Read Matthew 2:19-23.
It is so beautiful that Joseph has such clear leading from the Lord. How can I find such direction? Is it purely God's initiative? Do I have a part to play? I have so much to learn when it comes to hearing from God, and am desperate for His guidance.
Friday, February 13, 2015
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Thoughts - Matthew 2:16-18
Read Matthew 2:16-18
The evils that a human being is capable of are tremendous. In an attempt to preserve his own throne, Herod wipes out all males two-and-under in-and-around Bethlehem. Understandably this leads to great mourning.
In our day another atrocity is committed in the name of self-service: abortion. It may be impossible to get an accurate reading of how many abortions are performed in Canada today (Ontario withholding 'sensitive' statistics), but it would seem that there are somewhere around 100,000 per year (perhaps a bit less?) (Right to Life statistics). Some of these children die after being born alive (Lack of accurate numbers).
What is perhaps most disturbing when it comes to the termination of pregnancies, is that while human beings are programmed to mourn the loss of a child when she dies in utero, with abortion these children are discarded with a sigh of relief. While the mothers of Bethlehem mourned their boys, our society (regularly) expects those who have undergone an abortion to continue life as if nothing significant has happened.
What evils do I justify doing in my own life for the sake of my own protection?
The evils that a human being is capable of are tremendous. In an attempt to preserve his own throne, Herod wipes out all males two-and-under in-and-around Bethlehem. Understandably this leads to great mourning.
In our day another atrocity is committed in the name of self-service: abortion. It may be impossible to get an accurate reading of how many abortions are performed in Canada today (Ontario withholding 'sensitive' statistics), but it would seem that there are somewhere around 100,000 per year (perhaps a bit less?) (Right to Life statistics). Some of these children die after being born alive (Lack of accurate numbers).
What is perhaps most disturbing when it comes to the termination of pregnancies, is that while human beings are programmed to mourn the loss of a child when she dies in utero, with abortion these children are discarded with a sigh of relief. While the mothers of Bethlehem mourned their boys, our society (regularly) expects those who have undergone an abortion to continue life as if nothing significant has happened.
What evils do I justify doing in my own life for the sake of my own protection?
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Thoughts - Matthew 2:13-15
Read Matthew 2:13-15
One has to be impressed with the speed of Joseph's obedience. An angel speaks to him in a dream telling him to flee to Egypt with Jesus and Mary. Joseph gets up and they leave immediately. Gone. Vanished. Quite possibly without a word to anyone.
Am I ready to jump when God tells me to jump? When He speaks to me through His Word or lays something on my heart? Am I ready to obey immediately?
One has to be impressed with the speed of Joseph's obedience. An angel speaks to him in a dream telling him to flee to Egypt with Jesus and Mary. Joseph gets up and they leave immediately. Gone. Vanished. Quite possibly without a word to anyone.
Am I ready to jump when God tells me to jump? When He speaks to me through His Word or lays something on my heart? Am I ready to obey immediately?
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Euthanasia - The Supreme Court of Canada's Recent Ruling
My beloved nation of Canada took a progressive step this past week. The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that preventing doctors from helping the seriously ill end their lives violated the rights of my fellow citizens. It decided that if someone suffered from an incurable disease that led to "enduring and intolerable suffering," they should have medical personnel available who could effectively and painlessly bring an end to their pain (see http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-31170569).
In a nation which increasingly rejects the Christian worldview this decision was unavoidable. The human rights movement sees it as a great victory. It is empowering for the individual to have full control over one's body. And while I feel great distress for those suffering with horrific and painful diseases, I can't help but see this decision as a great mistake. It is a decision which demonstrates the fact that while many believe we are giving greater dignity to human beings with rulings like these, the opposite is actually true.
The book of Genesis teaches that human beings are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). If we are made in the image of God, we inherently possess great dignity. It is unthinkable to take the life of such a valued creature. Murder is wrong. "'Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image." (Genesis 9:6).
While it may seem compassionate to end a human being's suffering, it reduces his or her worth to that of a horse or dog that needs to be put down. We are of great worth and must be treated as such.
In a nation which increasingly rejects the Christian worldview this decision was unavoidable. The human rights movement sees it as a great victory. It is empowering for the individual to have full control over one's body. And while I feel great distress for those suffering with horrific and painful diseases, I can't help but see this decision as a great mistake. It is a decision which demonstrates the fact that while many believe we are giving greater dignity to human beings with rulings like these, the opposite is actually true.
The book of Genesis teaches that human beings are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). If we are made in the image of God, we inherently possess great dignity. It is unthinkable to take the life of such a valued creature. Murder is wrong. "'Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image." (Genesis 9:6).
While it may seem compassionate to end a human being's suffering, it reduces his or her worth to that of a horse or dog that needs to be put down. We are of great worth and must be treated as such.
Saturday, February 7, 2015
In Pursuit of Health - Introduction
I want to lose weight.
"Why?" you ask.
For many reasons. Let me enlighten you.
First of all, I want to be healthier. Being overweight is linked to many diseases. I don't want one of these diseases to claim my life or prevent me from doing what I want. If I choose to climb Mount Everest when I'm 63, I want to be able to do it.
Secondly, I have three boys (and another child on the way) - I want to set an example for them as to how they should treat their bodies. I never want them to say (or think), "My dad lives and looks like Jabba the Hut - I can too!"
Thirdly, I have three boys (and another child on the way) - I want to be around for them. As a dad I have a responsibility to be here for them and I cannot allow my selfishness (if I'm honest that's what's causing my weight problem) to drive me to an early grave.
Next, I want to know what its like to be lighter. I have always enjoyed sports and I exercise. However, lately I've been wondering what it would be like to be able to fly across a sports field without gravity's relentless tug winning the battle.
Fifthly, I want to look better. For me. For my wife. For the world. Perhaps that's vanity. I choose to call it courtesy.
Furthermore, I might have a hernia. In order to have a hernia operation at the world's best clinic I need to be lighter. And most importantly, I need to honour God with this body, and being as overweight as I am is certainly not honouring to Him. There might be other reasons, but that's enough for now.
My plan is to post regularly on how this journey is going. Successes. Failures. Plans. Things that work for me and things that don't. Perhaps no one will ever read it. But I believe that it will be helpful for me.
"Why?" you ask.
For many reasons. Let me enlighten you.
First of all, I want to be healthier. Being overweight is linked to many diseases. I don't want one of these diseases to claim my life or prevent me from doing what I want. If I choose to climb Mount Everest when I'm 63, I want to be able to do it.
Secondly, I have three boys (and another child on the way) - I want to set an example for them as to how they should treat their bodies. I never want them to say (or think), "My dad lives and looks like Jabba the Hut - I can too!"
Thirdly, I have three boys (and another child on the way) - I want to be around for them. As a dad I have a responsibility to be here for them and I cannot allow my selfishness (if I'm honest that's what's causing my weight problem) to drive me to an early grave.
Next, I want to know what its like to be lighter. I have always enjoyed sports and I exercise. However, lately I've been wondering what it would be like to be able to fly across a sports field without gravity's relentless tug winning the battle.
Fifthly, I want to look better. For me. For my wife. For the world. Perhaps that's vanity. I choose to call it courtesy.
Furthermore, I might have a hernia. In order to have a hernia operation at the world's best clinic I need to be lighter. And most importantly, I need to honour God with this body, and being as overweight as I am is certainly not honouring to Him. There might be other reasons, but that's enough for now.
My plan is to post regularly on how this journey is going. Successes. Failures. Plans. Things that work for me and things that don't. Perhaps no one will ever read it. But I believe that it will be helpful for me.
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Resolutions
Emerging from the flames of the guilt of an over-indulgent holiday season we have entered the hope-filled days of the New Year's resolution. Many of us North Americans subject our wills to promises of betterment, only to see these longings for self-improvement extinguished as the ebb and flow of the rhythm of life resumes following its Christmas break. Resolutions need not end in failure though.
According to research performed by the University of Scranton, 45% of Americans usually make New Year's resolutions while 38% never do. There is value in taking the time to explicitly state and commit to your goals though. The study explains that people who make resolutions are 10 times more likely to reach their goals than those who hold off on resolving (http://www.statisticbrain.com/new-years-resolution-statistics/).
For the first five weeks of 2015 Faith in Focus is going to be talking about spiritual resolutions: goals to set as we seek to follow Christ with all of our heart. Goals which are attainable thanks to the work of the Spirit of God in us and as we set our wills to follow after God.
According to research performed by the University of Scranton, 45% of Americans usually make New Year's resolutions while 38% never do. There is value in taking the time to explicitly state and commit to your goals though. The study explains that people who make resolutions are 10 times more likely to reach their goals than those who hold off on resolving (http://www.statisticbrain.com/new-years-resolution-statistics/).
For the first five weeks of 2015 Faith in Focus is going to be talking about spiritual resolutions: goals to set as we seek to follow Christ with all of our heart. Goals which are attainable thanks to the work of the Spirit of God in us and as we set our wills to follow after God.
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