News — Dread or of Relief? — The Wait! By Peter A. Black

Possibly, five hours had never felt so agonizing since the time Gail* was in post-op recovery after her kidney transplant surgery, more than twenty years previous. 

Similar gut-wrenching times of waiting for hopeful news would have coursed through their hearts when each member of this family – mother, father and both daughters – went through their respective cancer surgeries, and also when the mother suffered a near-fatal heart attack.

And now, Gail’s mom and dad and sister waited and wondered, hoping and praying. Her humanitarian work as a staff-member of a non-governmental organization (NGO) has taken her to many nations, flying with as many different airlines. On Sunday March 10^th she was to fly by Ethiopian Airlines – her most favoured African airline – from Addis Ababa to Nairobi, Kenya.

I can scarce imagine the anxious, torturous thoughts her sister and parents, and her son and

Photo Credit: news18.com

nephew experienced during those hours after hearing news of the crash of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, killing all 157 on board. Gail was to fly this morning. Was she on board that plane? 

The family knew the flight number she was supposed to be on, but it was hours before the flight number of the crashed plane was announced in the media. Was that hers?

Breep! Breeb! The phone. Is this it? News of dread – or of relief? Of devastation – or of rejoicing?

The message went something like this: It’s Gail. I’m safe in Nairobi. My flight from Addis Ababa was scheduled to leave forty minutes after the one that crashed. But then the airport was shut down and we were stuck for nearly three hours on board before taking off. Indescribable relief. Pent-up emotions burst the banks, overflowing with tears of relief and joy and exclamations of thanksgiving!

The day following, my wife May and I met with my sister and her husband. They expressed how their tears of relief and joy were also mixed with sorrow for those families of the crash victims who received the dreaded news of their loved ones’ decease.

We do well to always be mindful of others and to pray comfort for those who mourn, even while rejoicing with those who have every legitimate reason to celebrate. That’s what the Scriptures teach: “Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep those who mourn” (Romans 12:15). And, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

Credit: King of Kings

The period of Lent urges us to deepen our understanding of and appreciation for our Lord Jesus, who carried the sin-burden for us and all humanity in His devastating sufferings and death on the Cross of Calvary.

My wife and I rejoice with my sister and her family, and we pray comfort for those who received the awful news that their loved ones and colleagues perished in that disaster, while praying also that they will receive hope and healing from God, through Jesus, to find their way forward.

~~~

* Name changed to protect privacy.

~~+~~

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. ~+~

More than Chocolate Bunnies and Decorated Eggs

Courtesy: godairyfree.org

 The six weeks or so leading up to Easter afford another boom time for the confectionary industry, following in the wake of Valentine’s, as chocolate eggs and Easter bunnies are on offer at every turn.

Egg decorating and springtime painting competitions engage kids, while backyard birdhouse installations invite birds returning from the south to enjoy nesting accommodations. Farm acreage and gardens begin to show evidence of preparation for planting.

Pic Credit: dreamstime.com

These all contribute to the celebration of nature’s spring awakening. It’s a marvellous time of year for young children to be awakened also, to the wonder of nature’s life-cycles. Unfortunately some city-bound children may not have as much opportunity for this as do those in small town and rural areas.

My appreciation for spring goes beyond those elements of spring, as much as I delight in them, for this period leading up to Easter provides me with opportunities to consider the wonders of my faith and to journey forward in mind and heart, by reflecting back on Jesus’ path to the cross in the concluding period of His earthly ministry.

And so, as I’ve mentioned from time-to-time in former years, my wife and I join weekly with people in our town from across the Christian community for a one half-hour lunchtime service each Wednesday during the pre-Easter period of Lent.

A different theme is adopted each year and the brief homily in each service is presented by the pastor of a congregation other than that of the host church for that particular week. Therefore, the venue changes and so does the speaker. This is followed by a simple but welcome lunch. We enjoy the inter-church fellowship immensely.

I engage privately in several other personal disciplines during that period. Perhaps this is all foreign to you, and maybe events like this aren’t convened in your community. Your local churches may, however, get together on Good Friday for a service to commemorate Jesus’ sufferings and death for humanity’s sins.                                           

But remember too, that Easter Sunday Morning is more than chocolate bunnies and decorated eggs. It is the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, when the significance of it is brought front and centre.  

My pic: Will this place be filled with

praises on Easter Sunday morning?

There will surely be a company of worshiping people near your home, people who, especially on Easter Sunday, sing joyful songs or hymns of thanksgiving and praise in honour and gratitude for God’s love, mercy and grace.

My word – how far I’ve strayed from chocolate bunnies and decorated eggs! Not really, for I’m on track with millions who see in spring’s awakening an apt parallel to the lives of those who have awakened to the new life that God imparts once they embrace in faith that Jesus Christ died and rose for them.

~~+~~

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 and music. ~+~

Music to My Ears

Music can lull a child to sleep. Gentle tunes that accompany the rocking motion in a grandmother’s or mother’s arms to soothe an upset or tired child and help her go to sleep. I have often held a child and put him to sleep while rocking and humming or singing, so I guess my voice is not too hard to bear.

While creating this post, I’m listening to soothing music, alternating piano and classical, and if I don’t fall asleep at the keyboard, you’ll hear what else I have to write. While I enjoy a wide variety of classical music, I also love many popular tunes that carry a melodic rhythm. But for resting, I want something that is gentle and relaxing and without words. 

  

I don’t remember our mother singing us to sleep but perhaps she did, or maybe my grandmother did when she lived with my parents for a few of their early years. I sang to my children at bedtime and now I sing or hum to my grandchildren when I have occasion to settle them for a nap or nighttime. Only when they’re older do they sometimes tell me to stop singing. Can’t win them all.

On a different note, my mother would say some piece of news was ‘music to her ears’ and I might be tempted to use the same expression from time to time. News I’ve long awaited, surprising news that’s happy or unexpected, but very good, might put that line in my head. This phrase is actually an idiom, I discovered. Oxford Dictionary of Idioms says that ‘music to your ears’ means “something that is very pleasant or gratifying to hear or discover.” There’s no mention of musical tones or rhythm or notes at all, just good news.

Tragic news would not be the kind we wish to hear, but news of an exceptional accomplishment, a long-awaited win or news of a new baby born to delighted parents is the kind I speak of.

Maybe we should recoin the phrase ‘music to my ears,’ but I don’t know how else I’d rephrase it. Idioms often mean something quite different than the words used in the term, but this one is easy to understand, I think. Something that’s easy to hear could ring like a melody. It might not rhyme or have a rhythm but is pleasant to take in and repeat. Like music.

As a Christian in an often difficult and sad world, the news that God loves us so much that he sent his son (John 3:16) might ring like music in our ears. Not the false words that led to betrayal. Not the cruel beating or hanging on the cross. Not the disciples running away because they’re afraid, but the act of love. That’s it — ringing like music in our ears. The gladness that comes Easter morning when we finally come out of those gloomy last days of Lent and Holy (hellish) Week. The hallelujahs ring like music in our ears.

I haven’t fallen asleep yet with the relaxing tunes floating from my speakers, but had I not been working towards the deadline of a post, I might have been tempted to turn off my computer sooner and say ‘goodnight.’ The music has been repetitive in rhythm but it is soothing, like ‘charms to soothe the savage breast,’ wrote William Congreve in The Mourning Bride, 1697. I think Shakespeare would have liked the line too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjWMeSoNOzs 

Carolyn Wilker is an author, editor, workshop leader and enjoys music. 
www.carolynwilker.ca

Candid Cathy — Breaking New Ground

Candid Cathy*? By the word candid I mean transparent, open and honest. 

Credit: UpTo

King of Kings Elementary Scl

Following a brief introduction, she ascended the several steps to the platform and then took her place behind the podium. Her face appeared relaxed and her eyes bright. As is characteristic of her, a smile played around her mouth, raising her cheeks. She began to speak.

My friend Cathy abandoned the faith of her childhood for several decades. During those years she experienced two failed marriages, the second of which included the sting of her husband’s unfaithfulness and the disappearance and murder of her step-daughter, and also two episodes with cancer that necessitated surgery and treatments. Following her father’s death, Cathy recommitted her life to Christ.

I first met her during her recovery from yet a third bout of cancer, which required further surgery and debilitating treatments. Severe hardships, disappointments and set-backs have come Cathy’s way, yet she has continued to grow, tackling fresh challenges and aiming at new horizons in  serving others in Jesus’ name.  

[Sorry, I don't have a photo of Cathy,
but the girl to my right has occasionally
preached in my behalf over the years.]

Several weeks ago, at the first of this year’s six inter-denominational Lenten services in my community, this intrepid lady, Cathy,  – now in her late sixties – broke new ground.

She is at ease in organizing children’s programs and teaching and communicating with kids; however, preaching a homily on an assigned topic to adults from across the age and theological spectrum in the crowded sanctuary of another church, was something new.

After introducing her message with a humorous, but relevant, anecdote, she then connected with the Scripture and gave a beautifully-crafted, well-presented presentation of Jesus’ divinity. Her text verse was John 1:1 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”  She linked this up with other Scriptures, such as in first chapter of the Hebrews letter.

In well-paced steps she showed why it was necessary that God Himself should provide for the salvation and redemption of humanity from the curse of sin, through His sacrificial death. 

And so, the living, eternal Word – the perfect and exact substance and expression of God Himself – came into the world in the person of Jesus, to live and love, suffer and die. Verse 14 is one of my favourites: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. . . .” (John 1:14a NIV). (Not to forget His resurrection, of course, for that part was to come later in the season.) 

Cathy’s presentation was clear and cogent. My word – you’d think she’d been preaching for decades! I thought.

I enjoy sketching elements of individuals’ lives – especially of people I know or have known personally. But why?

When my mental, emotional and spiritual gaze gets raised in appreciation, gratitude and wonder, at admirable qualities and actions that inspire and reflect God’s love and grace, I hope and pray that others will experience these blessings, too.

In her public preaching debut Cathy broke new ground. 

She continues to inspire others and raise their gaze –

including mine.

~~+~~

* Pseudonym to protect privacy.

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Peter A. Black is a retired pastor – well, sort of retired – and lives in Southwestern Ontario. He writes a weekly inspirational newspaper column, P-Pep! and is author of Raise Your Gaze ... Mindful Musings of a Grateful Heart, and Parables from the Pond -- a children's / family book. ~~+~~

True love is cleaning the toilet without being asked

Yes, you read that title correctly. Yes, I just finished cleaning the toilet before sitting down to write this post. And yes, you can breathe easy. I washed my hands before beginning to peck away at the keyboard.

It's St. Valentine's Day and love is in the air.

Our Wedding Day, December 19, 1976

But what is this thing called love? Have we grasped its full significance? Have we grasped the implications of what true love means? Even for the mature, I dare say the answer is no. True love is willing to suffer some unpleasantness.

When I slipped an engagement ring onto the finger of the love-of-my-life, did I fully comprehend what I was getting into? Sometimes I think it is better that we don't know. A little blissful ignorance can carry us a long way. 😉

Real love means change—personal change. That's the toughest kind of change. We can change our physical location, our wardrobe, our demeanor, but can we change ourselves? That requires real effort. That's a work of the Holy Spirit active within us. I know I need a healthy measure of that kind of change every day. That's a bit of that toilet-cleaning change. Change on the inside.

By a grand fluke of the lunar calendar, today is not only Valentine's Day. It's also Ash Wednesday—the start of Lent. Lent is an annual reminder of the passionate life-giving love of Jesus.

The Son of God left heaven, so he could clean the toilet bowl this world finds itself in. He gives us beauty for ashes in that grand exchange that is love—true love. He suffered so we could be set free from sin. When we repent, we become participants in the great romance of heaven and earth. Heaven came to earth in the person of Jesus, so we could one day be with him forever.

With a freshly cleaned toilet bowl, I'm feeling romantic already. Love is in the air.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm about to head off for a lunch date with my wife—the love-of-my-life.

David Kitz is the award-winning author of 

The Soldier Who Killed a King 

a Passion of Christ novel 

that is an ideal read for the Lent/Easter season.    

Law, Not War? Rather, Love! (By Peter Black)

He and his wife have given millions of dollars for charitable purposes, yet they live in a small, modest bungalow in Florida. Ben came to North America from Eastern Europe in poverty and said he plans to finish his life that way.
 

Benjamin Ferencz.
Credit: Washington Post

His wife suffers from dementia, and his attentiveness and presence helps comfort and keep her stable. When he’s absent from her side, she misses him greatly. And so, this retired lawyer turns down numerous requests from around the world asking him to address conferences and speak at universities. That’s love.

Credit: Washington Post

Ben (Benjamin) Ferencz is the last surviving prosecutor of the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials that were held shortly after the end of World War II. At only twenty-seven years of age he was appointed chief prosecutor of the Nazi extermination squads, considered the biggest murder trial in human history. Now at the age of ninety-seven his passion for peace-making burns as fervent and bright as ever!

Ferencz was Anna Maria Tremonti’s guest on CBC’s The Current, on Tuesday, March 21, 2017. I listened, intrigued by his personality, life and passion. He doesn’t take vacations, but continues to educate, inform and influence others as best he can, even though no longer touring the world. His mantra asserts that “Law, not War” and persistent education and resolution of conflicts is the better way. Armaments won’t do it, he insists.

Ben Ferencz’s passion reverberates in my mind today and somehow interacts with my own thoughts and journey during this meditative season of Lent.

Inter-church Lenten services are held in my community. I’m inspired by them and thoroughly appreciate fellowship with people from other denominational affiliations.

Sure, we may differ in some doctrinal particulars and practises. Fact is though, that God is not beholden to me and neither are those people. But, I am beholden to God and it is incumbent on me to recognize His grace as extended towards and expressed through those who believe that Jesus is Christ, the Son of God, our Lord and Saviour, who gave His life and shed His blood to redeem us from our sins and reconcile us to God.

I feel the warmth of fellowship “in Christ” with many, regardless of race and colour, and we mutually embrace each other as Christ-followers. That’s also love.

We hear much about mistrust, anger and hate directed towards “the other,” in our society and in the world at large, today. In harmony with Mr. Ferencz, I acknowledge that information and education can play a part, and that laws banning expressions of hate and hateful acts might help.

Trailer Credit: maxresdefault ; YouTube

I admire and appreciate what I’ve learned of this remarkable human being, Ben Ferencz. The film, A Man Can Make A Difference, tells his story. I’m sure the world is a better place because of his passionate commitment to justice for all.

Laws prescribe standards of behaviour, from domestic levels to international affairs. But will well-meant and well-worded laws change hearts? Surely the best laws are those that are indelibly inscribed in hearts and demonstrated through lives well-lived with understanding and practical love for others.

Jesus Christ’s accomplishment through the cross declares that self-giving and loving actions can help change attitudes and outcomes and can break down the walls of suspicion and mistrust that divide.  And yet, even He met with fierce opposition that led to His crucifixion and death. But was it not really His Divine love that held Him to the cross?

May the love of God our Father, through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, transform hearts today.

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Peter A. Black lives in Southwestern Ontario. He writes a weekly inspirational newspaper column, P-Pep! and is author of Raise Your Gaze ... Mindful Musings of a Grateful Heart, and Parables from the Pond. ~~+~~