Light for the Journey

Today I reach into the 'grab-bag' from ‘ancient history,' abbreviated and adapted from one of my column articles from twenty years ago.

The newlyweds were embarking on their life together. It was November, '66. Their wedding ceremony was hours past and they’d left their guests at the reception venue. They didn’t own a car, but now, snug in a rented Austin Mini, they headed towards their honeymoon hotel destination, about an hour and a half’s drive to the West Coast of Scotland.

'66 Austin Mini. Credit: CarGurus.

Same model & colour, but without 

"Just Married" signs and streamers

Despite the late November night’s sleet and snow the little mini – still bedecked with Just Married signs and other hoopla – hugged the road well. Leaving city traffic behind, the couple soon passed through the suburbs, and before long the city lights were far behind.

The road was quiet, and they zoomed nicely along the country roads, negotiating numerous twists and turns. But it wasn’t long before dazzling lights of an oncoming vehicle met them on a bend in a heavily wooded area, and the groom, who was driving, switched to the dimmed lights. Blackout – no lights at all! Total darkness, except for the dazzle spots temporarily burned into his vision from the vehicle that had just passed them.

He tried to concentrate on the road ahead, and struggled to keep on course in the darkness as he switched back to the full beams. Mercifully, the couple reached their destination in safety. Apparently, a problem with the electrical system of the car meant that whenever the dimmer switch was operated, every light went out. Well, the couple is still together, and you won’t need twenty guesses as to who they are.

 Signing her life away! Good ol' B&W photography, eh. 

It’s very difficult to find one’s way in the dark without a source of light – especially when caught by surprise, as we were. Likewise, as we find our way through life, on and into the uncharted territory of a new year, it is a whole lot easier when we have a source of light and are properly prepared. 

I knew very little about cars at that time. If I’d checked the car’s systems out earlier I would have discovered that problem. We were young then, but are now more cautious about preparing.

How important to prepare for our journey through life, and for our exit from it. The psalmist, in Psalm 27 wrote, The Lord is my light and my salvation . . . The Lord is the strength of my life. And, in Psalm 25:9-10  He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.  10  All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant.

While the year is still quite young, let us open up our hearts and minds in humility to the Holy Spirit, and let the Scriptures speak to our hearts, trusting the grace of God to help us safely negotiate the bends in the road of life, with the Lord Jesus Christ as our companion, who lights up our life – even if the lights should go out.

~~~
The original edition was published as a newspaper column article in January, 1999
~~+~~
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. ~+~

A New Year – Living in Hope by Peter A. Black

“And so, that was Christmas and how did it go . . .?” – to paraphrase John Lennon’s famous Christmas song. How it went for you and me may vary enormously from how it went for many others.

Original Source uncertain

Keeping Lennon’s haunting melody in mind, we could go on at length posing all sorts of questions: “And so it’s the New Year, and what will you do . . .?” Or, “And so it’s a new year and what will it bring?” and so on. We can plan for our future, but we have no guarantees of its unfolding exactly as planned. And yet, surely it’s good to live in hope.

I’m pecking away at the keyboard musing on these matters on the last day of 2018 – December 31^st.  Television video clips from around the globe are displaying New Year Celebrations as the midnight hour successively strikes in national capitals.

All in all, my wife May and I were blessed with a pleasant and enjoyable Christmas, and are truly grateful. However, we have extended family, dear friends and colleagues who will remember this Christmas and New Year period as difficult and challenging.

Courtesy: www.DaySpring.com 

This morning I received a call to provide the prelude and accompaniment music at the memorial service for a friend’s sister. May and I have also to sing at it. The lady’s death in the closing hours of 2018 was a shock. My friend (who will officiate) didn’t even know of his sister’s recent illness. And so, we plan to travel with him and his wife the three-and-a-half hour trip to the venue.

I don’t mention this to be morbid, but as an encouragement for us 

to live thoughtfully, not recklessly; 

to adopt a humility that’s not boastful 

about what we’re going to do,

and to urge a humility that, while hope-filled, 

will cause us to recognize our human frailty.

Along with hope and humility, let us also journey on with love. Now, that offers much scope, from wholesome relationships to practical caring about people in our lives and beyond.

May and I recently received an advance invitation to provide a program in music and word for senior adults in February, on the week of Valentine’s. 

Love is needful for quality of life, for the young and the old; 

from our first breath on exiting the womb 

and entering this crazily mixed-up world, 

until we draw our final breath. 

We accepted that invitation and, in good faith we plan in hope to fulfil it. Yes, faith.

Will you, will I, see the three-hundred-and-sixty-five days of 2019 through to their conclusion? Only God knows. Those enduring qualities of faith, hope and love will journey with us while we traverse the plains of life, if we cherish them in our hearts and exercise them daily.

Let us trust in Jesus, the locus and focus of our faith. 

He is the hope of our trusting hearts, and the lover of our souls.

~~+~~

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. ~+~

What it Means to be a Writer by Rose McCormick Brandon

“I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you,” Paul said to his protégé, Timothy (2 Timothy 1:6). This is God’s message to me and other writers. Stir up the gift of writing. Use it to bless Him. Consider what it means to write.

Writing means coming to the task trustingly. If it’s true that God has called me to write, and I believe it is, then I have a duty to use the gift He’s given.

Trusting means I present my writing to the Father by faith not looking for positive feedback or needing it for courage. This has been a major thing in the past. I longed for words of encouragement. Precious little feedback came save a tidbit here or there. I’ve learned to need positive feedback less yet my heart sings when it comes. Perhaps I’ll always be on a learning curve in this regard. Maybe everyone is. But, I’m coming closer to my goal of presenting my gifts of writing to the Father, by submitting them, saving them for submission or adding them to my book in progress, then forgetting them and going on to craft the next gift.

Writing means coping with criticism. Once a friend from church read an article I wrote for a Christian magazine. I thought he might congratulate me, or at least say he appreciated it. Instead he said, “I guess they’ll publish anything.” Why Christians utter discouraging words like this is a mystery. Then there are those who read my articles and said, “I’m going to write too,” as if it’s the easiest thing on earth and anyone can do it.

This reminds me of the famous writer who was approached by a surgeon at a dinner party. He said, “When I retire I’m going to write a book.” The writer replied, “What a coincidence, when I retire I plan to take up surgery.” Writing is more difficult than it looks. Sometimes going to my desk, sitting in the chair and facing a blank document, or one that needs extensive editing, is a daunting task. When I settle in it comes easier and time passes unnoticed because I’m fulfilling my calling. There’s contentment in that. For this reason alone I consider myself extremely blessed with God’s favour.

On the subject of getting positive feedback from one’s church circle, some who read this will be members of stingy congregations who seldom compliment or encourage from the pew or the pulpit. Take heart. And keep writing. This isn’t an isolated problem. Some churches are inward, meaning they reserve praise for in-house operations. The lack of support from my church troubled me in the beginning, not only in writing but in other outreach ventures. I prayed much about this and God helped me to accept it and not to let it hinder me. And He’ll help you too.

Writing means having courage to face the consequences. Someone might not like what I write. Maybe they’ll say, “What is she talking about anyway?” Perhaps some will be offended by my views or disagree with my conclusions. Writers have opinions. When they stop having them there won’t be anything to write about. It’s good exercise for the little gray cells to form strong opinions. I like Ravi Zacharias’ watchword, Let my People Think. There’s room for more strong biblical thinkers in the Christian community, lots of room.

Facing consequences also means accepting rejection. Every writer who submits their work gets rejections. It’s the nature of the business. Rejections come for many reasons. Bad writing is only one possible reason. We should always seek to improve our craft and not become overly discouraged by rejections.

Writing means giving it everything I’ve got. This can be a problem. Laziness gets in the way. Other projects, like painting the kitchen or sewing new curtains get in the way. Kids schedules, work, worthy missions – so many obstructions. Writing time is easier to find now that my children are grown and work days are behind. In busier days I used lunch hours, coffee breaks, late nights and other smidgens of time to write. There’s always a way.

Interruptions slice the threads of twining thoughts. Freakish diatribes about politics and the ugly state of the world. Ranting. Television. These can create a cloud of doom that ruins glorious moments of thought and prevents the writer from giving it everything. 

In all of life's disappointments, struggles and interruptions we must be mindful to use the spiritual gifts the Holy Spirit has given, including the gift of writing.

***

Rose McCormick Brandon is author of One Good Word Makes all the Difference and Promises of Home - Stories of Canada's British Home Children. Her articles and devotionals are published in many Christian magazines and in collections of inspiring stories like Chicken Soup for the Soul. She writes two blogs: Promises of Home and Listening to my Hair Grow. 

Christmas Cheer—And Our New Year

Steps to our deck, Jan. 2014.

Jan. 1, 2018 scene isn't quite as snowy.

Now that we’ve crossed the divide into 2018 perhaps we might risk a personal glance through the rear-view mirror to 2017.

What kind of year was it for you?

How would you characterize it? 

Was yours a dazzling year crowned with so many positive outcomes and joys that you can hardly wait for more of the same, so you eagerly lean into each new day? 

Or, did the year bring you inconvenient troubles, severe trials and deep losses; a year you’d rather forget but can’t? 

Does it seem that consequences continue to dog your path and you know that you’ll have to live with and through them day by day with foreboding and trepidation?

Courtesy: beradical.net

Let us reflect back on the central theme of Christmas that, in the coming into the world of Jesus ­—the Christ Child, God has come to humanity—has come to you, me and us.

Jesus, meaning, the “Lord is Saviour” or “. . . salvation” for He saves “his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21; Luke 2:11), is also called Emmanuel, meaning, “God with us” (Mat. 1:23).

Personally, I don’t know what 2018 may bring or whether I’ll even live to see all of its days (although I hope I do). Likewise, nobody knows that score regarding their own life—not with absolute assurance, anyway.

It’s wonderful and a great comfort for me to know that my sins have been dealt with by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross; I’m forgiven—reconciled to God. I have an assurance that I belong to Him and that in Jesus, as Emmanuel, God journeys with me when things seem to be going just great, and also when life’s road is rough and the going is tough.

He’s promised to be with His spiritual children and will never leave them, nor will He forsake them (Hebrews 13:5). Therefore God is with me, even if I happen to feel all alone. These are marvellous gifts of His amazing grace.

Is this also your hope, your experience and relationship with God, because of Jesus? Let us embrace Him and hold fast to these understandings by faith and in trusting Him as Emmanuel—God, who is with us, while we step out and onward day by day.

Thought for Today’s Journey

Christ, who is the Lord of Christmas cheer

Is also Christ the Lord of our New Year.

~~+~~

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. ~~+~~

Be Mindful to be a Blessing in 2017 by Rose McCormick Brandon

As a new year begins, I’m struck by my need to care, not about things, the condition of the world, politics, entertainment and other things, but to care about people.
Our purpose for living is to love, to care. Specifically, to care about God and others.
God cares about people. Jesus perfectly demonstrated this by sacrificing His life on the cross. He showed that, above all else, people matter.
People are confused, lost, in denial, wounded and broken. Our purpose for living, the reason we’re alive, the reason we know Christ, is to share His love with them.
Someone said, “Most human problems stem from the fact that we treat people as things and things as people.” God’s interest is always in people, not things.
This phrase in Galatians 6:10 touched my heart - "Be mindful to be a blessing.”
I love the word, “mindful.” Wherever we go, whatever we do, we should be mindful to bless others in our conversation and actions. Being mindful means that we’re conscious of our actions and words, conscious of their effect on others. Their effect should be to bless.
A tall order.
Can I be mindful all the time? Probably not. But, I can try. And with God keeping my mind full of His purpose, I can definitely improve.
God’s incredible purpose for me is that I lift the fallen, encourage the fainthearted and give hope to the hopeless. Without purpose, my life shifts in whatever direction the winds of change take it. Right now, winds of unrest unsettle the globe. As a Christian, I can’t become unmoored by these but remain constant in my endeavor to bless.
What I notice in others who are steadfast in their purpose of being a blessing is that nothing, no loss or unrest, changes them. They keep on blessing others, speaking of Jesus at every opportunity, praying with diligence; their love for others motivates them.
They are my mentors.

Prayer: Father, as I drag myself into a new year, fill my heart with purpose. Remind me of the reason I exist – to be a blessing. Let me not run away from this responsibility but help me to embrace it. People are your priority. Help me to make them my priority.


Rose McCormick Brandon is the author of four books, including One Good Word Makes all the Difference and Promises of Home - Stories of Canada's British Home Children. She writes personal essays and devotionals for several publications.

Day by Day the 'MillieWay' (by Peter Black)

A tiny cottage nestles in the woods on a country road, with little more than the basic services of electricity and a land phone. The lady of the house pretty much takes care of herself and day-to-day chores with a little help from her son, who calls by from time to time to ensure she is OK.

Not Millie's Cottage
Courtesy: Google free

Not only is her home tiny, she’s tiny, too. Obviously frail, she weighs in at well under one hundred pounds. The actual number doesn’t even match her age – ninety-eight! Suggestions that she should move into town don’t receive much of a hearing from her. And her friends’ statements of concern that, “it’s so lonely and remote out here,” don’t gain any traction at all.
  

Millie reminds me that physical frailty doesn’t necessarily equate to either weakness of character or of spirit. This tiny titan has character and spirit in abundance. Her stalwart independence was developed throughout her life’s journey, meeting challenges and disappointments, bereavements and losses along the way.

Not Millie: IStock Photo

However, her independence represents only one side:

~ She lives alone, but is not lonely.

~ She is frail and weak, yet she is strong.

~ Her means are modest, yet she abounds in the richness of contentment.

Here’s the other side: Many decades ago Millie committed her life to the Lord Jesus. He is to her a close and constant companion.

Importantly, she didn’t get stuck on the periphery of the Christian life, but journeyed along that pathway, exercising dependence on God’s grace, growing in faith and in her relationship with the Lord. Reading the biblical scriptures and meditating on their implications and significance for her life, while keeping daily prayer appointments with God and serving others in His name – these have given her sustaining power.

This indomitable soul has faced her todays with gratitude and grace, despite whatever her yesterdays might have brought. And now Millie continues facing her tomorrows in readiness of spirit. She’s homeward bound to be with Jesus, her Lord and Saviour, while continuing house-bound in her tiny cottage in the woods, journeying on into this—another New Year, with hope and peace, joy and love. . . . And contentment.

Contentment – what a great quality!

Hopes, dreams, aspirations and ambitions, and even discontentment might be OK, if well-placed and well-focused; they can occupy an appropriate, beneficial place in our lives.

Of course, unless these desires and motivations are honourable and others-oriented and we go about fulfilling them by honourable means, such urges may consume us with a soul-destroying selfish obsession. Unchecked, they can leave a trail of ruined lives, broken relationships and families, violence and crime and murder, and even become amplified as feuding communities and countries at war.

But this isn’t so with folks like Millie and friends of hers I’ve come to know. Regardless of whether people are financially poor or wealthy, they can be either intensely selfish and discontented, or selfless and truly contented.

Let US journey on into the New Year, balancing contentment and ambition the “Millie way.” It was Apostle Paul’s way, too – content and ambitious at the same time. He says:

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that” (1 Timothy 1:6-8 NIV). 

And, “. . . one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13b-14 NIV).

 ~~+~~

 

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.
~~+~~

 

 

Eggnog – It’s Over . . . for Now by Peter A. Black

You – a loving and caring, thoughtful individual – may feel bombarded, if not overwhelmed, by the multitudinous matters of great import that day after day mount an assault on your consciousness, as wave after wave of distressing, heartrending news reaches you through every kind of media.

These impact your mind, engage your sensibilities and stir your emotions.
News of tragedy, disrupted lives, privation and loss that people suffer, may go right over some folks’ heads – especially if occurring on the other side of the country or the world. But not over yours; you’re sensitive. You wince, torn inside, because you’re already committed to supporting numerous causes, and are unable to accommodate yet another.

Who can fault you for lapsing into a few wistful moments of retreat to squeeze comfort from memories of good times and pleasant experiences past? – And from favourite comfort food? Although the year is young, its infancy is about over, yet there’s time enough for the resumption of diet and exercise routines or whatever you may have resolved on January 1^st. (Disclaimer: Don’t  take that as actual advice.) Point: even caring folks need a break from clamouring calamity.
 
Before I commenced framing these musings I went to the fridge and extracted a carton of eggnog, a vestige of the Christmas, New Year and Festive Season. I admit it. I’d spun this supply out as long as I could. It was still fresh, coddled in chilly recess at the back of the fridge.
Please don’t grimace if you can’t stomach that enchanting elixir of Christmas cheer, and I implore you not to judge me – at least not too harshly – for my sentimental eccentricity.

And so, I prepared a bold half-decaf coffee containing a generous dash of eggnog and milk. I ‘nuked’ it to bring the temperature back up to steaming hot and perched it nearby the computer, for sipping on the job, and then began these ramblings. Aahh, the festive season lives! But I know it’s really over once the stored up eggnog runs out.

What particularly signals a season of the year or in your life truly over? You no longer cling to it; you know it’s dead and gone. Each season in nature begins and ends, although there can be overlap and fudging of the signs, such as when wintry weather doesn’t come till well after winter’s official commencement, or we get a premature blast in an early snow dump.

A woman holds on to her wedding dress for years, picturing her daughter wearing it on her wedding day. Tragically the girl dies young. The woman’s husband forsakes her for another’s embrace, yet she occasionally plucks that cherished dress from the closet and holds it to her cheek. Fresh tears fall, spotting the silken white memory. Oh God, help him remember his vows; bring him home to me, she sobs. But no, he divorces her.

It’s over. The dress can now go. Although wounded she has no lack of love in her heart, yet this is the first day of the rest of her life. It’s time to move on – but only thoughtfully and prayerfully. Time to heal. And so, she presses on, with gratitude for the good that was, for the good that is, and for the grace that will lead her on to discover the good that God has in store.

The spirit of Christmas lives on in grateful, loving hearts. The season’s festive trappings are stored away and its comfort food and drink are gone for now. Nevertheless, Jesus our Saviour, our Emmanuel – the God who is with us – comforts us along life’s pathway. 

~~+~~ 
Photo Credits: Eggnog Cup: Polyvore.com
Wedding dress: A. Black; Wooded Trail: P. A. Black

Peter writes a weekly inspirational column and enjoys singing inspirational music and playing piano, organ and accordion, and encourages the upward focus. His latest book –  "Raise Your Gaze ... Mindful Musings of a Grateful Heart" – reflects this in a variety of brief articles and stories:
Author:
"Parables from the Pond" – a children's/ family book (Word Alive Press)
"Raise Your Gaze . . . Mindful Musings of  Grateful Heart (Angel Hope Publishing)

Blog Raise Your Gaze
Email:      

 

Bringing in the New Year—Carolyn R. Wilker

We’re nearly two weeks into 2016, but for a few moments I want to reflect on the old year that we’ve just put aside.

This past year was momentous in so many ways and sad in others. Three people in my circle of acquaintances and friends—some for as long as 30 years—died in 2015, plus one young teen who attended our church. As I mourned the loss, I also felt grateful to have known Kathy, Susan and Patricia, and Samantha. I reflected on the blessings they brought to my life. Susan was part of my early writing life and edited my first book, Once Upon a Sandbox. Kathy had invited us to her place when we were new members at the church and then to the Bible Study she often hosted. Patricia was a kind and generous neighbour who became a friend, and Samantha is gone too soon at the age of 16.

 Even while I mourn the loss, there were good times aplenty. My husband and I gained a new granddaughter, an addition to the two small grandchildren we already have. I had new publishing credits (Hot Apple Cider with Cinnamon and Tower Poetry) and requests for a column in our national denominational magazine, Canada Lutheran, and publication therein, but also invitations to do my memoir workshop in new locations to new organizations. There have also been new friendships in the making and a fabulous writer’s critique group in my corner.

 Perhaps you’ve read the verse in the Bible about “putting your hand to the plough” and not looking back. The analogy works well for ploughing where you need to keep your eye on the furrows ahead and turn carefully. I think there’s much value in assessing what you’ve brought with you from the year in order to move ahead to the next.

On December 24th, Vitaliy Fursov, a fellow Toastmaster and acquaintance, offered his planning guide to fellow Facebook friends. He wrote, “This time of the year I usually take a quiet moment and enjoy a planning session for my next year. Well, that's what I've learned to do as a professional PM (project manager?). If one fails to plan, one plans to fail. I call it a year design.”

I downloaded his year design and began to think through the categories one at a time. Among the categories were things we’ve learned, challenges we’ve faced, and things that happened during the year that we’re proud of.  Then looking toward the new year the lessons we want to take with us. Those included things we perhaps need to delegate, keep, or leave behind (which might mean quitting something).

Going through the plan gave me some clarity, especially when I needed to make a decision this week. I looked at my notes and realized what needed to stay, what I must set aside and what I wanted to accomplish this year—which is not a resolution made on the spur of New Year’s Eve, but a longer range plan for using abilities and gifts.Perhaps even continuing on with a goal not yet achieved but what is on its way to completion.

There is value in looking back in order to move ahead. Specialists in mental health and therapy have done this for ages to help their clients. We can gain from it too. It doesn’t exclude praying for guidance or letting God help us make decisions. We can make plans and sometimes the goalpost moves and alters things even while we’re serving. With those items more clearly in focus, we can move ahead.

 I know what my goals are, but do you know yours?

 www.carolynwilker.ca