The Gift of Bananas

Donovan, one of our church members, shared a story his family had experienced in the midst of last minute grocery shopping on the Saturday night of Thanksgiving weekend. He and his wife had divvied up the shopping list and were waiting in the check-out line. Melissa noted that she had forgotten to pick-up bananas so quickly went to the fruit area to get some. She returned with the sad news that the bananas were all gone and no more were coming until the following week.

 

As they were wondering what they would substitute for their kids who loved bananas, the lady in front of them turned and handed them her bundle of bananas. “Here, take these – I don’t need them that badly. I can wait until next week.” Despite their protests, she insisted that they take her bananas. Her willing sacrifice became a “gift of bananas” for a family whose children would really appreciate them.

As Donovan related this story he was moved to tears. Gratitude welled up as he reflected on a God who cared so much for them that He had provided this “gift of bananas” through the kindness of a complete stranger. At this thanksgiving time of year it was a great story to remind us of God’s gracious provision and His desire for us to exercise a spirit of love and generosity in giving to meet the needs of people around us.

This kind act of a “gift of bananas” which this unnamed woman did for the Mercer family is what you and I can do each day for others. Keep your eyes and ears open to the opportunities to share God’s love in “random acts of kindness”.

My wife, Mary, and I were in the Morden Westside Community Church in mid October. The leadership of the church was encouraging their congregation to get involved in “Mission Possible”. The previous week congregants had been given an envelope with a $5 bill inside. Their mission (should they choose to accept) was to look for a creative way to use that $5 to bless someone else that week. One of the women shared that as she had observed volunteer staff working with immigrants and admired their patience and kindness as they dealt with each individual she felt God wanted her to bless them with coffee and donuts. She used the $5 bill plus more of her own money to bring them a refreshing break in the late morning during a lull in their meetings. She told them how impressed she was with the kind manner in which they treated each person and she wanted to bless them with the gift of coffee and donuts. She was amazed at the response – they were overwhelmed by this one act of kindness on her part. Several of the volunteers broke into tears and said that no one had ever acknowledged their work before. They were touched by the fact that she had observed and taken time to encourage them.

That following week the churches in Morden were encouraging their members to participate in  a “Love Morden Week”. People who are part of a small group in their church were to come up with an idea of how to love their city. Some suggestions were to bless a business with baking, doing yard work for some seniors, fill up windshield washer fluid for cars at a gas station. In their own way they are “giving the gift of bananas” and brightening someone else’s day.

The Bible often exhorts us to be kind, generous and gracious in our dealings with others. Proverbs 11:25 NLT says: “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.”

What “gift of bananas” can you give to someone today to brighten their day and encourage them? Your act of kindness may influence others to give thanks to God for you and remind them of God’s care for them. “For the Lord God is our sun and shield. He gives grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.” (Psalm 84:11 NLT)

Remember...Remember Not...

My wife, Mary, does a great job on making a creative memory scrapbook for each of our children. She began this project 10 years ago after the death of our youngest son Joshua. Each of our children received an identical album and we have the original. My wife wanted to preserve the memory of our youngest son in a meaningful way and also for each of the siblings so they can share with their children about the uncle they never knew.

Mary is presently working on a creative memory scrapbook for our youngest daughter, Sara Joy. Our oldest son Jonathan received his creative memory album two years ago. This Christmas she gave our oldest daughter Jodine her creative memory album of her life. It includes pictures from birth, her school years, her marriage to Kimbal and concludes with a family picture of them with their 4 children. There were lots of laughter and comments of “Remember when…”

Ah, the memories. It’s good to look back and remember. Most often our albums include the happy moments of growing up. It isn't that we haven't had some not-so-great things happen - the painful injuries, the bouts with various sicknesses, the upheavals and conflicts that inevitably come to all families—but they just didn't make it into the memory book.

All of us have an album of memories, stored away, not just in a book, but in the memory banks in our mind. And some of us think a lot about things in the past, and talk a lot about them, too. But which things? Well, God has something important, even liberating, to say about what's in your past, especially the things you keep bringing up again and again.

There is a time to look back and remember. In Isaiah 46:9 God calls on his people to “remember the former things of old; for I am God and there is no other; I am God and there is none like me.” There are some things that God wants us to remember. But in Isaiah 43:18 He says, “Remember not the former things; do not dwell on the past.”  Is God contradicting Himself?

       

We need to read the context. Beginning at verse 16 of Isaiah 43 God is talking to people who have been through a lot of pain -- people who have lost a lot of things they care about. There are some parts of the past God says they need to remember, and some they need to forget. "This is what the Lord says, He who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters." God says remember that stuff  - when God led you, provided for you, the highlights of your life. There are some parts of the past you need to forget. "Forget the former things; and do not dwell on the past." In other words, don't keep your pictures of the ugly stuff.

He goes on to say, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." Don’t miss the glorious things God is about to do for you ... because you've got your nose buried in your pictures from the past!

Does your memory album have a lot of mental pictures of the painful moments in your life? Are some of the folks close to you tired of your going over, and over, the times you've been hurt and wronged. God's Word is clear -- forget that stuff. What kind of memory album is filled with pictures of the ugly times? If you dwell on the past -- if you live in the past, you may miss the new things God wants to do with your future.

There is one good reason to look back -- to relive those countless moments in your life for which you can praise God! What He has done in the past He will do again. The parted seas…the deliverances…the conquered obstacles…the divine interventions and the miraculous provisions ... ways in the desert ... streams where it looked like there would be nothing for your need.  In Isaiah 43:20-21, God says, "I provide water in the desert ... to give drink to My people, My chosen, the people I formed for Myself that they may proclaim My praise."

Remember…remember not! Which past are you going to dwell on? The painful past? That will just keep that pain alive right into your future. I encourage you to dwell on the praiseful past -- all the ways your loving God has been there for you over and over again. Those memories will get you ready for the next exciting chapter in your life with this awesome God of yours.

Our family albums aren't full of images of the bad times. The images we keep reviewing are the good times. That's how it needs to be in that photo album in your heart. The reason to remember is to relive your memories of life  and give thanks to your wonderful Heavenly Father who leads you.

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)