A hand sanitizer, meant to protect people from germs, has been recalled because of bacterial contamination, Health Canada announced. This is one of the latest of announcements which come with alarming regularity – contaminated food, water, unfit for humans to drink, cosmetics that are unsafe, and so on. A lot of this confusion is probably due to human error. How reassuring it is to know that, while we cannot always trust supposedly safe products on the market, we can always trust the God of the Bible. He is all knowing, all powerful, He never makes mistakes and He never changes. His word is true and available. David the psalmist wrote of that wonderful book, “your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Please- read the bible – the world’s all-time best seller.
Category Archives: Just a minute
August 1 – The Red and Blue Lobster
There are red lobsters and blue lobsters, but a lobster was caught recently with an almost even split between red and blue. Well if lobsters can have an identity crisis, this one is slated for trouble. Is he red or blue? The bible talks about folks who are “double minded” who can’t make up their mind whether to serve God or not. A divided allegiance will cause constant conflict until a decision is reached. One Old Testament prophet asked his people the following pertinent question: “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him!” Jesus gave a wonderful invitation when he said, “come follow me.” He was saying, “Make up your mind; will it be a life lived for self, or for God?” That invitation is still open to every one of us.
July 30 – Bullying an Old Woman
Four seventh grade students from Greece, New York mercilessly taunted 68 year old Karen Klein on the web, especially making fun of her weight. But they got caught – their identities leaked out on, you guessed it, the web. Sympathy for Klein was so strong, that when it became know what she had gone through, hundreds of thousands of dollars came in to support her. The four tormentors have received an onslaught of threats and abuse, and are under police protection. Surprisingly, in spite of the vicious bullying, police said Klein does not want the children to face criminal charges. There’s no question of their guilt – they were cruel and mean – but she doesn’t want them prosecuted. It reminds one of the Love of Christ. Of Him it was said, “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” And just as there was forgiveness for these mean young rascals, there is forgiveness for you and me.
July 27 – Rollo May’s famous quote
“It is an old and ironic habit of human beings to run faster when we have lost our way”, so said psychologist Dr. Rollo May. And philosopher Henry Thoreau declared, “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” These words fit today’s world so well. Many run from their conscience, fears, past and commitments. They have tried and failed or have succeeded, some accumulating great wealth only to find it doesn’t bring happiness – running from one amusement to another, but still bored. Perhaps as you read today, you are on a quest – seeking answers, seeking peace. Jesus has promised, “My peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you.” Paul told us how to have that peace when he said, “Therefore since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
July 25 – PM’s Daughter Left Behind
British Prime Minister David Cameron’s office recently confirmed that the Prime Minister’s eight year old daughter Nancy had been left behind after a visit with friends and their children. Happily, she was only separated from her distraught parents for fifteen minutes. The parents had left separately, and each one presumed she was with the other. Often, in our world, people get overlooked and lost in the crowd. The underprivileged, those of a different ethnic origin, the handicapped or those who don’t fit the culture – we tend to pass them by. But our Lord never did – he touched and healed lepers, he talked with the immoral Samaritan woman, he ate with the despised Zachaeus. His invitation is open to all, ”if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in.”
July 23 – Teacher Fired for giving Zeros
Lyndon Dorval, an Edmonton physics teacher, has been suspended for giving zeros to students who have not completed assignments. But the theory is that a zero is unfair, because most students have some understanding of what is taught. Dorval believes it is wrong to coddle students and allow them to graduate – especially when poorly prepared for college. His superiors seem to be saying, “Ignore the unpleasant and pretend all is well. There is no right or wrong – everyone should do that which is right for him or her.” But wrong actions still produce undesirable consequences. They produce people who are not prepared for this life – or the next. God says, “whatever a man sows, that he will Also reap.” Let’s face the unpleasant truth – we need changed hearts, and only God can do that.
July 20 – Rotating House
Do you want more sun? Tired of the view from your kitchen window? Well, a house now under construction in North Rustico in PEI will be able to rotate 360 degrees. The round house is designed by Mr. Luke Everingham. I wish the owners well. They will have a tremendous view of beautiful North Rustico. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could change our lives by pressing a button? No more boredom, uninteresting jobs, or troublesome relationships. Unfortunately this is not the case in the real world. But there is someone who can help. He doesn’t do it by changing our circumstances, but by changing us. The Apostle Paul described it writing, “If anyone is in Christ, he, or she is a new creation. Old things have passed away, all things have become new.” Please note – it is for those who are “in Christ” – having invited Christ into the lives by faith.
July 18 – A Pill for Every Problem
“North Americans have become conditioned into believing that there is a prescription for every common ache or disease,” according to Dr. W. Gifford Jones. This philosophy of a pill for every problem is troubling because the root cause of the situation is often overlooked. Sadly, many take the same approach regarding spiritual needs. We try to improve our selves, go to church, get baptized or sprinkled, give to charities, all hoping to impress God. But the Bible, God’s inspired word, teaches that the root of the problem is the heart. God describes it as “deceitful and desperately wicked.” Instead of stubbornly refusing to face the truth, and admitting we need a new heart, we take spiritual pills and overlook the root problem – sin. Are you facing reality, or “just taking pills”?
July 16 – Ken Wong’s Sacrificial Love
Ken Wong gave up his job, and his hopes of building his career. He chose to stay with his wife – just 46 years old, who suffers from early onset dementia. It has led to rapid loss of language and cognitive impairment. Wong does not know how long his savings will last, or when he will be able to work again – but he loves his wife and promised to stay with her in sickness or health. As great as that human love is, the bible talks of an even greater sacrificial love. Paul wrote of it, saying, “…while we were still weak, ….Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person – though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die – but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” He did it all for you and me. What a Savior!
July 13 – Florence Green
Florence Green, the last known surviving veteran of the First World War, has died at the age of 110. She never served on the front lines, but with the women’s RAF as a waitress. It was not until 2010 that she was officially recognized as a veteran, after her service record was found in Britain’s national archives. Records are important in this life and in the life to come. Paul was inspired to write,” so then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” Our all-knowing heavenly father makes sure everything about us is being recorded, which can be frightening or comforting, depending on our relationship with our maker. Happily, John the apostle wrote about those who have made their peace with God, with the words, “and this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son”.
Tools for HOPE 