The very famous hymn “Amazing Grace” was written in 1772 by John Newton. As a young man, John Newton was in the Royal Navy briefly and then began a career as a slave ship captain. He was not a man of faith. After surviving a horrific storm at sea, he began to exhibit noticeable changes. He started to explore Christianity and indeed became more and more faithful. He also began to encourage his seamen to treat their charges with kindness and humanity. After a stroke forced him to leave the sea, he was ordained into Christian ministry in 1764. At the end of his life, he expressed regret that he had been involved in the slave trade and spoke out against the trafficking of human beings. We don’t know who wrote the well known and much beloved music that was combined with his lyrics long after John Newton was dead.
The succinct description penned by Newton of the grace offered to us by a loving God has lately intrigued me. He says so very much in so very few words. I have probably sung this hymn hundreds of times and never really actually read and internalized what it says. It is a standard at most funerals and is even popular in secular music circles. My request of you, the reader, is to read and carefully consider the words transcribed below. I need write nothing else. I am completely incapable of improving on the words as penned by a former slave trader more that two hundred years ago.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,That saved a wretch like me -I once was lost but now am found,Was blind, but now, I see.
T'was Grace that taught -my heart to fear.And Grace, my fears relieved.How precious did that Grace appear -the hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares -we have already come.T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far -and Grace will lead us home.
The Lord has promised good to me -His word my hope secures.He will my shield and portion be -as long as life endures.
When we've been here ten thousand years -bright shining as the sun.We've no less days to sing God's praise -then when we've first begun.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,That saved a wretch like me -I once was lost but now am found,Was blind, but now, I see.
(Comments, corrections, suggestions or rebuttals are welcome. My email link is contained in “About me: view my complete profile” to the right of this page or use the comment section below which requires that you have a Google account.)
Friday, January 15, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
He Will Return
In yesterday’s blog entitled “Many Mansions”, I quoted from John 14: 1-6 in support of what we can expect to find in the way of residences in heaven. Since revising the blog, I have been contemplating the words of Jesus in verse 3.
3 "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (John 14:3)
Contained with in that verse is a truth that many Christians don’t think about too much and those words are “I will come again and receive you to Myself”. Mainstream Christian religions, in most cases, simply ignore the Bible’s claim that one day Christ will return to this earth. Sermons are not preached on the subject and the possibility is simply not acknowledged. There indeed is more than one way to get to heaven. If the Lord returns before we, as believing Christians die, we will be with Him in an instant and no funeral will have taken place. There are two very clear descriptions of what is often called “The Rapture”, although the word rapture is not in the Bible. Today I have gone to 1Thessalonians 4:13-18.
13 ¶ But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
In his letter to the believers at Thessalonica, Paul tells us very clearly what will happen. He does not tell us when it will happen. Jesus made it clear, as He is quoted in the gospels, that we can never know the appointed time. The power of the description is dramatic. Jesus will descend from heaven with a shout, the voice of an archangel and the trumpet of God. The dead believers from literally thousands of years will rise first followed by those who are alive and believe in their hearts that Jesus died and rose again on the third day. Many doubters would claim that the Rapture as described is simply impossible by human standards. I agree. By the standards of God; however, everything is possible. He has proven that over and over in the physical and spiritual world. Nothing is beyond the capabilities of God. How can we believe parts of the Bible and have our doubts about other parts of the Bible?
As a believer, the prospect of joining Jesus in heaven in the twinkling of an eye is indeed something to cherish. There is, however, a down side realized all too well by most Christians. What about loved ones and friends who are left behind? They will still be able to become believers, but they will live in a very difficult period described in the Bible as “The Tribulation”. We continue to live in a period of grace. Have you accepted the grace offered to you as a free gift by a loving God? The period of grace could end in several hundred years or indeed it could end this afternoon.
(Comments, corrections, suggestions or rebuttals are welcome. My email link is contained in “About me: view my complete profile” to the right of this page or use the comment section below which requires that you have a Google account.)
3 "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (John 14:3)
Contained with in that verse is a truth that many Christians don’t think about too much and those words are “I will come again and receive you to Myself”. Mainstream Christian religions, in most cases, simply ignore the Bible’s claim that one day Christ will return to this earth. Sermons are not preached on the subject and the possibility is simply not acknowledged. There indeed is more than one way to get to heaven. If the Lord returns before we, as believing Christians die, we will be with Him in an instant and no funeral will have taken place. There are two very clear descriptions of what is often called “The Rapture”, although the word rapture is not in the Bible. Today I have gone to 1Thessalonians 4:13-18.
13 ¶ But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
In his letter to the believers at Thessalonica, Paul tells us very clearly what will happen. He does not tell us when it will happen. Jesus made it clear, as He is quoted in the gospels, that we can never know the appointed time. The power of the description is dramatic. Jesus will descend from heaven with a shout, the voice of an archangel and the trumpet of God. The dead believers from literally thousands of years will rise first followed by those who are alive and believe in their hearts that Jesus died and rose again on the third day. Many doubters would claim that the Rapture as described is simply impossible by human standards. I agree. By the standards of God; however, everything is possible. He has proven that over and over in the physical and spiritual world. Nothing is beyond the capabilities of God. How can we believe parts of the Bible and have our doubts about other parts of the Bible?
As a believer, the prospect of joining Jesus in heaven in the twinkling of an eye is indeed something to cherish. There is, however, a down side realized all too well by most Christians. What about loved ones and friends who are left behind? They will still be able to become believers, but they will live in a very difficult period described in the Bible as “The Tribulation”. We continue to live in a period of grace. Have you accepted the grace offered to you as a free gift by a loving God? The period of grace could end in several hundred years or indeed it could end this afternoon.
(Comments, corrections, suggestions or rebuttals are welcome. My email link is contained in “About me: view my complete profile” to the right of this page or use the comment section below which requires that you have a Google account.)
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Many Mansions
Lozanne and I have lived in nine different residences. Five were rental properties and four were houses that we purchased. Several of the rental properties were very basic, but suited our needs well in our youth. As I look out over the lake this very cold morning, I realize that our last home to date is our favourite. It is not because our current home in the country is so much more luxurious, but it does seem to suit us better for our age and stage. The quiet and the country setting accentuate the comfort of the place. Plainly stated, it is a very comfortable house in which to live. We have realized over the last decade that we actually own nothing in this world. Our current home is on loan from the Lord. There is not one resource that we enjoy on this earth that He has not created and allowed for us. The day will come of course when we will no longer require an earthly residence. Despite the fact, like everyone else, that I am in no hurry to return the property to my Lord, I do look forward to that promised heavenly home. We don’t know a lot about heaven, but I am very much excited by what Jesus tells us in John 14: 1-6.
1 ¶ "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
2 "In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
4 ¶ "And where I go you know, and the way you know."
5 Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?"
6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Did the word “mansions” catch your eye? The word “mansions” is used once in the Bible and it is in this verse. We are assured that there are not a few mansions available, but that there are many. We are also assured that Jesus has gone to prepare our place for us. As much as we have enjoyed or not enjoyed our earthly homes, just what is in store for us? I am fairly sure that I have never lived in a mansion and the likelihood of moving to one any time soon is rather remote. Will the mansions suit our tastes as developed here in our worldly existence? I can’t even speculate, but I do know that it will be indeed spectacular!
As believers in God and Jesus, we are assured our heavenly residence. Verse six tells us the only way to get to the Father and the Father is in heaven. Jesus doesn’t just demonstrate a good example of truth, He IS the truth. He is the only way that we can come to the Father. He is “the way, the truth and the life”. The way to heaven is not through church attendance, our willingness to tithe, our obeying the rules and least of all through our good works. The only way is the acceptance of Jesus as our personal saviour. He and only He is the way. Have you reserved your heavenly mansion yet?
(Comments, corrections, suggestions or rebuttals are welcome. My email link is contained in “About me: view my complete profile” to the right of this page or use the comment section below which requires that you have a Google account.)
1 ¶ "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
2 "In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
4 ¶ "And where I go you know, and the way you know."
5 Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?"
6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Did the word “mansions” catch your eye? The word “mansions” is used once in the Bible and it is in this verse. We are assured that there are not a few mansions available, but that there are many. We are also assured that Jesus has gone to prepare our place for us. As much as we have enjoyed or not enjoyed our earthly homes, just what is in store for us? I am fairly sure that I have never lived in a mansion and the likelihood of moving to one any time soon is rather remote. Will the mansions suit our tastes as developed here in our worldly existence? I can’t even speculate, but I do know that it will be indeed spectacular!
As believers in God and Jesus, we are assured our heavenly residence. Verse six tells us the only way to get to the Father and the Father is in heaven. Jesus doesn’t just demonstrate a good example of truth, He IS the truth. He is the only way that we can come to the Father. He is “the way, the truth and the life”. The way to heaven is not through church attendance, our willingness to tithe, our obeying the rules and least of all through our good works. The only way is the acceptance of Jesus as our personal saviour. He and only He is the way. Have you reserved your heavenly mansion yet?
(Comments, corrections, suggestions or rebuttals are welcome. My email link is contained in “About me: view my complete profile” to the right of this page or use the comment section below which requires that you have a Google account.)
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Our Canadian Flag
This morning, quite by accident, I unearthed from my files an artefact from my past. Five years ago, while going through all of my parents’ effects in order to clear out their apartment, I found a document that surprised me by its very existence. Both my mother and father lived independently until the end of their lives and passed away within 34 days of each other. The task of deciding what to do with two joint lifetimes of possessions and memories fell to my sister and myself with Lozanne’s capable assistance. There before me in a small strong box designed for important papers was a hand written speech that I wrote and delivered in grade seven. It is called “Our Canadian Flag”. My mother’s souvenir evoked a memory that I had not entertained in years.
I nervously mounted the stage in the Canadian Legion Hall in front of what seemed like hundreds of listeners. Much to my chagrin, I had won the public speaking contest for grade seven and eight students in our school and had advanced to the city level. The Canadian Legion has sponsored speaking contests for decades. My five minute speech was about the then Canadian flag called the Union Jack. In rereading the text of my speech, I am appalled even now with the boring content. The contest required that the speaker stay on the stage without a lectern for four to five minutes and any reference to speaking notes would result in a loss of points. I did indeed manage to stay on the stage and recited the speech with rehearsed mannerisms completely by memory. Unaccountably in my mind, I came third in the competition and received a long lost red fountain pen. Throughout all of that difficult evening, I concentrated on the promise of going ice fishing on the following day. This morning, I am contemplating why my mother would find the fifty year old event so worth preserving, and even more so, how we change as we age.
I spent much of my career speaking in public. It became second nature, even when I was unprepared, to hold forth on varied topics. Indeed, from time to time, I still deliver forty minute messages in local assemblies. I use speaking notes to remind me where I am in the discourse. Memorizing a five minute speech would be absolutely impossible for me now. I have trouble memorizing a Bible verse. The old brain and the new brain function completely differently. You will notice that I did not characterize the difference as bad, just different. The Lord has designed us to replace awesome memorization skill in youth with critical thinking and organizational skills as we age. I marvel at that design. As we lose one ability, He replaces it with another. Another very well known public speaker summed it all up so well in Acts 17: 26-28.
26 "And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings,
27 "so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;
28 "for in Him we live and move and have our being…
The apostle Paul is speaking to the Greeks in Athens. His message uses their “Unknown God” as an example to better describe how God has designed us all, determined the boundaries of our lives and offered us unending mercies so that we may search for and find Him. In Him we live and move and have our very being. How is that for an intimate relationship with our Jesus? My life and my capabilities are unfolding exactly as they should. God is not only my creator, but allows us through faith to be part of Him.
(Comments, corrections, suggestions or rebuttals are welcome. My email link is contained in “About me: view my complete profile” to the right of this page or use the comment section below which requires that you have a Google account.)
I nervously mounted the stage in the Canadian Legion Hall in front of what seemed like hundreds of listeners. Much to my chagrin, I had won the public speaking contest for grade seven and eight students in our school and had advanced to the city level. The Canadian Legion has sponsored speaking contests for decades. My five minute speech was about the then Canadian flag called the Union Jack. In rereading the text of my speech, I am appalled even now with the boring content. The contest required that the speaker stay on the stage without a lectern for four to five minutes and any reference to speaking notes would result in a loss of points. I did indeed manage to stay on the stage and recited the speech with rehearsed mannerisms completely by memory. Unaccountably in my mind, I came third in the competition and received a long lost red fountain pen. Throughout all of that difficult evening, I concentrated on the promise of going ice fishing on the following day. This morning, I am contemplating why my mother would find the fifty year old event so worth preserving, and even more so, how we change as we age.
I spent much of my career speaking in public. It became second nature, even when I was unprepared, to hold forth on varied topics. Indeed, from time to time, I still deliver forty minute messages in local assemblies. I use speaking notes to remind me where I am in the discourse. Memorizing a five minute speech would be absolutely impossible for me now. I have trouble memorizing a Bible verse. The old brain and the new brain function completely differently. You will notice that I did not characterize the difference as bad, just different. The Lord has designed us to replace awesome memorization skill in youth with critical thinking and organizational skills as we age. I marvel at that design. As we lose one ability, He replaces it with another. Another very well known public speaker summed it all up so well in Acts 17: 26-28.
26 "And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings,
27 "so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;
28 "for in Him we live and move and have our being…
The apostle Paul is speaking to the Greeks in Athens. His message uses their “Unknown God” as an example to better describe how God has designed us all, determined the boundaries of our lives and offered us unending mercies so that we may search for and find Him. In Him we live and move and have our very being. How is that for an intimate relationship with our Jesus? My life and my capabilities are unfolding exactly as they should. God is not only my creator, but allows us through faith to be part of Him.
(Comments, corrections, suggestions or rebuttals are welcome. My email link is contained in “About me: view my complete profile” to the right of this page or use the comment section below which requires that you have a Google account.)
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
I'm Confused
A recent newspaper article introduced me to comic author Ariane Sherine. She is a public and avowed atheist and has just written a book to help atheists grapple with the thorny issue of celebrating Christmas or not. Since atheists do not believe in God and indeed Christmas celebrates the first coming of Jesus to earth, I would think that the decision would be a very simple one. Strangely, most atheists still celebrate the Christmas season. Ariane Sherine is the originator of the bus advertisement campaign that started in London and spread to other cities around the world including Toronto, Calgary and Ottawa. Large signs are bought and paid for by groups of atheists, I can only assume. They read “There is probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.” Like Christians, evidently atheists can be lukewarm in their faith. I am greatly entertained by the word “probably”. Are they just being careful? Are they avoiding the much feared lightening bolt? Is there room for doubt? They fund the signs, but stop short of getting their message out there in a clear concise manner.
The second sentence is “Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.” This is where I become very confused. If there is no God, then this is all there is. There is only the random here and now and there will be only the blackness of death that will end the here and now. This is exactly the opposite argument of the very basics I grappled with in 1996. Before I became saved, I spent years searching for something beyond “is this all there is?” What a depressing theory to accept. If I accept the idea that there is indeed no God, THEN I shall start to worry. How can one enjoy a life that is short, hard and ends in the finality of death? How can one give up the comfort of the scriptures and of prayer? God is very real to me. If I don’t have Him in my life, then I am very worried and not enjoying my life. I will join Jesus in heaven for eternity. How can that be worrying? I suspect that the line implies that if you don’t believe in God, you can stop worrying about being “good” and pleasing God. They have completely missed the point. It is impossible for me to be “good” in any case. Am I not better off with a forgiving God who loves me despite my many and constant shortcomings? How could I enjoy my life more than I do now under the conviction and direction of a loving God who forgives all of the nonsense that I continually churn up in my very human existence?
Psalm 46 is a great antidote to the nonsensical signs on our buses. I have become very still and I know that He is God! Atheists should be the worried ones!
1 ¶ To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. A Song for Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
6 ¶ The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has made desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
11 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
(Comments, corrections, suggestions or rebuttals are welcome. My email link is contained in “About me: view my complete profile” to the right of this page or use the comment section below which requires that you have a Google account.)
The second sentence is “Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.” This is where I become very confused. If there is no God, then this is all there is. There is only the random here and now and there will be only the blackness of death that will end the here and now. This is exactly the opposite argument of the very basics I grappled with in 1996. Before I became saved, I spent years searching for something beyond “is this all there is?” What a depressing theory to accept. If I accept the idea that there is indeed no God, THEN I shall start to worry. How can one enjoy a life that is short, hard and ends in the finality of death? How can one give up the comfort of the scriptures and of prayer? God is very real to me. If I don’t have Him in my life, then I am very worried and not enjoying my life. I will join Jesus in heaven for eternity. How can that be worrying? I suspect that the line implies that if you don’t believe in God, you can stop worrying about being “good” and pleasing God. They have completely missed the point. It is impossible for me to be “good” in any case. Am I not better off with a forgiving God who loves me despite my many and constant shortcomings? How could I enjoy my life more than I do now under the conviction and direction of a loving God who forgives all of the nonsense that I continually churn up in my very human existence?
Psalm 46 is a great antidote to the nonsensical signs on our buses. I have become very still and I know that He is God! Atheists should be the worried ones!
1 ¶ To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. A Song for Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
6 ¶ The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has made desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
11 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
(Comments, corrections, suggestions or rebuttals are welcome. My email link is contained in “About me: view my complete profile” to the right of this page or use the comment section below which requires that you have a Google account.)
Sunday, January 3, 2010
George
I have mentioned in an earlier blog my time spent on the farm with my great aunt and uncle. I visited for a week or two for a couple of years when I was about six or seven years of age. The memories are vivid. My second cousins, all of whom were adult males, loved to allow me to experience new frontiers for my age. I actually drove a Model “A” coup on the farm roads with the assistance of a cousin beside me in the passenger seat. I was placed on a very large work horse and rode him to the farm boundaries and back. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized that the horse was taking me on a very familiar route that the horse would have completed whether I was on his back or not. The speed was an extremely slow walk. I still remember the height and shear size of that beautiful and powerful animal. As long as I hung on to the mane there was no danger and indeed I did hold on. Only now can I imagine the amusement of all the adults around me to watch me being handled and babysat by that beautiful animal, when I actually believed that I was in control.
Within the farm house was another very edifying and humanizing experience. Housed in a large, clean and bright back bedroom was my second cousin George. George was severely developmentally delayed. Institutionalization was an unthinkable alternative to my Great Aunt. Indeed she cared for George every day of his life until she died. Not surprisingly, as so often happens to the handicapped, he died shortly after her passing. He lived into his thirties. He was bedridden and except for being carried to a chair, never left that room, at least during my visits. He required assistance to sit up in bed. His speech was unintelligible baby talk coming from an older teenager. At first I was somewhat fearful about entering that room. Over time I was encouraged to pay visits to George in his room. I became accustomed to his verbalizations and gestures and indeed spoke to him in response. I do remember that he seemed to enjoy my visits. I often marvel at the early education the Lord gave me in interacting with handicapped individuals. As an educator, I was destined to work with severely and moderately developmentally delayed students for a period of six years. They are my best remembered students.
I have over the last several years thought more and more about who I would like to greet and speak to in heaven. I cannot begin to assume that such will be possible, but with so many other fantastic experiences confirmed by scripture, I can at least enjoy very much the prospect of meeting others who have gone before me into heaven. I believe that the vast majority of us will get into heaven for not our good works but because of our faith and our belief. A certain few like George will be there by default. Since he was, over his short life, unable to profess his faith, a graceful and merciful Jesus has welcomed him into eternity. In 1Corinthians 15: 42-44, we read these wonderful words.
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption.
43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.
44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
The natural body that failed George on this earth is raised in incorruption, in glory, and in power. I will meet him in his glorified spiritual body and he will be perfect in every way, as I will be. I will greet him, not in this weak and failing body, but in a glorified body designed to last into all eternity. I marvel at what he will be able to tell me. I marvel where my faith has taken me.
(Comments, corrections, suggestions or rebuttals are welcome. My email link is contained in “About me: view my complete profile” to the right of this page or use the comment section below which requires that you have a Google account.)
Within the farm house was another very edifying and humanizing experience. Housed in a large, clean and bright back bedroom was my second cousin George. George was severely developmentally delayed. Institutionalization was an unthinkable alternative to my Great Aunt. Indeed she cared for George every day of his life until she died. Not surprisingly, as so often happens to the handicapped, he died shortly after her passing. He lived into his thirties. He was bedridden and except for being carried to a chair, never left that room, at least during my visits. He required assistance to sit up in bed. His speech was unintelligible baby talk coming from an older teenager. At first I was somewhat fearful about entering that room. Over time I was encouraged to pay visits to George in his room. I became accustomed to his verbalizations and gestures and indeed spoke to him in response. I do remember that he seemed to enjoy my visits. I often marvel at the early education the Lord gave me in interacting with handicapped individuals. As an educator, I was destined to work with severely and moderately developmentally delayed students for a period of six years. They are my best remembered students.
I have over the last several years thought more and more about who I would like to greet and speak to in heaven. I cannot begin to assume that such will be possible, but with so many other fantastic experiences confirmed by scripture, I can at least enjoy very much the prospect of meeting others who have gone before me into heaven. I believe that the vast majority of us will get into heaven for not our good works but because of our faith and our belief. A certain few like George will be there by default. Since he was, over his short life, unable to profess his faith, a graceful and merciful Jesus has welcomed him into eternity. In 1Corinthians 15: 42-44, we read these wonderful words.
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption.
43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.
44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
The natural body that failed George on this earth is raised in incorruption, in glory, and in power. I will meet him in his glorified spiritual body and he will be perfect in every way, as I will be. I will greet him, not in this weak and failing body, but in a glorified body designed to last into all eternity. I marvel at what he will be able to tell me. I marvel where my faith has taken me.
(Comments, corrections, suggestions or rebuttals are welcome. My email link is contained in “About me: view my complete profile” to the right of this page or use the comment section below which requires that you have a Google account.)
Friday, January 1, 2010
How Do You Spell Elephant?
Mrs. White was more than a little frustrated with her split grade two and three class. The silliness continued despite her frequent warnings. It was a Tuesday. I always remember Tuesdays. I hated Tuesday morning when I was eight years old. Indeed, in retrospect, I disliked it most of my school and working life. Tuesday morning, after opening exercises, always included answering the very boring questions in the Dent Spellers I used as a student and indeed as a teacher. It was a silent time of working at your desk. On that morning the whispering continued. I must admit that most of the time as a young child, I exhibited exceptional deportment. Her admonition was not aimed at me. Finally she said it. “The next pupil who talks will get the strap”. Young readers may be somewhat shocked with such severity, but such was reality in the fifties. We all knew beyond a doubt that the next person to speak without permission would most certainly be unceremoniously strapped in the hallway for all the school to hear. Three hits per hand was the minimum administered. I was positive that the child being strapped would not be me. Then it happened.
The student next to me asked in a hoarse but quiet whisper. “How do you spell elephant?” Without thinking, I whispered back, “e-l-e-p-h-a-n-t”. You guessed it. I was the only one Mrs. White heard and I found myself out in the hallway being strapped. The strange thing about the strapping was that she apologized to me before administering the corporal punishment. She knew that I was but the scapegoat. In order to maintain the discipline she expected in her classroom, someone had to be caught and punished. The very strange thing about my memory of that day is that I don’t remember the pain, I just remember the apology.
For the first third of my career as an educator, corporal punishment was allowed. Indeed on a few occasions, as a vice-principal, I was forced by similar circumstances and the demands of staff members to administer the strap. I would venture that the exercise was harder on me than the student getting the strap. I hated using the instrument that I still have as a souvenir of another time and place in my desk drawer downstairs. As a matter of fact, I have two straps which were never removed from the drawers of my desk for the remainder of my career after the abolition of corporal punishment in the early eighties. Oddly, the selection of a scapegoat was a common way of maintaining discipline. I once worked for a principal who strapped very infrequently, but always in the empty basement so that the very distinct noises of the leather hitting the hands could be heard clearly all over the school. The concept of selecting a scapegoat is very much a Biblical concept. In Leviticus 16: 8-10, we read the LORD’S instructions for atoning for sin.
8 "Then Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats: one lot for the LORD and the other lot for the scapegoat.
9 "And Aaron shall bring the goat on which the LORD’S lot fell, and offer it as a sin offering.
10 "But the goat on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make atonement upon it, and to let it go as the scapegoat into the wilderness.
The idea is that the sins of the people were placed on the scapegoat so that the goat could carry them away into the wilderness and they would be before the LORD, but at the same time forever gone. There is great beauty in this picture of the two goats. One goat is sacrificed in order to meet the lawful requirements of a holy God and the second goat is a type for the placing of all of our sins on Christ so that they may be taken away forever. What an opportunity we are given in return for our belief. We are no longer under the law. We have only to confess and repent of our sins and they are taken away forever through His finished sacrifice on the cross, never to be heard or seen again.
(Comments, corrections, suggestions or rebuttals are welcome. My email link is contained in “About me: view my complete profile” to the right of this page or use the comment section below which requires that you have a Google account.)
The student next to me asked in a hoarse but quiet whisper. “How do you spell elephant?” Without thinking, I whispered back, “e-l-e-p-h-a-n-t”. You guessed it. I was the only one Mrs. White heard and I found myself out in the hallway being strapped. The strange thing about the strapping was that she apologized to me before administering the corporal punishment. She knew that I was but the scapegoat. In order to maintain the discipline she expected in her classroom, someone had to be caught and punished. The very strange thing about my memory of that day is that I don’t remember the pain, I just remember the apology.
For the first third of my career as an educator, corporal punishment was allowed. Indeed on a few occasions, as a vice-principal, I was forced by similar circumstances and the demands of staff members to administer the strap. I would venture that the exercise was harder on me than the student getting the strap. I hated using the instrument that I still have as a souvenir of another time and place in my desk drawer downstairs. As a matter of fact, I have two straps which were never removed from the drawers of my desk for the remainder of my career after the abolition of corporal punishment in the early eighties. Oddly, the selection of a scapegoat was a common way of maintaining discipline. I once worked for a principal who strapped very infrequently, but always in the empty basement so that the very distinct noises of the leather hitting the hands could be heard clearly all over the school. The concept of selecting a scapegoat is very much a Biblical concept. In Leviticus 16: 8-10, we read the LORD’S instructions for atoning for sin.
8 "Then Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats: one lot for the LORD and the other lot for the scapegoat.
9 "And Aaron shall bring the goat on which the LORD’S lot fell, and offer it as a sin offering.
10 "But the goat on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make atonement upon it, and to let it go as the scapegoat into the wilderness.
The idea is that the sins of the people were placed on the scapegoat so that the goat could carry them away into the wilderness and they would be before the LORD, but at the same time forever gone. There is great beauty in this picture of the two goats. One goat is sacrificed in order to meet the lawful requirements of a holy God and the second goat is a type for the placing of all of our sins on Christ so that they may be taken away forever. What an opportunity we are given in return for our belief. We are no longer under the law. We have only to confess and repent of our sins and they are taken away forever through His finished sacrifice on the cross, never to be heard or seen again.
(Comments, corrections, suggestions or rebuttals are welcome. My email link is contained in “About me: view my complete profile” to the right of this page or use the comment section below which requires that you have a Google account.)
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