Advent, Day 4

I really do love the holiday season. I was operating in one of my blissful holiday moods Saturday and went to get ingredients to make Cappuccino Biscotti. Cooking and baking are two of my favorite things to do - it is a form of art as far as I'm concerned.

Anyway, the recipe seemed simple enough - you can check it out if you want at http://www.joyofbaking.com/biscotti/CappuccinoBiscotti.html .

The first thing was to roast the hazelnuts - then put them in a clean towel to steam, then rub the towel to "skin" the hazelnuts. Well, I don't know what happened, but I ended up with hazelnut skins all over the kitchen and many didn't peel off, so I painstakingly peeled them off with a knife. This took about an hour, I think, though the recipe makes it seem like a simple Step #1. I groaned from time to time, and noticed the students in the house started exiting the area.

The recipe next suggests using a handmixer for the dough. Okay, perhaps they are correct, if you could only cook the dough on the walls of your kitchen, because frankly, that is where alot of my biscotti dough ended up. I think I was laughing and crying at the same time at this point, and students would wander through every once in a while, but not say anything . . . wisely.

I think my biscotti took a good 3 hours to make, but the students tried it and said they liked it. So, although it was excrutiatingly painful to make, it was also quite fun really. . . or perhaps real funny! I've decided to make biscotti for my holiday baking.

Happy Advent, Day 4.

Advent, Day 3

Secret Sisters.

One of the things that has meant the most to me on becoming a Christian and participating at my church is the ministry we call "Secret Sisters". The lady standing with me in this picture is Rachel. She was my first Secret Sister on coming up here to Edmonton. I've told her story in a previous blog - if you care to read it, just go to: http://kathybrownsblog.blogspot.com/2006/08/rachel.html.

Well, I did not have alot of funds to expend on gifts for my secret sister - and there is actually a limit of what we are supposed to spend. But I knew it was not about any gifts. Secret Sister's purpose, at least in my heart, is to learn about someone in our church, and love and pray for them - secretly. A little note or something symbolic once in a while to let the person know they are in our thoughts is not a bad thing. But it is not the point.

I am happy to say that ever since that time when Rachel was my secret sister, we have remained friends and I know that we pray for one another. Through this ministry, I have made a life-time friend, who's own life has touched mine in a very profound way.

We usually wrap up the year with a little Christmas gift to our Secret Sister so I thought it was appropriate just to plug the ministry of Secret Sisters in this Celebration of Advent.

Advent, Day 2

On the subject of snow -- and it seems like we have about a foot and a half here in Edmonton -- check out this website where you can make your own snowflake! The snowflake that falls and says "Your friend's flake" is one I made today for this second day of advent. Every snowflake that is made may help the Salvation Army receive a few more donated dollars during the 2006 Holiday Flake-a-thon! And if that isn't enough, click on the other falling flakes -- you will see that people from all over the world are creating a beautiful snowfall!

http://www.popularfront.com/snowdays/index.html?id=3105632

Advent Day 1

I rose early
Though the sun did not;
Pale lavender clouds hung low
Reflecting on the white, white snow
That has created an early Christmas
In my heart.

Love wells up in me
Without my understanding why
As I walk about and talk about
This early Christmas gift -
Not always convenient
Except as a beautiful blanket.

Sometimes I think
I am still on the outside
For it is easy for me to see
That there is something special here
Though not everyone
Receives the gift.

-40 Degrees

Help! It really is -40 degrees here today when you factor in the wind chill. Fahrenheit or Celsius, you ask? Doesn't matter - they are the SAME at -40 degrees. So, all my American friends now have perspective on the gravity of my situation here in Edmonton.

I decided to make a trip to the grocery store today. (I heard you call me an idiot.) I walked to the bus stop. A little over halfway there, I was convinced I was having a stroke. My head hurt that badly! Really, I did not know if I was going to make it. Luckily there is a little shelter there to wait for the bus. My legs were numb within a minute of going outside.

I walked down a road to get to the bus stop. The snow is now so packed on the road -- it is icy even to walk on, much more so to drive on! Ugh.

Baby, it's cold outside!

Whimsical?

I recently heard a sermon that touched on a concept regarding worship services that quite intrigues me. The preacher / teacher talked about the fact that we might think that when the music begins on Sunday morning, worship begins. This teacher pointed out that our thoughts are incorrect -- we are merely joining in to a non-stop worship service. That concept is pretty cool.

Every moment of the day and night, someone somewhere is singing and/or praising God. When you begin singing and lifting your hands on Sunday morning, it is like you have dialed in to a webinar or something like that! I thought about that this morning (or rather yesterday morning) as we sang and praised God in church. I wondered what it must be like looked at from Heaven. I imagined that there might be a high-level angel in Heaven assigned to keeping the "Praise & Worship" station up and running, and every time someone or some group sings to God, they automatically "tune in" to the station. God hears our voices raised in song and sees our hands raised toward Him.

I imagine that when hearts are turned toward Him, and voices raised to Him, that it doesn't matter which songs are sung, which key they are sung in, which style is used, etc., because the notes, chords, tones, all get woven together in a perfect pattern for Him to hear. That what might appear to us to be noise and dissonance is to Him perfect harmony.

Family Thanksgiving

"So, how did you cook the turkey this year?" I asked Mom on the phone earlier today.
"Oh, the slow method," she replied. "But it was nearly a disaster."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I was already laughing inside. Every year it is the same. In fact, it is my favorite holiday tradition. The discussion about how to cook the turkey. A typical Thanksgiving eve and day in terms of turkey and dinner preparation might go something like this:

Mom: "Let's just do the turkey tomorrow, Doug."
Dad: "No, I'm going to do the slow method."
Mom: "You know it's always done early. Come on, let's just do it tomorrow."
Dad: "No, I'm going to do the slow method. It will turn out right."
Mom: "We go through this every year, and every year it's done early."
Dad: "It'll turn out."
Mom: "Okay, well, then you do it. Remember, we eat at 3 o'clock tomorrow."

Dad would put the turkey in around midnight at a very high temperature to kill off any bacteria. After one hour, the oven would be turned down, so the turkey would cook slowly, well, for about 12 - 14 hours, I guess! We would wake up to a heavy turkey smell in the house by 8:00 or 9:00 am.

Sometime before noon, perhaps even at around 9 am, another conversation would take place.

Mom: "Have you checked the turkey?" (to Dad)
Dad: "Go ahead."
Mom: "Doug, I knew it -- the turkey's done."
Dad: (no response)
Mom: "What do you suggest now, Doug?"
Dad: "Is that right?" (notice the total disconnect -- I think he is trying to think what to say.)
Mom: "No really. We told everyone to be here at 3:00."
Dad: "There's nothing I can do."
Mom: "That's just great. It will be cold by the time we're ready." Red in the face, and with a little sarcasm now, "Why don't you call everyone and tell them to come over now. How does that sound!?"
Mom to one of us: "He's not the one who has to do everything else."

I miss this holiday tradition, I really do. But it was good to hear about it again this year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------

"So, how was it nearly a disaster this year, Mom?"
"Well, he put the turkey in at midnight. And then after an hour, thought he turned it down. But he turned the knob the wrong way and set it to broil."
I laughed.
"Luckily, though, a little while later, he thought he should check it, so, he caught it in time. But it was done around 6:00 a.m."

For My Canadian Family

What were you guys talking about when you said "Michigan gets more snow than we do!" Please look out your window, then come back to the computer and look at the temps in Michigan for the next 4 days. My mother is playing golf there today. People, it can't snow there! I say we make a dash for the border!

Note as well that we are in sunny Alberta, yet the one "sunny" symbol here is for Michigan.

I feel so mislead......

For My Michigan Family

I know after seeing this that you will feel very sorry for me. Looking at this weather comparison of the next 4 days in our respective areas, you must be saying "I wonder why Kathy even moved to Edmonton!" You aren't alone.... but for sure it wasn't for the weather! Please note, that the "-" symbol in front of the numbers is not a typo.

Sympathy gifts will be received gladly....

Thanksgiving 2006

What a Thanksgiving day today was for me. I have lots to be grateful for no matter what else.

I got up to another significant "dump" of snow. As much of a pain snow can be to drive in and shovel, God sure blessed us with the beauty of these winter blankets dropped upon us. I went to Bible Study Fellowship at the Chinese Christian Church on Edmonton's South Side. Unfortunately, I missed my 7:51 a.m. bus, so I had to wait an hour to catch the next one. I hopped on the 150 to Northgate, then the 16 to Downtown, then the 81 to the South Side. It takes about and hour this way. Anyway, I had great drivers on the Edmonton Transit System (ETS) today. They drove conservatively and patiently and I was grateful as the traffic can be rough here.

So, I was at least able to catch the lecture portion of the study today, and as usual was not disappointed -- Romans is a great study. Today, we focused on Romans 6:1-11. Ah, so many reminders. A couple of things really struck me. Firstly, that it is important to remember that as a Christian, I died to sin. But that does not mean that sin died in me. Dying to sin as it was discussed today means that we are no longer slaves to sin. We no longer have to sin. Sin is no longer comfortable. So, I died to sin. I only died once to sin -- that's it. It is not a daily practice. Jesus Christ died for my sins, and upon my baptism with Christ, I died. He owns me and He won't let me go back to the old ways.

The daily practice / challenge is dying to self. Dying to my desires that aren't what God would have for me. Oh and there are plenty of those, I'm sure.

Anyway, it was great to see the ladies again. I climbed on the bus to go back home and the roads were significantly worse. But it was sure beautiful. So pristine and clean looking and the large pines look beautiful when iced with snow!

I got a bit of work done, then Gloria brought lasagna for dinner. It was very good -- we have another one for tomorrow! Woo Hoo!

My friend Simon came over and he, Adam & I watched much of Season II of "The Office". Oh my!

I talked with my family and that was fun, too!

A great Thanksgiving.

Sometimes, something just strikes me!

Ahhhh......once in a while, something just grabs my focus and won't let go! There is some artwork like that - do you know what I mean? A while ago, I happened on a website called Illustration Friday. Illustrators, professional and amateur participate, and I have found some really great artists there. Paige, in California, who allowed me to use one of her pictures on our church website at one time for The Singing Christmas Tree, and most recently Irisz who is an illustrator in Hungary for children's books and for other things as well. The work of both of these artists really touch my heart and inspires me. Check out the links on the right to their blogs. Unbelievable stuff.

Today, at church, we had a luncheon, and my little friend Ava sat with me for a while. Today, she told me "I wike you!" If you want to read a little story about Ava and I, check out "Tum Tatty Tum!" . Here is a pic of Ava and her mum - my friend Jaycee. Aren't they adorable?

Have a great day!

Harmony

"How wonderful it is, how pleasant,
when brothers live together in harmony!
For harmony is as precious as the fragrant anointing oil
that was poured over Aaron's head,
that ran down his beard
and onto the border of his robe.
Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon
that falls on the mountains of Zion.
And the Lord has pronounced his blessing,
even life forevermore."
Psalm 133, New Living Translation

Harmony

I was very grateful to have this Psalm in my devotionals yesterday. In fact, I made it my whole devotional. The word and concept that most intrigues me in this Psalm is "harmony".

What intrigues me about the word is that it implies unity as well as differences. I believe that unity very often gets misrepresented or misunderstood and is perceived as "uniformity". Many people think that we should all think alike, act alike, believe alike, dress alike, as if uniformity is something of a beautiful nature. Nothing could be further from the truth in my view.

Check out the definitions of harmony at www.dictionary.com. The first definitions are "agreement" and "accord". The third definition has to do with music. In order for there to be "harmony" in a musical sense, there must be different notes sung or played simultaneously. There is no harmony if everyone plays or sings the same note. No harmony at all. Part B of this definition indicates that harmony could be these different notes, blending into chords that are especially pleasing to the ear.

It is interesting, isn't it, that different notes played together are especially pleasing to our ears? I've been practicing some jazz Christmas songs on the piano, and the chords require my 10 fingers to play 10 different notes. The harmony is quite close - that is, the notes are quite close together - and quite beautiful to my ears. Those notes individually are quite boring to me. It is not near so pleasing to practice my flute, as I can not create any harmony with that instrument alone. But get a few flutes together - wow! Harmony happens.

I think it is the same for God. I think His ears are pleased when we raise our voices to him in harmony. And I think His heart is pleased when we bring our differences together, our different thoughts, our different dress styles, our different activities, our different ways of expressing our faith, and blend them into human chords, designed for one purpose - to honour Him. There's nothing like some good harmony to create some good unity!

Saturday

Well, what a Saturday! Early in the day, my goal was to get to St. Albert by bus. Unfortunately, unbeknownst (I love that word, but have never written until now!) to me prior to my departing the house, the St. Albert transit system was not running. So, after much sitting in the cold, but meeting nice people, I trekked back home, called Joce, who picked me up for an afternoon of shopping, football, then dinner and a movie. The shopping was fun -- I had forgotten it was Brenda's birthday, so picked up a card for her.

Then it was time for football. I get a total kick out of watching people I know play the game. Joce's son Cory was playing for UofS against Winnipeg. He's had some struggles with his knees, and early in the season, it looked grim for a full, rewarding season. But seemingly against the odds, Cory has had a healthy season and we watched him score a 72-yard touchdown on television yesterday. That, my friends, was a very rewarding time, and is about the only thing worthwhile I've seen on television in a while.

Joce's other son, Jean-Marc, was in Vancouver playing a Championship game for the Edmonton Wildcats (junior league). Once in a while, Joce's husband Bob (who was there watching the game) or brother Charles (who was here listening to the game) would call with the news from that game, but Joce was too nervous to hear it. So, I would talk to Charles, and I really thought we were going to pull that one off, too. We lost by one point in the final seconds of the game. The headlines call it heartbreak. I call it victory. This team has been struggling for a number of years......I've watched them. They would start seasons well, but fizzle out, usually amidst a load of penalties. This year, they turned a corner, and made it to the championships. And Jean-Marc made an interception in the last 4 minutes of the game -- a key play. I wish I could have seen the game.

Both Jean-Marc and Cory are winners to me. They've both had obstacles to overcome and they've overcome them. With grace.

We all face challenges -- but the challenges are very different for us all. Even as brothers or sisters. My sister Jackie was a nationally ranked tennis player. She won alot of trophies / tournaments, at least relative to the rest of us. But there is some pressure when you are in the public eye, even to that little extent. People always ask and want to know what you did with your tennis, or want to know that you are a success -- alot of judging takes place, you know? So, as a winner, alot of times, you are expected to keep winning, winning, winning, in anything and everything you do, or at least it seems like those are the expectations. The struggle for Jackie may sometimes be the struggle against performing based on others' expectations.

On the flip side, I'd always seem to almost make it. I'd win gold medals at the district level, but when it came to regionals, I'd take the silver. In college, I nearly made the team, but did not follow up -- just assumed I hadn't made it. Internally, what this means for me is that I feel unworthy, like somehow I will never take the gold in anything worthwhile. The real struggle for me is against performing up to and based on past experience.

The funny thing is, I can remember watching the Olympics as a kid - our whole family watched with a passion as athletes from around the world would come together and compete. And I tell you, I would look at the gold, silver and bronze medalists receive their medals, and I always thought what an honor it would be to be any of those recipients. Bronze to me meant #3 in the whole world -- wow!

I've noticed alot of thinking out there today that would have us believe that winning, and in particular, winning the gold is everything. The truth of the matter is, when you compete or run a race with your whole heart, you win. Period. End of discussion.

I read a story the other day about a race in the Special Olympics. There were 16 competitors I believe, and as they started running, one of the competitors fell on the track and yelled out. The other 15 competitors stopped, turned around, went and picked up the 16th competitor and then they all completed the race together, crossing the finish line at the same time, to the cheers of spectators in the stands. Who do you think the winner was in this race? If you can pick just one gold medalist, you are more able than me!

It sure does make me stop and consider what race I am running, and what I perceive as winning the race.

In The Meantime

"I am coming to visit you after I have been to Macedonia, for I am planning to travel through Macedonia. Perhaps I will stay awhile with you, possibly all winter, and then you can send me on my way to my next destination. This time I don’t want to make just a short visit and then go right on. I want to come and stay awhile, if the Lord will let me. In the meantime, I will be staying here at Ephesus until the Festival of Pentecost. There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me."
1 Corinthians 16:5-9 (New Living Translation)

In The Meantime

Lately, the phrase "in the meantime" has been coming up a lot in my thoughts and conversations. Usually, that means a devotional will spit out eventually - hence, this little piece.

Really, though, I have felt in a constant mode of waiting for the past three years. I chose a course of action that seemed right and validated. And yet, my choice(s) seem to have just lengthened the period of waiting. Wait, worry and work. That's what my life appears to be about. I keep thinking that just around the corner, I'll be able to rest a bit. But then, a worry comes up. And worry is work, let me tell you. When I am worried, it doesn't matter how much time I have off -- a weekend or a month -- it is as if no time at all is free.

It is as if I have a mission somewhere out there in my nebulous future, but in the meantime, I am here doing this. It doesn't matter where "here" is or what "this" is -- it is simply my "in the meantime" experience. Do you ever feel like this or think like this? Some of us, from what I can discern, really have found their niche. When you talk to them, they say things like "I have the best job in the world" or "I wouldn't trade what I do for anything". I marvel and I wonder if they have found their niche......or if they have learned the secret of living "in the meantime."

I am in wait, worry and work mode again, but travelling to and from downtown Edmonton in the mornings and evenings, respectively, I gaze through the bus windows at the wintry city scenes flashing by. We have had a couple of relatively early snowfalls, and there is a blanket of white that illuminates the houses with their twinkling lights, and that somehow makes normally unattractive storefronts seem quaint and inviting all of a sudden. And as I each day meet more and more people who are kinder than I ever expected, I thank God for reminding me that though I may struggle and strain for things unseen and as yet unrevealed to me, and though there is alway hope for a better future . . .

What we do in the meantime reveals the extent to which our character has been developed. Will we push on to the next destination because our desire is so great that it overwhelms everything else? Or will we try and see the wide-open door(s) for great works to be done right where we are?

Life is lived "in the meantime."

Teamwork

I feel sorry for my readers sometimes! Readers, I am going through a really rough time, but I hope you bear with me as my hope actually lies in my Lord, Jesus Christ, and He does not let His people down, nor does He let them be down for very long. So, again, bear with me as I go into "reflection" mode.

I've written about the desire to be on a team -- to be "One of the Three" as it were. But what about what happens when you are not chosen to be on a team? Let me tell you, there was not a high school tennis team in my area that would not have chosen me to be on their team. Let me also tell you, that in terms of any other sport, no one would have chosen me to be on their team.

I don't think I would have picked me for any other sport than tennis. I couldn’t hit a softball past the in-field. The volleyball hurt me, so I preferred not to hit it at all. If throwing 2-handed baskets was cool, I would have been considered quite cool. I swam like a turtle. And you know what? Though it was humiliating to be bad at sports, the only time it really, really hurt not to be picked for a team was when it was one of my friends that was doing the picking. Because for some reason, I think that the friendship is worth the risk of losing.

But what would hurt even more than that, would be a friend not picking me for a tennis team. After all, I know I am a decent player -- I was #1 in my district for at least a couple of years. It would not make sense for someone not to pick me for their team. And please note the word friend. It would not surprise me if someone who didn't like me didn't pick me for their team -- we tend to pick those we like -- makes sense most times. But if a friend didn't pick me, well, that would hurt.

At one time, I worked for a consulting firm in the Washington, D.C. area. I had recently been promoted to the position of Regional Business Manager, when my boss, the Regional Manager, decided to leave the firm. I had worked for him for 8 years or so, and so this was going to be a big change for me. My boss and I talked about who were good candidates for the position, and there was one that I really plugged for. He was good with clients; was exhuberant but sort of grandfatherly, too; he had garnered some respect among the consultants; he seemed like he would accept help in terms of the business side of things; he seemed to be fairly good with the accounting side of things -- turning in reimbursement requests, etc., on time; and he and I got along great. I mean really great. He was a deacon at his church and seemed like an awesome family man.

So, he became the Regional Manager. Shortly thereafter, I noticed that I was being left out of meetings, and that instead of utilizing me as the business manager, he was going to his boss's business manager for assistance instead. Now, I had received EXCELLENT reviews during my tenure at this position, and it was well known that I knew the ins and outs of the region. Our region had three offices with probably 130 - 150 staff. I had built good relationships with staff at all levels. Though I had been promoted through the ranks, from the clerical to the administrative to the managerial role, most of the peers I worked with had no resentment of that. Honestly, I fit the role.

But things continued to go south. I had been taught over the years to not assume responsibility unless it had been specifically given to me. In other words, not to overstep my bounds. This goes against my nature -- I like to see things done right and have a high regard for excellence, so if I am associated with a task, I take it personally. This is the area I received the most coaching in, and indeed sought out the coaching and advice. Anyway, not taking responsibility and not going out on a limb can be a very dangerous thing if your boss also does not want to take responsibility or go out on a limb or is less than confident in his/her own abilities. It soon became apparent that my boss had less than optimal skils in terms of business management, and that he was looking for someone else (i.e., me) to answer to his boss regarding business issues. If I made this too complex, note that this is commonly referred to as "passing the buck" or simply not taking responsibility. What he wanted me to do was to give my answers to his region's business issues to his boss (he did not want accountability), but at the same time not recognize my work. This was starting to be bad news.

Now, I was used to seeing and sometimes experiencing this kind of behavior unfortunately. Corporate America loves phrases like "Don't let it stick." But I was not used to being treated like this by someone I trusted and in fact, recommended and helped into the position. That hurt. Things got worse. One day he told me that my former boss "had never intended you [me] to be the Regional Business Manager." This was an out and out attack. What had I done to garner this? I could not understand it at all. I won’t bore you with the details, but though the lies were exposed, it did not positively impact the effect on me and my career in that firm.

Now, the single most hurtful thing was not any particular event in the whole story. The single most hurtful thing was that someone I had considered a friend would strike me. Honestly, I couldn't have done what this guy did to my worst enemy. And even worse in my view at the time was the fact that his boss, also a deacon at his own church, did not rectify the situation. I had done alot of good work for that guy over the years, and that he would allow someone to behave like that is still amazing to me. I was laid off by these two deacons. Over the next couple of years, they lost their positions with the firm.

I have tried to remain trusting in the workplace, though it can be quite challenging. I still get hurt when a friend doesn't choose me for their team, especially when I am good at the sport. But worst of all are those who have the authority, the right and the ability to do the right thing, but choose not to. A friend is worth the risk.

Slacking Off

Slacking off - that's been me in terms of blogging. There's so much to write about. The receiving of what I've called a miracle, though not everyone would agree with me. Disappointments. Answers to prayer. Loss of trust. Loss of friendships. New friendships. Aches & pains. Excitement. Fear. Resolve. Tiredness. Gladness. Sadness. Questions, questions, questions.

Wow! Just writing that makes the phrase "the cycle of life" come to mind. I've been trying to clean house a bit before getting back into the heavy grind, and have run across old sermon notes. I read a fill in the blank sentence from one today that basically says we will not let our circumstances overwhelm us. Hmmmmm......

There was a good post on Justin Majeau's blog today discussing women and leadership in the church and other organizations. I am reminded of a question posed to one of my uncles, who was a senior military man, now retired from the U.S. Coast Guard. I was visiting with him in 1997, and at the time there was a bit of a brew-ha-ha at one of the military schools or academies because of their policy to not allow women in their school. The school had resisted allowing women to the point where the issue was a matter for all media and was then put before the Supreme Court (if I remember correctly). I asked my Uncle for his perspective on the subject, and I will never forget his response:

"You can either do the right thing, or have someone make you to do the right thing. Which would you prefer?"

Only One Way To Go

So, a few weeks ago, I visited Norm & Sophie -- friends of mine who I admire and love. They have both offered me encouragement by their very presence. And they both are examples of a grace and generosity of spirit that we don't experience as often today perhaps as we would have experienced years ago.

In discussing my situation of being in need of work and a work permit, Norm offered me the encouragement to be patient and not rush. And that a door would open, and that often only one door would open. Well, that is both good and bad to me.

It is easier often if just one door does open. When two open choice has to be exercised, and if the choice seems like a choice between "life" and "death", well, that presents a situation that can be quite difficult. Sometimes it is even more difficult is if both choices seem like excellent choices -- just two different paths to the same destination.

I am facing a choice - I ask that you pray for me to make the best choice.

The End? Or the Means?

“But if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? Someone might argue, ‘If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?’ Why not say—as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say—‘Let us do evil that good may result’? Their condemnation is deserved.”
Romans 3:5-8, New International Version

The End? Or the Means?

It is fun to read the great philosophers. One of the questions of all time is “Does the end justify the means?” (Machiavellian philosophy.) In other words, if the end result of an action is good, does that justify the means of getting there, whether or not the means are good?

Sometimes this question is raised in some oh so subtle ways that are interesting to ponder from a Christian perspective. For instance, I have heard it preached that, say, if you do something good for someone or something, and you don’t get thanked, the discouragement you feel, or whatever bad feelings you feel, may give you a glimpse into Jesus’ heart. I actually buy into this.

Obviously, getting a glimpse into Jesus’ heart, or feeling something that He felt, even to a small degree is a good thing, right? I believe this to be true for sure. I can appreciate pain in that it brings me just a bit closer to Jesus and His walk on this earth. I have thanked Him for the glimpse.

However, what about the perspective from the other side? For instance if the person by who’s actions you suffered pain is the one who is justifying the end by the means, it is a bit harder to buy, isn’t it? If you have given your all to someone, and then they caused you pain, and then told you that that pain is a good thing because it brings you closer to Jesus – well, what is that all about? Likewise, if you harm someone through unrighteous behaviour, don't make reparation to them, but instead think that it is justifiable because it is for their own good, perhaps, or because they will learn from it, or it will in any way benefit them, then you have a problem. (By the way, I have done this very thing, so I am familiar with these issues, and indeed am really talking to myself through this devotional.)

Paul talks about this in the book of Romans. He seems to warn the Jews, who considered themselves teachers, preachers and lights to the spiritually blind, that unrighteous behaviour on their part, even if it brings out God’s righteousness more clearly in the people they are leading, preaching to, teaching, etc., will lead to condemnation. Can that be any clearer? A good end does not justify bad means.

I’m certainly not in a leadership position of influence at this point in my life, but if that ever comes about, I hope to remember Paul’s warning to the Jewish leaders, teachers and preachers of his day. I hope never to be a leader that would justify incorrect behaviour by encouraging the receiver of that behaviour to believe the pain I caused would bring them closer to Christ.

Harvest Moon

It is early October 2006. When it hasn’t been raining, we’ve been enjoying views of the beautiful Harvest Moon over the past few weeks. Low on the horizon, the Harvest Moon appears larger than an ordinary full moon. According to various sources, this is simply an illusion or an unsolved mystery.

What’s not a mystery, though, is how the Harvest Moon’s name came about. It is called a Harvest Moon because farmers in the north are able to extend their working days during the harvest season because the light of this moon is so bright. I can vouch for this – even last night at about 11:30, the sky was not completely dark.

Today is Canadian Thanksgiving. I am thankful for so many things. Mostly, though, I am thankful to Jesus Christ for sacrificing His life for mine. In hindsight, I recognize the times that He called me, and I am thankful for his grace, mercy and kindness as I rejected Him over and over again. It almost seems as if God sent me a Harvest Moon so that I might get some extra time to come to know Him.

My friends Chuck & Margaret Burns invited me to spend Thanksgiving at their home with their family. The food was fabulous – very moist turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, beet green rolls (like cabbage rolls), pierogies, pickles & cranberry sauce. Need I say more? Okay, then – also pecan pie, blueberry pie, pumpkin pie, apple crisp for dessert. Such a feast! I am thankful to have “broken bread” with these friends today.

I had the opportunity to share my testimony with the group that was there, and it was a relief to share it again. It has been a while. I am thankful indeed for a testimony to share that intrigues people and I pray that this testimony is used for God’s purposes and that the testimony lives on.

It used to be that if I did not tell this story for a couple of weeks, I would start to feel anxious. But it really has been a long while now, and I did not even realize how poorly not sharing my testimony has made me feel, until I shared it again tonight. It seems as if God has once again sent a Harvest Moon to provide more opportunities to share how Christ’s love has changed my life.

I am not a scholar of the Bible, but I have heard it speculated that we are in the end times. As we build buildings, revamp programs, upgrade technology, remodel, furnish, hire, etc., in our churches, I pray tonight that we consider the light of the Harvest Moon. Just as that light allows farmers to maximize their harvests, God may give us such a time to use us to maximize His harvest. I pray we use the time wisely.

Valemount

"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities -- his eternal power and divine nature -- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."
Romans 1:20

Well, I have now been further west than Jasper, Alberta. This past weekend, I went to Valemount, British Columbia. Oh why didn't I have a camera??? Honestly, Valemount is perhaps one of the most beautiful places I've been. It is a little community -- someone told me the population is about 1200 -- that is truly nestled in the mountains. It is truly interesting to be studying this passage in Romans at the same time as driving through God's beautiful creation.

A friend of mine has friends there -- Norm & Sybil Walker -- who pastor a church there. They are getting ready to leave that church and go on some missions work to the Phillipines, and then from there, who knows? Anyway, I had not experienced small town living in quite a while.

We arrived Saturday evening to the lovely smells of a potluck going away dinner. Let me tell you, these people know how to cook!!! I've not been to quite such a good one since my days of organizing them in Washington, D.C. Anyway, Norm & Sybil were honoured and a great time was had by all. I appreciated Pastor Norm talking about the many places he & Sybil have moved to and from, as well as being open about some of the struggles they had. It is so much more real to me when people share their hearts openly.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn there -- great place. The following day, we drove around Valemount a bit, then went to church. Norm preached a great sermon on the Holy Spirit being evident in us in so many ways. In particular, he taught us about the spiritual gifts. It was a communion service. I learned alot about the heart of a pastor on this trip. Norm has always worked a regular job and his pastoring has been above and beyond that. When people were honouring him, many spoke about how much they appreciated a pastor who works with his hands. I was impressed.

After the service, we chit-chatted in the lobby with some people. We met a lady named Anna, who is 87 years old, is German, and has lived here since after the 2nd World War. Oh, would I love the opportunity to talk with her for a while. She was in AMAZING shape, walking around easily with her tiny little frame.

We went to Terry & Sharon's house for lunch after the service. Floyd & Verlie Halcrow were there -- good friends of my friend Carla and wonderful people. And Pastor Norm & Sybil came, too. Terry lives on several acres just outside of Valemount. He build the house we went to from timber on the property -- it was a beautiful, beautiful log home. The upstairs is a big open area with windows looking out to the mountains. There is a bedroom, bath and sewing room, as well. Downstairs is a fully completed basement with a living area, 3 bedrooms and 1 or 2 bathrooms. It has a walkout, and is just stunning.

We had a great lunch of sausages, mini-shishkebobs, rolls, mustards, sauerkraut, beets, other veggies, delicious desserts -- I know I am forgetting something! Anyway, the meal was great. Terry & Sharon's daughter, Bethany took me outside to introduce me to their cat and then, her cow -- Lucy. What an awesome time of fresh air & fellowship. We hiked around the property a bit, saw cranberry patches, blueberry patches, and I got some fresh dill to take home.

And then, back to Edmonton. What a trip.