Star Appeal and Entertainment Value — ?

The original edition of the article below was written on the day of the British Conservative Party's appointment of Boris Johnson as Prime Minister Elect. Here adapted from my P-Pep! column of August 1, 2019.

Courtesy: Parliament.uk

Whether or not the Conservative Party in Britain’s election of Boris Johnson as Prime Minister will greatly improve the fortunes of their nation and heal the fragmentation that has come in the wake of the Brexit referendum, is surely not clear at present to anyone except the Almighty Himself.

Although I seldom venture into political discussion in this column, I touch base with this today – after all, my wife and I have dozens of extended family members in the UK who, if they care a hoot, will be either celebrating or bemoaning Johnson’s appointment. Perhaps you also have a vested interest in what happens in the UK, just like the personal interest that many Canadian have in what happens in the USA.

My interest is in the social and spiritual aspects. As with the USA’s President Trump, Boris Johnson’s flamboyant style and air of self-confident swagger evidently appealed to enough members of his party to have voted overwhelmingly in his favour. (Of course, at this point his is a party appointment, not a general election.) 

It seems that many people in our Western democracies nowadays are weary of what they might perceive as the stuffiness and starch of “the establishment,” with its  norms and typically dull political voices – not to mention party in-fighting. 

And so, a colourful ‘Rah!-Rah!’ rousing personality and fresh voice break on the scene. An entertaining energy emanates, shaking up the dusty halls of government and waking up swaths of the populace to feel different, more optimistic about themselves—that their voice matters—and to believe in new possibilities. Some level of nationalism is stirred and, for better or for worse, they pile on for the ride.

Do you ever wonder whether such qualities as humility, truthfulness, and integrity in a leader matter less than star appeal and entertainment value?

In the eighth-century BC the biblical prophet Isaiah presented a message of comfort to Israel —Israel, in which a great many people had slidden steeply into idolatry and fallen deeply into immorality, while acts of violence and injustice with oppression of the poor were commonplace. They would be heading into difficult times—times of correction and chastisement. 

And yet, God in His love promised mercy: “. . . I have chosen you and have not rejected you.  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” (Isaiah 41:9b -10).

What a comfort to know that, contrary to their deserving, the Lord God hadn not given up or abandoned the nation entirely, but he would bring them through the trials that would befall them, even although they’d been unfaithful to Him.

May God have mercy on our nation and others that have been so blessed, although in various ways they may have fallen short of His call to live in grace, mercy and truth.

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Peter is a retired pastor – well, sort of retired – as he is currently engaged as an associate volunteer pastor. He lives in Southwestern Ontario with his wife, May, and writes a weekly inspirational newspaper column and occasional magazine articles. Peter is author of two books: "Parables from the Pond" (Word Alive Press) and "Raise Your Gaze . . . Mindful Musings of a Grateful Heart" (Angel Hope Publishing). He and May are also engaged in leading nursing home / residential chapel services, pulpit supply and music. ~+~

G.K. Chesterton and St. Francis - HIRD

By Rev. Dr. Ed Hird

The late G.K. Chesterton is one of the most significant writers in the past hundred years.   His ‘friendly enemy’ George Bernard Shaw called him a colossal genius.  Chesterton wrote many biographies, including those of Robert Louis Stevenson, William Chaucer, St Benedict and St Francis of Assisi.  Chesterton’s biography on St Francis told us as much about Chesterton as about St. Francis.  They had remarkable things in common.  Both Chesterton and Francis had a grateful appreciation of the gift of God’s creation. Rather than exploit nature, they both cared for it as faithful stewards. Who can forget the classic movie ‘Brother Sun Sister Moon’ with its message of peace so loved by the hippies of San Francisco (Spanish for Saint Francis)?  As Chesterton noted, “St Francis was so fiery and even fidgety that the church officials, before he appeared quite suddenly, thought he was a madman.” To renounce his wealthy father’s materialism did not make any initial sense to most people in his home town of Assisi. Both Francis and Chesterton were radically spontaneously generous to the poor and hurting.  Everything they did for others was out of gratitude for Jesus’ sacrificial love on the cross.

There was a playful laughter with both men that has won the hearts of millions.   Both used humorous drama to awaken the world from its cynical slumber.  Chesterton was called the Angelic Jester.  There is in both Chesterton and Francis an endearing childlikeness and innocence that draws people to Christ.  Joseph Pearce, a Chesterton biographer, noted that “…the paradox of innocent wisdom was a fertile ground for Chesterton’s imagination.”  The famous Oxford atheist CS Lewis came to faith after reading Chesterton’s book The Everlasting Man.   It has been said that Chesterton, as one of the deepest thinkers who ever existed, made up for being deep by being witty.  Both Chesterton and Francis not only made you think but also made you laugh.  In a very Franciscan way, Chesterton taught that the secret of life lies in laughter and humility.  Only grateful people are humble enough to laugh at themselves.

Both Chesterton and Francis were romantic troubadours of hope calling people away from fashionable despair and cynicism. As self-described jugglers and jesters of God, they passionately romanced our hearts.  At the heart of this romance was the key idea of taking things with gratitude and not taking things for granted.  Without gratitude, said Chesterton, all we are left with is the emptiness of ‘bread and circuses’.  Gratitude to God enables us, with Francis and Chesterton, to enjoy the gifts that are all around us.  Chesterton commented about the joy of seeing a dandelion after temporary blindness, and how true pessimists can’t even notice the sunset.  My prayer for those reading this article is that we like Chesterton and Francis will notice the dandelions and sunsets with new gratitude. 

The Rev. Dr. Ed Hird, Rector

St. Simon’s North Vancouver, 

Anglican Mission in Canada

-author of ‘Restoring Health: body, mind and spirit’

-an article for the Light Magazine and the Deep Cove Crier

Old Habit Creep (Peter Black)

Participation was lively and courteous. Opinions varied, thoughts concurred and sometimes diverged, and reflections and impressions bore similarities, as the members discussed the merits and demerits of the book under review.

My wife and I made one of those infrequent, quick in-and-out visits to our old stomping ground last week. Our stop was a rural community in Southwestern Ontario, where librarian Mary-Jo welcomed us warmly and had coffee and refreshments ready to perk us up after our straight-through drive. I was to chat about and present “Raise Your Gaze . . . Mindful Musings of a Grateful Heart,” a copy of which would be entered into the Lambton County Library system.

We set up a table with information and copies of the book, and a sample of our first book (“Parables from the Pond”), and also TWG (The Word Guild) bookmarks, including some from writer friends. Meanwhile, book club members engaged in the discussion mentioned above. Once we’d completed set up May and I sat, sipped our coffees and enjoyed listening in.

Have you ever attended a book club? Consider the benefits of such small-group experiences: social interaction and friendship, intellectual stimulation, broadening of perspective, and personal growth and enrichment.

I’m not a book club member; however, I do participate in a fledgling writers' circle that meets in our public library and I also engage in group Bible study and fellowship events.

Back to last week’s library presentation. Oh, my—I don’t recall ever being as unfocused and disjointed in previous book presentations, as I was then. Perhaps you’ve experienced something similar. 

Credit:apmodgame.net



You knew what you wanted to say and you’d made similar presentations before, yet this time when you got started . . . Well, your mental marbles played games and led you down all kinds of rabbit trails (how’s that for mixing metaphors!). 

Credit: picz.rocks



Decades of practice had helped me order my thoughts, especially for public speaking, during my pastoral years. Similarly, to a large extent I overcame the tendency to ‘rush speak,’ but it went out of the window on that occasion. Still, the audience was gracious and will hopefully recover from the experience.  (Of course, perhaps they didn’t mind it at all; we can be our own worst critic.)

Ah, but that’s only one of several traits from my youthful years creeping in of late. This realization reminds me of the need to exercise vigilance throughout our lives in order to recognize ‘old habit creep’ so that those tendencies can be overcome—yet again.

But why share such potentially embarrassing incidents with you? Progress. Many of us in life want to progress in character and skill, and we also aspire to accomplish goals; that involves process.

However, I’ve observed that during the process of growing and maturing we might sometimes regress and begin to lose ground? And so, I share these foibles of mine with you. Why? Well, just maybe you’ll recognize a foible or two of your own and be encouraged to take steps to regain lost ground, too. And remember, “Confession is good for the soul.”

Ground may be gained, lost and recovered­—not only in our natural life, regarding human skills and abilities, but also in matters of the spirit. “The Shepherd Psalm”— Psalm 23 says:

“He [the Lord, my Shepherd] makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake”

(Psalm 23:2-3 NIV; emphasis added). 

 

Finally, I raise my glass and propose a toast to Mary-Jo and her valiant, gracious book club crew for their generosity. Our brief time together helped raise my gaze to see my need more clearly and in humility to do something about it.

                                                                                                   

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Peter's second book is a compilation of inspirational articles on a variety of themes from his weekly column. These are interspersed with brief expressions intended to encourage. Ebook edition is now available through Amazon.

 

ISBN: 978-0-9920074-2-3 (Angel Hope Publishing)

Email
Blog 

 Peter's first book: “Parables from the Pond” – a children's / family book (mildly educational, inspirational in orientation, character reinforcing). Finalist – Word Alive Press. ISBN: 1897373-21-X. The book has found a place in various settings with a readership ranging from kids to senior adults.

Black's inspirational column, P-Pep! appears weekly in The Guide-Advocate (of Southwestern Ontario). His articles have appeared in 50 Plus Contact and testimony, and several newspapers in Ontario.
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Two Sides of the Cross: Humility and Pride by Rose McCormick Brandon

Humility acknowledges the sufferings of Jesus and accepts that He suffered for us. Pride glosses over His sufferings and refuses to think about them.

Humility acknowledges that only the cross erases sin. Pride says, "There are many ways to holiness. I'm not so bad, no worse than anyone else."

Humility confesses sin. Pride says, "I'm as good as the next person."

Humility embraces the cross. Pride turns its head in embarrassment.

Humility throws its arms around Jesus and thanks Him for salvation. Pride ignores Him.

Humility kisses His feet. Pride slaps His face.

Humility weeps. Pride smirks.

Humility is undone by the sadness of the crucifixion. Pride says, "what's all the fuss?"

Humility walks to the foot of His cross. Pride walks on by.

Humility calls Him friend. Pride pretends not to know Him.

Humility comes to the cross alone. Pride runs off with the crowd.

Humility admits to being a sinner. Pride says, "Nobody's going to point the finger at me and call me a sinner."

Humility admits to needing Him. Pride calls Him a crutch.

Humility breaths, "Thank you Jesus." Pride is silent.

Remembering where we came from and considering where we'd be without Jesus helps us to stay humble.

***

Rose McCormick Brandon's books, including her latest, Promises of Home - Stories of Canada's British Home Children, are available at her website, Writing from the Heart.

A member of The Word Guild and The Manitoulin Writers Circle. Rose and husband, Doug, summer on Manitoulin Island where her pioneer ancestors settled and the home of his favourite fishing holes. The rest of the year, they live in Caledonia, Ontario, near their three children and two grandchildren.

 

 

First to Arrive . . . At Last! (Peter Black)

Warm thoughts for you at Christmas and a special way to say, may the festive season bring much happiness your way. That was the greeting on the front of a handcrafted card from Scotland—one amongst the first batch of cards to arrive this season.
 
It was decorated with a golden fabric bow, and the greeting was framed with tastefully applied glitter. Green holly leaves and floral shapes, set against a white background with a dash of red, made for an understated, yet attractive, effect. The interior bore our friends’ personal greeting to us.

This card is special not only because it was hand-crafted, but for several other reasons. First, because of our relationship with the couple who sent it. This was the forty-first Christmas card to come from them since our arrival in Canada, in 1974. The couple, now in their eighties, were our pastors during our time in Aberdeen, Scotland. Alwyne and his wife Mima demonstrated what it was to follow Jesus and live out the life He calls us to live. Alwyne mentored me in pastoral service, even before I knew I would become a pastor!

They had a sizable family of their own, yet were like grandparents to ours. Mima often took care of our boys for a few hours so we could attend to some other matters, and there was always room around the table for one or two—or umpteen—more folks. Servanthood, faith and humility marked their lives.

My poor photography doesn't do justice

The card is also special because it represents a victory for Mima. To explain: When we visited with the couple in 2012 she commented on how May’s card to them from us always arrived at their house first. She said, “One o’ these Christmases I’m going to beat May and get our card over to you in Canada, first.”

Well this was the year. Ours was probably winging over the Atlantic towards the UK, when their card landed in our mailbox. Mima had finally done it – after forty years, she was first!

Here’s an excerpt from the message: “. . . We are both OK. Getting old and a few pains, but thank God we are still able to do the work we have been given to do. Love to the family. . . . From Alwyne and Mima. God bless in 2015.”

That card is particularly special because it arrived here the day before her funeral / memorial service. Little did she know when she wrote and mailed the card that days later she would reach her eternal home before the card reached our earthly one. It’ll be cherished on account of the timing and circumstances surrounding its arrival. As in the case of the previous forty cards Mima sent, this one was sent with warmth and love.

Do you have a Christmas greeting story that holds special meaning for you? Whenever you recall the people and circumstances associated with it, warm longings for them and that special time spring to life deep in your heart?

In our Northern clime, winter’s cold and shorter days lend to the Advent-Christmas season a capacity for wistful longing and quiet reflection. We can ponder about people dear to us—of those still living who reside far away—and stir cherished memories of others who have passed away.

A half-hour withdrawn from things competing for our attention can help us find that quiet space in our thoughts and hearts. Our dear friend Mima’s ‘victory,’ along with her home-call and final Christmas card to May and me, has offered another reason to do just that.

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If you care to further the thought:

This reminds me of that first Christmas night—or, perhaps it was in the wee small hours of the

Credit: Print Shop

morning. Once the visiting Bethlehem shepherds left the humble place where the Christ Child lay and their excited chatter and exuberant praises to God faded into the darkness, Mary, the young virgin mother, found that quiet space.

“. . . Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19 NIV).”

 

The verbal message the angel Gabriel delivered to her nine months before (Luke 1:26-38) was now fulfilled. Father God's divinely conceived and fashioned message—the Living Eternal Word, the Message “made flesh” (John 1:1-3)—had been delivered, and lay in a manger.

 

The conclusion of the pregnancy was not so much an end, but a beginning!

 

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Peter's second book is a compilation of inspirational articles from his weekly column—on a variety of themes. These are interspersed with brief expressions intended to encourage.

 

ISBN: 978-0-9920074-2-3

Angel Hope Publishing

Email

Blog 

 

Mary Wilson - P. A. Black

With tear-glistened cheeks, her face inclined heavenward, and her countenance radiant with gratitude and delight, the woman — a slightly rotund, grandmotherly figure — pours out her thanksgiving, adoration, and worship to her heavenly Lord who has done so much for her. And with colloquial eloquence she lays out before the Lord the treasures of a grateful heart, every sentence overflowing with loving intensity from a soul on fire.

The occasion is a customary and participatory segment of the communion service held each Sunday morning in her home church in Aberdeen, Scotland. She is in her 70s. Mary Wilson, widowed many years before, became a Christian through personal faith in Christ when she was 46 years of age, and always regrets that it took her so long. From that time on, she has never ceased to wonder at the merciful love and grace of God towards her. “Sister Wilson” as we usually called her, was indeed grateful for every blessing she received. Not only was she a grateful receiver of God’s blessings, but she was a great giver! Now, she didn’t parade that as a fact, for deep humility was also one of her distinctive characteristics. She believed in “not letting the left hand know what the right hand is doing”— that is, doing deeds of kindness in Jesus’ name while keeping things anonymous, wherever possible.

Mary was a woman of very humble means, living in a rented tenement garret (an attic apartment) above a busy downtown street, with no bathroom or inside toilet. Well, there was a flush toilet, but to get to it she had to go down three or four stories to the outhouse in the back yard. She worked two early morning cleaning jobs to supplement her old age pension, and that better enabled her to contribute in practical ways to Christian ministry and to the needs of others.

Rising at about 5 o’clock each weekday morning, she headed out — journeying on foot and by bus — to clean an office, then make her way to the Christian bookstore and clean it ready for opening time. Mary Wilson provided and faithfully set up the communion emblems each Sunday morning, and donated a beautiful spray of flowers for the sanctuary every week, year after year.

Sunday afternoon would find her at the Sherratt Court Mission, serving up soup and sandwiches to the homeless and down-and-out, for whom she had great compassion. Evening usually found her in church at the Gospel Service. She had a neighbour of about 10 years her senior, who was confined to her attic room. Mary ensured she had groceries and meals, and helped bathe her.

She never forgot that it was the love of Jesus who lifted her. I didn’t know much about her pre-conversion life, but in her thanksgiving in the communion service she often reflected in her Aberdonian brogue: “Father, I caunna’ thaunk ye enough fur’ a’ yer mercy and love t’ards us. Phaur kens whaur I widha’ been if Jesus hadna’ lifted me!”

Mary Wilson gave largely — “bigly” — out of the little she had, and was kindred to the widow Jesus commended in Mark 12:42-44, whom He observed putting two small copper coins into the Temple treasury. The Master declared that compared to others participating in the offering, “. . . this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything — all she had to live on.”

She is also in the company of Mary, Martha and Lazarus’ sister, who freely poured out her costly perfume on our Lord and wiped his feet with her hair in a lavish, yet humble, expression of gratitude and love (John 12:3).

As I reflect today on my journey through Lent my thoughts drift back four decades to those times I sneaked a peek at this dear saint of God, and marvelled again at her pouring out the sweet, pure perfume of loving adoration to the One who loved her and gave Himself for her.

Her humility was Christlike, and her love sacrificial.

I am inspired and moved.

Contempt sizzles on the fires of my burning pride.

And yet I journey on towards Calvary.

And the Cross.

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Peter A. Black is a freelance writer, and writes a weekly column in The Watford Guide-Advocate. He is the author of "Parables from the Pond"

(Word Alive Press ISBN 1897373-21-X).

Forced Change? - Black

You never really know what you’ve got till it’s gone, we say. This echoes Joni Mitchell’s cute an’ sassy song classic. Bemoaning commercial and financial change at the expense of nature, she sings, "They paved paradise and put up a parkin’ lot ..."

It’s also true that we don’t know how blessed we are until we see someone worse off than ourselves. Such sentiments may be cliché, but are also true. Dark-bodied, malnourished children with bloated stomachs, as featured on sponsorship programs, scoop a drink from larvae-infested mudholes, and we think that it’s such a pity they don’t have running water. And it is. Then click, we switch the channel.

At the old manse we were without hot running water for five days, then, for a day and a half, the main water supply was shut off. A mild inconvenience. We were not in any dire emergency, and had water available to us. It just took a little thought and effort. Neither did we have to rub sticks together or strike a match to heat up water or cook. Saucepans on the electric stove did the trick. We learned to conserve water, though, and managed to do all that was necessary using a fraction of the normal water volume.

Change is sometimes forced on us unexpectedly by circumstance, yet some changes can be made in advance, if we see the need. Jesus said (in Matthew 18:3): "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

This is a call to humility, dependence, and trust in the Lord God. A change of focus leading to a change of disposition, of lifestyle – and destiny.

~~~
© Peter A. Black. This piece was first published in the The Watford Guide-Advocate, a Southwestern community newspaper, July 30, 2009.
Peter's children's / family book, "Parables from the Pond" ("written for children, read and enjoyed by all ages") is published by Word Alive Press. He can be contacted at raisegaze@execulink.com and www.freewebs.com/authorpeterablack