These posts and a mostly demolished brick building are all that remain of a once-thriving logging industry and the community it supported. Fortunes were made here, and lives lived. People were born and died. Eventually, the posts will be gone, and all that will remain of the building is an ever-shrinking pile of rubble. It served its purpose and was gone.
There are many such places all over the world. Some are remembered in name only. Some are not remembered at all. Entire civilizations have come and gone, leaving nothing behind but a few artifacts, if that.
These ghost towns and sites were once the focal point of people’s lives. For some, perhaps a few years; for others, generations. Yet virtually everything is gone.
Things don’t last forever. That’s the way it is with the material things of the world.
It’s why Jesus said,
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21
We are beings created in the image of God. The physical bodies we have now wont’ last. Eventually, we die physically. Yet we live on forever, either in resurrected bodies to enjoy God forever or designed to withstand eternal punishment and separation from God.
The Westminster Shorter Catechism reminds us that the chief purpose of humanity is “to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.” We were built for far greater things than earthly pleasures and treasure.
We take nothing of this physical world with us. We know that, but somehow, we find ourselves lusting after the things that don’t last. We store up our treasures here in this life, where eventually they will be long gone, and we’ll be long forgotten by those left behind.
Who is remembered among all those who have gone before us? Very few, even after a generation or two. Where are the things they chased?
They are gone and forgotten here, but not by God. He knows each of them and loves them. He accepted their choice to be with Him or to reject Him.
After you are gone, what will remain? Where are your true treasures? Our treasure is in Him. We were created to be in relationship with Him forever. Heaven and Earth will pass away, but the word of God and its author will remain.
Are you building something that will endure or simply a pile of rubble?
It’s cherry blossom season. As I drive around town, I see more and more of them in bloom. It’s a beautiful sight, especially when there are many trees together.
The state of the blooms depends on many factors. Particular microclimates can have their effects as the tree receives more or less warmth and sunlight. How well-tended and rooted the tree is makes a difference. A poorly placed, less well-rooted tree is less healthy than a well-rooted, well-tended one.
It’s a truth that has spiritual parallels. Psalm 1 is one of the Scriptures that speaks of being well-rooted.
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law[ of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. Psalm 1
We are in the second week of Lent, which has a theme of “trusting in God vs trusting in the world.” The church historically concentrates on selected readings from Jeremiah and Luke. It asks in essence, “Where are you rooted?”
Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, or it does not cease to bear fruit.”Jeremiah 17:5-8
As we travel the road from Palm Sunday towards our Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection, it’s a perfect time to consider our roots.
Are you rooted in the Word and Spirit, or are you anchored to the world? Are you born again but trying to live the old life? God knows your heart. Your life shows the fruit (or lack thereof).
I pray you are well rooted and growing in the Lord.
Be blessed
Kevin
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Please like and share this with your friends and those in your circle of influence.
Yesterday, I was sitting in my office at home watching the rain fall. At times it came down by the bucketful, and at others it was just a wet drizzle, something like walking through a cloud
At one point, just for a few seconds, the sun peeked through the clouds, while the rain kept falling. The sunbeams caught the rain, giving the drops the appearance of millions of delicate diamonds or prisms suspended in the air.
I simply do not have words for the beauty of the moment, and it was just that “a moment”. Within a matter of two or three seconds at the most, the sunshine was gone, and the moment had passed. Had I not been looking out the window at that very moment, I would have missed it all.
I thought about all those raindrops suspended in the light. I wondered how many drops were falling in the backyard alone, let alone the entire landscape around me.
I did a quick internet search and came up with a crude number. In the backyard, something in the order of 125,000 raindrops a second, assuming a moderate rainfall. Over the city of Abbotsford, that’s about 5.2 billion raindrops a second or 19 trillion an hour. I know those numbers are very rough, but they stagger my imagination.
Trying to comprehend the number of raindrops got me thinking of God’s incredible promise to Abram (soon to be Abraham)
After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.”And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:1-6
God’s incredible promis is promise beyond comprehension, yet a true promise, nonetheless. It was fulfilled (and continues to be fulfilled) in ways that Abram could never have comprehended. Every believer is a spiritual child of Abraham.
What was Abram’s response to the promise? He believed, and God credited it to him as righteousness.
God also makes promises beyond our comprehension to us. He promises forgiveness for our sins. He promises life everlasting. He promises that we shall be joint heirs with Christ. He promises to return.
What should our response be to His promises? If Abram is any example, and I believe he is, we should believe. God never breaks a promise. Our whole future is predicated on one decision … do we believe and trust God’s incredible promises?
Until next time, may you believe and may it be credited to you as righteousness. If you already believe, ponder the miracle of your salvation and praise god for His mercy.
Over the past few days, we have been blessed to have temperatures well above seasonal norms. Things are budding out everywhere. In protected areas, spring bulbs are blooming. Pussy willows are making a strong appearance.
Starting today and for the next week, the forecast is rain. Normal temperatures, no frost in sight, but rain. Some days, non-stop rain, others off and on, and finally, occasional showers.
I confess I found myself mumbling about the change when I read the forecast. As thought occurred to me, “How did you think all that new growth is going to get watered?”
In the sermon on the Mount, Jesus used rain as a metaphor for His love and grace.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48 ESV
He pours his love and grace out even on those who hate him. The Lord doesn’t hate sinners. He loves us all and blesses us all more than we deserve. It’s simply that sin cannot be in the full presence of a holy god, so those who reject His mercy suffer the consequences.
When the rain comes and when the sun shines, it can remind us of the vastness of His grace and mercy. It reminds us that He’s raining mercy, or in the lyrics of a popular song, there are “showers of mercy and grace, falling on every face.”
I don’t know what storms you face today (literal or metaphorical). I don’t know whether you have sun, rain, or snow in your forecast. I do know that God loves you and wants to bless you.
If you know Him already, rejoice that He cared enough to save you. If you don’t yet know Him, set aside your pride and run to His open arms.
We’re in the season of Lent, that 40-day preparation phase for Resurrection Sunday. The concept of Lent began around the second century and was typically a day or two of fasting.
Over time, after Constantine made Christianity “legal,” it became far more structured, with 40 days of Lent to mirror the 40s of Scripture (40 days of rain, 40 years in the wilderness, Jesus’ 40 days of fasting, etc.).
By the Middle Ages, it was even more so. The season began on Ash Wednesday, marked by ashes as a sign of repentance. Liturgical colors turned purple, and the final week became known as Holy Week, culminating in Good Friday and Easter.
Ritual fasting became more structured, often one meal a day and no meat – the tradition of fish on Fridays was implemented to aid Spanish fishermen, but that’s a story for another day.
According to one source, “The Protestant Reformation changed how Lent was observed: Reformers like Martin Luther did not reject Lent outright but resisted compulsory fasting. In more Reformed traditions influenced by John Calvin, the season was often deemphasized. Anglican and Lutheran traditions generally retained it in modified form.”
Today, in evangelical circles, it is hardly mentioned and has become an almost extinct tradition. That’s a huge loss. A formal, highly structured Lenten period can easily become simply a ritual, but losing it entirely risks losing an opportunity for reflection and devotion.
Whatever your personal thought on the subject, and practices for Lent, one thing is certain. The event we look forward to changed the world forever.
The resurrection is important enough to be recorded in all four gospels, albeit with a slightly different take in each account. Here’s a portion of one …
Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” Matthew 28:1-10
Our Lord is risen and alive. He is returning for His bride. That, my friends, is worth meditating on and celebrating every day of the year, but especially as we approach Resurrection Sunday. It’s only 34 days away. Ponder Jesus during this season of Lent.
A simple photograph of an evergreen tree reflecting in a puddle. There’s nothing unusual about it. You can’t see the tree itself, but you know it’s there and what it looks like.
Even if someone walks through the puddle, you’ll still see the reflection; it won’t be as clear, but it will be there. That’s the nature of reflections.
In a way, the bible talks about reflections. It uses the word image.
“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…’ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”Genesis 1:26-27
We are created “imago Dei” in the image of God. Our lives reflect Him. All people carry that image to some degree, even if it sonly hows the absence of God in their lives. He is still magnified because the absence of God in some lives shows the difference of having Him in someone’s life.
Every person’s life has value because it is in the image of God, that is, ontological dignity.
We are designed to be in relationship with God and others. His image gives us relational capacity.
Since we represent God, we are to show His character. That is our moral vocation.
As image bearers, we are given dominion to manage, not exploit the resources He gave us (or every type). We have representative dominion – we act as His ambassadors and stewards.
Believers have a calling to better representation since we have been saved and Holy Spirit dwells in us.
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practicesand have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Colossians 3:5-10
What kind of an image are you reflecting. If people watched the puddle of your life, would the tree be seen more clearly over time? Would God be magnified even more by the way you represent Him, and compared to Jesus over time?
May the imago Dei be ever more clear in you. May you bring Him more glory day by day.
The university library was massive. Shelves of books on virtually every imaginable topic (and many that I have never conceived of) from every possible perspective on the issues. A person could read there for their entire lifetime and never put even a dent in the total number of books.
Fortunately, I wasn’t interested in reading all the topics. Some areas held no interest whatsoever for me. Others, I don’t have the expertise to even begin to decipher or understand. For example, I’ve never been able to grasp the fundamental concepts behind simple differential/integral calculus, so any book on that topic, or any topic that uses that knowledge as a foundation, would be beyond me.
The foreign language section would be beyond my grasp. I took some French in high school and university, but to be generous, it’s rusty. I can make out the occasional phrase in Latin, German, and Spanish, but I would not say I can speak any of those languages. I can say I don’t “speak the language” in French, German, Spanish, and several other languages.
I headed towards the seminary section of the library, looking for the topics I was interested in researching. Again, there was a bewildering array of books. For example, there were hundreds of biographies on Jesus (and I know they only have a sampling) some of which start with the belief that the Bible is true (as do I) and others which believe that there is no truth in the Bible at all.
Theological perspectives from the extreme liberal to the middle of the road, and from the ultra-conservative to the wildly charismatic, and from the frozen chosen to the chosen were available to read on many topics. Heretics and orthodox authors occupied the same shelves.
The topic of God, the claims of Jesus, and the path to salvation. These are some of, perhaps even the most vital issues of all. It’s no wonder that so many books have been written on these subjects.
Some people look at all those books and think, “Why should I read the Bible?” If the “experts” can’t agree, why should I even try? Some denominations or congregations even try to maintain control by encouraging this point of view.
The Bible is an incredible book. It contains truths so simple that a young child can understand them. It contains truths so vast that theologians have been arguing for thousands of years over the interpretations. If you are a believer, you have a built-in guide to help you understand the truth (Holy Spirit).
If you’re not a believer, no matter how much you read, you will never truly understand Scripture. Yet I know of many cases where people who weren’t believers, but had open, honest, searching hearts, asked God to reveal Himself to them when they read the Word, and He did.
I have thousands of hours of Bible reading and study under my belt. I have thousands of hours of reading commentaries, dictionaries, and other Bible-related books. I still have only begun to tap into the wealth of knowledge the Bible contains. There is more wisdom and truth in the Bible than in all the books in the university library for the person who will earnestly seek it.
I’ll never know it all, but with a little reading, anyone can sit down and learn through the Bible that Jesus loves them and will save them if they only ask. It will teach you what God is like and what He wants from us. It will teach you, rebuke you, correct you, and embrace you, if you will only open the covers and begin to read it.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Not sure where to begin reading your Bible? There are many plans available for daily Bible reading (we even have one on our website). Here’s one I recommend to people
Read the Gospel of John through two or three times
Read the four gospels through twice. By this point, you’ll have a good idea of who Jesus is.
Read the New Testament through twice. You’ll have a good basic knowledge.
Follow this by reading all of Scripture through from Genesis to Revelation.
Repeat…Repeat… Repeat
Reading twenty minutes a day will enable you to read through the whole Bible in a year. Reading a book a day will get you through cover to cover in 66 days.
Don’t worry that you don’t understand it all at once. No one does. You will find, though, that every time you gain new wisdom and insights. The more time you spend in the Word, the more you will realize how important it is and the more you will want to do it. Don’t be discouraged, it’s often hard to make new habits. If you slip, just pick it up again and keep on going.
Until next time, don’t be intimidated. Read the Bible. God had written a wonderful love letter to you within the pages of that book. He’s waiting for you to read it.
As we walked around the lake, I commented to my companion about the roses’ sweet smell.
He said, “I don’t smell any roses. All I can smell is those flowers over there.”
It took me a moment, but then I understood. The roses were an old variety, simple rugosa, which looks like a wild rose. They didn’t look anything like the fancy roses you buy at the florists by the dozen. They’re very attractive in their own right, but they just look so different that without knowing, you wouldn’t even think they are related.
It can be that way with the church. There is such a diversity in practice and in style that you’d never know that they were related. Some are incredibly ritualistic and solemn; others are very free-form and exuberant. Some have only a couple of members, while at the other extreme, the world’s biggest Christian church has more than 750,000 members. That congregation is bigger than many denominations.
In some, the pastor wears robes and is addressed as father. In others, the pastor wears shorts and a T-shirt and is called by his first name. In some congregations, it’s a man who leads and teaches, and in others, it’s a woman.
You’ll probably never find a “perfect” church. There will always be something that you don’t agree with, or people you don’t get along with. After all the church is full of people.
With all the diversity, how do you know it’s a good church? There are lots of counterfeits out there who claim to be Christian or who claim to use the Bible as the source of their teaching. How do you tell the good from the bad? How do you know whether it’s a rose or a noxious weed?
There are several good indicators.
Their view of the Bible: a rose recognizes the Bible is truth. If they deny the truth of Scripture they are a dandelion.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Their doctrine is sound. Contrary to what many might think, sound doctrine is important.
Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. 1 Timothy 4:16
A good church teaches heaven and hell. It recognizes that the only way to salvation is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men[a] by which we must be saved.”Acts 4:12
A good church recognizes that we are saved by God’s grace alone.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.Ephesians 2:8-9
A good church has a passion for the lost, and does more than talk about it.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the ageMatthew 28:19-20
A good church has love.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”John 13:34-35
Have a look at where you are worshipping. Is it a rose or a dandelion? There are no perfect churches outside of glory, but the basics must be in place.
Until next time, my prayer is that you find yourself affiliated with a rose.
There is a stereotype out there, particularly among non-Christian men, but even among men in the church. That thought is that Jesus was a weakling, a powerless wimp. He had no strength. “Gentle Jesus meek and mild,” “Little baby Jesus,” “Got himself killed before his ministry took off.”
Somehow, being a Christian, especially a Christian man, makes a man weak, a wimp. Meekness is confused with weakness. Meekness is strength and power restrained and under control.
Humility is confused with a lack of self-worth. Some say that putting the needs of others first is not what a “real man” would do. You must look out for number one! Yet, putting others first is exactly what the only perfect man who ever lived did,
Jesus confronted the established religious authorities on their errors. He overturned the tables of the sellers and money changers in the temple and drove them out with a whip. He willingly allowed himself to be falsely convicted, abused, mocked, ridiculed, and killed for the sake of others.
He still had time to demonstrate the love of God to a hostile world and to both teach and live in humility. He chose to be born in a hick town in the middle of nowhere and live, minister, and die in a backwater country in a corner of the empire.
Making our salvation possible was not the work of a wimp. We see such strength in some of his followers. Paul gave up a life as a well-regarded teacher brought up under the finest of rabbis, for a life of service to the true king. It was no easy road.
Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.2 Corinthians 11-23-28
He went to his death for Christ. The history of the church is filled with people who gave everything for Jesus. Even the ordinary person in the pew pays some price for following Jesus.
Wimps? Hardly. As cold as we might be? No. But we are all works in progress.
Our strength is in Christ. There is no greater cause.
Being a follower of Jesus is not for the faint of heart, but there is nothing that tops it. Nothing that comes close.
Look at the truth and examine your heart. It isn’t strength that keeps you away, it’s foolish pride. Take the step of humility and accept Christ today.
There are times in life when it feels like you can’t see what’s coming around the next bend. It can be unnerving or even immobilizing. It makes it hard to trust God.
We do our best to take control of whatever is coming, but the reality is that we aren’t in control of anything, except our choices, and there are usually a limited number of options. That can be a terrifying or liberating truth.
Knowing we aren’t in control often drives people to one of two places. There are control freaks who try to manage every detail, and the less control they have, the more they fight and suffer. Then there are the fatalists who think it’s going to happen anyway, so “why bother trying?
We need to trust the ultimate source of control is God himself, the creator and sustainer of the world. I find it freeing to know that while I can’t control every situation, the one who loves me controls my ultimate destination.
Faith in Him carries weight and freedom.
He lights the way. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”Psalm 119:105
He controls the past, present, and future. He promises never to leave us or forsake us. He gives every believer the Spirit. He loves us beyond measure.
We have the Word, the church, and the testimony of those who have gone before us to strengthen us when we are worried about the road ahead.
