Don't Doubt It

“Our doubts are traitors, 

and make us lose the good we oft might win,

by fearing to attempt.” 

(William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure)

My thoughts are both my own worst enemy and my best friend.  When they echo the deepest truth and wisdom of my heart, my thoughts lead me to reach beyond, far beyond, the feeble limits imposed by my doubts. When guided by my heart (or maybe it's my soul) I am impassioned to acts of courage and compassion that cause me to smile in joy for wonder of the person who God has created me to be.

There are days, however, when my mind is not so centered and the Spirit of God whispering encouragement in my ear is but a faint voice lost to the wind. Then doubts do assail me, and the voice I hear is full of condemnation and judgment. I am a small and selfish creature under the harsh words of this voice and the horizon seems one of great limitations and little hope.

“I seek strength, not to be greater than another, 

but to fight my greatest enemy, 

the doubts within myself” 

(P.C. Cast)

I'm not really sure from where the dark voice speaks, but I have come to recognize its sound and to seek to pay it little heed. If I am to be the gift to this world that I trust my Creator made me to be, it will require that I discipline myself to listen to the gentle voice of Love and not the piercing words of self-doubt. 

I continue to be amazed by the potential within humanity, planted within each of us, to be bring life and healing to our earth, to renew community, to create wonders of art, science, music... to express the image of God in ever new and beautiful ways. And yet, still we struggle, fighting each other, fighting ourselves, fighting Love. Too often we listen to that dark voice of judgment and doubt and in so doing we relinquish our true power - the power to remake our world through kindness, grace and compassion. 

I encourage you this day to trust the Spirit's gentle nudging of your heart. When you hear words of condemnation, of doubt, of judgment - acknowledge them and then put them aside. They are not true for you. This is true: YOU are beautiful, and amazingly gifted and YOU are in this world  because God made you as a gift to humanity. Let nothing hold you back from being all that Love would have you be.

I leave the last word to Isaiah:

"And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,

 “This is the way, walk in it,” 

when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left"

(Isaiah 30.21)

Whispering encouragement,

Pastor Bill

Listen

a

gentle breeze

stirs

your heart

its

voice

calls

love

and

be

loved

Breathe

Recognizing Abundance

"To live a pure unselfish life,

 one must count nothing as one's own in the midst of abundance."

(Buddha)

I stopped for a moment today to think about, and to give thanks for, the abundance that surrounds me. At first it was awareness of physical threads in the tapestry - good food, warm clothing, a home, a car, a phone... basic North American material goods. However, as I stepped back from the weaving I began to see the deeper, richer tones that color the abundance of my life. Underneath the obvious shadings of my physical needs are the vibrant, and sometimes subtle hues of the heart's abundance. There is an abundance of love in my life - love given and love received. The threads of this love are woven into the warp of my relationships with family and friends, neighbors and strangers. And what an abundance it is - no matter how much love pours from the soul I never run out. In fact, the abundance of love just continues to grow.

And then there is the abundance of forgiveness and grace. I fall a thousand times, and a thousand times forgiveness wraps its blanket of compassion and renewal around me, raising me up to learn and grow and begin again. No matter how foolish I am forgiveness seeks me out like a lover pining for her mate.

And then there is wonder at the magnificence of life. The morning sun refracting off of the unbroken snow of our front yard - a thousand diamonds of sparkling brilliance. Unbelievable! Or the dog lying in that warm sunlight, eyes closed, soaking in the goodness of life, breathing deep; a raven drifting by lazily overhead; a ladybug crawling up the window, oblivious to winter outside. Life is amazing and endless and when I stop for just a moment to actually take it in... the abundance of life's magnificence overwhelms me. 

" I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

(John 10.10)

The weaving grows larger, and the threads grow ever richer in color and hue the longer I contemplate God's abundant presence in our world. So long as I view life from the lenses of gratitude and service I see abundance everywhere I turn. When I am feeling sorry for myself, however, feeling a bit like a victim, then have I left my sacred home, then have I wandered from the heart, and all thought of abundance is abandoned for the lie of scarcity, the source of humanity's great sorrow.

Yet, abundant is the cry of God's love to return to His heart, to be nourished in Love, to again perceive the world as an amazing opportunity to use our gifts to make even one person's day just a bit brighter, a little kinder,  to let the tears of compassion and the kindred joy of laughter flow.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, 

coming down from the Father of lights

with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

(James 1.17)

Abundance is a refreshing pool that endlessly, eternally replenishes itself. And the source of this wondrous abundance? Well, it all comes from Love of course, from God, from the Creator of all that is. That being so, the outpouring of love, forgiveness, goodness, kindness, and all expressions of God's heart will flow ceaselessly throughout creation.  Our role is simply to open our hands to receive. When it seems that lack is all that we know, it is not God's outpouring that has stopped, it is only our willingness to hold that which is be-gifted to us. 

Take a moment today to be aware of the abundance that pours over your life. Give thanks for that abundance and enter your day allowing it to pour through you to touch all whom you encounter.

I leave the last word to Paul:

"Now to God who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to God be glory..."

(Ephesians 3.20)

Pax,

Pastor Bill

Breathe

deeply

out

and in

giving

thanks

love

surrounds

you

forever

[First published November 15, 2012]

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]