Wednesday, January 21, 2026

“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence! You blind Pharisee! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too.” (Matthew 23:25 -26, New Living Translation)

             The one thing that I miss from our old house is the automatic dishwasher. We don’t have one here in our apartment. So dishes need to be washed by hand. Susan is a real trooper and does it without complaining. But she has been on the sidelines this past week or so, sick with a very bad cold and a terrible hacking cough. This has meant that I need to do the dishes. I’m sure many of you are already sarcastically thinking, “Oh, poor baby!” Fair enough.  But I detest doing dishes. I’ll clear the table of the dishes, stack the dishes, wipe dry the dishes, put away the dishes but please don’t ask me to wash the dishes.  I’ll vacuum, do the laundry, dust and sweep, but I’d rather not wash the dishes. I don’t care who does the dishes – man, woman or child or the dog can lick them clean. But I’ll pass when it comes to actually washing the dishes in the sink. Don’t really know why I have this aversion, but it’s been true my whole life.

                I would love to claim our text as supporting my position on dishwashing but that would be quite an interpretive stretch, of course.  Jesus is, once again, up against the dogmatic, religious leaders. These leaders were always looking to find fault with Jesus. They saw him as a blasphemer, a radical, a reformer, a poor example of good Judaism. These men were rigorous to a fault about obeying the Law to the finest detail and expecting everyone else to do likewise. We might call them fundamentalists, those who see their world in no uncertain terms as to what they think the Law demands.

Heaven forbid, if one used a dirty dish. There were rules about washing, mostly about one’s hands.  But since a cup was frequently used as part of the tradition, it was essential that the cup be properly cleansed as well. Thus, perhaps, the phrase, cleanliness is next to Godliness. But Jesus seems to be saying that religion which only touches the surface and is it all show and looks shiny, but bears no results, is an empty dish indeed, no matter how clean it might be.

There are several other instances in scripture where we ere reminded that the practice of our faith is more than ritual obedience, more than ceremonial performance, more than saying the right words  or practicing performance-based faith. My favourite is from Micah:

        Should we offer him thousands of rams    
            and ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
        Should we sacrifice our firstborn children
            to pay for our sins?
        No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good,
        and this is what he requires of you:
        to do what is right, to love mercy,
        and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:7 – 8)

Our best religious practice is more than going to church, saying our prayers, giving our offering, memorizing scripture, serving on some church board or committee. That  is an important part of it, of course. But our religion should inspire us to do as Jesus once said: “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” (John 14:12)

                Not that washing dishes can’t be holy work. A very long tome ago, l was being interviewed for a pastoral position. One of the questions I faced was about how I would get those who loved working in the kitchen, i.e. washing dishes, to step up their religious game and be more fervent in joining bible studies, prayer meetings and the like. The search committee joined the pharisees by looking down their noses at those who were serving the Lord in practical, helpful ways but not according to their high standards. I knew right away that this church wasn’t for me. Not surprisingly, perhaps, this church no longer exists.

James wrote that faith without works is dead. “Do I hear you professing to believe in the one and only God, but then observe you complacently sitting back as if you had done something wonderful? That’s just great. Demons do that, but what good does it do them? Use your heads! Do you suppose for a minute that you can cut faith and works in two and not end up with a corpse on your hands?” (James 2:20, The Message Bible)

So, no, Jesus is not letting me off the hook for washing dishes. Rather he is demanding that you and I bear fruit because of the faith we practice. Jesus washed feet, for goodness’s sake, a menial job but it spoke volumes about the breadth and depth of what it truly means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

Somebody, pass the dish rag, please.

 Prayer

Our forbearing God, forgive us when it is easier to say the words than live the words. May our expressions of faith in you be more than superlatives about our superiority. Help us to see how we may fill  our  cups with kindness, love, compassion, forgiveness and servanthood. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” (Philippians 1:6, New Living Translation)

            Have you already broken your New Year’s resolutions? Do you feel that you have already fallen back into the same old routines and ruts? Do you feel unmotivated as winter wears on? Maybe, you are a little bored with what you are doing, seeing, hearing. Is there any part of you that just wants to say “the heck with it?”

As I was mulling over an idea for today’s writing, I came across an article by Lauren Fraser on the CBC website which seemed to fit my thoughts and questions. It was about how to keep resolutions.  Apparently, most people give up on their goals and targets after about four months. Be it the local gym membership, reading a long-put-off book, spending more time out doors, less time on our computers or phones, people give up and go back to their old ways and habits.

Case in point, myself. Physio therapy has  really helped my right leg which had become a major problem. It took away the severe pain. But the leg has remained weak and I was given a series of home exercises to help strengthen it and my supportive back muscles. They took only about 15 minutes, twice a day.  I didn’t even reach the four months. I was religiously faithful both mornings and nights for about 6 to 8 weeks. Then, it became once a day. Then every other day.  Then occasionally. Now if I don’t feel like doing them, I don’t do any at all.  It will probably stay that way until I am in pain once again.  Don’t tell Susan.

The article described how important motivation is as the trigger in keeping up the good habits which we are trying to sustain. Stating the obvious, “a major predictor of success is whether you actually enjoy the goal you’ve set.” We are supposed to make it enjoyable. “But if you want something to stick, don’t be a martyr.” Find a challenge and celebrate the rewards. Replace old habits with new ones.  Look at each day as a fresh start.  Look for the right opportunities to engage in healthy habits without it becoming a chore, a duty, a slog, a nag or a guilt trip.

The word “continue” shows up frequently enough in scripture that we should take heed. For one thing, we are assured of God’s continued Love and Grace each and every day. “For the Lord is good.    His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.” (Psalm 100:5) But this promise and hope carry a call for commitment on our behalf that we, too, will continue in faithfulness, trust, obedience and worship.

A healthy spiritualty, a Christian lifestyle, doesn’t happen by chance.  “But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News.” (Colossian 1:23) We have to continually practice what Jesus preaches.  We must cultivate, shape, nurture, exercise our Christian faith, each and every day. Paul described it as like training for the Olympics. “I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”  (1 Corinthians 9: 27)

In the letter to the Hebrews, the writer is alarmed at the sloppy habits of some of the people. “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:23) He reminds them of how strong they started out in their faith journey. “Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering.” (10: 32) He warns but also encourages. “Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” (10: 36)

 So don’t give up on your faith. You can increase its benefits with each and every day that you live by the principles of Jesus Christ. “But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best. At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off big-time, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God. So don’t sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet! Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it!” (Hebrew 12: 11 -13, The Message Bible)

 
Prayer:
            Our Creator God, we thank you for your continued Love and Grace. We also thank you for your encouragement as we endeavour, each and day, to live lives worthy of that Love. Grant us the willingness, the strength and the resolve to love you with all our hearts, minds, bodies and souls and to love our neighbours as ourselves. May we be fit for your kingdom work. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5: 16 -18, New Living Translation)

            Happy New Year.

            I am not big on New Year’s Resolutions.  I may have the best of intentions but sooner or later I am most likely to break them. But I am making a resolution this year that I intend fully to keep.

             A little back ground first. Over the last few years, I have been a frequent contributor to the daily devotionals that our church, Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, produces on-line. One must be a subscriber - easily done, at no cost, through their website. I have been told that they have readers from around the world. I love writing, so it has been a joy. Then, this past December, as staff changes began to happen, the Rev. Paula Willis asked me to become a regular contributor, twice a month, the first and fourth Tuesdays of the month and the fifth Tuesday if there is one. All the daily readings are from the lectionary which makes it an interesting challenge. It gets me thinking and off my computer games.

            One of the aspects that go with each daily devotional is a brief prayer, just a sentence or two. As I have not done this with my own blog, I would often forget and send  the devotional  into Paula with no prayer. She would then kindly remind me and I would send her one. Now that I am a regular writer, I am doing my best to remember to pray (which is a topic for a whole other blog).

            This brings me to my resolution. Beginning with this, my first blog of the year, I am adding a brief prayer at the end of it and will continue to do so from now on. Perhaps, this is not earth-shattering news, but I am hoping that many of you will find it helpful in some small way.

            The disciples once asked Jesus to teach them to pray. He gave the Church the beautiful Lord’s Prayer. “Our Father who art in heaven.” If prayer is hard for you or you feel that you can’t find the right words, the Lord’s Prayer captures so much of our need for God’s Presence in our lives, that you can’t go wrong using this prayer as the standard. God will hear you through it. “The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord will answer my prayer.” (Psalm 6:9)

            Prayer is mentioned several hundreds of times in the Bible. It is crucial for a healthy relationship with God. “I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray.” (Psalm 17:6) The Psalms are also very helpful if ever you are stuck in finding the words to pray. They cover every human emotion from joy to sorrow, from confidence to fear from hope to despair, from peace to anger. “But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life.” (Psalm 42:8)

            Many people claim that they don’t know how to pray. I have had church deacons who were very bashful about praying in front of others. Some may think that prayer needs to be done by a professional  or needs to be articulated with pious and high-minded words. They see prayer in formal and liturgical resonance. But really, prayer, at its most basic and simplest, is having a real-life conversation with God. It doesn’t have to be pretty or convoluted. It just needs to be sincere and honest, expressing yourself in the best way you know how. God will take it from there. “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.” (Romans 8: 26)

            Our text from 1 Thessalonians is a wonderful text for beginning the New Year. Worth repeating: “Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.” (The Message Bible) If only we lived this verse out all year long! Pray it be so!

Prayer

Our loving God, we thank you for listening to us even if we stumble for the right words. You call us and know us by name, so we never need fear to approach you and lay our lives before you. Help us to listen. Help us to understand who you want us to be. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Wednesday, December 31, 2025 – New Years Eve

“For Jesus doesn’t change—yesterday, today, tomorrow, he’s always totally himself.” (Hebrews 138, The Message Bible)

                What is the old expression? “Change is the only constant in life.” Amazingly, perhaps, that was written by a Greek philosopher, Heraclitus, over 2500 years ago. I am not sure what changes he may have been referring to, but I do know that in our modern day and age changes are rapidly occurring all the time. It is hard to keep up with the rapid evolution of technology, for example. I am lucky if I get my cell phone to work. Anything to do with AI just boggles my mind.

                Yesterday, I felt like Rip Van Winkle coming out of a deep sleep after twenty years. We took two of our grandchildren to see Zootopia at the movie theatre. It has been a very, very long time since Susan and I have gone to a movie. The changes to our experience blew our minds.  Katie had pre-purchased our tickets and simply showed the transaction on her phone for us to get in. (We paid her back later by more conventional means because this was to be our treat.) No longer does one have to line up to get your popcorn, snacks and drinks at the counter; everything is self serve. The drink machines have endless choices. One can  even get beer, wine and cider. (I had an orange soda,) You only go to the checkout to pay. We even added as much or as little butter flavour to our popcorn ourselves.  Our seats weren’t the narrow, uncomfortable, old theatre seats we remembered.  These were plush arm chairs. Lots of room. They even reclined.  Gadzooks! (I’ve be wanting to use that word lately; this seemed like a good moment.)

                As we look back on the year, I suspect that all of us can point to how things are changing in our personal lives and well as in the world. I used to love change. Susan has accused me, in the past, of fomenting change especially when things were going well or peaceably in our churches. I didn’t like complacency. I didn’t like stagnation. I didn’t like it if we were not growing, striving for better, grasping for new opportunities.  But now, as I grow older, give me peace and quiet. Give me constancy and predictability. Give me familiar and normalcy.  I want my old blue recliner back, the one we threw out when we moved. Then, world, leave me alone!

                But it doesn’t work that way. This past year has seen big changes in our lives. Moving to Whitby was the biggest and hardest but there have been other changes, maybe not as big but change just the same. Several have been good changes, e.g. finding a family doctor again after two years without one. On the other hand, health issues have reared their ugly head, so we needed that doctor. Yet we have survived and even thrived for the most part. But change is indeed a constant for us all.

                Who knows what next year will bring? More change, I’m sure. But before we moan and groan and complain, there is something that never changes no matter what.  That is the permanency of God’s Love for us as seen in Jesus Christ. I am not a big proponent of some of the stuffy theology that goes with the idea of God’s immutability, God’s changelessness. It seems a bit too rigid, inflexible and cold on the surface. I say that because God does  indeed change, in the sense that just when we fear he may be giving up on us, or forgetting us or punishing us, God changes his mind and sticks to his loving plan of grace, mercy and forgiveness.  God is changeless only in the sense that God doesn’t ever let us go. God doesn’t play games with us. God is not fickle or mercurial. Rather God is dependable, trustworthy, and best of all, loving. Those traits never change. “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.” (Psalm 18:2, NLT)

                Our text leads us to the same trustworthy nature of Jesus Christ, the incarnation of God. The person whom we see in the Gospels, compassionate, kind, serving, gracious, healing, just, a man for everyone, no matter whatever circumstances people are in, carries these same traits with him into his Lordship for us today and we can be sure for tomorrow. He came because of us; he lived and died for us; he will lead us into a better tomorrow. “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”  (John 8:12) As he did yesterday, that Light shines today and will shine tomorrow.

                I can guarantee that there will be changes in 2026. But I also can assure all of us that we are embraced and will continue to be embraced by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Love of God, this day and forevermore.

                A blessed New Year to you all!

Dale

December 24 – Christmas

“Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”  (Luke 2: 14, New Living Translation)

             
            I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
            Their old familiar carols play,
            And wild and sweet the words repeat
            Of peace on earth, good will to men.           

             It’s not that I am anywhere close to being a Grinch or a Scrooge, but I will confess that I am having difficulty getting into the full Christmas spirit. But yikes, it’s Christmas Eve. If not now, when? Even the repetitive nature of popular Christmas music has not released the Christmas jollies in me. I am not so much dreaming of a white Christmas as I am hoping for clear road conditions for driving. My jingle bells have lost their jangle. My bad leg, although much better, won’t let me rock around the Christmas tree. I am sorry that Elvis is having a blue Christmas, but he needs to deal with it. There is no particular reason for how I am feeling. Nothing is really wrong.  We will be with family. Perhaps it’s all the bad news I hear, read and see.

            And in despair I bowed my head:
            “There is no peace on earth,” I said,
            “For hate is strong and mocks the song
            Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

            But wait, do you hear what I hear? “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” 

                It’s a song which our weary world needs to listen to, that you and I need to pay close attention. The King James version is especially appealing: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Yes, it needs to be more inclusive, but I enjoy the emphasis on both peace and good will as being essential qualities behind the Christmas story and indeed is also embedded deeply in the whole story of Jesus Christ from start to finish. Every year, we need to listen and appreciate the strength of that message. Peace and goodwill. There’s not enough of either in our world right now.                 

            Peace and good will in Russia and Ukraine.
            Peace and goodwill in Gaza and Israel.
            Peace and good will in the Sudan.
            Peace and goodwill in refugee camps.
            Peace and goodwill between faiths, cultures, ethnicities, tribes and clans.
            Peace and goodwill with our neighbour to the south.
            Peace and goodwill in homeless shelters and foodbanks.
            Peace and goodwill when we put a stop to mass killings, violence, hatred, and the like.
            Peace and goodwill in our homes and relationships.

            Peace and goodwill - are we listening or have we tuned out God’s priceless words because we hear it every year?

                We might envy those shepherds who listened to those heavenly voices afresh for the very first time. Some have speculated that they may have been Palestinians doing a dirty job that others wouldn’t touch.  They are out in the middle of no-man’s land, protecting the sheep which someone else probably owned. Yet God sings for them just as much as he sings for us all. The angels carry God’s Word to lowly shepherds and yet they hear a message that is meant and is fit for the whole world – peace and goodwill. We are reminded that there is no remote place on earth in which God cannot carry his song.

                In Jesus Christ, God sings for us. peace and goodwill. May it be so!

                Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
                “God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
                The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
                With peace on earth, good will to men.”

                Till, ringing singing, on its way,
                The world revolved from night to day,
                A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
                Of peace on earth, good will to men! (Longfellow)

                May you all have a very blessed Christmas.

 Dale

 Wednesday, December 17, 2025: Advent Four

“Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1: 20 21, New Living Translation)

                 Do you like your first name? Would you change it, if you could?

                These questions came to mind today when I read in a CBC report that the most popular names of the year were Olivia and Noah. Those are good, solid names. Interestingly, Mohamed is now on the top ten list reflecting our growing multicultural identity.  When our children were born, Susan and I bought a baby name book. We poured through it constantly to find just the right name for each child as he or she came along. Sometimes, a name that might appeal to one or the other of us would be eliminated because it had negative connotations with someone one of us had known by that name. Eventually, we found the” perfect” name for each child.

                I was never that wild about my first name, Dale.  Back in the 50’s, the only other person whom I knew of with the same name was Dale Evans, the wife of Roy Rogers, the cowboy star.  And she was a girl!  By coincidence, an article popped up this morning’s web site which cited the most popular names of the 1950’s. James, John or Michael were on that list. I would have made a good James, I think.  I always wanted a really cool nickname, other than “meatball” which my older sister, Elsie, called me when I was a kid. (Probably I shouldn't have told you that.) I don’t know why my parents chose my name; I never asked. But I got used to it. And of course, the name is commonly used for both men and women.

                It was not uncommon, in Biblical times, to name one’s fist born son after the father. Jesus might have been called Jesus Josephson, except in Aramaic or Hebrew of course. I find it interesting that many people didn’t really have last names. One’s lineage was important, whose line you were born in. Just check out the begats and the begottens of either Matthew or Luke for Jesus’ lineage. First names only. 

                In Luke’s Gospel, the people were totally surprised when Zechariah named his son, John. The naming seemed to even alarm the people, causing them to ask “What then will this child become?” (Luke 1:56) The circumstances surrounding the naming awakened an awareness that God was at work.

                The given name of Jesus was also a sign that God was stirring in the world. It meant” The Lord saves.”  Now we could get more elaborate such as Isaiah did in his prophecy about the coming of the Messiah. “And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) But that is quite a mouthful, as majestic as it sounds.  The simple name, Jesus, really gives us all the information that we need to understand about what God is doing through Jesus, “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2: 10 -11)

                Jesus’ name is a powerful name, indeed, but let us not ignore how he lived out that name in his ministry and life. Jesus’ name is associated with compassion, love, healing, service, humility, sacrifice and self-giving. As we ascribe salvation to his name by his inglorious death on a cross, we get a far deeper understanding about who Jesus really is.  His grandeur comes not from power, armies, palaces, conquests, majestic clothes and superior strength.  Jesus, the one who saves, reveals the boldness of his name through his immense Love and Grace. “This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” (1 John 4:10)

                When we take on his name, i.e. Christians, we should become more like Jesus. “And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us.” (1 John 3:23)  We speak his name, we pray in his name, we act in his name, we bear his name by working out our own salvation in following his example. “Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more.” (1Thessalalonians 4:1)

                Will You Come and Follow Me
                If I But Call Your Name?
                Will You Go Where You Don’t Know
                And Never Be The Same?
                Will You Let My Love Be Shown,
                Will You Let My Name Be Known,
                Will You Let My Life Be Grown
                In You and You In Me? (Maule/Bell)

Dale

Wednesday, December 10, 2025: Advent Three

“Like an eagle that rouses her chicks and hovers over her young, so he spread his wings to take them up and carried them safely on his pinions.” (Deuteronomy 32: 11, New Living Translation)

               “Light and life to all He brings, Ris’n with healing in His wings.”  This is a line from Charles Wesley’s wonderful Christmas carol, Hark the Herald Angels Sing. I have always appreciated that one line especially.  It strikes a chord with me about the Love of God in Jesus Christ. Perhaps, Wesley was thinking of the verse from Deuteronomy. Whatever, with all the angels on the wing leading up to Christmas, be it a visitor to Zechariah, John’s father, or to Mary or to Joseph or a host of them to shepherds, God’s “winged” message to ordinary people is one of invitation to participate in his act of Love in the gift of Jesus Christ. God indeed lifts us all up to his Grace and Love.

                The Deuteronomy text points to an eagle.  This is a symbol of power and strength. Not small sparrow sized. Not a fancy peacock sized. Not a chicken sized. Although I must admit there is an echo of this text in Jesus’ words, “How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.” (Matthew 23:37) But here it is the powerful eagle, a strong, noble bird capable of soaring tirelessly high above the clouds. Yet, in one of a few female images for God in scripture, it is the mother eagle who protects her young from danger and harm.  It evokes a portrait of  tenderness and devotion to those under her care.

                The mother eagle will watch over the little, vulnerable eaglets until they can fly and fend for themselves. She will teach them how to fly, how to read the winds, the storm clouds, to seek food and shelter, to discover that they too have wings. Remember the Better Midler song, “Beneath My Wings”: “Did you ever know that you're my hero? And everything I would like to be. I can fly higher than an eagle For you are the wind beneath my wings.”

                In the Advent of Jesus into the world, God lifts up us so that we may “fly” under the winds of his wings. “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)  God watches over us and through Jesus Christs teaches us, guides us, leads us, nourishes us, so that each of us may may live in assurance, blessing and be not afraid. “He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.” (Psalm 91:4)

                If we were up to me, I might prefer to simply hunker down in my cozy nest and let the crazy world spin by.  “Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings!” (Psalm 61:4) Sounds good to me! But flying with God takes me to new places which I might never encounter. His compassionate care for you and me leads us to face the world with courage, resolve, faithfulness, and determination.  Through God’s tender Love for us, we also learn compassion, empathy, kindness, encouragement for others.  The mother eagle expects her chicks to fly; so does our God, to reveal that we truly have been made in the image of God. (Genesis 1:26)

                “Light and life to all He brings, Ris’n with healing in His wings.”  May we all rise above the din and clamor, the hustle and bustle, the pressure and angst and fly high on the wings of Love as God watches over us this Advent.

                “Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.”  (Psalm 63:7)

Dale