The Rant, opps

Rather the Chant for us all

Wednesday 12 February 2025

Frozen

Frozen Like So Many Hearts!

Will They,

like the Lake in Spring,

be Turned to

Thanksgiving, Joy, and Hope!

Jeremiah 6:13-14

For from the least to the greatest of them,
everyone is greedy for unjust gain;
and from prophet to priest,
everyone deals falsely.
They have treated the wound of my people carelessly,
saying, ‘Peace, peace’,
when there is no peace.

Romans 12:9

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good;

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Words of Grace For Today

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We’ve all heard again that famous, or infamous, Rant, I am Canadian. With quiet music building to swells of patriotic music Joe states his case:

Hey, I’m not a lumberjack or a fur trader

I don’t live in an igloo or eat blubber or own a dogsled.

and I don’t know Jimmy, Sally or Suzy from Canada, although I’m certain that their really, really nice.

I have a prime minister, not a president.

I speak English and French not American

and I pronounce it about, not aboot.

I can proudly sew my country’s flag on my backpack.

I believe in peacekeeping not in policing.

I believe in diversity, not assimilation.

And I believe the beaver is a truly proud and noble animal.

A toque is a hat.

And a chesterfield is a couch.

And it’s pronounced Zed, not Zee, Zed.

Canada is the second largest landmass

The first nation of hockey

and the best part of North America.

My name is Joe

and I am Canadian.

Reality

Given Trump and his threats and actual tariffs that will do great damage to our economy, one can understand the call to be patriotic.

At the core of our problems, though, we do not find economics or politics, but good old fashion love, faith, and hope, expressed as empathy and care for all people, especially the poor.

So ours is not a rant but a chant backed by any number of great pieces of music, for example “Canticle of the Turning” (ELW 723) by Rory Cooney, to the lively Irish folk tune used as a rugby match song:

(Need a reminder? Check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9QeTmRCpW4 )

I am a Christian, Chant

Hey, I am not a crusading knight, nor a desert ascetic.

I don’t hold exorcisms, live in Corinth or Bethlehem or Nazareth.

I have a pastor and a bishop, not a coach or a guru.

I speak many native languages, but not Latin or Sanskritic.

I proudly were a cross on a fine chain around my neck.

I believe in peace not in war or violence.

I believe in respecting and welcoming diversity, not excluding strangers or foreigners.

I believe the fish is a wonderful symbol of faith, as is the boat.

I’m not concerned with how people pronounce words, but that we share the radical Word of God.

God’s favour is not won by what we do or say or believe, but is God’s free gift given to us.

We can refuse it and we do, sinners that we are. But God keeps saving us over and over again, making us saints able to do miraculous things for others, especially the poor, the hungry, the homeless, the outcasts, refugees, strangers, and especially children.

Christianity may be worldwide and messed up in many places, sometimes even here at home, but it is the gift of life,

the gift of life abundant for all people.

We may be getting fewer in number, but being a follower of Jesus is the best part of life.

My name is not important because God knows it and everything about me and still loves me. I’m not ashamed of my name, yet it’s not what I’m proud of.

I’m proud that I bear Jesus’ cross and Jesus’ name,

For I am a Christian.

Justice for All

Be not dogs

Tuesday 11 February 2025

Clarity: God Points to Truth and Justice,

Not Dogs, Lies, and Unjustice

Leviticus 19:15

You shall not render an unjust judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great: with justice you shall judge your neighbour.

James 2:1

My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favouritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ?

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Words of Grace For Today

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God calls us to make and support just judgments, not partial to the poor nor deferring to the great (the rich, who are not all that great most of the time), but with clear justice for all.

Not that it is easy.

Sometimes the truth does seem to win:

A man walks on a park path.

A dog walks behind him.

A policeman approaches him and speaks to him. The man and the dog stop and listen to him.

He says the man must put a leash on his dog.

Without a word, the man walks on with the dog behind him.

The policeman follows the two, and stops them again.

The man and the dog look at the policeman as he warns the man again to put a leash on his dog.

Without a word, the man walks on again. The dog follows behind him.

The policeman follows behind them and tells them to stop, waving a ticket in the man’s face telling him to pay the fine.

The man protests asking why he should pay the fine?

That dog is not his.

But the policeman points out the dog walks behind him on the path.

The man answer, ‘Well, so do you. Must I put a leash on you, too?’

…

So we pray, may we not behave like lying dogs towards our neighbours, keeping the leashes where they belong, and letting our neighbours be free.

Good Soil

Open Ears, Receptive Hearts, Active Hands

Sunday 9 February 2025

Grow, People, Grow Love,

With Joy and Hope

Ezekiel 3:10

He said to me: Mortal, all my words that I shall speak to you receive in your heart and hear with your ears.

Matthew 13:23

But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.

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Words of Grace For Today

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Receive and hear …

Oh, if it were just so simple for us to choose to be good soil for the Word of God …

Though too often, we choose so simply and thoroughly to turn our ears and hearts from God’s Word, to live out our lives as if other words could give us the goodness of life.

God gives us ears that hear, and hearts that receive God’s Word. We cannot choose to have these ears and hearts. Nor can we choose to take to heart what we hear and be those who live out God’s Word for others, so that they see God’s Word alive in our words and actions, hearing God’s Word with open ears and hearts.

We can, as we too often do, turn from being what God created us to be. We can choose to be deaf, blind, and dumb, really stupid, about what life is, and what is good in life.

For there is nothing more blessed than to be the ones who plant seeds of grace, love, and hope in the world for others to encounter.

So we pray, may we be your ears, hearts, and hands in this troubled world. Forgive us when we turn away. Forgive us for our frequent stupidity. Forgive us our hard hearts, deaf ears, and dumb tongues. Save us. Renew our hearts, ears, and tongues, that we can find joy in this life amidst all the challenges that come at us, day after day.

Umsonst

For Free

Friday 7 February 2025

No Matter the Word,

It’s Free:

The Beauty of the Earth,

and Our Ability to See It,

to Enjoy It,

and to

Be It for Others.

Psalm 63:2

So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.

Revelation 22:17

The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’
And let everyone who hears say, ‘Come.’
And let everyone who is thirsty come.
Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.

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Words of Grace For Today

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In today’s world everything has a cost, everyone can be bought, time is money, money speaks … and on it goes… supposedly!

But in God’s world everything has a cost, except, for what is most precious, the cost is covered

by the Creator, All-powerful, All-knowing, Present-in-all-time, righteous Judge, who loves us so much

that Jesus gave his life that we might receive the most precious of all: Life ( our lives with all the details known, good and bad, past, present, future … all our sins forgiven … life restored to us filled with perseverance, empathy, love, joy, hope, and the purpose that makes life so good: to share all that with others.)

Let the barkers cry all they want for us to buy, buy, buy,

But God calls and equips us to give, give, give

all that is most precious

to all who thirst for

Truth and Justice

and Life.

Not to Condemn

But to save … the whole world!

Thursday 6 February 2025

The Glaciers, and a lot else, are disappearing from the face of the earth.

Genesis 8:21

And when the Lord smelt the pleasing odour, the Lord said in his heart, ‘I will never again curse the ground because of humankind, for the inclination of the human heart is evil from youth; nor will I ever again destroy every living creature as I have done.

John 3:17

Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

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Words of Grace For Today

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Noah offers sacrifice to God, and God turns, finds the sacrifice pleasing, and promises never again to curse the ground because of humankind, though the inclination of every heart is evil from our youth.

Not cursed, but it’s clear, we really don’t know how to give God God’s due.

Always grabbing for more, at others’ expense, and at our expense, and at the earth’s expense.

Trade war is only the latest in our own backyard.

…

But Jesus did not come into the world to condemn it or us.

I like to take John 3:16 and place it after John 13:17. It helps counter the so familiar v16 being so out of context.

Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

Lots more context is really needed. There is no way we can all line up to believe, doing the right thing, making it right for ourselves with God.

Believing in Jesus is only possible if the Holy Spirit makes it so in us. We of course can refuse, back out, turn our back on it all. But no one can choose to turn to God. That’s all gift, given to us over, and over, and over again, by a God who loves us so.

Then we can, of course, choose to stop condemning others and the earth. That is what God wishes from us: a choice to love – as God loves – all creation.

Putting It All In Play

For the best friend of us all.

Wednesday 5 February 2025

Even the Beauty and Wonders of the World,

Do Not Compare to

the Love Jesus Gives Us.

Isaiah 50:6

God’s Servant said:

I gave my back to those who struck me,
and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;
I did not hide my face
from insult and spitting.

John 15:13

No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

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Words of Grace For Today

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Jesus puts his life on the line. Puts it all in play.

Not just for his friends,

but for everyone, past, present, future.

Thank God,

or we’d be looking for a way, and impossible way, to get in God’s good graces.

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It’s no fun having insults and abuse tossed at one, physical abuse – hitting- and psychological abuse – lies, manipulations, gaslighting, and more lies – tossed at oneself and around the community, destroying one’s reputation…

except

God’s Truth will out.

The abusers will be outed, and our salvation will be made clear to all, and all that we have laid down to protect others will be recognized, will save others, will be known to be good.

This is love in action for others, for the children, for the lost, outcast, despised, abused.

Uncovered Through and Through

By The Sharpest Scalpel!

Tuesday 4 February 2025

An Oil Lease, Cut Through the Woods, Reclaimed, Growing Free Again.

Like Us.

Jeremiah 23:29

Is not my word like fire, says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?

Hebrews 4:12

Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

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Words of Grace For Today

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Cut to the quick of life, by God’s truth.

Unable to hide in half-truths or full out lies.

Exposed for what we are by what we think and secretly dream of.

The chaff of uselessness burned away quicker than a fleeting thought.

Judged.

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What else can we expect from God’s Word?

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Until the story of Jesus living, loving, dying, rising, forgiving us, renewing us … and walking with us through every day … holds our hopes up to the Light,

and pulls us, blessed, into another day

come what may

joyous

thankful

for it all

from God’s good hand.

Looking Back

Trusting Forward

Monday 3 February 2025

As the shadows lengthen,

the day of life coming to a close,

remember –

blessed Light

Ezra 8:31

Then we left the river Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go to Jerusalem; the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy and from ambushes along the way.

2 Timothy 3:11

… my persecutions, and my suffering the things that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.

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Words of Grace For Today

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What memories I have, of trials, of lies, of abuse, of un-earned prison, of false judgments, of concerted efforts to destroy our reputations, of rejections, of false accusations, of being told to leave, of being forced to leave town …

of surviving, by God’s grace alone, when all else had failed,

yet being loved profoundly,

of experiencing God’s walking along with me,

of trust rebuilt from the foundations of life,

of many helping in small ways and huge ways,

of being dependent yet free,

of living the dream (hard as it turns out to be).

I’m sure you have your memories of life’s challenges as well.

Hopefully you have known and remember that God has walked with you through them, not removing them or resolving them, but equipping you to endure them to whichever end, theirs or yours, and knowing you are blessed to know life in it’s fullest and most truthful blessedness.

With the memories of God’s blessing in the past comes a hard-won trust in God’s promises for our futures.

Moving into today … all will be well, all will be well, all manner of things will be well.

Not Knowing Where

We Are Going

Sunday 2 February 2025

Not Where To,

But With Whom,

Whom We Trust Is Always God.

Numbers 9:18

At the command of the Lord the Israelites would set out, and at the command of the Lord they would camp. As long as the cloud rested over the tabernacle, they would remain in camp.

Hebrews 11:8

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going.

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Words of Grace For Today

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I wish it were so easy to just follow a cloud and know that we were doing God’s will.

Of course, setting out without knowing why-when-towhere, camping wherever a cloud stops moving (when the wind stops blowing), and trying to have enough to survive on – well all that is not easy at all.

Moses and the people had escaped from tyranny, drudgery, and and and … but the wilderness … now that was a challenge.

Not that the people just took it all in without noticing how freaking hard it was. They complained about no water. Then about no food. Then about no meat. Then about no Moses. And they made themselves their own godlet out of their gold.

And paid for it. None of that generation made it into the Promised Land.

Now Ab and Sara had different challenges.

They did not live in poverty or want for much. But they were called to leave to go … to go they knew not where, but God promised them a new inheritance.

Today we might call that colonization of someone else’s homeland.

Of course when Ab set out not knowing where he was going, Ab was not alone. Sara was with him, and lots of other people, animals, and, and, and ….

Still they faced challenges we can be glad we never face.

Today there are millions of people who set out not knowing where they are going. We call them displaced people. Most don’t even have a place to go to. The UN estimates at the end of June 2024 122.4 million people are displaced (1 in 67 people on earth), only 43.7 million of them in refugee camps.

My not knowing where I’m going is hardly as traumatic. I, like most of us, do not know what challenges I will face any given day, because of politics (25% tariffs, 51^st state, no more carbon tax and rebates), or because of weather (wilder by the year because of climate change- and the cold is just plain hard, the heat unbearable, and the smoke debilitating, the winds more and more dangerous and destructive), or because of hatred somehow focused on me, or simply because I can lose faith and then hope, and then motivation to do what is necessary to survive today or tomorrow or next season or next year.

Where are we going?

We never know. What we can be is thankful we have some place to call home. And some stability in our lives. Millions have none of that. And many of them live within 50 km of us right now, and many many more within 500 km.

Wherever we are going, God walks with us, maybe not visible like a cloud, but palpable nonetheless.

For What?

To Whom?

Monday, October 14, 2024

For an old, mobile, barely sufficient camper?

For the mountains?

For the roads to get there?

For signs to guide one on the road,

and through each day?

Psalm 150:6

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Hallelujah!

Jude 1:25

… to the only God our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time and now and for ever. Amen.

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Words of Grace For Today

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During a flood, we showed up after church to help people living along the water to sandbag, in an effort to save the community’s properties. Our sons asked why we had to go. We lived 10 miles away.

We answered that it was us paying rent for the air we breathe.

So we breathe, still today.

And rightfully so we are asked to give thanks in so many ways, to ‘pay rent for the air we breathe’ in so many ways.

Thanksgiving.

A harvest festival of thanks.

A life pattern condensed into one day’s holiday and celebration.

Every day is a day to give thanks.

This holiday is a time to take stock again: Do we give thanks everyday, even for the things we think we do not owe thanks for?

Do we give thanks, by contributing even in ways, we may think we do not need to contribute or even give thanks?

For what, today, can we remember to give thanks?

To whom, today, can we remember to give thanks?

Is it with a word,

a phone call,

an email or text,

or a hug

and a prayer?