Reaching Out
Scripture Reading: Luke 7:1-17
It’s been a rough week to watch the news. Our Prime Minister decided he is going to break one of his 
big campaign promises, claiming no one wanted it. Another world leader can’t seem to stop making moves to fulfilling many of the promises he made, no matter how destructive they may be. And on top of that a terrible terrorist shooting at a mosque in Quebec City by a racist, white Canadian man.
What is going on in the world right now? And what can we do?
Really though it feels somewhat hopeless. We have no influence on America. If we did, our Prime Minister would be all over the news, he’d be on the phone constantly with the President, and things would be happening very differently.
Instead we hear of people being turned back at the border. People frustrated, from all over the world, including other world leaders. A country which once was seen as willing to engage in conversation, at the very least, is now becoming more and more closed and insular. “America first! America only!” is the rallying call, and it’s increasingly clear this is going to be the way forward for the next while.
And we’re left asking ourselves… what can possibly be done? read more…
Stand Out
Scripture Reading: Luke 6:1-16
Yesterday I was listening to the CBC Radio programme, Under the Influence. If you aren’t familiar with the show, it’s a look at advertising, but not just today. Yesterday the host, Terry O’Reilly, was talking about airlines in the 1950s among other businesses over the last 60 years. The theme of yesterday’s show was “What a Difference a Difference Makes: Standing Out in the Marketplace.”
It was an interesting look at how businesses who have succeeded most, those who have gained the greatest following and made the most waves, are those businesses which stood out from the rest of the crowded marketplace. Theses businesses may not have been the most efficient, or even had the best products, but people were drawn to them by their unique advertising which helped them stand out from the competitors.
Let’s face it, the business world works hard and they want to succeed, which means they need to draw attention to themselves. Which means they need to be memorable, they need to stand out from the rest. We are bombarded with advertising all day long, wherever we turn, commercial after commercial. So companies need to be very creative in how they reach us.
If they can do that, along with a good product, then they have succeeded. read more…
called to…. what?
Scripture: Luke 5:1-11
I have an interest in politics. Friends of mine have gone into politics for various parties doing various government jobs. I know people who have been elected. I pay attention to what happens at various levels of government. I’ve even had people tell me I should run for office. And if I ever do, please promise me one thing. If I ever run for political office, promise me you’ll have my head checked.
I wonder what it is that draws people into the political arena? For many, I suppose it’s because the believe they can help people by taking part in the processes which govern our land, and to make changes which will help their neighbours. This is an incredibly noble effort and I applaud them. But I also wonder how long it is before they realize their out of their depth?
For others, I suspect it’s is a more personal motive. That if they get into office they will be able to make connections and changes which will benefit them and their friends financially and professionally. Oh, if I could ONLY find a couple of recent examples in the United States and Canada of people entering politics for personal gain and fame. My hope is, and I hope I’m right, that these people are in the minority. They are just a small percentage of those in politics.
Politics is a nasty, nasty world. There is no stone unturned, there is no skeleton left in any closets. It’s ruthless! Even municipal politics, small towns and cities are getting ugly at election times.
So who, in their right mind, would leave the relative private life to enter the public world of politics? Clearly there is something at work here I don’t quite fully understand. read more…
Let the Good Stuff In
Scripture: Luke 3:1-22
Well good day to you all. I hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year. We are here to see what God has in store for us in 2017. At least I hope that’s one of the reasons why we are here.
Now, if you haven’t been with us since Christmas Eve, you’ve missed a lot, because Jesus is now 30 years old! As a parent, I know kids grow up fast, but I’m pretty sure it’s only been a few weeks since we celebrated his birth! But here we are, moving right into his baptism as an adult.
First though, we have Luke telling us about John the Baptist, or John the baptizer as some of my Baptist friends like to call him.
The way Luke introduces John the Baptist is rather interesting. Luke lists off all these big names: Emperor Tiberius, Pontius Pilate, Herod, and many others. All these big names with great power and authority in the region. And after he lists all these people Luke says, “the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.”
I’m sorry, who?
Zechariah, isn’t he that priest out there somewhere in a village? Has anyone heard of him? Who is he? And now we’re talking about his son? Who really cares about some son of a nobody living out in the wilderness? read more…
Christmas Day Sermon – “Let us go and see”
Scripture – Luke 2:8-20
What a great morning, no? I trust you found some gifts under a tree or something this morning. I also trust you are pleased with what your loved ones have considered as appropriate gifts for you, and that people are enjoying what you have considered for them.
I also trust you had a wonderful service last evening. At Carman we had our candle lighting and beautiful music. Isn’t it wonderful we have such great traditions in our churches to celebrate Christmas. While there’s a certain amount of energy as we celebrate, some of it nervous energy I suppose with all the extra people we see in our pews, making sure we get it all right for our guests… amongst all that energy and music, there is a peace which seems to permeate the whole service. Kind of like something special might be happening.
Of course there is something special happening, we are welcoming the Prince of peace into our midst. We are celebrating the gift, the most precious, most valuable, the unequaled, the one we can never match, the one we could never afford, the gift God has given… His Son as Saviour of the world. read more…