MORE BITS AND PIECES

FIRST BIT: Can you imagine being on that boat the night that Jesus walked on the water. Have you ever tried walking on water. Go ahead. Not only did Jesus walk on the water but he told Peter to give it a try. And Peter tried and for a little while he walked on the water until he saw the waves around him and lost his nerve and faith…. He began sinking. Remember when Jesus commanded the sea to be calm. Peter was in utter confusion as he looked at Jesus. He thought he knew Jesus quite well until that moment. He was undone and fell on his knees and said “Depart from me Lord for I am a sinner.” I wonder if sometimes I am so busy wanting God to work that I fail to realize who this person really is. Just a thought.

FIRST PIECE: Some traditions our family has: This one might come as a bit shocking but on Christmas Eve we pull out the mattresses and put them in front of the Christmas tree and we all sleep in the living room together. In our earlier days it was Jeff and Amy against me in the biggest pillow fight you ever saw. Then at about 11 everything calmed down and we went to sleep. A couple of years ago (as we were ready to go to sleep) I asked, “what do you remember about Christmas’ past ..that was good. In the morning we read the Christmas story and open presents……
Another tradition is on the weekend of December 1rst about 8 or 9 families go to a Christmas tree farm, cut down our trees. We head to the building on their site have hot chocolate while most of the kids go on a horse drawn sleigh ride. From there we order in pizza and go to someones house to eat and chat.
In March we have what the Big Boss-Little Boss tournament. In 1988 Lynn and I invited 8 other people to play Big Boss-Little Boss. We have had one every year since. We had it again last Sunday afternoon. 28 people (adult tournament) showed up. Up to two years ago we had it in our basement (32 people) but we rented out the rec center the last two years. Big Boss is a card game that practically anyone can learn. 6 to 96. It is amazing how the adults we invite look forward to coming. If you want to learn the game and come up here next march I’ll send you the rules.

SECOND BIT:
More great lines from songs.

“do you ever wonder just what God requires
You think He’s just an errand boy to satisfy your wondering desires”
(When You Gonna Wake Up.. Bob Dylan)
“We say Lord give us comfort, Lord give us peace
heal our nation can’t you see…
Yes my people I hear all you ask
I see how you pray, I see how you fast
But I also see children who wander in fear
Small swollen bodies starving in fear
(Isaiah 58 Terry and John Michael Talbot)

BITS AND PIECES

FIRST BIT: I was talking to a friend the other day. I asked him, “Do you really like going to church?” he said, “No but I think it has been good for me.” Now that is an answer I don’t quite like. There are things in life that we may not like but is good for us. Like eating healthy, practicing piano that we might get better, disciplining the children, and so on…. but assembling (we are called to assemble) the believers together is for the purpose of edifying and being edified. It is supposed to fill us and be edifying. And most of all it is to be an all member participation. How in the world did the church assembling get to the way it is now….. I don’t know????? How did people come to enjoy routines and sameness in church services with only two or three people involved. No wonder Gordon Cosby has said “We are structured towards infancy”

FIRST PIECE: War has started. Do we really think that war will bring peace? Suppose they get rid of Sadam Hussein. Do we think that will stamp out terrorism. Will not in fact thousands more terrorist arise in his place. I wonder if Jesus and His followers would have enlisted today.

SECOND BIT: The greatest call that Jesus gives is to love: Love God, love neighbour, love your enemies, love one another. Now I am not very good at this call. I’d much rather do my own thing and hang out with those I like. But God is changing that in me. I really believe that is the cross life. Love is hard so instead of building small communities that love one another we develop programs to get involved in……… go figure.

SECOND PIECE: Great lines from songs

“ But that was so long ago that I can scarcely feel
The way I felt before
And if time could heal the wounds
I would tear the threads away that I might bleed some more….. “
( The last time I saw her face Gordon Lightfoot).

Just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snow,
Lies the seed, that with the sun's love, in the spring becomes The Rose.
(The Rose Bette Midler)

A song about following Jesus:
“He bid me follow
My cross to carry
This child became a man
And back to child again.
(Down the city streets…. fjd )