Hurray! It's summer

     

     "Joy springs all radiant in my breast.  'Tis wealth enough of joy for me in summer time, to simply be."

— Dunbar

     Hurrah! It's summer! At least my calendar tells me it is, and  the beauty surrounding my patio attests to it. 

     I am glad I live in this hemisphere where I can enjoy four distinct seasons which never fail to showcase their each unique beauty. 

     We've let the Easterners have the sweltering temperatures of July, quite aware our own hot days, forthcoming. 

     To some folk, summer means shining up the RV and hitting the road. 

    
     

     Dave and Carolyn Eagles have been doing just that most weekends, as they have been getting used to their new, 32- ft., travel trailer, exploring the back roads of beautiful B.C. 

     Some folk apply the SPF40 sunscreen and head to the park, the beach or the lake. Others, find it the perfect time to entertain out-of-town visitors — perhaps even having a wedding celebration. 

     Then there are those who prefer what they call a staycation. 
  
     Quite content to hang up a hammock in the backyard, they pull up a lawn chair, go for walks with the dog, enjoy a glass of "something" with ice that clinks against its sides, sprawl in the shade of the patio and crack open a new book — they're satisfied to let the distractions of the world happen to other folk. 

     We know there's lots happening in our world we could feel anxious about, from problems in our own backyard, to Brexit and our counterparts across the pond, to Donald Trump's Triumphs (?). 

     Most of the news leaves us feeling helpless anyway. So, maybe we need to turn off the outside world, if even for a day or so. 

     The term marking time usually means, motion without progress, not getting anywhere, or not doing anything important while you wait. 

     Sometimes we need to embrace these pauses in our lives— often not by choice — such as a job interview result, a medical diagnosis, or longing for the return of a loved one. 

     Having set aside most of my activities for the summer months, I now at times feel I am in that marking time mode. 

     Believing that a busy person never has time to be unhappy or bored, I am usually a person of action. But, "how
  we wait," I believe, is important too. 

     The military command, "mark time, march," means to march in place without moving forward, yet being mentally prepared, expectantly waiting the next command. 

      In the Bible, the word wait often means to look eagerly for, to hope, or, to expect.
  
     So, as I march in place, enjoying peace and solitude — finding pleasure in simple things — I await His next marching orders. 

     I find quiet moments on my patio: reading, listening to the chatter of my bird friends, admiring the dance of the bees and butterflies surrounding my flowers. 

     Creation, with all its facets of beauty, often overwhelms us with an encounter with God, like none other. In God's great outdoors, our eyes, our ears, and our spirits open up to God in ways that cannot happen indoors. 

   

     My Kamloops kids — I'm allowed to still call them that — coming to Kelowna recently, brought smiles to this Grandma's face. It made for a great weekend of family fun. 

     Watching Sarah Letourneau (nee Eagles) and her soccer team beat their opponents at the University of British Columbia Okanagan playing field was a delight! 

     A sunny, Sunday morning saw eight family members enjoying brunch at the quaint Okanagan Centre patio cafe, and later at  nearby Pebble Beach, several family  members demonstrated their  paddle-boarding skills. 

     

Jamie and Karen Osborne enjoy the sunshine.

     Later, we shared a delicious meal later on my outdoor patio. It was a great ending to a perfect day. 

Dave Eagles tries the paddle board.

     As we take time to pause this summer — tuning out distractions and releasing our tensions, —we should then reflect with gratitude and awareness, as we see our blessings right before our eyes.  

     

     When Jesus was on our earth, He recognized the need of withdrawing from the crowds and the busyness of life to a solitary place of rest and quiet to spend time talking to his Father. 

     He encouraged his disciples to do likewise.  

      "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest," he told them.  Mark 6:31  

     What an example for us!  We would do well to heed it.  

— beulah


           

Acceptance begins with 1 and grows

     

     "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

— 1 Corinthians 13:13     

     The news coming across the airwaves this past week could easily cause one to be locked in a state of fear. 

     Perhaps, feeling another shockwave of insecurity, we watched the tragic unfolding of the carnage that took place along the Promenade of the French Riviera in the city of Nice, France. 

     Then, once again, seeing racial hatred raise its ugly head, threats and retaliation brought another community in mourning, with the unnecessary loss of lives.

     

     Remigio Pereira, a member of Canadian singing group, The Tenors — desiring to get his message across — got himself kicked out of the singing quartet after he unilaterally altered the lyrics to "O Canada" at the 2016 Major League Baseball All-star Game to include the phrase, "all lives matter to the Great."

     It was touching to watch the ER surgeon Dr. Brian Williams feeling such empathy and sorrow for not being able to save the lives of the five gunned down policemen. Williams said, "We all look the same on the inside." Being close to tears, Williams implored his fellow Americans, "to find a way to end the senseless killings. "Violence fixes nothing, racial hatred being the deepest fault line of our democracy." 

     Acceptance of each other, with our differences — I believe — begins at home and in each of our communities, putting a greater investment into our schools. 

     I was pleased recently, to see a sign on a fence surrounding my nearby elementary school. Amid colourful imitations of children of various races, was this simple statement,"Acceptance begins with one and grows." 

     I praise the school's administrators for seeking to instill the right message to our next generation — to learn to live with diversity and pluralism. While those countries mourned — at war with terrorists and racial hatred — our own country was in mourning over the loss of sweet, little, five-year-old Taliyah and her mom. 

     All week our hearts and minds were captured, as we offered prayers for those many families that lost that Someone who was so very dear and important to them. 

     Though we all want to feel that we live in a safe society, and our world in general is a pretty safe place, we must acknowledge there's a need for improvement— perhaps if only in our own attitudes towards our fellow men. "Love for God and our neighbour," is the fulfillment of all the laws of the Old Testament which we all need to take seriously.  

     

     Next month, in August, the Olympics will be held in Rio de Janerio. For many, the highlight of the games will be the opening ceremonies, as they watch teams from all corners of the world enter Maracana Stadium. More than 10,000 athletes from 206 countries will walk triumphantly into the spotlight. What a marvel of diversity of the nations, gathered peacefully together in one place — truly a display of unity on parade! 

     It's been said, "No other event on this globe brings people together like the Olympics." Yet, this will not be the greatest worldwide togetherness the world will ever see. At a future time, an event will occur when "a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, will join together before the throne and in front of the Lamb, Jesus."  — Revelation 7:9 

     The thousands of colourfully-clad Olympians entering the magnificent Rio stadium will pale in comparison to the upcoming parade of nations we will see on that day. 

     

     I have already secured my paid in full entrance to this marvellous future event — compliments of Jesus, my awesome Saviour!  

     Have you made your arrangements yet? If not, don't delay!  See John 3:16.

— beulah

True path of friendship, a two-way street

     

     Are there people in our lives that we are missing the chance to love?  
     Is there someone who may need our time, friendship, encouragement, a listening ear, or a helping hand? 

     Recently, Val, my neighbour and friend, passed from this life to her heavenly home. She certainly was one who qualified for all the above. Her short stay in hospital and shorter stay at the lovely Hospice house, was more or less expected. 

     Yet, facing the finality of death is never easy for family or friends. But, death is an excellent reminder of life — that life truly is a gift!  

     Val and I had been neighbours for several years, living close by on the same street, yet our friendship only began the first Christmas season after Nel's passing. 

  
     I heard that Val had taken a nasty fall on the ice, fracturing her hip. With Christmas just around the corner, I knew special baking would not be on her to do list that year. Soon a mixture of Christmas goodies, my Atlantic Chowder and Mile High Biscuits found their way to her door. 

     At that time, during my intense grief, I needed to focus on helping others, in order to find the purpose of each lonely day before me. I had already offered my help to serve dinner at the Salvation Army on Christmas Day. Val's husband was dealing with dementia at that time, adding to her concerns. 

     Val and I soon found we shared a strong bond of faith. We also shared February birthdays with the same age number. 

     Now beginning to feel comfortable with me, Val realized she could call me late at night if an urgent need arose, to ask for prayer, or to have me run a simple an errand. 

     Yet, at no time did I feel she took advantage of my kindness and availability, often reciprocating in loving and generous ways. I was grateful to accompany her the day she was transitioning her husband to a new care facility. 

     Later, after his death, I visited the local cemetery with Val as she needed to choose the final resting place for her beloved. Members of her family, being conspicuous by their absence seemed to have left the difficult task to Mother, alone. 

     As time passed, Val's failing strength with multiple health issues, saw her having to forfeit her driver's licence and soon, much of her mobility. 

     Her perseverance, courage and steadfastness, as she mastered each day, was admirable! 

     Often in our darkest and most difficult moments of life, the assurance of His loving Presence gives us confidence that we are not alone. 

     Val, so aware of this would often say, "My help comes from the Lord. I could never make it through a day without Him!" 

     Sometimes during a phone call, as she told through tears of her extra-hard day, ending with a prayer would often give her renewed hope. Once, I took by a pretty, blossoming house plant, attaching the following scripture verse printed on an index card. Those words became very precious and strengthening to her. 

     At one of my hospital visits, she asked me to bring her the card she had left at home on her dining table. It read: "So do not fear for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41: 10). 

     Have you ever felt, regarding your relationship with someone, that you only got the "crumbs of their time?" 

     Today, in our action-oriented world, it's tough to find someone, who can and will, respond to our invitation to "sit a spell" with us. Consequently, we can neglect the needs of others, even those who are closest to us. I can still hear Val say, from time to time, "I would like them to come and just sit with me for awhile." 

     Maybe our quiet presence is all that's needed to help that someone through a difficult situation. I believe, when we give away what the Lord has given us, He is honoured, others are helped, and we are blessed. 

     It may only be a small portion of "our time." When I took that chowder to my neighbour's door, nearly nine long years ago, I had no idea the agenda God already had in place for me. 

     

     As I mourn the loss of my good neighbour and friend, I relate this story to remind myself that as one of God's children, helping others, giving in different ways as I serve in Jesus' name, are not options but are to be my way of life. 

     A reminder in Philippians 2:3-4 says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility, consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."  

     My prayer is —Teach us Lord, to see people as You do —bearing Your image, worthy of Your love and needing Your care. Use us!  Amen.

— beulah

Regarding the rule of law

     

     How often have we heard the saying, "Rules were made to be broken?"

     

Pablo Picasso

     Pablo Picasso once said, "Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist." 

     Growing up as a child, I recall being taught a number of social behaviours or rules; to say please and thank you; to show respect for my elders, giving up my seat if an elder entered the room; to hold the door open for the person behind me; to say excuse me when passing directly in front of someone. 

     When I began attending school, I soon learned there where rules there also. I needed to respect others in my class and also what belonged to them. So many rules! 

     I began to feel adults must stay awake most of the night, thinking them up, just to make us kids feel miserable. 

     Then, as a young adult preparing for my driver's licence, I needed to become familiar with more rules — "the rules of the road." It didn't take long for me to feel grateful for each of them, appreciating their purpose. 

     Somewhere along the way, I began to learn that most rules are necessary and there is usually a consequence to rule-breaking. 

     As I matured, I learned that, as a society, we elect government that legislates proper behaviour for its citizens. I decided I would not want to live in our massive world, without the order and respect good laws bring to all of us. 

     Yet, with the mayhem we hear daily in the news, perhaps some are following the advice of Picasso (see above quote). The science of behaviour is called "ethics," (a system of morality). 

     In our western world, over the past 60 years, ethical perspectives have changed —  drastically. 

     Once it was assumed there was a universal right and wrong; today few would agree there are moral absolutes (perfection). But, we find them within the Ten Commandments, the Law that God handed down to Moses on Mount Sinai, recorded in the Bible. 

     They were given first of all, to show the people what God is like, because He created us to be a reflection of His moral image. 

     They were important guidelines for His people to live together in unity. 

     God's laws or commands are the core of how we were created and intended to live. 

     Sometime ago, my pastor Tim Schroeder presented a sermon on this very topic, later sharing some of his thoughts through his writings in our local newspaper. 

     

     Pause a moment to consider his words: 

     "Rather than viewing the Ten Commandments as an outdated list of prohibitions, try viewing them through this lens. 
     'Imagine,' says God, 'a world in which you and I have such a clear, intimate relationship that I am always your God. You're not confused about that, you're not off chasing after other gods trying to satisfy your cravings.'" 

     You shall have no other gods before me — no idols.

—Exodus 20:3-5 

     Imagine life with a sacred rhythm of productivity and rest and worship. (Keep the Sabbath day holy. — Ex. 20:8). 
     
     Imagine a world where life and relationships are treated as sacred. (You shall not murder. — Ex. 20:13). 
     
     Imagine a world in which family is all it can be, where parents are honoured and marriages are characterized by faithfulness and fidelity. (Honour your father and your mother. You shall not commit adultery. — Ex. 20:12, 14). 
     
     Imagine living in neighbourhoods where everyone can be trusted, and where their word is their bond. (You shall not steal. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbours. (Ex. —  20:15-16). 
     
     Imagine living in a world where everyone has enough because we don't live in a constant state of coveting more. (You shall not covet. — Ex. 20:17). 
     
     Just imagine life like that!" 

      Schroeder adds, "Many who want to push the Ten Commandments aside, do so in the name of freedom, resulting in paying the price of a moral vacuum." 
     
     Strangely, though given to us to reveal God's attributes, and for us to be a reflection of His image, He also knew they were humanly impossible for us to keep. 
     
     Then, along comes Jesus, the only sinless One who ever lived, with God's exact moral character, coming to fulfill the law, giving it its full meaning. (Matthew 5:17). 

     So it is —"only by His in-dwelling Holy Spirit, that Christian character is produced within," not by the mere moral discipline of trying to live by the law! 

   

     Whether it pleases us or not, Romans 13:1 reminds us... "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." 
     

     God is Sovereign! After all, He is the One we will ultimately answer to. 

     "By your grace, Lord Jesus, enable us to overcome the world (live victoriously), through faith and obedience to You." Amen.

— beulah

Tuum est! — It is yours! Choose wisely

     

Melissa, mom Krista and recent graduate Brayden Eagles.

     Recently, I had the privilege of watching my youngest grandson, Brayden Nicholas, receive the Degree of Bachelor of Science with a major in Biology, from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. 

     The graduation ceremony was held at Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, a very stunning concert hall. Adding to the excitement of the big day was the added distinction of it occurring at a historic milestone for the university. 

     Exactly 100 years ago, UBC held its first Congregation Ceremony at which it granted degrees to the first 40 graduates, celebrating with their families at the Hotel Vancouver in spring of 1916. It has grown from those 40 inaugural graduates to over 310,000 alumni, from a student body of less than 400 to one that now exceeds 60,000. Close to 13,000 students will become the Class of 2016.  

     Echoing Chancellor Lindsay Gordon's challenging remarks to the graduates — "May you remain curious, open-minded and flexible as the journey unfolds, ensuring that you play your part in helping to build a better community, understanding the obligations that we make to one another in our civilized society, to our neighbours and also to strangers from afar."  

     President Martha C. Piper urged the now alumni to become involved with their society, turning their hard-earned knowledge and expertise to good use. Urging them to remember their motto, Tuum est!  It is yours!  

     Time will reveal the direction and destiny of Brayden and those several hundred classmates! Their career choices may take an entirely new direction than what they may now be contemplating. 

    Throughout the weekend Brayden and I spent some quality times, albeit brief, sharing interesting and insightful conversations. 

     

Brayden with Grandma Eagles.

     This Grandma was impressed and pleased with Brayden's maturing outlook on life; forming his own opinions and conclusions on important life issues; questioning and searching for his own answers — not necessarily accepting the status quo. 

     


     I'm sure, during his years of study thus far, the thoughts and writings of many, have broadened his perspective on life, as he seeks his own approach and answers to life. 

     My interest was immediately peaked when he mentioned Ben Carson, one of the world's foremost pediatric neurosurgeons at John Hopkins University Medical School. Finding the link (thanks to Brayden) and reading Dr. Carson's astounding accomplishments, I soon realized the "why" of Brayden's admiration of him. 

     Called, "the man with gifted hands for his surgical skill," Dr. Carson is a leading scholar and scientist who has inspired millions. He is also a creationist who is not afraid of openly voicing his conclusions to audiences the world over. 

     His openness about creation may inspire millions as well. After reviewing in detail the evidence for design in nature, Dr. Carson concluded, "I just don't have enough faith to believe that the living world happened by evolutionary processes." 

     He added that 150 years after Darwin, there is no evidence for evolution.  

     

Proud father and son, Roger and Brayden.

     Someone once made the statement that "what you are when you are 20, you will probably be for the rest of your life." 

     I heard of a sign on a dirt road in the outback of Australia that says, "Choose your rut carefully; you will be in it for the next 500 miles." It's a great description of life and the importance of choosing the right path while we are young. 

     When we are older, we have already formed behaviours, values and expectations, often creating some deep ruts. 

     

     So, my words of wisdom to Brayden and all graduates of 2016 are — choose God's way while you are young. As you seek God's agenda, anticipating all that He will do in your life, you will not have a more exciting and fulfilling life. After all, He already has a unique plan all laid out — just for you!  

     He says in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."      

     "Every man is a miracle! Hidden deep within his bosom is something special waiting to surface and grow into a great work. Honour a man for what is hidden within, for once discovered, that he will become."  

 — Unknown 

— beulah