el roi

The God who sees all of me - every single part - and still loves me despite it all. That is what El Roi is. I love that I can change, mess up and have hang-ups, but God keeps loving me despite all my faults.

Spring can be messy. Dirt and dead leaves; bare branches and brown landscapes; slushy snow from the last of winter dumping its contents onto the ground. Puddles, piles, preparing. It feels a lot like me when I look at the landscape of my life at times. My past baggage, waiting for opportunities that are still in the making, disappointments, stagnant spots, lots of hopes and yet, I know that God is working to till my soil and make me fruitful.

He is pruning me, getting rid of the dead branches that aren’t bearing Him fruit. He is turning up the soil to uncover the growth that is possible in my life. He sees the potential of beauty. He is the gardener of my soul.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15: 1-8

labyrinth

“Earth is crammed with Heaven. And every bush aflame with God. But only those who see take off their shoes.” Elizabeth Barrett Browning

As I walked through the maze - the labyrinth - beckoned me to the centre. What looked so orderly and symetrical on the outside was really more complicated in the middle. I felt the ground beneath me; my feet right before me, but the path twisted and turned. Life is like that. God sometimes leads in unexpected directions. He longs for us to come to the centre - to Him - with our hearts but we have to follow His plan. I want to jump over the boundaries and borders and charge straight to the centre but He is weaving me in and out, circling round and back and ever drawing me closer. I take one step at a time, focusing on what lies before me.

Jesus spent 40 days in the desert - all 4 gospels record and confirm that is where he went after his baptism. Jesus was “being formed, inwardly initiated into the radical new path he would soon reveal to the world… he moved into the marketplace: taught, healed, laughed, danced and dined; lived among the people as brother and friend. Whatever he learned in the wilderness seems to have pushed him through and beyond the ascetic path.” Cynthia Bourgeault

There are no easy roads to being a Christian, but when we stay on the path of righteousness, He leads us home. He walks beside us all the way. So even if your path takes unexpected turns, know that he is there to guide you and show you the way.

This is what the Lord says—
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the Lord your God,
who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go.
If only you had paid attention to my commands,
your peace would have been like a river,
your well-being like the waves of the sea. Isaiah 48:17-18

easter

A number of months ago, Charlie Mackesy, an author and illustrator published a book entitled, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse that was a sensational bestseller because its theme resonated with people. During this Holy Week, I considered what stories connect us as Christians, Jews and believers. Here is that story: The Man, the Lion, the Lamb and the Eagle.

“I feel so insignificant,” cried the lamb. “But you’re not!” said the man. “Did you always know who you wanted to be?” inquired the lamb. “Yes, Savior of the world,” replied the man. “I was sent to the world as a gift.” “Can I share my favorite bible verse with you?” asked the lamb. The man nodded a “yes.” “It’s love the Lord with all your mind, strength and heart.” “Does it work?” the man asked the lamb. “It fills me,” smiled the lamb, “but I know some people that have stone for hearts and can’t feel it like I do.” Suddenly a lion appeared. “I could kill you both,” he challenged. “But you won’t,” the man stood tall. “I am going to die a different kind of death - death on a cross.” The lion asked him, “Aren’t you under the protection of the Almighty? Won’t he keep you safely under his wings? Speaking of wings, here comes an eagle.” The man smiled, “in my Father’s house, the lamb will lie down with the lion, but let’s see what he has to say.” “Do you want to soar the heavens with me?” the eagle asked them. “Soon,” the man answered. “They will call it Good Friday. Have faith that I will be raised from the dead in 3 days and all will see the power of God. I am the Way, the Truth and the Light and no one comes to the Father but through me.” “I’m so glad we got to know you,” the lamb, lion and eagle replied in unison. “I am too,” smiled the man. “Just call me Jesus.”

The Easter story is the reason for our hope of eternity. It’s as simple as ABC. Accept that we are messed up sinners in need of a Savior. Believe that Jesus was that God-man who came to give His life for every one of us. He paid the penalty and defeated death. He was resurrected after 3 days. When we give our life to him we confess that He is ruler, Lord of our lives and we get to spend eternity with Him. Because one minute after you die, you will either be elated or terrified and it will be too late then to make a decision. Yes, there is a heaven and a hell. Why not make that decision today - it could be the beginning in a place of unimaginable bliss - not indescribable horror. Your life will not be over. Be born again - spiritually.

John 3:3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.

social

We are inundated in our world today with technology, media and social platforms from podcasts to tweets. And whether we “like” it or not, it consumes us, eats us, devours our time and spits it back in our faces. Perhaps it’s time to reevaluate, reflect and reinvent social media.

I’m rather tired of seeing other people’s pictures on Instagram and comparing them. Not that my post is going to get 2,000 likes but it’s close. Why not call it “Lastingram” so people can see their own photos forever. And while we’re at name changes, why not Tok Tik instead of Tik Tok because the clock does keep on ticking? The birds are really chirping on Twitter and birds of the feather seem to flock together with their social comments. I hear the sheep baaing, the dogs barking and the crows cawing. Like my opinion really matters to Donald Trump or anyone of the thousand celebrities out there. And then there’s Fake - oops - Facebook where everyone’s life is marvelous, wonderful and certainly not taken on “face value.” Ping! Bing! Oh, I haven’t checked my phone in 4 minutes and I have 63 new texts! Oh, well, that’s my social media rant for today. #blessed

And so, as we continue to make our presence known on social platforms, through Facebook posts and Twitter comments, perhaps our focus should be centered on the real Presence that ought to be in our lives. By taking all the minutes we scroll, send texts, reply or comment, we could use that valuable time to spend connecting with God by reading or meditating on HIs Word, singing praise songs or praying. Perhaps our time would be more wisely spent in face to face conversations with real people. And especially, at no cost, unlimited bandwidth and endless communication with the God of the universe who is always available and willing to listen. Now that’s real.

Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;

Acts 3:19

keeper

We have often heard the colloquial phrase, “she’s a keeper” which is derived from “for keeps” - meaning worth having forever, in reference to a wife; however, I bet you haven’t heard of the Keeper of the Spring.

High along the Austian Alps lived a gentle forest man whose job was to clear twigs and debris from pools of water that ran into a spring that flowed into town. The youthful town council hired him and soon the village was popular because of the picturesque area, the clear water and irrigated farmlands. The keeper was faithful in removing unwanted branches and silt to make sure the water flowed clearly. And the years passed.

One evening, when the town council met to review the budget, one councillor didn’t like the salary being paid to the obscure keeper of the spring. He wanted to know: "Who he was? Why they kept him on year after year?” and they made a unanimous decision and voted to dispense of the old man’s services.

For weeks nothing changed, but by early autumn the trees began to shed their leaves, small branches fell into the pools and the flow of the water was hindered. The water turned from a slight yellowish-brown tint to a slimy film covering sections of the water along the banks and a foul odor was detected. Some of millwheels even ground to a halt. Swans left and so did the tourists. Clammy fingers of disease and sickness reached deeply into the village.

A special meeting was called by the council. It was there they realized their error and quickly hired back the old keeper of the spring . . . and within a few weeks, the river began to clear up.

Our world seems to be in a mess. Just as the keeper of the spring was crucial to the village; so too are Christians needed in our world. We are the “light” and “salt” and when we don’t clear the debris and junk from our own lives, the river gets murky. We are told to go and be the salt and light for others. Let’s bring the beauty and the light into a dark and ugly world.

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

Matthew 5:13-14

eden

The garden - in the beginning - the place we long to be - back to the garden. Yet it can be within us. We were led astray. The devil dipped his fingers in human affairs and we have suffered ever since because of one bite from an apple. The snake seeded the saplings of sin; he is poisoning our minds and many lost souls are still searching for their way back to Eden. For some, it is the journey of a lifetime. The entrance is still guarded by angels with flaming swords.

The garden within us is like an endangered flower. We long to experience the place God intended us to be; but we are held by the weeds that strangle us - the betrayals, the lies, the pride, the poison. And rather than letting God tend to His creation - with care, love, compassion - we close our blossoms and let Him pass by instead of opening our hearts to His love and tender mercies - new every morning.

During this season of Lent, there are plenty of reminders to think about preparing for Easter and certainly one of them is preparing our hearts - preparing the gardens of our souls. The deepest secret of our hearts is that we long to love and be loved. We are forgiven. That’s the Easter story. God so loved the world that He gave His only son for us. Death on a cross. That’s love! Katagiri Roshi says, “Our goal is to have kind consideration for all sentient beings every moment forever.” And what are we doing with that consideration? That love? Our gardens need tending.

Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart…” Psalm 10:17 (NKJV)

I am preparing for Easter in 3 ways: Prayer, Reflection, Praise

“And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray…” Matthew 14:23.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23.

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

How are you getting ready for Easter and reaquainting yourself with the story of victory by Jesus’ resurrection from the dead? He has risen! Alleluia!