BEEDAHBUN

The blackness of nightmares are cut sharply away and the colors of the sky melt like wax crayons mixing together to create an artist’s palette. The sky is changing and moving like our experiences; like the migration of the geese to signal winter is coming. The discomfort, the darkness, and disappointments are needed as much as the jubilant and joyful times.

“Beedahbun” is Ojibway for “first light.” As Richard Wagamese would say, “the blueness that sears darkness and claims the sky as its own” is that light in the morning to separate darkness from light. God spoke that light into existence.  

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. Genesis 1:3-5

In John 8:12, Jesus talked to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

There was once a dark cave, deep down in the ground, underneath the earth and hidden away from view.  Because it was so deep in the earth, the light had never been there.  The cave had never seen light.  The word “light” meant nothing to the cave, who couldn’t imagine what “light” might be.   Then one day, the sun sent an invitation to the cave, inviting it to come up and visit. When the cave came up to visit the sun it was amazed and delighted, because the cave had never seen light before, and it was dazzled by the wonder of the experience. Feeling so grateful to the sun for inviting it to visit, the cave wanted to return the kindness, and so it invited the sun to come down to visit it sometime, because the sun had never seen darkness. So the day came, and the sun entered the cave, it looked around with great interest, wondering what “darkness” would be like.  Then it became puzzled, and asked the cave, “Where is the darkness?” (Source Unknown)

Darkness - whether it’s a bad relationship or attitude, a bitter wound or even a misunderstanding - can cloud over the light in our lives, but how reassuring to know that darkness can cease to exist in the presence of light. When we have Jesus, he has overcome even death and darkness. Walk in the light, overcome the darkness and marvel at the beauty of a morning sunrise.

UNALOME

Our path isn’t always straight, perfect or even “in the right direction” but the believer’s walk - our journey - has God’s blueprint of our life. Unalome is a Buddhist word, but unalone is my word for walking with the Lord. Yes, I will have struggles, will and do mess up, but I have the hope of Jesus living in me.

Elisa Morgan wrote a book entitled You are Not Alone. She shares six reminders about God: as a person, His plan, presence, provision, promise and purpose. It’s interesting to think that the television hit series “Alone” is a survival competition that follows the daily, self-documented struggles of 10 different people “alone in the wilderness”. As much as they are “alone”, they really are not.

It’s also interesting to note that 10 biblical characters also spent time “alone.” First of all, in the beginning, Adam was alone in the garden of Eden before God created his helper, Eve. Joseph, with the coat of many colors, was thrown in a pit, sold into slavery and was falsely imprisoned for fourteen years. Moses grew up in a palace, but fled Egypt to become a reclusive shepherd. He experienced 40 days on the mountain where he received the 10 commandments from God. Elijah spent 40 days and nights on a mountain after fleeing into the wilderness because of Jezebel’s death threats. Both the apostle John and John the Baptist spent time alone. Jesus’ disciple was banished to the island of Patmos to write the book of Revelation and John was put into prison by King Herod.

The woman who experienced social isolation was considered “unclean” because she had been bleeding for 12 years. (Leviticus 15:25-27) She was desperate but Jesus healed her. Another “unclean” person was the man with leprosy from Matthew 8 who was also healed by Jesus. Jesus was alone in the desert for 40 days being tempted by Satan. When the crowds followed him, he would go off to be alone with His Father. Jeremiah had no family, was hated by society, and was in a thankless position as a prophet. Paul, the great evangelist, spent years in prison and was even under house arrest. Many moments of “alonenes.”

And yet, all of them experienced a touch from God. Psalm 73: 23-26 tells us that:

Yet I am always with you;
    you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
    and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
    And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
 My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart
    and my portion forever.

And so, we can go into our day knowing that we are never alone - He is always with us. That’s comforting.

scripturient

We want healthy bodies and gardens, so we add nutrients to our diets and the soil. We want our retirement and comforts, so we work diligently all our years to acquire a home, travels and possessions. This is all well and good but as a western cultural society, we maybe should reorient our goals in life.

Because of the internet, there is an increase in prurient curiosity or sexual matters. Some have become greedy or esurient, but myself and many others are scripturient by having a strong urge to write. And so many have stories to tell - some heartfelt, others with messages to share. Here is a recent one from a pastor who shares:

“In one African village, children were dying mysteriously every week, and no one could figure out why. In response, children from a church in the next village ‘went’, and these kids fearlessly stayed on-site to pray for hours. The entire situation lifted because of those prayers, and children stopped dying mysterious deaths. Many people in that village were even led to Jesus. Don’t you find it a bit discouraging that children in Africa are transforming entire villages while our kids are watching puppet shows of Jonah and learning songs with hand motions.” - Francis Chan “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.” Proverbs 28:1

As I type this, I am reminded that the world has become a very different place from what God intended it to be. His purpose is clear and He is still the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. We are to pursue Him and walk in relationship with our Creator. So, I pray, that we would develop a strong urge to bring others to Jesus, to teach our children to pray and to walk beside Him as we journey in this life.

 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, Romans 14:17

PANTARHEI

Ancient Greek - “Everything flows” signifies the constant change in everything - from the ocean tides that touch the smallest grain of sand to the vastness of the universe with its planets spinning in orbit. This applies to the physical world as well as our thoughts that flit and fly through our minds, emotions from tears of joy and sadness and the entire human experience from our first breath to our last. Life flows.

I also know that God’s blessings “flow” in our lives. Many times we do not see what God is working behind the scenes, but he is there. Our world moves, changes and flows, and so does God’s grace in our lives. We were made to praise Him, Creator, Comforter, Counsellor, Prince of Peace, Lord of Lords, King of KIngs, Judge, Father and Almighty.

Many of us are familiar with the old hymn:

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

This Doxology, nearly 350 years old, was written by Bishop Thomas Ken, raised as an orphan and as an adult, refused to swear alliegance to King James II and was imprisoned in the Tower of London for it. Nonetheless, his hymn has been sung as a liturgical even to this day.

First of all, God the Father is a source of all blessing. (Ephesians 1:3 and 2 Corinthians 1:3) Secondly, all creatures praise God and His spirit is in us. (Psalm 104: 24-30 and 1 Corinthians 2: 10-13) Lastly, the phrase refers to God the Son, (Hebrews 1:4) Jesus, seated at the right hand of God in the heavens and the last line is directed to praising God, Father and Holy Spirit. These are the outbursts of the psalms and earth and heaven praising God. (Psalm 96:11-12)

Even our everyday miracles, answers to prayer, and waking in the morning are reasons to rise and praise Him. He is worthy of all praise! Put the music on when the coffee pot perks; shout songs of praise with the birds; and speak, read, recite and remember the Psalms. Praise His Name!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GneJ9LfkSn0

SANTOSHA

Is there contentment and acceptance in your present circumstances? We are all invited to find the tranquility that exists in every moment and yet in a world of deception, hurt and craziness, inner peace is difficult to attain.

In 2 Thessalonians 3:16, Paul wrote,“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times, in all ways. The Lord be with you all.”

Many people continue to search for meaning in life; for contentment - whether that be through different adventures, various relationships or even numerous thoughts and attempts to connect with self or the spiritual world.

There was once a wise woman who would travel through the mountains. One day she found a precious stone in a stream she was walking near. Shortly after, she met a traveler who was very hungry. When she opened her bag to share her meal, the traveler saw the precious stone and begged the woman to give it to him. Without hesitation, the woman handed it to him. Rejoicing in his good fortune, the traveler left. Holding it in his hand, he realized that the stone was worth a great amount that would provide security for him for the rest of his life.

A few days later, the traveler returned to the woman who was willing to share her food. “I’ve been thinking,” the traveler told her. “I realize that this stone has great value, but I would like to return it to you in exchange for something even more precious. Please give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone.” (“The Wise Woman’s Stone”)

The woman didn’t have her fingers tightly holding the stone, but gave it freely to the traveler and despite the fact that he could have lived out his days in peace and luxury, he wanted to know what she possessed that he didn’t.

What is it in us as humans that has us craving more? Never really satisfied with our present circumstances? has us needing more things, toys, stuff? Will we ever be content? Yes, you can have that contentment by asking Jesus to live in your heart. He gave us the Holy Spirit to guide, direct and keep us in life and peace. Don’t you want to have that peace?

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:3

RUDENEJA

Autumn, fall, summer’s end. Call it what you will, but it is the most spectacular display of colors and beauty in the foothills and in the mountains. It’s that sound of crackling, crispy leaves as one wanders and treks through the forest. It’s the changing colors from green hues to vibrant reds, oranges and yellows. It’s the dancing leaves that float down or race across the grass as they are blown about by the gusts of wind. This is “rudeneja” - the way nature and the weather begin to feel. Cooler evenings and frosty mornings. Winter peeks its head around the corner dazzled by the spectacular display of God’s handiwork.

Peace, tranquility, rest. This is what we long for either at the end of the day or in our world today. With the recent Middle East conflict, there is a display of power and military might. It’s the sound of cracking guns and deadly explosions as people scatter, screaming, running for cover from the mahem. It’s the war we never want to see. This is humanity - history repeating itself over and over. Nations sparring and guns ablazing. Human lives are lost and tear streak faces are seen, mourning cries are heard and death’s smell permeates the air. We are shocked, dismayed and confused by man’s actions.

The bible’s prophets told us that there would be wars and rumours of wars, but this one is affecting the entire world.

A Message of God, the Master: Years ago when I spoke through my servants, the prophets of Israel, wasn’t it you I was talking about? Year after year they prophesied that I would bring you against them. And when the day comes, Gog, you will attack that land of Israel. Decree of God, the Master. My raging anger will erupt. Fueled by blazing jealousy, I tell you that then there will be an earthquake that rocks the land of Israel. Fish and birds and wild animals—even ants and beetles!—and every human being will tremble and shake before me. Mountains will disintegrate, terraces will crumble. I’ll order all-out war against you, Gog—Decree of God, the Master—Gog killing Gog on all the mountains of Israel. I’ll deluge Gog with judgment: disease and massacre, torrential rain and hail, volcanic lava pouring down on you and your mobs of troops and people.

“‘I’ll show you how great I am, how holy I am. I’ll make myself known all over the world. Then you’ll realize that I am God.’” Ezekiel 38

Let us pray for Israel - God’s chosen people - prayer for our enemies and for peace during this time in our history.