I wonder as I wander out under the sky, how Jesus the Saviour did come for to die for poor ordinary people like you, and like I. I wonder as I wander out under the sky.
I Wonder as I Wander
Tag: Canada
Weapons-grade Joy
A friend used the term “weapons-grade joy” today and it reminded me of this day, just over a year ago.
My daughter and I decided to take a student, who was visiting from Germany, on a little hike. She volunteered to carry one of the children in a backpack carrier and my daughter carried the other on her back. I, of course, carried the camera –and some crackers and milk and extra diapers.
On the way back down the hill the lovely student and our little granddaughter, who was about 2 ½ years old at the time, began to sing, “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” Like all joyful toddlers she shouted, “Again!” at the end of every verse, adding her own suggestions for who God had in his hands this time. By the time we reached the bottom of the trail she had placed every person, pet and animate and inanimate object she could think of in His hands.
There was some weapons-grade joy launched that day. Our young friend couldn’t believe that a walk through the neighbourhood in this part of Canada could look like this, and the rest of us got to enjoy the concert of praise.
It was a good day.
Out of the mouth of babies and infants,
you have established strength because of your foes,
to still the enemy and the avenger. (Psalm 8:2)
“The joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:11)
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In the Lane Snow is Glistening
Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark.
~George Iles
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One foot in front of the other, one foot in front of the other…
The Lonely JourneyTherefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.
Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand,
and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.
And endurance develops strength of character,
and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.
And this hope will not lead to disappointment.
For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
(Romans 5)
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Prisoners of hope
Eastward from the MissionReturn to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope;
today I declare that I will restore to you double.
(Zechariah 9:12)
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Value
Photos: November in black and white
One of my painting instructors used to get on my case about my tendency to allow colour to distract me from paying attention to value. Value, in art, is the arrangement of dark and light that gives depth and dimension to an image. She suggested I photocopy a painting or take a photo of it and remove all the colour on Photoshop to get down to basic values.
I’m enjoying the exercise of seeing things sans colour. I’m learning to see differently, to pay attention to texture, highlight and shadow.
November is a month that seems relatively colourless to me after the brilliant summer and autumn seasons. It’s so…so… ordinary.
Our Thanksgiving celebrations take place in early October in Canada when travel is usually easier, so there are no significant holidays until Christmas and ski season hasn’t started yet. The days tend to be overcast and the sun is early to bed and late to rise. It’s a time for home maintenance and personal maintenance. It’s a season for staying inside.
I find this season of black and white values a good time to assess personal values. When the distractions fade in our lives what are the values we hold dear? Where is the source of light? Where does the darkness linger? Is there depth and dimension in our spiritual lives when life is just ordinary?
When it’s all been said and done what does it all come down to? What do I truly value? I am reminded of the first question in the shorter Westminster Confession, which we taught our children as they jumped on the bed in their jammies at the end of the day.
What is the chief purpose of man?
Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him for ever.
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Cattle Country
Photo: Near High River, Alberta
He gives to the beasts their food,
and to the young ravens that cry.
His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love.
Psalm 147
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Remembering the Future II
And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight
The sky be rolled back like a scroll
(From “It is Well with My Soul”)
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Remembering the Future
I was looking forward to this journey to my Father’s house on the Alberta side of the Rockies. Usually the mountain views are stunning, but instead I drove through fog for nearly four hours. I could see very little beyond the verge by the highway most of the time. Sometimes the fog would lift for a moment only to re-form and descend again. I stopped near some cabins, closed for the season, to take a break from the tension of driving in poor visibility and found a beautiful stream. When I descended the Kootenay Parkway the clouds vanished.
Charis: Subject to Change 