It's Sunday

My Heart Leaps

This morning, like most Saturday mornings, Cathy and I took our dog Millie for a long walk in a location where she is free to be off her chain.  She always seems to know when it is Saturday and from the moment we wake up her excitement is at a fevered pitch.  Her tail is waging a hundred beats a minute and she goes in circles around the house waiting to leave.  When she is finally free to run she spends the first five minutes running circles, making a pretend growl noise every time she circles back by us.  When that gets old she finds a stick for us to throw.  It takes her most of the walk to get all the energy out.
I love these walks because of her obvious joy and excitement.  It's the way life should be - full of energy, joy and pure enthusiasm for the day.  We seem to have few enough of those moments as we trudge our way through the daily routines. Where can this pure joy come from?  Psalm 29:6 says "He (God) makes Lebanon skip like a calf, Sirion (Mount Hermon) like a young ox."  O for the Lord to put such joy in our hearts too!

Trouble Arrives Without Notice

A little before six this morning a house just down the street from my house caught on fire and the flames lit up the early morning sky in Sarnia. I don't know the people who lost their home but I was grateful to hear on the radio that they had escaped unharmed. Trouble can seem to come so quickly and without even a moment's notice.

We can't help but reflect on events such as this and ask the question "Why?". But, of course, it is the wrong question to ask. It is the wrong question because there is no answer this side of heaven. In the midst of all the troubles we face in life we can but look to that overwhelming sign of God's love for us - Jesus hanging on the cross- and be reassured that in his love He will take care of us in our moment of need. It may seem rather naive to, in the midst of trouble , still believe that God loves me but that is faith. I believe.

Are We Judgemental?

Today is Thursday - my favourite day.  On Thursday mornings I meet with a group of men for breakfast.  We share our spiritual journey together and even pray for one another.  They are a great group of guys and I don't like ever having to miss my morning with them.  We have been following the study guide for "The Prodigal God" as have many in our congregation.  Today we focused in on the fact that while Jesus attracted many non-religious people to him the Christian Church does not seem to attract the non-religious.  In fact, we seem to repel them.  Most people outside the church tend to view the church as judgemental.  We are not really supposed to be about judgement - our real message is about grace - the free gift of God.  Is the church too judgemental?  What should we do about it?

The Winds of God

Today there are supposed to be high winds in the Sarnia area. I've always enjoyed the wind.  It gives me a sense of adventure and also a sense that I am not really in control but am in the hands of something a lot bigger than myself.  The wind that would really excite me would be the wind of God's Spirit blowing across the land and across the church.  Whenever I see God's hand in things my heart skips a beat and excitement grows deep within.  Have you seen God's hand at work today yet?  Look for it!

Trinity Church Blog

Trinity Anglican Church is located in Sarnia Ontario.