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.”
Category Archives: Just a minute
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”.
July 11 – Costco for PEI?
Many islanders would like the retail giant Costco to come to PEI. Many even drive to Costco stores in either Moncton or Halifax. But why? One word: bargains. Most of us love good bargains. And speaking of bargains, Isaiah the Old Testament prophet was inspired by God to write, “come everyone who thirsts, come to the waters and he who has no money, come buy and eat, come buy without money …. without price.” What does this mean? You and I do not have anything to pay to have forgiveness of sins, because only God can do that. And we cannot buy our way into heaven; but though the wages for our sin is death, the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.” Now that is a bargain none of us can afford to miss. It is open to all who will, by faith receive it. I did; won’t you?
July 9 – Rolex Watches in a Drain
In Essex, England, a street cleaner was surprised to find a $33,500 Rolex watch in a drain. He turned it in, but when he returned to the site with a TV news crew, they were all shocked to discover three more valuable watches. I suppose most of us, at one time or another, dream of finding hidden treasure. The Bible warns us about laying up treasures on earth which do not last, and invites us to lay up treasures in heaven, where they last forever. And of course the greatest treasure anyone can have is the knowledge that you have received the gift of eternal life. Paul wrote about both the dangerous situation without having God in our lives, but then the wonderful promise with Him. “The wages of sin is death (and that means spiritual death), but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our lord. And that’s a treasure better than a Rolex watch, one that every one of us can have.
July 6 – Wallenda and Niagara Falls
Nik Wallenda has become the first person ever to walk a tightrope across the Niagara falls. With measured steps, he made his way from one country to another. As I watched this daring feat, I though of the cross that Jesus died on. He bridged the gap between earth and heaven for us all. Sin had created a great division between God and man. But when Jesus took the punishment for our sin, He made it possible for us to receive God’s forgiveness, and reach the golden shore. Paul wrote of it beautifully with the words, “but God shows His love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Nik Wallenda crossed from the USA to Canada on a tightrope. Christ makes it possible for us to cross from earth to heaven, because of the cross. Will you accept his offer?
July 4- The Wrong Way
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Over 1700 people die annually in America from crashes caused by drivers travelling the wrong way on a highway. Some were drunk, some were fleeing police, some just took the wrong ramp. But whatever the case, the results were tragic. The bible talks about two gates, two ways and two destinations. You and I are given a choice, either the way that leads to life or the way that leads to destruction. The first involves acceptance of God’s way, the other involves rejection. Jesus made it crystal clear when he said, “I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Which way have you chosen, the right way or the wrong way?
