“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.” John 1:17 - 18   In my daily Bible reading I am reading through the prophets. After reflecting on the major themes of the prophets for several months I thought of what God might say through his messengers today. What might God speak to us?

What are you waiting for? Are you having a hard time being patient while your project or expected outcome is taking its time coming to you?

I was thinking of death this week; not a specific death, mine or another’s, but death in general. My focus wasn’t on the preliminaries of death: the decline into frailty by disease nor the suddenness of accident and injury. I was trying to imagine what the journey of death is like. What is the actual transition of moving from this life to the next?

Have you ever argued with the wisdom you asked for? You solicit your spouse for advice and then disregard it. A repairman tells you what’s wrong with your furnace, but you call someone else. You debate with your GPS in a new city, certain you can find a better way. If any of this rings true, you will understand the counsel of James.

Afghanistan, Haiti, Lytton; three headlines that get progressively closer to us. We witness the end of a 20 year war and the beginning uncertainty and chaos. We see the devastation and death of a second major earthquake to convulse Haiti in the last decade. The evidence of rampaging fires in BC is in our eyes and lungs. These events are tragic. Each one shatters the routine of life. They all are weighted with sorrow and tears. Yet, they do not affect us in the same manner. We are prayerful and concerned for each, but proximity matters.

Six years ago, I had to make an emergency trip back to Ontario. That’s where I was born and raised; where my parents were still residing. Mom had a series of health issues and was in medical crisis. She was facing the final stages of infirmity that are often twinned to 87 years of living. I found her alert, comfortable and talkative. She recognized the situation and we got to have final conversations.

Love is a tug. It pulls, draws, attracts and guides. It can be a slight nudge towards your favourite ice cream, summer shirt or vacation spot. It can be an irresistible force which magnetizes you towards family and friends. Like gravity, love will set the direction of our lives. So we best be careful about what we love.

There is a difference between guilt and shame. Failing to recognize the distinction leads to confusion or even despair. The distinction between guilt and shame is valid within our courts, relationships and souls. So, the matter is important in many aspects of living; family, friendships, church, and most of all in our walk with God.

In this weekly column our church family has been encouraged, challenged and inspired by God’s Holy Spirit through the words of Pastor Scott. He has requested Lorraine and me to write this column when he is on vacation. As a church family we are grateful for how God is leading us. May we continue to listen to one another, seek God’s face and voice as we fulfill the mission God has for us.

Have you ever been to the alpine meadows? I was hiking through the back country at Big White, near Kelowna recently. As I rounded a corner – suddenly in front of me was a field of colour – red, white, yellow, blue, green – beauty that takes one’s breath away.