All posts by johncarr

Help! I need Somebody! – Like the 60’s Song Says (Charles McNeil)

Do you and I have trouble asking for help? Do we think that asking for help reveals a character flaw?

Are we somehow are lessened if we actually admit that we need help?

Odd questions to be asking in the context of the fallout of contending with the covid19 virus!

And yet perhaps all the more relevant in this time we are living through!

The other day I wanted to email prayer requests. There was a glitch in the email app and the glitch made the usually straightforward process cumbersome.  After several attempts I gave up and went home!

The following morning I had a revelation! Ask Siri for help! I did just that. Siri gave me several responses, and I chose what seemed the best choice.  Lo and behold it worked and corrected the glitch!

Situations are not always as easily solved.  Nor as situations as unimportant.  It’s good to try everything we can do ourselves to solve  whatever it is.  If the solutions don’t work then the next step is to ask for help.

This clearly includes God as well!  God stands by waiting to be asked for help.  While waiting God can gift us with calmness and clarity.  God can also whisper into the situation – try this.  God enhances our giftedness in the problem solving.

So why not simply involve God from the get go?  Asking for God’s smarts and wherewithal.  Literally saying – so what do You think?  How would You solve this? What’s the best Way to go?

And yes the pot is calling the kettle black.  I can do things the hard way, and after a lot of huffing and puffing I finally ask God for help.

Is this a bit like the gospel’s Peter trying to walk on the water? (Mt. 14: 29 – 31.)  It probably would have turned out differently had Peter asked Jesus to take his hand and walk him around a bit on the water’s surface and then try the effort on his own.  Imagine how that story would have gotten around!

Another of the New Testament’s figures also had to learn the hard way.  When Paul did learn – it stuck with him and changed his life!

Paul went from seemingly needing no one to embracing the love, friendship, and mentoring of the risen Jesus!  Jesus so profoundly complemented Paul’s life that Paul proclaimed … “ I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Phil’s. 4:13). Paul grew into seeing himself in partnership with Jesus!

What about you and me?  Do we see ourselves in partnership with Jesus?  Do we embrace that ethic?  Do we experience the huge benefits of partnering with Jesus?!

Here’s a thought: ask Jesus how He’d complement our efforts in responding to whatever and whoever is in front of us? Turn and say – what do You think?  How can we more profoundly transform the limitations and struggles of this time so that there is a gentleness, peace, and powerful perspective at work?  What opportunities are You giving us Jesus to share something of You into the complexities of these moments?

Don’t be surprised at the powerful stuff that happens!  The challenge.  The opportunity.  The growing edge. The effectiveness.

Appreciate you all!

Charlie
The Rev Charles McNeil
Knox , Lloydminster, and Ganton Presbyterian Churches

Leaders & Shepherds (William Ball)

Leaders and shepherds come in all shapes and sizes.   Have you learned about one of our most recent heroes, Billy Martin?  Billy lives in Fort McMurray and owns a restaurant, Sweet Meats Sandwich Bar.   When the devastating blockage of ice in the Athabasca river caused the Clearwater river to flood into the lower townsite of Fort Mac, all kinds of people had to be evacuated.  Firefighters, police, first responders jumped into action.   Billy knew that he had to take action as well.  He knew that he could do something to help.  So, he went down to his restaurant, to make 20 sandwiches for those first responders.   Terrific!  A wonderful gesture!

But there were others who hungry and needed help – so he made 300 sandwiches for evacuees.  Wow!  That is really stepping forward in a generous way for his neighbours.  But even that wasn’t enough.  He knew that sandwiches alone would not sustain them.  So he reached out and asked for help from others; the result is that what started with a few sandwiches became stacks of donations from people all over Fort McMurray.

Billy Martin saw a need and stepped up.  He became a leader, a provider, a carer.  You could say that he became a shepherd for others when one was needed.

As I said, shepherds, leaders, come in all shapes and sizes; but you notice that he didn’t just stand around and tell people what to do.  He wasn’t that kind of leader.  He acted, he used the skills and resources that he possessed, and he served people.  As did many hundreds and thousands of other volunteers in Fort Mac.

We have seen all sorts of people do the same across this country – as a nation we’ve acknowledged the service of health care workers, care home workers, grocery clerks, cleaners and so many others who have kept life going for the rest of us.   We also heard of children who have used their own money to offer snacks and good food for those working in hospitals; we’ve seen children who have put up their drawings in the windows of their homes for others to see and admire; we’ve watched on youtube or facebook the many songs, parodies and amusing antics of those who just want to bring a smile to another persons’ face – to help all of us get through each day a little easier.

It has been said: sorrow that is shared is cut in half, but joy that is shared is doubled.  What a wonderful opportunity we have before us as we go through this particularly difficult time of the pandemic and economic challenge to lessen the burden that others carry, and to increase their sense of joy, thankfulness and solidarity.

When we help carry a burden for another person or share a joy or a laugh with them, we are living out the spirit of Jesus – himself the Good Shepherd – modeling a style of leadership which is responsive and sacrificial.

It is recorded in John’s gospel, ch. 10 that Jesus used the image of Shepherd to help us understand who he is and how he acts for our good.  Jesus showed us that shepherd/leader gets to know his sheep and they know the sound of his voice – trusting him, responding to his call.  The shepherd/leader acts as the gate of the sheepfold – lying with his body across the opening so that no predator gets in to ravage or steal the sheep.  The shepherd/leader leads the sheep out to good pasture so that the sheep will not just survive but will thrive – finding peace and wholeness and new life.

Jesus, our good Shepherd, came that we might have life – abundant life!  So that we might, in his name, might reflect his goodness in all that we say and do.

So, ask yourself: what are the ways that you have experienced the compassion, generosity and care of Jesus our Shepherd?   Take some time to count the ways in which you’ve been blessed by God.

  • If you do so, you’ll find that your burdens are lifted, and your joy is increased.
  • You’ll find that you are not alone, that there are many others who will care, who will step up and take action. Remember, we are the hands and feet of Christ.
  • Sometimes you will discover that such a person is you!  Responding with the compassion, generosity and care that is in your heart because of the love of God.

Where do you see people stepping up and taking action for the good of our community?  Name them.  Thank them.  Join them.

The Rev. William Ball
Millwoods Presbyterian Church, Edmonton

Virtual Church (Heinrich Grosskopf)

In my early years of ministry, during the 1990s, I was serving in rural congregations rural in South Africa. Sometimes people would be sick and at home or in hospital and distances would prevent me from getting to their bedside quickly enough. It was at that stage that I learned how very possible it is to still pray with the person from a distance, over the phone. I still do this from time to time. At times there were 200 kilometres that separated us, but we still were in touch through the Spirit of God.

With the COVID-19 pandemic that we are facing right now, we are in the predicament where this concept is implemented all the time. We pray as a faith community over Zoom or YouTube, spanning across wide spaces without being physically together.

In 2012 the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada approved serving Communion over the internet. This past Easter Sunday, we at Dayspring —as many other congregations most likely have done as well — served communion over our Zoom video worship service. People at home were encouraged to have bread or rice crackers and juice or wine ready for this communion. So, this has now happened. We have celebrated the Lord’s Supper in a virtual manner.

Have we ever thought of it? Jesus Christ dwelled on earth for 33 years, and ever since that time, He has, by the work and power of the Holy Spirit, been virtually present in the lives of his followers all over the world. It all happens by the way we look at things, doesn’t it?

(The Rev Dr.) Heinrich Grosskopf
Dayspring Presbyterian Church, Edmonton

How do we explain and deal with COVID-19? (Carr)

N T Wright recently had an article in Time magazine about how “Christianity Offers No Answers About the Coronavirus. It’s Not Supposed To.” You can find it at the following link. https://time.com/5808495/coronavirus-christianity/?fbclid=IwAR0k5gvtUX5EyKDPDB3nDc7baGAhA2YuUUnGpEYVNz3K6IHSAgXnv9tHYII

Here is the final paragraph – which sums up what Dr. Wright is saying.

“It is no part of the Christian vocation, then, to be able to explain what’s happening and why. In fact, it is part of the Christian vocation not to be able to explain—and to lament instead. As the Spirit laments within us, so we become, even in our self-isolation, small shrines where the presence and healing love of God can dwell. And out of that there can emerge new possibilities, new acts of kindness, new scientific understanding, new hope. New wisdom for our leaders? Now there’s a thought.”

T J Oord suggests that “We Can Lament and Explain” indicating that, while he normally agrees with Dr Wright on these issues, he has a slightly different perspective.   http://thomasjayoord.com/index.php/blog/archives/we-can-lament-and-explain?fbclid=IwAR3gc1VU4iKZO-6Dc6UbUhV_D2e4SYhRKQcsubTTF2n6upcVCyZX93ohwJ4

Here is Oord’s final paragraph: “I think we should seek explanations for what God’s will is and what God’s doing. We ought to ask what God’s power must be like in light of God’s love. We should admit God cannot prevent evil singlehandedly. But God is working against the Coronavirus. And God calls you, me, and all creation to overcome evil with love.”

Here is my response to these articles. I think that Oord has picked up on a subtle aspect of the theodicy puzzle that NT Wright missed – i.e. the fact that “God is working against the Coronavirus. And God calls you, me, and all creation to overcome evil with love.” – also that “God empowers and inspires us to love during this crisis. Our decisions matter as we care for the hurting, maintain spatial distance, share with the needy, and help in whatever way necessary. We cannot win without God’s empowering love. But God needs our cooperation to overcome this evil.’

However, it does seem to me that the pathway to the kind of belief and action that NT Wright espouses (lament) is the pathway to discovering what Oord is talking about. We know from grief studies and theories that, unless we allow ourselves to experience grief we will have difficulty getting to the point where we experience ourselves empowered in relation to our losses.

John C Carr, ThM, PhD
Retired Pastoral Psychotherapist & Educator and
Minister-in-association, Dayspring Presbyterian Church, Edmonton

Where are we going? (Maj (Padre) Kenneth MacRae)

Some would call it fun. I called it slightly terrifying. I just finished taking my LOSV course. (Light over snow vehicle…in other words a snowmobile course). I have heard people bragging about going 100km over the snow, jumping ditches, skidding around turns and having a blast on the machines. For me 50-60km was fast enough. Side hill driving is not fun for it always felt that the machine would tip over. The worst part was wearing glasses. They kept fogging up which really doesn’t help me to see where I was going while driving a death machine. So I had to crack my visor a bit to get cool air in. Thankfully it was only -20 or less. (Strange how after living in -50 degree weather -20 feels warm!) Unfortunately the cool air drifting in would start to cause frostbite on my face. If I sat on the machine the windshield blocked the wind. But over bumpy ground you are supposed to stand up for better control. I was constantly fighting the elements and trying to stay alive. Fun is not the word I would use to describe the course.

The good news is that I got a lot of prayer time in. Mostly it was, “Lord…keep me alive!” I was also praying for the group with me, and for the wonderful people I minister to in Yellowknife. At the beginning of the year people would say that this is the year for clear vision 20/20. As I literally fought to see the path I was taking on the snowmobile, I also wondered what path Christ wants us to take in this world. Think about Philippians 3: 15 “So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision – you’ll see it yet!”

Sadly I think a lot of people in our churches just go along for the ride. We may have an official vision statement that sounds wonderful but then we can ignore it. We tend not to think about the direction we are going. We tend to react to situations. Finances are low. We must give more, hold more fund raisers, etc. A Sunday school teacher quit. We must find a new one. I believe it is much better to truly reflect on where we are going and how each of us (not just the session) plays a part in God’s plan for the world. Who knows how the journey will fair. It may be fun. It may be terrifying. As long as the hand is on the throttle we are going somewhere.

Maj (Padre) Kenneth MacRae
Joint Task Forth North – Yellowknife, NWT.

God loves us just the way we are and … (Janet Taylor)

Close your eyes, and think for a minute about someone you love. A relative. A friend. Picture their face, hear their voice in your mind…imagine yourself sitting with them. Maybe you’re sharing a cup of tea in front of the fireplace, your feet up on an ottoman and your lap covered with a cozy blanket. Or maybe you’re dreaming of summer – it will come, I promise! – and you and your beloved are sitting in the shade of a spreading tree, sipping lemonade and watching the butterflies hover lazily over the grass. Have you got the image solidly in your mind?

Now I want you to imagine telling that person how you feel about them. Tell your beloved all that happens in your heart when you’re around them, how they fill your life with joy and laughter, or how you know that with that special person you always feel at peace. Share in your mind what you’d say…

Did you want anything about your beloved to change? If anything did change, would it matter? Would it matter if your beloved lost a limb, or was transfigured by tragedy? Would you still love that person?

Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 13 that love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Would your love for those you hold dear bear and believe, hope and endure all things?

I appreciate the expression, “God loves you exactly the way you are – and has no intentions of leaving you that way!” And it’s true – every bit as true as it is of us. When we think of those we love, we want them to grow. We want them to experience new things and gain a deeper understanding of both themselves and the world around them, of their relationship with God and their relationships with others. We don’t wish for stagnancy. We don’t want them to be like a prairie slough, so still that algae forms on the surface and the depths turn murky. No! We want those we love to be living water – water that moves and tumbles, gurgles with laughter and reshapes the shoreline wherever it passes.

Jesus was baptized in living water – a moving river. When we baptize, if we don’t have a river to baptize in, we pour the water into the font…we splash it around and move it…it’s living water. We are invited into a life of change and growth, of renewal and rebirth. We are invited to move and tumble, laugh, and reshape the world around us through the love and grace of God which live inside us.

God loves us just the way we are  – and has no intentions of leaving us this way! Life in the living water of God will always draw us in to be reshaped, to grow, to be renewed and reborn. Life with God, who bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things is always an adventure!

The Rev Janet Taylor
Interim Moderator, Sherwood Park Presbyterian Church

MY FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS STORY (Steve Haughland)

He was born in a small village in a far-flung corner of the Roman Empire. He was the child of a peasant-girl – barely out of her teens and with little to commend her, except an obedient heart. His father, a man with rough edges and rougher hands, had equally little to commend him – except the hint of a wonderful pedigree and a willingness to do right by his kin.

When the time came for him to enter the world, a borrowed cattle stall at the end of a hard journey, was the only place they could find for him. In the middle of the night. In a place unfamiliar.  Surrounded by the smell and the sweat of beasts of burden. The object of curiosity for shepherds and locals and travelers alike.

He was only days old when his family became refugees. Forced to flee to a foreign country and dependent upon the kindness of strangers, his first months were spent in a place not his home. Upon returning, his lot would be the obscurity of village life and wielding the simple tools of a carpenter’s mallet and hammer.

When he was thirty years of age, he left his home and became a preacher, walking the dusty roads of Palestine with a message and a vision all his own. For a little while people became curious, believed,  listened, watched, and then waited for the inevitable to happen.

He was only thirty-three when public opinion, finally, turned, and highest and mightiest in the land plotted against him for the lowest and basest of motives. Abandoned by his friends, turned over to his enemies, he was forced to endure the mockery of a trial. Silent before his accusers, he offered no word in his own defense, but bowed his head until he was reduced, finally, to an object of scorn and pity.

Forced to carry the instrument of his own execution, he was nailed to a cross between two thieves.

While he lay dying, his executioners gambled for his only possessions – his clothing. After he was dead, only the pity of a wealthy man secured for him a borrowed grave.

Twenty one centuries have passed since many thought him gone forever. Yet today, the world has never escaped his words, his deeds, or his vision. He never wrote a book.  But all the libraries in the world could not contain the books written about him. He was neither a politician, nor a professor, and never attended a college or university. Yet, many looked to him for wisdom, and many called him Rabbi, and Teacher.

He never had a wife or children. Yet for 2000 years the Church that bears his name has proudly called herself his bride, and millions more gladly claim him as their brother and sibling.

He had neither wealth nor prestige. Yet, with only a few loaves and fishes he fed thousands. He never traveled more than two hundred miles from where he was born.  But he knew the deepest depths of the human soul, and the highest aspirations of the human spirit.  He was not a counselor, yet his words, and his touch, could bring joy and freedom to the most troubled heart.

He was not a warrior. And yet, at the mere mention of his name demons trembled, and the mighty feared to ask him even the slightest question. He did not demand to be worshiped or adored. But without his command to be silent, even the stones beneath his feet could not be kept from singing.

He did none of the things that one associates with greatness. And yet, in his presence sinners found forgiveness. The lame walked. The blind received sight. The deaf heard. The dumb spoke. Lepers were cleansed. The weak given courage. The poor given hope. The broken-hearted given joy. And the self-righteous and the unforgiving received their come-uppance.

Twenty one centuries later, and the world tries still in vain to find a category in which to place him, and a box in which to lock him away. And no wonder. Even today, no philosophy, religion, no theologian, no personality….has touched the lives of human beings on this earth as deeply, as profoundly, as his. His “One Solitary Life.”

This holy season, as we honour the birth of the one who was “so wonderfully, completely human He was divine,” may faith, hope and love unite us to him once more. May our lives be joined to his, and may his life and ours be “solitary” no longer….!

Adapted and expanded from: “ONE SOLITARY LIFE”

Rev. Steve (Haughland), Westminster Church, Chauvin, AB

Salt & Light (Janet Taylor)

Jesus say that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world; like the disciples, we having grabbed hold of Christ, determined to follow, and Jesus is telling us who we are – we are salt and light – and he’s telling us what we are to do.[1]

We are the salt of the earth. It’s not that someday, in some perfect future, we will be salt. It’s now. It’s here. We are the salt. And it’s not just in our congregations. Not just for ourselves. We are the salt of the earth. That’s a big mission field. That’s why we support churches struggling in Africa, and inner city missions. We are salt for the whole earth.

In Ancient Israel, salt was an important preservative. It was a symbol of covenant[2] in Leviticus Chapter 2 when God tells the Hebrews “Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings.” It’s used to purify sacrifices in Exodus and Ezekiel. It’s used by orthodox Jews as part of the process for preparing meat under dietary laws to this day.[3]

Laying aside contemporary concerns about high blood pressure and salt intake, it’s the flavour of salt – it’s saltiness – that gives it identity and purpose.[4] Without the saltiness it really isn’t useful for anything.

Only one thing can make salt lose its saltiness, and that’s dilution.[5] If I put four tablespoons of salt into a glass of water and dissolve it, it becomes undrinkable. If I put three grains of salt in a glass of water, I won’t even know it’s there.

How do we, as Christians, dilute the Gospel, and in so doing, render ourselves flavourless? Doug Hare offers this warning: “Any church that adapts itself so completely to the (unchurched) world that it’s distinctive calling is forgotten has rendered itself useless.”[6] When do we fail to bring our zest to situations? Equally importantly, why? Jesus knew why, and he addresses it in his very next sentence.

Jesus goes on to say that we are the light of the world. What stops light? Solid objects. Bushels. Bowls. Walls. Barriers. Our unique flavour and zest, given to us by the Gospel, not only gets diluted – we hide it.

Just as Christ said we are salt, we are light, and again, the mission field is global. We shine in our small corners and Christ gives us a brightness in our daily interactions with others. Light. Science tells us that light moves the fastest of anything on earth, and even in a vacuum, it doesn’t dissipate….its waves and particles keep on traveling.[7]

Light is the energy which helps plants grow. It can be focused for specific uses.[8] It gives everything in the world colour. All the colours of the rainbow are contained within white light, which bounces off or is absorbed by different objects in specific ways. Then the human eye and brain together translate the bouncing light into colour.[9]

In this place, and definitely in this time, it might be tempting to dilute our saltiness or dim our light. Identifying as a Christian can be uncomfortable for us and for our congregations. It’s not easy to choose the way of light in the workplace. We risk judgement, or attack, or insult. It’s challenging to maintain our distinctive zest by being ethical consumers. When we shine light on injustice or pain or greed there can be backlash. That’s frightening.

And yet…. it is salt that stimulates thirst.[10] God will use our flavour and zest to stimulate thirst in those around us. “Where are these living waters that you speak of?” asked the Samaritan Woman, and was given Jesus Christ.

And it’s light that turns the seasons, changing trees from bare, vulnerable emptiness to vibrant and life-giving abundance. God will use our light to fill barren places with hope, and bring lost people home to him.

As we travel toward Advent, preparing for the coming of Jesus into the waiting world, may our proclamation be made through our saltiness and our light.

The Rev. Janet Taylor
Braeside Church, St Albert, Alberta


[1] Ronald Allen. Feasting on the Word.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Isaac Klein. A Guide to Jewish Religious Practice.

[4] Craddock, Fred et al. Preaching the New Common Lectionary.

[5] W. F. Albright & C. S. Mann. Anchor Bible Commentary – Matthew.

[6] Douglas Hare. Interpretation – Matthew. (I have replaced the word “secular” with the word “unchurched”

[7] http://study.com/academy/lesson/how-does-light-travel-lesson-for-kids.html

[8] Marcia Riggs. Feasting on the Word.

[9] http://www.zmescience.com/science/physics/what-gives-colour/

[10] Charles Cook. Feasting on the Word.

Remembrance (Charlie McNeil)

Shannon and I were on the main street of Vermilion.  We’d had coffee in a really neat bistro.  Coming out of the bistro we noticed a sandwich sign.

The sign wished everyone a happy Remembrance Day!

Both Shannon and I felt that was a rather odd way of relating to Remembrance Day!  Happy and remembrance of war, conflict, death, injury seems incongruent.  Although, as with life in all its challenges, there is happiness in the midst of all that contradicts happiness!  Perhaps happiness and love can weigh in against things like conflict and war to help those involved overcome as they move through the valley of the shadow of death.

In contemplating remembrance I wondered what the word remembrance calls for – especially when we consider the word and action(s) it represents around the time of November 11?

There is another reference and experience in being called to remembrance.  This comes in the celebration of the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.  Jesus is remembered as calling upon His people to embrace the Sacrament in remembrance of Him!

As I pondered the meaning of the word remembrance it struck me that it would be helpful to check out the Greek word which the English word remembrance represents.  So I went on line and did some digging into the Biblical Greek language.

I looked at a variety of sources and one that really caught my attention talked about remembrance in terms of process and journey.  The Greek word for remembrance can be unpacked as indicating that we are to get … up, participate in completing a process, turn the mind towards whatever it is we are remembering.  Apparently most properly, remembrance means to recollect by going through a process – i.e. to journey where the remembrance leads (extends) to. (Bible Hub)

This sense of journey struck me as important.  Clearly its not a journey we do in one day or for an hour or so on a day designated for remembrance.  The journey is one which is concurrent with our lives.  Where we go. What we do.  How we get there. By what ways and means we live life, practice faith, and interact one with another.

I am not a pacifist by any stretch of the imagination.  I am not one who can easily turn the other cheek.  I have never been called to serve in the Canadian Armed forces, either in times of war or times of peace making and peace keeping.  I do not know how I would relate under fire, and am thankful that I probably will never be tested in that way!

The journey of remembrance is one that is very different here in Canada than say in Syria, Burkina Faso, eastern Ukraine, and even a place like Hong Kong.  People who have borne the burden of violence, hatred, persecution, and death have journeyed a life time in what was really a few months or years.

I wonder if people who are refugees (those seeking refuge) are consciously more thankful for a country like Canada than native born and raised Canadians?  I wonder if people who were denied the gift of voting in free and fair elections, and whose friends and neighbours were killed trying to do so in their homelands relish with wonder and awe walking into a polling station and voting with fear of reprisal?  I wonder if people from war ravished areas of the world can hardly believe walking into a doctor’s office, a hospital, or a drug store – all of which are fully functioning?  I wonder if people who were starved physically and spiritually see the abundance hereabouts and literally give thanks to God?!

I walked into a grocery store the other day and literally had my eyes opened!  Usually I wander around he grocery store and fill the cart from the list I’ve been given.  The other day, for some odd reason, I was floored by the incredible abundance laid out before the shoppers!  And in one aisle only!

That can be a metaphor for the incredible abundance that this society generally enjoys. Or some in our society enjoy better put!  I realize I have journeyed the path of the privileged in more ways than I can imagine or express.  Whatever the specifics of our journeys we are to learn from them, to remember them, and be put to work making a better, more fruitful, more just world for everyone!

Whether it is the Communion Table or the Remembrance Day service we are to take what we’ve been given, appreciate it, and learn from it!  We are to live something of the spirit of the table and of the service. Our lives are to be different because of the remembering that reshapes the journey.

In both peace and in war and in the many other places of life Christians are to be reflecting something of Christ Jesus into the world.  We are to witness to something of Jesus so that the love, grace, and forgiveness of God is like a leaven for the loaf of life!

I hope that God granted us all a significant Remembrance Day and that the journey is made better because of it!

Charlie McNeil
For Knox and Ganton Presbyterian Churches

Can we be saints? (Heinrich Grosskopf)

At this time of the year, we celebrate “All Saints’ Day.”

For many people the word “saint” could barely be understood, simply because the word isn’t used that regularly anymore. When it is used, it refers to something of the religious sphere. Churches still bear names like St. Andrew’s, or St. Luke’s. But what does it refer to?

It does indeed refer to “holy ones”, people that are set apart by God to be sanctified.

Frank Logue asks, “How do you define a person that is a saint? Would you know a real-life saint if you met one?”

Try this definition: “A saint is a dead sinner, revised and edited.” This comes from the early 20th-century satirist Ambrose Bierce in his 1906 work, The Cynic’s Word Book, where he defined saints as revised and edited sinners presumably because if we knew the truth of the saint’s life, we would find a truth more complicated and less holy than the legend.

Indeed, as human beings, we would never be able to be identified as saints on our own. From a divine perspective, things get turned around.

The miracle of it all is that a Christian is not made a saint by their actions.

Perhaps this is why the snarky definition offered by Ambrose Bierce proves oddly accurate and soundly scriptural. Bierce defined a saint as “A dead sinner, revised and edited.” We find the same in scripture and our own lives. All of us are sinners. Not one of us is pure.

What makes someone a saint is not that they are holy, but that God is holy. Everyone of us in baptism is buried with Christ in his death to rise with him in the resurrection. We are all called to be dead to sin and alive to God.

We don’t do any actions to earn or deserve God’s grace and love, which have already been given to us freely. Instead, we love our neighbours as ourselves in response to that love from God, expecting nothing in return as God has given us everything.

Many other dead sinners need to know that God loves them just as they are but wishes to work on revising and editing.

We don’t define saints. God does. God, three-in-one, Father, Son and Holy Spirit wishes that all would gather around God’s heavenly throne in that saintly chorus, singing “Holy, holy, holy”, even you and me.

(The Rev) Heinrich Grosskopf
Dayspring Presbyterian Church, Edmonton