That great female green ash tree of ours was dancing with the fall breezes, and in the wake of her steps she showered golden leaves. For a moment, or perhaps a lifetime, I was caught by the simple beauty of those falling leaves, painted upon the canvas of a brilliant blue sky. 

Time stood still and I was lost in that gentle dance of gilded leaves and autumn sunshine. Even now, thinking back on it, I lose myself in the memory. 

Have you ever experienced a perfect moment? A spot in time that was completely filled with peace, where for just a heartbeat the world slowed down; where you were bathed with the knowledge that all was well, love surrounded you and everything was unfolding just right? I know of only two words, though even they are inadequate (as human language always is regarding the sublime) to describe the stillness I felt - Joy and Peace; utter joy and peace.

In the midst of life racing by at ultrasonic speeds, memories slipping past the window of my mind in a day-to-day blur, I long for the train of my being to slow down again like it did that October morning. I am hungry for stillness, for the sheer innocence of loosing myself in sunlight and autumn leaves; like a baby watching a mobile swaying gently above it's head, no cares, no thoughts, just being there and taking in the colors and sounds and wonder of life.

"But make sure that you don’t get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations

that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God.

The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing!"

(Romans 13.11 - "The Message")

I don't know that I can create such perfect moments - making time slow down, eternity erupting into reality. Still, I can seek to be present to the gift of this moment, this now. For if I am to experience God it will not be in yesterday's receding memories or tomorrow's uncertain fantasies. Perfect love, perfect comfort, perfect grace reaches for us through the breath of right now. Typing a devotion, eating breakfast, racing to get the child to the sitters, navigating traffic, confronting someone angry, grieving over unwanted news of a diagnosis, facing a day of pleasure, of pain -  any of it and all that life unfolds before us in the ordinary of our lives... these ARE our perfect moments. Love suffuses right now. Peace surrounds right now. Christ is standing beside us- right now. 

I glance out the office window; the weeping birch sways in the chill morning wind and a leaf falls...

I leave the last word to Jesus, the Master of now:

“Be dressed, ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.”

(Luke 12.35 - NIV)

Pax,

Pastor Bill

NOW

[Originally published October 3, 2012]

Do You Hear What I Hear?

"Stay where you're to, 'til I come where you're at.

(East-coast saying quoted in recent CBC news article)

Pardon?!

Could you say that again please? While on a trip to Newfoundland I had an experience in which I heard someone speaking English, but I did not have a clue as to what they were saying. I was in a little cafe having pie and coffee and had just asked my waiter for directions to a nearby home for sale. The fellow politely answered... but I had no idea what he'd said. "Pardon me," I said, "could you say that again please?" He actually repeated himself two more times before I simply said thank you and acknowledged defeat. My friend sharing pie and coffee with me was as clueless as I regarding any useful translation of the "Newfie-isms" we'd just heard. The waiter knew what he was saying, but we could not penetrate the fog of his accent.

"Whoever has ears, let them hear"

(Matthew 11.15)

Perhaps it is sometimes this way with Jesus' words. He speaks but I don't always hear what he is saying and I say, "pardon?" and He says it again, and I still don't understand. You see, the culture in which I'm embedded does not really comprehend "love your enemy" and "this is my commandment that you love one another" and "forgive." Consequently my ears have difficulty with the compassion-accent and the faith-in-God accent that colors Jesus' voice. He is saying things that have the potential to radically change how I live my life, but what He says is in contradiction to the language that I have learned from our media, our social conventions and the norms of our North American lifestyle.

If I was to truly hear Jesus' most basic message of faith in God, kindness to our neighbor, and love to those who have forgotten that they were created as a gift of love - if I really heard this and lived it out, and we all lived it out - something crazy would happen on this earth. We might just begin to see that we are beautifully sculpted in God's image; we might discover the potential woven into us at Creation by our Creator. If we could only HEAR Jesus perhaps we would be able to address the poverty and war and violence of our deaf world. 

Alas for our un-hearing ears. 

Yet, sometimes our ears do hear, albeit a muffled sound, the sweet ringing of the Christ's voice. Kindness breaks out unexpectedly; racism is overcome; healing and forgiveness blossom; the hungry eat. There is hope for us, and that hope is grounded in God's patience and Christ's Spirit of gentleness. Jesus will keep speaking so that we can listen again and again saying, "pardon, I didn't quite catch that."

I leave the last word to the Master speaker:

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine 

and puts them into practice

is like a wise man who built his house on the rock."

(Matthew 7.24)

Pax

Pastor Bill

Listen

Be still

a voice

whispers

love

and

be loved

Breathe

deeply

and

hear

Love's

voice

[First published September 26, 2012]