Lessons Learned While Flying A Kite

 My wife and I recently celebrated our 40^th anniversary with our children and grandchildren. Our son-in-law Dave had purchased some neat kites and the grandkids were excited to try their hand at flying the kites. Occasionally someone would get careless and didn’t hold tightly to the string and a sudden gust of wind would dislodge the kite. The kite sailed along for a short while but then plummeted to earth. I was reminded of a time years earlier flying a kite with our oldest son, Jon. His kite, too, got away from him because he hadn’t held tightly to the string. I recalled how chagrined he was as we watched his kite sail away and then fall to the earth. Since it was at dusk we weren’t able to locate the kite that evening but I noted some reference points that helped us locate the kite the next morning.

There are some lessons of life we can learn from flying kites. First of all a kite needs an anchor to fly – without an anchor the kite will drift and then crash. This is true in life as well. A life without an anchor is one that is headed for disaster. The Bible instructs us that we need an anchor of faith that will hold us steady and allow us to sail freely through the winds of adversity. That anchor is to be found in the person of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul says that “…we have fixed our hope on the living God who is the Saviour of all men, especially of those who believe.” (1 Timothy 4:10 NASB)

Eugene Peterson in The Message paraphrases Hebrews 6:18-19 this way: “We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It's an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us… “

A faith that is anchored in the person of Jesus Christ will lead to a life of hope and assurance and true freedom. Some people think that freedom is freedom from restraint. But when the kite is “freed” from the restraining hand of the kite-flyer – the kite momentarily seems to be truly free – and does sail on for a short while, but without the restraining anchor the kite soon crashes to the ground. Rather than restricting me the anchor of faith is what holds me and guides me away from disaster. I have the reality and assurance of His presence and help. Our hope, the biblical writer says, is “sure and steadfast” allowing us to sail through the gusts of life.

A second lesson I learned while flying a kite is that reference points are important. Without a reference point I have no sense of direction. I’m lost. Reference points help to chart the correct path. God’s Word promises to be “a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.” (Psalm 119:105) God’s Word gives us direction helping us to live right, talk right and behave right.

A third lesson I learned while flying a kite was that spending time doing things with your children and grandchildren and listening to them is important. Children long to do things with their parents and especially with their dads. It’s a sad commentary on our society that so few dads care to spend time with their children. You can learn a lot from children when you spend time with them and listen to them.

Our grandson Luke is 8 years old. As he watched the kite being lifted up by the wind and sail merrily in the breeze he remarked: “That’s sort of like the Holy Spirit in our lives who lifts us up and carries us along and helps us. We get to see things we couldn’t see when we were on the ground.” I gained another valuable insight while flying a kite.

The Resurrection Gives Hope and Joy

Easter and Hope are synonymous. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the king-pin upon which Christianity stands or crumbles. If Christ has not been raised from the dead then life is futile, our faith is futile. But the ringing message of the gospel is that Christ has been raised from death, just as He said He would.  The Resurrection substantiates Christ’s claim that He is the Son of God.  No other prophet of any religion has come back from the dead.

The implications of the resurrection of Jesus Christ must be considered honestly.  The Apostle Paul states in Acts 17:30, 31: “God commands all men everywhere to repent because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained.  He has given assurance of this by raising Him from the dead.”

Michael Green, British theologian, Anglican priest, Christian apologist and author states: “If Jesus is, as the resurrection asserts, God Himself who has come to our rescue, then to reject Him, or even to neglect Him, is sheer folly.  That is why Jesus is not, never has been, & never can be just one among the religious leaders of mankind.”

The Gospels assert that the people who met the living resurrected Christ were profoundly changed in their lives. That is what the Christian life is all about. Real Christianity is friendship with the risen Jesus. It is knowing this vibrant, living Person for yourself. It turns your whole life sunny side up.

Getting to know Jesus changes a person.  The gospel writers tell the story of those who first encountered the living Christ and became transformed people. Mary and the other women who came to the tomb and the disciples all were surprised by joy! The experience of the women upon hearing the Good News that Jesus was alive - Mary Magdalene, Mary mother of James, Joanna (Mark includes Salome) was that “they were afraid, yet filled with joy!” (Matthew 28:8)

The two disciples on the road to Emmaus were facing an uncertain and bleak future (Luke 24:13-49). Their hopes were dashed. They had heard from the women that Jesus was alive, but they hadn’t seen him. It seemed a cruel hoax. But Jesus came to them and they were transformed in their behaviour and attitude. The disciples were “filled with joy and amazement” (Luke 24:41). “The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.” (John 20:20) They were filled with joy, hope and excitement because Jesus is alive!

Just like the discouraged disciples on road to Emmaus we need to encounter the risen, living Saviour, Jesus Christ. Jesus comes to us in our hurts, disappointments and pain and brings us hope and joy! In Jesus we experience the joy of sins forgiven, the assurance of being loved with an everlasting love; a joy that rises even in the midst of pain, sorrow, suffering and misunderstanding. When we know Jesus, our illnesses don’t seem as serious; our fears fade and lose their grip; our grief over those who’ve gone on is diminished; our desire to press on in spite of difficulty is renewed.

A dear friend from Cranberry Portage is dying of cancer. She has battled cancer twice before but this time the dreaded disease is winning. When doctors informed her that she had only several weeks to live her response was: “Just think, in just a few short weeks I get to see Jesus and be with Him forever!” That is what the power of the risen Christ in a believer does – it transforms a person from despair and hopelessness to joy and hope in the promise of the Risen Lord who declared, “I am the Resurrection and the Life; the one who believes in Me shall live even if he dies…” (John 12:25)

In my own battle with cancer I find great comfort and strength in the promises of God’s Word and the power of Christ’s presence in my life. This month marks the 10 anniversary of the loss of a beloved son to suicide after an agonizing battle with schizophrenia. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead and His promise of eternal life give us comfort and hope of being reunited with him and courage to face each new day with confidence.

Have you met the living, Christ? You do so by faith. Jesus said: “Blessed are those who did not see, and yet have believed.” (John 20:29) John wrote his gospel “so that we might know that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:31) His death and resurrection has made possible a relationship with God, forgiveness of sin and a certain future - an inheritance which can never spoil or fade away. Because of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead we have hope and joy in our lives!

Recognizing God in the Disruptive Moments and Storms of Life

What do you do when you face those personal storms – disruptive moments in life? Storms have a way of revealing what lies below the waterline.

In the autumn 1992 Michael Plant, an American yachtsman, commenced a solo crossing of the North Atlantic to France in his sailboat the Coyote. It was state of the art - best of sailing expertise, experience & equipment. He left with the assumption that nothing could go wrong but 11 days into the voyage radio contact was lost. His boat was found upside down with no sign of Plant. What they did find was that the 8,400 lb ballast was missing. There is an important principle in sailing - there must be more weight below the waterline than there is above. Any violation of this weight distribution principle spells disaster because it compromises the stability of the boat. The first threatening wind or wave presents a serious problem.

The Bible warns us to “Guard your heart - for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). What have you been building into your life below the waterline that will provide you with stability when storms hit – those disruptive moments that invade your life? Storms happen! We learn more about what’s below the waterline of our existence when we experience personal pain, loss or sorrow. Are you paying attention to your soul?

Younger generations especially in Western society believe life is to be lived without pain, without struggle, without inconvenience. The Psalmist Asaph experienced storms in life which caused him to question the validity of faith in God. Psalm 73 records his inner anguish facing troubled times in his life. When he viewed life from a worldly perspective he was almost ready to dump his faith. He engaged in some serious soul-talk.

As Asaph contemplated life and viewed it from God’s perspective he realized “when all you have is God - God is enough”. That’s what really matters. Asaph points out that we are inclined to neglect the soul and all else beneath the waterline unless or until these disruptive moments come. We don’t like disruptive moments - too often they are associated with pain, inconvenience, failure and humiliation. Charles Colson (former “hatchet man for President Richard Nixon) discovered in prison, where all worldly props had been stripped away, what true security and meaning was. He found true life in Christ.

Gordon McDonald in his book The Life God Blesses encourages readers to take time to nurture their soul – to pay attention to developing a walk with God - a deep spirituality - a soul in which the Spirit of God is invited to dwell. It involves disciplined living where we take cues not from the world around but from the inner world out of which bubbles heavenly discernment, conviction and decision. McDonald differentiates between spiritual experiences and spirituality. Spiritual experience tends to be the “quick fix” approach which is superficial and more centered on the emotions or the mind. Spirituality on the other hand is like a well that produces and produces with long term profitability.
The biblical character Job experienced huge disruptive moments in his life. His trust in God did not waver in these difficult times. “I don’t know where you are but You know where I am!” (Job 23:1-10) Job continued to address issues that lay ‘below the waterline’:
“My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside. I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread..” (Job 23:11, 12)

David Ruis, worship pastor of Winnipeg Vineyard Church, wrote a song based on Psalm 73:24-28
Whom Have I But You?
Whom have I but You?
Though the mountains fall; they fall into the sea,
Though my colored dawn, may turn to shades of grey,
Though the questions asked may never be resolved,
Whom have I but YOU! Whom have I BUT YOU!

Twenty years ago my wife was diagnosed with cancer and I felt overwhelmed. I was pastor of small church, director of children’s camp, father of 4 children. I clung to the promises of God and His Word and He carried us through. When we faced the agony of our son’s struggle with schizophrenia and then suicide we went to the “ballast” of our lives – our faith and trust in Jesus Christ who walks with us no matter what. That’s what kept us buoyant. And faith in Christ will do the same for you. Trust Him.

On Pandemics and Skepticism

The H1N1 influenza dominated the media and political arena this past summer and fall.

The outbreak was first detected on March 18, 2009, in Mexico City. Before it was over, hundreds of Mexicans succumbed to the disease, and most of the city had to be closed down. It didn't take long for the disease to be spread to other parts of the world, and on June 11, 2009 the World Health Organization declared the outbreak to be pandemic.

During the summer, the virus seemed to be dormant, but with the onset of fall, medical officials declared there would be an outbreak equivalent to the bubonic plague. Governments raced to purchase the vaccine, but not enough could be produced on time. Because of this the serum initially was offered only to people at high risk. Those who were considered "low risk" would be vaccinated when enough of the vaccine became available.

It was interesting observing the response to the news of this new pandemic that was threatening the world. Much of the hype was fuelled by media speculation and then by government officials who were in a “no-win” situation - they were damned if they didn’t deal with it as a crisis and damned if they did. Although statistics of people dying from the common flu influenza were substantially greater than from those dying from the H1N1 influenza the media aroused public fears by focusing on a few scattered reports of individuals dying because of the virus.

When the vaccination program began many believed the reports and hurried to “get the shot”. Others were leery about a vaccine that was produced so rapidly without proper testing. I confess to being sceptical of the whole media hype. Part of it was that I only knew one person who “may have had H1N1”. Yet, I knew 2 persons who had the vaccination and had experienced some pretty serious side effects. Then too, since I was in the “low risk” category I didn’t take it as seriously as others in the “high risk” category. Our children didn’t have our grandkids vaccinated because they didn’t trust that it was safe – not enough testing had been done.

A vaccine was and is available but no one is forced to take it. It’s up to you - your choice.

As I reflected on this I drew a parallel to another “deadly pandemic” that has infected everyone in the world. The Scriptures declare that all of humankind is infected with a disease called “sin”. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) And it’s deadly – “the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23a). However, there is a vaccine available for everyone and it’s free! “…but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23b).

Many people are sceptics when they hear this good news. They either don’t believe the verdict that they have the death-dealing illness of sin or they don’t believe Jesus Christ is the only One who can save them from their sin and give them life. They may have heard the news but refuse to take it seriously. Or they acknowledge that they have the disease but are confident that they can gain life “in their own way.”

Again the Scripture is clear – there is only One Vaccine available – and it’s for all people, everywhere. You’re not forced to take Him – Jesus. But there is “salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

If you “receive” Jesus – God’s Vaccine for your disease of sin – you will be given new life. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) The gospel writer John states that “…to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12).

Again the choice is yours – it’s up to you what you do with the “Vaccine” God has provided. It still isn't too late to get God's Inoculation. He is the only One who can truly save you! Your choice has eternal ramifications!

To Remember is to Work for Peace

We have just commemorated Remembrance Day – a time for remembering. With respect we remember the more than 110,000 Canadians who lost their lives in wars ion the past century – some heroically, some in utter fear and loneliness, all tragically, in their pursuit of peace.

It is also a time for remembering the harshness and brutality of wars in which they and 55 million others have died. It’s a time to remember the devastation, the grief and suffering, the pain and agony that war brings. There is nothing glamorous about war (although we tend to glamorize the technology of our western war machines). War of any kind always leaves its carnage of death and destruction.

Remembrance Day is a time to reflect on why wars are still being fought. For me it’s a time to also remember our Anabaptist forbears who were martyred for their faith, the conscientious objectors who were ostracized for their pacifism during WW II and all those across the globe who continue to encounter sufferings for reasons of faith and conscience.

It’s a time to remember our children, and all the children who would like to grow up in joy and hope and peace. It’s a time to resolve to work for peace and justice with peaceable methods.

Remembrance Day is also a time for re-examining what Jesus Christ and the cross, the resurrection and the power of prayer have to say to all forms of violence. Jesus calls us to live by the law of love and to practice the forgiveness of enemies, as Jesus Himself exemplified for us. He is the Prince of Peace - the answer to human need, enmity and violence.

Peace is a treasured word. It’s an agreement to end hostilities between two dissenting groups. It’s the absence of conflict, an inner calmness. It is not a natural characteristic of persons, governments or nations. Ideas clash, desires conflict, goals create tensions, words produce battles, passions blaze into fights.

We may excuse ourselves for any involvement in a national or global conflict. But within our own little world there are conflicts and battles. They may be visible with vocal and physical participation. They may be “cold wars” between non-speaking persons, between persons carrying grudges, resentments, hostility and hate towards each other.

For there to be peace on a global or national or community or home level there must first be a personal peace. I’m reminded of the Chinese Proverb that says:
If there is righteousness in the heart there will be beauty in the character.
If there is beauty in the character there will be harmony in the home.
If there is harmony in the home there will be order in the nation.
If there is order in the nation there will be peace in the world.

The Bible says “..the kingdom of God is…righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” Romans 12:17-19

Peace-making begins with righteousness in the heart. Jesus points out the problem of man’s sorrows and this world’s condition has to do with our heart– it’s sinful. Jesus said “It’s from within out of man’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.” (Mark 2:21-22) We need a transformed heart.

Where does peace come from? The Bible declares that man is at enmity with God. Jesus Christ came as the Prince of Peace to bring about a peaceful resolution to the enmity that separates man from God. He paid the supreme sacrifice – dying in our stead on the cross. He paid the penalty our sin demanded. Now we can have peace with God through faith in Christ (Romans 5:1). God replaces the un-rightness in our heart with His righteousness and gives us personal peace. His power enables us to work at being a peace-maker in our homes, community and nation.

Peace-making is an expression of our love for God and others and is pleasing to God. Jesus called peacemakers “blessed” in His sermon on the mount. (Matthew 5:9). We need to be a peace-maker, not a trouble-maker. Christ will help us to work to resolve issues. Righteousness in the heart produces a beautiful character.

Peace-making begins at home. Is your home a shelter of peace or a storm center of bitterness and anger? Peace-making requires effort. “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace...” (Romans 14:19).

“Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it." Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.” (Romans 12:18-21 The Message)

Leveraging the Pain and Hurts in Your Life for Good

My wife and I were privileged to attend a Leadership Summit simulcast in Winnipeg earlier this month. One of the great leaders and speakers who spoke was Wess Stafford, President and CEO of Compassion International. Wess is an internationally recognized advocate for children in poverty. Wess maintains that leadership without compassion is not leadership at all! He challenged us to consider what fuels our leadership – is it joy and fulfillment or is it driven by pain, sorrow or fear?

Then Wess shared his leadership story and what lies behind his drive and compassion for children. Wess grew up as a missionary kid in Africa. He spent his elementary education years in a Baptist mission school where he and other missionary kids endured unbelievable abuse – physical, emotional and even sexual abuse at the hands of supposedly dedicated Christians. At one point at 10 years of age and just before he got on the plane to fly back to the school for another term Wess dared to break the “code of silence” and blurted out to his parents about the abuse he and other kids were experiencing. He begged them not to send him back. His mother was so distraught over what he shared that she was unable to continue to function as a missionary and had to return to the States due to an emotional breakdown.

At school Wess was singled out by the headmaster and humiliated for breaking the silence. He was blamed for his mother’s emotional breakdown and that he was the cause of defeating his parents’ ministry – now hundreds of Africans would end up in hell. He was accused of serving Satan. To demonstrate that you can’t serve both God and Satan without getting burned the headmaster handed him a candle with wicks at both ends. He then lit both wicks. It was during the ordeal of watching the flames move toward his finger that Wes resolved to not let the abuse go on any longer. He would endure the flame and not let go. Anger burned within him at his abusers and their mistreatment of the students. He loved the African children and what Mr. Edwards said was not true. That was a defining moment in Wes’ young life. He would not let the abuse continue. Fortunately Wess’ dad did some investigative inquiry into of the school and changes were made.

That candle incident was the defining moment that turned Wes in the direction of his life’s work as a passionate advocate for the hurting children of the world. He refuses to be defeated and to give in to the powerful forces that would violate the downtrodden and oppressed. He tells his story in his book Too Small to Ignore – Why the Least of These Matters Most.

Wes challenges us to consider how we might leverage our past hurts and pain for good. Rather than allowing the pain and hurts of his past to hamstring his future he allowed God to redeem the past for His glory. Out of the pain of his past God is using Wes to champion children to the Church. Wess states that “poverty and abuse whisper the same destructive message into the spirit of a child: ‘Give up. Nobody cares. You don’t matter.’ It’s a voice from the depths of hell that wars against the truth proclaimed by the Gospel: ‘You do matter. God loves and believes in you..’”

Wes wrestled with the question of “Where was God when the abuse was happening?” He doesn’t say it was God’s plan for the abuse to occur. But Wes believes that God can redeem anything and bring good out of evil. He sees God’s shaping hand at work in his life preparing him for an epic fight on behalf of abused children.

Wess came to the point where he knew that he needed to forgive his abusers even though his abusers never asked for forgiveness and even were not sorry. He would only keep hurting himself if he didn’t forgive. If you don’t forgive those who hurt you they live rent-free in your life. Don’t let what they did define you. If they damaged your childhood, don’t give them the power over the rest of your life. Choose to forgive.

Good words – good challenge. As I think of some of the pain and hurt that many of our aboriginal brothers and sisters have experienced in their childhood this can be a message of hope for them. Those of us who have experienced personal pain through loss of a loved one or due to the betrayal of trust it’s a good message. Don’t hang on to your hurts and pain. Choose to forgive. Ask God to show you His next steps for you in your journey to wholeness. He can redeem anything…He can leverage your past for His glory.

Something Beautiful from Something Ugly

During summer vacation in the early years of our marriage Mary and I went on a guided tour of a large cave in Montana – the Lewis Clark Caverns. You walk through these winding and really narrow passageways, admiring the wonders that God has created from stalagmites, stalactites, and underground rivers. When we entered this one large chamber, the guide directed his light to this high vaulted ceiling. You can probably guess what animals we saw hanging out up there - bats, lots of bats. The guide told us that the early explorers of this cave had found large quantities of what she called "bat guano." If you don't know what that is, never mind. It's gross, that's what it is. But they made lots of money selling that stuff. I thought, "What good could bat dung possibly be?" Surprise - they make gunpowder out of it! And even more surprisingly, they can turn that gross stuff into makeup - like mascara and lipstick! Makes me think twice about kissing my wife!

Well, that got me thinking about "Something Beautiful From Something Ugly." It's amazing how people can turn something seemingly useless and ugly into something useful and even beautiful. It's much more amazing how God does that with our lives! In fact, He's wanting to do that for you - to make something beautiful and useful of the ugliest things that have happened in your life.

One way He does that is described in God's Word- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4: "The Father of compassion and the God of all comfort... comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."

I don't know what kind of "troubles" you've been through - it could be anything from sickness, to abuse, to addiction, to grief - but whatever the trouble, I know it's made you need the Lord more than ever before. And so you experienced His compassion, His comfort, His strength, and His support in deeply personal ways.

Now, in a sense, God wants you to be for other hurting people what He has been for you. That's how He takes the worst things that ever happened to you and makes them into something beautiful. Amy was in our daughter Sara’s class throughout school. She was the daughter of the vice-principal of Frontier Collegiate Institute in Cranberry Portage, MB. She seemed to have everything going for her - good looks, smarts. But inside she was a lonely, hurting girl. She came to camp and accepted Christ. She faithfully attended church. I had her in my Sunday School class for a couple of years. She went overseas to attend a Bible School in New Zealand and there found the love of her life.

Mary & I were invited to attend her after-wedding in Saskatchewan. She shared with me how lonely her growing up years had been - she had considered suicide many times in her early adolescent years. Instead, she gave her life to Christ. She said if it hadn't been for camp and church she didn't think she would have survived and she thanked me for being an encouragement to her during those years. Today she and her husband are still in New Zealand - with two lovely children and teaching in a Bible Institute impacting other young lives. She and her husband have a ministry to people. She knows how to help lonely people because she had been lonely. She knows that Jesus can make something beautiful out of your life.

Sharon, another friend, was sexually abused by an uncle in her youth. When she brought that awful garbage to Jesus, He began to heal her emotionally and spiritually. She went on to have a vital ministry at Winkler Bible Institute for many years and was a popular speaker at Simonhouse Bible Camp Youth retreats. Today she has a teaching and counseling ministry in B.C. and happily married to Kevin who is involved in pastoral ministry. Her history of abuse became her strange credentials for caring for abuse victims.

My friend Brent has a tremendous ministry to young people from the inner city. For many years he directed Pembina Valley Bible Camp in southern Manitoba and today directs Brightwood Ranch Camp at Evansburg, AB a ministry of Hope Mission out of Edmonton. What makes him so effective is his tender and compassionate attitude toward kids, especially those from the inner city. You know why? He says it's because he remembers the hurt he experienced as a child in a terribly dysfunctional home living in the inner city of Winnipeg. God has recycled his wounds into a life-changing compassion. He is happily married with 4 exuberant children.

God wants to do that for you - if you'll bring Him all that pain, all those wounds, all those memories of the dark times of life. He wants to take all that ugly stuff - stuff that looks like its useless - and He wants to turn it into a treasure - into something very beautiful - a tender, compassionate, helping heart in you. Because of what Christ can do with the waste of our lives, the ones who have been hurt the most turn out to be some of the greatest healers in the world.