Are you a Lover?

Let’s talk about love. More specifically let’s talk about your love relationship with God. In some senses love is a mysterious and nebulous thing to pin down. We all know it involves actions like Paul talked about in 1 Cor 13. One cannot possibly claim to love without healthy portions of patience, kindness, goodness and more. At the same time it is feasible to extend patience, kindness and goodness to someone that you have little affection for. Consequently we also understand love to include a strong fondness for another. Since God’s love is both an affection and action, we seek to express the same in return. Yet how difficult that can be for people. On one hand there is the tendency of some to evaluate their walk with God based upon the degree that they are actively serving him. Some of these types even pooh-pooh the more affectionate types as shallow or possessing mere emotionally-charged faith. On the other hand, the affectionate sort don’t always value active service to the degree they should, content to enjoy God but not necessarily advancing His kingdom rule- which brings me back to God’s way of loving. If God is the epitome of love, being both active and affectionate in his love for us, should not the integration of both into our lives be a crucial ambition? Seems so to me.

Regardless of your natural bent—toward affection or action—our goal is a harmonious balance of both. If you have no pitter-patter in your heart for God, something is wrong. If your sole concern is enjoying his company but never engaging in Christian mission, there’s an equally dangerous problem to admit. So how have you gone about balancing these two factors in your love life with God? Any thoughts?

Pray for the Sick

One of our core values at Southwood is that we value Passionate Prayer. Here are 3 things I'd encourage you to passionately pray for:

1. Matt Murray called yesterday to tell me that he had a wonderful day. He felt better than he has since he was first diagnosed with cancer. Nevertheless, he asked for prayer since he will be meeting with some doctors today to review his biopsy results. He wasn't expecting good news from them. Please continue to pray for Matt. He is very encouraged by your support.

2. Matt Ripley called yesterday as well to update me on his sister-in-law’s health status. Her name is Jenn and she remains in ICU in London. She is severely ill due because of a complication related to Lupus disease. She spoke for the first time in the last few days which was an encouragement to Heidee and Matt. They asked for prayer for her healing and for a possible transfer to the Windsor ICU to make visiting easier for the family.

3. Continue to pray for Ed & Koanita Thiessen's little nephew Liam. He is only a couple of weeks old and has been tentatively diagnosed with a genetic disorder.

Feel free to post remarks here for them to read.

You might also want to read yesterday’s blog entry (below) on the need to rely on God.

Is God your Crutch?

I was reading an article by an atheist today who claimed that belief in God is just an attempt to soothe the nastiness of life. His point was that Christians are mere sentimentalists (or worse) who need God as their crutch. I'm sure you've heard similar contentions many times over: "God is your crutch!" So is He? Is God your “crutch”?

As I have thought about this line of reasoning, I see points of agreement and disagreement. I disagree that faith in God is based on sentiment alone. Then again, I am sentimental about God. I not only like Him, but I love Him. When I think about Him I am moved. But isn’t that supposed to be so? After all, all true love relationships have a degree of sentimentality. When Susie and I recently revisited an old honeymoon spot, we retook our pictures in the same place we stood 12 years ago. Why? Because I’m sentimental – but will you fault me for that?!

Then there is the matter of God as my crutch, which the atheist uses against me too. But does he have reason to? And should I reject his contention? I choose not to. Why? Because God IS my crutch (among many other things). Doesn’t the Bible describe people as “dead” in sin and in need of a divine Savour (Eph 2)? Doesn’t the Bible describe people as “broken-hearted” (Ps 147)? Doesn’t God beckon you and I to “lean” not on our own understanding but on Him (Prov 3:5)? You bet it does! Perfect people don’t use crutches, but needy people do. So yeah, God is my crutch I guess. He’s doesn’t need me, but I sure need Him. A day without God is like a one-legged man without a crutch – you get no where fast!

So the next time someone challenges your faith, present the reasons and the rationale behind your faith. But don’t leave out the part about what God is doing in your life and how much you are learning to rely upon him everyday to sustain you. If that means letting people know that God IS your crutch then so be it. That’s the way it’s supposed to be.

Tanked full of Thanks

Sometimes life is a little rough and we experience bumps on the road that threaten to unseat us. As our church has been praying for Matt's recovery from cancer, I am reminded of the suffering that people endure in a fallen world. Add to that the news of multiple wars being fought around the globe, poverty in Africa, terrorism, divorces and natural disasters on almost every continent and you are reminded of the fragility of human life.

One the other hand, I've been thinking a lot lately about the need to be thankful to God for what we do have. Matt reminded me of this yesterday when I visited him at his dad's house near McGregor. He shared all that God is teaching him and the recovery he's experiencing. My kids reminded me of this on the weekend while I cared for them while Sue was away at a conference. They are a great joy to me and divine blessing. The beautiful weather of late reminded me of this as I sat on the back porch and gazed out at the woods and felt the wind on my face. Creation, for all its dangers, is a blessing as well. The church reminded me of this on Sunday as I enjoyed the spiritual friendships that are shared among believers. I could go on, because there are so many things to be thankful for in life!

For the Christian, thankfulness has nothing to do with comparing what we have to what the next guy doesn’t. It has everything to do with bragging on God and enjoying his good gifts. As believers, it seems to me that life is laced with temptations to become disgruntled with the road bumps and forget about the blessings all around. That is why I think it’s necessary to cushion all our troubles with the good stuff God has brought into our lives. Think long and hard upon all God HAS given you instead of dwelling on what he HASN’T given. The next time you pray, spend the time thanking God for the good things he has provided you with. Call a friend or email your spouse and thank them for the gift of their presence in your life, and see if it doesn’t generate a spirit of thankfulness in you!

Remember Paul? He was that bold believer that our Lord used to write much of the New Testament. While all of his inspired writings are amazing, the message of his letter to the Philippians has always stood out in my mind as a prime example of thankfulness DURING trouble. From a smelly ancient near eastern prison cell, he had the insight to write, rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Meditate upon these words today in light of your trials. Look for the bright spots; for it is there that you will encounter the Son.

Matt is home!

Matt's surgeries went well. He came home yesterday and will be recovering at his dad's place. He is hoping to rest this weekend and possibly come to church next Sunday! He told me that he's encouraged! Praise God.