Christ is Risen!

Several years ago my wife and I visited Jerusalem and one of the highlights was visiting the garden tomb and having communion with our tour group in that setting.  Is this the actual tomb where Jesus’ body was laid? No one knows for sure.  One thing we who are disciples of Christ are sure of is that the tomb (where ever it was) was empty on that first Easter morning.  It is the reality of the empty tomb, because Christ is risen, that fills our hearts with hope and anticipation.  Some might wonder how we can be so sure that the tomb was empty.  We believe Christ is alive, not because we have seen an empty tomb…but like the only hymn says; “you ask me how I know he lives, he lives within my heart”.  Christ lives within our hearts filling us with God’s love and an eternal hope! 

God's Restoration Project

A couple of years ago my wife and I had the privilege of visiting Athens, Greece.  On our first night in Athens I was able to capture this picture of the Parthenon from the top of our hotel.  The next day we visited the Parthenon and our guide told us that it was built and dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena.  Athena was the goddess of victory in warfare along with being the goddess of wisdom and civilization.  She was worshipped as the protector of Athens.  As you can see the temple dedicated to her now lies in ruins, and you can also see the scaffolding in place as a part of the restoration effort to repair the Parthenon.  In the 5th century, the Parthenon was converted into a Christian church and then after the Ottoman Turk conquest, it was turned into a mosque in the early 1460s, before later falling into ruins. 

Palm Sunday begins Holy Week and on Good Friday we remember that Christ defeated sin and death, not by the power of force like an Athena, a goddess of warfare, but by the power of self-giving love, laying down his life for his enemies.  Christ freely laid down his life for you and me, indeed the whole world.  And in the process God confounds the wisdom of this world by showing us that God’s strength is best made known through weakness.  The apostle Paul saw this and declared that he would boast in his weakness so that the strength of Christ might rest upon him.  As Christians we have something in common with the Parthenon, we’re under construction and restoration as well……so when we feel weak, let’s not despair, but let us look to a strength that is greater than ours, for Christ who has begun the good work in us will be faithful to complete it….after all he was a carpenter!          

Blowing In The Wind

When you see this picture of a dandelion going to seed it may conjure up all kinds of thoughts, memories and emotions.  Like recalling stories of those who actually eat dandelion greens, I think I’ll pass on that one, thank you.  It could also stir up memories of an uncle or grandfather who made dandelion wine.  I’ve never made or tasted dandelion wine myself, but I’ve heard a lot of folks whine about dandelions, does that count?  Which brings me to what I’m guessing is the thought that’s upper most in our minds when we see a picture of a dandelion going to seed.  We hope the dandelion is not in our neighbor’s yard, with the wind blowing in our direction.  The fluffy white head of a dandelion is filled with hundreds of seeds, waiting for the wind to carry them wherever the wind will, so they can reproduce dandelion life wherever they go.  Interestingly enough, Jesus said that those who are born of God’s Spirit are like the wind.  Our lives are carried along by the wind of God’s Spirit and in the process we are seeding God’s life and love through our lives, through our words and through our actions.  A smile.  A hug.  A word of encouragement.  Grace and forgiveness offered.  Help freely and cheerfully given.  In all of this and more…puff…the wind of God’s Spirit blows through our lives, planting hope and God’s love in the hearts and lives of others.  I’m thinking that it’s a good thing when Christians go to seed, for in this way the love and life of God are reproduced in others!  I know that’s how it happened for me, and is still happening.  So the answer my friend is not blowing in the wind….we are blowing in the wind…            

The Red Pump

A couple of years ago my Aunt Margie died and somehow we ended up with the old pump that set out in her backyard, now it sets in ours.  When Margie and her husband Ray moved to town they took the old pump that had been in the washroom of their old farm house and brought it to town with them.  I guess they brought it as a memento of the many years they had lived in the country.  I remember visiting my aunt and uncle on the farm and as you came into the house you walked through the washroom before you entered the kitchen.  It was there in the washroom where you’d pump the handle on the old pump and draw up water from the large cistern with which to wash up after chores or before meals.  Now when I look at that bright red pump in my backyard I’m reminded of my Aunt Margie.  She and Ray never had children of their own, so she delighted in her sister’s children, and we never doubted her love for us.  Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter serve as reminders of how much God loves and delights in us.  Through Christ we are able to draw from an endless supply of living water, water to not only make us clean, but to drink that we may be refreshed and renewed.  I don’t know about you, but when I consider God’s awesome love for me and for every person in the world…..well….it pumps me up!            

Morning Song

Maybe you too have noticed that this Spring, it is seems the birds have been singing more than usual.  It could be that after the long winter silence, it makes us think they are doing more this year.  At any rate they start their melodious chatter very early in the morning, around 5 a.m..  How do they do that without the aid of a least two cups of coffee? They are singing their early morning songs because the creator has put a song in their hearts.  Maybe it's a song of joy for a new day.  Maybe it's a song of hope because of the possibilities that a new day brings.  Maybe it's a song of praise to the creator for God's provision. What song has God put in your heart?  You don't have to be a morning person for God to put a song in your heart.  However, the scriptures remind us that God's mercies, God's grace to us is new every morning.  Now that's something to sing about!

Spring Is In The Air

We often hear it said that Spring is in the air.  Now those like my wife who have allergies can attest to the validity that Spring indeed is in the air.  With the coming of Spring the pollen count is crazy high which has its blessings, like beautiful flowers and eventually fruit.  My wife tells me that it also has its curses, itchy watery eyes and a running nose.  Kind of like life, huh? But here's the good part, God has promised that in all of life God will work everything in a pattern for our good.  As I look back on my life I can truly say that God has even used those things that were hard or hurtful at the time, to pollinate within me something good and enduring.  I think the best work God is doing in us is bringing us to an unshakable confidence in God's love for us.....indeed God's love for all.       

Through It All

A couple of years ago I captured this image of a crocus peeking through the snow in late March.  Along with the daily news, it reminds me that life is filled with challenges and struggles.  Sometimes it rains on our parade or snows on our crocus that is trying to tell us that spring is here and another season of our journey is beginning.  I'm thinking that the crocus made it through, not so much because of its dogged determination, but because God wired it to do so in the early days of spring even if there's still snow on the ground.  And me thinks that God wired us humans to trust in a power greater than ourselves.  We function best when we trust in God for today, and for all of our tomorrows, no matter what the struggle we are currently facing.