Where are our "now" heroes of the faith?

     

     Recently, many of us have been overheard saying, “Thank goodness, the incessant media focus on this crazy, unparalleled U.S. election will soon be over!” 

     The election, to take place in less than a week, has most asking the question, “What will America look like after the dust has settled?” 

     It seems obvious that the results will have huge implications, not only for us as Canadians, but for the world in general. We believe our southern neighbours are in big trouble in many ways. Yet our own confused, insecure generation is looking for solutions to our country’s similar problems. 
   
     

     Franklin Graham, (CEO of the Billy Graham Association of Canada) says, “The only hope for Canada and the United States is Almighty God — and I believe it’s definitely not too late if we, as individuals and as a nation, will turn to Him in repentance. Our countries desperately need God’s healing.” 

     Franklin carried this message of hope, as his Decision America Tour visited each state capital during these last months. 

     Franklin says, “Well over 100,000 people have joined together at lunchtime on Capitol steps and grounds in state after state to intercede for this nation and ask God to heal our troubled land. The proverbial walls are crumbling from the moral rot of abortion, sexual rebellion and the idol of money. “We see our nation in trouble  — spiritually, racially, economically and politically.” 

     Franklin goes on to explain, “America is at a crossroads. The descent into godless immorality and debauchery has accelerated so rapidly that unless God intervenes, our country will never be the same. Our culture is on the verge of a complete rejection of the moral restraining power of the church that has prominently played a role in the nation’s history.” 
    
     Having no hope in either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump, Franklin says, "My only hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ and His power to transform hearts and bring revival and moral renewal.” 

     Franklin’s description of his country’s perils sound all too familiar. I believe many bewildered worldlings are asking, “Is there any word from the Lord?” They know there is no intelligent word from any other source. 

     Have we no modern Moses? Where are our “now” heroes of the faith? 

     What is my part in all of this? Am I to just be a “spectator” while Lucifer keeps many in this generation perishing in the camp of moral bondage?  

     2 Chronicles 7:14  implores us with these words,  ..."if my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."     

     Regardless of who may triumph in the election, my hope will continue in Almighty God who is still very much in control and knows all!   

     He is Sovereign, Loving, and Not Willing That Anyone Should Perish.  Pray!  Pray! Pray!    

“I question not God’s means or ways, Or how He uses time or days  To answer every call or prayer — I know He will, somehow.”   

— Unknown

— beulah

Thanksgiving: another year of blessings

     

     Thanksgiving has once more come and gone. Many families like mine, I’m sure, gathered around their tables expressing thanks for another year of blessings.

     Meanwhile, coming across the airwaves was the news of the severe storms that caused unbelievable devastation in Haiti and also to our Maritime friends — a stark reminder to us all to stop taking things for granted.

     Expressing gratitude, I believe, is a conscious choice we need to make daily. The more we express gratitude the more aware we become of God’s blessings and His Presence in our lives. 

     Last weekend feels almost like a dream. My family of 18 met together at the lovely Carmel Cove Resort, near Blind Bay. We feasted and played and sang and prayed together in two large, side-by-side lodges. Floor to ceiling windows on one side of the lodge opened up onto large decks facing the lake and Copper Island. 

     

     We were constantly awed by the beautiful display of God’s goodness in creation, especially as we gazed at the autumn splendor on the mountain vistas surrounding  Shuswap Lake. 

     Rising for three mornings in a row to have breakfast with so many of my children was unbelievable. 

     An image I still savour is waking early Monday morning to discover Evie (5 years old) and Melissa (2 years old), my two precious great-grands, chatting together as they sat on stools at the breakfast bar, eating their peanut butter and banana toast. 

     

     I would just blink, it seemed, and a different family would be in the kitchen, efficiently preparing yet another delicious meal.

     The cooking, baking, and buying everyone did made our feast days varied and special. 

     My goal for our family during this weekend away was to provide a retreat-like atmosphere that would encourage family friendship and connections, and also give much needed time for refreshment. 

     

     We met together after breakfast each morning for family worship and focus on special highlights of the day. 

     It was fun hanging out throughout the day, connecting in various ways as we got caught up in each other’s lives and even learned a few things about each other.  

     

     It’s probably the old teacher in Karen and me, but we couldn’t seem to help ourselves. 

     For years, we’d go the extra mile at school, squeezing in just one more creative idea. 

     So, during our planning, James, at times, helped us rein in our thinking. We ended up having plenty to do, but also lots of free time. 

Moments to Remember:

• Sneaking into everyone’s bedroom, before they arrived, to place on pillows a specially selected Bible verse and chocolate for each family member

• Reading the personal gratitudes people hung on our traditional Thanksgiving tree

• Spontaneous singing after Karen presented Family Music-Making Binders she created with words and chords to classics, old and new

• Insta-Gram fun — each family member having shared selfies with Gram

• Seeing guitars, harmonica, jambay, and shakers come out during enthusiastic singing of old favourites like Take It Easy and Take Me Home, Country Roads

• Two-year-old Melissa, who loves her own violin, making music with violinist, Auntie Debi
  

• Observing the camaraderie of kinfolk during KP duties

• Enjoying a spa moment in the hot tub with Tyler and Roger

• Richard walking with his aging mom, my sister Merle, along the lakeside

• Hearing Evie’s squeals of laughter in the pool with Sarah and Tyler

• Challenging Debi and Karen to a pool game at the clubhouse, with coaching from Roger

• Thanksgiving liturgy with readings, singing and prayers

• Puzzle contest between lodges

• Bingo party and other group games

• Down memory lane, sharing stories of Nels and the way we were, (although he left us nine years ago this Thanksgiving, more than his picture was present with us.)  Nels’ legacy of love for family and fun was evident throughout our time together

• Krista led the family in an intergenerational prayer time as different family members led in praying for the special needs of each age group

• We actually remembered to take a family photo, this time, before parting company

• We missed you Ashton, Jonathan, Joey, Jordan, Rebecca, Lily and Zachary!

     

     

     "Even when I am old and gray do not for sake me, oh God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come."

— Psalm 71:18

— beulah

Click on link below to hear audio of the family singing,

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

PHOTO GALLERY

Amazing grace, the do-over

     

     Lately, I have been thinking about the virtue, “self-control,” something that seems to be lacking these days, especially in the public sector. 

     

     So, deciding to refer to my trusty dictionary, I found these nice sounding definitions, such as: calmness, composure, patience, self-discipline and self-restraint. 

     Are the moral disciplines parents have tried to install in today’s generation being forgotten or just ignored? 

     Could our fast-paced society and the urgency of wanting our needs fulfilled "now", be negatively affecting our social behaviour? 

     Because of the pressures and demands of life, many find themselves in a non-stop, hectic pace of survival, often not of their own choosing. Sadly, we continue hearing of terrible road-rage accidents on our highways and family disagreements that too often result in disastrous outcomes. 

     I imagine many of us tuned in to the on-going drama taking place in our neighbouring country, as we watched the two U.S. president-hopefuls, Clinton and Trump, spar off with their first debate. 

     Expecting one or the other, at some point, to “lose their cool,” I was pleasantly surprised to see their somewhat controlled composure. Of course, hotter debates are yet to come. Though we realize our politicians are human just as we are, yet we often shake our heads whenever we see the obvious "lack of control". 

     Jesus reminds us, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone.” (John 8:7).  

     This past May, our Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “lost it” and walked across the floor of the House of Commons and ended up “manhandling” someone he disagreed with. 

     Of course, it didn’t take long for the footage to go viral with the vote temporarily postponed. 

     

     A day or so after, a leadership banquet was being held at Canada’s National Prayer Breakfast in Ottawa. Mr. Trudeau was in attendance, the first sitting prime minister to attend the prayer breakfast in 25 years. He read verses from the Bible that he chose himself. 

     Without fanfare, we’re told he read from Romans 12: “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you… Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another… Do not be proud.” (vs 3, 14-16).  

     Jack Murta, who oversees the yearly prayer breakfast event, said the prime minister sat in bed that night after the vote, reading the Bible — good place to go when you’ve blown it! 

     We all "blow it" from time to time. And we all need forgiveness and understanding. 

     Psalm 130:3-4 says, ”If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.” 

     

     We all need do-overs occasionally, and to be reminded of God’s amazing grace. What a monumental task in the hands of our leaders! 

     We need to remember to undergird them with our prayers. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 says, “I urge…that prayers, intersession and thanksgiving be made for… all those in authority.”   

     On a lighter note — “Bananas are the politicians’ fruit.  They’re yellow, they’re crooked, and they hang in bunches.” 

     Ha! Hope I haven’t offended anyone.

— beulah